Yeriko 2011/07/28(Thu)22:49 No. 333429 ID: e1359e
File 131191854284.jpg - (327.91KB , 800x600 , page1.jpg )

Today my adventure begins! Gosh, it has been a while since I have said that.

Oh, yeah, about the shop... you probably have a couple of questions. I will answer them soon, but now I need to prepare myself for what lies ahead.

I was quite a bit younger the last time I did this. Gosh, I hope that I do not get in too much trouble. I am going to town for food and supplies, but I will need a weapon, too. It is dangerous out there!

Yeriko 2011/07/28(Thu)22:49 No. 333430 ID: e1359e
File 131191857468.jpg - (784.75KB , 1600x813 , weapons.jpg )

This is what I have in the house right now. They're a bit rusty, but they are each a memory of my younger days. Gosh, which one?

Oh! I can only carry about 14.5 KG

I expect my other supplies to weight about 4 KG, including food, water, and a single book. Travel light, I always said!

>>333430
Saber. Outrun the turtles.

Always Be Sabering

I agree.

Go for the Sword and Shield combo... A shield is SO incredibly handy for so many things, in combat and out.

saber. its the most versatile choice. you can probably outrun anything wearing heavy armor.

AXE.

BE AXE CAT.

Sabre.

I say go with the saber.

Yeriko 2011/07/28(Thu)23:32 No. 333468 ID: e1359e
File 131192115721.jpg - (152.49KB , 800x600 , page3.jpg )

Ok!

Gosh, this is a fine thing! It was given to me by the Sultan of Dasma'batur after I brought him the elusive scroll of Dinh! Ah, how time and life have put those days by the wayside.

Three hours later

I have returned with my things:

Food and water: 1.5 KG
Clothing: 2 KG
Money (25 taleks): 0.5 KG
Sabre of Dasma'batur: 2.7 KG

6.7 KG / 14.5 KG

Nice and light!

Is there anything else that I need before I embark?

Probably is. But it really depends on why you're embarking and such. You might need a map and stuff.

>>333468
Who are you anyway?

>>333468
Does your family know you're heading out?

Is this going to be one of those "Grandpa wandered off again" stories?

>>333468
Take the buckler as well. Shields are very good to have, in fact they're awesome to have. And you're never going to get stronger if you don't put a bit of strain on yourself. The weight might feel like a bit too much at the start, but carry it constantly for a day or two and you won't even notice it's there.

You're a mite scrawny, mister Cat, and you wear glasses. Are you certain you are up for a grand adventure no doubt consisting of much danger and peril and risk?

After all, you forgot bringing just about most essential adventuring gear I could think of! You're walking around practically unarmored. Is there not at least a leather vest for you to wear? Take a rope, (wouldn't want to resort to using your belt, would you) some flint and tinder, a couple of torches, and a bedroll. Some soap could come in handy; you look like the kind of person to need it, too.

No chance for a small dagger in case of an emergency?

the buckler.

Before we set off, why don't you tell us about yourself? We'll be able to help you much better if we know who you are and what youre planning to do.

>>333543
Seconding this stuff. Also a small mirror is nice to have, for looking around corners.

Yeriko 2011/07/29(Fri)20:54 No. 333949 ID: e1359e
File 131199809765.jpg - (112.85KB , 800x600 , page4.jpg )

Ok, golly! I will take the buckler, too. It will be more difficult to draw and use the sabre, seeing that it is a bit long. I guess it will give me a place for the bedroll, and protect my back from Surprise Monster Attacks. I am no stranger to those!

>>333543
Having owned a book store for twenty-two years, I have learned a few things pertaining to covers and judging. I am not a burly man, and all of the reading by candlelight has made tricks of my eyes, but I have experience and curiosity!

I must concede that you have made a fine shopping list. I will go back into town.

Three more hours later

I have gathered a few things now:

Food and water: 1.5 KG
Clothing: 2 KG
Money (25 taleks): 0.5 KG
Sabre of Dasma'batur: 2.7 KG
Bedroll: 2 KG
Buckler of Finrum the Bandit: 8 KG
Torch (2): 1 KG
Book: 1 KG
Rope: 1.5 KG
Flint and Tinder: 0.5 KG

20.7 KG / 14.5 KG

Gosh, this stuff is heavy! I can carry on, but as long as I am carrying so much extra, I will not be able to run. Remember also that adventuring will bring me many things that I may wish to pocket, some of which I can use!

>Some soap could come in handy; you look like the kind of person to need it, too.

Hey, my hygiene is fine!

Yeriko 2011/07/29(Fri)20:55 No. 333950 ID: e1359e
File 131199812394.jpg - (186.36KB , 800x600 , page5.jpg )

> Is this going to be one of those "Grandpa wandered off again" stories?
I am forty-three.


> Before we set off, why don't you tell us about yourself? We'll be able to help you much better if we know who you are and what youre planning to do.

Gosh, I don't know where to start. I started adventuring when I was sixteen, mostly grave robbing. I am not proud of that, but they were humble beginnings. I was not interested in gold and gems, but in historical objects - books, most of all.

It took me in like a drug! I was hooked on digging through old stuff and collecting. Soon it took me all around the land! When I was twenty-one, a pretty well-seasoned archaeologist by then, I met the love of my life. Dena and I were married here! She's a writer, and I collect old books, so naturally the two of us settled down with a book store! You can see it behind me here...

Oh my! It is getting dark. I should head out of town before it gets too late for me to leave tonight. I will fill you in on more later.

Yeriko 2011/07/29(Fri)20:55 No. 333953 ID: e1359e
File 131199815833.jpg - (199.01KB , 800x600 , bookpage1.jpg )

This is where my adventure begins. I am in search of the Witch of Whimbly, and this book will tell me precisely how to get there!

Gosh... this does not look so pleasant. What could it mean?

drop buckler and the torches. you're a cat, don't you have nightvision?

>>333953

it says eat some spidersilk wrapped in a maple leaf and kill yourself.

Can we call you Grandpa, in an affectionate and fun-loving way?

>>333950
Yeah, we can't afford to bring that buckler.

Ngh. Put the buckler back, it's too heavy. Also the book.

>>333958
He can't see in the dark. Note that he read books by candlelight.
Also I think you have to go to some woods to do the deed. Can't make out the name. Metter's Woods?

>>333953
Something about eating mapleleaf or some shit like that, and witches. Anyway, keep the buckler, might be heavy now, but when you have built up some muscles again and you're able to use the sabre with the buckler then you will be happy to have it.

It does say some such things about eating spider silk wrapped in maple leaf but i'm not so sure about the rest. Also uhm... Mr Yeriko... I may be but a humble imaginary voice in your head, but considering your wife and family, do you really want to be putting your life in danger and run out like a wayward youth? Think of their pain if they lose you

Yeriko 2011/07/29(Fri)21:48 No. 334007 ID: e1359e
File 131200132518.jpg - (197.81KB , 800x600 , page6.jpg )

I run and put the buckler back in the shop. It is just another thing to part with, unfortunately. I also grab an Old Backpack.

I must keep this book! It is my only way to Whimbly.


Sans buckler: -8 KG
Backpack: 1 KG

Net weight change: -7 KG



>>333958
Night vision? I barely have day vision! Ho ho. I will keep the torches until they burn out.

>>333961
Well, my name is Yeriko, but... ok, I guess.

The name is Metternham Woods. Gosh, I never realized how long the Metternham Man has been standing out there by the edge of the forest! Such a surly old thing.

I must admit, no part of this sounds pleasant. Welp, off to find a spider and a maple tree. If I am lucky, I might find a maple tree with a spider on it!

>>334007
Killing yourself to find the witch seems a bit... risky. Any way to be sure this is the right way to do it?

I suppose it's possible that it's a riddle and the solution has to do with the Metternham Man.

Hey, before we do anything, can we read the book in its entirety, rather than getting a mere glimpse of the top edge of one relevant page? This seems logical.

You promised a story, sir. How did it came to be that a statuesque gentleman such as yourself resort to abandoning cushy retailing and come back to the more physical side of "archeology?"

It was the wife, wasn't it. I can relate.

Why specifically seek the Witch of Whimbly? You aren't suggesting robbing an old woman of her meager treasures, aren't you? Tell everything you know.

Approach this Metternham Man.

>>334007
Well lets start searching then, you won't get anywhere by just standing around.

>>334150

maybe his wife is the witch of whimbly, and his elephant's stiff.

approach statue.

Yeriko 2011/07/30(Sat)10:05 No. 334171 ID: e1359e
File 131204553616.jpg - (149.86KB , 800x600 , page6a.jpg )

>>334150
"Archaeology" might be a strong word for my younger days, perhaps. As I grew and settle down in the shop, I spent a lot more time in a seated position scouring my findings and gathering knowledge on ancient societies inaccessible to the rest of the world.

I am looking for the Witch for a personal reason. Golly, I would never rob and old lady of her things!

When Dena and I first moved into the shop, she was very busy with her field research. She was always researching for articles and characters.

Sometimes she went out for days to study! She researched with the blacksmith, the woodsman, the baker, the butcher... just about every professional in town! She had so much material under her belt for her big book project.

Shop life changed for good one day when she came home to tell me that she was with child! It was a miracle, since we had not made love since our honeymoon! I was overcome with joy!

My son was born a beautiful spark of life, full of curiosity since his first days on the planet. As he grew up, he took a liking to my curios - particularly my books. I taught little Mitiahs to read from a very young age. As I watched him grow up, raising him mostly myself since Dena was often out, I knew that there could be no better person to assume my book store and my work after I passed over.

>Hey, before we do anything, can we read the book in its entirety, rather than getting a mere glimpse of the top edge of one relevant page? This seems logical.

Capital idea! I found this book while I was-

Yeriko 2011/07/30(Sat)10:06 No. 334172 ID: e1359e
File 131204556440.jpg - (199.31KB , 800x600 , page6b.jpg )

Wah!

Confounded thing! Excuse my language...

Gosh, this is simply remarkable! An actual enchantment! Remarkable... but frustrating! Who would put such a thing on this book? Isn't it supposed to be instructional? It seems that I can not turn the page. I hope that I will be able to eventually, otherwise this will be an exercise in futility!

>>334165
Haha, oh dear. Dena had a temper, but she was no witch! If she only heard me say that...

>She researched with the blacksmith, the woodsman, the baker, the butcher... just about every professional in town!

you're a funny guy, Gramps.

>>334172
By that, are you implying that magic users are rather rare in these parts?

Do you... happen to have a picture of your wife and child? Perhaps, if not, just make a mental image of them for us?

You're so naive. Where's your son now?

Wait, you only made love to your wife 'once' after your honeymoon? Why?

>>334172
Hey Yeriko, the reason you're looking for the witch... did something happen to your family?

>My son was born a beautiful spark of life, full of curiosity since his first days on the planet. As he grew up, he took a liking to my curios - particularly my books. I taught little Mitiahs to read from a very young age. As I watched him grow up, raising him mostly myself since Dena was often out, I knew that there could be no better person to assume my book store and my work after I passed over.
And now it's closed. So what happened since then?

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)11:01 No. 334576 ID: e1359e
File 131213530344.jpg - (81.89KB , 800x600 , page7.jpg )

>>334186
Oh my, yes! Wizards and Witches are strange, strange people, and one can generally spot them in a crowd. I have met a few myself, though some of them I had my doubts about.

>>334257
Ehem... well, uh, we never really... got around to it. She was never really "in the mood" after that, either. I mean, she was gone a lot and I was busy with my artifacts.

>>334256
>>334313
>>334339
I guess I can not leave this end of the story out forever. Five years, eight months, and a two days ago, an adventurer named Jack the Tooth came to Matternham, and he was the talk of the town! Gosh, everything was about Jack the Tooth! He was all that Dena would talk about, too. So, she decided that she would accompany him for a little while to get material for her writing.

...

Just a little while. She'll be back soon

...

When she gets back, I am going to publish her book and put it on the shelves of my store. Well, I was going to.

A year ago last Thursday, my shop was burglarized while I was away meeting with an old colleague in town. I left my son to h-hold down the place and he was killed by the burglar.

B-bludgeoned to death with the ash shovel from the fireplace.

The burglars made off with a large portion of my rare merchandise. After that, I did not leave my office for many months. I began to drink, and my research ground to a halt. I only recently came out, straightened myself up, and dug through what was left of my collection.

Golly, I guess it's true what they say. It is not until you lose enough that you see what you had.

As I was rummaging through, I found this book, Th'r Wag zu Wimmel, or The Way to Whimbly. It tells of a reclusive witch who will grant a single wish to the adventurer who is skilled enough to meet her. The wish comes at the expense of her own life.

Well! Here is the Metternham Man. I have come to see him up close a few times, but never understood his purpose. It looks kind of like a scarecrow draped in rotten rope.

Poke it?

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)12:19 No. 334587 ID: e1359e
File 131213999497.jpg - (116.13KB , 800x600 , page8.jpg )

Poking the Man does not seem to have any effect. As much as I dread it, I should go get some spider webs and maple leaves. This is an evergreen forest, but there are a few other things scattered about.

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)12:52 No. 334598 ID: e1359e
File 131214196015.gif - (43.71KB , 600x450 , adventurer.gif )

Thirty minutes later

Are you sure that the wish comes at the expense of the witch's life and not at the expense of the one who wishes? After all, from what we could decipher of the page we could see, it did seem to involve killing yourself. You poor man...

>>334598
Oh god you're covered in SPIDERS.

Get with the wrapping.

wrap it and eat it. then stab yourself.

>>334598
Yessss, I'm pretty sure the wish comes at the expense of the ADVENTURERS life. Otherwise, how would anyone know? First wish and she'd be dead.

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)15:33 No. 334642 ID: e1359e
File 131215163460.jpg - (96.44KB , 800x600 , page11a.jpg )

>>334599
>>334625
Magic works in strange ways, but... yes, I will not refrain from calling this a reckless leap of faith.

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)15:35 No. 334645 ID: e1359e
File 131215172745.jpg - (94.42KB , 800x600 , page11b.jpg )

Oh gosh this is pretty horrible tasting! It is not the worst thing that I have ever eaten, though.

I do not notice anything different...

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)15:37 No. 334648 ID: e1359e
File 131215183797.gif - (35.73KB , 600x450 , whatareyoustaringat.gif )

Ok, now I feel a little funny

animewted

>>334648
Ohhh, lovely. Turn around. You kill your clone. Well, that's better than suicide at least.

>Yeriko: Aggress.

Hah, little does the scarecrow know: as a scarecrow, transforming into a shadow man can only make it less scary.

>>334648
Kill your clone! That is killing yourself, after all!

I'm conflicted... Killing the scarecrow-clone of you would technically be 'killing yourself', but the picture in the book shows someone having stabbed himself with his own sword, suggesting that it's not a matter of one-clone-killing-the-other, but one-clone-killing-himself. But I... really am not certain enough to truly advise such a measure.

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)21:56 No. 334811 ID: e1359e
File 131217458283.jpg - (123.81KB , 800x600 , page12.jpg )

Gosh, this is very odd!

He is younger, but... still me. It looks like he is dressed as the Metternham Man was, too! This is one way to show me how old and slow I have become!

I attempt to strike him, and he parries the blow easily.

cheat! use the scabbard in your other hand!

I think the answer might be to kill yourself. Then perhaps you'll possess the body of the you-clone and adventure further into the woods in a truly young and fit body.

go for the eyes, gramps, go for the eyes!

Let's not yet plan around something that could very well result in death.

Try a swing or two, first. Though yes, it is quite possible that we DO need to fall on our sword in order to pass this test, and we will switch to the younger you.

You could also try backing off and asking if he can speak.

too late you are dead no matter what now, you just need to kill yourself faster then that wound kills you. grip your sword and plunge it through your heart.

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)23:22 No. 334857 ID: e1359e
File 131217972998.jpg - (133.66KB , 800x600 , page12b.jpg )

>>334835
>Try a swing or two, first.

drawing error corrected by magic

Ok, swing, swing!

He ducks under the blow almost faster than my eyes can keep up

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)23:22 No. 334858 ID: e1359e
File 131217975348.jpg - (177.60KB , 800x600 , page13.jpg )

>truly young and fit body.
>switch to the younger you.

Wow... I can only imagine! Magic is such a strange thing. Golly, though! Killing myself is a hard thing to think about, and is completely counter intuitive during battle

Maybe I should try to say something

Yeriko 2011/07/31(Sun)23:22 No. 334859 ID: e1359e
File 131217977821.jpg - (157.87KB , 800x600 , page14.jpg )

oh god oh god oh god

I changed my mind!

Idon'twanttodothisanymore!

Oh dear. Well hopefully my hunch works and this turns out all right. If not... I'm... sorry, Yeriko

you need to kill yourself before you succumb to the wound! stab your heart!

Yep. Only thing to do is to stab yourself and die faster than the other guy's wound does you in.

Welp. In case this crazy plan doesn't work, please do me a favor.

You seem to be rather... Well, impaled in the throat. I imagine you don't have much in the term of life in you, and I imagine that you're not wanting to go out completely for naught.

So do me, and yourself a favor. Summon up all of your grit, your willpower, your gusto, and headbutt this thing in the face.

>>334859
>the adventurer skilled enough to reach her.
Sorry, but you may have failed the skill test.
If we are lucky, it'll be illusory somehow.
If not...
Well, I was going to tell you a horrible truth, but I figure you're too nice a guy to go out with dark thoughts of family on your mind.

Anyhow, the only manly thing to do is to either force your way through the pain to get at him, or kill yourself before his stabbing does you in first.
I hope your species has a heaven of some sorts.

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)18:24 No. 335194 ID: e1359e
File 131224829460.jpg - (114.38KB , 800x600 , page15.jpg )

Not

as easy

as it looks

to breathe

right now

My vision is... blurry... hit him, I'll hit him again.

Hllk

this really hurts

>>335194
...That was a short quest.

no, Yeriko, you are the scarecrow!

... well i'll be damned. apparently it makes you crazy so you kill yourself.

anyway, you are dead no matter what right now. may as well go out with style. pull out the sword and stab your heart.

Pull the sword out.

Get up.

Leave the blade inside of your neck. Toppled the crow over and read your book once more. Maybe there's a solution inside...?

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)19:50 No. 335213 ID: e1359e
File 131225345987.jpg - (105.23KB , 800x600 , page16.jpg )

>>335199
>>335200
>>335207

ok here goes

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)19:53 No. 335215 ID: e1359e
File 131225359534.jpg - (178.27KB , 800x600 , page17b.jpg )

Whew, it worked.

Recklessness 1, rhyme and reason 0

>Well, I was going to tell you a horrible truth, but I figure you're too nice a guy to go out with dark thoughts of family on your mind.

Did you have something to say...?

>>335215

he was gonna say your fly's open. now chop chop, on your feet. examine your surroundings.

looks like you are in mirror world. be on the lookout for things of a horrible nature.

>>335215
Not me. You can forgo him for now. Just open that book and read the next page, if it'll allow you and you have the capacity to.

>>335215
Check the book before we tell you anything.

The horrible truth might be useful if we need you to cry like a little bitch for some reason.

>>335215
Apparently you're female now?

>>335229
You dunderhead. That's his younger incarnation.

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)21:13 No. 335231 ID: e1359e
File 131225839653.jpg - (110.62KB , 800x600 , page18.jpg )

>>335218
Gosh, there is not a whole lot to survey, it looks like. There are some smoky plumes, some dead trees, and what might be live trees off in the distance.

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)21:13 No. 335233 ID: e1359e
File 131225843541.jpg - (56.61KB , 800x600 , page19a.jpg )

>>335220
>>335221
The book? THE BOOK! Where is it? Where are all of my things?!

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)21:14 No. 335236 ID: e1359e
File 131225848135.jpg - (66.47KB , 800x600 , page19c.jpg )

Oof! Well, there is the book. All of my supplies and my sabre are still gone, though. Well, let's make do and have a look.

Yeriko 2011/08/01(Mon)21:18 No. 335238 ID: e1359e
File 131225868332.jpg - (189.71KB , 800x600 , bookpage2.jpg )

Oh my, this... this is not good. There is

*sniff sniff*

Dried manure splattered all over the page. I can not read the rest of the direction! Well, what can I make of what I can read?

You have to go find the evil hag in the woods... at midnight.

>>335238
Something about an evil woodhag, and yeah, midnight.

Welcome to the dreamlands.... Where all your dreams can come true... For a price... *cue dramatic theme*

>>335238
>weld

Be on the lookout for something Weldable as well?

I don't have much experience with dried manure... is it something you can scrape off a page without damaging it?

>>335238
urgh. Anyways, how do you feel? Do you still need your glasses? You should be pre-eye-ruining.

Yeriko 2011/08/02(Tue)21:40 No. 335841 ID: e1359e
File 131234643559.jpg - (92.39KB , 800x600 , page20.jpg )

>>335239
Evil Wood Hag? Gosh, that is something else! Well, the place where the monster resides is depicted roughly on the page. That might help if I can find a way to go.

>>335250
Hm, these pages are pretty old and ratty. Aside from damaging it, I would not want to accidentally set off the enchantment again!

>>335417
How do I feel? Well, gosh... I feel amazing! My joints and back do not hurt, I have a full head of hair, and I could run a Marathon if I wanted to.

My eyes have never seen well, but I must admit that they are quite significantly better now! I will still need my glasses, though, it seems.

Where should I go?

well let's find the place the hag is supposed to appear.

So when you die, and that makes you younger healthier and generally perkier. I think I figured out what the Witch of Whimbly gets from dying to grant your wish. And why she's not been pushing up daisies a long time ago.

Lick the page clean. liiiiickit

you will require a weapon of some sorts against the hag. you have until midnight.

Supposing the forest is where you're bound to go at midnight, it might be best to leave it for last. It looked as if there were some fires in the distance. Let's investigate.

Travel directly into the woods.

Well our choices seem to be between heading towards the area with live trees which the book shows to be our destination, or going towards any other destination which shows only desolation. I'm for the former.

>>335841
Find a sturdy stick from one of those crispy looking trees. Something nice and sturdy. Perhaps it should even double as a walking stick, in case the trek is long.

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)19:58 No. 336214 ID: e1359e
File 131242668741.jpg - (103.63KB , 800x600 , page21.jpg )

Alright, straight for the woods. I only see the woods in one direction, so there can not be a wrong way!

I wish that all of my adventures had been like this.

>>336185
I try to take a stick, but these trees are very tough. I can not manage to snap off a branch of considerable size.

damn. must be the magic. oh well. onward.

It might be neat to see what that smoke is caused by, on the way to the forest... but the first step is just to go to the forest at midnight.

well you can't fight a night hag without even a stick to smack it with! go smokeways, maybe there's people there.

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)20:55 No. 336239 ID: e1359e
File 131243010607.jpg - (163.79KB , 800x600 , page22.jpg )

I carry on for quite a while. Gosh, it is pretty far along the desert...

Hm, there are tracks here! Lots of them...

>>336221
>>336234
Well, I do have until midnight. Of course, I have no idea what time it is now. Maybe this is night? Golly, I can not see a sun anywhere but there is light coming from nowhere!

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)20:55 No. 336240 ID: e1359e
File 131243013580.jpg - (62.65KB , 800x600 , page23.jpg )

>"Hey! HEEEEEY! What are you DOING? Run for you life!"

I hear huffing and puffing from my right as a man approaches, shouting frantically at me. Curiously, he seems to be dressed in precisely the same way that I am right now! He has run a long way from the other end of the tracks.

"What? Why?"

>"Are you wrong in the head?! Come on!"

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)21:24 No. 336255 ID: e1359e
File 131243186937.jpg - (195.50KB , 800x600 , page24.jpg )

>>336221
>>336234

I am gravely torn!

Should I follow the Shouting Man, continue to the forest, or inspect the smoke?

The man and prints are moving away from the smoke and the forest.

follow the man for now.

Follow, maybe we can find something to clean the page wherever he's going.

Also ask where the hell he's going anyway and what he's running from.

>>336255
Forest. Elves are tricksy and will try to make you stray from the path.

follow 'im.

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)22:17 No. 336290 ID: e1359e
File 131243503917.jpg - (218.50KB , 800x600 , page25.jpg )

We catch up to a group of others like the Shouting Man. Now I can hear something behind us. It sounds like whooping and hard galloping

I yell to the Shouting Man, who does not seem to notice yet that I am different from them

climb a tree.

Yeriko 2011/08/03(Wed)22:18 No. 336292 ID: e1359e
File 131243510802.jpg - (163.06KB , 800x600 , page26.jpg )

I look behind me...

Oh gosh! Whatever those things are are mounted! We will never outrun them!

>>336292
Veer off and slow down. Stop associating yourself with the others.

>>336295

too late.

run faster!

>>336292
Oh fuck, it's a fucking WYLD HUNT!
The scarecrow thing must have been a sort of gate into the faerie realm. See how everyone else here is dressed the same as you? Only possibility I can think of is that everyone here also tried to get to the witch, but failed to beat themselves.
All I can hope for is that being gutted by the faeries isn't a permanent death.
Jesus christ, does anyone here know anything about how to get out of one of these?

>>336292
Trip someone.

To get out of a Wyld Hunt, you stop being prey. You can either trip someone to signify your willingness to cooperate with the horsemen, or you can try to face them and fight them.

Jump on somebody's back. Then you can be mounted too, and can get away!

>>336387

that's awesome. do it.

Yeriko 2011/08/04(Thu)21:28 No. 336636 ID: e1359e
File 131251848273.jpg - (200.74KB , 800x600 , page26.jpg )

>>336343
>>336387
>>336476

I match speed with the man who first came to warn me.

I am unable to trip him without losing my footing, and unable to adjust my speed and gait enough to jump on his back!

I do the only thing that I can, and just kind of smack him in the face

The man trips and staggers, eventually going head-over-heals and landing on his face. One of the riders stops and strikes him in the back of the head with his strange weapon.

Gosh, I...

Before I can contemplate what I have done, one of the people running in front of me, a woman, screams

>"Umarr! Noooo!"

Yeriko 2011/08/04(Thu)21:29 No. 336637 ID: e1359e
File 131251856729.jpg - (179.03KB , 800x600 , page27.jpg )

As soon as I look ahead, two MORE riders have circled around the front of the group!

I can get a bit of a better look at them now, but gosh, they are not the most welcome sight

I have read a few books on faeries, and these are some weird looking faeries.

they are wearing protective outfits and as you can see this group was doomed anyway, it was die with them or not die without them. no idea what they would consider polite OR rude so stand there until addressed.

Great job being the downfall of the guy who warned you.

goddammit, I was talking about knocking a rider off his mount and seizing it. that was a dick move.

>>336637
Well, there's no doing things by half. Kill them, kill them all.

Yeriko 2011/08/05(Fri)20:30 No. 336997 ID: e1359e
File 131260143528.jpg - (99.10KB , 800x600 , page28.jpg )

>>336640
>>336680
...it was an accident! Well, I will have some explaining to do to these people.

>>336783
I could not even if I didn't find the idea detestable!

The riders have begun to corral us, but they do not strike. I can see now that their weapons are not made of metal, but some kind of light wood. One of them carries a net and another carries bolas.

It looks like they plan to capture us, not to kill us! I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

What do I do?

perhaps you should say something suitably manly and/or heroic, like "Face us on equal footing and we'll see if you can defeat us so easily!" or "Give me the same weapons and mount you have and I could take any one of you on!"
i.e. Bluff

>>336999

it's not bluffing if it's true.

you don't happen to have anything nearby sharp enough to cut through a net, do you? otherwise you'll have to hope that they go at you with the blunt weapons forst so you can pull someone off their mount.

Yeriko 2011/08/06(Sat)10:21 No. 337238 ID: e1359e
File 131265131616.jpg - (170.54KB , 800x600 , page29.jpg )

>>336999
You're right. I am young and healthy now! I am on a QUEST to save the most important person in my life. Gosh darn it, I can not do that being timid and quiet!

The riders slow, closing in around the runners.

I raise my forearm to the closest one, "Face us on equal footing and we'll see if you can defeat us so easily!"

The man behind me whimpers

>>337133
There is nothing sharp in the immediate vicinity. Even if there was, the nets are made of the same, strange black material that the armor and weapons are made of. It looks strong, and I am not sure what would cut through it.

Yeriko 2011/08/06(Sat)10:22 No. 337239 ID: e1359e
File 131265134162.jpg - (86.46KB , 800x600 , page30.jpg )

Ok, wow these guys are actually pretty big

>"What are you, Green-eyes? Where did you and your misguided heroism crawl out of?"

"i come from another world. i have already felt the pain of death once, i no longer fear it"

what's the matter, Yeriko? cat got your tongue? [/horrible pun]

it's actually not a bad question, you know. what are you?

Since he was nice enough to get off his horse instead of just clobbering us, we might as well ask him what's going on here.

>>337239
Ask what he means by misguided heroism. What's going on here, exactly? He's realized we don't belong here, so let's just talk.

Ask who he is and who these grey runners are.

"I come from a world you cannot understand!" ...Wait, that's terrible. Perhaps, instead, you can say something like "There's nothing heroic in deploring the tyranny of the strong over the weak." Or that might just be too offensive. Perhaps you can just purr and rub up against him.

"What kind of fairy are you?"

Yeriko 2011/08/07(Sun)10:57 No. 337719 ID: e1359e
File 131273983717.jpg - (323.17KB , 800x600 , page31.jpg )

>>337258
That is a mighty question indeed. I will answer as best I can in my Brave Voice.

"I am a m-man and an adventurer. I have come f-from another world in search of the Evil Wood Hag."

>"You are mad to search for the demon in the woods."

Yeriko 2011/08/07(Sun)10:57 No. 337720 ID: e1359e
File 131273986636.jpg - (95.62KB , 800x600 , page32.jpg )

>>337301
>>337306

"Who are YOU? Who are these people that you persue?"

>"We only have quarrel with the Darfa vermin, not with you Green-eyes. Leave this land and do not disturb our dominion."

Probably best to skedaddle. But you might as well say something criticizing of them as you leave like "There is neither honor nor glory in fighting a foe unable to defend itself."

>>337720
They're letting you go. Better do what they say. Straight to the woods.

I'm guessing we could've avoided all this by following the path on the map exactly. Best remember that for the next trial.

Before we go on our way, we should ask what their issue with the Darfa is.

heeeeels no. I CHALLENGE YOU TO MORTAL KOMBAT

Yeriko 2011/08/08(Mon)18:46 No. 338167 ID: e1359e
File 131285436796.jpg - (227.89KB , 800x600 , page33.jpg )

>>337783
>>337753

I think a brave speech in my head, but by the time it is finished, I am already heading DIRECTLY TO THE WOODS.

Behind me, the larger riders herd the Darfa into a straight line and lead them toward the smoke plumes in the distance.

I reach the edge of the woods. Gosh, it is getting dark already.

Yeriko 2011/08/08(Mon)18:47 No. 338168 ID: e1359e
File 131285445702.jpg - (203.49KB , 800x600 , page34.jpg )

I remember from Th'r Wag zu Wimmel that the Evil Ugly Wood Hag presides over some sort of dolmen in the middle of a clearing.

Yeriko 2011/08/08(Mon)18:49 No. 338169 ID: e1359e
File 131285454057.jpg - (138.22KB , 800x600 , page35.jpg )

Gosh, the woods are thick, but I can see...

Some kind of weird bird, a wavy white stone, and a hatch in the ground. Nothing else around stands out as particularly

Alright, this is totally a puzzle. Um... Try throwing the rock at the bird and trying to make it land on the hatch?

>>338169
Shout XYZZY, kill any nearby snakes, and wave the ro- Shit. Wrong game.

place rock on hatch.

Suggestion 2011/08/08(Mon)19:57 No. 338191 ID: 185cff
File 131285864597.jpg - (29.61KB , 800x600 , Evilrock.jpg )

>>338169

I have a bad feeling about that stone.

Uh... try asking the bird the nature of this puzzle/riddle/task

Yeriko 2011/08/08(Mon)21:30 No. 338199 ID: e1359e
File 131286421884.jpg - (227.74KB , 800x600 , page36.jpg )

>>338193

This seems like a good thing to do before throwing any heavy objects around.

"Mister Bird, if this is a puzzle, please tell me the nature of it!"

The bird is silent for a moment, but says

>"WHAT BUSINESS HAVE YOU IN THE FOREST?"

>"THEY WHO SEEK THE MISTRESS OF THE WOOD SHALL BE MET BY HER TRIBUNAL"

>"SQUAWK!"

say "ok"

Punch it in the cloaca

Tell it that you are indeed here to meet with the mistress of the woods.

Be prepared to follow your nose.

>>338199
Yep, we seek the mistress of the woods.

Yeriko 2011/08/09(Tue)20:37 No. 338470 ID: e1359e
File 131294747511.jpg - (124.00KB , 800x600 , page37.jpg )

>>338211
>>338212

I tell him this. Again, the Weird Bird takes a moment to respond.

...

>"SQUAWK!"

>"TAKE THE STONE TO THE DOLMEN AND COMPLETE THE FOURTH TIER"

"It looks like an ordinary stone"

>"IT IS AN ORDINARY STONE"

"Ok..."

There is silence again.

"How can I find the Mistress of"

>"THE HATCH WAS DUG BY A PAST ADVENTURER WHO MET HIS FATE IN THE CAVES BELOW THE FOREST."

"Well, gosh, why did he go down there?"

>"THE STONE MUST FIRST BE ANOINTED BY THE WATERS OF THE UNDERWORLD."

"You did not really answer my first question..."

>"SQUAWK"

The bird apparently will not answer any further questions, and only squawks loudly in reply.

Squawk at the bird. Anyway, let's take the stone and head to the Dolmen. He said the stone must first be annointed, but he didn't say that until you pressed him and he didn't say what it needed to be done before. Also, you were here to uhh kill the witch or something, weren't you? Or, like, get a wish or something? Let's keep our goal in mind.

Open the hatch.

what an arse. unload your intestines into his nest and be on your way.

>>338470
Take a moment to ponder the extraordinary nature of the rock's surface naturally forming a face expressing extreme consternation.

Yeriko 2011/08/10(Wed)20:27 No. 338870 ID: e1359e
File 131303324663.jpg - (81.86KB , 800x600 , page38.jpg )

>>338490
Yes, I have a wish in mind for the witch. She is the only one that I have ever heard of with the power to grant a wish.

>>338558
Gosh, that is gross.

>>338507
I did not become an adventurer to NOT open hatches!

I open the hatch and look inside.

Golly, that is tight! I can squeeze through, though, but taking the rock and the book with me will be a trick. I will manage.

>"SQUAWK!"

>>338616
Hey, it kind of DOES look like a face! Ha!

>>338870
Maybe you should leave the book up here. You can just come back for it after you're done giving the rock a bath, and it's not like there's another step to check.

...out of curiosity, check to see if the page is still smeared.

>>338870
Wait, before you go down, see if the dirt is loose.
We might be able to open up the hole somewhat. If you think it may take too much time, then forge on ahead.

It's a damn shame we have no rope. How will we get back up.

Well, Recklessness and boldness have proven the correct course so far.

Uh, how would you get back up? I'm against going down there.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)16:05 No. 339087 ID: e1359e
File 131310394950.jpg - (118.26KB , 800x600 , peeking.jpg )

>>338878
The page is still smeared, unfortunately. The smear looks like it may have been placed intentionally.

>>338904
The hole is narrow, but plenty wide for me to get through! I am YOUNG again, and thus have regained my CATLIKE AGILITY and FLEXIBILITY.

I can see that about the first meter down is dirt, but there is a bed of stone that continues down the rest of the way. There is a faint, sickly blue glow coming from the very bottom.

Recklessness/Reason Score: still 1/0. Faring well after affronting the rider earlier was dumb luck.

just drop the rock and follow after it with the book.

Maybe we should at least get a stick or something so we can fend off small animals. Any lying around?

>>339087
>CATLIKE
Then why is the bird still alive, eh?

Get down the hole already, you failure of a carnivore.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)16:45 No. 339105 ID: e1359e
File 131310635816.jpg - (162.06KB , 800x600 , hardcore.jpg )

>>339091
I easily break off a STICK SABRE from a nearby tree.

STICK SABRE
Attack: 2
Defense: 2
Speed: 10

>"SQUAWK SQUAWK"

>"SQUAWK!"

These live trees are much easier to break than the dead ones in the desert. It is light, but sturdy.



INVENTORY CHECK:

Book: 1 KG
Stick Sabre: 1 KG
Angry-looking Rock: 5 KG

7 KG / 12 KG

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)16:47 No. 339106 ID: e1359e
File 131310642308.jpg - (45.09KB , 800x600 , page42.jpg )

>>339090
Gosh, good idea!

I drop the rock down the hole...

...well, the rock's in the waters. Now you just have to get it back. Think you can climb down there safely? We may have to just find another entrance.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)17:37 No. 339113 ID: e1359e
File 131310943986.jpg - (101.34KB , 800x600 , page44.jpg )

>>339110
I can fit down here without problems. I will leave Th'r Wag zu Wimmel up there for now.

Yeriko 2011/08/11(Thu)17:39 No. 339115 ID: e1359e
File 131310955553.jpg - (103.87KB , 800x600 , page45.jpg )

Fascinating! Who ever thought that there would be GLOWING BLUE FUNGUS in an underground cave? The stools cast an eerie glow over the chamber.

Ok, where do I land? I only have a few minutes of grip left.

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.