diff --git a/assets/aur.png b/assets/aur.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1549d1 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/aur.png differ diff --git a/assets/kobit.png b/assets/kobit.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45473c0 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/kobit.png differ diff --git a/basement.order b/basement.order index 2e9cdfd..e83e462 100644 --- a/basement.order +++ b/basement.order @@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ src/epistolary/00011.md src/epistolary/00012.md src/epistolary/00013.md src/epistolary/00014.md +src/epistolary/00015.md src/bestiary/index.md src/bestiary/aur.md src/bestiary/blahoblin.md diff --git a/src/bestiary/aur.md b/src/bestiary/aur.md index bba6e79..dea33c9 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/aur.md +++ b/src/bestiary/aur.md @@ -6,3 +6,4 @@ public: yes ---
Aur
: Giant ears with bat wings. Very keen hearing obviously. Usually more of an annoyance than a true deterent. Unless there's a Centaur around. +:
![aur](aur.png)
diff --git a/src/bestiary/centaur.md b/src/bestiary/centaur.md index 886af5d..ca272f9 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/centaur.md +++ b/src/bestiary/centaur.md @@ -6,6 +6,5 @@ public: yes ---
Centaur
- : A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They can really ruin your day. :
![centaur](centaur.png)
diff --git a/src/bestiary/kobit.md b/src/bestiary/kobit.md index 3e75a89..513988e 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/kobit.md +++ b/src/bestiary/kobit.md @@ -6,3 +6,4 @@ public: yes ---
Kobit
: Subterranean scaly ratdog creatures. Big luminous eyes, long droopy mustaches. Extremely rarely, they may grow leathery wings, in which case they are revered and elevated by the other kobits. +:
![kobit](kobit.png)
diff --git a/src/epistolary/00015.md b/src/epistolary/00015.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..06beb69 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/epistolary/00015.md @@ -0,0 +1,98 @@ +--- +title: 00015 +created: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:14:06 -0400 +updated: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:14:06 -0400 +public: yes +syndicated: yes +--- +### 00015 + +> Jarrod raises his right hand and begins adding a new rhythm to his +> beat by slapping his palm against his chest. The resulting beat sounds +> eerily like a galloping horse. Jarrod pushes his voice outward and +> upward, directing his vocal energy at HORSE. +> +> "A mighty steed did carry our hero through forest, hill and town: +> A comely beast with silky mane and smooth and supple hide. +> One would think that such a stallion needs must have renown, +> But only our dear hero understood, and so did ride." +> +> Jarrod subtly adjusts the rhythm to a fast, regular beat. +> +> "Lightning of the hoof! +> Fire in the eye! +> One with blowing wind! +> Strength of mountain high!" +> +> Jarrod slowly calms the beat back down to a heartbeat with his left +> hand fingers on his thigh again. However, the right now rests close to +> Gertrude's handle, at the ready. +> +> "On fated day, our hero does require +> Underlings for which a task is set. +> And yet, this day the underlings and squires +> Have booked their time away from toil and fret." +> +> While continuing the epic, Jarrod makes note of two options, should he +> need them: +> +> 1) Should he need, he can dive behind the giant clam; and +> 2) He eyes a path back out the vault, should he be able to draw the Aurs and Kobits out with him. +> +> Jarrod keeps his eyes on HORSE, attempting to react to whatever HORSE brings. + +HORSE gives a snort, a groan, and a sigh as the beat of the poem accelerates to a trot, and turns its subject to matters of its own interest. Namely, himself. HORSE likes to hear its own name, and it likes to hear people pay tribute to it with verse. Which is 100% what it thinks is going on here. + +HORSE beats its wings a few times and then flaps over to where Jarrod is delivering his oration. It stands a little too close, basking in the glory of Jarrod's verse. + +There is now gathered at Jarrod's feet three Aurs; one clumsy Kobit with untied shoe laces; and one naked, winged Kobit named HORSE. + +The blue and gold, melon shaped crystal in the center of the vault has been left unguarded. It hovers, suspended, beneath its glass dome on top of its pedestal, revolving slowly in place. It looks like a weird tiny asteroid. The veins of gold in the stone pulse lightly with otherworldly energy. + +> Damn it Corraidhin thinks to himself, here I am yet again at the bottom of some insipid pool stuck by some random magical thing all because I didn't pay enough attention in mythical history class. Bloody hell! +> +> Good thing I paid attention in sorcery and yesteryears secrecry administrivia, this little sword won't stay stuck for too long! My lungs if I bungle this though.. +> +> Corraidhin quickly invokes a spell with his spare hand, casting mystical runes with his hand. +> +> sudo chmod -t sowrd_of_yam\'l +> sudo chmod 775 sword_of_yam\'l +> sudo chown corraidhin:party sword_of_yam\'l +> +> That should do it corraidhin thinks to himself. If not I'm going to need to think quick, I'm stuck and there's no way up without this sword. I might be able to transmute the water into air around me, but probably only a small pocket which will surely disappear in a gasp. Alternately I could try and blast my way down, creating a pocket for the water to flow into, but I'd be willing to bet I'll hurt myself in the process.. + +You trace some watery runes, invoking Sudo to bend reality to your will. + +The unschooled masses sometimes erroneously assume that Sudo is a deity in its own right. There's a certain misguided logic to it: an invisible force that governs the relationships between entities, and infallibly predicts how they will behave? Certainly, it must be an all powerful, godlike entity. + +You and your ilk, of course, know that there's no more intelligence behind Sudo than there is behind gravity. No need to correct them though. Sometimes it behooves the mage to allow others to think that they serve an unfathomable arcane lord. + +There is a dull underwater flash and a muted underwater bang, and you feel the sword slip from its stony clinch like a knife tearing through soggy bread. + +You push up off the bottom of the pool and rocket to the surface, helped--surprisingly--by the sword, which remains glued fast to your hand, but which also rises above you as though somehow lighter than water. + +You break the surface of the water and hear joyous laughter. + + "Oh, yes! Well done, Hardy Bear! So very well done indeed! Oh, I had spent so long trapped at the bottom of that pool waiting for a new bear to come and free me. And now here you are! Oh, what a very good day this is. What a magnificent pair we shall be. + + "Now, let's go stab some evil!" + +You look down at the sword in your hand, and the eye twinkles at you, full of adoration and zeal. + +A small wine pitcher splashes into the water next to you. It is attached to a thin hose, at the other end of which Inky sits on dry land, drinking a cup of tea. They wave. + +> Inky squints at the silhouette underwater, slightly distorted by the occasional ripple on the surface, trying to decipher the odd hand gestures and wisps of light coming from below. Why was Master Corraidhín repeatedly forming semi-circles with his finger, almost like … the handle of a teacup? Was it a request for tea? +> +> After a pause, Inky rummages inside a bag and brings out a large porro and a long rubber hose. The porro is filled with a demi-tasse of black grapefruit pekoe from a flask and the spout plugged with an eldarberry-flavoured gummy pen nib. Inky strings together a handful of brass nuts with twine and ties it to the porro's handle to act as a small weight, then affixes the hose tightly to the open top of the porro. Casting a slightly apologetic look in the direction of the water for a brew long since gone cold, Inky swings the hose and flings the drinking vessel into the pool towards Master Corraidhín, watching for a moment as the porro sinks down into the water to hover near his arm. The other end of the hose is tied securely to a narrow rock on one side of the pool with more twine, the end sticking up in the air like a wiggling snorkel. +> +> Inky returns to crouching near the vault entrance and looking inside another small pouch for fresh tea leaves. Waiting is thirsty work! + +You cast an improvised lifeline to the floundering wizard, and find a cache of very fine fermented tea leaves wrapped in waxed paper that you left for yourself at some point in the past. How thoughtful and considerate of Past You! + +From your vantage point, the sleepy guard Kobit still shows no sign of stirring. And Jarrod has a throng of captive beasts listening very intently to his stirring, epic poem. HORSE in particular seems to be gaining some kind of physical sustenance from the words, snorting and whinnying and beating its wings with each new stanza. + +If you can slip through the doorway without disturbing them, there will be nothing between you and the now vulnerable Ginnarak Crystal. + +WHAT DO YOU DOOOOOO + +[www](https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-09/msg00019.html) diff --git a/src/notes.md b/src/notes.md index 2668c97..6117026 100644 --- a/src/notes.md +++ b/src/notes.md @@ -5,6 +5,19 @@ updated: Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 --- ## Spoilers +### names + +Upcoming NPCs and/or monsters? + +``` +07:10 ~mio | lol okay, we can call it zai-ni for a day +07:10 ~mio | tiny zeyeknee +``` + +Pirates? + +### crystals + the five Ginnarak crystals: - earth -- cave @@ -13,6 +26,8 @@ the five Ginnarak crystals: - wind -- cloudstuff - heart? ice? +### hodgepodge + The Benefactor is Nullar Blavin is a secret agent, working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to 'create balance' by seating a fourth god diff --git a/www/aur.png b/www/aur.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d1549d1 Binary files /dev/null and b/www/aur.png differ diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index e7e4867..f178f49 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ Willows
  • 00012
  • 00013
  • 00014
  • +
  • 00015
  • Bestiary
  • @@ -1193,6 +1194,135 @@ then thrash about a bit with one hand on the hilt of the eye sword.

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    www

    +

    00015

    +
    +

    Jarrod raises his right hand and begins adding a new rhythm to his +beat by slapping his palm against his chest. The resulting beat sounds +eerily like a galloping horse. Jarrod pushes his voice outward and +upward, directing his vocal energy at HORSE.

    +
    "A mighty steed did carry our hero through forest, hill and town:
    + A comely beast with silky mane and smooth and supple hide.
    + One would think that such a stallion needs must have renown,
    + But only our dear hero understood, and so did ride."
    +

    Jarrod subtly adjusts the rhythm to a fast, regular beat.

    +
    "Lightning of the hoof!
    + Fire in the eye!
    + One with blowing wind!
    + Strength of mountain high!"
    +

    Jarrod slowly calms the beat back down to a heartbeat with his left +hand fingers on his thigh again. However, the right now rests close to +Gertrude’s handle, at the ready.

    +
    "On fated day, our hero does require
    + Underlings for which a task is set.
    + And yet, this day the underlings and squires
    + Have booked their time away from toil and fret."
    +

    While continuing the epic, Jarrod makes note of two options, should +he need them:

    +
      +
    1. Should he need, he can dive behind the giant clam; and
    2. +
    3. He eyes a path back out the vault, should he be able to draw the +Aurs and Kobits out with him.
    4. +
    +

    Jarrod keeps his eyes on HORSE, attempting to react to whatever HORSE +brings.

    +
    +

    HORSE gives a snort, a groan, and a sigh as the beat of the poem +accelerates to a trot, and turns its subject to matters of its own +interest. Namely, himself. HORSE likes to hear its own name, and it +likes to hear people pay tribute to it with verse. Which is 100% what it +thinks is going on here.

    +

    HORSE beats its wings a few times and then flaps over to where Jarrod +is delivering his oration. It stands a little too close, basking in the +glory of Jarrod’s verse.

    +

    There is now gathered at Jarrod’s feet three Aurs; one clumsy Kobit +with untied shoe laces; and one naked, winged Kobit named HORSE.

    +

    The blue and gold, melon shaped crystal in the center of the vault +has been left unguarded. It hovers, suspended, beneath its glass dome on +top of its pedestal, revolving slowly in place. It looks like a weird +tiny asteroid. The veins of gold in the stone pulse lightly with +otherworldly energy.

    +
    +

    Damn it Corraidhin thinks to himself, here I am yet again at the +bottom of some insipid pool stuck by some random magical thing all +because I didn’t pay enough attention in mythical history class. Bloody +hell!

    +

    Good thing I paid attention in sorcery and yesteryears secrecry +administrivia, this little sword won’t stay stuck for too long! My lungs +if I bungle this though..

    +

    Corraidhin quickly invokes a spell with his spare hand, casting +mystical runes with his hand.

    +
    sudo chmod -t sowrd_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chmod 775 sword_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chown corraidhin:party sword_of_yam\'l
    +

    That should do it corraidhin thinks to himself. If not I’m going to +need to think quick, I’m stuck and there’s no way up without this sword. +I might be able to transmute the water into air around me, but probably +only a small pocket which will surely disappear in a gasp. Alternately I +could try and blast my way down, creating a pocket for the water to flow +into, but I’d be willing to bet I’ll hurt myself in the process..

    +
    +

    You trace some watery runes, invoking Sudo to bend reality to your +will.

    +

    The unschooled masses sometimes erroneously assume that Sudo is a +deity in its own right. There’s a certain misguided logic to it: an +invisible force that governs the relationships between entities, and +infallibly predicts how they will behave? Certainly, it must be an all +powerful, godlike entity.

    +

    You and your ilk, of course, know that there’s no more intelligence +behind Sudo than there is behind gravity. No need to correct them +though. Sometimes it behooves the mage to allow others to think that +they serve an unfathomable arcane lord.

    +

    There is a dull underwater flash and a muted underwater bang, and you +feel the sword slip from its stony clinch like a knife tearing through +soggy bread.

    +

    You push up off the bottom of the pool and rocket to the surface, +helped–surprisingly–by the sword, which remains glued fast to your hand, +but which also rises above you as though somehow lighter than water.

    +

    You break the surface of the water and hear joyous laughter.

    +
    "Oh, yes! Well done, Hardy Bear! So very well done indeed! Oh, I had spent so long trapped at the bottom of that pool waiting for a new bear to come and free me. And now here you are! Oh, what a very good day this is. What a magnificent pair we shall be.
    +
    +"Now, let's go stab some evil!"
    +

    You look down at the sword in your hand, and the eye twinkles at you, +full of adoration and zeal.

    +

    A small wine pitcher splashes into the water next to you. It is +attached to a thin hose, at the other end of which Inky sits on dry +land, drinking a cup of tea. They wave.

    +
    +

    Inky squints at the silhouette underwater, slightly distorted by the +occasional ripple on the surface, trying to decipher the odd hand +gestures and wisps of light coming from below. Why was Master Corraidhín +repeatedly forming semi-circles with his finger, almost like … the +handle of a teacup? Was it a request for tea?

    +

    After a pause, Inky rummages inside a bag and brings out a large +porro and a long rubber hose. The porro is filled with a demi-tasse of +black grapefruit pekoe from a flask and the spout plugged with an +eldarberry-flavoured gummy pen nib. Inky strings together a handful of +brass nuts with twine and ties it to the porro’s handle to act as a +small weight, then affixes the hose tightly to the open top of the +porro. Casting a slightly apologetic look in the direction of the water +for a brew long since gone cold, Inky swings the hose and flings the +drinking vessel into the pool towards Master Corraidhín, watching for a +moment as the porro sinks down into the water to hover near his arm. The +other end of the hose is tied securely to a narrow rock on one side of +the pool with more twine, the end sticking up in the air like a wiggling +snorkel.

    +

    Inky returns to crouching near the vault entrance and looking inside +another small pouch for fresh tea leaves. Waiting is thirsty work!

    +
    +

    You cast an improvised lifeline to the floundering wizard, and find a +cache of very fine fermented tea leaves wrapped in waxed paper that you +left for yourself at some point in the past. How thoughtful and +considerate of Past You!

    +

    From your vantage point, the sleepy guard Kobit still shows no sign +of stirring. And Jarrod has a throng of captive beasts listening very +intently to his stirring, epic poem. HORSE in particular seems to be +gaining some kind of physical sustenance from the words, snorting and +whinnying and beating its wings with each new stanza.

    +

    If you can slip through the doorway without disturbing them, there +will be nothing between you and the now vulnerable Ginnarak Crystal.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DOOOOOO

    +

    www

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria

    @@ -1202,6 +1332,14 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-09/msg00015.html">www Giant ears with bat wings. Very keen hearing obviously. Usually more of an annoyance than a true deterent. Unless there’s a Centaur around. +
    +
    +
    +aur + +
    +
    +
    @@ -1222,8 +1360,8 @@ a little goblinoid with the head of a goblin shark
    Centaur
    -

    A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They -can really ruin your day.

    +A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They can +really ruin your day.
    @@ -1280,6 +1418,14 @@ Subterranean scaly ratdog creatures. Big luminous eyes, long droopy mustaches. Extremely rarely, they may grow leathery wings, in which case they are revered and elevated by the other kobits.
    +
    +
    +
    +kobit + +
    +
    +
    diff --git a/www/kobit.png b/www/kobit.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..45473c0 Binary files /dev/null and b/www/kobit.png differ diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index 6670592..af4754d 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -52,6 +52,52 @@ ]]> + + 00006 - gophers + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 00006 - gophers - Tue, 26 Jul 2022 +20:32:23 -0600 + Sat, 30 Jul 2022 19:19:20 -0600 + + 00006 +

    Suddenly three anthropomorphic gophers come crashing + through the trees behind you into the dig site. The first is + wearing a sash of many pockets. The second is wearing cargo + shorts of many pockets. The third is wearing a vest of many + pockets. Each wears a pair of goggles with thick smokey black + lenses, and a floppy checkered hat that looks like a + waffle.

    +

    They march up to the zip-line.

    +

    “Out of the way, losers!” Sash cries. It grabs the zip-line + trolley, and immediately dives off the side of the cliff and + zooms down into the deep, deep hole.

    +

    Vest introduces itself, “Retrieval Team 70 here! We are + here to recover the Ginnarak Crystal that is reported to be at + this location. After we collect all five, then it will be + us who get to hang out in the Benefactor’s hot tub! + Not you! Ha!”

    +

    Sash has reached the bottom of the deep, deep hole. Shorts + starts reeling in the pulley.

    +

    Vest leans in close and peers at you through its foggy + lenses. “You must be the new Retrieval Team 43. Hmmph. Shame + what happened to the previous Team 43. Hope you know what + you’re doing! Would hate to see you end up like them!”

    +

    Shorts grabs the trolley and leaps down into the deep, deep + hole. It sails all the way down, and joins Sash at the + bottom.

    +

    “Welp!” Vest concludes with an air of finality. “No hard + feelings, and all that! After we collect this crystal, we just + need four more. And then we get to meet the Benefactor! + Ha!”

    +

    It waddles off and starts reeling in the trolley.

    +

    Meanwhile, another gnome explodes behind you.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    + ]]> +
    +
    13 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -143,52 +189,6 @@ ]]> - - 00006 - gophers - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 00006 - gophers - Tue, 26 Jul 2022 -20:32:23 -0600 - Sat, 30 Jul 2022 19:19:20 -0600 - - 00006 -

    Suddenly three anthropomorphic gophers come crashing - through the trees behind you into the dig site. The first is - wearing a sash of many pockets. The second is wearing cargo - shorts of many pockets. The third is wearing a vest of many - pockets. Each wears a pair of goggles with thick smokey black - lenses, and a floppy checkered hat that looks like a - waffle.

    -

    They march up to the zip-line.

    -

    “Out of the way, losers!” Sash cries. It grabs the zip-line - trolley, and immediately dives off the side of the cliff and - zooms down into the deep, deep hole.

    -

    Vest introduces itself, “Retrieval Team 70 here! We are - here to recover the Ginnarak Crystal that is reported to be at - this location. After we collect all five, then it will be - us who get to hang out in the Benefactor’s hot tub! - Not you! Ha!”

    -

    Sash has reached the bottom of the deep, deep hole. Shorts - starts reeling in the pulley.

    -

    Vest leans in close and peers at you through its foggy - lenses. “You must be the new Retrieval Team 43. Hmmph. Shame - what happened to the previous Team 43. Hope you know what - you’re doing! Would hate to see you end up like them!”

    -

    Shorts grabs the trolley and leaps down into the deep, deep - hole. It sails all the way down, and joins Sash at the - bottom.

    -

    “Welp!” Vest concludes with an air of finality. “No hard - feelings, and all that! After we collect this crystal, we just - need four more. And then we get to meet the Benefactor! - Ha!”

    -

    It waddles off and starts reeling in the trolley.

    -

    Meanwhile, another gnome explodes behind you.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    -

    www

    - ]]> -
    -
    7 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -295,6 +295,164 @@ ]]> + + 12 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 12 - Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:44:58 +-0600 + Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:44:58 -0600 + + 00012 +
    +

    Harrumph I say as I billow out my mustache. I know exactly + what this is, I’ve seen these silly terminals at the wizarding + academy. Fascinating little babbles really, not that easy to + use, and I find they’re easier to melt with a well placed + fireball or two, but I think I can get us past without that. + Now I might need someone to cover for me if that Kobit catches + onto what I’m doing, and I’ll say the weird sword is starting + to creep me out a bit.

    +

    Corraidhin approaches the terminal, cracks his knuckles, + and enters: 1,$p

    +
    +

    The printer spits out a piece of paper:

    +
    The door is Locked
    +
    +

    Corraidhin stares at the paper. Well, that’s not right, the + door’s only partially closed. Preposterious thing.

    +

    That’s okay, I know how to fix this.

    +

    19 c there is no door, there never was, and never will be. + Also the Kobit guard forgot to tie his shoes. . w 1,$p

    +
    +

    The printer spits out a slip of paper.

    +
    there is no door, there never was, and never will be. Also the Kobit guard forgot to tie his shoes.
    +

    With a soft pop, the thick stone door vanishes.

    +

    The sword at the bottom of the pool widens its eye in + surprise.

    +

    Nothing remains between you and the interior of the + vault.

    +

    Some light from the hall spills in and glints off what + appears to be a mound of gold, gems, and crystals. The rest of + its contents are hidden from view unless you venture + inside.

    +

    You can still hear the guard kobit in the passage, now + whistling a warbling, lamentful tune. It sounds dangerously + close. Best get a move on if you want to avoid a + confrontation.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +
    +

    While the wisened scholar inspects the vault door, Inky + walks a few steps from the antechamber to meet the Kobit + guard, pressure gauge and tiny notebook in hand. Inky proceeds + to ask them about water flow sounds in the surrounding area, + water stains, signs of potential pests that could damage the + pipes, and other rather boring elements pertaining to modern + Basmentia burrow plumbing.

    +

    After a while, seeing as they have been conversing for some + time, Inky pulls out two small bottles of chilled arrowroot + beer from a waist pouch and offers one to the Kobit guard.

    +
    +

    The big guard kobit’s eyes start to glass over as Inky goes + on about water pressure and structural integrity.

    +

    But it does graciously accept a bottle arrowroot beer.

    +

    “Well, golly, don’t mind if I do!” It cracks the lid off, + toasts to your health and takes a long swig.

    +

    “Aaaaaaaah! That hits the spot!”

    +
    +

    Corraidhin absentmindedly inspects the terminal and door + while Inky converses with the guard. He’s utterly distracted + and talking to himself.

    +

    By the gods, it’s gone. Just like that! I thought it’d + fizzle or something, but it’s gone! I wonder what else I can + do with this thing.

    +

    Corraidhin wanders back to the terminal and enters another + command.

    +

    19 c The wise and elderly Corraidhin is now a young and + dashing rogue, with a very nice hat. .

    +
    +

    The printer spits out a slip of paper:

    +
    ?
    +

    Maybe the ed terminal only has jurisdiction over the door + to the vault.

    +

    Or maybe the machine, the universe, or whatever, is telling + you not to push your luck.

    +

    By now the big guard kobit, lulled by Inky’s questions and + finally sedated by the alcohol, is slumped and snoring softly + in the mouth of one of the twisty little passages.

    +

    You stand before the open vault under the ever watchful + gaze of the sword at the bottom of the pool of water in the + center of the room.

    +

    WHAT DO

    + ]]> +
    +
    + + 00005 - gnomes + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 00005 - gnomes - Tue, 25 Jul 2022 +20:32:23 -0600 + Tue, 25 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 + + 00005 +
    +

    As the blahoblins were packing up, Inky persuades Waistcoat + to sell a few small bottles of shoe polish, a roughly round + piece of broken glass and scraps of cheesecloth from the + mountain of debris previously on the ground. Inky rolls Do + Anything 1 and rolls a 4.

    +
    +

    Inky successfully persuades Waistcoat to sell a few baubles + and trinkets with the first roll of the game!

    +

    They haggle back and forth a little bit, and Inky ends up + paying a little more than they wanted to, but they get all the + stuff they wanted. Yay commerce!

    +

    Having concluded business, the blahoblins pack up and + disappear into the bushes toting their chair, cheese, and vat + of polish.

    +

    The sound of mechanical droning and periodic explosions + compel you forward to the dig site.

    +

    It is easy to find.

    +

    It is a large hole blasted deep into the ground. There are + drills, and conveyor belts, earth moving machines, and all + kinds of gadgets and gizmos, the purpose of which is not + always readily apparent. And there is a zip line that seems to + be the only way down to the bottom.

    +

    The site is absolutely teeming with gnomes. Diminutive + humanoids with bright red noses and long, long ears, and long, + nimble fingers. All gnomes are compulsive tinkerers and + mechanics, and build fantastic contraptions. All gnomes are + women, and are all highly explosive. Which makes their + combustion powered machines extremely dangerous, both for + themselves and for any unfortunate bystanders close enough to + get caught in the blast.

    +

    A gnome in a white hat comes running up to you. “You there! + Hey! Yes, you!”

    +

    “Are you the retrieval team? We’ve been expecting you! The + whole dig is halted because we accidentally blasted into a + whole nest of Kobits, and they won’t let us get near to keep + digging! They keep sabotaging our machines when we try!”

    +

    “They also stole the Ginnarak Crystal that we found! That + thing could have powered such glorious new machines!” She + pouts.

    +

    In the background, a gnome who had crawled half way into a + coal bin in the side of some kind of excavator suddenly + scrambles quickly out, smoking, and runs around in circles in + a panic. Nearby gnomes dive out of the way as she erupts in a + small ball of fire. The gnomes wait for the smoke to clear and + then immediately return to working on the contraption.

    +

    The foreman continues talking to you as though nothing + happened. She leads you over to the edge of the hole and + points to the bottom.

    +

    “The entrance to their cave is right down there! The zip + line is the second fastest way down.”

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    + ]]> +
    +
    9 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -461,98 +619,6 @@ ]]> - - 12 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 12 - Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:44:58 --0600 - Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:44:58 -0600 - - 00012 -
    -

    Harrumph I say as I billow out my mustache. I know exactly - what this is, I’ve seen these silly terminals at the wizarding - academy. Fascinating little babbles really, not that easy to - use, and I find they’re easier to melt with a well placed - fireball or two, but I think I can get us past without that. - Now I might need someone to cover for me if that Kobit catches - onto what I’m doing, and I’ll say the weird sword is starting - to creep me out a bit.

    -

    Corraidhin approaches the terminal, cracks his knuckles, - and enters: 1,$p

    -
    -

    The printer spits out a piece of paper:

    -
    The door is Locked
    -
    -

    Corraidhin stares at the paper. Well, that’s not right, the - door’s only partially closed. Preposterious thing.

    -

    That’s okay, I know how to fix this.

    -

    19 c there is no door, there never was, and never will be. - Also the Kobit guard forgot to tie his shoes. . w 1,$p

    -
    -

    The printer spits out a slip of paper.

    -
    there is no door, there never was, and never will be. Also the Kobit guard forgot to tie his shoes.
    -

    With a soft pop, the thick stone door vanishes.

    -

    The sword at the bottom of the pool widens its eye in - surprise.

    -

    Nothing remains between you and the interior of the - vault.

    -

    Some light from the hall spills in and glints off what - appears to be a mound of gold, gems, and crystals. The rest of - its contents are hidden from view unless you venture - inside.

    -

    You can still hear the guard kobit in the passage, now - whistling a warbling, lamentful tune. It sounds dangerously - close. Best get a move on if you want to avoid a - confrontation.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    -
    -

    While the wisened scholar inspects the vault door, Inky - walks a few steps from the antechamber to meet the Kobit - guard, pressure gauge and tiny notebook in hand. Inky proceeds - to ask them about water flow sounds in the surrounding area, - water stains, signs of potential pests that could damage the - pipes, and other rather boring elements pertaining to modern - Basmentia burrow plumbing.

    -

    After a while, seeing as they have been conversing for some - time, Inky pulls out two small bottles of chilled arrowroot - beer from a waist pouch and offers one to the Kobit guard.

    -
    -

    The big guard kobit’s eyes start to glass over as Inky goes - on about water pressure and structural integrity.

    -

    But it does graciously accept a bottle arrowroot beer.

    -

    “Well, golly, don’t mind if I do!” It cracks the lid off, - toasts to your health and takes a long swig.

    -

    “Aaaaaaaah! That hits the spot!”

    -
    -

    Corraidhin absentmindedly inspects the terminal and door - while Inky converses with the guard. He’s utterly distracted - and talking to himself.

    -

    By the gods, it’s gone. Just like that! I thought it’d - fizzle or something, but it’s gone! I wonder what else I can - do with this thing.

    -

    Corraidhin wanders back to the terminal and enters another - command.

    -

    19 c The wise and elderly Corraidhin is now a young and - dashing rogue, with a very nice hat. .

    -
    -

    The printer spits out a slip of paper:

    -
    ?
    -

    Maybe the ed terminal only has jurisdiction over the door - to the vault.

    -

    Or maybe the machine, the universe, or whatever, is telling - you not to push your luck.

    -

    By now the big guard kobit, lulled by Inky’s questions and - finally sedated by the alcohol, is slumped and snoring softly - in the mouth of one of the twisty little passages.

    -

    You stand before the open vault under the ever watchful - gaze of the sword at the bottom of the pool of water in the - center of the room.

    -

    WHAT DO

    - ]]> -
    -
    meta dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -609,108 +675,159 @@ - 00005 - gnomes + 15 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 00005 - gnomes - Tue, 25 Jul 2022 -20:32:23 -0600 - Tue, 25 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 + 15 - Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:14:06 +-0400 + Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:14:06 -0400 00005 +

    00015

    -

    As the blahoblins were packing up, Inky persuades Waistcoat - to sell a few small bottles of shoe polish, a roughly round - piece of broken glass and scraps of cheesecloth from the - mountain of debris previously on the ground. Inky rolls Do - Anything 1 and rolls a 4.

    +

    Jarrod raises his right hand and begins adding a new rhythm + to his beat by slapping his palm against his chest. The + resulting beat sounds eerily like a galloping horse. Jarrod + pushes his voice outward and upward, directing his vocal + energy at HORSE.

    +
    "A mighty steed did carry our hero through forest, hill and town:
    + A comely beast with silky mane and smooth and supple hide.
    + One would think that such a stallion needs must have renown,
    + But only our dear hero understood, and so did ride."
    +

    Jarrod subtly adjusts the rhythm to a fast, regular + beat.

    +
    "Lightning of the hoof!
    + Fire in the eye!
    + One with blowing wind!
    + Strength of mountain high!"
    +

    Jarrod slowly calms the beat back down to a heartbeat with + his left hand fingers on his thigh again. However, the right + now rests close to Gertrude’s handle, at the ready.

    +
    "On fated day, our hero does require
    + Underlings for which a task is set.
    + And yet, this day the underlings and squires
    + Have booked their time away from toil and fret."
    +

    While continuing the epic, Jarrod makes note of two + options, should he need them:

    +
      +
    1. Should he need, he can dive behind the giant clam; + and
    2. +
    3. He eyes a path back out the vault, should he be able to + draw the Aurs and Kobits out with him.
    4. +
    +

    Jarrod keeps his eyes on HORSE, attempting to react to + whatever HORSE brings.

    -

    Inky successfully persuades Waistcoat to sell a few baubles - and trinkets with the first roll of the game!

    -

    They haggle back and forth a little bit, and Inky ends up - paying a little more than they wanted to, but they get all the - stuff they wanted. Yay commerce!

    -

    Having concluded business, the blahoblins pack up and - disappear into the bushes toting their chair, cheese, and vat - of polish.

    -

    The sound of mechanical droning and periodic explosions - compel you forward to the dig site.

    -

    It is easy to find.

    -

    It is a large hole blasted deep into the ground. There are - drills, and conveyor belts, earth moving machines, and all - kinds of gadgets and gizmos, the purpose of which is not - always readily apparent. And there is a zip line that seems to - be the only way down to the bottom.

    -

    The site is absolutely teeming with gnomes. Diminutive - humanoids with bright red noses and long, long ears, and long, - nimble fingers. All gnomes are compulsive tinkerers and - mechanics, and build fantastic contraptions. All gnomes are - women, and are all highly explosive. Which makes their - combustion powered machines extremely dangerous, both for - themselves and for any unfortunate bystanders close enough to - get caught in the blast.

    -

    A gnome in a white hat comes running up to you. “You there! - Hey! Yes, you!”

    -

    “Are you the retrieval team? We’ve been expecting you! The - whole dig is halted because we accidentally blasted into a - whole nest of Kobits, and they won’t let us get near to keep - digging! They keep sabotaging our machines when we try!”

    -

    “They also stole the Ginnarak Crystal that we found! That - thing could have powered such glorious new machines!” She - pouts.

    -

    In the background, a gnome who had crawled half way into a - coal bin in the side of some kind of excavator suddenly - scrambles quickly out, smoking, and runs around in circles in - a panic. Nearby gnomes dive out of the way as she erupts in a - small ball of fire. The gnomes wait for the smoke to clear and - then immediately return to working on the contraption.

    -

    The foreman continues talking to you as though nothing - happened. She leads you over to the edge of the hole and - points to the bottom.

    -

    “The entrance to their cave is right down there! The zip - line is the second fastest way down.”

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    HORSE gives a snort, a groan, and a sigh as the beat of the + poem accelerates to a trot, and turns its subject to matters + of its own interest. Namely, himself. HORSE likes to hear its + own name, and it likes to hear people pay tribute to it with + verse. Which is 100% what it thinks is going on here.

    +

    HORSE beats its wings a few times and then flaps over to + where Jarrod is delivering his oration. It stands a little too + close, basking in the glory of Jarrod’s verse.

    +

    There is now gathered at Jarrod’s feet three Aurs; one + clumsy Kobit with untied shoe laces; and one naked, winged + Kobit named HORSE.

    +

    The blue and gold, melon shaped crystal in the center of + the vault has been left unguarded. It hovers, suspended, + beneath its glass dome on top of its pedestal, revolving + slowly in place. It looks like a weird tiny asteroid. The + veins of gold in the stone pulse lightly with otherworldly + energy.

    +
    +

    Damn it Corraidhin thinks to himself, here I am yet again + at the bottom of some insipid pool stuck by some random + magical thing all because I didn’t pay enough attention in + mythical history class. Bloody hell!

    +

    Good thing I paid attention in sorcery and yesteryears + secrecry administrivia, this little sword won’t stay stuck for + too long! My lungs if I bungle this though..

    +

    Corraidhin quickly invokes a spell with his spare hand, + casting mystical runes with his hand.

    +
    sudo chmod -t sowrd_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chmod 775 sword_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chown corraidhin:party sword_of_yam\'l
    +

    That should do it corraidhin thinks to himself. If not I’m + going to need to think quick, I’m stuck and there’s no way up + without this sword. I might be able to transmute the water + into air around me, but probably only a small pocket which + will surely disappear in a gasp. Alternately I could try and + blast my way down, creating a pocket for the water to flow + into, but I’d be willing to bet I’ll hurt myself in the + process..

    +
    +

    You trace some watery runes, invoking Sudo to bend reality + to your will.

    +

    The unschooled masses sometimes erroneously assume that + Sudo is a deity in its own right. There’s a certain misguided + logic to it: an invisible force that governs the relationships + between entities, and infallibly predicts how they will + behave? Certainly, it must be an all powerful, godlike + entity.

    +

    You and your ilk, of course, know that there’s no more + intelligence behind Sudo than there is behind gravity. No need + to correct them though. Sometimes it behooves the mage to + allow others to think that they serve an unfathomable arcane + lord.

    +

    There is a dull underwater flash and a muted underwater + bang, and you feel the sword slip from its stony clinch like a + knife tearing through soggy bread.

    +

    You push up off the bottom of the pool and rocket to the + surface, helped–surprisingly–by the sword, which remains glued + fast to your hand, but which also rises above you as though + somehow lighter than water.

    +

    You break the surface of the water and hear joyous + laughter.

    +
    "Oh, yes! Well done, Hardy Bear! So very well done indeed! Oh, I had spent so long trapped at the bottom of that pool waiting for a new bear to come and free me. And now here you are! Oh, what a very good day this is. What a magnificent pair we shall be.
    +
    +"Now, let's go stab some evil!"
    +

    You look down at the sword in your hand, and the eye + twinkles at you, full of adoration and zeal.

    +

    A small wine pitcher splashes into the water next to you. + It is attached to a thin hose, at the other end of which Inky + sits on dry land, drinking a cup of tea. They wave.

    +
    +

    Inky squints at the silhouette underwater, slightly + distorted by the occasional ripple on the surface, trying to + decipher the odd hand gestures and wisps of light coming from + below. Why was Master Corraidhín repeatedly forming + semi-circles with his finger, almost like … the handle of a + teacup? Was it a request for tea?

    +

    After a pause, Inky rummages inside a bag and brings out a + large porro and a long rubber hose. The porro is filled with a + demi-tasse of black grapefruit pekoe from a flask and the + spout plugged with an eldarberry-flavoured gummy pen nib. Inky + strings together a handful of brass nuts with twine and ties + it to the porro’s handle to act as a small weight, then + affixes the hose tightly to the open top of the porro. Casting + a slightly apologetic look in the direction of the water for a + brew long since gone cold, Inky swings the hose and flings the + drinking vessel into the pool towards Master Corraidhín, + watching for a moment as the porro sinks down into the water + to hover near his arm. The other end of the hose is tied + securely to a narrow rock on one side of the pool with more + twine, the end sticking up in the air like a wiggling + snorkel.

    +

    Inky returns to crouching near the vault entrance and + looking inside another small pouch for fresh tea leaves. + Waiting is thirsty work!

    +
    +

    You cast an improvised lifeline to the floundering wizard, + and find a cache of very fine fermented tea leaves wrapped in + waxed paper that you left for yourself at some point in the + past. How thoughtful and considerate of Past You!

    +

    From your vantage point, the sleepy guard Kobit still shows + no sign of stirring. And Jarrod has a throng of captive beasts + listening very intently to his stirring, epic poem. HORSE in + particular seems to be gaining some kind of physical + sustenance from the words, snorting and whinnying and beating + its wings with each new stanza.

    +

    If you can slip through the doorway without disturbing + them, there will be nothing between you and the now vulnerable + Ginnarak Crystal.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DOOOOOO

    www

    - ]]> -
    -
    - - 00001 - we meet in a tavern - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 00001 - we meet in a tavern - Tue, 20 -Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 - Tue, 20 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 - - 00001 -

    “Congratulations!” The slightly tipsy hobbit grins and - salutes you with his martini. “On Retrieval Team 43’s - inaugural mission! I’m so excited for you, I’m sure you’ll do - fantastic!”

    -

    You are all seated around a table in the corner at Lucy’s - Basement. It is dimly lit and fairly noisy. The walls are - covered in red velvet curtains, and the tablecloths have - little gold tassels. A cloud of purple smoke from candles, - cigars, and pipes hangs in the air. Waiters bustle between - tables refilling drinks.

    -

    “So to recap, the Benefactor has tasked you with retrieving - the five fabled Ginnarak Crystals. I, Blavin Blandfoot, will - be your case manager. You will be paid handsomely for each - crystal you retrieve. And if you retrieve all 5, you’ll get to - meet the Benefactor at be their guest at their glorious - mansion!

    -

    “The first crystal has been spotted near a Gnomish dig site - in the Tammineaux Forest, just east of here.”

    -

    “I recommend getting started right away!” He polishes off - his drink and squints at his empty glass. “Well, maybe first - thing in the morning. Waiter!”

    -
      -
    • Who are you?
    • -
    • What role do you think you will fill on the team?
    • -
    • What do you plan to do with your cut of the money?
    • -
    -

    www

    + href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-09/msg00019.html">www

    ]]>
    @@ -777,6 +894,46 @@ the door is Open ]]> + + 00001 - we meet in a tavern + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 00001 - we meet in a tavern - Tue, 20 +Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 + Tue, 20 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 + + 00001 +

    “Congratulations!” The slightly tipsy hobbit grins and + salutes you with his martini. “On Retrieval Team 43’s + inaugural mission! I’m so excited for you, I’m sure you’ll do + fantastic!”

    +

    You are all seated around a table in the corner at Lucy’s + Basement. It is dimly lit and fairly noisy. The walls are + covered in red velvet curtains, and the tablecloths have + little gold tassels. A cloud of purple smoke from candles, + cigars, and pipes hangs in the air. Waiters bustle between + tables refilling drinks.

    +

    “So to recap, the Benefactor has tasked you with retrieving + the five fabled Ginnarak Crystals. I, Blavin Blandfoot, will + be your case manager. You will be paid handsomely for each + crystal you retrieve. And if you retrieve all 5, you’ll get to + meet the Benefactor at be their guest at their glorious + mansion!

    +

    “The first crystal has been spotted near a Gnomish dig site + in the Tammineaux Forest, just east of here.”

    +

    “I recommend getting started right away!” He polishes off + his drink and squints at his empty glass. “Well, maybe first + thing in the morning. Waiter!”

    +
      +
    • Who are you?
    • +
    • What role do you think you will fill on the team?
    • +
    • What do you plan to do with your cut of the money?
    • +
    +

    www

    + ]]> +
    +
    10 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -833,66 +990,6 @@ the door is Open ]]> - - 00004 - pockets picked - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 00004 - pockets picked - Tue, 24 Jul -2022 20:32:23 -0600 - Tue, 24 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 - - 00004 -
    -

    “And jolly good polish too, it looks like,” Inky replies, - squinting a bit at the ichor being smeared onto the boots in - Earrings’ large calloused hands. “I hear there be some gnomes - hereabouts? A camp? With your remarkable service, I bet they’d - be coming to you all the time to get their boots cleaned.”

    -
    -

    “GNOMES!?” Earrings interrobangs loudly and questioningly. - It brings its hands to the sides of its face, covering its ear - holes, and wags its oversized head in dismay, squeezing its - tiny eyes shut. In the process, it smears polish around its - face.

    -

    “Gnomes there!” shouts Waistcoat. Its hands busy polishing, - it tosses its head, gesturing with its prodigious proboscis in - the direction you were heading. You continue to hear bangs and - booms in the distance every once a while.

    -
    -

    Glarg gurgles something to the effect of - “gluggurguuuurglaaaachhhh?” Its stance is one of surprise as - its disposition changes to that of inquisition as its head - cranes down to look at the blahoblin carrying the smelly rock - on its back.

    -
    -

    Teeth looks questioningly up at Glarg and experimentally - gargles back up at it. “GURGLE BURBLE GLUG GLUG?” It smiles - apologetically (a fearsome sight, its protruding jaws full of - tiny pointy teeth) and shrugs and asks, “Shoe shine?”

    -
    -

    It attempts to pick that whole blahoblin up and bring the - smelly rock to its face for a closer inspection.

    -
    -

    “WAAAAAAH!” Teeth kicks its feet ineffectively and is quite - helplessly tied to the big smelly rock when Glarg picks it up. - The smelly rock smells pungent, sharp, earthy, moldy. - Definitely could be food.

    -

    By this time the blahoblins have polished the shoes of - everybody who has consented to it, and are packing up. Except - for Teeth who is being detained by the earth elemental.

    -

    Red Shoes reappears from wherever they have been this whole - time with a sly smile and rejoins its comrades.

    -

    Your pockets have successfully been picked while you were - distracted with the shoe shine, but not of anything of - particular value.

    -

    What small item(s) will you notice is missing in the hours - and days to come? How will its absence be a minor - inconvenience?

    -

    www

    - ]]> -
    -
    14 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -1014,5 +1111,65 @@ greatest desire: stabbing ]]> + + 00004 - pockets picked + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 00004 - pockets picked - Tue, 24 Jul +2022 20:32:23 -0600 + Tue, 24 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 + + 00004 +
    +

    “And jolly good polish too, it looks like,” Inky replies, + squinting a bit at the ichor being smeared onto the boots in + Earrings’ large calloused hands. “I hear there be some gnomes + hereabouts? A camp? With your remarkable service, I bet they’d + be coming to you all the time to get their boots cleaned.”

    +
    +

    “GNOMES!?” Earrings interrobangs loudly and questioningly. + It brings its hands to the sides of its face, covering its ear + holes, and wags its oversized head in dismay, squeezing its + tiny eyes shut. In the process, it smears polish around its + face.

    +

    “Gnomes there!” shouts Waistcoat. Its hands busy polishing, + it tosses its head, gesturing with its prodigious proboscis in + the direction you were heading. You continue to hear bangs and + booms in the distance every once a while.

    +
    +

    Glarg gurgles something to the effect of + “gluggurguuuurglaaaachhhh?” Its stance is one of surprise as + its disposition changes to that of inquisition as its head + cranes down to look at the blahoblin carrying the smelly rock + on its back.

    +
    +

    Teeth looks questioningly up at Glarg and experimentally + gargles back up at it. “GURGLE BURBLE GLUG GLUG?” It smiles + apologetically (a fearsome sight, its protruding jaws full of + tiny pointy teeth) and shrugs and asks, “Shoe shine?”

    +
    +

    It attempts to pick that whole blahoblin up and bring the + smelly rock to its face for a closer inspection.

    +
    +

    “WAAAAAAH!” Teeth kicks its feet ineffectively and is quite + helplessly tied to the big smelly rock when Glarg picks it up. + The smelly rock smells pungent, sharp, earthy, moldy. + Definitely could be food.

    +

    By this time the blahoblins have polished the shoes of + everybody who has consented to it, and are packing up. Except + for Teeth who is being detained by the earth elemental.

    +

    Red Shoes reappears from wherever they have been this whole + time with a sly smile and rejoins its comrades.

    +

    Your pockets have successfully been picked while you were + distracted with the shoe shine, but not of anything of + particular value.

    +

    What small item(s) will you notice is missing in the hours + and days to come? How will its absence be a minor + inconvenience?

    +

    www

    + ]]> +
    +
    diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index 9562975..02428dc 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -228,12 +228,18 @@ Willows
  • 00012
  • 00013
  • 00014
  • +
  • 00015
  • Bestiary
  • Geography
  • Cosmology
  • History
  • -
  • Spoilers
  • +
  • Spoilers +
  • About

    @@ -1197,6 +1203,135 @@ then thrash about a bit with one hand on the hilt of the eye sword.

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    www

    +

    00015

    +
    +

    Jarrod raises his right hand and begins adding a new rhythm to his +beat by slapping his palm against his chest. The resulting beat sounds +eerily like a galloping horse. Jarrod pushes his voice outward and +upward, directing his vocal energy at HORSE.

    +
    "A mighty steed did carry our hero through forest, hill and town:
    + A comely beast with silky mane and smooth and supple hide.
    + One would think that such a stallion needs must have renown,
    + But only our dear hero understood, and so did ride."
    +

    Jarrod subtly adjusts the rhythm to a fast, regular beat.

    +
    "Lightning of the hoof!
    + Fire in the eye!
    + One with blowing wind!
    + Strength of mountain high!"
    +

    Jarrod slowly calms the beat back down to a heartbeat with his left +hand fingers on his thigh again. However, the right now rests close to +Gertrude’s handle, at the ready.

    +
    "On fated day, our hero does require
    + Underlings for which a task is set.
    + And yet, this day the underlings and squires
    + Have booked their time away from toil and fret."
    +

    While continuing the epic, Jarrod makes note of two options, should +he need them:

    +
      +
    1. Should he need, he can dive behind the giant clam; and
    2. +
    3. He eyes a path back out the vault, should he be able to draw the +Aurs and Kobits out with him.
    4. +
    +

    Jarrod keeps his eyes on HORSE, attempting to react to whatever HORSE +brings.

    +
    +

    HORSE gives a snort, a groan, and a sigh as the beat of the poem +accelerates to a trot, and turns its subject to matters of its own +interest. Namely, himself. HORSE likes to hear its own name, and it +likes to hear people pay tribute to it with verse. Which is 100% what it +thinks is going on here.

    +

    HORSE beats its wings a few times and then flaps over to where Jarrod +is delivering his oration. It stands a little too close, basking in the +glory of Jarrod’s verse.

    +

    There is now gathered at Jarrod’s feet three Aurs; one clumsy Kobit +with untied shoe laces; and one naked, winged Kobit named HORSE.

    +

    The blue and gold, melon shaped crystal in the center of the vault +has been left unguarded. It hovers, suspended, beneath its glass dome on +top of its pedestal, revolving slowly in place. It looks like a weird +tiny asteroid. The veins of gold in the stone pulse lightly with +otherworldly energy.

    +
    +

    Damn it Corraidhin thinks to himself, here I am yet again at the +bottom of some insipid pool stuck by some random magical thing all +because I didn’t pay enough attention in mythical history class. Bloody +hell!

    +

    Good thing I paid attention in sorcery and yesteryears secrecry +administrivia, this little sword won’t stay stuck for too long! My lungs +if I bungle this though..

    +

    Corraidhin quickly invokes a spell with his spare hand, casting +mystical runes with his hand.

    +
    sudo chmod -t sowrd_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chmod 775 sword_of_yam\'l
    +sudo chown corraidhin:party sword_of_yam\'l
    +

    That should do it corraidhin thinks to himself. If not I’m going to +need to think quick, I’m stuck and there’s no way up without this sword. +I might be able to transmute the water into air around me, but probably +only a small pocket which will surely disappear in a gasp. Alternately I +could try and blast my way down, creating a pocket for the water to flow +into, but I’d be willing to bet I’ll hurt myself in the process..

    +
    +

    You trace some watery runes, invoking Sudo to bend reality to your +will.

    +

    The unschooled masses sometimes erroneously assume that Sudo is a +deity in its own right. There’s a certain misguided logic to it: an +invisible force that governs the relationships between entities, and +infallibly predicts how they will behave? Certainly, it must be an all +powerful, godlike entity.

    +

    You and your ilk, of course, know that there’s no more intelligence +behind Sudo than there is behind gravity. No need to correct them +though. Sometimes it behooves the mage to allow others to think that +they serve an unfathomable arcane lord.

    +

    There is a dull underwater flash and a muted underwater bang, and you +feel the sword slip from its stony clinch like a knife tearing through +soggy bread.

    +

    You push up off the bottom of the pool and rocket to the surface, +helped–surprisingly–by the sword, which remains glued fast to your hand, +but which also rises above you as though somehow lighter than water.

    +

    You break the surface of the water and hear joyous laughter.

    +
    "Oh, yes! Well done, Hardy Bear! So very well done indeed! Oh, I had spent so long trapped at the bottom of that pool waiting for a new bear to come and free me. And now here you are! Oh, what a very good day this is. What a magnificent pair we shall be.
    +
    +"Now, let's go stab some evil!"
    +

    You look down at the sword in your hand, and the eye twinkles at you, +full of adoration and zeal.

    +

    A small wine pitcher splashes into the water next to you. It is +attached to a thin hose, at the other end of which Inky sits on dry +land, drinking a cup of tea. They wave.

    +
    +

    Inky squints at the silhouette underwater, slightly distorted by the +occasional ripple on the surface, trying to decipher the odd hand +gestures and wisps of light coming from below. Why was Master Corraidhín +repeatedly forming semi-circles with his finger, almost like … the +handle of a teacup? Was it a request for tea?

    +

    After a pause, Inky rummages inside a bag and brings out a large +porro and a long rubber hose. The porro is filled with a demi-tasse of +black grapefruit pekoe from a flask and the spout plugged with an +eldarberry-flavoured gummy pen nib. Inky strings together a handful of +brass nuts with twine and ties it to the porro’s handle to act as a +small weight, then affixes the hose tightly to the open top of the +porro. Casting a slightly apologetic look in the direction of the water +for a brew long since gone cold, Inky swings the hose and flings the +drinking vessel into the pool towards Master Corraidhín, watching for a +moment as the porro sinks down into the water to hover near his arm. The +other end of the hose is tied securely to a narrow rock on one side of +the pool with more twine, the end sticking up in the air like a wiggling +snorkel.

    +

    Inky returns to crouching near the vault entrance and looking inside +another small pouch for fresh tea leaves. Waiting is thirsty work!

    +
    +

    You cast an improvised lifeline to the floundering wizard, and find a +cache of very fine fermented tea leaves wrapped in waxed paper that you +left for yourself at some point in the past. How thoughtful and +considerate of Past You!

    +

    From your vantage point, the sleepy guard Kobit still shows no sign +of stirring. And Jarrod has a throng of captive beasts listening very +intently to his stirring, epic poem. HORSE in particular seems to be +gaining some kind of physical sustenance from the words, snorting and +whinnying and beating its wings with each new stanza.

    +

    If you can slip through the doorway without disturbing them, there +will be nothing between you and the now vulnerable Ginnarak Crystal.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DOOOOOO

    +

    www

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria

    @@ -1206,6 +1341,14 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-09/msg00015.html">www Giant ears with bat wings. Very keen hearing obviously. Usually more of an annoyance than a true deterent. Unless there’s a Centaur around. +
    +
    +
    +aur + +
    +
    +
    @@ -1226,8 +1369,8 @@ a little goblinoid with the head of a goblin shark
    Centaur
    -

    A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They -can really ruin your day.

    +A hundred ears with a hundred wings. The size of a small horse. They can +really ruin your day.
    @@ -1284,6 +1427,14 @@ Subterranean scaly ratdog creatures. Big luminous eyes, long droopy mustaches. Extremely rarely, they may grow leathery wings, in which case they are revered and elevated by the other kobits.
    +
    +
    +
    +kobit + +
    +
    +
    @@ -1347,6 +1498,12 @@ federation

    They reduced the once fertile lands of Ginnarak to ash and embers.

    Spoilers

    +

    names

    +

    Upcoming NPCs and/or monsters?

    +
    07:10      ~mio | lol okay, we can call it zai-ni for a day
    +07:10      ~mio | tiny zeyeknee
    +

    Pirates?

    +

    crystals

    the five Ginnarak crystals:

    • earth – cave
    • @@ -1355,6 +1512,7 @@ embers.

    • wind – cloudstuff
    • heart? ice?
    +

    hodgepodge

    The Benefactor is Nullar

    Blavin is a secret agent, working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to ‘create balance’ by seating a fourth god