Total length: 87088 words / 372 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +
Total length: 87969 words / 375 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 235 messages posted over 231 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.01.
+There have been 236 messages posted over 231 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.
This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.
Jump to: 1 2 down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It sets the remainder of the deck aside and looks at you expectantly.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
+The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch wind +begins to howl inside the fish market.
+It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, flipping +blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss and turn in their +sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind tugs at their hair and at +their clothing.
+The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, plunging the +room into near darkness. The dark flame of the demon candle +sputters.
+The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap in the +circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils around Rind’s feet +and teases at the hem of the child’s dress. It ruffles the duck’s +feathers.
+The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it close. And +finally its fist closes tightly around it.
+The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. The wind +and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence all that can be +heard is the steady rain outside.
+++“Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain’t nobodies +errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods are dead, or they +haven’t given a rats ass about me or anyone else. What’s more, you’re +claiming to be some sort of divinity, yet you can only manifest here +amongst my nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. +You never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don’t tell +you is it doesn’t have to haunt you either.” Alex looks directly at the +apparition.
+“But I’m reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what you are. You +say you have power to share? Well power I need. I have people to +protect, and an unclue to rescue. I’ll be damned if I let anything +happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck in this god firsaken place +chittering away with my own subconcious getting attacked by freaking +mushrooms people.”
+“Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are you +offering, and what must I give in return? If you an guarantee me a way +to protect those close to me, I don’t give a rats ass about the +rest.”
+
Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.
+“What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of you.”
+They hold out their hands and present you with a stone amulet. It +slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much smaller. And more almond +shaped than melon shaped. But it is the same shade of blue, with the +same veins of slightly pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine +chain of small silver links.
+“As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find you have +the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware that it is a piece +of me. And those who know about it will try to take it from you.”
+In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans carried on a +howling wind.
+~
+Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot cards in +front of Inky:
+A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore; he +holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the +battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and Cross and Lily +should be noticed on the left side.
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially +those of the fantastic spirit.
A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. +The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be +noted that the work is not beyond his strength.
Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to Inky and +recites a small pome for the inkling:
++++In the superior world it is +A young man, leaning on his +to indicate therein. It is +speaking, to the traditional +red standard has been
You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the club and +battering at the windows.
+“Well?” Balvin prompts. “What do you do?”
I don’t know what I’m going to put here, but I didn’t want this document to just abruptly end. So here you go: a kind farewell and a @@ -7342,7 +7420,7 @@ he can slip by.
Paths:
--Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is - definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him - with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately - the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s - found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he - remembers.
-Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, - and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.
-“Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are - terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a - dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address - Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell - you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little - outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. - unless..”
-Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a - terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at - blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a - root access escalation there.
-“Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older - kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as - needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need - it.”
-“Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”
-+find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \One moment, Inky is half-asleep on their feet in the middle + of Branch Avenue. In the next, they are reclining in a banana + boat that resembles a canoe painted with long stripes of + yellow and white with deep brown swipes. The s’more interior + padding is soft, yet with the suppleness of fruit leather. A + few round, matching brown mini-cushions are strewn across the + boat interior. Also in the boat are two silver spoon paddles, + more for looks than cooks.
+They don’t know where the boat came from. Things just + appear. Like that Red Squirrel. Inky moves to holler a + greeting, but instead recites:
++"sgb rpthqqbk hr qba sgb fgnrsr dktb +sgb qnkkr rwbbs uma rn uqb ynt +sgnt uqs ly fthahmf rsuq ul h sghmb +h rbb vbqhky ly utrohehntr rhfm +sgb kns wur snrra uma sgbm h aqbw +uma cnqstmb ruha hs rgnta db ynt ott"[1][1]: +"The squirrel is red, the ghost's blue, +The roll's sweet, and so are you. +Thou art my guiding star, am I thine? +I see verily my auspicious sign: +The lot was toss'd and then I drew, +And Fortune said it shou'd be you. Puu."
It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he - corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to - the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.
-Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It - squeals in delight.
-In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell - of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns - has just vanished.
-The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts - scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its - mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it - says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large - square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On - one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a - curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number - five and a picture of a flail.
-“A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all - I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide - its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.
-If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the - hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking - through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s - hazy and shadowy.
-Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out - of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. - Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the - shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which - words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow - once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of - obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow - of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet - like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel - sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels - a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is - familiar to you, but you cannot place it.
-When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape - both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted - landscape reappears but the figure is gone.
-You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather - intently from the branches below.
+~
+++While Inky boards her banana boat and recites poetry to the + maddened squirrel, Alex springs to action leaping blithely + from the branch towards the squirrel. Beneath him manifests a + cockpit, sleek and futuristic. Around this materializes a + large robotic weapon, octopus-oid in shape. The many tentacles + bristle with weapons both fearsome and deadly.
+Alex grabs the controls, in one tentacle he latches onto + the banana boat, that way he won’t accidentally get separated + from Inky. With the other seven a series of feathers appear in + every brilliant hue. The tentacle attached to the boat unfurls + allowing Alex to draw closer to the squirrel. As the gap + closes the most intense tickle fight the dream world has ever + seen ensues, bringing joyous laughter to the faces of + many.
+“Inky, if we need to get out of here, just jet it! That + tentacle will yank the control pod and me with it!”
+
Alex basically becomes a Mech pilot, and confronts the Red + Squirrel head on with the Octopod.
+You engage in the tickle fight to end all tickle + fights!
+Its eight arms are more than a match for the squirrels + eight legs. You have the advantage of reach, entanglement, and + sucker pads. It struggles in your grasp, gnashing its terrible + teeth, but cannot reach you. Its long tail whips around + ineffectively, battering you softly.
+The agitated squirrel squeals and swells like a red + balloon. The mech’s tentacles struggle to contain it. Just as + the strain on the machine is about to become unbearable, the + rodent violently deflates. It collapses in on itself with such + ferocity that it turns itself inside out. The octopod, all + tangled up in the collapsing squirrel, is pulled along as it + folds in on itself until it becomes a hungry void the size of + a marble, floating in space and sucking at the air.
+Inky watches from the banana boat as Alex and the squirrel + disappear from the Silver Forest. The squirrel portal finally + closes in on itself, severing the banana boat from the octopus + mecha at the last possible second. Inky on this side. Alex on + the other.
+Alex, you and the wreckage of the octopod are vomited out + onto a sandy beach. Red mist and vapors dissipate from your + entry point. Before you is a vast ocean, lapping lazily at the + beach. The shoreline extends endlessly in both directions. + Behind you are endless sand dunes. Though there is no sun, the + sky seems to hover at sunset, all brilliant, swirling oranges + and purples.
+A lone humanoid figure can be seen standing atop a nearby + dune. It is tall. It has legs like a goat or fawn, and a + paunchy belly. Its long neck protrudes into a kind of trunk + that eventually folds over and hangs down in front of the + creature, about chest height. It terminates in a smooth, round + nub. No face. It wears a small satchel at its hip, its strap + slung over one shoulder and across its chest. Its long arms + hand loosely at its sides. Despite the lack of a face and any + sensory organs, it seems to be watching you. Slowly, it + descends the dune and starts walking toward you. It reaches + into its satchel and draws a long, sharp knife as it + approaches.
+Inky, you are in the banana boat in the Silver Forest. The + turtle that was a chipmunk has holed up in its shell, + effectively just a sticky bun.
+“You wanted to see me,” intones a slightly muffled voice + behind you. A statement, not a question. You turn to see a + figure cloaked in shadows and demons. They wear a domed helmet + of black obsidian glass, flashes of rainbow colored light + crackling along the inside illuminating very little of the + smoke-filled interior.
+“What is it you seek from Dude 215R?”
WHAT DO YOU DO
]]>--Alex procures from a pocket of his trenchcoat a tiny vial. - On the vial is a small strip of parchment which reads:
--#!/bin/ash -sleepy=true - -sleep() { - while sleepy; do - sleep(10) - done -} - -trap sleep INT EXITHe empties the vial into a glass of warm milk and hands it - to bread.
-“Drink up friend, this’ll relax and soothe you. You’ll - probably have the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had”
-Over the radio Alex provides a quick reminder to - Marvelo.
-“7, remember, should you need to wake bread to get us out - you can interrupt or cancel the sleep script, Ctrl + C should - work for the disruption work. Or if you need to you can set - sleepy=false, if it gets crazy and you need to modify the - metavarbalic properties of the enchantment.”
-Turning to Inky, “Eight bells and all’s well, lets get this - show on the road”
-
Bread smiles and thanks you for the milk. They down the - glass, smack their lips a few times, and wipe their mouth with - the back of their hand. Their eyelids grow heavy and close, - and they slump down on the cushions. They’re already asleep by - the time their head hits the pillow.
---Inky nods once at Alex’s words and finishes off their own - cuppa steeped with calea and thyme, and blended into osmanthus - matcha. Lucida, Protege, Aware, Perfume. A meaningless - mantra.
-They glance to their owlish accomplice (who, she will - remind you, is well-trained and needs no sleeping aid, thank - you very much, unlike her impish charge) and silently mouth - the words “Dude 215R” with a wink. Then they settle for a nap, - chin pillowed on their forearms, which are propped atop - drawn-up knees. A walking stick rests on their lap. A herb - bouquet of pink blooms becomes an owl cushion.
-Inky dreamforms of a cream noogle. Puko. And Fuko is, well, - still Fuko.
-
You light the Nyxmaer. The flame crackles and dances. It - smokes darkly, and the scent it gives off is thick and - heady.
-You breathe deeply of it and settle down to sleep.
-When you open your eyes you are standing on the branch of - an enormous white tree. It’s as wide as a narrow street. Its - leaves are silver blades that uncurl in the dappled light from - below.
-One of the first things you notice is that gravity is - reversed here. The branches below you reach down, grazing an - endless sky. Small iridescent jellyfish medusae drift lazily - far, far below, catching and reflecting the light. And the - trunk thickens as it reaches up overhead, where its roots - drill into the ceiling above.
-Because of dream logic, you know that in some way this tree - represents Kelsun Peak, Bread’s home. And also because of - dream logic, you know that the branches furthest away from you - in some way represent the great dragon Lucin who lives deep in - the mountain. And they are just as dangerous. They sway in the - breeze and seem to be aware of you, and are for now satisfied - at the distance you keep from them.
-There is a chipmunk sitting cross-legged before you on the - branch. It looks curiously up at you and says, “The Red - Squirrel stole my acorns! Are you going to get them back for - me?”
-You can feel a metaphysical tug in your gut as your orient - yourself to dreamspace like the needle of a compass. “Inward” - you can feel a tug toward Bread’s deep unconscious. To their - core memories. “Outward” you can feel a tug away from Bread - toward the shores of the Sea of Dreams, where you may continue - your journey through the Collective Unconsciousness to the - pocket dimension of the Wandering Bazaar. You need not move - physically to travel in either direction. It’s more a matter - of choosing a destination, and letting the winds blow you in - that direction.
-“My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The - Red Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help - me?”
-WHAT DO YOU DO
- ]]> ---(A week prior)
-The secretary collected the stack of papers that had - accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she - said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink - flowers in place of the papers.
-Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s - plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make - the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”
-The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as - the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the - circle,” she clarified.
-Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to - regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice. - “Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop - proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location. - There will be a retinue with him at all times.”
-Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room - before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I - do not return by the indicated time, please activate the - hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”
-The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all - right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents - happen. A single incident—”
-“Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He - was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the - other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after - the melon vendor disappeared.”
-Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor? - Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get - rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”
-Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.
-The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her. - You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization. - She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she - finds out, you know.”
-Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is - my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my - timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a - grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before - returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.
-Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll - make it back, Ink. What then—”
-“Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the - problems.”
-
~
---Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received - word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only - thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all - knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly? - He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to - cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even - managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the - body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram - had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his - neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth, - perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut, - burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.
-The kill had been intimate.
-Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye - had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his - right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last - 15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear - look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the - killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a - difference.
-Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted - the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it - went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an - old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.
-And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little - purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to - send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was - reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks - upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The - effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort - of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of - the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a - valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t - part of the slag pile.
-Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his - burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the - Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but - none of them held true; some said the city had become - dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring - city block another thought, and did you hear about the - explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric, - yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.
-As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses - strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling - the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.
--4 -> 3 -Daylight breaks on the morrow -The suns rays make chase -casting soft cloth -across the nap of nature's neck - -So, night relents and gives way -biding time until -it can rule -in its own domainFor the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled - carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf. - But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s - demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low - and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our - terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to - Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even - just one agent lost was hard to stomach.
-Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a - white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into - the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to - Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily - send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned, - this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten - personal.
-
~
---Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves - in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish - processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough, - and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be - procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough - seclusion.
-The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near - the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way - along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights, - before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a - single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the - fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand - still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad - to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene - is lacking in every sense.
-Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is - a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like - what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much - they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the - duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there - to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every - precaution they could think of.
-The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires, - and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones - around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to - Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred - steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their - hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from - Agent 7.
-See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then - some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense - that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the - right man for the job, when that job was keeping your - unconscious ass alive.
-Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky. - “Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong - correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we - should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been - back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that - is.”
-
The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon - Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found - on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a - half from now, on the last day of the month.
-Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the - Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of - red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on - the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure - careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but - otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle - of shopping and commerce.
-At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps - vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.
-And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in - the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a - dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste - made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second - Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing - the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also - the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the - Dreaming.
-Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions - in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle - is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain - nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil - is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that - will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles - to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to - actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of - Dreams.
-Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been - placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax - will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its - side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken, - exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm - of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.
-Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter, - facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s - side.
-It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical - candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady - rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The - smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder - of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a - fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the - separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You - hope.
-WHAT DO YOU DO
-How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in - Bread?
What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the - Dreaming?
What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being - exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?
In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly - through the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the - twitch of a finger to indicate that they hear anything at - all.
-During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but - Rind noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle - wiggle its way out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate - at the base of the candle, the ringing of tin masked by the - ringing of the claxon alarm.
-Still the dreamers sleep.
-Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The - mummified hand of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts - to wriggle, struggle, and strain against the softening wax. It - stretches and reaches for the eye in the center of the - candle.
-Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. - The child looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the - hemogoblin stumbled into the circle, smudging the line of salt - and ash, breaking the circle and severing its continuity. - Making a small space for something to get in. Or out.
---“Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!” Alex’s - eyes scan the room rapidly. There’s no water, aside from what - he dragged in with his abrupt departure from the pier. The - dark sky stretches into the nothingness of the void. Asthe - robed figure begins speaks Alex takes note of his - situation.
-‘Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing - actually. It’s one thing after another with this dream - thing.’
-As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. - “I’ll be honest my guy, I haven’t the foggiest what you’re - talking about. Looks to me you’ve got the whole sword thing, - all I’ve got is my trusty AK. I guess back top side, in umm I - guess the real world, I did find a wonky dagger my uncle tried - to hide. But I’m pretty sure that got eaten by a cute little - hemogoblin while I was busy murdering ghost pirates. Anyways - more to the point, I’m not quite sure I follow.”
-Alex pauses briefly and then continues, “You say you need - to get out of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I - just got attacked by some freaky sadist mushroom that called - itself katsuva. Cut its head clean off just so it could try - and chuck me in the drink. Right unpleasant fella, but I think - I lost him when, well, I got here, wherever that is.”
-“Now I don’t know much, but I’m not much for trust after - getting attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you’ll - excuse me, I reckon the exit is right about that way (Alex - jabs his finger over his back away from the figure), and I’m - inclined to head out unless you know a better way.”
-
You weren’t in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval - Team 43, so you didn’t see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian - is familiar with the iconography of the Trine. This figure is - dressed in the traditional rainments of Neddas, god of sages - and starlight. Furthermore you recognize them from your dreams - in the Milk Market.
-Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your - leg.
-“You know, we each of us loved you in our own way,” Neddas - says. “But of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my - divinity. I wanted to see you thrive and grow strong.
-“You’ve already found several pieces of my essence. - Coin in the treasure hoard below the earth. - Mirth in the shipwreck under the sea. And - lore in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak.
-“And of course you found justice,” they say, - looking at the sword. “This one got a little weird.” The - frown. “Became a little sentient, didn’t it?” They press the - blade of the sword to their chest and absorb it into their - being. They sigh happily.
-“You have found enough of my essence that I am able to - start to materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But - here, a little bit.
-“There are still two more pieces out there. If you can - reunite all five crystals, I will be able to cross over into - Basmentaria again.
-“So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. - Return to Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I - may return and right the wrongs of the past. I will do what I - can to assist you.”
---Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing - their forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their - chest, and strolling towards the restrooms.
-Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of - sight from the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message - from Master Alex and reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. - Also in the envelope is a smooth oval grey pebble with the - letters “sh” carved onto it. A mini dousojin. How considerate - of him.
-Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky - holds up a chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the - great horned owl patiently perched on their shoulder. “What if - we just zip out now and have a walk around the towers? Do you - think it will cause offence to the Grand Master of the realm?” - Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her treat and gives them a - short series of disapproving clicks of her beak.
-“He wants more ‘intel’,” Inky says. It isn’t even a - question.
-On another occasion they would be glad to see Master - Corraidhn animated and well — when there wasn’t a demanding - curmudgeon on the other end of an absurd fishing expedition. - The elder sysorcerer’s presence in the Dreaming, illusion or - otherwise, has effectively dashed any prospect of an early - night out.
-“Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you.” Inky - tells the owl.
-They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal - stripes, blue knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and - wordlessly declare the change of clothes suitable for fine - non-dining. The noogle’s drawstring pouch is knotted to a - metal hoop on a pocket flap to one side of their shorts, - having let loose a short mop of tousled red hair. A plush - floofy duck keychain dangles next to the pouch.
-Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with - an owl approaches the far corner table.
-
You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through - the crowded tables of the Harpoon Club.
-“Inky!” Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. - The cat person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the - block tower.
-Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. - When nobody follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs - on his beard, and sits up straighter in his chair.
-“You’re alone?” Blavin observes. “No matter. Thank you so - much for meeting us here! I trust it wasn’t too much trouble? - A little bit out of the way, I know. But it is so very hard to - find a place away from prying eyes, isn’t it?”
-“Get to the point, Blavin.” snaps Corraidhín.
-“Quite right!” laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. - “Listen,” he says, suddenly very serious. “It’s time I came - clean to you. You deserve that much. And besides, I think we - can help each other. While it is true that I work for the - Benefactor, I don’t actually serve their interests. You see, I - represent another party. A double agent they would - call me in the spy novels.” He waves his hand dismissively, as - though somebody were making a fuss over him and he were - embarrassed.
-“As I’m sure you already know, our organization is called - the Golden Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect - the Ginnarak Cystals. I know you’ve heard all the old stories. - Together they could kill a god, blah blah blah.” He - sloshes his drink as the gestures. “But we think they’ve got - it all wrong, Inky. That is, they have it backwards - at least!”
-Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. “The Golden Iris intends - nothing less than creating a new god!”
-“The Trine has been absent for years. We’re going to - restore the balance. Now you see why the mission is so - important, Inky. We need the crystals.”
-“Now I know what you’re going to say! It all sounds too - fantastic. Yes well, that’s why I brought along somebody whose - credibility I know you’ll trust!” He beams at Corraidhín.
-The wizard sighs. “As far as I can tell, the hobbit is - telling the truth.”
-Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues.
-“The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the Corn - Mother, to godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of - sense. She’s the only mortal to have created life after all. - Kind of the ideal candidate for the job to be honest.
-They’ve hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help - them. And they’re managing to drag the thing forward despite - all pulling in slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms - want new bodies. The Gnu Zealots want to open source the - process so everybody can create new gods. And I don’t actually - know what the BAND wackos want.”
-Corraidhín shrugs, “I don’t have a particular dog in this - fight. The Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, ‘anomaly’ - that happened at the SS RSS. Including the second crystal, - which is currently in his possession, and my body, which is - still technically back at the institute and still under the - care of Felixe here.” The black cat gives another polite nod. - Having completed building the tumbling tower, it is now - shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on the - table.
-“Felixe is Basmentaria’s preeminent expert in preserving - entities that happen to exist between two states. Or that - happen to exist in two states at the same time.. Bah, it’s - complicated,” Corraidhín huffs.
-“Yes!” interrupts Blavin. “Now! Despite working closely - with him all this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the - Benefactor’s actual plans for the crystals. I just know we - need them more.
-“Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also - the one in the Benefactor’s possession. And deliver them to us - so we may usher in a new age for Basmentaria!”
-Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the - table, face down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It - sets the remainder of the deck aside and looks at you - expectantly.
-WHAT DO YOU DO?
- ]]> ---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
- ]]> ---Alex lifts his teacup and sips the fragrantly tea, - “perfumed of rosehips, and cardamum? An interesting choice. I - appreciate it Inky, these past few days have been terribly - rough, and I’m rather tired of field rations.” Alex takes a - sip, and then continues hurridly. “I’ve been monitoring the - Bazar, we are in grave danger. It started with just me, but I - fear it’s bled over to everyone here at the Milk Market. I - can’t be entirely certain.”
-Alex looks worriedly at Inky. “There’s a lot going on here. - As soon as we got back from Kelsun I was sent on an - assignment, normally not an issue, but they wanted me to level - 3 of the busiest coffee shops in the bazar. I planted those - bombs, alongside listening devices, and then I bugged out. My - team appears to have been assigned equally bizarre - assignments, all rather violent messy things. A lot of - innocent lives are on the line here.”
-“We dropped off the grid, I’ve got an isolated listening - post in the sewers here, it’s heavily reinforced and that’s - where I’ve been hiding out, but I’m not certain it’s safe. - Agent 5 found a melon vendor dead in the market, and this - vendor was specifically seeking out the Milk Market, looking - for us. I believe it may be an assassin, could be from HQ, - could be from Blavin. It’s entirely opaque to me.”
-“As far as I can tell, my agents are all loyal to me, - there’s 5 of them in total, 6 if you count me. We could man - the ship and get the hell out of here in a few hours, and it - may be our best chance. But there’s the iris letter we need to - attend to, and I cannot for the life of me find anything, not - a damn trace, of Blavin. And I think all of this bodes very - poorly for us.”
-Alex looks worriedly at Inky, and you’re telling me we have - a ritual we have to perform, to find the iris group’s meeting - place.. I’m leery Ink, I have to be you see. But my uncle - trusted you, and I do as well. If you think this is our best - shot, we can hole up in the sewers and try to perform this - dream walk of your witch friend’s. But if this iris business - turns out to be a trap, well, how well can you handle a - gun?
-
~
---“Your courage and concern are admirable, Master Alex. - Caution is likewise advisable.” Inky nods seriously.
-The next moment, they gave the sysorcerer a slightly - deranged grin. “I’m sure you have already seen many grave - dangers. What’s another one for the bucket list? What’s life - if not violent and messy? So many melons dismembered and laid - waste daily—”
-As if suddenly recalling a detail, Inky pauses and blinks. - “Melon vendor? Oh, poor Pepo. He has been complaining about - his neighbour’s boa constrictors for years. The serpents were - drawn to the rodents his fruits typically attracted, which - might not have been a problem were it not for them hanging out - at his stall and scaring off his customers. Maybe he finally - took matters into his own hands, with tragic results.” They - look at an empty mixing bowl across the table glumly. “He had - offered to bring over a few of the new variety as soon as they - arrived, as he was already delivering to a household the next - district over.”
-They send Master Alex a sidelong glance. “Someone is after - you? You didn’t do something horrid like help an old - grandmother cross the street on sockless skates, for - instance?” Refilling the sysorcerer’s cup, Inky continues, “As - for Blavin, only 3 of the crystals have been recovered. Blavin - knows Team 43 is his best chance of obtaining the others. - Until he has all the crystals, he will stay his hand. If he - doesn’t know that, then he is hardly a threat.”
-Setting down the teapot, Inky shrugs. “They seem eager to - get our attention. I suppose I could spare them their twelve - minutes of fame, for the right price. Enlightenment would - probably be too much to ask of a nightmare. If you’d rather - take your team and make a run for it instead, that’s fine too. - If they come knocking I’ll just tell them you missed the hotel - fondue at Kelsun Peak.”
-Their gaze skips to one of the cups before they shake their - head. “No gun.” They turn around and take down a bamboo - walking stick hanging from a hook on a wall next to a worn - coat. Inky grasps the handle and pulls. It slides out quietly - to reveal a long, thin, tapered surgical steel tube which, if - someone were to lean in for a closer inspection, is sparsely - covered in tiny, needle-like protrusions along the surface. On - the underside, a transparent sliver ran the length of the tube - to end about a forefinger’s length from the handle. Visible - through the narrow window is a colourless liquid, most likely - a sedative or toxin, fills the reinforced steel interior.
-They smile mirthlessly at Master Alex. “I don’t know that - Master Corraidhín trusted me, because if he did, it would have - been the most foolhardy thing the wise man has ever done. You - would do well to not make that mistake.”
-
~
---“It doesn’t sound like we have all too much of an option”, - Alex says, as a little Scarab beetle in his pocket chimes, - “that’ll be the dead man’s trigger going off in my - hideout.”
-Alex frowns, shame to lose all of that data, those systems, - that hideout.. but I hope whoever broke in enjoys thermite, - assuming they don’t asphyxiate quickly enough to miss the - fun..
-Inky, you’re right, life is a bit violent and messy, so - lets bring the violent mess to these bastards. If you’ve got a - lead on this with this dream ritual, then fuck it, lets take - the risk. I won’t run from this fight, my uncle sure as hell - wouldn’t. And at worst, he’d go out with a magnificient bang. - Lets give it back tenfold, for poor Pepo.
-Nodding his own approval Alex continues, I have another - hideout in the eastern quandrant, near the sysorcerer’s guild. - It’s a little risky to head out that way, but none of my - Zabbix alerts indicate it was compromised. It has automated - IDS and IPS systems, so we should be safe enough in there once - we whole up. At very least we’ll know if someone comes for us, - and we’ll have a little bit of time to react on it. We should - bring the Toques with us, and little blod clot, and the - duck.
-Looking sorrowfully at Enrique, “I think it might be best - if you got the hell out of dodge too friend, it isn’t safe, - and I don’t want to see you become collateral here. Head down - to the wharf, I’ll have agent 5 meet you there, he’ll help you - and your family lay low until all of this blows over.”
-
~
---At Enrique’s deep frown, Inky sighs and adds, “Might as - well do as Master Alex says. He can spot danger twelve blocks - away, and turtle soup is really out of fashion these - days.”
-Then they excuse themselves to pack a few items, returning - about fifteen minutes later with a knapsack and a cross-strap - carrier draped in a black cloth cover. Inky says, “I hope you - don’t mind if I bring along a guest as well.”
-The cover is pulled back to expose a dome-shaped birdhouse, - with transparent circular rings at the top partially obscured - by sliding shutters of the same shape. A wooden hoop with a - woven, web-like pattern and adorned with a string of feathers - hangs from one side. On the opposite side is a double door - with a miniature knob over each door. Inky lightly taps on one - of the doors, and at a low click coming from within in - response, swings the doors wide enough for the kitchen lamps - to illuminate the great horned owl resting on a pillow inside. - The bird opens one amber eye for a moment, gaze sweeping idly - across the occupants in the room before dozing off again.
-“This is Fuko. She and her twin brother Futa have certain - shared connections. What one sees, the other will also know. I - asked their caretaker if I could borrow them for a while. Fuko - will accompany me for the ritual. Her brother is at another - location and can send a message if a need arises.” Inky - explains with a wry expression. “Think of it as a minor - indulgence of sorts. I was told their kind, along with eagle - owls, are very good at negotiating with those of the - ravens.”
-They give the owl a small smile. “She may be a little - temperamental, but she is well-trained.” Closing the birdhouse - doors, Inky turns back to Master Alex. “I suppose you’d rather - not reveal the location of your hideout to any more people - than necessary. Her carrier will remain covered on the way in - and out.”
-
Gliftwirp stands under the branches of a tree, pooled in - shadow, far from the small gathering. He has been to plenty of - funerals. Often under these very circumstances, in fact. And - he always keeps his distance out of respect.
-For one, he owns no clothes but his vest, sash, and - trousers. And his bright red colors would be a sign of - disrespect among the mourners. Secondly and most importantly, - he himself is the one who put the man in the ground.
-Sadly, he had little choice. He had underestimated the - sysorcer. Didn’t realize he had his own agents working for - him. When he realized that one of the agents had been in - contact with the melon vendor, he knew that Popplewick could - and would identify the warpwefter if pressured.
-Gliftwirp had grown to enjoy his daily chats with the melon - vendor. Popplewick was a kind, determined man. A refugee from - the Cinderlands, his family came to Vay’Nullar following the - Artifice Wars when he was just a boy. He grew up poor, and - often relied on the generosity of others. But eventually he - was able to support himself and his small family. He was proud - of the life he had built.
-So Gliftwirp took no pleasure in what came next. Late one - night when Popplewick was on his way home from the market, the - assassin slipped a bag over his head and dragged him into a - dark alley. He cinched the bag tight, cutting off his air. - There was a brief struggle before Popplewick passed out and - Gliftwirp lowered him down to the ground. He held him there, - unconscious and not breathing, until he was gone. In only took - but a moment. And then Gliftwirp stood up and left.
-Now at the funeral, the mourners leave one by one. Until - only the widow is left, cradling a small sleeping child to her - chest. “Oh, Pepo,” she whispers to the headstone. “What can I - do now?”
-When she leaves, she does not return to the main path. She - meanders slowly as though in a daze toward the back of the - graveyard and down the hill. She steps into the wood. A flash - of red follows her at a distance.
-She kneels on the banks of the forest river and sets the - child down on wide flat rock. It is awake now and looks up at - her with solemn eyes. “I am sorry, made-of-me,” she says to - the child. And that is all the explanation it gets.
-She stands and turns and walks away. The child watches her - go.
-When she has been gone for some minutes, Gliftwirp steps - out of the shadows and crouches down beside the child. It - looks up and reaches for him. “Look at you,” he says to the - child as he scoops it up. “Who would throw you away? A - perfectly good baby!” He stands and bounces the child. “A - sweet little melon rind is what you are. Ha! Very well. Come, - Rind, we have work to do.”
-The assassin, child in his arms, walks back toward the - city.
-~
-In the aftermath, Agent 5 is found down by the docks. They - clearly struggled in death. The assassin blamed him for - Popplewick’s death and the widow’s weakness.
-Down in the sewers, two tiny mittened hands reach up and - awkwardly turn the doorknob to Alex’s hideout. The bolt clears - the latch with a faint click. Two tiny cloth hands struggle - against the heavy iron door, pushing it slowly open, inch by - inch. A mechanism clicks inside and there is a whoosh of air - and then a boom as the bunker violently ignites. The tiny - figure is incinerated, and blown back into the sewer - tunnel.
-Gliftwirp steps forward into the light of the blaze and - crouches down by the tiny figure. He picks it up, a tattered - and burned bundle of cloth. “Look, Rind,” he says to the small - child standing at his elbow. “You must always acknowledge and - be grateful for those who sacrifice for you.” He starts to - untie and unfold the cloth puppet as he speaks. It unfurls and - smooths out and stitches itself back together under his touch. - Even the burn marks fade, and soon Gliftwirp is once again - holding his red sash.
-“Now, Rind,” he says standing up and taking the child’s - hand, squinting into the fire. “Let’s see what we can salvage - here.”
-WHAT DO YOU DO
---One moment, Inky is half-asleep on their feet in the middle - of Branch Avenue. In the next, they are reclining in a banana - boat that resembles a canoe painted with long stripes of - yellow and white with deep brown swipes. The s’more interior - padding is soft, yet with the suppleness of fruit leather. A - few round, matching brown mini-cushions are strewn across the - boat interior. Also in the boat are two silver spoon paddles, - more for looks than cooks.
-They don’t know where the boat came from. Things just - appear. Like that Red Squirrel. Inky moves to holler a - greeting, but instead recites:
--"sgb rpthqqbk hr qba sgb fgnrsr dktb -sgb qnkkr rwbbs uma rn uqb ynt -sgnt uqs ly fthahmf rsuq ul h sghmb -h rbb vbqhky ly utrohehntr rhfm -sgb kns wur snrra uma sgbm h aqbw -uma cnqstmb ruha hs rgnta db ynt ott"[1]-[1]: -"The squirrel is red, the ghost's blue, -The roll's sweet, and so are you. -Thou art my guiding star, am I thine? -I see verily my auspicious sign: -The lot was toss'd and then I drew, -And Fortune said it shou'd be you. Puu."
~
---While Inky boards her banana boat and recites poetry to the - maddened squirrel, Alex springs to action leaping blithely - from the branch towards the squirrel. Beneath him manifests a - cockpit, sleek and futuristic. Around this materializes a - large robotic weapon, octopus-oid in shape. The many tentacles - bristle with weapons both fearsome and deadly.
-Alex grabs the controls, in one tentacle he latches onto - the banana boat, that way he won’t accidentally get separated - from Inky. With the other seven a series of feathers appear in - every brilliant hue. The tentacle attached to the boat unfurls - allowing Alex to draw closer to the squirrel. As the gap - closes the most intense tickle fight the dream world has ever - seen ensues, bringing joyous laughter to the faces of - many.
-“Inky, if we need to get out of here, just jet it! That - tentacle will yank the control pod and me with it!”
-
Alex basically becomes a Mech pilot, and confronts the Red - Squirrel head on with the Octopod.
-You engage in the tickle fight to end all tickle - fights!
-Its eight arms are more than a match for the squirrels - eight legs. You have the advantage of reach, entanglement, and - sucker pads. It struggles in your grasp, gnashing its terrible - teeth, but cannot reach you. Its long tail whips around - ineffectively, battering you softly.
-The agitated squirrel squeals and swells like a red - balloon. The mech’s tentacles struggle to contain it. Just as - the strain on the machine is about to become unbearable, the - rodent violently deflates. It collapses in on itself with such - ferocity that it turns itself inside out. The octopod, all - tangled up in the collapsing squirrel, is pulled along as it - folds in on itself until it becomes a hungry void the size of - a marble, floating in space and sucking at the air.
-Inky watches from the banana boat as Alex and the squirrel - disappear from the Silver Forest. The squirrel portal finally - closes in on itself, severing the banana boat from the octopus - mecha at the last possible second. Inky on this side. Alex on - the other.
-Alex, you and the wreckage of the octopod are vomited out - onto a sandy beach. Red mist and vapors dissipate from your - entry point. Before you is a vast ocean, lapping lazily at the - beach. The shoreline extends endlessly in both directions. - Behind you are endless sand dunes. Though there is no sun, the - sky seems to hover at sunset, all brilliant, swirling oranges - and purples.
-A lone humanoid figure can be seen standing atop a nearby - dune. It is tall. It has legs like a goat or fawn, and a - paunchy belly. Its long neck protrudes into a kind of trunk - that eventually folds over and hangs down in front of the - creature, about chest height. It terminates in a smooth, round - nub. No face. It wears a small satchel at its hip, its strap - slung over one shoulder and across its chest. Its long arms - hand loosely at its sides. Despite the lack of a face and any - sensory organs, it seems to be watching you. Slowly, it - descends the dune and starts walking toward you. It reaches - into its satchel and draws a long, sharp knife as it - approaches.
-Inky, you are in the banana boat in the Silver Forest. The - turtle that was a chipmunk has holed up in its shell, - effectively just a sticky bun.
-“You wanted to see me,” intones a slightly muffled voice - behind you. A statement, not a question. You turn to see a - figure cloaked in shadows and demons. They wear a domed helmet - of black obsidian glass, flashes of rainbow colored light - crackling along the inside illuminating very little of the - smoke-filled interior.
-“What is it you seek from Dude 215R?”
-WHAT DO YOU DO
- ]]> -In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly + through the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the + twitch of a finger to indicate that they hear anything at + all.
+During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but + Rind noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle + wiggle its way out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate + at the base of the candle, the ringing of tin masked by the + ringing of the claxon alarm.
+Still the dreamers sleep.
+Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The + mummified hand of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts + to wriggle, struggle, and strain against the softening wax. It + stretches and reaches for the eye in the center of the + candle.
+Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. + The child looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the + hemogoblin stumbled into the circle, smudging the line of salt + and ash, breaking the circle and severing its continuity. + Making a small space for something to get in. Or out.
+++“Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!” Alex’s + eyes scan the room rapidly. There’s no water, aside from what + he dragged in with his abrupt departure from the pier. The + dark sky stretches into the nothingness of the void. Asthe + robed figure begins speaks Alex takes note of his + situation.
+‘Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing + actually. It’s one thing after another with this dream + thing.’
+As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. + “I’ll be honest my guy, I haven’t the foggiest what you’re + talking about. Looks to me you’ve got the whole sword thing, + all I’ve got is my trusty AK. I guess back top side, in umm I + guess the real world, I did find a wonky dagger my uncle tried + to hide. But I’m pretty sure that got eaten by a cute little + hemogoblin while I was busy murdering ghost pirates. Anyways + more to the point, I’m not quite sure I follow.”
+Alex pauses briefly and then continues, “You say you need + to get out of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I + just got attacked by some freaky sadist mushroom that called + itself katsuva. Cut its head clean off just so it could try + and chuck me in the drink. Right unpleasant fella, but I think + I lost him when, well, I got here, wherever that is.”
+“Now I don’t know much, but I’m not much for trust after + getting attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you’ll + excuse me, I reckon the exit is right about that way (Alex + jabs his finger over his back away from the figure), and I’m + inclined to head out unless you know a better way.”
+
You weren’t in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval + Team 43, so you didn’t see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian + is familiar with the iconography of the Trine. This figure is + dressed in the traditional rainments of Neddas, god of sages + and starlight. Furthermore you recognize them from your dreams + in the Milk Market.
+Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your + leg.
+“You know, we each of us loved you in our own way,” Neddas + says. “But of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my + divinity. I wanted to see you thrive and grow strong.
+“You’ve already found several pieces of my essence. + Coin in the treasure hoard below the earth. + Mirth in the shipwreck under the sea. And + lore in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak.
+“And of course you found justice,” they say, + looking at the sword. “This one got a little weird.” The + frown. “Became a little sentient, didn’t it?” They press the + blade of the sword to their chest and absorb it into their + being. They sigh happily.
+“You have found enough of my essence that I am able to + start to materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But + here, a little bit.
+“There are still two more pieces out there. If you can + reunite all five crystals, I will be able to cross over into + Basmentaria again.
+“So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. + Return to Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I + may return and right the wrongs of the past. I will do what I + can to assist you.”
+++Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing + their forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their + chest, and strolling towards the restrooms.
+Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of + sight from the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message + from Master Alex and reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. + Also in the envelope is a smooth oval grey pebble with the + letters “sh” carved onto it. A mini dousojin. How considerate + of him.
+Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky + holds up a chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the + great horned owl patiently perched on their shoulder. “What if + we just zip out now and have a walk around the towers? Do you + think it will cause offence to the Grand Master of the realm?” + Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her treat and gives them a + short series of disapproving clicks of her beak.
+“He wants more ‘intel’,” Inky says. It isn’t even a + question.
+On another occasion they would be glad to see Master + Corraidhn animated and well — when there wasn’t a demanding + curmudgeon on the other end of an absurd fishing expedition. + The elder sysorcerer’s presence in the Dreaming, illusion or + otherwise, has effectively dashed any prospect of an early + night out.
+“Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you.” Inky + tells the owl.
+They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal + stripes, blue knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and + wordlessly declare the change of clothes suitable for fine + non-dining. The noogle’s drawstring pouch is knotted to a + metal hoop on a pocket flap to one side of their shorts, + having let loose a short mop of tousled red hair. A plush + floofy duck keychain dangles next to the pouch.
+Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with + an owl approaches the far corner table.
+
You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through + the crowded tables of the Harpoon Club.
+“Inky!” Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. + The cat person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the + block tower.
+Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. + When nobody follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs + on his beard, and sits up straighter in his chair.
+“You’re alone?” Blavin observes. “No matter. Thank you so + much for meeting us here! I trust it wasn’t too much trouble? + A little bit out of the way, I know. But it is so very hard to + find a place away from prying eyes, isn’t it?”
+“Get to the point, Blavin.” snaps Corraidhín.
+“Quite right!” laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. + “Listen,” he says, suddenly very serious. “It’s time I came + clean to you. You deserve that much. And besides, I think we + can help each other. While it is true that I work for the + Benefactor, I don’t actually serve their interests. You see, I + represent another party. A double agent they would + call me in the spy novels.” He waves his hand dismissively, as + though somebody were making a fuss over him and he were + embarrassed.
+“As I’m sure you already know, our organization is called + the Golden Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect + the Ginnarak Cystals. I know you’ve heard all the old stories. + Together they could kill a god, blah blah blah.” He + sloshes his drink as the gestures. “But we think they’ve got + it all wrong, Inky. That is, they have it backwards + at least!”
+Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. “The Golden Iris intends + nothing less than creating a new god!”
+“The Trine has been absent for years. We’re going to + restore the balance. Now you see why the mission is so + important, Inky. We need the crystals.”
+“Now I know what you’re going to say! It all sounds too + fantastic. Yes well, that’s why I brought along somebody whose + credibility I know you’ll trust!” He beams at Corraidhín.
+The wizard sighs. “As far as I can tell, the hobbit is + telling the truth.”
+Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues.
+“The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the Corn + Mother, to godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of + sense. She’s the only mortal to have created life after all. + Kind of the ideal candidate for the job to be honest.
+They’ve hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help + them. And they’re managing to drag the thing forward despite + all pulling in slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms + want new bodies. The Gnu Zealots want to open source the + process so everybody can create new gods. And I don’t actually + know what the BAND wackos want.”
+Corraidhín shrugs, “I don’t have a particular dog in this + fight. The Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, ‘anomaly’ + that happened at the SS RSS. Including the second crystal, + which is currently in his possession, and my body, which is + still technically back at the institute and still under the + care of Felixe here.” The black cat gives another polite nod. + Having completed building the tumbling tower, it is now + shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on the + table.
+“Felixe is Basmentaria’s preeminent expert in preserving + entities that happen to exist between two states. Or that + happen to exist in two states at the same time.. Bah, it’s + complicated,” Corraidhín huffs.
+“Yes!” interrupts Blavin. “Now! Despite working closely + with him all this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the + Benefactor’s actual plans for the crystals. I just know we + need them more.
+“Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also + the one in the Benefactor’s possession. And deliver them to us + so we may usher in a new age for Basmentaria!”
+Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the + table, face down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It + sets the remainder of the deck aside and looks at you + expectantly.
+WHAT DO YOU DO?
+ ]]> +++Alex lifts his teacup and sips the fragrantly tea, + “perfumed of rosehips, and cardamum? An interesting choice. I + appreciate it Inky, these past few days have been terribly + rough, and I’m rather tired of field rations.” Alex takes a + sip, and then continues hurridly. “I’ve been monitoring the + Bazar, we are in grave danger. It started with just me, but I + fear it’s bled over to everyone here at the Milk Market. I + can’t be entirely certain.”
+Alex looks worriedly at Inky. “There’s a lot going on here. + As soon as we got back from Kelsun I was sent on an + assignment, normally not an issue, but they wanted me to level + 3 of the busiest coffee shops in the bazar. I planted those + bombs, alongside listening devices, and then I bugged out. My + team appears to have been assigned equally bizarre + assignments, all rather violent messy things. A lot of + innocent lives are on the line here.”
+“We dropped off the grid, I’ve got an isolated listening + post in the sewers here, it’s heavily reinforced and that’s + where I’ve been hiding out, but I’m not certain it’s safe. + Agent 5 found a melon vendor dead in the market, and this + vendor was specifically seeking out the Milk Market, looking + for us. I believe it may be an assassin, could be from HQ, + could be from Blavin. It’s entirely opaque to me.”
+“As far as I can tell, my agents are all loyal to me, + there’s 5 of them in total, 6 if you count me. We could man + the ship and get the hell out of here in a few hours, and it + may be our best chance. But there’s the iris letter we need to + attend to, and I cannot for the life of me find anything, not + a damn trace, of Blavin. And I think all of this bodes very + poorly for us.”
+Alex looks worriedly at Inky, and you’re telling me we have + a ritual we have to perform, to find the iris group’s meeting + place.. I’m leery Ink, I have to be you see. But my uncle + trusted you, and I do as well. If you think this is our best + shot, we can hole up in the sewers and try to perform this + dream walk of your witch friend’s. But if this iris business + turns out to be a trap, well, how well can you handle a + gun?
+
~
+++“Your courage and concern are admirable, Master Alex. + Caution is likewise advisable.” Inky nods seriously.
+The next moment, they gave the sysorcerer a slightly + deranged grin. “I’m sure you have already seen many grave + dangers. What’s another one for the bucket list? What’s life + if not violent and messy? So many melons dismembered and laid + waste daily—”
+As if suddenly recalling a detail, Inky pauses and blinks. + “Melon vendor? Oh, poor Pepo. He has been complaining about + his neighbour’s boa constrictors for years. The serpents were + drawn to the rodents his fruits typically attracted, which + might not have been a problem were it not for them hanging out + at his stall and scaring off his customers. Maybe he finally + took matters into his own hands, with tragic results.” They + look at an empty mixing bowl across the table glumly. “He had + offered to bring over a few of the new variety as soon as they + arrived, as he was already delivering to a household the next + district over.”
+They send Master Alex a sidelong glance. “Someone is after + you? You didn’t do something horrid like help an old + grandmother cross the street on sockless skates, for + instance?” Refilling the sysorcerer’s cup, Inky continues, “As + for Blavin, only 3 of the crystals have been recovered. Blavin + knows Team 43 is his best chance of obtaining the others. + Until he has all the crystals, he will stay his hand. If he + doesn’t know that, then he is hardly a threat.”
+Setting down the teapot, Inky shrugs. “They seem eager to + get our attention. I suppose I could spare them their twelve + minutes of fame, for the right price. Enlightenment would + probably be too much to ask of a nightmare. If you’d rather + take your team and make a run for it instead, that’s fine too. + If they come knocking I’ll just tell them you missed the hotel + fondue at Kelsun Peak.”
+Their gaze skips to one of the cups before they shake their + head. “No gun.” They turn around and take down a bamboo + walking stick hanging from a hook on a wall next to a worn + coat. Inky grasps the handle and pulls. It slides out quietly + to reveal a long, thin, tapered surgical steel tube which, if + someone were to lean in for a closer inspection, is sparsely + covered in tiny, needle-like protrusions along the surface. On + the underside, a transparent sliver ran the length of the tube + to end about a forefinger’s length from the handle. Visible + through the narrow window is a colourless liquid, most likely + a sedative or toxin, fills the reinforced steel interior.
+They smile mirthlessly at Master Alex. “I don’t know that + Master Corraidhín trusted me, because if he did, it would have + been the most foolhardy thing the wise man has ever done. You + would do well to not make that mistake.”
+
~
+++“It doesn’t sound like we have all too much of an option”, + Alex says, as a little Scarab beetle in his pocket chimes, + “that’ll be the dead man’s trigger going off in my + hideout.”
+Alex frowns, shame to lose all of that data, those systems, + that hideout.. but I hope whoever broke in enjoys thermite, + assuming they don’t asphyxiate quickly enough to miss the + fun..
+Inky, you’re right, life is a bit violent and messy, so + lets bring the violent mess to these bastards. If you’ve got a + lead on this with this dream ritual, then fuck it, lets take + the risk. I won’t run from this fight, my uncle sure as hell + wouldn’t. And at worst, he’d go out with a magnificient bang. + Lets give it back tenfold, for poor Pepo.
+Nodding his own approval Alex continues, I have another + hideout in the eastern quandrant, near the sysorcerer’s guild. + It’s a little risky to head out that way, but none of my + Zabbix alerts indicate it was compromised. It has automated + IDS and IPS systems, so we should be safe enough in there once + we whole up. At very least we’ll know if someone comes for us, + and we’ll have a little bit of time to react on it. We should + bring the Toques with us, and little blod clot, and the + duck.
+Looking sorrowfully at Enrique, “I think it might be best + if you got the hell out of dodge too friend, it isn’t safe, + and I don’t want to see you become collateral here. Head down + to the wharf, I’ll have agent 5 meet you there, he’ll help you + and your family lay low until all of this blows over.”
+
~
+++At Enrique’s deep frown, Inky sighs and adds, “Might as + well do as Master Alex says. He can spot danger twelve blocks + away, and turtle soup is really out of fashion these + days.”
+Then they excuse themselves to pack a few items, returning + about fifteen minutes later with a knapsack and a cross-strap + carrier draped in a black cloth cover. Inky says, “I hope you + don’t mind if I bring along a guest as well.”
+The cover is pulled back to expose a dome-shaped birdhouse, + with transparent circular rings at the top partially obscured + by sliding shutters of the same shape. A wooden hoop with a + woven, web-like pattern and adorned with a string of feathers + hangs from one side. On the opposite side is a double door + with a miniature knob over each door. Inky lightly taps on one + of the doors, and at a low click coming from within in + response, swings the doors wide enough for the kitchen lamps + to illuminate the great horned owl resting on a pillow inside. + The bird opens one amber eye for a moment, gaze sweeping idly + across the occupants in the room before dozing off again.
+“This is Fuko. She and her twin brother Futa have certain + shared connections. What one sees, the other will also know. I + asked their caretaker if I could borrow them for a while. Fuko + will accompany me for the ritual. Her brother is at another + location and can send a message if a need arises.” Inky + explains with a wry expression. “Think of it as a minor + indulgence of sorts. I was told their kind, along with eagle + owls, are very good at negotiating with those of the + ravens.”
+They give the owl a small smile. “She may be a little + temperamental, but she is well-trained.” Closing the birdhouse + doors, Inky turns back to Master Alex. “I suppose you’d rather + not reveal the location of your hideout to any more people + than necessary. Her carrier will remain covered on the way in + and out.”
+
Gliftwirp stands under the branches of a tree, pooled in + shadow, far from the small gathering. He has been to plenty of + funerals. Often under these very circumstances, in fact. And + he always keeps his distance out of respect.
+For one, he owns no clothes but his vest, sash, and + trousers. And his bright red colors would be a sign of + disrespect among the mourners. Secondly and most importantly, + he himself is the one who put the man in the ground.
+Sadly, he had little choice. He had underestimated the + sysorcer. Didn’t realize he had his own agents working for + him. When he realized that one of the agents had been in + contact with the melon vendor, he knew that Popplewick could + and would identify the warpwefter if pressured.
+Gliftwirp had grown to enjoy his daily chats with the melon + vendor. Popplewick was a kind, determined man. A refugee from + the Cinderlands, his family came to Vay’Nullar following the + Artifice Wars when he was just a boy. He grew up poor, and + often relied on the generosity of others. But eventually he + was able to support himself and his small family. He was proud + of the life he had built.
+So Gliftwirp took no pleasure in what came next. Late one + night when Popplewick was on his way home from the market, the + assassin slipped a bag over his head and dragged him into a + dark alley. He cinched the bag tight, cutting off his air. + There was a brief struggle before Popplewick passed out and + Gliftwirp lowered him down to the ground. He held him there, + unconscious and not breathing, until he was gone. In only took + but a moment. And then Gliftwirp stood up and left.
+Now at the funeral, the mourners leave one by one. Until + only the widow is left, cradling a small sleeping child to her + chest. “Oh, Pepo,” she whispers to the headstone. “What can I + do now?”
+When she leaves, she does not return to the main path. She + meanders slowly as though in a daze toward the back of the + graveyard and down the hill. She steps into the wood. A flash + of red follows her at a distance.
+She kneels on the banks of the forest river and sets the + child down on wide flat rock. It is awake now and looks up at + her with solemn eyes. “I am sorry, made-of-me,” she says to + the child. And that is all the explanation it gets.
+She stands and turns and walks away. The child watches her + go.
+When she has been gone for some minutes, Gliftwirp steps + out of the shadows and crouches down beside the child. It + looks up and reaches for him. “Look at you,” he says to the + child as he scoops it up. “Who would throw you away? A + perfectly good baby!” He stands and bounces the child. “A + sweet little melon rind is what you are. Ha! Very well. Come, + Rind, we have work to do.”
+The assassin, child in his arms, walks back toward the + city.
+~
+In the aftermath, Agent 5 is found down by the docks. They + clearly struggled in death. The assassin blamed him for + Popplewick’s death and the widow’s weakness.
+Down in the sewers, two tiny mittened hands reach up and + awkwardly turn the doorknob to Alex’s hideout. The bolt clears + the latch with a faint click. Two tiny cloth hands struggle + against the heavy iron door, pushing it slowly open, inch by + inch. A mechanism clicks inside and there is a whoosh of air + and then a boom as the bunker violently ignites. The tiny + figure is incinerated, and blown back into the sewer + tunnel.
+Gliftwirp steps forward into the light of the blaze and + crouches down by the tiny figure. He picks it up, a tattered + and burned bundle of cloth. “Look, Rind,” he says to the small + child standing at his elbow. “You must always acknowledge and + be grateful for those who sacrifice for you.” He starts to + untie and unfold the cloth puppet as he speaks. It unfurls and + smooths out and stitches itself back together under his touch. + Even the burn marks fade, and soon Gliftwirp is once again + holding his red sash.
+“Now, Rind,” he says standing up and taking the child’s + hand, squinting into the fire. “Let’s see what we can salvage + here.”
+WHAT DO YOU DO
+++(A week prior)
+The secretary collected the stack of papers that had + accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she + said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink + flowers in place of the papers.
+Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s + plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make + the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”
+The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as + the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the + circle,” she clarified.
+Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to + regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice. + “Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop + proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location. + There will be a retinue with him at all times.”
+Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room + before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I + do not return by the indicated time, please activate the + hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”
+The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all + right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents + happen. A single incident—”
+“Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He + was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the + other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after + the melon vendor disappeared.”
+Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor? + Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get + rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”
+Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.
+The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her. + You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization. + She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she + finds out, you know.”
+Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is + my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my + timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a + grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before + returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.
+Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll + make it back, Ink. What then—”
+“Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the + problems.”
+
~
+++Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received + word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only + thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all + knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly? + He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to + cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even + managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the + body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram + had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his + neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth, + perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut, + burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.
+The kill had been intimate.
+Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye + had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his + right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last + 15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear + look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the + killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a + difference.
+Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted + the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it + went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an + old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.
+And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little + purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to + send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was + reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks + upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The + effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort + of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of + the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a + valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t + part of the slag pile.
+Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his + burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the + Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but + none of them held true; some said the city had become + dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring + city block another thought, and did you hear about the + explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric, + yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.
+As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses + strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling + the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.
++4 -> 3 +Daylight breaks on the morrow +The suns rays make chase +casting soft cloth +across the nap of nature's neck + +So, night relents and gives way +biding time until +it can rule +in its own domainFor the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled + carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf. + But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s + demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low + and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our + terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to + Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even + just one agent lost was hard to stomach.
+Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a + white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into + the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to + Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily + send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned, + this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten + personal.
+
~
+++Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves + in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish + processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough, + and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be + procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough + seclusion.
+The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near + the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way + along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights, + before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a + single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the + fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand + still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad + to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene + is lacking in every sense.
+Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is + a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like + what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much + they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the + duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there + to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every + precaution they could think of.
+The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires, + and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones + around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to + Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred + steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their + hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from + Agent 7.
+See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then + some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense + that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the + right man for the job, when that job was keeping your + unconscious ass alive.
+Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky. + “Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong + correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we + should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been + back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that + is.”
+
The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon + Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found + on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a + half from now, on the last day of the month.
+Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the + Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of + red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on + the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure + careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but + otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle + of shopping and commerce.
+At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps + vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.
+And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in + the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a + dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste + made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second + Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing + the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also + the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the + Dreaming.
+Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions + in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle + is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain + nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil + is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that + will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles + to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to + actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of + Dreams.
+Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been + placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax + will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its + side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken, + exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm + of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.
+Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter, + facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s + side.
+It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical + candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady + rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The + smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder + of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a + fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the + separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You + hope.
+WHAT DO YOU DO
+How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in + Bread?
What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the + Dreaming?
What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being + exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?
The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch + wind begins to howl inside the fish market.
+It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, + flipping blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss + and turn in their sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind + tugs at their hair and at their clothing.
+The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, + plunging the room into near darkness. The dark flame of the + demon candle sputters.
+The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap + in the circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils + around Rind’s feet and teases at the hem of the child’s dress. + It ruffles the duck’s feathers.
+The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it + close. And finally its fist closes tightly around it.
+The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. + The wind and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence + all that can be heard is the steady rain outside.
+++“Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain’t + nobodies errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods + are dead, or they haven’t given a rats ass about me or anyone + else. What’s more, you’re claiming to be some sort of + divinity, yet you can only manifest here amongst my + nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. You + never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don’t + tell you is it doesn’t have to haunt you either.” Alex looks + directly at the apparition.
+“But I’m reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what + you are. You say you have power to share? Well power I need. I + have people to protect, and an unclue to rescue. I’ll be + damned if I let anything happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck + in this god firsaken place chittering away with my own + subconcious getting attacked by freaking mushrooms + people.”
+“Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are + you offering, and what must I give in return? If you an + guarantee me a way to protect those close to me, I don’t give + a rats ass about the rest.”
+
Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.
+“What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of + you.”
+They hold out their hands and present you with a stone + amulet. It slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much + smaller. And more almond shaped than melon shaped. But it is + the same shade of blue, with the same veins of slightly + pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine chain of small + silver links.
+“As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find + you have the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware + that it is a piece of me. And those who know about it will try + to take it from you.”
+In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans + carried on a howling wind.
+~
+Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot + cards in front of Inky:
+A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and + shore; he holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in + his left rests on the battlement; another is fixed in a ring. + The Rose and Cross and Lily should be noticed on the left + side.
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more + especially those of the fantastic spirit.
A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the + further shore. The course is smooth, and seeing that the + freight is light, it may be noted that the work is not beyond + his strength.
Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to + Inky and recites a small pome for the inkling:
++++In the superior world it is +A young man, leaning on his +to indicate therein. It is +speaking, to the traditional +red standard has been
You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the + club and battering at the windows.
+“Well?” Balvin prompts. “What do you do?”
+ ]]> +++Alex procures from a pocket of his trenchcoat a tiny vial. + On the vial is a small strip of parchment which reads:
++#!/bin/ash +sleepy=true + +sleep() { + while sleepy; do + sleep(10) + done +} + +trap sleep INT EXITHe empties the vial into a glass of warm milk and hands it + to bread.
+“Drink up friend, this’ll relax and soothe you. You’ll + probably have the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had”
+Over the radio Alex provides a quick reminder to + Marvelo.
+“7, remember, should you need to wake bread to get us out + you can interrupt or cancel the sleep script, Ctrl + C should + work for the disruption work. Or if you need to you can set + sleepy=false, if it gets crazy and you need to modify the + metavarbalic properties of the enchantment.”
+Turning to Inky, “Eight bells and all’s well, lets get this + show on the road”
+
Bread smiles and thanks you for the milk. They down the + glass, smack their lips a few times, and wipe their mouth with + the back of their hand. Their eyelids grow heavy and close, + and they slump down on the cushions. They’re already asleep by + the time their head hits the pillow.
+++Inky nods once at Alex’s words and finishes off their own + cuppa steeped with calea and thyme, and blended into osmanthus + matcha. Lucida, Protege, Aware, Perfume. A meaningless + mantra.
+They glance to their owlish accomplice (who, she will + remind you, is well-trained and needs no sleeping aid, thank + you very much, unlike her impish charge) and silently mouth + the words “Dude 215R” with a wink. Then they settle for a nap, + chin pillowed on their forearms, which are propped atop + drawn-up knees. A walking stick rests on their lap. A herb + bouquet of pink blooms becomes an owl cushion.
+Inky dreamforms of a cream noogle. Puko. And Fuko is, well, + still Fuko.
+
You light the Nyxmaer. The flame crackles and dances. It + smokes darkly, and the scent it gives off is thick and + heady.
+You breathe deeply of it and settle down to sleep.
+When you open your eyes you are standing on the branch of + an enormous white tree. It’s as wide as a narrow street. Its + leaves are silver blades that uncurl in the dappled light from + below.
+One of the first things you notice is that gravity is + reversed here. The branches below you reach down, grazing an + endless sky. Small iridescent jellyfish medusae drift lazily + far, far below, catching and reflecting the light. And the + trunk thickens as it reaches up overhead, where its roots + drill into the ceiling above.
+Because of dream logic, you know that in some way this tree + represents Kelsun Peak, Bread’s home. And also because of + dream logic, you know that the branches furthest away from you + in some way represent the great dragon Lucin who lives deep in + the mountain. And they are just as dangerous. They sway in the + breeze and seem to be aware of you, and are for now satisfied + at the distance you keep from them.
+There is a chipmunk sitting cross-legged before you on the + branch. It looks curiously up at you and says, “The Red + Squirrel stole my acorns! Are you going to get them back for + me?”
+You can feel a metaphysical tug in your gut as your orient + yourself to dreamspace like the needle of a compass. “Inward” + you can feel a tug toward Bread’s deep unconscious. To their + core memories. “Outward” you can feel a tug away from Bread + toward the shores of the Sea of Dreams, where you may continue + your journey through the Collective Unconsciousness to the + pocket dimension of the Wandering Bazaar. You need not move + physically to travel in either direction. It’s more a matter + of choosing a destination, and letting the winds blow you in + that direction.
+“My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The + Red Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help + me?”
+WHAT DO YOU DO
+ ]]> +++Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is + definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him + with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately + the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s + found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he + remembers.
+Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, + and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.
+“Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are + terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a + dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address + Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell + you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little + outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. + unless..”
+Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a + terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at + blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a + root access escalation there.
+“Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older + kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as + needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need + it.”
+“Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”
++find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he + corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to + the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.
+Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It + squeals in delight.
+In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell + of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns + has just vanished.
+The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts + scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its + mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it + says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large + square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On + one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a + curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number + five and a picture of a flail.
+“A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all + I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide + its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.
+If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the + hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking + through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s + hazy and shadowy.
+Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out + of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. + Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the + shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which + words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow + once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of + obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow + of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet + like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel + sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels + a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is + familiar to you, but you cannot place it.
+When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape + both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted + landscape reappears but the figure is gone.
+You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather + intently from the branches below.
+WHAT DO YOU DO
+ ]]> +Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch + as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down + forest.
+A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and + the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up + from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet + between the silvery white leaves.
+The large black ravens perched below you scream in + agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up + above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and + protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of + your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose + during their flight.
+You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the + branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round + as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from + branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, + crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its + elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it + trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out + again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and + gnashes its back teeth.
+Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as + it climbs.
+“She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your + side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, + it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle + with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little + head pokes timidly out of the roll.
+“The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden + by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left + the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s + voice trails off until its final words are barely a + whisper.
+You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying + to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core + memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of + Dreams.
+You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon + you.
+WHAT DO YOU DO
+ ]]> +Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch - as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down - forest.
-A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and - the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up - from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet - between the silvery white leaves.
-The large black ravens perched below you scream in - agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up - above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and - protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of - your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose - during their flight.
-You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the - branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round - as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from - branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, - crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its - elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it - trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out - again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and - gnashes its back teeth.
-Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as - it climbs.
-“She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your - side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, - it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle - with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little - head pokes timidly out of the roll.
-“The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden - by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left - the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s - voice trails off until its final words are barely a - whisper.
-You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying - to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core - memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of - Dreams.
-You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon - you.
+++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
]]>Total length: 87088 words / 372 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +
Total length: 87969 words / 375 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 235 messages posted over 231 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.01.
+There have been 236 messages posted over 231 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.
This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.
Jump to: 1 2 down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It sets the remainder of the deck aside and looks at you expectantly.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
+The fingertips of the Nyxmaer graze the eye and an eldritch wind +begins to howl inside the fish market.
+It whips around and around inside the ritual circle, flipping +blankets and tossing pillows. The dreamers also toss and turn in their +sleep, but still do not wake. The foul wind tugs at their hair and at +their clothing.
+The small candles around the edge of the circle go out, plunging the +room into near darkness. The dark flame of the demon candle +sputters.
+The wind screams as it pushes through the small smudged gap in the +circle and out onto the floor of the market. It coils around Rind’s feet +and teases at the hem of the child’s dress. It ruffles the duck’s +feathers.
+The fingertips flick over the eye, caress it, draw it close. And +finally its fist closes tightly around it.
+The last candle goes out, plunging the room into darkness. The wind +and the sirens stop all at once, and in the silence all that can be +heard is the steady rain outside.
+++“Look Trine or not, I need a little more than this. I ain’t nobodies +errand boy, and insofar as I can tell either the Gods are dead, or they +haven’t given a rats ass about me or anyone else. What’s more, you’re +claiming to be some sort of divinity, yet you can only manifest here +amongst my nightmares, the same ones I learned years ago to shut out. +You never forget the face of your first mark, but what they don’t tell +you is it doesn’t have to haunt you either.” Alex looks directly at the +apparition.
+“But I’m reasonable too. Give me some proof you say what you are. You +say you have power to share? Well power I need. I have people to +protect, and an unclue to rescue. I’ll be damned if I let anything +happen to them. Yet here I am, stuck in this god firsaken place +chittering away with my own subconcious getting attacked by freaking +mushrooms people.”
+“Just give it to me straight Neddas, what assistance are you +offering, and what must I give in return? If you an guarantee me a way +to protect those close to me, I don’t give a rats ass about the +rest.”
+
Neddas silently holds your gaze for a long moment.
+“What you ask of me is fair, since I am asking so much of you.”
+They hold out their hands and present you with a stone amulet. It +slightly resembles the Ginnarak Crystals. Much smaller. And more almond +shaped than melon shaped. But it is the same shade of blue, with the +same veins of slightly pulsating gold throughout. It hangs from a fine +chain of small silver links.
+“As long as this stone is in your possession, you will find you have +the courage to do what you think is right. Be aware that it is a piece +of me. And those who know about it will try to take it from you.”
+In the distance you can hear alarms and terrible moans carried on a +howling wind.
+~
+Corraidhín impatiently flips over the first three tumbrot cards in +front of Inky:
+A tall man looks from a battlemented roof over sea and shore; he +holds a globe in his right hand, while a staff in his left rests on the +battlement; another is fixed in a ring. The Rose and Cross and Lily +should be noticed on the left side.
Strange chalices of vision, but the images are more especially +those of the fantastic spirit.
A ferryman carrying passengers in his punt to the further shore. +The course is smooth, and seeing that the freight is light, it may be +noted that the work is not beyond his strength.
Felixe the Cat passes the two six-sided tumbrot dice to Inky and +recites a small pome for the inkling:
++++In the superior world it is +A young man, leaning on his +to indicate therein. It is +speaking, to the traditional +red standard has been
You can suddenly hear an ominous wind whistling outside the club and +battering at the windows.
+“Well?” Balvin prompts. “What do you do?”
Paths: