75, 76, 77

2023-07-18 20:52:57 -06:00 · 2023-07-18 20:52:57 -06:00 · e18d07476a
parent 329b9afa97
commit e18d07476a
9 changed files with 1496 additions and 124 deletions
--- a/basement.order
+++ b/basement.order
@ -5,6 +5,9 @@ src/chapter3.md
 src/chapter4.md
 src/epistolary/index.md
 src/epistolary/00074.md
 src/epistolary/00075.md
 src/epistolary/00076.md
 src/epistolary/00077.md
 src/notes.md
 src/acknowledgements.md
 src/characters/index.md
--- a/includes/styles.html
+++ b/includes/styles.html
@ -6,6 +6,13 @@
    left: 2rem;
  }
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  font-family: Georgia, serif;
  font-size: 20px;
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 body {
  padding-top: 0;
 }
--- a/src/epistolary/00075.md
+++ b/src/epistolary/00075.md
@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
 ---
 title: 00075
 created: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:13 -0600
 updated: Mon, 27 Mar 2023 09:24:14 -0600
 public: yes
 syndicated: yes
 ---
 ### 00075 {#00075}
 > White blooms look on as Inky turns another page in the book they
 > are reading, a purported bestseller luridly titled *The Secret
 > Lives of Plants*. 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. 
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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.
 ~
 > 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.
 > 
 > "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".
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > "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.
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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. 
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 WHAT DO YOU DO?
--- a/src/epistolary/00076.md
+++ b/src/epistolary/00076.md
@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
 ---
 title: 00076
 created: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38 -0600
 updated: Sun, 16 Jul 2023 14:49:38 -0600
 public: yes
 syndicated: yes
 ---
 ### 00076 {#00076}
 > 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.
 > 
 > "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.
 > 
 > "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."
 > 
 > "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."
 > 
 > (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?)
 ~
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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. 
 > 
 > 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.
 > 
 > To the sea dragon it is.
 You run a quick scan of the derelict starsail.
 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.
 The ship is broadcasting a weak SOS signal running a loop, but you
 pick up no other energy readings.
 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.
 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.
 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.
 "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!"
 "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."
 "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."
 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.
 The old woman looks up at you, her cursed eye gleaming wetly and
 unblinking in the low light. "Will you help us?"
 WHAT DO YOU DO
--- a/src/epistolary/00077.md
+++ b/src/epistolary/00077.md
@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
 ---
 title: 00077
 created: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29 -0600
 updated: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:50:29 -0600
 public: yes
 syndicated: yes
 ---
 ### 00077 {#00077}
 > 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"
 > 
 > 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?"
 > 
 > A faint static on the radio "Boss, don't forget the cookies."
 > 
 > 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."
 ~
 > 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.
 > 
 > 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. 
 > 
 > <!-- GM: what, if anything, do the measurements reveal about the
 > nature and progression of the old lady's Splitting Sickness? -->
 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."
 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.
 "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."
 "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.
 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.
 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.
 "Oh no," croaks the old woman. "Oh no, they're back. No no no no no."
 WHAT DO YOU DO
--- a/src/notes.md
+++ b/src/notes.md
@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ Upcoming NPCs and/or monsters
 - [ ] 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
--- a/www/index.html
+++ b/www/index.html
@ -7,9 +7,6 @@
  <title>BASEMENT QUEST</title>
  <style>
    html {
      line-height: 1.5;
      font-family: Georgia, serif;
      font-size: 20px;
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@ -28,13 +25,16 @@
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@ -84,9 +84,10 @@
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@ -157,6 +158,8 @@
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@ -220,7 +223,6 @@
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@ -230,6 +232,13 @@
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@ -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
+<p>There have been 271 messages posted over 370 days since the first
-post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
+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
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-<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="cb26-7"><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>  reutrn obj</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="cb26-11"><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>  self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</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>  self<span class="op">.</span>y <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>  self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</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> self</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 &amp; 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,
+<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Sneaking 2, Sysorcery 2,
-Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
+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,
+<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Throwing 2, Medicine 2,
-Medicine 2</li>
+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>
--- a/www/rss.xml
+++ b/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
          &amp; 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> 
--- a/www/spoilers.html
+++ b/www/spoilers.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="#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
+<p>There have been 271 messages posted over 370 days since the first
-post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
+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>
+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>  obj <span class="op">=</span> obj <span class="kw">or</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>obj<span class="op">,</span> self<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>  self<span class="op">.</span><span class="cn">__</span>index <span class="op">=</span> self</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>  self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">0</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>  self<span class="op">.</span>y <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>  self<span class="op">.</span>speed <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>  reutrn obj</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="cb26-11"><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>  self<span class="op">.</span>x <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">100</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>  self<span class="op">.</span>y <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>  self<span class="op">.</span>speed <span class="op">=</span> <span class="dv">50</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> self</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 &amp; 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" />scissormen, huskies</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin,
+<li><input type="checkbox" />Lady in Red ??? Tess, Piskin, Salvia ;
-Salvia ; Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?</li>
+Beaker (and Cio) trailing the BANDits?</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Benefactor wants Crystals to
+<li><input type="checkbox" />Benefactor wants Crystals to kill a
-kill a god</li>
+god</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />BATT wants to preserve the
+<li><input type="checkbox" />BATT wants to preserve the timeline</li>
-timeline</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />kasutva, noodle head</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />kasutva, noodle
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Felixe and Corraidhin, show up
-head</li>
+in the dreaming</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Felixe and
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Golden Iris wants Crystals to
-Corraidhin, show up in the dreaming</li>
+make a new god</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Golden Iris wants
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Gnu Zealots (aligned with Golden
-Crystals to make a new god</li>
+Iris) seek to open source godhood</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Gnu Zealots (aligned
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Blavin double agent with Golden
-with Golden Iris) seek to open source godhood</li>
+Iris</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Blavin double agent
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />dreamforms,</li>
-with Golden Iris</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />gliftwirp the warpwefter</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />dreamforms,</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Ephermeris is Konsu</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />gliftwirp the
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Sitopotnia has offered new
-warpwefter</li>
+corn-based bodies to the cyberplasm if they can deliver to her the
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Ephermeris is
+Quintessence</li>
 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>
 </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" />zai-ni (zine)</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />zeyeknee (zine)</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />zeyeknee (zine)</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />standard ed</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />standard ed</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />paladin of emacs</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />paladin of emacs</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />monks of vim</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />monks of vim</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />hinderbloke, gnu</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />hinderbloke, gnu</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />falterchap, gnu</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />falterchap, gnu</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Cyber Woman With Corn!
+<li><input type="checkbox" />Cyber Woman With Corn! (Sitopotnia?) – <a
 (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
+<li><input type="checkbox" />Jorunna Parva, sea bunny time lord <a
-lord <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorunna_parva"
+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" checked="" />Cocopita, Gourd Witch</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />time swallows: It is
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Calabazh, granddaughter of the
-a common misconception that barn swallows are the most widespread
+Gourd Witch</li>
-species of swallow. That distinction belongs to the <em>time</em>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />harrowkrake</li>
-swallow. Although—if you’re lucky—you’ll never actually see one.</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />time swallows: It is a common
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />gnu zealots</li>
+misconception that barn swallows are the most widespread species of
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />three fingered
+swallow. That distinction belongs to the <em>time</em> swallow.
-gerald</li>
+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
+<li><input type="checkbox" />mio’s (Inky’s) Handy Duffer Discette = HD
-Discette = HD Diskette = better stay away from magnets!!</li>
+Diskette = better stay away from magnets!!</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />tea omen: abacus, feather, wide
+<li><input type="checkbox" />tea omen: abacus, feather, wide building,
-building, lynx</li>
+lynx</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />MidJourney omen: priestly
+<li><input type="checkbox" />MidJourney omen: priestly blood, demon</li>
-blood, demon</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />palindromes: taco cat, reward drawer, tin
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />palindromes: taco cat, reward
+unit, lap pal, evil olive</li>
-drawer, tin unit, lap pal, evil olive</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />The Benefactor is Nullar</li>
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />The Benefactor is Nullar</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" />Nullar got tired of being a god and wanted
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" />Nullar got tired of being a god
+to die, and Neddas agreed to help him. Shit went bad and turned Liandt
-and wanted to die, and Neddas agreed to help him. Shit went bad and
+to stone, and Nullar’s leg to stone. Now Nullar is trying to gather the
-turned Liandt to stone, and Nullar’s leg to stone. Now Nullar is trying
+Ginnarak crystals to assemble the <em>God Slayer</em> to attempt once
-to gather the Ginnarak crystals to assemble the <em>God Slayer</em> to
+more to end his own life.</li>
-attempt once more to end his own life.</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />Blavin is a secret agent,
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />Blavin is a secret
+working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to ‘create
-agent, working for the Golden Iris, a secret society that wants to
+balance’ by creating a fourth god</li>
-‘create balance’ by creating a fourth god</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />the BAND (Birds Are Not
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />the BAND (Birds Are
+Dinosaurs) and the BATT (Birds Are Time Travelers) conspiracy</li>
-Not Dinosaurs) and the BATT (Birds Are Time Travelers) conspiracy</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />・゜゜・。。・゜゜_o&lt;
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled=""
+QUACK!</li>
-checked="" />・゜゜・。。・゜゜_o&lt; QUACK!</li>
+<li><input type="checkbox" checked="" />The gang has a rival: the
-<li><input type="checkbox" disabled="" checked="" />The gang has a
+gophers of Retrieval Team 70</li>
 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,
+<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Investigation 2, Sneaking 2, Sysorcery 2,
-Sysorcery 2, Stabbing 2</li>
+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,
+<li>Skills: Do Anything 1, Persuasive 2, Throwing 2, Medicine 2,
-Medicine 2</li>
+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>