hmmm... can you work yourself free with on hand? if so then grip the tree with one arm and untie yourself with the other. a closer look at those orbs may help us figure out which one you want.

>>301560
[Rewind time to prevent her from being captured]
[Look back in time to see which orb has her stuff]
[Ungrow the tree]
You're stuck to a giant tree. Are you saying you're a thief that can't climb a damn tree?

>>301560
What exactly are you strung up there with? Can you grab the tree?

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/05(Thu)16:42 No. 301727 ID: e41ad5
File 130463895387.png - (388.77KB , 800x600 , 121.png )

>>301563
Look, sometimes it's hard to think when all yer blood's in yer head, alright? Okay. Let's try this again, this time with feeling.

>>301562
It's not easy, but these damnable vines were strong enough to hold me up, so I should... Be able to...

Ha! See, I'm not that bad.

... Well, I can either swing an' hope I hit the tree in a place where I can hold it, Or I can risk the ivy-like growth on the ceiling. Not much is lookin' good, at the moment.

... I'ma thinkin' yer might wanna decide quick-like.

>>301727
I say the ivy.

>>301727
The vine you know you can reach but the tree will hold your weight, so grab the first and scramble over to the second quickly.

yeah try using the ivy to get to the tree.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/06(Fri)10:08 No. 301844 ID: e41ad5
File 130470168006.png - (259.53KB , 800x600 , 122.png )

>>301729
>>301730
>>301732
Vines it is- oh merciful whatevers, that's not goo-

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/06(Fri)10:08 No. 301845 ID: e41ad5
File 130470168953.png - (281.50KB , 800x600 , 123.png )

Ow... Well. At least I'm alive and on the tree! Doesn't seem to be that many branches, though.

>>301845
Grab on and shimmy around it to the center of the tree. Then you can slide down to the split in the trunk.

yeah, shimmy along and you should be fine. just take it slow so you don't get a splinter somewhere bad.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/07(Sat)08:50 No. 302229 ID: e41ad5
File 130478341710.png - (248.57KB , 800x600 , 124.png )

>>301846
>>301852
The tree is pretty old - splinters are unlikely with bark this thick. Hey, it also means it's easy to climb - lotsa handholds!

Shit, I think I hear someone coming! Not sure if I should hide in the tree or chance it on the ground - might be able to pop one of those orbs and get ma knife. On the other hand... Might be worth it to hide in the tree, if I'm caught on the ground I won't be able to climb fast enough, I think...

hide in the tree, if you pop the wrong one then your problems just suddenly got worse.

Hmm. If we hide in the tree they will know you escaped and might search the tree for you.

Pop that orb.

Run down and open up one of those... just be ready to dash to another one if you find something dangerous in them.

>>302253
impossible, they are practically touching eachother. you would be almost still right next to the last one when you open another. that far one maybe, but if a close one AND the far one have something then we are screwed. also, why would they think an escapee would stay in the room? if anything they would think they took a door out. stay in the tree.

>>302229

It's not worth the risk of a booby-trap disabling you. Leave the orbs alone and get moving. After all, all you've lost so far are a few things. You're uninjured, and thus mobile. It's better to stay that way and escape.

you refer to popping those orbs, are they easy to break? if so a bobby trap can be avoided by throwing a rock or poking them with a branch.

>>302459

That depends on the sort of trap in them though. If it's a poison gas or explosion she might not get far away enough. If it's just a sticky trap, then yeah, that could work.

Not worth the risk if you ask me. These druids are fucking crazy, I would not want to touch anything they've had much time to prepare.

Forget about what they took from you. You can get replacements elsewhere. These druids seem sadistic enough to have trapped the pods, or the gear they took from you. It'd be horrible if they rubbed poison oak oils all over the insides of your clothes.

she is buck naked in their stronghold, she might need those supplies to escape with her life.

i agree we will need them, but i want to see if we can tilt the odds towards good stuff if we go slow and see if any of them look different. like one glows slightly bluer or something.

They put her things within sight to taunt her, but if they were mean enough to do that they're mean enough to trap her things somehow, with itchy oils from poison oak, or something even worse (bombs, knock out gas, mutagens!)...

It is no fun for her to go buck naked, but I think she needs to leave the orb things alone.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/08(Sun)12:41 No. 302502 ID: e41ad5
File 130488367364.png - (197.75KB , 800x600 , 125.png )

>>302235
> Tree
>>302244
>>302253
> Orbs
>>302295
> Run about nekkid

...

Right then, compromise. I'm gonna pop one of these suckers with this stick, grab what's in, and run fer it.

Here goes -

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/08(Sun)12:41 No. 302503 ID: e41ad5
File 130488370874.png - (262.15KB , 800x600 , 126.png )

...My knife! Welp, it's better than nothing. I'd better haul ass. I could tell that the hallway splits left and right from where I was hanging, but I wasn't sure where the sound was coming from - I need to decide, QUICK, which way to go!

>>302503
Hide in the pod.

>>302503
that wasn't actually a compromise since the question was "are they trapped" with the options being "no, loot them all" and "yes, leave them alone"... by popping one you proved it wasn't trapped, now you might as well pop them all...

Hide now, get the rest of them later.

>>302503
Go left!

Also how old are you?

Hard to tell what's handy, we saw a pillar earlier can you get behind that or is it part of the wall? Otherwise whatever is close and covers you.

>>302593
This is important.

Well, she is an expert in hiding and sneaking, she should just hide wherever she thinks is least visible and allows her to lunge at someone with her knife for a quick backstab if necessary.

>> Please keep in mind that updates are sent in when I go to bed, usually around midnight (my time), so your suggestions might be missed if you post after that time! <<

Stay naked, go left!

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/09(Mon)18:47 No. 302877 ID: e41ad5
File 130499202175.png - (189.00KB , 800x600 , 127.png )

>>302512
>>302535
>>302594
>>302604

...
You know...

It's just big enough.

Hup!



....

They're in the room. Not just one... three. Two about twice my height... one a little taller. Humans... no. One's not human. Might be a golem? Some sort of heavy thing.

I've good at reading footsteps, when I put myself to it...

Shit, they're coming closer...

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/09(Mon)18:47 No. 302878 ID: e41ad5
File 130499202832.png - (323.38KB , 800x600 , 128.png )

... What should I do now? Feels like they're right next to me!

>>302878
Well they aren't druids, that's for sure.
Open one of the pod flaps and say "Hey, um, I was beaten up, mugged, and kidnapped by some jerk druids. Do you two know the way out of here?" Stand up a bit, then glance down and duck back into the pod "Err... I think my clothes are in one of those pod things over there. I don't know which one, but I'm fairly sure they aren't trapped."

Present yourself as a non-threat and a victim; later on you'll be in a better position to turn things to your advantage.

>>302878
You're outnumbered. Keep hiding... if they open the eggs then they are likely looters and you would probably be able to join up with them to escape. If they ignore the eggs then they are guards and you will be fine.

If they DO open the eggs, I would suggest pulling one away and putting your blade to their neck to make sure you have the BEST bargaining position possible. That is, if you are strong enough and think you can catch them by surprise (not much of a stretch- who expects a naked girl with a knife to jump out of an egg like that?)

Well we can see them, lucky for you. They are actually right next to you. One guy kinda creepy, think he's looking at you or at least the eggs. A lady is with him, can't see any golem type thing yet... I don't think these folks would be hostile to you but I'm sure they'll put up a fight if provoked. Just be cool if they investigate and find you. Hope you don't mind having wiggling out of a goopy egg naked as a first impression.

Got anything else of yours in there? Maybe you can get yourself decent.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/10(Tue)11:42 No. 303000 ID: e41ad5
File 130505296522.png - (236.48KB , 800x600 , 129.png )

>Got anything else of yours in there? Maybe you can get yourself decent.

Just me in here. And I don't exactly feel like getting out.

"... Samantha, this one is moving." says a male voice near me. His voice confirms some of my thoughts as to his height. "We should avoid opening it... Can you sense anything in the other two?"

"...No." replies a... new voice. It's not male or female, more like someone rolled a rock down a hill and it happened to make words. "None of them are toxic. The liquid is a mild contact hallucinogenic compound."

"Ah." the male voice again.

... Hallucinogen?

"Well then, should we open them, Marcus?"

"I am not sure... Go ahead. We'll take it with us. Might be worth money to the I-shop."

>>303000
Oh hell. Get out of there and tell them not to take your stuff. Also uh, be prepared for mild hallucinations.

>>303000
Burst out and start screaming like a banshee. Then stare at them and then yourself and yell out "WHO ARE YOU?! WHY AM I NAKED!? IS THIS ONE OF THOSE RAPE THINGS!?"

pop out and yell "GETITOFFGETITOFF"

Keep in mind that they don't seem to be with the druids, and appear to be stealing from them like you were.

>>303000

I told you it could be trapped somehow. I told you dawg!

If the druids are half as competent with them as they were with you, then they've already got the place surrounded.

Stay hidden, wait for the druids to capture and strip them too, and then make your escape with your stuff and their stuff.

don't startle them or you will die.
Come out slowly, and say "hello".
Explain your predicament honestly.
Crazy evil druids, stripped naked, your stuff in eggs, tied you up, you got down, heard someone coming, tried to hide.

Ok so you can either keep yourself hidden lose all your shit and probably start seeing things, or get your goopy naked ass out of there and make an effort. Not that we mind you running around like that, I mean you are cute and all but it's gonna be getting kinda silly before long.

I am pretty sure they mean to loot the ones without a lifesign, then drag yours to sell to a researcher.
And the longer you stay inside the worse the drugs in it (hallucinogens) will affect you... so you need to get out ASAP.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/11(Wed)11:38 No. 303348 ID: e41ad5
File 130513907943.png - (330.47KB , 800x600 , 130.png )

Aaaaaaaugh fuckit. They're gonna steal my shit if I don't....

Fuck it all.

I clamber out of the orb, noting a slight lightheadedness, and look at the arrangement of people.

A tall woman, with blonde hair. Her arms are fairled well-muscled. And... wings?

A short young man, only slightly taller than me, in robes and carrying a book - his face is obscured by a hood, though his glasses shine from beneath.

And lastly, another tall womanly figure, like a hewn golem with moss clothing - though not much of it - and grass hair.

None of them gawk at me. It's... slightly unnerving.

"Awright, I pissed off the local druids, they stripped me down, and hid my shit in these orbs. I think."

THey introduce themselves - Marcus, the 'mage', though his face should be glowin' were he a Worker, Samantha the warrior (she winces at the title, oddly), and Mosslo, the mage's familiar.

>>303348
Stumble over to the warrior and try to feel her wings.
Say "Pretty feathers~"

you should probably get cleaned off and ask if any of them can neutralize this stuff before it kicks in. cause if it kicks in you will be tripping SO HARD.

Tell them you feel kinda funny, if they could get the rest of the stuff from the other eggs for you it would be nice.

>>303349
Yeah there is that, you should make mention of it.

Tell them that you're a most useful person with good knowledge of the area and a penchant for finding things and information. You really need to advertise your skills here before you get tied up again.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/14(Sat)08:41 No. 304176 ID: e41ad5
File 130538771285.png - (265.35KB , 800x600 , 131.png )

>>303350
I clamber out with a sigh, covering myself with my hands as best I can.
"Alright, one of you lot said this stuff is a hallucinogen, so if someone could help clean and clear it outa my system..."

"I apologize." Marcus states, "But we are on the run at the moment. The Druids have misplaced an ancient artifact of some value to them - The Golden Crescent and are being quite militaristic about seeking it out." he explains. "Anyone outside of the order they will currently either kill on sight or try their damndest. We're only minutes ahead. We must remain moving."

He pauses.

"How did you anger them, yourself?"

"Eheheheh..."

"..." Samantha sighs. "Look, you'll get used to it. If you think you're seeing things, confirm with us, and if things get too bad, I'll carry you. Are you with us or not?"

Mosslo begins to break the other orbs, reporting nothing inside either.

>>304176
Curse loudly over the druids taking your stuff.

"Unless you've got wings then yea, I'm seeing things. Not too bad though."
Then go with the new people.

sure, I am with you... I can you help me quickly cut the other things open and grab my gear? it should take seconds if we each pick one and just grab everything in it.

>>304186
>Mosslo begins to break the other orbs, reporting nothing inside either.

>>304177
i agree with this entirely.

>>304176
The only thing more embarrassing then being naked is getting carried about like a kid. And then you're still naked... but it's not like you'll care if you've gone crazy. Tell them you're with them but you're already seeing wings on the lady.

Do you know where that damn sickle got to? You failed to nab it but the druids don't have it either. Also the line "get used to it" worries me, are there often adventuring hazards that leave you naked and gooey? Because if there are this one was maybe not so bad.

>>304177
>>304189
Not too loud, just in case.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/17(Tue)00:20 No. 304775 ID: e41ad5
File 130561683828.png - (279.36KB , 800x600 , 132.png )

>Do you know where that damn sickle got to?

I stashed it in a hole that lead to some other place. Let's just say by now it's probably in the Undercroft, and when I visit next, I might get to meet... him.

>"Unless you've got wings then yea, I'm seeing things. Not too bad though."

Marcus and Samantha exchange glances.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/17(Tue)00:20 No. 304776 ID: e41ad5
File 130561685268.png - (253.52KB , 800x600 , 133.png )

"That's fine. If you can move - will you be alright like that?" Marcus nods at my body.

"I'll... get used to it." I reply.

"No, it's fine. here. At least it will help your upper body, and if you're wet like that it'll chill." he said, taking off his hood and mantle and placing it over me. On me, it comes down to my belly. Still, awful nice of him.
"Sam, is the way clear?"
"They've blocked the way we came with vines, Marcus!"
He thinks for a moment. "Very well, we will move into the next room. Let us pray for a lack of habitation!"

And they begin to head to the doorway.

well, they aren't druids so following them would probably be a good idea.

follow along now

>>304776
At least it hangs down more in back so if you're in front of them they won't have anything to look at. And maybe when you get someplace safer the guy will let you make a crude pair of bottoms out of the hood part of it.

I'm sure you know your way around this kind of place better than most so lend your skills however you can. I dunno if you're used to working solo or what, but it's never a bad idea to keep company and earn the respect of dangerous allies who are also obvious targets.

>>304776

Did the druids use a depilatory agent on you or something?

>>304806
>>A note from the Author: The appearance of that area is artistic licence. She looks perfectly normal down there. :V <<

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/18(Wed)11:54 No. 305043 ID: e41ad5
File 130574489549.png - (280.42KB , 800x600 , 134.png )

>>304777
>>304779
>>304787
>I'm sure you know your way around this kind of place better than most so lend your skills however you can. I dunno if you're used to working solo or what, but it's never a bad idea to keep company and earn the respect of dangerous allies who are also obvious targets.

Halflings generally work solo - though not because we hate each other or anything. See... There's a sort of system in place. We go out and find magical shit, minor to major, and send it home. Those that do this are given accolades and a higher place in society. Going it alone ensures a good spread of skill and a wide search area. The magical items, unless they are directly useful to us, are used to 'feed'... Well, it'll come up later. Let's just say I'll be really popular when I get home.

I follow the pair and the familiar into the hallway, then into another room - do all these places have such grotesquely high ceilings? It makes a girl feel small. We rush in, into the other side, hiding behind the central tree, which thankfully appears to be dead and rotting.

"Didn't think I'd see a halfling up here." Marcus finally comments. I take it you sent the Sickle home?"

"...? How the hell - " I begin, but he holds up a hand.

"How I know isn't really important. Just answer me."

...
Direct. Hmf.

"Yeah."

"Alright. Sam, you okay with this?" he asks, turning to her. "It's all been constructs till now."

"... I can kill another, if I need to." she says, her expression hardened.

"Good. I was hoping you'd say that. We probably won't get out of this without killing anyone."

>>305043
...are they going to try to steal the Sickle? Or are they just going to be fighting the Druids?

>>305124
sickle is long gone dude.

anyway, be ready for the fight. not sure how well you are at fighting. if okay but not great then just assist as needed.

>Direct
Yeah, but also smart and pragmatic. They don't even care that the current problems are your fault they just want to get through it. Even with all this hassle I'm sure you can ask for a few items from whatever loot you guys find as you collectively cleave through this place. Might be a good haul, all things considered.

A bit of an odd thing about the girl... why would a warrior have qualms about killing in the first place? And those wings are still there, maybe fading a bit but still there. I don't think most hallucinations are really that consistent so there is probably a reason for what you are seeing. Hell as long as we're being blunt you may as well straight out ask what the hell her deal is.

>>305124
druids are angry at heroine because she stole their magic sickle and teleported it home.
Halflings teleport magic artifacts home where it is "consumed" for purposes specific to their race.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/20(Fri)10:05 No. 305486 ID: e41ad5
File 130591111480.png - (351.42KB , 800x600 , 135.png )

>>305125
I can hold my own.

... Vines cover the door. Why would they do that? I mean, seal us in an empty room, alone? Doesn't make much sense to me...

>>305486
They didn't seal you in an empty room, they sealed you in a room with a giant tree.

Let me go over that again:
The people who can use plants like puppets on a string locked you in a room with nothing but a giant tree.

On a related note, one of your new friends is going to wake up with one hell of a headache. If they wake up.

>>305486
Why would they trap you somewhere? Many possible reasons, none of them good. They might gas the place or something similar. The plants themselves may become a threat. Or maybe you aren't alone... what is that behind you? Looks like something behind that tree but it's hard to tell from here.

>>305486
Also, watch out for that root behind you.

damn, a trent.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/23(Mon)11:07 No. 306226 ID: e41ad5
File 130617405006.png - (316.92KB , 800x600 , 135.png )

But Treants are living trees, that one is dead! At least I was pretty sure it was, living trees don't grow caps!

... It has Samantha and Marcus. I... I can't help both. Who do I go to?

What sort of approach should I make?

Help Marcus and make sure he has his magic book. Then he can use spells to reverse the situation together with his familiar. Samantha seems like she's further away from the treebeast and she also seems a bit sturdier.

start climbing and cut the vine holding marcus. keep climbing and grab that big green thing and rip it out. cut the parts around it if you need to.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/24(Tue)19:22 No. 306556 ID: e41ad5
File 130629012748.png - (323.55KB , 800x600 , 136.png )

I have to focus so I'm sorry if I sound clipped, or don't listen quite as well.
I owe these folks, or at least one of them.

>magic book

k

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/24(Tue)19:22 No. 306557 ID: e41ad5
File 130629013696.png - (343.37KB , 800x600 , 137.png )

>Help Marcus

gotcha

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/05/24(Tue)19:22 No. 306558 ID: e41ad5
File 130629014341.png - (276.06KB , 800x600 , 138.png )

>start climbing

k

an'thing else?

Can't throw book far

>>306558
Marcus will be getting himself free soon, be ready to get the book to him and draw the attention of those limbs away so he can use it.

After that you can help Sam if she needs it, but I think you can be more useful. If treants have to be living then this is getting it's power elsewhere and it looks like it's mouth is glowing. If something is there you can take out, take it out.

well drop the book now, can't use it anyway. throw it near marcus if you can so if he gets free he can use it. then just dodge and weave until you get to the big green nose thing and just rip it out. looks like a weak spot to me at least

The book is more valuable than your modesty. Quickly make a bindle containing the book from your cloak, and then use the knotted end of the bindle to twirl the load, like a sling. When it has enough momentum, launch it to Marcus.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/06/11(Sat)11:14 No. 311907 ID: 835a2d
File 130781604517.png - (349.11KB , 800x600 , 139.png )

>>306611
too slow need to go fast

>>306565
K

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/06/11(Sat)11:14 No. 311908 ID: 835a2d
File 130781605235.png - (262.94KB , 800x600 , 140.png )

>get to the big green nose thing
here

vines

pull/bite/what?

all of the above. orb is gone it should stop entirely. so focus all power into getting orb out. can also try twisting it to pry it out.

>>311908
Jump up into it, grab onto that green thing like it was the biggest goddamn emerald ever, then plant your legs against the tree and rip it out with all you've got.

>>311908
Thief->Steal orb->send home if can't get out

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/09/05(Mon)17:26 No. 345769 ID: 715620
File 131526877989.png - (251.22KB , 800x600 , RAM-04-025.png )

Buncha shit around it

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/09/05(Mon)17:26 No. 345770 ID: 715620
File 131526878533.png - (281.48KB , 800x600 , RAM-04-026.png )

Oh god disgusting

not as bad as cleaning under the bar though

GOT IT.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/09/05(Mon)17:26 No. 345771 ID: 715620
File 131526879264.png - (283.08KB , 800x600 , RAM-04-027.png )

I slide down the tree, ending up before my... comrades? Acquaintances? Allies?

Let's go with the second here. Especially with the hungry look Marcus gives me.


"My thanks for your help, Miss...?
"Quickfingers. Miss Gehenna Quickfingers." I finally say.
Marcus smiles.
"Those orbs are something of a special interest of mine - would you mind handing that over?" he asks, holding out his hand. I can't see his eyes - they reflect the light of the room, making it hard to tell what he's thinking.

Hmmmm. It's just a ball. It feels almost... alive in my hands, and is almost certainly magical. But there's no way I could use it - and there's no stashes that are accessible here, I think. I'm still getting my bearings, here, so I might be able to find one...

well, if you DO find a stash and get rid of it he will lose trust in you. and having someone you are near all the the time distrust you wont go over well. but giving it to him will improve his opinion of you and make this whole thing go smoother.

>>345771
Trading treasure for trust and favor, you'll find that will turn a profit soon enough. Besides giving magic stuff to magic guys that are on your side has its own survival related benefits.

>>345771
Sure, let them have it. It's not like you can't steal it back later if you actually care, and for now you NEED allies to survive here.

Negotiate. Tell him he can only have the orb if he can both get you to safety and exchange it for another item of value or usefulness.

After all the orb is no good if you're not safe and sound. Also you can't use it yourself so it's better off traded away for something you can actually use.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/09/09(Fri)00:30 No. 346789 ID: 715620
File 131555342799.png - (261.82KB , 800x600 , RAM-04-028.png )

As much as I hate handing something away when it might go to the Burrow...

"Here."
"Most excellent, my good lady."
"..." we move to the branches and Samantha tests them with her sword, poking them, slashing them...

But they seem to grow back instantly.

Trine!H508X.HbJ6 2011/09/09(Fri)00:30 No. 346790 ID: 715620
File 131555343377.png - (282.97KB , 800x600 , RAM-04-029.png )

"Well, this is annoying." Marcus says, then he opens his book - and blinks in place. He frowns, then does it again. He steps around behind me... and does it again.

"Damn it all!" he snaps the book shut, frowning. "The vines halt my teleportation!"

Ask what other magic he can do... and where his moss golem went

yeah, i mean, it's part plant, amy be able to... convince? the vines to leave.

Look for another way.