You open your eyes, staring at the ceiling.
Then you swallow the lump in your throat, your mouth dry. You sit up in your bed, and take a look at the window- it's early, early morning, about an hour before dawn. After rummaging around to find your waterskin, you quaff it, trying to get enough water.

Wordlessly, you stare at the ceiling and touch one of the longest, deepest scars on your face. It's been almost fifteen years since you last thought of that mission.

Someone knocks on your door, and opens it. Miriam peers in. When you see her, you suddenly recall; she swore by the Titan, once.
"Last night, when your companion dragged you in, you didn't look right." She says, worried. "Are you okay?"

"No. But I'll live."

>>27042915

"Just a bad memory." test our arm and back for a bit.

where is our pet Remnant?

>>27042915
"Uh, no, not really, I suppose. I just need some thinking time."

"No, but I'll live." You say, and stretch out an arm. "Just a bad memory."
"Want me to take a look at your injuries?"
You nod. Miriam sits down next to you, and starts to poke and prod at your arm and back. Steve is still standing in the corner of your room, perfectly motionless. He almost looks like a statue.
"He's a little unnerving." Miriam says, nodding to the remnant. "After what happened a few nights ago, I mean. But your arm is healing up fine. We should be able to take off the bandages tomorrow. Your back might need a bit more work in a few days, though."
"Thanks." You say. She gets to her feet again.
"Anything special you want for breakfast?" She asks. "Leroy brought over a full barrel of mushrooms today in thanks, so we have a lot of those if you want them."

>>27043111
"Anything is fine."

>>27043111

"If you're sure none of them are poisonous then sure."

today might be a good time to venture in to the 'noble' district of the city.

>>27043176
i'd rather check out that temple we've got the key to

"Anything is fine." You say softly. "If you're sure none of them are poisonous."
"After Dalton's daughter ended up, uh, hallucinating, Leroy's always been careful." Miriam says. "I'll have food ready for you in a while."

The innkeeper leaves, and you lay back on your bed again, staring at the ceiling. You faintly touch your scar again.
<Well, that was a pretty sweet atmosphere, wasn't it?> Mal asks, suddenly in the room with you. You didn't even hear him come in. You just affix him with a glare.
Then he grins.
<What's the plans for today?> He asks.
<It might be a good time to venture into the noble district of the city.> You say. <Or check out the temple I found the key to, yesterday.>
<I'm fine with either. The temple has less travel time, while the city might take more than one day to get there.> He says, and shrugs. <Oh, and last night, I remembered where I met you from.> He says. Then he claps a hand on your shoulder. <You stole the royal ivory, pushed me out of a window, and broke one of my legs. Asshole.>

>>27043312
<I had a nasty bruise on my head as well.>

<Let's go to the temple today.>

>>27043312
<No hard feelings?>

>>27043312

<I, I'm sorry, I never meant for that to happen.>

>>27043312
<Oh, it was royal ivory? I should asked for more pay in that case.>

>>27043312
<Wow rude, don't you ever knock?>

<I... I'm sorry, I never meant for that to happen.> You say.
<Yes you did. Else you wouldn't have done it.> He says. <We were on opposite sides back then.>
<No hard feelings?> You ask.
<Eh, you're not a bad guy. And I'm not a Bashiki anymore, so it really doesn't matter what you did.>
The galdian man shoots you a grin, and looks out the window.

"Breakfast!" Miriam calls.
<There's the food.> You say, and make your way out of the room. Mal follows.

<Let's go to the temple today.> You say, and take another bite. Most of this is fried mushrooms, but it honestly doesn't taste as bad as you'd thought.
<Sure. Less walking that way.> Mal responds. <Then again, if there are remnants in there, they'll torment the townsfolk if they get out when the doors are open.>

>>27043555
<Yeah, good point. I guess we'll just have to be careful.>

>>27043555

<A big building like a church probably has windows near the top so you could climb the wall with those fancy gloves you have.>
<If there are remnants inside, we'll think of something.>

>>27043555
<We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen, then. Stock up on fire making equipment.>

>>27043555
<Maybe I'll check on Cromwell first, and see if he's got the golems working. They should keep the town safe.>

<Yeah, good point.> You say. <I guess we'll have to be careful.>
<Maybe we could take your friend, too.> Malchak says. <The remnant upstairs, I mean.>
"You two heading out again?" Miriam asks.
"Indeed." You respond, and take another few bites.
<Maybe I'll check on Cromwell first, and see if he's got the golems working. They should keep the town safe.>
<Then let's go.> Mal says. <He should be up at dawn, right?>

You knock on Cromwell's door, and as always, he opens it immediately. Mal's standing behind you, his head still uncovered, and Cromwell peers up at you with tired, dead eyes.
"Grumphlph." He says, eloquently.
"How is work going on the golems?"
"Mplhmpghm. Still need more work. I think I have the basic commands down, but I need to be sure." He says, his eyes half-lidded. "Friendly identification glyphs are the problem. I can't figure out where they are. They're in its brain somewhere, I just need to find out where."

>>27043815
"Alright, see you later."

<Noble district it is, then.>

>>27043815

"maybe you should get some rest, you look like hell."

>>27043871
Temple, you meant.

>>27043815
Where's the dragon btw?

"Maybe you should get some rest." You say. "You look like hell."
Cromwell puts on another much-too-wide grin. It doesn't mesh well with his dead, tired eyes.
"Rest is for the weak." He says. "Only through sleeplessness and mind-effecting mushrooms can one unlock their true mental potential!"
Then his grin fall, and he gives you a sly glance.
"After all, if you're well rested, you only ever get sane ideas."

And then he slams the door shut.
"Alright, see you later." You tell the closed door.

As you and Mal walk through the village, you look about for Bruno, but you can't seem to find him anywhere. Steve is still following you unerringly, but the dragon is nowhere to be seen. Leroy gives you a wave as he heads back to his house for the morning.

<So, where were we going again?> Mal asks, again.
<Not sure. Lemme think about it.> You say, and tap your chin.

The city is rather far off, and you're not entirely sure you can even get to the noble district first- you have two gates to get through, before you can. As for the temple, it's right here, and you have the only key...

>Since votes were split, I'll make it a proper prompt; City, or Temple?

>>27044008
Let's check out the temple today.

>>27044008

Temple, maybe we won't get hurt this time?

>>27044008
City

<Let's check out the temple.> You say. <Maybe I won't get hurt this time.>
<And maybe when we get back, there'll be the king's concubines here to meet us.> Mal says, a sardonic tone in his voice.
You snort, and just walk toward the temple.

It's a large, squat building, with a domed ceiling in the top. It's almost a proper cathedral, like from the capital- if it wasn't for the beige stone bricks that made up the building, as well as the vines crawling over every visible surface, save what's been recently trimmed.

<Ready?> Mal asks, looking up at the building.
You give Steve an awkward command to protect you and Mal.
<Yep.> You say, and grab the key from around your neck. Warily, you unlock the temple's large doors... And pull them open.

On the inside is little but darkness. Long vertical slits in the walls bring in light, but that's it. The cathedral is nearly empty, save for stone pews on either side of the long building. In the very back is an altar, complete with a star shaped statue on top.
<... I'm not seeing any remnants.> Mal says, lowering his musket.

Carefully, you walk in. The building is filled with dust, and it's only this one chamber... You're not sure why you're even-

Something in your spine tingles.
There's something here. You can't see it, but you can... feel it. Something below your feet. Under the temple somehow?
<You find anything?> You ask.
<Maybe.> Mal says. <This altar is loose.>
With a loud screech, he pushes it, and the altar skids to the side, revealing something beneath.
Stairs, downward. Deep into the darkness.
<Almost feels like the mansion.> Mal jokes.

Steve says nothing.

>>27044155
Ask Steve to go in first, light some torches and follow.

>>27044155
<Feels like it? I'll bet you a rune we find a portal like in the mansion.>

>>27044155
Light that shit up with our new ~electric~ torch.

>>27044155

<Don't ask me how i know, but there is something below this place, maybe even the same thing as in the mansion.>

get some torches, save our flashlight for when we need to see details.

<Feels like it?> You ask. <I'll bet you a rune that we find a portal like in the mansion.>
<No deal, because I have a feeling you're right.> Mal says.
You light your oil lantern, saving your electric torch for later. In halting, accented kystaran, you order Steve to go on first, making sure to reference the paper Cromwell gave you.

The two of you follow Steve as he heads down the stairs, steel claws and teeth ready for anything that might come. That tingling grows stronger, and stronger, the deeper you go.

Eventually, the stairs stop descending, and you're in just a long, enormous hall. Pillars span on all sides of you, holding up the temple above, and the lantern, even as well-lit as it is right now, still won't let you see the walls.
<This place is huge.> Mal whispers in a low tone- and even then, his voice seems to echo. <The darkness is too much for me to see down that way, but on our right and left are the walls. They're... Well, covered in skeletons. Old, old ones. Very old. Almost crumbling, most of them. I think these are catacombs.>

>>27044305
<I'm not superstitious but defiling the tombs of the dead is pushing it a bit too much. Then we'll be knee deep in remnants /and/ ghosts.>

>>27044305
Ehh, we're not a graverobber are we? Maybe we should just head back.

>>27044305

i think now would be a good time to try the new torch, this place is huge.

warn Mal if we are using it though, it was quite a bit brighter.

<I'm not superstitious, but defiling the tombs of the dead is pushing it a bit much.> You say. <I'm not a graverobber. Maybe we should just head back.>
<I don't know much about graves.> Mal says. <My people don't have them. But we should at least look around. I'm sure we can run if something happens. I don't know about you, but I'm more curious than greedy right now.>
Then he squinted ahead, down the long hall- and took a step back.
<Shit!> He calls, running.

Tromping down the hall is an enormous remnant, twice your height, wearing expertly-forged steel armor. In both hands, it carries a sword broader than you were tall. Towering, the Remnant takes another step forward- and you turned to the stairs to run.

Then it saluted, and stepped to the side, putting the sword point-down into the ground.
The armored remnant is perfectly, utterly still, almost identical to how Steve looked this morning.
Steve tilts its head, looking at its larger counterpart.
<Bro, you okay?> Mal calls from up the stairs.

Tell it to direct you to the inner sanctum.

>>27044494
<Uh, uh, uh, uh.>

<Can you talk, armored one?>

>>27044494
Okay, pretty cool. Torch the giant while it's not resisting, just to be sure.

>>27044494
Might as well go forward I guess

Maybe it's not attacking us because we have an ancestor here or something.

>>27044494

<I'm, not sure yet, it just saluted me and right now it isn't moving. I don't know if it will react to you the same way though.>

just go around it and not get smashed in to paste.

<Uh, uh.> You say, backing away. <I'm... uh, not sure yet. It just saluted me, and right now it isn't moving. I don't know if it will react to you the same way.>
This thing was huge... But at least you still have fire.
You pause, waiting for it to attack...
And surprisingly, it doesn't. Carefully, you touch it- The metal is cold, while the remnant's skin is lukewarm. Soft, and rubbery- though you know it's arm carries a tremendous amount of power.
It still doesn't attack.

<Huh. That's cool.> Mal says, quite suddenly standing next to you. When he doesn't wear shoes, it seems he's as quiet as a ghost. <Hello, big guy!> He calls.
The remnant doesn't respond to him.
You look down at the paper of commands Cromwell had given you, and try to find something that would work.
<... Lead me?> You try.

The armored remnant turns, and starts to walk. It's walking slowly, but with the length of its legs, you had to almost start jogging to keep up.
<Maybe it's not attacking us because I have an ancestor here, or something.> You say.
<Do you?> Mal asks. <Then it might not be attacking me because you brought me here.>
The enormous remenant turned, walking down another hallway, and on you followed.
In the distance, if you squint, you think you can see light...
And then you arrived.

<Good thing I didn't take your bet.> Mal says. <Or I'd be out of a rune.>
The chamber the giant had led you was to an enormous, well-lit chamber. In the center of the chamber sat an enormous stone disc, held up by thick iron chains and engraved with runes- almost identically to the one below the mansion. Behind the disc, in the back of the chamber, is an enormous set of double doors... But the double doors are barred, and a second enormous remnant stands in its path.

>>27044761
<So, erm. What should we do?>

>>27044761

did we promise Cromwell the actual runes or can we note them down?

because i have no desire to fight either of these giant remnants.

>>27044761
I bet this was just a trap.

Tap the portal disc like we did in the mansion.

>>27044761
get out some paper and draw every rune, take our time give Mal some paper too he can do the same instead of being board.

>>27044848
That's really, really dumb
>I bet this is a trap!
>Let's dive into it head first!

>>27044894
Yeah, the last time we went through a portal we nearly died, let's not do that ever again.

<So, erm. What should we do?> You ask.
<Well, they obviously wanted us... or you, I guess, here. But they don't want you through those doors.> Mal says. <I don't know what we should do.>
<I bet this was just a trap.> You tell Mal. Then you set down your lantern and take out your notebook. Tearing out two pages, you hand one to Mal. <Whatever we do, let's draw out these glyphs first.>
<Alright.> He says, and takes a few steps back. Tongue sticking out of his mouth, he started to sketch. You took your own pen in hand and got to work.

<Done!> He says, at around the same time you finish. Your copy is nothing but stern, crisp lines of the runes themselves, taken as well as you can understand them. Mal's copy is something entirely different. He's sketched out the disc, the chains holding it up- even ran his writing utensil sideways to smear shadows along the background and small lines to show the wear and tear on the disc itself.
Apparently Mal's a rather good artist.

<Here's what I'm thinking.> Mal says. <We could try to kill these guys and get past the big doors. Or we could leave... Or one of us could enter that, if it's the same as the mansion. You have that glove?>
<Yeah.> You say; You're rather sure you can find your way back without the large remnant to guide you- it was only a single corner, after all.
<Well, what's the plan? I'm not sure how we can take care of one guy this big, but two of them... You have more of those fire runes, right? But that's only if we're going to try to fight them.>

>>27045009
Fighting them is a big risk for no real value. It would be better to try our luck in the noble quarters next.

>>27045009

<well, they haven't even so much as looked at us threateningly so i guess I'll try to open a portal.>
<who knows, i might have a chance to ask what's behind the big door.>

>just to be clear: show our glove to the remnant, just to make sure our intentions are clear, carefully make our way to the ring, if the remnant do not try to stop us, touch it.

>>27045009
Let's make to leave, and see what the Remnants do.

>>27045137
Why open the portal, exactly? The last time it was a trap, why it would be any different now?

You turn to walk away, leaving the chamber... And the remnants simply stay standing where they were, watching you walk.

<We're leaving?> Mal asks.
<The last time I opened a portal, it was a trap. Why would it be any different now?>
<Because now they aren't attacking wildly like they were before.> Mal says. <That part's different. Like, entirely different.>

You shrug. <Anyway, fighting them is a big risk for no real value. It would be better to try our luck in the city next.>
<Yeah. If we're not going to go graverobbing, at least.> He says.
All three of you walk into the catacombs, leaving the chamber behind. Steve follows you, as always.

When you walk back out into the sun, the altar pushed back into place, you're covered in dust. Mal looks much better, but that's likely because he's covered in layers and strips of cloth. It's almost noon, around now, and you can see Dalton hammering on something at his forge.

Then you hear a loud hiss, and thrumming... And you turn around to see the carriage coming through the mountains, quickly getting closer. You make your way closer, and walk past the tavern. It's the same carriage that had taken you here- even the same wheeled steam-machine that kept breaking down when you first arrived.
"It's Jerwyn!" Miriam says, waving to the carriage. She turns to you. "He comes by every week."
<We can sell the stuff from that tower! Finally.> Mal says. <And my sister may have sent a letter!>

>>27045343
"Oh, excellent."

"Oh, Excellent." You say. There you waited, watching the carriage come closer. The steamwheel pulling the carriage hissed again, rolling closer, before it skidded to a stop near the middle of the village.

Jerwyn- a plump, balding lelan man- looked out at all of you, giving you a wide grin. "I have something for a lot of you." He says. "This is from Galdia, but it's for a Malchak?"
Mal raises his own hand. <That's me!>
Jerwyn slid him a letter, and gave a small package to Miriam.
"I'll just find time to give Dalton his supplies later." The man says, before meeting your eyes. "Oh, and a man asked me to bring this to you. He was wearing a long coat."

He hands you an envelope and a package. Written on the envelope are only two letters, in blood-red ink.

E. E. Your employers.

You pull open the envelope and it's simply the same thing as before. Find knowledge about runes, send artifacts back to them, and make requests if you require any sort of resources. And then they mentioned that you also get your weekly pay- though you'll get plenty more pay if you follow through on your job.
Next, you pull open the package- and inside, wrapped, is a pouch of coins. You add it to the remains of your coins from when you first arrived.

"Hey, are you willing to buy some things...?" You ask, and hold up your loot.

>Roll for Barter! Unskilled, N/A difficulty.

>>27045343
You had enough excitement for one day, visit the tavern and knock back some brewskies with your buddy.

Rolled 48

>>27045627
"These aren't just useless relics I'm selling, you know. They're from the heart of the Kystaran mainland. The finest of steel."

Rolled 37

>>27045627

Rolled 20

>>27045627

Rolled 99

>>27045627

>>27045627
>Result: 37. 18 coins gained!

"These aren't just useless relics I'm selling, you know." You say. "They're from the heart of the kystaran mainland."
"... That's a good point." He says, finally. "But you know, I'm not entirely sure the extra weight will be worth taking. It'd just cost me more pressure in the long run, you know..."

By the time things are said and done, you've gotten the loot off of your hands, and you've got almost twenty more coins to your name. Not much, but enough.

>Total: 168 Coins.
>Five coins are enough for a rather lavish meal- two are a warm loaf of bread. Ten are enough for a night in a tavern. Fifty should be enough for a cross-country carriage ride.

"Is that all you need?" The carriage driver asks. "Or is there something else?"

You think about it- but you can't think of anyone who you'd want to send a letter to. You could likely send requests or artifacts to your employers, though...

>>27045849
can we request better weapons and more exotic runes?

>>27045849
"Do you have any light armor?"

I forget, did we ever ask the Blacksmith to order that armor for us?

>>27045896
Getting more exotic runes is the entire point of us being here.
It'd be like sending gold to your oversea gold mine. Pointless and counter-intuitive.

>>27045849
Nonsense, send a letter to your family. Tell them that you're doing fine and will visit them in a couple of months.

>>27046011
I'm pretty sure our family is dead

>>27046131
Surely we have siblings or children of our own, somewhere?

"Do you have any armor?" You ask.
"Dalton said something about getting armor." The man says. "But it hasn't come in yet."

You grab out some more paper and pen a request to E.E. about getting better weapons- and perhaps an exotic rune, if possible. You're not sure if they'll actually get you anything, especially how you aren't showing any results, but you may as well ask. You fold it up, write the address on it, and give it back to the carriage driver.
"This needs to go to the capital." You say.
"Alright! I'll take it there." He says.

While Mal pours over his letter, almost giddy, you get to thinking.
Everyone here still has connections, somewhere.
Mal apparently has a sister somewhere, Miriam's just recieved what looks like clothing from abroad, and Dalton talked about his friends in the capital...

But no matter how much you think, you can't remember a single person who hasn't died or moved on by now.
Well... There was that one nobleman who stuck to you like glue for a couple weeks.
You put your hand to paper again.
Dear Abel... You write.
"This one goes to the capital as well." You say, giving him another letter.
"Yessir." The driver says.

Eventually, the driver makes his way to the smithy, and starts discussing shipments of supplies with Dalton. Miriam, meanwhile, one of her own letters.
This one also has an E.E. written on it, in blood-red ink.

>>27046156
Let's not pry.

<Anything good, Mal?>

>>27046156
"Stuck" as in "romantically involved"...?

>>27046156
I want to send stuff back but we've only got shitty runes. Coupled with the fact we just abandoned the temple mission, I don't think our employers will be pleased.

>>27046260
We haven't abandoned it, we have just postponed it until Cromwell can translate the runes on the portal. That way we have some idea what's going to happen if we go through it.

>>27046325
Speaking of which, give the notes to Cromwell and ask him what they might mean.

>>27046325
The guy can barely translate the runes on a golem. We'll be waiting months.

For a moment, you think more about Abel- and a chilling, horrifying idea worms its way into your brain. Regardless of your interest or disinterest in men, being romantically involved with that useless, clumsy fop gives you a chill down to your bones.

<Anything good, Mal?> You ask.
<She wants to introduce me to someone.> He says, holding the letter up. <I think she's trying to pair me up with another one of her friends. Again.>
Then he sighs, and starts chuckling. <You have any family?>
<Had a mother, once. That was about it.>
<Do you... mind if I ask what happened?>
<After the wall went up in Kystara, she just got... ill.> You say. <Wasted away.>
<... Uh, I'm sorry.> He says, uncomfortably. <Any kids? You seem like you'd have kids.>
You shrug. <Dunno.>

He sighs, and sits down on a rock. <So what's the rest of the plan for today? It's past noon, so I'm not sure we have enough time to go anywhere else for today. On the other hand, my old commander sent me some alcohol, so we could waste the sun away with it.>
<First we should give these notes to Cromwell.> You say.
<And then....?> Mal asks, eying the jug in his arms eagerly. <Drinking's no fun if you don't have friends to drink with, and nobody else even speaks this language.>

>>27046390
"Can't say no to that."

>>27046345
So? We can explore the city meanwhile.

>>27046390
We could explore the rest of the catacombs, I suppose, provided we don't get lost.

I just don't think portal diving blind is an experience I want to repeat.

>>27046390
Chill out with Mal, find Bruno and play fetch with him. It is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

>>27046390
<I'll go drop these papers off then be right back.>

>>27046424
The city is boring and shit. There's no point in even waiting for a translation on the portal runes, because they won't tell us who's inside it.

>>27046447
Let's feed Bruno some booze.

>>27046490
The "who's inside it" bit is what I'm afraid of, really. Besides, we haven't seen but a small part of the city thus far.

>>27046507
Getting the dragon drunk never gets old!

>>27046539
>>27046439
>>27046424
You people have no sense of ADVENTURE! By the way, why didn't we send the Remnant-making Rune back to the capital?

>>27046557
Those are both excellent points. Sadly I think it's a bit late though.

Can we still catch the wagon? It's not like the summoning rune is particularly useful for us.

>>27046557
Because we don't want to have another Kystaran apocalypse as people who crave power figure out they can have what is effectively a supermutant army that only responds to them.

>>27046587
>Don't worry, the wagon will remain for the rest of the day, and set off tomorrow morning.

<Can't say no to that! I'll go drop these papers off, then be right back.> You say.
<Take care.> He responds. <I'll go find us somewhere.>

You make your way up the road to the artificer's house, and knock on the door.
Cromwell doesn't respond. You wait a full minute, and he doesn't open it immediately as usual.
You knock again, but... Nothing. You lean to the side, and peer into his window. Cromwell is in there, alright... Laughing to himself. He has two strange tools in each hand, scraping something across the golem cores- and you watch the crystal flash red. Cromwell cackles even more loudly, and pushes himself away from the workbench.

He tugs the door open, and grabs you by the collar of your shirt.
"I need your blood. Your blood's the key to this! It just plain doesn't react to people who don't have kystaran blood! But you have enough for it to react to things like your hair."

>>27046557
Are you saying that you cannot have an ADVENTURE! in a remnant-haunted city full of treasure? That's plain crazytalk.

>>27046604
They're not going to be able to do that with one rune that only has 1 or 2 charges left.
And giving them the better runes is kinda the entire point of us being here.

>>27046604
Oh really, that's the reason? We were sent here to do a job, we're not morally righteous adventuring heroes.

>>27046617
Um... sure?

>>27046617
"How much do you need? I'll make a donation."

>>27046617
"Okay, I'm not sure you realize just how creepy that sounds."

>>27046617
"Uh, how much? Here, portal runes for you."

>>27046617
"I'm quite fond of my blood, really. Besides, I don't think that kystaran people needed to bleed to get their golems working."
"Instead, here's something you could make yourself useful with", hand him the notes.

>>27046617
"No sorry, I'm keeping my bodily fluids safely in my body."

>>27046617
"I'm still a little woozy from getting my shit tossed yesterday...

>>27046617
Give him some semen

"Okay, I'm not sure you realize just how creepy that sounds." You say.
"Eeh, everyone reacts like that when I get really excited about things." He says. "If I'm right, with your blood, I'll be able to make tools that will allow me to customize golems much easier."
His eyes are sunken by now, tired- you don't think he's slept.
"I don't think that kystaran people needed to bleed to get their golems working." You say.

"Of course. Because they had kystaran blood in their body." He says. "And they knew how. I have to figure out how, and I'm one hundred percent Lelan noble. They just needed to touch certain glyphs on the core to control them, I think. That's why they have the holes in the back- to easily give them different commands. But with just a little bit of your blood, I can use that as a tool to do the same. I don't even need much- it'd just be a little prick on your finger. The dried stuff is too diluted, though. I tried using that."

>>27046617
I'll give you blood if you can translate these papers for me.

It might be full of alcohol by the time you're done, however.

>>27046812
Well, a little prick doesn't sound bad. But get him translating those notes after that. You're a busy man with drinking plans!

>>27046812
right, can we do this tomorrow when you've had some sleep and not cackling like a madman?

>>27046812
"Alright, but you've gotta promise me the first couple of golems you make will be used to defend the town in case those remnants come back. Deal?"

"... can we do this tomorrow when you've had some sleep and not cackling like a madman?"
"This is when I do my best work." He says. "Sure, it's harder to do the dull work like translation when I'm like this, but it's a lot easier to do sideways things."

You're not sure what he means by 'sideways things', but you don't ask.
"I'll give you blood if you can translate these notes for me." You say, and hold up the paper from the catacombs- with the runes. "And you've gotta promise me that the first couple of golems you make will be used to defend the town in case those remnants come back. Deal?"
"Deal. And I just said that I'm worse at dull work..." He grumbles. "Fine, fine. Never let it be said that I shy away from a challenge!"

He stared down at the papers for a few moments, mumbling to himself.

"...This reminds me of that rune that created the remnant. A lot. And that glove! It looks like that glove would go right..." He points at a blank spot in the circle- the only open location. "..here. Anyway, it's almost nonsensical. Not like standard kystaran writing at all. It's not even writing, most of it. What I can make out is that this bit above the top is talking about domain control, and the part on the side is root access, whatever that means."
He shrugs. "Should only take me a day or so to translate this properly. But I'm more interested in seeing if my blood idea works. From your dried blood, the core is definitely reacting, but it isn't changing any of the settings. I think if I get purer stuff I'll be able to change it entirely. Which means I could theoretically convert any golem cores you bring, if it works."

>>27047008
"Any speculation what would happen if I set off an explosive and disrupted the portal runes?"

>>27047008
Alright, let's do this.

Wait a minute, where did you get my dried blood from?

>>27047008
"Do you have a book on Kystaran I can learn from? I won't have to rely on you to do the dull tasks that way, you realize."

>>27047086
I believe he said he'd have to write one, and that would take time i'm sure he can't spare

>>27047086
He already compiled a primer for us, didn't he?
>>27047008
"Pretty sure it's another pocket domain like the one at the Manor."

>>27047008
Give him more blood then he can handle, like a bucket load, fuck it, what could go wrong? Also we will get more drunk tonight with mal

Suggestion: We send to our employers for a book on reading Kystaran.

>>27047124
Alcohol will replace the deficit!

>>27047164
Drunken hijinks ensue!

>Actually, he just wrote down a list of commands so that you could ask Steve to do things. It'll help, but it's not as good as a proper primer.

"Any speculation what would happen if I set off an explosive and disrupted the portal runes?" You ask.
"I have no idea." He says. "It's just a bunch of disjointed words to me right now. I need to examine how they all interact to get a proper picture of things."
"I'm pretty sure it's another pocket domain like the one at the Manor."
"Well, we'll likely get to confirm that by entering it." He says.

"Do you have a book on Kystaran I can learn from? I won't have to rely on you to do the dull tasks that way, you realize."
"I've been too busy to write that primer I promised." He says. "It'll take a lot more time. But I'm sure little Annie will teach you in the meantime. Just go ask her. I know from experience that languages are easier to learn from a person instead of a book."

You think about it for a while.
"Alright, let's do this." You say. He pricked your finger, and took a small plunger to it, drawing blood out slowly. "Wait a minute, where did you get my dried blood from?"
"I asked Miriam to get me some." He says, and took the plunger away. "She got it to me rather quickly. This is enough blood. Anything else you want before I get back to work?"

>>27047175
Oh dear, I hope we don't get timeskipped to the aftermath, and we've done something terrible.

Do we even know what kind of drunk we are?

>>27047205
Just translate those pages. The portal's underneath the temple, so it wouldn't be good if there was something evil inside it.

>>27047210
That is an awesome idea, Exo do that

>>27047205
Let's go blaze it up with our bro

>>27047205
"Get some sleep old man, I don't want you dying out of exhaustion." Find the girl, the dragon, Mal and spend an afternoon learning a new language and sipping wine.

Rolled 37

>>27047210
1- playful Drunk
2- Weepy drunk
3- horny drunk
4- Trickster Drunk
5- Angry drunk
6- Immunity to Alchohol

Rolled 2

>>27047284
Try that again.

>>27047294
see, that's terrible because then we'll start telling everyone of our miserable past and it's pretty bad so they'll hate us

>>27047332
It would be fitting, though. We've seen some rough shit, man.

>>27047284
I bet we get pushed out a window.

"Just translate those pages." You say. "The portal's underneath the temple, so it wouldn't be good if there was something evil inside it."
"Understood." He says. "I'll get to work. Take care!"
"I will." you say. "You get some sleep, old man. I don't want you dying of exhaustion.

While walking through the village, you see Bruno waddling around, looking for someone to beg food from, when he sees you- and scrambles toward you. You dig some dragonmeal- weeds, in fact- from the ground, and feed the little pudgy dragon. He happily hops into your arms, and you drag him back toward where Mal was.

While on the way, Ann arrives, giving you a stern look.
"Are you taking him somewhere dangerous again?" She asks.
<Hallooo!> Someone calls. You whirl around- and see Mal, sitting atop the temple. He waved the jug in the air, and then shoved something down- one end to a rope, woven out of vine.
<Is it really a smart idea to drink from somewhere so high up?!> You call.
<It's the best idea.> He responds. <It's tradition! At least within the bashiki!>
"... What's he saying?" Ann asks, her expression unguarded for once.

>>27047392
"Many things, child."

>>27047392
"He's Drunk."

<Get down from there! You'll spill the wine!>

File: 1378420617135.jpg-(191 KB, 781x730, bruno.jpg)

191 KB JPG

>>27047392
Yess, that cute little bastard is back! Join Mal on the roof.

"He says it's a tradition where he's from to get drunk on high places. He wants me to join him."

>>27047531
this one.

Use Ann as our decision making tool.

>>27047392
We're spending the day here, Ann. So it's only as dangerous as the town is. Which is rather, if you include falling from high places, I guess.

>>27047575
Aren't we supposed to be our decision making tool?

>>27047591
You'd think so, but when alcohol is involved one is never sure.

We also have to make sure to congratulate Ann again on her earthbending. That shit was near impossible for us, and she just did it like that.

>>27047618
Wasn't it all runes, though?

"He says it's a tradition where he's from, to get drunk on high places. He wants me to join him." You say. "He's drunk."
"... Oh." She says. "That's a terrible idea. If you're going to drink, do it on ground level."
<Get down from there! You'll spill the wine!> You call.
<You get up here!> He calls.
You give him a Look.

He sighs, and covers the jug again, using a candle to melt the wax seal back in place. Then he skids down the vine, and lands back on the ground.
<You're boring.> He says, breaking the seal once more. He tosses you a wooden bowl, and starts to pour. <Shall we?>
<We shall!> You say- before Bruno apparently decides that the bowl is obviously his, and starts to lap at it.

===

You find yourself sitting in a high place, Bruno rolling around on his back gurgling and squeaking randomly. Mal is leaning on your side, his own bowl half-filled, laughing about something or other - something about his half-cousin, apparently - but you aren't really listening. You're just looking out at the village itself. The sun is starting to set, and your head is abuzz. This wine isn't actually very strong, but Mal's completely wasted.

"I have a question." Ann says, trying to make sure Bruno wasn't hurting himself. Mal had tried to give her something to drink, earlier, but she'd yelled at him. "Where are you from?"
"Me?" You ask, swishing your bowl. She nods. "I was born in the capital. I never knew my father, and my mother wasn't... well liked... but it was a good place, at the start."
"At the start?" She asks.
"Then the war started." You say.
And then, urged on by the drink, you start to talk.

>End of session!
>My twitter is at @futureexabyte
>The IRC is #Exabyte on Rizon.
>And I'll stick around for a bit to answer questions!
>Also, it may be best to come to a consensus on what you want to send. At the start of next thread, the carriage will be leaving again.

>>27047783
Send the remnant rune

>>27047783
>you start to talk.
The worst has come!
At least it's Ann and BroDude though.

>>27047802
Seconding this, it gives me the creeps.

>>27047807
Oh man, that's a good cliffhanger though!