>>26566940
You are Thaddeus Nathaniel Black, a Ghost-Walker. Ghost-Walkers are humans with the ability and training to mimic certain powers of the undead and commune with souls and spirits. You have forgotten much of both your past and your powers, but are slowly remembering both as you attempt to escape from the desert you woke up in. Befriending a small group of scavengers, you began your journey out of the sands, but were set upon by something the inhabitants of this world call shadows. While you fought for your life, these dark beings managed to kill over half the scavenger caravan, leaving you with an injured woman, a fellow amnesiac, and a new ghost, bolstered by your powers.

Making your way through the rest of the foreboding and alien Deep Desert, you managed to reach an abandoned outpost located on the border between that death soaked land and the relatively more hospitable normal desert of the Prospector Lands. There you learned of something the former inhabitants called the Jackpot, and re-supplied. Journeying further, you left the outpost and fighting or avoiding roaming groups of undead and shadows, you arrived at Mercutio to find the city under lock-down due to the 'Long Night', a period of time where all dead things rise to hunt the living. Showing Eli's Prospector license to the gate guard, you entered the city and got a wounded Marie to the temple of Dunamon for prompt treatment.

With her being in the capable hands of the monks there, you are left to wander the city with Wallace's haunting his armor as your companion. Fatigue still weighs heavily on you, you may need to find a place to stay, soon. On the other hand, someone mentioned the possibility of finding work at the Desert Rest Inn or the local Prospector Office. The mayor of Mercutio is also looking for mercenaries for a job.

As if all that were not enough, you still have the goals of building up a crew to investigate the mysterious 'Jackpot' site, and hunt for clues as your past.

File: 1376261524631.png-(37 KB, 128x236, 2013-03-12 13.04.png)

37 KB PNG

>Exodus Quest
Oh well, no sleep for me then

>>26567036
Desert Rest Inn seems nice. We can get some info and some rest.

>>26567036
>Charlie is also accompanying you along with Wallace.

Ghost-Walker Powers:

Ghost-Walker Skill Level: 2

A Ghost's Touch: You can see and interact with ghosts normally, without the need for specialized spells or enchantments.

Cold Embrace: You can steal life force from incorporeal undead with a touch, but if your will falters, they may be able to steal from you instead. You may also attempt to steal life force from the living.

Ghost-Walking: By entering a deep meditative state, you may cast your soul out from its shell to wander as a ghost, returning to your body at any time. Be warned, your mortal shell is completely helpless when you do such. Your ghost-form is immune to physical damage and incorporeal, able to walk through walls and fly.

Fortune's Favor: At any time you may attempt to bargain with the Fortune Teller to alter the results of a roll, granting bonuses, a re-roll, or even an automatic success in some cases. Be warned there will always be unforeseen consequences to such bargains.

Notable possessions:
Combat Knife.
Desert Map.
Jackpot Map.
2 Torches
Bolt-Action Rifle and Ammunition.
Small pouch of gold.
Heavy Machine Gun.
Comm-link.
Unidentified Machines.

Health: 50%
Charlie is lightly injured.
Wallace is moderately drained.

>You are still at the Temple of Dunamon. Last thread people wanted to go check out the Prospector Office next.

>>26567100
Oh right then Prospector Office sounds nice. Do a prospector need to report anywhere?

>>26567166
"Hey Wallace... Do we gotta report anywhere with this license?" you ask, waving the card you got from Marie.

"Only every year to get it renewed. Shouldn't need to worry about that. Being an official Prospector just means you agree to pay your dues and abide by the buying and selling laws pertaining to technology. Essentially you can't sell to anyone the Prospectors blackball. Currently, that's almost no one, so don't worry about it," Wallace says.

"Ah, right. Well, let's check out the Prospector Office," you say. "We can hit the Inn afterward, I could really use some sleep."

"I'll show you the way," Wallace says, moving forward.

After a short walk through the city, you arrive at a two story building with a battered wooden sign above its door that reads, "Prospector Office Local 35." The building seems to be made of stucco and ceramics, though a cluster of metal pipes jutting up from its back suggests its interior might be a bit more complex.

On opening the wooden door you are immediately greeted with a blast of cool air, a most pleasant surprise after having spent days in the desert. The building must have some sort of cooling system. You find yourself in a large room with two benches to either side of the door, a large 'lobby' area, and a wooden counter cluttered with innumerable tools and devices. Several shelves behind the counter hold even more bits of technology, and the door behind the counter leading to the rest of the building is steel and locked.

There is no one in sight, but you can easily hear someone moving around behind the counter. After a few moments you see a an arm fumbling for a tool on the counter. Finding it, it drags the screwdriver under and you hear muttered curses as metal on metal clanks.

>Wait.
>Speak up.

>>26567401
Carefully ask if whoever it is need any help.

>>26567701
"Hey... uh... anyone need help down there?" you ask.

"No, no, jus- OH!" a somewhat high pitched voice answers. A short woman with short and straight auburn hair and thick glasses pops up from behind the counter and effects a short bow. "Sorry, sorry! Welcome to the Mercutio Branch Office of the Prospectors. How can I help you?"

"Someone said you might have work?" you ask.

"Usually that's very true. We hire salvage teams and escorts directly here as well as license independent operations, invest in recovery teams, and more," she replies without missing a beat. "Unfortunately due to the Bloodwatch, most of that doesn't matter right now. Until the moon turns silver the main services we provide are identifying technology and... well, planning for when the dead aren't out to eat our well educated brains. Oh!" she snaps her fingers. "Do you know anything about machines?"

"Not really..." you say, wincing. The girl's face falls.

"Oh..." she says, biting her lip. "Well, there is something else, now that I think about it. Someone's been stealing parts from our storehouse. We've asked the city guard to investigate, but they're busy with Romall's thugs and keeping the Bloodwatch up. If you manage to find the culprit before they do, we'll gladly pay."

>>26567938
Oh we could do that. Pretty easily probably. Just have Wallace keep watch. Nobody else can see him right?

>>26567998
Are you telling her that or thinking it?

>>26568014
Uh thinking.
"Yeah, i could probably do that. How much does it pay?"

>>26568032
"Well, let me see..." the young woman asks, pushing her glasses up on her nose as she pulls out a clipboard with many sheets of paper. She flips through the papers and stops at one, reading it and moving her lips without saying anything. Finally she turns back to you. "We're offering about 10% of the value stolen for the capture of the thief, and another 30% for the stolen goods back. Amounts to... 450 gold coins."

>>26568104
"Alright, seems decent enough. Where is the warehouse? When do the thieving occur? Is there anything else i should know?"

>>26568104
Alright.

>>26568226
"Uh...." the girl says, flipping through the papers again. "It's our own office storehouse, so it's the rooms in the back. The thefts have occurred in the dead of night, but there doesn't seem to be a pattern on what nights they occur. The only other detail noted is that while we couldn't find any tracks, someone caught a glimpse of the thief. They were short, bundled up in rags, and smelled truly awful. Uh... Oh! Here is a list of the items stolen."

She passes you a sheet of paper.

>>26568360
Look for any connections on the sheet of paper. Like only screwdrivers stolen. Or only energy-sources stolen. Anything really.

>>26568398
You browse through the list of stolen things. A lot of the names don't make sense to you, but there are some that you know. A tool here, a set of nuts and bolts there. You get the sense that an engineer or technologist would be able to decipher the list easily, but it'll take some brainpower from you.

Roll 1d100.

Rolled 45

>>26568492
Rolling

Rolled 3

>>26568492

>>26568651
You think there might be a clue in what's taken, but it's beyond you.

"Did you want to know anything else?" the girl asks.

>>26568752

Do you know what the parts used in this list might be used for, or where I can find someone who does?

As well, I have some salvaged tech to sell, can I do that here, or is there a market nearby?

>>26568752
"I think i am good for now."

We should go find the Inn and while we sleep we should send Wallace to investigate and keep watch over the storehouse.

>>26568834
The woman looks embarrassed. "I... had a look at it, but I wasn't sure what it meant either. I'm pretty sure whoever is stealing is building something given the ratio of tools to parts, but I can't quite tell what. I- Oh! You have tech to sell?" she immediately smiles. "Depending on what it is, you can sell it here, certainly! Or you can get it appraised here, and sell it at the market with a Prospector's Inspection seal on it. We take 5% of the value of appraised goods for our fee, to a minimum of 5 gold coins."

"And what about finding someone to look at the list?" you ask.

"Oh, uh, I guess just trawl the markets. That's where most of the tinkers and engineers are, hoping to sell their goods to passing caravans..." she winces again. "...but with the Bloodwatch up, it probably won't be as active as you'd like."

>>26569013
Get our stuff appraised!

I need to go sleep now. Good night.

>>26569094
Good night.

"Well, I picked up these two machines, and I don't know what they are or how much they're worth," you say, handing over the two strange devices that Charlie found out in the desert. The woman nods and takes them, examining them closely before turning around and pulling out a few heavy looking books and some odd tools. "This might take a while. Have a seat!"

You nod and sit down along with Wallace as the machinist goes about identifying your prize. A few minutes later, she points to an entry in one of the tomes and grins.

"Got it! This device here is a type of diagnostic tool for robot vehicles. This one here is a navigation add-on for powered armor. We'll buy both for six hundred gold coins, that's after our fee of course."

>>26569094

Second.

>>26569299
We'll keep the navigation add-on if Wallace doesn't have that on his armor. Otherwise, we'll sell.

>>26569328


Seconding.

>>26569299

Keep the nav add-on, but the other one we can sell.

>>26569328
>>26569386
"Well can you install that module onto his armor?" you ask, hooking a thumb at Wallace. The girl frowns for a moment then nods.

"If you're keeping the one module and asking for installation yes, but it'll drop the price to..." the girl pauses, checking her notes again. "Two hundred gold coins."

>>26569427
"250"

Let's haggle a bit if possible.

If that is too time-consuming, fine.

>>26569427
Acceptable.

Let's start investigating.

>>26569625
The girl winces a little, but quickly recovers.

"Two fifty it is. Let me get your money. Sir, please step up to the counter and I'll install the module."

>Gained Navigation Module. When with Wallace, you gain a bonus to all rolls made pertaining to pathfinding.
>Gained 250 gold coins. You now have a Pouch of Gold instead of a Small Pouch of Gold.

Twenty minutes later, you and Wallace walk out of the Prospector Office.

"Tonight, I want you to hang around there, see if you can nab that criminal," you tell him. He nods.

"Easy enough. Where to now?"

"The Desert Rest Inn. We'll get a room there and see if the keeper knows of any more work. I feel like all those zombies we killed."

The Desert Rest Inn is a large two story building made of dark wood. When you enter, you find yourself in a large open room with many tables and chairs, a tavern area. Behind a polished oak bar is a fat balding man with a mustache who seems to be adjusting a series of large machines that almost crowd out the large shelves of liquor. He immediately stops what he is doing and turns at your approach.

"How much for rooms? We're beat," you ask, walking up to the bar. The innkeeper looks over your group.

"Three beds... doable. Rooms are scarce with everyone trapped in town, but I can find something for, say, a gold piece a night for the lot of you?"

"And the work?" you ask.

"Pickings are slim there, too. Only thing on the table right now is a bounty offer on one Iolus Hertz, and someone wanting to try an under the table salvage operation while the Bloodwatch is up," he says. "Pay's a thousand for offing Iolus, and I don't know what the tinker's paying. You'll find him at a seat in the corner, though."

>>26569756
Oops, I was going with >>26568854

Did you want to look around the Office a bit before leaving?

>>26569878
No, it's fine. Don't want to retroactively do anything.

>>26569863
Let's talk to the tinker.

>>26569932
And take the room

Bump because fa/tg/uys need to get in here and support some originality.

>>26569932
>>26569942
I support this

>>26569942
>>26569932

"We'll take the room," you say, plucking a gold coin from your pouch and flipping it to the innkeeper/bartender. He catches it in one meaty palm and goes back to what he was doing, leaving you to approach a grey haired man in loose clothes nursing a cup of wine. He smiles as you approach and sit at his table. You notice almost immediately his unnaturally pale skin and the presence of six fingers instead of five on his hands.

"You're here about the job I assume?" he asks.

"Yeah," you say. "Something about salvage in the desert?"

"That's right," he says, leaning back in his chair. "Very few people are willing to break the Bloodwatch to go out into the desert and salvage during the Long Night, but I think, and I hope you'll agree, the risk is worth it. We'd be the only ones out there, no competition at all."

"Just hordes of zombies and shadows," Charlie says, breaking a very long silence from your third companion. The tinker frowns.

"Yes, that's why I'm looking for men like you. With enough guards, we should be fine out there... if we're careful enough," he says. "The pay will be an equal share of whatever we find."

"Do you have a plan?" you ask. The tinker nods.

"Once we're clear of the city walls, we'll work outward in a spiral until we find a salvage site. We'll take all we can get and return when our packs are full," he says. "I've made an arrangement with one of the gate guards so our breaking the curfew should be overlooked."

>>26570207
When are you planning to leave?

>>26570227
"When are you leaving?" you ask. The tinker smiles again.

"We plan to leave in three days, assuming I can get enough people to agree."

>>26570207
How many men do you have?

>>26570348
Sounds good. I think our mage should be ready by then.

For the remaining three days we'll investigate the thefts.

Ooh, ask him about the list of tech that was stolen. He's a tinker, remember?

>>26570402
Do we really want to investigate this? I say we try taking that lolus out. 1000 is nice pay.

>>26570435
Wallace is probably better at it anways.

We'll decide tomorrow, when we wake. I think the salvage is fine.

>"The pay will be an equal share of whatever we find."

They'll try to kill us.

We find the stuff, kill the others and take all the shares.

>>26570366
"Including you?" the tinker asks.

"No."

"Three."

>>26570402
"While we're talking, can you look at this list?" you ask, passing him the paper. He frowns and takes it, skimming it briefly.

"What are you doing with all this stuff, trying to build a giant drill?" he scoffs. "You'd be better off attaching that energy cell to a plasma cutter or something a bit more efficient than that class seven rotary tip. But I guess half the so-called 'engineers' in this city don't even know what one of those are."

>>26570598
So they're trying to build a trill.

Trying to get a tunnel under the walls? Hmph.

If we're lucky Hertz is behind this.

Tell him we agree, and that we'll meet him in three days.

Then sleep.

bamp

>>26570691
This

>>26570691
>>26570804
"That sounds fair," you say, folding your hands. "Do we sign something now?"

"What? No, no," the tinker chuckles. "Just be here in three day's time at around an hour after sundown. Bring whatever gear you'll be needing and your own supplies. We'll be gone for at least two days, but plan for six."

"We'll see you then," you say, getting up and walking to the stairs leading up to the inn rooms.

The room the innkeep rented to you is somewhat small given the four beds crammed into it, but it is clean and the beds comfortable. You toss your gear in a haphazard pile in the corner of the room and let yourself collapse on top of one of them, barely getting your sand-covered boots off before an exhausted sleep claims you.

Please roll a d100.

OP, if we die anytime in this quest, you should just start a second Exodus Quest where we go through chargen. I myself would like to play as a Specialist or Technologist.

Rolled 82

>>26570901

>>26570906
I support this, technologist seems fun
>>26570901

>>26570912
Are high rolls good or bad?

Rolled 90

>>26570935
forgot roll

>>26570935
I'm just sad because we never get to play as a simple soldier in quests, because they are the most 'normal'.

>>26570906
I'll take that into consideration. You may be happy to know there may be a way to pick up a second specialization in time.

>>26570939
Always good. I need to update the rules snippet...

>>26570912
>>26570943

Your sleep is deep and restful. The dark dreams that troubled you previously sought to intrude on your slumber once again, but receded as more pleasant ones steadily pushed them out. The imperious voice booming from the desert for your presence is slowly silenced.

You dream of your past, a past in a far different world than the one you find yourself in. Buildings reach up to touch the sky, aglow with countless lights when night falls. People crowd the streets, going about their daily lives. Vehicles roar down road after road. Machines are everywhere. Life is everywhere.

You remember an apartment, small but yours. You remember family, large, but also yours.
You remember good times and bad.

You remember agreeing to leave it all behind, as a strange man present you with a large sheaf of papers which you sign. The dreams turn dark again.

A flurry of faces runs past your mind's eye, a thousand voices speaking at once making it impossible to discern individual words. Your gaze lingers on one, a young woman with shoulder- length red hair and a heart-shaped face. Her own gaze is focused and determined, and faintly stirs more memories in the back of your mind. Memories of soft words and soft embraces.

She signed the papers too.

Your memories, your dream begins to twist as time distorts itself, and you are once again shoved past a hatch that closes swiftly. Charlie's words from what seems like so long ago echo in your mind.

"I remember I couldn't save her."

Then you wake up to see the sun streaming in through the window.

>Your trials have awakened more memories of your past skills. Ghost Walker Skill Level is now 3. Please select Offensive, Defensive, or Support for your new power.
>Your sleep is particularly restful. Your Health is now 70%.

bamp

Rolled 93

>>26571383
You blink the sleep from your eyes and look around. There's no sign of Wallace and Charlie is lying down on top of his own bed fully clothed. For all the world, he looks like a soldier laid to rest on a tomb, his hands folded neatly at his stomach.

You feel a twinge of weariness. You could probably fall back asleep if you wanted to. That would mean more dreams, though, and who knows if they'd be as good as your last. Not to mention more time lost.

>Go back to sleep.
>Get up.
>Other.

>>26571383
Defensive

We're a bit of a glass cannon. No armor, no shield abilities.

>>26571383
Support, our allies always seem to need some help, specially Marie

>>26571449
Get up, look for Wallace

>>26571383
Offensive.

We suck with guns and pretty much everything else. We need to be able to kill things quickly.

>>26571449
>Get up.

I agree, look for Wallace. Being dead has probably taken its toll. I like Wallace.

>>26571450
>>26571457
>>26571502
A three way tie.

>>26571499
>>26571519
You shake your head and rub the sleep out of your eyes before hopping off the bed and pulling on your boots again. You'll probably need to clean up at some point, but you'd prefer to know where everyone is before taking the time for minor details like that.

Boots firmly strapped on, you head for the door and pause. Charlie seems to still be sleeping. Do you want to let him rest or wake him and take him with you?

>Leave Charlie alone.
>Take him with you.
>Other.

>>26571593
>Leave Charlie alone.

>>26571593
Let him sleep, he deserves it after killing so many undead

>>26571593

Can we pick offensive support?

Like, extending our essence stealing directly into a ranged transfer for healing?

If not I vote offense, we can put shit down fast and heal people with the essence we take.

>>26571661
Right. Good point. Changing vote to offense.

>>26571661
Changing my vote to this

>>26571631
>>26571649
You decide to leave Charlie alone and open the door, slipping downstairs to the tavern area. The owner of the inn is already there, talking to a pair of servers as a modest crowd is already present to eat breakfast.

"Excuse me," you say, walking up. "The man in the skull armor that was with me the other day. Do you know where he went?"

"He left late last night, hasn't been back since," the innkeep responds. "I assumed he changed his mind about staying... Is something wrong?"

>>26571823
Don't respond. Just leave. We told him to go to the storehouse, so lets head there.

>>26571707
>>26571681
>>26571661
>>26571502
Offensive power it is.

You have gained the Banshee's Scream. You can create an unearthly wail that supernaturally terrifies most living things, causing any with a weak will to flee. For extra energy, you can focus your anger into this power and generate a sonic shriek powerful enough to deal damage in a large conical area in front of you.

>>26571901
Shit son.

>>26571823
>>26571854
Lets go to the warehouse

>>26571854
>93
Without a word further, you turn for the door and leave, heading for the Prospector's Office. There you find Wallace, arguing with the girl from earlier. Tied up and gagged in the corner is a humanoid with a rat's head and tail, clad in filthy rags.

"I just told you where he said the goods were, just give me the money and send someone out to get them!" Wallace says, throwing his hands up.

"Sir, that wasn't the deal," the young woman protests. "For the full amount you need to present the stolen goods to us, not just tell us where they are."

"That's stupid and YOU are stupid!" Wallace says. "How am I supposed to carry all that crap back up here?"

"I... I don't know!" the girl squeaks. "...I just run the office and do low level tinkering, I'm not authorized to..."

"I'M IN A CITY THAT IS ON THE VERY EDGE OF CIVILIZATION AND STILL I HAVE TO DEAL WITH BUREAUCRACY!" Wallace roars. "I..." his rage steams off in an instant as he finally sees you. "Oh hey, Black. Mission successful. Just having a little trouble with payment here."

"I'll gladly pay the full amount," the girl says. "Just... you just have to bring that stuff HERE."

>>26571980
"Sup Wallace, whats up?"

>>26571980
Ask where the goods are.

>>26572015
>>26572025
"I caught this dirty rat climbing in through a hole cut in the roof camouflaged to look fine," Wallace says. "I put the fear of ME into him, and he spilled that he's been stealing those parts and putting them together in the..." Wallace's expressionless helmet shakes from side to side. "...sewer."

>>26571980
>>26572112
Reluctantly head to the sewers to get the goods.

Tell the woman that you are unhappy witht his.

>>26572112
>>26572156
Take the rat man with you, ask for the name

>>26572156
"I guess we'll go haul up the stuff from the sewers," you say with a heavy sigh before glaring at the woman. "I am NOT happy with this."

"There's nothing I can do!" the woman says, spreading her arms. "My boss wrote up the contract, I can't do anything to it..."

>>26572214
"What's your name?" you ask, looking down at the rat man.

"Skirtch is Skirtch's name," the ratman says, looking nervously from side to side. "You take Skirtch loot, all good now, let Skirtch go?"

You move to pull the rat-man to his feet and a wave of sewer stink hits you. The woman behind the counter frowns.

"Uh... Do you... do you really need to take him along?" she asks. "If he gets loose again, I can't pay you that part of the bounty..."

>>26572325
I thought the bounty was only for the goods, not the man.

>>26572325
"We'll tie him, don't worry"
Wake Charlie and then head to the sewers

>>26572395
I agree with this.

>>26572385
"No, no! 10% for the thief, and then another 30% for the goods, for 40% total," she states.

>>26572395
"Well... if you're sure..." the woman says.

You drop by the Inn and wake Charlie easily enough, though Wallace is forced to stand with your prisoner at the door.

"I won't have were-rats in my establishment, I don't care what business you have with it!" the inn-keep says. "I'll assume you have dispensation from the guard and that's why it's tied up and not awaiting execution."

With some amount of distaste, Wallace leads you to a sewer entry point, an old shack used by what few sanitation workers the city built on half-understood technology can muster. A sealed hatch is opened to let loose a monstrous stench as Charlie's neutral expression is curdled by disgust.

"The annoying thing is that even if I wasn't dead, I still wouldn't have to smell that. Sealed armor and all," Wallace comments. "Anyway, he gave me directions unless you'd rather the rat just lead us to the stuff."

"You let Skirtch go after you get loot right?" the were-rat asks, looking at the three of you.

>>26572599
Yes.

Whether it is a lie or not doesn't matter yet.

>>26572599
Yes.

We're a man of our word.

>>26572599
"If you are worth more than 10% of the reward"

>>26572753
Heh.

>>26572731
>>26572745
>>26572753
"If you end up being worth more than 10% of the reward, then sure," you quip. The were-rat seems to twist in his bonds at this.

"Anyway, come on," Wallace says, beginning to tromp down into the sewers. The sewers themselves are made of mortar and brick, and seem to be a mostly haphazard affair. You get the feeling you are being watched a few times, but nothing ever comes of it as Wallace leads you through the tunnels according to Skirtch's directions.

>Nav Module installed, no roll needed.

Thanks to the new Navigation module installed into Wallace's haunted armor, the twisting and numerous foul smelling tunnels never once make you lose your way. Soon Skirtch leads you to an abandoned substation in the sewer, where a half-assembled drilling rig lies among a pile of parts. There are a large amount of heavy looking things here to haul, but with Charlie and Wallace helping, you might be able to manage.

"Here loot. Skirtch go now?" the were-rat asks.

>>26572931
Can't let him go. He'll alert his friends.

Tell him that we'll let him go once we get the goods topside.

I actually intend to let him go.

>>26572931
>>26572972
And give him the reasoning as well. Simply, so he understands. We don't want him to panic.

>>26572931
"Not yet Skirtch, do you know who has been observing us?"

>>26572931
Interrogate him. We know someone is watching us. Tell him if he wants to live, he will tell us, otherwise, he will die.

>>26573033
We don't want to be that blunt, he may lie to us

>>26572972
>>26572991
>>26573001
>>26573033
>>26573064

"Can't let you go yet," you say, looking around. "We need to get these goods back to safety, not to mention us. You know who's been watching us, Skirtch?"

The were-rat twitches. "Not sure, not sure, not sure."

"If we get attacked, there's no telling what may happen in the chaos..." you trail off.

Roll a d100.

Rolled 42

>>26573282
Rolling

Rolled 47

>>26573282

>>26573308
"Not sure. Many dangers down here. Many dangers," the were-rat says, trying to rub his whiskers against the ropes binding him. You get the feeling your threat was either ignored or not fully understood.

"So start hauling or what?" Wallace asks.

The sensation of being watched only intensifies as you hear something splash into the sewer water in the distance.

>>26573282

Remember, he's worth SOME money.

So if shit goes sideways make an attempt to keep him in captivity.

Have Wallace take the rear, we'll take the front.

>>26573535
Cold-Embrace the rat. We're going to need to be ready for what's coming.

Rolled 14

>>26573535

Not yet, we'll recce what's there fist with a quick ghost walk.

THEN we'll exfil depending on the enemy position and numbers.

Rolled 97

>>26573535
Tell Charlie and Wallace about banshee scream and try to terrify anything that is observing us. Were-rats are cowards
>>26573582
He's worth 10% of the reward

>>26573535
Tie his feet together or find another way to immobilize him. Tell Wallace to guard the gear while you and Charlie check for enemies. Ready weapons.

>>26573597
>>26573565
>>26573607
So, Banshee Scream, Ghost Walk, or proceed as normal. Which'll it be?

>>26573720

Ghost walk.

We need to know what we're dealing with before we engage.

>>26573720
Ghost Walk.

We don't want to attack before we know what's there.

>>26573733
>>26573738
Alright. Just find some cover first.

>>26573738
>>26573733
>14
Ghost-walking takes a bit more energy than usual this time, but you manage it all the same. You rise from your prone body to float towards the sound of the disturbance.

>97
With a keen idea of where the sound came from, you pass through several walls before you see a secret door in a side tunnel slowly sliding open. A group of eight were-rats fingering muck-encrusted blades is slowly shuffling out, closing the door behind them as they creep towards your position. They'll be there in a minute or two, but they cannot pass through walls. You can assuredly make it back to your body before they can, or you can attempt to use the Banshee's Scream while ghosted.

>Fall back, warn the group.
>Banshee Scream, lethal mode.
>Banshee Scream, fright mode.
>Other.

>>26573923
Banshee Scream - Lethal

Let's pop some ear drums.

Rolled 46

>>26573923
Lethal

>>26573923
>Banshee Scream, lethal mode.

Can we wait until we reach consensus to roll.

Rolled 19

>>26573923

Lethal Banshee, make sure we're beyond friendlies when we do so though.

Let's ear-fuck some cumguzzling guttersluts.

>>26574076
>>26574004
>>26573965
>>26573950
Consensus reached for lethal.
Please roll a d100.

Rolled 43

>>26574163
Rolling

Rolled 7

screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Rolled 69

>>26574163

Rolled 88

>>26574163

KILL THE FUCKING VERMIN IN THEIR FUCKING FACE THOSE MUTANT FUCKS.

File: 1376286969556.jpg-(85 KB, 604x744, Wererat.jpg)

85 KB JPG

>>26574189
You inhale deeply, though without your lungs it's more a symbolic gesture of gathering your strength more than anything else. Thinking hard on Eli's death out in the desert and how the shadows have hounded you for sheer maliciousness, and how much you HATE being a sewer, you let loose an ear-shattering scream, your being temporarily loosing its invisibility, though not its incorporeality. You appear as a white shade of yourself, your mouth stretched to hideous proportions as a hammer of pure sound smashes into the assembled were-rats. Caught by surprise, none avoid the cone of sound, blood flowing from their ears, the high pitched screeches of pain drowned out by your unholy shout. Disoriented and confused, they point at your glowing form and chitter something. A hail of daggers flits through you harmlessly and the were-rat's beady eyes widen slightly as they see the utter futility of their attack. You advance on them and all but three scatter. Those three begin to run towards the room with the drill... and your helpless body.
>Retreat to body.
>Attack again with Scream (requires d100.)
>Pursue fleeing rats.
>Other.

>>26574453
>Retreat to body.

Want to be awake. Taking down three with more conventional methods shouldn't be so hard.

>>26574453
Back to the body!

I want to get Wallace his body back.

Or *a* body back.

>>26574453
Retreat to body, tell Wallace and Charlie about the attack and Skirtch that he is in deep shit

>>26574468
>>26574469
>>26574522
>>26574528
You pass through several walls and literally leap back into your body when you return to the drill room. You cough violently as you open your eyes and groggily sit up.

"Skirtch..." you say. "You are in DEEP shit. Wallace, there are three were rats on their way here."

The were-rat in ropes winces and wriggles in place, starting to gnaw on his ropes until Wallace smacks him.

"That's all? That sh- SHIT!" Wallace freezes as he begins to unsling his laser rifle. "I can't risk using my rifle under the city. It's a heavy weapon, likely to blow a support and then have a building fall down on top of us."

"Is it really that powerful?" you ask. Wallace nods.

"It was made to kill things a lot harder to kill than were-rats, but it's a situational weapon out here. I kept a secondary weapon... but that'd be all the way back with the caravan now," Wallace says.

"We've still got rifles," Charlie says, pulling his free and working the action. "And that big machine gun."

"I wouldn't waste HMG bullets on were-rats... then again if they manage to close... You don't want open cuts in a sewer, kid."

"Tell me the obvious," you say, standing as the splashing of rodent feet heralds the arrival of your three combatants.

>Attack with rifle.
>Attack with heavy machine gun.
>Use Banshee's Scream.
>Wait for melee and Cold Embrace.
>Other.

>>26574809
>Attack with rifle.

Wallace can pummel them with his fists.

We need hand-guns for every member of our crew.

>>26574809
Wallace can tear apart the rats with his hands, Charlie shoots in the back and we can focus our scream, its a 3v3

Attack with rifle. If they close to close range, we'll suck their life out while Wallace holds them away.

Rolled 7

>>26574809

USE RIFLE ON WERE-RAT.

Rolled 50

>>26574899

ALSO, PREPARE FOR HEARING DAMAGE.

Rolled 48, 10, 51 = 109

>>26574857
>>26574896
>>26574899
You raise your rifle and take aim, carefully choosing your shot as the rats rush forward...

...and nothing happens as you here a mechanical 'clunk' from your gun. The weapon's jammed! You still have precious seconds left...

>Attempt to clear weapon and fire.
>Lower gun and scream.
>Cold Embrace.
> Knife 'em.

>>26574809
...Fortune Teller, you magnificent bastard. Wallace's laser kept its MDC properties didn't it?

>>26574995
A loud crack resounds though the sewer as Charlie drops one of the were-rats with a precise shot, working the action on his gun with a smooth, practiced motion. Wallace isn't so lucky, charging forward and lunging with his hands only for the remaining two rats to dart around him, jogging straight for you.

>>26574995
Scream, even if doesn't kill it will terrify

>>26575037
Scream.

Rolled 48

>>26574995

Scream at those mutant fuckwaffles.

Also ENJOY YOUR HEARING LOSS?

WHAT, NO I DONT NEED FLOSS.

Rolled 88

>>26575071
>>26575104
>>26575188
The were-rats close on you, and though you jump back from the first's clumsy thrust with a rusty rapier, then second manages to cut across your side with a filthy dagger. Unfortunately for them, the pain makes it much, much easier to call on your scream.

You open your mouth and let loose a hurricane of sound that throws the were-rats back and into a wall, where they twitch and shriek before their eyes burst and they go limp. Behind you, Skirtch begins to frantically struggle at his bonds.

"You don't understand! Need drill! Need out! Only way! Tunnels are safe... tunnels are dark. Best warren is safe warren, best warren is safe warren..." the were-rat continus to babble as you clamp a hand down on the ragged gash in your side.

"Just a flesh wound," Wallace comments, looking at the injury. "But better clear it thoroughly. Were-rat and all."

"Not safe... not safe, not safe, not safe..." the were-rat repeats over and over.

"What now?" Charlie asks,. reloading his rifle.

>Health at 60%.

>>26575002
Looks that way.

>>26575361
Skirtch, what's coming? Why is it not safe?
You know I was hoping he'd help out. He'd make an amazing party rogue.

>>26575361
"Safe from what?"
Go to the surface we need to treat that wound

>>26575435
I was hoping the same, maybe if we help them...

>>26575361
Cold Embrace Skritch. We'll gain some health.

>>26575611
Lets not. Information is more important and were rats usually have their ear to the ground for threats. Besides, decent rogue.

>>26575647
He's not going to be loyal. We need to get the gear and get out

>>26575611
Cold embrace. Cold embrace.

Budget cuts. Budget cuts.

There is no room for softness when you're in the boundaries of civilization. Survival comes first.

>>26575679
>>26575700
Let him live, we are close to the city and healing, if he is not loyal we can just eat him

>>26575435
>>26575444
>>26575462
>>26575611
You flex your right hand, ready to call on the Cold Embrace if the were-rat isn't forthcoming.

"Skirtch, safe from what?" you ask, approaching him. "What's coming?"

The rat shudders.

"Things. Things coming. Things coming from desert. Dreams. Bad dreams. Bad dreams many months now. Things wake up in desert. Desert hungry. Desert grows," the rat says.

"Anything a little more concrete?" Wallace asks.

"Skirtch have bad dream before. Skirtch tell chief. Chief hit Skirtch. Sewage pipe comes unhinged, drowns Chief in his sealed room next day. People listen Skirtch now. Skirtch dreams bad, time to move. Worst dreams come. Leave city. Never return. Never."

"Well that's helpful," Charlie sighs.

>>26575723
Information is more beneficial to survival then draining the one think that has an idea of what that danger may be.

>>26575768
He is just an scared little guy that has prophetic dreams or some shit like that

>>26575768
More then you can imagine. I've been having dreams too. Seems like something big and bad woke up, the city either doesn't know or is ignoring it, and with the way the rats want to leave, it's on a beeline here. Might be chasing me.

Skirtch, how long would you need to get the others out? The only problem being a tunnel might let the things in. I wonder if we can convince the guards to let the pack walk out the gate.

>>26575768
OP, you should add prompts. This quest is lacking direction because no-one knows what to do.

>>26575912
Skirtch blinks, looking over to the corpses against the wall.

"Well they dead."

"What about the others? The ones that lived and ran?" you ask. Skirtch blinks.

"Who care about them?"

"Real esprit de corps among the ratfolk here," Wallace sighs.

"If chasing you, can you let me go and then go far away?" Skirtch asks. "Don't want to be near you if that true."

>Will pick this up tomorrow around 4 PM. Sleeping now. A fair amount of you seem to want to kill and drain Skirtch and a fair amount seem to want him alive. If one of you has a clear majority by the time you're done questioning him, I'll be using that option.

>>26576129
If people want more prompts, sure, I'll add them.

>>26576145
Keep him alive, he may be useful in the future

Bump before bed.

>>26576145
I say we keep him alive. He is worth 10% after all.

>>26576145
Bumping/voting
Keep him alive for now.

Bump

>>26576457
>>26578821
>>26582383
Hauling the parts and gear all the way back up to the Prospector Office is a tiring and unpleasant ordeal requiring two trips, but you manage to get everything back where it was first stolen from.

"You did it!" the woman behind the counter beams. "And the thief didn't get away either! I can pay you the full amount plus a bonus for being prompt! Your pay comes to five hundred gold coins!"

The woman pushes a small, but heavy bag towards you.

"Enjoy it!"

"Thanks," you say, grabbing the gold and passing it off to Charlie. "Anything else you need done?"

"Not yet," the woman says. "There's been word of someone trading tech without a Prospector license so there might be something posted soon, but it hasn't come down the pipe yet. Can I do anything else for you today?"

Skirtch twists a little in his bonds and the wound in your side flares a little with pain, reminding you of two other matters to take care of.

>Ask the clerk a question.
>Leave Skirtch for the authorities.
>Do not leave Skirtch for the authorities.
>Select next destination.

>>26585419
Let's keep Skirtch. Head somewhere we can go and get this wound cleaned out too.

>>26585419
"Could i ask you for a favor? You see this rat here was building a drill. To get out of the city. He has been having something along the lines of prophetic dreams of a soon to come disaster to the city. If you could shoot a message up the chain of command to keep an extra eye on irregular activities from the desert it would be much appreciated.

>>26585584
"Visions of disaster?" the clerk frowns. "That's a little above my paygrade, but I'll pass it along... You might want to try and inform the mayor of this, too. It sounds like something he'd want to know about."

>>26585574
"Also, is there any way I can keep Skirtch?" you ask.

"Who?" the woman asks, frowning.

"The were-rat," you respond.

"Oh! Uh, no? Not if you want the full payment, I mean. Even then... uh... lycanthropes are sort of... you know... banned in the city," she says. Her voice drops to a whisper. "No one wants their city to be the next Angelo..."

>Attempt to negotiate Skirtch's release.
>Attempt to convince to release Skirtch.
>Drop subject.
>Other.

>>26585749
"It'd be a waste to kill him though, especially when the little dude just wanted to leave the city. Besides, if he is having prophetic dreams, it'd be useful to keep him around."
I wonder if we can get some sort of special licence.

>>26585749
Are you sure he's a wererat? He might be a skaven, or a Nezumi. There isn't a ban on those is there?

>>26585802
>>26585843
Please roll 1d100.

Rolled 97

as you wish

>>26585955
Hahaha, yes

>>26585843
"I... I don't know what those are..." the clerk admits.

>>26585802
>>26585955
>97

"Well... Uh... if he's... not really a were-rat, I guess I can leave him in your custody..." the clerk says, looking nervously at the rat-man. "But if we start losing more drill parts, then I'm going to notify the guard. Also, I'll have to ask for fifty of the gold coins back."

"Fair enough," you say, putting down the money. You turn to Skirtch, nodding to Charlie and Wallace.

"Come on, little fella. You're with us for the time being," you say as the two begin to untie the filthy creature with some distaste. The were-rat blinks in confusion.

"Skirtch go now?" he asks.

"I guess you can if you want, but I think it'd be safer with us," you say, hooking your thumbs in your belt. "So long as you don't steal from us or try to poison us or anything."

"You have food?" Skirtch asks. Your stomach growls angrily and you realize you haven't eaten since you arrived at town.

"We're about to," you say. Skirtch nods, happy at the prospect.

"Okay. Skirtch stay with you for now."

"I'd question your choice in companions, but... I guess I'm not one to talk," Wallace says.

"So long as we get him cleaned up, I have no objection," Charlie says. "I just don't want to smell sewer forever. We also might want to get him a disguise for obvious reasons."

>97
>Skirtch the Were-Rat gained as companion.

>>26586148
>Select next destination.

Let's go see how Marie is healing.

>>26586148
I'd say the market. Keep Skirtch out of sight while one of us goes and gets shit to clean out that wound, food and a disguise. Once we get the basics we can spend some monies for gear.

>>26586148
>not really a were-rat
>Skirtch the Were-Rat gained as companion.
We are brilliant liars.

Skritch. Is this your only form? Were you born like this?

>>26586222
This seems fine

>>26586222
>>26586197
"Let's go see how Marie is doing. We can go through the market on the way and get some food and get Skirtch presentable. Not to mention something for my wound," you say.

"Sounds good to me," Wallace says, moving forward without a word more. Charlie and Skirtch fall into line in silence.

Even with the Bloodwatch in effect, the market area of the city is still fairly busy. Small crowds of people wander through row after row of market stalls, stores, eateries, and forges. True to its nature as a town run by scavengers of technology, many of the stores are dedicated to repairing, modifying, and a few even creating the technological goods that seem to be so rare in this land. Skirtch keeps close, tail bunched up and head down under his filthy cloak. It's no trouble at all to purchase him a set of clothes designed to conceal his rat-folk heritage, but getting him clean is another matter. The concept of cleanliness seems completely foreign to the sewer-dweller, and he is utterly reluctant to wash. Finally you end up simply throwing him in a rented bath clothes and all, pouring soapy water on him repeatedly until the muck and stench are finally gone. Thankfully you don't have to dress him as he changes into the new clothes.

Buying supplies to treat a possibly infected wound is also a matter of no consequence in the large market area. Several stalls offer medicines, potions, and medical gear ranging from the magical to high-tech medkits.
>Please roll d100 to determine the best bargain you can find.

When all is said and done, you stop at a noodle stand, buying several bowls of fat noodles in rich broth, the occasional chunk of meat in them.

"These noodles are pretty good," you comment.

"Skirtch like these noodles. They remind him of nice fat worms in stew," the were-rat says. "Wriggling, bloated, squirming sewer-worms."

"Is Skirtch is trying to make us lose our appetite so there are more noodles for him?" you ask, sighing.

"...Skirtch hungry."

>>26586339
"Skirtch can't remember. Skirtch never remembers long. Head funny. But Skirtch sometimes remembers not-sewer things. Sometimes."

"What about your form?" you ask.

"Skirtch turn into big rat if think hard enough. Skirtch doesn't like it, though. Feels funny."

Rolled 98

>>26586606
Rolling for Bargans.

>>26586649
>Is he "fully human" right now or in a half-form?

>>26586606
Hopefully Marie won't be too freaked out at our new rat buddy. Also, is random amnesia an effect of this place or something? Skirtch has it too.

We also need to try and find a technologist, and we can go on that weird suspicious trip with the bar dude too if we want.

Why the fuck do we keep this rat around?

File: 1376344518980.png-(47 KB, 253x207, Medkit_1.png)

47 KB PNG

>>26586741
Skirtch is currently in hybrid form, appearing as a four-foot tall humanoid with grey fur and a rat-head. The voluminous cloak you bought has a deep enough hood to conceal his face, though you should still take care not to expose him.

>>26586703
>98
You spend some time going through the various stalls and stores before you find a tinker trying to sell a white rectangular machine with an electronic display and the words 'First Aid' stamped on it. The tinker believes it to be broken, but Wallace quietly and gleefully says it's fine. The tinker just doesn't seem to know how to use it. You purchase the device for two hundred gold coins and Wallace wastes no time in taking you aside and showing you how to use it to treat your wound. As you finish the treatment you feel more memories begin to bubble up in the back of your mind. Three distinct sets fight for dominance... you will only be able to remember one if you focus on it.

>Medikit gained.
>97, 98. Bonus memories gained. Select Medical, Bluff, or Bargain.

>>26586872
Because he can see the future.
>and possibly to heal ourselves if we need a snack.

>>26586901
Bargain

>>26586872
Because he can see the future, and is a rat, which means he's good at sneaking into places unnoticed.

>>26586914
Seconding Bargain.

>>26586901
Medical

>>26586901
Medical

>>26587235

We, or our companions are always getting stabbed, shot or maimed. Medical would be useful.

>>26586914
>Bargain.
Memories of dealing with merchants and scam artists in a life long ago surface in your mind. You gain a slight bonus to any rolls regarding finances.

With food in your belly, money in your pocket, and no horrible smell stuffing your nostrils anymore, you head back to the Temple of Dunamon. Brother Medri admits you to their infirmary without much cajoling. A large stone chamber with sunlight pouring in from several windows high in the walls greets your eyes. The smell of incense and medicine hangs heavy in the air as you see two rows of beds, many filled with the sick and injured. Robed monks move to and fro among their charges, changing bandages, bringing water, or administering healing salve. On one bed you see Marie, sitting up. Her robes have been changed for the simple loose white shirt and pants you see the rest of the patients wearing, and there is a heavy tome open in her lap. While the other patients moan, talk, or complain, she sits completely silent, oblivious to anything but the words on the page.

>Enter dialogue.

>>26587271

>Bargain

Not gonna go with majority? Weak.

>>26587271
Walk over, lean on her shoulder and ask "Whatcha readin'?"

Then bring her up to speed on what happened while she was in here, and super quietly about Skirtch.
See if she has any input on the bad premonitions and the kind of sketchy job that dude in the bar offered

>>26587251
>>26587249
>>26587235
Didn't see these.

>Medical.
Memories of dressing and treating field wounds surface in your mind. Training from a life lost to you returns fresh in your memories. You gain a slight bonus to any rolls regarding medical treatment, and can use most technological healing devices.

>>26587304
The last three votes for medical came 2 minutes before the post. Was probably to late.

>>26587304
Oh stop complaining. He probably started writing when Bargain got seconded. And the medical votes were literally a minute before his post.
Try posting faster next time.

>>26587317
"Whatcha readin'?" you ask, peeking over Marie's shoulder. The wizardess gives a startled yelp and jumps up a little on the bed, causing the monks to pause and look at the two of you before going back to their duties. She carefully marks her place and puts her book to the side, shaking her head.

"Don't... Don't sneak up on me like that!" she says. "It's a treatise on fire magic. Not much else to do here but catch up on my studies."

"I wasn't sneaking up on you," you chuckle. "I bet Wallace could've stomped over here and you wouldn't have noticed."

"That's not the point," she says, looking back to the book. "Anyway... thanks for getting me to the temple. The monks say I should be fine in a few days so long as they keep applying healing herbs."

"Good to hear," you say, nodding. "I've got a question to ask you, though."

"Well, go ahead. It'd be nice to feel useful after lying around for a full day," Marie says, folding her hands in her lap.

"We met a man in a bar with six fingers that wants us to break the curfew and go out salvaging with him," you say, keeping your voice low. "We also met and ended up... I guess you'd say 'recruiting' a were-rat that's been having premonitions about a disaster from the desert hitting this city."

"Ah. I see," Marie says, looking down for a moment in thought. "Breaking the curfew is a stupid idea if you ask me, but I may just be saying that because I almost died by being outside the city during the Long Night. The risks are absolutely horrid, but I will admit the potential gain is attractive. I personally don't think it'd be worth it... remember what happened to Eli."

You silently nod. Marie is quiet for a short time, then continues when it's clear you will not reply.

"As for the were-rat, I'm not surprised. There have always been plenty of doomsayers going on about Mercutio is living on borrowed time, but you know what? It's been here for forty years now. It's a keystone in the Prospector defense plan. It..."

(1/2)

>>26587497
Marie pauses. "Well... actually, wait. What did he say specifically?"

"He said the desert's hungry. The desert grows," you say. Marie frowns.

"Well... A few years ago the Deep Desert did grow. You know how nothing living grows there, right? How it's infested with shadows and other bizarre creatures? Well a few years ago its 'borders' almost doubled in size. Many forward outposts and salvage stations suddenly found themselves surrounded by shadows, or overcome by necromantic energy, or just plain too close to the affected area for safety. The abandoned outpost we stayed in was one of those. If the Deep Desert grows again... well, if the borders swell large enough, it might swallow the city like it did the outposts. But even then, the defenses are strong enough that an evacuation to Barnando should be possible. Mayor Escli has dumped a lot of the city funds and his own fortune into installing hidden defenses and hiring spellcasters to inscribe powerful wards on the city walls."

"He also said something about hungry things in the desert," you say. Marie nods.

"There are many beasts in the desert and many legends about them," Marie says. "If not the desert growing, maybe your rat friend thinks one of the legends is true and some great monster or group of monsters will descend on us. Or maybe he was afraid of the shadows. Or maybe... no, if the city was going to be another Angelo, he'd be happy, not scared. Be very careful with him. Lycanthropy is extremely dangerous, though I don't believe it's the plague sent from the gods some make it out to be."

"Miss Marie, it's time for your treatment," one of the monks says, softly approaching.

"One minute, Brother Oblin," Marie says to the monk before turning to you. "I can answer one or two more questions."

>What's the deal with Angelo?
>Legends about beasts?
>I want to know more about the Deep Desert growing.
>City defenses? Prospector defense plan?
>How are you doing?
>Other.

>>26587722
>Legends about beasts?
>What's the deal with Angelo?

>>26587798
I'll second Angelo. I kinda want to know about the desert growing though. I also want to know about the legendary beasts too though.
Because you know we're going to run into all of them.

>>26587722
>How are you doing?
Time for Marie Waifu Root.

>>26588041
>Root
*Route
Bleh, I need sleep.

>>26588041
Die in a fire.

>>26587798
>>26588001
"Beasts? What legends of beasts?" you ask.

"There are plenty of dangerous monsters living in the desert, and some have legendary versions floating around in myths and stories," Marie explains. "I've never personally seen any evidence for any of them, but the stories persist, real or not."

"Like what? Give me a few examples," you ask.

"Well, there's the Emperor Worm for one. A sandworm so big they say it could devour a fortress, and so crafty it's laired in the desert for decades at a time without sighting, only appearing when hunters prey too often on the sandworms that roam the desert. Personally I think it's just something the desert druids say to try and scare the worm hunters. There's the legend of the Whirling Death, a sentient sandstorm made of crimson sands that flays caravans alive who enter the desert without the proper respect for the sands... uh..." she pauses for a moment. "There's scattered myths about a demon dragon living in the desert that wakes only to devour enough living humans to sate himself for another century's sleep... Oh! And there are rumors about a metal machine god trapped in the sands that can grant those who wake it the power to destroy the world. I think that's just a play on the wish myth, though. I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind."

"...huh," you say. "What wish myth?"

"Oh, that's an old story! I'll tell it to you later," Marie says, waving a hand. "Anyway, the story of Angelo... Well, Angelo was another Prospector city on the west side of the desert. It wasn't as big as Prospero or Mercutio, but it was known for being a bit of a melting pot. A lot of Outsiders pulled from different worlds settled there. It thrived and grew, and generally acquired a reputation for being a nice place to live. Then..."

"Then what?" you ask.
(1/2)

>>26588378
>There's scattered myths about a demon dragon living in the desert that wakes only to devour enough living humans to sate himself for another century's sleep...
Tarrasque.

>>26586901

Medical. Given the risks we're taking knowing how to stabilise casualties until evac and/or essence heal is imperative.

Plus they're skills we might be able to trade on.

>>26588378
"People in the town started growing afraid. Rumors of stolen children, brutally murdered citizens, and silenced guardsmen began to circulate. People started to notice that friends and families they knew for years grew irritable, nervous, and secretive. Many started to disappear at odd hours in the night. Then one night during a full moon, half the town shuffled out into the city square and let out a fearful cry. Their bodies twisted and changed, and where there had been scores of citizens, there were now a mass of were-rats. Clamoring and chittering praises to some 'Rat God', they began an open assault on the rest of the town, seeking to kill or convert the remainder of the city and claim it for themselves. No one is quite sure what happened next, but a tremendous explosion destroyed the bulk of the were-rats along with most of the city. The remaining citizens banded together, and after a grueling struggle managed to exterminate the rest of the lycanthropes and retreat to Alonso. In the aftermath, evidence suggested that a single clan of were-rats operating for years systematically infected most of the city guard and government, then used them to infect the general citizenry. Losing an entire settlement was a heavy blow to the Overseer Council, and they enacted harsh laws since that day. Lycanthropes were to be killed on sight by the city guard from that day forward."

"Wow. Did they ever found out what caused the explosion?" you ask.

"No one knows for sure. Some say fire from the sky. Others say something deep in the town hall exploded, like a huge bomb. Others claim the last righteous cleric of Bielenus in the city called down the wrath of his god to smite the wicked. Whatever happened the city was left uninhabitable, and those few who tried to scavenge it died of illness shortly thereafter."

"Miss Marie," the monk quietly reminds. Marie sighs.

"I love telling stories, but if I want to get better, you'd better go. We can pick up then."

>>26588562
With a sigh, you nod your goodbye to Marie and leave the infirmary as the monks begin to unroll a fresh swath of bandages dunked in salve.

"She doing all right?" Wallace asks as you leave the temple.

"Fine. Why didn't you go in with me?" you ask.

"Ghost and clerics, kid. I don't want to chance detection," he says.

"Where are we going now?" Charlie asks.

"If you're not sure where to go, tell me what you're looking for and I can suggest a place," Wallace offers.

>Select destination.

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>>26588535

>>26588624
What alternatives do we have?

>>26588976
Places you've been:
>The Market
>Desert Rest Inn.
>Prospector Office.

You can also describe a general place to Wallace and he can suggest a new destination. Example: If you want to buy a magical item, he may suggest a magic shop. If you want to try to find information, he may suggest a place for that.

You can also just opt to explore the town and see if something interests you.

>>26589110
We do need a technologist. Where would be a good place to try and pick up one?

>>26589110
A billboard of sorts could be nice. We could post a poster: "Ghost specialist for hire."
It should be pretty popular considering all the ghost problems people encounter in the desert.

>>26589166
"Well, we could walk around the market's tech stores and see if anyone's around there. Or we could ask the Prospector Office if a licensed Prospector has advertised his services..." Wallace says, tapping his chin. "Actually I might know a few people. If you give me some time, I could try to put together a list of candidates. Thinking of putting together a party for that Jackpot, huh?"

"Maybe," you respond. "The thought had crossed my mind. Might also be a good idea if we try the curfew break job, too."

"Point," Wallace says. "Anyone else you need?"

>Ask Wallace about someone else.
>Let Wallace look for candidates.
>Ask at the Prospector Office.
>Ask around the market.
>Other.

>>26589110

We need a tech expert, as well, we need to find a way to replace our lost kit and wagons.

>>26589257
"Is there a place we could go to advertise my own specialities?" you ask. "A ghost specialist must be valuable given all the undead around."

"The Desert Rest Inn goes by word of mouth if you want to leave word with the innkeeper. Otherwise, yeah, we could try putting up posters or something. Hm. There's nothing like a ghostbuster guild... Too bad you're not a mage, engineer, or soldier. There are guilds and unions for that sort of thing here."

"The price of being unique," you say. "But less competition too, you know."

>>26589328
>>26589266

Let's take a quick look through the market first, maybe we'll find something we can use, either in the form of transport, ammunition, or kit.

>>26589328
Lets leave a word at the Innkeeper then. We should also inform other people we meet of our specialty in case it is needed.

How much money do we have? We should cash in on that bounty. Kill Hertz.

>>26589774
You have around 750 gold coins.

>>26589368
>>26589346
You travel back to the Desert Rest Inn long enough to speak with the innkeeper about leaving word you are for hire. The fee is only a gold piece for an indefinite advertisement, so you pay it readily, the innkeeper assuring you he will send any requests for your service your way.

You return to the marketplace and begin searching for mercenaries for hire, keeping a special eye out for technologists, and another eye out for anything for sale that might be useful.

>Please roll 3d100, and I apologize for the wait.

>>26589841
Rollin

Rolled 31, 97, 99 = 227

>>26589855
Hrm

Rolled 20, 65, 97 = 182

>>26589841

Rolled 22, 7, 23 = 52

>>26589841

HERES HOPING FOR MG AMMO.

Rolled 28, 16, 75 = 119

>>26589841

Baby needs a new suit of power-armor!!

>>26589865
We've had two 97, a 98 and a 99. These dice are up to something.

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>>26589865
>31, 97, 99.
All right, generating the stuff you find on a double crit is going to take a while. After your purchases, the following happens.

While navigating the crowds of people in the market area, you turn around and bumps into someone. A startled exclamation is all you hear before a shadow looms over you.

"Oh...Oh my... OH NO!!!"

Reflexively turning to see the source of the noise, you see that you've bumped into a slim fellow in a white robe carrying a gigantic stack of books. Said fellow has lost his balance, and the giant stack of books are falling down in a hail upon yourself and Wallace. Wallace just stands stock still, letting the books bounce off his superdense armor, but you find yourself ineffectively holding up your hands to shield your face as a bookshelf's worth of tomes and grimoires rain down on you.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." the man in robes says as he desperately gathers the books up. "You're not hurt, right? Some of the heavier tomes can be a bit painful to get hit with. Sorry, sorry, sorry about this, it's hard to see when you're carrying this many books..."

The man continues to try and reconstruct his bookpile even as he apologizes profusely. It's fairly obvious that he's trying to carry far too many books for one person. You rub your sore head and get up, thinking how to respond.

>"I'm fine, just a little banged up."
>"I'm all right. What are you doing with this many books?"
>"Fuck you, asshole."
>Other.

>>26590050

Offer to help.

Be polite, we might get good intel.

>>26590050
>I'm alright. What are you doing with this many books?

>>26590112
>>26590175
"I'm fine. Here, let me help. What are you doing with this many books?" you ask as you begin picking up books yourself.

"Thank you so much, the library just got this shipment in from Prospero but I got overzealous in buying new items and didn't really stop to think about it until I was halfway home..." the man says with gratitude evident in his voice. "I'd hate for these books to be damaged just because I'm a scatterbrain sometimes. Will you help me lug them back to my store? It's right over next to that street corner. See? It's the one marked with "Yang's" on the front sign."

"All right," you say, nodding at Wallace, who grumbles and picks up a small stack of books as well.

The man leads the group down the trade district's dusty streets to a moderately sized building on the corner of a row of stores. As he said, a large sign above the door reads simply "Yang's. Fine Goods From All Around."

"Er, can someone get the door? It'd be unlocked," the man says, shifting his diminished, but still huge, pile of books again.

"I've got it," Charlie says, opening the door and holding it. Everyone follows the man through and into the store.

You find a surprisingly well kept shop interior. There is a large open space for customers to stand and browse, while shelf after shelf of miscellaneous items line the walls behind two large wooden counters. Armor of all types, the occasional weapon, rows of identical bottles and boxes, the medieval and the technological mingle on the store shelves. A suit of chainmail is displayed next to a heavy kevlar vest, a broadsword with glowing runes etched onto it hangs from a rack next to a bulky looking gun with a myriad of wires running across it... Though the items are of varying quality and condition, the sheer variety of things for sale here is rather astonishing given the surroundings of the store.
(1/2)

>>26590329
The only real clutter in the store is the large amount of crates behind one of the counters, some unlabeled, but most bearing the same uniform writing, though it's too small to make out from the doorway.There is also a stair way leading up to a second floor, and a door in the back.

The man immediately runs to one of the counters and drops his heavy load of books on it, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Ah, thanks again. Now..." the man says, walking around behind one of the desks and plopping down on a chair. "Can I help you with anything? You look thirsty, I can offer you a drink if nothing else."

"I'll have..." Wallace begins to say, then stops mid-sentence, his tone deflating. "...nothing, thanks."

>Ask for a drink.
>Ask a question.
>Ask if he has an item.
>Other.

>>26590371

>Ask for a drink

It's only polite...

>>26590371
Wallace has me sad.

>>26590371
Ask question.

>>26590050
Through a careful search of the items for sale at the market, you manage to single out a list of particularly useful looking things. Unfortunately, most are currently outside of your price range, but you do find a few things that you can purchase with the gold on hand.

Items for sale, affordable:

>Almost any mundane item up to a Renaissance tech level.

>2 armored crates for a total of 100 gold coins. The owner doesn't know what's in them and no matter what he tries, cannot seem to open them. Wallace insists he knows a trick that'll get them open.

>A battered and beaten manual for powered armor operation: 200 gold coins. Wallace notes he can teach you well enough. Finding or affording a suit would be the trick.

>An adventurer desperate for money to pay a debt offers to sell you a belt of six healing potions for three hundred gold coins.

>Ignorant of its true potential, a merchant is offering a powerful hand-computer for only three hundred gold coins.

>An animal tamer offers trained giant rats, about the size of a large dog. It is surprisingly strong, burdened with many bags, and can carry up to 150lbs. Skirtch says he can make them extra obedient due to his affinity with rodents. The tamer wants 50 gold coins per rat.

>You manage to haggle a gun-dealer down to a mere 100 gold coins for additional machine gun ammunition, noting correctly that this particular make of bullet is for a gun that is exceedingly rare, and he is unlikely to manage to unload it to anyone else.

The items you cannot afford are many, but you make a mental note of where to find them when you get a little more cash. They include a laser rifle, several magical items, and a magic bag that stores more than it should. You believe you've managed to earmark all possible purchases of note in the city.
>Extended purchase list available.

>>26590448
"I'll take a drink, sure," you say. "What do you have?"

"What do you want?" the man asks, smiling. "I don't have a lot of any one thing here, but I've got a huge selection."

"Tea?" you ask.

"Iced or normal?"

"Iced, please," you say, looking around the store on more time. The shopkeep wanders off to the back and returns in a few minutes with two glasses of iced tea. Actual ice, a rare sight in a somewhat primitive desert town, floats in the glass, along with a lemon wedge.

>>26590531
What would you like to ask?

>>26590749

Computer, armored crates, rat.

>>26590749

Get the computer, and crates.

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>>26590749
>>26590810

>>26590810
>>26590854

A pack-rat would be useful for our job out in the wastes - helps us return with more. Also, takes advantage of the synergy from our were-rat.

>>26590810
Second

>>26590749
Power armor.

>>26591011

No power armor available, just a manual to teach us how to use it if we should find/buy some in the future.

>>26590810
>>26590942
You purchase the computers and crates, Wallace lugging them back to the Desert Rest to be opened when you have time to spare.

How many rats would you like to purchase? There are six available.

>>26591011
It's not armor, just a manual.

>>26591077

Was initially thinking one, but why not two? I'm sure they're just like dogs and like to have a companion...right?

>>26591116
Two rats it is.

>Pouch of Gold degrades to Small Pouch of Gold.

You sit and drink with the shopkeep for a while in silence.

>Ask about the city.
>Ask about the shop.
>Ask about the desert.
>Ask about himself.
>Ask about hiring people.
>Other.

>>26591293
>Ask about the desert.
Seems like he knows a few things.

>>26591293
>Ask about the desert.
>Ask about himself.

>>26591293
>Ask about desert
>Ask about hiring people

>>26591366
>>26591403
"So what's up with the desert?" you ask, setting down your drink.

"Hm? Which one?" the shopkeep asks.

"Both," you say, taking another drink. "I know the Gates drop things from other worlds all over the place, and that's how most people make their living out here, but does anyone know more about them? The Gates I mean. Or why shadows are everywhere. Or why the Deep Desert is so dead."

"If I could answer those questions, I'd be a rich man," the shopkeep says, smiling. He sits back in his chair. "I can tell you one thing, though. Only half of what the Prospectors salvage is from the Gates. A good deal comes from the remnants of great machines used during the Apocalypse that shattered and remade this world."

"The what?" you ask, pausing. "Oh. You mean that huge war where like a hundred different armies fought here?"

"It was a little more than that, but that's the gist of it. I can't claim to be a loremaster, but all the reading I do leaves me a little more enlightened than most."

"Well, wait for a second," you say, setting down the drink. "I'm an idiot. My name's Thaddeus Black. These are my friends Wallace, Charlie, and Skirtch. You are?"

"Oh!" the man says, golden eyes widening. "I forgot to introduce myself! Sorry, so sorry! My name is Yang. I run this store. Pleasure to meet you."

Yang extends his hand and you shake it. "Pleasure to meet you too. So how did you end up running a store like this? It's a bit above the other stall and tinker shops I've seen."

"Thank you," Yang says, a large grin widening on his face. "I can offer a very large selection because of how I got here. It's about the only good luck I've had."

"How you got here?" you ask.

"Right. I'm not a native. I'm an Outsider. I was apprenticed to a famous planar trader and was transporting a large cargo of goods for him when something went wrong with the ship."
(1/2)

>>26591777
"Some strange energy... it looked like a mist wrapped itself around the vessel. Everything went haywire and all our instruments were jammed..."

Yang stops and looks down, smile fading. "I was the only one aboard that lived, and that was just thanks to my... ah... heritage. Someone must've been looking out for me though. I crashed near Mercutio and woke up before anyone could salvage the ship. I put in a claim for it myself and used the cargo and proceeds from ship salvage to set up. That was four years ago, I think. I've been trading here since."

>>26591755
"Know any good places to hire people?" you ask.

"Oh, sure. What sort of people are you looking for?" Yang asks. "I hire people myself all the time to do things, so I've picked up a few contacts."

>A technologist.
>Wait, go back to talking about the war.
>What do you hire people for?
>Other.
(2/2)

>>26591861

"What do you mean your 'heritage'?"

>What do you hire people for?

>>26591861

What do you hire people for? We could use a technologist?

>>26591920
>>26591936
"Oh," Yang points to his golden eyes and white hair. "I'm part celestial. I was able to heal myself when I woke from the crash, unlike everyone else."

"I see," you say. "What do you hire people for, here?"

"Oh, lots of things. Occasionally a salvage run like everyone else, but mainly to help me unlock the Warehouses of Holding I have."

"The what?" you ask.

"The Warehouses of Holding... Oh. It's a magitech item, looks like a metal crate, but it opens in an extra-dimensional space in which you can store vast amounts of things with a very low degree of entropy," Yang says. "A lot of them were damaged during the crash and I've had to get creative in finding ways to get them open again. Unfortunately my master was a bit eccentric, so some are opened by things like puzzles, riddles, and things like that. Others are simple enough I can hire someone to bypass the lock or just force it open."

"So you're used to hiring technologists. We might need one of those," you comment. Yang nods.

"I can recommend a few. What exactly were you looking for?" Yang asks. "I know a native tinker who knows a lot about the reverse-engineered stuff they've made here, a magitechnician, and an Outsider engineer that came from a high-tech world. Uh, do you want to prioritize knowledge over fighting ability, vice-versa, give me an idea of who you're looking for."

>Give him an idea of who you're looking for.
>Other.

>>26592264

Combat engineer, good with salvage.

We need someone who can support our operations in the desert, both in defense and identifying the best tech.

Being able to assist in maintaining tech gear we acquire is a nice plus, too.

As well, we should see if we can get some MG ammo, how much do we have and how much does that 100 coins get us?

I like puzzles. Do you have any you haven't been able to solve?

>>26592333
Yang takes out a sheet of paper and a pencil and jots down your specifications.

"Check back in a day, I think I know just the guy."

>>26592392
"Oh my, yes! Anytime you manage to solve one, I'll let you have something from the inside as payment. Did you want to try and solve one now?"

>Yes.
>Later.
>Other.

>>26592333
The gun dealer is going to sell you two extra box-magazines for 100 gold coins, plus just enough to refill your current magazine. That is his entire stock of the strange 8mm ammunition.

>>26592515
Yes

>>26592515

Also, when can we see what's in the boxes we purchased?

>>26592658
When Wallace has the time to open them, which should be whenever you return to the Inn to end the day.

>>26592580
Yang gets up and walks to the back of his store, returning with a blue crystal cube.

"This one is kinda small. I've got most of the security layers unlocked, but it's stuck on a riddle now. Master loved them, but I'm just trash with riddles. Anyway, tap it to have it ask the question."

You do as instructed, giving the cube a tap.

A neutral male voice fills the air. "Who has five hands but is normal?"

"I already tried listing all the species I know with five hands," Yang says, shaking his head.

>>26592717
Guy with an watch?

>>26592754
"Correct. Unlocking to second level. I have a little house in which I live all alone. It has no doors or windows. If I want to leave, I must break through the wall."

>>26592811
Some kind of bird. The house is an egg.

>>26592848
"Correct. Unlocking to final level. What can run but never walks, has a mouth, but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?"

>>26592870
That one's easy. A river.

>>26592870
A river.

>>26592878
>>26592879
"Correct. Unlocking..." the cube intones, its surface shimmering as Yang gingerly takes the odd device back.

"Um... I feel really... really stupid that I didn't get those now," Yang says, wincing. "Anyway, I'll take inventory right away. I should have a suitable payment selected when you come back to meet the hire."

>The QM is tired now and must away. You have a small amount of gold left over now, three unknown prizes, and your gear from the market. You know of at least two more jobs you could try taking in the mayor's war on crime and the bounty on Hertz. You could also try looking for more information in general or searching for additional services or people. Or something else I've forgotten. Having an idea of what you want to do makes preparation for the next session easier.

>Next session should be Saturday at 5 if all goes well. Backup session Sunday if that date falls through.