diff --git a/assets/harrowkrake.png b/assets/harrowkrake.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..19a505c Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/harrowkrake.png differ diff --git a/assets/merbear.png b/assets/merbear.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6336de Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/merbear.png differ diff --git a/assets/tardigrade.png b/assets/tardigrade.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9566a25 Binary files /dev/null and b/assets/tardigrade.png differ diff --git a/src/bestiary/harrowkrake.md b/src/bestiary/harrowkrake.md index 3d4f3f5..7219edd 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/harrowkrake.md +++ b/src/bestiary/harrowkrake.md @@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ public: yes ---
Harrowkrake
: A colossal many-tentacled sea monster with a hard shell. It drags itself along the ocean floor, carving deep furrows in which it lives, catching prey with its tentacles. +:
![harrowkrake](harrowkrake.png)
diff --git a/src/bestiary/merbear.md b/src/bestiary/merbear.md index 30d6d39..a9f95f8 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/merbear.md +++ b/src/bestiary/merbear.md @@ -6,5 +6,5 @@ public: yes ---
Merbear
: Top half bear. Thick, hairless, leathery skin with a thick layer of blubber to keep it warm. Bottom half fish. - +:
![merbear](merbear.png)
diff --git a/src/bestiary/tardigrade.md b/src/bestiary/tardigrade.md index beb1169..61b37a8 100644 --- a/src/bestiary/tardigrade.md +++ b/src/bestiary/tardigrade.md @@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ public: yes ---
Tardigrade
: A water bear. It has eight jointless legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates. +:
![tardigrade](tardigrade.png)
diff --git a/www/harrowkrake.png b/www/harrowkrake.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..19a505c Binary files /dev/null and b/www/harrowkrake.png differ diff --git a/www/index.html b/www/index.html index cae3d54..891acff 100644 --- a/www/index.html +++ b/www/index.html @@ -267,10 +267,10 @@ of the Were-Hare

Stats

-

Total length: 31204 words / 133 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

Total length: 31206 words / 133 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 126 messages posted over 121 days since the first +

There have been 127 messages posted over 122 days since the first post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.04.

About

This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over @@ -3836,6 +3836,14 @@ A colossal many-tentacled sea monster with a hard shell. It drags itself along the ocean floor, carving deep furrows in which it lives, catching prey with its tentacles. +

+
+
+harrowkrake + +
+
+
@@ -3896,6 +3904,14 @@ they are revered and elevated by the other kobits. Top half bear. Thick, hairless, leathery skin with a thick layer of blubber to keep it warm. Bottom half fish. +
+
+
+merbear + +
+
+
@@ -3904,6 +3920,14 @@ blubber to keep it warm. Bottom half fish. A water bear. It has eight jointless legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates. +
+
+
+tardigrade + +
+
+
diff --git a/www/merbear.png b/www/merbear.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d6336de Binary files /dev/null and b/www/merbear.png differ diff --git a/www/rss.xml b/www/rss.xml index e87c246..c33bd84 100644 --- a/www/rss.xml +++ b/www/rss.xml @@ -5,1050 +5,6 @@ BASEMENT QWEST https://tilde.town/~dozens/quest/rss.xml Friends having ADVENTURES! Huzzah! - - 29 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 29 - Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:35:44 --0600 - Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:35:44 -0600 - - 00029 -
-

Gentle bears, there is no need to argue! Why can’t there be - two true bears of the ocean? For what its worth, I personally - think the ocean doesn’t have enough bears and could do with - two strapping examples of true peak bearitude! The two of you - should be working together to show the world how important - bears are and how wonderful the sea is to have two. And the - moon! Who’s to say the moon doesn’t also need two bears?

-

The only time I can ever think that a bear isn’t needed is - when it’s calling itself Monokuma, once it’s doing that you - know you’re in for a hell of a bad time. And since neither of - you are it, I say we let this matter rest and declare this - ocean two bears richer!

-

Corraidhin grips the innert dagger of Y’aml beneath his - cloak, just in case. No need for a blood rush like last time, - can’t let daggers go mouthing off an all that. Or perhaps the - ocean needs less bears, it’s tempting, I wonder if Y’aml would - react to bear blood..

-
-

The bears shudder at the mention of Monokuma. “Oh, such a - dreadful bear,” laments the tardigrade. “You mustn’t mention - him!”

-

“Indeed,” agrees the merbear, “a discredit and an - embarrassment to bears everywhere, at sea and on land!”

-

“Yes, this sea may be big enough for two bears, but not if - one of them is HE!”

-

The merbear considers the tardigrade’s words. “Hmm, - two bears you say?” he ponders, giving the tardigrade - a scrupulous side-eye. “Do you truly think so?”

-

“Now that you mention it, I don’t see why not!” admits the - tardigrade, gesturing broadly at the fathomless leagues of - ocean all around you.

-

“You know what? What is the sky anyway if not a sea made of - stars! The moon could indeed use two bears too, could it - not?”

-

“It could indeed, Brother Bear!”

-

“Brother!”

-

The tardigrade and the merbear embrace. If you’ve never - experienced the eight-armed hug of a water bear, well, then - you don’t know how soft and enveloping it is.

-

“Come, Brother!” cries the tardigrade suddenly. “We must - begin our search at once! For what if there is a third Bear of - the Sea yet to be discovered?”

-

“Another Brother of ours who doesn’t know about us? Oh, I - can’t stand the thought!” sobs the merbear.

-

They swim away hand in hand, paragons of brotherly bear - love. “Good luck and safe travels, interlopers!” calls the - merbear to you over its shoulder. “If you ever end up on the - moon,” adds the tardigrade, laughing merrily, “say hello to - Hap’n’stance for me!”

-

Suddenly, a disturbance! A perturbance of bubbles and a - rush of current as massive amounts of water are displaced by - inky black tentacles that shoot up from below! They reach! - They grasp! One grabs the tardigrade around the middle. - Another grabs the merbear by the tail. Both bears cry and - reach for each other as they are ripped apart and pulled down - below.

-

The tentacles grope around in the water, batting at you and - threatening to pull you down too! They grab at your wrists and - at your ankles!

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 31 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 31 - Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:16:11 --0700 - Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:16:14 -0700 - - 00031 -
-

Inky follows behind the merbear at a healthy 2 meters’ - distance away in the bubblebee, the headlights illuminating a - moderate distance ahead of the distraught bear as it darts - after its brother.

-

As the merbear homes in on the tardigrade near the ship - deck, Inky keeps a lookout for any signs of movement or - tentacles from behind or below the shipwreck. The bubblebee’s - headlights cast an eerie shadow from the ship’s double masts - even as it partly lights up the rim of a gaping hole in the - hull.

-
-

The tardigrade, still tucked into a ball, lands on the ship - deck with a gentle thud. It rolls a couple of times and - finally comes to rest against the rigging. The merbear reaches - it a moment later and cradles its jelly-like body gently in - its bear arms. “My brother!” it cries. “My dear bear - brother!”

-

The tardigrade slowly uncurls and stretches out and looks - around, disoriented and bleary-eyed. It waggles its eight arms - around experimentally, closes and opens its claws as though - kneading the water. “Brother?” says the merbear in - astonishment.

-

“I am okay brother!” says the tardigrade. “We water bears - are very hardy and resilient! It will take more than a mere - other worldly tentacle attack and an arcane electric blast to - do me in!”

-

While the bears are having their teary-eyed reunion, you - sense movement in the shadows deep in the ocean trench, over - which protrude the ship’s masts. Your lights don’t penetrate - the darkness enough to see what it was. But it was large. The - very stuff that thalassophobia is made of.

-

You also think you see a flash of gold as the light of the - bubblebee reflects off of something inside the ship through - the hole in the hull. Could it be the second Ginnarak - Crystal?

-

The breach in the hull is easily large enough to admit a - medium sized creature such as an inkling in a bubblebee - apparatus. Or a sysorcer or a lanky old half-devil tavern - owner.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 21 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 21 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 --0600 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 -0600 - - 00021 -

INTERLUDE

-
-

A glorious victory!

-

In the interim time Corraidhin studies the sword of Y’aml, - and correctly deduces that he needs to remove the sticky bit - to be able to sheath the thing.

-

sudo chmod -t sword_of_y'aml

-

The rest of the interim is spent studying arcane lore - surrounding the Ginnarak Crystals and their purpose. He also - strongly urges the party that we should consider very carefuly - how we need to proceed with the crystal. It’s obvious people - don’t want these things getting out, so we should ensure that - Blavin has good intentions, or at least leaves us out of - whatever potential evil could occur.

-
-

Corraidhin prepares the incantation and, after removing the - sticky bit, is able pry his stiff fingers from the grip.

-

You sheathe the blade, but its voice continues to ring - clearly in your head as it prattles on, seeing evil and - villainy everywhere and encouraging you to stab, stab, - stab.

-

Your sysorcerous studies, confirmed by the eager and - forthright sword, suggest that the blade will be able to rest - for a while once it tastes blood.

-

Your former mentor and rival sysorceror Eccentric Kevin - calls on you one day under the pretense of showing you the - latest draft of KDL (pronounced “cuddle”), their own “Kevin’s - Document Language”, an alternative syntax for incantations and - personal pet project of theirs that has thus far failed, much - to their perpetual consternation, to gain any traction or - adoption in the wider magic community. They are insufferably - polite and sinisterly supportive. They complain about how the - obstinant gnus keep standing in the middle of the road trying - to block traffic, and they demand to know all about your - recent exploits and adventures.

-
-

Once back in town, Inky had the small glass shard in their - palm removed by a harried-looking healer, who merely shrugged - at Inky’s account of the disappearing ink and advised them to - return if they experienced adverse effects before hurrying off - to the next patient. A visit to the local stationery shop did - not yield any answers; the stocky human at the counter shook - their head apologetically when shown the broken ink bottle. - However, they did suggest asking at one of the larger shops in - the city.

-

To celebrate their first successful quest, Inky made - torties[1] for their party with flour ground from some of the - large corn kernels at the dig site, topped with a sweet nutty - squash spread. Babbleberry tea was served from their newly - acquired jade tea set, now patched with what Inky had been - assured was an unbreakable seal[2] by a merchant with a toothy - grin in one of Vay’Nullar’s notorious back alleys.

-

Master Corraidhín’s cautionary words of wisdom still echo - in Inky’s head, though they were secretly tickled by the idea - of the crystal being actually a rare and previously unknown - species of melon with very potent magical properties. The very - thought of melons was making Inky a bit thirsty. Let the - warrior and wizard worry about all the potential evils of the - world — it’s time for a dash to the market for some beatfruit - juice!

-
-

[1] Also known as torte-teas, as in “Torte-tea, yas?”, - which was how their previous ink maestro used to greet - customers entering the brewery. Flat little tea cakes with - sugar or spice (or both, which vary by region) and sometimes - eaten in a loose wrap. Some humans called them “crabs” for - some reason which baffled Inky, since the torties had no - pincers … at least none that they could see anyway.

-

[2] The seal attached to the bottom of the teapot and each - cup had a glyph of an unknown object between two hands.

-
-

The healer removes a small glass bead from Inky’s palm. It - is worn smooth and round like a marble. If you look closely, - you can see a small blemish in the center that somewhat - resembles either a duck or a rabbit depending on how you - orient it.

-

It is captivating to look at and comforting to hold in your - hand. You fidget with it often. Now and then you suddenly - notice you have been gazing at it for some minutes without - realizing it.

-

You make your party a delightful meal of torties, serving - tea from the magically reinforced jade set.

-

Cleaning up afterwards, you can’t help but notice the - patterns of the tea leaves in the bottoms of the jade - cups.

-

YOU FORESEE AN OMEN FOR THE PARTY. WHAT IS IT?

-

You dash to the market for beatfruit juice, which you - easily find. And you find yourself irrationally drawn to the - produce. The kale, dandelion greens, and beans all look - especially scrumptious and … plump and juicy?

-

An old toothy market attendant sits on a stool by the - vegetable stand reading the Farmers Almanac. Unsolicited, they - mention to you that it is only three days until the next full - moon.

-
-

Jarrod has two things in particular he wants to do when - back in town, with whatever his cut of the gold is. First, he - wants to go looking for a cheap, run-down building somewhere - in town and buy the property if he has enough money (perhaps - negotiating a bit where necessary).

-

Second, he wishes to seek arcane counsel from Corraidhín, - perhaps getting a small invocation applied to one of the - charms on his arm band. Something in the realm of a - fascination spell (with an activation word) that can be used - on occasion to draw attention.

-

Jarrod agrees that we should not invite trouble. We shall - tread cautiously with regards to the crystals.

-

Yum, torties!

-
-

After successfully negotiating the price down a little bit, - you are able to purchase a run-down building. You are now the - proud owner and proprietor of the Milk Market building in the - Wandering Bazzar district of downtown Vay’Nullar.

-

The ground level is occupied by longtime district staple - Enrique’s Empanada Emporium, famous for its signature stuffed - pastries and its Terrapin Ale, brewed on site by Enrique - himself, who happens to be a very large humanoid turtle.

-

It’s a little seedy and a little divey, but still draws a - fair amount of foot traffic from shoppers waiting for the - eponymous, ambulatory bazaar of debatable sentience to wander - by. Reliably, a small gang of breadpunks can be found - loitering here and espousing the virtues of social anarchy. - Enrique allows their presence and on occasion even buys them a - round of ale.

-

The top two levels are unoccupied. Years upon years ago, - this space once held large vats for storing and preserving - multibeast milk prior to being distributed. Some enterprising - individual converted and updated the space some time ago, but - was never able to find a tenant. In any case, the space is - yours now to do with what you will.

-

With Corraidhin’s assistance, you are able to enchant your - armband by inscribing it with a cross-like glyph with a - teardrop-shaped loop in place of the vertical upper bar. You - now have a FASCINATING BANGLE that can, upon activation, - compel attention and even potentially inspire people to dance - about.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 25 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 25 - Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:41:16 --0600 - Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:41:16 -0600 - - 00025 -
-

Corraidhin Shit, shit shit shit shit shit. - This is NOT good. Damn it Y’aml what was that? It wasn’t even - slightly stealthy

-

Y’aml STAB, delightful blood. Stab the - flesh, tear the skin, pierce the fruit that gives us strength. - Drink the blood, consume their soul. More more more more more - more more more more

-

Corraidhin (internal thought) Ugh my head, - it’s heavy, hurts. Misty and red? I can’t see straight, it’s - hard to think straight. That blasted sword, I thought for a - moment it, no, not think, it definitely did move on its own. - It became lighter and heavier. Pulling against it and it just - weighs itself down. This little magical bauble is definitely - cursed..

-

Y’aml CURSED?! Rude Hardy Bear. All we did - was stab that evil hobbit. And it’s getting away! Stab him - again, taste his blood! The tavern gaurds are closing in, they - look like they’re trying to get rid of us, EVIL. Them trying - to stop us from getting that evil hobbit is EVIL, STAB - THEM.

-

Corraidhin raises his free hand to his head as though - holding a wound and he groans in dismay as the dagger rises - again. It travels swiftly down towards Blavin, missing as he - slithers of the booth. And again, digging deep into the wooden - seat.

-

Y’aml Disgusting wood, stab the flesh! - Stab the Hobbit Hardy Bear!

-

But Blavin was inching further out of reach towards the - gaurds. In desperation the dagger begins swinging side to - side, making furtive slashing moves in the direction of the - guards. The party is safely behind Corraidhin, but innocent - patrons and the guards are directly in their sights.

-

Corraidhin grabs his other hand and pulls hard, steadying - the swinging. STOP! I command you you blasted toothpick, STOP. - You’ve had your fun, now STOP. These people are innocent, this - man has done us no harm despite his potential “evils”, this is - entirely uncalled for!

-

Y’aml NO!!! EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. EVIL. - STAB.

-

The dull voice of the magical dagger rises, angry, - insistent. It consumes the last of Corraidhin’s mental - strength. All he hears is EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. Yet he - clings to his spare arm trying desparately to resist. At this - point the party and the tavern has cleared a wide path around - the sysorceor as he struggles with himself, mumbling, - sometimes yelling. EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. NO WE WILL NOT. - EVIL. INNOCENT. STAB BLOOD DRINK. EVIL. EVIL EVIL EVIL STAB - IT. MAKE IT BLEED. I WILL NO.. STAB IT. STAB HIM.

-

The voice seems to change, it dies down. Not yelling, but - commanding. Firm, calm, sane.

-

Stab them, stab them, make them bleed. Drink the blood, - consume the soul, free them from their evil being. Stab them, - stab them… over and over and over, as the sysorceor approaches - Blavin and the guards with a malevolent look in his ruby red - eyes.

-
-

~

-
-

Inky moves to stand next to Blavin and the nightclub - bouncers. Tossing a tiny “see-eye” container they had borrowed - from Master Corraidhín at him, Inky looks the sysorceor in the - eye and says, “You are not your sword.”

-

Watching the wizard’s expression, Inky continues, more - quietly, “If Master Corraidhín truly wishes to end the hobbit, - a mere imp would not stop him, but likewise, whatever he sets - his mind to do, a dagger cannot stop him either.”

-
-

~

-
-

Jarrod steps gently into the fray and activates his - FASCINATING CHARM, attempting to draw all eyes to him. He - carefully avoids the wild swinging of the - once-sword-now-dagger.

-

“I think,” he rumbles gently, “we could all use a drink - over the other end of the room. I’m buying, and I’ll spin you - all a tale of wonder! A tale of a wanderer, and of a war - hammer, and the first of their wild battles together!”

-

Leaning over to whisper urgently in Corraidhín’s ear: - “Friend, I do not know what occurs here, but pull yourself - together. We can later sate our blood lust in more appropriate - places!” Jarrod lends a sly wink in the sysorcerer’s - direction, one that promises adventure later.

-
-

The tavern guards tense, but pause their advance, as the - crazed mage’s friends position themselves protectively around - him and try to placate him. They wouldn’t want to engage a - master sysorcerer on the best of days, much less one with some - kind of malevolent blood dagger in the middle of a psychotic - break. If his compatriots can handle him without them having - to interfere, all the better.

-

The duck waddles up next to Inky and quacks softly, - pleadingly at Corraidhin. Only the Ornithologer in the corner - can understand its words when it says, “As your marketing - manager I must strongly advise against this course of - action!”

-

Seated in the corner next to the Ornithologer is a shaggy - groll dressed in a dusty, faded poncho and a wide brimmed hat; - and a greasy, matted gnu, dressed in black ceremonial - robes.

-

The groll discreetly draws its poncho back revealing a - bandoleer of wands and draws a cracklestick and points it at - the sysorcer. The wand starts to hum and glow as it charges up - for a blast.

-

The gnu slaps the groll’s wrist, and immediately launches - into a tirade against the cracklestick’s manufacturer’s - proprietary spell slotting algorithm, and honestly how can you - possibly justify your choices when there are open source - alternatives available?

-

The groll rolls its eyes, obviously having been on the - receiving end of this particular lecture before, and tries to - slap away the gnu’s grasping hands. The ensuing scuffle - threatens to turn this powder keg of a situation into a full - blown conflagration until Jarrod actives his FASCINATING - CHARM, commanding the attention of the entire room.

-

The gnu freezes with its hands around the groll’s throat. - The groll halts with fists full of the gnu’s beard. A grub - smoking a hookah pauses with the mouthpiece raised to its - pursed lips. A distracted waitress on roller skates crashes - right into the bar.

-
-

As though in a trance Corraidhin continues to yell STAB. - THEM. STAB. IT. cutting wildly at the air before him. As Inky - whispers to him his expression changes, first a grimace, then - a whimper. As Jarrod leads the patrons away from the sysorceor - he begins to tremble and cower away from himself, away from - everyone. His ruby red eyes dart back and forth between his - friends and the patrons, like a frightened animal searching - for an escape. He pulls the dagger into himself, as though - sheilding it from his surroundings.

-

What.. what’s going on, he mutters feebly to himself. - Everything is a blurr. Uncertain of where he is or what’s - going on, Corraidhin thumbs the dagger, caressing the large - ruby embedded in the hilt. Y’aml, you’re still here, good - good, the syscoreor croons.

-

Standing up straight his eyes lock with Jarrod as the Bard - glances over his shoulder, momentarily distracted from his - oration, worried about his companion.

-

I.. ugh, Corraidhin grabs his head as though in pain, and - collapses to the floor.

-
-

Corraidhin hits the floor and the dagger, now bereft of the - well of emotion it had been drawing from, grows still. The eye - closes and it seems to sigh happily. “Good job, Hardy Bear. - You have spilled the blood of evil.” And it sleeps, inert, - lifeless.

-

Corraidhin is on the ground cradling the dagger.

-

Most of the patrons are still fascinated by Jarrod.

-

Blavin is squirming around on the floor gibbering about - reassigning your case.

-

The duck has found a toppled plate of corn chips and is - happily snacking away.

-

You feel like your welcome at Lucy’s Basement has been, for - the moment, overstayed.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 35 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 35 - Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:34:03 --0700 - Thu, 10 Nov 2022 21:49:20 -0700 - - 00035 -
-

Shouting in the direction of the grampus “Yo! That dude is - definitely going to forget us. We’re almost the definition of - forgettable, I mean it’s not like we’re some kind of murderous - hobos or something!”

-

While shouting Corraidhin takes aim, and slings his magic - missing at the figure, aiming for a kill. (Meta: I’d like to - spend that xp now, lets take this sucker down).

-

After the missile flies loose the skeleton begins to pull - Corraidhin back into the hull of the ship, he kicks - desperately at the boney clutches desperately trying to break - free.

-

“I always knew I’d go out fighting some undead spooky - thing. If you don’t become a necromancer, you end up some - necromancers thrall.” at least, that’s what Kevin used to tell - me. I always thought he was being melodramatic.

-

As the skeleton drags Corraidhin back through the hatch he - grabs the dagger, in a vein attempt to ready himself.

-

“I guess this is it my Stabby friend, time to show these - Skeletons what happens when you back a Sysorceor into a - corner”

-

And with that Corraidhin activates his fork bomb.

-
-

~

-
-

While feeding their jellyfish bites of wasabi pear and - watching the sysorcerer investigate the hull, Inky eventually - notices movement in the direction of the ship’s deck in the - form of a figure crawling out of the hatch with a bundle. Inky - squints at the retreating form. Could it be another retrieval - team, or a rogue agent? Master Corraidhín would probably not - be pleased if the crystal melon were to fall into unknown - hands, never mind of those whose names don’t start with the - letter “B” and end in the letter “r”.

-

Sparing a brief second to lament the waste of a perfectly - good snack, Inky reaches into their bag and lobs a spiky - chestnut cluster at the figure’s breathing bell from the - opening of their bubblebee, followed by a glass bottle of - blahoblin shoe polish. The glass shatters on impact, sending - the dark, sticky and somewhat pungent substance all over the - figure’s (punctured) breathing bell and face.

-

As Inky’s bubblebee floats up a little closer to the - figure, Inky tosses a smaller bottle at the figure, this time - of some synthetic blood from another brick that Inky had set - aside for experiments of a different sort. At the last moment - the thruster accelerates, Inky throws their paring knife at - the bundle where the cord hugged the figure’s waist, before - veering away just as quickly as the horkosgrampus nearby catch - a whiff of the blood.

-
-

RETCON: It has been brought to our - attention that the scp spell does not - move an entity, but merely copies it from one - location to another. As such, the original merbear and - tardigrade are still on the deck of the SS RSS. Their - facsimiles are present near where Inky used to be.

-

Okay so two extremely interesting and complicated things - happen all at once and in quick succession. It’s very chaotic - and explosive and cinematic.

-

THING THE FIRST

-

Corraidhín aims his shootin’ finger—the one that - resolutely, emphatically mashes the Enter key when deploying - to production—at the floaty thief. The very same second he - fires off the magic missile, he sees the figure jerk as a - small projectile first punctures its jellyfish helmet and then - coats its entire cranial area in black ink.

-

It screams, “Aw, fuck!”

-

The breathing bell is having none of this shit, thank you - very much, and detaches itself from the figure’s head and - starts to propel itself away. As such, the figure no longer - has access to breathable air.

-

It screams, “No, wait!”

-

And then a fine blade juts out from the bubblebee severing - the cord connecting the floating bundle to the would-be thief. - The blade scoops out a hunk of flesh from the thief’s hip in - the process.

-

It screams, “Ouch! Stop, I wasn’t going to…”

-

The horkosgrampus—kind of lazily drifting about thus - far—stir from complacency at the first scent of blood. But - they snap to ravenous attention at the first utterance of a - possible lie.

-

Finally (an instant later) the magic missile strikes its - target and the thief splatters like a wet paper bag full of - soup hitting the ground.

-

It sputters and coughs and screams, “I wasn’t going to! - Please, you can have it! I wasn’t going to take it! I don’t - even want it! It’s yours!”

-

And the horkosgrampus fucking lose their minds. They stop - being mere toothy scavenger whales, and instead become the - ravenous, wrathful instruments of the god of oaths and - promises. They descend upon the liar in a fury of teeth and - tusks. First Mate “Lucky” Three-Fingered Gerald cackles with - depraved, unhinged mirth as he is torn to shreds. In the end a - single golden orb—his false eye—is all that is left of the - would-be thief of the second Ginnarak Crystal.

-

The eye and the crystal slowly emerge from the - horkosgrampus frenzy, hovering suspended above the harrowkrake - trench.

-

THING THE SECOND

-

Remember there are two extremely interesting and - complicated things happening all at once?

-

The second thing is this.

-

First, Corraidhín lets loose his magic missile at - Three-Fingered Gerald. Then, as he is being pulled down by the - undead pirate skeleton, he lets loose a fork bomb.

-

The fork bomb is also known as a ‘rabbit attack’ because - the rapidity with which it spawns new processes resembles the - fecundity of breeding rabbits.

-

So here’s what it looks like. The skeleton pulls Corraidhín - downward. Corraidhín points and clicks. Pew, pew. A single - small sea bunny slug wriggles its way between the skeleton’s - fingers where it has a hold of the sysorcerer’s ankle. Another - two wriggle out. Then four, eight, sixteen. In an instant - there are dozens, hundreds, thousands, millions of the tiny - slugs in the hold of the ship.

-

Everything, every living entity, every process, light and - sound and thought itself, it all grinds to a halt as the sea - bunnies continue to multiply until billions and trillions of - them squeeze and burrow their way amongst molecules, betwixt - atoms, and into the quantum foam between subatomic - particles.

-

The ship and everything on it and inside it—including the - original merbear and tardigrade—collapse into a singularity. - It continues to exist in this moment in space and time but - only as a static snapshot of the moment that its operating - system crashed. It is a mirage, a core memory dump, a - segmentation fault, a flickering feedback loop, the same two - to three seconds endlessly repeating: Corraidhín backed into a - corner, and pointing a finger at a skeleton, and then BANG! - over and over and over again.

-

Corraidhín, you can continue to act and move, but your have - become unhinged and unattached from this moment in space and - time. You can interact with entities inside the ship, but will - struggle mightily to comprehend and interact with entities - outside the fork bomb.

-

Outside observers see the SS RSS become paper thin and - translucent as it starts to lose its footing in this plane of - reality.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 24 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 24 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 --0600 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 -0600 - - 00024 -
-

Corraidhin
- Well I’ll be! You can turn yourself into a dagger. And I did - say we could stab blavin if you could do that, it’s much more - stealthy this way. But let me posit this, is the act of - stabbing a hobbit unprovoked not itself evil? Or perhaps more - convincingly, would it not be better to use the hobbit for - whatever information he has so as to lead to this mysterious - benefactor, who most assuredly must be evil.

-

Someone who would send out myriads of teams to pillage and - plunder cultural artifacts is truly evil, that must be our - target.

-

Now this isn’t to say that we won’t stab him. I’m convinced - that’s probably a good idea in the long run, but we know - nothing of the true evil that motivates him! We would kill him - just to lose track of the true evil we must smite!

-

Y’aml
- But YOU said if I could turn into a dagger we could STAB him. - HE’S EVIL. YOU said so! Not keeping your promises IS one step - away from PURE evil! Make a choice Hardy Bear! Stab the evil - hobbit, or stab the inkling, or stab SOMETHING evil this - minute!

-

Corraidhin
- I most certainly cannot abide with stabbing Inky, it’s - entirely off the table. And in a city like this there aren’t - any evil things that just jump out for the stabbing.

-

(Corraidhin tries to silently control Y’aml during the - discussion. However in so doing the party has fallen silent, - aghast even)

-

Corraidhin stands, Y’aml held in hand, red gem eye gleaming - a wicked joyful grin as it’s raised high, poised to strike. - The party around him is silent, and Blavin stares up in shock. - The tavern around them has died down and you can hear the - bustle of the proprietor calling for his strong men to deal - with this ruckus.

-
-

The table—and all of Lucy’s Basement within earshot—sits in - tense, uneasy quiet at Corraidhin’s one-sided conversation - with the Sword of Yam’L. Blavin giggles nervously and sips his - martini, willfully forcing himself right up to the very last - moment to believe that it is all some sort of jest.

-

But then the sysorcerer stands and raises the blood crazed - dagger over his shoulder, and Blavin squeals and writhes in - his chair. Lucy’s bouncers scramble forward from the corners - of the room to intercept.

-
-

Y’aml
- We STAB Hardy Bear! We STAB NOW!!

-

Against Corraidhin’s control, as though he’s in a trance, - the dagger comes down. A swift stabbing motion strqight to the - neck, as he lunges across the table at Blavin knocking the map - and his martini to the side.

-
- -

Corraidhin once again feels the same peculiar quality of - the blade, that sensation of a hollow core with a heavy liquid - sloshing inside. Held aloft, the weight of it feels - concentrated at the grip, the blade light as a feather.

-

He stabs down—Yam’L cries out in wordless glee—and the - weight flows into the tip of the blade, the blade itself now - drawing Corraidhin’s hand downward in a rising crescendo of - stabbitude.

- -

Blavin flinches at the last second, and instead of burying - itself in his throat, the blade plunges into his shoulder and - pins him to the back of the chair. A red mist fills the eye - and threatens to cloud it over entirely. It rolls back in - ecstasy as it drinks deeply. It sings out, “MORE! MORE! MORE!” - and Corraidhin feels the tides of madness rising inside of - him, threatening to wash over him wholly, to pull him under - and carry him away on thundering waves of bloodlust.

-

Corraidhin struggles to pull the blade from the chair back. - Blavin whimpers and mewls as he yanks on it, and clutches his - wound and, incredibly, takes a large gulp of his drink.

-

The sysorcerer still has the wherewithal and the presence - of mind to be aware of his surroundings. He is not yet so - overcome by the bloodlust. He sees his companions, his fellow - residents of the Milk Market, seated around the table. And he - sees the musclebound bouncers now nearly within reach.

-

Finally he draws the dagger. Blavin sinks in his seat and - slides to the floor with his drink, blabbering incoherently, - and starts to slither away.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 34 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 34 - Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:43:05 --0700 - Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:43:08 -0700 - - 00034 -
-

Fuck, skeletons? This is ridiculous, I did not sign up for - underwater pirate skeletons.

-

Reacting quickly Corraidhin prepares a fork bomb, if the - skeletons are going to take him out, he’s going to take out - those skeletons too.

- 
#!/bin/sh
-:(){
- :|:&
-};:
-

Hopefully I won’t have to use that. Corraidhin hoists - himself up into the opening and begins targetting the - skeletons one by one. No time for much fancy preparation here, - just good old fashioned magic missiles strewn about the - interior of the hull. While so doing Corraidhin glances around - the treasure strewn hull, searching for the crystal, can’t - blow the whole ship up if the prize is here.

-

Then again, a magical item that powerful, could probably - withstand a fork bomb pretty easily. It’s worth the risk if - things get worse.

-

Corraidhin ensures his back is to the opening, able to make - a haphazard escape should the skeletons get the better of - him.

-
- -

You prep your fork bomb to keep in your back pocket as a - last resort.

-

In the meantime you start blasting skeletons. They maintain - a slow advance but you able to pick them off slowly one by - one. Bones splinter and fly apart.

-

During your maneuvering, you get turned around and are - backed into the corner with the hatch leading up to the upper - deck. You reach behind yourself and fumble with the latch. One - skeleton manages to get its bony claws around your ankle just - as you open the hatch. You look behind you and see a human - shaped figure floating away, illuminated in the beams of - Inky’s bubblebee. It is toting a small bundle. Up above you - can see the shadow of the manta ray gliding around eating - candy, and the horkosgrampus idling in the absence of carrion - or lies.

-

“I thank ye, gents!” cries the figure down to you as it - ascends. “You distracted the harrowkrake just long enough for - me to get in that ship and grab what I needs!” It tugs on the - cord attached to its bundle and laughs. “I shan’t forget ye!” - It waves and gives a little salute.

-

You have a magic missile loaded and ready to go. In a - moment the figure will be out of range. You can blast it now - and risk being pulled down by the skeleton. Or you can blast - the skeleton and risk the figure getting away.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - - - 26 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 26 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 --0600 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 -0600 - - 00026 -
-

Inky slowly approaches Master Corraidhín and taps lightly - on the sleeve of his robes to get his attention. Between - Inky’s tugging and Jarrod’s strong, steady hand, they manage - to hoist the wizard to his feet.

-

With a brief glance at the hobbit on the floor then a nod - to Jarrod, Inky leaves the nightclub with the wizard. The - duck, having emptied the plate of corn chips in record time, - follows them shortly after.

-

The trek back to the Milk Market is mostly silent aside - from the occasional mutter and stumbling curse, the mage - seemingly having fallen asleep as soon as he landed on the cot - in the loft. Inky retreats downstairs after leaving a jug of - water, a mug and a small packet of kuding leaves beside the - bed.

-

Exiting through the back door into the night, Inky finds a - dark corner in a dusty abandoned house, and cries.

-
-

~

-
-

” … and then the Orc Maiden said: ‘That’s not my - club!’”

-

The room roars with laughter, and Jarrod moves to the bar - and puts a bag of coin down. “Serve drinks until this runs - out!” Leaning over the bar to the bartender, Jarrod adds in a - whisper: “I owe a favour to Lucy’s Basement for the trouble. - Call it in when needed.”

-

Jarrod saunters over to Blavin, on the floor in pain. From - his pack, Jarrod retrieves a med kit and begins to bandage the - wound.

-

As Blavin opens his mouth, likely intending to raise all - kinds of hell, Jarrod pulls tight on the bandage he is - currently applying, drawing a curse from the hobbit. “Shut it! - Let’s be clear. You’ve hired us for a dangerous set of jobs, - with the understanding that we’re dangerous people. There may - be ‘accidents’ on occasion. You’ve learned something today, - and what’s more, you lived to absorb your new wisdom.”

-

Jarrod grins as he finishes with the bandage. “We will - finish what we have started. We’re probably the team with the - best chances, I’m sure you’ll agree. Are you going to back the - winning play here? Either way, your decision won’t change our - plans. I’m sure you know how to take the win.”

-

Jarrod pats the hobbit’s good shoulder in a friendly, but - dismissive, way, then turns and saunters out the door, trading - small quips with his new (and now very drunk) tavern - friends.

-
-

You are at a small port town on the northern tip of - Agendell, just past the Rana’For Valley. The sun is bright and - the wind blowing in from the Sugrin Sea to the east is cool - and salty. The floating island-city of Vay’Neddas, bridging - Agendell and Primora, can be seen very faintly in the distance - hanging in the northern sky.

-

Your faithful multibeast is carrying all of your supplies - and gear, which were generously provided to you by the - indefatigable Blavin Blandfoot. His arm in a sling, he kept up - a constant nervous chatter as he saw you off on your journey - to recover the second Ginnarak Crystal.

-

From here, you can easily provision a boat to take you out - to the site of the shipwreck just off the coast.

-

Or, optionally, you are very close to the Hartlands. It - would be quite easy to make a quick visit to hemogoblins and - pick up some synthetic blood for your experiments with the - Sword of Yam’L.

-

The sword, incidentally, after finally tasting the blood of - “evil”, has remained sated and entirely inert and unresponsive - this whole time.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO:

-
    -
  1. TO THE SHIPWRECK
    2. -
  2. BLOODQUEST
    3. -
-

www

- ]]> - - - - 30 - dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 30 - Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:43 --0600 - Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:49 -0600 - - 00030 -
-

Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the - tentacles’ grasp. From their courier bag they shake out an - inflatable bubblebee[1] of the sort made for aquatic camping. - It is one of the fancier models provided to each member of - their party courtesy of the well-endowed Benefactor. They yank - on one of the cords and scramble inside, hastily closing the - flap as the bubblebee rapidly draws in water and fills out to - its full size.

-

The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and - allows the drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the - end of one tentacle sending the bubblebee forward a short - distance before it slows above the flailing tentacles. Inky - switches on the lights to try to get a clearer view of the - source of the tentacles.

-

[1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but - they generally have a transparent or translucent spherical - body, a pair of small translucent wings that act as flippers, - an opening flap at the back with a short rudder attached, and - two cords inside at the front near the top which when pulled - inflate the bubble with the surrounding air or water. Premium - versions might also include headlights, a buzzer, built-in - filtration, improved insulation, a drifter and thruster. Like - tents they come in various sizes, from small ones that can fit - one or two people at average elven height, to larger ones for - group outings. Their portability and rugged durability make - them very popular among tourists and campers who can enjoy a - range of water sports, such as water walking on the surface, - riding the bubble down river rapids, or bobbing along - underwater to watch the sea life wander by.

-
-

Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick - of time. A tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then - the apparatus’s lights cut on and illuminate the murky - water.

-

You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from - this distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck.

-

At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And - the bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability.

-
-

Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. - “hmm a wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in - closer.”

-

While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards - the tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole - his new found bear friends. “I simply cannot bear any harm to - come to my bears!” As he approaches the creature he prepares a - spell should he need to vanquish the monster.

- 
(fn vanquish [target]
-  (match target.state
-   [:living] (searing-bolt {target target
-                            radius "narrow"
-                            intensity "high"})
-   [:undead] (smite {target target
-                     deity "Larani"})))
-
-

Corraidhin charges up a spell!

-

The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you - struggle to get a view of whatever creature is abducting - them.

-

The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within - or behind a large sunken ship!

-

Could it be the SS RSS?

-
-

Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon - seeing these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got - unreasonably angry. She made sure that the breathing bell was - properly attached to her head (a marvelous thing, she thought. - She had always wondered what it would be like to have a - jellyfish on her head).

-

Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt - toward the edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and - moved away all the loose candy and pulled out two long - stiletto daggers. She begins stabbing with unusual precision - at the tentacles reaching up on the ship.

-

She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!”

-

She dives in.

-
-

Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there - was a very slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of - like getting a gentle hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti.

-

Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through - your purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the - attention of a curious passing manta ray. It glides over and - has a nibble.

-

You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the - long, slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the - tentacles to coil and retreat, releasing the merbear in the - process. It shouts through its tears, “My brother!” and dives - back into the fray, fighting to free the tardigrade.

-

From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from - the wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean - floor.

-

META: Gabs rolls a 6 on “Do Anything 1” - and gains a new skill: Stabbing 2

-
-

Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin - gathers himself. “I suppose this is no time for errant - curiosity, can’t have anyone getting hurt after all.”

-

Ensuring that he doesn’t hit either Inky nor Gabs as they - near the creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in - the direction of the center of the tentacles. (vanquish - “tentacles”) And releases a pinpoint thread of searing energy - from his palm, guiding it through the mass of tentacles in a - random and chaotic pattern, attempting to sever as many - tentacles as possible.

-

As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, - he won’t be able to prepare another spell like that on the - fly, far too meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the - spell runs out, best case will be to retreat somewhere out of - reach, or as far away as is possible there.

-
-

Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into - the center of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The - bolt of energy bounces from tentacle to tentacle creating a - chaotic web of energy.

-

One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that - happens to be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water - bear, but not before the tardigrade takes the full brunt of - the final blast of the dying searing bolt. It cries out and - curls up into a ball. Motionless, it starts sinking downward. - “BROTHER!” the merbear swims after it heedless of any nearby - danger.

-

A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant - manta ray happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps - out of the way at the last minute and continues to angrily - enjoy its candy, glaring at you quite indignantly.

-

META: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for “Do - Anything 1”, which means things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a - total of 1 xp. You can spend xp to turn any die into a six for - the purpose of advancement.

-
-

While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to - rescue the bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if - they found suitable replacements for the bears, the tentacles - might be distracted long enough to release the bears, or - provide an opening advantage for one of their party?

-

A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of - discarded bottles among a large pile of other trash carried - there by the push and pull between the water currents and a - hot spring. Gathering up some bottles, Inky ties them together - with twine in singles and small clusters until they resemble - two large, crudely-made multi-coloured tanokuma[1].

-

With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky - attaches the tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags - them back above the tentacles, roughly near the spot where the - previous bears were taken. When the valiant members of their - party dive to one side for another strike, Inky loosens the - rope around the “bears” and lets them sink down within reach - of the tentacles.

-

[1] First featured in the garden play Teatime with - Tanokuma, the fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling - bear became an overnight hit among children as well as the - fashion-conscious youth who frequent the trendy “Shin-ku” - district of Vay’Nullar.

-
-

The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they - retreat from Gabs’s stabbses and Corraidhin’s bolts. They - grope about weakly, wrap themselves around the tanokuma, and - finally withdraw.

-

You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The - tentacles—and whatever beast they belong to—is either within, - behind, or below the ship. It is definitely ship - adjacent wherever and whatever it is. The large - double-masted ship is lying on its side, teetering - precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean trench. There - is a large hole in its hull providing unfettered access to its - insides.

-

The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and - the merbear is swimming blindly after it.

-

WHAT DO YOU DO

-

www

- ]]> - - 33 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -1508,119 +464,163 @@ sudo chown -R 770 /ocean/$safety - 28 + 26 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) - 28 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 + 26 - Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 -0600 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 -0600 + Tue, 25 Oct 2022 08:27:22 -0600 00028 +

00026

-

a new player enters the chat

-

Gabs had a good life. Her little devil children were all - grown adults now, and she no longer wanted to toil away - running a business. When she initially shuttered her little - tavern, she thought she might just retire. She made it two - whole years of working in a garden, occasionally seeing - grandkids, and reading romance novels. She eventually decided - she needed a vacation from her retirement and traveled to a - nearby port town. She was sure to find something fun to do - there.

-

Gabs eventually sees Inquire Within, and the smell of - debauchery wafting from within made her miss her days - gossiping at her tavern. She enters and orders a terrible - drink and listens and watches.

-

Hearing the tales being spun by Mister Three-Fingered, she - decides, “I’ve never been on a ship, that’s something that - sounds exciting!”

-

Half-drunk and eager for something exciting, she will join - on the journey!

-

Gabs is a lanky older half-devil lady who is here to - schmooze and have fun!

+

Inky slowly approaches Master Corraidhín and taps lightly + on the sleeve of his robes to get his attention. Between + Inky’s tugging and Jarrod’s strong, steady hand, they manage + to hoist the wizard to his feet.

+

With a brief glance at the hobbit on the floor then a nod + to Jarrod, Inky leaves the nightclub with the wizard. The + duck, having emptied the plate of corn chips in record time, + follows them shortly after.

+

The trek back to the Milk Market is mostly silent aside + from the occasional mutter and stumbling curse, the mage + seemingly having fallen asleep as soon as he landed on the cot + in the loft. Inky retreats downstairs after leaving a jug of + water, a mug and a small packet of kuding leaves beside the + bed.

+

Exiting through the back door into the night, Inky finds a + dark corner in a dusty abandoned house, and cries.

~

-

Meta: a warm welcome to the latest member of our tea party! - This is a short post to help smooth the temporal jumps between - the recent narratives so far. As Inky reaches the deck, they - see Gabs approaching from the other side of the ship as well, - and flashes them a grin in greeting. After listening to the - captain petering on about the glorious days of the now sunken - ship below, while tinkering with the bell’s tentacles — being - rewarded with a mild zap and marginally better fit for the - effort — Inky turns to the party. “When you’re ready.”

+

” … and then the Orc Maiden said: ‘That’s not my + club!’”

+

The room roars with laughter, and Jarrod moves to the bar + and puts a bag of coin down. “Serve drinks until this runs + out!” Leaning over the bar to the bartender, Jarrod adds in a + whisper: “I owe a favour to Lucy’s Basement for the trouble. + Call it in when needed.”

+

Jarrod saunters over to Blavin, on the floor in pain. From + his pack, Jarrod retrieves a med kit and begins to bandage the + wound.

+

As Blavin opens his mouth, likely intending to raise all + kinds of hell, Jarrod pulls tight on the bandage he is + currently applying, drawing a curse from the hobbit. “Shut it! + Let’s be clear. You’ve hired us for a dangerous set of jobs, + with the understanding that we’re dangerous people. There may + be ‘accidents’ on occasion. You’ve learned something today, + and what’s more, you lived to absorb your new wisdom.”

+

Jarrod grins as he finishes with the bandage. “We will + finish what we have started. We’re probably the team with the + best chances, I’m sure you’ll agree. Are you going to back the + winning play here? Either way, your decision won’t change our + plans. I’m sure you know how to take the win.”

+

Jarrod pats the hobbit’s good shoulder in a friendly, but + dismissive, way, then turns and saunters out the door, trading + small quips with his new (and now very drunk) tavern + friends.

-

You reach into the tank and discover that grabbing a - breathing bell takes some finesse. They are very slippery! But - you get the hang of it and make a ladle out of your hands and - scoop one up.

-

“Okay now!” laughs Three-Fingered Gerald. He gives you a - wink, but it’s easy to miss because of the eyepatch. “Don’t - put it on until right before you jump. It won’t be able to - breathe for you until you’re in the water. And this!” he - continues, fitting a heavy, padded vest around your shoulders, - “will carry you down.” It is a vest of many pockets, each one - holding a small dense sandbag the size of your hand. “When - you’re ready to come back up, just start dropping ballast, - right?”

-

You hop up on the ship railing and pull the breathing bell - on over your head. It immediately contracts and squeezes and - hugs your head like a second skin, and its stubby little - tentacles grab hold around your jawline, and it feels like you - have a wet plastic bag clinging to your face, and you think - you might have made a grave mistake. Resisting the urge to - panic, you push off the railing and jump overboard. You are - briefly air born and then profoundly waterbound, crashing - through the surface of the sea into the briny soup below.

-

The oxygen starts to flow as the breathing bell begins to - do its job. As you sink, you feel as though you are floating - through space, entering another world.

-

After a while you start to hear voices arguing in the - distance. As you get closer, two large shapes start to come - into focus. The first is a hulking, hairless merbear. Top half - (hairless) bear, bottom half fish. The second figure is a - tardigrade the size of a large merbear. It has eight jointless - legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and - wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates.

-

“No, I am the true Bear of the Sea! I am called a Water - Bear, after all!”

-

“Hornswoggle and poppycock! It is I who am the Bear of the - Sea! I am half bear after all! You’re just some kind of - segmented nematode or something.”

-

The tardigrade quivers with indignation. “I’ll have you - know I’m a panarthropod, thank you very much. And this is the - ideal physical body! You may not like it, but this is what - peak performance looks like. I’ve lived under the polar ice - cap, and in a sulfurous mountaintop hot spring. I’ve traveled - through the vacuum of space to the moon! Have you ever been to - the moon?”

-

“Why don’t you go be the Bear of the Moon then if you like - it so much!”

-

“You’re just as much fish as you are bear, are you sure - you’re not the Fish of the Sea?”

-

“Are you sure you’re not the Blob of the Sea, you too many - armed bowl of jelly?”

-

“Hey! Hey, you there!” The arguing quasi-bears have spotted - your slow descent. “Come, yes, float slowly this way! You must - settle an argument for us! Tell this slightly mammalian fish - that I am the true Bear of the Sea!”

-

“The Bear of the Sea must be at least ‘slightly mammalian’ - you egg-laying scientific curiosity! You, tell this cousin of - a barnacle that I—the mighty merbear—am the true Bear of the - Sea! Say this and I will guide and protect you on your - journey.”

-

“No! Would you like to visit the moon? Say that I, - tardigrade, am Bear of the Sea and I will introduce you to my - moon friends!”

-

“He had to make friends on the moon because nobody on Urth - can stand him!”

-

“You’re just mean, you know that?”

-

You are still quite some way from the sea bed, and there is - no sight of the SS RSS.

+

You are at a small port town on the northern tip of + Agendell, just past the Rana’For Valley. The sun is bright and + the wind blowing in from the Sugrin Sea to the east is cool + and salty. The floating island-city of Vay’Neddas, bridging + Agendell and Primora, can be seen very faintly in the distance + hanging in the northern sky.

+

Your faithful multibeast is carrying all of your supplies + and gear, which were generously provided to you by the + indefatigable Blavin Blandfoot. His arm in a sling, he kept up + a constant nervous chatter as he saw you off on your journey + to recover the second Ginnarak Crystal.

+

From here, you can easily provision a boat to take you out + to the site of the shipwreck just off the coast.

+

Or, optionally, you are very close to the Hartlands. It + would be quite easy to make a quick visit to hemogoblins and + pick up some synthetic blood for your experiments with the + Sword of Yam’L.

+

The sword, incidentally, after finally tasting the blood of + “evil”, has remained sated and entirely inert and unresponsive + this whole time.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO:

+
    +
  1. TO THE SHIPWRECK
    2. +
  2. BLOODQUEST
    3. +
+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 29 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 29 - Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:35:44 +-0600 + Mon, 31 Oct 2022 08:35:44 -0600 + + 00029 +
+

Gentle bears, there is no need to argue! Why can’t there be + two true bears of the ocean? For what its worth, I personally + think the ocean doesn’t have enough bears and could do with + two strapping examples of true peak bearitude! The two of you + should be working together to show the world how important + bears are and how wonderful the sea is to have two. And the + moon! Who’s to say the moon doesn’t also need two bears?

+

The only time I can ever think that a bear isn’t needed is + when it’s calling itself Monokuma, once it’s doing that you + know you’re in for a hell of a bad time. And since neither of + you are it, I say we let this matter rest and declare this + ocean two bears richer!

+

Corraidhin grips the innert dagger of Y’aml beneath his + cloak, just in case. No need for a blood rush like last time, + can’t let daggers go mouthing off an all that. Or perhaps the + ocean needs less bears, it’s tempting, I wonder if Y’aml would + react to bear blood..

+
+

The bears shudder at the mention of Monokuma. “Oh, such a + dreadful bear,” laments the tardigrade. “You mustn’t mention + him!”

+

“Indeed,” agrees the merbear, “a discredit and an + embarrassment to bears everywhere, at sea and on land!”

+

“Yes, this sea may be big enough for two bears, but not if + one of them is HE!”

+

The merbear considers the tardigrade’s words. “Hmm, + two bears you say?” he ponders, giving the tardigrade + a scrupulous side-eye. “Do you truly think so?”

+

“Now that you mention it, I don’t see why not!” admits the + tardigrade, gesturing broadly at the fathomless leagues of + ocean all around you.

+

“You know what? What is the sky anyway if not a sea made of + stars! The moon could indeed use two bears too, could it + not?”

+

“It could indeed, Brother Bear!”

+

“Brother!”

+

The tardigrade and the merbear embrace. If you’ve never + experienced the eight-armed hug of a water bear, well, then + you don’t know how soft and enveloping it is.

+

“Come, Brother!” cries the tardigrade suddenly. “We must + begin our search at once! For what if there is a third Bear of + the Sea yet to be discovered?”

+

“Another Brother of ours who doesn’t know about us? Oh, I + can’t stand the thought!” sobs the merbear.

+

They swim away hand in hand, paragons of brotherly bear + love. “Good luck and safe travels, interlopers!” calls the + merbear to you over its shoulder. “If you ever end up on the + moon,” adds the tardigrade, laughing merrily, “say hello to + Hap’n’stance for me!”

+

Suddenly, a disturbance! A perturbance of bubbles and a + rush of current as massive amounts of water are displaced by + inky black tentacles that shoot up from below! They reach! + They grasp! One grabs the tardigrade around the middle. + Another grabs the merbear by the tail. Both bears cry and + reach for each other as they are ripped apart and pulled down + below.

+

The tentacles grope around in the water, batting at you and + threatening to pull you down too! They grab at your wrists and + at your ankles!

WHAT DO YOU DO

www

+ href="https://framalistes.org/sympa/arc/tildepals/2022-11/msg00030.html">www

]]> @@ -1796,6 +796,178 @@ Original Problem ID: 92746027498 ]]> + + 28 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 28 - Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 +-0600 + Sat, 29 Oct 2022 08:36:51 -0600 + + 00028 +
+

a new player enters the chat

+

Gabs had a good life. Her little devil children were all + grown adults now, and she no longer wanted to toil away + running a business. When she initially shuttered her little + tavern, she thought she might just retire. She made it two + whole years of working in a garden, occasionally seeing + grandkids, and reading romance novels. She eventually decided + she needed a vacation from her retirement and traveled to a + nearby port town. She was sure to find something fun to do + there.

+

Gabs eventually sees Inquire Within, and the smell of + debauchery wafting from within made her miss her days + gossiping at her tavern. She enters and orders a terrible + drink and listens and watches.

+

Hearing the tales being spun by Mister Three-Fingered, she + decides, “I’ve never been on a ship, that’s something that + sounds exciting!”

+

Half-drunk and eager for something exciting, she will join + on the journey!

+

Gabs is a lanky older half-devil lady who is here to + schmooze and have fun!

+
+

~

+
+

Meta: a warm welcome to the latest member of our tea party! + This is a short post to help smooth the temporal jumps between + the recent narratives so far. As Inky reaches the deck, they + see Gabs approaching from the other side of the ship as well, + and flashes them a grin in greeting. After listening to the + captain petering on about the glorious days of the now sunken + ship below, while tinkering with the bell’s tentacles — being + rewarded with a mild zap and marginally better fit for the + effort — Inky turns to the party. “When you’re ready.”

+
+

You reach into the tank and discover that grabbing a + breathing bell takes some finesse. They are very slippery! But + you get the hang of it and make a ladle out of your hands and + scoop one up.

+

“Okay now!” laughs Three-Fingered Gerald. He gives you a + wink, but it’s easy to miss because of the eyepatch. “Don’t + put it on until right before you jump. It won’t be able to + breathe for you until you’re in the water. And this!” he + continues, fitting a heavy, padded vest around your shoulders, + “will carry you down.” It is a vest of many pockets, each one + holding a small dense sandbag the size of your hand. “When + you’re ready to come back up, just start dropping ballast, + right?”

+

You hop up on the ship railing and pull the breathing bell + on over your head. It immediately contracts and squeezes and + hugs your head like a second skin, and its stubby little + tentacles grab hold around your jawline, and it feels like you + have a wet plastic bag clinging to your face, and you think + you might have made a grave mistake. Resisting the urge to + panic, you push off the railing and jump overboard. You are + briefly air born and then profoundly waterbound, crashing + through the surface of the sea into the briny soup below.

+

The oxygen starts to flow as the breathing bell begins to + do its job. As you sink, you feel as though you are floating + through space, entering another world.

+

After a while you start to hear voices arguing in the + distance. As you get closer, two large shapes start to come + into focus. The first is a hulking, hairless merbear. Top half + (hairless) bear, bottom half fish. The second figure is a + tardigrade the size of a large merbear. It has eight jointless + legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and + wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates.

+

“No, I am the true Bear of the Sea! I am called a Water + Bear, after all!”

+

“Hornswoggle and poppycock! It is I who am the Bear of the + Sea! I am half bear after all! You’re just some kind of + segmented nematode or something.”

+

The tardigrade quivers with indignation. “I’ll have you + know I’m a panarthropod, thank you very much. And this is the + ideal physical body! You may not like it, but this is what + peak performance looks like. I’ve lived under the polar ice + cap, and in a sulfurous mountaintop hot spring. I’ve traveled + through the vacuum of space to the moon! Have you ever been to + the moon?”

+

“Why don’t you go be the Bear of the Moon then if you like + it so much!”

+

“You’re just as much fish as you are bear, are you sure + you’re not the Fish of the Sea?”

+

“Are you sure you’re not the Blob of the Sea, you too many + armed bowl of jelly?”

+

“Hey! Hey, you there!” The arguing quasi-bears have spotted + your slow descent. “Come, yes, float slowly this way! You must + settle an argument for us! Tell this slightly mammalian fish + that I am the true Bear of the Sea!”

+

“The Bear of the Sea must be at least ‘slightly mammalian’ + you egg-laying scientific curiosity! You, tell this cousin of + a barnacle that I—the mighty merbear—am the true Bear of the + Sea! Say this and I will guide and protect you on your + journey.”

+

“No! Would you like to visit the moon? Say that I, + tardigrade, am Bear of the Sea and I will introduce you to my + moon friends!”

+

“He had to make friends on the moon because nobody on Urth + can stand him!”

+

“You’re just mean, you know that?”

+

You are still quite some way from the sea bed, and there is + no sight of the SS RSS.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 31 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 31 - Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:16:11 +-0700 + Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:16:14 -0700 + + 00031 +
+

Inky follows behind the merbear at a healthy 2 meters’ + distance away in the bubblebee, the headlights illuminating a + moderate distance ahead of the distraught bear as it darts + after its brother.

+

As the merbear homes in on the tardigrade near the ship + deck, Inky keeps a lookout for any signs of movement or + tentacles from behind or below the shipwreck. The bubblebee’s + headlights cast an eerie shadow from the ship’s double masts + even as it partly lights up the rim of a gaping hole in the + hull.

+
+

The tardigrade, still tucked into a ball, lands on the ship + deck with a gentle thud. It rolls a couple of times and + finally comes to rest against the rigging. The merbear reaches + it a moment later and cradles its jelly-like body gently in + its bear arms. “My brother!” it cries. “My dear bear + brother!”

+

The tardigrade slowly uncurls and stretches out and looks + around, disoriented and bleary-eyed. It waggles its eight arms + around experimentally, closes and opens its claws as though + kneading the water. “Brother?” says the merbear in + astonishment.

+

“I am okay brother!” says the tardigrade. “We water bears + are very hardy and resilient! It will take more than a mere + other worldly tentacle attack and an arcane electric blast to + do me in!”

+

While the bears are having their teary-eyed reunion, you + sense movement in the shadows deep in the ocean trench, over + which protrude the ship’s masts. Your lights don’t penetrate + the darkness enough to see what it was. But it was large. The + very stuff that thalassophobia is made of.

+

You also think you see a flash of gold as the light of the + bubblebee reflects off of something inside the ship through + the hole in the hull. Could it be the second Ginnarak + Crystal?

+

The breach in the hull is easily large enough to admit a + medium sized creature such as an inkling in a bubblebee + apparatus. Or a sysorcer or a lanky old half-devil tavern + owner.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + 22 dozens@tilde.team (dozens) @@ -2129,5 +1301,833 @@ scp sysorceor.guild:/home/corraidhin/chest milkbase.alpha:/home/corraidhin/chest ]]> + + 25 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 25 - Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:41:16 +-0600 + Sun, 23 Oct 2022 09:41:16 -0600 + + 00025 +
+

Corraidhin Shit, shit shit shit shit shit. + This is NOT good. Damn it Y’aml what was that? It wasn’t even + slightly stealthy

+

Y’aml STAB, delightful blood. Stab the + flesh, tear the skin, pierce the fruit that gives us strength. + Drink the blood, consume their soul. More more more more more + more more more more

+

Corraidhin (internal thought) Ugh my head, + it’s heavy, hurts. Misty and red? I can’t see straight, it’s + hard to think straight. That blasted sword, I thought for a + moment it, no, not think, it definitely did move on its own. + It became lighter and heavier. Pulling against it and it just + weighs itself down. This little magical bauble is definitely + cursed..

+

Y’aml CURSED?! Rude Hardy Bear. All we did + was stab that evil hobbit. And it’s getting away! Stab him + again, taste his blood! The tavern gaurds are closing in, they + look like they’re trying to get rid of us, EVIL. Them trying + to stop us from getting that evil hobbit is EVIL, STAB + THEM.

+

Corraidhin raises his free hand to his head as though + holding a wound and he groans in dismay as the dagger rises + again. It travels swiftly down towards Blavin, missing as he + slithers of the booth. And again, digging deep into the wooden + seat.

+

Y’aml Disgusting wood, stab the flesh! + Stab the Hobbit Hardy Bear!

+

But Blavin was inching further out of reach towards the + gaurds. In desperation the dagger begins swinging side to + side, making furtive slashing moves in the direction of the + guards. The party is safely behind Corraidhin, but innocent + patrons and the guards are directly in their sights.

+

Corraidhin grabs his other hand and pulls hard, steadying + the swinging. STOP! I command you you blasted toothpick, STOP. + You’ve had your fun, now STOP. These people are innocent, this + man has done us no harm despite his potential “evils”, this is + entirely uncalled for!

+

Y’aml NO!!! EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. EVIL. + STAB.

+

The dull voice of the magical dagger rises, angry, + insistent. It consumes the last of Corraidhin’s mental + strength. All he hears is EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. Yet he + clings to his spare arm trying desparately to resist. At this + point the party and the tavern has cleared a wide path around + the sysorceor as he struggles with himself, mumbling, + sometimes yelling. EVIL. STAB. EVIL. STAB. NO WE WILL NOT. + EVIL. INNOCENT. STAB BLOOD DRINK. EVIL. EVIL EVIL EVIL STAB + IT. MAKE IT BLEED. I WILL NO.. STAB IT. STAB HIM.

+

The voice seems to change, it dies down. Not yelling, but + commanding. Firm, calm, sane.

+

Stab them, stab them, make them bleed. Drink the blood, + consume the soul, free them from their evil being. Stab them, + stab them… over and over and over, as the sysorceor approaches + Blavin and the guards with a malevolent look in his ruby red + eyes.

+
+

~

+
+

Inky moves to stand next to Blavin and the nightclub + bouncers. Tossing a tiny “see-eye” container they had borrowed + from Master Corraidhín at him, Inky looks the sysorceor in the + eye and says, “You are not your sword.”

+

Watching the wizard’s expression, Inky continues, more + quietly, “If Master Corraidhín truly wishes to end the hobbit, + a mere imp would not stop him, but likewise, whatever he sets + his mind to do, a dagger cannot stop him either.”

+
+

~

+
+

Jarrod steps gently into the fray and activates his + FASCINATING CHARM, attempting to draw all eyes to him. He + carefully avoids the wild swinging of the + once-sword-now-dagger.

+

“I think,” he rumbles gently, “we could all use a drink + over the other end of the room. I’m buying, and I’ll spin you + all a tale of wonder! A tale of a wanderer, and of a war + hammer, and the first of their wild battles together!”

+

Leaning over to whisper urgently in Corraidhín’s ear: + “Friend, I do not know what occurs here, but pull yourself + together. We can later sate our blood lust in more appropriate + places!” Jarrod lends a sly wink in the sysorcerer’s + direction, one that promises adventure later.

+
+

The tavern guards tense, but pause their advance, as the + crazed mage’s friends position themselves protectively around + him and try to placate him. They wouldn’t want to engage a + master sysorcerer on the best of days, much less one with some + kind of malevolent blood dagger in the middle of a psychotic + break. If his compatriots can handle him without them having + to interfere, all the better.

+

The duck waddles up next to Inky and quacks softly, + pleadingly at Corraidhin. Only the Ornithologer in the corner + can understand its words when it says, “As your marketing + manager I must strongly advise against this course of + action!”

+

Seated in the corner next to the Ornithologer is a shaggy + groll dressed in a dusty, faded poncho and a wide brimmed hat; + and a greasy, matted gnu, dressed in black ceremonial + robes.

+

The groll discreetly draws its poncho back revealing a + bandoleer of wands and draws a cracklestick and points it at + the sysorcer. The wand starts to hum and glow as it charges up + for a blast.

+

The gnu slaps the groll’s wrist, and immediately launches + into a tirade against the cracklestick’s manufacturer’s + proprietary spell slotting algorithm, and honestly how can you + possibly justify your choices when there are open source + alternatives available?

+

The groll rolls its eyes, obviously having been on the + receiving end of this particular lecture before, and tries to + slap away the gnu’s grasping hands. The ensuing scuffle + threatens to turn this powder keg of a situation into a full + blown conflagration until Jarrod actives his FASCINATING + CHARM, commanding the attention of the entire room.

+

The gnu freezes with its hands around the groll’s throat. + The groll halts with fists full of the gnu’s beard. A grub + smoking a hookah pauses with the mouthpiece raised to its + pursed lips. A distracted waitress on roller skates crashes + right into the bar.

+
+

As though in a trance Corraidhin continues to yell STAB. + THEM. STAB. IT. cutting wildly at the air before him. As Inky + whispers to him his expression changes, first a grimace, then + a whimper. As Jarrod leads the patrons away from the sysorceor + he begins to tremble and cower away from himself, away from + everyone. His ruby red eyes dart back and forth between his + friends and the patrons, like a frightened animal searching + for an escape. He pulls the dagger into himself, as though + sheilding it from his surroundings.

+

What.. what’s going on, he mutters feebly to himself. + Everything is a blurr. Uncertain of where he is or what’s + going on, Corraidhin thumbs the dagger, caressing the large + ruby embedded in the hilt. Y’aml, you’re still here, good + good, the syscoreor croons.

+

Standing up straight his eyes lock with Jarrod as the Bard + glances over his shoulder, momentarily distracted from his + oration, worried about his companion.

+

I.. ugh, Corraidhin grabs his head as though in pain, and + collapses to the floor.

+
+

Corraidhin hits the floor and the dagger, now bereft of the + well of emotion it had been drawing from, grows still. The eye + closes and it seems to sigh happily. “Good job, Hardy Bear. + You have spilled the blood of evil.” And it sleeps, inert, + lifeless.

+

Corraidhin is on the ground cradling the dagger.

+

Most of the patrons are still fascinated by Jarrod.

+

Blavin is squirming around on the floor gibbering about + reassigning your case.

+

The duck has found a toppled plate of corn chips and is + happily snacking away.

+

You feel like your welcome at Lucy’s Basement has been, for + the moment, overstayed.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 21 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 21 - Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 +-0600 + Wed, 05 Oct 2022 07:21:55 -0600 + + 00021 +

INTERLUDE

+
+

A glorious victory!

+

In the interim time Corraidhin studies the sword of Y’aml, + and correctly deduces that he needs to remove the sticky bit + to be able to sheath the thing.

+

sudo chmod -t sword_of_y'aml

+

The rest of the interim is spent studying arcane lore + surrounding the Ginnarak Crystals and their purpose. He also + strongly urges the party that we should consider very carefuly + how we need to proceed with the crystal. It’s obvious people + don’t want these things getting out, so we should ensure that + Blavin has good intentions, or at least leaves us out of + whatever potential evil could occur.

+
+

Corraidhin prepares the incantation and, after removing the + sticky bit, is able pry his stiff fingers from the grip.

+

You sheathe the blade, but its voice continues to ring + clearly in your head as it prattles on, seeing evil and + villainy everywhere and encouraging you to stab, stab, + stab.

+

Your sysorcerous studies, confirmed by the eager and + forthright sword, suggest that the blade will be able to rest + for a while once it tastes blood.

+

Your former mentor and rival sysorceror Eccentric Kevin + calls on you one day under the pretense of showing you the + latest draft of KDL (pronounced “cuddle”), their own “Kevin’s + Document Language”, an alternative syntax for incantations and + personal pet project of theirs that has thus far failed, much + to their perpetual consternation, to gain any traction or + adoption in the wider magic community. They are insufferably + polite and sinisterly supportive. They complain about how the + obstinant gnus keep standing in the middle of the road trying + to block traffic, and they demand to know all about your + recent exploits and adventures.

+
+

Once back in town, Inky had the small glass shard in their + palm removed by a harried-looking healer, who merely shrugged + at Inky’s account of the disappearing ink and advised them to + return if they experienced adverse effects before hurrying off + to the next patient. A visit to the local stationery shop did + not yield any answers; the stocky human at the counter shook + their head apologetically when shown the broken ink bottle. + However, they did suggest asking at one of the larger shops in + the city.

+

To celebrate their first successful quest, Inky made + torties[1] for their party with flour ground from some of the + large corn kernels at the dig site, topped with a sweet nutty + squash spread. Babbleberry tea was served from their newly + acquired jade tea set, now patched with what Inky had been + assured was an unbreakable seal[2] by a merchant with a toothy + grin in one of Vay’Nullar’s notorious back alleys.

+

Master Corraidhín’s cautionary words of wisdom still echo + in Inky’s head, though they were secretly tickled by the idea + of the crystal being actually a rare and previously unknown + species of melon with very potent magical properties. The very + thought of melons was making Inky a bit thirsty. Let the + warrior and wizard worry about all the potential evils of the + world — it’s time for a dash to the market for some beatfruit + juice!

+
+

[1] Also known as torte-teas, as in “Torte-tea, yas?”, + which was how their previous ink maestro used to greet + customers entering the brewery. Flat little tea cakes with + sugar or spice (or both, which vary by region) and sometimes + eaten in a loose wrap. Some humans called them “crabs” for + some reason which baffled Inky, since the torties had no + pincers … at least none that they could see anyway.

+

[2] The seal attached to the bottom of the teapot and each + cup had a glyph of an unknown object between two hands.

+
+

The healer removes a small glass bead from Inky’s palm. It + is worn smooth and round like a marble. If you look closely, + you can see a small blemish in the center that somewhat + resembles either a duck or a rabbit depending on how you + orient it.

+

It is captivating to look at and comforting to hold in your + hand. You fidget with it often. Now and then you suddenly + notice you have been gazing at it for some minutes without + realizing it.

+

You make your party a delightful meal of torties, serving + tea from the magically reinforced jade set.

+

Cleaning up afterwards, you can’t help but notice the + patterns of the tea leaves in the bottoms of the jade + cups.

+

YOU FORESEE AN OMEN FOR THE PARTY. WHAT IS IT?

+

You dash to the market for beatfruit juice, which you + easily find. And you find yourself irrationally drawn to the + produce. The kale, dandelion greens, and beans all look + especially scrumptious and … plump and juicy?

+

An old toothy market attendant sits on a stool by the + vegetable stand reading the Farmers Almanac. Unsolicited, they + mention to you that it is only three days until the next full + moon.

+
+

Jarrod has two things in particular he wants to do when + back in town, with whatever his cut of the gold is. First, he + wants to go looking for a cheap, run-down building somewhere + in town and buy the property if he has enough money (perhaps + negotiating a bit where necessary).

+

Second, he wishes to seek arcane counsel from Corraidhín, + perhaps getting a small invocation applied to one of the + charms on his arm band. Something in the realm of a + fascination spell (with an activation word) that can be used + on occasion to draw attention.

+

Jarrod agrees that we should not invite trouble. We shall + tread cautiously with regards to the crystals.

+

Yum, torties!

+
+

After successfully negotiating the price down a little bit, + you are able to purchase a run-down building. You are now the + proud owner and proprietor of the Milk Market building in the + Wandering Bazzar district of downtown Vay’Nullar.

+

The ground level is occupied by longtime district staple + Enrique’s Empanada Emporium, famous for its signature stuffed + pastries and its Terrapin Ale, brewed on site by Enrique + himself, who happens to be a very large humanoid turtle.

+

It’s a little seedy and a little divey, but still draws a + fair amount of foot traffic from shoppers waiting for the + eponymous, ambulatory bazaar of debatable sentience to wander + by. Reliably, a small gang of breadpunks can be found + loitering here and espousing the virtues of social anarchy. + Enrique allows their presence and on occasion even buys them a + round of ale.

+

The top two levels are unoccupied. Years upon years ago, + this space once held large vats for storing and preserving + multibeast milk prior to being distributed. Some enterprising + individual converted and updated the space some time ago, but + was never able to find a tenant. In any case, the space is + yours now to do with what you will.

+

With Corraidhin’s assistance, you are able to enchant your + armband by inscribing it with a cross-like glyph with a + teardrop-shaped loop in place of the vertical upper bar. You + now have a FASCINATING BANGLE that can, upon activation, + compel attention and even potentially inspire people to dance + about.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 34 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 34 - Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:43:05 +-0700 + Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:43:08 -0700 + + 00034 +
+

Fuck, skeletons? This is ridiculous, I did not sign up for + underwater pirate skeletons.

+

Reacting quickly Corraidhin prepares a fork bomb, if the + skeletons are going to take him out, he’s going to take out + those skeletons too.

+ 
#!/bin/sh
+:(){
+ :|:&
+};:
+

Hopefully I won’t have to use that. Corraidhin hoists + himself up into the opening and begins targetting the + skeletons one by one. No time for much fancy preparation here, + just good old fashioned magic missiles strewn about the + interior of the hull. While so doing Corraidhin glances around + the treasure strewn hull, searching for the crystal, can’t + blow the whole ship up if the prize is here.

+

Then again, a magical item that powerful, could probably + withstand a fork bomb pretty easily. It’s worth the risk if + things get worse.

+

Corraidhin ensures his back is to the opening, able to make + a haphazard escape should the skeletons get the better of + him.

+
+ +

You prep your fork bomb to keep in your back pocket as a + last resort.

+

In the meantime you start blasting skeletons. They maintain + a slow advance but you able to pick them off slowly one by + one. Bones splinter and fly apart.

+

During your maneuvering, you get turned around and are + backed into the corner with the hatch leading up to the upper + deck. You reach behind yourself and fumble with the latch. One + skeleton manages to get its bony claws around your ankle just + as you open the hatch. You look behind you and see a human + shaped figure floating away, illuminated in the beams of + Inky’s bubblebee. It is toting a small bundle. Up above you + can see the shadow of the manta ray gliding around eating + candy, and the horkosgrampus idling in the absence of carrion + or lies.

+

“I thank ye, gents!” cries the figure down to you as it + ascends. “You distracted the harrowkrake just long enough for + me to get in that ship and grab what I needs!” It tugs on the + cord attached to its bundle and laughs. “I shan’t forget ye!” + It waves and gives a little salute.

+

You have a magic missile loaded and ready to go. In a + moment the figure will be out of range. You can blast it now + and risk being pulled down by the skeleton. Or you can blast + the skeleton and risk the figure getting away.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 35 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 35 - Wed, 09 Nov 2022 12:34:03 +-0700 + Thu, 10 Nov 2022 21:49:20 -0700 + + 00035 +
+

Shouting in the direction of the grampus “Yo! That dude is + definitely going to forget us. We’re almost the definition of + forgettable, I mean it’s not like we’re some kind of murderous + hobos or something!”

+

While shouting Corraidhin takes aim, and slings his magic + missing at the figure, aiming for a kill. (Meta: I’d like to + spend that xp now, lets take this sucker down).

+

After the missile flies loose the skeleton begins to pull + Corraidhin back into the hull of the ship, he kicks + desperately at the boney clutches desperately trying to break + free.

+

“I always knew I’d go out fighting some undead spooky + thing. If you don’t become a necromancer, you end up some + necromancers thrall.” at least, that’s what Kevin used to tell + me. I always thought he was being melodramatic.

+

As the skeleton drags Corraidhin back through the hatch he + grabs the dagger, in a vein attempt to ready himself.

+

“I guess this is it my Stabby friend, time to show these + Skeletons what happens when you back a Sysorceor into a + corner”

+

And with that Corraidhin activates his fork bomb.

+
+

~

+
+

While feeding their jellyfish bites of wasabi pear and + watching the sysorcerer investigate the hull, Inky eventually + notices movement in the direction of the ship’s deck in the + form of a figure crawling out of the hatch with a bundle. Inky + squints at the retreating form. Could it be another retrieval + team, or a rogue agent? Master Corraidhín would probably not + be pleased if the crystal melon were to fall into unknown + hands, never mind of those whose names don’t start with the + letter “B” and end in the letter “r”.

+

Sparing a brief second to lament the waste of a perfectly + good snack, Inky reaches into their bag and lobs a spiky + chestnut cluster at the figure’s breathing bell from the + opening of their bubblebee, followed by a glass bottle of + blahoblin shoe polish. The glass shatters on impact, sending + the dark, sticky and somewhat pungent substance all over the + figure’s (punctured) breathing bell and face.

+

As Inky’s bubblebee floats up a little closer to the + figure, Inky tosses a smaller bottle at the figure, this time + of some synthetic blood from another brick that Inky had set + aside for experiments of a different sort. At the last moment + the thruster accelerates, Inky throws their paring knife at + the bundle where the cord hugged the figure’s waist, before + veering away just as quickly as the horkosgrampus nearby catch + a whiff of the blood.

+
+

RETCON: It has been brought to our + attention that the scp spell does not + move an entity, but merely copies it from one + location to another. As such, the original merbear and + tardigrade are still on the deck of the SS RSS. Their + facsimiles are present near where Inky used to be.

+

Okay so two extremely interesting and complicated things + happen all at once and in quick succession. It’s very chaotic + and explosive and cinematic.

+

THING THE FIRST

+

Corraidhín aims his shootin’ finger—the one that + resolutely, emphatically mashes the Enter key when deploying + to production—at the floaty thief. The very same second he + fires off the magic missile, he sees the figure jerk as a + small projectile first punctures its jellyfish helmet and then + coats its entire cranial area in black ink.

+

It screams, “Aw, fuck!”

+

The breathing bell is having none of this shit, thank you + very much, and detaches itself from the figure’s head and + starts to propel itself away. As such, the figure no longer + has access to breathable air.

+

It screams, “No, wait!”

+

And then a fine blade juts out from the bubblebee severing + the cord connecting the floating bundle to the would-be thief. + The blade scoops out a hunk of flesh from the thief’s hip in + the process.

+

It screams, “Ouch! Stop, I wasn’t going to…”

+

The horkosgrampus—kind of lazily drifting about thus + far—stir from complacency at the first scent of blood. But + they snap to ravenous attention at the first utterance of a + possible lie.

+

Finally (an instant later) the magic missile strikes its + target and the thief splatters like a wet paper bag full of + soup hitting the ground.

+

It sputters and coughs and screams, “I wasn’t going to! + Please, you can have it! I wasn’t going to take it! I don’t + even want it! It’s yours!”

+

And the horkosgrampus fucking lose their minds. They stop + being mere toothy scavenger whales, and instead become the + ravenous, wrathful instruments of the god of oaths and + promises. They descend upon the liar in a fury of teeth and + tusks. First Mate “Lucky” Three-Fingered Gerald cackles with + depraved, unhinged mirth as he is torn to shreds. In the end a + single golden orb—his false eye—is all that is left of the + would-be thief of the second Ginnarak Crystal.

+

The eye and the crystal slowly emerge from the + horkosgrampus frenzy, hovering suspended above the harrowkrake + trench.

+

THING THE SECOND

+

Remember there are two extremely interesting and + complicated things happening all at once?

+

The second thing is this.

+

First, Corraidhín lets loose his magic missile at + Three-Fingered Gerald. Then, as he is being pulled down by the + undead pirate skeleton, he lets loose a fork bomb.

+

The fork bomb is also known as a ‘rabbit attack’ because + the rapidity with which it spawns new processes resembles the + fecundity of breeding rabbits.

+

So here’s what it looks like. The skeleton pulls Corraidhín + downward. Corraidhín points and clicks. Pew, pew. A single + small sea bunny slug wriggles its way between the skeleton’s + fingers where it has a hold of the sysorcerer’s ankle. Another + two wriggle out. Then four, eight, sixteen. In an instant + there are dozens, hundreds, thousands, millions of the tiny + slugs in the hold of the ship.

+

Everything, every living entity, every process, light and + sound and thought itself, it all grinds to a halt as the sea + bunnies continue to multiply until billions and trillions of + them squeeze and burrow their way amongst molecules, betwixt + atoms, and into the quantum foam between subatomic + particles.

+

The ship and everything on it and inside it—including the + original merbear and tardigrade—collapse into a singularity. + It continues to exist in this moment in space and time but + only as a static snapshot of the moment that its operating + system crashed. It is a mirage, a core memory dump, a + segmentation fault, a flickering feedback loop, the same two + to three seconds endlessly repeating: Corraidhín backed into a + corner, and pointing a finger at a skeleton, and then BANG! + over and over and over again.

+

Corraidhín, you can continue to act and move, but your have + become unhinged and unattached from this moment in space and + time. You can interact with entities inside the ship, but will + struggle mightily to comprehend and interact with entities + outside the fork bomb.

+

Outside observers see the SS RSS become paper thin and + translucent as it starts to lose its footing in this plane of + reality.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 24 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 24 - Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 +-0600 + Sat, 22 Oct 2022 13:43:40 -0600 + + 00024 +
+

Corraidhin
+ Well I’ll be! You can turn yourself into a dagger. And I did + say we could stab blavin if you could do that, it’s much more + stealthy this way. But let me posit this, is the act of + stabbing a hobbit unprovoked not itself evil? Or perhaps more + convincingly, would it not be better to use the hobbit for + whatever information he has so as to lead to this mysterious + benefactor, who most assuredly must be evil.

+

Someone who would send out myriads of teams to pillage and + plunder cultural artifacts is truly evil, that must be our + target.

+

Now this isn’t to say that we won’t stab him. I’m convinced + that’s probably a good idea in the long run, but we know + nothing of the true evil that motivates him! We would kill him + just to lose track of the true evil we must smite!

+

Y’aml
+ But YOU said if I could turn into a dagger we could STAB him. + HE’S EVIL. YOU said so! Not keeping your promises IS one step + away from PURE evil! Make a choice Hardy Bear! Stab the evil + hobbit, or stab the inkling, or stab SOMETHING evil this + minute!

+

Corraidhin
+ I most certainly cannot abide with stabbing Inky, it’s + entirely off the table. And in a city like this there aren’t + any evil things that just jump out for the stabbing.

+

(Corraidhin tries to silently control Y’aml during the + discussion. However in so doing the party has fallen silent, + aghast even)

+

Corraidhin stands, Y’aml held in hand, red gem eye gleaming + a wicked joyful grin as it’s raised high, poised to strike. + The party around him is silent, and Blavin stares up in shock. + The tavern around them has died down and you can hear the + bustle of the proprietor calling for his strong men to deal + with this ruckus.

+
+

The table—and all of Lucy’s Basement within earshot—sits in + tense, uneasy quiet at Corraidhin’s one-sided conversation + with the Sword of Yam’L. Blavin giggles nervously and sips his + martini, willfully forcing himself right up to the very last + moment to believe that it is all some sort of jest.

+

But then the sysorcerer stands and raises the blood crazed + dagger over his shoulder, and Blavin squeals and writhes in + his chair. Lucy’s bouncers scramble forward from the corners + of the room to intercept.

+
+

Y’aml
+ We STAB Hardy Bear! We STAB NOW!!

+

Against Corraidhin’s control, as though he’s in a trance, + the dagger comes down. A swift stabbing motion strqight to the + neck, as he lunges across the table at Blavin knocking the map + and his martini to the side.

+
+ +

Corraidhin once again feels the same peculiar quality of + the blade, that sensation of a hollow core with a heavy liquid + sloshing inside. Held aloft, the weight of it feels + concentrated at the grip, the blade light as a feather.

+

He stabs down—Yam’L cries out in wordless glee—and the + weight flows into the tip of the blade, the blade itself now + drawing Corraidhin’s hand downward in a rising crescendo of + stabbitude.

+ +

Blavin flinches at the last second, and instead of burying + itself in his throat, the blade plunges into his shoulder and + pins him to the back of the chair. A red mist fills the eye + and threatens to cloud it over entirely. It rolls back in + ecstasy as it drinks deeply. It sings out, “MORE! MORE! MORE!” + and Corraidhin feels the tides of madness rising inside of + him, threatening to wash over him wholly, to pull him under + and carry him away on thundering waves of bloodlust.

+

Corraidhin struggles to pull the blade from the chair back. + Blavin whimpers and mewls as he yanks on it, and clutches his + wound and, incredibly, takes a large gulp of his drink.

+

The sysorcerer still has the wherewithal and the presence + of mind to be aware of his surroundings. He is not yet so + overcome by the bloodlust. He sees his companions, his fellow + residents of the Milk Market, seated around the table. And he + sees the musclebound bouncers now nearly within reach.

+

Finally he draws the dagger. Blavin sinks in his seat and + slides to the floor with his drink, blabbering incoherently, + and starts to slither away.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + + + 30 + dozens@tilde.team (dozens) + 30 - Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:43 +-0600 + Sat, 05 Nov 2022 12:51:49 -0600 + + 00030 +
+

Inky flips backwards and up, narrowly avoiding the + tentacles’ grasp. From their courier bag they shake out an + inflatable bubblebee[1] of the sort made for aquatic camping. + It is one of the fancier models provided to each member of + their party courtesy of the well-endowed Benefactor. They yank + on one of the cords and scramble inside, hastily closing the + flap as the bubblebee rapidly draws in water and fills out to + its full size.

+

The bubblebee rises as Inky pulls on the flippers and + allows the drifter to buoy the bubble upwards, a bat from the + end of one tentacle sending the bubblebee forward a short + distance before it slows above the flailing tentacles. Inky + switches on the lights to try to get a clearer view of the + source of the tentacles.

+

[1] Specific features of bubblebees vary among makers, but + they generally have a transparent or translucent spherical + body, a pair of small translucent wings that act as flippers, + an opening flap at the back with a short rudder attached, and + two cords inside at the front near the top which when pulled + inflate the bubble with the surrounding air or water. Premium + versions might also include headlights, a buzzer, built-in + filtration, improved insulation, a drifter and thruster. Like + tents they come in various sizes, from small ones that can fit + one or two people at average elven height, to larger ones for + group outings. Their portability and rugged durability make + them very popular among tourists and campers who can enjoy a + range of water sports, such as water walking on the surface, + riding the bubble down river rapids, or bobbing along + underwater to watch the sea life wander by.

+
+

Inky climbs into the inflatable bubblebee just in the nick + of time. A tentacle bats them a short distance away, and then + the apparatus’s lights cut on and illuminate the murky + water.

+

You see the tentacles recede into the depths into, from + this distance, what looks like the outline of a shipwreck.

+

At the moment, you are out of reach of the tentacles. And + the bubblebee affords you some extra maneuverability.

+
+

Corraidhin eyes inky as they drift away in their bubblebee. + “hmm a wonderful idea, that seems safe, but I need to get in + closer.”

+

While Inky drifts away Corraidhin swims down and towards + the tentacles to get a better view of whatever creature stole + his new found bear friends. “I simply cannot bear any harm to + come to my bears!” As he approaches the creature he prepares a + spell should he need to vanquish the monster.

+ 
(fn vanquish [target]
+  (match target.state
+   [:living] (searing-bolt {target target
+                            radius "narrow"
+                            intensity "high"})
+   [:undead] (smite {target target
+                     deity "Larani"})))
+
+

Corraidhin charges up a spell!

+

The tentacles pull your dear bear friends downward, and you + struggle to get a view of whatever creature is abducting + them.

+

The long, slender tentacles appear to originate from within + or behind a large sunken ship!

+

Could it be the SS RSS?

+
+

Gabs was stunned by the majesty of the two bears, and upon + seeing these two beautiful creatures be pulled down, got + unreasonably angry. She made sure that the breathing bell was + properly attached to her head (a marvelous thing, she thought. + She had always wondered what it would be like to have a + jellyfish on her head).

+

Gabs bundled and tied up her skirt, as she started to bolt + toward the edge of the ship. She reached into her purse and + moved away all the loose candy and pulled out two long + stiletto daggers. She begins stabbing with unusual precision + at the tentacles reaching up on the ship.

+

She yells, “Come’on y’all! We gotta save those babies!”

+

She dives in.

+
+

Prior to the incident, Gabs would have noticed that there + was a very slight, wobbly weight to the jellyfish. Kind of + like getting a gentle hug from a helmet of warm spaghetti.

+

Some loose candy floats up and away as you rummage through + your purse, the brightly colored wrappers attracting the + attention of a curious passing manta ray. It glides over and + has a nibble.

+

You fetch your stiletto daggers and start stabbing at the + long, slender tentacles. Your unusual precision causes the + tentacles to coil and retreat, releasing the merbear in the + process. It shouts through its tears, “My brother!” and dives + back into the fray, fighting to free the tardigrade.

+

From here, you can see that the tentacles seem to come from + the wreckage of a large ship lying on its side on ocean + floor.

+

META: Gabs rolls a 6 on “Do Anything 1” + and gains a new skill: Stabbing 2

+
+

Seeing his new comrade enter the fray heroically Corraidhin + gathers himself. “I suppose this is no time for errant + curiosity, can’t have anyone getting hurt after all.”

+

Ensuring that he doesn’t hit either Inky nor Gabs as they + near the creature, Corraidhin throws the spell he prepared in + the direction of the center of the tentacles. (vanquish + “tentacles”) And releases a pinpoint thread of searing energy + from his palm, guiding it through the mass of tentacles in a + random and chaotic pattern, attempting to sever as many + tentacles as possible.

+

As that goes on the sysercoerr calculates his retreat plan, + he won’t be able to prepare another spell like that on the + fly, far too meticulous work to do mid combat. As soon as the + spell runs out, best case will be to retreat somewhere out of + reach, or as far away as is possible there.

+
+

Corraidhín takes careful aim fires off a searing bolt into + the center of the mass of squirming, reaching tentacles. The + bolt of energy bounces from tentacle to tentacle creating a + chaotic web of energy.

+

One of the final bolts of energy pierces the tentacle that + happens to be gripping the tardigrade. It releases the water + bear, but not before the tardigrade takes the full brunt of + the final blast of the dying searing bolt. It cries out and + curls up into a ball. Motionless, it starts sinking downward. + “BROTHER!” the merbear swims after it heedless of any nearby + danger.

+

A wayward crackle of energy blasts outward toward a giant + manta ray happily crunching on a piece of hard candy. It flaps + out of the way at the last minute and continues to angrily + enjoy its candy, glaring at you quite indignantly.

+

META: Corraidhín rolls a 2 for “Do + Anything 1”, which means things go bad, and gains 1 xp for a + total of 1 xp. You can spend xp to turn any die into a six for + the purpose of advancement.

+
+

While Master Corraidhín and Gabs confront the tentacles to + rescue the bears, Inky looks around the sea floor. Maybe if + they found suitable replacements for the bears, the tentacles + might be distracted long enough to release the bears, or + provide an opening advantage for one of their party?

+

A small distance from the fray, Inky finds a load of + discarded bottles among a large pile of other trash carried + there by the push and pull between the water currents and a + hot spring. Gathering up some bottles, Inky ties them together + with twine in singles and small clusters until they resemble + two large, crudely-made multi-coloured tanokuma[1].

+

With some difficulty due to the additional weight, Inky + attaches the tanokuma to the back of their bubblebee and drags + them back above the tentacles, roughly near the spot where the + previous bears were taken. When the valiant members of their + party dive to one side for another strike, Inky loosens the + rope around the “bears” and lets them sink down within reach + of the tentacles.

+

[1] First featured in the garden play Teatime with + Tanokuma, the fluffy purple, jam-grabbing, tea-guzzling + bear became an overnight hit among children as well as the + fashion-conscious youth who frequent the trendy “Shin-ku” + district of Vay’Nullar.

+
+

The decoy tanokuma float above the tentacles as they + retreat from Gabs’s stabbses and Corraidhin’s bolts. They + grope about weakly, wrap themselves around the tanokuma, and + finally withdraw.

+

You can now clearly see the wreckage of the SS RSS. The + tentacles—and whatever beast they belong to—is either within, + behind, or below the ship. It is definitely ship + adjacent wherever and whatever it is. The large + double-masted ship is lying on its side, teetering + precariously on the edge of a large, deep ocean trench. There + is a large hole in its hull providing unfettered access to its + insides.

+

The tardigrade is sinking inertly toward the ship deck, and + the merbear is swimming blindly after it.

+

WHAT DO YOU DO

+

www

+ ]]> + + diff --git a/www/spoilers.html b/www/spoilers.html index 4027f43..c9914d2 100644 --- a/www/spoilers.html +++ b/www/spoilers.html @@ -270,10 +270,10 @@ id="toc-acknowledgements">Acknowledgements

Stats

-

Total length: 31204 words / 133 minute read. (Mind you, that’s the +

Total length: 31206 words / 133 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 126 messages posted over 121 days since the first +

There have been 127 messages posted over 122 days since the first post on July 13, 2022 for a daily post rate of 1.04.

About

This is a game that me and the kids in the basement are playing over @@ -3839,6 +3839,14 @@ A colossal many-tentacled sea monster with a hard shell. It drags itself along the ocean floor, carving deep furrows in which it lives, catching prey with its tentacles. +

+
+
+harrowkrake + +
+
+
@@ -3899,6 +3907,14 @@ they are revered and elevated by the other kobits. Top half bear. Thick, hairless, leathery skin with a thick layer of blubber to keep it warm. Bottom half fish. +
+
+
+merbear + +
+
+
@@ -3907,6 +3923,14 @@ blubber to keep it warm. Bottom half fish. A water bear. It has eight jointless legs, each tipped with four sharp claws. It wriggles and wobbles like jelly as it gesticulates. +
+
+
+tardigrade + +
+
+
diff --git a/www/tardigrade.png b/www/tardigrade.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9566a25 Binary files /dev/null and b/www/tardigrade.png differ