From 89bfb56fa77ae3b42ee29306566aeec0566ccf71 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Christopher P. Brown" Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2022 17:19:59 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] 30 --- basement.order | 1 + src/characters/corraidhin.md | 4 +- src/characters/gabs.md | 4 +- src/epistolary/00030.md | 193 +++++ www/index.html | 166 ++++- www/rss.xml | 1349 +++++++++++++++++++--------------- www/spoilers.html | 166 ++++- 7 files changed, 1287 insertions(+), 596 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/epistolary/00030.md diff --git a/basement.order b/basement.order index 46b4401..d3a8197 100644 --- a/basement.order +++ b/basement.order @@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ src/epistolary/00026.md src/epistolary/00027.md src/epistolary/00028.md src/epistolary/00029.md +src/epistolary/00030.md src/bestiary/index.md src/bestiary/aur.md src/bestiary/blahoblin.md diff --git a/src/characters/corraidhin.md b/src/characters/corraidhin.md index bd06e5b..18af8d1 100644 --- a/src/characters/corraidhin.md +++ b/src/characters/corraidhin.md @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ --- title: corraidhin created: Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600 -updated: Thu, 29 Sep 2022 08:55:43 -0600 +updated: Sun, 06 Nov 2022 16:46:56 -0700 public: yes --- ### Corraidhín @@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ I think with my share of the reward I'll buy more books. Lots and lots of books, - Player: sinatra -- XP: 0 +- XP: 1 - Skills: Do Anything 1, Arcane Lore 2, Sneak 2 - Equipment: Sword of Yam'L, Ginnarak Crystal (Earth) diff --git a/src/characters/gabs.md b/src/characters/gabs.md index 27f13b3..b3a17e8 100644 --- a/src/characters/gabs.md +++ b/src/characters/gabs.md @@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ --- title: gabs created: Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:41:37 -0600 -updated: Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:41:37 -0600 +updated: Sun, 06 Nov 2022 16:36:39 -0700 public: yes --- ### Gabs @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ Gabs is a lanky older half-devil lady who is here to schmooze and have fun! - Player: archangelic - XP: 0 -- Skills: Do Anything 1 +- Skills: Do Anything 1, Stabbing 2 - Equipment: Paths: diff --git a/src/epistolary/00030.md b/src/epistolary/00030.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..68f6044 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/epistolary/00030.md @@ -0,0 +1,193 @@ +--- +title: 00030 +created: Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:43 -0600 +updated: Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:49 -0600 +public: yes +syndicated: yes +--- +### 00030 {#00030} + +> Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the tentacles' +> grasp. From their courier bag they shake out an inflatable +> bubblebee[1] of the sort made for aquatic camping. It is one of the +> fancier models provided to each member of their party courtesy of +> the well-endowed Benefactor. They yank on one of the cords and +> scramble inside, hastily closing the flap as the bubblebee rapidly +> draws in water and fills out to its full size. +> +> The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and allows the +> drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the end of one +> tentacle sending the bubblebee forward a short distance before it +> slows above the flailing tentacles. Inky switches on the lights to +> try to get a clearer view of the source of the tentacles. +> +> [1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but they +> generally have a transparent or translucent spherical body, a pair +> of small translucent wings that act as flippers, an opening flap at +> the back with a short rudder attached, and two cords inside at the +> front near the top which when pulled inflate the bubble with the +> surrounding air or water. Premium versions might also include +> headlights, a buzzer, built-in filtration, improved insulation, a +> drifter and thruster. Like tents they come in various sizes, from +> small ones that can fit one or two people at average elven height, +> to larger ones for group outings. Their portability and rugged +> durability make them very popular among tourists and campers who +> can enjoy a range of water sports, such as water walking on the +> surface, riding the bubble down river rapids, or bobbing along +> underwater to watch the sea life wander by. + +Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick of time. A +tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then the apparatus's +lights cut on and illuminate the murky water. + +You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from this +distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck. + +At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And the +bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability. + +> Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. "hmm a +> wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in closer." +> +> While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards the +> tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole his new +> found bear friends. "I simply cannot bear any harm to come to my +> bears!" As he approaches the creature he prepares a spell should he +> need to vanquish the monster. +> +> ``` +> (fn vanquish [target] +> (match target.state +> [:living] (searing-bolt {target target +> radius "narrow" +> intensity "high"}) +> [:undead] (smite {target target +> deity "Larani"}))) +> ``` + +Corraidhin charges up a spell! + +The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you struggle +to get a view of whatever creature is abducting them. + +The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within or behind +a large sunken ship! + +Could it be the SS RSS? + +> Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon seeing +> these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got unreasonably +> angry. She made sure that the breathing bell was properly attached +> to her head (a marvelous thing, she thought. She had always +> wondered what it would be like to have a jellyfish on her head). +> +> Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt toward +> the edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and moved away all +> the loose candy and pulled out two long stiletto daggers. She +> begins stabbing with unusual precision at the tentacles reaching up +> on the ship. +> +> She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!” +> +> She dives in. + +Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there was a very +slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of like getting a gentle +hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti. + +Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through your +purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the attention of a +curious passing manta ray. It glides over and has a nibble. + +You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the long, +slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the tentacles to +coil and retreat, releasing the merbear in the process. It shouts +through its tears, "My brother!" and dives back into the fray, +fighting to free the tardigrade. + +From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from the +wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean floor. + +**META**: Gabs rolls a 6 on "Do Anything 1" and gains a new skill: +Stabbing 2 + +> Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin gathers +> himself. "I suppose this is no time for errant curiosity, can't +> have anyone getting hurt after all." +> +> Ensuring that he doesn't hit either Inky nor Gabs as they near the +> creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in the direction +> of the center of the tentacles. (vanquish "tentacles") And releases +> a pinpoint thread of searing energy from his palm, guiding it +> through the mass of tentacles in a random and chaotic pattern, +> attempting to sever as many tentacles as possible. +> +> As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, he +> won't be able to prepare another spell like that on the fly, far +> too meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the spell runs +> out, best case will be to retreat somewhere out of reach, or as far +> away as is possible there. + +Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into the center +of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The bolt of energy +bounces from tentacle to tentacle creating a chaotic web of energy. + +One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that happens to +be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water bear, but not +before the tardigrade takes the full brunt of the final blast of the +dying searing bolt. It cries out and curls up into a ball. +Motionless, it starts sinking downward. "BROTHER!" the merbear swims +after it heedless of any nearby danger. + +A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant manta ray +happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps out of the way +at the last minute and continues to angrily enjoy its candy, glaring +at you quite indignantly. + +**META**: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for "Do Anything 1", which means +things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a total of 1 xp. You can spend xp +to turn any die into a six for the purpose of advancement. + +> While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to rescue +> the bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if they found +> suitable replacements for the bears, the tentacles might be +> distracted long enough to release the bears, or provide an opening +> advantage for one of their party? +> +> A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of discarded +> bottles among a large pile of other trash carried there by the push +> and pull between the water currents and a hot spring. Gathering up +> some bottles, Inky ties them together with twine in singles and +> small clusters until they resemble two large, crudely-made +> multi-coloured tanokuma[1]. +> +> With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky attaches +> the tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags them back +> above the tentacles, roughly near the spot where the previous bears +> were taken. When the valiant members of their party dive to one +> side for another strike, Inky loosens the rope around the "bears" +> and lets them sink down within reach of the tentacles. +> +> [1] First featured in the garden play *Teatime with Tanokuma*, the +> fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling bear became an overnight +> hit among children as well as the fashion-conscious youth who +> frequent the trendy "Shin-ku" district of Vay'Nullar. + +The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they retreat from +Gabs's stabbses and Corraidhin's bolts. They grope about weakly, wrap +themselves around the tanokuma, and finally withdraw. + +You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The +tentacles---and whatever beast they belong to---is either within, +behind, or below the ship. It is definitely *ship adjacent* wherever +and whatever it is. The large double-masted ship is lying on its +side, teetering precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean +trench. There is a large hole in its hull providing unfettered access +to its insides. + +The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and the +merbear is swimming blindly after it. + +WHAT DO YOU DO + +[www](https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-11/msg00043.html) diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index 7983876..f088557 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -249,6 +249,7 @@ of the Were-Hare
  • 00027
  • 00028
  • 00029
    • +
  • 00030
  • Bestiary
  • Geography
    • @@ -258,9 +259,9 @@ of the Were-Hare

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 25057 words / 107 minute read.

    -

    There have been 101 messages posted over 112 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .90.

    +

    Total length: 26483 words / 113 minute read.

    +

    There have been 107 messages posted over 116 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .92.

    About

    This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over email.

    @@ -297,7 +298,7 @@ story entirely.

    @@ -331,7 +332,7 @@ have fun!

    Paths:

    @@ -2999,6 +3000,161 @@ ankles!

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    www

    +

    00030

    +
    +

    Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the tentacles’ grasp. +From their courier bag they shake out an inflatable bubblebee[1] of the +sort made for aquatic camping. It is one of the fancier models provided +to each member of their party courtesy of the well-endowed Benefactor. +They yank on one of the cords and scramble inside, hastily closing the +flap as the bubblebee rapidly draws in water and fills out to its full +size.

    +

    The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and allows the +drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the end of one tentacle +sending the bubblebee forward a short distance before it slows above the +flailing tentacles. Inky switches on the lights to try to get a clearer +view of the source of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but they +generally have a transparent or translucent spherical body, a pair of +small translucent wings that act as flippers, an opening flap at the +back with a short rudder attached, and two cords inside at the front +near the top which when pulled inflate the bubble with the surrounding +air or water. Premium versions might also include headlights, a buzzer, +built-in filtration, improved insulation, a drifter and thruster. Like +tents they come in various sizes, from small ones that can fit one or +two people at average elven height, to larger ones for group outings. +Their portability and rugged durability make them very popular among +tourists and campers who can enjoy a range of water sports, such as +water walking on the surface, riding the bubble down river rapids, or +bobbing along underwater to watch the sea life wander by.

    +
    +

    Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick of time. A +tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then the apparatus’s +lights cut on and illuminate the murky water.

    +

    You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from this +distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck.

    +

    At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And the +bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability.

    +
    +

    Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. “hmm a +wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in closer.”

    +

    While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards the +tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole his new found +bear friends. “I simply cannot bear any harm to come to my bears!” As he +approaches the creature he prepares a spell should he need to vanquish +the monster.

    +
    (fn vanquish [target]
+  (match target.state
+   [:living] (searing-bolt {target target
+                            radius "narrow"
+                            intensity "high"})
+   [:undead] (smite {target target
+                     deity "Larani"})))
    +
    +

    Corraidhin charges up a spell!

    +

    The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you struggle +to get a view of whatever creature is abducting them.

    +

    The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within or behind +a large sunken ship!

    +

    Could it be the SS RSS?

    +
    +

    Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon seeing +these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got unreasonably angry. +She made sure that the breathing bell was properly attached to her head +(a marvelous thing, she thought. She had always wondered what it would +be like to have a jellyfish on her head).

    +

    Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt toward the +edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and moved away all the +loose candy and pulled out two long stiletto daggers. She begins +stabbing with unusual precision at the tentacles reaching up on the +ship.

    +

    She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!”

    +

    She dives in.

    +
    +

    Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there was a very +slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of like getting a gentle +hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti.

    +

    Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through your +purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the attention of a +curious passing manta ray. It glides over and has a nibble.

    +

    You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the long, +slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the tentacles to coil +and retreat, releasing the merbear in the process. It shouts through its +tears, “My brother!” and dives back into the fray, fighting to free the +tardigrade.

    +

    From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from the +wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean floor.

    +

    META: Gabs rolls a 6 on “Do Anything 1” and gains a +new skill: Stabbing 2

    +
    +

    Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin gathers +himself. “I suppose this is no time for errant curiosity, can’t have +anyone getting hurt after all.”

    +

    Ensuring that he doesn’t hit either Inky nor Gabs as they near the +creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in the direction of +the center of the tentacles. (vanquish “tentacles”) And releases a +pinpoint thread of searing energy from his palm, guiding it through the +mass of tentacles in a random and chaotic pattern, attempting to sever +as many tentacles as possible.

    +

    As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, he won’t +be able to prepare another spell like that on the fly, far too +meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the spell runs out, best +case will be to retreat somewhere out of reach, or as far away as is +possible there.

    +
    +

    Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into the center +of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The bolt of energy bounces +from tentacle to tentacle creating a chaotic web of energy.

    +

    One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that happens to +be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water bear, but not before +the tardigrade takes the full brunt of the final blast of the dying +searing bolt. It cries out and curls up into a ball. Motionless, it +starts sinking downward. “BROTHER!” the merbear swims after it heedless +of any nearby danger.

    +

    A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant manta ray +happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps out of the way at +the last minute and continues to angrily enjoy its candy, glaring at you +quite indignantly.

    +

    META: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for “Do Anything 1”, +which means things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a total of 1 xp. You can +spend xp to turn any die into a six for the purpose of advancement.

    +
    +

    While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to rescue the +bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if they found suitable +replacements for the bears, the tentacles might be distracted long +enough to release the bears, or provide an opening advantage for one of +their party?

    +

    A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of discarded +bottles among a large pile of other trash carried there by the push and +pull between the water currents and a hot spring. Gathering up some +bottles, Inky ties them together with twine in singles and small +clusters until they resemble two large, crudely-made multi-coloured +tanokuma[1].

    +

    With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky attaches the +tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags them back above the +tentacles, roughly near the spot where the previous bears were taken. +When the valiant members of their party dive to one side for another +strike, Inky loosens the rope around the “bears” and lets them sink down +within reach of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] First featured in the garden play Teatime with Tanokuma, +the fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling bear became an overnight +hit among children as well as the fashion-conscious youth who frequent +the trendy “Shin-ku” district of Vay’Nullar.

    +
    +

    The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they retreat from +Gabs’s stabbses and Corraidhin’s bolts. They grope about weakly, wrap +themselves around the tanokuma, and finally withdraw.

    +

    You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The tentacles—and +whatever beast they belong to—is either within, behind, or below the +ship. It is definitely ship adjacent wherever and whatever it +is. The large double-masted ship is lying on its side, teetering +precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean trench. There is a large +hole in its hull providing unfettered access to its insides.

    +

    The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and the +merbear is swimming blindly after it.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria

    diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index 9b61f1c..553d433 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -5,232 +5,6 @@ BASEMENT QWEST https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah! - - 27 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 27 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:14:31 --0600 - Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:36:42 -0600 - - 00027 -
    -

    Inky stares down at the package, weighing it on one - hand.

    -

    It was lighter than it should be given the density of the - contents within, wrapped in straw and thick brown - weight-absorbent parcel paper for dry goods. Most of the - clientele were merchants and cultists from other parts of the - continent who ordered pallets to be shipped back from the port - town and sold to select boutique grocers or spilled on altars. - Inside was a block of congealed synthetic blood shaped like a - mud brick, the dark crimson almost black under the shop’s dim - light.

    -

    It was sheer happenstance that Inky had found this - particular supplier. Having been informed heir boat to the - shipwreck would not arrive for several hours, the members of - their merry tea party had wandered off to enjoy the local - sights while they waited. Inky had inquired about the - hemogoblins and learned in passing that there was a district - at the western edge of the town where a smaller group had set - up warehouses, which would save them a two-day trip deep into - the Hartlands. The hemogoblins in the district were primarily - wholesalers, and it had taken some convincing before one of - the proprietors agreed to sell a block of it, along with - assurances Inky would purchase exclusively from him next time - and in larger quantities.

    -

    Thin fingers fiddle with the string before the package was - set to one side.

    -

    What were they doing?

    -

    If quenching the thirst were so simple, wouldn’t any - student of magic have already thought of it, let alone an - experienced sysorceror? In all likelihood he had already known - the inevitable, but was too polite to refuse Inky’s funny - concoctions. Maybe deep down, Inky already knew too, but - didn’t want to say it out loud. That the long feather they - thought they had seen among the tea leaves was actually a - dagger. That they hadn’t wanted to admit some problems could - not be whisked away with some tincture or another. That they - had failed, again.

    -

    They hadn’t searched enough for better ingredients to go - into the pudding, hadn’t reacted fast enough after noticing - the sword had abruptly disappeared, hadn’t thrown the large - platter of mouldy meat the terrified waitress next to them had - been holding at Blavin’s head, or something. The sword had - gotten what it demanded, and Inky couldn’t be angry with it — - it had never been subtle about what it wanted. Had the blood - pudding worsened the effects? Potions had never been on Inky’s - menu. Brewing inks and teas with certain mild effects was - straightforward enough, but curing chronic ailments was firmly - in healers’ territory and just as bewildering. While it may be - true nobody could be held to account for the actions of - another not in full control of themselves, and hardly those of - a rogue weapon with a mind of its own, sticking their nose in - other people’s affairs was the surest way to get into trouble, - a fact Inky still has difficulty learning after decades of - wandering the continent.

    -

    Would this substrate even work? Maybe it acted differently - for cursed objects than coffin sleepers. Having brought it - back and now aboard the ship, how would they even give it to - the wizard? Should they wait and made sure Master Corraidhín - was truly rested and recovered, despite his insistence he was - more than fine? Would it be an insulting reminder of weakness, - despite the wizard having proven unusual mental fortitude in - staving off the screams for blood as long as he had? Was this - more of the same, adding to what they had (not) done?

    -

    After a long moment, Inky rolls the package with the - producers’ leaflet haphazardly in an old sailor’s rags still - reeking of cheap alcohol, and passing by the wizard’s empty - cabin on the way to the deck, places the messy bundle on the - floorboards two steps from the door. Let the fates decide this - one, because Inky’s magic 0 ball sure doesn’t make the best - life choices.

    -
    -

    Blavin has arranged transportation to the shipwreck ahead - of time. All you have to do is head down to the docks and meet - your contact, Three-Fingered Gerald, at a seedy dive bar named - Inquire Within Upon Everything.

    -

    Inquire Within is as eclectic and gaudy as the name would - imply. The bar serves as an extensive and impressive piece of - living documentation, drawing heavily on the port town’s - cosmopolitan mixture of culture. Every kind of style, cuisine, - decor, and beverage can be found here mishmashed together - irregardless of good taste. Its contents are encyclopedic and - claustrophobic. And yet it is not without its own peculiar - brand of overwhelming, garish charm.

    -

    You find Mister Three-Fingered at the bar entertaining his - fellow patrons with a grotesque sleight of hand routine that - involves passing his gold-plated false eye from its socket, to - either hand, inside his mouth, and back with lots of flourish, - fanfare, and misdirection along the way.

    -

    He is a merry, boisterous sailor short one eye, half an - ear, several fingers, and—he confesses to you—the heel of his - left foot. “It’s why I walk so slow, you see.” The other - barflies call him “Lucky” Three-Fingered Gerald. Because a - certain kind of man—and Gerald is one of them—can never have - enough nicknames. After you buy him a drink or three, he - escorts you out of Inquire Within and to the slip where the - sloop Diamond Howler is docked. Its captain, Enid - Barlow, welcomes you aboard.

    -

    Before long, Diamond Howler pulls out under the - command of Captain Barlow and First Mate “Lucky” - Three-Fingered Gerald. The site isn’t too far off the coast, - and you arrive fairly quickly.

    -

    “Aye, here she is. The SS RSS.” says Captain Barlow - mournfully. “You can’t see her from up here. But you rest - assured, she’s down there, resting on the seabed. She was the - best cargo runner on the Sugrin back in her day! Distributing - goods up and down the coast. Until the day she disappeared. - Nobody knew what happened to her, not for sure. Still don’t. - But at least we know where she wound up!”

    -

    While the captain reminisces, Three-Fingered Gerald drags a - large water tank across the deck, sloshing water over the edge - with each step. Translucent orb-like jellyfish wobble around - and bump into each other inside the tank, releasing little - effervescent bubbles that fizzle and pop when they collide. - “Here we go!” announces Mister Three-Fingered, depositing the - tank of jellies in front of you. “Sailed through a big bloom - of breathing bells just last week, didn’t we! Managed to scoop - up a whole bunch of the little suckers. You ever use a - breathing bell before? No? Aw, it’s easy! Ya just pull one on - over your head like a hood, and it’ll breathe for ya while - you’re below the waves!”

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    -

    NOTE: We just covered a lot of narrative ground. Feel free - to react to anything that happened between arriving at the - docks, meeting Gerald and drinking at Inquire Within, boarding - the Diamond Howler, and sailing to the site of the wreck.

    -

    www

    - ]]> -     -     - - 26 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 26 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 --0600 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 -0600 - - 00026 -
    -

    Inky slowly approaches Master Corraidhín and taps lightly - on the sleeve of his robes to get his attention. Between - Inky’s tugging and Jarrod’s strong, steady hand, they manage - to hoist the wizard to his feet.

    -

    With a brief glance at the hobbit on the floor then a nod - to Jarrod, Inky leaves the nightclub with the wizard. The - duck, having emptied the plate of corn chips in record time, - follows them shortly after.

    -

    The trek back to the Milk Market is mostly silent aside - from the occasional mutter and stumbling curse, the mage - seemingly having fallen asleep as soon as he landed on the cot - in the loft. Inky retreats downstairs after leaving a jug of - water, a mug and a small packet of kuding leaves beside the - bed.

    -

    Exiting through the back door into the night, Inky finds a - dark corner in a dusty abandoned house, and cries.

    -
    -

    ~

    -
    -

    ” … and then the Orc Maiden said: ‘That’s not my - club!’”

    -

    The room roars with laughter, and Jarrod moves to the bar - and puts a bag of coin down. “Serve drinks until this runs - out!” Leaning over the bar to the bartender, Jarrod adds in a - whisper: “I owe a favour to Lucy’s Basement for the trouble. - Call it in when needed.”

    -

    Jarrod saunters over to Blavin, on the floor in pain. From - his pack, Jarrod retrieves a med kit and begins to bandage the - wound.

    -

    As Blavin opens his mouth, likely intending to raise all - kinds of hell, Jarrod pulls tight on the bandage he is - currently applying, drawing a curse from the hobbit. “Shut it! - Let’s be clear. You’ve hired us for a dangerous set of jobs, - with the understanding that we’re dangerous people. There may - be ‘accidents’ on occasion. You’ve learned something today, - and what’s more, you lived to absorb your new wisdom.”

    -

    Jarrod grins as he finishes with the bandage. “We will - finish what we have started. We’re probably the team with the - best chances, I’m sure you’ll agree. Are you going to back the - winning play here? Either way, your decision won’t change our - plans. I’m sure you know how to take the win.”

    -

    Jarrod pats the hobbit’s good shoulder in a friendly, but - dismissive, way, then turns and saunters out the door, trading - small quips with his new (and now very drunk) tavern - friends.

    -
    -

    You are at a small port town on the northern tip of - Agendell, just past the Rana’For Valley. The sun is bright and - the wind blowing in from the Sugrin Sea to the east is cool - and salty. The floating island-city of Vay’Neddas, bridging - Agendell and Primora, can be seen very faintly in the distance - hanging in the northern sky.

    -

    Your faithful multibeast is carrying all of your supplies - and gear, which were generously provided to you by the - indefatigable Blavin Blandfoot. His arm in a sling, he kept up - a constant nervous chatter as he saw you off on your journey - to recover the second Ginnarak Crystal.

    -

    From here, you can easily provision a boat to take you out - to the site of the shipwreck just off the coast.

    -

    Or, optionally, you are very close to the Hartlands. It - would be quite easy to make a quick visit to hemogoblins and - pick up some synthetic blood for your experiments with the - Sword of Yam’L.

    -

    The sword, incidentally, after finally tasting the blood of - “evil”, has remained sated and entirely inert and unresponsive - this whole time.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO:

    -
      -
    1. TO THE SHIPWRECK
      2. -
    2. BLOODQUEST
      3. -
    -

    www

    - ]]> -     -     29 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -306,6 +80,123 @@ ]]> + + 28 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 28 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 +-0600 + Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 -0600 + + 00028 +
    +

    a new player enters the chat

    +

    Gabs had a good life. Her little devil children were all + grown adults now, and she no longer wanted to toil away + running a business. When she initially shuttered her little + tavern, she thought she might just retire. She made it two + whole years of working in a garden, occasionally seeing + grandkids, and reading romance novels. She eventually decided + she needed a vacation from her retirement and traveled to a + nearby port town. She was sure to find something fun to do + there.

    +

    Gabs eventually sees Inquire Within, and the smell of + debauchery wafting from within made her miss her days + gossiping at her tavern. She enters and orders a terrible + drink and listens and watches.

    +

    Hearing the tales being spun by Mister Three-Fingered, she + decides, “I’ve never been on a ship, that’s something that + sounds exciting!”

    +

    Half-drunk and eager for something exciting, she will join + on the journey!

    +

    Gabs is a lanky older half-devil lady who is here to + schmooze and have fun!

    +
    +

    ~

    +
    +

    Meta: a warm welcome to the latest member of our tea party! + This is a short post to help smooth the temporal jumps between + the recent narratives so far. As Inky reaches the deck, they + see Gabs approaching from the other side of the ship as well, + and flashes them a grin in greeting. After listening to the + captain petering on about the glorious days of the now sunken + ship below, while tinkering with the bell’s tentacles — being + rewarded with a mild zap and marginally better fit for the + effort — Inky turns to the party. “When you’re ready.”

    +
    +

    You reach into the tank and discover that grabbing a + breathing bell takes some finesse. They are very slippery! But + you get the hang of it and make a ladle out of your hands and + scoop one up.

    +

    “Okay now!” laughs Three-Fingered Gerald. He gives you a + wink, but it’s easy to miss because of the eyepatch. “Don’t + put it on until right before you jump. It won’t be able to + breathe for you until you’re in the water. And this!” he + continues, fitting a heavy, padded vest around your shoulders, + “will carry you down.” It is a vest of many pockets, each one + holding a small dense sandbag the size of your hand. “When + you’re ready to come back up, just start dropping ballast, + right?”

    +

    You hop up on the ship railing and pull the breathing bell + on over your head. It immediately contracts and squeezes and + hugs your head like a second skin, and its stubby little + tentacles grab hold around your jawline, and it feels like you + have a wet plastic bag clinging to your face, and you think + you might have made a grave mistake. Resisting the urge to + panic, you push off the railing and jump overboard. You are + briefly air born and then profoundly waterbound, crashing + through the surface of the sea into the briny soup below.

    +

    The oxygen starts to flow as the breathing bell begins to + do its job. As you sink, you feel as though you are floating + through space, entering another world.

    +

    After a while you start to hear voices arguing in the + distance. As you get closer, two large shapes start to come + into focus. The first is a hulking, hairless merbear. Top half + (hairless) bear, bottom half fish. The second figure is a + tardigrade the size of a large merbear. It has eight jointless + legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and + wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates.

    +

    “No, I am the true Bear of the Sea! I am called a Water + Bear, after all!”

    +

    “Hornswoggle and poppycock! It is I who am the Bear of the + Sea! I am half bear after all! You’re just some kind of + segmented nematode or something.”

    +

    The tardigrade quivers with indignation. “I’ll have you + know I’m a panarthropod, thank you very much. And this is the + ideal physical body! You may not like it, but this is what + peak performance looks like. I’ve lived under the polar ice + cap, and in a sulfurous mountaintop hot spring. I’ve traveled + through the vacuum of space to the moon! Have you ever been to + the moon?”

    +

    “Why don’t you go be the Bear of the Moon then if you like + it so much!”

    +

    “You’re just as much fish as you are bear, are you sure + you’re not the Fish of the Sea?”

    +

    “Are you sure you’re not the Blob of the Sea, you too many + armed bowl of jelly?”

    +

    “Hey! Hey, you there!” The arguing quasi-bears have spotted + your slow descent. “Come, yes, float slowly this way! You must + settle an argument for us! Tell this slightly mammalian fish + that I am the true Bear of the Sea!”

    +

    “The Bear of the Sea must be at least ‘slightly mammalian’ + you egg-laying scientific curiosity! You, tell this cousin of + a barnacle that I—the mighty merbear—am the true Bear of the + Sea! Say this and I will guide and protect you on your + journey.”

    +

    “No! Would you like to visit the moon? Say that I, + tardigrade, am Bear of the Sea and I will introduce you to my + moon friends!”

    +

    “He had to make friends on the moon because nobody on Urth + can stand him!”

    +

    “You’re just mean, you know that?”

    +

    You are still quite some way from the sea bed, and there is + no sight of the SS RSS.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    + ]]> +     +     23 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -471,119 +362,527 @@ - 28 + 24 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 28 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 + 24 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 -0600 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 -0600 + Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 -0600 00028 +

    00024

    -

    a new player enters the chat

    -

    Gabs had a good life. Her little devil children were all - grown adults now, and she no longer wanted to toil away - running a business. When she initially shuttered her little - tavern, she thought she might just retire. She made it two - whole years of working in a garden, occasionally seeing - grandkids, and reading romance novels. She eventually decided - she needed a vacation from her retirement and traveled to a - nearby port town. She was sure to find something fun to do - there.

    -

    Gabs eventually sees Inquire Within, and the smell of - debauchery wafting from within made her miss her days - gossiping at her tavern. She enters and orders a terrible - drink and listens and watches.

    -

    Hearing the tales being spun by Mister Three-Fingered, she - decides, “I’ve never been on a ship, that’s something that - sounds exciting!”

    -

    Half-drunk and eager for something exciting, she will join - on the journey!

    -

    Gabs is a lanky older half-devil lady who is here to - schmooze and have fun!

    +

    Corraidhin
    + Well I’ll be! You can turn yourself into a dagger. And I did + say we could stab blavin if you could do that, it’s much more + stealthy this way. But let me posit this, is the act of + stabbing a hobbit unprovoked not itself evil? Or perhaps more + convincingly, would it not be better to use the hobbit for + whatever information he has so as to lead to this mysterious + benefactor, who most assuredly must be evil.

    +

    Someone who would send out myriads of teams to pillage and + plunder cultural artifacts is truly evil, that must be our + target.

    +

    Now this isn’t to say that we won’t stab him. I’m convinced + that’s probably a good idea in the long run, but we know + nothing of the true evil that motivates him! We would kill him + just to lose track of the true evil we must smite!

    +

    Y’aml
    + But YOU said if I could turn into a dagger we could STAB him. + HE’S EVIL. YOU said so! Not keeping your promises IS one step + away from PURE evil! Make a choice Hardy Bear! Stab the evil + hobbit, or stab the inkling, or stab SOMETHING evil this + minute!

    +

    Corraidhin
    + I most certainly cannot abide with stabbing Inky, it’s + entirely off the table. And in a city like this there aren’t + any evil things that just jump out for the stabbing.

    +

    (Corraidhin tries to silently control Y’aml during the + discussion. However in so doing the party has fallen silent, + aghast even)

    +

    Corraidhin stands, Y’aml held in hand, red gem eye gleaming + a wicked joyful grin as it’s raised high, poised to strike. + The party around him is silent, and Blavin stares up in shock. + The tavern around them has died down and you can hear the + bustle of the proprietor calling for his strong men to deal + with this ruckus.

    +
    +

    The table—and all of Lucy’s Basement within earshot—sits in + tense, uneasy quiet at Corraidhin’s one-sided conversation + with the Sword of Yam’L. Blavin giggles nervously and sips his + martini, willfully forcing himself right up to the very last + moment to believe that it is all some sort of jest.

    +

    But then the sysorcerer stands and raises the blood crazed + dagger over his shoulder, and Blavin squeals and writhes in + his chair. Lucy’s bouncers scramble forward from the corners + of the room to intercept.

    +
    +

    Y’aml
    + We STAB Hardy Bear! We STAB NOW!!

    +

    Against Corraidhin’s control, as though he’s in a trance, + the dagger comes down. A swift stabbing motion strqight to the + neck, as he lunges across the table at Blavin knocking the map + and his martini to the side.

    +
    + +

    Corraidhin once again feels the same peculiar quality of + the blade, that sensation of a hollow core with a heavy liquid + sloshing inside. Held aloft, the weight of it feels + concentrated at the grip, the blade light as a feather.

    +

    He stabs down—Yam’L cries out in wordless glee—and the + weight flows into the tip of the blade, the blade itself now + drawing Corraidhin’s hand downward in a rising crescendo of + stabbitude.

    + +

    Blavin flinches at the last second, and instead of burying + itself in his throat, the blade plunges into his shoulder and + pins him to the back of the chair. A red mist fills the eye + and threatens to cloud it over entirely. It rolls back in + ecstasy as it drinks deeply. It sings out, “MORE! MORE! MORE!” + and Corraidhin feels the tides of madness rising inside of + him, threatening to wash over him wholly, to pull him under + and carry him away on thundering waves of bloodlust.

    +

    Corraidhin struggles to pull the blade from the chair back. + Blavin whimpers and mewls as he yanks on it, and clutches his + wound and, incredibly, takes a large gulp of his drink.

    +

    The sysorcerer still has the wherewithal and the presence + of mind to be aware of his surroundings. He is not yet so + overcome by the bloodlust. He sees his companions, his fellow + residents of the Milk Market, seated around the table. And he + sees the musclebound bouncers now nearly within reach.

    +

    Finally he draws the dagger. Blavin sinks in his seat and + slides to the floor with his drink, blabbering incoherently, + and starts to slither away.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    + ]]> +     +     + + 21 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 21 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 +-0600 + Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 -0600 + + 00021 +

    INTERLUDE

    +
    +

    A glorious victory!

    +

    In the interim time Corraidhin studies the sword of Y’aml, + and correctly deduces that he needs to remove the sticky bit + to be able to sheath the thing.

    +

    sudo chmod -t sword_of_y'aml

    +

    The rest of the interim is spent studying arcane lore + surrounding the Ginnarak Crystals and their purpose. He also + strongly urges the party that we should consider very carefuly + how we need to proceed with the crystal. It’s obvious people + don’t want these things getting out, so we should ensure that + Blavin has good intentions, or at least leaves us out of + whatever potential evil could occur.

    +
    +

    Corraidhin prepares the incantation and, after removing the + sticky bit, is able pry his stiff fingers from the grip.

    +

    You sheathe the blade, but its voice continues to ring + clearly in your head as it prattles on, seeing evil and + villainy everywhere and encouraging you to stab, stab, + stab.

    +

    Your sysorcerous studies, confirmed by the eager and + forthright sword, suggest that the blade will be able to rest + for a while once it tastes blood.

    +

    Your former mentor and rival sysorceror Eccentric Kevin + calls on you one day under the pretense of showing you the + latest draft of KDL (pronounced “cuddle”), their own “Kevin’s + Document Language”, an alternative syntax for incantations and + personal pet project of theirs that has thus far failed, much + to their perpetual consternation, to gain any traction or + adoption in the wider magic community. They are insufferably + polite and sinisterly supportive. They complain about how the + obstinant gnus keep standing in the middle of the road trying + to block traffic, and they demand to know all about your + recent exploits and adventures.

    +
    +

    Once back in town, Inky had the small glass shard in their + palm removed by a harried-looking healer, who merely shrugged + at Inky’s account of the disappearing ink and advised them to + return if they experienced adverse effects before hurrying off + to the next patient. A visit to the local stationery shop did + not yield any answers; the stocky human at the counter shook + their head apologetically when shown the broken ink bottle. + However, they did suggest asking at one of the larger shops in + the city.

    +

    To celebrate their first successful quest, Inky made + torties[1] for their party with flour ground from some of the + large corn kernels at the dig site, topped with a sweet nutty + squash spread. Babbleberry tea was served from their newly + acquired jade tea set, now patched with what Inky had been + assured was an unbreakable seal[2] by a merchant with a toothy + grin in one of Vay’Nullar’s notorious back alleys.

    +

    Master Corraidhín’s cautionary words of wisdom still echo + in Inky’s head, though they were secretly tickled by the idea + of the crystal being actually a rare and previously unknown + species of melon with very potent magical properties. The very + thought of melons was making Inky a bit thirsty. Let the + warrior and wizard worry about all the potential evils of the + world — it’s time for a dash to the market for some beatfruit + juice!

    +
    +

    [1] Also known as torte-teas, as in “Torte-tea, yas?”, + which was how their previous ink maestro used to greet + customers entering the brewery. Flat little tea cakes with + sugar or spice (or both, which vary by region) and sometimes + eaten in a loose wrap. Some humans called them “crabs” for + some reason which baffled Inky, since the torties had no + pincers … at least none that they could see anyway.

    +

    [2] The seal attached to the bottom of the teapot and each + cup had a glyph of an unknown object between two hands.

    +
    +

    The healer removes a small glass bead from Inky’s palm. It + is worn smooth and round like a marble. If you look closely, + you can see a small blemish in the center that somewhat + resembles either a duck or a rabbit depending on how you + orient it.

    +

    It is captivating to look at and comforting to hold in your + hand. You fidget with it often. Now and then you suddenly + notice you have been gazing at it for some minutes without + realizing it.

    +

    You make your party a delightful meal of torties, serving + tea from the magically reinforced jade set.

    +

    Cleaning up afterwards, you can’t help but notice the + patterns of the tea leaves in the bottoms of the jade + cups.

    +

    YOU FORESEE AN OMEN FOR THE PARTY. WHAT IS IT?

    +

    You dash to the market for beatfruit juice, which you + easily find. And you find yourself irrationally drawn to the + produce. The kale, dandelion greens, and beans all look + especially scrumptious and … plump and juicy?

    +

    An old toothy market attendant sits on a stool by the + vegetable stand reading the Farmers Almanac. Unsolicited, they + mention to you that it is only three days until the next full + moon.

    +
    +

    Jarrod has two things in particular he wants to do when + back in town, with whatever his cut of the gold is. First, he + wants to go looking for a cheap, run-down building somewhere + in town and buy the property if he has enough money (perhaps + negotiating a bit where necessary).

    +

    Second, he wishes to seek arcane counsel from Corraidhín, + perhaps getting a small invocation applied to one of the + charms on his arm band. Something in the realm of a + fascination spell (with an activation word) that can be used + on occasion to draw attention.

    +

    Jarrod agrees that we should not invite trouble. We shall + tread cautiously with regards to the crystals.

    +

    Yum, torties!

    +
    +

    After successfully negotiating the price down a little bit, + you are able to purchase a run-down building. You are now the + proud owner and proprietor of the Milk Market building in the + Wandering Bazzar district of downtown Vay’Nullar.

    +

    The ground level is occupied by longtime district staple + Enrique’s Empanada Emporium, famous for its signature stuffed + pastries and its Terrapin Ale, brewed on site by Enrique + himself, who happens to be a very large humanoid turtle.

    +

    It’s a little seedy and a little divey, but still draws a + fair amount of foot traffic from shoppers waiting for the + eponymous, ambulatory bazaar of debatable sentience to wander + by. Reliably, a small gang of breadpunks can be found + loitering here and espousing the virtues of social anarchy. + Enrique allows their presence and on occasion even buys them a + round of ale.

    +

    The top two levels are unoccupied. Years upon years ago, + this space once held large vats for storing and preserving + multibeast milk prior to being distributed. Some enterprising + individual converted and updated the space some time ago, but + was never able to find a tenant. In any case, the space is + yours now to do with what you will.

    +

    With Corraidhin’s assistance, you are able to enchant your + armband by inscribing it with a cross-like glyph with a + teardrop-shaped loop in place of the vertical upper bar. You + now have a FASCINATING BANGLE that can, upon activation, + compel attention and even potentially inspire people to dance + about.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    + ]]> +     +     + + 26 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 26 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 +-0600 + Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 -0600 + + 00026 +
    +

    Inky slowly approaches Master Corraidhín and taps lightly + on the sleeve of his robes to get his attention. Between + Inky’s tugging and Jarrod’s strong, steady hand, they manage + to hoist the wizard to his feet.

    +

    With a brief glance at the hobbit on the floor then a nod + to Jarrod, Inky leaves the nightclub with the wizard. The + duck, having emptied the plate of corn chips in record time, + follows them shortly after.

    +

    The trek back to the Milk Market is mostly silent aside + from the occasional mutter and stumbling curse, the mage + seemingly having fallen asleep as soon as he landed on the cot + in the loft. Inky retreats downstairs after leaving a jug of + water, a mug and a small packet of kuding leaves beside the + bed.

    +

    Exiting through the back door into the night, Inky finds a + dark corner in a dusty abandoned house, and cries.

    ~

    -

    Meta: a warm welcome to the latest member of our tea party! - This is a short post to help smooth the temporal jumps between - the recent narratives so far. As Inky reaches the deck, they - see Gabs approaching from the other side of the ship as well, - and flashes them a grin in greeting. After listening to the - captain petering on about the glorious days of the now sunken - ship below, while tinkering with the bell’s tentacles — being - rewarded with a mild zap and marginally better fit for the - effort — Inky turns to the party. “When you’re ready.”

    +

    ” … and then the Orc Maiden said: ‘That’s not my + club!’”

    +

    The room roars with laughter, and Jarrod moves to the bar + and puts a bag of coin down. “Serve drinks until this runs + out!” Leaning over the bar to the bartender, Jarrod adds in a + whisper: “I owe a favour to Lucy’s Basement for the trouble. + Call it in when needed.”

    +

    Jarrod saunters over to Blavin, on the floor in pain. From + his pack, Jarrod retrieves a med kit and begins to bandage the + wound.

    +

    As Blavin opens his mouth, likely intending to raise all + kinds of hell, Jarrod pulls tight on the bandage he is + currently applying, drawing a curse from the hobbit. “Shut it! + Let’s be clear. You’ve hired us for a dangerous set of jobs, + with the understanding that we’re dangerous people. There may + be ‘accidents’ on occasion. You’ve learned something today, + and what’s more, you lived to absorb your new wisdom.”

    +

    Jarrod grins as he finishes with the bandage. “We will + finish what we have started. We’re probably the team with the + best chances, I’m sure you’ll agree. Are you going to back the + winning play here? Either way, your decision won’t change our + plans. I’m sure you know how to take the win.”

    +

    Jarrod pats the hobbit’s good shoulder in a friendly, but + dismissive, way, then turns and saunters out the door, trading + small quips with his new (and now very drunk) tavern + friends.

    -

    You reach into the tank and discover that grabbing a - breathing bell takes some finesse. They are very slippery! But - you get the hang of it and make a ladle out of your hands and - scoop one up.

    -

    “Okay now!” laughs Three-Fingered Gerald. He gives you a - wink, but it’s easy to miss because of the eyepatch. “Don’t - put it on until right before you jump. It won’t be able to - breathe for you until you’re in the water. And this!” he - continues, fitting a heavy, padded vest around your shoulders, - “will carry you down.” It is a vest of many pockets, each one - holding a small dense sandbag the size of your hand. “When - you’re ready to come back up, just start dropping ballast, - right?”

    -

    You hop up on the ship railing and pull the breathing bell - on over your head. It immediately contracts and squeezes and - hugs your head like a second skin, and its stubby little - tentacles grab hold around your jawline, and it feels like you - have a wet plastic bag clinging to your face, and you think - you might have made a grave mistake. Resisting the urge to - panic, you push off the railing and jump overboard. You are - briefly air born and then profoundly waterbound, crashing - through the surface of the sea into the briny soup below.

    -

    The oxygen starts to flow as the breathing bell begins to - do its job. As you sink, you feel as though you are floating - through space, entering another world.

    -

    After a while you start to hear voices arguing in the - distance. As you get closer, two large shapes start to come - into focus. The first is a hulking, hairless merbear. Top half - (hairless) bear, bottom half fish. The second figure is a - tardigrade the size of a large merbear. It has eight jointless - legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and - wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates.

    -

    “No, I am the true Bear of the Sea! I am called a Water - Bear, after all!”

    -

    “Hornswoggle and poppycock! It is I who am the Bear of the - Sea! I am half bear after all! You’re just some kind of - segmented nematode or something.”

    -

    The tardigrade quivers with indignation. “I’ll have you - know I’m a panarthropod, thank you very much. And this is the - ideal physical body! You may not like it, but this is what - peak performance looks like. I’ve lived under the polar ice - cap, and in a sulfurous mountaintop hot spring. I’ve traveled - through the vacuum of space to the moon! Have you ever been to - the moon?”

    -

    “Why don’t you go be the Bear of the Moon then if you like - it so much!”

    -

    “You’re just as much fish as you are bear, are you sure - you’re not the Fish of the Sea?”

    -

    “Are you sure you’re not the Blob of the Sea, you too many - armed bowl of jelly?”

    -

    “Hey! Hey, you there!” The arguing quasi-bears have spotted - your slow descent. “Come, yes, float slowly this way! You must - settle an argument for us! Tell this slightly mammalian fish - that I am the true Bear of the Sea!”

    -

    “The Bear of the Sea must be at least ‘slightly mammalian’ - you egg-laying scientific curiosity! You, tell this cousin of - a barnacle that I—the mighty merbear—am the true Bear of the - Sea! Say this and I will guide and protect you on your - journey.”

    -

    “No! Would you like to visit the moon? Say that I, - tardigrade, am Bear of the Sea and I will introduce you to my - moon friends!”

    -

    “He had to make friends on the moon because nobody on Urth - can stand him!”

    -

    “You’re just mean, you know that?”

    -

    You are still quite some way from the sea bed, and there is - no sight of the SS RSS.

    +

    You are at a small port town on the northern tip of + Agendell, just past the Rana’For Valley. The sun is bright and + the wind blowing in from the Sugrin Sea to the east is cool + and salty. The floating island-city of Vay’Neddas, bridging + Agendell and Primora, can be seen very faintly in the distance + hanging in the northern sky.

    +

    Your faithful multibeast is carrying all of your supplies + and gear, which were generously provided to you by the + indefatigable Blavin Blandfoot. His arm in a sling, he kept up + a constant nervous chatter as he saw you off on your journey + to recover the second Ginnarak Crystal.

    +

    From here, you can easily provision a boat to take you out + to the site of the shipwreck just off the coast.

    +

    Or, optionally, you are very close to the Hartlands. It + would be quite easy to make a quick visit to hemogoblins and + pick up some synthetic blood for your experiments with the + Sword of Yam’L.

    +

    The sword, incidentally, after finally tasting the blood of + “evil”, has remained sated and entirely inert and unresponsive + this whole time.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO:

    +
      +
    1. TO THE SHIPWRECK
      2. +
    2. BLOODQUEST
      3. +
    +

    www

    + ]]> +     +     + + 30 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 30 - Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:43 +-0600 + Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:49 -0600 + + 00030 +
    +

    Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the + tentacles’ grasp. From their courier bag they shake out an + inflatable bubblebee[1] of the sort made for aquatic camping. + It is one of the fancier models provided to each member of + their party courtesy of the well-endowed Benefactor. They yank + on one of the cords and scramble inside, hastily closing the + flap as the bubblebee rapidly draws in water and fills out to + its full size.

    +

    The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and + allows the drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the + end of one tentacle sending the bubblebee forward a short + distance before it slows above the flailing tentacles. Inky + switches on the lights to try to get a clearer view of the + source of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but + they generally have a transparent or translucent spherical + body, a pair of small translucent wings that act as flippers, + an opening flap at the back with a short rudder attached, and + two cords inside at the front near the top which when pulled + inflate the bubble with the surrounding air or water. Premium + versions might also include headlights, a buzzer, built-in + filtration, improved insulation, a drifter and thruster. Like + tents they come in various sizes, from small ones that can fit + one or two people at average elven height, to larger ones for + group outings. Their portability and rugged durability make + them very popular among tourists and campers who can enjoy a + range of water sports, such as water walking on the surface, + riding the bubble down river rapids, or bobbing along + underwater to watch the sea life wander by.

    +
    +

    Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick + of time. A tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then + the apparatus’s lights cut on and illuminate the murky + water.

    +

    You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from + this distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck.

    +

    At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And + the bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability.

    +
    +

    Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. + “hmm a wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in + closer.”

    +

    While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards + the tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole + his new found bear friends. “I simply cannot bear any harm to + come to my bears!” As he approaches the creature he prepares a + spell should he need to vanquish the monster.

    + 
    (fn vanquish [target]
+  (match target.state
+   [:living] (searing-bolt {target target
+                            radius "narrow"
+                            intensity "high"})
+   [:undead] (smite {target target
+                     deity "Larani"})))
    +
    +

    Corraidhin charges up a spell!

    +

    The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you + struggle to get a view of whatever creature is abducting + them.

    +

    The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within + or behind a large sunken ship!

    +

    Could it be the SS RSS?

    +
    +

    Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon + seeing these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got + unreasonably angry. She made sure that the breathing bell was + properly attached to her head (a marvelous thing, she thought. + She had always wondered what it would be like to have a + jellyfish on her head).

    +

    Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt + toward the edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and + moved away all the loose candy and pulled out two long + stiletto daggers. She begins stabbing with unusual precision + at the tentacles reaching up on the ship.

    +

    She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!”

    +

    She dives in.

    +
    +

    Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there + was a very slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of + like getting a gentle hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti.

    +

    Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through + your purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the + attention of a curious passing manta ray. It glides over and + has a nibble.

    +

    You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the + long, slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the + tentacles to coil and retreat, releasing the merbear in the + process. It shouts through its tears, “My brother!” and dives + back into the fray, fighting to free the tardigrade.

    +

    From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from + the wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean + floor.

    +

    META: Gabs rolls a 6 on “Do Anything 1” + and gains a new skill: Stabbing 2

    +
    +

    Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin + gathers himself. “I suppose this is no time for errant + curiosity, can’t have anyone getting hurt after all.”

    +

    Ensuring that he doesn’t hit either Inky nor Gabs as they + near the creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in + the direction of the center of the tentacles. (vanquish + “tentacles”) And releases a pinpoint thread of searing energy + from his palm, guiding it through the mass of tentacles in a + random and chaotic pattern, attempting to sever as many + tentacles as possible.

    +

    As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, + he won’t be able to prepare another spell like that on the + fly, far too meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the + spell runs out, best case will be to retreat somewhere out of + reach, or as far away as is possible there.

    +
    +

    Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into + the center of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The + bolt of energy bounces from tentacle to tentacle creating a + chaotic web of energy.

    +

    One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that + happens to be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water + bear, but not before the tardigrade takes the full brunt of + the final blast of the dying searing bolt. It cries out and + curls up into a ball. Motionless, it starts sinking downward. + “BROTHER!” the merbear swims after it heedless of any nearby + danger.

    +

    A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant + manta ray happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps + out of the way at the last minute and continues to angrily + enjoy its candy, glaring at you quite indignantly.

    +

    META: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for “Do + Anything 1”, which means things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a + total of 1 xp. You can spend xp to turn any die into a six for + the purpose of advancement.

    +
    +

    While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to + rescue the bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if + they found suitable replacements for the bears, the tentacles + might be distracted long enough to release the bears, or + provide an opening advantage for one of their party?

    +

    A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of + discarded bottles among a large pile of other trash carried + there by the push and pull between the water currents and a + hot spring. Gathering up some bottles, Inky ties them together + with twine in singles and small clusters until they resemble + two large, crudely-made multi-coloured tanokuma[1].

    +

    With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky + attaches the tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags + them back above the tentacles, roughly near the spot where the + previous bears were taken. When the valiant members of their + party dive to one side for another strike, Inky loosens the + rope around the “bears” and lets them sink down within reach + of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] First featured in the garden play Teatime with + Tanokuma, the fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling + bear became an overnight hit among children as well as the + fashion-conscious youth who frequent the trendy “Shin-ku” + district of Vay’Nullar.

    +
    +

    The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they + retreat from Gabs’s stabbses and Corraidhin’s bolts. They + grope about weakly, wrap themselves around the tanokuma, and + finally withdraw.

    +

    You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The + tentacles—and whatever beast they belong to—is either within, + behind, or below the ship. It is definitely ship + adjacent wherever and whatever it is. The large + double-masted ship is lying on its side, teetering + precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean trench. There + is a large hole in its hull providing unfettered access to its + insides.

    +

    The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and + the merbear is swimming blindly after it.

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    www

    + href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-11/msg00043.html">www

    ]]>     @@ -756,260 +1055,6 @@ ]]> - - 21 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 21 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 --0600 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 -0600 - - 00021 -

    INTERLUDE

    -
    -

    A glorious victory!

    -

    In the interim time Corraidhin studies the sword of Y’aml, - and correctly deduces that he needs to remove the sticky bit - to be able to sheath the thing.

    -

    sudo chmod -t sword_of_y'aml

    -

    The rest of the interim is spent studying arcane lore - surrounding the Ginnarak Crystals and their purpose. He also - strongly urges the party that we should consider very carefuly - how we need to proceed with the crystal. It’s obvious people - don’t want these things getting out, so we should ensure that - Blavin has good intentions, or at least leaves us out of - whatever potential evil could occur.

    -
    -

    Corraidhin prepares the incantation and, after removing the - sticky bit, is able pry his stiff fingers from the grip.

    -

    You sheathe the blade, but its voice continues to ring - clearly in your head as it prattles on, seeing evil and - villainy everywhere and encouraging you to stab, stab, - stab.

    -

    Your sysorcerous studies, confirmed by the eager and - forthright sword, suggest that the blade will be able to rest - for a while once it tastes blood.

    -

    Your former mentor and rival sysorceror Eccentric Kevin - calls on you one day under the pretense of showing you the - latest draft of KDL (pronounced “cuddle”), their own “Kevin’s - Document Language”, an alternative syntax for incantations and - personal pet project of theirs that has thus far failed, much - to their perpetual consternation, to gain any traction or - adoption in the wider magic community. They are insufferably - polite and sinisterly supportive. They complain about how the - obstinant gnus keep standing in the middle of the road trying - to block traffic, and they demand to know all about your - recent exploits and adventures.

    -
    -

    Once back in town, Inky had the small glass shard in their - palm removed by a harried-looking healer, who merely shrugged - at Inky’s account of the disappearing ink and advised them to - return if they experienced adverse effects before hurrying off - to the next patient. A visit to the local stationery shop did - not yield any answers; the stocky human at the counter shook - their head apologetically when shown the broken ink bottle. - However, they did suggest asking at one of the larger shops in - the city.

    -

    To celebrate their first successful quest, Inky made - torties[1] for their party with flour ground from some of the - large corn kernels at the dig site, topped with a sweet nutty - squash spread. Babbleberry tea was served from their newly - acquired jade tea set, now patched with what Inky had been - assured was an unbreakable seal[2] by a merchant with a toothy - grin in one of Vay’Nullar’s notorious back alleys.

    -

    Master Corraidhín’s cautionary words of wisdom still echo - in Inky’s head, though they were secretly tickled by the idea - of the crystal being actually a rare and previously unknown - species of melon with very potent magical properties. The very - thought of melons was making Inky a bit thirsty. Let the - warrior and wizard worry about all the potential evils of the - world — it’s time for a dash to the market for some beatfruit - juice!

    -
    -

    [1] Also known as torte-teas, as in “Torte-tea, yas?”, - which was how their previous ink maestro used to greet - customers entering the brewery. Flat little tea cakes with - sugar or spice (or both, which vary by region) and sometimes - eaten in a loose wrap. Some humans called them “crabs” for - some reason which baffled Inky, since the torties had no - pincers … at least none that they could see anyway.

    -

    [2] The seal attached to the bottom of the teapot and each - cup had a glyph of an unknown object between two hands.

    -
    -

    The healer removes a small glass bead from Inky’s palm. It - is worn smooth and round like a marble. If you look closely, - you can see a small blemish in the center that somewhat - resembles either a duck or a rabbit depending on how you - orient it.

    -

    It is captivating to look at and comforting to hold in your - hand. You fidget with it often. Now and then you suddenly - notice you have been gazing at it for some minutes without - realizing it.

    -

    You make your party a delightful meal of torties, serving - tea from the magically reinforced jade set.

    -

    Cleaning up afterwards, you can’t help but notice the - patterns of the tea leaves in the bottoms of the jade - cups.

    -

    YOU FORESEE AN OMEN FOR THE PARTY. WHAT IS IT?

    -

    You dash to the market for beatfruit juice, which you - easily find. And you find yourself irrationally drawn to the - produce. The kale, dandelion greens, and beans all look - especially scrumptious and … plump and juicy?

    -

    An old toothy market attendant sits on a stool by the - vegetable stand reading the Farmers Almanac. Unsolicited, they - mention to you that it is only three days until the next full - moon.

    -
    -

    Jarrod has two things in particular he wants to do when - back in town, with whatever his cut of the gold is. First, he - wants to go looking for a cheap, run-down building somewhere - in town and buy the property if he has enough money (perhaps - negotiating a bit where necessary).

    -

    Second, he wishes to seek arcane counsel from Corraidhín, - perhaps getting a small invocation applied to one of the - charms on his arm band. Something in the realm of a - fascination spell (with an activation word) that can be used - on occasion to draw attention.

    -

    Jarrod agrees that we should not invite trouble. We shall - tread cautiously with regards to the crystals.

    -

    Yum, torties!

    -
    -

    After successfully negotiating the price down a little bit, - you are able to purchase a run-down building. You are now the - proud owner and proprietor of the Milk Market building in the - Wandering Bazzar district of downtown Vay’Nullar.

    -

    The ground level is occupied by longtime district staple - Enrique’s Empanada Emporium, famous for its signature stuffed - pastries and its Terrapin Ale, brewed on site by Enrique - himself, who happens to be a very large humanoid turtle.

    -

    It’s a little seedy and a little divey, but still draws a - fair amount of foot traffic from shoppers waiting for the - eponymous, ambulatory bazaar of debatable sentience to wander - by. Reliably, a small gang of breadpunks can be found - loitering here and espousing the virtues of social anarchy. - Enrique allows their presence and on occasion even buys them a - round of ale.

    -

    The top two levels are unoccupied. Years upon years ago, - this space once held large vats for storing and preserving - multibeast milk prior to being distributed. Some enterprising - individual converted and updated the space some time ago, but - was never able to find a tenant. In any case, the space is - yours now to do with what you will.

    -

    With Corraidhin’s assistance, you are able to enchant your - armband by inscribing it with a cross-like glyph with a - teardrop-shaped loop in place of the vertical upper bar. You - now have a FASCINATING BANGLE that can, upon activation, - compel attention and even potentially inspire people to dance - about.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    -

    www

    - ]]> -     -     - - 24 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 24 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 --0600 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 -0600 - - 00024 -
    -

    Corraidhin
    - Well I’ll be! You can turn yourself into a dagger. And I did - say we could stab blavin if you could do that, it’s much more - stealthy this way. But let me posit this, is the act of - stabbing a hobbit unprovoked not itself evil? Or perhaps more - convincingly, would it not be better to use the hobbit for - whatever information he has so as to lead to this mysterious - benefactor, who most assuredly must be evil.

    -

    Someone who would send out myriads of teams to pillage and - plunder cultural artifacts is truly evil, that must be our - target.

    -

    Now this isn’t to say that we won’t stab him. I’m convinced - that’s probably a good idea in the long run, but we know - nothing of the true evil that motivates him! We would kill him - just to lose track of the true evil we must smite!

    -

    Y’aml
    - But YOU said if I could turn into a dagger we could STAB him. - HE’S EVIL. YOU said so! Not keeping your promises IS one step - away from PURE evil! Make a choice Hardy Bear! Stab the evil - hobbit, or stab the inkling, or stab SOMETHING evil this - minute!

    -

    Corraidhin
    - I most certainly cannot abide with stabbing Inky, it’s - entirely off the table. And in a city like this there aren’t - any evil things that just jump out for the stabbing.

    -

    (Corraidhin tries to silently control Y’aml during the - discussion. However in so doing the party has fallen silent, - aghast even)

    -

    Corraidhin stands, Y’aml held in hand, red gem eye gleaming - a wicked joyful grin as it’s raised high, poised to strike. - The party around him is silent, and Blavin stares up in shock. - The tavern around them has died down and you can hear the - bustle of the proprietor calling for his strong men to deal - with this ruckus.

    -
    -

    The table—and all of Lucy’s Basement within earshot—sits in - tense, uneasy quiet at Corraidhin’s one-sided conversation - with the Sword of Yam’L. Blavin giggles nervously and sips his - martini, willfully forcing himself right up to the very last - moment to believe that it is all some sort of jest.

    -

    But then the sysorcerer stands and raises the blood crazed - dagger over his shoulder, and Blavin squeals and writhes in - his chair. Lucy’s bouncers scramble forward from the corners - of the room to intercept.

    -
    -

    Y’aml
    - We STAB Hardy Bear! We STAB NOW!!

    -

    Against Corraidhin’s control, as though he’s in a trance, - the dagger comes down. A swift stabbing motion strqight to the - neck, as he lunges across the table at Blavin knocking the map - and his martini to the side.

    -
    - -

    Corraidhin once again feels the same peculiar quality of - the blade, that sensation of a hollow core with a heavy liquid - sloshing inside. Held aloft, the weight of it feels - concentrated at the grip, the blade light as a feather.

    -

    He stabs down—Yam’L cries out in wordless glee—and the - weight flows into the tip of the blade, the blade itself now - drawing Corraidhin’s hand downward in a rising crescendo of - stabbitude.

    - -

    Blavin flinches at the last second, and instead of burying - itself in his throat, the blade plunges into his shoulder and - pins him to the back of the chair. A red mist fills the eye - and threatens to cloud it over entirely. It rolls back in - ecstasy as it drinks deeply. It sings out, “MORE! MORE! MORE!” - and Corraidhin feels the tides of madness rising inside of - him, threatening to wash over him wholly, to pull him under - and carry him away on thundering waves of bloodlust.

    -

    Corraidhin struggles to pull the blade from the chair back. - Blavin whimpers and mewls as he yanks on it, and clutches his - wound and, incredibly, takes a large gulp of his drink.

    -

    The sysorcerer still has the wherewithal and the presence - of mind to be aware of his surroundings. He is not yet so - overcome by the bloodlust. He sees his companions, his fellow - residents of the Milk Market, seated around the table. And he - sees the musclebound bouncers now nearly within reach.

    -

    Finally he draws the dagger. Blavin sinks in his seat and - slides to the floor with his drink, blabbering incoherently, - and starts to slither away.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    -

    www

    - ]]> -     -     22 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -1343,5 +1388,145 @@ scp sysorceor.guild:/home/corraidhin/chest milkbase.alpha:/home/corraidhin/chest ]]> + + 27 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 27 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:14:31 +-0600 + Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:36:42 -0600 + + 00027 +
    +

    Inky stares down at the package, weighing it on one + hand.

    +

    It was lighter than it should be given the density of the + contents within, wrapped in straw and thick brown + weight-absorbent parcel paper for dry goods. Most of the + clientele were merchants and cultists from other parts of the + continent who ordered pallets to be shipped back from the port + town and sold to select boutique grocers or spilled on altars. + Inside was a block of congealed synthetic blood shaped like a + mud brick, the dark crimson almost black under the shop’s dim + light.

    +

    It was sheer happenstance that Inky had found this + particular supplier. Having been informed heir boat to the + shipwreck would not arrive for several hours, the members of + their merry tea party had wandered off to enjoy the local + sights while they waited. Inky had inquired about the + hemogoblins and learned in passing that there was a district + at the western edge of the town where a smaller group had set + up warehouses, which would save them a two-day trip deep into + the Hartlands. The hemogoblins in the district were primarily + wholesalers, and it had taken some convincing before one of + the proprietors agreed to sell a block of it, along with + assurances Inky would purchase exclusively from him next time + and in larger quantities.

    +

    Thin fingers fiddle with the string before the package was + set to one side.

    +

    What were they doing?

    +

    If quenching the thirst were so simple, wouldn’t any + student of magic have already thought of it, let alone an + experienced sysorceror? In all likelihood he had already known + the inevitable, but was too polite to refuse Inky’s funny + concoctions. Maybe deep down, Inky already knew too, but + didn’t want to say it out loud. That the long feather they + thought they had seen among the tea leaves was actually a + dagger. That they hadn’t wanted to admit some problems could + not be whisked away with some tincture or another. That they + had failed, again.

    +

    They hadn’t searched enough for better ingredients to go + into the pudding, hadn’t reacted fast enough after noticing + the sword had abruptly disappeared, hadn’t thrown the large + platter of mouldy meat the terrified waitress next to them had + been holding at Blavin’s head, or something. The sword had + gotten what it demanded, and Inky couldn’t be angry with it — + it had never been subtle about what it wanted. Had the blood + pudding worsened the effects? Potions had never been on Inky’s + menu. Brewing inks and teas with certain mild effects was + straightforward enough, but curing chronic ailments was firmly + in healers’ territory and just as bewildering. While it may be + true nobody could be held to account for the actions of + another not in full control of themselves, and hardly those of + a rogue weapon with a mind of its own, sticking their nose in + other people’s affairs was the surest way to get into trouble, + a fact Inky still has difficulty learning after decades of + wandering the continent.

    +

    Would this substrate even work? Maybe it acted differently + for cursed objects than coffin sleepers. Having brought it + back and now aboard the ship, how would they even give it to + the wizard? Should they wait and made sure Master Corraidhín + was truly rested and recovered, despite his insistence he was + more than fine? Would it be an insulting reminder of weakness, + despite the wizard having proven unusual mental fortitude in + staving off the screams for blood as long as he had? Was this + more of the same, adding to what they had (not) done?

    +

    After a long moment, Inky rolls the package with the + producers’ leaflet haphazardly in an old sailor’s rags still + reeking of cheap alcohol, and passing by the wizard’s empty + cabin on the way to the deck, places the messy bundle on the + floorboards two steps from the door. Let the fates decide this + one, because Inky’s magic 0 ball sure doesn’t make the best + life choices.

    +
    +

    Blavin has arranged transportation to the shipwreck ahead + of time. All you have to do is head down to the docks and meet + your contact, Three-Fingered Gerald, at a seedy dive bar named + Inquire Within Upon Everything.

    +

    Inquire Within is as eclectic and gaudy as the name would + imply. The bar serves as an extensive and impressive piece of + living documentation, drawing heavily on the port town’s + cosmopolitan mixture of culture. Every kind of style, cuisine, + decor, and beverage can be found here mishmashed together + irregardless of good taste. Its contents are encyclopedic and + claustrophobic. And yet it is not without its own peculiar + brand of overwhelming, garish charm.

    +

    You find Mister Three-Fingered at the bar entertaining his + fellow patrons with a grotesque sleight of hand routine that + involves passing his gold-plated false eye from its socket, to + either hand, inside his mouth, and back with lots of flourish, + fanfare, and misdirection along the way.

    +

    He is a merry, boisterous sailor short one eye, half an + ear, several fingers, and—he confesses to you—the heel of his + left foot. “It’s why I walk so slow, you see.” The other + barflies call him “Lucky” Three-Fingered Gerald. Because a + certain kind of man—and Gerald is one of them—can never have + enough nicknames. After you buy him a drink or three, he + escorts you out of Inquire Within and to the slip where the + sloop Diamond Howler is docked. Its captain, Enid + Barlow, welcomes you aboard.

    +

    Before long, Diamond Howler pulls out under the + command of Captain Barlow and First Mate “Lucky” + Three-Fingered Gerald. The site isn’t too far off the coast, + and you arrive fairly quickly.

    +

    “Aye, here she is. The SS RSS.” says Captain Barlow + mournfully. “You can’t see her from up here. But you rest + assured, she’s down there, resting on the seabed. She was the + best cargo runner on the Sugrin back in her day! Distributing + goods up and down the coast. Until the day she disappeared. + Nobody knew what happened to her, not for sure. Still don’t. + But at least we know where she wound up!”

    +

    While the captain reminisces, Three-Fingered Gerald drags a + large water tank across the deck, sloshing water over the edge + with each step. Translucent orb-like jellyfish wobble around + and bump into each other inside the tank, releasing little + effervescent bubbles that fizzle and pop when they collide. + “Here we go!” announces Mister Three-Fingered, depositing the + tank of jellies in front of you. “Sailed through a big bloom + of breathing bells just last week, didn’t we! Managed to scoop + up a whole bunch of the little suckers. You ever use a + breathing bell before? No? Aw, it’s easy! Ya just pull one on + over your head like a hood, and it’ll breathe for ya while + you’re below the waves!”

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    NOTE: We just covered a lot of narrative ground. Feel free + to react to anything that happened between arriving at the + docks, meeting Gerald and drinking at Inquire Within, boarding + the Diamond Howler, and sailing to the site of the wreck.

    +

    www

    + ]]> +     +     diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index 87e354c..357ecc1 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -249,6 +249,7 @@ of the Were-Hare
  • 00027
  • 00028
  • 00029
    • +
  • 00030
  • Bestiary
  • Geography
    • @@ -261,9 +262,9 @@ id="toc-acknowledgements">Acknowledgements

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 25057 words / 107 minute read.

    -

    There have been 101 messages posted over 112 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .90.

    +

    Total length: 26483 words / 113 minute read.

    +

    There have been 107 messages posted over 116 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .92.

    About

    This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over email.

    @@ -300,7 +301,7 @@ story entirely.

    @@ -334,7 +335,7 @@ have fun!

    Paths:

    @@ -3002,6 +3003,161 @@ ankles!

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    www

    +

    00030

    +
    +

    Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the tentacles’ grasp. +From their courier bag they shake out an inflatable bubblebee[1] of the +sort made for aquatic camping. It is one of the fancier models provided +to each member of their party courtesy of the well-endowed Benefactor. +They yank on one of the cords and scramble inside, hastily closing the +flap as the bubblebee rapidly draws in water and fills out to its full +size.

    +

    The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and allows the +drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the end of one tentacle +sending the bubblebee forward a short distance before it slows above the +flailing tentacles. Inky switches on the lights to try to get a clearer +view of the source of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but they +generally have a transparent or translucent spherical body, a pair of +small translucent wings that act as flippers, an opening flap at the +back with a short rudder attached, and two cords inside at the front +near the top which when pulled inflate the bubble with the surrounding +air or water. Premium versions might also include headlights, a buzzer, +built-in filtration, improved insulation, a drifter and thruster. Like +tents they come in various sizes, from small ones that can fit one or +two people at average elven height, to larger ones for group outings. +Their portability and rugged durability make them very popular among +tourists and campers who can enjoy a range of water sports, such as +water walking on the surface, riding the bubble down river rapids, or +bobbing along underwater to watch the sea life wander by.

    +
    +

    Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick of time. A +tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then the apparatus’s +lights cut on and illuminate the murky water.

    +

    You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from this +distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck.

    +

    At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And the +bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability.

    +
    +

    Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. “hmm a +wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in closer.”

    +

    While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards the +tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole his new found +bear friends. “I simply cannot bear any harm to come to my bears!” As he +approaches the creature he prepares a spell should he need to vanquish +the monster.

    +
    (fn vanquish [target]
+  (match target.state
+   [:living] (searing-bolt {target target
+                            radius "narrow"
+                            intensity "high"})
+   [:undead] (smite {target target
+                     deity "Larani"})))
    +
    +

    Corraidhin charges up a spell!

    +

    The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you struggle +to get a view of whatever creature is abducting them.

    +

    The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within or behind +a large sunken ship!

    +

    Could it be the SS RSS?

    +
    +

    Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon seeing +these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got unreasonably angry. +She made sure that the breathing bell was properly attached to her head +(a marvelous thing, she thought. She had always wondered what it would +be like to have a jellyfish on her head).

    +

    Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt toward the +edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and moved away all the +loose candy and pulled out two long stiletto daggers. She begins +stabbing with unusual precision at the tentacles reaching up on the +ship.

    +

    She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!”

    +

    She dives in.

    +
    +

    Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there was a very +slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of like getting a gentle +hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti.

    +

    Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through your +purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the attention of a +curious passing manta ray. It glides over and has a nibble.

    +

    You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the long, +slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the tentacles to coil +and retreat, releasing the merbear in the process. It shouts through its +tears, “My brother!” and dives back into the fray, fighting to free the +tardigrade.

    +

    From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from the +wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean floor.

    +

    META: Gabs rolls a 6 on “Do Anything 1” and gains a +new skill: Stabbing 2

    +
    +

    Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin gathers +himself. “I suppose this is no time for errant curiosity, can’t have +anyone getting hurt after all.”

    +

    Ensuring that he doesn’t hit either Inky nor Gabs as they near the +creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in the direction of +the center of the tentacles. (vanquish “tentacles”) And releases a +pinpoint thread of searing energy from his palm, guiding it through the +mass of tentacles in a random and chaotic pattern, attempting to sever +as many tentacles as possible.

    +

    As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, he won’t +be able to prepare another spell like that on the fly, far too +meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the spell runs out, best +case will be to retreat somewhere out of reach, or as far away as is +possible there.

    +
    +

    Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into the center +of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The bolt of energy bounces +from tentacle to tentacle creating a chaotic web of energy.

    +

    One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that happens to +be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water bear, but not before +the tardigrade takes the full brunt of the final blast of the dying +searing bolt. It cries out and curls up into a ball. Motionless, it +starts sinking downward. “BROTHER!” the merbear swims after it heedless +of any nearby danger.

    +

    A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant manta ray +happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps out of the way at +the last minute and continues to angrily enjoy its candy, glaring at you +quite indignantly.

    +

    META: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for “Do Anything 1”, +which means things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a total of 1 xp. You can +spend xp to turn any die into a six for the purpose of advancement.

    +
    +

    While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to rescue the +bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if they found suitable +replacements for the bears, the tentacles might be distracted long +enough to release the bears, or provide an opening advantage for one of +their party?

    +

    A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of discarded +bottles among a large pile of other trash carried there by the push and +pull between the water currents and a hot spring. Gathering up some +bottles, Inky ties them together with twine in singles and small +clusters until they resemble two large, crudely-made multi-coloured +tanokuma[1].

    +

    With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky attaches the +tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags them back above the +tentacles, roughly near the spot where the previous bears were taken. +When the valiant members of their party dive to one side for another +strike, Inky loosens the rope around the “bears” and lets them sink down +within reach of the tentacles.

    +

    [1] First featured in the garden play Teatime with Tanokuma, +the fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling bear became an overnight +hit among children as well as the fashion-conscious youth who frequent +the trendy “Shin-ku” district of Vay’Nullar.

    +
    +

    The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they retreat from +Gabs’s stabbses and Corraidhin’s bolts. They grope about weakly, wrap +themselves around the tanokuma, and finally withdraw.

    +

    You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The tentacles—and +whatever beast they belong to—is either within, behind, or below the +ship. It is definitely ship adjacent wherever and whatever it +is. The large double-masted ship is lying on its side, teetering +precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean trench. There is a large +hole in its hull providing unfettered access to its insides.

    +

    The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and the +merbear is swimming blindly after it.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    www

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria