From 93c4cf0a54e2917a88ac76136d18a85c72815fdd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Christopher P. Brown" Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2023 08:19:13 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] 54 --- basement.order | 1 + src/characters/alex.md | 4 +- src/characters/inky.md | 4 +- src/epistolary/00054.md | 300 +++++++++++++++++++++ src/notes.md | 68 ++++- www/index.html | 253 +++++++++++++++++- www/rss.xml | 281 +++++++++++++++++++ www/spoilers.html | 578 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 8 files changed, 1469 insertions(+), 20 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/epistolary/00054.md diff --git a/basement.order b/basement.order index 3ddaf4d..bce302b 100644 --- a/basement.order +++ b/basement.order @@ -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 diff --git a/src/characters/alex.md b/src/characters/alex.md index baf1cb5..5530582 100644 --- a/src/characters/alex.md +++ b/src/characters/alex.md @@ -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, he’s 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 diff --git a/src/characters/inky.md b/src/characters/inky.md index 59a7d8a..138577f 100644 --- a/src/characters/inky.md +++ b/src/characters/inky.md @@ -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 diff --git a/src/epistolary/00054.md b/src/epistolary/00054.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8fc278 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/epistolary/00054.md @@ -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 diff --git a/src/notes.md b/src/notes.md index feb4558..2aa7364 100644 --- a/src/notes.md +++ b/src/notes.md @@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ updated: Sun, 27 Nov 2022 02:24:11 -0700 SPOILERS!! **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 | + diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index e2b751f..e7747c6 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -309,8 +309,10 @@ of the Were-Hare
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
    • -
  • Current -Story
    • +
  • Current Story +
  • Bestiary
  • Geography
  • Cosmology
    • @@ -342,10 +344,10 @@ Runesocesius

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 55744 words / 238 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 58151 words / 248 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 188 messages posted over 174 days since the first +

    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.

    About

    This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over @@ -385,7 +387,7 @@ Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2

    Paths:

    Corraidhín

    Status: timestuck in a fork bomb

    @@ -509,7 +511,7 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare

    Paths:

    @@ -5858,6 +5860,245 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2023-01/msg00019.html">www

    You can subscribe to these updates with the rss feed.

    https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml

    +

    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

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria

    diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index 4b357d0..04908eb 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -5,5 +5,286 @@ BASEMENT QWEST https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah! + + 54 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 54 - Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:12:08 +-0700 + Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:18:44 -0700 + + 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

    + ]]> +     +     diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index 0191680..e83cd2d 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -309,8 +309,10 @@ of the Were-Hare
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
    • -
  • Current -Story
    • +
  • Current Story +
  • Bestiary
  • Geography
  • Cosmology
    • @@ -345,10 +347,10 @@ Runesocesius

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 55744 words / 238 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 58151 words / 248 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 188 messages posted over 174 days since the first +

    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.

    About

    This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over @@ -388,7 +390,7 @@ Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2

    Paths:

    Corraidhín

    Status: timestuck in a fork bomb

    @@ -512,7 +514,7 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare

    Paths:

    @@ -5861,6 +5863,245 @@ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2023-01/msg00019.html">www

    You can subscribe to these updates with the rss feed.

    https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml

    +

    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

    Bestiary

    Some of the creatures who inhabit the world of Basmentaria

    @@ -6233,8 +6474,8 @@ embers.

    THREADS

    +

    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 MonthDay of WeekNameMoonmoonSelene
    11Nedsday1st quarter1st quarter
    22Nulldaywaxing gibbous1st quarter
    33Liandayfull1st quarter
    44Mondayfull1st quarter
    55Seldaywaning gibbouswaxing gibbous
    66Luday3rd quarterwaxing gibbous
    77Primedaywaning crescentwaxing gibbous
    88Agendaynewfull
    99Ginndaynewfull
    1010Tensdaywaxing crescentfull
    111Nedsday1st quarterfull
    122Nulldaywaxing gibbousfull
    133Liandayfullwaning gibbous
    144Mondayfullwaning gibbous
    155Seldaywaning gibbouswaning gibbous
    166Luday3rd quarter3rd quarter
    177Primedaywaning crescent3rd quarter
    188Agendaynew3rd quarter
    199Ginndaynew3rd quarter
    2010Tensdaywaxing crescentwaning crescent
    211Nedsday1st quarterwaning crescent
    222Nulldaywaxing gibbouswaning crescent
    233Liandayfullnew
    244Mondayfullnew
    255Seldaywaning gibbousnew
    266Luday3rd quarternew
    277Primedaywaning crescentnew
    288Agendaynewwaxing crescent
    299Ginndaynewwaxing crescent
    3010Tensdaywaxing crescentwaxing crescent
    +

    The year is defined by Lua, the Red Lady’s phases:

    + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
    #NameLuaSeason
    1Thawing1ST QUARTERSpring
    2Icebreakwaxing gibbousSpring
    3Springtidewaxing gibbousSpring
    4RipeberryFULLSummer
    5Fullhornwaning gibbousSummer
    6Fallsrunwaning gibbousSummer
    7Cornreaping3RD QUATERAutumn
    8Hunterswaning crescentAutumn
    9Beaverlodgewaning crescentAutumn
    10LongnightNEWWinter
    11Howlingwaxing crescentWinter
    12Snowfallwaxing crescentWinter

    Acknowledgements

    The setting, plot, and major non-player characters of Basement Quest