main
parent
b88176f946
commit
28013609bf
|
@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ src/epistolary/00056.md
|
|||
src/epistolary/00057.md
|
||||
src/epistolary/00058.md
|
||||
src/epistolary/00059.md
|
||||
src/epistolary/00060.md
|
||||
src/bestiary/index.md
|
||||
src/bestiary/aetherwael.md
|
||||
src/bestiary/aur.md
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
|
|||
---
|
||||
title: 00060
|
||||
created: Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47 -0700
|
||||
updated: Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700
|
||||
public: yes
|
||||
syndicated: yes
|
||||
---
|
||||
### 00060 {#00060}
|
||||
|
||||
> Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is definitely
|
||||
> strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him with his
|
||||
> impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately the same can't
|
||||
> be said for his roguish good looks, as he's found himself 6 arms
|
||||
> heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he remembers.
|
||||
>
|
||||
> Nontheless this doesn't appear to be much of an impediment, and he
|
||||
> promptly moves on with assessing the situation.
|
||||
>
|
||||
> "Acorns? No, I don't think so. I'm afraid octopus' are terrible at
|
||||
> fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a dreadfully important
|
||||
> meeting across town." turning to address Inky, "We need to make a
|
||||
> break for it, what'd the witch tell you? Envision our goal or
|
||||
> something? This is really a little outside of my realm of mechanical
|
||||
> magic expertise.. unless.."
|
||||
>
|
||||
> Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a terminal
|
||||
> prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at blinding speed at
|
||||
> the digital window, a quick bypass there, a root access escalation
|
||||
> there.
|
||||
>
|
||||
> "Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it's an older kernel,
|
||||
> about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as needed. Here
|
||||
> I'm giving us sudo access, should we need it."
|
||||
>
|
||||
> "Oh and squirrel, here's your acorns"
|
||||
>
|
||||
> ```
|
||||
> find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
|
||||
> ```
|
||||
|
||||
It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he corrects
|
||||
'acron' to 'acorn'. Then he moves all the acorns to the *chipmunk*
|
||||
instead of to the squirrel.
|
||||
|
||||
Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk's feet. It squeals in
|
||||
delight.
|
||||
|
||||
In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell of what
|
||||
can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns has just
|
||||
vanished.
|
||||
|
||||
The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts scooping up
|
||||
acorns by the armful and shoving them into its mouth by the dozen.
|
||||
"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" it says around a mouthful of
|
||||
nuts. "Here..." It tosses you a large square silver coin with a round
|
||||
hole drilled in the center. On one side is the number twenty-one next
|
||||
to a picture of a curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is
|
||||
the number five and a picture of a flail.
|
||||
|
||||
"A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it's all I have,"
|
||||
it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide its nuts.
|
||||
Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.
|
||||
|
||||
If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the hole, you
|
||||
see the dreamscape before you as though looking through a cloudy
|
||||
film. All the same stuff is there, but it's hazy and shadowy.
|
||||
|
||||
Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out of hailing
|
||||
distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. Dark shadows pool
|
||||
restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the shadows leap up and take
|
||||
the form of demons the like of which words cannot describe, before
|
||||
falling and returning to shadow once more. The figure wears a large
|
||||
spherical helmet of obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes
|
||||
of a rainbow of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the
|
||||
helmet like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel
|
||||
sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels a tug,
|
||||
a familiarity. Something about this character is familiar to you, but
|
||||
you cannot place it.
|
||||
|
||||
When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape both
|
||||
disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted landscape reappears
|
||||
but the figure is gone.
|
||||
|
||||
You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather intently from
|
||||
the branches below.
|
||||
|
||||
WHAT DO YOU DO
|
||||
|
|
@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ Master</a></li>
|
|||
<li><a href="#00057" id="toc-00057">00057</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00058" id="toc-00058">00058</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00059" id="toc-00059">00059</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00060" id="toc-00060">00060</a></li>
|
||||
</ul></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#bestiary" id="toc-bestiary">Bestiary</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#geography" id="toc-geography">Geography</a></li>
|
||||
|
@ -356,11 +357,11 @@ Teale</a></li>
|
|||
</ul>
|
||||
</nav>
|
||||
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
|
||||
<p>Total length: 78449 words / 335 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
<p>Total length: 79062 words / 337 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
|
||||
just the story.)</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 210 messages posted over 202 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 213 messages posted over 208 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="about">About</h2>
|
||||
<p>This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over
|
||||
email.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -7111,6 +7112,69 @@ direction.</p>
|
|||
<p>“My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The Red
|
||||
Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help me?”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00060">00060</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is definitely
|
||||
strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him with his impecable
|
||||
fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for
|
||||
his roguish good looks, as he’s found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit
|
||||
more octopus-y than he remembers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, and he
|
||||
promptly moves on with assessing the situation.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are terrible at
|
||||
fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a dreadfully important meeting
|
||||
across town.” turning to address Inky, “We need to make a break for it,
|
||||
what’d the witch tell you? Envision our goal or something? This is
|
||||
really a little outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise..
|
||||
unless..”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a terminal
|
||||
prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at blinding speed at the
|
||||
digital window, a quick bypass there, a root access escalation
|
||||
there.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older kernel,
|
||||
about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as needed. Here I’m
|
||||
giving us sudo access, should we need it.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”</p>
|
||||
<pre><code>find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \</code></pre>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he corrects
|
||||
‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to the
|
||||
<em>chipmunk</em> instead of to the squirrel.</p>
|
||||
<p>Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It squeals in
|
||||
delight.</p>
|
||||
<p>In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell of what
|
||||
can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns has just
|
||||
vanished.</p>
|
||||
<p>The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts scooping up
|
||||
acorns by the armful and shoving them into its mouth by the dozen. “Oh,
|
||||
thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it says around a mouthful of nuts.
|
||||
“Here…” It tosses you a large square silver coin with a round hole
|
||||
drilled in the center. On one side is the number twenty-one next to a
|
||||
picture of a curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the
|
||||
number five and a picture of a flail.</p>
|
||||
<p>“A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all I have,”
|
||||
it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide its nuts. Hopefully
|
||||
somewhere more secure this time.</p>
|
||||
<p>If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the hole, you
|
||||
see the dreamscape before you as though looking through a cloudy film.
|
||||
All the same stuff is there, but it’s hazy and shadowy.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out of hailing
|
||||
distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. Dark shadows pool
|
||||
restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the shadows leap up and take
|
||||
the form of demons the like of which words cannot describe, before
|
||||
falling and returning to shadow once more. The figure wears a large
|
||||
spherical helmet of obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of
|
||||
a rainbow of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet
|
||||
like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel sickened at
|
||||
the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels a tug, a familiarity.
|
||||
Something about this character is familiar to you, but you cannot place
|
||||
it.</p>
|
||||
<p>When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape both
|
||||
disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted landscape reappears
|
||||
but the figure is gone.</p>
|
||||
<p>You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather intently from
|
||||
the branches below.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="bestiary">Bestiary</h2>
|
||||
<p>Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria</p>
|
||||
<dt>
|
||||
|
|
540
www/rss.xml
540
www/rss.xml
|
@ -301,6 +301,316 @@ trap sleep INT EXIT</code></pre>
|
|||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>58</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">58 - Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:24:45
|
||||
-0700</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:02:32 -0700</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00058">00058</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p><em>(A week prior)</em></p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary collected the stack of papers that had
|
||||
accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she
|
||||
said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink
|
||||
flowers in place of the papers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s
|
||||
plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make
|
||||
the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as
|
||||
the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the
|
||||
circle,” she clarified.</p>
|
||||
<p>Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to
|
||||
regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice.
|
||||
“Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop
|
||||
proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location.
|
||||
There will be a retinue with him at all times.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room
|
||||
before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I
|
||||
do not return by the indicated time, please activate the
|
||||
hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all
|
||||
right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents
|
||||
happen. A single incident—”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He
|
||||
was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the
|
||||
other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after
|
||||
the melon vendor disappeared.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor?
|
||||
Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get
|
||||
rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.</p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her.
|
||||
You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization.
|
||||
She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she
|
||||
finds out, you know.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is
|
||||
my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my
|
||||
timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a
|
||||
grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before
|
||||
returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.</p>
|
||||
<p>Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll
|
||||
make it back, Ink. What then—”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the
|
||||
problems.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received
|
||||
word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only
|
||||
thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all
|
||||
knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly?
|
||||
He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to
|
||||
cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even
|
||||
managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the
|
||||
body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram
|
||||
had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his
|
||||
neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth,
|
||||
perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut,
|
||||
burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.</p>
|
||||
<p>The kill had been intimate.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye
|
||||
had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his
|
||||
right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last
|
||||
15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear
|
||||
look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the
|
||||
killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a
|
||||
difference.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted
|
||||
the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it
|
||||
went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an
|
||||
old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.</p>
|
||||
<p>And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little
|
||||
purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to
|
||||
send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was
|
||||
reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks
|
||||
upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The
|
||||
effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort
|
||||
of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of
|
||||
the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a
|
||||
valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t
|
||||
part of the slag pile.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his
|
||||
burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the
|
||||
Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but
|
||||
none of them held true; some said the city had become
|
||||
dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring
|
||||
city block another thought, and did you hear about the
|
||||
explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric,
|
||||
yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.</p>
|
||||
<p>As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses
|
||||
strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling
|
||||
the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.</p>
|
||||
<pre><code>4 -> 3
|
||||
Daylight breaks on the morrow
|
||||
The suns rays make chase
|
||||
casting soft cloth
|
||||
across the nap of nature's neck
|
||||
|
||||
So, night relents and gives way
|
||||
biding time until
|
||||
it can rule
|
||||
in its own domain</code></pre>
|
||||
<p>For the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled
|
||||
carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf.
|
||||
But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s
|
||||
demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low
|
||||
and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our
|
||||
terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to
|
||||
Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even
|
||||
just one agent lost was hard to stomach.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a
|
||||
white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into
|
||||
the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to
|
||||
Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily
|
||||
send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned,
|
||||
this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten
|
||||
personal.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves
|
||||
in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish
|
||||
processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough,
|
||||
and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be
|
||||
procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough
|
||||
seclusion.</p>
|
||||
<p>The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near
|
||||
the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way
|
||||
along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights,
|
||||
before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a
|
||||
single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the
|
||||
fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand
|
||||
still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad
|
||||
to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene
|
||||
is lacking in every sense.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is
|
||||
a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like
|
||||
what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much
|
||||
they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the
|
||||
duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there
|
||||
to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every
|
||||
precaution they could think of.</p>
|
||||
<p>The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires,
|
||||
and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones
|
||||
around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to
|
||||
Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred
|
||||
steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their
|
||||
hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from
|
||||
Agent 7.</p>
|
||||
<p>See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then
|
||||
some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense
|
||||
that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the
|
||||
right man for the job, when that job was keeping your
|
||||
unconscious ass alive.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky.
|
||||
“Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong
|
||||
correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we
|
||||
should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been
|
||||
back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that
|
||||
is.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon
|
||||
Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found
|
||||
on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a
|
||||
half from now, on the last day of the month.</p>
|
||||
<p>Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the
|
||||
Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of
|
||||
red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on
|
||||
the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure
|
||||
careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but
|
||||
otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle
|
||||
of shopping and commerce.</p>
|
||||
<p>At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps
|
||||
vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.</p>
|
||||
<p>And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in
|
||||
the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a
|
||||
dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste
|
||||
made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second
|
||||
Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing
|
||||
the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also
|
||||
the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the
|
||||
Dreaming.</p>
|
||||
<p>Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions
|
||||
in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle
|
||||
is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain
|
||||
nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil
|
||||
is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that
|
||||
will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles
|
||||
to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to
|
||||
actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of
|
||||
Dreams.</p>
|
||||
<p>Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been
|
||||
placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax
|
||||
will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its
|
||||
side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken,
|
||||
exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm
|
||||
of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter,
|
||||
facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s
|
||||
side.</p>
|
||||
<p>It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical
|
||||
candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady
|
||||
rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The
|
||||
smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder
|
||||
of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a
|
||||
fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the
|
||||
separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You
|
||||
hope.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><p>How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in
|
||||
Bread?</p></li>
|
||||
<li><p>What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the
|
||||
Dreaming?</p></li>
|
||||
<li><p>What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being
|
||||
exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?</p></li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>60</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">60 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47
|
||||
-0700</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00060">00060</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is
|
||||
definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him
|
||||
with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately
|
||||
the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s
|
||||
found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he
|
||||
remembers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment,
|
||||
and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are
|
||||
terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a
|
||||
dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address
|
||||
Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell
|
||||
you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little
|
||||
outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise..
|
||||
unless..”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a
|
||||
terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at
|
||||
blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a
|
||||
root access escalation there.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older
|
||||
kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as
|
||||
needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need
|
||||
it.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”</p>
|
||||
<pre><code>find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \</code></pre>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he
|
||||
corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to
|
||||
the <em>chipmunk</em> instead of to the squirrel.</p>
|
||||
<p>Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It
|
||||
squeals in delight.</p>
|
||||
<p>In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell
|
||||
of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns
|
||||
has just vanished.</p>
|
||||
<p>The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts
|
||||
scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its
|
||||
mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it
|
||||
says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large
|
||||
square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On
|
||||
one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a
|
||||
curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number
|
||||
five and a picture of a flail.</p>
|
||||
<p>“A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all
|
||||
I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide
|
||||
its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.</p>
|
||||
<p>If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the
|
||||
hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking
|
||||
through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s
|
||||
hazy and shadowy.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out
|
||||
of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes.
|
||||
Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the
|
||||
shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which
|
||||
words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow
|
||||
once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of
|
||||
obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow
|
||||
of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet
|
||||
like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel
|
||||
sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels
|
||||
a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is
|
||||
familiar to you, but you cannot place it.</p>
|
||||
<p>When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape
|
||||
both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted
|
||||
landscape reappears but the figure is gone.</p>
|
||||
<p>You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather
|
||||
intently from the branches below.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>57</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
|
@ -553,236 +863,6 @@ trap sleep INT EXIT</code></pre>
|
|||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>58</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">58 - Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:24:45
|
||||
-0700</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:02:32 -0700</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00058">00058</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p><em>(A week prior)</em></p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary collected the stack of papers that had
|
||||
accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she
|
||||
said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink
|
||||
flowers in place of the papers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s
|
||||
plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make
|
||||
the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as
|
||||
the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the
|
||||
circle,” she clarified.</p>
|
||||
<p>Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to
|
||||
regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice.
|
||||
“Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop
|
||||
proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location.
|
||||
There will be a retinue with him at all times.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room
|
||||
before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I
|
||||
do not return by the indicated time, please activate the
|
||||
hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all
|
||||
right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents
|
||||
happen. A single incident—”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He
|
||||
was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the
|
||||
other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after
|
||||
the melon vendor disappeared.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor?
|
||||
Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get
|
||||
rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.</p>
|
||||
<p>The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her.
|
||||
You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization.
|
||||
She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she
|
||||
finds out, you know.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is
|
||||
my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my
|
||||
timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a
|
||||
grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before
|
||||
returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.</p>
|
||||
<p>Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll
|
||||
make it back, Ink. What then—”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the
|
||||
problems.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received
|
||||
word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only
|
||||
thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all
|
||||
knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly?
|
||||
He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to
|
||||
cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even
|
||||
managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the
|
||||
body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram
|
||||
had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his
|
||||
neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth,
|
||||
perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut,
|
||||
burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.</p>
|
||||
<p>The kill had been intimate.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye
|
||||
had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his
|
||||
right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last
|
||||
15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear
|
||||
look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the
|
||||
killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a
|
||||
difference.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted
|
||||
the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it
|
||||
went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an
|
||||
old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.</p>
|
||||
<p>And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little
|
||||
purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to
|
||||
send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was
|
||||
reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks
|
||||
upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The
|
||||
effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort
|
||||
of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of
|
||||
the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a
|
||||
valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t
|
||||
part of the slag pile.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his
|
||||
burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the
|
||||
Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but
|
||||
none of them held true; some said the city had become
|
||||
dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring
|
||||
city block another thought, and did you hear about the
|
||||
explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric,
|
||||
yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.</p>
|
||||
<p>As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses
|
||||
strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling
|
||||
the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.</p>
|
||||
<pre><code>4 -> 3
|
||||
Daylight breaks on the morrow
|
||||
The suns rays make chase
|
||||
casting soft cloth
|
||||
across the nap of nature's neck
|
||||
|
||||
So, night relents and gives way
|
||||
biding time until
|
||||
it can rule
|
||||
in its own domain</code></pre>
|
||||
<p>For the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled
|
||||
carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf.
|
||||
But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s
|
||||
demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low
|
||||
and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our
|
||||
terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to
|
||||
Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even
|
||||
just one agent lost was hard to stomach.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a
|
||||
white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into
|
||||
the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to
|
||||
Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily
|
||||
send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned,
|
||||
this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten
|
||||
personal.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves
|
||||
in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish
|
||||
processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough,
|
||||
and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be
|
||||
procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough
|
||||
seclusion.</p>
|
||||
<p>The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near
|
||||
the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way
|
||||
along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights,
|
||||
before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a
|
||||
single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the
|
||||
fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand
|
||||
still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad
|
||||
to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene
|
||||
is lacking in every sense.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is
|
||||
a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like
|
||||
what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much
|
||||
they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the
|
||||
duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there
|
||||
to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every
|
||||
precaution they could think of.</p>
|
||||
<p>The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires,
|
||||
and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones
|
||||
around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to
|
||||
Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred
|
||||
steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their
|
||||
hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from
|
||||
Agent 7.</p>
|
||||
<p>See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then
|
||||
some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense
|
||||
that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the
|
||||
right man for the job, when that job was keeping your
|
||||
unconscious ass alive.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky.
|
||||
“Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong
|
||||
correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we
|
||||
should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been
|
||||
back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that
|
||||
is.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon
|
||||
Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found
|
||||
on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a
|
||||
half from now, on the last day of the month.</p>
|
||||
<p>Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the
|
||||
Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of
|
||||
red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on
|
||||
the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure
|
||||
careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but
|
||||
otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle
|
||||
of shopping and commerce.</p>
|
||||
<p>At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps
|
||||
vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.</p>
|
||||
<p>And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in
|
||||
the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a
|
||||
dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste
|
||||
made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second
|
||||
Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing
|
||||
the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also
|
||||
the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the
|
||||
Dreaming.</p>
|
||||
<p>Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions
|
||||
in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle
|
||||
is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain
|
||||
nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil
|
||||
is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that
|
||||
will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles
|
||||
to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to
|
||||
actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of
|
||||
Dreams.</p>
|
||||
<p>Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been
|
||||
placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax
|
||||
will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its
|
||||
side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken,
|
||||
exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm
|
||||
of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter,
|
||||
facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s
|
||||
side.</p>
|
||||
<p>It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical
|
||||
candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady
|
||||
rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The
|
||||
smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder
|
||||
of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a
|
||||
fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the
|
||||
separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You
|
||||
hope.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><p>How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in
|
||||
Bread?</p></li>
|
||||
<li><p>What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the
|
||||
Dreaming?</p></li>
|
||||
<li><p>What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being
|
||||
exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?</p></li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>54</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ Master</a></li>
|
|||
<li><a href="#00057" id="toc-00057">00057</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00058" id="toc-00058">00058</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00059" id="toc-00059">00059</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00060" id="toc-00060">00060</a></li>
|
||||
</ul></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#bestiary" id="toc-bestiary">Bestiary</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#geography" id="toc-geography">Geography</a></li>
|
||||
|
@ -359,11 +360,11 @@ Teale</a></li>
|
|||
</ul>
|
||||
</nav>
|
||||
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
|
||||
<p>Total length: 78449 words / 335 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
<p>Total length: 79062 words / 337 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
|
||||
just the story.)</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 210 messages posted over 202 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 213 messages posted over 208 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="about">About</h2>
|
||||
<p>This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over
|
||||
email.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -7114,6 +7115,69 @@ direction.</p>
|
|||
<p>“My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The Red
|
||||
Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help me?”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00060">00060</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is definitely
|
||||
strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him with his impecable
|
||||
fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for
|
||||
his roguish good looks, as he’s found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit
|
||||
more octopus-y than he remembers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, and he
|
||||
promptly moves on with assessing the situation.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are terrible at
|
||||
fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a dreadfully important meeting
|
||||
across town.” turning to address Inky, “We need to make a break for it,
|
||||
what’d the witch tell you? Envision our goal or something? This is
|
||||
really a little outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise..
|
||||
unless..”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a terminal
|
||||
prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at blinding speed at the
|
||||
digital window, a quick bypass there, a root access escalation
|
||||
there.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older kernel,
|
||||
about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as needed. Here I’m
|
||||
giving us sudo access, should we need it.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”</p>
|
||||
<pre><code>find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \</code></pre>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he corrects
|
||||
‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to the
|
||||
<em>chipmunk</em> instead of to the squirrel.</p>
|
||||
<p>Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It squeals in
|
||||
delight.</p>
|
||||
<p>In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell of what
|
||||
can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns has just
|
||||
vanished.</p>
|
||||
<p>The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts scooping up
|
||||
acorns by the armful and shoving them into its mouth by the dozen. “Oh,
|
||||
thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it says around a mouthful of nuts.
|
||||
“Here…” It tosses you a large square silver coin with a round hole
|
||||
drilled in the center. On one side is the number twenty-one next to a
|
||||
picture of a curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the
|
||||
number five and a picture of a flail.</p>
|
||||
<p>“A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all I have,”
|
||||
it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide its nuts. Hopefully
|
||||
somewhere more secure this time.</p>
|
||||
<p>If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the hole, you
|
||||
see the dreamscape before you as though looking through a cloudy film.
|
||||
All the same stuff is there, but it’s hazy and shadowy.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out of hailing
|
||||
distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. Dark shadows pool
|
||||
restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the shadows leap up and take
|
||||
the form of demons the like of which words cannot describe, before
|
||||
falling and returning to shadow once more. The figure wears a large
|
||||
spherical helmet of obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of
|
||||
a rainbow of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet
|
||||
like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel sickened at
|
||||
the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels a tug, a familiarity.
|
||||
Something about this character is familiar to you, but you cannot place
|
||||
it.</p>
|
||||
<p>When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape both
|
||||
disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted landscape reappears
|
||||
but the figure is gone.</p>
|
||||
<p>You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather intently from
|
||||
the branches below.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="bestiary">Bestiary</h2>
|
||||
<p>Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria</p>
|
||||
<dt>
|
||||
|
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue