From e6f7263de2e769b8c97451dc348b3830119bcf87 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Christopher P. Brown" Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2023 06:59:34 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] 67 --- basement.order | 1 + src/epistolary/00067.md | 221 ++++ www/index.html | 174 ++- www/rss.xml | 2746 +++++++++++++++++++++------------------ www/spoilers.html | 174 ++- 5 files changed, 2039 insertions(+), 1277 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/epistolary/00067.md diff --git a/basement.order b/basement.order index 1c543e2..b118dd2 100644 --- a/basement.order +++ b/basement.order @@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ src/epistolary/00063.md src/epistolary/00064.md src/epistolary/00065.md src/epistolary/00066.md +src/epistolary/00067.md src/notes.md src/acknowledgements.md src/afterword.md diff --git a/src/epistolary/00067.md b/src/epistolary/00067.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6195185 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/epistolary/00067.md @@ -0,0 +1,221 @@ +--- +title: 00067 +created: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:24:28 -0700 +updated: Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:24:28 -0700 +public: yes +syndicated: yes +--- +### 00067 {#00067} + +In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly through +the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the twitch of a +finger to indicate that they hear anything at all. + +During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but Rind +noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle wiggle its way +out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate at the base of the +candle, the ringing of tin masked by the ringing of the claxon alarm. + +Still the dreamers sleep. + +Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The mummified hand +of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts to wriggle, struggle, +and strain against the softening wax. It stretches and reaches for +the eye in the center of the candle. + +Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. The child +looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the hemogoblin stumbled into +the circle, smudging the line of salt and ash, breaking the circle +and severing its continuity. Making a small space for something to +get in. Or out. + +> "Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!" Alex's eyes scan +> the room rapidly. There's no water, aside from what he dragged in +> with his abrupt departure from the pier. The dark sky stretches into +> the nothingness of the void. Asthe robed figure begins speaks Alex +> takes note of his situation. +> +> 'Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing actually. It's +> one thing after another with this dream thing.' +> +> As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. "I'll be +> honest my guy, I haven't the foggiest what you're talking about. +> Looks to me you've got the whole sword thing, all I've got is my +> trusty AK. I guess back top side, in umm I guess the real world, I +> did find a wonky dagger my uncle tried to hide. But I'm pretty sure +> that got eaten by a cute little hemogoblin while I was busy murdering +> ghost pirates. Anyways more to the point, I'm not quite sure I +> follow." +> +> Alex pauses briefly and then continues, "You say you need to get out +> of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I just got attacked +> by some freaky sadist mushroom that called itself katsuva. Cut its +> head clean off just so it could try and chuck me in the drink. Right +> unpleasant fella, but I think I lost him when, well, I got here, +> wherever that is." +> +> "Now I don't know much, but I'm not much for trust after getting +> attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you'll excuse me, I +> reckon the exit is right about that way (Alex jabs his finger over +> his back away from the figure), and I'm inclined to head out unless +> you know a better way." + +You weren't in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval Team 43, so +you didn't see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian is familiar with +the iconography of the Trine. This figure is dressed in the traditional +rainments of Neddas, god of sages and starlight. Furthermore you +recognize them from your dreams in the Milk Market. + +Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your leg. + +"You know, we each of us loved you in our own way," Neddas says. +"But of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my divinity. I +wanted to see you thrive and grow strong. + +"You've already found several pieces of my essence. *Coin* in the +treasure hoard below the earth. *Mirth* in the shipwreck under the +sea. And *lore* in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak. + +"And of course you found *justice*," they say, looking at the sword. +"This one got a little weird." The frown. "Became a little sentient, +didn't it?" They press the blade of the sword to their chest and +absorb it into their being. They sigh happily. + +"You have found enough of my essence that I am able to start to +materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But here, a little +bit. + +"There are still two more pieces out there. If you can reunite all +five crystals, I will be able to cross over into Basmentaria again. + +"So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. Return to +Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I may return and +right the wrongs of the past. I will do what I can to assist you." + +> Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing their +> forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their chest, and +> strolling towards the restrooms. +> +> Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of sight from +> the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message from Master Alex and +> reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. Also in the envelope is a +> smooth oval grey pebble with the letters "sh" carved onto it. A mini +> dousojin. How considerate of him. +> +> Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky holds up a +> chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the great horned owl +> patiently perched on their shoulder. "What if we just zip out now and +> have a walk around the towers? Do you think it will cause offence to +> the Grand Master of the realm?" Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her +> treat and gives them a short series of disapproving clicks of her +> beak. +> +> "He wants more 'intel'," Inky says. It isn't even a question. +> +> On another occasion they would be glad to see Master Corraidhn +> animated and well — when there wasn't a demanding curmudgeon on the +> other end of an absurd fishing expedition. The elder sysorcerer's +> presence in the Dreaming, illusion or otherwise, has effectively +> dashed any prospect of an early night out. +> +> "Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you." Inky tells the +> owl. +> +> They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal stripes, blue +> knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and wordlessly declare the +> change of clothes suitable for fine non-dining. The noogle's +> drawstring pouch is knotted to a metal hoop on a pocket flap to one +> side of their shorts, having let loose a short mop of tousled red +> hair. A plush floofy duck keychain dangles next to the pouch. +> +> Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with an owl +> approaches the far corner table. + +You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through the +crowded tables of the Harpoon Club. + +"Inky!" Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. The cat +person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the block tower. + +Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. When nobody +follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs on his beard, and +sits up straighter in his chair. + +"You're alone?" Blavin observes. "No matter. Thank you so much for +meeting us here! I trust it wasn't too much trouble? A little bit +out of the way, I know. But it is so very hard to find a place away +from prying eyes, isn't it?" + +"Get to the point, Blavin." snaps Corraidhín. + +"Quite right!" laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. +"Listen," he says, suddenly very +serious. "It's time I came clean to you. You deserve that much. +And besides, I think we can help each other. While it is true that I +work for the Benefactor, I don't actually serve their interests. You +see, I represent another party. A *double agent* they would call me +in the spy novels." He waves his hand dismissively, as though +somebody were making a fuss over him and he were embarrassed. + +"As I'm sure you already know, our organization is called the Golden +Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect the Ginnarak +Cystals. I know you've heard all the old stories. *Together they +could kill a god*, blah blah blah." He sloshes his drink as the +gestures. "But we think they've got it all wrong, Inky. That is, +they have it *backwards* at least!" + +Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. "The Golden Iris intends nothing +less than *creating a new god!*" + +"The Trine has been absent for years. We're going to restore the +balance. Now you see why the mission is so important, Inky. We need +the crystals." + +"Now I know what you're going to say! It all sounds too fantastic. +Yes well, that's why I brought along somebody whose credibility I +know you'll trust!" He beams at Corraidhín. + +The wizard sighs. "As far as I can tell, the hobbit is telling the +truth." + +Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues. + +"The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the +Corn Mother, to godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of +sense. She's the only mortal to have created life after all. Kind +of the ideal candidate for the job to be honest. + +They've hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help them. +And they're managing to drag the thing forward despite all pulling in +slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms want new bodies. The +Gnu Zealots want to open source the process so everybody can create +new gods. And I don't actually know what the BAND wackos want." + +Corraidhín shrugs, "I don't have a particular dog in this fight. The +Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, 'anomaly' that happened at +the SS RSS. Including the second crystal, which is currently in his +possession, and my body, which is still technically back at the +institute and still under the care of Felixe here." The black cat +gives another polite nod. Having completed building the tumbling +tower, it is now shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on +the table. + +"Felixe is Basmentaria's preeminent expert in preserving entities +that happen to exist between two states. Or that happen to exist in +two states at the same time.. Bah, it's complicated," Corraidhín +huffs. + +"Yes!" interrupts Blavin. "Now! Despite working closely with him all +this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the Benefactor's actual +plans for the crystals. I just know we need them more. + +"Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also the one in +the Benefactor's possession. And deliver them to us so we may usher +in a new age for Basmentaria!" + +Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the table, face +down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It sets the remainder +of the deck aside and looks at you expectantly. + +WHAT DO YOU DO? + diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index d670f71..f6e3eae 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -290,6 +290,7 @@
  • 00064
  • 00065
  • 00066
    • +
  • 00067
  • Afterword
  • current story arc.

    you can subscribe to the rss feed.

    Stats

    -

    Total length: 85483 words / 365 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 87088 words / 372 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 229 messages posted over 229 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.00.

    +

    There have been 235 messages posted over 231 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.01.

    Chapter 1

    This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.

    Jump to: 1 2

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    00067

    +

    In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly through +the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the twitch of a finger +to indicate that they hear anything at all.

    +

    During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but Rind +noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle wiggle its way +out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate at the base of the +candle, the ringing of tin masked by the ringing of the claxon +alarm.

    +

    Still the dreamers sleep.

    +

    Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The mummified hand +of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts to wriggle, struggle, +and strain against the softening wax. It stretches and reaches for the +eye in the center of the candle.

    +

    Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. The child +looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the hemogoblin stumbled into the +circle, smudging the line of salt and ash, breaking the circle and +severing its continuity. Making a small space for something to get in. +Or out.

    +
    +

    “Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!” Alex’s eyes scan +the room rapidly. There’s no water, aside from what he dragged in with +his abrupt departure from the pier. The dark sky stretches into the +nothingness of the void. Asthe robed figure begins speaks Alex takes +note of his situation.

    +

    ‘Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing actually. It’s +one thing after another with this dream thing.’

    +

    As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. “I’ll be +honest my guy, I haven’t the foggiest what you’re talking about. Looks +to me you’ve got the whole sword thing, all I’ve got is my trusty AK. I +guess back top side, in umm I guess the real world, I did find a wonky +dagger my uncle tried to hide. But I’m pretty sure that got eaten by a +cute little hemogoblin while I was busy murdering ghost pirates. Anyways +more to the point, I’m not quite sure I follow.”

    +

    Alex pauses briefly and then continues, “You say you need to get out +of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I just got attacked by +some freaky sadist mushroom that called itself katsuva. Cut its head +clean off just so it could try and chuck me in the drink. Right +unpleasant fella, but I think I lost him when, well, I got here, +wherever that is.”

    +

    “Now I don’t know much, but I’m not much for trust after getting +attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you’ll excuse me, I reckon +the exit is right about that way (Alex jabs his finger over his back +away from the figure), and I’m inclined to head out unless you know a +better way.”

    +
    +

    You weren’t in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval Team 43, so +you didn’t see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian is familiar with the +iconography of the Trine. This figure is dressed in the traditional +rainments of Neddas, god of sages and starlight. Furthermore you +recognize them from your dreams in the Milk Market.

    +

    Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your leg.

    +

    “You know, we each of us loved you in our own way,” Neddas says. “But +of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my divinity. I wanted to +see you thrive and grow strong.

    +

    “You’ve already found several pieces of my essence. Coin in +the treasure hoard below the earth. Mirth in the shipwreck +under the sea. And lore in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak.

    +

    “And of course you found justice,” they say, looking at the +sword. “This one got a little weird.” The frown. “Became a little +sentient, didn’t it?” They press the blade of the sword to their chest +and absorb it into their being. They sigh happily.

    +

    “You have found enough of my essence that I am able to start to +materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But here, a little +bit.

    +

    “There are still two more pieces out there. If you can reunite all +five crystals, I will be able to cross over into Basmentaria again.

    +

    “So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. Return to +Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I may return and right +the wrongs of the past. I will do what I can to assist you.”

    +
    +

    Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing their +forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their chest, and strolling +towards the restrooms.

    +

    Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of sight from +the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message from Master Alex and +reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. Also in the envelope is a +smooth oval grey pebble with the letters “sh” carved onto it. A mini +dousojin. How considerate of him.

    +

    Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky holds up a +chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the great horned owl +patiently perched on their shoulder. “What if we just zip out now and +have a walk around the towers? Do you think it will cause offence to the +Grand Master of the realm?” Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her treat +and gives them a short series of disapproving clicks of her beak.

    +

    “He wants more ‘intel’,” Inky says. It isn’t even a question.

    +

    On another occasion they would be glad to see Master Corraidhn +animated and well — when there wasn’t a demanding curmudgeon on the +other end of an absurd fishing expedition. The elder sysorcerer’s +presence in the Dreaming, illusion or otherwise, has effectively dashed +any prospect of an early night out.

    +

    “Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you.” Inky tells the +owl.

    +

    They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal stripes, blue +knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and wordlessly declare the +change of clothes suitable for fine non-dining. The noogle’s drawstring +pouch is knotted to a metal hoop on a pocket flap to one side of their +shorts, having let loose a short mop of tousled red hair. A plush floofy +duck keychain dangles next to the pouch.

    +

    Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with an owl +approaches the far corner table.

    +
    +

    You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through the +crowded tables of the Harpoon Club.

    +

    “Inky!” Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. The cat +person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the block tower.

    +

    Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. When nobody +follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs on his beard, and sits +up straighter in his chair.

    +

    “You’re alone?” Blavin observes. “No matter. Thank you so much for +meeting us here! I trust it wasn’t too much trouble? A little bit out of +the way, I know. But it is so very hard to find a place away from prying +eyes, isn’t it?”

    +

    “Get to the point, Blavin.” snaps Corraidhín.

    +

    “Quite right!” laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. “Listen,” he +says, suddenly very serious. “It’s time I came clean to you. You deserve +that much. And besides, I think we can help each other. While it is true +that I work for the Benefactor, I don’t actually serve their interests. +You see, I represent another party. A double agent they would +call me in the spy novels.” He waves his hand dismissively, as though +somebody were making a fuss over him and he were embarrassed.

    +

    “As I’m sure you already know, our organization is called the Golden +Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect the Ginnarak Cystals. +I know you’ve heard all the old stories. Together they could kill a +god, blah blah blah.” He sloshes his drink as the gestures. “But we +think they’ve got it all wrong, Inky. That is, they have it +backwards at least!”

    +

    Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. “The Golden Iris intends nothing +less than creating a new god!”

    +

    “The Trine has been absent for years. We’re going to restore the +balance. Now you see why the mission is so important, Inky. We need the +crystals.”

    +

    “Now I know what you’re going to say! It all sounds too fantastic. +Yes well, that’s why I brought along somebody whose credibility I know +you’ll trust!” He beams at Corraidhín.

    +

    The wizard sighs. “As far as I can tell, the hobbit is telling the +truth.”

    +

    Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues.

    +

    “The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the Corn Mother, to +godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of sense. She’s the only +mortal to have created life after all. Kind of the ideal candidate for +the job to be honest.

    +

    They’ve hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help them. And +they’re managing to drag the thing forward despite all pulling in +slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms want new bodies. The Gnu +Zealots want to open source the process so everybody can create new +gods. And I don’t actually know what the BAND wackos want.”

    +

    Corraidhín shrugs, “I don’t have a particular dog in this fight. The +Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, ‘anomaly’ that happened at the +SS RSS. Including the second crystal, which is currently in his +possession, and my body, which is still technically back at the +institute and still under the care of Felixe here.” The black cat gives +another polite nod. Having completed building the tumbling tower, it is +now shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on the table.

    +

    “Felixe is Basmentaria’s preeminent expert in preserving entities +that happen to exist between two states. Or that happen to exist in two +states at the same time.. Bah, it’s complicated,” Corraidhín huffs.

    +

    “Yes!” interrupts Blavin. “Now! Despite working closely with him all +this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the Benefactor’s actual +plans for the crystals. I just know we need them more.

    +

    “Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also the one in +the Benefactor’s possession. And deliver them to us so we may usher in a +new age for Basmentaria!”

    +

    Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the table, face +down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It sets the remainder of the +deck aside and looks at you expectantly.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    Afterword

    I don’t know what I’m going to put here, but I didn’t want this document to just abruptly end. So here you go: a kind farewell and a diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index 9520c98..640a5a8 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -6,429 +6,894 @@ https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah! - 62 + 60 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 62 - Sun, 12 Feb 2023 08:57:51 + 60 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47 -0700 - Sun, 12 Feb 2023 08:57:51 -0700 + Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700 00062 +

    00060

    -

    One moment, Inky is half-asleep on their feet in the middle - of Branch Avenue. In the next, they are reclining in a banana - boat that resembles a canoe painted with long stripes of - yellow and white with deep brown swipes. The s’more interior - padding is soft, yet with the suppleness of fruit leather. A - few round, matching brown mini-cushions are strewn across the - boat interior. Also in the boat are two silver spoon paddles, - more for looks than cooks.

    -

    They don’t know where the boat came from. Things just - appear. Like that Red Squirrel. Inky moves to holler a - greeting, but instead recites:

    - 
    "sgb rpthqqbk hr qba sgb fgnrsr dktb
-sgb qnkkr rwbbs uma rn uqb ynt
-sgnt uqs ly fthahmf rsuq ul h sghmb
-h rbb vbqhky ly utrohehntr rhfm
-sgb kns wur snrra uma sgbm h aqbw
-uma cnqstmb ruha hs rgnta db ynt ott"[1]
    - 
    [1]:
-"The squirrel is red, the ghost's blue,
-The roll's sweet, and so are you.
-Thou art my guiding star, am I thine?
-I see verily my auspicious sign:
-The lot was toss'd and then I drew,
-And Fortune said it shou'd be you. Puu."
    +

    Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is + definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him + with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately + the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s + found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he + remembers.

    +

    Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, + and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.

    +

    “Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are + terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a + dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address + Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell + you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little + outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. + unless..”

    +

    Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a + terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at + blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a + root access escalation there.

    +

    “Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older + kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as + needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need + it.”

    +

    “Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”

    + 
    find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
    -

    ~

    -
    -

    While Inky boards her banana boat and recites poetry to the - maddened squirrel, Alex springs to action leaping blithely - from the branch towards the squirrel. Beneath him manifests a - cockpit, sleek and futuristic. Around this materializes a - large robotic weapon, octopus-oid in shape. The many tentacles - bristle with weapons both fearsome and deadly.

    -

    Alex grabs the controls, in one tentacle he latches onto - the banana boat, that way he won’t accidentally get separated - from Inky. With the other seven a series of feathers appear in - every brilliant hue. The tentacle attached to the boat unfurls - allowing Alex to draw closer to the squirrel. As the gap - closes the most intense tickle fight the dream world has ever - seen ensues, bringing joyous laughter to the faces of - many.

    -

    “Inky, if we need to get out of here, just jet it! That - tentacle will yank the control pod and me with it!”

    -
    -

    Alex basically becomes a Mech pilot, and confronts the Red - Squirrel head on with the Octopod.

    -

    You engage in the tickle fight to end all tickle - fights!

    -

    Its eight arms are more than a match for the squirrels - eight legs. You have the advantage of reach, entanglement, and - sucker pads. It struggles in your grasp, gnashing its terrible - teeth, but cannot reach you. Its long tail whips around - ineffectively, battering you softly.

    -

    The agitated squirrel squeals and swells like a red - balloon. The mech’s tentacles struggle to contain it. Just as - the strain on the machine is about to become unbearable, the - rodent violently deflates. It collapses in on itself with such - ferocity that it turns itself inside out. The octopod, all - tangled up in the collapsing squirrel, is pulled along as it - folds in on itself until it becomes a hungry void the size of - a marble, floating in space and sucking at the air.

    -

    Inky watches from the banana boat as Alex and the squirrel - disappear from the Silver Forest. The squirrel portal finally - closes in on itself, severing the banana boat from the octopus - mecha at the last possible second. Inky on this side. Alex on - the other.

    -

    Alex, you and the wreckage of the octopod are vomited out - onto a sandy beach. Red mist and vapors dissipate from your - entry point. Before you is a vast ocean, lapping lazily at the - beach. The shoreline extends endlessly in both directions. - Behind you are endless sand dunes. Though there is no sun, the - sky seems to hover at sunset, all brilliant, swirling oranges - and purples.

    -

    A lone humanoid figure can be seen standing atop a nearby - dune. It is tall. It has legs like a goat or fawn, and a - paunchy belly. Its long neck protrudes into a kind of trunk - that eventually folds over and hangs down in front of the - creature, about chest height. It terminates in a smooth, round - nub. No face. It wears a small satchel at its hip, its strap - slung over one shoulder and across its chest. Its long arms - hand loosely at its sides. Despite the lack of a face and any - sensory organs, it seems to be watching you. Slowly, it - descends the dune and starts walking toward you. It reaches - into its satchel and draws a long, sharp knife as it - approaches.

    -

    Inky, you are in the banana boat in the Silver Forest. The - turtle that was a chipmunk has holed up in its shell, - effectively just a sticky bun.

    -

    “You wanted to see me,” intones a slightly muffled voice - behind you. A statement, not a question. You turn to see a - figure cloaked in shadows and demons. They wear a domed helmet - of black obsidian glass, flashes of rainbow colored light - crackling along the inside illuminating very little of the - smoke-filled interior.

    -

    “What is it you seek from Dude 215R?”

    +

    It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he + corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to + the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.

    +

    Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It + squeals in delight.

    +

    In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell + of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns + has just vanished.

    +

    The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts + scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its + mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it + says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large + square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On + one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a + curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number + five and a picture of a flail.

    +

    “A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all + I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide + its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.

    +

    If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the + hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking + through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s + hazy and shadowy.

    +

    Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out + of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. + Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the + shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which + words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow + once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of + obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow + of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet + like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel + sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels + a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is + familiar to you, but you cannot place it.

    +

    When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape + both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted + landscape reappears but the figure is gone.

    +

    You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather + intently from the branches below.

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    ]]> - 56 + 59 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 56 - Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:10:25 + 59 - Mon, 30 Jan 2023 21:41:56 -0700 - Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:10:25 -0700 + Mon, 30 Jan 2023 21:41:56 -0700 00056 +

    00059

    -

    The agitation Alex feels bubbles just beneath the surface. - Patterns where patterns shouldn’t be, strange orders from HQ, - indifference where once was ample aide as well. It was - maddening. Combine it all with the haunting suspicion that - there was constantly someone just around the next corner, and - it was enough to truly drive Alex mad.

    -

    That uneasiness takes its toll on a long enough time line, - but Alex wasn’t about to let it get to him. Or so he thought - to himself as he cast a furtive look at his monitoring - equipment. This paranoia had served him well in the past, very - well in fact. It’s a sort of sixth sense in a way, always kept - Alex off the edge of the cliff, especially when someone - stepped close enough to push him off. Those were the types of - skills HQ sought after in the first place.

    -

    Alex closes the iron door on his bunker, leaving his - monitoring equipment running, dead man’s trigger set to blow - the place shoul anyone enter it. Can’t be too careful these - days..

    -

    Emerging from the sewer grate, sticking to the shadows, - Alex makes his way down an alley, then another, and yet - another, finally emerging a few blocks from the Milk Market. - Across the street, as he had expected, was Marvelo’s Marvelous - MurderSticks, a quaint place should one needed something, well - you get the picture, they don’t really sell anything but - weaponry here.

    -

    Alex ducked into the entrance of the shop and strode - towards the back rack, where a collection of knives was on - display. A rough looking fellow, ruddy red beard, thinning - hair, moved from the counter as he saw Alex approach. “Fine - sampling of knives we have, could I interest you in one?” - Marvelo says. Alex reaches for a thin stilleto style dagger, - and hands it to Marvelo “This one seems about right, but I’d - like an extra sharp edge put on it, if you don’t mind”. - Marvelo takes the stilleto from Alex say “Not a problem at all - sir”, and he heads into the back.

    -

    He sets to work honing the edge, and once complete he - places it on his work bench. Grabbing a velvet lined case from - a stack, he deftly removes the bottom and places a rolled - piece of paper into the bottom, alongside an m1911 style - pistol, and a couple of clips of ammo. He then places the - velvet bottom back over the equipment, and places the stilleto - on top, bringing the entire package back to the front. “An - extra fine edge on this one sir, that’ll be 15 gold, plus - another 5 to cover the service.

    -

    Alex pays, and nips out the shop and heads back to the back - alley. Paranoia begets what it requets, Alex mutters to - himself as he disassembles the box holstering the pistol and - ammo, and sheathing the dagger. Can’t keep going unarmed like - I’m some kind of beat cop, not anymore.. Alex discards the - case and unfurls the message, quickly deciphering the - encryption set on it by Marvelo.

    - 
    The hunt is still on, no word on Blavin nor the Iris group, yet.
-Agent 7 heard rumor of a couple of persons inquiring about the "Milk Market" these past few days.
-Agent 3 heard similar rumors, was able to bribe a melon vendor to acertain the figure wore a red sash, and was looking for friends.
-Agent 6 has kept watch on the Market, nothing strange yet, coming and goings as usual, no strange visitors
-Agent 4 monitoring feeds still present glitches, something abnormal
-Agent 5 found the melon vendor dead in a back alley, strangled to death, not immediate signs of blunt force trauma, caution advised
    -

    Alex burned the note, striding rapidly away from the alley, - taking a meandering route away from the Milk Market, looping - back around, and heading back towards it by yet another. - Nobody appeared to be following him, yet he paused at each - corner and turn, waiting for the footsteps of a pursuant.

    -

    Noting nothing, he made his way through the back entrance - of Enrique’s Empanadas greeting the cook quietly, but jovial. - “Enrique, where’s Inky? We’ve got a problem.”

    +

    Alex procures from a pocket of his trenchcoat a tiny vial. + On the vial is a small strip of parchment which reads:

    + 
    #!/bin/ash
+sleepy=true
+
+sleep() {
+        while sleepy; do
+                sleep(10)
+        done
+}
+
+trap sleep INT EXIT
    +

    He empties the vial into a glass of warm milk and hands it + to bread.

    +

    “Drink up friend, this’ll relax and soothe you. You’ll + probably have the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had”

    +

    Over the radio Alex provides a quick reminder to + Marvelo.

    +

    “7, remember, should you need to wake bread to get us out + you can interrupt or cancel the sleep script, Ctrl + C should + work for the disruption work. Or if you need to you can set + sleepy=false, if it gets crazy and you need to modify the + metavarbalic properties of the enchantment.”

    +

    Turning to Inky, “Eight bells and all’s well, lets get this + show on the road”

    +
    +

    Bread smiles and thanks you for the milk. They down the + glass, smack their lips a few times, and wipe their mouth with + the back of their hand. Their eyelids grow heavy and close, + and they slump down on the cushions. They’re already asleep by + the time their head hits the pillow.

    +
    +

    Inky nods once at Alex’s words and finishes off their own + cuppa steeped with calea and thyme, and blended into osmanthus + matcha. Lucida, Protege, Aware, Perfume. A meaningless + mantra.

    +

    They glance to their owlish accomplice (who, she will + remind you, is well-trained and needs no sleeping aid, thank + you very much, unlike her impish charge) and silently mouth + the words “Dude 215R” with a wink. Then they settle for a nap, + chin pillowed on their forearms, which are propped atop + drawn-up knees. A walking stick rests on their lap. A herb + bouquet of pink blooms becomes an owl cushion.

    +

    Inky dreamforms of a cream noogle. Puko. And Fuko is, well, + still Fuko.

    +
    +

    You light the Nyxmaer. The flame crackles and dances. It + smokes darkly, and the scent it gives off is thick and + heady.

    +

    You breathe deeply of it and settle down to sleep.

    +

    When you open your eyes you are standing on the branch of + an enormous white tree. It’s as wide as a narrow street. Its + leaves are silver blades that uncurl in the dappled light from + below.

    +

    One of the first things you notice is that gravity is + reversed here. The branches below you reach down, grazing an + endless sky. Small iridescent jellyfish medusae drift lazily + far, far below, catching and reflecting the light. And the + trunk thickens as it reaches up overhead, where its roots + drill into the ceiling above.

    +

    Because of dream logic, you know that in some way this tree + represents Kelsun Peak, Bread’s home. And also because of + dream logic, you know that the branches furthest away from you + in some way represent the great dragon Lucin who lives deep in + the mountain. And they are just as dangerous. They sway in the + breeze and seem to be aware of you, and are for now satisfied + at the distance you keep from them.

    +

    There is a chipmunk sitting cross-legged before you on the + branch. It looks curiously up at you and says, “The Red + Squirrel stole my acorns! Are you going to get them back for + me?”

    +

    You can feel a metaphysical tug in your gut as your orient + yourself to dreamspace like the needle of a compass. “Inward” + you can feel a tug toward Bread’s deep unconscious. To their + core memories. “Outward” you can feel a tug away from Bread + toward the shores of the Sea of Dreams, where you may continue + your journey through the Collective Unconsciousness to the + pocket dimension of the Wandering Bazaar. You need not move + physically to travel in either direction. It’s more a matter + of choosing a destination, and letting the winds blow you in + that direction.

    +

    “My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The + Red Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help + me?”

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     + + 58 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 58 - Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:24:45 +-0700 + Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:02:32 -0700 + + 00058 +
    +

    (A week prior)

    +

    The secretary collected the stack of papers that had + accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she + said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink + flowers in place of the papers.

    +

    Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s + plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make + the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”

    +

    The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as + the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the + circle,” she clarified.

    +

    Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to + regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice. + “Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop + proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location. + There will be a retinue with him at all times.”

    +

    Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room + before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I + do not return by the indicated time, please activate the + hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”

    +

    The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all + right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents + happen. A single incident—”

    +

    “Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He + was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the + other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after + the melon vendor disappeared.”

    +

    Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor? + Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get + rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”

    +

    Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.

    +

    The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her. + You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization. + She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she + finds out, you know.”

    +

    Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is + my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my + timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a + grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before + returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.

    +

    Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll + make it back, Ink. What then—”

    +

    “Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the + problems.”

    ~

    -

    Inky skims the page. They thank the witch, pay for the - items and exit the shop, promptly discarding all notions of - meeting Bother at the place stipulated on the note.

    -

    (Half and one hour later)

    -

    One-sixths into a caramel cantaloupe cream cornet, Inky - runs into Confidence outside the Wandering Bazaar and obtains - some of their new pamphlets, minted with luminescent ink for - the convenience of late-night tourists. These are subsequently - hare-mailed to every editor at the Niuewstijl office, - which is almost certain to earn another chiding remark from - Tess about etiquette and the handling of unsolicited bulk mail - to parent editorial teams.

    -

    (Half and two hours later)

    -

    The installation on display at the Milk Market was - grotesque — that is to say, a work of beauty. Inky steps - carefully through the rooms to not disturb the piece. - Afterwards, they sign the guestbook set up on an upturned milk - crate by the door, delightedly pasting rows of horse head and - thumbs-up emo Gs on a page thoughtfully titled “you can’t ed - the unedible”.

    -

    (Half and three hours earlier)

    -

    Thanking Agate for her time, Inky passes her a sheet of - paper on which were written a few questions about the - prescribed ritual, with some space after each question should - the witch prefer to scribble a response:

    +

    Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received + word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only + thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all + knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly? + He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to + cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even + managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the + body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram + had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his + neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth, + perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut, + burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.

    +

    The kill had been intimate.

    +

    Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye + had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his + right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last + 15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear + look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the + killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a + difference.

    +

    Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted + the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it + went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an + old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.

    +

    And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little + purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to + send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was + reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks + upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The + effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort + of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of + the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a + valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t + part of the slag pile.

    +

    Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his + burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the + Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but + none of them held true; some said the city had become + dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring + city block another thought, and did you hear about the + explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric, + yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.

    +

    As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses + strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling + the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.

    + 
    4 -> 3
+Daylight breaks on the morrow
+The suns rays make chase
+casting soft cloth
+across the nap of nature's neck
+
+So, night relents and gives way
+biding time until
+it can rule
+in its own domain
    +

    For the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled + carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf. + But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s + demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low + and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our + terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to + Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even + just one agent lost was hard to stomach.

    +

    Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a + white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into + the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to + Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily + send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned, + this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten + personal.

    +
    +

    ~

    +
    +

    Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves + in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish + processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough, + and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be + procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough + seclusion.

    +

    The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near + the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way + along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights, + before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a + single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the + fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand + still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad + to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene + is lacking in every sense.

    +

    Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is + a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like + what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much + they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the + duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there + to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every + precaution they could think of.

    +

    The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires, + and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones + around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to + Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred + steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their + hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from + Agent 7.

    +

    See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then + some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense + that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the + right man for the job, when that job was keeping your + unconscious ass alive.

    +

    Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky. + “Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong + correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we + should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been + back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that + is.”

    +
    +

    The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon + Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found + on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a + half from now, on the last day of the month.

    +

    Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the + Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of + red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on + the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure + careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but + otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle + of shopping and commerce.

    +

    At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps + vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.

    +

    And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in + the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a + dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste + made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second + Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing + the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also + the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the + Dreaming.

    +

    Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions + in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle + is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain + nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil + is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that + will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles + to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to + actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of + Dreams.

    +

    Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been + placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax + will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its + side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken, + exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm + of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.

    +

    Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter, + facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s + side.

    +

    It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical + candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady + rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The + smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder + of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a + fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the + separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You + hope.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

      -

    • What do guides in the Sea of Dreams and the Ravenfolk - typically seek in return for directing travellers to the - correct pocket dimension?

      • -

    • An establishment inside the Bazaar is only open in the - evenings whenever it appears in the city. How long does travel - to a pocket dimension typically take, allowing for time to - seek out a guide? Is there a way travellers can estimate the - time to set out on their journey, in order to arrive at the - establishment while it is open?

      • -

    • Who are the Red Spider and “Dude 215R” mentioned in the - ritual? How can travellers avoid summoning them?

      • -

    • Would anything happen to the travellers if any of the - sigils were removed during the ritual before they wake - up?

      • +

    • How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in + Bread?

      • +

    • What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the + Dreaming?

      • +

    • What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being + exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?

    -

    (Half and four hours later)

    -

    Two sets of eyes peer down at the contents of an open tin. - One accompanied by a focused look and a little trepidation, - following the pinkish, flesh-like chunks speckled with white - pockets of fat as they tumble into a hot pan and almost - immediately begin to move of their own accord. The moving - mounds resemble small round mouths opening, each with a rim of - sharp teeth. The other pair of eyes belongs to a grinning face - that beams when the mounds bloom into bright red flat caps, - the edges beneath about to soften in the olive oil.

    -

    Minutes after, The slices are ready. Inky accepts the plate - of tostada with spicy pickled artichoke mushrooms and tomatoes - with a murmur of thanks. Reassembling the recipe for the - tinned spicy artichoke mushrooms had been a tedious process — - someone had ripped out the pages from an old pickling book - that had long ceased publication. Eventually Inky found a - former nomad who had eaten them for two years in their youth - and could recall or somewhat describe the taste. Flowery and - savoury, they said. Many taste tests later, it turned out to - be closer to partially decomposed cheese in ponderosa lemon - juice. Canning was fortuitously easier with the increasing - portability of sealers. Rather than telling the empanada chef - any of this, Inky watches satisfaction slowly spread across - his face. The tale that follows is far more entertaining.

    -

    (Half and five hours later)

    -

    While measuring out ingredients for the forty-second tea - infusion since the start of the missions, not that Inky was - keeping a close count, they hear a familiar voice a short - distance outside the door asking for their whereabouts. - Without pausing in their whisking, Inky simply informs the - owner of the voice they’re not here, obviously, before - emerging from the storage pantry with a fresh pot and bowls on - a wooden tray, and greets the returning sysorcerer.

    - -

    Agate writes back quickly:

    -
    -

    What do guides in the Sea of Dreams and the Ravenfolk - typically seek in return for directing travellers to the - correct pocket dimension?

    -
    -

    Intangibles. Usually memories, hopes, or dreams.

    -
    -

    An establishment inside the Bazaar is only open in the - evenings whenever it appears in the city. How long does travel - to a pocket dimension typically take, allowing for time to - seek out a guide? Is there a way travellers can estimate the - time to set out on their journey, in order to arrive at the - establishment while it is open?

    -
    -

    You’ll find that time is rather malleable on the Otherside. - You’ll likely arrive exactly when you’re meant to. No need to - worry too much about it.

    -
    -

    Who are the Red Spider and “Dude 215R” mentioned in the - ritual? How can travellers avoid summoning them?

    -
    -

    Godforms manifested by the Linking Sigil and the Dream - Sigil, respectively. It’s not terrible if they show - up. But it’s definitely not ideal. You shouldn’t register on - their radar as long as you don’t pump too much energy into, or - siphon to much energy out of, the sigils. If they do show up, - just know that you’re in the presence of a godlike power, and - behave accordingly.

    -
    -

    Would anything happen to the travellers if any of the - sigils were removed during the ritual before they wake up?

    -
    -

    If the sigils are removed or if the circle is broken, - you’ll likely just wake up before you wanted to. Same goes for - if your dreamform is destroyed while in the Dreaming. The only - real danger you may encounter is the Scissormen and their ilk. - They will attempt to permanently sever your dreamform from - your waking body. Which would leave your body a soulless husk, - and leave your consciousness adrift in the Sea of Dreams. But - that probably won’t happen! Okay good luck, have fun!

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    ]]>     - 63 + 67 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 63 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:53 + 67 - Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:24:28 -0700 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:54 -0700 + Tue, 28 Feb 2023 07:24:28 -0700 00063 +

    00067

    +

    In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly + through the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the + twitch of a finger to indicate that they hear anything at + all.

    +

    During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but + Rind noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle + wiggle its way out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate + at the base of the candle, the ringing of tin masked by the + ringing of the claxon alarm.

    +

    Still the dreamers sleep.

    +

    Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The + mummified hand of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts + to wriggle, struggle, and strain against the softening wax. It + stretches and reaches for the eye in the center of the + candle.

    +

    Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. + The child looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the + hemogoblin stumbled into the circle, smudging the line of salt + and ash, breaking the circle and severing its continuity. + Making a small space for something to get in. Or out.

    -

    “Greetings, Great One.” Inky bows, back parallel to the - ground while they stand on the branch, now a humanoid child in - a black uniform and matching bookbag hanging under one arm. - The banana boat is nowhere in sight. Fuko follows her errant - charge and the cloaked figure from a nearby branch.

    -

    “This lowly one wonders if they may be permitted to seek - the Great Spirit’s insight, whose wisdom endures before and - beyond.” Inky begins, staring down the blurry reflection of - silver boughs overhead on the polished toes of their black - shoes. They notice idly they do not see themselves in the - reflection.

    -

    Straightening from the bow, they look up at the figure and - hold out a plate of taiyaki. After a moment, the child asks - haltingly, “There may come a day when this one will be asked - to choose between the chance to protect many and that which - they desire to protect most. Should this one choose equally? - Will the choice matter if both paths eventually lead to - destruction? Could destruction and salvation be two sides of - the same coin?”

    +

    “Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!” Alex’s + eyes scan the room rapidly. There’s no water, aside from what + he dragged in with his abrupt departure from the pier. The + dark sky stretches into the nothingness of the void. Asthe + robed figure begins speaks Alex takes note of his + situation.

    +

    ‘Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing + actually. It’s one thing after another with this dream + thing.’

    +

    As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. + “I’ll be honest my guy, I haven’t the foggiest what you’re + talking about. Looks to me you’ve got the whole sword thing, + all I’ve got is my trusty AK. I guess back top side, in umm I + guess the real world, I did find a wonky dagger my uncle tried + to hide. But I’m pretty sure that got eaten by a cute little + hemogoblin while I was busy murdering ghost pirates. Anyways + more to the point, I’m not quite sure I follow.”

    +

    Alex pauses briefly and then continues, “You say you need + to get out of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I + just got attacked by some freaky sadist mushroom that called + itself katsuva. Cut its head clean off just so it could try + and chuck me in the drink. Right unpleasant fella, but I think + I lost him when, well, I got here, wherever that is.”

    +

    “Now I don’t know much, but I’m not much for trust after + getting attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you’ll + excuse me, I reckon the exit is right about that way (Alex + jabs his finger over his back away from the figure), and I’m + inclined to head out unless you know a better way.”

    -

    You and the Dude are sitting in small upholstered chairs, - across a small half table from each other. There is a large - sticky bun on a white lacy doily on the table. Next to you is - a small portal-sized window, and outside you can see green - rolling hills and small copses of trees fly by. The other - seats on the small train car are all empty. The two of you are - alone.

    -

    “I cannot give you advice,” the Dude says. “But I can offer - you experience.”

    -

    They raise a hand and hold a loosely closed fist out over - the table. The walls of the train become fuzzy and blurry, - then translucent, and finally transparent. They disappear and - you have the sensation of rocketing through space at dizzying - speeds.

    -

    The track splits ahead you. To one side, bound to one track - is that which you desire to protect most. Bound to the other - are the many.

    -

    “You can choose safely here. It’s just a dream, after all.” - The Dude opens their fist. The Twenty-one Fiver coin rests in - their palm. “Heads, you steer the train into the many, sparing - that which you love most. Tails, the opposite. You spare the - many, and sacrifice that which you hold dear.” They hold the - coin out to you.

    -

    The train barrels toward the fork. “But choose quickly, - lest the choice be made for you.”

    +

    You weren’t in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval + Team 43, so you didn’t see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian + is familiar with the iconography of the Trine. This figure is + dressed in the traditional rainments of Neddas, god of sages + and starlight. Furthermore you recognize them from your dreams + in the Milk Market.

    +

    Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your + leg.

    +

    “You know, we each of us loved you in our own way,” Neddas + says. “But of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my + divinity. I wanted to see you thrive and grow strong.

    +

    “You’ve already found several pieces of my essence. + Coin in the treasure hoard below the earth. + Mirth in the shipwreck under the sea. And + lore in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak.

    +

    “And of course you found justice,” they say, + looking at the sword. “This one got a little weird.” The + frown. “Became a little sentient, didn’t it?” They press the + blade of the sword to their chest and absorb it into their + being. They sigh happily.

    +

    “You have found enough of my essence that I am able to + start to materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But + here, a little bit.

    +

    “There are still two more pieces out there. If you can + reunite all five crystals, I will be able to cross over into + Basmentaria again.

    +

    “So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. + Return to Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I + may return and right the wrongs of the past. I will do what I + can to assist you.”

    -

    Alex scrambles from the wreckage of his mech, or what - remained from the gore portal he’d just experienced. The - thought of what had occurred made him grimace, which was an - unusual state of affairs for an octopus, that is until Alex - realized he seemed to be back in his own body.

    -

    “Sunset, or perhaps rise? It’s hard to tell. Pretty - though.. could be prettier without the creepy knife dude.” - Alex mutters to himself while he rummages through the - destroyed cockpit of the mech. He makes quick work, detaches a - side panel, pulls a couple of wires, and a compartment in the - back opens revealing the smooth dark blue metal and wood grain - of an ak74u sub machine gun. Amused Alex pulls the weapon from - the compartment and notices a distinct lack of additional - magazines, just the one large drum attached to the weapon with - large red letters emblazoned on it [INFINITE AMMO]. - “Neat.”

    -

    Alex pulls himself from the wreck, and jumps down behind - one of the fallen tentacles taking a firing position behind - cover, ak74u aimed down range at the faceless figure.

    -

    “I don’t know who you are, but I don’t trust anyone who - approaches with a weapon. Let’s both stand down and talk this - through! I’m not supposed to be here, and I reckon you don’t - want me here either. I’d be happy to oblige and skidaddle if - you’d be so kind as to point the way out!” Alex pauses waiting - for a reply.

    +

    Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing + their forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their + chest, and strolling towards the restrooms.

    +

    Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of + sight from the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message + from Master Alex and reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. + Also in the envelope is a smooth oval grey pebble with the + letters “sh” carved onto it. A mini dousojin. How considerate + of him.

    +

    Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky + holds up a chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the + great horned owl patiently perched on their shoulder. “What if + we just zip out now and have a walk around the towers? Do you + think it will cause offence to the Grand Master of the realm?” + Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her treat and gives them a + short series of disapproving clicks of her beak.

    +

    “He wants more ‘intel’,” Inky says. It isn’t even a + question.

    +

    On another occasion they would be glad to see Master + Corraidhn animated and well — when there wasn’t a demanding + curmudgeon on the other end of an absurd fishing expedition. + The elder sysorcerer’s presence in the Dreaming, illusion or + otherwise, has effectively dashed any prospect of an early + night out.

    +

    “Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you.” Inky + tells the owl.

    +

    They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal + stripes, blue knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and + wordlessly declare the change of clothes suitable for fine + non-dining. The noogle’s drawstring pouch is knotted to a + metal hoop on a pocket flap to one side of their shorts, + having let loose a short mop of tousled red hair. A plush + floofy duck keychain dangles next to the pouch.

    +

    Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with + an owl approaches the far corner table.

    -

    The tall figure halts a short distance away. It raises a - hand and waves. In greeting? Surrender? In a fluid motion it - continues to lift the same hand and grabs a hold of its trunk, - a little less than a foot from the tip. It squeezes its fist - tightly and the tip begins to swell. It raises its other hand, - and the knife, and starts to saw into the flesh of the trunk - behind its fist. The blade cuts cleanly as though through a - loaf of bread. There is no blood or gore.

    -

    When the creature lowers its hand, you can see that the - center of the trunk is a solid, bright pink fleshy material - like a grapefruit, in the center of which are two pin-prick - eyes and a wide thin gash of a mouth.

    -

    It still holds the tip of its severed trunk in its hand, a - thin stalk and a bulging cap looking for all the world like a - large white button mushroom. Peering up from the stem of the - mushroom, an identical pink face regards you stoically.

    -

    Both faces speak at the exact same time, one high pitched - and one a deep baritone. “Welcome, Dreamer, to Ousia, the Sea - of Dreams. We are Kasutva.”

    -

    Big Kasutva stoops down to set the small mushroom Kasutva - down on the ground. If they’re both Kasutva, that is. If - that’s the way their biology and sense of self actually works. - Mushroom Kasutva wobbles side to side a little bit and waggles - its stalk as it looks around. Big Kasutva places its knife - back in its satchel and takes a few small steps closer to - you.

    -

    “We did not mean to offend you,” the two say, still - perfectly in sync. “As for the way out, that depends only - somewhat on your destination. Whatever the answer, we can - assure you that it lies across the sea.” Large Kasutva - gestures broadly toward the expanse of ocean. Small Kasutva - lacks any limbs and cannot gesture, but smiles softly at - you.

    -

    “But tell us what it is you seek. Perhaps we can be of - help.”

    +

    You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through + the crowded tables of the Harpoon Club.

    +

    “Inky!” Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. + The cat person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the + block tower.

    +

    Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. + When nobody follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs + on his beard, and sits up straighter in his chair.

    +

    “You’re alone?” Blavin observes. “No matter. Thank you so + much for meeting us here! I trust it wasn’t too much trouble? + A little bit out of the way, I know. But it is so very hard to + find a place away from prying eyes, isn’t it?”

    +

    “Get to the point, Blavin.” snaps Corraidhín.

    +

    “Quite right!” laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. + “Listen,” he says, suddenly very serious. “It’s time I came + clean to you. You deserve that much. And besides, I think we + can help each other. While it is true that I work for the + Benefactor, I don’t actually serve their interests. You see, I + represent another party. A double agent they would + call me in the spy novels.” He waves his hand dismissively, as + though somebody were making a fuss over him and he were + embarrassed.

    +

    “As I’m sure you already know, our organization is called + the Golden Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect + the Ginnarak Cystals. I know you’ve heard all the old stories. + Together they could kill a god, blah blah blah.” He + sloshes his drink as the gestures. “But we think they’ve got + it all wrong, Inky. That is, they have it backwards + at least!”

    +

    Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. “The Golden Iris intends + nothing less than creating a new god!”

    +

    “The Trine has been absent for years. We’re going to + restore the balance. Now you see why the mission is so + important, Inky. We need the crystals.”

    +

    “Now I know what you’re going to say! It all sounds too + fantastic. Yes well, that’s why I brought along somebody whose + credibility I know you’ll trust!” He beams at Corraidhín.

    +

    The wizard sighs. “As far as I can tell, the hobbit is + telling the truth.”

    +

    Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues.

    +

    “The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the Corn + Mother, to godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of + sense. She’s the only mortal to have created life after all. + Kind of the ideal candidate for the job to be honest.

    +

    They’ve hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help + them. And they’re managing to drag the thing forward despite + all pulling in slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms + want new bodies. The Gnu Zealots want to open source the + process so everybody can create new gods. And I don’t actually + know what the BAND wackos want.”

    +

    Corraidhín shrugs, “I don’t have a particular dog in this + fight. The Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, ‘anomaly’ + that happened at the SS RSS. Including the second crystal, + which is currently in his possession, and my body, which is + still technically back at the institute and still under the + care of Felixe here.” The black cat gives another polite nod. + Having completed building the tumbling tower, it is now + shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on the + table.

    +

    “Felixe is Basmentaria’s preeminent expert in preserving + entities that happen to exist between two states. Or that + happen to exist in two states at the same time.. Bah, it’s + complicated,” Corraidhín huffs.

    +

    “Yes!” interrupts Blavin. “Now! Despite working closely + with him all this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the + Benefactor’s actual plans for the crystals. I just know we + need them more.

    +

    “Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also + the one in the Benefactor’s possession. And deliver them to us + so we may usher in a new age for Basmentaria!”

    +

    Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the + table, face down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It + sets the remainder of the deck aside and looks at you + expectantly.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    + ]]> +     +     + + 54 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 54 - Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:12:08 +-0700 + Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:18:44 -0700 + + 00054 +
    +

    Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored + to the roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the + old belongings of his former uncle.

    +

    sigh “Best get a request to HQ for this airship, + maybe they’ll let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we + have to impound it..”

    + 
    <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
+-> OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
+
+CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
+REQUEST ENCLOSED.
+
+REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
+ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP "The Rusty Maiden"
    +

    “There’s also the matter of this little hemogoblin..” Alex + mutters to himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around + the room, dripping little pools of blood hither and + tither.

    + 
    <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
+-> OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
+
+CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
+REQUEST ENCLOSED
+PACKET ENCLOSED
+
+REQUESTING ANALYSIS
+ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
+TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
+NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY
    +

    “Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says they’re + divine.” Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and + gently carries him downstairs.”

    +

    Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the + empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enrique’s protests that these + were for paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed + careless over one shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen + and then out and away into the garden to enjoy their pilfered + treats.

    +

    “I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force + at times”

    +
    +

    ~

    +
    +

    Inky stepped into the toques’ cabin below deck with a tray + of turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking + on Bread’s bandages and offering the toque reclined on the + berth the last bag of mango croutons — or at least the last + one for the next two hours — Inky perched on a wooden barrel + across from where Confidence sat on a creaking old chair next + to the bunk and spoke. “We’ll be landing in about an hour and + getting Bread to a medical facility. You can stay with him + while he heals and rest up.”

    +

    They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the + liquid was being used to summon their next words. “On behalf + of myself and the party, I apologise for the … disruption, and + for what had befallen the hotelier. As you may have already + noticed, we’re a fair distance away from the Peak and will be + arriving in Vay’Nullar soon. This airship was taken over from + the cyberplasms in the course of getting the crystal out and + the injured to a safe location, and her new captain could + hardly fly it back straight into the pirates’ hands now.

    +

    What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as + you need to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts + in the city. One of our party runs a Milk Market that could + certainly use some hired help, and a garden in the back that + would benefit from more attention. Pay will be double your + current salary at the hotel. Master Alex may also recruit you + for other tasks. You don’t need to have an answer just yet — + think on it for a bit while you rest and let us know. + Afterwards, if you find that you still wish to return to + Kelsun Peak, we will pay for travel.”

    +

    Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. “You may be + interested to know there is a bakery on the Milk Market’s + first floor. If you like the look of the place, perhaps we can + convince the chef to take on an assistant.”

    +

    ~

    +

    Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of + the plush chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare + impassively as they sat in the adjoining armchair to her + right. The ornate coffee table before them had been laid out + for tea, but the other cup remained untouched, which was in + itself unusual. Ink rarely turned down tea when it was + offered, which likely meant they were preoccupied with + something they were unwilling to discuss. This had been + happening more frequently since their plans to intercept the + Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little concerning, but she knew + it would be no use to question them directly. The missive she + had received this time through Piskin’s people was brief, + almost annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than + expected with the articles that production had requested, + which had fortunately made up for lost time from the previous + delays.

    +

    With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she + picked up her own teacup. “Salvia passed on the items to the + production team. Thank you for picking them up from the + Runesocesius. I would send my regular couriers but they are + tied up with another event. One of them had to care for their + sick child and couldn’t leave the city. As usual, time and + discretion are of the essence.”

    +

    When her adviser only nodded, she continued. “How is he? He + probably insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you + himself. The man is cautious with valuables.”

    +

    “Quite dead but managing, or so I heard.” Ink intoned + drily.

    +

    Tess caught on immediately. “Didn’t you meet with him? The + message only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did + something happen?”

    +

    The imp shrugged. “We met, I delivered the letter and + collected the items. We didn’t get a chance to talk.”

    +

    The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors + again, especially after their last play had prominently + featured the Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the + programme credits, but Tess didn’t think the hotelier was so + busy as to entrust this task to one of his underlings. The man + was proud of the first editions the library had amassed, and + the notebooks of Lucidieau that the playwright sought as a + reference were no doubt counted among the treasures, even if + only an expensive commissioned facsimile was permitted out of + the library. Something had happened, she was sure, but decided + not to press further for the moment.

    +

    “And the other matter?” she asked.

    +

    “Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and + retained a crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place.” + Ink replied flatly. “And yes, your acquaintance is very much + dead, shot by the crew leader in the scuffle. As the rumour + rags have it, his ghost is now overseeing the building + repairs.”

    +

    Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless + jest when there was a knock at the door. At her response, the + door opened and her secretary entered with a box of pastries + and two sets of tableware, which she placed on the coffee + table before leaving and closing the door behind her.

    +

    Noticing Ink’s look of recognition, Tess smiled and + ventured, “This is the second time is as many months you + awarded that empanada place a glowing review in The Tiny + Toaster. I can count the ratings higher than a 10 you’ve + ever given on one hand — of course I had to try it. Why don’t + you have some as well?”

    +

    Ink blinked. “I didn’t write the latest review.”

    +

    Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy + golden brown pastry onto a plate. “It has your inkprints all + over it.”

    +

    “I don’t know what you mean. Surely I’m allowed to treat a + colleague to lunch, and they are free to express their + satisfaction with a meal openly if they wish,” Ink replied + smoothly.

    +

    Tess rolled her eyes. “There’s a name for that. It’s called + bribery.”

    +

    Ink smiled faintly. “Just so. However, the selection speaks + for itself.”

    +

    “Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are + wonderful. In fact,” Tess prodded the open end of the pastry + with her fork, where a light yellow filling was visible, “they + remind me a little of the very crispy tortelli + someone made several years ago just for the opening + reception of The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha.”

    +

    “Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very + capable.” Ink said evenly.

    +

    Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. “We’ve + talked about this before, Ink. You don’t have to hole up in + some poor scrub’s excuse for a kitchen in a closet. If you + need more room downstairs then expand it. Just tell Salvia and + she’ll take care of it.”

    +

    Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. “I appreciate the + offer, but the answer is the same. There will be no rest until + the crystals are secured.”

    +
    +

    Some time passes.

    +

    The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of + a problem than you thought it would be. Be it because its not + in the excitement of battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it + because it is maturing slightly, it seems in better control of + its blood sacs. Barring a few small accidents, it doesn’t make + much of a mess. It has found and claimed as its own a few + unused blankets, and has made a little burrow nest in an out + of the way corner behind the furniture.

    +

    Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better + than ever before. The blood goblin stays by their side during + the first hours and days and keeps them pumped full of clean, + synthetic blood. Afterwards the toque is flushed a healthy + pink and has new vigor. Enrique takes them under his tutelage. + And Bread ends up making a fine baker’s apprentice. Dough + seems to rise more and quicker after he kneads it. “The lad + has solar hands,” Enrique boasts of his new protegee.

    +

    Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient + Wandering Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with + glacial speed up and down the streets, vendors and stalls and + shoppers following in its wake. But then also it will + disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear in a totally + different part of the area known as the Wandering Bazaar + District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is occupied + entirely by a single shop. But which shop it is seems to vary + from day to day. One day the seventh level will be occupied by + Fedik’s Butcher shop. And the next, Lario’s Bakery. It might + be days or weeks before one can once again buy hotlinks from + Fedik’s. Where the shops go when they’re not here is one of + Basmentaria’s great mysteries.

    +

    The toque studies the Bazaar’s movements and are able to + predict its route with more and more accuracy. They become a + highly sought out guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to + take them to the very spot the Bazaar will appear that day. + Residents appreciate the heads up and not getting trapped in + their houses when the Bazaar wedges its way into their narrow + residential streets, blocking their front doors. And owners of + traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to plan ahead for + the crowds that will appear on “Bazaar Day”.

    +

    ~

    +

    Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ + start having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course + at first nobody knows their dreams are shared by the others. + Not until they become more frequent, more regular. By the time + the figure has visited you every night for nearly a week, + somebody speaks up and you realize the coincidence.

    +

    The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple. + Long, straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders. + Their soft features are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden + circlet on their head and a golden eye in the middle of their + forehead. Their passive, neutral face betrays no emotion the + entire time.

    +

    The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with + one hand and turn their palm up. And because of dream logic, + in the palm of their hand you can hear the jingling of coins, + mirthful laughter, and hushed stories told around a campfire. + They curl their fingers into a loose first and the sounds + stop. They spread their arms wide and in the folds of their + robes you can see three siblings fighting, squabbling over a + broken loom.

    +

    Then you’re standing next to them, and the two of you watch + three friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that + he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesn’t want to be an + owl any more, he wants to be flowers. And Snake laughs and + tells him that he is Owl, and an owl he must remain. And she + leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in the sun. So Owl tells + Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesn’t + want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers. Dolphin + doesn’t want to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they won’t + be able to be together any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees + to help even though they don’t want to, because Dolphin loves + Owl. With all their strength, they create a great waterspout + that will turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout is too + strong, and Dolphin is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl + but does not turn him into flowers. Owl’s wing is broken and + he falls to the ground in a heap of feathers. The waterspout + shakes a great boulder from the earth and traps Snake under + it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of the sea.

    +

    And then you wake up.

    +

    ~

    +

    Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market + HQ. It is not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it + reads:

    +
    +

    Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting + to draw to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if + we both are to achieve our goals. We have information that you + are looking for. Meet us at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We + will wear the sign.

    +
    +

    The letter is signed with a white iris and golden + apple.

    +

    Anyone in Vay’Nullar would be able to tell you that the + Harpoon Club is a game room and fine dining club, and one of + the rotating tenants of the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence + would tell you, were you to ask them, that the club won’t be + there next Selday. (When the Bazaar will appear at East and + Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to appear until a week + and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday. (When the + Bazaar will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    ]]>     @@ -685,6 +1150,236 @@ Agent 5 found the melon vendor dead in a back alley, strangled to death, not imm ]]>     + + 63 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 63 - Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:53 +-0700 + Tue, 14 Feb 2023 07:01:54 -0700 + + 00063 +
    +

    “Greetings, Great One.” Inky bows, back parallel to the + ground while they stand on the branch, now a humanoid child in + a black uniform and matching bookbag hanging under one arm. + The banana boat is nowhere in sight. Fuko follows her errant + charge and the cloaked figure from a nearby branch.

    +

    “This lowly one wonders if they may be permitted to seek + the Great Spirit’s insight, whose wisdom endures before and + beyond.” Inky begins, staring down the blurry reflection of + silver boughs overhead on the polished toes of their black + shoes. They notice idly they do not see themselves in the + reflection.

    +

    Straightening from the bow, they look up at the figure and + hold out a plate of taiyaki. After a moment, the child asks + haltingly, “There may come a day when this one will be asked + to choose between the chance to protect many and that which + they desire to protect most. Should this one choose equally? + Will the choice matter if both paths eventually lead to + destruction? Could destruction and salvation be two sides of + the same coin?”

    +
    +

    You and the Dude are sitting in small upholstered chairs, + across a small half table from each other. There is a large + sticky bun on a white lacy doily on the table. Next to you is + a small portal-sized window, and outside you can see green + rolling hills and small copses of trees fly by. The other + seats on the small train car are all empty. The two of you are + alone.

    +

    “I cannot give you advice,” the Dude says. “But I can offer + you experience.”

    +

    They raise a hand and hold a loosely closed fist out over + the table. The walls of the train become fuzzy and blurry, + then translucent, and finally transparent. They disappear and + you have the sensation of rocketing through space at dizzying + speeds.

    +

    The track splits ahead you. To one side, bound to one track + is that which you desire to protect most. Bound to the other + are the many.

    +

    “You can choose safely here. It’s just a dream, after all.” + The Dude opens their fist. The Twenty-one Fiver coin rests in + their palm. “Heads, you steer the train into the many, sparing + that which you love most. Tails, the opposite. You spare the + many, and sacrifice that which you hold dear.” They hold the + coin out to you.

    +

    The train barrels toward the fork. “But choose quickly, + lest the choice be made for you.”

    +
    +

    Alex scrambles from the wreckage of his mech, or what + remained from the gore portal he’d just experienced. The + thought of what had occurred made him grimace, which was an + unusual state of affairs for an octopus, that is until Alex + realized he seemed to be back in his own body.

    +

    “Sunset, or perhaps rise? It’s hard to tell. Pretty + though.. could be prettier without the creepy knife dude.” + Alex mutters to himself while he rummages through the + destroyed cockpit of the mech. He makes quick work, detaches a + side panel, pulls a couple of wires, and a compartment in the + back opens revealing the smooth dark blue metal and wood grain + of an ak74u sub machine gun. Amused Alex pulls the weapon from + the compartment and notices a distinct lack of additional + magazines, just the one large drum attached to the weapon with + large red letters emblazoned on it [INFINITE AMMO]. + “Neat.”

    +

    Alex pulls himself from the wreck, and jumps down behind + one of the fallen tentacles taking a firing position behind + cover, ak74u aimed down range at the faceless figure.

    +

    “I don’t know who you are, but I don’t trust anyone who + approaches with a weapon. Let’s both stand down and talk this + through! I’m not supposed to be here, and I reckon you don’t + want me here either. I’d be happy to oblige and skidaddle if + you’d be so kind as to point the way out!” Alex pauses waiting + for a reply.

    +
    +

    The tall figure halts a short distance away. It raises a + hand and waves. In greeting? Surrender? In a fluid motion it + continues to lift the same hand and grabs a hold of its trunk, + a little less than a foot from the tip. It squeezes its fist + tightly and the tip begins to swell. It raises its other hand, + and the knife, and starts to saw into the flesh of the trunk + behind its fist. The blade cuts cleanly as though through a + loaf of bread. There is no blood or gore.

    +

    When the creature lowers its hand, you can see that the + center of the trunk is a solid, bright pink fleshy material + like a grapefruit, in the center of which are two pin-prick + eyes and a wide thin gash of a mouth.

    +

    It still holds the tip of its severed trunk in its hand, a + thin stalk and a bulging cap looking for all the world like a + large white button mushroom. Peering up from the stem of the + mushroom, an identical pink face regards you stoically.

    +

    Both faces speak at the exact same time, one high pitched + and one a deep baritone. “Welcome, Dreamer, to Ousia, the Sea + of Dreams. We are Kasutva.”

    +

    Big Kasutva stoops down to set the small mushroom Kasutva + down on the ground. If they’re both Kasutva, that is. If + that’s the way their biology and sense of self actually works. + Mushroom Kasutva wobbles side to side a little bit and waggles + its stalk as it looks around. Big Kasutva places its knife + back in its satchel and takes a few small steps closer to + you.

    +

    “We did not mean to offend you,” the two say, still + perfectly in sync. “As for the way out, that depends only + somewhat on your destination. Whatever the answer, we can + assure you that it lies across the sea.” Large Kasutva + gestures broadly toward the expanse of ocean. Small Kasutva + lacks any limbs and cannot gesture, but smiles softly at + you.

    +

    “But tell us what it is you seek. Perhaps we can be of + help.”

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     + + 62 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 62 - Sun, 12 Feb 2023 08:57:51 +-0700 + Sun, 12 Feb 2023 08:57:51 -0700 + + 00062 +
    +

    One moment, Inky is half-asleep on their feet in the middle + of Branch Avenue. In the next, they are reclining in a banana + boat that resembles a canoe painted with long stripes of + yellow and white with deep brown swipes. The s’more interior + padding is soft, yet with the suppleness of fruit leather. A + few round, matching brown mini-cushions are strewn across the + boat interior. Also in the boat are two silver spoon paddles, + more for looks than cooks.

    +

    They don’t know where the boat came from. Things just + appear. Like that Red Squirrel. Inky moves to holler a + greeting, but instead recites:

    + 
    "sgb rpthqqbk hr qba sgb fgnrsr dktb
+sgb qnkkr rwbbs uma rn uqb ynt
+sgnt uqs ly fthahmf rsuq ul h sghmb
+h rbb vbqhky ly utrohehntr rhfm
+sgb kns wur snrra uma sgbm h aqbw
+uma cnqstmb ruha hs rgnta db ynt ott"[1]
    + 
    [1]:
+"The squirrel is red, the ghost's blue,
+The roll's sweet, and so are you.
+Thou art my guiding star, am I thine?
+I see verily my auspicious sign:
+The lot was toss'd and then I drew,
+And Fortune said it shou'd be you. Puu."
    +
    +

    ~

    +
    +

    While Inky boards her banana boat and recites poetry to the + maddened squirrel, Alex springs to action leaping blithely + from the branch towards the squirrel. Beneath him manifests a + cockpit, sleek and futuristic. Around this materializes a + large robotic weapon, octopus-oid in shape. The many tentacles + bristle with weapons both fearsome and deadly.

    +

    Alex grabs the controls, in one tentacle he latches onto + the banana boat, that way he won’t accidentally get separated + from Inky. With the other seven a series of feathers appear in + every brilliant hue. The tentacle attached to the boat unfurls + allowing Alex to draw closer to the squirrel. As the gap + closes the most intense tickle fight the dream world has ever + seen ensues, bringing joyous laughter to the faces of + many.

    +

    “Inky, if we need to get out of here, just jet it! That + tentacle will yank the control pod and me with it!”

    +
    +

    Alex basically becomes a Mech pilot, and confronts the Red + Squirrel head on with the Octopod.

    +

    You engage in the tickle fight to end all tickle + fights!

    +

    Its eight arms are more than a match for the squirrels + eight legs. You have the advantage of reach, entanglement, and + sucker pads. It struggles in your grasp, gnashing its terrible + teeth, but cannot reach you. Its long tail whips around + ineffectively, battering you softly.

    +

    The agitated squirrel squeals and swells like a red + balloon. The mech’s tentacles struggle to contain it. Just as + the strain on the machine is about to become unbearable, the + rodent violently deflates. It collapses in on itself with such + ferocity that it turns itself inside out. The octopod, all + tangled up in the collapsing squirrel, is pulled along as it + folds in on itself until it becomes a hungry void the size of + a marble, floating in space and sucking at the air.

    +

    Inky watches from the banana boat as Alex and the squirrel + disappear from the Silver Forest. The squirrel portal finally + closes in on itself, severing the banana boat from the octopus + mecha at the last possible second. Inky on this side. Alex on + the other.

    +

    Alex, you and the wreckage of the octopod are vomited out + onto a sandy beach. Red mist and vapors dissipate from your + entry point. Before you is a vast ocean, lapping lazily at the + beach. The shoreline extends endlessly in both directions. + Behind you are endless sand dunes. Though there is no sun, the + sky seems to hover at sunset, all brilliant, swirling oranges + and purples.

    +

    A lone humanoid figure can be seen standing atop a nearby + dune. It is tall. It has legs like a goat or fawn, and a + paunchy belly. Its long neck protrudes into a kind of trunk + that eventually folds over and hangs down in front of the + creature, about chest height. It terminates in a smooth, round + nub. No face. It wears a small satchel at its hip, its strap + slung over one shoulder and across its chest. Its long arms + hand loosely at its sides. Despite the lack of a face and any + sensory organs, it seems to be watching you. Slowly, it + descends the dune and starts walking toward you. It reaches + into its satchel and draws a long, sharp knife as it + approaches.

    +

    Inky, you are in the banana boat in the Silver Forest. The + turtle that was a chipmunk has holed up in its shell, + effectively just a sticky bun.

    +

    “You wanted to see me,” intones a slightly muffled voice + behind you. A statement, not a question. You turn to see a + figure cloaked in shadows and demons. They wear a domed helmet + of black obsidian glass, flashes of rainbow colored light + crackling along the inside illuminating very little of the + smoke-filled interior.

    +

    “What is it you seek from Dude 215R?”

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     66 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -868,625 +1563,199 @@ Agent 5 found the melon vendor dead in a back alley, strangled to death, not imm - 58 + 56 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 58 - Sat, 21 Jan 2023 16:24:45 + 56 - Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:10:25 -0700 - Sun, 29 Jan 2023 11:02:32 -0700 + Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:10:25 -0700 00058 +

    00056

    -

    (A week prior)

    -

    The secretary collected the stack of papers that had - accumulated at one corner of the desk. “This might help,” she - said, setting down a bundle of herbs with white and pink - flowers in place of the papers.

    -

    Inky stared at the blooms, hands stilled over the owl’s - plumage. “Oh! Thanks. Good thinking, really. It’ll help make - the stench more bearable when they find the remains.”

    -

    The grey elf was confused for a moment, then mortified as - the words sank in. “That’s not what I meant! It’s for the - circle,” she clarified.

    -

    Seeing the imp’s preoccupied nod, she coughed lightly to - regain their attention, then spoke in a hushed voice. - “Beaker’s associates have picked up the empanada shop - proprietor and transported him to an undisclosed location. - There will be a retinue with him at all times.”

    -

    Inky seemed to visibly pull themselves back to the room - before responding, “Thank you, Salvia. One more thing — if I - do not return by the indicated time, please activate the - hitsuzen protocol. As precaution.”

    -

    The secretary looked at Inky in concern. “Is everything all - right? If you’re still troubled by the hotelier, accidents - happen. A single incident—”

    -

    “Third. An unidentified man was attacked at the docks. He - was probably sent to investigate the melon vendor. One of the - other stall owners heard him asking questions shortly after - the melon vendor disappeared.”

    -

    Salvia’s violet eyes narrowed. “What, the fruit vendor? - Didn’t the tabloids say it was an accident? He tried to get - rid of a neighbor’s nest of snakes.”

    -

    Inky only raised an eyebrow at her.

    -

    The secretary let out a low curse. “You didn’t tell her. - You didn’t want her to worry,” she said aloud in realization. - She sighed. “She’s going to be pretty angry with you when she - finds out, you know.”

    -

    Inky offered her a sardonic smile. “Making people angry is - my job. You of all people know this well. In the event of my - timely demise I’m sure the others would find it cause for a - grand celebration.” They replied matter-of-factly before - returning to smoothing the feathers of one bird wing.

    -

    Salvia shook her head vehemently. “That’s not true. You’ll - make it back, Ink. What then—”

    -

    “Then our fair Lady’s ire would be the least of the - problems.”

    +

    The agitation Alex feels bubbles just beneath the surface. + Patterns where patterns shouldn’t be, strange orders from HQ, + indifference where once was ample aide as well. It was + maddening. Combine it all with the haunting suspicion that + there was constantly someone just around the next corner, and + it was enough to truly drive Alex mad.

    +

    That uneasiness takes its toll on a long enough time line, + but Alex wasn’t about to let it get to him. Or so he thought + to himself as he cast a furtive look at his monitoring + equipment. This paranoia had served him well in the past, very + well in fact. It’s a sort of sixth sense in a way, always kept + Alex off the edge of the cliff, especially when someone + stepped close enough to push him off. Those were the types of + skills HQ sought after in the first place.

    +

    Alex closes the iron door on his bunker, leaving his + monitoring equipment running, dead man’s trigger set to blow + the place shoul anyone enter it. Can’t be too careful these + days..

    +

    Emerging from the sewer grate, sticking to the shadows, + Alex makes his way down an alley, then another, and yet + another, finally emerging a few blocks from the Milk Market. + Across the street, as he had expected, was Marvelo’s Marvelous + MurderSticks, a quaint place should one needed something, well + you get the picture, they don’t really sell anything but + weaponry here.

    +

    Alex ducked into the entrance of the shop and strode + towards the back rack, where a collection of knives was on + display. A rough looking fellow, ruddy red beard, thinning + hair, moved from the counter as he saw Alex approach. “Fine + sampling of knives we have, could I interest you in one?” + Marvelo says. Alex reaches for a thin stilleto style dagger, + and hands it to Marvelo “This one seems about right, but I’d + like an extra sharp edge put on it, if you don’t mind”. + Marvelo takes the stilleto from Alex say “Not a problem at all + sir”, and he heads into the back.

    +

    He sets to work honing the edge, and once complete he + places it on his work bench. Grabbing a velvet lined case from + a stack, he deftly removes the bottom and places a rolled + piece of paper into the bottom, alongside an m1911 style + pistol, and a couple of clips of ammo. He then places the + velvet bottom back over the equipment, and places the stilleto + on top, bringing the entire package back to the front. “An + extra fine edge on this one sir, that’ll be 15 gold, plus + another 5 to cover the service.

    +

    Alex pays, and nips out the shop and heads back to the back + alley. Paranoia begets what it requets, Alex mutters to + himself as he disassembles the box holstering the pistol and + ammo, and sheathing the dagger. Can’t keep going unarmed like + I’m some kind of beat cop, not anymore.. Alex discards the + case and unfurls the message, quickly deciphering the + encryption set on it by Marvelo.

    + 
    The hunt is still on, no word on Blavin nor the Iris group, yet.
+Agent 7 heard rumor of a couple of persons inquiring about the "Milk Market" these past few days.
+Agent 3 heard similar rumors, was able to bribe a melon vendor to acertain the figure wore a red sash, and was looking for friends.
+Agent 6 has kept watch on the Market, nothing strange yet, coming and goings as usual, no strange visitors
+Agent 4 monitoring feeds still present glitches, something abnormal
+Agent 5 found the melon vendor dead in a back alley, strangled to death, not immediate signs of blunt force trauma, caution advised
    +

    Alex burned the note, striding rapidly away from the alley, + taking a meandering route away from the Milk Market, looping + back around, and heading back towards it by yet another. + Nobody appeared to be following him, yet he paused at each + corner and turn, waiting for the footsteps of a pursuant.

    +

    Noting nothing, he made his way through the back entrance + of Enrique’s Empanadas greeting the cook quietly, but jovial. + “Enrique, where’s Inky? We’ve got a problem.”

    ~

    -

    Alex stared morosely into his cup of coffee. He’d received - word of agent 5’s demise that morning, and had been the only - thing on his mind since. 5, no Be’tram knew the risks, we all - knew the risks defying HQ brought, but to happen so suddenly? - He’d snuck down to the wharf once he’d heard, making sure to - cover his tracks and dodge any potential witnesses. He even - managed to slip past the police cordon they’d setup around the - body. What he’d found wasn’t pretty, it looked like Be’Tram - had suffered in his final moments. The bruising around his - neck pointed to strangulation, with some sort of cloth, - perhaps a rope. The bruising was deep, and there wasn’t a cut, - burn, shot or something of the likes on his otherwise.

    -

    The kill had been intimate.

    -

    Alex had worked quickly that night, popping Be’Tram’s eye - had been hard, but he’d of wanted Alex to have it. Behind his - right eye was a recording device, it could only catch the last - 15m or so of what he had seen, but it would give him a clear - look at what had happened. And potentially lead Alex to the - killer. Miserable business, but Be’Tram knew it could make a - difference.

    -

    Alex had planted a bomb on the body after he had extracted - the eye, and made his way well away from the area before it - went off obliterating the remains. A regrettable end for an - old friend, but it was too dangerous to leave.

    -

    And then there was the matter of the zabbix alert, a little - purple red critical for the sewer hideout. He’d had time to - send out a drone beetle. The smoldering slag that was left was - reassuring. Most of the equipment was utterly destroyed, racks - upon racks of servers reduced to twisted melted metal. The - effectively of the destruction was delightful, in a sick sort - of desperate way. Alex felt assured that most if not all of - the equipment was useless, but this spelled the end of a - valuable listening outpost. And whoever had done it wasn’t - part of the slag pile.

    -

    Alex stood up, his coffee untouched. The cafe around his - burbled in quiet excitement. The city had lit up since the - Melon vendor’s death. A thousand rumors abounded about it, but - none of them held true; some said the city had become - dangerous, a crime syndicate had arisen in the neighboring - city block another thought, and did you hear about the - explosion at the wharf the other night, the city was electric, - yet somehow ever so slightly off the pulse of the issue.

    -

    As Alex stepped away a woman with horn rimmed glasses - strode past the table he had just abandoned, deftly pulling - the note from beneath the coffee cup, left for her.

    - 
    4 -> 3
-Daylight breaks on the morrow
-The suns rays make chase
-casting soft cloth
-across the nap of nature's neck
-
-So, night relents and gives way
-biding time until
-it can rule
-in its own domain
    -

    For the passerby, it was but a bit of poetry, scribbled - carelessly on the back of a napkin in a coffee near the wharf. - But for Agent 3 it was a warning, one part notes on Agent 5s - demise recovered from his eyecam, one part orders; stay low - and we’ll strike these bastards from the shadows, on our - terms, on our ground. Similar missives were delivered to - Agents 6 & 7. The numbers were dwindling rapidly, even - just one agent lost was hard to stomach.

    -

    Alex hand gripped the pistol in his coat pocket with a - white knuckled grip as he stepped from the coffee shop into - the city. Whatever was after him, whatever had gotten to - Be’Tram, it had better know he was coming, and he’d happily - send it straight to hell. HQ be damned, the rules be damned, - this little game of cat and mouse had just gotten - personal.

    -
    -

    ~

    -
    -

    Alex, Inky, Confidence, Bread, and Agent 7 find themselves - in a dark backroom in a secluded corner of an old fish - processing plant on the wharf. The accommodations are rough, - and the stench is abhorrent, but it’s the best that could be - procured in a pinch. And it should provide enough - seclusion.

    -

    The backroom is like that of many factories, high up near - the ceiling, a single rusty rickety staircase winds its way - along the side of the building for what seems to be 3 flights, - before it reaches a metal room with dusty grimy windows, and a - single steel door. The windows on the interior overlook the - fish processing plant, where rows of belts and machinery stand - still, covered in dust and long forgotten blood. You’re glad - to know that the factory stopped operating years ago, hygiene - is lacking in every sense.

    -

    Alex stares forlornly out the exterior windows, the sky is - a grey overcast, it matches his mood perfectly. He didn’t like - what him and Inky were about to do, but they didn’t have much - they could do about it. They would be vulnerable for the - duration of the ritual. But Agent 7 and Confidence were there - to help mitigate that risk. Alex and Agent 7 had taken every - precaution they could think of.

    -

    The plant floor was scattered with booby traps, trip wires, - and alarms. The other agents were laying low, but kept drones - around the wharf feeding in a network of twtxt data back to - Agent 7 for recon. And that was on top of the double barred - steel doors, and reinforced glass box they’d chosen as their - hide out. Meticulously planned, Alex expected no less from - Agent 7.

    -

    See Marvelo had been at this as long as Alex had, and then - some. He was sharp as a tack, with an animal-like third sense - that came from years of close calls. He was, simply put, the - right man for the job, when that job was keeping your - unconscious ass alive.

    -

    Alex turns away from the window and addresses Inky. - “Apologies for the smell, it turns out there’s a strong - correlation between disgust and seclusion, but I believe we - should at least be safe here. Safer than we would have been - back home. I’m ready if you are, as ready as I’ll ever be that - is.”

    -
    -

    The Golden Iris have summoned you to appear at the Harpoon - Club this evening. But the Harpoon Club is nowhere to be found - on this plane of existence. It won’t appear until a week and a - half from now, on the last day of the month.

    -

    Confidence the Guide has predicted exactly where the - Wandering Bazaar will be on that day. With a small bucket of - red paint and a large brush, he has drawn a Linking Sigil on - the ground at the location. He sits nearby, making sure - careless passersby and mischievous kids don’t disturb it, but - otherwise letting the sigil absorb the energies of the bustle - of shopping and commerce.

    -

    At the fish market, Marvelo is posted outside. He keeps - vigilant watch, alert to every movement and disturbance.

    -

    And inside, Bread, Inky, Fuko, and Alex are huddled up in - the office in the back near the ceiling. They all sit inside a - dark circle that has been smudged on the floor with a paste - made of ash and salt. Painted on the ground is a second - Linking Sigil, connecting this spot to Confidence’s, allowing - the energies of the two locations to co-mingle. There is also - the Dream Sigil, which will connect this place to the - Dreaming.

    -

    Bread the Host is propped up on some pillows and cushions - in the center of the circle, next to the Nyxmaer. The candle - is alleged to be made of the flesh and fat of a certain - nightmare. Its hand and eye bound in the wax. The Dream Sigil - is the door, but the Nyxmaer is the key. The catalyst that - will cause all of the otherwise inert metaphysical particles - to become volatile and reactive. It is what will allow you to - actually pass over and arrive on the shores of the Sea of - Dreams.

    -

    Per the shop witch’s instructions, the Nyxmaer has been - placed on a thin, hard tin plate. As the candle burns, the wax - will soften and eventually allow the large metal nail in its - side to fall. When it strikes the plate, you will awaken, - exiting the Dreaming. You expect hours may pass in the realm - of sleep. But only about thirty minutes will pass here.

    -

    Inky and Alex sit inside the circle, near the perimeter, - facing Bread in the center. Fuko the owl sits at Inky’s - side.

    -

    It is dim. You are illuminated by mundane, non-magical - candles set around the edges of the circle. Outside, a steady - rain beats on the roof and the windows of the building. The - smell of fish is faint but ever-present. A constant reminder - of the small creatures that have left their bodies in a - fashion far more permanent and irreversible than the - separation of spirit and body you are about to experience. You - hope.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    Inky skims the page. They thank the witch, pay for the + items and exit the shop, promptly discarding all notions of + meeting Bother at the place stipulated on the note.

    +

    (Half and one hour later)

    +

    One-sixths into a caramel cantaloupe cream cornet, Inky + runs into Confidence outside the Wandering Bazaar and obtains + some of their new pamphlets, minted with luminescent ink for + the convenience of late-night tourists. These are subsequently + hare-mailed to every editor at the Niuewstijl office, + which is almost certain to earn another chiding remark from + Tess about etiquette and the handling of unsolicited bulk mail + to parent editorial teams.

    +

    (Half and two hours later)

    +

    The installation on display at the Milk Market was + grotesque — that is to say, a work of beauty. Inky steps + carefully through the rooms to not disturb the piece. + Afterwards, they sign the guestbook set up on an upturned milk + crate by the door, delightedly pasting rows of horse head and + thumbs-up emo Gs on a page thoughtfully titled “you can’t ed + the unedible”.

    +

    (Half and three hours earlier)

    +

    Thanking Agate for her time, Inky passes her a sheet of + paper on which were written a few questions about the + prescribed ritual, with some space after each question should + the witch prefer to scribble a response:

      -

    • How do you induce a deep and powerful slumber in - Bread?

      • -

    • What shape or form will you take when you arrive in the - Dreaming?

      • -

    • What are you secretly worried or hopeful about being - exposed in the dreamland, the realm of metaphor?

      • +

    • What do guides in the Sea of Dreams and the Ravenfolk + typically seek in return for directing travellers to the + correct pocket dimension?

      • +

    • An establishment inside the Bazaar is only open in the + evenings whenever it appears in the city. How long does travel + to a pocket dimension typically take, allowing for time to + seek out a guide? Is there a way travellers can estimate the + time to set out on their journey, in order to arrive at the + establishment while it is open?

      • +

    • Who are the Red Spider and “Dude 215R” mentioned in the + ritual? How can travellers avoid summoning them?

      • +

    • Would anything happen to the travellers if any of the + sigils were removed during the ritual before they wake + up?

    - ]]> -     -     - - 59 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 59 - Mon, 30 Jan 2023 21:41:56 --0700 - Mon, 30 Jan 2023 21:41:56 -0700 - - 00059 -
    -

    Alex procures from a pocket of his trenchcoat a tiny vial. - On the vial is a small strip of parchment which reads:

    - 
    #!/bin/ash
-sleepy=true
-
-sleep() {
-        while sleepy; do
-                sleep(10)
-        done
-}
-
-trap sleep INT EXIT
    -

    He empties the vial into a glass of warm milk and hands it - to bread.

    -

    “Drink up friend, this’ll relax and soothe you. You’ll - probably have the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had”

    -

    Over the radio Alex provides a quick reminder to - Marvelo.

    -

    “7, remember, should you need to wake bread to get us out - you can interrupt or cancel the sleep script, Ctrl + C should - work for the disruption work. Or if you need to you can set - sleepy=false, if it gets crazy and you need to modify the - metavarbalic properties of the enchantment.”

    -

    Turning to Inky, “Eight bells and all’s well, lets get this - show on the road”

    +

    (Half and four hours later)

    +

    Two sets of eyes peer down at the contents of an open tin. + One accompanied by a focused look and a little trepidation, + following the pinkish, flesh-like chunks speckled with white + pockets of fat as they tumble into a hot pan and almost + immediately begin to move of their own accord. The moving + mounds resemble small round mouths opening, each with a rim of + sharp teeth. The other pair of eyes belongs to a grinning face + that beams when the mounds bloom into bright red flat caps, + the edges beneath about to soften in the olive oil.

    +

    Minutes after, The slices are ready. Inky accepts the plate + of tostada with spicy pickled artichoke mushrooms and tomatoes + with a murmur of thanks. Reassembling the recipe for the + tinned spicy artichoke mushrooms had been a tedious process — + someone had ripped out the pages from an old pickling book + that had long ceased publication. Eventually Inky found a + former nomad who had eaten them for two years in their youth + and could recall or somewhat describe the taste. Flowery and + savoury, they said. Many taste tests later, it turned out to + be closer to partially decomposed cheese in ponderosa lemon + juice. Canning was fortuitously easier with the increasing + portability of sealers. Rather than telling the empanada chef + any of this, Inky watches satisfaction slowly spread across + his face. The tale that follows is far more entertaining.

    +

    (Half and five hours later)

    +

    While measuring out ingredients for the forty-second tea + infusion since the start of the missions, not that Inky was + keeping a close count, they hear a familiar voice a short + distance outside the door asking for their whereabouts. + Without pausing in their whisking, Inky simply informs the + owner of the voice they’re not here, obviously, before + emerging from the storage pantry with a fresh pot and bowls on + a wooden tray, and greets the returning sysorcerer.

    -

    Bread smiles and thanks you for the milk. They down the - glass, smack their lips a few times, and wipe their mouth with - the back of their hand. Their eyelids grow heavy and close, - and they slump down on the cushions. They’re already asleep by - the time their head hits the pillow.

    +

    Agate writes back quickly:

    -

    Inky nods once at Alex’s words and finishes off their own - cuppa steeped with calea and thyme, and blended into osmanthus - matcha. Lucida, Protege, Aware, Perfume. A meaningless - mantra.

    -

    They glance to their owlish accomplice (who, she will - remind you, is well-trained and needs no sleeping aid, thank - you very much, unlike her impish charge) and silently mouth - the words “Dude 215R” with a wink. Then they settle for a nap, - chin pillowed on their forearms, which are propped atop - drawn-up knees. A walking stick rests on their lap. A herb - bouquet of pink blooms becomes an owl cushion.

    -

    Inky dreamforms of a cream noogle. Puko. And Fuko is, well, - still Fuko.

    +

    What do guides in the Sea of Dreams and the Ravenfolk + typically seek in return for directing travellers to the + correct pocket dimension?

    -

    You light the Nyxmaer. The flame crackles and dances. It - smokes darkly, and the scent it gives off is thick and - heady.

    -

    You breathe deeply of it and settle down to sleep.

    -

    When you open your eyes you are standing on the branch of - an enormous white tree. It’s as wide as a narrow street. Its - leaves are silver blades that uncurl in the dappled light from - below.

    -

    One of the first things you notice is that gravity is - reversed here. The branches below you reach down, grazing an - endless sky. Small iridescent jellyfish medusae drift lazily - far, far below, catching and reflecting the light. And the - trunk thickens as it reaches up overhead, where its roots - drill into the ceiling above.

    -

    Because of dream logic, you know that in some way this tree - represents Kelsun Peak, Bread’s home. And also because of - dream logic, you know that the branches furthest away from you - in some way represent the great dragon Lucin who lives deep in - the mountain. And they are just as dangerous. They sway in the - breeze and seem to be aware of you, and are for now satisfied - at the distance you keep from them.

    -

    There is a chipmunk sitting cross-legged before you on the - branch. It looks curiously up at you and says, “The Red - Squirrel stole my acorns! Are you going to get them back for - me?”

    -

    You can feel a metaphysical tug in your gut as your orient - yourself to dreamspace like the needle of a compass. “Inward” - you can feel a tug toward Bread’s deep unconscious. To their - core memories. “Outward” you can feel a tug away from Bread - toward the shores of the Sea of Dreams, where you may continue - your journey through the Collective Unconsciousness to the - pocket dimension of the Wandering Bazaar. You need not move - physically to travel in either direction. It’s more a matter - of choosing a destination, and letting the winds blow you in - that direction.

    -

    “My acorns!” insists the chipmunk, wringing its hands. “The - Red Squirrel has taken them all! Are you going to help - me?”

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     - - 61 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 61 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 --0700 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 -0700 - - 00061 -

    Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch - as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down - forest.

    -

    A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and - the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up - from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet - between the silvery white leaves.

    -

    The large black ravens perched below you scream in - agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up - above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and - protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of - your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose - during their flight.

    -

    You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the - branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round - as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from - branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, - crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its - elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it - trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out - again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and - gnashes its back teeth.

    -

    Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as - it climbs.

    -

    “She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your - side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, - it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle - with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little - head pokes timidly out of the roll.

    -

    “The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden - by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left - the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s - voice trails off until its final words are barely a - whisper.

    -

    You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying - to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core - memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of - Dreams.

    -

    You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon - you.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     - - 60 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 60 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:47 --0700 - Tue, 31 Jan 2023 19:11:48 -0700 - - 00060 +

    Intangibles. Usually memories, hopes, or dreams.

    -

    Alex takes inventory of himself, this dream world is - definitely strange, but fortunately its decided to provide him - with his impecable fashion, trench coat and all. Unfortunately - the same can’t be said for his roguish good looks, as he’s - found himself 6 arms heavier, and a bit more octopus-y than he - remembers.

    -

    Nontheless this doesn’t appear to be much of an impediment, - and he promptly moves on with assessing the situation.

    -

    “Acorns? No, I don’t think so. I’m afraid octopus’ are - terrible at fetching acrons, and at any rate, I have a - dreadfully important meeting across town.” turning to address - Inky, “We need to make a break for it, what’d the witch tell - you? Envision our goal or something? This is really a little - outside of my realm of mechanical magic expertise.. - unless..”

    -

    Alex makes a gesture with his tentacles in the area and a - terminal prompt appears before him. His tentacles work at - blinding speed at the digital window, a quick bypass there, a - root access escalation there.

    -

    “Looks like this whole place runs on Linux, it’s an older - kernel, about 2.6 or so, but it checks out. Easy to exploit as - needed. Here I’m giving us sudo access, should we need - it.”

    -

    “Oh and squirrel, here’s your acorns”

    - 
    find /* -name '*acron*' -exec mv /home/squirrel { } \
    +

    An establishment inside the Bazaar is only open in the + evenings whenever it appears in the city. How long does travel + to a pocket dimension typically take, allowing for time to + seek out a guide? Is there a way travellers can estimate the + time to set out on their journey, in order to arrive at the + establishment while it is open?

    -

    It takes Alectopus a couple tries, but he gets it. First he - corrects ‘acron’ to ‘acorn’. Then he moves all the acorns to - the chipmunk instead of to the squirrel.

    -

    Hundreds of acorns appear at the chipmunk’s feet. It - squeals in delight.

    -

    In the distance, far below you, you hear the anguished yell - of what can only be a Red Squirrel whose giant stash of acorns - has just vanished.

    -

    The chipmunk rubs its hands together gleefully and starts - scooping up acorns by the armful and shoving them into its - mouth by the dozen. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” it - says around a mouthful of nuts. “Here…” It tosses you a large - square silver coin with a round hole drilled in the center. On - one side is the number twenty-one next to a picture of a - curved, short-handled sickle. On the other side is the number - five and a picture of a flail.

    -

    “A Twenty-One Fiver! Sorry, you deserve more, but it’s all - I have,” it apologizes as it scampers off, no doubt to hide - its nuts. Hopefully somewhere more secure this time.

    -

    If you hold the coin up to your eye and peer through the - hole, you see the dreamscape before you as though looking - through a cloudy film. All the same stuff is there, but it’s - hazy and shadowy.

    -

    Standing a fair distance from you on the branch, just out - of hailing distance, is a tall figure cloaked in black robes. - Dark shadows pool restlessly around its feet. Occasionally the - shadows leap up and take the form of demons the like of which - words cannot describe, before falling and returning to shadow - once more. The figure wears a large spherical helmet of - obsidian-like glass. You can see constant flashes of a rainbow - of colors crackle and splinter along the inside of the helmet - like lightning, but illuminating nothing within. You feel - sickened at the sight, but at the edge of your mind you feels - a tug, a familiarity. Something about this character is - familiar to you, but you cannot place it.

    -

    When you lower the coin, the figure and the dark landscape - both disappear. When you raise it again, the distorted - landscape reappears but the figure is gone.

    -

    You notice a pair of large ravens watching you rather - intently from the branches below.

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     - - 65 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 65 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 --0700 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 -0700 - - 00065 -

    Marvelo fetched a fluffy blanket from the piles of blankets - and pillows in the ritual room where the dreamers continue to - sleep. He has wrapped up the child and is drying them off. The - sound of rain continues to drum incessantly outside.

    -

    “Poor thing, you’re chilled to the bone. Don’t worry, Uncle - Marv will take care of you. There we go. Fix you right - up!”

    -

    The child is still and silent. It has not made a noise this - whole time. Nor has it acted on its own to actually do - anything besides stare up at Marvelo with wide, dark eyes.

    -

    “How did you end up outside by yourself in the rain, hmm? - No? That’s okay. What about your name? Have you got a - name?”

    -

    “Rind,” says a voice behind Marvelo. At the sound of its - name, the child’s eyes flick over Marvelo’s shoulder. The - mercenary starts to spin around even as the blanket writhes in - his hands, wrapping itself around his wrists and binding them - tightly together.

    -

    “Hungh!” he cries out wordlessly and tucks into a roll, - turning to face his assailant and—he hopes—dodging any - potential attack from behind. And also putting some distance - between himself and the child to get it out of harms way.

    -

    Marvelo tries to push up to his knees as cords of rope - snake their way out of the shadows and coil around his knees - and elbows. He struggles to pull free of them. A thicker rope - wraps around his waist, and another squeezes around his chest - and back. The ropes contract and pull Marvelo into a ball. He - groans and falls to his side. He looks up into the eyes of a - man wearing a bright red sash.

    -

    The child has tottled over to the man and reaches its arms - up. The man scoops the child up and holds it in the crook of - one arm. The child puts its arms around the man’s neck and - looks down at Marvelo while resting its cheek on the man’s - chest.

    -

    “His name is Rind,” the man smiles.

    +

    You’ll find that time is rather malleable on the Otherside. + You’ll likely arrive exactly when you’re meant to. No need to + worry too much about it.

    -

    Feeling bedraggled yet dry despite having been submerged - under water, Inky lays on the beach, staring up at the sky - before sitting up and looking around the landscape. They are - now attired in a hooded azure blue vest over red shirt and - shorts, and blue shoes over mismatched knee-high stockings. - Their auburn hair is tied back with the drawstrings from an - attached small pouch. A plush toy resembling a certain floofy - duck peeks out from the hood.

    -

    They sense a soft weight land on one shoulder, and smile as - Fuko nips at their ear, no doubt partly in reproach for - wandering off again without her, and maybe partly meant to be - reassuring. This is followed several moments later by a low - hiss and a series of light taps next to Inky’s ear with her - beak. Inky murmurs, “Is that so … we should call it a wrap - soon. Master Alex would probably be happy having Big Bother to - himself anyway, to grill as he likes.”

    -

    After a very long minute, Inky sighs and taking out a piece - of paper and pencil from their suitcase, scribbles a - “pome”:

    - 
    Island tower of towers
-Nowhere everywhere the sea
-Keep your apples and flowers
-Your suitor has come for thee
    -

    They roll up the paper and tuck it into a small and clear - glass bottle with a cork stopper. Murmuring the sysorcerer’s - name to the bottle, they lower it into the water and watch as - the bottle drifts into the distance.

    -

    Walking along the shoreline and stopping a short distance - from the lone figure, Inky says casually, “Good day, fellow - thing-finder.”

    +

    Who are the Red Spider and “Dude 215R” mentioned in the + ritual? How can travellers avoid summoning them?

    -

    The figure turns in your direction and lowers their hood - revealing a long, hooked, black beak and a face covered in - black feathers. Beady black eyes regard you without - blinking.

    -

    The feathers around its throat bristle when it speaks like - a thick bristling beard.

    -

    “Greetings, Dreamer, and welcome to Ephemeris, the Heart of - the Dreaming. What brings you to the Throne of Konsu?”

    +

    Godforms manifested by the Linking Sigil and the Dream + Sigil, respectively. It’s not terrible if they show + up. But it’s definitely not ideal. You shouldn’t register on + their radar as long as you don’t pump too much energy into, or + siphon to much energy out of, the sigils. If they do show up, + just know that you’re in the presence of a godlike power, and + behave accordingly.

    -

    Well Kasutva, I may as well trust you. I imagine if you - meant me harm there are more direct and interesting ways to - harm me than to misguide me. Give me a moment to collect - myself, I’ve never been much for swimming you see, learned - late and was always deathly afraid as a child. Dreadful stuff - really.

    -

    Alex steps away briefly to the edge of the pier and looks - into the Azure blue ocean, a swirl of unending blue depth. - Still not my thing, Alex mutters to himself. As he steels - himself he notices a bottle adrift, nearing the pier. As it - comes closer, he plucks it from the water, decorks it and - inspects the note inside.

    -

    “What does it say” the little Kasutva inquires.

    -

    “Oh nothing, just someone trying to get in contact about - our floating pirateships extended warranty” Alex replies - bruskly. This definitely must have come from Inky Alex thinks - to himself. They must have found the way.

    -

    “Look Kasutva, this has been great fun, but I really think - I ought to be going, not really sure that a sea of anyones - dreams is my sort of thing and all that. And I seem ot have - done not but create a mess of things” Alex says as he gestures - to the wreckage of the Mech. Alex gestures in the air before - him, a small split keyboard appears in front of him and he - types out a few short commands.

    -
    - 
    cat > /home/inky/messages/urgent <<EOF
-Got your message
-In a bit of a bind, wrapped up with some weird mushroom guy who wants to go for a swim.
-Not sure how to handle it, but I might have to dip back to the real world and let you finish here.
-I've made a write mess of things, but I trust you can finish this.
-
-Oh, see attached, if you get into a pinch just use this spell, it'll get you what you need.
-
-grep -A4 AID ~/messages/urgent | sed 's/AID//' | sh
-
-AID
-4b1af3fcf4ce005ef86d83c45713ba1a548b4e79da09a6d44632cdb6c5917489
-d7d500fa37b986d931b70e114b4e67375b10b373aa6649641e7132e8b3dc7d18
-ef6efe98ffd070f486c00b4f50d8bf1448414ef9c2fabe0cacd40bebafba8a02
-1d0d1bf0188b842d9ae08b9b37b0f266936ef38b8f07e5c90e4a9351bf018898
-EOF
    +

    Would anything happen to the travellers if any of the + sigils were removed during the ritual before they wake up?

    -

    “Right!” Alex exclaims startling the little Kasutva - accidentally. “Time for me to head back to the real world. - Anything you need from me before I head out? Oh also, can I - take the ak74u? I think I might need it.”

    -
    -

    “Back … back to the waking world?” Mushroom Kasutva - stammers. “But…”

    -

    It looks out at the sea with a look of longing, confusion, - and frustration. “But we were finally going to see Ephemeris,” - they say almost wistfully.

    -

    “You were going to take us to Ephemeris!” they shout at - you, suddenly angry.

    -

    Mushroom Kasutva screws up its face and roars in rage as it - rushes at you and tries to shove you over the edge of the pier - into the waters below.

    -

    But Kasutva is less than a foot tall and quite ineffective - at shoving a human-sized person such as Alex.

    -

    Big Kasutva, on the otherhand, is roughly twelve feet tall - and quite capable of manhandling a human-sized person.

    -

    You look up in time to jerk back out of the way as they - swipe at your chest with their face-removing knife. It was all - a feint though. As soon as you are slightly off balance from - dodging their attack, they reach out with their other hand and - give you a shove.

    -

    You trip over Mushroom Kasutva, who has positioned themself - in just such a way to best tangle up your feet. You stumble - backwards a few steps until one of your feet steps out into - open air. You twist and and look behind you as Ousia rises up - to meet you.

    -

    Kasutva clings to your leg as you fall, crying. “We’re - sorry. We’re sorry,” they say over and over as you are pulled - below the waves.

    +

    If the sigils are removed or if the circle is broken, + you’ll likely just wake up before you wanted to. Same goes for + if your dreamform is destroyed while in the Dreaming. The only + real danger you may encounter is the Scissormen and their ilk. + They will attempt to permanently sever your dreamform from + your waking body. Which would leave your body a soulless husk, + and leave your consciousness adrift in the Sea of Dreams. But + that probably won’t happen! Okay good luck, have fun!

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    ]]>     @@ -1655,6 +1924,222 @@ EOF ]]>     + + 61 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 61 - Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 +-0700 + Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:59:55 -0700 + + 00061 +

    Alex the Octopus and Inky the Noogle stand on a tree branch + as wide a street in the heart of the great white upside-down + forest.

    +

    A cry of anguish and anger echoes through the forest, and + the branches below you sway and rustle as something rises up + from the depths. You keep catching a glimpse of scarlet + between the silvery white leaves.

    +

    The large black ravens perched below you scream in + agitation and fly up past you to the thicker branches up + above, where they hop side to side and loudly scold and + protest the disturbance. A single black feather the length of + your hand settles to the ground at your feet, knocked loose + during their flight.

    +

    You finally see the fearsome beast crashing through the + branches below you. Its crazed, yellow eyes as large and round + as dinner plates, a great eight-legged rodent leaps from + branch to branch as it swiftly ascends. It is a bloody, + crimson red. Its long tufted ears lay flat against its + elongated, grinning skull. Its ribbon-like tail twitches as it + trails along behind it like a river of blood. It cries out + again in anger, showing its overgrown incisors, and grinds and + gnashes its back teeth.

    +

    Its eyes bore into you with wild fury and blind madness as + it climbs.

    +

    “She’s not herself,” sighs the chipmunk, suddenly at your + side once more. When you look down at the chipmunk, however, + it has suddenly turned into a small featureless black turtle + with a sticky sweet roll instead of a shell. Its smooth little + head pokes timidly out of the roll.

    +

    “The Red Squirrel,” laments the turtle. “She’s being ridden + by a ghost. An angry ghost who isn’t from here. Somebody left + the door open, and it blew in on the breeze.” The turtle’s + voice trails off until its final words are barely a + whisper.

    +

    You can still feel two currents tugging at you and trying + to pull you under. One inward toward your host’s deep, core + memories. And the second pulling you outward toward the Sea of + Dreams.

    +

    You have but a moment before the Red Squirrel is upon + you.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     + + 65 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 65 - Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 +-0700 + Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:02:22 -0700 + + 00065 +

    Marvelo fetched a fluffy blanket from the piles of blankets + and pillows in the ritual room where the dreamers continue to + sleep. He has wrapped up the child and is drying them off. The + sound of rain continues to drum incessantly outside.

    +

    “Poor thing, you’re chilled to the bone. Don’t worry, Uncle + Marv will take care of you. There we go. Fix you right + up!”

    +

    The child is still and silent. It has not made a noise this + whole time. Nor has it acted on its own to actually do + anything besides stare up at Marvelo with wide, dark eyes.

    +

    “How did you end up outside by yourself in the rain, hmm? + No? That’s okay. What about your name? Have you got a + name?”

    +

    “Rind,” says a voice behind Marvelo. At the sound of its + name, the child’s eyes flick over Marvelo’s shoulder. The + mercenary starts to spin around even as the blanket writhes in + his hands, wrapping itself around his wrists and binding them + tightly together.

    +

    “Hungh!” he cries out wordlessly and tucks into a roll, + turning to face his assailant and—he hopes—dodging any + potential attack from behind. And also putting some distance + between himself and the child to get it out of harms way.

    +

    Marvelo tries to push up to his knees as cords of rope + snake their way out of the shadows and coil around his knees + and elbows. He struggles to pull free of them. A thicker rope + wraps around his waist, and another squeezes around his chest + and back. The ropes contract and pull Marvelo into a ball. He + groans and falls to his side. He looks up into the eyes of a + man wearing a bright red sash.

    +

    The child has tottled over to the man and reaches its arms + up. The man scoops the child up and holds it in the crook of + one arm. The child puts its arms around the man’s neck and + looks down at Marvelo while resting its cheek on the man’s + chest.

    +

    “His name is Rind,” the man smiles.

    +
    +

    Feeling bedraggled yet dry despite having been submerged + under water, Inky lays on the beach, staring up at the sky + before sitting up and looking around the landscape. They are + now attired in a hooded azure blue vest over red shirt and + shorts, and blue shoes over mismatched knee-high stockings. + Their auburn hair is tied back with the drawstrings from an + attached small pouch. A plush toy resembling a certain floofy + duck peeks out from the hood.

    +

    They sense a soft weight land on one shoulder, and smile as + Fuko nips at their ear, no doubt partly in reproach for + wandering off again without her, and maybe partly meant to be + reassuring. This is followed several moments later by a low + hiss and a series of light taps next to Inky’s ear with her + beak. Inky murmurs, “Is that so … we should call it a wrap + soon. Master Alex would probably be happy having Big Bother to + himself anyway, to grill as he likes.”

    +

    After a very long minute, Inky sighs and taking out a piece + of paper and pencil from their suitcase, scribbles a + “pome”:

    + 
    Island tower of towers
+Nowhere everywhere the sea
+Keep your apples and flowers
+Your suitor has come for thee
    +

    They roll up the paper and tuck it into a small and clear + glass bottle with a cork stopper. Murmuring the sysorcerer’s + name to the bottle, they lower it into the water and watch as + the bottle drifts into the distance.

    +

    Walking along the shoreline and stopping a short distance + from the lone figure, Inky says casually, “Good day, fellow + thing-finder.”

    +
    +

    The figure turns in your direction and lowers their hood + revealing a long, hooked, black beak and a face covered in + black feathers. Beady black eyes regard you without + blinking.

    +

    The feathers around its throat bristle when it speaks like + a thick bristling beard.

    +

    “Greetings, Dreamer, and welcome to Ephemeris, the Heart of + the Dreaming. What brings you to the Throne of Konsu?”

    +
    +

    Well Kasutva, I may as well trust you. I imagine if you + meant me harm there are more direct and interesting ways to + harm me than to misguide me. Give me a moment to collect + myself, I’ve never been much for swimming you see, learned + late and was always deathly afraid as a child. Dreadful stuff + really.

    +

    Alex steps away briefly to the edge of the pier and looks + into the Azure blue ocean, a swirl of unending blue depth. + Still not my thing, Alex mutters to himself. As he steels + himself he notices a bottle adrift, nearing the pier. As it + comes closer, he plucks it from the water, decorks it and + inspects the note inside.

    +

    “What does it say” the little Kasutva inquires.

    +

    “Oh nothing, just someone trying to get in contact about + our floating pirateships extended warranty” Alex replies + bruskly. This definitely must have come from Inky Alex thinks + to himself. They must have found the way.

    +

    “Look Kasutva, this has been great fun, but I really think + I ought to be going, not really sure that a sea of anyones + dreams is my sort of thing and all that. And I seem ot have + done not but create a mess of things” Alex says as he gestures + to the wreckage of the Mech. Alex gestures in the air before + him, a small split keyboard appears in front of him and he + types out a few short commands.

    +
    + 
    cat > /home/inky/messages/urgent <<EOF
+Got your message
+In a bit of a bind, wrapped up with some weird mushroom guy who wants to go for a swim.
+Not sure how to handle it, but I might have to dip back to the real world and let you finish here.
+I've made a write mess of things, but I trust you can finish this.
+
+Oh, see attached, if you get into a pinch just use this spell, it'll get you what you need.
+
+grep -A4 AID ~/messages/urgent | sed 's/AID//' | sh
+
+AID
+4b1af3fcf4ce005ef86d83c45713ba1a548b4e79da09a6d44632cdb6c5917489
+d7d500fa37b986d931b70e114b4e67375b10b373aa6649641e7132e8b3dc7d18
+ef6efe98ffd070f486c00b4f50d8bf1448414ef9c2fabe0cacd40bebafba8a02
+1d0d1bf0188b842d9ae08b9b37b0f266936ef38b8f07e5c90e4a9351bf018898
+EOF
    +
    +

    “Right!” Alex exclaims startling the little Kasutva + accidentally. “Time for me to head back to the real world. + Anything you need from me before I head out? Oh also, can I + take the ak74u? I think I might need it.”

    +
    +

    “Back … back to the waking world?” Mushroom Kasutva + stammers. “But…”

    +

    It looks out at the sea with a look of longing, confusion, + and frustration. “But we were finally going to see Ephemeris,” + they say almost wistfully.

    +

    “You were going to take us to Ephemeris!” they shout at + you, suddenly angry.

    +

    Mushroom Kasutva screws up its face and roars in rage as it + rushes at you and tries to shove you over the edge of the pier + into the waters below.

    +

    But Kasutva is less than a foot tall and quite ineffective + at shoving a human-sized person such as Alex.

    +

    Big Kasutva, on the otherhand, is roughly twelve feet tall + and quite capable of manhandling a human-sized person.

    +

    You look up in time to jerk back out of the way as they + swipe at your chest with their face-removing knife. It was all + a feint though. As soon as you are slightly off balance from + dodging their attack, they reach out with their other hand and + give you a shove.

    +

    You trip over Mushroom Kasutva, who has positioned themself + in just such a way to best tangle up your feet. You stumble + backwards a few steps until one of your feet steps out into + open air. You twist and and look behind you as Ousia rises up + to meet you.

    +

    Kasutva clings to your leg as you fall, crying. “We’re + sorry. We’re sorry,” they say over and over as you are pulled + below the waves.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    + ]]> +     +     55 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -1963,286 +2448,5 @@ EOF ]]> - - 54 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 54 - Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:12:08 --0700 - Wed, 04 Jan 2023 08:18:44 -0700 - - 00054 -
    -

    Once back in the Milk Bar, with the airship safely anchored - to the roof of the building, Alex finds himself amongst the - old belongings of his former uncle.

    -

    sigh “Best get a request to HQ for this airship, - maybe they’ll let us operate it for a bit, if not I suppose we - have to impound it..”

    - 
    <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
--> OP 25120 * LOC ESPER
-
-CLEARANCE: INFORMATIONAL
-REQUEST ENCLOSED.
-
-REQUESTING PERMISSION TO IMPOUND OR OPERATE.
-ONE CYBERPLASM AIRSHIP "The Rusty Maiden"
    -

    “There’s also the matter of this little hemogoblin..” Alex - mutters to himself while said hemogoblin happily dances around - the room, dripping little pools of blood hither and - tither.

    - 
    <- OP 2817 * LOC MB-A
--> OP 41154 * LOC ESPER
-
-CLEARANCE: TOP SECRET
-REQUEST ENCLOSED
-PACKET ENCLOSED
-
-REQUESTING ANALYSIS
-ONE GDB @gdb-readout.dat
-TWO BLOOD @blood-soaked-handkerchief
-NOTE GDB INDICATES SOME ANOMALY
    -

    “Hey little guy, lets go get an empanade. Inky says they’re - divine.” Alex says as he scoops up the little goblin and - gently carries him downstairs.”

    -

    Striding into Enriques kitchen, and availing himself to the - empanadas, ignoring an indignant Enrique’s protests that these - were for paying customers until a small bag of coins is tossed - careless over one shoulder. Alex stride through the kitchen - and then out and away into the garden to enjoy their pilfered - treats.

    -

    “I suppose this is more interesting than being on the force - at times”

    -
    -

    ~

    -
    -

    Inky stepped into the toques’ cabin below deck with a tray - of turmeric ginger tea and lavender biscuits. After checking - on Bread’s bandages and offering the toque reclined on the - berth the last bag of mango croutons — or at least the last - one for the next two hours — Inky perched on a wooden barrel - across from where Confidence sat on a creaking old chair next - to the bunk and spoke. “We’ll be landing in about an hour and - getting Bread to a medical facility. You can stay with him - while he heals and rest up.”

    -

    They paused to take a long sip from their cup, as if the - liquid was being used to summon their next words. “On behalf - of myself and the party, I apologise for the … disruption, and - for what had befallen the hotelier. As you may have already - noticed, we’re a fair distance away from the Peak and will be - arriving in Vay’Nullar soon. This airship was taken over from - the cyberplasms in the course of getting the crystal out and - the injured to a safe location, and her new captain could - hardly fly it back straight into the pirates’ hands now.

    -

    What we propose is this: you and Bread may take as long as - you need to recover. We can arrange for lodgings and new posts - in the city. One of our party runs a Milk Market that could - certainly use some hired help, and a garden in the back that - would benefit from more attention. Pay will be double your - current salary at the hotel. Master Alex may also recruit you - for other tasks. You don’t need to have an answer just yet — - think on it for a bit while you rest and let us know. - Afterwards, if you find that you still wish to return to - Kelsun Peak, we will pay for travel.”

    -

    Inky winked at Bread conspiratorially. “You may be - interested to know there is a bakery on the Milk Market’s - first floor. If you like the look of the place, perhaps we can - convince the chef to take on an assistant.”

    -

    ~

    -

    Tess watched her adviser from her position on one end of - the plush chaise lounge in her office, who returned her stare - impassively as they sat in the adjoining armchair to her - right. The ornate coffee table before them had been laid out - for tea, but the other cup remained untouched, which was in - itself unusual. Ink rarely turned down tea when it was - offered, which likely meant they were preoccupied with - something they were unwilling to discuss. This had been - happening more frequently since their plans to intercept the - Ginnarak Crystals, which was a little concerning, but she knew - it would be no use to question them directly. The missive she - had received this time through Piskin’s people was brief, - almost annoyingly so, but they had returned earlier than - expected with the articles that production had requested, - which had fortunately made up for lost time from the previous - delays.

    -

    With this in mind, she settled on a lighter note as she - picked up her own teacup. “Salvia passed on the items to the - production team. Thank you for picking them up from the - Runesocesius. I would send my regular couriers but they are - tied up with another event. One of them had to care for their - sick child and couldn’t leave the city. As usual, time and - discretion are of the essence.”

    -

    When her adviser only nodded, she continued. “How is he? He - probably insisted on bringing the manuscripts out for you - himself. The man is cautious with valuables.”

    -

    “Quite dead but managing, or so I heard.” Ink intoned - drily.

    -

    Tess caught on immediately. “Didn’t you meet with him? The - message only mentioned the items had been obtained. Did - something happen?”

    -

    The imp shrugged. “We met, I delivered the letter and - collected the items. We didn’t get a chance to talk.”

    -

    The hotel was slowly but steadily attracting visitors - again, especially after their last play had prominently - featured the Runesocesius Library as a research partner in the - programme credits, but Tess didn’t think the hotelier was so - busy as to entrust this task to one of his underlings. The man - was proud of the first editions the library had amassed, and - the notebooks of Lucidieau that the playwright sought as a - reference were no doubt counted among the treasures, even if - only an expensive commissioned facsimile was permitted out of - the library. Something had happened, she was sure, but decided - not to press further for the moment.

    -

    “And the other matter?” she asked.

    -

    “Someone already knew the crystal was at the hotel and - retained a crew of cyberplasmic pirates to storm the place.” - Ink replied flatly. “And yes, your acquaintance is very much - dead, shot by the crew leader in the scuffle. As the rumour - rags have it, his ghost is now overseeing the building - repairs.”

    -

    Tess was about to admonish the imp gently for the tasteless - jest when there was a knock at the door. At her response, the - door opened and her secretary entered with a box of pastries - and two sets of tableware, which she placed on the coffee - table before leaving and closing the door behind her.

    -

    Noticing Ink’s look of recognition, Tess smiled and - ventured, “This is the second time is as many months you - awarded that empanada place a glowing review in The Tiny - Toaster. I can count the ratings higher than a 10 you’ve - ever given on one hand — of course I had to try it. Why don’t - you have some as well?”

    -

    Ink blinked. “I didn’t write the latest review.”

    -

    Tess shot them an accusing mock-glare as she lifted a puffy - golden brown pastry onto a plate. “It has your inkprints all - over it.”

    -

    “I don’t know what you mean. Surely I’m allowed to treat a - colleague to lunch, and they are free to express their - satisfaction with a meal openly if they wish,” Ink replied - smoothly.

    -

    Tess rolled her eyes. “There’s a name for that. It’s called - bribery.”

    -

    Ink smiled faintly. “Just so. However, the selection speaks - for itself.”

    -

    “Oh, absolutely! These mini ambrose apple empanadas are - wonderful. In fact,” Tess prodded the open end of the pastry - with her fork, where a light yellow filling was visible, “they - remind me a little of the very crispy tortelli - someone made several years ago just for the opening - reception of The Two Genteelkin of Virdantha.”

    -

    “Any resemblance is coincidental. The chef is very - capable.” Ink said evenly.

    -

    Tess sighed and returned her plate to the table. “We’ve - talked about this before, Ink. You don’t have to hole up in - some poor scrub’s excuse for a kitchen in a closet. If you - need more room downstairs then expand it. Just tell Salvia and - she’ll take care of it.”

    -

    Ink lowered their gaze to the teacups. “I appreciate the - offer, but the answer is the same. There will be no rest until - the crystals are secured.”

    -
    -

    Some time passes.

    -

    The hemogoblin turns out to be a fine housemate and less of - a problem than you thought it would be. Be it because its not - in the excitement of battle onboard a pirate ship, or be it - because it is maturing slightly, it seems in better control of - its blood sacs. Barring a few small accidents, it doesn’t make - much of a mess. It has found and claimed as its own a few - unused blankets, and has made a little burrow nest in an out - of the way corner behind the furniture.

    -

    Bread makes a full recovery and in fact is doing better - than ever before. The blood goblin stays by their side during - the first hours and days and keeps them pumped full of clean, - synthetic blood. Afterwards the toque is flushed a healthy - pink and has new vigor. Enrique takes them under his tutelage. - And Bread ends up making a fine baker’s apprentice. Dough - seems to rise more and quicker after he kneads it. “The lad - has solar hands,” Enrique boasts of his new protegee.

    -

    Confidence becomes enthralled with the semi-sentient - Wandering Bazaar. The thirteen story building moves with - glacial speed up and down the streets, vendors and stalls and - shoppers following in its wake. But then also it will - disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear in a totally - different part of the area known as the Wandering Bazaar - District. Each floor of the tall, narrow tower is occupied - entirely by a single shop. But which shop it is seems to vary - from day to day. One day the seventh level will be occupied by - Fedik’s Butcher shop. And the next, Lario’s Bakery. It might - be days or weeks before one can once again buy hotlinks from - Fedik’s. Where the shops go when they’re not here is one of - Basmentaria’s great mysteries.

    -

    The toque studies the Bazaar’s movements and are able to - predict its route with more and more accuracy. They become a - highly sought out guide. Tourists and visitors trust them to - take them to the very spot the Bazaar will appear that day. - Residents appreciate the heads up and not getting trapped in - their houses when the Bazaar wedges its way into their narrow - residential streets, blocking their front doors. And owners of - traditional, less ambulatory shops are able to plan ahead for - the crowds that will appear on “Bazaar Day”.

    -

    ~

    -

    Members of the Retrieval Team who sleep in Milk Market HQ - start having dreams of the same mysterious figure. Of course - at first nobody knows their dreams are shared by the others. - Not until they become more frequent, more regular. By the time - the figure has visited you every night for nearly a week, - somebody speaks up and you realize the coincidence.

    -

    The figure is clad in voluminous robes of deep purple. - Long, straight, blonde hair falls around their shoulders. - Their soft features are boyish and womanly. They wear a golden - circlet on their head and a golden eye in the middle of their - forehead. Their passive, neutral face betrays no emotion the - entire time.

    -

    The dream is always the same. They reach out to you with - one hand and turn their palm up. And because of dream logic, - in the palm of their hand you can hear the jingling of coins, - mirthful laughter, and hushed stories told around a campfire. - They curl their fingers into a loose first and the sounds - stop. They spread their arms wide and in the folds of their - robes you can see three siblings fighting, squabbling over a - broken loom.

    -

    Then you’re standing next to them, and the two of you watch - three friends, Snake, Owl, and Dolphin. Owl tells Snake that - he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesn’t want to be an - owl any more, he wants to be flowers. And Snake laughs and - tells him that he is Owl, and an owl he must remain. And she - leaves him to go eat rodents and bake in the sun. So Owl tells - Dolphin that he is tired of flying and hooting, and doesn’t - want to be an owl any more, he wants to be flowers. Dolphin - doesn’t want to help Owl, because if he is flowers, they won’t - be able to be together any longer. But Dolphin finally agrees - to help even though they don’t want to, because Dolphin loves - Owl. With all their strength, they create a great waterspout - that will turn Owl into flowers. But the waterspout is too - strong, and Dolphin is too weak to control it. It sprays Owl - but does not turn him into flowers. Owl’s wing is broken and - he falls to the ground in a heap of feathers. The waterspout - shakes a great boulder from the earth and traps Snake under - it. And Dolphin sinks to the bottom of the sea.

    -

    And then you wake up.

    -

    ~

    -

    Later you find a letter in the common area of Milk Market - HQ. It is not addressed to anybody. When you open it up, it - reads:

    -
    -

    Time is running out, Retrieval Team 43. Things are starting - to draw to a close. We cannot delay our meeting any longer if - we both are to achieve our goals. We have information that you - are looking for. Meet us at the Harpoon Club next Selday. We - will wear the sign.

    -
    -

    The letter is signed with a white iris and golden - apple.

    -

    Anyone in Vay’Nullar would be able to tell you that the - Harpoon Club is a game room and fine dining club, and one of - the rotating tenants of the Wandering Bazaar. But Confidence - would tell you, were you to ask them, that the club won’t be - there next Selday. (When the Bazaar will appear at East and - Lowland.) It is in fact not scheduled to appear until a week - and a half after next Selday, on Third Tensday. (When the - Bazaar will appear at Cathedral and Pine.)

    -

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    - ]]> -     -     diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index e4eacbf..148bc07 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -290,6 +290,7 @@
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    Stats

    -

    Total length: 85483 words / 365 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

    Total length: 87088 words / 372 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not just the story.)

    -

    There have been 228 messages posted over 229 days since the first -post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of .99.

    +

    There have been 235 messages posted over 231 days since the first +post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.01.

    Chapter 1

    This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.

    Jump to: 1 2

    WHAT DO YOU DO

    +

    00067

    +

    In the fish market, the dreamers continue to sleep soundly through +the ringing claxon alarms with nothing but maybe the twitch of a finger +to indicate that they hear anything at all.

    +

    During the commotion with Marvelo and Gliftwirp, nobody but Rind +noticed the thick rusty nail in the side of the candle wiggle its way +out of the soft wax and clatter onto the plate at the base of the +candle, the ringing of tin masked by the ringing of the claxon +alarm.

    +

    Still the dreamers sleep.

    +

    Rind watches as the candle burns dangerously low. The mummified hand +of the Nyxmaer in the base of the candle starts to wriggle, struggle, +and strain against the softening wax. It stretches and reaches for the +eye in the center of the candle.

    +

    Rind continues to soothe the duck and stroke its feathers. The child +looks at the space where Gliftwirp and the hemogoblin stumbled into the +circle, smudging the line of salt and ash, breaking the circle and +severing its continuity. Making a small space for something to get in. +Or out.

    +
    +

    “Yo! Little cavatappi dude, where the hell are we?!” Alex’s eyes scan +the room rapidly. There’s no water, aside from what he dragged in with +his abrupt departure from the pier. The dark sky stretches into the +nothingness of the void. Asthe robed figure begins speaks Alex takes +note of his situation.

    +

    ‘Nowhere to hide, zero cover. A whole lot of nothing actually. It’s +one thing after another with this dream thing.’

    +

    As the figure finishes his address Alex nods politely. “I’ll be +honest my guy, I haven’t the foggiest what you’re talking about. Looks +to me you’ve got the whole sword thing, all I’ve got is my trusty AK. I +guess back top side, in umm I guess the real world, I did find a wonky +dagger my uncle tried to hide. But I’m pretty sure that got eaten by a +cute little hemogoblin while I was busy murdering ghost pirates. Anyways +more to the point, I’m not quite sure I follow.”

    +

    Alex pauses briefly and then continues, “You say you need to get out +of here? Now that part I follow, me the hell too. I just got attacked by +some freaky sadist mushroom that called itself katsuva. Cut its head +clean off just so it could try and chuck me in the drink. Right +unpleasant fella, but I think I lost him when, well, I got here, +wherever that is.”

    +

    “Now I don’t know much, but I’m not much for trust after getting +attacked by a talking mushroom monster. So if you’ll excuse me, I reckon +the exit is right about that way (Alex jabs his finger over his back +away from the figure), and I’m inclined to head out unless you know a +better way.”

    +
    +

    You weren’t in the kobit caves with the rest of Retrieval Team 43, so +you didn’t see the reliefs. But every Basmentarian is familiar with the +iconography of the Trine. This figure is dressed in the traditional +rainments of Neddas, god of sages and starlight. Furthermore you +recognize them from your dreams in the Milk Market.

    +

    Kasutva the small mushroom meeps and hides behind your leg.

    +

    “You know, we each of us loved you in our own way,” Neddas says. “But +of the three of us, I alone gave away pieces of my divinity. I wanted to +see you thrive and grow strong.

    +

    “You’ve already found several pieces of my essence. Coin in +the treasure hoard below the earth. Mirth in the shipwreck +under the sea. And lore in the clouds atop Kelsun Peak.

    +

    “And of course you found justice,” they say, looking at the +sword. “This one got a little weird.” The frown. “Became a little +sentient, didn’t it?” They press the blade of the sword to their chest +and absorb it into their being. They sigh happily.

    +

    “You have found enough of my essence that I am able to start to +materialize again. Not quite in Basmentaria yet. But here, a little +bit.

    +

    “There are still two more pieces out there. If you can reunite all +five crystals, I will be able to cross over into Basmentaria again.

    +

    “So yes, Alex. You are correct. It is time you head out. Return to +Basmentaria. Find the remaining crystals, so that I may return and right +the wrongs of the past. I will do what I can to assist you.”

    +
    +

    Inky waves back once, twice in greeting, before crossing their +forefingers twice, touching a hand briefly to their chest, and strolling +towards the restrooms.

    +

    Leaning against a wall outside of the rest area, out of sight from +the main dining hall, Inky pulls out the message from Master Alex and +reads it. Engagement confirmed, it seems. Also in the envelope is a +smooth oval grey pebble with the letters “sh” carved onto it. A mini +dousojin. How considerate of him.

    +

    Putting the envelope and pebble into a shorts pocket, Inky holds up a +chewy blood berry biscuit, which they offer to the great horned owl +patiently perched on their shoulder. “What if we just zip out now and +have a walk around the towers? Do you think it will cause offence to the +Grand Master of the realm?” Inky asks her. Fuko looks up from her treat +and gives them a short series of disapproving clicks of her beak.

    +

    “He wants more ‘intel’,” Inky says. It isn’t even a question.

    +

    On another occasion they would be glad to see Master Corraidhn +animated and well — when there wasn’t a demanding curmudgeon on the +other end of an absurd fishing expedition. The elder sysorcerer’s +presence in the Dreaming, illusion or otherwise, has effectively dashed +any prospect of an early night out.

    +

    “Thirteen minutes. Only because Scoops likes you.” Inky tells the +owl.

    +

    They look down at their shirt with orange horizontal stripes, blue +knee-length shorts, blue running shoes, and wordlessly declare the +change of clothes suitable for fine non-dining. The noogle’s drawstring +pouch is knotted to a metal hoop on a pocket flap to one side of their +shorts, having let loose a short mop of tousled red hair. A plush floofy +duck keychain dangles next to the pouch.

    +

    Emerging from the hallway, the awkward, skinny youth with an owl +approaches the far corner table.

    +
    +

    You approach the far corner table, weaving your way through the +crowded tables of the Harpoon Club.

    +

    “Inky!” Blavin chorttles merrily as you pull up a chair. The cat +person nods politely at you and starts rebuilding the block tower.

    +

    Corraidhín watches the archway behind you as you enter. When nobody +follows you into the Harpoon Club he frowns, tugs on his beard, and sits +up straighter in his chair.

    +

    “You’re alone?” Blavin observes. “No matter. Thank you so much for +meeting us here! I trust it wasn’t too much trouble? A little bit out of +the way, I know. But it is so very hard to find a place away from prying +eyes, isn’t it?”

    +

    “Get to the point, Blavin.” snaps Corraidhín.

    +

    “Quite right!” laughs Blavin, taking a sip of his drink. “Listen,” he +says, suddenly very serious. “It’s time I came clean to you. You deserve +that much. And besides, I think we can help each other. While it is true +that I work for the Benefactor, I don’t actually serve their interests. +You see, I represent another party. A double agent they would +call me in the spy novels.” He waves his hand dismissively, as though +somebody were making a fuss over him and he were embarrassed.

    +

    “As I’m sure you already know, our organization is called the Golden +Iris. Like the Benefactor, our goal is to collect the Ginnarak Cystals. +I know you’ve heard all the old stories. Together they could kill a +god, blah blah blah.” He sloshes his drink as the gestures. “But we +think they’ve got it all wrong, Inky. That is, they have it +backwards at least!”

    +

    Blavin leans in, his eyes shining. “The Golden Iris intends nothing +less than creating a new god!”

    +

    “The Trine has been absent for years. We’re going to restore the +balance. Now you see why the mission is so important, Inky. We need the +crystals.”

    +

    “Now I know what you’re going to say! It all sounds too fantastic. +Yes well, that’s why I brought along somebody whose credibility I know +you’ll trust!” He beams at Corraidhín.

    +

    The wizard sighs. “As far as I can tell, the hobbit is telling the +truth.”

    +

    Blavin grins as Corraidhín continues.

    +

    “The Golden Iris is trying to elevate Sitopotnia, the Corn Mother, to +godhood. Which I admit makes a certain kind of sense. She’s the only +mortal to have created life after all. Kind of the ideal candidate for +the job to be honest.

    +

    They’ve hitched an odd team of mules to their buggy to help them. And +they’re managing to drag the thing forward despite all pulling in +slightly different directions. The Cyberplasms want new bodies. The Gnu +Zealots want to open source the process so everybody can create new +gods. And I don’t actually know what the BAND wackos want.”

    +

    Corraidhín shrugs, “I don’t have a particular dog in this fight. The +Benefactor was able to excise the, ahem, ‘anomaly’ that happened at the +SS RSS. Including the second crystal, which is currently in his +possession, and my body, which is still technically back at the +institute and still under the care of Felixe here.” The black cat gives +another polite nod. Having completed building the tumbling tower, it is +now shuffling the tumbrot cards, face down, around on the table.

    +

    “Felixe is Basmentaria’s preeminent expert in preserving entities +that happen to exist between two states. Or that happen to exist in two +states at the same time.. Bah, it’s complicated,” Corraidhín huffs.

    +

    “Yes!” interrupts Blavin. “Now! Despite working closely with him all +this time, I am actually none the wiser as to the Benefactor’s actual +plans for the crystals. I just know we need them more.

    +

    “Inky, you must retrieve the remaining crystals. And also the one in +the Benefactor’s possession. And deliver them to us so we may usher in a +new age for Basmentaria!”

    +

    Felixe the cat deals the cards out to the center of the table, face +down, in a cross. Three across, three high. It sets the remainder of the +deck aside and looks at you expectantly.

    +

    WHAT DO YOU DO?

    Spoilers