>>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
File 173130423086.jpg - (128.81KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_81 took a little tumble.jpg )

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
File 173130427417.jpg - (111.38KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_82 splat.jpg )

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.