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src/epistolary/00070.md src/epistolary/00070.md
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---
title: 00071
created: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 -0700
updated: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:05:50 -0700
public: yes
syndicated: yes
---
### 00071 {#00071}
Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. It's why
they've diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving
parts of themself away---gifting tiny aspects of themself to the
mortals. Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with
their divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or
mortals will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine
spark. Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what
they thought is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it
to backfire in some unexpected way.
The Sword of Y'aml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned
out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on
sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was
overzealous: it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked
away in ivory towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and
academia.
So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally
got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what
to do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice?
> Alex rushes to Marvelo's side and quickly begins to administer
> medicine to him. "Sorry old friend, it's not much considering the
> wound, but it should help you at least stay lucid" Alex says as he
> administers the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of
> Marvelo's wound, most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly
> disfigured, it's doubtful if it'll heal properly. At best he'll need
> prostethics, potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a
> death knell in this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had
> always strove for would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality.
> Alex shakes his head, "It's fine Marv, I'm positive we can get this
> fixed, no worse than at wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that
> one? Hell of a thing that" Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over
> his shoulder. "Alright, you should be set old friend, best I can do
> for now." Alex hands him back his blaster and sits him up against the
> wall, the bleeding staunched, but the magled jaw not much better.
>
> Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent
> apparition.
>
> "I don't know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you
> think you're doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my
> agents, my friends." Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped
> in one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in
> the other. "Alright Neddas, you said you'd give me something I could
> protect my friends with. Don't think I believe in it much, but I'd of
> said until about 15 minutes ago that candles don't produce macabre
> dentists either." Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to
> move, come and try me if you dare.
Alex faces down the howling apparition---pistol in one hand, amulet
in the other---daring and defiant.
The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace,
and presses him to its bosom.
> While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps
> over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly,
> they wipe the blood on the agent's face with a clean kerchief and
> antiseptic, then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages
> around his head to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on
> the ground nearby over his body before getting to their feet again.
>
> At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to
> stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet
> witness to the ensuing confrontation.
Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare
chooses its new vessel.
Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries
to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body.
The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of
creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from
the bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from
materializing.
It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex
stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaer's tiny face
take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet,
and fires his pistol.
The demon's pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on
Alex from all sides but is suddenly *yanked* toward him. The
struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out
of the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.
And then all is quiet.
Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.
A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground.
It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: "The
bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the
moon." It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the
Benefactor.
WHAT DO YOU DO

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@ -298,6 +298,7 @@
<li><a href="#00068" id="toc-00068">00068</a></li> <li><a href="#00068" id="toc-00068">00068</a></li>
<li><a href="#00069" id="toc-00069">00069</a></li> <li><a href="#00069" id="toc-00069">00069</a></li>
<li><a href="#00070" id="toc-00070">00070</a></li> <li><a href="#00070" id="toc-00070">00070</a></li>
<li><a href="#00071" id="toc-00071">00071</a></li>
</ul></li> </ul></li>
<li><a href="#afterword" id="toc-afterword">Afterword</a></li> <li><a href="#afterword" id="toc-afterword">Afterword</a></li>
<li><a href="#appendix-a-dramatis-personae" <li><a href="#appendix-a-dramatis-personae"
@ -371,11 +372,11 @@ into the <a href="#current-story">current story arc</a>.</p>
you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to
the rss feed</a>.</p> the rss feed</a>.</p>
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2> <h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
<p>Total length: 90664 words / 387 minute read. (Mind you, thats the <p>Total length: 91533 words / 391 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
just the story.)</p> just the story.)</p>
<p>There have been 243 messages posted over 238 days since the first <p>There have been 247 messages posted over 239 days since the first
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.</p> post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
<h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2> <h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2>
<p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p> <p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a <p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a
@ -7660,6 +7661,91 @@ the center of the circle.</p>
<p>A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming <p>A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming
up near the ceiling of the fish market.</p> up near the ceiling of the fish market.</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p> <p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
<h3 id="00071">00071</h3>
<p>Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. Its why
theyve diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving
parts of themself away—gifting tiny aspects of themself to the mortals.
Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with their
divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or mortals
will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine spark.
Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what they thought
is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it to backfire in
some unexpected way.</p>
<p>The Sword of Yaml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned
out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on
sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was overzealous:
it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked away in ivory
towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and academia.</p>
<p>So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally
got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what to
do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Alex rushes to Marvelos side and quickly begins to administer
medicine to him. “Sorry old friend, its not much considering the wound,
but it should help you at least stay lucid” Alex says as he administers
the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of Marvelos wound,
most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly disfigured, its
doubtful if itll heal properly. At best hell need prostethics,
potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a death knell in
this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had always strove for
would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. Alex shakes his head,
“Its fine Marv, Im positive we can get this fixed, no worse than at
wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that one? Hell of a thing that”
Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Alright, you
should be set old friend, best I can do for now.” Alex hands him back
his blaster and sits him up against the wall, the bleeding staunched,
but the magled jaw not much better.</p>
<p>Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent
apparition.</p>
<p>“I dont know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you
think youre doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my
agents, my friends.” Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped in
one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in the
other. “Alright Neddas, you said youd give me something I could protect
my friends with. Dont think I believe in it much, but Id of said until
about 15 minutes ago that candles dont produce macabre dentists
either.” Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to move, come and
try me if you dare.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Alex faces down the howling apparition—pistol in one hand, amulet in
the other—daring and defiant.</p>
<p>The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace,
and presses him to its bosom.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps
over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly, they
wipe the blood on the agents face with a clean kerchief and antiseptic,
then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages around his head
to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on the ground nearby
over his body before getting to their feet again.</p>
<p>At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to
stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet witness
to the ensuing confrontation.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare
chooses its new vessel.</p>
<p>Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries
to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body.</p>
<p>The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of
creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from the
bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from
materializing.</p>
<p>It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex
stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaers tiny face
take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet, and
fires his pistol.</p>
<p>The demons pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on
Alex from all sides but is suddenly <em>yanked</em> toward him. The
struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out of
the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.</p>
<p>And then all is quiet.</p>
<p>Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.</p>
<p>A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground.
It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: “The
bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the
moon.” It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the
Benefactor.</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
<h2 id="afterword">Afterword</h2> <h2 id="afterword">Afterword</h2>
<p>I dont know what Im going to put here, but I didnt want this <p>I dont know what Im going to put here, but I didnt want this
document to just abruptly end. So here you go: a kind farewell and a document to just abruptly end. So here you go: a kind farewell and a

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@ -298,6 +298,7 @@
<li><a href="#00068" id="toc-00068">00068</a></li> <li><a href="#00068" id="toc-00068">00068</a></li>
<li><a href="#00069" id="toc-00069">00069</a></li> <li><a href="#00069" id="toc-00069">00069</a></li>
<li><a href="#00070" id="toc-00070">00070</a></li> <li><a href="#00070" id="toc-00070">00070</a></li>
<li><a href="#00071" id="toc-00071">00071</a></li>
</ul></li> </ul></li>
<li><a href="#spoilers" id="toc-spoilers">Spoilers</a></li> <li><a href="#spoilers" id="toc-spoilers">Spoilers</a></li>
<li><a href="#acknowledgements" <li><a href="#acknowledgements"
@ -374,11 +375,11 @@ into the <a href="#current-story">current story arc</a>.</p>
you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to you can <a href="https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml">subscribe to
the rss feed</a>.</p> the rss feed</a>.</p>
<h2 id="stats">Stats</h2> <h2 id="stats">Stats</h2>
<p>Total length: 90664 words / 387 minute read. (Mind you, thats the <p>Total length: 91533 words / 391 minute read. (Mind you, thats the
length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not length of this entire page, including all the extra bits and bobs. Not
just the story.)</p> just the story.)</p>
<p>There have been 243 messages posted over 238 days since the first <p>There have been 247 messages posted over 239 days since the first
post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.02.</p> post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.03.</p>
<h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2> <h2 id="chapter-1">Chapter 1</h2>
<p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p> <p>This is the first installment of BASEMENT QUEST.</p>
<p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a <p>Jump to: <a href="#00001">1</a> <a href="#00002">2</a> <a
@ -7663,6 +7664,91 @@ the center of the circle.</p>
<p>A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming <p>A malevolent force rides the still howling wind and hovers screaming
up near the ceiling of the fish market.</p> up near the ceiling of the fish market.</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p> <p>WHAT DO YOU DO?</p>
<h3 id="00071">00071</h3>
<p>Neddas loves mortals. Possibly more than they love themself. Its why
theyve diminished their own divinity over the eons by freely giving
parts of themself away—gifting tiny aspects of themself to the mortals.
Part of their constant delight in doing so is that even with their
divine wisdom they can never quite be sure what any mortal or mortals
will actually do with a sliver of godhood, with a divine spark.
Consequently they have a lot of experience with giving what they thought
is a perfect gift only for it to be misused, or for it to backfire in
some unexpected way.</p>
<p>The Sword of Yaml is a prime example. Justice without Wisom turned
out to be a cruel weapon, seeing evil everywhere and smiting it on
sight. And Wisdom itself proved as impotent as Justice was overzealous:
it became as cold and as cruel in its own way, locked away in ivory
towers, refusing to intervene, made lame by theory and academia.</p>
<p>So now, in this moment, Neddas watches closely to see if they finally
got it right. Does this mortal have not only the Wisdom to know what to
do, but also the Courage to do it in the name of Justice?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Alex rushes to Marvelos side and quickly begins to administer
medicine to him. “Sorry old friend, its not much considering the wound,
but it should help you at least stay lucid” Alex says as he administers
the medicine Inky gave him. He takes quick stock of Marvelos wound,
most of his teeth are gone, his jaw is horribly disfigured, its
doubtful if itll heal properly. At best hell need prostethics,
potentially a full mechanical jaw. It is essentially a death knell in
this kind of work, the perfect normality Marvelo had always strove for
would be forever marred by his sudden abnormality. Alex shakes his head,
“Its fine Marv, Im positive we can get this fixed, no worse than at
wound Agent 3 took in Cosovo, remember that one? Hell of a thing that”
Alex grins grimly, casting a glance over his shoulder. “Alright, you
should be set old friend, best I can do for now.” Alex hands him back
his blaster and sits him up against the wall, the bleeding staunched,
but the magled jaw not much better.</p>
<p>Alex stands, reloads his pistol, and turns to face the malevolent
apparition.</p>
<p>“I dont know who the fuck you think you are, or what the fuck you
think youre doing. But nobody, and I mean nobody, messes with my
agents, my friends.” Alex approaches the apparition, pistol gripped in
one hand, and the crystal pendant Neddas gave him held tight in the
other. “Alright Neddas, you said youd give me something I could protect
my friends with. Dont think I believe in it much, but Id of said until
about 15 minutes ago that candles dont produce macabre dentists
either.” Alex stands before the apparition, daring it to move, come and
try me if you dare.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Alex faces down the howling apparition—pistol in one hand, amulet in
the other—daring and defiant.</p>
<p>The wind engulfs him, swirls around him, wraps him in its embrace,
and presses him to its bosom.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>While Master Alex faces the screaming presence overhead, Inky steps
over to where Marvelo is slumped against the wall. Working quickly, they
wipe the blood on the agents face with a clean kerchief and antiseptic,
then gently realign the shattered jaw, wrapping bandages around his head
to hold it in place. They pull a blanket laying on the ground nearby
over his body before getting to their feet again.</p>
<p>At the mention of Neddas, they tense minutely before turning away to
stand in a corner, gloved hands in their coat pockets, a quiet witness
to the ensuing confrontation.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Inky continues to patch up Marvelo and watches as the nightmare
chooses its new vessel.</p>
<p>Flesh and bone start to materialize around Alex as the Nyxmaer tries
to encase him in its ribcage and grow a new body.</p>
<p>The creature starts to take shape, but falters at the threshold of
creation. It appears to you as though through a smoky haze, or from the
bottom of a murky well. Something is holding it back from
materializing.</p>
<p>It thrashes and redoubles its efforts, desperate to be born. Alex
stands still in the eye of its storm. You see the Nyxmaers tiny face
take shape in the small cyclone. It roars as Alex lifts the amulet, and
fires his pistol.</p>
<p>The demons pinched face wails as the wind no longer presses in on
Alex from all sides but is suddenly <em>yanked</em> toward him. The
struggling body collapses and folds in on itself. The wind goes out of
the room as the amulet inhales the Nyxmaer and all its fury.</p>
<p>And then all is quiet.</p>
<p>Marvelo looks up at Inky and whimpers.</p>
<p>A heavy paper envelope, disturbed by the wind, settles to the ground.
It was torn open in the commotion, and two tickets spill out: “The
bearer of this ticket is entitled to an all expenses paid trip to the
moon.” It is signed by Blavin Blandfoot and bears the seal of the
Benefactor.</p>
<p>WHAT DO YOU DO</p>
<h2 id="spoilers">Spoilers</h2> <h2 id="spoilers">Spoilers</h2>
<details> <details>
<summary> <summary>