>>1091494
Eyes up, something's watching you. Only one right now, but it could be a pack predator.

Nice sand effects, looks cool.

>>1091512
>One bad call can lead to starvation.
Specifically compared to herbivores, whose food can't run away; is the logic I've heard. A herbivore tears a muscle, they just take a little longer to get to new grass; a predator tears a muscle, and they can't catch anything.

Nalthar 2024/06/04(Tue)12:42 No. 1092375 ID: 5ebd37
File 171753014016.jpg - (200.77KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_55 impressing children.jpg )

>Stack them 'bolds

Murdoc: "Ah, here we go" The hunter spots the watching predator. "Standard formation, height advantage!"

Mishkah: "Hey I wanted to say it."

Murdoc: "Have to be quicker on the draw then."

Brugo effortlessly hoists his companions onto his broad shoulders and the three form a small tower. As they wobble in place a pair of bipedal lizards come rushing out of the trees. The bolds tense up, ready for a fight, but the red things stop a few paces away. They look up at the bolds curiously, hoping around and chirping to each other.

Mishkah: "We captured some of these earlier didn't we? I thought they were bigger. Oh, wait"
Another, much larger lizard steps out of the forest. It doesn't approach, but keeps a watchful eye fixed on the party. The smaller ones come closer and start chasing each other around Burgo's feet.

Burgo: "Oooh, boss, can I pet em? Pleaaase?"

Petting things with large teeth is how you lose a finger. Petting cubs while the parent is near is how you lose the whole arm! If we must befriend then try offering a bit of food

Eh, losing fingers or even arms is not really a big deal, we can replace them. That said, be careful.

They seem to be a social species, but one should never assume cross-species body language will translate, so avoid touching for now. The young probably don't know how to assess danger yet.

>>1092376
On the one hand, if we give them food they will come back and become a nuisance species. On the other, that can be how domestication starts.

I'll agree with the food plan, though. The mother lizard hasn't attacked you on instinct yet, so the species must be fairly intelligent.

>>1092375
No pet.
The loss of fingers mentioned is a very real risk.
Moreover, tge mother may interpret it as an attack.

Get started on domestication, or af least fruendly terms.
Got to presume meat is on the menu for something with teeth like that

Nalthar 2024/06/11(Tue)19:10 No. 1092847 ID: 5ebd37
File 171815825319.jpg - (186.06KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_56 oh no buddy.jpg )

>Pet, No, Pet, No, Give em food

Mishkah: "Well okay, big guy, but be careful. I'm not fishing your fingers out of a stomach. Again."

Murdoc: "Hang on, I've got some jerky." She passes some tasty dried meat down to Burgo, who offers it to the curious lizards.

After a few sniffs, the little ones nab the treats. They break out into a happy dance that would melt the hearts of lesser bolds. Luckily the party are all veteran hunters and able to withstand the assault. Burgo manages to keep it together long enough to break off another piece. When a lizard snaps it up he is able to get a few quick pets in.

Burgo: "eeeeeee"

Murdoc: "Whoa, hey keep it steady Burgo." Trying to keep her balance atop the distracted hunter, she glances at the mother in the trees. The predator narrows her eyes, but otherwise hasn't moved.

The other juvenile, still gamboling about, trips on a loop of grass. The poor thing tumbles over into a heap by the edge of the sand, which shifts slightly.

Ambush predator in the sand! Intervene to protect the child!

Unload into the sand heap!

>>1092847
Rushing the youngling may agitate the parent but it seems smart enough to realise whats really going on.

Get between the youngling and the sand dweller.
Braced small spearwall.
Something is coming out of that sand with momentum in a moment.
Whether its an appendage or the whole beast, let its momentum do the damage to itself.

Like taking a charging boar.

>>1092847
Looks like danger coming. You're precariously stacked, so it might be hard to rush in on short notice, but one of the upper stackers could shoot the sand beast.

1/3 Nalthar 2024/06/29(Sat)10:21 No. 1093582 ID: 5ebd37
File 171968166128.jpg - (89.42KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_57 the fastball special.jpg )

>Danger coming, intervene, get between the youngling and the sand dweller.
>Unload into the sand heap!

Murdoc: (I see it!) "Something in the sand!" In one smooth motion the hunter draws and looses an arrow at the heaving sand.

The others snap to attention at Murdoc's cry. Without missing a beat Burgo snatches Mishkah and spins to launch the ratte. The watching mother gives a warbling call and bursts from the tree line, rapidly closing distance with the bolds.

The fallen lizard looks up with a chirp of fear as an eyeless head looms up out of the sand. The ambusher's attack abruptly halts as an arrow strikes it square in the face. Chromatophores flash crazed patterns over its body as it rears back with a piercing hiss, only for a flying Mishkah to impact its neck, sword first. The beast falls back, quite dead.

2/3 Nalthar 2024/06/29(Sat)10:21 No. 1093583 ID: 5ebd37
File 171968169216.jpg - (127.10KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_58 new friends.jpg )

The adult red lizard skids to a stop as its babes scamper over. Murdoc slowly readies another arrow as the sleek hunter approaches where Mishkah is dizzily getting to his feet. She stops in front of the hunter boss, head held high to look him right in the eye. Then she makes a thrumming deep in her throat and gently bumps her big head into the hunter boss. Not quite sure what to make of this behavior, Mishkah settles on stroking her between the eyes, which elicits an even more intense thrum.

By the time the other hunters arrive with supplies the trio is entertaining a whole pack of lizards. The rattes carve pieces off of the ambusher's corpse to toss to the excited preds, who easily snatch them in their needly teeth. Meanwhile Burgo is stuck in a cuddly pile of juveniles, experiencing adorableness beyond the ken of normal bolds.

Progress on the camp is considerably hampered, but all involved agree it's worth it.

3/3 Nalthar 2024/06/29(Sat)10:22 No. 1093584 ID: 5ebd37
File 171968175091.jpg - (70.34KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_59 wurm call.jpg )

The next morning while floating aimlessly around Jormun calls out to you.

Jormun: (Hey guys! I'm an intercom now! Solfar helped me figure out how I was communicating with her so easily and now I can talk to anyone around me, so I can pass messages along and stuff. Donvan and I have been going over what I can access of my systems so I can be more helpful. Oh right, that's what I needed to tell you. There's a another leadership session about to start because we found out something about my body that's maybe not good. See you there! I mean, I see you now, but I'll see you then too. So, um... bye!)

The meeting is just starting as you all drift in. Most of the leader bolds are in a disheveled state as if they were just dragged out of bed. While everyone is grumbling about the time and the lack of stimulants, the chief bursts into the tent.

Pitreh: "Alright bolds, we've got a problem! And I don't just mean how we're generally fumbling around. Jormun, explain."

Jormun: (So, wait everyone can hear me right? Good. So, Donvan and I have been trying to figure out how I work, and its kind of a mess. There are a lot of systems that have calcified and either don't work or can't be controlled.)

The robolds are looking confused at this tech talk so Solfar pipes up. "It's like, magic that tells his body what to do, like gears and pulleys, sort of?" This explanation seems to satisfy, so Jormun continues.

Jormun: (I was wondering how I'm getting energy, and it turns out my back plates absorb sunlight! And so energy is building up! And the only system that's still operating is fabrication! And the battery system is damaged, so if I don't use up this energy I'll explode!)

Jormun: (So the fabrication system isn't listening to me, and is going to build a new section to make me even longer. But, well, that means you'll need to move all your stuff to my sides. The fabricator bots might... build over you if you stay here.)

Pitreh: "We've got timber, we've got tenting. This should be no problem. Jormun says we can make holes in his hide..."

Jormun: (I don't feel pain!)

Pitreh: "But it's as hard as stone so we're limited to small holes. And of course wind is also a factor, but we're not falling too fast so it's not so bad."

Pitreh: "So, esteemed bolds, what are we doing?"

Time to really get this city going. Suggest a structure to start with.

>>1093583
Good work, team. We've already made friends on first contact with an intelligent species.

>>1093584
That's less good news. If Solfar is able to communicate with Jormun, maybe she (and us) can help fix whatever is causing a communications error with the fabricators? If the fabricators don't listen, whatever was implanted in her head is clearly a comms transmitter and receiver of some kind, so if there's a way to replicate it we can replace the broken comms relay in the fab subsystem.

Until then... maybe there's a way we can stop the power supply from overloading. We can cover the solar panels on Jormun's side with our thickest, brightest fabric, which will reflect the photons and prevent them from being absorbed as power, without absorbing them and overheating like dark fabrics would. We do this until we find a safe equilibrium between power generation and expenditure and hold the batteries in a stable state.

If we're going to be doing many expeditions, maybe let's get started on a launching/landing pad? For now when our hunters return they have the back of Jormun but that might change soon

>>1093584
Everything starts with living quarters. Then workshops and storage.

>Energy buildup
We need to find the power rerouting substations and whatever the hell is responsible for the portal. It's just a matter of siphoning our vast energy reserves into maintaining something that eats power.
>Growth systems not responding
I wonder if we can make Jormun reproduce if we slice him in half and let the two sides' nanofabs work on it. We should look for some kind of reproductive module, as an emergency backup.

Can't we just cover up the solar panels?

I assume the new section will contain batteries so as not to explode?

>>1093583
Good work guys.
Friends acquired.
Hunting partners eventually, mounts maybe but best of all theyre all
good boys and girls.

>>1093584

Oh damn.
Ok.
New section.
Hmm.
Lets go for something with the scales lifted and facing outwards. Not inverted. This would offer bowl like surface that could house more stable structures AND act as a rain trap for water storage.

>>1093585

This is a good secondary plan.
If enough bright cloth isnt available then maybe rope, planks of locally sourced timber laid in thin rows could make us some giant blinds to raise and lower as needed.

Nalthar 2024/07/06(Sat)20:54 No. 1093887 ID: 5ebd37
File 172032447006.jpg - (1.01MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_60 first planning.jpg )

>communicate with the fabricator
Jormun: (That's the problem, I should be able to talk to it, but there's no connection. Or at least, it's not responding to me. I'm still getting some signals from it so I know it's online and what its doing, but that's all. If someone can get inside me we might be able to fix that, but none of the exterior doors are listening to me either. So until you can break through reinforced plating the fabricator is just going to be on its own.)

>I assume the new section will contain batteries so as not to explode?
Jormun: (Each section has its own battery, so yes. I checked in my data banks, though they're in a sorry state, and I was able to find some info on the battery system. They're rated to not degrade like this for at least 30 millennia, so we won't have to worry about the new one.)

>slice him in half and let the two sides' nanofabs work on it.
Jormun: (Ah, that would be cool! But there's only one fabricator so, I think it would only half work. I'm hard to saw in half anyway, so maybe later.)

>cover the solar panels
Crafter rep Lohmul: "That is my first thought as well. How much area would we need to cover?"

Pitreh: "H-He's four miles long!"

Lohmul: "Hmm, we may only have enough material to cover two panels then, if we were to give up all the tents. Trader Mirrak, have you any suppliers for more cloth?"

Mirrak: "Wha- I, we haven't met anyone yet?"

Lohmul: "I'd get on that. The crafters are getting antsy with no commissions."

Mirrak: "Hnnn..."

Farmer Marten: "Ey, what if you rubbed mud on em?"

Pitreh: "Do you have four miles worth of mud?"

Marten: "Well, no..."

Jormun: (A partial covering will only delay the build-up.)

Pitreh: "Then we'll put coverings down as a maybe for current projects. After we get some decent housing."

>landing pad, living quarters, storage
Lohmul: "Now this we can do. Plenty of good, strong timber for a platform and some bunkrooms. Any suggestions as to the arrangement?"

Huh, it sounds like the implication is that we need to cover ALL the solar panels, but... the inertial dampeners are using power too, so is there an internal generator or something?

>any particular arrangement?
Well, we have to keep the top of the landing pad clear, so don't build anything above it. We should put storage near the current buildings so that it takes less time to move things.

Storage could probably be put under the landing pad, since that's probably where most people will go immediately afterwards.

The roofs of people's housing could work as walkways to get around. Probably should have netting at the edges to catch any errant slippers. Otherwise, bunkrooms connected to a common area would probably be the most efficient use of our timber for now. Not the most privacy but certainly a step up from tents.

>>1093889
Yes.
Bunkrooms at first with a thought to repurpose them as we have the luxury to make more personal domiciles.

>>1093889
>>1093907
Sounds like a plan.

Nalthar 2024/07/16(Tue)16:08 No. 1094319 ID: 5ebd37
File 172117130612.jpg - (0.97MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_61 trade platform.jpg )

>more details on the power situation

Jormun: (Sorry if I made it sound too dire. Everything is stable, mostly, but I don't seem to have the control I should. I can't turn the panels off, and I can't turn more systems on that aren't already on. There is a small back up generator, but I'm not sure if it's even working. I'm kind of a mess inside.)

Courtesan Sillah: "It's okay dear, everyone is."

Jormun: (Really? That makes me feel a little better. thanks.)

> A platform, with storage beneath and bunkrooms beside

Lohmul: "Yes, a simple warehouse to start. With a flat roof for landing on, and hmm, ramps for cargo. Housing enough for everyone, even if its cramped for now, tucked on either side."

Sillah: "Like a hug."

Lohmul: "Ye- hrm. If you like." the mouzbold taps his jaw in thought "We should be able to manage it in a week. Will we have enough time, mister Jormun?"

Jormun: (That will be enough time before the fabricators get started, for sure. I'm excited to see what you guys make!)

Pitreh: "Good, let's get to work then. Are there any other immediate concerns before this meeting is adjourned?"

>>1094319
Update on the progress of the hunters and the base camp?
I mean us sharing it with the council so theyre aware of the discoveries regarding the ambush predator and the lizarc domestication candidates to serve as hunting budfies.

>>1094319
The first landing is going well. We've identified another intelligent species, how intelligent isn't clear but there's signs of social bonds and the capacity for recognizing other species as friends or allies. Could be either a candidate for domestication or uplifting. I assume uplifting is a thing that can be done with fleshcrafting, if something is near-capable of interaction and civilization but not quite.
Is that possibly how all the convergent species of kobold came about, actually? Maybe we'll have some lizardbolds floating around soon.

Nalthar 2024/07/24(Wed)19:48 No. 1094686 ID: 44c167
File 172187572490.jpg - (105.68KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_62 discussing anatomy.jpg )

>Update on the progress of the base camp
>candidate for domestication or uplifting

Murdoc: The hunter spreads a few rough charcoal sketches on the table. "We've set up a little palisade around our camp. But more importantly, we made some friends. Fast and smart, and we feel with just a little nudge they could become full on thinking people."

Martah: "What a coincidence, I've found a candidate for personhood too." The shaper thumps a wrapped bundle on the table, opening it to reveal a head with snaggle teeth and an exposed cranium. "While looking through some of the spare parts I saw that these red ones have quite developed brains."

Murdoc: "Ah! That's the one, the raptor things!"

Martah: "You've met them? And they're friendly? This will be easy then. Just a poke around the head, switch to an upright posture..."

Murdoc: "Whoa hey no no no! They look so cool the way they are. They'll need opposable thumbs sure, but don't just shove them into a koboid body shape."

Martah: "Koboid body plan is the standard for a reason. It's more efficient! You just want to ride one, don't you?"

Murdoc: "Yes, I do! They aren't so big, they would function just as well they way they are!"

An argument ensues with much heated words and shaken fists exchanged between the esteemed council members.

A) uplift and give the raptors standard humanoid bodies
B) uplift and keep their bodies the same but with better manipulative hands
C) or something crazier?
Also what should we call these things?

A

>>1094686
B. But also, can't we just ask what they want?

Why the hell are you performing direct-contact biomancy on their immunocompromised brains with your dirt-covered bare hands?! You're going to give them literal brain-rot!
Ugh. (C) Taur-form if you're both so obsessed with contrasting postures.
Add udders.

I mean, if we're uplifting them, we could ask them what they want

I mean, if we're uplifting them, we could ask them what they want

>>1094686
Open with b and when they achieve sufficient understanding, give them choice.

You guys really know how to make friends.
Structurally too.

>>1094690
This is a dead one we had in our spare parts since back here >>1081392
I think germs are the least of its concerns.

>>1094686
B. and then ask what they want after you teach them your language.
Don't forget vocal chords capable of speaking your language!
>Name
Lizbolds will do, for now.

1/3 Nalthar 2024/08/05(Mon)23:19 No. 1095378 ID: 44c167
File 172292517917.jpg - (100.17KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_63 cheer up martah.jpg )

> Get your dirty hands outta that brain!

Martah: (Oh, don't worry, this is one that, eh, didn't survive our arrival. It's very dead. If you thought people's spirits didn't hang around their bodies long, they got nothing on animals. It's like they've got somewhere to be.)

> teach them your language.

Martah: (Hah, that's no problem. That was the secret to our trading success back in the old world. All robolds get a little extra bit on the brain that senses intent, so learning languages is a snap. I'll just copy that.)

> Open with basics and when they achieve sufficient understanding, give them choice.

Martah: "But that's so... easy. Where's the fun in that?"

Murdoc: "Would it make you feel better if I let you work on me too?"

Martah: "Sigh, yeah it would."

2/3 Nalthar 2024/08/05(Mon)23:20 No. 1095379 ID: 44c167
File 172292525164.jpg - (159.69KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_64 spa day.jpg )

Work progresses well. The crafters are happy to have something to work on. And there is only a minimum of broken bones from tossing logs down to the worksite a mile down.

The flesh shapers set up a makeshift workshop down at the camp. It's a simple set up. Curious lizards approach are lured in by the scent of the hunters' fresh kills. They are met by courtesans who usher them into the tents where a little spa has been set up. While the future lizzbolds are bathed and pampered shapers massage their scalps, gently driving magic in to run the animals' thoughts down new pathways. They also give each a pair of new thumbs, while they are reeling with the jump to sapience.

Once the lizzbolds have recovered they get to attend a sort of crash-course on being a person. Between their innate intelligence and the courtesan guild's skill at therapy, they are operating at the cognitive level of a child in only a few days.

Some of the newly lifted lizz go out with the hunter teams and spread the word (as it were) to other packs. By the time the weekend comes the camp is bustling with around sixty of the things.

3/3 Nalthar 2024/08/05(Mon)23:21 No. 1095380 ID: 44c167
File 172292528494.jpg - (53.39KB , 719x800 , fallingcity_65 new eyes for murdoc.jpg )

Meanwhile, Murdoc is getting an experimental new electro-sense organ from Martah. It can detect electrical impulses up to fifty feet away, and can operate just fine through flesh, though not very well through bone. The question is, where to put it.

Feel free to draw or just describe how it should be situated.

>>1095380
Tail tip. Easy to snake it around corners or close to something without risking a more immediately valuable limb.

>>1095378
Ah. Poor bastard.

>>1095380
Nipples

Doomsby 2024/08/06(Tue)22:31 No. 1095467 ID: 462d8c
File 172300867372.png - (369.75KB , 719x800 , ratboldwhisk.png )

What about as the classic, and stylish, sensory organ of whiskers? Nice wiggly things to show off your new skill.

>>1095467
Three words.
Star nosed mole.

Lots of tendrils but shorter, very prehensile. All on and sprouting from nose.
Can clench up like a weird fist if something starts agitating it.

Absurdity DeVoid 2024/08/08(Thu)12:46 No. 1095562 ID: e25c20
File 172314637111.jpg - (127.45KB , 462x470 , poklon 13.jpg )

Well, the best organ for detecting electricity would be 4 antennas and they would work like the ones that the snail has. They can retract back inside the head, and pop out when needed to be used.

Nalthar 2024/08/17(Sat)14:52 No. 1095980 ID: 355e44
File 172393155239.jpg - (63.89KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_66 tentacles.jpg )

>Nipples!

Murdoc: "No way! I need those."

>Tail

Martah: "That's a good idea but..."

>Tentacles Tentacles Tentacles!

Martah: "Tentacles Tentacles Tentacles!"

Murdoc: nods "Hm, yes. Sensible."

Martah: "Just kidding, we'll do both!"

One flesh shaping later...

Martah: "So now the tip of your tail can split open to reveal the sensor, that way you can mute it when you don't need as much information. And the ones around your nose can retract as well. Effective range of around 30 feet. Oh, and you'll need some extra vitamins to keep them running smoothly."

Murdoc: "Wonderful! You're the best Martah." she traps Martah in a big hug and pets the shapers head, to which he blushes and squirms. "Nooo, don't praise me. Murdoc stoooop!"

Nalthar 2024/08/17(Sat)14:52 No. 1095981 ID: 355e44
File 172393157513.jpg - (52.15KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_67 seed of a city.jpg )

As the week nears the end so too does completion of the new structure. Tall columns of public housing rise up on the left of the landing platform, with enough room for all 300 bolds, even if it is rather cramped. To the right is a large workshop, which is doubling as crafter housing for the moment.

The warehouse under the platform is already starting to fill with craftpieces. But not, unfortunatly, with much food. The farming effort has been unsucessful, and the hunting can only bring in so much a day. The top hunters are called up to discuss a plan.

Pitreh: "Despite my best encouragement, Marten continues to have no experience as an actual farmer. So we're going to need local help to get more than just meat. To that end, we are going to send an expedition to try and find said locals. I've already asked some of the older lizzbolds, combined with what we've observed from up here it seems we have three options."

Option 1: The structure in the mountains. Lizzbolds said there had been people on that side of the forest, but this was years ago. There are lights up there at night, so a good chance it's occupied.

Option 2: The desert across the mountains. One of the lizz said they wandered through a pass in the mountain once, so at least we have a guide. We don't have a great angle, even from this high, but there do appear to be lights out there on some nights.

Option 3: The jungle to the south. As far as we can see to the south, the river leaves the valley and flows into a dense jungle. Some ways away along it's length we've spotted a persistent hazy area, could be sign of a city's hearthfires. The lizz consider this valley their territory, so none have ever journed as far as that.

>>1095981
Option 1. Confirmed people, which means at the very least they can direct us to where the farmers are.

>>1095980
Out
Standing!

You now have the bestbparty trick ever.
You can pick your nose with your nose

>>1095981
Option 1 and 2 have confirmed people, or as close as were going to get.
The down side is both are environments where farmland and yeild is sparse.
Good lessons to be learned but scant resources for trade are likely.
That said, our capacity to gather meat for trade may tempt them.

Mountains.
Most dangers there are mitigated by our semi airborne hunters.

>>1095981
Not great places for large scale farms, but there is likely horticulture with hardy root vegetables in a mountain settlement. Those sorts of things can be adapted into easy farm produce for the inexperienced.

Option 1.

>>1095981
Option one seems likely to work and even if their aren't locals there anymore we can probably learn something from any ruins

Nalthar 2024/08/28(Wed)22:51 No. 1096650 ID: 355e44
File 172491067657.jpg - (95.99KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_68 lets go on a hike.jpg )

Pitreh: "Mountain expedition is a go then. Murdoc, you're leading. Pick whoever you need, but we only can only spare enough food to feed six for a week's journey, plus some for the lizzbolds that will carry you there. Oh, and take some craftworks with you, maybe we'll get trading partners out of this."

What sort of bolds should Murdoc fill the five available slots with?
Hunters: bolds skilled at hunting and wilderness survival, as well as combat.
Shapers: magic users able to shape living flesh to their design.
Crafters: those with the drive to create shape and form out of whatever material is at hand.
Scriveners: bolds who craft runes and make a deeper study of fundamental magic forces than shapers do.
Traders: the negotiators and planners of the tribe.
Courtesans: there to soothe tensions and keep everyone going.
"Farmers": bolds with nothing better to do so they might as well study the local fauna or something.

Also will you spirits be coming with, or stay here and keep planning the town?

>>1096650
Murdoc is a hunter...
One hunter, one shaper. Two fighters and a combat medic will handle any threats. Take a Scrivener so if there's any magical weirdness up there they can handle it. Additionally, let's take a trader for obvious reasons, and... I dunno, maybe another hunter, or a courtesan, or a crafter. Would both traders and crafters have an eye for valuable materials?

>>1096650
1 Hunter
1 Shaper
1 Scrivener
1 Trader
Keep the last lizbold free of a rider, in case we need to haul something back, or bring back a foreign diplomat. The extra food will give us a little more wiggle room as well, at least another day of thin rationing before we run out.

>>1096650
Agreed on the hunter, shaper and trader.
Perhaps a farmer too.
If our goal is to find sustainable food sources or learn farming techniques, someone who knows flora would be important.
A deficated mount for carrying goods to and returning with samples

Shaper + Courtesan: Can mold the social expert into the neighbors' deepest desires for long-lasting first impressions
2 Hunters: One to scout and one to guard.
Trader: They'll discuss basic trade routes. Make sure they don't scam the locals, we have a Titan and won't need to worry about being screwed over for a long time.

1/2 Nalthar 2024/09/12(Thu)18:10 No. 1097330 ID: 355e44
File 172618984396.jpg - (169.87KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_69 the expedition prepares.jpg )

The team assembles down on the field.

Murdoc is, of course, leading and will also be bringing her considerable scoutcraft skills to the table. She will be riding Gnapper.

The other hunter will be Burgo. As the only cappybolda he brings a good intimidation factor. He also has been getting on well with the lizzbolds. He will be riding Croosh.

Martah is our shaper, due to his skill but also because he and Murdoc are childhood friends. It's nepotism! He will be riding Tippitoe.

Donvan is NOT coming, because despite also being Murdoc and Martah's childhood friend he would be unbearable to spend a week in close quarters with. Instead we will be bringing Lantil as rune scrivener. She will be riding Jitter.

Mirrak is our most senior trader, and we should put our best foot forward. She will ride Leerin.

And to round things out is courtesan Hilgar. They used to be a hunter and still maintain some of those skills, so they'll be able to fill dual roles. They will be riding Hazard.

Also extra lizzbold Grina in case we need to carry something back and because they really really want to come.

2/2 Nalthar 2024/09/12(Thu)18:11 No. 1097331 ID: 355e44
File 172618988780.jpg - (174.75KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_70 forest routes.jpg )

The expedition sets out at a good pace. Lizzbolds are sprinters, but they can manage long distance as long as it's not too hurried.

The lizzbolds offer a choice of routes:

A) follow the stream; faster but more likely to encounter large predators.
B) through the forest; moderate pace but safer and easier hunting.
C) deep forest; slow but nothing larger than a lizzbold will show up due to undergrowth

Oh we have a choice of risk. Well, I'm not totally sure about our party strength, to be honest. Do you feel confident about fighting predators? We could do A. If it's iffy then B is fine.

Leaning towards B as the middle ground, but I guess it depends on just how much there is to worry about running into, for A.

>>1097331
B. With good hunting we can save more of our food supplies for the climb.

Nalthar 2024/09/18(Wed)21:58 No. 1097544 ID: 355e44
File 172672189007.jpg - (146.62KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_71 footprint puzzle.jpg )

The robolds are persuaded to temper their exuberance and take it safe. The lizzbolds race through ferns and thickets with sure feet and high spirits.

With the lizzbold's knowledge of the forest the party is able to avoid the more dangerous creatures, and fend off the more annoying ones. They even manage to bag a few small gliding salamanders, when a flock drops out of the canopy and divebombs them. By midday they rest in a clearing around halfway through the forest.

Murdoc takes a pair of lizzbolds to try and get in a bit of hunting. In a patch of dirt by the clearing are some fresh tracks.

Gnapper says:
A: A flock of little snappers. Taste okay but they're so tricky.
B: Ooh, spinies! Very tasty, but they sting.
C: Those things! They like to hide, but they taste good.
D: A big stomper, too big for lizzbolds to hunt alone. I wonder how they taste?

>>1097544
D! How do they taste?

>>1097544
C. Once we catch one, maybe Martah can use their vocal cords to make some calls and draw more out of hiding.

>>1097544
Spineys.
They may be easier to deal with for our more adept hunters.
The spines may be harvestable and have utility.
Plus, itd be a nice reward for our new lizbold buddies.

Nalthar 2024/09/27(Fri)22:38 No. 1097943 ID: 355e44
File 172750191553.jpg - (114.21KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_72 spinies.jpg )

Murdoc: "They all sound fun, so lets go for the tastiest!"

Following the scent from the trail of paw prints leads to a glade where several spiny things are rooting around. When they see the bolds they hiss and waggle their tendrils. Gnapper and Grina peek around Murdoc. "Ah, they always taunt us!" Gnapper whines.

>>1097943
Can't sting a spear!

>>1097943
Witness the almighty power of kobold engineering! (Sharp sticks)

1/3 Nalthar 2024/10/06(Sun)15:08 No. 1098307 ID: 355e44
File 172825253862.jpg - (93.39KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_73 victorious spoils.jpg )

Murdoc: (Well I don't have a spear, but how about mini spears?) She draws her shortbow and expertly pins a spiny to the tree. *Thunk*

Gnapper: "Woah!"

Murdoc: *Thunk Thunk*

Grina: "Wa wa wa wa wa!"

Murdoc: *ThunkThunkThunk*

Gnapper and Grina: "Ahhh so coool!"

2/3 Nalthar 2024/10/06(Sun)15:10 No. 1098308 ID: 355e44
File 172825262492.jpg - (60.08KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_74 camping time.jpg )

Taking some hooks and twine from her hunting pack, Murdoc strings up the several brace of spinies. Holding them at arms length so there's no stinging, the hunting party returns. Everyone is dutifully impressed with Murdoc's hunting prowess, and the lizzbolds are ecstatic about having spinies for supper.

With the prospect of tasty treats ahead the party makes good time and almost reaches the edge of the woods when night falls. Settling down around the campfire, everyone gets a delicious spiny fillet and handful of greens. Hilgar brings out their harmonica for some pleasant tunes.

There's just one thing to decide before turning in for the night...

3/3 Nalthar 2024/10/06(Sun)15:10 No. 1098309 ID: 355e44
File 172825265461.jpg - (73.36KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_75 a buncha nematocysts.jpg )

What're we gonna do with all these nematocysts?

>>1098309
Tempting to stick them onto someone... might have to make something to cover them most of the time to prevent accidental stingings. Or the augmented person stinging themselves, unless you can configure the nematocysts to be self-safe on the new body?

Would such a short-ranged stinging defense even be useful though? Maybe it could be a deterrent against predators at least.

Maybe you could attach them to arrows? Not sure stinging would be worse than being arrowed. Does the venom have any side effects, like paralysis or confusion? If you can reverse engineer immunity, perhaps you could attach them to stationary things e.g. bags or chests to prevent thievery? Not sure how long they last without a host.

>>1098309
Wild animals often go for vital places like the throat or ankles. These could make a good deterrant for our lizzbolds who have a rather large neck target zone.
If they become a problem during downtime, maybe they can be retractable like a frilled lizard.

1/2 Nalthar 2024/10/15(Tue)14:49 No. 1098629 ID: 355e44
File 172902896141.jpg - (123.06KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_76 fabulous.jpg )

Murdoc: "Eh, I dunno." she rubs the tip of a tentacle, wincing as neurotoxic fire shoots down her arm "Hnnnn! Nnnnot so u-useful. I've felt waa-ha-ha-wooorse."

Hilgar: "Quit showing off." they give Murdoc a playful slap on the arm, causing her to double over with a pained keening. "What's important is that they're pretty and they would look good on Gnapper."

Gnapper: "Me?"

Martah: "Oh yeah, you're the eldest right? Let's help you look the part."

And so courtesan and shaper conspire to give Gnapper a fabulous mane of stingity tendrils. Murdoc lounges around on the floor, clutching her arm and being of no help at all. But she does agree Gnapper's new hair is stunning, and is glad that Martah made the stinging a consciously controlled action, so riding the lizzbold won't be a constant dance with pain.

2/2 Nalthar 2024/10/15(Tue)14:50 No. 1098630 ID: 355e44
File 172902901762.jpg - (199.50KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_77 goat!.jpg )

The night passes without many animal attacks, most keeping a wary distance from the campfire. As sunlight dapples through the thick foliage the party sets out for their second day of travel. The gentle slope they have been following since they left the portal gets steeper, and the trees thin out as they emerge at the foot of the mountain.

Working their way through the scrub of the first rise, the party halts at the sound of jingling. Munching away at a scraggly bush is a small goat.

>>1098630
It's got a bell, that means it belongs to someone! Call out, maybe its owner is nearby.

>>1098630
A mark of ownership means it belongs to a sapient, and something like a bell suggests at least a level of development where they can shape metal.

That means two things:
One, our mission objective is looking up!
Two, they might have arrows or throwing spears and will recognize the lizbolds as predators, so be wary.

It may be better if a small party of 'bolds goes on from here to avoid spooking them. Murdoc can track the goat's prints back to whomever it shepherding it, and bring Mirrak and Hilgar for negotiations. Bring just a single lizbold with our trade goods saddlebags, to give the appearance of a tamed pack animal at first glance.

Everyone else can remain behind. If a rescue is needed, we spirits can notify them to come in as the cavalry.

>>1098636
Good eye.

It is owned, possibly lost,
Try not to look like cattle rustlers if you do approach.
Maybe loudly ask if anyone has lost a goat?

Oh and do inform the lizbolds that if they see any other goats around not to approach them. Any natives of this planet would not know about the uplifting.

Make sure your companions recognize this goat as "not-food-yet". You need to catch it! You can return it to the owner for a reward or PR.

Nalthar 2024/10/26(Sat)20:10 No. 1099083 ID: 355e44
File 172999861190.jpg - (132.88KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_78 more goats.jpg )

The party circles around the goat. The small caprine rotates his eyes at them, makes a short bleat, and goes back to munching.

Murdoc: "Well this is clearly domesticated, right? And it didn't come from the forest so we're on the right track."

Gnapper: She sniffs the goat, which bonks his head on her snout. "This little fluff wouldn't last long in the trees no. Looks too tasty for that."

Murdoc: "Well don't eat it yet. If we bring it back to whoever lost it then that's a good start to making new friends." She looks around, but the mountainside is empty as far as the eye can see. She hoists the goat up onto Gnapper's back with her, where he immediately begins snoozing. "Mirrak, Hilgar; we're going to try and find the goatherd. The rest of you follow along a little ways behind."

Heading steadily upwards through heather and brush, the party doesn't see anything for most of the morning. Then from the other side of a rise comes the sounds of jingling bells. The little goat in Murdoc's lap wakes up and lets out a loud bleat, which is answered by several others.

Coming over the ridge, they find a whole herd of goats. Each goat has a little bell tied to their horn, but there doesn't seem to be anyone else around. A stone hut stands nearby with its door shut.

>>1099083
Looks like a wooden crook over there by that bush. Go say hello.

>>1099084
Thats either a pair of ears or hornsnpoking out if it too.

Announce your approach.
Dont want to startle them.
Compliment the qualities of the goat youre returning.
The bell and ribbon mark it as special. Plus it imparts that you are aware of the thing you are willingly returning which in turn implies honesty.
A good introduction, even if you end up startlingbtge bush dwelling goatherd.

>>1099083
Someone in the bush. Calmly return the goat to the herd. There will probably be an initial language barrier, so try to show a body language of peaceful intent.

Nalthar 2024/11/02(Sat)19:53 No. 1099305 ID: 355e44
File 173060243624.jpg - (71.07KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_79 maybe not a goat.jpg )

Even without using her new electro-sense, Murdoc's keen hunter's eye notices the obvious horns sticking out of the conspicuous bush. She dismounts and trots over to investigate.

Murdoc: "Hey hey, no need to hide. I think we found one of your's and brought them back." She parts the leaves to reveal... not a goat?

Nalthar 2024/11/02(Sat)19:54 No. 1099306 ID: 355e44
File 173060245337.jpg - (72.72KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_80 yeah thats not a goat.jpg )

???: Ahhhhh!

>>1099306
Is it... wearing goat horns? Maybe a headdress identifying profession.

Give them some space.

>>1099306
Eh. Take a step back and see if they calm down a bit.

Don't worry, horrifying screams are just normal noises goats make. He is goatkin, living among the goates to become one with them.

>>1099306
Give the poor odd thing some space.
You have to admit with all the fleshcrafting a gang of hunters on velociraptors would be a perturbing wakeup call.

See if the screams are communicative or just panic.

1/2 Nalthar 2024/11/10(Sun)21:50 No. 1099616 ID: 355e44
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Murdoc: "Whoa, sorry. I'll give you some space." The hunter backs off from the rustling bush, which unravels into a lanky salamander.

salamander: "Ahhhh! Demon goats!" He tries to scamper away, but quickly trips over a rock and tumbles down the slope, shedding leaves and his horns as he goes.

2/2 Nalthar 2024/11/10(Sun)21:51 No. 1099617 ID: 355e44
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His flight ends as he bounces off Gnapper's leg and sprawls on the ground. The little goat bahs a greeting and hops down onto his belly, eliciting a small "oof" from the panting salamander. The bunnbolds come over to check on him.

Mirrak: "Are you alright?"

salamander: *Sniff* "No I'm not alright! I fell down and lost my horns and now the goats won't respect me and Palla was right and now I'm going to be dragged down to the dusty pit of hell!"

>>1099617
Aww. Fetch the poor guy his horns.

>>1099617
"Uh... okay, that's... progressive? The jerk neighbors I used to live with said everyone with horns deserved to go to hell, and... screw those guys?"

They're just goats...

>>1099617
Curious, there's no difficulty understanding him.

Help him up and return his horns. Explain that you are foreigners who have come to this land to settle.

I will smuggle you into Heaven! I will have you know that not having horns is a very silly requirement to go to Hell. My people don't have horns and they've been doing just fine. Let me help you up, and give some food, see if you are down in the dumps after that.