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>>38229754
You carefully tuck the empty treasure cube holder back into your bags. You note, a bit uncomfortably, the way the merchant’s eyes sorta track it all the way down, so you clear your throat and give him your best apologetic shrug. Sorry, pal, but you’re gonna have to hold onto this- Blanc’s orders. But you’ll definitely give it back when all’s said and done, alright?

The merchant pauses, hesitating just a bit too long, before nodding and stepping back, wringing his hands nervously. “O… of course, Miss Urist,” he mumbles. “I, ah, trust that it will be back in my company’s hands before too long, yes?”

Well, yeah, you damn well hope you’ll be able to deal with marauding outcasts or incompetent Arfoire cultists /far/ before they try to murder you and/or famous adventurers again- not that you say that out loud. Instead, you ask him something you’ve been meaning to bring up for a while: so how DID this merchant learn your name, anyway?

(Cont.)

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>>38229786
“Oh! Well, then.” The merchant brightens right back up. “A representative from the Basilicom came by yesterday and passed along the good news,” he burbles. “And she told us that a brave adventurer found some dastardly cultists messing about in the nearby dungeon, attempting to replicate our methods. The goddess Blanc is quite conscientious, you know. She wanted us to know as soon as possible!”

Huh. You scratch your head, ignoring how the merchant winces as dried flakes of blood start dotting the floor around you. Now that’s a helluva a thing, isn’t it? You would’ve thought that Blanc would mention that sort of thing to you BEFORE telling you to interrogate this guy.

[ ] [NEPNEP] Contact Neptune through Dwarf Therapist. Ask what the hell’s taking her so long back there and/or if she’s found anything useful yet.
[ ] [NOPENOPE] Contact Neptune through Dwarf Therapist, and tell her to stop mucking about the back offices. You REALLY don’t want to risk her stumbling into some security measure or something.
[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.
[ ] [LEAVE] Welp, time to head out. Thank him for the freebie, tell Neptune to get back out here, and promse that you’ll keep this merchant guy posted.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>38229821
[x] [NOPENOPE] Contact Neptune through Dwarf Therapist, and tell her to stop mucking about the back offices. You REALLY don’t want to risk her stumbling into some security measure or something.
Nep pls.

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>>38229821
>[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.

>>38229821
>[ ] [NEPNEP] Contact Neptune through Dwarf Therapist. Ask what the hell’s taking her so long back there and/or if she’s found anything useful yet.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>38229821
>[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn't he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.

Next thing we find out will be his son was arrested for Vamprisim

>>38229821
>[ ] [NEPNEP] Contact Neptune through Dwarf Therapist. Ask what the hell’s taking her so long back there and/or if she’s found anything useful yet.
And then when she inevitably gives herself away we divert attention by
>[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.

>>38230092
He could have been innocent anon, you never know!

>>38229821
>The goddess Blanc is quite conscientious, you know."

Are we talking about the same Blanc here?
>SHADOWRUNS

>>38229821
>[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.
We wouldn't BE here if she already sent someone to ask you about this.

>>38229821
>The goddess Blanc is quite conscientious, you know. She wanted us to know as soon as possible!”
Nah she's not, we heard from her herself that most of the time she can't keep track of all the little things going on in Lowee

>[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.

>>38229821
[ ] [SHADOWRUNS] HE’S the vampire, isn’t he? You knew it! You- wait, no. Call him out, because there’s something weird about what he’s saying.

Never trust a merchant

>>38229821
>[X] [SHADOWRUNS]

As much as you're curious about what the hell Neptune's getting up to, you kinda want to focus on this conversation right here, right in front of you, since it's... it's getting sort of strange. And you don't say that lightly, because you've experienced some really off-the-wall conversations here in Gamindustri.

You make sure your pack is nice and tightly bound, with that treasure cube holder out of sight, before you keep on talking, trying to keep your voice casual. So... one of Blanc's representatives came over and just told him about your heroic fucking exploits. And about those mysterious cultists.

"Well..." The merchant glances around before lowering his voice to something more conspiratorial. "It was stressed to me that we are expected to keep it under wraps, of course. "

You squint at him, your expression falling back into its customary scowl. That's funny, you drawl. Because /you've/ been working pretty damn closely with Blanc- she was the one who told you to come to this store- and she sure as hell didn't tell you that the merchant had already been briefed on all this shit.

He blinks. You get the impression that some rapid recalculation's going on in that noggin of his. "Now, now, I'm sure she isn't inclined to tell you EVERYTHING about-"

And besides, you continue, you were there when your good friend reported this situation to Blanc. You're /pretty/ damn sure that the goddess intended to keep the whole cultist resurgence under wraps.

(Cont.)

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>>38231390
"B... be as it may, anything that has to do with treasure cube holders is of very high interest to us, so of course our sources near the Basilicom would make sure to-"

But that whole cultist thing didn't HAVE anything to do with treasure cube holders! It was just a pair of robe-wearing morons with power drills sitting at the end of a dungeon! Now how the hell did he GET his information??

The merchant opens his mouth, but he's saved from having to reply- you nearly have a heart attack when an alarm starts blaring, and the store's lighting suddenly changes to something red and angry.

GodDAMMIT, Neptune.

"I'm afraid that any explanation I could offer is not for your ears, Miss Urist! And if you'll please excuse me, I have to deal with a security breach! And YOU'LL have to leave!" the merchant yells, slamming down a button on his wrist device. "Guard! Please escort this guest from the premises!"

[ ] [ASSIST] Charge into the back and help out Neptune. She's sort of an idiot, but not to the point that you'd leave her out to dry.
[ ] [FISTICUFFS] Oh, sure, it's technically illegal and could get you in trouble in a few seconds, but you've had enough of this bullshit. You WILL get to the bottom of this!
[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.
[ ] [NOPENOPENOPE] Bug out and start running, and call Neptune over Therapist- tell her to book it as well. This is getting out of hand.

>>38231444
>[x] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

He looks like he needs a beer.

Give him a shot.

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.
Nah you start talking

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.
Legendarily dorf stubbornness shall prevail!

>>38231444
[x] [FISTICUFFS] Oh, sure, it's technically illegal and could get you in trouble in a few seconds, but you've had enough of this bullshit. You WILL get to the bottom of this!
No waiting!

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

[SIT TIGHT]
There is no rush, Nep can hold her own, we have help coming. If he is working with the enemy, then let him make the first move.
If it's a simple misunderstanding, then no harm done.

>>38231444
Should we be telling Neptune to book it anyway?

>>38231444
> [ ] [SIT TIGHT]
Casually mention that a goddess may be poking around.

>>38231835
Just not WHICH goddess.

>>38231835
>>38231896
>But anyway I'm sure your... close sources... at the Basilicom passed that along to you, right?

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>>38231444
>[ ] [SIT TIGHT] Face down the merchant and his (one) guard, whenever it gets here. You want answers, but you're not going to throw the first punch. The last thing you want is trouble, especially if there DOES turn out to be a simple explanation for all this.

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>>38231444
>[X] [SIT TIGHT]

Okay, no, even if these alarms are giving you a headache (probably made worse by all the alcohol coursing through you at any given moment), you ain't budging one inch from this spot. Instead, you raise your voice- look, these are weird fucking times you live in, merchant guy! You just wanna be certain that you're all on the same page here, and that involves HIM telling YOU exactly how he knows all this stuff!

"Miss Urist, please!" he wails. "I simply do not have time for this!"

Look, if he doesn't want a pissed off goddess breathing down his neck, he'd better /make/ time! Besides, if he's got a security breach, why doesn't he just send his one guard down to see what's going on instead of 'escorting' you out?

"I have /two/ guards, Miss Urist, both lucky finds! One is apprehending the would-be thief right now!"

And of course, because nothing can ever be simple without some fucktard charging in and ruining the day for you... well, that's when you hear a muffled battlecry from the back of the store, from an adventurer you really don't want to see again.

"DEMACIAAAA!!"

... motherfucker, it's Lian. And of course, THAT means that the other guard is-

"Hnh. Of COURSE. You."

- entering the front door and standing right behind you. You turn around and come face-to-chest with a mask-wearing, sword-wielding, bronze-skinned redhead with an unfortunate case of terminal shirtlessness.

(Cont.)

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>>38232982
"Ah, good timing, Dao." The merchant is all but sagging in relief, and he gestures toward you. "As I was saying, please escort Miss Urist from the premises and no no don't draw your sword WHAT ARE YOU-"

You effortlessly leap aside (okay, you stumble artlessly, but who the fuck's counting) as Dao's ridiculously thin sword slices into the floorboards. She bares her teeth at you, eyes glinting gold even in the red lighting. "You. Me. We have a score to settle," she grunts, pulling her sword free without any noticeable effort. "One on one, scrub."

"Are you insane?" the merchant wails, backpedaling until he runs straight into the counter. "The middle of the store is no place to fight!"

You duck a swing that probably misses the tip of your helmet, and Dao's sword rebounds off the force field protecting the merchandise. What the hell did he expect when he hired the goddamn Tweedledee and Tweedledum of collateral damage!?

"Stop running. It's unbecoming of a warrior!" Dao snarls. "No tricks, no allies to give you opportunities to punch us in the stomach!"

(Cont.)

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>>38233025
Your legs are already starting to burn, and you feel all the day's aches coming back to haunt you. God fucking dammit- you're thankful Estelle healed you up and all, and it'd be great if you ran purely on a hit point system or something, but the universe of Gamindustri sure as hell doesn't work like that, let alone your OWN bizarre internal systems.

After facing down Myrra and Keeper's minions, you're not sure how much gas you've got left in the tank.

[ ] [BUG OUT] Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope you're not dealing with a midboss battle right after that last boss fight. You're getting the hell out of here!
[ ] [AGGRESS 1] You know what? Fuck it. Screw everything, you're gonna beat the shit out of Dao right here, and it will be absolutely therapeutic.
[ ] [AGGRESS 2] ... or maybe you should take this fight outside.
[ ] [TALK DOWN] Okay, you've got words, now use them to convince Dao that fighting is a terrible idea because you're totally working for Blanc and you're on a mission.
[ ] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>38233059
>[X] [BUG OUT] Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope you're not dealing with a midboss battle right after that last boss fight. You're getting the hell out of here!

>>38233059
>[ ] [AGGRESS 1] You know what? Fuck it. Screw everything, you're gonna beat the shit out of Dao right here, and it will be absolutely therapeutic.

She DID throw the first punch! You all saw it! We're just defending ourselves!

>>38233059
[X] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.

The shopkeeper deserves a darwin award for hiring those two to guard something.

>>38233059
>[ ] [AGGRESS 1] You know what? Fuck it. Screw everything, you're gonna beat the shit out of Dao right here, and it will be absolutely therapeutic.

>>38233059
>[ ] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.

>>38233059
>[X] [Write-In]

Look behind Dao "OH SHIT BLANC NO" and duck, then

>[NOPENEP/BUG OUT]

>>38233059
>[X] [TALK DOWN] Okay, you've got words, now use them to convince Dao that fighting is a terrible idea because you're totally working for Blanc and you're on a mission.

Would love to follow up but we're on a mission right now sooo let's reschedule soon, mmkay?

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>38233059
>[ ] [AGGRESS 1] You know what? Fuck it. Screw everything, you're gonna beat the shit out of Dao right here, and it will be absolutely therapeutic.

PUNCH HER IN THE STOMACH

>>38233185
Changing vote to this

>>38233059
>[ ] [AGGRESS 1] You know what? Fuck it. Screw everything, you're gonna beat the shit out of Dao right here, and it will be absolutely therapeutic.
Nah, shopkeep doesn't want us messin' with his shop he's gotta answer some questions.

Also let's tell Nep not to go HDD modo, we don't need that out in the open.

[ ] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.
The LAST thing we need is a full on goddess slaughter on our hands. It's not a fight when a goddess is involved.

>>38233059
>[ ] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.

>>38233059
>[ ] [NEPNEP] Squeeze past these idiots and help out Neptune- or, more likely, stop Lian before she makes Neptune go full HDD mode and reveal that she's sort of a goddess.

>>38232982
>Hiring LoL and Dota
Why.

How even, weren't they like, arrested or something?

>>38233059
> [ ] [TALK DOWN] Okay, you've got words, now use them to convince Dao that fighting is a terrible idea because you're totally working for Blanc and you're on a mission.
They probably won't accept just that, so maybe set up a time for a proper duel?

>>38233059
>[APPLY DRINK] Forcefeed Dao your drink. It will either make her rampage in the store harder, which is the mechant's damn fault for hiring them anyway, or knock Dao out.

>>38233437
I thought that Blanc had banned them from the town. Guess she didn't get around to that yet

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>>38233437
>>38233536
Technically banned from the capital, but yeah, Blanc's been sort of busy! The events of the past few threads also shifted the guards' attentions elsewhere, too.

Anyway, [X] [NEPNEP] wins, so- writing!

>>38233720
Illegal guards, awesome after we beat there ass, or Nep has to save us, we can totally keep grilling Shopkeep.

Decu never got to my Urist request unfortunately.

>>38233798
Ah well, some other time, perhaps. Thanks for trying!

also, helluva nice request

Just finished Re;birth 1 on PC. Is it safe to assume each game of this series is a self-contained story and 90% of the game playtime are going to be spent on grinding in a carbon copy dungeon?

>>38234146
The first game is, but the second and third game are shared sorta, Neptune is the same in the latter two games, but the plot of the third involves her traveling to another dimension.

Also yes.

>>38234146
I'm sorry to inform you that I've removed the completely pointless jumping mechanic, so you won't be able to hear the lead character constantly looping "poing!" or some such.

>>38234285

DAMN YOU BLORP
I just wanted one scene where Urist is forced to shout POING without being given an option to do otherwise

>>38234285
WHY?

Jumping is a critical mechanic, how else are we suppose to hear Urist go poing?
Is it DLC?

>>38234285
If you think about it, Urist would clang instead of poing because of all her armor, also if you jump too much she'll throw up.

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>>38234320
>>38234381
>Is it DLC?

welp

Has anyone able to make the Non-CPU unit usable?

On that note. What would the personification of digital distribution platform like Steam, GOG, or Humble Bundle looks like?

>>38233059
>[X] [NEPNEP]

... it's times like this when you really, really wish that you could just pause everything so you can sort out all the shit you have to do. And maybe arrange to have a few people thrown under the nearest drawbridge.

At the very least, you have a pretty good excuse to run away from having to battle Dao! And by "pretty good excuse," you mean "the icy cold hand of abject terror running down your back," because you're pretty sure that Lian doing her best to fucking brutalize Neptune can only end in an HDD form transformation that totally blows her cover as the patron goddess of Planeptune. And from what little you know of Neptune, THAT can only end in this entire store turning into a goddessforsaken crater in the middle of Lowee, possibly with Purple Heart standing in the middle going "tee hee I did an oopsie!" or whatever it is moe personifications are supposed to say after causing untold amounts of property damage.

You're not normally the type to give any fucks about causing international incidents- hell, fortress dwarves cause countless international incidents across any number of Armok-created worlds- but you're not keen on having Blanc ramming that hammer up your ass because you thought it'd be a good idea to bring Neptune on a stealth-slash-interrogation mission.

Dao walks toward you with her sword at the ready, her footsteps making absolutely no sound against the floor. "Well? Will you fight? Or will you simply let me cut you like the bitch you are?"

... thankfully, Dao sort of placed herself between you and the exit, so it's a simple matter to run straight past the cowering merchant, ignoring the fiery swordswoman's incensed yells. Seriously, you don't let her accusations of cowardice get to you- far too many dwarves end up being interred into coffins, usually in dozens of small gory pieces, and you'd like to duck that unfortunate trend.

(Cont.)

>>38234850
You burst into the back room to find it in a shambles. Sheafs of paper are flying every which way, pieces of furniture are wrecked and mangled and sliced straight in half, and almost everything's been knocked on the floor- so basically, it's a dwarven dining hall, and you have to suppress a flood of nostalgia. Lian is standing tall and proud in all her pantsless glory, her ridiculous broadsword screaming through the air as she does her best to bisect Neptune, who-

- is NOT transformed. And she's wielding a sword of her own, for some reason. You can't help but notice that her mouth is full and she's chewing and- oh goddammit, did she spend the whole fucking time /eating this merchant's SNACKS/!?

(Cont.)

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>>38234876
"How mean! What sort of girl do you think I am!?" Neptune replies, spraying crumbs everywhere- with a growl of distaste, her opponent has to bring her sword up to block them. "I was trying to crack open that treasure box, too! It's totally suspicious, like it's screaming 'look at me, I'm important!'"

"That's a safebox. A /safebox/, you thief!" Lian roars, whirling her sword around in an excessively flashy attack that bisects the only remaining table in the room (and Neptune hops out of the way, making it look almost insultingly simple. Showoff). The swordswoman glances back over her shoulder and pins you with a glare. "I'll take care of YOU after I deal with THIS."

... well, you've got to get Lian off of Neptune's back, but on the other hand, you've got Dao coming right up behind you.

[ ] [ESCAPE] Grab Neptune and get on out of here. You're not dealing with both these loons at once.
[ ] [YOINK] Grab the safebox, THEN grab Neptune, THEN get out of here. You're gonna get SOMETHING out of this disaster.
[ ] [REVEAL] So Lian DOES know that she's currently trying to solo the patron goddess of Planeptune, right?
[ ] [DOUBLE TEAM] Help Neptune beat the unholy shit out of Lian, because it'll make things a lot simpler. This option does not raise your evasion.
[ ] [ATTACK DAO] Because the absolute last thing you want is someone hitting you from behind.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>38234900
>[x] [DOUBLE TEAM] Help Neptune beat the unholy shit out of Lian, because it'll make things a lot simpler. This option does not raise your evasion.

We can totally finish this before Dota shows up.

>>38234900
>[ ] [ATTACK DAO] Because the absolute last thing you want is someone hitting you from behind.

Make to Attack Lian, then double back suddenly and sucker punch DAO.

It's worked before.

>>38234900
>[ ] [ATTACK DAO] Because the absolute last thing you want is someone hitting you from behind.

>>38234900
>[ ] [DOUBLE TEAM] Help Neptune beat the unholy shit out of Lian, because it'll make things a lot simpler. This option does not raise your evasion.
I still want to interrogate the merchant after this.

>>38234900
[ ] [DOUBLE TEAM] Help Neptune beat the unholy shit out of Lian, because it'll make things a lot simpler. This option does not raise your evasion.

>>38234900
>[X] [ATTACK DAO] Because the absolute last thing you want is someone hitting you from behind.

Feint a gut-shot, then SMASH THE TEETH FROM HER HEAD.

Then collect them to make a commemorative necklace out of later.

Then kill her. She's totally breaking the law banishing her from the capital, so it's cool. Probably. Look, we'll work it out later.

>>38234900
>[ ] [REVEAL] So Lian DOES know that she's currently trying to solo the patron goddess of Planeptune, right?
Just so she can splutter and be caught off gaurd for the gut shot that'll come

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Alright, gonna call it a night here! Since we got a tied vote, I'm... probably just going to mash 'em together and have Urist and Neptune try to double team Dao in a stunning display of teamwork. (We'll see how that pans out.)

Anyway, next thread is... going to be sort of weird timing-wise, since this upcoming week will be ultra-busy for me. VERY tentatively setting the next thread for THURSDAY, 2/26, sometime in the afternoon EST!

I'll keep you guys updated on Twitter (https://twitter.com/BlorpQuest), either with a definite time or a different date; if it turns out I just won't be able to run this week, then I'll also let you guys know, and the next thread will be next week (first week of March).

Thanks for participating, guys, and I hope you enjoyed this thread!

Yaaay.

>[x] [DOUBLE TEAM] Help Neptune beat the unholy shit out of Lian, because it'll make things a lot simpler. This option does not raise your evasion.

>>38235400
Thanks for the thread as always Blorp, can't wait for next time!

>>38235400
Thanks Blorp, see you next time.