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src/chapter4.md
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src/epistolary/index.md
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src/epistolary/00074.md
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src/epistolary/00075.md
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src/epistolary/00076.md
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src/epistolary/00077.md
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src/notes.md
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src/acknowledgements.md
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src/characters/index.md
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---
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title: 00075
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created: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:13 -0600
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updated: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:14 -0600
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public: yes
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syndicated: yes
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---
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### 00075 {#00075}
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> White blooms look on as Inky turns another page in the book they
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> are reading, a purported bestseller luridly titled *The Secret
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> Lives of Plants*. The olericulture guide before it had been more
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> appealing, but it was something to do between meals and napping
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> with an eye mask while holed up in the green room.
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>
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> While Confidence had been taking stock of provisions one night days
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> before the ship's departure, Inky had dropped in and not so
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> covertly taken over a room with a higher ceiling near the cargo
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> hold, beside an escape hatch. They brought in some grow lights the
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> following evening and asked Confidence to help install them
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> overhead after explaining their plan. Next, they loaded in some
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> dwarf conifers and star magnolias in wheeled containers with weight
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> compression. A nutrient solution pump connected to a timer and long
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> hoses periodically watered and fed the trees. Near the door was an
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> air filter, another useful item from the Wandering Bazaar. It
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> monitored air quality and composition, and could extract various
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> common gases from multiple inputs and pipe them to attached storage
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> tanks. There were two tanks outside the room that were hooked up to
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> the filter: a smaller one for excess carbon dioxide drawn from the
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> atmosphere that can be released slowly in tiny concentrations back
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> into the green room for the trees to absorb (or injected into water
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> with a carbonator for fizzy drinks), and a larger one for extra
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> oxygen produced by the trees and held in reserve. There was also
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> another tank and an unused combinator on board to recombine
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> hydrogen and oxygen.
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>
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> When the rest of the crew take turns to sleep or patrol the rest of
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> the ship, Inky steps within hearing distance of the starhelm and
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> activates the energy barrier around it. The barrier also blocks off
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> sounds to maximise the energy directed at the helm.
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>
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> Standing back against a low wall enclosure, Inky begins to play on
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> their violetti, channelling emotions through the lilting notes. The
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> instrument itself was a bespoke affair, an early Yule indulgence
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> years ago, and Inky had conferred at length with the luthier on
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> their requirements and core design. In appearance it closely
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> resembles a smaller, lighter violin while being an octave higher
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> than most violins, making it a great accompaniment to a flute or
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> piccolo in birdsong. However, instead of a mechanical nightingale
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> solo, they feed the helm a selection of nursery ditties — falling
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> bridges, black sheep, blind mice and the like. Sliding a few bars
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> of Bubbytabbies at intervals for best measure. Nya nya.
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~
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> Alex didn't mind the travel, in fact, he enjoyed the cramped
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> confines of his quarters. The limited world of their space ship a
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> bubble, something he could control, and protect from the chaos that
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> surrounded him. It was no different than the sailing he did planet
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> side, something he had been fond of and his uncle had chided him
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> for being so passionate about. Corraidhin would always titter on
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> about Alex's studies, and then he'd sneak off and sail out under
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> the stars with Marvelo, and his uncle wouldn't see hide or hair of
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> him for a handful of nights.
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>
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> "If only you could see me now Uncle" Alex muttered as he sat behind
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> a large leather bound chair in front of a large ornate desk strewn
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> with star charts, and books on everything ranging from divination,
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> to history, navigation, to munition manufacturing. Some of the
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> titles were unsurprising "Starhelms & You: A Guide to Starhelm
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> maintenance", "The Big Bang: Everything Delightful About
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> Explosives", but others were peculiar for Alex "Palmistry for
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> Dummies", "Superstitions DO Exist, and you're NOT Paranoid!",
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> "Ancient Gods and Goddess of Basementaria".
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>
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> Alex pushed the books, and loose notes, and maps away from him and
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> placed his cup of coffee in their place. Cold, again. He stared into
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> the dark depths of his favored drink, forlorn. He sighed, and made
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> a gesture, and a small stag drone dislodged itself from amongst the
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> papers and books and latched itself onto the coffee mug, warming
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> it. "Thanks again" Alex muttered "What is this? Sixth time this
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> cup?" he shook his head. He couldn't focus.
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>
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> Since they started this trip he'd spent more and more time brooding
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> over these books he'd collected before their departure, barely
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> saying a word to Marv or the others even. The only one he seemed to
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> communicate with on any sort of cadence was Inky. They never forgot
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> to bring a cup of warming tea, floral and fruit notes, to stave off
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> scurvy they'd said.
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>
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> "That does it!" Alex said to the room at large as he stands, and
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> strides to the door of the cabin. He strides out into the star
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> light, noting the crew has taken note of his sudden appearance. "At
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> Ease!" he barks, and marches up to the starhelm and sits before it.
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>
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> The explitives come swift and fast. If it weren't for the emotion
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> reflector the crew and everyone in the galaxy would think rather
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> poorly of Alex, but it felt good. "Neddas you son of a bitch, you
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> and your cursed crystals, and all these snakes slithering around
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> waiting to strike! Light burn each and every one of them!" and once
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> Alex had let his anger burn, the tears came, strong and
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> unrelenting. "I don't know what to do uncle, you're within grasp,
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> but I don't know how to help, or where to go." and so it went, Alex
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> wept until there were no more tears to weep, and the letter Inky
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> had relayed from his uncle bore an unmistakable tear sodden rumpled
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> look.
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>
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> When it was over, Alex rose, solemn and calm and meandered across
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> the deck to the bowsprite to take in the empty uncaring void before
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> him.
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The atmosphere of most starsails only last a couple weeks before the
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recycled air starts to get stale, and then noxious, and finally
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unbreathable. Consequently they often have to 'refuel' at planets and
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moons with breathable air whenever they pass by.
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Inky's ship garden however has been keeping your air fresh and
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self-replenishing over the last couple of days. The crew are
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consequently well oxygenated, have been sleeping well, and lack the
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fatigue that most starsailors experience at this point in their
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journey.
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A pair of space gulls have apparently decided to hitch a ride on your
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ship, and can be found roosting on the mizzen mast when not hunting
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for space guppies. They have tried on occasion to steal food from
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some of the crew, with little consequence but an exasperated shooing
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away: space gulls are considered good luck, and they are never in any
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real danger from the crew.
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Keeping the starhelm well fed with various sundry emotions, you make
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good time, and are soon approaching the orbit of the green moon
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Selene. The moon itself is well out of the way, but your current path
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will take you through the Tears of Selene, a large asteroid cluster
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that trails along and fans out behind Selene as the moon orbits the
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planet. From the surface of the planet, it looks like a wide comet's
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tail made of stars of various sizes. From here, it looks like a sea
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of asteroids of different shapes and sizes.
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There are a couple of asteroids in the Tears large enough to support
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permanent life. Pirate outposts, mostly. Or other parties looking to
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escape the law---or someone or something else---for one reason or
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another.
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You slow the ship down well below cruising speed to carefully
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navigate the Tears. You spot the fabled and notorious Rock of Brawl
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in the distance, a sprawling cosmopolitan city ruled by Scarlet
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Darling the Pirate King. It covers every inch of both the top and
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bottom of a large, flat asteroid at the center of the cluster.
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Cautiously you eventually emerge on the other side of the Tears. You
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see a derelict starsail adrift on the other side of the asteroids. It
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is in the shape of a seahorse with a tucked head, a crest fanning
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from the top of its head down its back, and a long tail tightly
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curled toward its front. It lists to the side and drifts seemingly
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without power, except for some strobing emergency lights behind the
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seahorse's eyes, signaling distress.
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As you sail closer, you see what looks like a little old woman in a
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cloak and shawl on the helm waving and trying to hail you.
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
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@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
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---
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title: 00076
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created: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38 -0600
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updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38 -0600
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public: yes
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syndicated: yes
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---
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### 00076 {#00076}
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> As the ship grew closer and the derelict became more clear Alex
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> gripped the side of the ship. He could see the woman in the window
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> through his telescope, but wasn't sure what to make of the situation.
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> He assembled the members of the team to the deck to discuss further.
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>
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> "It's clear that the ship is adrift. We should probably attempt to
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> help." Alex stated matter of factly. "However Marvelo has confided in
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> me his strongest suggestions that we not take the risk. We have a
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> clear goal. And the life of this one woman isn't work much in the
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> scheme of things. The world is at risk." Alex sighs, "He may
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> unfortunately have a point, but I believe we that if we choose to
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> stare into the abyss and make such a choice we become the monsters we
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> struggle against. And we always have a short." Alex's eyes dart to
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> Inky, the seem sad, ashamed. A fleeting statement of understanding is
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> exchanged between the two.
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>
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> "I say we go, but with caution. If anyone wishes to join me, they may
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> do so. We need someone to remain with the ship to guard it. Marvelo
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> is still not up to excursions, but he's a crack shot with a blaster
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> and has agreed to watch from atop deck. Lee I need you on the deck
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> gun and look out. Should anything come towards us while we explore
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> the derelict, you have explicit permission to send them to hell. Use
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> your judgement."
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>
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> "I've done some reconnaisance on the ship already, we can at least go
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> in knowing something about what we face. However anyone who comes
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> needs to come armed, with medical assets, and spare oxygen. We need
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> enough equipment to get in, face the unknown, and save this poor
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> woman's life."
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>
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> (DM: Do I notice anything about the derelict upon inspecting it with
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> a telescope? Signs of attacks? Further what do scans reveal about the
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> derelict and the area around it?)
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~
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> Inky offers the ship's captain a small encouraging smile when he
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> looks over in their direction but otherwise remains silent during the
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> briefing. The unspoken agreement was that no one was going to let
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> their captain go in on his own despite any individual misgivings on
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> the matter, Fair One's chosen or not. The only question is who would
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> accompany him. This presents three problems.
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>
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> Problem #1: Inky's packs and pod were already prepared before the
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> rumbles overhead about a starsail sighting sounded while they were
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> checking on the salt batteries and compost tea. It would be a pity to
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> not test the equipment before the mission landing. Get more distance
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> out of that deep discount.
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>
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> Problem #2: his uncle would have Inky's fireball-roasted head on a
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> platter if he found out Inky was enjoying a freshly harvested
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> watercress salad back on the ship while his nephew faced great peril
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> at the hands of an evil old lady.
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>
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> Problem #3: the sysorcerer is the only obstacle between Inky and four
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> very angry, heavily armed agents. He is trying hard to be a good
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> captain and leader to them, that anyone could see. Better to be a
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> mobile tea lackey than an immovable target practice lackey.
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>
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> To the sea dragon it is.
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You run a quick scan of the derelict starsail.
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It looks as though is has been heavily pierced and battered by
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artillery, boarded and looted, and left to drift. No doubt the work
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of some enterprising, opportunistic space pirates.
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The ship is broadcasting a weak SOS signal running a loop, but you
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pick up no other energy readings.
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There is a single lifeform reading on board. But you know from
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experience that such readings are notoriously unreliable in deep
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space where creatures of the vacuum often tread the thin line between
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life and death.
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You launch a jollyboat and cautiously approach the sea dragon. As
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your small craft enters its atmosphere, a putrid wind blows across
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you and its rank air fills your nostrils and lungs. The ship has been
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adrift for quite some time for its air to be this stale. Another
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short couple of weeks from now its air will become toxic to breathe.
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As you dock, the small woman rushes forward to greet you, hands
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flitting up and down like moths. Thin wisps of white hair peek around
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the edges of the shawl she has pulled up like a hood and wrapped
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around her shoulders. Her weathered taut skin gives her a gaunt,
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almost skeletal appearance. There is a painful looking crack running
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across her scalp, down her forehead, and over her face, splitting her
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features into two hemispheres. Her left eye is large and watery, and
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droops down her cheek like a runny egg yolk.
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"Oh thank you, thank you for stopping!" she wheezes in a raspy croak.
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"We were attacked by reavers and left to drift. We've been out here
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for weeks, and nobody would stop for us! Oh, we would have surely
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perished if you hadn't come by!"
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"Oh, yes." She notices you looking at her, and briefly attempts to
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hide her face behind a fluttering hand. "I have the Splitting
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Sickness, you see. It will be the end of me soon, I'm afraid. Nothing
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that can be done about it now."
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"My granddaughter and I were on our way to Lua," she continues,
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disappearing into the ship and beckoning you to follow. "Are you
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going that way by chance? I must deliver my granddaughter there. She
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is very sick, you see. And I believe the cure is to be found on the
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red moon."
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The bridge is dark, save for the dim red glow of the floor lights and
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the strobing emergency lights. The old woman stops before a long
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glass box on a raised platform, inside which lies a young woman, eyes
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closed and still as death, as though deeply asleep.
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The old woman looks up at you, her cursed eye gleaming wetly and
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unblinking in the low light. "Will you help us?"
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WHAT DO YOU DO
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@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
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---
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title: 00077
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created: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29 -0600
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updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29 -0600
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public: yes
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syndicated: yes
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---
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### 00077 {#00077}
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> Alex stands in the airlock watching the woman retreat. He briefly
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> gestures to the crew to hold their position while he grips his
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> weapon. "I'll be just a moment everyone. You know what to do"
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>
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> Alex steps into the ship and begins to follow the woman. "Ma'am, what
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> happened here exactly. And how can we help your grand daughter once
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> we've reached Lua? We're happy to take her and assist, but we must
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> know how we can do that. I'd also like to file a report about the
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> attack you suffered, even if you think you're a forgone conclusion
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> we can help others. And admittedly, I'm no doctor, but are you
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> certain there's nothing that can be done about this splitting
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> sickness?"
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>
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> A faint static on the radio "Boss, don't forget the cookies."
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>
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> Alex sighs heavily, "my second in command would like to know if you
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> have any cookies as well. He's convinced helping little old ladies in
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> space somehow nets you home baked cookies."
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~
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> Inky gives the crew a quick sidelong glance, then shrugs internally
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> and hops lightly onto the derelict ship after Master Alex. They
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> follow behind at a short clip, half-registering the captain's voice
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> in conversation with the old lady and hiding a smile at the mention
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> of cookies over the radio. Angry agents or not, at least someone
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> has got their priorities straight.
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>
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> From their position behind and to one side of the captain, they
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> surreptitiously run a scan on the woman for further injuries with a
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> portable infrared sensor, with particular attention to the crack
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> at her scalp. They listen to the old lady's breathing, as well as
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> for any sounds aboard the ship while the instrument takes
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> measurements of vital signs under the woman's skin, including
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> temperature, oxygen levels and presence of scar tissue.
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>
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> <!-- GM: what, if anything, do the measurements reveal about the
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> nature and progression of the old lady's Splitting Sickness? -->
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The old woman slowly shuffles away, back out to the battle-torn main
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deck, clicking and muttering to herself. "There is a grain that grows
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in the dusty red soil of Lua," she explains. "Its fruit can be
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processed and ground into a paste that hopefully will halt and even
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reverse my granddaughter's mysterious ailment."
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As she talks, Inky surreptitiously runs a scan on the woman for
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further injuries. She is wasting away, suffering from advanced stages
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of Splitting Sickness. Her organs have begun to turn to pulp and are
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rapidly failing. Her swollen heart beats irregularly. A thick
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puckered seam runs along its length, threatening to burst at any
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moment. It will be the end of her if the crack in her skull doesn't
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split open first.
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"It's genetic. Her sickness, I mean. At least, it's hereditary. That
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is, her mother died of it. Poor thing." She babbles away as she pokes
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at the rubble on the deck with shaky hands. "I keep her asleep in the
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suspension unit so it doesn't advance any further."
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"Ha! Here we are," she rasps, a lopsided grin scattered across her
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broken face. She jerkily hauls a metallic cube from behind a pile of
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rubble out onto the deck. She opens a panel on its side and pulls out
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a tray of slightly undercooked cookies. A solar oven. "Here you go,
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dearie." The tray trembles in her grasp as she holds it out to you.
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You hear gunfire coming from your own ship. You spin around to look.
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Marvelo has fired two signal flares up and away from the ship. The
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arc of the flares draw your eyes to the Tears of Selene in the
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distance.
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The carcass of an enormous space whale drifts forward from the
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asteroid field. It's a gruesome ship. A starsail cobbled together
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from the bones of dead space whales, sloppily painted with faded,
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patchy red and white stripes. Scrap and salvage and odd rusted pieces
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of metal adorn its sides along with humanoid and bestial remains.
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"Oh no," croaks the old woman. "Oh no, they're back. No no no no no."
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WHAT DO YOU DO
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@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ Upcoming NPCs and/or monsters
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|||
- [ ] oracle - <https://lambdacreate.com/paste/midjourney.png>
|
||||
- [ ] corn smut? - <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_smut>
|
||||
- [ ] Jorunna Parva, sea bunny time lord <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorunna_parva>
|
||||
- [x] Cocopita, Gourd Witch
|
||||
- [x] Calabazh, granddaughter of the Gourd Witch
|
||||
- [x] harrowkrake
|
||||
- [x] time swallows: It is a common misconception that barn swallows are the most widespread species of swallow. That distinction belongs to the *time* swallow. Although---if you're lucky---you'll never actually see one.
|
||||
- [x] gnu zealots
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
361
www/index.html
361
www/index.html
|
|
@ -7,9 +7,6 @@
|
|||
<title>BASEMENT QUEST</title>
|
||||
<style>
|
||||
html {
|
||||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||||
font-family: Georgia, serif;
|
||||
font-size: 20px;
|
||||
color: #1a1a1a;
|
||||
background-color: #fdfdfd;
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
|
@ -28,13 +25,16 @@
|
|||
@media (max-width: 600px) {
|
||||
body {
|
||||
font-size: 0.9em;
|
||||
padding: 1em;
|
||||
padding: 12px;
|
||||
}
|
||||
h1 {
|
||||
font-size: 1.8em;
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
@media print {
|
||||
html {
|
||||
background-color: white;
|
||||
}
|
||||
body {
|
||||
background-color: transparent;
|
||||
color: black;
|
||||
|
|
@ -84,9 +84,10 @@
|
|||
color: #606060;
|
||||
}
|
||||
code {
|
||||
font-family: Menlo, Monaco, 'Lucida Console', Consolas, monospace;
|
||||
font-family: Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, 'Lucida Console', monospace;
|
||||
font-size: 85%;
|
||||
margin: 0;
|
||||
hyphens: manual;
|
||||
}
|
||||
pre {
|
||||
margin: 1em 0;
|
||||
|
|
@ -157,6 +158,8 @@
|
|||
margin: 0 0.8em 0.2em -1.6em;
|
||||
vertical-align: middle;
|
||||
}
|
||||
.display.math{display: block; text-align: center; margin: 0.5rem auto;}
|
||||
/* CSS for syntax highlighting */
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode { white-space: pre; position: relative; }
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode > span { display: inline-block; line-height: 1.25; }
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode > span:empty { height: 1.2em; }
|
||||
|
|
@ -220,7 +223,6 @@
|
|||
code span.va { color: #19177c; } /* Variable */
|
||||
code span.vs { color: #4070a0; } /* VerbatimString */
|
||||
code span.wa { color: #60a0b0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } /* Warning */
|
||||
.display.math{display: block; text-align: center; margin: 0.5rem auto;}
|
||||
</style>
|
||||
<style>
|
||||
@media only screen and (min-width: 1200px) {
|
||||
|
|
@ -230,6 +232,13 @@
|
|||
left: 2rem;
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
html {
|
||||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||||
font-family: Georgia, serif;
|
||||
font-size: 20px;
|
||||
color: #1a1a1a;
|
||||
background-color: #fdfdfd;
|
||||
}
|
||||
body {
|
||||
padding-top: 0;
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
|
@ -283,6 +292,9 @@
|
|||
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current Story</a>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00074" id="toc-00074">00074</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00075" id="toc-00075">00075</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00076" id="toc-00076">00076</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00077" id="toc-00077">00077</a></li>
|
||||
</ul></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#appendix-a-dramatis-personae"
|
||||
id="toc-appendix-a-dramatis-personae">Appendix A: Dramatis Personae</a>
|
||||
|
|
@ -355,11 +367,11 @@ into the <a href="#current-story">current story arc</a>.</p>
|
|||
you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to
|
||||
the rss feed</a>.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
|
||||
<p>Total length: 99274 words / 424 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
<p>Total length: 102362 words / 437 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
|
||||
just the story.)</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 260 messages posted over 252 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 271 messages posted over 370 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .73.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2>
|
||||
<p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a
|
||||
|
|
@ -4509,21 +4521,21 @@ done too quickly, and he’s all too aware of the danger he’s put himself
|
|||
in. “What would Corraidhin do..” Alex thinks to himself, “perhaps a
|
||||
spell?”.</p>
|
||||
<div class="sourceCode" id="cb26"><pre
|
||||
class="sourceCode lua"><code class="sourceCode lua"><span id="cb26-1"><a href="#cb26-1" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> target<span class="op">:</span>new<span class="op">(</span>obj<span class="op">,</span> tbl<span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-2"><a href="#cb26-2" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> obj <span class="op">=</span> obj <span class="kw">or</span> <span class="op">{}</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-3"><a href="#cb26-3" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="fu">setmetatable</span><span class="op">(</span>obj<span class="op">,</span> self<span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-4"><a href="#cb26-4" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span><span class="cn">__</span>index <span class="op">=</span> self</span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-5"><a href="#cb26-5" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-6"><a href="#cb26-6" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>y <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-7"><a href="#cb26-7" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-8"><a href="#cb26-8" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> reutrn obj</span>
|
||||
class="sourceCode lua"><code class="sourceCode lua"><span id="cb26-1"><a href="#cb26-1" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> <span class="va">target</span><span class="op">:</span>new<span class="op">(</span><span class="va">obj</span><span class="op">,</span> <span class="va">tbl</span><span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-2"><a href="#cb26-2" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">obj</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="va">obj</span> <span class="kw">or</span> <span class="op">{}</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-3"><a href="#cb26-3" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="fu">setmetatable</span><span class="op">(</span><span class="va">obj</span><span class="op">,</span> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-4"><a href="#cb26-4" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="cn">__</span><span class="va">index</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="va">self</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-5"><a href="#cb26-5" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">x</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-6"><a href="#cb26-6" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">y</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-7"><a href="#cb26-7" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">speed</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-8"><a href="#cb26-8" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">reutrn</span> <span class="va">obj</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-9"><a href="#cb26-9" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">end</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-10"><a href="#cb26-10" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-11"><a href="#cb26-11" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> target<span class="op">:</span>yeet<span class="op">()</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-12"><a href="#cb26-12" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-13"><a href="#cb26-13" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>y <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-14"><a href="#cb26-14" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-15"><a href="#cb26-15" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="cf">return</span> self</span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-11"><a href="#cb26-11" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> <span class="va">target</span><span class="op">:</span>yeet<span class="op">()</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-12"><a href="#cb26-12" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">x</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-13"><a href="#cb26-13" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">y</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-14"><a href="#cb26-14" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">speed</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-15"><a href="#cb26-15" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="cf">return</span> <span class="va">self</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-16"><a href="#cb26-16" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">end</span></span></code></pre></div>
|
||||
<p>After preparing the spell Alex makes his way towards the guard rail
|
||||
ready to cut the mooring and zip lines, spell at the ready should an
|
||||
|
|
@ -8454,6 +8466,300 @@ scoop up a quick meal.</p>
|
|||
<p>You have a couple day’s of travel ahead of you, and the very
|
||||
non-empty void of space on all sides of you.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00075">00075</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>White blooms look on as Inky turns another page in the book they are
|
||||
reading, a purported bestseller luridly titled <em>The Secret Lives of
|
||||
Plants</em>. The olericulture guide before it had been more appealing,
|
||||
but it was something to do between meals and napping with an eye mask
|
||||
while holed up in the green room.</p>
|
||||
<p>While Confidence had been taking stock of provisions one night days
|
||||
before the ship’s departure, Inky had dropped in and not so covertly
|
||||
taken over a room with a higher ceiling near the cargo hold, beside an
|
||||
escape hatch. They brought in some grow lights the following evening and
|
||||
asked Confidence to help install them overhead after explaining their
|
||||
plan. Next, they loaded in some dwarf conifers and star magnolias in
|
||||
wheeled containers with weight compression. A nutrient solution pump
|
||||
connected to a timer and long hoses periodically watered and fed the
|
||||
trees. Near the door was an air filter, another useful item from the
|
||||
Wandering Bazaar. It monitored air quality and composition, and could
|
||||
extract various common gases from multiple inputs and pipe them to
|
||||
attached storage tanks. There were two tanks outside the room that were
|
||||
hooked up to the filter: a smaller one for excess carbon dioxide drawn
|
||||
from the atmosphere that can be released slowly in tiny concentrations
|
||||
back into the green room for the trees to absorb (or injected into water
|
||||
with a carbonator for fizzy drinks), and a larger one for extra oxygen
|
||||
produced by the trees and held in reserve. There was also another tank
|
||||
and an unused combinator on board to recombine hydrogen and oxygen.</p>
|
||||
<p>When the rest of the crew take turns to sleep or patrol the rest of
|
||||
the ship, Inky steps within hearing distance of the starhelm and
|
||||
activates the energy barrier around it. The barrier also blocks off
|
||||
sounds to maximise the energy directed at the helm.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing back against a low wall enclosure, Inky begins to play on
|
||||
their violetti, channelling emotions through the lilting notes. The
|
||||
instrument itself was a bespoke affair, an early Yule indulgence years
|
||||
ago, and Inky had conferred at length with the luthier on their
|
||||
requirements and core design. In appearance it closely resembles a
|
||||
smaller, lighter violin while being an octave higher than most violins,
|
||||
making it a great accompaniment to a flute or piccolo in birdsong.
|
||||
However, instead of a mechanical nightingale solo, they feed the helm a
|
||||
selection of nursery ditties — falling bridges, black sheep, blind mice
|
||||
and the like. Sliding a few bars of Bubbytabbies at intervals for best
|
||||
measure. Nya nya.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex didn’t mind the travel, in fact, he enjoyed the cramped confines
|
||||
of his quarters. The limited world of their space ship a bubble,
|
||||
something he could control, and protect from the chaos that surrounded
|
||||
him. It was no different than the sailing he did planet side, something
|
||||
he had been fond of and his uncle had chided him for being so passionate
|
||||
about. Corraidhin would always titter on about Alex’s studies, and then
|
||||
he’d sneak off and sail out under the stars with Marvelo, and his uncle
|
||||
wouldn’t see hide or hair of him for a handful of nights.</p>
|
||||
<p>“If only you could see me now Uncle” Alex muttered as he sat behind a
|
||||
large leather bound chair in front of a large ornate desk strewn with
|
||||
star charts, and books on everything ranging from divination, to
|
||||
history, navigation, to munition manufacturing. Some of the titles were
|
||||
unsurprising “Starhelms & You: A Guide to Starhelm maintenance”,
|
||||
“The Big Bang: Everything Delightful About Explosives”, but others were
|
||||
peculiar for Alex “Palmistry for Dummies”, “Superstitions DO Exist, and
|
||||
you’re NOT Paranoid!”, “Ancient Gods and Goddess of Basementaria”.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex pushed the books, and loose notes, and maps away from him and
|
||||
placed his cup of coffee in their place. Cold, again. He stared into the
|
||||
dark depths of his favored drink, forlorn. He sighed, and made a
|
||||
gesture, and a small stag drone dislodged itself from amongst the papers
|
||||
and books and latched itself onto the coffee mug, warming it. “Thanks
|
||||
again” Alex muttered “What is this? Sixth time this cup?” he shook his
|
||||
head. He couldn’t focus.</p>
|
||||
<p>Since they started this trip he’d spent more and more time brooding
|
||||
over these books he’d collected before their departure, barely saying a
|
||||
word to Marv or the others even. The only one he seemed to communicate
|
||||
with on any sort of cadence was Inky. They never forgot to bring a cup
|
||||
of warming tea, floral and fruit notes, to stave off scurvy they’d
|
||||
said.</p>
|
||||
<p>“That does it!” Alex said to the room at large as he stands, and
|
||||
strides to the door of the cabin. He strides out into the star light,
|
||||
noting the crew has taken note of his sudden appearance. “At Ease!” he
|
||||
barks, and marches up to the starhelm and sits before it.</p>
|
||||
<p>The explitives come swift and fast. If it weren’t for the emotion
|
||||
reflector the crew and everyone in the galaxy would think rather poorly
|
||||
of Alex, but it felt good. “Neddas you son of a bitch, you and your
|
||||
cursed crystals, and all these snakes slithering around waiting to
|
||||
strike! Light burn each and every one of them!” and once Alex had let
|
||||
his anger burn, the tears came, strong and unrelenting. “I don’t know
|
||||
what to do uncle, you’re within grasp, but I don’t know how to help, or
|
||||
where to go.” and so it went, Alex wept until there were no more tears
|
||||
to weep, and the letter Inky had relayed from his uncle bore an
|
||||
unmistakable tear sodden rumpled look.</p>
|
||||
<p>When it was over, Alex rose, solemn and calm and meandered across the
|
||||
deck to the bowsprite to take in the empty uncaring void before him.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The atmosphere of most starsails only last a couple weeks before the
|
||||
recycled air starts to get stale, and then noxious, and finally
|
||||
unbreathable. Consequently they often have to ‘refuel’ at planets and
|
||||
moons with breathable air whenever they pass by.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky’s ship garden however has been keeping your air fresh and
|
||||
self-replenishing over the last couple of days. The crew are
|
||||
consequently well oxygenated, have been sleeping well, and lack the
|
||||
fatigue that most starsailors experience at this point in their
|
||||
journey.</p>
|
||||
<p>A pair of space gulls have apparently decided to hitch a ride on your
|
||||
ship, and can be found roosting on the mizzen mast when not hunting for
|
||||
space guppies. They have tried on occasion to steal food from some of
|
||||
the crew, with little consequence but an exasperated shooing away: space
|
||||
gulls are considered good luck, and they are never in any real danger
|
||||
from the crew.</p>
|
||||
<p>Keeping the starhelm well fed with various sundry emotions, you make
|
||||
good time, and are soon approaching the orbit of the green moon Selene.
|
||||
The moon itself is well out of the way, but your current path will take
|
||||
you through the Tears of Selene, a large asteroid cluster that trails
|
||||
along and fans out behind Selene as the moon orbits the planet. From the
|
||||
surface of the planet, it looks like a wide comet’s tail made of stars
|
||||
of various sizes. From here, it looks like a sea of asteroids of
|
||||
different shapes and sizes.</p>
|
||||
<p>There are a couple of asteroids in the Tears large enough to support
|
||||
permanent life. Pirate outposts, mostly. Or other parties looking to
|
||||
escape the law—or someone or something else—for one reason or
|
||||
another.</p>
|
||||
<p>You slow the ship down well below cruising speed to carefully
|
||||
navigate the Tears. You spot the fabled and notorious Rock of Brawl in
|
||||
the distance, a sprawling cosmopolitan city ruled by Scarlet Darling the
|
||||
Pirate King. It covers every inch of both the top and bottom of a large,
|
||||
flat asteroid at the center of the cluster.</p>
|
||||
<p>Cautiously you eventually emerge on the other side of the Tears. You
|
||||
see a derelict starsail adrift on the other side of the asteroids. It is
|
||||
in the shape of a seahorse with a tucked head, a crest fanning from the
|
||||
top of its head down its back, and a long tail tightly curled toward its
|
||||
front. It lists to the side and drifts seemingly without power, except
|
||||
for some strobing emergency lights behind the seahorse’s eyes, signaling
|
||||
distress.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you sail closer, you see what looks like a little old woman in a
|
||||
cloak and shawl on the helm waving and trying to hail you.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00076">00076</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>As the ship grew closer and the derelict became more clear Alex
|
||||
gripped the side of the ship. He could see the woman in the window
|
||||
through his telescope, but wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. He
|
||||
assembled the members of the team to the deck to discuss further.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s clear that the ship is adrift. We should probably attempt to
|
||||
help.” Alex stated matter of factly. “However Marvelo has confided in me
|
||||
his strongest suggestions that we not take the risk. We have a clear
|
||||
goal. And the life of this one woman isn’t work much in the scheme of
|
||||
things. The world is at risk.” Alex sighs, “He may unfortunately have a
|
||||
point, but I believe we that if we choose to stare into the abyss and
|
||||
make such a choice we become the monsters we struggle against. And we
|
||||
always have a short.” Alex’s eyes dart to Inky, the seem sad, ashamed. A
|
||||
fleeting statement of understanding is exchanged between the two.</p>
|
||||
<p>“I say we go, but with caution. If anyone wishes to join me, they may
|
||||
do so. We need someone to remain with the ship to guard it. Marvelo is
|
||||
still not up to excursions, but he’s a crack shot with a blaster and has
|
||||
agreed to watch from atop deck. Lee I need you on the deck gun and look
|
||||
out. Should anything come towards us while we explore the derelict, you
|
||||
have explicit permission to send them to hell. Use your judgement.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“I’ve done some reconnaisance on the ship already, we can at least go
|
||||
in knowing something about what we face. However anyone who comes needs
|
||||
to come armed, with medical assets, and spare oxygen. We need enough
|
||||
equipment to get in, face the unknown, and save this poor woman’s
|
||||
life.”</p>
|
||||
<p>(DM: Do I notice anything about the derelict upon inspecting it with
|
||||
a telescope? Signs of attacks? Further what do scans reveal about the
|
||||
derelict and the area around it?)</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky offers the ship’s captain a small encouraging smile when he
|
||||
looks over in their direction but otherwise remains silent during the
|
||||
briefing. The unspoken agreement was that no one was going to let their
|
||||
captain go in on his own despite any individual misgivings on the
|
||||
matter, Fair One’s chosen or not. The only question is who would
|
||||
accompany him. This presents three problems.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #1: Inky’s packs and pod were already prepared before the
|
||||
rumbles overhead about a starsail sighting sounded while they were
|
||||
checking on the salt batteries and compost tea. It would be a pity to
|
||||
not test the equipment before the mission landing. Get more distance out
|
||||
of that deep discount.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #2: his uncle would have Inky’s fireball-roasted head on a
|
||||
platter if he found out Inky was enjoying a freshly harvested watercress
|
||||
salad back on the ship while his nephew faced great peril at the hands
|
||||
of an evil old lady.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #3: the sysorcerer is the only obstacle between Inky and four
|
||||
very angry, heavily armed agents. He is trying hard to be a good captain
|
||||
and leader to them, that anyone could see. Better to be a mobile tea
|
||||
lackey than an immovable target practice lackey.</p>
|
||||
<p>To the sea dragon it is.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>You run a quick scan of the derelict starsail.</p>
|
||||
<p>It looks as though is has been heavily pierced and battered by
|
||||
artillery, boarded and looted, and left to drift. No doubt the work of
|
||||
some enterprising, opportunistic space pirates.</p>
|
||||
<p>The ship is broadcasting a weak SOS signal running a loop, but you
|
||||
pick up no other energy readings.</p>
|
||||
<p>There is a single lifeform reading on board. But you know from
|
||||
experience that such readings are notoriously unreliable in deep space
|
||||
where creatures of the vacuum often tread the thin line between life and
|
||||
death.</p>
|
||||
<p>You launch a jollyboat and cautiously approach the sea dragon. As
|
||||
your small craft enters its atmosphere, a putrid wind blows across you
|
||||
and its rank air fills your nostrils and lungs. The ship has been adrift
|
||||
for quite some time for its air to be this stale. Another short couple
|
||||
of weeks from now its air will become toxic to breathe.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you dock, the small woman rushes forward to greet you, hands
|
||||
flitting up and down like moths. Thin wisps of white hair peek around
|
||||
the edges of the shawl she has pulled up like a hood and wrapped around
|
||||
her shoulders. Her weathered taut skin gives her a gaunt, almost
|
||||
skeletal appearance. There is a painful looking crack running across her
|
||||
scalp, down her forehead, and over her face, splitting her features into
|
||||
two hemispheres. Her left eye is large and watery, and droops down her
|
||||
cheek like a runny egg yolk.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh thank you, thank you for stopping!” she wheezes in a raspy croak.
|
||||
“We were attacked by reavers and left to drift. We’ve been out here for
|
||||
weeks, and nobody would stop for us! Oh, we would have surely perished
|
||||
if you hadn’t come by!”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh, yes.” She notices you looking at her, and briefly attempts to
|
||||
hide her face behind a fluttering hand. “I have the Splitting Sickness,
|
||||
you see. It will be the end of me soon, I’m afraid. Nothing that can be
|
||||
done about it now.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“My granddaughter and I were on our way to Lua,” she continues,
|
||||
disappearing into the ship and beckoning you to follow. “Are you going
|
||||
that way by chance? I must deliver my granddaughter there. She is very
|
||||
sick, you see. And I believe the cure is to be found on the red
|
||||
moon.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The bridge is dark, save for the dim red glow of the floor lights and
|
||||
the strobing emergency lights. The old woman stops before a long glass
|
||||
box on a raised platform, inside which lies a young woman, eyes closed
|
||||
and still as death, as though deeply asleep.</p>
|
||||
<p>The old woman looks up at you, her cursed eye gleaming wetly and
|
||||
unblinking in the low light. “Will you help us?”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00077">00077</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex stands in the airlock watching the woman retreat. He briefly
|
||||
gestures to the crew to hold their position while he grips his weapon.
|
||||
“I’ll be just a moment everyone. You know what to do”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex steps into the ship and begins to follow the woman. “Ma’am, what
|
||||
happened here exactly. And how can we help your grand daughter once
|
||||
we’ve reached Lua? We’re happy to take her and assist, but we must know
|
||||
how we can do that. I’d also like to file a report about the attack you
|
||||
suffered, even if you think you’re a forgone conclusion we can help
|
||||
others. And admittedly, I’m no doctor, but are you certain there’s
|
||||
nothing that can be done about this splitting sickness?”</p>
|
||||
<p>A faint static on the radio “Boss, don’t forget the cookies.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex sighs heavily, “my second in command would like to know if you
|
||||
have any cookies as well. He’s convinced helping little old ladies in
|
||||
space somehow nets you home baked cookies.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky gives the crew a quick sidelong glance, then shrugs internally
|
||||
and hops lightly onto the derelict ship after Master Alex. They follow
|
||||
behind at a short clip, half-registering the captain’s voice in
|
||||
conversation with the old lady and hiding a smile at the mention of
|
||||
cookies over the radio. Angry agents or not, at least someone has got
|
||||
their priorities straight.</p>
|
||||
<p>From their position behind and to one side of the captain, they
|
||||
surreptitiously run a scan on the woman for further injuries with a
|
||||
portable infrared sensor, with particular attention to the crack at her
|
||||
scalp. They listen to the old lady’s breathing, as well as for any
|
||||
sounds aboard the ship while the instrument takes measurements of vital
|
||||
signs under the woman’s skin, including temperature, oxygen levels and
|
||||
presence of scar tissue.</p>
|
||||
<!-- GM: what, if anything, do the measurements reveal about the
|
||||
nature and progression of the old lady's Splitting Sickness? -->
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The old woman slowly shuffles away, back out to the battle-torn main
|
||||
deck, clicking and muttering to herself. “There is a grain that grows in
|
||||
the dusty red soil of Lua,” she explains. “Its fruit can be processed
|
||||
and ground into a paste that hopefully will halt and even reverse my
|
||||
granddaughter’s mysterious ailment.”</p>
|
||||
<p>As she talks, Inky surreptitiously runs a scan on the woman for
|
||||
further injuries. She is wasting away, suffering from advanced stages of
|
||||
Splitting Sickness. Her organs have begun to turn to pulp and are
|
||||
rapidly failing. Her swollen heart beats irregularly. A thick puckered
|
||||
seam runs along its length, threatening to burst at any moment. It will
|
||||
be the end of her if the crack in her skull doesn’t split open
|
||||
first.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s genetic. Her sickness, I mean. At least, it’s hereditary. That
|
||||
is, her mother died of it. Poor thing.” She babbles away as she pokes at
|
||||
the rubble on the deck with shaky hands. “I keep her asleep in the
|
||||
suspension unit so it doesn’t advance any further.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Ha! Here we are,” she rasps, a lopsided grin scattered across her
|
||||
broken face. She jerkily hauls a metallic cube from behind a pile of
|
||||
rubble out onto the deck. She opens a panel on its side and pulls out a
|
||||
tray of slightly undercooked cookies. A solar oven. “Here you go,
|
||||
dearie.” The tray trembles in her grasp as she holds it out to you.</p>
|
||||
<p>You hear gunfire coming from your own ship. You spin around to look.
|
||||
Marvelo has fired two signal flares up and away from the ship. The arc
|
||||
of the flares draw your eyes to the Tears of Selene in the distance.</p>
|
||||
<p>The carcass of an enormous space whale drifts forward from the
|
||||
asteroid field. It’s a gruesome ship. A starsail cobbled together from
|
||||
the bones of dead space whales, sloppily painted with faded, patchy red
|
||||
and white stripes. Scrap and salvage and odd rusted pieces of metal
|
||||
adorn its sides along with humanoid and bestial remains.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh no,” croaks the old woman. “Oh no, they’re back. No no no no
|
||||
no.”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="appendix-a-dramatis-personae">Appendix A: Dramatis Personae</h2>
|
||||
<h3 id="alex">Alex</h3>
|
||||
<details>
|
||||
|
|
@ -8474,8 +8780,8 @@ he can slip by.</p>
|
|||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>Player: sinatra</li>
|
||||
<li>XP: 1</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Illusions 2, Sneaking 2,
|
||||
Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Sneaking 2, Sysorcery 2,
|
||||
Stabbing 2, Illusions 3</li>
|
||||
<li>Equipment: a bunch of STAG drones, stone of <em>courage</em></li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<p>Paths:</p>
|
||||
|
|
@ -8597,8 +8903,8 @@ very soon!</p>
|
|||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>Player: mio</li>
|
||||
<li>XP: 0</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Plantomancy 2, Throwing 2,
|
||||
Medicine 2</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Throwing 2, Medicine 2,
|
||||
Plantomancy 3</li>
|
||||
<li>Equipment: Handy Duffer Discette, Fine Feathered Quills, Jade Tea
|
||||
Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
|
@ -8607,7 +8913,8 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
|
|||
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
|
||||
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
|
||||
<li>Were-Hare: Lepusthropy, Beast Sense, Hybrid Form</li>
|
||||
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony, Steeping, Blending</li>
|
||||
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony, Steeping, Blending, Caffeine,
|
||||
Scrying</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<h3 id="jarrod">Jarrod</h3>
|
||||
<details>
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
373
www/rss.xml
373
www/rss.xml
|
|
@ -5,6 +5,215 @@
|
|||
<title>BASEMENT QWEST</title>
|
||||
<link>https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml</link>
|
||||
<description>Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah!</description>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>77</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">77 - Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29
|
||||
-0600</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29 -0600</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00077">00077</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex stands in the airlock watching the woman retreat. He
|
||||
briefly gestures to the crew to hold their position while he
|
||||
grips his weapon. “I’ll be just a moment everyone. You know
|
||||
what to do”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex steps into the ship and begins to follow the woman.
|
||||
“Ma’am, what happened here exactly. And how can we help your
|
||||
grand daughter once we’ve reached Lua? We’re happy to take her
|
||||
and assist, but we must know how we can do that. I’d also like
|
||||
to file a report about the attack you suffered, even if you
|
||||
think you’re a forgone conclusion we can help others. And
|
||||
admittedly, I’m no doctor, but are you certain there’s nothing
|
||||
that can be done about this splitting sickness?”</p>
|
||||
<p>A faint static on the radio “Boss, don’t forget the
|
||||
cookies.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex sighs heavily, “my second in command would like to
|
||||
know if you have any cookies as well. He’s convinced helping
|
||||
little old ladies in space somehow nets you home baked
|
||||
cookies.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky gives the crew a quick sidelong glance, then shrugs
|
||||
internally and hops lightly onto the derelict ship after
|
||||
Master Alex. They follow behind at a short clip,
|
||||
half-registering the captain’s voice in conversation with the
|
||||
old lady and hiding a smile at the mention of cookies over the
|
||||
radio. Angry agents or not, at least someone has got their
|
||||
priorities straight.</p>
|
||||
<p>From their position behind and to one side of the captain,
|
||||
they surreptitiously run a scan on the woman for further
|
||||
injuries with a portable infrared sensor, with particular
|
||||
attention to the crack at her scalp. They listen to the old
|
||||
lady’s breathing, as well as for any sounds aboard the ship
|
||||
while the instrument takes measurements of vital signs under
|
||||
the woman’s skin, including temperature, oxygen levels and
|
||||
presence of scar tissue.</p>
|
||||
<!-- GM: what, if anything, do the measurements reveal about the
|
||||
nature and progression of the old lady's Splitting Sickness? -->
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The old woman slowly shuffles away, back out to the
|
||||
battle-torn main deck, clicking and muttering to herself.
|
||||
“There is a grain that grows in the dusty red soil of Lua,”
|
||||
she explains. “Its fruit can be processed and ground into a
|
||||
paste that hopefully will halt and even reverse my
|
||||
granddaughter’s mysterious ailment.”</p>
|
||||
<p>As she talks, Inky surreptitiously runs a scan on the woman
|
||||
for further injuries. She is wasting away, suffering from
|
||||
advanced stages of Splitting Sickness. Her organs have begun
|
||||
to turn to pulp and are rapidly failing. Her swollen heart
|
||||
beats irregularly. A thick puckered seam runs along its
|
||||
length, threatening to burst at any moment. It will be the end
|
||||
of her if the crack in her skull doesn’t split open first.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s genetic. Her sickness, I mean. At least, it’s
|
||||
hereditary. That is, her mother died of it. Poor thing.” She
|
||||
babbles away as she pokes at the rubble on the deck with shaky
|
||||
hands. “I keep her asleep in the suspension unit so it doesn’t
|
||||
advance any further.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Ha! Here we are,” she rasps, a lopsided grin scattered
|
||||
across her broken face. She jerkily hauls a metallic cube from
|
||||
behind a pile of rubble out onto the deck. She opens a panel
|
||||
on its side and pulls out a tray of slightly undercooked
|
||||
cookies. A solar oven. “Here you go, dearie.” The tray
|
||||
trembles in her grasp as she holds it out to you.</p>
|
||||
<p>You hear gunfire coming from your own ship. You spin around
|
||||
to look. Marvelo has fired two signal flares up and away from
|
||||
the ship. The arc of the flares draw your eyes to the Tears of
|
||||
Selene in the distance.</p>
|
||||
<p>The carcass of an enormous space whale drifts forward from
|
||||
the asteroid field. It’s a gruesome ship. A starsail cobbled
|
||||
together from the bones of dead space whales, sloppily painted
|
||||
with faded, patchy red and white stripes. Scrap and salvage
|
||||
and odd rusted pieces of metal adorn its sides along with
|
||||
humanoid and bestial remains.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh no,” croaks the old woman. “Oh no, they’re back. No no
|
||||
no no no.”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>76</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">76 - Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38
|
||||
-0600</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38 -0600</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00076">00076</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>As the ship grew closer and the derelict became more clear
|
||||
Alex gripped the side of the ship. He could see the woman in
|
||||
the window through his telescope, but wasn’t sure what to make
|
||||
of the situation. He assembled the members of the team to the
|
||||
deck to discuss further.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s clear that the ship is adrift. We should probably
|
||||
attempt to help.” Alex stated matter of factly. “However
|
||||
Marvelo has confided in me his strongest suggestions that we
|
||||
not take the risk. We have a clear goal. And the life of this
|
||||
one woman isn’t work much in the scheme of things. The world
|
||||
is at risk.” Alex sighs, “He may unfortunately have a point,
|
||||
but I believe we that if we choose to stare into the abyss and
|
||||
make such a choice we become the monsters we struggle against.
|
||||
And we always have a short.” Alex’s eyes dart to Inky, the
|
||||
seem sad, ashamed. A fleeting statement of understanding is
|
||||
exchanged between the two.</p>
|
||||
<p>“I say we go, but with caution. If anyone wishes to join
|
||||
me, they may do so. We need someone to remain with the ship to
|
||||
guard it. Marvelo is still not up to excursions, but he’s a
|
||||
crack shot with a blaster and has agreed to watch from atop
|
||||
deck. Lee I need you on the deck gun and look out. Should
|
||||
anything come towards us while we explore the derelict, you
|
||||
have explicit permission to send them to hell. Use your
|
||||
judgement.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“I’ve done some reconnaisance on the ship already, we can
|
||||
at least go in knowing something about what we face. However
|
||||
anyone who comes needs to come armed, with medical assets, and
|
||||
spare oxygen. We need enough equipment to get in, face the
|
||||
unknown, and save this poor woman’s life.”</p>
|
||||
<p>(DM: Do I notice anything about the derelict upon
|
||||
inspecting it with a telescope? Signs of attacks? Further what
|
||||
do scans reveal about the derelict and the area around
|
||||
it?)</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky offers the ship’s captain a small encouraging smile
|
||||
when he looks over in their direction but otherwise remains
|
||||
silent during the briefing. The unspoken agreement was that no
|
||||
one was going to let their captain go in on his own despite
|
||||
any individual misgivings on the matter, Fair One’s chosen or
|
||||
not. The only question is who would accompany him. This
|
||||
presents three problems.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #1: Inky’s packs and pod were already prepared
|
||||
before the rumbles overhead about a starsail sighting sounded
|
||||
while they were checking on the salt batteries and compost
|
||||
tea. It would be a pity to not test the equipment before the
|
||||
mission landing. Get more distance out of that deep
|
||||
discount.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #2: his uncle would have Inky’s fireball-roasted
|
||||
head on a platter if he found out Inky was enjoying a freshly
|
||||
harvested watercress salad back on the ship while his nephew
|
||||
faced great peril at the hands of an evil old lady.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #3: the sysorcerer is the only obstacle between
|
||||
Inky and four very angry, heavily armed agents. He is trying
|
||||
hard to be a good captain and leader to them, that anyone
|
||||
could see. Better to be a mobile tea lackey than an immovable
|
||||
target practice lackey.</p>
|
||||
<p>To the sea dragon it is.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>You run a quick scan of the derelict starsail.</p>
|
||||
<p>It looks as though is has been heavily pierced and battered
|
||||
by artillery, boarded and looted, and left to drift. No doubt
|
||||
the work of some enterprising, opportunistic space
|
||||
pirates.</p>
|
||||
<p>The ship is broadcasting a weak SOS signal running a loop,
|
||||
but you pick up no other energy readings.</p>
|
||||
<p>There is a single lifeform reading on board. But you know
|
||||
from experience that such readings are notoriously unreliable
|
||||
in deep space where creatures of the vacuum often tread the
|
||||
thin line between life and death.</p>
|
||||
<p>You launch a jollyboat and cautiously approach the sea
|
||||
dragon. As your small craft enters its atmosphere, a putrid
|
||||
wind blows across you and its rank air fills your nostrils and
|
||||
lungs. The ship has been adrift for quite some time for its
|
||||
air to be this stale. Another short couple of weeks from now
|
||||
its air will become toxic to breathe.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you dock, the small woman rushes forward to greet you,
|
||||
hands flitting up and down like moths. Thin wisps of white
|
||||
hair peek around the edges of the shawl she has pulled up like
|
||||
a hood and wrapped around her shoulders. Her weathered taut
|
||||
skin gives her a gaunt, almost skeletal appearance. There is a
|
||||
painful looking crack running across her scalp, down her
|
||||
forehead, and over her face, splitting her features into two
|
||||
hemispheres. Her left eye is large and watery, and droops down
|
||||
her cheek like a runny egg yolk.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh thank you, thank you for stopping!” she wheezes in a
|
||||
raspy croak. “We were attacked by reavers and left to drift.
|
||||
We’ve been out here for weeks, and nobody would stop for us!
|
||||
Oh, we would have surely perished if you hadn’t come by!”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh, yes.” She notices you looking at her, and briefly
|
||||
attempts to hide her face behind a fluttering hand. “I have
|
||||
the Splitting Sickness, you see. It will be the end of me
|
||||
soon, I’m afraid. Nothing that can be done about it now.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“My granddaughter and I were on our way to Lua,” she
|
||||
continues, disappearing into the ship and beckoning you to
|
||||
follow. “Are you going that way by chance? I must deliver my
|
||||
granddaughter there. She is very sick, you see. And I believe
|
||||
the cure is to be found on the red moon.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The bridge is dark, save for the dim red glow of the floor
|
||||
lights and the strobing emergency lights. The old woman stops
|
||||
before a long glass box on a raised platform, inside which
|
||||
lies a young woman, eyes closed and still as death, as though
|
||||
deeply asleep.</p>
|
||||
<p>The old woman looks up at you, her cursed eye gleaming
|
||||
wetly and unblinking in the low light. “Will you help us?”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>74</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
|
|
@ -84,5 +293,169 @@
|
|||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
<item>
|
||||
<title>75</title>
|
||||
<author>dozens@tilde.team (dozens)</author>
|
||||
<guid isPermaLink="false">75 - Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:13
|
||||
-0600</guid>
|
||||
<pubDate>Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:14 -0600</pubDate>
|
||||
<description>
|
||||
<![CDATA[
|
||||
<h3 id="00075">00075</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>White blooms look on as Inky turns another page in the book
|
||||
they are reading, a purported bestseller luridly titled
|
||||
<em>The Secret Lives of Plants</em>. The olericulture guide
|
||||
before it had been more appealing, but it was something to do
|
||||
between meals and napping with an eye mask while holed up in
|
||||
the green room.</p>
|
||||
<p>While Confidence had been taking stock of provisions one
|
||||
night days before the ship’s departure, Inky had dropped in
|
||||
and not so covertly taken over a room with a higher ceiling
|
||||
near the cargo hold, beside an escape hatch. They brought in
|
||||
some grow lights the following evening and asked Confidence to
|
||||
help install them overhead after explaining their plan. Next,
|
||||
they loaded in some dwarf conifers and star magnolias in
|
||||
wheeled containers with weight compression. A nutrient
|
||||
solution pump connected to a timer and long hoses periodically
|
||||
watered and fed the trees. Near the door was an air filter,
|
||||
another useful item from the Wandering Bazaar. It monitored
|
||||
air quality and composition, and could extract various common
|
||||
gases from multiple inputs and pipe them to attached storage
|
||||
tanks. There were two tanks outside the room that were hooked
|
||||
up to the filter: a smaller one for excess carbon dioxide
|
||||
drawn from the atmosphere that can be released slowly in tiny
|
||||
concentrations back into the green room for the trees to
|
||||
absorb (or injected into water with a carbonator for fizzy
|
||||
drinks), and a larger one for extra oxygen produced by the
|
||||
trees and held in reserve. There was also another tank and an
|
||||
unused combinator on board to recombine hydrogen and
|
||||
oxygen.</p>
|
||||
<p>When the rest of the crew take turns to sleep or patrol the
|
||||
rest of the ship, Inky steps within hearing distance of the
|
||||
starhelm and activates the energy barrier around it. The
|
||||
barrier also blocks off sounds to maximise the energy directed
|
||||
at the helm.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing back against a low wall enclosure, Inky begins to
|
||||
play on their violetti, channelling emotions through the
|
||||
lilting notes. The instrument itself was a bespoke affair, an
|
||||
early Yule indulgence years ago, and Inky had conferred at
|
||||
length with the luthier on their requirements and core design.
|
||||
In appearance it closely resembles a smaller, lighter violin
|
||||
while being an octave higher than most violins, making it a
|
||||
great accompaniment to a flute or piccolo in birdsong.
|
||||
However, instead of a mechanical nightingale solo, they feed
|
||||
the helm a selection of nursery ditties — falling bridges,
|
||||
black sheep, blind mice and the like. Sliding a few bars of
|
||||
Bubbytabbies at intervals for best measure. Nya nya.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex didn’t mind the travel, in fact, he enjoyed the
|
||||
cramped confines of his quarters. The limited world of their
|
||||
space ship a bubble, something he could control, and protect
|
||||
from the chaos that surrounded him. It was no different than
|
||||
the sailing he did planet side, something he had been fond of
|
||||
and his uncle had chided him for being so passionate about.
|
||||
Corraidhin would always titter on about Alex’s studies, and
|
||||
then he’d sneak off and sail out under the stars with Marvelo,
|
||||
and his uncle wouldn’t see hide or hair of him for a handful
|
||||
of nights.</p>
|
||||
<p>“If only you could see me now Uncle” Alex muttered as he
|
||||
sat behind a large leather bound chair in front of a large
|
||||
ornate desk strewn with star charts, and books on everything
|
||||
ranging from divination, to history, navigation, to munition
|
||||
manufacturing. Some of the titles were unsurprising “Starhelms
|
||||
& You: A Guide to Starhelm maintenance”, “The Big Bang:
|
||||
Everything Delightful About Explosives”, but others were
|
||||
peculiar for Alex “Palmistry for Dummies”, “Superstitions DO
|
||||
Exist, and you’re NOT Paranoid!”, “Ancient Gods and Goddess of
|
||||
Basementaria”.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex pushed the books, and loose notes, and maps away from
|
||||
him and placed his cup of coffee in their place. Cold, again.
|
||||
He stared into the dark depths of his favored drink, forlorn.
|
||||
He sighed, and made a gesture, and a small stag drone
|
||||
dislodged itself from amongst the papers and books and latched
|
||||
itself onto the coffee mug, warming it. “Thanks again” Alex
|
||||
muttered “What is this? Sixth time this cup?” he shook his
|
||||
head. He couldn’t focus.</p>
|
||||
<p>Since they started this trip he’d spent more and more time
|
||||
brooding over these books he’d collected before their
|
||||
departure, barely saying a word to Marv or the others even.
|
||||
The only one he seemed to communicate with on any sort of
|
||||
cadence was Inky. They never forgot to bring a cup of warming
|
||||
tea, floral and fruit notes, to stave off scurvy they’d
|
||||
said.</p>
|
||||
<p>“That does it!” Alex said to the room at large as he
|
||||
stands, and strides to the door of the cabin. He strides out
|
||||
into the star light, noting the crew has taken note of his
|
||||
sudden appearance. “At Ease!” he barks, and marches up to the
|
||||
starhelm and sits before it.</p>
|
||||
<p>The explitives come swift and fast. If it weren’t for the
|
||||
emotion reflector the crew and everyone in the galaxy would
|
||||
think rather poorly of Alex, but it felt good. “Neddas you son
|
||||
of a bitch, you and your cursed crystals, and all these snakes
|
||||
slithering around waiting to strike! Light burn each and every
|
||||
one of them!” and once Alex had let his anger burn, the tears
|
||||
came, strong and unrelenting. “I don’t know what to do uncle,
|
||||
you’re within grasp, but I don’t know how to help, or where to
|
||||
go.” and so it went, Alex wept until there were no more tears
|
||||
to weep, and the letter Inky had relayed from his uncle bore
|
||||
an unmistakable tear sodden rumpled look.</p>
|
||||
<p>When it was over, Alex rose, solemn and calm and meandered
|
||||
across the deck to the bowsprite to take in the empty uncaring
|
||||
void before him.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The atmosphere of most starsails only last a couple weeks
|
||||
before the recycled air starts to get stale, and then noxious,
|
||||
and finally unbreathable. Consequently they often have to
|
||||
‘refuel’ at planets and moons with breathable air whenever
|
||||
they pass by.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky’s ship garden however has been keeping your air fresh
|
||||
and self-replenishing over the last couple of days. The crew
|
||||
are consequently well oxygenated, have been sleeping well, and
|
||||
lack the fatigue that most starsailors experience at this
|
||||
point in their journey.</p>
|
||||
<p>A pair of space gulls have apparently decided to hitch a
|
||||
ride on your ship, and can be found roosting on the mizzen
|
||||
mast when not hunting for space guppies. They have tried on
|
||||
occasion to steal food from some of the crew, with little
|
||||
consequence but an exasperated shooing away: space gulls are
|
||||
considered good luck, and they are never in any real danger
|
||||
from the crew.</p>
|
||||
<p>Keeping the starhelm well fed with various sundry emotions,
|
||||
you make good time, and are soon approaching the orbit of the
|
||||
green moon Selene. The moon itself is well out of the way, but
|
||||
your current path will take you through the Tears of Selene, a
|
||||
large asteroid cluster that trails along and fans out behind
|
||||
Selene as the moon orbits the planet. From the surface of the
|
||||
planet, it looks like a wide comet’s tail made of stars of
|
||||
various sizes. From here, it looks like a sea of asteroids of
|
||||
different shapes and sizes.</p>
|
||||
<p>There are a couple of asteroids in the Tears large enough
|
||||
to support permanent life. Pirate outposts, mostly. Or other
|
||||
parties looking to escape the law—or someone or something
|
||||
else—for one reason or another.</p>
|
||||
<p>You slow the ship down well below cruising speed to
|
||||
carefully navigate the Tears. You spot the fabled and
|
||||
notorious Rock of Brawl in the distance, a sprawling
|
||||
cosmopolitan city ruled by Scarlet Darling the Pirate King. It
|
||||
covers every inch of both the top and bottom of a large, flat
|
||||
asteroid at the center of the cluster.</p>
|
||||
<p>Cautiously you eventually emerge on the other side of the
|
||||
Tears. You see a derelict starsail adrift on the other side of
|
||||
the asteroids. It is in the shape of a seahorse with a tucked
|
||||
head, a crest fanning from the top of its head down its back,
|
||||
and a long tail tightly curled toward its front. It lists to
|
||||
the side and drifts seemingly without power, except for some
|
||||
strobing emergency lights behind the seahorse’s eyes,
|
||||
signaling distress.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you sail closer, you see what looks like a little old
|
||||
woman in a cloak and shawl on the helm waving and trying to
|
||||
hail you.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
|
||||
]]>
|
||||
</description>
|
||||
</item>
|
||||
</channel>
|
||||
</rss>
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
@ -7,9 +7,6 @@
|
|||
<title>BASEMENT QUEST</title>
|
||||
<style>
|
||||
html {
|
||||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||||
font-family: Georgia, serif;
|
||||
font-size: 20px;
|
||||
color: #1a1a1a;
|
||||
background-color: #fdfdfd;
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
|
@ -28,13 +25,16 @@
|
|||
@media (max-width: 600px) {
|
||||
body {
|
||||
font-size: 0.9em;
|
||||
padding: 1em;
|
||||
padding: 12px;
|
||||
}
|
||||
h1 {
|
||||
font-size: 1.8em;
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
@media print {
|
||||
html {
|
||||
background-color: white;
|
||||
}
|
||||
body {
|
||||
background-color: transparent;
|
||||
color: black;
|
||||
|
|
@ -84,9 +84,10 @@
|
|||
color: #606060;
|
||||
}
|
||||
code {
|
||||
font-family: Menlo, Monaco, 'Lucida Console', Consolas, monospace;
|
||||
font-family: Menlo, Monaco, Consolas, 'Lucida Console', monospace;
|
||||
font-size: 85%;
|
||||
margin: 0;
|
||||
hyphens: manual;
|
||||
}
|
||||
pre {
|
||||
margin: 1em 0;
|
||||
|
|
@ -157,6 +158,8 @@
|
|||
margin: 0 0.8em 0.2em -1.6em;
|
||||
vertical-align: middle;
|
||||
}
|
||||
.display.math{display: block; text-align: center; margin: 0.5rem auto;}
|
||||
/* CSS for syntax highlighting */
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode { white-space: pre; position: relative; }
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode > span { display: inline-block; line-height: 1.25; }
|
||||
pre > code.sourceCode > span:empty { height: 1.2em; }
|
||||
|
|
@ -220,7 +223,6 @@
|
|||
code span.va { color: #19177c; } /* Variable */
|
||||
code span.vs { color: #4070a0; } /* VerbatimString */
|
||||
code span.wa { color: #60a0b0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } /* Warning */
|
||||
.display.math{display: block; text-align: center; margin: 0.5rem auto;}
|
||||
</style>
|
||||
<style>
|
||||
@media only screen and (min-width: 1200px) {
|
||||
|
|
@ -230,6 +232,13 @@
|
|||
left: 2rem;
|
||||
}
|
||||
}
|
||||
html {
|
||||
line-height: 1.5;
|
||||
font-family: Georgia, serif;
|
||||
font-size: 20px;
|
||||
color: #1a1a1a;
|
||||
background-color: #fdfdfd;
|
||||
}
|
||||
body {
|
||||
padding-top: 0;
|
||||
}
|
||||
|
|
@ -283,6 +292,9 @@
|
|||
<li><a href="#current-story" id="toc-current-story">Current Story</a>
|
||||
<ul>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00074" id="toc-00074">00074</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00075" id="toc-00075">00075</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00076" id="toc-00076">00076</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#00077" id="toc-00077">00077</a></li>
|
||||
</ul></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#spoilers" id="toc-spoilers">Spoilers</a></li>
|
||||
<li><a href="#acknowledgements"
|
||||
|
|
@ -358,11 +370,11 @@ into the <a href="#current-story">current story arc</a>.</p>
|
|||
you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to
|
||||
the rss feed</a>.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
|
||||
<p>Total length: 99274 words / 424 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
<p>Total length: 102362 words / 437 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the
|
||||
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
|
||||
just the story.)</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 260 messages posted over 252 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
|
||||
<p>There have been 271 messages posted over 370 days since the first
|
||||
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .73.</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2>
|
||||
<p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a
|
||||
|
|
@ -4512,21 +4524,21 @@ done too quickly, and he’s all too aware of the danger he’s put himself
|
|||
in. “What would Corraidhin do..” Alex thinks to himself, “perhaps a
|
||||
spell?”.</p>
|
||||
<div class="sourceCode" id="cb26"><pre
|
||||
class="sourceCode lua"><code class="sourceCode lua"><span id="cb26-1"><a href="#cb26-1" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> target<span class="op">:</span>new<span class="op">(</span>obj<span class="op">,</span> tbl<span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-2"><a href="#cb26-2" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> obj <span class="op">=</span> obj <span class="kw">or</span> <span class="op">{}</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-3"><a href="#cb26-3" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="fu">setmetatable</span><span class="op">(</span>obj<span class="op">,</span> self<span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-4"><a href="#cb26-4" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span><span class="cn">__</span>index <span class="op">=</span> self</span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-5"><a href="#cb26-5" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-6"><a href="#cb26-6" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>y <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-7"><a href="#cb26-7" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-8"><a href="#cb26-8" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> reutrn obj</span>
|
||||
class="sourceCode lua"><code class="sourceCode lua"><span id="cb26-1"><a href="#cb26-1" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> <span class="va">target</span><span class="op">:</span>new<span class="op">(</span><span class="va">obj</span><span class="op">,</span> <span class="va">tbl</span><span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-2"><a href="#cb26-2" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">obj</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="va">obj</span> <span class="kw">or</span> <span class="op">{}</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-3"><a href="#cb26-3" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="fu">setmetatable</span><span class="op">(</span><span class="va">obj</span><span class="op">,</span> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">)</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-4"><a href="#cb26-4" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="cn">__</span><span class="va">index</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="va">self</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-5"><a href="#cb26-5" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">x</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-6"><a href="#cb26-6" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">y</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-7"><a href="#cb26-7" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">speed</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-8"><a href="#cb26-8" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">reutrn</span> <span class="va">obj</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-9"><a href="#cb26-9" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">end</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-10"><a href="#cb26-10" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-11"><a href="#cb26-11" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> target<span class="op">:</span>yeet<span class="op">()</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-12"><a href="#cb26-12" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-13"><a href="#cb26-13" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>y <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-14"><a href="#cb26-14" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-15"><a href="#cb26-15" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="cf">return</span> self</span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-11"><a href="#cb26-11" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">function</span> <span class="va">target</span><span class="op">:</span>yeet<span class="op">()</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-12"><a href="#cb26-12" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">x</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-13"><a href="#cb26-13" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">y</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-14"><a href="#cb26-14" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="va">self</span><span class="op">.</span><span class="va">speed</span> <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-15"><a href="#cb26-15" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a> <span class="cf">return</span> <span class="va">self</span></span>
|
||||
<span id="cb26-16"><a href="#cb26-16" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"></a><span class="kw">end</span></span></code></pre></div>
|
||||
<p>After preparing the spell Alex makes his way towards the guard rail
|
||||
ready to cut the mooring and zip lines, spell at the ready should an
|
||||
|
|
@ -8457,6 +8469,300 @@ scoop up a quick meal.</p>
|
|||
<p>You have a couple day’s of travel ahead of you, and the very
|
||||
non-empty void of space on all sides of you.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00075">00075</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>White blooms look on as Inky turns another page in the book they are
|
||||
reading, a purported bestseller luridly titled <em>The Secret Lives of
|
||||
Plants</em>. The olericulture guide before it had been more appealing,
|
||||
but it was something to do between meals and napping with an eye mask
|
||||
while holed up in the green room.</p>
|
||||
<p>While Confidence had been taking stock of provisions one night days
|
||||
before the ship’s departure, Inky had dropped in and not so covertly
|
||||
taken over a room with a higher ceiling near the cargo hold, beside an
|
||||
escape hatch. They brought in some grow lights the following evening and
|
||||
asked Confidence to help install them overhead after explaining their
|
||||
plan. Next, they loaded in some dwarf conifers and star magnolias in
|
||||
wheeled containers with weight compression. A nutrient solution pump
|
||||
connected to a timer and long hoses periodically watered and fed the
|
||||
trees. Near the door was an air filter, another useful item from the
|
||||
Wandering Bazaar. It monitored air quality and composition, and could
|
||||
extract various common gases from multiple inputs and pipe them to
|
||||
attached storage tanks. There were two tanks outside the room that were
|
||||
hooked up to the filter: a smaller one for excess carbon dioxide drawn
|
||||
from the atmosphere that can be released slowly in tiny concentrations
|
||||
back into the green room for the trees to absorb (or injected into water
|
||||
with a carbonator for fizzy drinks), and a larger one for extra oxygen
|
||||
produced by the trees and held in reserve. There was also another tank
|
||||
and an unused combinator on board to recombine hydrogen and oxygen.</p>
|
||||
<p>When the rest of the crew take turns to sleep or patrol the rest of
|
||||
the ship, Inky steps within hearing distance of the starhelm and
|
||||
activates the energy barrier around it. The barrier also blocks off
|
||||
sounds to maximise the energy directed at the helm.</p>
|
||||
<p>Standing back against a low wall enclosure, Inky begins to play on
|
||||
their violetti, channelling emotions through the lilting notes. The
|
||||
instrument itself was a bespoke affair, an early Yule indulgence years
|
||||
ago, and Inky had conferred at length with the luthier on their
|
||||
requirements and core design. In appearance it closely resembles a
|
||||
smaller, lighter violin while being an octave higher than most violins,
|
||||
making it a great accompaniment to a flute or piccolo in birdsong.
|
||||
However, instead of a mechanical nightingale solo, they feed the helm a
|
||||
selection of nursery ditties — falling bridges, black sheep, blind mice
|
||||
and the like. Sliding a few bars of Bubbytabbies at intervals for best
|
||||
measure. Nya nya.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex didn’t mind the travel, in fact, he enjoyed the cramped confines
|
||||
of his quarters. The limited world of their space ship a bubble,
|
||||
something he could control, and protect from the chaos that surrounded
|
||||
him. It was no different than the sailing he did planet side, something
|
||||
he had been fond of and his uncle had chided him for being so passionate
|
||||
about. Corraidhin would always titter on about Alex’s studies, and then
|
||||
he’d sneak off and sail out under the stars with Marvelo, and his uncle
|
||||
wouldn’t see hide or hair of him for a handful of nights.</p>
|
||||
<p>“If only you could see me now Uncle” Alex muttered as he sat behind a
|
||||
large leather bound chair in front of a large ornate desk strewn with
|
||||
star charts, and books on everything ranging from divination, to
|
||||
history, navigation, to munition manufacturing. Some of the titles were
|
||||
unsurprising “Starhelms & You: A Guide to Starhelm maintenance”,
|
||||
“The Big Bang: Everything Delightful About Explosives”, but others were
|
||||
peculiar for Alex “Palmistry for Dummies”, “Superstitions DO Exist, and
|
||||
you’re NOT Paranoid!”, “Ancient Gods and Goddess of Basementaria”.</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex pushed the books, and loose notes, and maps away from him and
|
||||
placed his cup of coffee in their place. Cold, again. He stared into the
|
||||
dark depths of his favored drink, forlorn. He sighed, and made a
|
||||
gesture, and a small stag drone dislodged itself from amongst the papers
|
||||
and books and latched itself onto the coffee mug, warming it. “Thanks
|
||||
again” Alex muttered “What is this? Sixth time this cup?” he shook his
|
||||
head. He couldn’t focus.</p>
|
||||
<p>Since they started this trip he’d spent more and more time brooding
|
||||
over these books he’d collected before their departure, barely saying a
|
||||
word to Marv or the others even. The only one he seemed to communicate
|
||||
with on any sort of cadence was Inky. They never forgot to bring a cup
|
||||
of warming tea, floral and fruit notes, to stave off scurvy they’d
|
||||
said.</p>
|
||||
<p>“That does it!” Alex said to the room at large as he stands, and
|
||||
strides to the door of the cabin. He strides out into the star light,
|
||||
noting the crew has taken note of his sudden appearance. “At Ease!” he
|
||||
barks, and marches up to the starhelm and sits before it.</p>
|
||||
<p>The explitives come swift and fast. If it weren’t for the emotion
|
||||
reflector the crew and everyone in the galaxy would think rather poorly
|
||||
of Alex, but it felt good. “Neddas you son of a bitch, you and your
|
||||
cursed crystals, and all these snakes slithering around waiting to
|
||||
strike! Light burn each and every one of them!” and once Alex had let
|
||||
his anger burn, the tears came, strong and unrelenting. “I don’t know
|
||||
what to do uncle, you’re within grasp, but I don’t know how to help, or
|
||||
where to go.” and so it went, Alex wept until there were no more tears
|
||||
to weep, and the letter Inky had relayed from his uncle bore an
|
||||
unmistakable tear sodden rumpled look.</p>
|
||||
<p>When it was over, Alex rose, solemn and calm and meandered across the
|
||||
deck to the bowsprite to take in the empty uncaring void before him.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The atmosphere of most starsails only last a couple weeks before the
|
||||
recycled air starts to get stale, and then noxious, and finally
|
||||
unbreathable. Consequently they often have to ‘refuel’ at planets and
|
||||
moons with breathable air whenever they pass by.</p>
|
||||
<p>Inky’s ship garden however has been keeping your air fresh and
|
||||
self-replenishing over the last couple of days. The crew are
|
||||
consequently well oxygenated, have been sleeping well, and lack the
|
||||
fatigue that most starsailors experience at this point in their
|
||||
journey.</p>
|
||||
<p>A pair of space gulls have apparently decided to hitch a ride on your
|
||||
ship, and can be found roosting on the mizzen mast when not hunting for
|
||||
space guppies. They have tried on occasion to steal food from some of
|
||||
the crew, with little consequence but an exasperated shooing away: space
|
||||
gulls are considered good luck, and they are never in any real danger
|
||||
from the crew.</p>
|
||||
<p>Keeping the starhelm well fed with various sundry emotions, you make
|
||||
good time, and are soon approaching the orbit of the green moon Selene.
|
||||
The moon itself is well out of the way, but your current path will take
|
||||
you through the Tears of Selene, a large asteroid cluster that trails
|
||||
along and fans out behind Selene as the moon orbits the planet. From the
|
||||
surface of the planet, it looks like a wide comet’s tail made of stars
|
||||
of various sizes. From here, it looks like a sea of asteroids of
|
||||
different shapes and sizes.</p>
|
||||
<p>There are a couple of asteroids in the Tears large enough to support
|
||||
permanent life. Pirate outposts, mostly. Or other parties looking to
|
||||
escape the law—or someone or something else—for one reason or
|
||||
another.</p>
|
||||
<p>You slow the ship down well below cruising speed to carefully
|
||||
navigate the Tears. You spot the fabled and notorious Rock of Brawl in
|
||||
the distance, a sprawling cosmopolitan city ruled by Scarlet Darling the
|
||||
Pirate King. It covers every inch of both the top and bottom of a large,
|
||||
flat asteroid at the center of the cluster.</p>
|
||||
<p>Cautiously you eventually emerge on the other side of the Tears. You
|
||||
see a derelict starsail adrift on the other side of the asteroids. It is
|
||||
in the shape of a seahorse with a tucked head, a crest fanning from the
|
||||
top of its head down its back, and a long tail tightly curled toward its
|
||||
front. It lists to the side and drifts seemingly without power, except
|
||||
for some strobing emergency lights behind the seahorse’s eyes, signaling
|
||||
distress.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you sail closer, you see what looks like a little old woman in a
|
||||
cloak and shawl on the helm waving and trying to hail you.</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00076">00076</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>As the ship grew closer and the derelict became more clear Alex
|
||||
gripped the side of the ship. He could see the woman in the window
|
||||
through his telescope, but wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. He
|
||||
assembled the members of the team to the deck to discuss further.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s clear that the ship is adrift. We should probably attempt to
|
||||
help.” Alex stated matter of factly. “However Marvelo has confided in me
|
||||
his strongest suggestions that we not take the risk. We have a clear
|
||||
goal. And the life of this one woman isn’t work much in the scheme of
|
||||
things. The world is at risk.” Alex sighs, “He may unfortunately have a
|
||||
point, but I believe we that if we choose to stare into the abyss and
|
||||
make such a choice we become the monsters we struggle against. And we
|
||||
always have a short.” Alex’s eyes dart to Inky, the seem sad, ashamed. A
|
||||
fleeting statement of understanding is exchanged between the two.</p>
|
||||
<p>“I say we go, but with caution. If anyone wishes to join me, they may
|
||||
do so. We need someone to remain with the ship to guard it. Marvelo is
|
||||
still not up to excursions, but he’s a crack shot with a blaster and has
|
||||
agreed to watch from atop deck. Lee I need you on the deck gun and look
|
||||
out. Should anything come towards us while we explore the derelict, you
|
||||
have explicit permission to send them to hell. Use your judgement.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“I’ve done some reconnaisance on the ship already, we can at least go
|
||||
in knowing something about what we face. However anyone who comes needs
|
||||
to come armed, with medical assets, and spare oxygen. We need enough
|
||||
equipment to get in, face the unknown, and save this poor woman’s
|
||||
life.”</p>
|
||||
<p>(DM: Do I notice anything about the derelict upon inspecting it with
|
||||
a telescope? Signs of attacks? Further what do scans reveal about the
|
||||
derelict and the area around it?)</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky offers the ship’s captain a small encouraging smile when he
|
||||
looks over in their direction but otherwise remains silent during the
|
||||
briefing. The unspoken agreement was that no one was going to let their
|
||||
captain go in on his own despite any individual misgivings on the
|
||||
matter, Fair One’s chosen or not. The only question is who would
|
||||
accompany him. This presents three problems.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #1: Inky’s packs and pod were already prepared before the
|
||||
rumbles overhead about a starsail sighting sounded while they were
|
||||
checking on the salt batteries and compost tea. It would be a pity to
|
||||
not test the equipment before the mission landing. Get more distance out
|
||||
of that deep discount.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #2: his uncle would have Inky’s fireball-roasted head on a
|
||||
platter if he found out Inky was enjoying a freshly harvested watercress
|
||||
salad back on the ship while his nephew faced great peril at the hands
|
||||
of an evil old lady.</p>
|
||||
<p>Problem #3: the sysorcerer is the only obstacle between Inky and four
|
||||
very angry, heavily armed agents. He is trying hard to be a good captain
|
||||
and leader to them, that anyone could see. Better to be a mobile tea
|
||||
lackey than an immovable target practice lackey.</p>
|
||||
<p>To the sea dragon it is.</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>You run a quick scan of the derelict starsail.</p>
|
||||
<p>It looks as though is has been heavily pierced and battered by
|
||||
artillery, boarded and looted, and left to drift. No doubt the work of
|
||||
some enterprising, opportunistic space pirates.</p>
|
||||
<p>The ship is broadcasting a weak SOS signal running a loop, but you
|
||||
pick up no other energy readings.</p>
|
||||
<p>There is a single lifeform reading on board. But you know from
|
||||
experience that such readings are notoriously unreliable in deep space
|
||||
where creatures of the vacuum often tread the thin line between life and
|
||||
death.</p>
|
||||
<p>You launch a jollyboat and cautiously approach the sea dragon. As
|
||||
your small craft enters its atmosphere, a putrid wind blows across you
|
||||
and its rank air fills your nostrils and lungs. The ship has been adrift
|
||||
for quite some time for its air to be this stale. Another short couple
|
||||
of weeks from now its air will become toxic to breathe.</p>
|
||||
<p>As you dock, the small woman rushes forward to greet you, hands
|
||||
flitting up and down like moths. Thin wisps of white hair peek around
|
||||
the edges of the shawl she has pulled up like a hood and wrapped around
|
||||
her shoulders. Her weathered taut skin gives her a gaunt, almost
|
||||
skeletal appearance. There is a painful looking crack running across her
|
||||
scalp, down her forehead, and over her face, splitting her features into
|
||||
two hemispheres. Her left eye is large and watery, and droops down her
|
||||
cheek like a runny egg yolk.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh thank you, thank you for stopping!” she wheezes in a raspy croak.
|
||||
“We were attacked by reavers and left to drift. We’ve been out here for
|
||||
weeks, and nobody would stop for us! Oh, we would have surely perished
|
||||
if you hadn’t come by!”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh, yes.” She notices you looking at her, and briefly attempts to
|
||||
hide her face behind a fluttering hand. “I have the Splitting Sickness,
|
||||
you see. It will be the end of me soon, I’m afraid. Nothing that can be
|
||||
done about it now.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“My granddaughter and I were on our way to Lua,” she continues,
|
||||
disappearing into the ship and beckoning you to follow. “Are you going
|
||||
that way by chance? I must deliver my granddaughter there. She is very
|
||||
sick, you see. And I believe the cure is to be found on the red
|
||||
moon.”</p>
|
||||
<p>The bridge is dark, save for the dim red glow of the floor lights and
|
||||
the strobing emergency lights. The old woman stops before a long glass
|
||||
box on a raised platform, inside which lies a young woman, eyes closed
|
||||
and still as death, as though deeply asleep.</p>
|
||||
<p>The old woman looks up at you, her cursed eye gleaming wetly and
|
||||
unblinking in the low light. “Will you help us?”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h3 id="00077">00077</h3>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Alex stands in the airlock watching the woman retreat. He briefly
|
||||
gestures to the crew to hold their position while he grips his weapon.
|
||||
“I’ll be just a moment everyone. You know what to do”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex steps into the ship and begins to follow the woman. “Ma’am, what
|
||||
happened here exactly. And how can we help your grand daughter once
|
||||
we’ve reached Lua? We’re happy to take her and assist, but we must know
|
||||
how we can do that. I’d also like to file a report about the attack you
|
||||
suffered, even if you think you’re a forgone conclusion we can help
|
||||
others. And admittedly, I’m no doctor, but are you certain there’s
|
||||
nothing that can be done about this splitting sickness?”</p>
|
||||
<p>A faint static on the radio “Boss, don’t forget the cookies.”</p>
|
||||
<p>Alex sighs heavily, “my second in command would like to know if you
|
||||
have any cookies as well. He’s convinced helping little old ladies in
|
||||
space somehow nets you home baked cookies.”</p>
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>~</p>
|
||||
<blockquote>
|
||||
<p>Inky gives the crew a quick sidelong glance, then shrugs internally
|
||||
and hops lightly onto the derelict ship after Master Alex. They follow
|
||||
behind at a short clip, half-registering the captain’s voice in
|
||||
conversation with the old lady and hiding a smile at the mention of
|
||||
cookies over the radio. Angry agents or not, at least someone has got
|
||||
their priorities straight.</p>
|
||||
<p>From their position behind and to one side of the captain, they
|
||||
surreptitiously run a scan on the woman for further injuries with a
|
||||
portable infrared sensor, with particular attention to the crack at her
|
||||
scalp. They listen to the old lady’s breathing, as well as for any
|
||||
sounds aboard the ship while the instrument takes measurements of vital
|
||||
signs under the woman’s skin, including temperature, oxygen levels and
|
||||
presence of scar tissue.</p>
|
||||
<!-- GM: what, if anything, do the measurements reveal about the
|
||||
nature and progression of the old lady's Splitting Sickness? -->
|
||||
</blockquote>
|
||||
<p>The old woman slowly shuffles away, back out to the battle-torn main
|
||||
deck, clicking and muttering to herself. “There is a grain that grows in
|
||||
the dusty red soil of Lua,” she explains. “Its fruit can be processed
|
||||
and ground into a paste that hopefully will halt and even reverse my
|
||||
granddaughter’s mysterious ailment.”</p>
|
||||
<p>As she talks, Inky surreptitiously runs a scan on the woman for
|
||||
further injuries. She is wasting away, suffering from advanced stages of
|
||||
Splitting Sickness. Her organs have begun to turn to pulp and are
|
||||
rapidly failing. Her swollen heart beats irregularly. A thick puckered
|
||||
seam runs along its length, threatening to burst at any moment. It will
|
||||
be the end of her if the crack in her skull doesn’t split open
|
||||
first.</p>
|
||||
<p>“It’s genetic. Her sickness, I mean. At least, it’s hereditary. That
|
||||
is, her mother died of it. Poor thing.” She babbles away as she pokes at
|
||||
the rubble on the deck with shaky hands. “I keep her asleep in the
|
||||
suspension unit so it doesn’t advance any further.”</p>
|
||||
<p>“Ha! Here we are,” she rasps, a lopsided grin scattered across her
|
||||
broken face. She jerkily hauls a metallic cube from behind a pile of
|
||||
rubble out onto the deck. She opens a panel on its side and pulls out a
|
||||
tray of slightly undercooked cookies. A solar oven. “Here you go,
|
||||
dearie.” The tray trembles in her grasp as she holds it out to you.</p>
|
||||
<p>You hear gunfire coming from your own ship. You spin around to look.
|
||||
Marvelo has fired two signal flares up and away from the ship. The arc
|
||||
of the flares draw your eyes to the Tears of Selene in the distance.</p>
|
||||
<p>The carcass of an enormous space whale drifts forward from the
|
||||
asteroid field. It’s a gruesome ship. A starsail cobbled together from
|
||||
the bones of dead space whales, sloppily painted with faded, patchy red
|
||||
and white stripes. Scrap and salvage and odd rusted pieces of metal
|
||||
adorn its sides along with humanoid and bestial remains.</p>
|
||||
<p>“Oh no,” croaks the old woman. “Oh no, they’re back. No no no no
|
||||
no.”</p>
|
||||
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
|
||||
<h2 id="spoilers">Spoilers</h2>
|
||||
<details>
|
||||
<summary>
|
||||
|
|
@ -8464,66 +8770,63 @@ non-empty void of space on all sides of you.</p>
|
|||
</summary>
|
||||
<p><strong>THREADS</strong></p>
|
||||
<ul class="task-list">
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />scissormen, huskies</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin,
|
||||
Salvia ; Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Benefactor wants Crystals to
|
||||
kill a god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />BATT wants to preserve the
|
||||
timeline</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />kasutva, noodle
|
||||
head</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Felixe and
|
||||
Corraidhin, show up in the dreaming</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Golden Iris wants
|
||||
Crystals to make a new god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Gnu Zealots (aligned
|
||||
with Golden Iris) seek to open source godhood</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Blavin double agent
|
||||
with Golden Iris</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />dreamforms,</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />gliftwirp the
|
||||
warpwefter</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Ephermeris is
|
||||
Konsu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Sitopotnia has
|
||||
offered new corn-based bodies to the cyberplasm if they can deliver to
|
||||
her the Quintessence</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />scissormen, huskies</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin, Salvia ;
|
||||
Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Benefactor wants Crystals to kill a
|
||||
god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />BATT wants to preserve the timeline</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />kasutva, noodle head</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Felixe and Corraidhin, show up
|
||||
in the dreaming</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Golden Iris wants Crystals to
|
||||
make a new god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Gnu Zealots (aligned with Golden
|
||||
Iris) seek to open source godhood</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Blavin double agent with Golden
|
||||
Iris</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />dreamforms,</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />gliftwirp the warpwefter</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Ephermeris is Konsu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Sitopotnia has offered new
|
||||
corn-based bodies to the cyberplasm if they can deliver to her the
|
||||
Quintessence</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<p><strong>NAMES AND NPCS</strong></p>
|
||||
<p>Upcoming NPCs and/or monsters</p>
|
||||
<ul class="task-list">
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Hap-n-stance, moon rabbit: <a
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Hap-n-stance, moon rabbit: <a
|
||||
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_rabbit"
|
||||
class="uri">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_rabbit</a></li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />zai-ni (zine)</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />zeyeknee (zine)</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />standard ed</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />paladin of emacs</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />monks of vim</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />hinderbloke, gnu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />falterchap, gnu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Cyber Woman With Corn!
|
||||
(Sitopotnia?) – <a
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />zai-ni (zine)</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />zeyeknee (zine)</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />standard ed</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />paladin of emacs</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />monks of vim</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />hinderbloke, gnu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />falterchap, gnu</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Cyber Woman With Corn! (Sitopotnia?) – <a
|
||||
href="https://www.shutterstock.com/search/cyber-woman-with-corn"
|
||||
class="uri">https://www.shutterstock.com/search/cyber-woman-with-corn</a></li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />oracle - <a
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />oracle - <a
|
||||
href="https://lambdacreate.com/paste/midjourney.png"
|
||||
class="uri">https://lambdacreate.com/paste/midjourney.png</a></li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />corn smut? - <a
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />corn smut? - <a
|
||||
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_smut"
|
||||
class="uri">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corn_smut</a></li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Jorunna Parva, sea bunny time
|
||||
lord <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorunna_parva"
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Jorunna Parva, sea bunny time lord <a
|
||||
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorunna_parva"
|
||||
class="uri">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorunna_parva</a></li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />harrowkrake</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />time swallows: It is
|
||||
a common misconception that barn swallows are the most widespread
|
||||
species of swallow. That distinction belongs to the <em>time</em>
|
||||
swallow. Although—if you’re lucky—you’ll never actually see one.</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />gnu zealots</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />three fingered
|
||||
gerald</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Cocopita, Gourd Witch</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Calabazh, granddaughter of the
|
||||
Gourd Witch</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />harrowkrake</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />time swallows: It is a common
|
||||
misconception that barn swallows are the most widespread species of
|
||||
swallow. That distinction belongs to the <em>time</em> swallow.
|
||||
Although—if you’re lucky—you’ll never actually see one.</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />gnu zealots</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />three fingered gerald</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<p><strong>CRYSTALS</strong></p>
|
||||
<p>Each crystal has an associated <em>element</em>, a <em>location</em>
|
||||
|
|
@ -8575,29 +8878,28 @@ guardian and their minions.</p>
|
|||
<p><strong>IDEAS</strong></p>
|
||||
<p>todo:</p>
|
||||
<ul class="task-list">
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />mio’s (Inky’s) Handy Duffer
|
||||
Discette = HD Diskette = better stay away from magnets!!</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />tea omen: abacus, feather, wide
|
||||
building, lynx</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />MidJourney omen: priestly
|
||||
blood, demon</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />palindromes: taco cat, reward
|
||||
drawer, tin unit, lap pal, evil olive</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />The Benefactor is Nullar</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Nullar got tired of being a god
|
||||
and wanted to die, and Neddas agreed to help him. Shit went bad and
|
||||
turned Liandt to stone, and Nullar’s leg to stone. Now Nullar is trying
|
||||
to gather the Ginnarak crystals to assemble the <em>God Slayer</em> to
|
||||
attempt once more to end his own life.</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Blavin is a secret
|
||||
agent, working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to
|
||||
‘create balance’ by creating a fourth god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />the BAND (Birds Are
|
||||
Not Dinosaurs) and the BATT (Birds Are Time Travelers) conspiracy</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled=""
|
||||
checked="" />・゜゜・。。・゜゜_o< QUACK!</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />The gang has a
|
||||
rival: the gophers of Retrieval Team 70</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />mio’s (Inky’s) Handy Duffer Discette = HD
|
||||
Diskette = better stay away from magnets!!</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />tea omen: abacus, feather, wide building,
|
||||
lynx</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />MidJourney omen: priestly blood, demon</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />palindromes: taco cat, reward drawer, tin
|
||||
unit, lap pal, evil olive</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />The Benefactor is Nullar</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" />Nullar got tired of being a god and wanted
|
||||
to die, and Neddas agreed to help him. Shit went bad and turned Liandt
|
||||
to stone, and Nullar’s leg to stone. Now Nullar is trying to gather the
|
||||
Ginnarak crystals to assemble the <em>God Slayer</em> to attempt once
|
||||
more to end his own life.</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Blavin is a secret agent,
|
||||
working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to ‘create
|
||||
balance’ by creating a fourth god</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />the BAND (Birds Are Not
|
||||
Dinosaurs) and the BATT (Birds Are Time Travelers) conspiracy</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />・゜゜・。。・゜゜_o<
|
||||
QUACK!</li>
|
||||
<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />The gang has a rival: the
|
||||
gophers of Retrieval Team 70</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<p><strong>CALENDAR</strong></p>
|
||||
<p>Time in Basmentaria is reckoned by the moons: green Selene, dark
|
||||
|
|
@ -8984,8 +9286,8 @@ he can slip by.</p>
|
|||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>Player: sinatra</li>
|
||||
<li>XP: 1</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Illusions 2, Sneaking 2,
|
||||
Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Sneaking 2, Sysorcery 2,
|
||||
Stabbing 2, Illusions 3</li>
|
||||
<li>Equipment: a bunch of STAG drones, stone of <em>courage</em></li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<p>Paths:</p>
|
||||
|
|
@ -9107,8 +9409,8 @@ very soon!</p>
|
|||
<ul>
|
||||
<li>Player: mio</li>
|
||||
<li>XP: 0</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Plantomancy 2, Throwing 2,
|
||||
Medicine 2</li>
|
||||
<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Throwing 2, Medicine 2,
|
||||
Plantomancy 3</li>
|
||||
<li>Equipment: Handy Duffer Discette, Fine Feathered Quills, Jade Tea
|
||||
Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
|
|
@ -9117,7 +9419,8 @@ Set, Mountain Range Glyph Ink, Bead of the Werehare</li>
|
|||
<li>Retriever: Contractual Obligation, An Auspicious Start, Two In The
|
||||
Hand, The Triple Lindy</li>
|
||||
<li>Were-Hare: Lepusthropy, Beast Sense, Hybrid Form</li>
|
||||
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony, Steeping, Blending</li>
|
||||
<li>Tasseomancer: Reading, Ceremony, Steeping, Blending, Caffeine,
|
||||
Scrying</li>
|
||||
</ul>
|
||||
<h3 id="jarrod">Jarrod</h3>
|
||||
<details>
|
||||
|
|
|
|||
Loading…
Reference in New Issue