Dozens B. McCuzzins 2023-01-04 08:19:13 -07:00
parent c31e269067
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@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ src/chapter1.md
src/chapter2.md
src/chapter3.md
src/epistolary/index.md
src/epistolary/00054.md
src/bestiary/index.md
src/bestiary/aur.md
src/bestiary/blahoblin.md

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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
title: alex
created: Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:04:34 -0700
updated: Thu, 22 Dec 2022 12:43:42 -0700
updated: Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:32:30 -0700
public: yes
---
### Alex
@ -18,5 +18,5 @@ Alex is like Corraidhin in some aspects, hes younger, more brash, more given
Paths:
- Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The Hand
- Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The Hand, The Triple Lindy

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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
title: inky
created: Tue, 26 Jul 2022 20:32:23 -0600
updated: Fri, 18 Nov 2022 09:01:22 -0700
updated: Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:32:35 -0700
public: yes
---
### Inky
@ -22,6 +22,6 @@ What do you plan to do with your cut of the money? Buy lots of ink ingredients,
Paths:
- Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The Hand
- Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The Hand, The Triple Lindy
- Were-Hare: Lepusthropy, Beast Sense, Hybrid Form
- Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony

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@ -0,0 +1,300 @@
---
title: 00054
created: Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:12:08 -0700
updated: Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:18:44 -0700
public: yes
syndicated: yes
---
### 00054 {#00054}
> Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored to the
> roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the old belongings
> of his former uncle.
>
> *sigh* "Best get a request to HQ for this airship, maybe they'll
> let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we have to impound
> it.."
>
> ```
> <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
> -> OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
>
> CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
> REQUEST ENCLOSED.
>
> REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
> ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP "The Rusty Maiden"
> ```
>
> "There's also the matter of this little hemogoblin.." Alex mutters
> to himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around the room,
> dripping little pools of blood hither and tither.
>
> ```
> <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
> -> OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
>
> CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
> REQUEST ENCLOSED
> PACKET ENCLOSED
>
> REQUESTING ANALYSIS
> ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
> TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
> NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY
> ```
>
> "Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says they're
> divine." Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and gently
> carries him downstairs."
>
> Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the
> empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enrique's protests that these were
> for paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed careless
> over one shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen and then out and
> away into the garden to enjoy their pilfered treats.
>
> "I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force at
> times"
~
> Inky stepped into the toques' cabin below deck with a tray of
> turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking on
> Bread's bandages and offering the toque reclined on the berth the
> last bag of mango croutons — or at least the last one for the next
> two hours — Inky perched on a wooden barrel across from where
> Confidence sat on a creaking old chair next to the bunk and spoke.
> "We'll be landing in about an hour and getting Bread to a medical
> facility. You can stay with him while he heals and rest up."
>
> They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the liquid was
> being used to summon their next words. "On behalf of myself and the
> party, I apologise for the … disruption, and for what had befallen
> the hotelier. As you may have already noticed, we're a fair
> distance away from the Peak and will be arriving in Vay'Nullar
> soon. This airship was taken over from the cyberplasms in the
> course of getting the crystal out and the injured to a safe
> location, and her new captain could hardly fly it back straight
> into the pirates' hands now.
>
> What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as you need
> to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts in the city.
> One of our party runs a Milk Market that could certainly use some
> hired help, and a garden in the back that would benefit from more
> attention. Pay will be double your current salary at the hotel.
> Master Alex may also recruit you for other tasks. You don't need to
> have an answer just yet — think on it for a bit while you rest and
> let us know. Afterwards, if you find that you still wish to return
> to Kelsun Peak, we will pay for travel."
>
> Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. "You may be interested to
> know there is a bakery on the Milk Market's first floor. If you
> like the look of the place, perhaps we can convince the chef to
> take on an assistant."
>
> ~
>
> Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of the plush
> chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare impassively as
> they sat in the adjoining armchair to her right. The ornate coffee
> table before them had been laid out for tea, but the other cup
> remained untouched, which was in itself unusual. Ink rarely turned
> down tea when it was offered, which likely meant they were
> preoccupied with something they were unwilling to discuss. This had
> been happening more frequently since their plans to intercept the
> Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little concerning, but she knew it
> would be no use to question them directly. The missive she had
> received this time through Piskin's people was brief, almost
> annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than expected with the
> articles that production had requested, which had fortunately made
> up for lost time from the previous delays.
>
> With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she picked up
> her own teacup. "Salvia passed on the items to the production team.
> Thank you for picking them up from the Runesocesius. I would send
> my regular couriers but they are tied up with another event. One of
> them had to care for their sick child and couldn't leave the city.
> As usual, time and discretion are of the essence."
>
> When her adviser only nodded, she continued. "How is he? He
> probably insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you himself.
> The man is cautious with valuables."
>
> "Quite dead but managing, or so I heard." Ink intoned drily.
>
> Tess caught on immediately. "Didn't you meet with him? The message
> only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did something happen?"
>
> The imp shrugged. "We met, I delivered the letter and collected the
> items. We didn't get a chance to talk."
>
> The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors again,
> especially after their last play had prominently featured the
> Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the programme
> credits, but Tess didn't think the hotelier was so busy as to
> entrust this task to one of his underlings. The man was proud of
> the first editions the library had amassed, and the notebooks of
> Lucidieau that the playwright sought as a reference were no doubt
> counted among the treasures, even if only an expensive commissioned
> facsimile was permitted out of the library. Something had happened,
> she was sure, but decided not to press further for the moment.
>
> "And the other matter?" she asked.
>
> "Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and retained a
> crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place." Ink replied
> flatly. "And yes, your acquaintance is very much dead, shot by the
> crew leader in the scuffle. As the rumour rags have it, his ghost
> is now overseeing the building repairs."
>
> Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless jest
> when there was a knock at the door. At her response, the door
> opened and her secretary entered with a box of pastries and two
> sets of tableware, which she placed on the coffee table before
> leaving and closing the door behind her.
>
> Noticing Ink's look of recognition, Tess smiled and ventured, "This
> is the second time is as many months you awarded that empanada
> place a glowing review in *The Tiny Toaster*. I can count the
> ratings higher than a 10 you've ever given on one hand — of course
> I had to try it. Why don't you have some as well?"
>
> Ink blinked. "I didn't write the latest review."
>
> Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy golden
> brown pastry onto a plate. "It has your inkprints all over it."
>
> "I don't know what you mean. Surely I'm allowed to treat a
> colleague to lunch, and they are free to express their satisfaction
> with a meal openly if they wish," Ink replied smoothly.
>
> Tess rolled her eyes. "There's a name for that. It's called
> bribery."
>
> Ink smiled faintly. "Just so. However, the selection speaks for
> itself."
>
> "Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are wonderful.
> In fact," Tess prodded the open end of the pastry with her fork,
> where a light yellow filling was visible, "they remind me a little
> of the very crispy tortelli *someone* made several years ago just
> for the opening reception of *The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha*."
>
> "Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very capable." Ink
> said evenly.
>
> Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. "We've talked
> about this before, Ink. You don't have to hole up in some poor
> scrub's excuse for a kitchen in a closet. If you need more room
> downstairs then expand it. Just tell Salvia and she'll take care of
> it."
>
> Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. "I appreciate the offer, but
> the answer is the same. There will be no rest until the crystals
> are secured."
Some time passes.
The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of a problem
than you thought it would be. Be it because its not in the excitement
of battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it because it is maturing
slightly, it seems in better control of its blood sacs. Barring a few
small accidents, it doesn't make much of a mess. It has found and
claimed as its own a few unused blankets, and has made a little
burrow nest in an out of the way corner behind the furniture.
Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better than ever
before. The blood goblin stays by their side during the first hours
and days and keeps them pumped full of clean, synthetic blood.
Afterwards the toque is flushed a healthy pink and has new vigor.
Enrique takes them under his tutelage. And Bread ends up making a
fine baker's apprentice. Dough seems to rise more and quicker after
he kneads it. "The lad has solar hands," Enrique boasts of his new
protegee.
Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient Wandering
Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with glacial speed up and
down the streets, vendors and stalls and shoppers following in its
wake. But then also it will disappear in the blink of an eye only to
reappear in a totally different part of the area known as the
Wandering Bazaar District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is
occupied entirely by a single shop. But which shop it is seems to
vary from day to day. One day the seventh level will be occupied by
Fedik's Butcher shop. And the next, Lario's Bakery. It might be days
or weeks before one can once again buy hotlinks from Fedik's. Where
the shops go when they're not here is one of Basmentaria's great
mysteries.
The toque studies the Bazaar's movements and are able to predict its
route with more and more accuracy. They become a highly sought out
guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to take them to the very spot
the Bazaar will appear that day. Residents appreciate the heads up
and not getting trapped in their houses when the Bazaar wedges its
way into their narrow residential streets, blocking their front
doors. And owners of traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to
plan ahead for the crowds that will appear on "Bazaar Day".
~
Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ start
having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course at first
nobody knows their dreams are shared by the others. Not until they
become more frequent, more regular. By the time the figure has
visited you every night for nearly a week, somebody speaks up and you
realize the coincidence.
The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple. Long,
straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders. Their soft
features are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden circlet on their
head and a golden eye in the middle of their forehead. Their passive,
neutral face betrays no emotion the entire time.
The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with one hand and
turn their palm up. And because of dream logic, in the palm of their
hand you can hear the jingling of coins, mirthful laughter, and
hushed stories told around a campfire. They curl their fingers into a
loose first and the sounds stop. They spread their arms wide and in
the folds of their robes you can see three siblings fighting,
squabbling over a broken loom.
Then you're standing next to them, and the two of you watch three
friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that he is tired of
flying and hooting, and doesn't want to be an owl any more, he wants
to be flowers. And Snake laughs and tells him that he is Owl, and an
owl he must remain. And she leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in
the sun. So Owl tells Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting,
and doesn't want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers.
Dolphin doesn't want to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they
won't be able to be together any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees
to help even though they don't want to, because Dolphin loves Owl.
With all their strength, they create a great waterspout that will
turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout is too strong, and Dolphin
is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl but does not turn him into
flowers. Owl's wing is broken and he falls to the ground in a heap of
feathers. The waterspout shakes a great boulder from the earth and
traps Snake under it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of the sea.
And then you wake up.
~
Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market HQ. It is
not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it reads:
> Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting to draw
> to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if we both are
> to achieve our goals. We have information that you are looking for.
> Meet us at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We will wear the sign.
The letter is signed with a white iris and golden apple.
Anyone in Vay'Nullar would be able to tell you that the Harpoon Club
is a game room and fine dining club, and one of the rotating tenants
of the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence would tell you, were you to
ask them, that the club won't be there next Selday. (When the Bazaar
will appear at East and Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to
appear until a week and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday.
(When the Bazaar will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)
WHAT DO YOU DO

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@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ updated: Sun, 27 Nov 2022 02:24:11 -0700
<summary>SPOILERS!!</summary>
**THREADS**
- Lady in Red ???
- Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?
- Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin, Salvia ; Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?
- Benefactor wants Crystals to kill a god
- Golden Iris wants Crystals to make a new god
- Gnu Zealots (aligned with Golden Iris) seek to open source godhood
@ -70,5 +69,70 @@ todo:
- [x] the BAND (Birds Are Not Dinosaurs) and the BATT (Birds Are Time Travelers) conspiracy
- [x] ・゜゜・。。・゜゜\_o< QUACK!
- [x] The gang has a rival: the gophers of Retrieval Team 70
**CALENDAR**
The period of Moonmoon's rotation is 10 days.
This is a week.
The period of Selene's rotation is 30 days (3 weeks).
This is a month.
The period of Lua's rotation is 360 days (12 months).
This is a year.
Days of the week are divided into godsdays, moondays, earthdays, and 'Tensday'.
| Day of Month | Day of Week | Name | Moonmoon | Selene |
|--------------|-------------|----------|-----------------|-----------------|
| 1 | 1 | Nedsday | 1st quarter | 1st quarter |
| 2 | 2 | Nullday | waxing gibbous | 1st quarter |
| 3 | 3 | Lianday | full | 1st quarter |
| 4 | 4 | Monday | full | 1st quarter |
| 5 | 5 | Selday | waning gibbous | waxing gibbous |
| 6 | 6 | Luday | 3rd quarter | waxing gibbous |
| 7 | 7 | Primeday | waning crescent | waxing gibbous |
| 8 | 8 | Agenday | new | full |
| 9 | 9 | Ginnday | new | full |
| 10 | 10 | Tensday | waxing crescent | full |
| 11 | 1 | Nedsday | 1st quarter | full |
| 12 | 2 | Nullday | waxing gibbous | full |
| 13 | 3 | Lianday | full | waning gibbous |
| 14 | 4 | Monday | full | waning gibbous |
| 15 | 5 | Selday | waning gibbous | waning gibbous |
| 16 | 6 | Luday | 3rd quarter | 3rd quarter |
| 17 | 7 | Primeday | waning crescent | 3rd quarter |
| 18 | 8 | Agenday | new | 3rd quarter |
| 19 | 9 | Ginnday | new | 3rd quarter |
| 20 | 10 | Tensday | waxing crescent | waning crescent |
| 21 | 1 | Nedsday | 1st quarter | waning crescent |
| 22 | 2 | Nullday | waxing gibbous | waning crescent |
| 23 | 3 | Lianday | full | new |
| 24 | 4 | Monday | full | new |
| 25 | 5 | Selday | waning gibbous | new |
| 26 | 6 | Luday | 3rd quarter | new |
| 27 | 7 | Primeday | waning crescent | new |
| 28 | 8 | Agenday | new | waxing crescent |
| 29 | 9 | Ginnday | new | waxing crescent |
| 30 | 10 | Tensday | waxing crescent | waxing crescent |
The year is defined by Lua, the Red Lady's phases:
| # | Name | Lua | Season |
|------|-----------------|-----------------|--------|
| 1 | Thawing | 1ST QUARTER | Spring |
| 2 | Icebreak | waxing gibbous | Spring |
| 3 | Springtide | waxing gibbous | Spring |
| 4 | Ripeberry | FULL | Summer |
| 5 | Fullhorn | waning gibbous | Summer |
| 6 | Fallsrun | waning gibbous | Summer |
| 7 | Cornreaping | 3RD QUATER | Autumn |
| 8 | Hunters | waning crescent | Autumn |
| 9 | Beaverlodge | waning crescent | Autumn |
| 10 | Longnight | NEW | Winter |
| 11 | Howling | waxing crescent | Winter |
| 12 | Snowfall | waxing crescent | Winter |
</details>

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@ -309,8 +309,10 @@ of the Were-Hare</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-1" id="toc-chapter-1">Chapter 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-2" id="toc-chapter-2">Chapter 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-3" id="toc-chapter-3">Chapter 3</a></li>
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current
Story</a></li>
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current Story</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#00054" id="toc-00054">00054</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="#bestiary" id="toc-bestiary">Bestiary</a></li>
<li><a href="#geography" id="toc-geography">Geography</a></li>
<li><a href="#cosmology" id="toc-cosmology">Cosmology</a></li>
@ -342,10 +344,10 @@ Runesocesius</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
<p>Total length: 55744 words / 238 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
<p>Total length: 58151 words / 248 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
just the story.)</p>
<p>There have been 188 messages posted over 174 days since the first
<p>There have been 189 messages posted over 175 days since the first
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.08.</p>
<h2 id="about">About</h2>
<p>This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over
@ -385,7 +387,7 @@ Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
<p>Paths:</p>
<ul>
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
Hand</li>
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="corraidhín">Corraidhín</h3>
<p>Status: timestuck in a fork bomb</p>
@ -509,7 +511,7 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
<p>Paths:</p>
<ul>
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
Hand</li>
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
<li>Were-Hare: Lepusthropy, Beast Sense, Hybrid Form</li>
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony</li>
</ul>
@ -5858,6 +5860,245 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2023-01/msg00019.html">www</a>
<p>You can subscribe to these updates with the rss feed.</p>
<p><a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml"
class="uri">https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml</a></p>
<h3 id="00054">00054</h3>
<blockquote>
<p>Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored to the
roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the old belongings of
his former uncle.</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> “Best get a request to HQ for this airship, maybe
theyll let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we have to impound
it..”</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
REQUEST ENCLOSED.
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP &quot;The Rusty Maiden&quot;</code></pre>
<p>“Theres also the matter of this little hemogoblin..” Alex mutters to
himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around the room, dripping
little pools of blood hither and tither.</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
REQUEST ENCLOSED
PACKET ENCLOSED
REQUESTING ANALYSIS
ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY</code></pre>
<p>“Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says theyre divine.”
Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and gently carries him
downstairs.”</p>
<p>Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the
empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enriques protests that these were for
paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed careless over one
shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen and then out and away into the
garden to enjoy their pilfered treats.</p>
<p>“I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force at
times”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>~</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inky stepped into the toques cabin below deck with a tray of
turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking on Breads
bandages and offering the toque reclined on the berth the last bag of
mango croutons — or at least the last one for the next two hours — Inky
perched on a wooden barrel across from where Confidence sat on a
creaking old chair next to the bunk and spoke. “Well be landing in
about an hour and getting Bread to a medical facility. You can stay with
him while he heals and rest up.”</p>
<p>They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the liquid was
being used to summon their next words. “On behalf of myself and the
party, I apologise for the … disruption, and for what had befallen the
hotelier. As you may have already noticed, were a fair distance away
from the Peak and will be arriving in VayNullar soon. This airship was
taken over from the cyberplasms in the course of getting the crystal out
and the injured to a safe location, and her new captain could hardly fly
it back straight into the pirates hands now.</p>
<p>What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as you need
to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts in the city. One
of our party runs a Milk Market that could certainly use some hired
help, and a garden in the back that would benefit from more attention.
Pay will be double your current salary at the hotel. Master Alex may
also recruit you for other tasks. You dont need to have an answer just
yet — think on it for a bit while you rest and let us know. Afterwards,
if you find that you still wish to return to Kelsun Peak, we will pay
for travel.”</p>
<p>Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. “You may be interested to know
there is a bakery on the Milk Markets first floor. If you like the look
of the place, perhaps we can convince the chef to take on an
assistant.”</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of the plush
chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare impassively as they
sat in the adjoining armchair to her right. The ornate coffee table
before them had been laid out for tea, but the other cup remained
untouched, which was in itself unusual. Ink rarely turned down tea when
it was offered, which likely meant they were preoccupied with something
they were unwilling to discuss. This had been happening more frequently
since their plans to intercept the Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little
concerning, but she knew it would be no use to question them directly.
The missive she had received this time through Piskins people was
brief, almost annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than expected
with the articles that production had requested, which had fortunately
made up for lost time from the previous delays.</p>
<p>With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she picked up her
own teacup. “Salvia passed on the items to the production team. Thank
you for picking them up from the Runesocesius. I would send my regular
couriers but they are tied up with another event. One of them had to
care for their sick child and couldnt leave the city. As usual, time
and discretion are of the essence.”</p>
<p>When her adviser only nodded, she continued. “How is he? He probably
insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you himself. The man is
cautious with valuables.”</p>
<p>“Quite dead but managing, or so I heard.” Ink intoned drily.</p>
<p>Tess caught on immediately. “Didnt you meet with him? The message
only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did something happen?”</p>
<p>The imp shrugged. “We met, I delivered the letter and collected the
items. We didnt get a chance to talk.”</p>
<p>The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors again,
especially after their last play had prominently featured the
Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the programme credits, but
Tess didnt think the hotelier was so busy as to entrust this task to
one of his underlings. The man was proud of the first editions the
library had amassed, and the notebooks of Lucidieau that the playwright
sought as a reference were no doubt counted among the treasures, even if
only an expensive commissioned facsimile was permitted out of the
library. Something had happened, she was sure, but decided not to press
further for the moment.</p>
<p>“And the other matter?” she asked.</p>
<p>“Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and retained a
crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place.” Ink replied flatly.
“And yes, your acquaintance is very much dead, shot by the crew leader
in the scuffle. As the rumour rags have it, his ghost is now overseeing
the building repairs.”</p>
<p>Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless jest when
there was a knock at the door. At her response, the door opened and her
secretary entered with a box of pastries and two sets of tableware,
which she placed on the coffee table before leaving and closing the door
behind her.</p>
<p>Noticing Inks look of recognition, Tess smiled and ventured, “This
is the second time is as many months you awarded that empanada place a
glowing review in <em>The Tiny Toaster</em>. I can count the ratings
higher than a 10 youve ever given on one hand — of course I had to try
it. Why dont you have some as well?”</p>
<p>Ink blinked. “I didnt write the latest review.”</p>
<p>Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy golden
brown pastry onto a plate. “It has your inkprints all over it.”</p>
<p>“I dont know what you mean. Surely Im allowed to treat a colleague
to lunch, and they are free to express their satisfaction with a meal
openly if they wish,” Ink replied smoothly.</p>
<p>Tess rolled her eyes. “Theres a name for that. Its called
bribery.”</p>
<p>Ink smiled faintly. “Just so. However, the selection speaks for
itself.”</p>
<p>“Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are wonderful. In
fact,” Tess prodded the open end of the pastry with her fork, where a
light yellow filling was visible, “they remind me a little of the very
crispy tortelli <em>someone</em> made several years ago just for the
opening reception of <em>The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha</em>.”</p>
<p>“Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very capable.” Ink said
evenly.</p>
<p>Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. “Weve talked about
this before, Ink. You dont have to hole up in some poor scrubs excuse
for a kitchen in a closet. If you need more room downstairs then expand
it. Just tell Salvia and shell take care of it.”</p>
<p>Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. “I appreciate the offer, but
the answer is the same. There will be no rest until the crystals are
secured.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Some time passes.</p>
<p>The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of a problem
than you thought it would be. Be it because its not in the excitement of
battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it because it is maturing slightly,
it seems in better control of its blood sacs. Barring a few small
accidents, it doesnt make much of a mess. It has found and claimed as
its own a few unused blankets, and has made a little burrow nest in an
out of the way corner behind the furniture.</p>
<p>Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better than ever
before. The blood goblin stays by their side during the first hours and
days and keeps them pumped full of clean, synthetic blood. Afterwards
the toque is flushed a healthy pink and has new vigor. Enrique takes
them under his tutelage. And Bread ends up making a fine bakers
apprentice. Dough seems to rise more and quicker after he kneads it.
“The lad has solar hands,” Enrique boasts of his new protegee.</p>
<p>Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient Wandering
Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with glacial speed up and down
the streets, vendors and stalls and shoppers following in its wake. But
then also it will disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear in a
totally different part of the area known as the Wandering Bazaar
District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is occupied entirely by a
single shop. But which shop it is seems to vary from day to day. One day
the seventh level will be occupied by Fediks Butcher shop. And the
next, Larios Bakery. It might be days or weeks before one can once
again buy hotlinks from Fediks. Where the shops go when theyre not
here is one of Basmentarias great mysteries.</p>
<p>The toque studies the Bazaars movements and are able to predict its
route with more and more accuracy. They become a highly sought out
guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to take them to the very spot
the Bazaar will appear that day. Residents appreciate the heads up and
not getting trapped in their houses when the Bazaar wedges its way into
their narrow residential streets, blocking their front doors. And owners
of traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to plan ahead for the
crowds that will appear on “Bazaar Day”.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ start
having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course at first nobody
knows their dreams are shared by the others. Not until they become more
frequent, more regular. By the time the figure has visited you every
night for nearly a week, somebody speaks up and you realize the
coincidence.</p>
<p>The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple. Long,
straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders. Their soft features
are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden circlet on their head and a
golden eye in the middle of their forehead. Their passive, neutral face
betrays no emotion the entire time.</p>
<p>The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with one hand and
turn their palm up. And because of dream logic, in the palm of their
hand you can hear the jingling of coins, mirthful laughter, and hushed
stories told around a campfire. They curl their fingers into a loose
first and the sounds stop. They spread their arms wide and in the folds
of their robes you can see three siblings fighting, squabbling over a
broken loom.</p>
<p>Then youre standing next to them, and the two of you watch three
friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that he is tired of
flying and hooting, and doesnt want to be an owl any more, he wants to
be flowers. And Snake laughs and tells him that he is Owl, and an owl he
must remain. And she leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in the sun.
So Owl tells Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesnt
want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers. Dolphin doesnt want
to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they wont be able to be together
any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees to help even though they dont
want to, because Dolphin loves Owl. With all their strength, they create
a great waterspout that will turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout
is too strong, and Dolphin is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl but
does not turn him into flowers. Owls wing is broken and he falls to the
ground in a heap of feathers. The waterspout shakes a great boulder from
the earth and traps Snake under it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of
the sea.</p>
<p>And then you wake up.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market HQ. It is
not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting to draw
to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if we both are to
achieve our goals. We have information that you are looking for. Meet us
at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We will wear the sign.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The letter is signed with a white iris and golden apple.</p>
<p>Anyone in VayNullar would be able to tell you that the Harpoon Club
is a game room and fine dining club, and one of the rotating tenants of
the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence would tell you, were you to ask
them, that the club wont be there next Selday. (When the Bazaar will
appear at East and Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to appear until
a week and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday. (When the Bazaar
will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
<h2 id="bestiary">Bestiary</h2>
<p>Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria</p>
<dt>

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@ -5,5 +5,286 @@
<title>BASEMENT QWEST</title>
<link>https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml</link>
<description>Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah!</description>
<item>
<title>54</title>
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
<guid isPermaLink="false">54 - Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:12:08
-0700</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:18:44 -0700</pubDate>
<description>
<![CDATA[
<h3 id="00054">00054</h3>
<blockquote>
<p>Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored
to the roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the
old belongings of his former uncle.</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> “Best get a request to HQ for this airship,
maybe theyll let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we
have to impound it..”</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
REQUEST ENCLOSED.
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP &quot;The Rusty Maiden&quot;</code></pre>
<p>“Theres also the matter of this little hemogoblin..” Alex
mutters to himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around
the room, dripping little pools of blood hither and
tither.</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
REQUEST ENCLOSED
PACKET ENCLOSED
REQUESTING ANALYSIS
ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY</code></pre>
<p>“Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says theyre
divine.” Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and
gently carries him downstairs.”</p>
<p>Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the
empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enriques protests that these
were for paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed
careless over one shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen
and then out and away into the garden to enjoy their pilfered
treats.</p>
<p>“I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force
at times”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>~</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inky stepped into the toques cabin below deck with a tray
of turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking
on Breads bandages and offering the toque reclined on the
berth the last bag of mango croutons — or at least the last
one for the next two hours — Inky perched on a wooden barrel
across from where Confidence sat on a creaking old chair next
to the bunk and spoke. “Well be landing in about an hour and
getting Bread to a medical facility. You can stay with him
while he heals and rest up.”</p>
<p>They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the
liquid was being used to summon their next words. “On behalf
of myself and the party, I apologise for the … disruption, and
for what had befallen the hotelier. As you may have already
noticed, were a fair distance away from the Peak and will be
arriving in VayNullar soon. This airship was taken over from
the cyberplasms in the course of getting the crystal out and
the injured to a safe location, and her new captain could
hardly fly it back straight into the pirates hands now.</p>
<p>What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as
you need to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts
in the city. One of our party runs a Milk Market that could
certainly use some hired help, and a garden in the back that
would benefit from more attention. Pay will be double your
current salary at the hotel. Master Alex may also recruit you
for other tasks. You dont need to have an answer just yet —
think on it for a bit while you rest and let us know.
Afterwards, if you find that you still wish to return to
Kelsun Peak, we will pay for travel.”</p>
<p>Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. “You may be
interested to know there is a bakery on the Milk Markets
first floor. If you like the look of the place, perhaps we can
convince the chef to take on an assistant.”</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of
the plush chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare
impassively as they sat in the adjoining armchair to her
right. The ornate coffee table before them had been laid out
for tea, but the other cup remained untouched, which was in
itself unusual. Ink rarely turned down tea when it was
offered, which likely meant they were preoccupied with
something they were unwilling to discuss. This had been
happening more frequently since their plans to intercept the
Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little concerning, but she knew
it would be no use to question them directly. The missive she
had received this time through Piskins people was brief,
almost annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than
expected with the articles that production had requested,
which had fortunately made up for lost time from the previous
delays.</p>
<p>With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she
picked up her own teacup. “Salvia passed on the items to the
production team. Thank you for picking them up from the
Runesocesius. I would send my regular couriers but they are
tied up with another event. One of them had to care for their
sick child and couldnt leave the city. As usual, time and
discretion are of the essence.”</p>
<p>When her adviser only nodded, she continued. “How is he? He
probably insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you
himself. The man is cautious with valuables.”</p>
<p>“Quite dead but managing, or so I heard.” Ink intoned
drily.</p>
<p>Tess caught on immediately. “Didnt you meet with him? The
message only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did
something happen?”</p>
<p>The imp shrugged. “We met, I delivered the letter and
collected the items. We didnt get a chance to talk.”</p>
<p>The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors
again, especially after their last play had prominently
featured the Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the
programme credits, but Tess didnt think the hotelier was so
busy as to entrust this task to one of his underlings. The man
was proud of the first editions the library had amassed, and
the notebooks of Lucidieau that the playwright sought as a
reference were no doubt counted among the treasures, even if
only an expensive commissioned facsimile was permitted out of
the library. Something had happened, she was sure, but decided
not to press further for the moment.</p>
<p>“And the other matter?” she asked.</p>
<p>“Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and
retained a crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place.”
Ink replied flatly. “And yes, your acquaintance is very much
dead, shot by the crew leader in the scuffle. As the rumour
rags have it, his ghost is now overseeing the building
repairs.”</p>
<p>Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless
jest when there was a knock at the door. At her response, the
door opened and her secretary entered with a box of pastries
and two sets of tableware, which she placed on the coffee
table before leaving and closing the door behind her.</p>
<p>Noticing Inks look of recognition, Tess smiled and
ventured, “This is the second time is as many months you
awarded that empanada place a glowing review in <em>The Tiny
Toaster</em>. I can count the ratings higher than a 10 youve
ever given on one hand — of course I had to try it. Why dont
you have some as well?”</p>
<p>Ink blinked. “I didnt write the latest review.”</p>
<p>Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy
golden brown pastry onto a plate. “It has your inkprints all
over it.”</p>
<p>“I dont know what you mean. Surely Im allowed to treat a
colleague to lunch, and they are free to express their
satisfaction with a meal openly if they wish,” Ink replied
smoothly.</p>
<p>Tess rolled her eyes. “Theres a name for that. Its called
bribery.”</p>
<p>Ink smiled faintly. “Just so. However, the selection speaks
for itself.”</p>
<p>“Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are
wonderful. In fact,” Tess prodded the open end of the pastry
with her fork, where a light yellow filling was visible, “they
remind me a little of the very crispy tortelli
<em>someone</em> made several years ago just for the opening
reception of <em>The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha</em>.”</p>
<p>“Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very
capable.” Ink said evenly.</p>
<p>Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. “Weve
talked about this before, Ink. You dont have to hole up in
some poor scrubs excuse for a kitchen in a closet. If you
need more room downstairs then expand it. Just tell Salvia and
shell take care of it.”</p>
<p>Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. “I appreciate the
offer, but the answer is the same. There will be no rest until
the crystals are secured.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Some time passes.</p>
<p>The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of
a problem than you thought it would be. Be it because its not
in the excitement of battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it
because it is maturing slightly, it seems in better control of
its blood sacs. Barring a few small accidents, it doesnt make
much of a mess. It has found and claimed as its own a few
unused blankets, and has made a little burrow nest in an out
of the way corner behind the furniture.</p>
<p>Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better
than ever before. The blood goblin stays by their side during
the first hours and days and keeps them pumped full of clean,
synthetic blood. Afterwards the toque is flushed a healthy
pink and has new vigor. Enrique takes them under his tutelage.
And Bread ends up making a fine bakers apprentice. Dough
seems to rise more and quicker after he kneads it. “The lad
has solar hands,” Enrique boasts of his new protegee.</p>
<p>Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient
Wandering Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with
glacial speed up and down the streets, vendors and stalls and
shoppers following in its wake. But then also it will
disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear in a totally
different part of the area known as the Wandering Bazaar
District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is occupied
entirely by a single shop. But which shop it is seems to vary
from day to day. One day the seventh level will be occupied by
Fediks Butcher shop. And the next, Larios Bakery. It might
be days or weeks before one can once again buy hotlinks from
Fediks. Where the shops go when theyre not here is one of
Basmentarias great mysteries.</p>
<p>The toque studies the Bazaars movements and are able to
predict its route with more and more accuracy. They become a
highly sought out guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to
take them to the very spot the Bazaar will appear that day.
Residents appreciate the heads up and not getting trapped in
their houses when the Bazaar wedges its way into their narrow
residential streets, blocking their front doors. And owners of
traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to plan ahead for
the crowds that will appear on “Bazaar Day”.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ
start having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course
at first nobody knows their dreams are shared by the others.
Not until they become more frequent, more regular. By the time
the figure has visited you every night for nearly a week,
somebody speaks up and you realize the coincidence.</p>
<p>The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple.
Long, straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders.
Their soft features are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden
circlet on their head and a golden eye in the middle of their
forehead. Their passive, neutral face betrays no emotion the
entire time.</p>
<p>The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with
one hand and turn their palm up. And because of dream logic,
in the palm of their hand you can hear the jingling of coins,
mirthful laughter, and hushed stories told around a campfire.
They curl their fingers into a loose first and the sounds
stop. They spread their arms wide and in the folds of their
robes you can see three siblings fighting, squabbling over a
broken loom.</p>
<p>Then youre standing next to them, and the two of you watch
three friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that
he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesnt want to be an
owl any more, he wants to be flowers. And Snake laughs and
tells him that he is Owl, and an owl he must remain. And she
leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in the sun. So Owl tells
Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesnt
want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers. Dolphin
doesnt want to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they wont
be able to be together any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees
to help even though they dont want to, because Dolphin loves
Owl. With all their strength, they create a great waterspout
that will turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout is too
strong, and Dolphin is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl
but does not turn him into flowers. Owls wing is broken and
he falls to the ground in a heap of feathers. The waterspout
shakes a great boulder from the earth and traps Snake under
it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of the sea.</p>
<p>And then you wake up.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market
HQ. It is not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it
reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting
to draw to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if
we both are to achieve our goals. We have information that you
are looking for. Meet us at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We
will wear the sign.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The letter is signed with a white iris and golden
apple.</p>
<p>Anyone in VayNullar would be able to tell you that the
Harpoon Club is a game room and fine dining club, and one of
the rotating tenants of the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence
would tell you, were you to ask them, that the club wont be
there next Selday. (When the Bazaar will appear at East and
Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to appear until a week
and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday. (When the
Bazaar will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
]]>
</description>
</item>
</channel>
</rss>

View File

@ -309,8 +309,10 @@ of the Were-Hare</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-1" id="toc-chapter-1">Chapter 1</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-2" id="toc-chapter-2">Chapter 2</a></li>
<li><a href="#chapter-3" id="toc-chapter-3">Chapter 3</a></li>
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current
Story</a></li>
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current Story</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="#00054" id="toc-00054">00054</a></li>
</ul></li>
<li><a href="#bestiary" id="toc-bestiary">Bestiary</a></li>
<li><a href="#geography" id="toc-geography">Geography</a></li>
<li><a href="#cosmology" id="toc-cosmology">Cosmology</a></li>
@ -345,10 +347,10 @@ Runesocesius</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
<p>Total length: 55744 words / 238 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
<p>Total length: 58151 words / 248 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
just the story.)</p>
<p>There have been 188 messages posted over 174 days since the first
<p>There have been 189 messages posted over 175 days since the first
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.08.</p>
<h2 id="about">About</h2>
<p>This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over
@ -388,7 +390,7 @@ Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
<p>Paths:</p>
<ul>
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
Hand</li>
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="corraidhín">Corraidhín</h3>
<p>Status: timestuck in a fork bomb</p>
@ -512,7 +514,7 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
<p>Paths:</p>
<ul>
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
Hand</li>
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
<li>Were-Hare: Lepusthropy, Beast Sense, Hybrid Form</li>
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony</li>
</ul>
@ -5861,6 +5863,245 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2023-01/msg00019.html">www</a>
<p>You can subscribe to these updates with the rss feed.</p>
<p><a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml"
class="uri">https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml</a></p>
<h3 id="00054">00054</h3>
<blockquote>
<p>Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored to the
roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the old belongings of
his former uncle.</p>
<p><em>sigh</em> “Best get a request to HQ for this airship, maybe
theyll let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we have to impound
it..”</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
REQUEST ENCLOSED.
REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP &quot;The Rusty Maiden&quot;</code></pre>
<p>“Theres also the matter of this little hemogoblin..” Alex mutters to
himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around the room, dripping
little pools of blood hither and tither.</p>
<pre><code>&lt;- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
-&gt; OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
REQUEST ENCLOSED
PACKET ENCLOSED
REQUESTING ANALYSIS
ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY</code></pre>
<p>“Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says theyre divine.”
Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and gently carries him
downstairs.”</p>
<p>Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the
empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enriques protests that these were for
paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed careless over one
shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen and then out and away into the
garden to enjoy their pilfered treats.</p>
<p>“I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force at
times”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>~</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Inky stepped into the toques cabin below deck with a tray of
turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking on Breads
bandages and offering the toque reclined on the berth the last bag of
mango croutons — or at least the last one for the next two hours — Inky
perched on a wooden barrel across from where Confidence sat on a
creaking old chair next to the bunk and spoke. “Well be landing in
about an hour and getting Bread to a medical facility. You can stay with
him while he heals and rest up.”</p>
<p>They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the liquid was
being used to summon their next words. “On behalf of myself and the
party, I apologise for the … disruption, and for what had befallen the
hotelier. As you may have already noticed, were a fair distance away
from the Peak and will be arriving in VayNullar soon. This airship was
taken over from the cyberplasms in the course of getting the crystal out
and the injured to a safe location, and her new captain could hardly fly
it back straight into the pirates hands now.</p>
<p>What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as you need
to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts in the city. One
of our party runs a Milk Market that could certainly use some hired
help, and a garden in the back that would benefit from more attention.
Pay will be double your current salary at the hotel. Master Alex may
also recruit you for other tasks. You dont need to have an answer just
yet — think on it for a bit while you rest and let us know. Afterwards,
if you find that you still wish to return to Kelsun Peak, we will pay
for travel.”</p>
<p>Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. “You may be interested to know
there is a bakery on the Milk Markets first floor. If you like the look
of the place, perhaps we can convince the chef to take on an
assistant.”</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of the plush
chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare impassively as they
sat in the adjoining armchair to her right. The ornate coffee table
before them had been laid out for tea, but the other cup remained
untouched, which was in itself unusual. Ink rarely turned down tea when
it was offered, which likely meant they were preoccupied with something
they were unwilling to discuss. This had been happening more frequently
since their plans to intercept the Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little
concerning, but she knew it would be no use to question them directly.
The missive she had received this time through Piskins people was
brief, almost annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than expected
with the articles that production had requested, which had fortunately
made up for lost time from the previous delays.</p>
<p>With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she picked up her
own teacup. “Salvia passed on the items to the production team. Thank
you for picking them up from the Runesocesius. I would send my regular
couriers but they are tied up with another event. One of them had to
care for their sick child and couldnt leave the city. As usual, time
and discretion are of the essence.”</p>
<p>When her adviser only nodded, she continued. “How is he? He probably
insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you himself. The man is
cautious with valuables.”</p>
<p>“Quite dead but managing, or so I heard.” Ink intoned drily.</p>
<p>Tess caught on immediately. “Didnt you meet with him? The message
only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did something happen?”</p>
<p>The imp shrugged. “We met, I delivered the letter and collected the
items. We didnt get a chance to talk.”</p>
<p>The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors again,
especially after their last play had prominently featured the
Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the programme credits, but
Tess didnt think the hotelier was so busy as to entrust this task to
one of his underlings. The man was proud of the first editions the
library had amassed, and the notebooks of Lucidieau that the playwright
sought as a reference were no doubt counted among the treasures, even if
only an expensive commissioned facsimile was permitted out of the
library. Something had happened, she was sure, but decided not to press
further for the moment.</p>
<p>“And the other matter?” she asked.</p>
<p>“Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and retained a
crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place.” Ink replied flatly.
“And yes, your acquaintance is very much dead, shot by the crew leader
in the scuffle. As the rumour rags have it, his ghost is now overseeing
the building repairs.”</p>
<p>Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless jest when
there was a knock at the door. At her response, the door opened and her
secretary entered with a box of pastries and two sets of tableware,
which she placed on the coffee table before leaving and closing the door
behind her.</p>
<p>Noticing Inks look of recognition, Tess smiled and ventured, “This
is the second time is as many months you awarded that empanada place a
glowing review in <em>The Tiny Toaster</em>. I can count the ratings
higher than a 10 youve ever given on one hand — of course I had to try
it. Why dont you have some as well?”</p>
<p>Ink blinked. “I didnt write the latest review.”</p>
<p>Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy golden
brown pastry onto a plate. “It has your inkprints all over it.”</p>
<p>“I dont know what you mean. Surely Im allowed to treat a colleague
to lunch, and they are free to express their satisfaction with a meal
openly if they wish,” Ink replied smoothly.</p>
<p>Tess rolled her eyes. “Theres a name for that. Its called
bribery.”</p>
<p>Ink smiled faintly. “Just so. However, the selection speaks for
itself.”</p>
<p>“Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are wonderful. In
fact,” Tess prodded the open end of the pastry with her fork, where a
light yellow filling was visible, “they remind me a little of the very
crispy tortelli <em>someone</em> made several years ago just for the
opening reception of <em>The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha</em>.”</p>
<p>“Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very capable.” Ink said
evenly.</p>
<p>Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. “Weve talked about
this before, Ink. You dont have to hole up in some poor scrubs excuse
for a kitchen in a closet. If you need more room downstairs then expand
it. Just tell Salvia and shell take care of it.”</p>
<p>Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. “I appreciate the offer, but
the answer is the same. There will be no rest until the crystals are
secured.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Some time passes.</p>
<p>The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of a problem
than you thought it would be. Be it because its not in the excitement of
battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it because it is maturing slightly,
it seems in better control of its blood sacs. Barring a few small
accidents, it doesnt make much of a mess. It has found and claimed as
its own a few unused blankets, and has made a little burrow nest in an
out of the way corner behind the furniture.</p>
<p>Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better than ever
before. The blood goblin stays by their side during the first hours and
days and keeps them pumped full of clean, synthetic blood. Afterwards
the toque is flushed a healthy pink and has new vigor. Enrique takes
them under his tutelage. And Bread ends up making a fine bakers
apprentice. Dough seems to rise more and quicker after he kneads it.
“The lad has solar hands,” Enrique boasts of his new protegee.</p>
<p>Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient Wandering
Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with glacial speed up and down
the streets, vendors and stalls and shoppers following in its wake. But
then also it will disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear in a
totally different part of the area known as the Wandering Bazaar
District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is occupied entirely by a
single shop. But which shop it is seems to vary from day to day. One day
the seventh level will be occupied by Fediks Butcher shop. And the
next, Larios Bakery. It might be days or weeks before one can once
again buy hotlinks from Fediks. Where the shops go when theyre not
here is one of Basmentarias great mysteries.</p>
<p>The toque studies the Bazaars movements and are able to predict its
route with more and more accuracy. They become a highly sought out
guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to take them to the very spot
the Bazaar will appear that day. Residents appreciate the heads up and
not getting trapped in their houses when the Bazaar wedges its way into
their narrow residential streets, blocking their front doors. And owners
of traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to plan ahead for the
crowds that will appear on “Bazaar Day”.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ start
having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course at first nobody
knows their dreams are shared by the others. Not until they become more
frequent, more regular. By the time the figure has visited you every
night for nearly a week, somebody speaks up and you realize the
coincidence.</p>
<p>The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple. Long,
straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders. Their soft features
are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden circlet on their head and a
golden eye in the middle of their forehead. Their passive, neutral face
betrays no emotion the entire time.</p>
<p>The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with one hand and
turn their palm up. And because of dream logic, in the palm of their
hand you can hear the jingling of coins, mirthful laughter, and hushed
stories told around a campfire. They curl their fingers into a loose
first and the sounds stop. They spread their arms wide and in the folds
of their robes you can see three siblings fighting, squabbling over a
broken loom.</p>
<p>Then youre standing next to them, and the two of you watch three
friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that he is tired of
flying and hooting, and doesnt want to be an owl any more, he wants to
be flowers. And Snake laughs and tells him that he is Owl, and an owl he
must remain. And she leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in the sun.
So Owl tells Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesnt
want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers. Dolphin doesnt want
to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they wont be able to be together
any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees to help even though they dont
want to, because Dolphin loves Owl. With all their strength, they create
a great waterspout that will turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout
is too strong, and Dolphin is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl but
does not turn him into flowers. Owls wing is broken and he falls to the
ground in a heap of feathers. The waterspout shakes a great boulder from
the earth and traps Snake under it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of
the sea.</p>
<p>And then you wake up.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market HQ. It is
not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it reads:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting to draw
to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if we both are to
achieve our goals. We have information that you are looking for. Meet us
at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We will wear the sign.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The letter is signed with a white iris and golden apple.</p>
<p>Anyone in VayNullar would be able to tell you that the Harpoon Club
is a game room and fine dining club, and one of the rotating tenants of
the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence would tell you, were you to ask
them, that the club wont be there next Selday. (When the Bazaar will
appear at East and Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to appear until
a week and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday. (When the Bazaar
will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
<h2 id="bestiary">Bestiary</h2>
<p>Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria</p>
<dt>
@ -6233,8 +6474,8 @@ embers.</p>
</summary>
<p><strong>THREADS</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Lady in Red ???</li>
<li>Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?</li>
<li>Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin, Salvia ; Beaker (and Cio) trailing the
BANDits?</li>
<li>Benefactor wants Crystals to kill a god</li>
<li>Golden Iris wants Crystals to make a new god</li>
<li>Gnu Zealots (aligned with Golden Iris) seek to open source
@ -6354,6 +6595,327 @@ checked="" />・゜゜・。。・゜゜_o&lt; QUACK!</li>
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />The gang has a
rival: the gophers of Retrieval Team 70</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>CALENDAR</strong></p>
<p>The period of Moonmoons rotation is 10 days. This is a week. The
period of Selenes rotation is 30 days (3 weeks). This is a month. The
period of Luas rotation is 360 days (12 months). This is a year.</p>
<p>Days of the week are divided into godsdays, moondays, earthdays, and
Tensday.</p>
<table style="width:97%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 18%" />
<col style="width: 18%" />
<col style="width: 14%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
</colgroup>
<thead>
<tr class="header">
<th style="text-align: left;">Day of Month</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Day of Week</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Name</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Moonmoon</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Selene</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nedsday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nullday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Lianday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Monday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Selday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Luday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Primeday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Agenday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Ginnday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Tensday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">11</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nedsday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nullday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">13</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Lianday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">14</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Monday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">15</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Selday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">16</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Luday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">17</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Primeday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">18</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Agenday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">19</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Ginnday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">20</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Tensday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">21</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nedsday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1st quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">22</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Nullday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">23</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Lianday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">24</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Monday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">full</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">25</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Selday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">26</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Luday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3rd quarter</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">27</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Primeday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">28</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Agenday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">29</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Ginnday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">new</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">30</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Tensday</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The year is defined by Lua, the Red Ladys phases:</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr class="header">
<th style="text-align: left;">#</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Name</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Lua</th>
<th style="text-align: left;">Season</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Thawing</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">1ST QUARTER</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Spring</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Icebreak</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Spring</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Springtide</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Spring</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Ripeberry</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">FULL</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Summer</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">5</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Fullhorn</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Summer</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Fallsrun</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning gibbous</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Summer</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Cornreaping</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">3RD QUATER</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Autumn</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Hunters</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Autumn</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">9</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Beaverlodge</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waning crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Autumn</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">10</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Longnight</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">NEW</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Winter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td style="text-align: left;">11</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Howling</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Winter</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td style="text-align: left;">12</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Snowfall</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">waxing crescent</td>
<td style="text-align: left;">Winter</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</details>
<h2 id="acknowledgements">Acknowledgements</h2>
<p>The setting, plot, and major non-player characters of Basement Quest