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>>4984288
Welcome to BONES QUEST--family-run and operated until someone buys us out! Make sure to check out the following resources:

Archive Link to catch up with the story!
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Bones%20quest

Twitter account for updates!
>https://twitter.com/DemBonez3

Imgur Page for quest and FAN ART! You make it, we display it!
>https://imgur.com/a/dvF3SCN

A HANDY PASTEBIN for INVENTORY, SKILLS, and MORE:
>https://pastebin.com/u/DemBonez3/1/TvtRhtJK

Rolls are handled by a 1d100--I take the BEST OF THREE ROLLS! Certain boosts and maluses will be applied based on the situation and existing skills. Describing your actions, write-ins, FANART and GENERAL CREATIVITY are all APPRECIATED AND REWARDED--we like to keep things LIGHT and CHILL here, so come on in and have some fun!

>CONTD.

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“Shall we begin?”

Frozen in place on a stone platform bobbing in the wake provided by the row of waterfalls towering above you, you glance between the hordes of mermaids watching you and your team expectantly from platforms of their own as a gut-wrenching screech rips from behind the cascades of water!

It takes you a moment, but you think you’ve found the perfect response to the situation:

What the HELL are these freaks talking about!?

“I’d like the answer to that too!” Art shouts, white-knuckling his N4 RIFLE in his shaky, gloved hands. Syb, Mitzi, Tucker, Kiki, Eddie, and Gus nod in agreement--guess they aren’t too pleased about this either!

“It’s simple!” Replies Guppy as she runs a claw through her feathered magenta hair, “We’re here to determine your punishment, of course! THE DEEP MOTHER likes to run a tight ship down here, after all, and we’re not sharks!”

The rest of the mermaids echo her last words filling the chamber with a booming echo. Man, imagine the acoustics if you brought a guitar down here!

“Not the time, Stan…” Sybil mutters, stuffing her glowing hands into her pockets as the guards sharing your platform lower their staves her way.

“So,” Guppy continues in a tone befitting the host of a kid’s educational program, “We’re going to ask some DEEP MOTHER-sanctioned questions and then we’ll be done!”

“And let me guess:” Tucker adds as his fellow student Kiki hefts her LIGHT MACHINE GUN, “If we’re guilty we get eaten.”

“Bubbling Barnacles, of course not!” Guppy shouts, seemingly appalled at the insinuation, “No, you’ll just be taken to the dungeon!”

You and the team let out a collective sigh of relief. After seeing how your acquaintance HADDOCK went in the last thread-

“THE DEEP MOTHER is on a strict diet! If you’re guilty she’ll eat you all over the course of the next FEW HOURS! Starting wiiiiith….” Guppy pauses, appraising your group with her tongue stuck out in concentration, “Umm… You. You look juicy!”

Of course she’s pointing at you. Who else would it have been?

“Told ya’ we shoulda exercised more, cupcake.” Murmurs Ly from within the safety of your skin. You respond with an annoyed sigh--at least he’ll die with you!

>CONTD.

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>>4984295
“So uh,” Gus interjects while scratching his head, “Who’s gonna ask the questions, anyways?”

Guppy’s glowing eyes gleam brighter in response! “Glad you asked, human! I will have the honor of asking the questions! THE DEEP MOTHER will preside over the hearing, of course, but it would be rude to ask her to speak!”

“Yea,” Mitzi chuckles, “That would be barbaric.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll be gentle!” Guppy giggles as she sends a wink your way! “Shall we begin, humans? Best to get started before Mother grows hungry--err… Hungrier!”

What say you?
>FINE, ASK AWAY!
>HOLD ON--I WANNA ASK YOU SOMETHING FIRST!
>JUST SCREAM FOR TALBOT--YOUR BODYGUARD WILL SURELY HEAR YOU!
>RUN FOR IT! YOU CAN PROBABLY SWIM AWAY IF YOU’RE QUICK!
>FIGHT! YOU DON’T HAVE STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, BUT…
>WRITE-IN

>>4984299
>>FINE, ASK AWAY!

We should still find a way to subtly call for Talbot if we can. Also welcome back, Bones!

>>4984321
>ASK ME THE QUESTIONS, I'M NOT AFRAID!

Writing! And thanks--it felt weird not updating for a few days, even if it was a short while! Glad you're back as well!

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The more the situation sinks in, the more you wish your KNIGHT-IN-SHINING TRENCHCOAT: TALBOT would swoop in and start busting heads! Part of you wants to shout his name a few times--lord knows the guy gets mixed up--but the eldritch horror currently debating whether or not to eat you causes you to reconsider. Besides, that big lug’s found you before--with luck he’s already burrowing downwards for a dramatic entrance!

Clinging to your hopeful fantasies for dear life, you finally respond to the fish girl in front of you with a shrug--sure, you grunt, you’ll answer the questions!

“YAY!” She squeals, hopping up and down on her fishy tail a few times, “It’ll be quick--I swear!”

“It’d better be.” Art hisses, shooting an uncertain glance towards the waterfalls. “Don’t wanna be around when mom gets the ‘munchies’...”

“Okay!” Guppy begins, prompting the other mermaids to shut the hell up, “These questions were provided by THE DEEP MOTHER, so please answer them as best you can! The way you answer might affect the results!”

Another cave-shaking shriek rips from behind the waterfalls, prompting Guppy to add one more shaky addendum: “R-right! Whatever you do, DON’T LIE! Mother knows when people lie--it’s the truth!”

Damn it, there goes your plan!

“QUESTION 1: WHY ARE YOU HERE?”

Oh boy… If you had to answer you’d probably say…

>YOU’RE CHASING SOME PIRATE SKELETONS!
>YOU WANT TO SAVE THE TOWN!
>YOU GOT LOST ON THE WAY TO THE BATHROOM!
>YOU DON’T REMEMBER! YOU HAVE BRAIN PROBLEMS--DERRR!
>WHY DOES SHE THINK YOU’RE HERE?
>STAY SILENT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984427
>>YOU WANT TO SAVE THE TOWN!

Probably the most-guaranteed not to make us become a STAN-wich!

>>4984434
>SAVE THE TOWN, DUH!

Writing!

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You answer the mermaid’s first question confidently--isn’t it obvious? You’re here to SAVE CLEARWATER! And maybe the world, while you’re at it! You certainly didn’t come down here for a social call!

Guppy’s smile falters a bit as another screech echoes from behind the waterfall. “I see… How is your town saved by your visit, though?”

Look, you’re not about to explain the whole plot again--all you can say is that you need to get to CAPTAIN MENDOZA, and your best chance is tracking down some skeletons that ran down here! Another shriek reverberates around the underground lake!

“... Whoops! You’re too late--Mother found and ate them all already! Yikes!”

In that case, you groan, why the hell are you still here?! You don’t have time to play TWENTY QUESTIONS-- you’ve got a town to save! You keep all your stuff there!

“Hmmm… So you’re trying to save the humans, huh?” Guppy pauses and lets whatever’s lying beyond the waterfalls groan for a solid minute. “Sorry, human, but Mother has really enjoyed the lack of boats and humans in the sea lately--less noise, more fish! It’s been great!”

Maybe for them, you snap! Your life has been complete and utter crap since this all happened! Granted, you received some cool super powers and met some people you don’t exactly hate, but STILL!

“Mother wishes you could see the big picture, human…” Guppy translates with a sheepish grin on her face. “In the grand scheme of things it’s really better for everyone if all the humans are wiped out--skeletons don’t eat fish, after all!”

Oh don’t start spewing that Liberal bullshi-

“Moving oooon~! QUESTION 2: WHAT’S YOUR OPINION ON FISH?”

The interruption earns a confused blink from you. Seriously?

“Seriously! Answer the question, human!”

Dang it. Fine… If you had to answer that you’d say…

>YOU HATE FISH! NO THANK YOU!
>YOU’RE CURRENTLY ON A LEGENDARY QUEST TO FIND ONE, ACTUALLY!
>YOU LOVE ‘EM! CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF ‘EM!
>IF SHE WAS IN YOUR SHOES, WHAT WOULD SHE SAY?
>STAY SILENT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984488
>>YOU’RE CURRENTLY ON A LEGENDARY QUEST TO FIND ONE, ACTUALLY!
>IF SHE WAS IN YOUR SHOES, WHAT WOULD SHE SAY?

>>4984490
>LUDWIIIIIIG
>BUT ALSO WHAT WOULD SHE SAY?

Writing!

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You’d say that it’s funny they bring that up, actually-

“Stan,” Syb hisses as she sends a look your way that could turn a lesser janitor to stone, “DON’T.”

AS you were saying, you continue, you’re currently on a MYSTICAL QUEST to-

“STAN!”

In a JIFF! You were just telling THE DEEP MOTHER that you’re currently questing to find LUDWIG--THE LEGENDARY FUR-BEARIN’ CATFISH! She can check your QUEST LOG for more details! Holding your COMPANY-ISSUED BLACKBERRY out for the creature to see, it slowly dawns upon you that she isn’t going to look.

“Yes, well… Assuming you do find this fish, human, what exactly will you do with it?”

You open your mouth to respond, but nothing comes out--what will you do? Now that the mermaid mentions it, you feel like a dog chasing a car--who knows what you’d do if you caught the infamous LUDWIG!

If you had to respond, though--wait, is this another question?

The entity behind the waterfall gurgles menacingly.

“... Nope, just a follow-up!” Guppy reports with a renewed smile!

In that case…

>YOU’LL JUST TAKE A PICTURE, THEN RELEASE!
>YOU’RE STUFFIN’ THAT THING!
>MAYBE KEEP IT IN AN AQUARIUM OR SOMETHING? DOES YOUR APARTMENT ALLOW PETS?
>YOU AREN’T SURE YET, BUT YOU’LL KNOW!
>YOU’RE GONNA EAT HIM AND GAIN HIS POWER!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984566
>YOU’RE GONNA EAT HIM AND GAIN HIS POWER!
Mermaids eat fish

>>4984566

>YOU’RE GONNA EAT HIM AND GAIN HIS POWER!

>>4984566
>YOU’RE GONNA EAT HIM AND GAIN HIS POWER!

>>4984571
>>4984576
>>4984591
>POWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRR

Writing!

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Duh! You’re gonna EAT him and gain his FISH POWER! It’s worked so far with the bones of those other lieutenants-

“Stan!”

A fish like that should work the same, right? Planting your hands on your hips with a smug grin plastered on your face, you await a response from your awestruck questioner!

“W-wow!” Guppy sputters, prompting the rest of the mermaids to follow suit, “Sorry, human, but I’m SHOCKED!”

Yep, you chuckle, you know a thing or two about mermaids! Number 1: they eat FISH! Number 2… Well okay, you know a thing.

“Well yes, we do eat fish!” Guppy explains as the rest of the crowd giggles, “We eat them to eventually feed THE DEEP MOTHER with their energy! Can’t let it go to waste, can we?”

As if on cue, another TENTACLE emerges from the waterfalls and snags what amounts to a handful of mermaids! Retreating to its source with prey in tow, your conversation is interrupted by a series of loud crunches and smacks! Eeesh…

“... Just like that! Don’t worry about me, though--I’ll be able to stay around until at least a few minutes after your trial!” Guppy adds with a wink! “THE DEEP MOTHER promised she wouldn’t eat me until after! Nifty, huh?”

“Dese’ gals are messed up…” Ly mutters, earning a nod from you.

“In any case, that’s extremely generous of you, human! If Mother spares you, she’d love to try this ‘Lug Weegh’ of yours! Don’t worry--we’ll track you down later!”

“Does that mean we’re free?” Art asks, eyes cemented on the red cloud drifting from the base of the falls. Guppy shakes her head.

“Nope, but don’t worry--it’ll be over soon!”

ONE MORE THING, you interject! If she was in your position, how would she have answered that fish question? The fish girl responds by giving you a sly look.
“Dohoho~, you wouldn’t happen to be trying to TELL MOTHER WHAT SHE WANTS TO HEAR, would you? That would be VERY dishonest indeed!”

No, you stammer as a drool-covered rib floats past your platform, you’re just uh… It’s a hypodermic question!

“Hypothetical.” Syb adds helpfully.

“In that case, we would have said the same thing you did!” Guppy announces with a toothy grin! “Time for the next question! Ready? QUESTION 3: WHY DID YOU CLIMB THROUGH THE BARRICADE LEADING TO OUR CAVES?”

D’OH! You KNEW this would come up! Turning to your pals, you find all of their eyes watching you expectantly! Damn it, what’s the point of running a gang when you have to do all the hard stuff?!

>ERR, IT WAS OPEN!
>IT WASN’T MARKED!
>YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THE BATHROOM!
>ART PRESSURED YOU INTO IT!
>STAY SILENT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984615
>YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THE BATHROOM!
Mermaids ALSO pee in water! Checkmate!

>>4984615
>>YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THE BATHROOM!

>>4984619
>>4984624
>BATHROOM!

Writing!

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Wasn’t it obvious? You were looking for the BATHROOM! Perplexed at your answer, the chamber quickly fills with hushed chatter among the spectators.

“Th-the bathroom?” Guppy asks while the creature behind the falls remains silent.

DUH! They’ve clearly been upstairs before--did they see a sign up there that said ‘RESTROOM?’ Your questioner stares at you as if it will make you drop the subject. It doesn’t. Folding your arms across your chest, you lean in even closer! How the hell are you supposed to be blamed if there’s no proper directions to the nearest restroom? Art almost peed his pants!

The security guard sends a scowl your way before seeing where you’re going. “No I did-err, yea, actually! It was quite the emergency.”

SEE?! You ask, giving Guppy an incredulous look! They really need to work on things if they don’t want people coming down here--if they think this is bad, just wait until TOURIST SEASON-

“You’re absolutely right, human!” Guppy interrupts with renewed cheer in her voice! “If we had done a better job, all of you humans would have never stumbled down here!” A series of gurgles and groans emerges from behind the waterfall prompting the fish girl to nod in thought. “Yes.... Mother is right--this is a much better way than hunting at the beaches…”

“Come again?” Mitzi interjects, planting her hands on her hips angrily.

“Nothing! Nothing!” Guppy fires back! “In any case, was there anything else you wanted to add, Mother?”

A gutteral clicking noise reverberates around the cavern walls sending a chill down your bones. Nodding in agreement, the mermaid claps her claws together eagerly!

“All done! Mother is ready to make her decision, but she asks if YOU have any final statements to make!”

All eyes fall on you. Dang it, you were never really good at speeches! Clearing your throat, you whip up a quick list in your mind of possible closing statements. The question is, which one is best?

>YOU’RE GONNA REGRET THIS, FISH!
>WE’RE DOING THIS FOR EVERYONE!
>YOU’LL HAVE TO CATCH ME FIRST, FREAKS! (RUN FOR IT)
>ANY CHANCE YOU CAN EAT (INSERT PAL HERE) FIRST?
>STAY SILENT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984770
>WE’RE DOING THIS FOR EVERYONE!
Ya think they are just gonna stop at land? They have two boss men working the oceans! Tim wants it all!

>>4984770

>WE’RE DOING THIS FOR EVERYONE!

>>4984773
>>4984789
>WE'RE DOING THIS FOR EVERYONE!
WRITING!

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Clearing your throat, you step forward a bit not to address Guppy, but the horrible creature dwelling behind the falls. You can kinda see where this is going, but you wouldn’t be a protagonist if you didn’t give a rallying speech every now and then!

“Oh no...” Ly mutters under his breath.

Oh YES! So listen up, Mom, because you’ve got a newsflash fresh off the news… Trees: does she really think the skeletons are gonna just leave her alone? More to the point, does she think those boneheads are gonna TASTE good!?

THE DEEP MOTHER gurgles a response. You see Guppy move to speak, but you cut her off--it’s YOUR turn, dang it! They may think they’re safe all the way down here, but look what’s happening now! YOU found this place and so did those boneheads--they aren’t going to call it quits just because a few guys went missing! Hell, they’ve got two people working the ocean, and one of them is apparently from Atlanta or something--point is, these skeletons aren’t messing around!

The whole chamber is silent save for your ranti-err, speech. Making a wide gesture to your listeners, you prepare to take things home: she may eat today, yes, but who can say what tomorrow brings? Or the day after that? Or the day after that? Or the day aft-

“Leapin’ lampreys, what a speech!” Guppy exclaims, rudely cutting you off! “Very nice job, human--let’s see what Mother has decided!”

You give Gus a fist-bump as you return to your spot in the middle of the platform. That oughta do ‘er! In response to your speech, the terror behind the falls fills the chamber with a low roar that sends ripples across the lake! Giving her master an understanding nod, Guppy turns to you with a cheerful, albeit still very toothy, smile!

“You’re something else, human--Mother can see that you glow with a powerful inner strength!”

You snort--was there ever any doubt?

“In honor of that, Mother has made her decision!” Guppy continues, clapping her claws together excitedly! “You will DEFINITELY be the first one eaten! Congratulations!”

D’OH!

>CONTD.

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>>4984845
A pit forms in your stomach and the color drains from your face as the mermaids around you erupt into cheers! Flabbergasted, Art cautiously raises his hand in the air.

“Erm, question--didn’t you say this was a trial to determine guilt? As weird as it feels to say it, I think Stan did a decent job of defending her actions…”

Thanks, Ar-HEY!

The mermaid shakes her head back and forth like a bobblehead! “Oh no-no-NO! Mother already knew you were guilty--we happen to have a very strict ‘All Visitors Are Eaten’ rule, that’s all! She just wanted to determine HOW guilty you are!”

“How the heck does THAT change things?!” Mitzi shouts as her hand hovers over that SCIENCEY GUN you gave her!

“Well if you were REALLY guilty you’d sit in the dungeon for a few days!” Guppy explains in a teacher’s voice. “You know… Just for enough time to think about your actions. You’re lucky though: you get to be eaten SOON! Ohhh, I’m so jealous!”

These guys are nuts. Absolutely NUTS.

“Mother will eat the skeletons too, of course, but she just can’t pass up on some good WILD MAGIC when she smells it! Mmm! Tasty!”

Before you can protest, you feel something tugging your platform lower into the water--the lake water slowly lapping at your feet. At the same time, the guards and mermaids draw their STORM STICKS and point the tips at the water.

“Well then, we’d best get you prepared--don’t want to get to the DUNGEONS only to have to come back immediately, right?” Guppy giggles, retrieving her own STORM STICK. “You’ll come quietly, right? It’s such a pain dragging unconscious humans over there!”

What say you?
>... *DIVE INTO THE WATER AND START SWIMMING!*
>SHOUT FOR TALBOT! HERE BOY!
>FIGHT YOUR WAY OUT! SOMEHOW!
>COOPERATE. YOU’LL MAKE A PLAN ONCE YOU’RE IN THE DUNGEON.
>ONE MORE QUESTION! (WRITE-IN!)
>WRITE-IN!

>>4984846
That's all for this evening, folks--regardless of what happens I think I'm a bit too sleepy to write it tonight! Should be ready for more MONDAY AROUND 11-12PM PST! Hope to see you then!

>>4984846
>COOPERATE. YOU’LL MAKE A PLAN ONCE YOU’RE IN THE DUNGEON.
I guess we gotta see what we can whip up from our bag of tricks to get outta here.

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>>4984846
>>COOPERATE. YOU’LL MAKE A PLAN ONCE YOU’RE IN THE DUNGEON.

AAAAAAAAHHHHH CRAPPPPP I HOPE TALBOT HAS SUPER HEARING

...I'm completely in favor of destroying their magic coral now.

>>4984846
>COOPERATE. YOU’LL MAKE A PLAN ONCE YOU’RE IN THE DUNGEON.
>>4984941
Let's not forget stealing their healing pearl and whatever else we think is useful

>>4984867
>>4984874
>>4984979
>COOPERATE!

>>4984941
Who knows? You might get your chance!

Writing!

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As the figurative ‘walls’ close in around your rapidly-worsening situation, you look around the chamber and your teammates one more time before making your decision known with a resigned sigh--fine, you groan, but let the record show that this crap is FAR from over!

“Awwww, I wanted to zap you…” Grumbles one of the guards as you feel the platform rise to the water’s surface again. Time enough for that, you grunt.

“S-so what… We’re just going to be stuffed into a cell until snack time? Like leftovers?!” Eddie sputters, glaring at you in disbelief! “Come on, Stan--we can take ‘em!”

“No,” Syb replies in a measured tone, “We can’t. Not now, anyways…”

Relax, you add, this is all part of the PLAN! Giving your doubtful pals a knowing wink, your balance is challenged as the water below your ‘raft’ shifts and flows downwards! Like a leaf in a rain gutter, the platform glides towards a newly-unflooded tunnel!

“Next stop: JAIL!” Guppy giggles. “Please keep your arms and fins inside the vehicle at all times!”

The guards and a few other mermaid stowaways enforce the rule by keeping their STORM STICKS trained on your team. Standing like statues, Art shoots you a sideways look.

“Just wanna say, Stan: it’s really cool of you to take one for the team and get eaten first.”

Shut it, nerd!

The rest of the raft ride continues in silence save for the sound of water lapping at your heels and rushing down the tunnel. For a moment you consider punching a few holes with your LASER EYE, but then you remember you’re underwater--you don’t want your clothes getting wet again!

>CONTD.

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>>4985470
Just when the trip starts turning into a blur, you’re jerked from your daydreaming by your raft… rising?!

Emerging from the tunnel, you and the rest of the passengers brace yourselves as the passage floods once more. As a side effect, the platform rises upwards through a pipe of dizzying proportions lit only by a scant few crystals embedded in the metal!

“Pretty neat, right?” Guppy asks, gesturing at the walls. “Not even a mermaid can hold their breath long enough to escape through here, and believe me--they’ve tried!”

The guards share a knowing laugh as your raft approaches a landing up above. Reaching the top of the pipe, your ride continues a bit further into what you assume to be the prison proper: smooth, yet solid stone walls box you in while a network of pipes litter the ceiling above! Now that you think about it-

“Don’t think about it! Those are full of water--try to creep through and you’ll be a bloated mess before dinner! Yuck!”

“Okay, gotta ask: why do you know so much about this prison?” Mitzi asks your guide, whose eyes light up at the question.

“I thought you’d never ask! Y’see, when a prisoner tries to escape, they send mermaids like me to hunt them down!” She explains excitedly. “Most escapees die here, but if they get out, well… I get to find them!”

“... And bring them back, huh?” Gus asks, raising an eyebrow her way. The mermaid responds with a giggle.

“Nope! Just their bodies! Mother hates when people run, so I have to rough ‘em up a bit first so they learn their lesson!” A sheepish look forms on the fish girl’s face. “Buuut I’m still pretty lousy at the whole ‘keeping them alive’ thing. It’s a lot of fun, though! Heeeey, you guys should try to escape! Then I could see you again before you return to Mother!”

“That’s alright, but thanks for the offer.” Mitzi shrugs, causing the mermaid to pout. As if on cue, your ride finally reaches what appears to be a docking area crowded with dozens of staff-wielding guards!

“Here we are!” Guppy chirps, gesturing to your welcoming committee! “My sisters will take your baggage and direct you to your rooms! Sorry, but we’ve only got SINGLE SUITES!”

“Wait, so you’re splitting us up?” Art asks, shooting an uncertain glance towards Syb.

“Yep!” Guppy grins. “Can’t have all the humans in one cell block--wouldn’t want you all to plan, right?”

“No,” Sybil grumbles, “That wouldn’t be fair at all.”

“See? You get it!” the mermaid laughs! Before you can protest, the guards swarm your platform! Despite all the confusion, you spot ONE of your pals being dragged in the same direction as you:

>ART
>SYB
>MITZI
>TUCKER
>EDDIE
>KIKI
>GUS

>>4985471
>SYB
With her Magic, and our.... Much less predictable magic. We'll have this in the bag. A mermaid might not be able to hold their breath long enough, BUT A FISH CAN! Hold... Their... breath...

>>4985471
>SYB
Let's plan some magic cheese.

>>4985476
>>4985484
>MAKIN' MAGIC!

WRITING!

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“Get your claws off me! I can walk!” A part of you is relieved when you see your Goth pal being marched in the same direction as you, but not everyone’s pleased as punch…

“Are you kidding me?! You’re taking them together!?” Art shouts as he and Mitzi are taken the other way.

“Keep it up, Artie, and I’ll sell you for a cigarette or two.” Mitzi growls. Before anyone else can protest, you and Syb are ushered down a maze of rough-cut hallways and cells carved directly into the cavern walls--the later stuffed with haggard-looking mermaids. Sensing a spectacle, your new jailmates reach through the bars in an attempt to grasp at you, but their attempts are cut short by a few pokes from the guard’s staves!

“OH BOY, PAIN!”
“ZAP ME! ZAP ME!”

Despite the inmate’s requests, the guards don’t stop for anything. As a fork in the corridor approaches, Sybil shoots you a sideways glance.

“Stan, you don’t happen to have my DOLL, do you?”

Shrugging off a guard’s shove, you nod--that creepy one, right? You think you have it around somewh-

“Quit talking!” Commands one of your escorts as she smacks the back of your head with her staff! As you and your pal are taken down separate paths, however, you linger just long enough to see Syb give you a mischievous grin. That should be a good sign, right?

Passing through a series of raised stone gates, you grimace as your path is covered in ankle-deep brackish water! Soaking your shoes, you’re finally directed to what appears to be some kind of office filled with several tall CRYSTALS and walls lined withSTAFF RACKS. You can even see a few LEVERS on a nearby table, but your investigation is cut short by another love tap to the back of your head! Are they TRYING to give you brain problems?!

“Place your belongings in the BASKET, human, and don’t even think of hiding anything!” Commands one of your tour guides as she points her staff towards a nearby receptacle. Sloshing over through ankle-deep water, you send an uncertain glance in the direction of your captors--can you at least keep your CLOTHES?

“FINE! Just hurry up!” Snaps a guard as she smacks the ground with her stick a few times! “We’ve got deadlines to keep, human!”

In that case…
>DEPOSIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR INVENTORY!
>DROP EVERYTHING BUT SYB’S DOLL!
>DROP IT ALL EXCEPT FOR YOUR MOP!
>REMOVE EVERYTHING BUT YOUR SNEAKY BOX!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4985532
>DEPOSIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR INVENTORY!
I think I know what Syb's planning.

>>4985532
>DEPOSIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR INVENTORY!

>>4985532
>>DEPOSIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR INVENTORY!

>>4985532
>>DEPOSIT EVERYTHING IN YOUR INVENTORY

>>4985562
>>4985566

Oh crap. 4chan voted twice again.

>>4985538
>>4985543
>>4985562
>DROP IT ALL!

WRITING!

>>4985572
Now you've done it, you freak shit: I've already notified Chan Police: /qst/ Division.

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>>4985590

Too late-- they got me! I'm writing this from my cell right now, and I have not been given bail. Press F to pay a "samefagger" some respeccs.

real scoop: actually was a captcha glitch

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You’ve known Syb for far too long to not suspect something from that smug look she gave you, and her mention of that creepy doll she used to talk and move through connects a few frayed wires inside your head. Ordinarily you’d try to hang on to a thing or two, but you opt to be a ‘Good Girl’ this time around--after all, you’ve got a few tricks up your sleeve even without the mountain of items shuffling around in your pockets!

It takes a few minutes, but with enough time and another bin helpfully provided by one of your guards, you manage to empty your inventory of everything! Finished, you give your captors a ‘ta-da’ gesture as they look on in mixed admiration and horror.

“Erm… Th-that will do, human!” Mutters one of the guards. “This way now--time to get you moved in!”

You look at the bins one last time, focusing for a moment on the ratty-looking doll with purple highlights in its hair. Yes, you muse to yourself, that will do just fine!

“Somethin’ tells me we ain’t stayin’ long.” Ly adds, punctuating his sentence with a menacing chuckle. You allow yourself a wry smirk as well as the guardmaids direct you towards your new abode.

And what an abode it IS! Situated at the end of a few scenic waterlogged corridors past several frightening-looking neighbors, your trip comes to a close in front of a flooded cell barely big enough for a person, much less someone of your importance! Yanking the barred door open, your guards gently coax you in by jabbing your back with their staves! Say what you will about the pain--electric shock is one hell of a motivator!

Splashing into your new home, you frown at the layer of water lapping at your knees as you get settled in--how the heck are you supposed to sleep in here?!

“You AREN’T!” Sneers one of the guards as she slams your door shut! “Don’t worry, human--we’ll be back later for your ’RECREATION’ SESSION!

Leaning against the wall, you direct your scowl at your welcoming committee. What’s that supposed to mean? All you get in response is a series of giggles. “You’ll see! PERIWINKLE, you’ll be collected soon too!”

It takes you a minute to realize they’re talking to the inmate in the adjacent cell. Before you can question your captors any further, they’re already slithering down the hall! Letting out a resigned sigh, you glance around your flooded, barren cell and contemplate your next move--do you even have one?

>TRY TO EMPTY THE WATER!
>CHAT UP THE OTHER PRISONER!
>EXERCISE? YOU’VE GOT TIME!
>TEST THE BARS ON THE DOOR!
>TALK TO LY!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4985656
>TALK TO LY!
Get to scouting Skeleton boy, we have work to do. I wonder what that guard is talking about?

>>4985656
>TALK TO LY!

>>4985667
>>4985672
>TALK TO LY!

Writing!

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First thing’s first: peeking through the bars to make sure the coast is clear, you whisper Ly’s name a few times to get his attention. Is he there!?

“Never left, cupcake.” Your skeleton mutters. “And while we’re on da’ subject, what da’ heck are we gonna do now!?”

What does he think? Snapping your fingers a few times, you motion for him to get searchin’--the sooner you get the lay of the land, the faster you’re out of this hellhole! Ly groans in protest from the safe confines of your flesh.

“You kiddin’ me?! How many times do I gotta’ tell ya’?! There’s some kinda whinin’ out there an’ it hurts!”

Gee, you can totally relate! Speaking of pain, does he know what hurts more than some made-up noise? GETTING EATEN! Ly counters with an angry sigh!

“Cripes, fine! Just don’t get mad when yer’ head explodes like in dat’ one movie!”

If he spent as much effort in doing what you asked as he did complaining, you’d be back on the surface by now! Angrily tapping your foot on the flooded floor of your cell, you snap your fingers a few times to get Ly moving--your shoes are gonna be ruined at this rate!

With an irritated ‘yeah, yeah…’ Ly emerges from your body in his eerily-glowing ASTRAL PROJECTION FORM! Like the diva he is, your skeleton immediately grits his teeth and clutches the side of his skull! Oh boy, you sigh, here we go again…

“Yer’ sympathy is touching.” Ly spits as he glances around the cell. “I’m tellin’ ya, Stan--dis’ place an’ magic don’t go well together! You think it’s dat DEEP MOTHER or somethin’?”

You think that it won’t matter much when she has you for DINNER! Hurry up and scout!

If Ly has more to say, he doesn’t say it. Disappearing into the walls, he leaves you to muck about in your cell for a while before rushing back into your skin! Well?

“I’m fine, thanks fer’ askin’.” Ly reports with only a smidge of sarcasm. “Standard prison setup, Stan--we’ve got plenty of guards, even more inmates, an’ no sign of Syb--guess dat’ was on purpose.”

You frown at that last bit. Does he think they knew who she was? Ly borrows your shoulders to shrug. “Call me paranoid, but dat’ SECURITY STATION’S just outta my reach too--if they do know about our magic tricks, they’re bein’ just da’ right amount a’ subtle about it!”

Not eager to entertain that possibility, you ask Ly if he picked up anything else!

“Well,” he mutters, “It might just be me, but I thought I saw some BONES under da’ water in here… Looked piratey.”

Well that’s something. What’s next?

>FIND THE BONES!
>CHAT WITH THE PRISONER!
>TELL LY TO POSSESS SOMEONE!
>TEST THE BARS ON THE DOOR!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4985902
>>TEST THE BARS ON THE DOOR!

>>4985902
>CHAT WITH THE PRISONER!

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>>4986067
>>4985902

Changing to this to get things moving.

>>4985471
>Not even a mermaid can hold their breath long enough to escape through here

Remember when we threw that unconscious mermaid back into the water?
>tfw we're cold-blooded killers

>>4986067
>>4986078
>CHAT WITH THE PRISONER!

WRITING!

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>>4986078
Tunes related: https://youtu.be/Ag1o3koTLWM

Before you start messing around with anything else, you might as well get to know the person next to you, right? Giving the wall a few raps with your fist, you ask if anyone’s home!

“Well hi there! Yep, PERIWINKLE’S here!” A cheerful voice to your right reports! “You can just call me ’PERI’, though!”

Peri, huh? You’re Stan!

“Pleased to meetcha’! Kind of!” Peri giggles. “I heard you talking to yourself--do you have an imaginary friend or something?”

You respond with a shrug, then remember that you can’t see each other. Yep, you mutter, you tend to talk to yourself!

“That’s okay! We all do different things to keep sane, right? Especially in here!”

She can say that again… How long has she been in here, anyways? The voice pauses as if it were counting out the time on its fingers. “Hm… A few days now, probably! Easy to lose track! Guess that makes me a veteran prisoner, huh?”

“Considerin’ da’ turnover and da’ punishments, I guess it does.” Ly remarks, earning a nod from you. Yea, she must know a lot!

“I suppose! Hey Stan--you wanna chat with me before I get picked up by the guards?”

Sure, you reply! Do you have time for that?

“They should come back soon, but we can probably talk about THREE things!”

The question is, you mutter to yourself, what do you DISCUSS?

>HAS SHE SEEN SKELETONS AROUND HERE?
>ANY ESCAPE PLANS?
>WHAT’S SHE IN FOR, ANYWAYS?
>WHAT THIS ‘RECREATION’ THING?
>HOW HAS SHE NOT BEEN PUNISHED YET?
>WHAT DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT THE DEEP MOTHER?
>WRITE-IN!

>>4986218
>WHAT THIS ‘RECREATION’ THING?

>>4986218
>>WHAT’S SHE IN FOR, ANYWAYS?
>>WHAT THIS ‘RECREATION’ THING?
>ANY ESCAPE PLANS?

"Hypothetical" escape plans.

>>4986224
>>4986240
>RECREATION, ESCAPE, AND WHAT SHE'S IN FOR!

Writing! This might be the last update of the evening, but we'll see!

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Something about that ’Recreation’ talk rubbed you the wrong way, so you start with that: what exactly does that entail? Even though you can’t see her face, you can practically taste the excitement in PERI’S voice!

“Oh, you’re gonna LOVE it! It’s really how everyone blows off steam down here--prisoners, guards, everyone!”

Sounds magical, you remark, but what the hell is it? If they think they can make you do CHIN-UPS then they can think again!

“It’s even better than that!” Peri gushes! “First they take you out of your cell, right? Then they take you to to THE YARD! It sounds like it’s outside, but it isn’t--it’s just a big area for prisoners to run around in!”

You knew there’d be running involved. DAMN IT!

“Oh yea, there’s some running!” Explains the mermaid! “They give you a few seconds as a head start, then the guards all gang up and start zapping you! If you’re lucky they do it until you pass out!”

You know she can’t see you, but you blink anyways. Come again?

“Yep--it’s a blast! You can even attack some of the other inmates too, if you’re lucky--I stole a stick off of a guard once… Let’s just say they won’t be poking me again anytime soon! Or anyone, for that matter!”

“Oh good, dis’ one is kooky too.” Ly remarks. Ignoring him, you ask your new friend how often this happens.

“Oh, hard to tell when there’s no clocks! Lots, from what I’ve seen--apparently it makes Mother’s food more tender!”

You slump a little lower down the wall of your cell. Sounds great.

“Words don’t do it any justice, trust me!” The mermaid says with a laugh! “Just don’t get ganged-up on--don’t wanna pass out too early!”

Yep, you sigh, you wouldn’t want that…

>CONTD.

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>>4986462
Now that you think about it, you’d rather not deal with that at all! That said, if you could somehow use this RECREATION TIME to your advantage…

“Say, you talkin’ to yourself again, Stan?” PERI asks. Quickly changing the subject, you ask the fish girl if, hypothermically-speaking, she had ever considered escaping.

“You’ll get it some day, cupcake.” Ly mutters.

“Escape?” PERI asks in a tone way too loud for quiet conversation, “Of course! They’re gonna feed me to Mother eventually, but I have sooo many important things to do before that! Hey--maybe you can help me!”

Focus, fishy--if she was gonna escape, how would she do it?

“Well the tunnels back to the PALACE are a no-go, trust me!” She explains. “They were designed for tricky folks, y’see--escapees think they can leave through the MAINTENANCE TUNNELS and such, but that’s how they get ya!”

“Dat’ is our usual M.O, Stan.” Ly adds, earning a nod from you as well. Is she seriously saying that the vents aren’t the best option?! It’s always worked for you!

“They’re too long, Stan! I’ve talked about it with other inmates before--if you don’t drown, you’ll cook--the water in there is way too hot!”

So the subtle routes are a no-go, gotcha. What’s the best way out, then?

“If it were me, I’d just start a RIOT and head out the front!” Explains your fellow inmate. “The entrance is submerged, but if you can swim back to the rest of FLOTSAM…”

And what if you can’t swim that far? You growl!

“Well it’s easy for a mermaid! No idea how a human would do it!” PERI muses! “Maybe you could find a BUBBLE or something! There’s a DEPOT near the entrance that guards use!”

A grin creeps across your face. When she puts it like that, it sounds pretty easy!

“Well I guess there’s also the SECURITY GATES, DEAD ENDS, AND FLOOD CONTROLS... Aside from those and the angry guards, yea--it’s pretty simple!”

An uncomfortable silence forms between you two as you mull the idea over in your head. A riot, huh?

“Hey, I just had an idea--if you plan on breaking out, would you mind freeing me too?”

That depends!

>CONTD.

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>>4986465
You’re not 100% certain, but you’re pretty sure it’s considered impolite to not ask an inmate what they’re in for! In the interest of politeness, you extend the question to your neighbor! What’s she in here for anyways--Mom Food?

“Hahaha, close! You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, though!”

You respond with a friendly chuckle--guess you won’t know until she tells you, then!

“Well okay!” PERI relents. “I actually used to be one of Mother’s guards, if you can believe it! My job was to make sure her food didn’t run away!”

You nod--kinda like your old pal GUPPY, then.

“Sure! Anyways, I was bringing someone to the palace one day when out of the blue came an idea!”

You press your face closer to the dividing wall. Idea?

“Mhm! There I was escorting a mermaid to Mother knowing full well that maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but some day I’D be eaten too! That’s just how it is down here when Mother doesn’t have anything else to snack on!”

Kinda morbid, you grunt, but you kinda get it. So what happened?

“Well it got me thinkin’: Mother’s strong, beautiful, and smart, right?” The mermaid asks in earnest.

You’ll uh… You’ll take her word for it.

“It just doesn’t sound fair, does it? I wanted to be strong, beautiful, and smart too! So I did the only logical thing!”

A tiny, panicked voice in your head tells you not to ask, but you do it anyway: what ‘logical thing’ was that?

“Why, I ate my captive, of course!” PERI explains as if she was telling you 1 plus 1 equals 2! “Skin, organs, bones--all of it! It was weird at first, but once she stopped moving it was actually kinda tasty!”

The mermaid takes you stunned silence as an excuse to continue.

“I felt really strong after that! And why shouldn’t I? I had just proved that I was better than her, after all, and I did it all on my own! Why should Mother get all the meat when I’M the one doing all the work?”

You uh… That’s erm-

“I felt even better the next few times! Sometimes the meat fought back! Sometimes the meat told me how good the pain felt! One time some meat even stuck a claw in my eye--it felt like my whole body was being tickled by bubbles! I could finally see why Mother liked eating so much!”

PERI pauses to laugh at some joke you’re clearly not getting, then continues in a whimsical tone. “Eventually some guards told me I was doing something bad, so I ate them too. Long story short, Stan, here I am!”

>CONTD.

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>>4986468
If that’s the case, you stammer, why the heck is she still alive? You can’t see it, but you’re pretty sure the mermaid shrugs.

“Maybe I am becoming like Mother and the sea is on my side now! Or maybe they think feeding me to Mother would end my suffering too quickly! Anyways, that’s why I need to escape, Stan--I still have more meat to find if I’m going to become like Mother!”

The prisoner pauses to sniff the muggy air a few times. “Say… You’re a human, right, Stan?”

You uh… You’re not sure where she got that impression fro-

“Yep! I can smell it! I’ve got your SCENT now! Maybe I’ve been doing things wrong, huh?”

Another uncomfortable pause worms its way into the conversation.

“Maybe…” PERI thinks out loud, “Maybe I just need to eat some humans! What do you think?”

You don’t bother responding--something tells you this conversation has run its course. As if on cue, a group of five guards arrives from down the hallway approaching your new pal’s cell.

“PERI! time for your RECREATION!” One shouts while the others train their staves on the door next to yours. “Say goodbye to your new friend, okay?”

“You bet~!” PERI giggles! A few noisy clangs later, a mermaid rippling with muscles and scars emerges bigger than the guard you met at the casino! Peering down at you with her one remaining eye, your new pal gives you a mischievous wink!

“Goodbye, Stan--I’ll come find you later, okay? Maybe during RECREATION!”

As she’s ushered down the hall, you take a few moments to collect yourself before pondering your next move.

Why can’t you ever meet normal people?

>FIND THE BONES IN YOUR CELL!
>TELL LY TO POSSESS SOMEONE!
>TEST THE BARS ON THE DOOR!
>WAIT FOR RECREATION TIME!
>WRITE-IN!

Aaaaand that's all for this evening! I'll check back in TUESDAY around 11-12PM PST! Thanks as always for playing along and hope to see you again next time! Otherwise I wish you a good beginning to your week!

>>4986471

>>4986471
>FIND THE BONES IN YOUR CELL!

>>4986471
>>4986492
>>FIND THE BONES IN YOUR CELL!

Meant to vote this

>>4986471
>FIND THE BONES IN YOUR CELL!

>>4986552
>>4986560
>>4986640
>THE BOOOOONESSS

We're startin' a tad earlier today! Writing!

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Taking Ly’s advice, you begin the unenviable task of rooting around in the tepid water lapping at your knees. It’s not the worst mess you’ve had to deal with before, but it’s definitely up there on the FUNKY SCALE! BLEEEH!

“Pretty sure they were near dat’ corner over there.” Ly suggests, causing you to shift your investigation a bit. After a few false alarms where you grabbed your own feet, your gloved hands finally clasp the unmistakable stiff surface of a skull! Delighted, you pull your prize out of the water only to have it LEAP AT YOUR FACE! Stumbling backwards into the muck, you avoid the skull’s gnashing teeth as it tumbles back into the water! Undeterred, the skeleton piece continues its onslaught and chomps towards you like a vicious clam, its mouth bubbling with words you can’t quite make out!

Snatching it up once more, you get a better look at your assailant, or at least what’s left of him! With one eye socket covered by a worn leather patch, a handful of gold teeth, and a roguishly-waxed mustache, there’s no doubt in your mind that this guy was a PIRATE!

“EES a pirate, you overgrown ‘amster! Let eet’ be known zat you died at zee ‘ands of ANDRE ZE’ BUTCHER!”

Keeping the head at bay, you give your cellmate a frown--great, another German!

“Err, wasn’t dat’ Marquis guy’s brother named Andre?” Ly asks, sending a few gears spinning in your head. “M-maybe we oughta mention that?”

Maybe, you grumble, but this guy’s gotta cool down first! The question is, how do you make that happen?

>TELL HIM HIS BROTHER SENT YOU!
>DUNK HIM IN THE WATER A FEW MORE TIMES!
>INTIMIDATE HIM BY TELLING HIM WHO YOU ARE!
>ASK HIM WHAT HIS DEAL IS!
>TELL HIM TO COOL IT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4987054
>TELL HIM HIS BROTHER SENT YOU!

>>4987054
>TELL HIM HIS BROTHER SENT YOU!

>>4987054
>>TELL HIM HIS BROTHER SENT YOU!

>>4987056
>>4987057
>>4987089
>MENTION THE BRO!

Not sure what I expected... Writing!

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As satisfying as it would be to dunk this kooky corsair a few times, Ly’s well-timed remainder saves your new pal from taking a drink or two! Keeping the skull as far away as your noodly arms can take him, you politely inform your cellmate that you were sent by his BROTHER-- pretty sure his name was MARKIE or something! Hearing what you hope are the right words, the pirate stops thrashing in your grasp for a moment to scowl at you!

“My brother? ‘Ow in blazes do you know I ‘ave a BROTHER?!”

You don’t have time to share a link to the last thread, so instead you inform Andre that you met his brother at the COLLEGE when he tried to kill you in a contrived SEA MUTANT battle!

“Yes… Yes, zat DOES sound like Jean…” The skull muses to himself. “... I suppose zat’ means you killed him, non?”

He’s not gonna believe it, but non--you spared the guy! Took a lot of willpower too--say, if you could do that, maybe you could start going to the gym! Hearing the good news, Andre responds by trying once more to bite off your fingers! Wait, WHA?!

“‘ELL’S BELLS! I ‘ATE MY BROTHER!”

You frown--no, you’re pretty sure he didn’t. That would have made your conversation much harder-

“‘Zat slimy dog sends you to kill me and doesn’t ‘ave ze decency to die ‘imself!?! ‘Zat is so classic ’IM!”

You shrug. You wouldn’t know--you and your brother got along pretty well before he cut all contact with you!

Damn it, now you’re getting sad again!

“Eef ‘e really did send you,” Andre continues in a more measured tone, “‘Ow can you prove ‘eet?”

Well you had an extremely convenient LETTER WRITTEN ON A MENU, but that’s currently sitting in a basket at one of the SECURITY CHECKPOINTS, so he’s just gonna have to trust you on this one! Searching your face for any hint of a lie, the skull lets out a resigned sigh.

“So be eet… I over’eard your conversation wit’ zee lunateec next door--you wish to escape, no?”

You nod--you’re not sure you’re up for some sort of Gaol Quest...

“Zen’ for zee moment we are mates.” The pirate states. “Tell me--what’s zee plan?”

Hold on for a moment, buddy--you’ll ask the questions around here! What’s the first step?

>SCREW QUESTIONS FOR NOW--LET’S DISCUSS AN ESCAPE!
>TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR BROTHER!
>WHAT ABOUT THAT PEARL HE WAS LOOKING FOR?
>WHAT CAN HE TELL YOU ABOUT MENDOZA?
>ARE THERE ANY OTHER SKELETONS DOWN HERE?
>HOW DID THEY GET IN HERE ANYWAYS?
>WRITE-IN!

>>4987119
>SCREW QUESTIONS FOR NOW--LET’S DISCUSS AN ESCAPE!
>>WHAT ABOUT THAT PEARL HE WAS LOOKING FOR?

>>4987137
>PEARL AND ESCAPE PLANS!

Writing!

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Before you start talking about leaving, you need some more info on why you came here in the first place! Sensing your intent, a smug grin forms on the skeleton’s face!

“Ahh… The PEARL, non? Ze Captain’s ace in ze’ ‘ole…”

Sure, you huff as you lean against the wall, that. You know it’s supposed to cure stuff, but why does his boss need it?

“‘Boss!’ PAH!” Andre spits! “Ze Captain ‘as lost all ‘is flame ever since you’ve eliminated ze others! Now he hides on ‘is new vessel an’ marches us around like toy soldiers!”

Yea, sounds like a really raw deal… But why give up being all bony? Sounds like an improvement to you, sorta!

“Aye, it ‘as eet’s uses…” The pirate agrees, clacking his gold teeth together. “Rumor ‘as eet zat ee’s afraid of being controlled and wants to be free… But ‘ow does ee know ze pearl won’t just cure ‘im into dust?! ‘Tis a fool’s errand, eet be, and we’re zee fools doing eet!”

“Cliff said somethin’ about dat’, didn’t he?” Ly muses in a concerned tone. “About still fightin’ da’ urge ta’ hunt down humans…”

You nod. In a roundabout way Mendoza’s actions kinda make sense…

“To ‘ell wit ees actions! All I know ees zat ee won’t let me back on zee ship without zat’ pearl, so ‘ere we are trapped like RATS!”

Frowning, you ask the skull if he has any bright ideas on how to get it, earning a smug, shiny grin from the pirate!

“Let’s just say eet’s all in good ‘ands! Eet doesn’t matter if I’m stuck ‘ere, though…”

You raise an intrigued eyebrow his way. So he’s got a plan.

“For ze pearl? Aye.” The skull nods. “For getting back to the ship? Aye. For getting out of zis’ rat’s nest? Not as such...”

Well, you groan, it’s better than nothing…

>CONTD.

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>>4987268
In that case, you redirect, let’s talk ESCAPES! You don’t wanna be here any more than he does!

“On zat we can agree… An’ our grand escape will be much easier wit’ more mates…” Andre thinks out loud. “I over’eard your chat wit’ zee other prisoner--if we be incitin’ a riot, I ‘ave a few mates ‘iding around zee jail… Zey’ll be ‘appy to raise ‘ell at a chance for freedom!”

Good to know, but you don’t want your pals getting killed in the crossfire either--what about a more subtle approach?

“Aye, eet could work!” Nods your new pal. “Zee water makes eet a mite ‘ard to sneak, but eet’ might be easier ‘zen fighting zee guards… Eef eet ‘elps, zee door bars are none too strong!”

You could also wait and see if Talbot or Syb try anything… Then again, they might be waiting for your move!

“Eef it gets me out, ami, I’ll do whatever you say!” The skeleton explains. “My mates an’ I will reassemble when zee powder ‘its zee flame!”

Time to get creative, then. The question is, what’s the best method here?
>SLICE YOUR CELL OPEN WITH BONE CLAWS!
>HAVE LY POSSESS A NEARBY GUARD!
>WAIT FOR RECREATION AND MOVE FROM THERE!
>GET A GUARD’S ATTENTION AND TRICK ‘EM SOMEHOW!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4987270
>WAIT FOR RECREATION AND MOVE FROM THERE!
I think Syb has her plan, what we gotta do is think about the best way to start a riot in mermaid prison. These people think being eaten by the Deep Mother is a privilege, so we gotta aim for a different angle than just pure freedom I think.

>>4987270

>WAIT FOR RECREATION AND MOVE FROM THERE!

>>4987272
>>4987295
>WAIT FOR REC!

Writing!

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No matter how you slice it, you think you’ll have the best shot once the guards come to fetch you for that RECREATION TIME your neighbor was talking about! When you add up rampant violence, plenty of weapons, and a whole gaggle of other people in your head, you get a happy face--THAT’S gonna be where you’ll make your move!

“Aye, ‘tis good a time as any!” Andre agrees, voice dripping with anticipation! “Me an’ zee mateys will wait for your signal--eef there’s nothing else, drop me into zee water again!”

You give the skull a stern look as you lower him closer to the floor--he’d better not screw you on this!

“Wouldn’t dream of eet, mon ami!” Your cellmate reassures you! “Just be sure to show zees scaly-scallywags no quarter!”

Speaking of, you hear a few of them approaching just as you unceremoniously dunk Andre back into the water! Adopting a casual pose, you give the guards an innocent grin as they approach your cell!

“Stanley, right?” One of them asks, to which you nod politely. “Good news--it’s time for some EXERCISE!

The rest of the guards train their staves on you while one of them fiddles with the door mechanism. Standing your ground, you can’t help but ask where your neighbor went--did she bite the big one?

“Not yet!” Replies one of the guards! “That urchin brain ate another guard, so we’re keeping her in the yard to tire her out a bit! Maybe you can talk some sense into her!”

You doubt it, but it doesn’t sound like you have much choice… As the door to your cell swings open, the guards motion for you to step out into the hallway. Sloshing through the water, you’re politely shoved down the hall towards what you assume to be the YARD they keep talking about. Passing by the SECURITY BOOTH you emptied your inventory into earlier, you’re almost certain you see the SYB DOLL wink at you!

“Guess she’s ready when we are, huh?” Ly asks as you’re ushered forward. “What’s da’ plan?”

>SAME PLAN--HEAD TO THE YARD!
>A SECURITY BOOTH IS RIGHT HERE--MAKE A MOVE NOW!
>PRETEND TO BE SICK! GIVE SYB AN OPENING!
>ASK IF YOU CAN QUICKLY GRAB A DOLL!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4987339
>>SAME PLAN--HEAD TO THE YARD!

If we try any fuckery now, we're screwed. We can come back for our arsenal later (I hope).

>>4987375
>TO THE YARD!

Guess we're following the plan! Writing!

File: moatarena.jpg (292 KB, 960x540)

292 KB JPG

You’re eager to get back to your lost stuff, especially ALLY THE ALLIGATOR AND CO, but there’s no use in poking the hornet’s nest just yet--you’ll have to wait for them to make the honey first!

“... Did you… Is that a human joke?” Asks one of the guards behind you. When you reply with a quick nod, she gives you a zap from her STORM STAFF for good measure! “No joking, human! Keep movin’!”

The shock didn’t knock you out, but damn if it didn’t HURT! Your eyes are still twitching by the time you’re herded in between two large portcullis’--the one ahead of you closed, the one behind you open! So, you muse aloud, this is the entrance to the YARD, ey?

“You betcha!” Replies one of the guards with pride! “This is where you’ll get all that excess energy out! Think of it like recess!”

With that, the gate behind you slams shut! Drawn by the noise, you can already hear the excited chattering of other inmates from the tunnel up ahead! Giving your captors an uncertain look, you ask them what the rules are for this ‘playtime’ of yours.

“You’ll find out!” The guards giggle, giving each other knowing glances! Cracking your knuckles, you give them all a shrug--fine by you!

“One more thing: we’ll give you a TEN SECOND HEAD START!” Explains the guard closest to you. “Don’t dawdle!”

With that, the gate separating you from the YARD rises into the ceiling with a series of creaks and groans! Even worse, the sound of approaching inmates grows even louder!

“Here’s a bet: you think they’re gonna RUSH us or AMBUSH us?” Ly asks. Trotting down the tunnel like you own the damn place, you blink your LASER EYE a few times as you confidently answer C: NONE OF THE ABOVE!

Leaving the guards behind you, a long, winding tunnel eventually deposits you into a massive, circular room caked with old spatters of scrapes, scorch marks, and copper-colored stains! Surrounding the play area is a network of massive pipes, many of which deposit brackish water into the deep moat running the perimeter of the yard! Similar to the one you entered from, several more entrances sit at the corners of the room, each leading into shadowy passages!

“Great...” Ly mutters under his breath, “They’re definitely gonna ambush us.”

And if PERI’S intel is correct, the guards will be coming after you soon, too! That means time is not on your side! You’ve got a plan to put in motion, but what’s the first step?

>CALL OUT SOME INMATES! START A FIGHT!
>ATTEMPT TO GET SOME INMATES ON YOUR SIDE!
>TRY TO FIND SOME HUMANS!
>HIDE! TURN THIS AMBUSH AROUND!
>LOOK FOR ESCAPE ROUTES!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4987519
>>TRY TO FIND SOME HUMANS!
>>HIDE! TURN THIS AMBUSH AROUND!

>>4987527
>FIND YOUR HUMANS!
>BUT DO IT STEALTHILY, I GUESS?

Let's ROLL 1d100+5 to see how successful you are in tracking people down! I'll take the BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

Rolled 63 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4987594

Rolled 83 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4987594

>>4987618
>>4987635
Feel free to roll again for this third one!

Rolled 57 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4987697

>>4987618
>>4987635
>>4987704
>HIGHEST ROLL: 88

That'll do 'er! Writing!

File: periwinkle.png (238 KB, 800x600)

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You begin by climbing up the wall into a shadowy niche situated by a few pipes--it’s not much of a hiding place, but at least it isn’t at ground level! Perch secured, you take a moment to crane your ears around the yard for any sign of life!

“If dose’ other tunnels are like ours, den’ there’s not a lotta’ places ta’ hide…” Ly remarks. He’s right--if the rest of the gang was coming in, they’d be sitting ducks right now. The guards would have to be total MORONS to put all the humans together, tho-

“AAAAAAAUUUUGH!”

Your train of thought is expertly derailed by Art’s form shooting from the tunnel across from you like a bullet! Landing in a heap in the center of the YARD, he’s quickly joined by Eddie, Mitz, and even GUS! Tucker and Kiki scamper after them followed closely by a pack of MERMAIDS! Staggering to his feet, Art rubs the dirt from his face and glares in the pack’s direction.

“Let… Let her go, freak!”

Bringing up the rear is an old acquaintance of yours--a towering mountain of sinew and scales with a spiked nautilus shell obscuring her one remaining eye wielding a STORM STICK! Your neighbor’s sudden reappearance isn’t what gets your attention, though--dangling from her other claw by a tall, buckled boot is a familiar, albeit unconscious Goth! Though she looks comatose, you can just barely make out a faint blue glow around her head!

“You guys don’t get it!” Periwinkle begins, shaking Syb around like a chew toy! “I just need to eat a teensy bit more before I can be like Mother!”

The pack of mermaids keep their distance from their bulky inmate, but you don’t have to be a FISHOLOGIST to see that they’re thinking something similar!

“That’s not how it works!” Tucker fires back as he and Kiki help the others back to their feet! “You’re making a mistake!”

“DING DING DING~! The human’s right!”

As if the situation wasn’t tense enough, about ten MERMAID GUARDS emerge from the entrance below you, each one brandishing a sparking STORM STICK! and wearing heavy chitinous armor! The lead guard spins her staff as she and Periwinkle exchange toothy grins!

“Mother’s getting tired of you, Peri, and the humans belong to US! Put her down now or you’ll wish you could be eaten!”

Your neighbor leans in closer to Syb’s unconscious body and shakes it around like a cat! “Nope, can’t fool me! I know power when I smell it--she’s no Stan, but this human will definitely taste good!”

>CONTD.

File: tension.png (5 KB, 300x168)

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>>4987832
As the groups watch each other with growing unease, your pals form a perimeter in the center of the yard, each raising their dukes for a fight!

“If ANYONE takes so much as a nibble... They can consider that their last meal!” Art growls!

“Stan… LOOK!”

Just when you feel like the tension can’t get any higher, Ly points your head in the direction of the moat. A handful of bony hands and skulls emerge from the fetid water, the former grasping blades, staves, and hooks!

A grin slowly forms on your face--circumstances aside, you couldn’t have asked for a better setup! They haven't noticed you yet, so what’s the plan?

>LIGHT PERI UP FROM AFAR!
>SCATTER THE INMATES WITH A LASER!
>BLAST THE GUARDS!
>HAVE LY POSSESS SOMEONE!
>MAKE AN ENTRANCE--YOU’VE GOT A FEW THINGS TO SAY!
>WAIT A LITTLE LONGER--LET THINGS PLAY OUT!
>WRITE-IN!

That's all for this evening, folks--back to the ole' 6-7PM PST SCHEDULE ON WEDNESDAY! Hope to see you then!

>>4987834
>MAKE AN ENTRANCE--YOU’VE GOT A FEW THINGS TO SAY!
If she wants to play King of the Ring, then we got hands to throw. Let's ratchet up the drama

>>4987834
>>MAKE AN ENTRANCE--YOU’VE GOT A FEW THINGS TO SAY!

Supporting this guy >>4987871

>>4987834
>CUT OFF PERI'S HAND WITH A LASER!

>>4987834
>MAKE AN ENTRANCE--YOU’VE GOT A FEW THINGS TO SAY!

File: mcman-wwe.gif (218 KB, 220x206)

218 KB GIF

>>4987871
>>4987878
>>4987983
>MAKE AN ENTRANCE!

>>4987915
>LASER SURGERY!

Looks like Stan's making herself KNOWN! The question is, HOW?! I've got TWO CHOICES for you guys:

>LEAP DOWN AND ADDRESS EVERYONE!
>SHOUT FROM ABOVE!
>CREEP UP FROM BEHIND NICE AND DRAMATICALLY!
>WRITE-IN!

AND we're gonna have to come up with something to say while we're at it too:

>TELL EVERYONE TO LEAVE YOUR PALS ALONE!
>ORDER THE GUARDS TO TAKE A HIKE!
>CALL PERIWINKLE OUT!
>TRY TO GET THE INMATES ON YOUR SIDE!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4988945
>LEAP DOWN AND ADDRESS EVERYONE!
>CALL PERIWINKLE OUT!
We've got some tricks up our sleeves, more tricks than a passed out goth witch can pull at least.

>>4988955
>LEAP DOWN AND CALL PERIWINKLE OUT!

Writing!

>>4988955

+1

File: fishfry.png (248 KB, 408x316)

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You think this pot’s boiled long enough! Leaving your hiding place with a MIGHTY BONEUS-FUELED LEAP, you toss a front flip in for free before landing deftly on the ground level! Before anyone can react, you quickly let loose with a snappy one-liner:

This uh…. This party’s of-FISH-ally over!

When neither the crowd nor your pals bother to clap, you take a few seconds to adopt a more heroic pose--there, that oughta do it!

“Hey, Stan.”

Not the most enthusiastic greeting you’ve ever received, but at least Gus is trying! Adjusting your hat to a more roguish angle, you take a few steps towards the gruff-looking mermaid holding Syb and jab a finger in her direction! That’s YOUR Goth, damn it! Go find your own!

“STAN!” Periwinkle exclaims, eye widening in excitement! “I was hoping you’d come to the YARD!”

She said she was hungry earlier, so you thought you’d serve her a few KNUCKLE SANDWICHES! On the HOUSE! Genuinely confused by your taunt, the mermaids nod in comprehension when you smack your fists together a few times! Licking her gore-speckled teeth, Periwinkle drops Syb’s comatose form to the ground like an empty soda can!

“Ooh, you’re the type of meat that likes to fight back, huh?” She giggles, slithering towards you while Art and Gus rush to collect Syb. “Great! I was getting tired of the same old food anyways!”

Guards, inmates, and your pals come together in beautiful camaraderie to form a circle around you and your neighbor!

“Fry ‘er up, Stan!” Art shouts!
“Yea! Show ‘em what humans can do!” Eddie adds while Kiki claps perched on his shoulders! As the mermaids crowd in closer, Mitzi pushes through with her PHONE in hand ready to take a vid!

Amidst the growing jeers from your audience, your opponent takes the opportunity to jab herself in the side a few times with her STORM STICK before twirling it in your direction! “I never tried human meat before!” She giggles, still jittering from the electric shock! “Whatever happens, I’ll cherish this memory forever!”

Spotting Andre’s SKELETON PALS lying low by the moat, you turn your attention back to your opponent.

“Watch out for dose’ guards, cupcake--” Ly warns, “Somethin’ tells me they’re just waitin’ ta’ pick up da’ scraps!”

In that case, you chuckle, you’ll just have to make this even more entertaining! A riot ain’t gonna start itself, after all!

Speaking of starts, now’s your chance to get the first move in! How do you kick things off?
>CUT TO THE CHASE: BONE CLAWS!
>FOLLOW ART’S ADVICE: BLAST HER WITH A LASER!
>BAIT PERI INTO ATTACKING YOU--MAYBE YOU CAN TRIP HER UP!
>FIRST THING’S FIRST--DISARM THIS PSYCHO!
>WRITE-IN!

Gonna call it here for tonight--got a meeting early tomorrow. Might not be able to write another update until FRIDAY AROUND 6-7 because I'll be away from my main computer, but we'll see what happens. Thanks for your patience and hope to see you next time!

>>4989098
>BAIT PERI INTO ATTACKING YOU--MAYBE YOU CAN TRIP HER UP!
From this, into a disarm. Then we Discombobulate. the laser we keep as a more hidden weapon

>>4989098
>>BAIT PERI INTO ATTACKING YOU--MAYBE YOU CAN TRIP HER UP!

>>4989124
This, best offense is a good defense

>>4989098
>CUT TO THE CHASE: BONE CLAWS!
You can't trip up a fish tail you dolts.

>>4989221

If this bitch is really top heavy and she's slithering around on her presumably-thinner tail, she'd probably be very easy to knock down if the water's not that deep. Unless, of course, that tail's a freaking tree-trunk like the rest of everything on her person.

Which brings me to my next change of topic...

>>4989098

How the hell have these mermaids been slithering around their half-land abodes without getting serious rub-wounds on their tails?

...wait.

...They like pain.

Crap.

Anyways, this is Bones Quest. We're not allowed to die, and, if those extra lives we get don't kick in, we'll switch to Boris-- the true Chad of the game!

>>4989227
>switch to Boris
That's a loss condition if I've ever seen one.

>>4989098
>FIRST THING’S FIRST--DISARM THIS PSYCHO!

>>4989221
Can't make an update right now, but just to clarify I meant more along the lines of her bungling an attack--kinda like baiting a bull. Hope that makes more sense!

>>4989227
Boris: The True Protagonist

File: mermaid.png (25 KB, 573x439)

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>>4989117
>>4989124
>TRIP HER UP AND MAKE HER FUMBLE!

>>4989221
>MAKE SUSHI!

>>4989295
>DISARM!

Hey all--not on my main computer tonight, so the best I can do is ask for some ROLLS! Going out of town this weekend too, but I'll get some actual writing in around 6-7PM PST on FRIDAY!

In the meantime, ROLL ME 1d100+5 TO MAKE PERIWINKLE STUMBLE! I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

One more thing: please WRITE IN how you plan on making her stumble too! I'll have to IMPROVISE if you don't! OOooOoOOH! SPOOKY!

>>4989227
Just realized that I've never drawn a full mermaid for you guys, so here's a quick sketch for reference. Their tails are somewhat thinner for less drag in the water, but Peri is also beefy as hell, so yea.

Thanks for your patience!

Rolled 62 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4990617

>"Look over there! It's Mother!"

Distract not one but ALL the mermaids...

Rolled 69 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4990617

Rolled 93 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4990617

>>4990629
>>4990640
>>4990655
>HIGHEST ROLL: 98!
Gonna post a quick update from my phone--get ready!

File: artworks-000230548896-o66(...).jpg (49 KB, 500x500)

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Seeing you remain still, Periwinkle takes the opportunity to coil up and leap towards you like a toned, scaly JAVELIN! While the rest of the spectators hoot and holler at the promise of impending blood, your fans watch with silent excitement knowing all too well what you're capable of by now. As your opponent sails towards you with her mouth open and several rows of serrated teeth bared, you swiftly pivot to your right and jab a finger towards the corner of the yard! Holy COW--it's THE DEEP MOTHER!

Every fish girl takes the bait hook, line, and sinker! Turning in unison, they frantically scan the direction you pointed in for signs of Mommy!

"MOTHER?! TAKE ME!"
"NO, TAKE ME FIRST!"
"I'M DONE BEING A GUARD--TAKE ME!"

Even your assailant cranes her neck mid-leap to get a look, conveniently giving you the chance to reposition yourself out of her killzone!

"Mother!? Watch--I'm gonna be just like yo-"

Interrupting with a trio of BONE CLAWS to the hand grasping her STORM STICK, you're rewarded with a splash of steamy blood across your face and the clatter of a falling staff amidst a few severed talons! Sensing something amiss, Periwinkle investigates your handiwork and licks her lips excitedly!

"Wow, Stan, you're giving me Goosebump-"

Your neighbor is cut off once more as she crashes into the guards assembled behind you, scattering them and their weapons all over the yard! As they frantically squirm to regain their foot-er... TAILING, your gang springs into action and shoves their way over to the new armaments!

"HEY, THOSE HUMANS HAVE WEAPONS!" Shouts one of the inmates excitedly! "I WANT A WEAPON!"
"ME TOO!" Pouts another one! "I WANNA EAT TOO!"

And just like that, the situation spills over like a bowl of chowder left too close to the edge of the counter! Tearing the guards off of her, Periwinkle looks your way with a menacing giggle before snatching up an unlucky inmate! While she advances on you with her newfound FISH-FLAIL, your pals form a wall around Syb's twitching body in an attempt to drive off the bloodthirsty inmates!

"AAAAR!" Shouts a guttural voice from behind you, "SHOW THEM FISH NO QUARTERRRRR!!!"

"Uh, Stan?" Ly mutters as you watch a horde of bloodthirsty skeletons emerge from the moat, "Da' PIRATES are here..."

>CONTD.

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>>4991183
"HEAD'S UP!" Before you can react, Eddie, Tucker, and Kiki each toss a STORM STICK at the approaching skeletons, skewering their targets through their ribs! Vaulting over a nearby inmate and letting her take the FISH-FLAIL strike meant for you, you hastily update your gang on the current allegiances--those pirates are on YOUR SIDE!

"Wait, wha?" Art asks, looking at you as if you just turned purple.

"'Tis true for ze time being!" As if on cue, Andre shows up and pats you on the back with a hand clutching a nasty-looking cutlass! Wait, where's his other hand?

"Everyzeeng eez in good 'ands!" The skeleton repeats with a twinkle in his eye socket! Sinking his blade into a nearby guard, the buccaneer wades into the fray with a roaring laugh leaving you to fend for yourself against your original opponent!

"Staaaaaan~" Periwinkle laughs, claw still bleeding from your handiwork, "Come on, don't keep running away!"

She's right--more guards are probably already closing in, but your new pal doesn't seem like the type to do 'rainchecks'. How do you deal with her?

>DISARM HER NEW WEAPON!
>TRY TO SEND HER INTO THE OTHERS AGAIN!
>JUST CHOP HER HEAD-ON! BONE CLAWS!
>TIME TO FRY! LASER TIME!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4991188
>DISARM HER NEW WEAPON!
I think it might be a good idea to dis-'arm' her at this point

>>4991188
>TRY TO SEND HER INTO THE OTHERS AGAIN!

>>4991183
>>DISARM HER NEW WEAPON!

>>4991193
>>4991234
>DISARM!

>>4991196
>MORE JUKING!

Back on the main rig! ROLL ME 1d100+5 TO DIS'ARM' THIS FREAKY FISH! I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

Rolled 80 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4991599

Rolled 65 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4991599

Waiting on one last roll--feel free to roll again!

Rolled 21 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4991599

>>4991603
>>4991620
>>4991665
>HIGHEST ROLL: 85!
Writing the last update of the night!

File: offishiallygross.jpg (11 KB, 183x275)

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You opt to not take chances. These strong, violent types have a nasty habit of coming back to bite you in the ass later--Nico taught you that lesson not too long ago! In the interest of cutting both Peri and your fight short, you scamper and tumble forward through a gauntlet of pouncing mermaids before leaping towards the arm currently swinging another mermaid like a pool noodle!

The guard-turned-weapon gives you an amicable wave as you sail past her towards your assailant, and while your neighbor splatters her new weapon against the floor, you take the opportunity to sink your claws into her arm!

“Ooh, that was a good one~!”

Sensing your intent, the mermaid flexes her mighty biceps and stops your claws more or less dead in their tracks! As you struggle to pull free, the mermaid pins your other arm at your side with her bloody, yet still functional other claw and lunges maw agape for your head! Oh man--you’re not ready for a haircut yet!

Just when you’re about to warm up your LASER EYE, a red and white blur charges the beast’s side and knocks the wind out of her! As you wrench free from the beast’s grasp, you turn and give Gus an appreciative nod--now that’s what you call a SPECIAL DELIVERY!

The delivery man shoots you his signature ‘quarter of a grin’ before being launched across the yard by a well-placed strike from Periwinkle’s tail!

“Okay, where were we?”

Well, you growl, you were just at the part where you finished doing THIS! Pressing your BONE CLAWS deeper into the mermaid’s arm, you fight against protesting muscle and sinew and manage to carve deep into the limb’s connective tissue! Showered with a new coat of fish blood, you wait for your opponent to writhe in pain and maybe shake you off, but all you get is a dreamy, almost satisfied look!

“Stan~,” the fish giggles lazily, “I’m feeling SO floaty right now… Like kelp in a current...”

Swaying from side to side, the inmate swats a few other mermaids and skeletons away with her tail before jerking her dangling arm around like a whip! Riding it around in the most screwed-up rodeo you’ve ever seen, you lose your footing when you and the arm bowl through a group of charging inmates! Landing into a somersault, you regain your footing just in time to see Periwinkle’s rows of teeth heading straight for you!

What’s next? She won’t be carrying any more weapons, that’s for damn sure!
>DODGE! LET HER WEAR HERSELF OUT A BIT!
>TRICK HER INTO THE OTHER MERMAIDS!
>SCREW RUNNING--FINISH THIS FREAK. DIVE IN WITH BONE CLAWS!
>BLAST HER WITH THE LASER! IT’S TIME, DANG IT!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4991717
That's all for tonight--gonna be going out of town for the weekend, but I should be back on SUNDAY-- can't entirely estimate what time!

Thanks again for playing and hope you have a great weekend! Get some rest!

>>4991717
>BLAST HER WITH THE LASER! IT’S TIME, DANG IT!

>>4991717
>>BLAST HER WITH THE LASER! IT’S TIME, DANG IT!

>>4991717
>BLAST HER WITH THE LASER! IT’S TIME, DANG IT!

Shame she tried to eat Sybil, otherwise I wouldn't be opposed to letting her join us and eat Mother's corpse as long as she promises to let all of us leave alive.

>>4991786
Stan might act erratically, but one thing is constant: DON'T FUCK WITH SYB.

>>4991745
>>4991773
>>4991786
>BLAST 'EM!

Looks like I have a little bit of time this morning before we hit the road!

ROLL ME 1d00+10 TO FRY THIS FISH! SHE'S CLOSE, SHE'S WOUNDED, IT'S ALL YOU, BABY!

I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS AS USUAL! Don't forget to call out SPECIFIC TARGETS if you have 'em!

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>4992097

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>4992097

Rolled 52 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>4992097

>>4992130
>>4992182
>>4992208
>HIGHEST ROLL: 89!

Writing!

File: laserblast.jpg (32 KB, 900x450)

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It’s a good thing you warmed up your eye a few moments earlier--standing your ground, you stare down Periwinkle’s approaching maw as you feel the tech in your new eye spark to life! Right when her rancid breath tickles your nostrils with the stale scent of blood, your eye bursts with a blast of energy that sends your attacker flying backwards into a crowd of inmates!

“Wow, did you see THA-”

The guard’s shock and awe is quite literally cut short by a skeleton pirate’s saber, and seeing one of their finest tumble to the ground like a bag of oranges, the remaining inmates scramble for the pipes! Observing their handiwork with grim laughter, the pirates get to work looting the corpses, prompting your pals to join in as well.

Just when you’re about to let out a sigh of relief, though, the YARD is rocked by the sound of grinding gears, moving gates, and an EXTREMELY obnoxious siren! The sound, that is, not another mermaid.

“Guess she did it…” Art remarks, twirling a STORM STICK in his hand. Did what?

“Secured our ticket out of here…” Turning towards the voice, you watch as Sybil slowly rises from the floor with a sleepy look on her face. Oh man, she used the DOLL, huh?

“It seemed like a good idea at the time, yes.” She replies sheepishly as the guys help her to her feet. Brushing the grime and viscera off of her sweater, the Goth briefly surveys the carnage you and the gang have wrought and smiles. “Efficient as usual.”

“Well we didn’t do it alone…” Tucker explains before gesturing to the pirates. Before Syb can react, Andre approaches with a fresh new necklace made out of MERMAID TEETH around his neck!

“Enough hemmin’ an’ hawin’--zere will be more where zat came from!”

No DUH!

>CONTD.

File: alarmcrystals.jpg (25 KB, 570x467)

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>>4992311
Still missing an arm, the pirate motions for his mateys to approach. “Look alive, bilge rats--we’re not out of zis yet. No ‘armin’ ze humans for now, aye?”

Receiving a series of disappointed ‘ayes’ in response, the pirate turns to face you and shrugs. “We’ll kill each other later--for now we must make ‘aste before more guards arrive!”

“Where to, though?” Art asks, taking a position at Syb’s side. “We’re in the middle of a prison and all of our stuff is gone!”

“The guards took everyone’s things and took them to a checkpoint near the ENTRANCE.” Syb explains. “I erm… I saw them through the crystals.”

“Is that why that alarm’s going off?” Mitzi asks, poking a nearby mermaid corpse with her new spear.

“I uh… I didn’t quite understand the controls, so I might have pressed a few things I shouldn’t have.” Syb answers sheepishly.

Before you can investigate further, a series of explosions rocks the prison! As water begins to trickle in through cracks above, all eyes fall on Syb.

“... It seems one of those brightly-colored buttons was wired to all of the cell doors. Careless. Not my fault!”

As the air fills with the sounds of a rapidly-decaying situation, you ponder your next move.
>THE FRONT SOUNDS LIKE A TRAP--LET’S FIND A BACK EXIT!
>WE NEED OUR STUFF--LET’S HEAD FOR THE FRONT!
>HOLD ON--GOTTA MAKE SURE PERI’S DEAD!
>ANDRE, WHAT ABOUT THAT DAMN PEARL!?
>WRITE-IN!

>>4992314
>>WE NEED OUR STUFF--LET’S HEAD FOR THE FRONT!
>ANDRE, WHAT ABOUT THAT DAMN PEARL!?

>>4992314
>WE NEED OUR STUFF--LET’S HEAD FOR THE FRONT!

>>4992335
>>4992368
>WE NEED OUR STUFF! FRONT IT IS!
>ANDRE, WHAT ABOUT THE PEARL?

Writing! Probably gonna be the last update of the day.

File: bloodtrail2.jpg (116 KB, 800x533)

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No time to waste, you bark, you’re heading out the FRONT like you own the damn place! No one takes your stuff and gets away with it!

As your team and new skeleton pals gear up with what little armor and staves remain, Eddie’s the first one to break the silence. “Uhh… Stan?”

Yes, Ed?

“Did uh… Did that laser blast of yours knock your pal into the MOAT? You already know what to expect, but you look anyway--extending from Peri’s landing zone is a long, bloody trail ending at the moat’s edge. Welp, that probably won’t bite you in the ass!

“Don’t worry, Stan--she’s basically sashimi at this point.” Mitzi reassures you with a slap on the back. “Now the other fish girls… They’re the ones we oughta’ be worrying about.”

“Mitz is right.” Art nods, taking a few steps ahead to scout the tunnels leading away from the YARD. “On that note, we should probably leave.”

You were getting to it! Leading the pack, you exit through the tunnel you came from, the portcullis’ both stuck in their ceiling recesses.

“It appears that smashing the control console didn’t reset anything.” Syb remarks as she runs a hand through her hair. “Lucky, that.”

As per the norm, however, your luck swiftly goes South as you continue down the hall. Wading through a sea of mutilated mermaid corpses, the tunnel ahead splits off into a fork!

The passage to the LEFT echoes with shouts, giggles, and clashing weapons.

The RIGHT passage sounds quieter, but a quick inspection reveals a steadily-rising pool of crimson-tinged water as the passage heads deeper into the facility.

“You uh… You don’t happen to remember the way out, do you?” Art asks. Nope, you shrug--what about Andre?

“I ‘ave no recollection--me ‘earties an’ I used zee pipes to make our grand entrance!”

What a bunch of morons, you growl! Can’t even provide a map of EMERGENCY EXITS!

“Pretty sure that defeats the purpose of a prison, Stan.” Art remarks.

If he’s such a smarty-pants then why doesn’t HE choose a direction, huh?

Silence.

Yea, that’s what you thought!

Where to?
>THE LEFT! THERE MIGHT BE MERMAIDS, BUT AT LEAST PEOPLE ARE ALIVE!
>THE RIGHT! WATER NEVER KILLED ANYONE!
>NOPE, HE’S NOT BACKING OUT OF THIS--ART CAN CHOOSE!
>SEND LY AHEAD--BABY HEADACHE BE DAMNED!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4992446
>SEND LY AHEAD--BABY HEADACHE BE DAMNED!

>>4992446
>SEND LY AHEAD--BABY HEADACHE BE DAMNED!

>>4992446
>SEND LY AHEAD--BABY HEADACHE BE DAMNED!

>>4992446
>SEND LY AHEAD--BABY HEADACHE BE DAMNED!

>>4992546
>>4992581
>>4993090
>>4993110
>SEND LY AHEAD!

Guess who's back? I'm gonna need a 1d100 ROLL, PLEASE--I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3!

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>4994287
Lets rrrrrrrrrrroooollll

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>4994287

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>4994287

>>4994292
>>4994302
>>4994313
>HIGHEST ROLL: 68!

That'll do'er! Writing!

File: prisoncorridors.jpg (140 KB, 1200x800)

140 KB JPG

Muttering the beginning of ‘Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo” to yourself, a sudden realization causes you to stop--you don’t have to leave anything to randomness--you’ve got a MAGICAL SKELETON to do your dirty work!

“Dat’s me--always happy ta’ be of service…” Ly replies in a tone that totally didn’t sound sarcastic! Coaxing him out with a few polite snaps of your finger, the pained look on Ly’s face gets the attention of the other MAGICAL DORK on the team!

“Stan, are you sure this is a wise idea?” Syb asks, giving Ly’s ASTRAL PROJECTION a sympathetic look. “During my return to that doll I encountered quite a bit of MAGICAL RESISTANCE-- I’ve been feeling it since we’ve arrived…”

You try your best to slap your bony chum on his noncorporeal backbone. Ly’s FINE! Dude eats MAGICAL RESISTANCE for breakfast! As you talk-up your skeletal system, your new skeletal ally raises his non-patched eyebrow at you.

“Erm… Who are we talking about?”

“Her imaginary friend.” Art explains with a resigned shrug. “You’ve probably heard all about Stan’s, uh… Quirks.”

As you open your mouth to shut Art down, you’re swiftly countered by Syb putting you into a headlock! UNCLE! UNCLE!

“Art speaks the truth--’Ly’ helps Stan make decisions, that’s all! Speaking of, are you ready to make one?”

Releasing you from the hold, Syb gives you and Andre’s mateys a hard look before backing up a bit. Yes, you huff, and your decision is for Ly to scope things out, so get to it!

“Rrngh… Back in…” Ly groans, gritting his spectral teeth, “A jiff…”

As he disappears into the walls, a group of inmates arrives from the LEFT PASSAGE to help you out!

“Hey,” shouts the ringleader, “We’re rioting! Wanna see how hard we can bite?”
“It’s pretty hard!” Chirps another inmate with her left arm gnawed off at the shoulder! “C’mere, humans!”

Figures that Ly would take his sweet time! These clowns are in a narrow hallway, though, so what’s the plan?

>YOU’VE GOT STORM STICKS--MAKE A WALL AND FEND ‘EM OFF!
>TRY TO CONVINCE THEM TO PLAY NICE!
>LASER BLAST! YOU DON’T GOT TIME FOR THIS CRAP!
>HAVE SYB BLOW ‘EM AWAY!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4994360
>>HAVE SYB BLOW ‘EM AWAY!

Save the laser for when we need it.

>>4994394
>LEAVE IT TO SYB!

ROLL ME 1d100 TO BLAST 'EM WITH SOME MAGIC! I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

It's been a while since we've directly commanded Syb, so if you have a SPECIFIC SPELL in mind (which you can find in the PASTEBIN UNDER THE SKILLS & INVENTORY SECTION) feel free to let me know what to use! Here's a few for you to peruse:

AT-WILL:
ARCANE BOLT
RADIANT BLADE

ENCOUNTER:
FIREBALL
ARCTIC BLAST
SHOCKING GRASP

>>4994426
>ARCTIC BLAST

Syb's signature move

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>4994502

Rolled 29 (1d100)

>>4994426
>ARCTIC BLAST

Feel free to roll again--think I can do one more update for tonight.

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>4994565

>>4994504
>>4994515
>>4994575
>HIGHEST ROLL: 29!

Writing!

File: sybblast.png (132 KB, 800x600)

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Stepping to the side, you motion for Syb to step forward. Would she mind cooling down these psychos a bit? A smile forms on the Goth’s face as a blue light flashes from her eyes!

“It’d be my pleasure!”

The rest of the gang stands back as Sybil takes a few steps towards the charging inmates! Raising her hand towards the end of the corridor, you feel a chill rush past your cheeks as ice crystals form in the air around you!

Sensing something off, the mermaids pick up their pace, zig-zagging through the water like gators closing in for a kill! Just when frost begins to nip at your eyes and skin, you watch as Syb’s confident pose falters!

“Something’s wrong!” Art shouts, prompting both of you to run to her side! Grabbing her in the nick of time, you both recoil as sparks of energy fly from her fingertips like live wires!

“G-GET AWAY!” She hisses, her face twisted from pain! “M-MY HEAD..”

Before you can inquire further, the Goth’s hands explode with frigid energy! Painting the walls, floor, and ceiling with ice, Syb’s spell misses the approaching mermaids entirely, but roots your entire team to the floor by freezing the water at your feet!

"What manner of witchery be THIS!?" Shouts one of the pirates!

"Blast 'em, Stan!" Mitzi adds, struggling to yank her leg free!

Feeling icy daggers sink into your ankles, you grit your teeth as the mermaids lunge for the kill!

Whatever you’re going to do, you’d better do it fast!
>LASER BLAST! NO TIME TO AIM!
>YOU CAN’T MOVE YOUR LEGS, BUT YOU CAN STILL SLICE! BONE CLAWS!
>SOMEONE’S GOTTA BE ABLE TO TOSS A STAFF!
>BREAK FREE! IT’LL HURT, BUT MAYBE YOU CAN INTERCEPT THESE CREEPS!
>WRITE-IN!

That's all for tonight--had a busy weekend and tomorrow's gonna be busy as well! Should have an update around the usual 6-7PM PST ON MONDAY! See ya then!

>>4994595
>LASER BLAST! NO TIME TO AIM!

>>4994595
>LASER BLAST! NO TIME TO AIM!

>>4994595
>>LASER BLAST! NO TIME TO AIM!

>>4994707
>>4994721
>>4994942
Looks like we're BLASTIN'! Can't write an update soon, but I CAN ask for a few ROLLS!

Roll me 1d100-5 to blow them away! The freezing doesn't help, but at least they're close! I'll take the BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

Rolled 90 - 5 (1d100 - 5)

>>4994974

Rolled 15 - 5 (1d100 - 5)

>>4994974
Lessgooo

Rolled 53 - 5 (1d100 - 5)

>>4994974

>>4994977
>>4995122
>>4995215
>HIGHEST ROLL: 85!
WRITING!

File: merzap.png (84 KB, 800x600)

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Figures it’d fall to you to save the day again. You don’t even bother to aim as the mechanisms in your eye warm up, and just when you feel teeth like steak knives sink into your arm, the laser does its job and reduces the mermaids to crispy piles of bone and torched scales!

“Holy CRAP.” Art mutters as your attackers slump to the frozen floor! “Too close!”

Steaming blood oozes out of the bottom halves of the rioters and slowly melts away the ice at your feet. As you and your teammates crunch free of your frozen prison, Andre and his men admire your handiwork with satisfied nods.

“Eet would seem zee tales about you ‘ave merit, non?” He asks, rubbing his mustache with intrigue. “I suppose eet would ‘ave been a bad idea to kill you all zen.”

Yes, you growl as Art helps Syb regain her balance, it WOULD. That said, what the heck just happened back there!?

“I… Ly’s right, Stan…” The Goth winces. “There’s something warping my magic here… Or someONE...”

“Gee,” Mitz gasps with mock surprise, “Who ever do you think that could be?” You frown--BORIS! Dude probably put some kind of ‘Suck-At-Magic’ hex on everyone when he heard you were beating all of the skeletons before him--it was only a matter of time-

“Oh! I thought we were all thinking THE DEEP MOTHER!” Eddie interjects, prompting the caverns to shake around you! As you and your team exchange worried glances, Gus gives Syb a pat on the back.

“Guess magic’s no good, huh?”

“Nghh.. I can do it, but…” Syb pants, wiping some excess frost from her forehead, “But every time I concentrate, it feels like something’s-”

“Tryin’ ta’ claw its way in?”

A familiar glowing skeleton pops back in through the walls and settles into your body once more. You were worried SICK, young man!

“Had ta’ be sure these paths both worked.” Ly wheezes. “Either one will lead ta’ da’ front--they both got their problems, though.”

You frown. Do they ever NOT?

>CONTD.

File: gofarther.jpg (291 KB, 1500x1054)

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>>4995738
“Da’ LEFT has more mermaids, but they’re fightin’ each other too! Da’ RIGHT is clearer, but for good reason: there was a cave-in an’ it went all da’ way to da’ lake below!”

A tiny bell jingles in your head. So you can escape that way? How is that BAD?!

“I didn’t see any close-by way ta’ da’ city.” Ly explains. “In any case, da’ cave-in can probably be navigated, but there’s DEBRIS in da’ way, so everyone had better be able ta’ hold their breath!”

“So the question is: do we take our chances with more inmates, or try to navigate a sunken passage?” Syb reiterates.

“Zee sunken passage eez nothing for zee likes of us!” Andre boasts with a slice of his cutlass! “Feel free to wait ‘ere or meet us up ahead--we can clear zee’ way, maybe!”

“And let you guys run ahead?” Art asks in a suspicious tone. “Let’s let Stan decide.”

Oh great, here you go AGAIN.
>TAKE THE LEFT--MERMAIDS ARE DOABLE!
>HEAD RIGHT--TIME FOR A SWIM!
>WAIT FOR ANDRE AND CREW TO CLEAR A PATH!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4995741
>>TAKE THE LEFT--MERMAIDS ARE DOABLE!

Feel like bashing some mermaid skulls

>>4995741
>TAKE THE LEFT--MERMAIDS ARE DOABLE!

>>4995741
>TAKE THE LEFT--MERMAIDS ARE DOABLE!
If it wasn't for the magic hampering the fish spell would be perfect but who know we might transform back at the worst time

>>4995900
>>4995920
>>4995971
>TO THE LEFT!
Writing!

File: wardenfeast.png (136 KB, 800x600)

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Art’s right, you snarl, jabbing a finger in the direction the now-charred mermaids came from! These boneheads are your ticket to your next mark--you’re not about to leave them unsupervised! Andre looks like he’s about to argue a point, but his aggressive posture quickly deflates!

“Aye, zat’s exactly what I would ‘ave said… In zat case, lead us, oh fearless leader.”

Ooh, why can’t the other jerks call you that? When you don’t receive an answer from your increasingly-agitated gang, you motion for everyone to follow you to the left--mermaids are much easier to fight than drowning!

“So long as we don’t require any more magic, ey, mademoiselle?” Andre quips, earning a middle finger from Syb and a round of laughter from his goons.

“Hate to be that guy, but what’s the plan once we get out of here?” Tucker asks, spear pointed ahead as you continue down the ash-flecked tunnel.

Is he dumb or what?! You plan to LEAVE, obviously!

“Think he’s asking how we’re gonna do that, Stan.” Mitzi replies in a measured tone. “Pretty sure we’re still surrounded by water.”

“Maybe we can find a BUBBLE or something.” Gus suggests in his typical disinterested voice. “That one fish girl did it, right?”

“Can we talk about bubbles after we escape the mermaid prison riot?” Art asks, covering your flank with a staff of his own.

“Heh. Mermaid Prison Riot. Sounds like a band name.” Mitzi chuckles. Hey, yea! You’re gonna have to hold on to that on-

Turning the corner, you and your entourage of humans and skeletons emerge into a charnel house: cell doors hang loose on bent hinges, their bars matching the floors with spots of blood and bile! Amidst the corpses strewn about the floor sits a circle of mermaids, each one crowded over something in the middle. Sensing your approach, one of them greets you with a mouth full of… Something.

“Hey there, humans! Want some WARDEN? She’s fresh!”

Before you or anyone can ask, another viscera-caked mermaid raises a severed fish girl arm as if she were offering it to you.

“Erm… No thanks?” Art volunteers, keeping his staff pointed in the diner’s direction.

“Suit yourself! Say, we do have some human back there too!” Replies the greeter as she pokes a claw in the direction of a cell behind them. “Even FRESHER!”

As if on cue, a thin young man wearing a WRINKLED SUIT AND TIE peeks out from the inside of the cell and waves at you like you just met him out on the patio.

“Hey, Stan.”

Before you can be confused, Gus comes to the rescue!

“You remember my little bro, right, Stan? Hey, Jay.”

>CONTD.

File: jay.png (212 KB, 600x600)

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>>4996903
Eddie’s the first one to jump onto the greeting wagon. “Sup, man? Didn’t know Gus had a brother!”

Jay shrugs. Now that you’re on the subject, neither did you!

“Really, Stan?” Gus asks with a hint of disapproval on his face. “We’ve had you over for Thanksgiving Dinner like… Three times.”

Struggling to find an appropriate excuse, you opt to go with old reliable: you’ve got BRAIN PROBLEMS, remember?

“How could we forg-OOF!”

“BLESS you, Art.” Syb interjects as Art clutches his side. “More importantly, what are you doing down here?”

Gus’ brother shrugs again. “Exploring.”

Sensing a connection, one of the mermaids slithers between your two parties and clasps a claw on the young man’s shoulder!

“Gosh, you guys know each other? Talk about a small world!” Shoving Jay back into the cell, the mermaid wags a talon at you with a mischievous chuckle! “Finder’s Keepers, though! You’d better run along if you aren’t gonna eat--I heard there’s a PRISON RIOT going on!”

“Yea!” Laughs another mermaid between bites of her WARDEN BURGER, “Especially for humans!”

As you feel your eye warm up again, you feel a large hand grab you gently by the shoulder.

“Careful, Stan,” Gus whispers, “I don’t want Jay getting in the crossfire.”

Fine, you sulk--any OTHER requests? Gus responds with another shrug. “Save my bro?”

You’ll see!

What’s the plan?
>ARMOR UP AND CARVE THESE FREAKS! SURPRISE!
>TRICK ‘EM! TELL THEM THERE’S MORE MEAT WHERE YOU CAME FROM!
>INTIMIDATE! IF THEY KNEW WHO YOU WERE....
>GRAB JAY AND RUN!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4996906
>TRICK ‘EM! TELL THEM THERE’S MORE MEAT WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

>>4996908
>TRICK 'EM!

Looks like we're going the non-violent way! ROLL ME 1d100+10 TO CONVINCE THE MERMAIDS TO TAKE THEIR FEAST ELSEWHERE--I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

Most importantly, feel free to write your DEVIOUS LIE with your roll! It can only help your chances!

Rolled 70 (1d100)

>>4997003

>>4997003

Rolled 53, 100 = 153 (2d100)

>>4997003

Ok, since the dude below me tried to roll, and it's been a while, I'm gonna roll 2d100.

File: wew_lad.jpg (78 KB, 770x800)

78 KB JPG

>>4997149

HAH. HAHAHA.

>4997149
>4996906
Funny thing, the deep mother actually sent us to investigate the prison conditions. And we are very disappointed at the accommodations we are seeing. That man is also already accounted for and needs to be escorted to a an important diplomatic meeting

>>4997149
Yow, pretty sure that's the first 100 of the quest--only took 11 threads. If I had a drink I'd be toasting right now! That said, it was made in peculiar circumstances, so I have a question for everyone: would you like to apply that 100 to this roll, or should I bank it for a later date? I'm a bit on the 'meh' side since it was rolled by someone who already rolled, but it WAS quite a while since anyone else rolled.

If you bank it you'll still pass the skill-check thanks to roll 1, but the 100 might have an added benefit here if you use it. Otherwise I'll hold onto it for later. Let me know what you prefer--I can't make an update at the moment, but I'll take your ideas into consideration in the meantime!

>>4997501
I'm feeling banking this one, we are probably reaaaaaally gonna want that hundo in a couple rolls.

>>4997501

Bank. We’ll definitely need it and technically we already got a passing roll.

>>4997631
>>4997639
>BANK THE ROLL!
BANKED!

>>4997005
>>4997149
HIGHEST ROLL: 80!

WRITING!

File: Inspection.png (112 KB, 560x315)

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An annoyed, drawn-out sigh escapes your lips as you frown at the situation in front of you. You’d love to just charge in and make more sushi, but Gus is sorta right… These fish girls are wacky, and not in a fun way--if you make a move there’s no telling what they could do to Jay.

Okay, maybe you’re just lazy. Whatever the reason, you opt to take another route: one that begins with a smug look and an exaggerated ‘PSSH!’ Taking the bait, one of the inmates stares at you with interest.

“You okay, human? We’ll give you some if you want it!”

Tempting, you reply, but that won’t be necessary… Given that this is a SURPRISE INSPECTION!

A chorus of gasps tells you they bought it! “I-I-INSPECTION!?” Gasps one of the mermaids! “F-F-FOR WHAT?!”

You take your time responding as you strut over to the nearest cell door and wipe some grime onto your finger. Observing the muck, you raise an eyebrow in the direction of the prisoners. Isn’t it obvious? THE DEEP MOTHER sent you to investigate the prison! Who else?!

“Waiiiit a minute,” Mutters another clearly more skeptical fish, “This isn’t one of those HUMAN JOKES, is it? I’ve heard of those!”

Her pals agree with a round of ‘me too’s! Adjusting your hat, you give the doubters a disdainful ’tch!’ The only joke you see around here is this PRISON! This place makes COUNTY look like a five-star hotel!

Rapping your knuckles on the gore-covered walls for emphasis, you continue to ride whatever train you’ve hopped on here and make your way over to where Jay is. And then there’s this asshole! He was supposed to be fed to Mom ages ago--do they have any idea how quickly human meat spoils?!

The mermaids respond by counting out some numbers on their claws, but you interrupt them with a stomp: REALLY QUICKLY! If you and your uh… INSPECTION GANG don’t take him back to her pronto, she’s gonna FLIP!

“Oh NO!” Gasps the lead inmate! “Then she’ll NEVER take us back into the maw of rebirth!”

You blink. Um… Sure. Yea, she definitely mentioned that earlier. No eating uh…. Ever.

The fish girls practically SHOVE Jay into your grasp with apologetic looks on their obscured faces!

“Take him, please! And tell Mother that we only ate a few sisters! We’re still fresh!”

Leaving you with your prize, the mermaids slither away into the shadows as you and your pals stand in silent awe.

“Stan,” Art asks, “What the hell was THAT?”

You wag your finger a few times in his dumbfounded face--every girl has her secrets!

>CONTD.

File: floodtunnel.jpg (42 KB, 852x480)

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>>4998093
“So,” Tucker begins as you all climb a spiral ramp leading upwards, “What do you do when you’re not getting jailed by fish girls, Jay?”

“Work at City Hall.” Jay mumbles, shielding his face as you and your crew carve through a horde of blood-flecked inmates! “Well… Worked.”

“Right…” Syb mutters to herself as she sends a volley of ARCANE BOLTS into some guards shouting nearby, “That’s where the PORTAL is, isn’t it? To THE LICH’S CASTLE.”

Jay nods, stumbling over a pair of mutilated mermaid bodies. “Yep. Nothin’ but skeletons there now.”

Sounds like an improvement, you laugh, earning a flick to the forehead! OW!

“Don’t be rude.” Gus grunts, giving you a stern look as he chokeslams a charging inmate. “Jay had a lot of friends there.”

“Yep,” Jay sighs. “I was pretty much the office clown.”

You doubt that, but it isn’t important right now! Sending another squad of guards over the side of the ramp, you find yourselves faced with a long entryway where the silhouette of countless guards waits beyond the flooded center!

“WE’RE FREE!” Shouts a group of inmates emerging from a path adjacent to yours! Charging at the entrance, the escape attempt is cut short when the guards on the other side dip their STORM STICKS into the water! After a few moments of twitching and giggling, the would-be escapees bob in the water smelling faintly of fish and chips.

“What a load of BARNACLE BRAINS!” Laughs a familiar voice from across the pond! “Sorry, humans, but you’re not allowed to leave yet! Play nice and maybe Mother will get to you soon!”

HADDOCK!

“Err.. Nope.” Eddie whispers. “That’s Guppy, Stan.”

Right, you mutter, that was your second guess! Clearing your throat, you step forward to address the guards--maybe they didn’t get the memo, but you’re LEAVING!

“Hmmm… NOPE!” Guppy replies, sending a giggle fit through the wall of guards! “We know your purple friend used MAGIC-- if she tries that again, Mother will cook her brains! And without these,” Guppy pauses, holding up a BAG OF INVENTORY SHIT, “All you humans can do is pout! And don’t even try to swim across or we’ll fry you all into tasty treats!”

You try to draw a bead on her with your eye, but the glare off of the water in the center makes it tricky! Straining your vision, your concentration is broken by the sound of gears shifting in the walls around you, followed by more water entering the tunnel!

“Looks like someone’s got control of the PRISON again!” Guppy gloats! “Better go back inside--we can hold our breath a LOT longer than humans can!”

They won't hold their breath very long when... When they're KILLED! By YOU!

"Nice, cupcake. Real intimidatin'."

>CONTD.

>>4998095
The situation looks grim, but you’ve gotta think of something! The question is, what?!
>ARMOR UP AND RUSH! THAT SHOULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE OTHERS!
>TAKE A LASER SHOT ANYWAYS!
>CONVINCE THEM TO LET YOU THROUGH!
>CALL FOR TALBOT AGAIN! WHERE IS THAT JERK?!
>TRY TO FIND ANOTHER WAY!
>WRITE-IN!

>>4998100
>>CALL FOR TALBOT AGAIN! WHERE IS THAT JERK?!
>ARMOR UP AND RUSH! THAT SHOULD CLEAR THE WAY FOR THE OTHERS!

>>4998108
>CALL FOR TALBOT!
>ARMOR AND CHARGE!

We're doin' this! ROLL 1d100+5 TO CHARGE THE GUARDS!

I'LL TAKE THE BEST OF 3 ROLLS!

>>4998100
>TRY TO FIND ANOTHER WAY!
Funny thing about the ground. We have high strength jumping legs, and claws that can get purchase in the wall. Its cute they think we need to touch the water though.

Rolled 2 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>4998139
Awww I guess I might have been a little late, can we combine tactics maybe?