5/6 Heretic 2021/05/13(Thu)22:54 No. 1000131 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162097164628.png - (602.02KB , 1500x1050 , Flung.png )

…And the Soldier Mantalid exhausts it's traits [Strong x2] to use it's skill [Crusher Catapult] and fling Squid toward the Gossamer Mantalid. (Squid's HP 54 ==> 42)

6/6 Heretic 2021/05/13(Thu)22:54 No. 1000132 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162097165480.png - (352.35KB , 1500x1050 , Grabbed.png )

The Mantalid reels in Squid as he flies back and catches him. SQUID is [GRABBED x2]
([GRABBED]: Target is extremely easy to hit and has a much harder time attacking and defending. Target must exhaust a number of traits equal to the strength of the GRAB to escape ])

The extra weight causes the ceiling to crack more, more chunks of rock fall into the water below.

The Soldier Mantalid stays where it is and Braces
ATK 0: Bracing
DEF 7: [Chitinous Hide (x3) +3]-[Solid Exoskeleton +1]-[Strong (x2) +2]-[Brace +2][Treading Water -1]

The Gossamer Mantalid is targeting Squid
ATK 5: [Target Grabbed +3]-[Reflexes +1]-[Insect Instinct +1]
DEF 5: [Human Shield +2]-[Chitinous Hide (x2) +2]-[Obscured +1]

RITA: Alton! Try not to hit Squid!
SQUID: Yes! Listen to Rita!
ALTON: Well I wasn't fucking planning on that you guys!
SQUID: Good! Don't!

>>1000132
Alton shoot the ceiling. Let's cause a controlled cave-in, the surface can't be that high up. The rubble will give us more places to stand on, and let light in.

Squid: exhaust some traits to escape. Say, can you immobilize the gossamer mantalid with Tendon Slash now that you're in close range? Doesn't sound like Skills need to roll to hit...

Rita can't actually hit anything right now and nothing's trying to hit her. So... uh... Hmm. She could get on the platform so she's in melee range of the soldier again?

1/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:37 No. 1000151 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098864481.png - (653.08KB , 1500x1050 , BANG.png )

>Alton shoot the ceiling. Let's cause a controlled cave-in.
Alton fires the buckshot into the ceiling, the pellets crack the weak brick and cause the stone to give, resulting in chunks of rubble raining down…

2/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:37 No. 1000152 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098864937.png - (797.77KB , 1500x1050 , Collapse.png )

The Mantalid Soldier is crushed beneath piles of rubble, it's green blood splattering into the sewer water.

3/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:38 No. 1000153 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098868413.png - (713.87KB , 1500x1050 , Escape.png )

The collapsing ceiling shakes the Gossamer Mantalid, giving Squid a chance to escape.

Squid exhausts [Skillful] to use his skill [Tendon Slash]
Squid swings his knife around and cuts at the muscle of the Gossamer Mantalid's legs, The Mantalid becomes [IMMOBLIZIED] (-6). Squid, being an [Opportunist] immediately follows up with another slash of his knife (-6). They both fall to the water below, The Mantalid being crushed by the debris and Squid being [Quick] enough to escape…

4/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:38 No. 1000154 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098869560.png - (310.16KB , 1500x1050 , Victory.png )

--VICTORY--
A few more bits of rubble fall from the ceiling and clatter onto the other piles of wreckage. No light is let in, this sewer is oddly deep into the ground. The dead bugs only make the smell of the sewer worse.
ALTON: That fucking SUCKED.
SQUID: Agreed.
ALTON: Ah shit! We gotta keep moving. The water's still rising. Here's your stuff back Rita.

5/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:39 No. 1000155 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098874661.png - (516.15KB , 1500x1050 , Going Up.png )

We continue wading, and eventually swimming, through the muck until we reach another raised platform, this time with a ladder that leads upward. There's a blue spray painted arrow pointing to where it leads.

6/6 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)03:41 No. 1000156 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162098888295.png - (414.64KB , 1500x1050 , Room.png )

Up the latter we come to another door that leads into a small room. Inside is another door, this one armored. Alton turns toward the graffiti marking on the wall.
ALTON: Sign for safety. It's been altered slightly but you'd have to be blind not to recognize it
SQUID: Luke been here.
ALTON: Or someone from The Block, it might not be Luke.

I reach for the door, but before I can open it I hear the mechanisms inside of it lock. Same goes for the door we entered, locks on it's own. The sound of an intercom beeps from the ceiling and a deep masculine voice can be heard from it.
LUKE: Yeah it might be a unicorn, or maybe sasquatch, definitely not me.
SQUID: Shit!
ALTON: LUKE! YOU SON OF A BITCH COME OUT HERE SO I CAN KNOCK YOUR FUCKIN' TEETH OUT!
LUKE: Hold on, Alton? and the Squid? Buford sent you? I thought he was PISSED at me but he isn't even sendin' actual guards to get me. He worried after I capped the last two or something?
LUKE: I'm surprised the "security system" didn't get you. I was at least hopin' those bugs would distract you long enough for you to drown; And…Who's the Jason cosplayer? another newbie lookin' to suck up to the old man?
LUKE: Let me tell ya something slugger, you're workin' for a straight up jackass. What'd these goons promise you? That maybe you'd rise through the ranks and become part of somethin' greater? The guards always try that one before they actually offer you payment.

"I'm here to murder you slowly and take your stuff. But Buford's going to be a business partner or a stain on my hook, so I should at least try to make a good impression. With your face on my mask.
Maybe I'll dance on your spine first. Keep you chained outside my hideout, watch as you mutate and the synapses in your brain melt and turn cancerous. Then I'll throw you to the nastiest, most disgusting beast imaginable as a distraction.
And at this point, I have to give you the usual spiel. 'Surrender and beg for mercy and I will be obligated to keep you as a slave'. But let's be real, you'd rather die screaming and in incoherent schizophrenia than surrender to a professional. They always do."

He's stalling you. Focus on getting the door open, but be careful, it's probably boobytrapped.

Not much. Just a visitor pass. I'm not really interested in gettin TOO involved with the block.

What's your side to this? From what they tell me... Well from what they tell me it sounds like your boss is trying to low-key get rid of them.
I was picked up in the field, only these two were dispatched. Honestly it sounds like a case of "Go get yourselves killed", see'in as this is a 3 person job, minimum.

>>1000156
Tell him that they haven't offered you anything because you haven't joined up with them.

Then tell them that since this is a problem between the three of them, you're going to go sit in the corner and rest, while all of them scream at each other.

"My intentions are none of your business. I'm here to collect some favors, and it's not yours. Can't trust a thief, and you are one.

If you open this up now, we can take your ear and your stuff, as proof that you are no longer a problem, and leave you can go on your merry way. If you make this harder than this needs to be, you are not walking out of here."

"Unless they want your literal head, in that case i am going to have to kill you."

In the meentime, is there a way to onpen this shit up?

>>1000156
Alright Luke, tell us about the Block.

>>1000156
"I want a sledgehammer. I'm a simple girl."

>>1000156
Tell Luke that you haven't joined up with them. You only met them while searching some ruins for a sledgehammer and because they didn't try to kill you for once, you decided that there wasn't a reason to be hostile towards them.

And if he wants to know why you want a sledgehammer, tell them about the big military robot you found in the forest and that you need the sledgehammer so you can fight it.

>What'd these goons promise you?
"Not much, ain't like they got anything, or power, from the sounds of it. Don't sound like you got so much either, right now - but the Block does, 'n I can talk my own game up if I get visitor access. What was YOUR endgame, fella? If you're clever enough to set up ambushes 'n security, you got some kind o' play going here. Or are ya just shootin' meth up your eyeballs in there, waitin' for the end?"

He saw your mask without even opening the door. Where's the camera or peephole? Blind his eyes. Watch out for murder holes. Gas would be bad, make sure to react fast if you start getting a whiff of something. Slit on the door could be a weak point if you can smash or lever it open, then stick a gun and fire through, keep him away while you maybe use your hooks in to unbolt the door.

Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)17:07 No. 1000231 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162103726476.png - (370.87KB , 1500x1050 , Luke.png )

>>1000161
I almost say this. I could see myself yelling this at some poor sod not too long ago, but I don't know how effective this'll be against someone who's got us cornered and is locked behind an armored door.

>He's stalling you. Focus on getting the door open, but be careful, it's probably boobytrapped.
Door's locked mechanically, there's no way to budge the thing open, I place a hand on the door before Luke yells at me
LUKE: HEY back up! You don't need to be that fuckin' close to the damn door do you? Don't think I don't have backup plans for if you try something stupid.

RITA: I'm not with the Block yet. I agreed to help these two because they say there's a chance it'll get me visitor's access. I'm interested in trading there, I have no interest in getting too involved.
LUKE: You're keen on killin' me over visitor's access? You just go 'round huntin' anyone for things like that?
RITA: Well, It sounded like these two needed help hunting down a thief and to be honest it seemed like a "Go get yourselves killed" kind of mission.
ALTON: Rita!
LUKE: There it is again! "Thief". The last two guards I tangoed with said the same thing. I have not stolen a single fuckin' thing from the Block.

Alton walks up behind me
ALTON: Now THAT's a lie! Plenty of guards saw you with a bag full of supplies you shouldn't have had when you left! Walkin' away is one thing, but walkin' away with shit that isn't yours won't stand.
LUKE: Ah! There's where the confusion comes from. See none of that stuff belonged to the Block. It was all mine to begin with.
ALTON: Just because you brought it in doesn't make it yours. We're a community that means we work to help one another.
LUKE: Buford ain't out to help anybody but himself and the people he likes. Besides, I didn't turn any of that stuff in. For good reason.
LUKE: Rita was it? Did you know that you get to keep half of the supplies you manage to scavenge from outside when you return it? Now that ain't the bad part, I'm a team player after all. No, the real issue is if you're exiled or leave you can't keep anything? Guards get to take anything they want from you when you go and fun fact, they always take everything. Buford can take the clothes off your back if he wanted to and leave you out to dry with nothin'.
LUKE: Mix that with the fact that if Buford's having a fuckin' mood swing he can kick you out for almost no reason and you've got a pretty shaky livin' situation.

I can hear Luke take a swig of something from a plastic bottle behind the door.
LUKE: Now, momma didn't raise a fuckin' vic. So I stashed some things outside of the Block in a safe place, so when the time came I had a backup. Some guard must've seen me with a bag of goodies when I was supposed to have nothing and assumed I must have stolen it, and with Buford mad at me already he was probably eager for a reason to take my head.
ALTON: That's supposed to be better?! While you're out gathering for the Block keeping things to yourself is just selfish, we're a community.
LUKE: So I can't own anything? As long as I'm part of the Block I don't get to own a damn thing Buford doesn't let me? I'm not a fucking slave especially not for that old man. And don't give me that shit about community! Even while stashing my own stuff you damn well I pulled twice as much as those other weak guards.
ALTON:We're trying to bring you back ALIVE, make this easier on us and come out.
LUKE: Alive for what? So I can stand a fake trial and Buford can claim he brought justice? I'd rather you kill me than force me to sit through that bullshit.

Hold up. Look back at Alton and Squid.
Didn't yall say this was about justice, and that your boss didn't care if you brought back the supplies, just Luke?
But didn't you also talk about exile like it was a death sentence, specially since they send you out with nothin?

See, if your orders made a lick a sense, wouldn't they want you to return with the supplies, or proof of Luke's death instead?

Bringin' back Luke at any cost not only puts yall at risk, but it offers nothing to the community. It sounds like this Buford guy just wants to go on a power trip.

I'm not sayin Luke's a saint, but does this job sound at all reasonable to you, Alton?
Squid, honestly, will this Buford guy really go to bat for you in the future after this? Or will he forget you existed the day after, and let things gradually go back to the shitty norm?

If yall can look me in the eye and say YES. Period. Then we'll fuckin do this.
Otherwise. Maybe we start lookin at other options.

"Pay us to leave. We'll tell Buford we locked you up tight in the monster-infested cave you holed up in."

>>1000231
"You've been quiet, Squid. You said that place has been shitty to you too, what's your take on this?"

Yeah Squid's quiet. What's he thinking?

...everyone gives up half of what they bring in. What do they get in return? Where do the supplies go?
Also why did Luke leave in the first place? Like, sure, not getting to keep anything when you leave is a bum deal, but why didn't he stay?

Commies? That usually goes poorly. Dictatorial commies? Very poorly.
Also, this guy obviously has cameras.

To your pals: "Guys, would your leader kill him over this?"

To Mr. Hidey Hole: "So what, you'll just wait here for them to get a group that has the tools to bust up this door? Kill your liver first? If we really have to, we could siege this place 'til you starve. However it goes, shitty way to waste your life. If you go back, you'll at least get to say 'screw you' to the guy's face."

Squid's take would be good here.

>Luke trained guard.

"Hey, these guys say you helped the guards out there quite a bit. You're obviously pals with the troops, would they really let this guy kill you over this?"

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)20:32 No. 1000265 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162104955191.png - (363.29KB , 1500x1050 , Luke 2.png )

RITA: For half your stuff. What do you get in return?
LUKE: Shelter and food, The Block controls a store of rations and has a small hydroponics operation carried on by the use of a souvenir. It's a defensible position for sure.
RITA: Why leave then?
LUKE: A bunch of bullshit really. I'm out on patrol with a couple of other guards and we come across a small group of people. Long story short: One of 'em was near death and I passed him a few meds. Gave up a few bandages and some pain pills, I was in a generous mood and I don't get hurt in the field anyhow so I though "Fuck it".
LUKE: Well the other guards talked about it in the Block, and some one else heard about it and passed it up to Buford. Buford and a few of his generals didn't like that I wasted supplies on people who wouldn't contribute to us. Didn't like how I didn't make trade. I didn't see how it mattered none since they were MY meds anyway but that didn't matter. I got an earful for it. Next thing I know I'm getting shit for it left and right from other guards; No doubt Buford made me a persona-non-grata.
ALTON: Classic sob story.
LUKE: Fuck you kiss ass. Don't get me wrong girl, I ain't a saint. The one time I decided some generosity was in order doesn't excuse the other shit I've done, but I was not about to stick around for high school tier drama. I left after I broke some fucker's nose.
RITA: And I'm going to guess the supplies don't get "evenly distributed" do they?
LUKE: Evenly distributed to Buford, then Generals, then Guards, then the scraps for anyone else; By that time however there's usually nothing left.

I look over at Squid.
RITA: This line up Squid? You did say Guards could be dicks if they felt like.
SQUID: Hmm. Sounds right.
ALTON: Come on! Squid we can't trust what this guy says.
SQUID: Know what me seen. Guards not issue for you.
ALTON: 'Course I had bad run in's with guards but-
SQUID: Not just "Run in's" Alton.
ALTON: Well…What do you suggest we do then? You're the one who's always talking about Exile would be bad!
SQUID: Kidding myself.
ALTON: We're not gonna have ANYWHERE to go Squid! Besides I still don't trust this asshole
LUKE: Bite me!
ALTON: Besides when we bring him in, shit will change for us.
RITA: Will it though? Are you sure nothing will just go back to the way it was?
ALTON: THE HELL DO YOU CARE ANYWAY!? You're just in this to get access anyway for a fucking pickaxe or whatever you were looking for! Y'know we'll be out on our asses AND you'll be out of Block access if we don't take Luke in right?
RITA: Well can't we just tell Buford we killed him?
SQUID: Buford want him alive. Or evidence. Suggested severed head.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/14(Fri)20:32 No. 1000266 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162104955921.png - (172.08KB , 1500x1050 , Luke 3.png )

ALTON: Why do you believe this guy anyway?
RITA: Y'know what it is? Your orders don't really make any sense.
ALTON:…What?
RITA: Why bring the guy back for "justice" when he's already been exiled? Why not kill the guy and bring back what he took. You were told not to even worry about what he "stole" just to apprehend him. Nothings being offered back to the community by doing this Buford want's someone to kill in front of everyone to keep them in line.
RITA: Y'know what Luke said about not being a saint? Well neither am I. I've seen this situation play out before and had a feeling from the beginning.
ALTON:…Well then now what. We're already here. We really gonna stop now? We almost died in the fucking sewer for nothing? Just an absolute net loss for all of us is that how you want to end this?

I turn back to the door
RITA: What's your plan Luke? Gonna just sit in there 'til they find you?
LUKE: The door you're at isn't the only entrance to this room. I'm just catching my bearings before booking it into the forest. Bone Pickers and monsters be damned I've dealt with worse.
RITA: And you're sure they'll kill you over this? You don't have any friends among the troops of the Block?
LUKE: A few might hesitate, more won't. I'm not taking chances. Even if they don't kill me I fear the worst. I'm not going back.

Is this about the time we mentioned we were planning on setting up our own enclave, or perhaps it's not the best idea to say so right now considering the issues between all parties involved?

Executive with absolute power?
Loyalty through privileges for the army, fear of the army for everybody else?
Law system that prefers collateral damage over actual justice?

It mostly fits, with labor quotas it's a classic "early USSR" style setup. Probably be best to jump ship. It'd be bad to stay for the Holodomor.

These guys would be better off with us.

"Okay, bye Luke. Remember to watch out for the big scary robot.

Real talk. Squid, I'm building my own town, and however it turns out, the population is currently represented by my fingers. If you join up now, it'll guarantee you a good spot in whatever pecking order we decide.
Seriously, all my workers are nerdy dweebs. Please come with me, I need a sparring partner.

Anton, you don't want to come yet, fine. Go back to your boss and tell him that everyone else died to sewer mutants. See how he reacts, then decide."

>>1000266
"Seen Squid and Alton work. Capable enough. You two can run with me if you want. Don't care what Luke does. Maybe if we get enough people, we turn Buford out on his ass. That's a problem for tomorrow's us."

>>1000276
I don't want to say what we're building if Alton doesn't come with us. He might blab to Buford under pressure.

Just suggest you'd welcome them as traveling companions. Whoever comes with will see what we're building themselves.

>>1000266
Sounds like the Block wouldn't appreciate a competing settlement... we'll have to watch what we say.
Tell them you're gonna stop this chase. You no longer believe it's the right thing to do. If either Alton or Squid want to come with you, you can offer a roof over their heads. Nothing that competes with the Block, but you'll treat them fairly.

>We really gonna stop now? We almost died in the fucking sewer for nothing? Just an absolute net loss for all of us is that how you want to end this?
"It's that or die for the cause of some guy who'll toss you aside like trash for a whim. He'll get *somebody's* head for this. Did you ever get curious why he picked you guys? My bet's that you're a small loss. You succeed? All's good for him. You die? Oh well. You fail? You take Luke's place as the example."

Well if they need to take a head back with them we know a place that has several, just depends on how good at lying they are.
They could also just not go back and if they run into any other block guards in the future they can claim that they couldn't find Luke and believed they would be exiled anyway.

Regardless of what happens I wanna swap masks with Alton.

>>1000266
If he’s heading for the forest, let him know about the Flash-burn Hazard anomaly and the big fuck off military robot that’s in there.

Also ask him to unlock the door to let you through. You can’t exactly go back the way you came, since the tunnel is flooded now.

Offer your camp as an option if they want. You could use people who have been in a settlement with that kind of problems to see how to do it right (and not transforming it in a gulag).

>We really gonna stop now? We almost died in the fucking sewer for nothing? Just an absolute net loss for all of us is that how you want to end this?

"Don't like to play Jiminy Cricket, but normally is better late than too late. Now you have a chance, latter maybe you don't or things go so bad that you can't never forgive yourself. Trust me, I know what I'm speaking of."

Man, this is a shitty situation. I believe that none of them like this place at all. This Buford guy just sounds like a post-apocalypse Stalin, and we all know how that ended up.

I say we offer them the option of working in the Metro cart (we need a name for your settlement at some point). We have space and everyone does their part, no one slaks off. We are 3 right now, but we have the space, and a lot of green grass. You can check it out and see if you like it. No one will boss yo uround, well, perhaps Rita, but she does her oun stuff, doesn't sit around on herass. With time i bet we can make our own food, just need the water.

"Now, the problem is giving Buford pruff that you are dead, Luke. You need your head, so that woun't do. What are you willing to give up? A finger? A hand? A foot? i have someone that can make you a new one, but it will take time.
Or you can ust rot here, make me no diference.
What do you gentlemen say?"

Alton, I know it was a dangerous slog gettin' here, but I don't think any of us would have been satisfied if we didn't at least try and talk to the guy.

Look. I'm tryin this whole pioneer life thing. I wouldn't mind more hands myself. My encampment aint much to look at yet, but I got a tinker and a doc, the former of which will happily throw up a place for you. Guy is fast.
Instead of following someone else's rule you could make your own.

>>1000298
One other thing. These guys keep talking about Souvenirs. Ask what’s so important about some little trinket that used to be sold in the gift shop of a museum or zoo or theme park?

1/5 Heretic 2021/05/15(Sat)21:17 No. 1000391 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162113865645.png - (443.26KB , 1500x1050 , Luke 4.png )

RITA[b]:It's that or die for the cause of some guy who'll toss you aside like trash for a whim. He'll get somebody's head for this. Did you ever get curious why he picked you guys? My bet's that you're a small loss. You succeed? All's good for him. You die? Oh well. You fail? You take Luke's place as the example.
[b]ALTON:…
RITA: Buford's a fucking nutjob from the sounds of it, but you two seem capable. I haven't had anyone I could really fight side by side by for a while. Sure you're a but shaky Alton but that's fair considering fighting's serious shit. My thought? You two ought to come with me if you're worried about where to go.
ALTON: I ain't wanderin' around like some drifter Rita.
RITA: My drifting days are behind me Alton. Listen if you don't want that’s fine but-
SQUID: Okay. Me join.
ALTON:…Ugh well shit. I ain't abandonin' Squid…Fine, but we're going to need to head back to the Block first. Let them know we're leaving.
LUKE: Touching…Make sure you stash stuff they won't notice you missing. You might have trouble with that gun of yours. Regardless I'm bookin' it.
RITA: Hey! Think you could let us in? Our exit is currently flooded.
LUKE: Uhh…Fine, I'm gonna get my shit together and put the door on a timed unlock. Exit through the door that isn't locked and you should find yourself on the city streets, and Rita…

Luke's voice get's low, I lean in to hear him better
LUKE: Thanks, these fools would've knocked the door down the second they found me

2/5 Heretic 2021/05/15(Sat)21:18 No. 1000392 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162113870219.png - (407.06KB , 1500x1050 , Luke 5.png )

I can hear Luke begin to gather his stuff into bags and such before it goes quiet. The door beeps for a few minutes and after some time it unlocks…

3/5 Heretic 2021/05/15(Sat)21:18 No. 1000393 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162113870912.png - (290.60KB , 1500x1050 , Merry Christmas.png )

Inside there's nothing useful left behind. Luke's taken all of his supplies save for some sort of makeshift weapon. Looks like a giant piston with large gears screwed around the top. Shit's heavy.

4/5 Heretic 2021/05/15(Sat)21:19 No. 1000394 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162113875940.png - (311.89KB , 1031x979 , Into the City.png )

We exit the sewers. near the edge of the city.
SQUID: We have all tomorrow to prepare for exile.
ALTON: Maybe it'd be best if we listed to Luke and hid some stuff for when we leave…and try not to get caught when we do so…
RITA: Sure…Meet me back at the building we first met in the day after tomorrow.

The pair walk away. I think it's about time I headed home…

5/5 Heretic 2021/05/15(Sat)21:20 No. 1000395 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162113880668.png - (258.48KB , 1500x1050 , New Hut 2.png )

The base now sports a new hut, one much larger than the shack Clyde has. Dell is around the front finishing the hut. From the sounds of it Clyde is making medicine in his home.

>These guys keep talking about Souvenirs. Ask what’s so important about some little trinket that used to be sold in the gift shop of a museum or zoo or theme park?
Little weird to ask them about it hours after we'd already talked about it, but souvenirs are things objects that have odd properties that come out of or are made by the fog. They're rare and usually dangerous too. Some people call them things like trinkets or artifacts, but souvenir is more common for some reason and I like how it sounds.

Today, you need to build defenses. Not to over-suspect Alton and Squid, but from what you heard, Buford and his men are a real ^&*(-flinging machine. If they beat the information out of their 'trusted employees' or one of them accidentally babbles too much, you could have a small army marching on your front door by sunrise. You need to stay on medium alert until Alton and Squid find their way back to your base, or you're sure that they're dead.

Have a few non-lethal traps set up to slow any intruders down, and put everything expensive in the subway car.

Good thing we have that extra hut! Might want to build another one tomorrow too. We should always try to have an empty one so new arrivals don't have to wait for housing.
Go find out what Dell's been doing on his free time.

>>1000393
If Dell can’t find a use for that, then you can use it as a sledgehammer. Just need to find a way to get it electrified and you’ll be ready to fight that robot!

>>1000395
Well you’ve got the rat meat, so food isn’t a problem for now. ……wait, it’s probably not any good anymore after you went swimming in sewer water. And on top of that, you probably smell like shit. Gonna need to figure out a way for everyone to bathe and get clean in the future.

And we didn’t bring back any kind of bedding, so sleeping on the floor is something everyone’s going to need to get used to for now.

Let’s go tell the others about your adventures with Alton and Squid.

>>1000400
Hey, Rita? You might want to find some women to recruit next. Because if you keep recruiting men, everyone might start thinking you’re making a harem or something.

>>1000393
You got your smashing instrument. Sometimes karma ain't a total bitch. Enjoy the warm fuzzies. Briefly.

>>1000395
Chat with Dell about what you learned of Buford. Tell him the suggestion to build a wall is looking more urgent, so it's probably going to be more wood tomorrow.

Compliment Dells work, ask Dell to make Clyde a bed out of wood, since you failed to find textiles and he doesn't want to sleep on the ground. Ask him to make a grip for your new PISTON MACE so you can wield it effectively. Ask him to sharpen your Hook Flail, since one of the hooks corroded. It doesn't need to happen today though.
Also ask him how much wood used would need for a Palisade Wall, if it were large enough to fit say... 5-6 buildings, a windmill, and a Watertower? Also ask what he would need for a distillation column for clean water.
If there's daylight left to Burn collect wood and cook that rat, of you stoll trust it, of course.

You should tell the boys of your expedition, explain them what to expect from it. I like the idea of starting to make defenses, perhaps some barricades, traps and spikes.

>>1000395
Time to get Clyde to patch you up. Hopefully he'll let you come anywhere close to him after you went through the sewers.

If it's possible to get that electro-hammer made now, we might want to go check on that robot; Luke might be having trouble with it soon if our hunch is right.

1/3 Heretic 2021/05/16(Sun)17:58 No. 1000489 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162121310060.png - (468.08KB , 1500x1050 , Dell 2.png )

>Hey, Rita? You might want to find some women to recruit next. Because if you keep recruiting men, everyone might start thinking you’re making a harem or something.
I don't really know who'd think that and I'm not really sure I'd care if they thought it…Y'know what? Scratch that. I would care, because if someone thinks these jokers are who I'd pick for a harem then I'd be a little insulted.

RITA: Nice work Dell.
DELL: Oh! Hey Ri-

Dell turns to face me and immediately gags from the fetid smell clinging to my clothes.
DELL: UGH! W-why do you-
RITA: Sewer.
DELL:…Huh. Well, what'd you manage to find?
RITA: Trouble…

I explain the situation with Alton, Squid, and The Block. He doesn't look happy.
DELL: Does anyone at the Block know about us yet?
RITA: No, I don't know when they will either. I think the settlement's somewhere deep in the city, there's distance between us for sure. I still think we should start to focus on creating defenses for the base. No one knows about us, but on the off chance Alton or Squid blabs for some reason we should be ready. Do you think we could make a palisade? Large enough for at least 5 or 6 buildings, along with a windmill and a water tower.
DELL: Building shouldn't be an issue, but a palisade of that size will take time and materials. I won't be able to just throw it up like the huts either, this'll take some work. Focusing on the materials first…

Dell gets up and surveys the surrounding quickly.
DELL: A shorter wall will take 3500 Wood, and a taller one with towers to sit upon will take 7000. Clyde and I managed 300 Wood in the morning when we focused on it, So I think around a week-ish of work will get us that wood, and probably another few days to actually build the wall.
RITA: We're going to need more axes…

>Non-lethal traps
I don't know how to make a "non-lethal" trap. Dell suggests pit traps or snares, but I can't just set up snares anywhere and I need rope. I gotta get a shovel to dig a pit too.

2/3 Heretic 2021/05/16(Sun)17:58 No. 1000490 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162121311617.png - (352.20KB , 1500x1050 , Dell 3.png )

DELL: Speaking of which! Your hatchet broke while we were chopping wood, So I made these!

Dell takes a makeshift hatchet out of his pocket
DELL: I cut that pipe and circular saw we had in half and that put 'em together to make two hatchets! Clyde has the other one.

Dell hands me the hatchet. It's sturdy, well-made, but I guess I expect it to be at this point.

>Bedding
RITA: I couldn't find sleeping bags in the sewer surprisingly. Think you can make some wooden beds for the huts?
DELL: Already did that! Made some for the big hut and one for Clyde. We have 50 wood left in storage by the way.

> Ask him to make a grip for your new PISTON MACE so you can wield it effectively.
The mace has a grip, I can wield it fine.

>Ask him to sharpen your Hook Flail, since one of the hooks corroded.
I hand him the Hook Flail, he says fixing it will take some time.

>Water treatment
DELL: So the anomalous particulate from the fog makes a lot of the water that comes into contact with it dangerous to drink. I think with proper electrolysis, filtering, and boiling it can be made safe to drink once again.
RITA: We might want to make a water tower too.
DELL: I don't think we have the time to make a water distribution system, especially since there's only like 3 of us. I can just make some barrels for the clean water, maybe a shack to store them in too.

>Windmill
DELL: Lots of wood and metal, also magnets! Really for any form of generator we'll need good magnets. I can get copper wire from electronic scrap but you'll probably want to find some lodestones or something like that in the mountains.

>Electrify piston mace
I give Dell my mace, I half expect him to not be able to carry it but he hefts it just fine.
DELL: We should have what I need to electrify this.

3/3 Heretic 2021/05/16(Sun)17:58 No. 1000491 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162121313030.png - (205.94KB , 1500x1050 , Rat Meat.png )

>Cook Rat meat
First things first I rinse myself off in the river to help with the smell. Next, I prepare a small spit and move the fire pit from the inside of the metro to the outside, I begin to cook the meat and set the fur aside. I'll need a tanning rack for that.
DELL: What kind of meat is that?
RITA: Rat, you got a problem with that?
DELL: I've had to live off a diet of mutant cockroach before, Rat is an upgrade…maybe lie to Clyde about that though.

Dell get's Clyde from his hut.
CLYDE: Ooh! What's cooking?
RITA: …Mutant boar.
CLYDE: Doesn't look like any boar I've seen.
RITA: Yeah. it was a mutant.

Clyde hands me 3 antiseptic bandages and says he might need better equipment to make different medicines. I tell him that's something for after lunch. We eat, the meat's tough and unseasoned. It's a pretty shitty meal all around but I do like eating with other people. The rest and food makes me feel a lot better after trudging through a sewer. Clyde gives me some light medical care while we eat.

(RITA'S HP is restored)

After lunch there's still time before the sun goes down. What should I do?

Dell comes to talk to me.
DELL: I was looking over our supplies. I can either electrify your mace, or I can actually make a scrap turret to help defend the base.

He waves around the old targeting chip I pulled from the weird machine a few days ago.
DELL: Which do you want?

Hmm, If we electrify the mace and go slap that robot with it, I bet we could get that turret as well...
Though electrifying the robot would fry more of it's tasty, tasty insides... giving us less scrap....
But the mace being electrified would prevent us from being dead...
but we are a badass...

hmm.
Screw it. Go turret. This way it's a sure thing and we wont have proper defenses for a while, especially since the large wall is really the only one worth it.

Tell Dell to start planning the layout for the water system. Yes even the water tower, even if we wont be building it for quite some time, as it's one of those things that needs to be both large and central.

After were done here. Let's go kill a robot.

Yeah, honestly, the shock hammer's more situational, anyway, so we should go with the turret. Either way, though, we need to deal with the robot; there might be a potential buddy having trouble with it right about now-ish. (That's assuming he didn't already deal with it himself and that this is even the exit he's taking.)

I think the turret is the way to go, especially after today. We can manage with what we have to deal with the robot, and in the future we can upgrade the mace too. We might also hurt the good stuff inside the robot with electricity.

Yeah, the other voices make a good point. Let’s get the turret for defense.

Go turret.

Compliment Dell on being able to lift the bigass piston.

Heretic 2021/05/16(Sun)22:06 No. 1000526 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162122801998.png - (367.19KB , 1500x1050 , Junk Turret.png )

>Turret
Using the scrap, targeting module, battery, and a few gun parts, Dell puts together the scrap turret.
DELL: This things running on that car battery you brought me. It takes scrap metal to fire and can only cover one direction. If you don't have a position in mind I'll face it toward the city I've loaded it with half of our remaining mechanical scrap.
DELL: You'll be able to handle the robot with your electric mace?
RITA: Yeah, the piston should still be good on it's own. Besides I still have these.

I show Dell the two grenades I got from the butchers.
DELL: How long have you had those?
RITA: For a while, haven’t needed 'em just yet. Can I have my mace back by the way?
DELL: Oh! Yeah. Here.

Dell hands the piston back to me.
RITA: You lift this thing no problem Dell. You could be good in a fight.
DELL: I panic too easily in a fight, I just don't have the head for combat.

>Tell Dell to start planning the layout for the water system. Yes even the water tower, even if we wont be building it for quite some time, as it's one of those things that needs to be both large and central.
DELL: Okay, I can start planning, but it's going to be a lot of metal. And scrap won't cut it, I'm going to need to forge things, to make this work.

>After were done here. Let's go kill a robot.
I should organize what I'm going to bring, I don't want to lug around crap I'm not going to use. I know I'm taking meds, my mace, and the grenades with me, but do I need the pipe shotgun? I hardly use it.

>>1000526
Unless we have more slugs for it, I don't think it's worth bringing. Buckshot might not have the necessary kick to it for something with heavy armor.

>>1000531
I agree with this. No need to bring the shotgun.

Shotgun is really only useful for alpha-strike purposes, and as the others have said, only a slug will matter right now, buckshot wont cut it.

If were leaving it, tell Dell it would be nice if it were double barreled, and sawwed-off length, but also let him know your just adding that to the pile of projects, no rush.

Lastly, ask him if there's anything you should keep an eye peeled for an improved forge.

Beyond that, take the wagon if they aren't using it and an axe. You'll leave it a bit away from the fight.
If this thing is big, it'll be nice to have a way of hauling it back. If it's small, you'll be able to chop some wood on the way back.

I say we leave the guns here. take the grenades just in case.

The cart might be usefull too.

>>1000526
Nah, leave the shotgun. A grenade will make a good opening instead of it, and you're not great with guns. Better to save the shells for Alton to use. If he doesn't get cold feet on joining, the Block is going to take his gun.

Offer to help Dell train sometime. You'd prefer knowing he can take care of himself while you're out.

I'd also suggest we wait until we meet up with Squid and Alton tomorrow, so we can take on the robot together. They're reasonably experienced and going solo is more risky.

I'd put our agenda on gathering wood for the palisade and draining Dell until then. And remember to register Alton and Squid as friendlies on the turret when we go pick them up, so it doesn't shoot them when they get close.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/17(Mon)14:16 No. 1000639 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162128618426.png - (331.74KB , 1500x1050 , Doesn't Look Safe.png )

>Leave pipe shotgun behind
I put the pipe shotgun in storage. Might hand it over to Alton when he comes over, doubt he'll get to keep that gun of his.

>I'd also suggest we wait until we meet up with Squid and Alton tomorrow
They're coming the day after tomorrow. Still that is true, I don't know if I want to bring Clyde and I don't think I want to go alone.

>Offer to help Dell train sometime
RITA: Y'know Dell I could probably teach you how to fight.
DELL: I uh…I don't know how well that'd go.
RITA: You're not weak, I'd even go so far as to say you've got a decent amount of muscle. It would be easy but it'd be possible. We'll give it a go at some point.

I mindlessly toss one of my grenades up and down as I think, all the while I hear Dell's nervous whines.
DELL: Uh…R-Rita? Rita.
RITA: Hmm? What?
DELL: Is that, y'know safe?
RITA: What? Tossing the grenade? It's not a nuclear bomb, Dell, it's a grenade. This is fine.
DELL: W-well I mean-
RITA: If it wasn't safe I wouldn't be doing it.
DELL: I know it's just…It makes me nervous is all.
RITA: Oh really?

I juggle the grenade between my hands, over my shoulder and between my legs. Dell's expression gets more and more worried.
RITA: You don't know a lot about grenades do you?
DELL: I know they EXPLODE Rita! They're DANGEROUS
RITA: Oh yeah?

Dell backs away slowly, but I approach him to make sure he's close enough to see what I do next.
RITA: Hey Dell?
DELL: W-what Rita?
RITA: Does this make you nervous?

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/17(Mon)14:16 No. 1000640 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162128619729.png - (366.06KB , 1500x1050 , Does This Make You Nervous.png )

I pull the pin on the grenade. The look on Dell's visor is priceless
DELL: OH MY GOD, RITA!
RITA: What Dell?
DELL: W-THE FU-THE PIN RITA!!!
RITA: Yeah I wanted a new ring to wear. Maybe an earring, what do you think?

Dell immediately dashes away and hides behind the metro car. I let out the biggest laugh I've ever had in weeks, Clyde looks on confused. I put the pin back into the grenade.
RITA: The pin doesn’t set the grenade off Dell! You need to pull the strike lever to ignite it!

Dell peeks out from the back of the metro and see's me completely un-exploded. He stomps his way back to me.
DELL: That was not funny!
RITA: I got a really good laugh out of it Dell, so yeah it was kind of funny. Best laugh I had in a long time.

I forgot what I was doing…Oh yeah! Do I go alone, or bring Clyde or wait until the day after tomorrow for Alton and Squid?

>>1000640
We can have Alton and Squid along and use this outing as a way of showing them into this bizarre community we're building.

Also we can have a little Intro To Savagery with Dell while we wait tomorrow. A bit of Melee 101. Basics of CQC, sorta thing. Sometimes teaching someone else can help refresh you on the basics, it'll be nice to have a break from horrible murder in terrible places.

It's really not a bad idea to teach Dell how to fight, he will have to do it at some point, he wants to or not, and it's better to be prepared to throw hands.

Ah, por little thing. Maybe you should apologise to him, is not his fault you are impervious to death... Somewhat.

I was goignt to say to just go and take the robot on alone, but perhaps we can wait on that. If Dell wants' you can train him for a bit now, or you can go and chop some wood, we are really goign to need that. Is up to him.

The reason why we bought up dealing with the robot immediately is that Luke might be trying to leave the tunnels that way. I say we head as far as the tunnel entrance with Clyde. If Luke's there and needs help, we engage. If not, it's just another wood-getting run.

>>1000656
This is a fair point. Seconding this.

>>1000640
"Not knowing how a grenade works is exactly why I need to teach you these things. If you were ever in trouble and had to blow something up, you'd pull the pin and toss a dud."

I say we go kill the robot by ourselves now strictly because it's a bad idea, and bad ideas are fun.

>>1000656
This

1/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)06:43 No. 1000777 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162134543668.png - (387.59KB , 987x911 , Into the Forest.png )

RITA: My point is not knowing how a grenade works is exactly why you should learn these things. If you ever needed to throw a grenade you'd have been giving your enemies free munition if they notice your mistake.
DELL: Fine, maybe I could use a little teaching. Just don't teach me like that ever again.
RITA: No promises.

>The reason why we bought up dealing with the robot immediately is that Luke might be trying to leave the tunnels that way.
Might be. I doubt that’s going to be an issue since the forest and the tunnels are quite large, but fine I'll be checking there just in case.

>If Luke's there and needs help, we engage. If not, it's just another wood-getting run.
Yeah, we need the wood anyway. Sounds like a plan. I grab the wagon, Clyde, and the scrap hatchet and head off.

2/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)06:44 No. 1000778 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162134544604.png - (545.42KB , 1500x1050 , Red Dot.png )

We collect wood on the way to the drainage pipe. No noises or signs of struggle, It doesn't look like there's anyone we need to help. I can see the robots red eye shining out from the dark keeping watch. We leave before we're noticed.

3/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)06:45 No. 1000781 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162134552340.png - (499.73KB , 1500x1050 , Gathered.png )

We collect wood and Clyde gathers some fruit he finds around the woods.
CLYDE: These lumpy berries are no good to eat, but I always wanted to see if they were useful for making anything.
CLYDE: These oblong fruit things are fine to eat though! I hear people make moonshine from these too.

I also see Clyde gathering rocks.
RITA: Dell says the wall only needs wood.
CLYDE: Yeah but he's also told me that some stone to reinforce the huts would be useful.

450 Wood is gathered and ,with a few short extra trips, so is 200 Stone.

--Gathered--
-Wood x450 (225)
-Stone x200 (140)
-Oblong Fruit x2 (1)
-Lumpy Berries (.1)

The days beginning to end by the time we're done. I'm very tired.

Keep an eye out for a flat clearing near the forest edge on the way back. Somewhere an outpost or lodge could be built in the future.

Ever considered becoming a woodsman Clyde? You seem to have the botanical knowledge for it. Or do you prefer working with people?

>>1000781
If you’re tired, then it’s time to rest.

I was beginning to think that at some point we are going to need to take roids guarding. Not now tho, seems you are still on teh clear on notoriety.

>>1000781
"I'm not trying to start a labor camp, like that Buford guy. There are just too many things to get done before we can relax."

>>1000781
Time to rest.

Let's chat with Dell and Clyde. Ask them where they used to be before they joined you.

1/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)16:57 No. 1000841 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162138224513.png - (253.06KB , 1500x1050 , Clyde.png )

RITA:Ever considered becoming a woodsman Clyde? You seem to have the botanical knowledge for it.
CLYDE: None of my knowledge of plants comes from any vested interest in them. Enough people come to you for medical care because they ate something they shouldn't have and you start to learn what is and isn't edible.
CLYDE: If I had it my way I wouldn't go into any part of nature for a long time.
RITA: Where were you before I found you in the cannibals house?
CLYDE: Traveling with another group of people. Remember how I told you my last group didn't work out? It all sort of fell apart, grudges and in fighting that led to an…unfortunate conflict between a couple of them.
RITA: They started killing each other over dumb arguments?
CLYDE: Well no, sure that was all a part of it, but the real kicker was a Souvenir we found. Everyone thought that thing would make us rich, but hang ups meant some people didn't want to share and it all went to shit.
CLYDE: Even I almost caught a bullet. "No loose ends", can you believe that shit? I think I was the only thing keeping those idiots together and I still almost end up dead. I trust you a lot more since you actually saved me from cannibals though.

2/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)16:57 No. 1000842 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162138225670.png - (378.27KB , 1500x1050 , Imagine Almost Drowing in a Sewer, I'd Just W.png )

Clyde enters his home and I walk into the metro car. Dell's playing his guitar as I enter.
DELL: She said, "I love the night~"
DELL: The day's okay and the sun can be fun, but I live to see those rays slip away
DELL: I love night~ There's so much that I could show and give to you, if you will welcome me tonight

I remove my mantle and coat and take a seat.

3/3 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)16:57 No. 1000843 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162138227555.png - (724.36KB , 1500x1050 , Tired.png )

DELL: Long day huh?
RITA: Yeah…Going through that sewer took a lot out of me.
DELL: And all this news of the local settlement being a work camp dictatorship isn't helping is it?
RITA: Not really no.
DELL: Well, I see no reason for them to be alerted to our presence just yet. Still defenses are looking good, got a turret working. I'd say the whole place is coming along nicely.
RITA: …Yeah, it is.
DELL: Thanks for letting me do this Rita.
RITA: Don't mention it.

Dell continues to play chords on his guitar.
RITA: Dell, what'd you do before you came here?
DELL: Uh…Nothing fun.
RITA: Is what we do here fun? Actually scratch that I know the answer. I had lots of fun teaching you how grenades work.
DELL: Ha…It's more fun than where I used to be.

Dell stops playing for a bit.
DELL: Uh W-Well anyway, are we going to give this place a name? Or should that wait until we've got more than three buildings and actual settlers?

Not just yet. Food, water, and wall first, then we can name this place.
We've got you on water, and with any luck tomorrow I'll be able to bring in someone to help with construction and maybe a hunter.
We'll need a woodsman to forage and make the forest safe and productive. I imagine the woods will be our main food source for a while.

You know I haven't thought about how were gonna govern either. I don't really want to boss people around forever... Maybe we can reinvent democracy once we get a name.

Anyway... It's to early to for that. The naming of this place should be symbolic. The mark of the true begining of this place.

>>1000841
>Everyone thought that thing would make us rich
Ha! That’s funny! Those guys are idiots! Money doesn’t have any value anymore!

>>1000843
Let’s wait on naming this place.

>>1000844
>with any luck tomorrow I'll be able to bring in someone to help with construction and maybe a hunter.
We’re not bringing anyone in tomorrow. Our meet up with Squid and Alton isn’t going to happen until the day after tomorrow.

>>1000846
>day after tomorrow
Oh, well, that then

So, wait, someone went all "no loose ends" on Clyde, and he lived? I get the feeling there's a part of that story he isn't comfortable telling, even if it doesn't look like he wound up with the souvenir. And even if he was the "victor" of that little shitshow, it's all in the past now, and we, of all people, can't judge him.

> Name
Anything beyond "home," "base," or "the yard" would be plain delusional at this stage. Get back to me when we can't count our numbers on both hands anymore."

"... Er, sorry."

Say, all these signatures on the metro car wall... Maybe we should leave our name up there, too? Even if we aren't big enough to be a proper settlement, we can at least say we're here, right?

>>1000843
Rally Point Metro Hill.
Just Rally Point when we're in the field so the location isn't too obvious to jackasses who overhear.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)20:03 No. 1000855 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162139339584.png - (220.78KB , 1500x1050 , Too Small.png )

>Ha! That’s funny! Those guys are idiots! Money doesn’t have any value anymore!
Wealth can come in more forms than just money. A stockade of bullets and weapons for example.

RITA: Dell I can count the people who'll be living here on one hand. How about we give the place a name when we can count them on two?
DELL: Can I borrow one of yours for that?

Dell wiggles his mechanical fingers
RITA: Ah…Sorry
DELL: It's fine, but you're right we should wait for this place to expand a bit. Making new buildings as well as enforcing the existing ones.
RITA: The windmill and the water. Lot of work ahead of us…

I look around the train car, I've noticed the graffiti scrawled on the walls before but now looking at them makes me think of something.

RITA: You got a marker?
DELL: Huh? Uh, Yeah! I have two here. Why?

I take the red marker and scrawl my name on the metro door.
RITA: No name yet, but this place is still mine. Gonna leave my mark, no matter how small it is.
DELL: I see…
RITA: Well? Put your name here too.
DELL: W-really?
RITA: Don't get me wrong this place is still mine, but it wouldn't be as good if you didn't help so…Yeah go ahead.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/18(Tue)20:03 No. 1000856 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162139340593.png - (252.32KB , 1500x1050 , Marked.png )

Dell writes his name next to mine on the metro door. He looks way too happy to have just written a name on a door, the fatigue finally hits me completely. I grab my Arrayan plush and settle into my sleeping bag. I doze off to the sound of Dell playing his guitar.

I have no idea where the future will take me. I may not die, but there are things worse than death I'll strive to avoid. Everything here's been coming along nicely, and even though it's hardly anything impressive I'm beginning to feel like I can call this place home…

DELL: Good night Rita.
RITA: Night.

--FOG WORLD: END THREAD 1--

Hmm... Subway Hill? New Metro Station?

>>1000844
I am all for this.

You could make some lame ass names for shits and gigles. I dunno, "Pineapple express" sounds horrible, give it a go!

Casa Delrita?

Nah...

The Conjunction