are you cat like enough to land on the ground and not get hurt? if not then water.

You're so dead. No way you're getting back up there. If you can, swing yourself over to the beach area so as not to land in the water.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)19:01 No. 339130 ID: e1359e
File 131311449301.jpg - (121.00KB , 800x600 , page46.jpg )

Wwhhuuuh

That water does not look very friendly, but I know that the ripples are from the ANGRY-LOOKING ROCK.

Gosh, I... kind of forgot to mention that I have a PHOBIA of having my head submerged in water.

A wise priestess of Pirellia once told me that a brave man is not without fears, but is merely willing to face them.

Bravery is easier in preaching than in practice.

There are no visible above-water exits from this chamber aside from the hole that I climbed down. I can not tell how deep the water is.

well, now is as good a time as an to get over it. let's work slowly. put your head in enough that your mouth is covered but your nose is out.

*applause* Look around and make sure there's nothing threatening, then fruitlessly attempt to fish out the stone with your stick for several minutes.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)20:33 No. 339142 ID: e1359e
File 131312000310.jpg - (98.25KB , 800x600 , page47.jpg )

>>339131

You're right. If I do not do it now, when will I ever? This is bravery!

I take off my glasses and bow to the clear water.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)20:36 No. 339145 ID: e1359e
File 131312017406.jpg - (138.63KB , 800x600 , page48.jpg )

ohgod ohgod ohgod...

ok, I have made it this far

...

I can't breathe! I CAN'T BREATHE! ENOUGH! TOO FAR!

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)20:37 No. 339146 ID: e1359e
File 131312025959.jpg - (99.50KB , 800x600 , page49.jpg )

I thought that I could do it. I thought that maybe it went away.

Every time it happens it comes back.

this seems like more then just a phobia Yeriko are you cursed?

What comes back?

>>339146
Odd question, but is your stick hollow?

Perhaps you can fashion it or some nearby material into a breathing reed?

>>339145
Wait a second... That's a bit too sensitive t be a normal drowning phobia.
Try holding your breath. one hand to shut your nose, the other to shut your mouth. Try that for about thirty seconds or so.

If you can't, then you may have something physically wrong that your body is trying to warn you about.

Also, poke the water with the stick and examine the effect and residue. It might not be all water.

Seems like a normal drowning phobia to me. Only cure is to hyperventilate through a snorkel while someone holds you under. Not really worth the trouble.

EXCEPT THE STONE IS DOWN THERE AND YOU NEED THAT, DUMMY. >:(

Maybe that's the point of the lake? A test to overcome your fear? That's the sort of thing that magical fairy worlds like to do.

Alternatively, can you see where the rock landed? You might be able to push it out with the stick.

>>339211

Or maybe the purpose of the lake is "THE STONE MUST FIRST BE ANOINTED BY THE WATERS OF THE UNDERWORLD." Call me crazy.

Yeriko 2011/08/12(Fri)21:34 No. 339479 ID: e1359e
File 131321006773.jpg - (68.24KB , 800x600 , page50.jpg )

>>339197
No, the stick is not hollow. It is just an ordinary branch.

>>339199
I try this, and have no trouble holding my breath. Also, upon examining the water more closely with the stick, I see that it is indeed water! There are some particles floating in it, but they are glowing and blue, so I guess that they are spores from the surrounding mushrooms.

>>339206
>>339211
Gosh, I don't know if I can! I look in the water with my glasses on. I can see the ANGRY-LOOKING ROCK down there. It is lighter than the stone of the cave floor. It is too far down for me to reach with my stick.

It did not fall completely to the bottom of the water, which fades beyond vision. I would guess that it is about three meters down.

>>339479
Try reaching it and pulling it up with your feet, Keeping your head above the water, can you do that?

>>339498

>> pull it up with your feet

>> 3 meters down

Boy I hope you're a tall one, kitty.

Perhaps we should look around a bit more first. Maybe we can... find something to put over your face so you don't feel the water.

>>339479
What else is in the cave? If it's lacking any convenient items like rope or vines and doesn't have any other exits, then it looks like your only option is to face your fear and swim for the rock.

Don't give up, kitty! This can't be the worst thing you've faced as an adventurer. Just go in a little at a time and you'll make it eventually.

EXPLORE CAVE. not necessarily for exits, which you've already established there are none (above the water anyway), but for anything useful. Maybe the fungi have useful properties. lick one. That never turned out badly. might calm your nerves

I don't care if you're scared. get that bloody rock. I don't care if you shit yourself in the process. do it.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)11:21 No. 339890 ID: e1359e
File 131334609552.jpg - (102.19KB , 800x600 , page51.jpg )

>>339504
>>339534
>>339538

Ok, I look around the cave...

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)11:22 No. 339892 ID: e1359e
File 131334616863.jpg - (151.98KB , 800x600 , page52.jpg )

Success! I see behind me, sitting camouflaged in the muck, a short length of OLD ROPE, a METAL HELMET and a BADLY TORN SHIRT.

>lick mushroom

Gosh, drowning is even a better adventurer's death than glowing mushroom poisoning.

try to tie that rope to the helmet to make something that could fish out the angry rock.

use the shirt, rope, and helmet to fashion a scoop.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)14:48 No. 339972 ID: e1359e
File 131335852347.jpg - (145.19KB , 800x600 , page53.jpg )

>>339926
>>339951

I unravel the end of the rope and fashion a net. I tie the helmet inside for weight.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)14:49 No. 339973 ID: e1359e
File 131335856850.jpg - (119.49KB , 800x600 , page54.jpg )

I cast the makeshift scoop into the murky water...

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)14:51 No. 339976 ID: e1359e
File 131335870475.jpg - (111.66KB , 800x600 , page55.jpg )

Success!

It takes me about TWO HOURS and countless UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS to fish the ANGRY-LOOKING ROCK out of the cave lake.

I am not sure what time it is now, but it looked like dusk when I was still on the surface. I should have plenty of time to midnight, but I still have to get out of this cave somehow, THEN find the dolmen!

Starve to death because there's no way out of this cave but the way you came in and that's in the middle of the roof. that's probably what your predecessor did.

>>339976
Look for an exit, in any direction. Where can we go, exactly? If there's only one direction we can travel aside from up you're gonna have to go that way.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)19:05 No. 340081 ID: e1359e
File 131337392686.jpg - (85.03KB , 800x600 , page56.jpg )

>>339982
Gosh, I am going to try to do better than the last guy. His tunnel was pretty nice, though.

>>340011
Well, this chamber is very large. I can not see farther than about thirty meters before it fades to blackness. There may be more landings or holes higher up.

I do not think that I will be able to swim with the ANGRY-LOOKING ROCK.

leave the rage rock here while you explore.

>>340086
I agree for the most part, but we have to get it back to the surface somehow. There's no dry land to carry it across?

>>340081
Well, we can carry glow shrooms for light, and we may want to pile some around the rock to mark it if you plan on leaving it here.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)21:48 No. 340139 ID: e1359e
File 131338370897.jpg - (150.71KB , 800x600 , page57.jpg )

>>340102

There is no land, unfortunately, connecting this side of the lake to the other. The edges around appear to be sheer drops.

>>340105
Great idea! I mark the ANGRY-LOOKING ROCK with a circle of mushrooms, then pile a few hands full into the METAL HELMET to make a marvelous SHROOMHELMET LANTERN.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)21:50 No. 340142 ID: e1359e
File 131338382369.jpg - (164.12KB , 800x600 , page58.jpg )

Tik-a-tik-a-tik-a-tik...

Gosh, I hear a wet clicking sound, but then again I heard a few things like that while I was fishing for the rock.

Perhaps I jostled up stones when I was climbing down, and they are falling into the water.

>>340142
No, you are about to be eaten by a giant monster. Behind you.

Yeriko 2011/08/14(Sun)21:52 No. 340145 ID: e1359e
File 131338393636.jpg - (166.48KB , 800x600 , page59.jpg )

...

freak out and engage STICK

>>340145
I think a giant cockroach is feeling you up. You should run away now.

Scream in a sufficiently girly fashion (the high pitch will cause its sensing mechanisms to go in disarray) and flail randomly (This will prevent him from anticipating your escape maneuvers)

>>340145
Mewl distressingly and try to get away.

Try not to hurt whatever it is. Predators act VERY differently to potential threats over potential food.

If it sees you as a threat it may try to kill you as quickly as possible regardless of energy spent.

If it sees you as food it will attempt to conserve energy, stalking you until it finds a good opportunity to consume you with ease. This will give you a better chance to escape, as if you are too difficult to trap, it may move on.

Also, if this is an intelligent creatures that's touching you right now, it will be easier to communicate peacefully with if you don't harm it.

Yeriko 2011/08/15(Mon)20:25 No. 340517 ID: e1359e
File 131346515565.jpg - (135.08KB , 800x600 , page60.jpg )

>>340155
>>340146
>>340147

I do not want to startle or threaten whatever this thing is!

>>340394
Gosh, this seems just a bit more intuitive. I have faced great monsters before, but I have not been in such imminent danger. I cover my mouth as to muffle my frightened noises.

>"A lithe and furry intruder."

At first, I have my doubts that the moist, crackling voice originates from the monster behind me, but when I hear it growing closer, I am certain! It seems to be talking at me, but not directly to me.

>"This one is not like the Darfa intruder! Such a rarity!"

>>340517
Ask for forgiveness for intruding. You just wanted to retrieve your rock and leave.

ask what it wishes.

It doesn't look like it'd be too hard for you to duck and slide under the tentacles or antennae or whatever they are. Maybe you should do that rather than trying to converse and be meek.

Yeriko 2011/08/15(Mon)21:54 No. 340559 ID: e1359e
File 131347047994.gif - (22.37KB , 413x300 , duckandjump.gif )

>>340535
You are right! Gosh darn it, I am an adventurer! I can not be meek and passive!

This is simple FEAR, not a phobia. I can face this!

...

[Animated]

That went well.

>>340559
Well that was a stupid idea. Not sure why you thought it would work.

Maybe on attempt #2 you should try being meek and passive, eh?

...okay.

NOW start talking to it since you are completely defenseless and have no other choice.

Bah, I guess you're not nearly as lithe as the thing gave you credit for. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.

Yeriko 2011/08/17(Wed)13:10 No. 340937 ID: e1359e
File 131361183619.jpg - (218.36KB , 800x600 , page61.jpg )

>"The intruder shakes with fear, I will not eat it. I and my entourage were well satiated by the last one."

I can not think of much beyond my right foot and ankle being numb, and my face feeling heavy with blush.

I become accustomed to hanging upside down after a few seconds.

>"I am Ranya, Queen of the Cenotes, Ruler of the Underworld. I see that the intruder carries the Capstone of the Forest Dolmen. If it wishes to leave this world, then it will see BOTH of its rulers."

Gosh,the Forest Hag has no dominion over the caves, it seems!

>"Why should I allow this furry pest to continue its meaningless quest?"

What do I say?

mew innocently. she will be rendered powerless whilst dawwing

>>340938
Cute kitty approach is best approach.

Protest that your quest isn't meaningless, then explain how terribly important it is.

Part of me thinks that tugging at the heartstrings of a hideous underworld monstrosity isn't going to work, though.

>>340937
Because you're doing it for your family. If this creature is truly a Queen then it understands the concept of family.

If you have to, sweeten the deal by accepting quest hooks.

>>340937
I don't see any reason not to tell it you're doing this to bring back your son.

Yeriko 2011/08/17(Wed)18:07 No. 341014 ID: e1359e
File 131362962744.jpg - (119.80KB , 800x600 , page62.jpg )

>>340938
>>340993

"Great Cave Queen, I am on a qu-quest to restore the life of my son which was unjustly taken! It is a quest for the love of my family. As a Queen, surely you must know well the ties of family!"

>"The intruder is neither Darfa nor Yurfa. It is not of this world. It has taken the totem of web and leaf."

I recognize the mention of spider's web and a leaf, "Yes! I did eat web wrapped in a leaf in order to come to this world!"

>"It barks carelessly in the face of royalty, but I forgive its ignorance one time only. I know the ties of family, as I rule this world with my sister, the Forest Queen. The leaf and web are symbols of our dominion and sisterhood."

"Great Queen of the Caves, I am trapped in the Underworld, and I must return the rock to the surface. I pray that you find my quest suitable to resume, and that you may help me return to where I once was."

>"Its quest is selfish, but not so much as the most that I have heard. There are a million shattered people with dead sons who would benefit from what you seek. I shall send word to The Forest Queen that you approach, but you shall depart with a task."

accept mewingly

Say that you would be honored to serve the Queen.

>>341014
"But of course, a task of favor is only fitting in a quest."

Yeriko 2011/08/19(Fri)20:40 No. 341693 ID: e1359e
File 131381164472.jpg - (143.30KB , 800x600 , page63.jpg )

>"It is trapped here unless I carry it to a higher place. It is permitted to touch the Queen of the Cenotes welcomely, if only for now."

I am unsure of what Queen Ranya means until she turns her back to me and lowers her abdomen to the floor.

Gosh, I have never ridden a giant cave spider before! It is a dizzying venture!

Yeriko 2011/08/19(Fri)20:45 No. 341695 ID: e1359e
File 131381194534.jpg - (339.39KB , 800x600 , page64.jpg )

I am deposited into a chamber high in the ceiling of the cave. The walls are completely covered with matted web. The Previous Adventurer is sitting here on the floor.

Gosh, the smell of this small chamber is rancid. There is the smell of rotting flesh as well as something unfamiliar, but still horrible. It is a much stronger iteration of an odor that permeated the larger cave. It helps slightly to breath through my mouth, but it is pungent enough as to taste it as well.

>>341695
Ask permission to LOOT EVERYTHING. It's only polite. Plus, she's bigger than you.

Uhh... take stone, see if that mace(?) is serviceable, read map/not, examine backpack... discard dildo.

acquire dildo and use skull in your ventriloquist act

(inspect loose paper and contents of pack)

>>341695
Examine club, map, bag and stone. They are the only items there that you should pay any mind to.

Hey, a backpack. Check out what's in it. Also we're gonna need it to carry stuff.

Yeriko 2011/08/21(Sun)19:12 No. 342177 ID: e1359e
File 131397913279.jpg - (304.48KB , 800x600 , map.jpg )

>examine map

Gosh, I can not make heads or tails of this map.

>club

This mace is bent, but otherwise in good condition. It weighs 3 KG.

>stone

This is the ANGRY LOOKING ROCK. It looks the same as before, still moist.

Yeriko 2011/08/21(Sun)19:30 No. 342180 ID: e1359e
File 131398025379.jpg - (325.89KB , 800x600 , page65.jpg )

Typo corrected by magic

>backpack

With this, I can carry an additional 5 KG.

As I bend down to pick up the backpack, I notice the source of the familiar and pungent smell! I recognize the pink object is a STINK HORN MUSHROOM. It appears to be wrapped in leaves or vines.

The backpack's contents are as follows:

- A brick of yellow some yellow, chalky substance wrapped in clear paper
- Some old food rations wrapped in cloth
- A thick card stock with letters cut into it
- A set of small keys
- A napped stone shiv
- A bottle of murky liquid with its label torn off
- A necklace
- A pair of red goggles
- A pad of paper
- A shred of cloth

Some of the items in the backpack are stained with a bluish-purple substance. The backpack itself is not at all stained.

I understand the map, but it's not something that is applicable at the moment. And, well, Yeriko, it's hard for me to break this for you but...

...That ain't a Stink Horn Mushroom

>>342180
"Couldn't choke me." This person must've won all the stinkhorn eating contests. She didn't even have to chew!

Lick the bluish purple substance.

I would suggest you poke the mushroom to see if it is in fact a mushroom and not some sort of plastic imitation.

Well, now that we looted this dude, weren't we supposed to be meeting some kinda somebody or something?

>>342180
Read label on yellow chalky substance.

Yeriko 2011/08/24(Wed)10:44 No. 342684 ID: e1359e
File 131420789508.jpg - (208.51KB , 800x600 , page66.jpg )

>>342215
Gosh, I need to dismiss these bizarre licking thoughts! Licking unknown substances is dangerous.

>>342217
I poke the pink phallic object, revealing that it is indeed spongy and fungus-like. Gosh, that smell!

Yeriko 2011/08/24(Wed)10:47 No. 342685 ID: e1359e
File 131420804580.jpg - (243.15KB , 800x600 , page67.jpg )

>>342296
Well, this is a bit odd.

>"The messenger of the forest has been alerted of the furry creature's presence at the dolmen. It may leave the cave now before I grow hungry again."

How much of this should I take? I figure that the backpack was full, so it all weighs about 5 KG.

take goggles yellow thing necklace and potion. and i guess the notebook. then hurry to the exit.

Take/Wear Goggles and necklace, take paper pad and food for later perusal/use, ignore scraps of things, the 'potion', and the catalyst. Seems useless and/or dangerous.

>>342695
I disagree, potions and chemicals, while dangerous, are often harder to find and of greater value than substandard and mostly degraded weapons or food. The goggles can of course be worn about the neck, and I suppose the flint shiv could he useful for cutting ropes and the like, as well as being easily concealed.

Oh and if you can eat any of the food, now would be a good time to find out, easier to carry in one's belly than outside.

Take the backpack, food, goggles, and the potion. Shouldn't be too heavy for someone with your weak frame.

>>342180

Take the shred of cloth and wrap it around the shiv. Stick covered shiv into one of your sock.

Wear goggles on head. Take the set of keys and attach them to the necklace, then wear it around your neck, under your shirt to minimize jingling.

Go ahead and just take everything else in the pack and deal with it later. It all can't be that heavy, can it?

Yeriko 2011/08/28(Sun)10:58 No. 343389 ID: e1359e
File 131455431041.jpg - (186.35KB , 800x600 , page69.jpg )

Ranya leads me further through the webbed chamber and reveals a slope that I would probably have never seen on my own.

>"It will be a hero if it survives its task. The previous intruder failed, but succeeded in providing a meal for myself and my kin."

She feels around, taking in her surroundings with her wispy feelers.

>"Prey was once plentiful in the cenotes, but has dwindled since the hot sludge began to obstruct the tunnels. It filled the water and plastered the cave walls, killing the fish and bats that once fed my court. This slope will lead the furry intruder back to the surface, where the sun stings my sightless eyes, and it will see the Messenger of the Forest."

Is there anything that I should say before I go? Anything that I should take? Gosh, I do not think that I want to come back down here after I leave.

Ask where the hot sludge came from. Wouldn't it be cool if we could get rid of it?

>>343389
Yes. Dealing with sludge sounds like a thing you should do.

>>343389
Thanks, of course. Remember your manners, young cat-thing.

Inquire about the hot sludge. Maybe we can get some brownie points with the GCS's. And don't forget to say thanks; we don't want to look rude, now.

I think it'd be proper to attempt to 'help' this evil villainous monstrosity. Ask about the sludge and from whence it came, etc etc.

Yeriko 2011/09/04(Sun)15:07 No. 345498 ID: e1359e
File 131517406957.jpg - (197.42KB , 800x600 , page69a.jpg )

"Where did the sludge come from?"

>"It began as thing residue in the most outward reach of the cenotes, but began to come in further and faster with time. It is hot and noxious."

"What can I do about it?"

>"I do not care how it completes its task, but it must be done if it wants the approval of my sister, the Forest Witch. It left without more questions. I tired of its yowling."

Yeriko 2011/09/04(Sun)15:09 No. 345500 ID: e1359e
File 131517417999.jpg - (120.24KB , 800x600 , page70.jpg )

That was all that I needed to hear to get right out of there fast! This webbed tunnel is very easy to climb. The web begins to grow more sparse toward the top, and I smell something new.

Yeriko 2011/09/04(Sun)15:11 No. 345501 ID: e1359e
File 131517431694.jpg - (216.24KB , 800x600 , page71.jpg )

Gosh, I must be a lot further in the forest now! There is a strange smell in the air. It is not strong, but it has a sickly odor. I am not quite sure how to describe it. Perhaps like a tanner's workshop?

Well, at least it is fresher than in the cave, and does not smell like stinkhorn anymore.

Gosh, who is this messenger of the forest supposed to be?

>"SQUAWK!"

It began as 'thing residue'? Well the Queen below wasn't exactly much help considering we were basically asking how we could help with removing the sludge that's been causing her so much ill. Well whatever. Time to see what Toucan Sam wants.

move squawkways.

>>345501
I imagine it's probably our old friend noisy bird. Probably going to tell us what to do after we've anointed the dolmen.

Yeriko 2011/09/07(Wed)20:19 No. 346465 ID: e1359e
File 131545197698.jpg - (255.14KB , 800x600 , page72.jpg )

I can not see the bird anywhere. Gosh, I would think that it would be easier since it

OW GOSH

>"YOU SHALL NOT LEAVE YOUR LITTER IN THE FOREST."

Oh, the book! Check it out. What is that yellow stuff?

Also say that you weren't leaving it! You just couldn't bring it down with you.

read it.

Shout out a question to the Guardian of the Forests. "But what about Forest Fires? Who can possibly prevent them?!"

And then most definitely examine the book and see if there's any new info in it.