>Current objectives:
-Find your way back to the crossroads.
-Find your way back to Earth.
-Find the Kema, who can tell you more about using magic through machinery

>Current inventory
-1 KV-09 Combination assault blade/energy pistol. Modified with the Void Knight Shield
-1 Screwdriver
-1 Adjustable wrench
-Various spare parts
-A pouch of almost universal currency
-Another pouch with 20 "Calling Crystals"

>Current energy stored
-1 Aether tank
-1 Void tank
-1 Apotropeia tank
-3 empty tanks

After telling the people inside the building that the coast is clear, and confirming that you are a WayKnight. Which is only half true. The door opens, and out comes more reptilians.
You're quick to supress your first reaction. Which fell somewhere along the lines of 'ohfuckmorereptilians purge! purge! purge!".
Instead you raise your hand in greeting.

<These are the Kinno aren't they?
>Correct.

Well Nosim did say that MOST of them are friendly. Hopefully the ones that attacked you are the exception as opposed to the rule.

As more of them come out of the building you see what looks to be children, but you don't seem to see any women. At least, you don't think you do...

The first one to exit the building approaches you, looking curious. Could he be their leader?

>[ ] Introduce yourself

>[ ] Ask him who he is

>>29711792
Introduce yourself.
We've been a prick to enough people in this quest

>>29711792
>>[ ] Ask him who he is

>Writing

In the best manners you can muster, you call out to the approaching Kinno. You realise now that you pretty much fucked up humanities first contact on the crossroads. Let's try to improve upon that record.

"Greetings, I am Logan Dr-"
"You don't look like a Hecatun. What are you?" He says, his lizard-like eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Of course he'd be suspicious. The Wayknights are all Hecatun. Which you're not.
"I am Human. But I'm sti-"
"The Wayknights armor is blue. Why is yours black?"

This is going terribly.
"I am not a Wayknight. I am the vo-"
"You said you were a Wayknight."
"If you'd let me finish a sentence, I could explain." You say, annoyed that your politeness is being shot back in your face.
After pausing for a moment to make sure that the Kinno is done interrupting you, you continue. "No, I am not a Hecatun from the Crossroads. I am a Human from Earth. No I am not a Wayknight. I am a Voidknight, which is pretty much the same thing."
"I've never heard of Earth before." he says, still eying you suspiciously.
"Up until now, Earth had never heard of Palia. We've been a little closed off."

"You're a long way from home then." His demeanor changes at that. "And I've been so very unwelcoming! Especially after you routed those bandits. How rude of me!"
Okay, so the Kinno ARE nice. Awesome.
"What ever can I do to make it up to you?"

>[ ] I don't suppose you have food?

>[ ] I have questions.

>>29712808
>>[ ] I don't suppose you have food?
need food badly

>>29712808
OMNOMNOM

>writing

>>29712808
>FOOD
Also why didn't you tell us we had a screwdriver and wrench? Sheeit, we're ready to take on the world with that.

>>29713019
>I neglected to mention that you had them with you at the very start, along with the spare parts.
>My bad there. All of that stuff is in a small pouch on the back of your belt.

>>29713081
Do we have a set of allen wrenches? We need allen wrenches.

You're about to start belting out questions when you feel a pain in your stomach.
Oh fuck, did you take a hit in that skirmish?

As you look down to check, you hear your stomach growling. The image of you hurling last nights dinner onto the street in the Crossroads comes to mind, and you wonder just how long it's been since you last ate.
Your stomach growls again. Almost as if to say 'too long'.

The Kinno looks at you quizzically. "Why is your abdomen making noises?"
You put a hand on your stomach, more than a little embarassed. "I guess it's been a while since I last ate. I don't suppose you guys have any food to spare?"
The Kinno smiles, you think. "Ah yes! We have food. Come traveller! Tegru, Jaso, come! We must prepare a meal for our guest."

He begins rushing into one of the buildings before turing back to you. "Where are my manners. I am Jodo, Chief in this town. This is my wife, Tegru and my daughter, Joso."
The two... females? Is that what Female Kinno look like? Their features look smoother and their skin is a different shade of green, but that's the only difference you can see.
They don't even have breasts. Although come to think of it, would a reptile even need breasts? No probably not. Someone should inform the sci-fi writers of your homeworld...

As you're being led into the house, you can't help but feel like you're forgetting something

>It's probably nothing

>No, there was definitely something...

>>29713458
let's ask our AI if we are forgetting anything

>>29713458
home planet...disaster evil ai
asking questions about magics
getting back to crossroads
FIREEEEEEE

>>29713508
THIS.

>writing

<Am I forgetting anything?
>I do not understand the question.
<Is there anything that I need to know right now that I have forgotten?
>I do not read your mind. I cannot tell you if you have forgotten something.

Damn, you were SO hoping that would work.
It couldn't have been that important if you forgot it, but why is it bugging you so much?
You run through all the things it could be in your head, before settling on the fire.
You forgot the fire.

YOU FORGOT THE FIRE!

"You guys know your village is on fire right?" You say, a little bit panicked.
Jodo looks at you at tilts his head slightly. "Ah, worry not about the fire VoidKnight. It will be dealt with."

You breathe a sigh of relief. "Well that's good. But... how?"
"Fulga, the apprentice to the town's wizard should have no trouble putting it out. Once he is done we will rebuild what was damaged. Now come, sit. Tegru will prepare a meal for us."

You go to sit here Jodo indicates with his left hands. This must be their dining room.
It consists of a small circular table that sits low to the ground, around it are several cushions. Not wanting to leave him hanging, you sit down cross-legged on one of the cushions.
Jodo looks satisfied, and sits down across from you. Good, you didn't do something offensive.

"You mentioned that you had not heard of Palia, I am curious as to how you came here."
"Nosim told me about this place and sent me here."

[1/2]

Jodo's eyes light up with recognition. "Ah yes, I know Nosim. He used to come to visit my old village often when I was a boy. He always said that he was fond of this world."
"He did mention that it was a good starting point..."
"Ah, so you have yet to be initiated." Jodo laughs. "Nosim sends many new wayknights here. Not all are as mild mannered as you, but all may find a friend in the Kinno."

"You seem familiar with the Wayknights, the initiates can't be the only ones who come here." This guy seems to know at least some things about the Wayknights, you may as well learn what you can.
"The Wayknights keep us safe from Outsiders. From those who would come here to enslave, to the spreading of wars on other worlds. They keep the peace, and so we do what we can to aid them."
"Most of you..." You add, thinking about the ones who attacked you earlier.
"Ah yes, but they were raiding. Wayknights have always frowned upon those who turned to taking from others. They did not attack you out of hate, they did so out of fear for retribution."
"Fat lot of good it did them..." You say, wondering if killing them outright was the best choice.
"Do not dwell on it, the past is the past. Let the present take precidence. For it is time to eat!"

As he says this the other Kinno, Tegru and Joso, place a large bowl of green vegetable looking things with some red meat looking stuff on the table along with four bowls.
Jodo takes his food first, then looks to you expectantly. You fill your bowl with the strange, hook like utensils and sit back down.
As you do, Jodo looks at you strangely. "Will you not be taking your armor off?"

Uhh...

>[ ] This isn't armor

>[ ] I can't. For reasons.

>>29714443
>>[ ] I can't. For reasons.

>>29714443
>[ ] This isn't armor

>>29714443
>This isn't armor
I love the reactions we get.

>>29714443
i cant for reasons....


it may be armor,,,just armor covering fake insides...technically(you should not say this)

>>29714443
[ ] This isn't armor

>>29714664
changing vote

>Writing

"Uhh..." This is kind of awkward. Am I going to have to go through this bit with everyone?
Jodo is looking at you expectantly.
"This isn't armor."
Oh god they're staring at you.
"What do you mean?"

"I mean this is my actual arm."

>[ ] Explain

>[ ] Take it off to show them

>>29714771
take it off while explaining

>>29714771
omg take it off wooot sexy man

joking but take it off

>writing

>>29714810
This, be sure to explain the process. People are often frightened of what they don't understand, so help them understand you.

Well, might as well just show them...

<Disengage lock on left should socket

You hear a click as your shoulder unlocks. Then you reach over with your other arm and start to remove it.
Before you take it off though, you figure you should explain a bit.
"When I was young, I lost this arm in an accident." You say as you remove the arm and place it on the table.
"Where I come from when a limb is lost it can be replaced with something like this. The process is... painful. But ultimately better than living without a limb."

The room is silent for a while. You wonder if anyone is going to say anything when Joso speaks up on your left.
"Coooooooooool!" You see that the little Kinno girl is staring at your arm on the table with a look of utter amazement. "Can I touch it?" She asks you, a humongous smile on her face.
"Joso, be respectful!" Tegru scolds her.
"Do not be afraid Voidknight. There are stranger things in the universe than this. When I was a boy, Nosim used to tell us stories about the other worlds. About men made of fire and air. And entire civilizations of Kinno sized insects. Your arm is not the strangest thing I have ever heard of."
"Oh... Well, thanks. I guess." You say, fairly happy about how that went.
With that over, you pick up your arm again and place it back into its socket.

<Re-engage lock on left shoulder

You hear the lock click once more, and go to eat your food.
But it occurs to you that you have no idea if it's even edible.

>Scanning...

This may take a while. To pass the time you-

>[ ] Ask about the wayknights.

>[ ] Ask what Jodo knows of the other worlds

(Pick one. Once the scan is done you intend to fill your face.)

>>29715415
>What does he know of other worlds?
If they can't get us back to the crossroads straightaway, we might need to do some planet-hopping.

>>29715415
[ ] Ask what Jodo knows of the other worlds

>writing

"Is there anything else that you can tell me about the other worlds?" You ask Jodo. If you can't get back to the crossroads from here then this may be a long journey.

"What would you like to know?"

You think on that for a second, considering what questions you actually have...

>[ ] What are these men made of fire and air?

>[ ] You mentioned wars on other worlds earlier...

>[ ] What do you know about gods?

>[ ] What are the Tattva?

>>29715961
What are the Tattva? Achillea mentioned them before. But she didnt really tell us much.

>>29715961
>[ ] What do you know about gods?

>writing

"What do you know about gods?" You ask him. As there is apparently a dangerous godkiller on the loose with a huge cult following. This is shit you should know.

"From what Nosim told me, a god is a being that forms when the Aether on a planet gathers to one location. When it packs that densely, it can manifest a form with something as simple as a thought."

"Or a prayer." You add. Relatively certain that you understand the concept.

"Or a prayer, yes." He replies. Clearly glad that you understood.

"Do you have any gods here?" You ask, starting to fiddle with their wierd, hooklike not-forks.

"Yes. Here in Yujun; the town we're in now, we worship Jeleri. She is the goddess of fertility, and is responsible for keeping the land plentiful and green."

And it certainly is green... The land is green, the sky is green, the people are green. But you deign not to say that out loud.

>Scan complete!
>It appears to be made from the leaves of the trees we saw earlier. And the meat is from an animal that is kept for its meat and its hide.
<Like a cow?
>in principle. Yes.
<Can I eat it without dying or having other horrible things happen to my body?
>Yes.

>[ ] More questions!

>[ ] Mouth only has room for one thing. And right now that is food.

>>29716605
>[ ] Mouth only has room for one thing. And right now that is food.
lots and lots of food

>>29716605
>food
Hey AI. Analyze all data regarding my current situation, point out anything I may have missed or overlooked, specifically in regards to my current mission. Also, play some light dinner music.

>writing

Without further ado, you begin to stuff your face.
It is a paced stuffing, so as to not insult your hosts. But a stuffing nonetheless.

The meal tastes interesting. The leaves almost have a cinnamon flavor to them, and the meat is incredibly soft.
It's been a long time since you've eaten something that actually had a taste to it that didn't make you wonder if it was rotten.
As you eat, something occurs to you.

<How exactly do I go to other planets?
>You input their coordinates in the sigils on the shield, and then the sword will take you there.
<I know that bit. I mean, how do I find out what coordinates actually lead somewhere?
>I suppose you would have no way of doing that. If you'd like I can begin calculating where the aether threads stemming from this planet lead. It will take time, but the Aether threads always lead to other planets with life on them.
<Hold on, what are Aether threads?
>They are lines of Aether that run between Aetherian worlds. Considered the only safe means of travel across the universe. You however, do not require them. As the shield will protect you from exposure to the void.
<Neat... So is there an Aether thread running back to the crossroads from here?
>No.
<Why not?
>The Crossroads is not an Aetherian world.

Couldn't have been easy.

<How long would it take to calculate where these threads lead?
>8-24 hours. Depending on the circumstance of the planet and its distance from other worlds.
<Could you start now?
>Yes
<Good! Do that.

You finish your conversation with your AI and your meal at the same time.
"That was delicious, Thank you!" You tell the Kinno at the table with you.
Flattered, Tegru and Joso begin to clear off the table.

"So, what will you do now?" Jodo asks you once they're gone.
"I dunno. I can't leave this world just yet, so I suppose I'm grounded for the time being."
"If you'd like, you can stay here. We have an extra bedroom upstairs that you maysleep in."

>[ ] Accept

>[ ] Refuse

>>29717244
>>[ ] Refuse
Go out and explore more.

>>29717244
>humbly accept
We got nowhere else to go, and these are the first people that have been nice to us... might as well, eh?

>>29717244
> accept.
we can crash here while our ai figures out where we can go.

>>29717244
Rest up

Rolled 44

>>29717244
>accept
And fade to black as we sneak into lizard- daughter's room. Planting a flag in the name of humanity! What's the point of being the first human space paladin if you don't get some alien tang occasionally.

Rolled 25

>>29717390
I hope that wasn't a roll to seduce... I roll to assist

>>29717390
te daughter is probably too young based on her outburst earlier

>Joso is like... 6 by human standards.
>Probably should've mentioned that sooner...

>also writing.

>>29717390
also who knows they may send her over to appease th e noble magical knight

>>29717518
Forgot trip

>>29717518
Oh.

Well then.

At his mention of a place to sleep, you realize how very tired you are.
Today has been a long day. From waking up in the middle of the night to the alarms, to the battle, to the underhousing where you met Thitu. And now you've gone across two entire planets.
You think you've earned some rest.

"That would be great, thank you!" You reply after considering his offer.
"Good! You do look tired. Come with me, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping." He says as he gets up from his cushion.

You follow him up an odd flight of stairs. The steps are about three times as tall and half as wide as what you're used to, but when you see Jodo climb them you understand why. Instead of climbing them with just his legs, he puts all of his limbs into it. When he does this, he looks very much like a lizard.
With some difficulty as your feet don't quite fit on the steps, you make it up the stairs and see Jodo ushering you into a room at the end of the hallway.
"In here."

You enter the room to see that the bed is basically a giant cushion sitting on the ground. Even so, it looks comfy. Well... In comparison to what you've been sleeping in for the last little while.
On the wall there is a small counter with a mirror and some drawers, and next to the giant cushion there is a small table.
"I will be preparing to sleep as well. If you require anything, feel free to ask." He says as he walks out and shuts the door behind him.
Well, you've got the room to yourself now, might as well-

>[ ] Examine yourself in the mirror

>[ ] Sleep

>>29717890
Mirror.
Other than the fact that our stuff is black and gold i have no idea what we look like.

>>29717890
>Take a look-see

>>29717890
mirror see that pretty face and new stuffs

>Writing

>>29717464
Troubled alien teens... ;)

>>29718132
>fucking trip

>>29718148
Get 4chanX, homie. Saves name/email slots

You decide to take a look in the mirror. The shield changed your armor, maybe it did something to yo- woah...
The first thing that stands out is your artificial eye. Whereas before it was almost identical to your right eye, save for a little triangular notch on the left side of the iris.
Now the iris is fucking gold. Fantastic. You have two different colored eyes. Because that doesn't look queer at all.

Moving on, you push your hair away from your ears. Your hair is still brown, which is nice. You're not sure what you would've done if it turned black with like... gold tips or some shit.
The node over where your ear use to be is still there. It's black with a gold rim now, but it's there. You're not surprised that it hasn't raised any eyebrows, as it's big enough to look like a simple covering instead of a replacement for the whole ear structure.
There is a slight line going down your face across the center of your eye. You notice it because you know it's there, but it's well hidden. The line indicates where the artificial skin ends and the real skin begins.

You make a few weird faces to see if anything is out of whack, but it all looks in order. You've always looked fairly average, if not a bit young. Your attempt to grow a beard still lingers on your chin in the form of a light stubble.

[1/?]

>>29718641
>I have 4chanX, still misses my trip occasionally

Turning away from the mirror, you examine your clothes for a moment.
It's the same stuff you were wearing when you woke up earlier.
A pair of denim cargo shorts (now black with a gold trim)
A red T-shirt with the left sleeve ripped off because it wouldn't fit over your shoulder (now black with a gold trim)
And a worn out fishing vest that someone gave your thinking it was a flak vest. (now black with a gold trim)
You still don't wear shoes, as the bottoms of your metal feet are treaded. Not like you could get shoes over them anyway, as they are rather large.
You look closely at your left arm. The design of it is a bit... unorthodox. Rather than being made to look like a normal arm, it based based on an almost steamunkish design.
The shoulder consists of a large ball joint, attached to which is the thin, circular piece of metal that makes up your upper arm.
Your lower arm is about twice the thickness of a regular arm, and the hand was built to match that. Sitting in small niches around the arm are the 6 energy tanks that once held electrical energy, now turned to different purposes by the Voidknight shield.

[2/?]

Looking at the energy tanks, you see that three of them are now full of the black liquid.

<Where is this stuff coming from?
>Your arm now has a collector. It has been collecting Aether from the air around you since you get here.
<Any other upgrades I should know about?
>At the moment? No. And further upgrades will not be installed without your permission.

You want to ask something about that. You really do. But damn are you ever tired.
Satisfied that you now know what you look like, you walk over to the giant cushion and lay down.
Wow, this thing is damn comfy.

>Would you like me to set an alarm for you?

Too tired to respond, you close your eyes and pass out.

[3/?]

You awaken to voices outside your door.

"Can I, can I, can I?"

It sounds like Joso is excited about something.

"Well... we can't just let him sleep forever..."

You hope they aren't talking about what you think they're talking about.
Suddenly you hear your door open with a thud as it hits the wall.

"Joso! Don't just-"

>[ ] Open your eyes

>[ ] Roll over

>>29718933
Roll over

>>29718933
>[x] Roll over

Rolled 3

>>29718933
roll ove

>>29718933
>Roll it on over

>writing

Not wanting to get up just yet, you groan and roll over.

Just in time to hear a *whump* as something hits the cushion behind you.
That surprised you, it felt like someone just chucked a giant rock onto your cushion.
You open your eyes and turn around to see what it is.

"Oh." you say as you see what it was. You're greeted by Joso, who just tried to divebomb you.
She wriggles around a bit, trying to find some purchase to get up with. When she does, she looks up at you.
"Hi!" She says, shifting into a sitting position next to you with a big smile on her face.

"Uhh... Hi." You respond, unsure how to react. You want to be mad, but you just can't seem to find the will to get mad at that face.

"Sorry about that!" Says Tegru from the doorway. Looking up you see her and Jodo standing there.

"We wanted to wake you, but we were unsure about how to do so..." says Jodo.

"How long was I asleep for?" You ask, wondering why they all look nervous.

Jodo responds with a unit of time that you can't even understand. Looking at him like an idiot for a second, you find a solution.

<How long was I asleep?
>11 hours 22 minutes and 19 seconds

"That long huh..." You respond, both to your AI and to Jodo. Jodo and Tegru still look nervous though, and you wonder why...

>[ ] why so nervous?

>[ ] look at Joso

>>29719506
>What's up?

>>29719506
>[ ] look at Joso
>[ ] why so nervous?
why not both?

>>29719506
Might as well do both.

>Writing

>>29719642
head. On swivel

You begin to form the words to ask them why they look so nervous, but before they can come out you feel something brush one of the fingertip sensors in your left hand.

Looking down to see what it is, you see Joso. Still sitting next to you, she seems to be examining your arm in the way that little kids do these things.
With her hands, all four of them. A look that falls somewhere between extreme excitement and intense curiosity on her face.

She freaks out a bit when she notices you looking at her, hopping off the cushion and scurrying behind her mother.

The silence right now is as tangible as it is awkward.

>[ ] laugh it off

>[ ] change the subject

>>29719913
>Y-you too
>Chuckle while asking what's going on?

>Writing

>>29719913
Laugh it off children. all do as children have always done

The strangeness of the whole situation strikes you all at once.
After escaping your certain demise at the hands of an automated killing machine, you came two worlds over and spent the night at a four-armed reptilians house.
And now you've been awoken by his daughter jumping on your bed and proceeding to examine your arm while you weren't looking.
It's all just so wierd, you can't help but laugh.

And you laugh.

And you laugh.

It's been so long since you've laughed in a way that wasn't sarcastic, derisive or forced that you'd almost forgotten you could do it genuinely.
By the time you're done, Jodo and his family are looking at you like a maniac. But you feel strangely... good.

When you've finished, you hop off the cushion and address the family. "Thanks for that, I don't think I've ever laughed that hard."

With a bit of a spring in your step, you walk past them. Patting the kid on the head as you do.

<Have you finished grabbing new coordinates?
>Yes. I have three new locations. Say the word and I'll relay them to you.

Good. We're getting somewhere.

"Thank you so much for the hospitality Jodo. I truly appreciate it."
"But you must go. I understand. I wish you luck on your travels friend."

>Anything else to say?

>>29720357
Hooray we look like a crazy guy!
Give him one of those calling crystals.

>>29720421
hmm seems appropriate

perhaps double checking ai that this world coords were set(that last command to do so may not have included this one

perhaps mention that curiosity is a goood thing in a child
perhaps some currency as well for the help they gave

>writing

"And here, take this." You say as you reach into one of your pouches to grab one of those calling crystals. You pull one out and snap it in half like Nosim said to, and hand one of the halves to Jodo.
"Oh and..." You add, reahing into the other pouch to pull out... gold coins? Seriously? What is this, the 18th century?

"Do not worry about that. We do well here under the watch of Jelevi. You will need those more than we will in your travels."
You want to argue, but you feel like doing so might insult him. So you drop the subject and go back down the steep staircase and outside the house.

<We do have this planet's coordinates saved right?
>Yes. And even if we did not, you could use the crystal to get back here.

Huh, that's handy.

<Anything you can tell me about these three new worlds?
>No. I have their coordinates but not their names or any information about them.
<I suppose the only way to find out about them is to charge forward then.
>I suppose. Do you have any preference as to which one you go to?
<Not particularly.
>I will give you the first on the list then.
<Hold that thought.

You turn back around to face Jodo and his family.
"Thank you again Jodo! Feel free to call on me if you ever need a big sword or a metal hand!" you shout back at them.
"I will be sure to. But only if you come back if you ever need a place to stay!"
"Bye Mr. Metal man!" Joso calls as she waves.
"It's Logan! My name's Logan. Curiosity is a good thing to have. Just make sure it doesn't get you in trouble okay?"
"Okay!"
Satisfied, you turn away.

[1/2]

<Alright, let's see those coordinates

You draw your weapon and bring the shield up in front of you as the first strange symbol appears over your vision.
The next one appears as you finish pressing the first, and then a third, and then the shield begins to glow.

"So now I just..."
You swing your sword from the ground up, cutting a rift into the air in front of you.

This is motion. You think to yourself. No more hopeless struggle against an insurmountable foe. No more reaching around in the dark for answers.
From here on you're moving forward. And may whatever gods there are out here have mercy on whoever gets in your way.

"Onwards and upwards." You say as you hop into the rift, surrounding yourself once more with the stars and the darkness beyond.

<End of Chapter 3>

>>29720859
Very good so far. Love it.

>>29720859
Good shit, Diz. About time I head off to bed. Thanks.

File: 1390462507384.png-(389 KB, 500x397, 1389766084452.png)

389 KB PNG

I'm glad you guys enjoyed that.

Next thread will probably not be for another little while. The earliest I can run is Sunday.

If things change and I end up running another thread in spite of personal obligations, I'll put it up on my twitter.

twitter?

thanks for the fun

>>29720968
This'un
https://twitter.com/qm_dizzy

File: 1390467840328.jpg-(77 KB, 453x604, 1332983383027.jpg)

77 KB JPG

>>29719506
grats looks like you kirks got into the same bed as the green girl after all


took me that long to notice

>>29717244
@AI
1. Please maintain a map of the various worlds known to us.
Not asking for a map for us players, just that our character has one so he doesn't get lost
2. When we reach a new world, automatically calculate where aether threads from that world lead to, but only using idle processor time

>>29711729
>https://twitter.com/QM_Dizzy
Account added to directory.