Commence the cock sucking.

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>>45492098
Scribbles waits patiently while you take a deep breath.

"That woman down there gave birth to me, but she's not my mother," you tell her. "I'm going down there to right the wrongs she's created. Anything else...anything else will be decided when I see the woman she's become."

Scribbles writes your words down. And then, unexpectedly, gives you a hug.

"I know those two don't get it," she tells you, seriously. "Brianna told me about her family, for my book. They were her entire world in life. They're still such a huge part of it in death. Amy's parents...well, I don't need to elaborate. I don't really get along well with mine."

Scribbles squeezes your hand. "I'm not gonna say I know what you're going through. But I can empathize."

"Thanks," you murmur, meaning it. "I'd best get to it, though."

The lamia gives you some space; Brianna's walking over to you, with that same concerned, giver-of-advice expression on her face that she had with River.

"Don't kill yourself on accident," she tells you, by way of greeting. "/Or on purpose/."

"I think I can handle that," you promise.

"Don't let Amy kill herself on accident either."

"Now you're just asking too much," you protest, wryly; you get a slap on the upper arm for your troubles.

"Bastard," Bri says with a grin.

> Reassure her
> Ask for final advice
> Give her a hug and get on with it

AND

> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)
> Use the main passage from the Mine (likely heavily trapped and defended)
> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)

>>45492259
> Give her a hug and get on with it

> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)

>>45492259
> Give her a hug and get on with it
> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)

>>45492259
>Reassure her.
Brianna's a worrier. I hope she's got something to occupy herself with.

>Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia).
And even if it is, she /wants/ Nathan to reach her. I don't think there'll be a huge force arrayed against us, not like last time. They'll certainly be tough though, considering its a bunch of demons and dwarves and minotaurs.

Speaking of which, would finding the Minotaur clan and mentioning Borsh earn us some friends, or enemies?

>>45492358
Enemies, or at least unfriendly, Borsh left for a reason that I don't remember.

>>45492259
>> Reassure her

>>45492294
Or we can put it the other way; single dad, small business owner, currently returning the sexual interest of an attractive young woman.

Millions of snowflakes make a drift and become lost in the doing, but each remains unique. You'd never mistake even the most banal and insipid person for another, if you knew them both. "Ordinary" is a matter of perspective, and often relies on not knowing a person's story so that they seem more like the drift, and less like an individual flake.

Yes, I just unironically used a snowflake metaphor. I feel /dirty/ now.

We are all condemned to live, my friend. Each of us does it a little differently.

I'm up way too fucking late. Votes will remain open until the morning.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating! It's been a great fuckin' ride thus far.

>>45492259
>> Give her a hug and get on with it
The only plans that succeed are those unspoken
>> Use the main passage from the Mine (likely heavily trapped and defended)

>>45492098
On a slightly related note, this pic of Nate is gonna need some updating. He's only got two legs and a half now.

> Give her a hug and get on with it

No words in the world will be enough anyway. You damn Hero.

Isn't the Baron's secret entrance barricaded from the other side anyway? By Natalia even. Hence why he couldn't escape.

She definitely knows about that entrance, so let's not use that.

> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)

(...plus, it gives us good sailing practice for the Sunless Sea. ;P )

>>45492259
> Give her a hug and get on with it
> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)

I'm kind of not trusting the swan song enough for another ride.

>>45492508
>two legs and a half

>>45492596
No, she blocked his /regular/ escape route, but he had an extra secret one.

Has River reached the appropriate skill level to create a familiar, or is she still too inexperienced to have one?
>A weasel.
>A cat.
>A crow.
>A dog.
>A monkey.

Also, unceremonious bump.

>>45493462
it'll be a treant knight

>>45492259
>> Give her a hug and get on with it
> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)

>>45492259
>> Reassure her

Do the Hero thing.

>> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)

She'll certainly see us coming at some point, but if there's even a chance to baffle her, we should use it.

(Though, man, it would be handy if her precog powers didn't work on family members, or woundseekers, or something...)

>>45494080
>>45493816
You know, Natalia has likely gotten her paranoia to the point where she'll be expecting shit out of left field? What if we did the obvious thing? Maybe if we take the most likely route she'll get caught off guard because she would've already seen and discounted it as too easy.

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>>45494159

>>45492259
> Give her a hug and get on with it
> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)
A secret entrance, when we are on our way to fight a powerful seer? Boat please

>>45492259
>> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)

Its suicidally insane enough to work.

>>45492453

I'm trying to shadowrun ways to beat future seeing, but it really depends on how she does it, currently I'm going to draw from a bit of writefaggotry on the SCP wiki for potential ways to beat someone who can see the future and bend reality. That trick involved using stupidly obvious dangerous things (C4 with a detonator saying "press me", saw blades with a sign saying "insert hand", an electric chair, a liquid nitrogen chamber that was manually activated from the inside), and all that dangerous shit was able to set off danger senses enough that the actual plan went unnoticed. Its possible we could similarly oversaturate her future abilities with stupidly obvious threats to disguise more subtle threats, or even potential bluffs she may miss.

>>45494902
I'm with you there, but at some point I started thinking that maybe the best way to go about it would be to talk her down through Lora Time.

Like I already mentioned, the escape path is best used if it is never ever touched or even considered until after the hostages are secured, because it's too vulnerable if she's already aware of it.

In terms of distractions, the best we can do is get Nathan into unreasonably dangerous and anticlimactic circumstances that she needs to put effort into preventing so their actual battle has the requisite atmosphere.

Therefore, the whole horsehead-fairy wings-clown shoe bullshit walking into a corridor of traps/watery death.

Using the possessing thing that Jewel did would be the most ideally unexpected, but it's also super fucking risky for everyone involved and is rather likely to accomplish nothing of use.

>>45494992
As I said earlier, it'd be the spookiest Voltron ever, with there powers combined they form one super ghost.

>>45492259

Ah, heck. I missed the last vote.

> Ask for final advice

Last minute stuff can be important.

> Take the /Swan Song/ into New Hell (possibly known to Natalia, unlikely to have permanent defenses)

The Baron's secret passage was barricaded shut from the other side, wasn't it? I can't imagine that they invested the effort in /removing/ that shit, when they're still on defensive mode.

So, there's the river still.

On the other hand, as far as we know, Natalia wants a DRAMATIC FINAL CONFRONTATION BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL, and to see her son one last time. The main path could be trapped as hell, or it could have an 'honor guard' waiting to bring them directly to the Boss. All depends, really.

>>45495911
The main passage was barricaded, the secret passage is still open.

>>45492636

Well, yeah, the prosthetic only counts as half.

He was barred by Natalia's power; chain to chain, prohibiting him in particular. The passage is open.

And back off my phone.

Handling Morning Shit and Homelessness Prevention, and then will call and write.

To the folks concerned about the future sight, remember; she has to look. Her ability is potent but it's far from omniscient. A passage she doesn't know about at all, a tactic she thinks of as impossible - those things might throw her for a loop, not seen in time to be caught. This isn't Push (and may that movie rot in fucking hell).

>>45496447
In which case we should probably think about what kinda shenanigans we can pull with the leg (can that thing do anything better than the old one?) and verve. While she obivously knows about the sabre, it's exact capabilites might not be known to her if they are dependent on name and wielder. But to which extent is that so?

>>45492259
>> Ask for final advice
>AND
>> Use the main passage from the Mine (likely heavily trapped and defended)
Amy is a dungeonbreaker remember? And Fetch and squires are good trap avoiders.

>>45492259
> Give her a hug and get on with it
> Use the Baron's secret entrance (theoretically unknown to Natalia)

Homelessness prevented. Called, writing.

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>>45492259
You give Brianna a warm, tight hug. "I'll be back, I promise. Missing, at most, another half a limb."

"Come back with all the limbs currently in your possession," Brianna chides. "I like you with the two and a half legs you've got."

"What -" your sentence ends in an intense blush, and your lover laughs, kisses your cheek, and saunters off with a tip of her hat.

"I'll be waiting," she reminds you. "You've got this."

You get with your team with your face burning bright red still. Amy chirps and ruffles your hair before awaiting your orders obediently. You take a deep breath to steady yourself and try not to shudder when Vim and Vigor climb aboard your shoulders.

"Alright folks," you tell them, in a clear voice. "Let's move out."

The secret passage was built for ease of use and is both well-lit and wide enough to jog through two abreast. Everyone is quiet and alert, and eventually the sloping tunnel ends in a steel door. On the other side you hear voices - two male, one female, in the idle tones of those that are on duty but bored.

"Any word?" one of the men says.

"Nothing," the woman answers, near the door.

"Don't complain," the third interjects, tiredly. "We're supplied for months to come. The Baron will send relief when he can."

"Unless he's dead," the woman replies.

"Unless he's dead," the first man agrees.

> Get their attention and talk it out
> Storm the room
> See what River can do about it
> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

>>45499663
>> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep
2 things. First can we open the door from this side? Second, could we make em fall asleep and then wake up and question one of em?

If not I vote for
> Get their attention and talk it out

>>45499663
> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

We can talk after they're disarmed and tied up.

Never discuss from a position of weakness or equality.

>>45499663
>> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

Doesn't require doing serious damage to them, us, or the door, and doesn't deplete potentially limited resources.

>>45499663
>> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

>>45499663
>Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

>>45499919
> First can we open the door from this side?

I imagine it would take quite a door to defeat Amy the Dungeonbreaker (What Falls Must Rise).

>>45499663
> Ask Amy to lull them to sleep

Called, writing. Starting my taxes after this so the vote may be extended.

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>>45499663
You look at Amy and nod your head at the door. The half-harpy gets near the steel while you and River plug your ears; even then, you can feel her song coiling around your mind, impeded but not stopped.

It's so hard not to listen to that little, sweet voice in your head that says everything is safe, and well, and that you deserve to rest. That sweet little voice that loves you and would never hurt you. You sway in place and shake your head, violently - and thankfully, Amy's song draws to a close shortly thereafter.

"Wow," you murmur.

"Wait until I sing to you and Bri," Amy tells you, with a little grin. "If you're okay with it, anyway."

"Maybe have this conversation when I'm not here," River suggests, her ears reddening to the tips.

Amy unlocks the door and swings it open. The guard room - now decorated by three highly asleep, armed invididuals - is plain but livable, with a bookshelf, plenty of supplies, and a small stockpile of those revolvers and ammunition.

It doesn't take long to tie the guards up. They're /really/ asleep.

"...You have frightening and terrible powers, Ames," you murmur to your lover.

"I know," she says simply. "But they're part of who I am. And I doubt you'd complain, if we decided to experiment. I've got some comfy rope with your name on it, Hero..."

"/Now is so not the time/," you murmur, in disbelief.

"Sorry, seeing you blush earlier put thoughts in my head and they're having trouble getting back out. Being a professional now! I promise!"

> Wake the guards
> Search the room and its adjacent rooms
> Ask River if she senses anything
> Write-in?

>>45501693
>Ask River if she senses anything
What do your elf eyes see?

>>45501693
>> Ask River if she senses anything

>legolas.jpg

>>45501693

>> Wake the guards

Honestly, we already offered Amnesty and the Baron is dead, I don't think we're going to have much of a problem with them.

As opposed to them waking on their own and trying to pull some shit.

>>45501693
> Ask River if she senses anything

I'm presuming this is necromantic sensing and not elvish sensing

>>45501693
>> Wake the guards

Information, information, information~

>>45501693
>> Wake the guards
Interrogation is a pretty good plan. Especially if they don't like the Traitor any more than their boss does.

>>45502227
> Wake the guards

Especially if we can inform them that the Traitor sold them out.

No reason we can't get river to sense things as well though, we have multiple people who can do multiple things. And then we can verify what they tell us vs. what River can find out.

>>45501693
I see the order to do things as:
>> Search the room and its adjacent rooms

>> Ask River if she senses anything
>> Wake the guards

>>45501693
> Wake the guards

It is finished. I also have a brand-new bottle of Kraken.

Called, writing shortly.

>>45503943
You get lost in that bottle?

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>>45501693
"Amy, can you wake them up?" you ask.

"Sure thing Nate," she answer. "HEY, WAKE THE FUCK UP!"

"/I/ could have done that," you chide, but the guards stir, notice their state of total disarmament, and then look at where you stand with a hand on your hip.

"...Baron died, didn't he?" the woman asks.

"Aye," you answer, softly. "So now you have some decisions to make."

"Don't kill me! I'll do /anything/!" one of the men yells. His compatriots give him identical angry glares.

"If you untied me and gave me a ten minute head start," the woman says, staring at the coward, "I would spend all ten minutes hitting him."

"Preach it," Amy and River agree, at the same time. They share a look and giggle.

"Look," you tell the woman. "Your master is dead. He's dead, at least in part, because the woman that rules this level betrayed him and /left him to die/."

"Yeah?" the guard challenges. "You sayin' you didn't help kill him?"

> I did. It wasn't anything personal.
> My grudge is with the Traitor, not the Baron (lie)
> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

>>45505752
>> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

Bring the pragmatic.

>>45505752
> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

>>45505752
> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?
You want to lose your life for nothing? Nothin' personnel then.

>>45505752
>> I did. It wasn't anything personal.

In our defense, technically the baron killed the baron.

>>45505752
>Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

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>>45505752
>> I did. It wasn't anything personal.

Just like how this isn't personnel, kid.

*teleport behind her*
*Slice through her neck with Verve*

>>45505752
>>> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

>>45505752
>> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

>>45505752
> Even if I did, are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

>>45505946
>>45505851
Telling the personnel that it isn't personal huh?

Random screwball idea: The Choir of Mysteries is actually tasked with preserving the timeline. The Traitor is going to try something drastic when she feels events aren't heading towards the "right" future and will be anticlimacticly ganked by angels shortly after we enter the room.

>>45506314

If that were the case she should already be dead, but usually angels are subtle.

>>45505752
>Write-in
>> I did, but even then,are you willing to die for a cause that's already lost?

I get the feeling being honest(er) with these guys would be better than playing dumb. If these guys have still been loyal to the Baron so long after his death and that the Baron regarded loyalty higher than his own life, they might take to honesty better? Just my thoughts.

>>45506373
Cause and effect must be retained. Though they know that's she'll try, they must still allow the attempt to happen before enacting reprisal, otherwise they're punishing future actions and effectively negating free will through predestination.

Called, writing.

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>>45505752
"Even if I did help kill him, are you willing to die for his corpse?" you ask. "His men got fair treatment. I realize I'm asking you to believe quite a bit from a heavily armed stranger, but...well, to be honest you're also a bit tied up."

The woman sighs. "We are, at that. What is it you want to know?"

"What this place is would be a pretty good start," River comments. "I thought this was the Traitor's domain?"

"It is," the other man speaks up. "But she can't rule it all. Even if she could, she's secluded in her manufactorum and focused on her work. Though something has her men all in a buzz."

"We lost Jack a week ago," the coward says in a shaky voice. "Went out to make contact and never came back."

"But how do we know you're telling the truth?" the woman asks, her eyes narrowed. "The Baron could be alive and still fighting back. Or you could be planning to kill us the moment we tell you about New Hell."

Amy doubles over laughing, and you shoot her a withering look. "That's not the kind of man I am."

"Prove it."

> Let one go
> Let them all go
> Haggle
> Knock 'em the fuck back out

>>45507717
>> Haggle
This option is so vague. Haggle as in what?

Well here's a write-in

>Send one person back to get a former Baron employee and use him as a reference for our mercy

>>45507717
>Let them all go
>Watch the coward, though

>>45507717
>> Let one go
Keep the coward as he's worthless cuz he's a coward and let one of the others (perhaps the woman?) verify we took the Baron's lands while we chat with the other two.

Maybe have the freed one be accompanied by Fetch?

Alright folks, I'm turning in early tonight. Gotta be actually awake tomorrow.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>45507717
> Let one go

Time isn't exactly on our side, but we really need that precious information... For all it seems that there's not a lot of it.

The treatment of the Caretaker's assistant's isn't exactly a note in Natalia's favor at this point, though.

It is interesting to hear that Natalia's busy though, and that her people are buzzing. I was almost wondering before if she struck a bargain with the floor and is ruling it semi-benevolently, trading 'future' designs for loyalty and leveraging that whole Seer thing for maximum manipulation, but the whole fracturing mind deal and the treatment of the hostages isn't exactly leaning that way.

Still hoping we can save her, but at this point that might mean putting her down.

Or getting Brig to Revert her to before she made the sacrifice. Which is probably a terrible idea.

>>45507717
>> Let them all go

>>45507717
>Let one go.
The woman, since she seems competent enough and won't likely abandon her comrades. Meanwhile River and Ames can search the adjacent rooms. Vim and Vigor can keep watch of the coward.

> Write-In:
> Untie them all
>Watch the coward, though

A show of good will. They're out of jobs anyway, what with the baron being dead. Nothing personal.

(...plus, if they try anything, we're more than capable of putting a stop to that.)

>>45507717
> Let one go

>>45507717
>> Let them all go

So...

Who is the best secondary character and why? I kinda want to add someone to the party all long term like.

>>45509844
Fag maker is a best

>>45509844

Hm... ideally that would be someone who complements the existing skill set.

Currently we're rolling with a Fighter, a Rogue and a Necromancer (which I suppose counts as Cleric), so the next step would be a Wizard.
Larry ...scuse me, Lawrence would be a good choice. Or maybe not, seeing how he is a married man who needs to stay at home for family safety reasons. Plus, he ain't the youngest anymore.

Someone with his skill set would be highly useful for this though. Ideally also someone who is not bothered by the love triangle that is gonna happen ALL THE TIME while out and about. Maybe we can find someone like that in New Hell. A Fire- or Earth-aligned ranged striker of sorts.
We're lacking in ranged options in general, I think.

>>45509844
>>45510020

That being said, out of the existing characters Scribbles would be a pretty decent option in that regard. Crossbow lamia, reporting from the front lines. (But if she falls, who is gonna tell the world about Necrofowl Inc?)

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>>45509046
Supporting this.

>>45507717
>Let one go
>Keep the coward, They do stupid shit as soon as they possibly can.
"Look at your comrade, now back to you, now back to your comrade, now back to you. He is now free and sadly you aren't."

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>>45492508
Here, sorry been busy. New comp, lost a lot of stuff, been busy getting it all back. Also need to go back to archives and catch up on quest.

>>45512311
Yo Vox. You look diferent have you lost weight?

Bump for the lich.

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'm awake. Handling Morning Shit, then will call and write.

>>45509844
From how I see it, Scribbles, Jewel-erry, River, or 'A new guy' would be the most likely to join the team currently.
Scribbles is already with us and wants to chronicle our stories so she's bound to be with us most of the time anyways.
Jewel-erry sees us as a parental figure and for the most part isn't tied down to anywhere so are easily able to join us.
River owes us her life and is our sis and recently took up demonology (which I think is pretty cool) and other than helping with the lichyard she's not bound to anything other than an annoying ghost.

My vote goes for River or Scribbles.

Some of the others like Silence, Lawrence, le-petit-shit, Korl, etc. all either are heavily linked to where they are and leaving would be not quite 'right/easy', or have a personal issue with us/how we might do things.

> "Prove it? Fine. But I can't do that here."
Untie just their legs, and march em back up the tunnel. Have Fetch pass word to Bri to meet us at the tunnel entrance, running ahead if necessary to get in range in time for her to be there when we get there. (How long is this tunnel, anyway? Everyone seems to be assuming that it's miles and miles, far too long to go back casually, but I don't see anywhere that's been established.)

>>45513699

I'm still of the opinion that the core 3 (Amy Nate Bri) work best together and the fourth slot should be left open for cycling temporary party members.

Called, writing.

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>>45507717
Without missing a beat, you move to the braver of the two men and untie him, then help him to his feet.

"Tunnel's clear, but the folks on the other side are armed and jittery. State your intentions and keep your hands where they can see them, and you'll be fine," you tell him. "I'd tell you to go back out into New Hell but I'm somehow thinking letting you through that door might be a bad idea even if there's no ill will whatsoever."

"What about my friends?"

"I still need information," you answer, calmly. "If you'd prefer to stay, that's on you. Just don't make sudden moves towards those weapons. My lover's kinda protective."

Amy grins, guiltily.

"We don't owe the /Traitor/ anything," the woman finally says. "Look: our job was to guard the escape tunnel. In the event of an assault, the Baron would be able to slip down here with Overseers and get reinforcements to re-take the Mine. I'm wondering why that didn't happen."

"At a guess, the Traitor did something that stopped him," you muse. "But I don't know for sure. He and his men held out pretty hard to stop the assault. A lot of people died that day, on both sides."

The woman nods, and sighs. "The Traitor operates out of the southern wing, where the primary passage into the Cornucopia is found. She hasn't stopped the flow of food and supplies from the bottom up, but no one goes in, no one goes out. The Roost is sealed off, but you already knew that."

"How's her forces?" River asks.

"Inventors and smiths, mostly. Keeps her forges going day and night, churning out witchlocks. Ordo the Orc is pretty fucking pissed - he used to own most of her territory."

The brave man shrugs. "Ordo is always pissed, though. Orcs, am I right?"

You pinch your nose and sigh.

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>>45515308
"This set of rooms used to be storage," the woman tells you. "That door there lets out into a service hall. Swing a left, then take the second right, and you'll be in one of the communal messes. You're in Black Anvil territory. Dwarf clan, good folks, stayed out of the conflicts so far. Now can we leave?"

> Yes
> No
> One more question (what?)

>>45515383
>Yes

There are so many ways we can be edgy here.

>>45515383
>Yes
Unless anybody has a smart question?

>>45515383
>Yes

Can we block the door to New Hell to make sure they don't try to rush through and warn people?

I have a feeling the coward might try something like that.

>>45515445

we could always ask her the Marry fuck kill question, or the horse sized duck one.

>>45515383
>> Yes

The main information we need now is on how Natalia's precognition operates, and they're not likely to have any.

I hate trying to test a black box when it's likely that one of the earliest responses we get to input is going to be a hail of bullets...

>>45515383
>> Yes
> One more question: How has the Traitor been able to rule New Hell?

I don't think I've heard of any mercs yet, and most of her people are supposed to be smiths and inventors, not an army. So, how has she been able to come out on top? Does she just turn off the forges of people who resist or what?

Okay, so the bad news: I need to go to work. Good news: I'm only there until 8 PM EST, at which point I'll continue the run.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms are welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

> One more question: How has the Traitor been able to rule New Hell?

Good call there. How IS she doing this?

>>45515769
On board with you.

>>45515769
I'd imagine her fortune telling services and current gun making ability has her in a bit of a position of power. Though asking wouldn't hurt.

>>45516259
It can't hurt indeed and we might get know about something we didn't know before.

Bring out ye dead.
Bring out ye dead.

"But I'm not dead!"

>>45515383
Do you know about a group of prisioners that came from the second floor of the dungeon?

Do you know if the traitor has prisioners or slaves?

Do you know were they are keeped?

>>45515383
>> One more question (what?)
Wanna help get the traitor?

Three hours and change to call.

>>45518614
"So you guys looking for a job? No you coward i ain't talking to you. "

Bumping for the love of Vox.

Also, could we see about introducing ourselves to the Black Anvil clan? They sound like the right kind of people to have at your back. And that Ordo dude is definitely going to want his forges back.

Huh, for some reason I thought Natalia was going to do this as a "trial by champion" type deal; her men don't attack us, they just escort us to her so she can fight us.

>>45522233

It's possible she did.

But then we snuck in the back route, around the honor guard.

Off work. Need to get home, dishes, and update

>>45515529
>>>45515383
>>> Yes
>> One more question: How has the Traitor been able to rule New Hell?
Seconding.

Called, writing.

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>>45515383
"One more question," you tell her. "How is the Traitor maintaining her control over the level? I'm given to understand that soldiers are a rarity down here."

"They are, but..." the woman sighs. "Let's start with logistics. Literally no one else has been getting new metal from the Mine. No one else has access to the Cornucopia either. Anyone that wants to eat has to deal with the Traitor's men. Anyone who wants their forges to run has to swear allegience to her, bound in chains of demon iron inscribed with the oaths. At first, folks fought back, but every attack was met with traps and counterattacks that I can't even describe."

"It's like she knew they were coming," the freed man murmurs. "And she's got a mean streak a mile wide. People would open doors to find cannon behind them. Pressure plates that set off traps in other hallways, where their allies are moving through or hunkered down. Hallucinogenic gas."

The woman shudders. "I don't know who fucked her up to make her that recklessly cruel, but people down here learned their lesson fast enough. No one's brave enough to try and force the Traitor into anything."

"It doesn't help that you can't really roll out in force down here," you theorize. "Even if you could, if she knows you're coming..."

"Mmhm," the woman agrees. "If anyone's been working on a solution, it'll be Ordo. Maybe he can help."

You nod thoughtfully, then gesture to Amy. "Let 'em go. And, please, remember what I said. I don't want you three getting hurt on accident."

Amy unties your prisoners; they rub their wrists and nod, gratefully, before ascending the escape tunnel.

> Search the room
> Follow their directions to the dwarves
> Explore blind
> Write-in?

>>45526415
>I wonder if Verve can sniff out where to go
although whether we would actually WANT to head in that direction is another story

>>45526415
>> Search the room

>>45526415
> Follow their directions to the dwarves

Cruel and unusual across the board.

She could've held the path with just logistics, locked doors, and the forge control. Instead, she chose to be cruel.

She saw herself as evil, and so became evil.

Dick.

I hate you. So very. Very. Much.

You've tricked and manipulated people who could've been so much more, could've been so much better... and created this. Maybe some of them would've been monstrous on their own, but you granted them the capability to be so much more terrible.

And for what, Dick?

Count up your sins. We are coming for you.

> Follow their directions to the dwarves

Sorry about that taking so long, folks. I'm not at my best tonight and to be honest I'm fucking exhausted. I'll keep at it as long as I can and let ya know when I'm gonna pass out.

Thank you for your patience.

>>45526415
> Search the room
No reason to rush. The dwarves will keep, one hopes.

>>45526661

I will be waiting.

>>45526415
>> Search the room
>> Follow their directions to the dwarves
From all my experience in gaming, never leave a room unlooted.

>>45526415
>Search the room

>>45527087
What happened to "no names"? A few weeks ago, you were pissed at Brigette for mentioning her own name on a private channel, now you're broadcasting your own on a worldwide public forum?

Okay, I need to pass the hell out. I'll see folks in the morning.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>45526415
First things first
> Search the room

>>45527087
>>45527384
I'm somehow betting this ain't canon.

>>45526415
>Search the room
Always, always search

>>45528179
No worries Vox. Like it or not, you've got a growing fan base eagerly awaiting your return.

>>45526661
Dick is a dick. Who knew?

Bump for the lich.

I'm alive. Barely. Getting coffee, then writing.

>>45533992
Sweet!

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>>45526415
A quick search of this room - and the two connected ones - turns up some items of interest. There's four of those revolvers and a stock of ammunition, as well as a supply of recreational books.

"Hey, woodcuts!" Amy exclaims. River sweeps them into her own pack like a snake swallowing a mouse, leaving the half-harpy staring in confused awe at having her new erotica taken away.

"Found something," River notes, like she didn't just hijack a stash of porn. She holds up a small map, with a route on it in bright red paint. "Escape route. From the details written on it, it was made when they thought the Traitor could be trusted. If they went more than a week without a check-in, or they got a signal that the other end had been compromised, they were supposed to scuttle the place and get out to the safety of Natalia's territory. There's a note at the bottom."

"What's it say?" you ask.

"It says, 'No one here is being paid enough to die for me'."

"...That's a little fucking rich," Amy mutters.

"It doesn't matter. They stuck it out from loyalty and now they need to live with knowing that they have no master to serve." You lever open the top of a barrel and nod approvingly. "Good supplies, though. Everything here is set up well. Honestly, we could use this as a camp if we have to."

Amy nestles up to your side, on the pretense of looking at the supplies as well. "You gonna be okay?" she murmurs, low enough that River doesn't seem to hear.

"I'm gonna have to be," you murmur back.

"What're we down here for, Nate?"

> We have to make this right
> Natalia needs to be punished
> I can still save her
> Write-in?

>>45535038
>We have to make this right

>>45535038
>> We have to make this right

It sounds...hollow. But punishment isn't it, and I think any hope of redemption or saving for Natalia's long gone.

>>45535038
> We have to make this right

>>45535038
> We have to make this right

>>45535038
>We have to make this right
as an aside, this is my first vote of the quest. Just finished a weeklong trek through the archives in lieu of anime.

>>45535038
>We have to make this right
There may be a slight chance that we can save Natalia, but that doesn't erase the things she's done. I can't see this ending in anything other than death for her. If we even get past this seer bullshit that is.

>>45535038
>> We have to make this right
That might mean saving her, it might mean ending her torment, but it definitely means putting a stop to her plans.

>>45535420
Welcome to the quest, anon! Always glad to see a new reader.

>>45535038
>> We have to make this right

It's not about punishment, and while we might be able to save her, that's far from a guarantee.

Life stuff had me and still does. I'll call when I can.

>>45535038
>> We have to make this right

I'm free at last! AT LAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!

Called, writing. Will also archive thread at this juncture.

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>>45535038
You give Amy a one-armed hug and sigh. "I'm here for the job, Ames. Things have gone wrong down here, and this seems like one of those spots of the Dungeon where there was minimal levels of horrible wrongness before. So we're going to make it right. These people, this is their /home/. They deserve to feel safe in it."

Amy kisses your cheek and nods. "Never change, Nate," she murmurs. "We ready?"

"Aye."

You, Amy, and River each take one of the revolvers and take a moment to inspect and load it before buckling its holster at your belt. You get the grim feeling that the residents of New Hell have been working on solving these as problems for quite some time, but they might still come in handy.

Amy takes point, as is her habit, and Fetch and his brothers fan out as the rearguard. The directions to Black Anvil territory seem essentially correct, especially when you begin seeing signs painted on the walls in both dwarven and lorshan that read BLACK ANVILS AHEAD.

"That's a bit blunt," River notes.

"Dwarves," Amy says with a shrug. "Do you want me to do the talking, or...?"

> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon
> Do the talking; you're a bit better at keeping the peace

>>45538583
>> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

>>45538583
> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

>>45538583
> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

That's some sweet art there Vox.

>>45538583
>Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

>>45538583
Kyaaaaah, Nate Sama!!!
Eherm...
> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

>>45538876
>>45538921
All credit does, of course, go to Domochevsky.

>>45538583
>> Let Amy negotiate; she knows dwarves in the Dungeon

>>45538950
Yeah, I know, I actually started going on WWSF about 2/3 years ago, so I've seen what he can do.
He's a really good artist >_>

>>45538583

>Giant argument over whether or not to keep the guns because of a potential leak vs usefulness
>Party gets guns without issue or conflict in the first scene of the chapter

Welp.

>>45539357
As much as I hate to admit it, true.

>>45539357
I...believe...I stated quite clearly that the weapons in New Hell were going to survive the action. Lora couldn't touch them at the time.

I /know/ I told anon that they'd get to revisit the debate in New Hell.

I mean. Is this surprising? It's where the guns are made. These were the Baron's men. Of course they have guns on tap.

>>45539357

Argument wasn't whether we should use guns, it was whether the ones that were in the Mine (and a large number of which were out of our control) should be used if it risked them being brought to the surface, replicated, and causing mass upheaval in the balance of power, not to mention introducing WWI weaponry to pre-Napoleonic era tactics.

We decided the risk wasn't worth it.

>>45539427
No, it IS clear. It's just it feels weird that they had an argument about that kind of thing, and later, they pick those up casually.

>>45539357
unless those people that were let go were MASTER GUNSMITHS, I don't see what your problem is.

>>45539506

Who had that argument? Wasn't that just between Bri and Lora?

>>45539506
Eh. I can kinda see that, but at the same time Nate was the guy who used one in the Mine to begin with.

They're weapons, like any other weapon. The issue at hand with their creation and spread is the effect on the world, not an argument that they are in themselves inherently evil. They're far from the first tool made solely for one man to kill another.

I appreciate the feedback though. 's been added to my ever-growing notes doc.

>>45539506

They did?

Where?

>>45539427
It's more about the whole theme of 'no good deed goes unpunished' shit you got going on being totally disregarded.

Look, the moral dilemma, in my mind, was keep the guns, have a useful tool, potentially have the information leak to the surface and have horrible wars break out.

So when we got rid of the guns, I thought the drawback was we were going to go up against dudes with guns while not having guns.

I mean, I'm not asking for Nate to get shot in the face but the previous decision does seem a little like a non-decision now that are whole crew is instantly strapped.

No drawbacks or changes are really being suffered from are decision to remove the guns.

>>45539663
...Fair 'nough.

>>45539663
>>45539694
On the flipside, I didn't really expect us to be gunless for long in New Hell.
We had a tunnel for sneak attack, we would've killed some guys and looted theirs anyway.

>>45539663

Notice how No Good Deed Goes Unpunished is Brianna's subtitle?

Notice how Brianna isn't present?

I get your feeling that the decision (currently) seems like a paper tiger, but consider that if we'd kept the guns we could have come down here with our own, with extra ammunition, and having had a goodly amount of practice with them, not to mention that taking a more direct route would have been significantly more feasible.

I'm not saying that the guns we have now aren't going to help us, but we are at a greater disadvantage here than we would be had we kept the guns.

>>45539878
Brianna's decision.
Brianna's quest.
Brianna's theme.

Although you're right, I sort of jumped the gun by issuing a complaint now when for all I know some kitted out modern day army with guns could be assaulting The Mine as we speak.

>>45539921
>some kitted out modern day army

That's... Doubtful. Both in that Natalia's kinda twitchy about the whole 'must fight Nathan' thing (and in general) and in that I doubt she's been able to advance her training and gun tech that much.

>>45539629
>>45539571
Yeah, but that still affected the whole group.
>>45539587
>They're weapons, like any other weapon. The issue at hand with their creation and spread is the effect on the world, not an argument that they are in themselves inherently evil. They're far from the first tool made solely for one man to kill another.
I understand that, but the problem isn't that I have an issue with their use. It's more that while Brianna more or less decided that guns are wrong to use in this century, the rest of the group is using them without a doubt.

>>45540031
>while Brianna more or less decided that guns are wrong to use in this century
what?

>>45540031
I think the argument is that guns are wrong to use on a macro scale because armies will kill each other better.

Down here where it's skirmishes in a dungeon it's a-ok for some reason?

It's stupid, but it isn't hypocritical.

>>45539998
What she wouldn't give for the tech, though. The trouble she's having is that our modern firearms do a really good job of making the unavoidable parts of their firing mechanism (to wit: gunpowder) work for them as a smooth part of the system.

She can /see/ it.

She just doesn't know how it /works/, and the witchlock firing method's not good for replicating it. She's been beating her face against the wall trying to make machine guns work for a year and in all honesty all she's gotten out of the trouble is the urge to start purging her smiths.

I'd considered posting this IC from her PoV and then decided a perspective change would be bad for this level.

>>45540071
You see? It's that stupid part that bugs me. I can do with it, but it feels weird.

>>45540071

Down here, there aren't medieval-style armies fighting with WWI weaponry, WHICH IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE GUNS MADE IT TO THE SURFACE LIKE IT WAS ALL BUT GUARANTEED THEY WOULD IF WE DIDN'T DESTROY THEM.

Oh wait, there was, when we assaulted the Baron, and it was a horrific bloodbath of death and suffering to a far higher degree than would have occurred if the guns hadn't been there.

Fights between individuals or small groups are affected to a far smaller degree by the use of firearms than fights between large groups such as armies.

>>45540223
>and it was a horrific bloodbath of death and suffering to a far higher degree than would have occurred if the guns hadn't been there.

[Citation Required]

>>45540251
Yeah, the Baron could have had his troop surrender and make his last stand alone.
And even then, the battle wasn't that monstrous.
>>45540223
The problem is that while Brianna says that guns are not "adapted" to this period mainly because the Period itself isn't adapted to them, you have Amy and Nate taking some of these.
It's kinda like saying "AK are bad because they could kill lots of people in certain conditions" and using them anyway because said "conditions" aren't met. That doesn't make them less bad.

Called, writing.

> It's kinda like saying "AK are bad because they could kill lots of people in certain conditions" and using them anyway because said "conditions" aren't met. That doesn't make them less bad.

If it helps, from my end it was taking the practical stance that New Hell is overrun with the things, and thus their use is more or less out of the bag until the option to feasibly eliminate them becomes a thing.

That said, don't let me limit discussion. This has been educational.

>>45540446
I'm not taking any moral stance on the use of guns here, don't worry Vox ^^
It's just I'm a bit worried at how the dynamics of the group are going to be when/if Bri finds out her companions are using guns. Guns manufactured by the Traitor no less.

I mean, aside from that, both camps have valids points for destroying/keeping the guns, and they are to be considered ^^

>>45540605
I don't think Bri is going to care.

>>45540624
I guess we'll find out...

>>45540657
I mean, even if for some reason we're not in control of Bri at the time and are able to make all the nice safe decisions about not fucking up the status quo, Bri herself used a gun before. She beat the Baron on a quickdraw which is what prompted him to choose suicide.

>>45540605
>>45540624
>>45540657
Bri is not crazily declaring anathema on all gun use - she herself used one against Baron right before deciding to purge them from the Mine.
She does not want them to go out. She's fine with using them to that end.

>>45540700
>>45540724
True. But then again, she didn't have much of a choice at the moment and it was only after being given time to think that she decided to purge them.

>>45540657
Uhm, Bri didn't have problems using them in the Mines. The choice Lora gave Bri was let firearms spread from the dungeon now or delay their development until the necessary tech catches up.

>>45540775
I guess when you put it that way, it does look more sensible. My bad for all this commotion.

>>45539427
>I /know/ I told anon that they'd get to revisit the debate in New Hell.
"revisiting" is kinda pointless. Changing the opinion would render the first decision simply moot and if we went through a different route would've likely resulted in unnecessary hardships due to gun disparity in the conflict.

We've decided to purge and it would be out of character for the gang to not stick to their guns, pardon the pun.

>>45541099
I disagree.

Seeing as how we're no longer talking about tech, but a bunch of engineers and scientists. People who actually know how to make these things. Preventing that knowledge from spreading will need to be a lot more brutal than simply poofing them away.

>>45541150
We could try convincing them to use their power only for creating non-violent artefacts. Or maybe make them swear some kind of magic oath?

>>45541244
And if they refuse?

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>>45538583
You give Amy a thoughtful nod. "You know the dwarven cultures in the Dungeon. Which, incidentally, what can we expect?"

"All the dwarven elders I've ever met have acted like I'm dating their son and they dislike me, but don't actually have a good reason to."

"Oh," River murmurs. "They're quartermasters but with less stealing."

"I don't get that reference."

You nod, reluctantly. "Don't worry about it. Feel free to do the talking."

The steel door that divides the service hall from what is, presumably, the formal start of Black Anvil territory is labeled, again in both lorshan and dwarven.

'Please knock here, here, or here. Annoying noises are produced otherwise'.

River /stares/.

"Very practical people, dwarves," Amy notes, before knocking politely on one of the marked spots. After a moment, a voice from the other side rumbles in what you assume is dwarven.

Amy answers back politely in the same language and then says, "We all speak lorshan, though."

"That's what they all say," the voice on the other side sighs. "Please state your business."

"We have a mutual problem that would be profitable to solve together," Amy says, formally. "We come in peace but bearing arms and would like to speak to your elder or council." She finishes with a short phrase, sounding like a quote or a religious statement.

From behind you, Fetch quietly translates: "We bargain with empty hands."

"Please step back," the voice behind the door asks, politely. Amy does so, and the door swings open towards her. A small group of dwarves in tough, simple clothes stands watch, each cradling something /like/ the rifles you saw in the Mine. These are shorter, however, and have some manner of lever, or handguard, or perhaps both, beneath their trigger.

River's ears twitch curiously. "Those weapons are unblooded."

"How observant," the lead dwarf, a dark-haired woman sourly smoking a cigar, notes. "Which o' ye is the necromancer what made those chickens?"

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>>45541268
"My sister," River speaks up. "The fleshed one with the helmet is Sir Fetch the Nightfeather, our friend and companion."

"It is my honor to meet you, madam," Fetch says with a formal bow.

"...That's the greatest thing I've seen all week," the sour woman says with a little smile. "I'm gonna ask all o' ye to disarm. Yer weapons will be kept at this door, in the care of Marcus here and his large box."

"That's a crate with the top off," Amy points out.

"Aye. Ye can disarm or ye can leave in peace."

> Disarm
> Leave
> Insist on keeping Verve on your person

>>45541255
Well, that's the interesting part of any debate, isn't it?

>>45541328

> Insist on keeping Verve on your person
>>Explain that she's wraithsteel and rather excitable when we aren't there to control her

>>45541328
>> Insist on keeping Verve on your person

>>45541389
This. But explain first. If this plays well, they are gonna want to look at it, and then they won't mind us.

>>45541389
> Insist on keeping Verve on your person
>Explain that she's wraithsteel and rather excitable when we aren't there to control her

>>45541268

>These are shorter, however, and have some manner of lever, or handguard, or perhaps both, beneath their trigger.

Mare's Legs? Huh. That actually works for dwarves (and the enclosed space of New Hell).

Alright folks, since the temperature is actually right for it for once, I'm going to walk into work tonight. That means I won't have enough time to update again before work; I'll be back shortly after 12:30 AM to call and update.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

Bump.

>>45541328
> Insist on keeping Verve on your person
>Explain that she's wraithsteel and rather excitable when we aren't there to control her

>>45541328
>Insist on keeping Verve on your person

Two and a half hours and change to call.

I'm excited about this level.

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>>45545148

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>>45545148
> Insist on keeping Verve on your person
>Explain that she's wraithsteel and rather excitable when we aren't there to control her

The name of this part is TRAITOR'S ROAR. Given how every other title has had some interesting connotations, I'm halfway wondering if the end of this level has another Chain Holder's forces stepping in and Natalia going onto full war footing... facing downward. A final, desperate, and suicidal fuck you.

>>45541328
> Insist on keeping Verve on your person

Lich bump.

Anything to talk about?

>>45546868
Nope

>>45547073
Well, what about things you want to explore while you're Nate? What has anon's curiosity?

>>45547381
He's not really vocalizing his internal issues with the voices in his head, so we're kinda stuck there.

Not a lot of comment on how it feels to have the prosthetic.

Nothings really been said about how to deal with constant futuresight, and being manipulated via KEIKAKU

>>45547381
Honestly, your quest has been so focused on the main plot that i think I and perhaps many other voters have really given up on exploring in a lot of ways. Nothing feels unknown in the WOAH, MYSTERIOUS way, just unknown in the, I wonder how Master and crew have fucked THIS section up.

>>45547468
...Hrm. Expand on this? Has the focus been a bad thing?

>>45547381

Our sexuality

>>45547543
No, it's definitely not 'bad'. i wouldn't be here if it was bad.

Just, hmm let's start out with the premise.

Necromancer chick gets sent into a dungeon we know NOTHING about and she's a journeyman and we head in and the first thing is we get to three doors. And we enter one door, and this crocodile eats us and woah, there's a cool respawn mechanic, that will help us EXPLORE and use past deaths and shit.

It sets your quest up to be this exploration based, dungeon crawl, basic find some cool shit and claw your way from equipment less loser convict to badass adventurer, maybe find the jewels as our MAIN PLOT.

And by the end of the first section, we find out we're literally the most important person here and we need to murderize our way through thirteen levels of faggots and holy shit CHOO CHOO motherfucker time to get this train a rolling.

Like, fuck, we aren't even halfway through and I'm fucking exhausted. this chick lost her wings. This dude lost his legs. We're killing their boyfriend and their mom, and holy shit so much fucking plot and stuff we NEED to do and we have this looming time table because who knows what the fuck that guy is doing and what Lora can't tell us.

Like, it's not bad. It's just not what I expected initially or something that lends itself to 'exploration'.

>>45547543
I would necessarily say bad. It's certainly better than the opposite extreme, where there's so much going on that thing's simply get neglected or put off forever while an endless series of sidequests pop up *cough*Banished Quest mines*cough*.
It just kind of feels like we're seeing and hearing more about how the Master has fucked the Dungeon up than we are about the Dungeon itself. Everything's contextualized. Not really bad, but a little narrow.

Different anon, BTW, just my two cents.

>>45547661
Let me try to say what I just typed in much smarter words via metaphor.

I actually would like to liken your quest to the film Taken, starring Liam Neeson.

Liam Neeson ends up going to France but he really doesn't have time to explore the Louvre or see the Eiffel Tower unless he is murdering people to find his daughter.

At no point as an audience member are we like, damn Neeson, go fucking buy a baguette and watch a mime act, because we want him to find his daughter.

Your quest is like Taken, if Liam Neeson had to save his daughter thirteen times in the first movie.

>>45547968
That's a pretty good point.

I mean, if you just go by the first thread, it seems something more like Dark Souls. You die, and there's consequences... But you keep going. Death is a teaching device.

If you wanted to just explore the Dungeon, play up it's mysteries, see how it lives and breathes, this is the way to go.

But it could also get pretty boring, and there's not a huge amount of incentive going on beyond our own curiosity and desire to see sunlight again.

Dungeon Life as it is, is a lot more lively. The Dungeon isn't just a big nebulous and dangerous thing filled with monsters, but a living, breathing society. One that Dick has decided is less important then whatever the hell he's interested in is. It's more or less an entire kingdom underground, split into thirteen pieces, that we're liberating guerrilla style from the man who enslaved it's guardian.

It's an adventure story about living people. The Acts are each major adventures with far reaching consequences and serious issues to consider in each case. Which makes your Interludes all the more important, because other wise the tension would just be ratcheting straight fucking up all the time.

I mean, I'm kind of wondering if the Heritor's Quest to Save Lora was the original gameplan or if that happened as a design change once other stuff started happening.

Home. Getting food, calling, writing.

Sorry for the delays. It's been a shitty fucking night.

Called.

>>45550722
No worries Lord Vox. One of the best parts of being a writer or illustrator is being able to vent stress without punching holes in the wall.

...I'm sorry folks. I keep trying to write and getting a blank screen. I know I promised an update when I got home but I've made you wait this long already and I honestly am no closer to making one appear. So...I'ma re-open the vote, for all that's worth, and hope the thread's open in the morning to try this again.

I am very sorry.

Questions, comments, discussion, and criticisms remain welcome and appreciated.

Thank you all for reading and participating!

>>45547661
>>45547684
>>45547968
>>45548336
I'ma address this in the morning but thank you very much for both the feedback and for making me laugh.

>>45541389
This. Also, maybe just ask instead of outright insisting. Wouldn't want to risk it coming to blows.

>>45552056
Though they're probably aware - they're dwarves working in a forge.

>>45552476
They'd probably know the sword as wraithsteel if they see it, but it should be in a sheath. And I think wraithsteel behaves differently based on a slew of variables, so explaining/describing might actually be needed.
Plus, they might be guards and not have much to do with the forge part. Unlikely, but still a possibility.

>>45552502
Anybody with a brain knows that a sword that can leap from the sheath, float in the air, and attack on its own is fucking magic.

And these are DORFS we are talking about. They're probably drawn to the stuff like deer to a salt lick.

> "There's a... complication." (hold out Verve,, scabbard and all (definitely don't draw her) ) "This is Verve. She's wraithsteel, and tends to react in undesirable ways to being separated from me."

How would Verve respond to being peacebound?

>>45552877
I like this.

Bump dammnit Vox, why do set such high expectations for yourself, we all know you're mad, you don't need to keep proving it. A little writers block now and then isn't anything to phase yourself with.

>>45553534
He's right Vox, you shouldn't overexert yourself.

As long as they don't expect Amy to remove her wings, we're good.

>>45553618
Well, they can try XD

>>45553633
They will fail, and a new meaning of shankbird day will come about.

Amy's wings are probably the most awesome fashion statement any female dwarf will ever see.

OBVIOUS BUMP!

Also, who else wants to see more of those world-building Google docs, or more of those switched perspectives from the likes of River, Isoldt, or Jewel?

>>45554651
Jewel could get potentially quite dangerous, if she masters spectral form well enough to phase through bullets.

Harry needs to install some soundproofing, although there's a limit to recommended insulation for a smithy.

I'd like to see what aspects of River's mercenary skills were kept. Things like sidearms, knowledge, or just knowing how to sew some extra armor plates here and there.

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What goes BUMP in the night anons?

>>45553534
>>45553579
I don't like breaking my promises. I especially don't like breaking my promises to my readership, without whom I would be an idiot babbling to myself.

'm awake. Gonna shower, chores, and then re-call/actually update this time. Now's a good time for final questions or comments before run resumes.

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>>45556486
I want a nekomancer.

Also, are dullahans, if they exist in this world, fey or undead?

>>45556939
as in, cat-magic nekomancer, or catgirl/boy wizard?

>>45556986
Catmagic, actually, just to see what cat-magic Vox comes up with. I'm okay without the catgirl/boy features.

>>45556986
Much as necromancers tend to become liches sooner or later, nekomancers become catboy/girls before too long. And can you blame them? They get eight extra lives.

>>45557066
nekomancy like all schools, has it's downside, necromancy kills, nekomancy makes you cute. and want to purr.

>>45556486

>without whom I'd be an idiot babbling to myself

No you wouldn't.

You'd be babbling to yourself, but you aren't and wouldn't be an idiot.

>>45557109
>nekomancy makes you cute. and want to purr.
Also makes you wanna throw stuff down. Hope you're not into experimental alchemy.

>>45557169
it also comes with either wanting to cuddle everyone, or wanting to claw everyone.

>>45557185
>or
Well, as long as it's an 'or' of Propositional logic.

>>45557224
if "of Propositional logic" means the and includes or excludes variety. then yes.

>>45556486
>>45557149
Agreed. Vox, you may not know this, but you are up there with Headmaster and REQM as far as QMs go, two people who really should be writing fantasy novels, AND DAMNIT RIGHT IN THE CRAVINGS, THE GENRE IS FLOODED WITH MEDIOCRITY AND DULL INSIGHTS INTO THE TRIVIALITY OF DAILY LIFE! VOX, PLEASE WRITE A BOOK!!!!

>>45557241
It's basically a fancy way of saying "and/or".

>>45557263
I know of the Giant spider but what does Headmaster qm?

>>45556486
So question about necromancy, it's runs off of life, whether the caster's or anthers but how do you quantify life in this setting? Would a biologically immortal creature, as in has no set lifespan/does not die of old age, have unlimited energy for necromancy or no energy?

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>>45557263
...Well...I kinda did?

Meet the Scum: http://i.imgur.com/GNmtQfQ.jpg

There's sample chapters here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/n2s21tn6nf5m224/ScumOfShatterdown_Intro.pdf?dl=0

Aaand the KS is here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/197021008/mourners-scum-of-shatterdown

Just about done with Morning Shit.

Please don't hurt me it's just that we're almost funded and, I mean...he asked...

>>45557389

He literally did, so don't worry on it.

>>45557389

The only problem I have with this is that it's apparently only 45,000 words.

I read the entire Twilight series in less than 48 hours, and that included many pauses to vomit and/or give my brain a break from the utter vileness of Meyer's 'prose'.

How long do you think 45,000 /enjoyable/ words are going to last me?

>>45557512
I know your pain. I ripped through Worm in about that time and was sad it was over. Still, though; success with this will encourage my publisher to keep pursuing fiction alongside their RPG work.

>>45557512
The solution is to buy many copies (or, you know, tell your friends) so Vox can lose the crappy retail job and start writing full time.

>>45557512
As long as you own the book, the pleasure can last forever.

>>45557512

Bright side: enjoyable words means it's worth rereading.

>>45557263
>>45557293
Headmaster is not a good QM.

Questdrone would've been a better example as would Diarca (Minus the dissappearing acts).

Plus it was suspected that QuestDrone and REQM were involved in an insect themed relationship.

>>45557922
Hiatus of Hive quest is so saddening to me. But QDrone said it would return soon.

>>45557949
I hate to say it, but the squids got to QuestDrone, hes gone man.

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>>45557980
But he posted in twitter just a few weeks ago. I believe.

>>45557980
He's been answering ask.fm's all week, he ain't gone man.
>https://ask.fm/QuestDrone

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>>45556939
Real talk: "cat magic" is one of those things that's got a lot of interesting history and religious connotations (see: Egypt) that has been /wholly ignored by fucking everyone/ for the last hundred years. Between the comic book industry, paranormal romance authors, and the catgirl craze in more modern times, I'm not sure I could look anyone in the eyes and say with a straight face that I tried to treat it with respect. Maybe one day.

You see dullahans of both varieties, to the irritation of enterprising monster hunters. It is generally accepted that the fey were the originals and that somewhere down the line an enterprising necromancer met one and went I /want one/," but there's little in the way of historic proof. Undead dullahans are often distinguished by witchflame in place of their absent eyes, though a necromancer with more talent can confuse the issue by letting it see through its severed head.

TL;DR undead dullahans are a kind of necromantic construct, the fey are the species.

>>45547968
I wanna reiterate my thanks for making me laugh my ass off. This was also helpful, and I appreciate the time you (and others) took to expand on that feedback.

In all honesty, I'm kinda bad at creating exploration-based games, even when I've got a battlemap to work with. I have the architectural sense of a drunken pyromaniac if you make me lock things down to firm dimensions, so I kinda...avoided that. Which brings us to >>45548336 and the question of it Lora's rescue was added later.

It honestly was not. The thing is, I sorta expected anon to end up leaning more on the respawn mechanic but that didn't end up happening. You've been consistently cautious and pragmatic, which is like the exact opposite of what I was given to expect based on the two quests I've actually read.

TFW I need another post for this jesus.

>>45558079
And I'm not complaining in /any/ way. This has been a hell of a ride and a pleasant surprise, and I like the character(s) we've made together. But running off the expected tone & strategies was on you guys.

This is still my first attempt at QMing. It's been educational, y'know?

Votes called, writing at last. Thank you for your patience, folks.

>>45557389
The asking was intended Vox, I would have posted your kickstarter myself if I thought I could get away with it...

>>45557293
HM does a few things. Unfortunate magical girl, assasin, and Trapped in Da'ta Quests. All of which start amazing, but assasin has tailed off (probably should be ended sooner rather than later) and UMG makes people cry with how bi-polar the dice luck is.

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>>45541328
You give the dwarf an awkward smile. "We're happy to disarm, but there's a...minor pair of complications to that. The first being that I can't precisely take my lover's wings off of her."

"Granted," the woman agrees, with a nod. "A cloak should restrain them for now."

"On iiiit," Amy agrees pleasantly, digging hers out of her pack and throwing it over her shoulders; tucking her wings in takes a series of awkward stretching motions that bend her spine back.

"The second," you continue, "is my saber. I'm going to show her to you." You unbuckle Verve's sheath and hold it out, sideways. You draw the saber a few inches, showing the wraithsteel blade. "Aside from her value, she gets...upset...when she's away from me."

"That," the dwarf murmurs, "is a fine blade. Rory, inform the council that one of our guests will be retaining a blade. Let the judgement fall upon my head if they object."

"Yes ma'am," one of the other guards - presumably Rory - answers. He salutes with a fist over his heart and moves to obey.

That taken care of, you divest yourself of your other weapons. The woman with the cigar looks curiously at your revolvers when you set them in the large box.

"Those are the backbiter models, aye?" she muses. "A little outdated, but I suppose she had plenty of them lying around."

"...What do you mean, outdated?" you ask, slowly.

She gives you a broad grin. "Information is not free, human. Shall we see if the council likes the shine of your gold?"

"Lets," you answer, with an easy smile. "I'm Nathan Bookchild," you tell her, offering a gloved hand out to shake.

"Opal Black Anvil," she replies, shaking your hand firmly. "Let's be about it."

The runes on your prosthetic glow faintly in response to the resonant energies of the place. The heat in the Black Anvils' territory is oppressive and omnipresent, but everywhere you can see evidence of both its source and its management.

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>>45558593
Everywhere you look, dwarves are hard at work. Laborers smelt scrap metal back down into ingots, presumably for re-use or repair work. Others polish or carve wooden or bone tools; vents blast chilled air into the rooms, while others suck away the sweltering heat.

They're not working nearly to capacity. There are a lot of idle workers, or those engaged in tasks that are honestly, quite clearly already done - polishing already-gleaming steel or cleaning out forges long since gone cold.

They're low on supplies. Or customers. Or both.

The council waits for you in a small room that might have been a private mess or break room. There are four, each with white hair and, in the case of the men, beards, and they sit in their places around a table that is round because that's what would fucking fit in this coffin-sized room.

"Be ye welcome as our guest, Nathan Bookchild and companions," the oldest Councilor says. "This council is given to understand that you bring business to the Black Anvils."

> Focus on the conflict with Natalia
> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)
> Inform them of the escape tunnel that leads to the Mine
> Write-in?

>>45558742
>> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)
These people need supplies and customers. We can provide both. So let's deal.

>>45558742
> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)

This is most likely what they care the most about.

TFW I forgot to remove the parenthetical. Oh fucking well.

Anyway, I should note: a passage between two floors is potentially INCREDIBLY value. The group that controls it, or the groups that share it, can benefit greatly in a variety of ways.

>>45558742
> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)

>>45558742
>> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)

>>45558742
> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)

The passage would be a fine ace in the hole. during negotiations.

>>45558742
> Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right)
Only thing we need is Natalia.

>>45558079
The comparison to Dark Soul's when talking about an exploration game reminded me of one aspect that made it so good: the rest of the world and it's history are far more important and interesting than "you". The franchise has a rich lore and a lot of cool characters, but the chosen undead isn't even alive until long after most of the interesting stuff happens. This made the world and all these long-dead gods and heroes feel grander than if you were some legendary hero yourself.

In this quest, the focus is definitely on Bri, and her quest through the dungeon, as opposed to being "about" the dungeon. There's been some cool characters and backstory as well, but it's just a different kind of story.

Personally I have no preference between the two types of stories. I think for quests the latter type of story telling works a lot better, because nobody wants to play as a nobody that never talks.

>>45558742
>Tell them that you can restore the flow of supplies from the Mine (Make It Right).
Time for more heroics.

Also:
>I just signed up for the kickstarter and you're only $10 away from the pledge goal. FUCK. YES.

We're getting close to the bump limit, Vox.

You gonna be able to kill the thread and get a new one going before Gainful Employment?

>>45559283
Aye, I'm just waiting for some pizza to arrive; I gotta be away from my PC for that.

>>45559244
Thank you, so much, for you support! I'm kinda. Okay not "kinda", I'm freaking out like a schoolboy whose crush just kissed him. I'm a bad sneeze away from being a Real Published Author.

>>45559372

If you look, there are 32 backers but only 31 are listed in the tiers. And the money's at 1491, but the tiers add up to 1490.

Someone pledged literally a single dollar.

>>45559372
yeah, make that funded. i just couldn't resist

>>45559409
I am fine with this. Any support is great; I know about being broke, and I especially know about being broke when something you're excited about needs money. That they pledged at all is wonderful.

>>45559409
I think that's supposed to be the starting pledge or something. First time I've done this.

It's great too, I wasn't sure I'd be able to. Buuuuut not an hour ago I found out my tax money came in. I literally could not pound the keys fast enough.

>>45559372
So we've touched you in your feelings again?
Do you like it?

>>45559464
I hate that you have to have a credit card if you want to fund. Is there any other way?

>>45559464

I don't disagree, but it baffles me that there's someone who can afford internet access but can't afford the extra $9 to make it so they themselves gain something from their pledge.

>>45559372
You'll be all set to be a published author by Wednesday if nobody beats me to it

>>45559527
I used a debit. First time I've used the damn thing since I got it too.

> Go downstairs to wait for pizza
> Come back funded

I love you all so much. You've made a lifelong dream into a reality for me, and I won't forget that. We'll be in touch with our backers through the process; Dreamscarred learned a lot from our first two Kickstarters.

>>45559506
Touched? Anon, you took my feelings out on a romantic date, made them have moments they never thought they'd have in their life, seduced them 'neath the pale moonlight and left them languid and sexually spent in a bed of roses.

>>45559527
I honestly have no idea, having never used KS myself. I /think/ a prepaid credit card, such as can be purchased at a retail store, will work?

Called. Writing.

>>45560164
at this point vox, you'll probably hit a stretch goal. maybe two.

>>45560164
The best part is, there's still plenty of time to go, so who knows where that number could get in the end, to trail a feather across the collarbone of your gasping feelings.

>>45560164
>prepaid credit card
Sadly those aren't easily available in my country or go as high as I need.

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>>45557389
SHILLING YOUR OWN KICKSTARTER!

>>45560686
oh god, go away shitdick.

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>>45560686

>>45560686
Wow you're mad.

>>45560686
I INVITED THIS, GO PLAY FATAL AND GET FUCKED. *ahem* I wonder if this is the same pox upon /tg/ as last time?

That feel when shitloads of friends and relatives are calling to tell me the funding happened.

Bear with me folks, I'll write Soon(tm).

>>45557329
I missed you before anon, you have my apologies.

Entropy always wins. An ageless creature that is otherwise still alive - it takes in energy, it expends energy - would need to tap on the life force it's using to stay alive /right now/. Consequentially, such an immortal would be a rather poor necromancer (and it is for this reason that demons don't really take up the practice).

Now's still a good time for further questions.

>>45560316
"Ready for round two? The safe word is 'Shankbird'."

>>45560686
The butthurt is strong with this one.

>>45561017
Are there any other kinds of fey we might meet in the Dungeon? You know, sprites and spriggans (I definitely see these coming in Cornucopia), boggarts and trolls, khoopas and selkies.

Also, what Court was Silence part of before choosing to live in the Dungeon? Seelie or Unseelie?

Are there any known instances of fey-blood amongst the Firstborn? And where did the fey come from, if they aren't a part of the First or Secondborn?

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>>45560708
>>45560726
>>45560868
>>45561015
>>45561031

Voxsuckers out in full force tonight.

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>>45561201
>>45560686

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>>45561201
>There are many people who enjoy Vox's writing in a quest run by Vox
What a fucking surprise

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>>45561201