>>1098035
Nice! Roderick is deaf and blind. Deaf for a short period, as long as you'll be deafened, but that blindness will last for a bit. We'll tell you when it's about to wear off.
You have enough time to reposition behind him, probably, before the deafness wears off. He won't be able to tell you moved!

>>1098036
(well, it requires touch too, so it's risky! maybe once we disable him...)

Normally both of you having your senses deprived for the same amount of time would make it safe to move closer, but unfortunately Bakoth can hear our conversation and guide Roderick based on that. It probable won't be a precise attack, but if you are unlucky it will be difficult to defend against. Maybe he even have another way to perceive the environment.

Waiting by the door now seem like a more sensible course of action than it was a moment earlier. It should help prevent attacks from unexpected directions and impede Roderick from running pass all of you out of this room (not that I expect him to do so). The problem with this plan is that allow him to move freely while we wait, so it will waste time.

Approaching him is still an option, just not as good as I originally wanted to. You could move three to five steps in a diagonal direction in relation to him. Try not to think verbally if it's left or right, but if you can't avoid or Bakoth provoke you into thinking it, don't worry, because he still won't know the angle you will choose just by that. You can even talk to your allies so they know where you are and that you can't hear them because Roderick won't hear you either.

To Mina and Evel’yee:
Try to stay close.

To Roderick:
Are you really in control? Do you think you would commit this many mistakes? You are not that stupid. Are you so eager to take responsibility of all those irrational decisions? They were never mistakes! Those weren't decision made by ignorance, they were done by malice. This creature doesn't share your goals.
What he want above all else have nothing to do with the box. How many times you had to deny his demands to kill Mina? He want her dead, you don't. You twisted his words into wishing for her to run away, but you know the nagging thoughts were never for distance but for murder.
He fear the priestess and she in turn never knew where your hostility was coming from. How much of her confusion was twisted into antagonism inside your head? Twisted by him!

Oh fuck blinded and deafened?

OK OK this means you can cast a spell without being located by your music. Which would be really helpful if you had any spells left. Fuck.

Shout to Mina that this was the only way to get him blinded too. Wait you're deafened never mind fuckfuckfuck...

If you're going to move, you remember where the grease was, right?

>>1098035
We dont talk to your ears slinky.
I think.
You need to carefully move back and give evee a clear shot.
Slow pace. Compensate for party members.

Roderick got the worst of that blast.
He'll be vulnerable a little longer than you.
One of the winds is running interferance and whispering in his ear.
Adding to the confusion.
Quite effectively too.

Youre doing well tanna.

Hm.
I wonder...

To Roderick:
Are you really in control? Do you think you would commit this many mistakes? You are not that stupid. Are you so eager to take responsibility of all those irrational decisions? They were never mistakes! Those weren't decision made by ignorance, they were done by malice. This creature doesn't share your goals.

Lets see if a chorus of more voices drive it home harder...

1/4 Tanna 2024/10/04(Fri)17:54 No. 1098237 ID: a4785e
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You threw a fucking bomb underground and you didn’t even know what it did?!

I’d do it again!

>Oh fuck blinded and deafened?

Yeah! Believe me, it sucks!

>We dont talk to your ears slinky. I think.

Thankfully! Although, eaugh… this is so disorienting. My ears are ringing so bad, but I can sort of hear a bit of muffled sounds happening around me. Hopefully this isn’t permanent…

>Nice! Roderick is deaf and blind. Deaf for a short period, as long as you'll be deafened, but that blindness will last for a bit.
>Roderick got the worst of that blast. He'll be vulnerable a little longer than you.

H-how do you know that? I mean I believe you, but…

>Roderick's not his toy, and you're going to save him from this child's temper tantrum.

He is my toy, my puppet. All of them were, just as Tanna is yours. Trying to highroad me while pretending to be different persons, cousin? What an utter joke.

The Winds aren’t like you, bastard. They don’t whisper lies and try to control me, they simply offer advice.

They aren’t a separate entity… are you honestly this damaged? My cousin is MANIPULATING you. The ‘Winds’ are them! They’re likely responsible for your memory loss in the first place!

>calling out mister smarty voice for being a light-loving simp. Hates the darkness so much, but can't swim in it himself?

You call me childish while calling me a light-loving simp? Do I even need to explain how idiotic that is?! Where did you even pick a word like that up, it’s certainly not from around here!

(What’s a simp?)

Hah, okay cousin. Fine, you wanna know something, ‘Tanna’?

Maybe a name will help jog your memory, make you realize how stupid you’re being and break you free, eh? I’ll give you this one for free, O██████.

No. Do not attempt that again.

?! Wha-what?!

I don’t need whatever poisoned gift you're willing to offer me! Take my old name and choke on it!

>You have enough time to reposition behind him, probably, before the deafness wears off. He won't be able to tell you moved!
>Waiting by the door now seem like a more sensible course of action than it was a moment earlier. The problem with this plan is that allow him to move freely while we wait, so it will waste time.

He’s injured and disabled, we should press the advantage. Giving him time to recover while this darkness is up is asking for trouble.

>Roderick was given a Fatal Wound. Yet he's not downed? Shouldn't take much more damage.

...My toy’s more durable than you think.

Getting scared?

What have you embroiled yourself in this time…

?

2/4 Tanna 2024/10/04(Fri)17:54 No. 1098238 ID: a4785e
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>Shout to Mina that this was the only way to get him blinded too
>You can even talk to your allies so they know where you are and that you can't hear them because Roderick won't hear you either.
>Approaching him is still an option. Try not to think verbally if it's left or right, but if you can't avoid or Bakoth provoke you into thinking it, don't worry, because he still won't know the angle you will choose just by that.

You’re right! I can still talk to Mina and Evel’yee, and I think you would’ve told me if they got deafened as well. They can help guide me too, Evel’yee’s protected from his intrusions and he doesn’t want to touch Mina it seems...

“Mina, Evel’yee, I can’t hear, but we need to close the distance and press the advantage! The bomb’s messed him up, I definitely knew it’d blind him!”

Tanna’s Move Action

I ‘hear’ more muffled sounds, it’s hard to tell where they’re coming from. Gods, my ears hurt. I’ll prepare to move with someone, assuming they do as I ask.

>If you're going to move, you remember where the grease was, right?

Yeah, I have a general idea, something like twenty feet to thirty feet in front of me? As long as we don’t rush forward, I’ll stop Mina if that’s the case.

Mina Haliasong’s Turn

Mina’s Standard, Move, & Swift Action

>To Mina:
>Try to stay close.

I can barely see Mina approach me from behind, her hand brushes against mine and she begins to lead me forwards.

I’m not thinking about where I’m going forward, I’m not thinking about it! Just take me forward where you think best, Mina! Along the way, she swaps to my right side. I start trailing against a wal- fuck!

Along the wall, are you?

Fuck! We’re definitely approaching though. Roderick’s smell is getting stronger, so is the burning oil. That… weird feeling too, the one where I can feel their ‘Weave’. It’s fuzzy, but Roderick is close. We’re next to th- don’t think about it! Shh, brain!

>To Mina:
>Sorry babe, not the goddess you had in mind. But she said "hi" earlier today. I think we will come of a little more jumble to you than to Tanna. I'm sure you can figure it out. I didn't want to get you in danger but on the bright side you can use your touch spells. Protection from Evil is confirmed to work on Bakoth (that's the entity who want you dead), but Roderick think the words from this thing are his own thoughts so using it will likely not be enough to convince him to stop attacking. I wouldn't recommend it.

I can’t hear Mina, but it looks like she’s calling out backwards to Evel’yee? She’ll pat me on the shoulder and point forwards, mouthing the word Roderick. She also rolls her eyes, probably the ‘babe’ comment. Get used to it, Mina, haha.

Tanna’s Grease burns out.

This image was drawn by another artist that wished to remain anonymous.

3/4 Tanna 2024/10/04(Fri)18:12 No. 1098242 ID: 147667
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Roderick Volhalsin’s Turn

>To Roderick:
>Are you really in control? Do you think you would commit this many mistakes? You are not that stupid. Are you so eager to take responsibility of all those irrational decisions? They were never mistakes! Those weren't decision made by ignorance, they were done by malice. This creature doesn't share your goals. What he want above all else have nothing to do with the box. How many times you had to deny his demands to kill Mina? He want her dead, you don't. You twisted his words into wishing for her to run away, but you know the nagging thoughts were never for distance but for murder. He fear the priestess and she in turn never knew where your hostility was coming from. How much of her confusion was twisted into antagonism inside your head? Twisted by him!

>To Roderick:
>Are you really in control? Do you think you would commit this many mistakes? You are not that stupid. Are you so eager to take responsibility of all those irrational decisions? They were never mistakes! Those weren't decision made by ignorance, they were done by malice. This creature doesn't share your goals.

Mina suddenly goes wide-eyed as she looks towards where I think Roderick is. I wish I could hear.

>DISRUPT BAKOTH’S CONTROL CHECK: 1d100(66) > 75(80[Base] - 5[Duplicate Message]) = FAILURE

Grr… you think you can take away control? You know how much I’ve drowned his thoughts in lies and hatred?

You see, my puppet hasn’t thought for themselves for quite a while. This goes beyond simple control, I’ve ruined him forever, a body fit only to serve me.

...You’re a gods-damned monster.

Thanks.

Roderick’s Swift & Standard Action

>SCENT-BASED PERCEPTION CHECK: 11(6[Roll] + 3[Mentality] + 1[Proximity] + 1[Shadow Strength]) > 10[DC] = SUCCESS

I can smell something sweet all of a sudden, it smells familiar… ah dammit. It’s a Potion of Cure Light Wounds, he’s healing himself!

Roderick’s Move Action

>SNEAKING CHECK AGAINST EVEL’YEE: 9(4[Roll] + 1[Dexterity] - 2[Full Plate] + 2[Darkness] + 1[Shadow Strength] + 3[Proximity]) > 11(6[Roll] + 3[Mentality] + 2[Enhanced Hearing]) = FAILURE

Ack! He’s really close, oh shit! D-don’t thin-

Oh, I’ll finish it for you. ‘Roderick takes a sniff and realizes that Tanna and Mina are actually right next to him. We’re all crowding around a brazier, and he’s going to brutally murder me soon!’. Just give me a second you annoying little shit, I’ll tear you apart soon enough.

He’s right next to me, Winds, yeah. It’s hard to make out his entire form, but he’s taking cover behind the brazier to make it harder for Evel’yee to shoot him I presume. That potion from earlier has healed some of his wounds.

Evel’yee Trèswillow’s Turn

Evel’yee’s Standard Action

>To Evel’yee:
>Don't be like that. Getting angry will only make me want to complement you more: That was an excellent shot! Congratulations. Cute and skilled! A small femme fatale. I would recommend that even you should get close to him to avoid unseen surprises. If you can't run and attack try to stay close to Tanna to avoid been targeted alone.

Wish I could see or hear how she reacted to that.

>EVEL’YEE’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(59) > 50 = SUCCESS

>EVEL’YEE’S ATTACK: 15(4[Dexterity] + 10[Roll] + 1[Combat Modifier] + 1[Size]) > 11(5[Base] + 4[Full Plate] + 2[Cover]) = SUCCESS

>EVEL’YEE’S DAMAGE: 1[Arrow] + 1[Strength] + 1[Archery Talent] = 3 PAIN

>Though I wonder how Evel’yee was able to land such a shot on Roderick like that. Is she not affected or just that good of a shot?

Are you fucking joking me?! Completely dark and I’m behind cover, and she still lands that?!

H-holy shit. Another arrow flies from the darkness and embeds very closely to Roderick’s neck. He tumbles backwards with an expression of twisted pain, grasping at the arrow. Whatever bravado he had earlier seems to be quickly disappearing. T-the darkness is affecting her, right?

Evel’yee’s Move Action

END ROUND 2

4/4 Tanna 2024/10/04(Fri)18:13 No. 1098243 ID: 7cc272
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ROUND 3:

Tanna is no longer Deafened.

Roderick is no longer Deafened.

Tanna Sybilant’s Intermission

The ringing in my ears is starting to die down... “M-Mina? I think I can hear again.”

“Oh? Good to hear, ‘babe’! The heck was up with that? And also with you throwing a bomb you ‘definitely knew’ would blind Roderick?!” She gives me a scolding look. “How did you even know it even blinded him?”

Roderick growls next to us… he still has his eyes shut, I think. “I uh… I just did! Where’s Evel’yee!?”

Mina will thumb over t- somewhere! Fuck you Bakoth!

Ho ho.

What’s the next move, Winds? After that last shot, he’s close. I think he’d probably be down already if he hadn’t drunk that potion! Being this close to him is sort of scary though…

>>1098237
"THE DREAD PLAY HAS YET TO BEGIN"

>>1098243
Tanna, focus on defense.

Roderick: Why are you wasting time fighting when you could be opening the box? Have you tried coating it in your blood then knocking five times on the top then flipping it over and knocking five times on the bottom?

No dumb risks this time, now the plan is to capture him after he lose consciousness. Hit him with your blade without hesitation.
The healing potion must have patched his fatal wound so the chances of him dyeing if you succeed will be much smaller. Not that it matter much: his death is a more acceptable result than yours.

To Mina:
Is it that upsetting? What can I say, Vax have good taste.
To answer you question: I don't know where this kind of information comes from. At first I though it was Tanna's inner monologue but she reacted with surprise when I asked for clarification earlier.
Now, If Tanan doesn't manage to make him faint I think it's time for Hideous Laughter.

To Evel’yee:
That was awesome! You are really good at this. Right on the shoulder! Who knew someone this adorable could be this dangerous?
By the way love: If you said something to me just now could you repeat it? I couldn't hear for a moment.
If Tana or Mina get him this will be the time for your magical bondage gear. I hope you are not set in vengeance because he is currently not in control of his thoughts so it's technically not his faut.

To Roderick:
Remember why you've came here. You lead your friends back to this place to decipher a treasure, not to kill them and rot alone in a dark room. Remember who you are.

Roderick, I know it seems like there's no hope, that you're too weary and afraid. He just told you everything he promised or suggested was a lie, and still you do his bidding. He never really showed you anyone who deserved your hatred, never protected you from those plotting against you, it was all a ruse to make you hate nothing at all. And you do, and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. You can't control yourself, you're scared and alone in there, but you are in there Roderick. Hold tight, and we'll throw you a sturdy branch to hang onto. And one way or another, this storm will pass.

Tanna, you can hear him, you know where he is, strike true and back away. He can best you in blades, and you're out of spells, so your agility is your best bet at this point. This is what God gave you whiskers for. Feel his sword displace the air and dodge!

>>1098243
Scary, yes, but what do you do when fear has your heart?
Same thing you did every other time here.
You dont hide from what you feel, but you dont let it change you either tanna.
Yeah, youre afraid.
Still gonna kick his ass AND save him.
You hear that evil wind?
Slinky is gonna ruin your day!

Oh, by the way.
We'll tell you what simp is later.
Gonna need two squirrels and a pair of leggings for the demonstration...

To roderick.
Hang on. For evelee. For mina. Were going to pull you out of this dark. It may hurt some but an old soldier like you can stand pain. Especially if its for your friends. Just hold on.

Tanna: Attempt to sneak behind him. Attempt to trip him with your sickle.
Evel’yee: Continue to shoot arrows.

1/4 Tanna 2024/10/11(Fri)14:35 No. 1098485 ID: 207077
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>Scary, yes, but what do you do when fear has your heart? Same thing you did every other time here. You dont hide from what you feel, but you dont let it change you either tanna. Yeah, youre afraid. Still gonna kick his ass AND save him.

How utterly pathetic. Words without meaning, action without merit. You will not be saving anyone this night.

They’ve kept me alive and helped me do good things. And we will keep Roderick alive!

>You hear that evil wind? Slinky is gonna ruin your day!

Please. Whatever ends up happening is hardly going to affect me. You came here looking for a certain object, haven’t you? A box perhaps? Ahaha…

Only because you’ve made me! And believe me, I’m dumping that piece of shit the moment I can!

I know I’ve a penchant for telling falsities, but I assure you, I’m not the one that put that compulsion upon you. I’ve only made my puppet and the others wish to open it. Knowing where yours comes from though is honestly hilarious.

What…?

Truthfully, this whole thing is all rather interesting. These ‘Winds’, perhaps they aren’t the manipulations I thought they were. Their dialogues seem rather varied, as if sometimes they even disagree with each other. What would be the point of that, just to sell the idea that they’re of different opinion to the victim? Perhaps… but still, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

More vague bullshit! That’s all that ever comes out of your mouth/mind! What are you talking about?! Why do you keep alluding to all this as though you’ve seen it before?!

Haha, frustrating, isn’t it? A story is being crafted here, and the pathetic creature that is you is its main character. They’ve chosen to hide your memories, and for now I think for now I’ll play along. Hell, I’m half tempted to… ah, but where would the fun in that be?

Think you can beat me truly? I’ll kill you otherwise, Slinky.

That name isn’t for you to use…

>Tanna, focus on defense.
>No dumb risks this time, now the plan is to capture him after he lose consciousness. Hit him with your blade without hesitation.
>Tanna, you can hear him, you know where he is, strike true and back away. He can best you in blades, and you're out of spells, so your agility is your best bet at this point. This is what God gave you whiskers for. Feel his sword displace the air and dodge!
>Attempt to sneak behind him.

Sneak behind me? You know I can read your thoughts, yes?

Where exactly will I be behind you? Mhm?

Ah, a little bit of biteback. Touché.

Tanna’s Move Action

>SNEAKING CHECK AGAINST RODERICK: 8(5[Roll] + 4[Dexterity] + 2[Effective] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 4[Proximity]) > 7(4[Roll] + 3[Mentality] + 1[Scent] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 2[Blinded]) = SUCCESS

I slink somewhere behind Roderick, and raise my blade.

>To Roderick:
>Why are you wasting time fighting when you could be opening the box? Have you tried coating it in your blood then knocking five times on the top then flipping it over and knocking five times on the bottom?

“SILENCE!” Roderick snarls, thrashing in rage. Mina has to back up just to avoid his violent motions.

You’re damaging his mind, ‘Winds’. Just imagine how confused he must be, suddenly hearing voices in his head that aren’t his ‘own’!

Tanna’s Standard Action

We’ll save you from this, Roderick. I swing my blade down at Roderick’s cloaked arm.

>To Roderick:
>Remember why you've came here. You lead your friends back to this place to decipher a treasure, not to kill them and rot alone in a dark room. Remember who you are.
+
>Roderick, I know it seems like there's no hope, that you're too weary and afraid. He just told you everything he promised or suggested was a lie, and still you do his bidding. He never really showed you anyone who deserved your hatred, never protected you from those plotting against you, it was all a ruse to make you hate nothing at all. And you do, and I'm so sorry you have to go through this. You can't control yourself, you're scared and alone in there, but you are in there Roderick. Hold tight, and we'll throw you a sturdy branch to hang onto. And one way or another, this storm will pass.
+
>Hang on. For evelee. For mina. Were going to pull you out of this dark. It may hurt some but an old soldier like you can stand pain. Especially if its for your friends. Just hold on.
=
>Roderick, I know it seems like there’s no hope, that you’re too weary and afraid. You can’t control yourself, but we’re going to pull you out of this dark. It may hurt, but an old soldier like you can stand the pain. Remember why you lead them here. There was a treasure to decipher, it wasn’t to kill them and rot alone in a dark room. Remember who you are, remember your friends. Mina, Evel’yee, Vax, and Jacob. Just hold on, one way or another this storm will pass.

>DISRUPT BAKOTH’S CONTROL CHECK: 1d100(56) > 55(80[Base] - 25[Very Effective Message]) = FAILURE

“E-end this…” Roderick says through gritted teeth, leaning into my swing…

Y̴O̷U̷ ̸V̵I̴L̶E̴ ̶P̴I̶E̸C̷E̶ ̷O̷F̴ ̵T̴R̴A̴S̷H̸…̶ ̷Y̸O̷U̵ ̸A̵R̶E̴ ̷M̸I̵N̵E̴!̴

>TANNA’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(36) > 20[Close Darkness] = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S ATTACK: 6(4[Dexterity] + 3[Roll] + 2[Flanking] - 1[Intrusive Thoughts] - 2[Fighting Defensively]) > 5(5[Base] + 4[Full Plate] - 1[Intrusive Thoughts] - 3[Leans into Attack]) = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S DAMAGE: 2[Scimitar] + 1[Strength] = 3 PAIN & FATAL WOUND

I strike him soundly in his cloaked shoulder, my blade slicked with his blood. He lets out an agonized grunt as his body begins to fa-

Let’s add a little drama, shall we? What good antagonist would go down so easily?!

Huh… what is going on?

2/4 Tanna 2024/10/11(Fri)14:35 No. 1098486 ID: 207077
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R-Roderick’s body suddenly jerks upright… his head lolling to the side and his limbs snapping into place like some sort of macabre doll. His movements are horrifyingly unnatural as he sways back and forth, maintaining a hideous balance.

“R-Roderick…? P-please, just stop… whoever you are, I’m begging you…” I hear Mina’s quiet voice from the dark. This is awful…

Mina Haliasong’s Turn

“Whaa’s wroon, Meena?” The monster snickers with an evil grin at me before swinging his head to face Mina. “Is okaahy, yooh’ve shaved meh!”

>MINA’S SHAKEN CHECK: 7(3[Mentality] + 6[Roll] - 2[Friend]) > 9(5[Base] + 2[Fearful Darkness] + 2[Nightmare Creature]) = FAILURE

Mina has become Shaken*.

“Get out of his body you frea-hic-KING MONSTER!!” Mina growls at Roderick’s twisted body, hiccuping as she still refuses to curse.

>To Mina:
>Now, If Tanan doesn't manage to make him faint I think it's time for Hideous Laughter.

Mina’s Standard Action

“GAAHAHAH!”

“LEAVE HIM ALONE!!” She screams as she begins to cast a spell, I can’t see what she’s casting from where I’m at, but her hand thrusts out to try and touch Roderick!

>MINA’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(88) > 20[Close Darkness] = SUCCESS

>MINA’S TOUCH ATTACK: 5(3[Dexterity] + 2[Roll] + 2[Flanking] - 2[Shaken]) > 3(5[Base] - 2[Animated]) = HIT

>RODERICK’S SAVE AGAINST PROTECTION FROM EVIL (VIA BAKOTH): 7(3[Roderick’s Mentality] + 6[Roll] - 3[Mina’s Mentality] + 1[Shadow Strength]) > 5[DC] = SUCCESS

I can see the magic slam against Roderick in the dark as it’s violently repulsed away. “MY PUPPET! GYEHEEHEE!!” Another shrill laugh erupts from Roderick’s Bakoth-controlled body.

“The fucks going on?!” Evel’yee calls out from somewhere on my left.

This isn’t good! “Mina, get away from there! Move!”

Mina’s Movement & Swift Action

>MINA’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(79) > 20[Close Darkness] = SUCCESS

>MINA’S SKULLDUGGERY CHECK: 10(2[Strength] + 8[Roll] + 2[Flanking] - 2[Shaken]) > 9(5[Base] + 1[Dexterity] + 4[Strength] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 2[Animated]) = SUCCESS

Roderick has fallen prone

“GET OUT! GET OUT!!” Mina cries as she pushes Roderick to the floor. She’s not thinking straight!

*Shaken imposes a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saves, skill checks, and may cause characters to act irrationally.

3/4 Tanna 2024/10/11(Fri)14:36 No. 1098487 ID: 207077
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Roderick Volhalsin’s Turn

Roderick suffers 1 PAIN for having a Fatal Wound and being unconscious.

Roderick’s Swift Action

>RODERICK’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(59) > 50[Blinded] = SUCCESS

>RODERICK’S SKULLDUGGERY CHECK: 12(4[Strength] + 9[Roll] + 1[Shadow Strength] + 2[Effective] - 2[Prone] - 2[Animated]) > 10(5[Base] + 3[Dexterity] + 2[Strength]) = SUCCESS

“Agh!!” Roderick kicks out from beneath her, swiping her leg with his own and sending her tumbling to the floor next to him. She rolls over and tries to get up before Roderick’s gauntleted fist slams her back down.

Roderick’s Standard Action

“SCHLICEE! HAEHEAHA” He cackles as he brings his sword down upon her while they’re both writhing on the floor.

>RODERICK’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(90) > 50[Blinded] = SUCCESS

>RODERICK’S ATTACK: 10(4[Strength] + 8[Roll] + 1[Combat Modifier] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 2[Prone] - 2[Animated]) > 6(5[Base] + 3[Dexterity] - 2[Prone]) = SUCCESS

>RODERICK’S DAMAGE: 3[Greatsword] + 2[Strength] + 1[Two-Handed] - 1[Animated] = 5 PAIN & FATAL WOUND

I hear a sickeningly awful sounding tearing of flesh as Roderick drags the sword across Mina’s midsection. A terrible wound is left behind as Mina lets out a ghastly quiet scream, the sound caught in her throat as she arches her back in agony. “NO!!”

“Mina?! Tanna, talk to me!!” Evel’yee shouts with worry. M-Mina’s not moving!

“Wanna be da hero sho bad? Shave evaryawn? Won’t le’shoo…” It whispers with dark promise.

>TANNA’S SHAKEN CHECK: 5(3[Mentality] + 4[Roll] - 2[Story]) > 9(5[Base] + 2[Fearful Darkness] + 2[Nightmare Creature]) = FAILURE

Tanna has become Shaken*.

She’s going to die… hah… h-how many times… this story… no no NO NO!! IT NEVER CHANGES, WHY DOES EVERYONE ALWAYS DIE?!

Roderick’s Move Action

Roderick’s body contorts in an awful way as he’s forced to push himself up! “STAY DOWN!!”

>TANNA’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(83) > 20[Close Darkness] = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S ATTACK OF OPPORTUNITY: 9(4[Dexterity] + 8[Roll] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 2[Fighting Defensively] - 2[Shaken]) > 7(5[Base] + 4[Full Plate] - 2[Prone]) = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S DAMAGE: 2[Scimitar] + 1[Strength] = 3 PAIN

I hit him again, slashing him across the collarbone, but he just won’t fall! How is he still standing?!

Roderick drags his blade along the ground, trying to raise it over Mina’s body! “Taannnaaaa… ooohhh Taaannnaaaa…” He says eerily, blood dripping from his mouth, brutal wounds oozing away his life… he slams the point of his sword into the floor, just narrowly missing her!

“STOP IT!!”

Evel’yee Trèswillow’s Turn

“Gods dammit! Calm the fuck down, Tanna! Focus!” Evel’yee shouts at me… c-calm down? I… hah…f-fuck, I’m shaking all over… why does this always happen… why does everyone always die!!

>To Evel’yee:
>That was awesome! You are really good at this. Right on the shoulder! Who knew someone this adorable could be this dangerous?
+
>Continue to shoot arrows.
+
>I hope you are not set in vengeance because he is currently not in control of his thoughts so it's technically not his faut.
=
>That was awesome! You really are good at this. Who knew someone this adorable could be this dangerous! Keep in mind that he’s not in control of his thoughts, so it’s technically not his fault. Keep shooting him with arrows though!

“That’s right, keep praising me…”

>EVEL’YEES ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(23) > 50[Distanced Darkness] = FAILURE

An arrow wizzes by and strikes the wall next to us! N-no! No no no! “Mhm.”

Evel’yee’s Move and Swift Action

I see Evel’yee slip next to the two of us from the darkness, she has a dagger in her hand. “FUCK! Tanna?!” She notices my utter panic, the fear gripping my heart. Just as Roderick slams his sword down again, Evel’yee knocks it out of the way with her dagger!

>EVEL’YEE’S SHAKEN CHECK: 12(3[Mentality] + 9[Roll]) > 9(5[Base] + 2[Fearful Darkness] + 2[Nightmare Creature]) = SUCCESS

“ACT TANNA!! YOU HAVE TO END THIS NOW!”

END OF ROUND 3

4/4 Tanna 2024/10/11(Fri)14:38 No. 1098489 ID: e11d27
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ROUND 4:

Tanna Sybilant’s Intermission

T-The monster’s attention is all focused on Mina*… he raises his sword once more as he knocks Evel’yee away with a kick!

There’s no more time! I have to! I have to kill him now!

*Characters that reach a pain threshold equal to their maximum threshold plus 2 plus their Strength category plus their level die. For example, Mina will die at 9 pain. Characters who are unconscious when their turn begins and have a Fatal Wound suffer 1 pain.

Roderick has taken a total of 15 pain and has had one Potion of Cure Light Wounds.

>What do the winds suggest?

No time left. You have to risk killing him or Mina will die.
Climb up on top of him and slice the back of his neck all the way. While he's reeling from paralysis, Evel'yee needs to nab the potion before it gets shattered. If it does get shattered, feed whatever is left, glass shards if necessary, into Mina's wounds before she bleeds out.

Calm down. Don't argue with Bakoth, don't even entertain his words, just let them pass you. He will not change his mind no matter what argument you make so there is nothing to be gained with even trying. At worst we would be pointing out his mistakes and how to improve.

A little of rationalization may help understanding the situation.
Roderick lost conscience with a deep cut across his shoulder. This mean that the pain was too much to handle and his blood pressure is too weak to keep his brain active. Normally falling flat would recuperate some of the pressure inside the head, but by standing up he must be suffering brain damage with the lack of oxygen. His colar bone must be broken, so his right arm can't be lift, yet he used a free hand to hold Mina down.
It's likely that this motion have nothing to do with Roderick body capacity. He must be animated the same way a skeleton or an armor can be with magic despite the lack of muscles or even connected joins that make sense. At this point you probable could cut off his leg and the severed limb would still sustain him weight. It's so unnatural I wouldn't even assume he will stop when Roderick die.

So, what to do?
The Cause Fear scroll sound like a good way to gain time, unfortunately it's with Mina.

The second best thing I can think of is the Wevekil. He is clearly animated by magic and his heart is still pumping, so exposure should disrupt the process. You could coat your weapon with it, but with how many open wounds he have I think just throwing the liquid on his torso should work.

The less reliable idea I have is to heal Roderick. Get his conscious version back. I'm not sure were we would go from there.

To Evel’yee:
Two trick shots were impressive enough... You are still cute.
Here is the situation: Roderick is unconscious and bleeding to death, the entity that was trying to convince you to kill yourself is puppeteering his body with magic and I'm not even sure killing him will put him down. Mina is bleeding and will die in 24 seconds if she isn't healed, less if Roderick hit her again.
If you have something that can be used to imobilize him temporarily or disrupt magic from an evil aligned entity you can try, just don't tell us because he is listening. Otherwise I think the most important thing will be to give Mina a potion and protect her.

To Mina:
Wake up.

>>1098489
He's prone. This is a perfect time to wrestle that sword away from him.
Do we have any more healing supplies? If things don't get any worse, we only need something to stabilize Mina, so she can stabilize Roderick.

To Bakoth: You can see Tanna's thoughts. That should clue you in on a secret here: She's stuck in a time loop. This story keeps playing over and over. That means YOU ARE TRAPPED TOO. I'm guessing this will only end if we win. So, if you want to see tomorrow... surrender. Let Tanna have the box. At least then you have a future.

>>1098492
Sorry, forgot to write it in. 'Roderick' used his move action to stand up, which was why Tanna got an attack of opportunity on him. Also Tanna has three CLW potions in her bag.

>>1098489
Slinky, you have to strike him.
Hard and true.
Hes being puppeted, but that cant be precise and a puppeteer still has to have something to pull on the endnof the strings.
Hamstrings, tendons or broken bones.
It can be fixed later.
Roderick is tough and can tolerate a lot more than-
Mina!

>>1098490
...
Yes.
Even if you have to do that tanna.
Healing mina is a priority but theres others who can do that.

>>1098491
Not the fear scroll.
The mind in charge right now isnt a targettable entity.
Good!
That message will appraise evelee ofbthe full situation.
Evelee! Steal rodericks cure potion and use it on mina. Quick and messy if it has to be.
Buy her some time.

Remember all.
Roderick still has a hammer so the sword isnt the only threat plus if we need something blunt to pummel with it can be borrowed.

Slinky.
You can do this.

>>1098494
Ah, well. hmm.

>>1098489
...I think at this point, the right thing to do is to kill him. Trying to disarm him or wrestle him will be too difficult now. Ironically, doing that earlier when he was conscious might have worked.

We couldn't save everyone, but we can at least save three people today. You, Mina, and Evel'yee.

I hate to say it like this, but saving Roderick is becoming a sunk cost Tanna. Mina is on the verge of death and is about to be killed. You need to strike with the power and intent to end this now.

Pray that whatever happens after that you'll be able to find something to heal or patch Mina up with. She's not going to last much longer with a gash like that.

Oh yeah we also saved those other two guys who are in the jail atm.

1/3 Bakoth 2024/10/26(Sat)12:13 No. 1099053 ID: 3a0574
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Private Conversation

>To Bakoth: You can see Tanna's thoughts. That should clue you in on a secret here: She's stuck in a time loop. This story keeps playing over and over. That means YOU ARE TRAPPED TOO. I'm guessing this will only end if we win. So, if you want to see tomorrow... surrender. Let Tanna have the box. At least then you have a future.

...You got me. You really are an actual separate thing, aren’t you? That’s the only reason why you would say something so ignorant. You… you winds, you’re strangers, and you genuinely don’t know what’s going on. I suppose a time loop could make sense to outsiders looking in. Haha, I meant it before, and I mean it even more now. That makes everything so incredibly… terrifyingly… wonderfully… interesting.

You are right in a way though, things will ‘end’ if you all ‘win’. But it simply wouldn’t be in good faith to just hand it over. You’re probably going to end up killing my puppet, but let’s see where things land before then…

2/3 Tanna 2024/10/26(Sat)12:13 No. 1099054 ID: 3a0574
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Returning back to Tanna

Tanna Sybilant’s Turn

>No time left. You have to risk killing him or Mina will die.
>Slinky, you have to strike him. Hard and true.
>...I think at this point, the right thing to do is to kill him.
>I hate to say it like this, but saving Roderick is becoming a sunk cost Tanna. Mina is on the verge of death and is about to be killed.

I-I…

>You need to strike with the power and intent to end this now.
>Climb up on top of him and slice the back of his neck all the way.

Tanna’s Standard Action

AHHH!!

>TANNA’S ROLL VS. CONCEALMENT: 1d100(58) > 20[Close Darkness] = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S ATTACK: 12(4[Dexterity] + 7[Roll] + 2[Flanking] + 1[Shadow Strength] - 2[Shaken]) > 9(5[Base] + 4[Full Plate]) = SUCCESS

>TANNA’S DAMAGE: 2[Scimitar] + 1[Strength] = 3 PAIN

Roderick has been killed. The darkness recedes.

3/3 Tanna 2024/10/26(Sat)12:17 No. 1099056 ID: 9c61d0
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“I’m sorry… hah… no… I-I’m so fucking sorry…” He’s lying there… his blood pooling and body twitching as t-that bastard tries to control him still… b-but he’s dead…

Mina Haliasong’s Turn

Mina suffers 1 PAIN for having a Fatal Wound and being unconscious.

Evel’yee Trèswillow’s Turn

Evel’yee’s Standard & Move & Swift Action

>To Evel’yee:
>Two trick shots were impressive enough... You are still cute. Here is the situation: the entity that was trying to convince you to kill yourself is puppeteering his body with magic and I'm not even sure killing him will put him down. Mina is bleeding and will die in 24 seconds if she isn't healed. I think the most important thing will be to give Mina a potion.

“I got her, don’t worry.” Evel’yee says as she pulls a vial out of her bag. She feeds it to Mina, cradling her head so it heals her. The worst of her wounds begin to heal…

...I can’t… think straight…

END OF COMBAT

Focus Tanna. Mina is alive and the most urgent threat is dealt with.
Right now you need to assess the situation, make sure there is no other danger (maybe of the rat variety). Hold together a little longer, at least long enough for Mina to get up.

To Evel’yee:
You will be the most emotionally stable one here for a few minutes, so please be patient and keep those two from doing something they shouldn't. Also watch out for unexpected dangers and for that weird rat, there is something unnatural about it.

To Mina:
Stay calm. Breath in and exhale, slowly.

It's okay to cry

You did it, you saved him...

Cover your mouth and breathe slowly. You can't rest here, that demon is going to find a new host.
It's a longshot, but try to find out where that bastard went and end them. If they escape, then at least we won't have to deal with them possessing another party member.

Loot Roderick's precious items. Funeral burn the rest.

>>1099056
Oh slinky...
I am so sorry.

You...
You saved lives.
Uncontrolled, roderick would understand.
He was a warrior.
His life was standing between his companions and harm.
He payed the price for them with his safety willingly, facing and defeating the threat.
Under the entity's control, he was the danger to defeat.

I... i dont think roderick would have celebrated his freedom if it came at the cost of mina and
Evelee or even more.

Sit.
Cry.
Drape something over him if you can.
He's not your enemy.
He never was.
The things controlling the people here and the puppeteer who had him are your true foes.
Despite the words he spoke and the deeds he performed, it wasnt him.
What lies there isnt a foe defeated but a friend lost to an enemy most vile.
Honour him in your thoughts.
Let the others feel their loss but dont allow them to blame roderick, you or themselves.
The enemy who did this was beyond retribution this day, but that will not always be so.

... i wish we could hug you tanna.
You did well and... and you look like you could use one.

To evelee: is mina ok? Dont blame tanna. Or yourself. had to do it. He was going to kill mina and the thing that had him in thrall would not stop. Roderick was unconcious and it still made him move.

>>1099056
The fighting is over. Next most important thing is to get Evel'yee out of the room. That Protection vs Evil won't last forever, and she still has a geas. You and Mina can handle what's next, which will involve the box.

When Mina wakes up, tell her you're sorry, you couldn't find a way to keep Roderick alive. Evel'yee will back you up on that.

Put your weapon away, don't look at him or think about what just happened. It's going to be hard, but we're not out of this just yet. Whatever was possessing Roderick could still be lurking in the shadows. Stay vigilant, continue protecting the others until Mina's stable enough to move, grab what you need, and get out before trouble comes back.

1/5 Tanna 2024/11/17(Sun)09:31 No. 1099911 ID: 84f394
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>Focus Tanna. Mina is alive and the most urgent threat is dealt with.

Focus… right. Need to… need to focus.

>Right now you need to assess the situation, make sure there is no other danger (maybe of the rat variety).
>Put your weapon away, don't look at him or think about what just happened.

The rat… it’s somewhere nearby. I can still smell it. But I have no idea where it is.

I sling my scimitar on my back. I forgot to remove the blood. What a mess…

“R-Roderick…?” I hear a raspy, choked voice… it’s Mina’s. She’s leaning against Evel’yee and looking at his dead body, a broken darkness shading her eyes. “R-Roderick… no! NO!”

She begins casting a spell before anyone can react.

>To Evel’yee:
>You will be the most emotionally stable one here for a few minutes, so please be patient and keep those two from doing something they shouldn't. Also watch out for unexpected dangers and for that weird rat, there is something unnatural about it.
+
>is mina ok? Dont blame tanna. Or yourself. had to do it. He was going to kill mina and the thing that had him in thrall would not stop. Roderick was unconcious and it still made him move.
=
>Roderick was going to kill Mina, and the thing that had him in his thrall would not stop. He was unconscious and it was still making him move. You’re going to be the most emotionally stable one here for a few minutes, so please be patient and keep those two from doing something they shouldn't. Also watch out for unexpected dangers and for that weird rat, there is something unnatural about it.

“Mina! Don’t! He could still be dangerous!” Evel’yee grips her arm before she can lunge forward to touch Roderick with her faintly green glowing hand.

2/5 Tanna 2024/11/17(Sun)09:32 No. 1099913 ID: 3c6998
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>To Mina:
>Stay calm. Breath in and exhale, slowly.

“SHUT UP! GET OFF OF ME! HE’S STILL ALIVE, I NEED TO HEAL HIM!” She thrashes against Evel’yee, droplets of blood from her stomach wound hitting the floor.

Evel’yee struggles against Mina, her panicked motions and size making it difficult to hold onto her. “C-Can you fucking help me here, Tanna?!”

>The fighting is over. Next most important thing is to get Evel'yee out of the room. That Protection vs Evil won't last forever, and she still has a geas. You and Mina can handle what's next, which will involve the box.
>Cover your mouth and breathe slowly. You can't rest here, that demon is going to find a new host. It's a longshot, but try to find out where that bastard went and end them. If they escape, then at least we won't have to deal with them possessing another party member.
>Whatever was possessing Roderick could still be lurking in the shadows. Stay vigilant, continue protecting the others until Mina's stable enough to move, grab what you need, and get out before trouble comes back.

Oh, I won’t go anywhere. I’m pretty sure you know exactly where I am, don’t you Tanna? Do take a moment, haha...

I… I move forward to help restrain Mina. I grip her other wrist and the two of us hold her down. “Need to… need to regroup, get out of this room… before Eve’s protection wears off.”

“PLEASE! PLEASE GET OFF!!” She screams out, tears dampening her cheeks and her chest wound reopening. Evel’yee forces Mina’s hand onto her collarbone, the faint green light rushing into her and healing the bloodied wound.

“N-No! No NO NO!” She suddenly whips her gaze onto me, a burning broken anger boring straight into my eyes. “You said we’d stop this! That we’d figure something out! WHY IS HE DEAD?!”

>When Mina wakes up, tell her you're sorry, you couldn't find a way to keep Roderick alive. Evel'yee will back you up on that.

“I didn’t mean… I had to. I’m sorry…” Hollow words…

She shakes her head violently, her claws flexing and scrabbling at our wrists angrily. “YOU HAD TO?! YOU MURDERED M-”

“MINA!” Evel’yee shouts over her, silencing whatever she was going to say next. “That wasn’t Roderick anymore! That thing was going to kill you! Tanna saved your life!”

She looks at Evel’yee with a viciously hateful gaze, the seconds passing on like eternity. At some point though, she starts to shiver violently. Passing another gaze at Roderick’s corpse, her shivers shift to sobs, and she goes limp in our grasps. “M-My fault… i-it’s all my fault… my spell… I-I didn’t have enough faith… I could’ve saved him…”

“C’mon.” Evel’yee murmurs as she looks at me and nudges towards the door.

“Right.” I say back. Evel’yee helps me lift Mina up onto my shoulder, and then guides the two of us out of the room.

Do come back.

3/5 Tanna 2024/11/17(Sun)09:33 No. 1099915 ID: 8f3b85
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Closing the door behind us, Evel’yee and I lead Mina to the end of the hallway, away from the ritual room. Mina cries the entire time, and when we lay her down, she curls up into herself.

“First of all, fuck you. Second, we need to talk, but how are you doing right now?” Evel’yee says to me.

I need to focus. “I’m fine.”

“Cool. I don’t trust you, but I sure as fuck don’t trust whatever that monster was even more. I’m pretty sure those voices of yours or whatever the hell they are, they’re the only reason I survived this night.” Evel’yee explains. “I… I’m not gonna lie. I kind of want to stick a knife in you and split you open for what you did to me, but I don’t think Mina would like that. …I promised to hear you out too.”

“Makes sense.”

The mousling gives me a weird look as if I’m stupid. Maybe I am. “Just my fucking… okay. I don’t think you’re in a good enough state to explain, so here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna sit down and figure out how to talk again while I try to get Mina to calm the hell down. Think you can do that?”

“Sure.”

Evel’yee turns towards Mina, but halts midstep. She’ll turn around and reach her hand out hesitantly, a softer expression on her face. She seems to struggle, but she pats me on the arm. “Hey, thanks for saving Mina. Don’t beat yourself up too badly, you did your best, and the real Roderick would’ve said the same thing.”

Upon saying that, some downcast feeling seems to dour her features. Her gaze falls downwards, and while she’s smiling, she doesn’t hide her pain well. “Can’t believe I… that thing made me think all of those terrible things about my friends. I wish I could say it was all its fault, but…” Forcing herself to shake her head though, she’ll look back up to me, “Anyways, thanks for helping me realize what was happening.”

Her words make me feel strange. My chest hurts.“Yeah, it’s no problem.” She’ll take my hand and help me lay down.

“I need to help Mina, but I’ll be back. Try to keep yourself together, talk with those voices of yours. They’re pretty damn smart, what with their compliments and all.” She’ll give a wink and some finger guns as she walks away. I don’t think it was directed towards me.

4/5 Tanna 2024/11/17(Sun)09:33 No. 1099916 ID: f8d071
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“Winds…”

>You did it, you saved him...

...Did I? Does it even matter? Every life bound by such a frail thread, and I’m the pair of scissors that futilely snips away. I don’t even know what I’m saying… I just know it’s true…

>It's okay to cry
>Sit. Cry.

I don’t… have the energy to cry. Everything feels so empty. Who had I actually been apologizing to? In the moment before I ended his life, I had been scared. I didn’t want to kill Roderick.

Once the blade began carving its crimson path though, I felt something else, something that scared me far worse. Old feelings had resurfaced, hidden within me. An indescribable wave of death, betrayals, and hatred… and it all felt so normal, satisfying even, like killing Roderick was right.

When I stared at my reflection in the blade, I swear I saw something old and sinister. Like they’ve been through this however many instances, but were content to sit back this time. Bakoth knows who I am, and even if I don’t exactly know what I’ve done… I know my list of sins has a long reach.

>Loot Roderick's precious items

...There’s no escape from this, is there?

5/5 Tanna 2024/11/17(Sun)09:39 No. 1099918 ID: 6be2b4
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Stepping up before Evel’yee notices, I make my way to the ritual room’s door.

“Huh? W-Wait! Don’t you, Tanna! STOP!” She yells out, breaking from Mina and sprinting towards me.

I open the door and step inside. This room of true death. Something meant to kill beings like us. That isn’t… Bakoth speaking this time. I recognize this setup, the rituals once done here. Closing the doors behind me, I feel Evel’yee slam against the heavy black slab. She pushes against it, trying to break through and stop me.

Glad to see you back. Here, let me remove the bit player really quick.

Don’t kill her. Please.

Hah, of course not. You’ve won tonight, I’m not petty. Besides, I imagine quite the story will be told in time with her.

“AGH!!” She screams from behind, the door slamming shut as I push against it. “S-stop reminding me… YOU PIECE OF SHIT! SHUT THE FUCK UP! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!”

“I’m sorry, Evel’yee. I’m going to get the box. Focus on Mina, I’ll be out in a moment.” I step forward towards Roderick’s corpse. His blood has seeped into the symbol of the Eye carved out in the ground, and the box lays in its center. Roderick’s hand rests atop it, the last of his body’s life used in such a pathetic way.

Ah, we are near the end of this chapter, aren't we?

You and I, we have a past together…

Wow, how incredibly astute.

...I don’t want to know who you are though. I don’t want to remember what I’ve done, or who I am. I’ve been getting glimpses… fragments of who I was, and I refuse to be that person.

And while I’m uncertain about a lot of things, what I am certain of though is that I despise you. I will never work with you, I’ll never entertain your lies, and I swear, I will be the cause of your absolute destruction for what you’ve done tonight.

It’s terribly surreal to hear from you of all people. I wouldn’t have it any other way this time though. What exciting tale will yet be told? What twists and turns will it take? Sends a shiver straight through my Soul just thinking about it.

Now, please, come pick me up. I can’t wait to get to know these ‘Winds’.

...

>... i wish we could hug you tanna. You did well and... and you look like you could use one.

Hah… yeah, if it was anything like that one with Mina before, I could use it.

...You all remember when I woke up and I was freaking out? Feels like ages ago, even though it’s been an hour or two at most, but you all told me to sing something familiar. That bit of advice, it had helped so much. Since then… I know there’s been some strange bits thrown in there, but you all have been so kind and helpful.

I hope it’s not asking for too much… but maybe you all could sing with me? I-I’m scared… but if you all are there, if I can move forward knowing you’re helping guide me, I know things will be okay.

♪”Along the shore the cloud waves break…”♪

My, what a tear-jerker.

♪ The twin suns sink behind* the lake, ♪

Will continue to sing the song with her, first call and response, then together. This Wind is a tenor.

We are stuck with the party pooper.
I can understand bein detached from consequences and therefor feeling indifference to the consequences of ones' own actions, but he really knows how to ruin the mood. Although if this place is meant to kill things like him and our host I guess he is not as free from consequences as we are.
The best we can do is try to ignore him.

The important part: Roderick didn't die on top of the circle and the box wasn't on his hand.
There is too much uncertainty here. I'm not sure what the best course of action is but I don't believe it will be beneficial to let this ritual follow it's course.
Drag his body and the box away from the circle towards the door. After that take his cape and use it to wrap around the box. It probable won't help but doesn't hurt to try.

Later when you rejoin the two the proposed arrangement should be that Evel’yee can't stay in the same room as the box. You and Mina shall watch over it in turn.

I know this wasn't the result you wanted, but remember: they were never the priority. Earlier I told you to kill them. You wanted to prevent their deaths out of your own volition and with the exception of one you succeeded. No reframing can take away the fact that you tried your best to help strangers. This is who you are.

As for the winking, feel free to take it as meant for you. After all, if I get any progress on that front you will be the one enjoying the benefits.

As for the song... I can give it a shot. Please forgive my lack of talent:

"Along the shore the cloud waves break,"
"A spectral shroud where silence wakes."
"The tide rolls in with whispered song,"
"It's rhythm steady, deep, and strong."

"Beneath the waves, in shadowed deep,"
"Where unseen creatures twist and creep,"
"A chorus stirs, both old and wise,"
"A hymn that echoes through the tides."

"Shall I depart, a whisper, still?"
"Or linger here against my will?"
"The shore, eternal, knows no fear,"
"It only waits for those who hear."

Well... I remember the old man's rhyme.
A sunless sky, a sunless sea
will accept all there is... and all that can be.

>>1099916
I think that past was brought up in ways that can never be considered normal. You were rewarded for murder. You still are.
But you still know it's not right. Hold onto that feeling and find out why you were taught to think up was down. There are a few situations where the individual observer is insane - but far, far fewer where the rest of the world is actually perfect.

Make sure the demon can't zombify Roderick's corpse.

♪*harmonica solo at the end*♪

>>1099918
Destroy it.

>>1099918
I sing like a wounded seagull, but for you slinky?
I'll squawk along.

"Along the shore the cloud waves break,"
"A spectral shroud where silence wakes."
I like this.

We're with you tanna.
At your side and against the dark.
If you are sure its time to pick up that damned box...
if youve got something in mind...
You have my trust too.

Lets... keep singing for now.
"The tide rolls in with whispered song,"
"It's rhythm steady, deep, and strong."

1/3 Tanna 2024/11/26(Tue)17:49 No. 1100412 ID: ef23f2
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>As for the song... I can give it a shot. Please forgive my lack of talent:
>I sing like a wounded seagull, but for you slinky? I'll squawk along.

It means so much to me, thank you Winds.

♪”Along the shore the cloud waves break…”♪
>♪A spectral shroud where silence wakes.♪
♪”Yon tide rolls in with whispered song,”♪
>♪An ancient rhythm both deep and strong.♪

The silence begins to well.

That’s not the original version...

♪”Beneath the waves, in shadowed deep,”♪
>♪Where unseen creatures twist and creep,♪
♪”A chorus stirs, both old and wise,”♪
♪”A hymn that echoes through the tides.”♪

>We're with you tanna. At your side and against the dark. If you are sure its time to pick up that damned box… if youve got something in mind… You have my trust too.

It is time.

Tanna begins to feel the silence inside her.

What is that?

♪”Shall I depart, a whisper still?”♪
♪”Or linger here against my will?”♪
♪”The shore, eternal, knows no fear,”♪
♪”It waits only for those who hear.”♪

Tanna is no longer Shaken.

>♪*harmonica solo at the end*♪

Hell yeah! I pull out my harmonica and begin to play a soft melody, something with a somber tune, but hopeful yet. I will find a way to escape my Fate. Bending down to pick up the box…

2/3 Tanna 2024/11/26(Tue)17:49 No. 1100413 ID: 34b912
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Silence the being within?

Wait… WAIT WHAT?! COUSIN?!

Huh, I feel… am I feeling what I think I’m feeling? Can I really turn this asshole off? I think… I think I can?!

N-No you can’t! Wait just one moment!

>We are stuck with the party pooper. I can understand bein detached from consequences and therefor feeling indifference to the consequences of ones' own actions, but he really knows how to ruin the mood. Although if this place is meant to kill things like him and our host I guess he is not as free from consequences as we are. The best we can do is try to ignore him.

Haha! How about I do you one better and make it so everyone can ignore him!

N̷O̶!̵ ̵I̶ ̴W̵I̸L̵L̵ ̶N̸O̷T̴ ̷B̸E̴ ̴S̵I̶L̵E̶N̴C̵E̷D̶!̵ ̶Y̵O̸U̶ ̴W̸I̴L̷L̷ ̸H̷E̸A̷R̸ ̵M̴E̶!̶

Hear you?! Nah, hear this harmonica bitch! Sit down and listen, gonna be the only thing you’ll be capable of ‘til I find a way to kill your ass!

Y̷O̴U̷ ̶B̵I̵T̵C̸H̴!̶ ̷Y̸O̵U̴ ̸N̷E̴E̴D̸ ̶M̵E̵!̷ ̵I̶ ̶W̷I̶L̵L̶ ̸B̷E̵ ̸A̸ ̵P̶A̷R̴T̶ ̸O̵F̷ ̷T̷H̴I̸S̵ ̴S̶T̵O̸R̴Y̷!̸

What was that? I can barely hear you! You really gotta speak up!

D̷O̵N̶’̸T̷ ̸L̷E̶T̶ ̵T̶H̸E̴ ̷P̸R̸I̸E̶S̷T̶ ̷T̶O̷U̸C̵H̶ ̴M̸E̵!̴ ̵W̵E̶ ̶W̷I̷L̷L̴ ̵B̶O̸T̷-̷

Tanna has gained the ability to silence Bakoth as long as the box is in her possession. This ability can be turned on and off at will, and private conversations may be held with him.

3/3 Tanna 2024/11/26(Tue)17:50 No. 1100414 ID: ffa44a
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And… a-and just like that… what a weight off my shoulders! The box, I finally have it! I’m holding this stupid thing in my hands! I feel so light, so free! I-I…

Hah, ah jeez, this damn box. I know I’m not actually free… but still, I feel so happy just finally holding it. I don’t even know if I’m actually feeling this way or if this is what the compulsion is making me feel, but I’m not even sure if I care. I don’t even have to listen to that dickhead inside it? Hell of a deal!

>Drape something over him if you can.

Ah, yeah… and all it cost was this guy’s life.

>I know this wasn't the result you wanted, but remember: they were never the priority. Earlier I told you to kill them. You wanted to prevent their deaths out of your own volition and with the exception of one you succeeded. No reframing can take away the fact that you tried your best to help strangers. This is who you are.

I was dancing and singing just a moment ago, basically on top of his corpse. Even looking at him now, it’s… reminding me of the dark feelings from earlier.

Ugh… I didn’t want to kill him I guess. If I'm being honest though, I don’t really feel that awful about how the cards ended up falling. He probably deserved a better death than this...

I’ll dr- ergh… d-drag his heavy armor-wearing body out of the circle and put him in a slightly more dignified pose. Using his cape, I’ll pull it over his torso and use Prestidigitation to clean the blood off his body.

>Well... I remember the old man's rhyme.
>A sunless sky, a sunless sea will accept all there is... and all that can be.

There’s something kinda thematic about that here. Bending down to close his eyes, “A sunless sky, a sunless sea, shall accept all you are, and all that can be. From one stranger to another, I wish you well on your next journey.”

>Destroy it.

Agh… just holding the box in my hand, I don’t know if I even could. Just staring at it makes me happy, even if… this damn thing! I really can’t trust myself at all! I’m not even sure how I’d even go about destroying it, the material it’s made out of feels really, REALLY hard. It’s super glossy too, like a weird mix of marble and metal. And I could see why they had trouble opening it, there isn’t really an apparent way to do so, no lid or keyhole or anything.

That triple curly symbol is atop it, and three other symbols are hewn into it on either side of the faces of the box. The eye, the butterfly, and the stars. Just seeing them stirs up hateful feelings.

>I think that past was brought up in ways that can never be considered normal. You were rewarded for murder. You still are. But you still know it's not right. Hold onto that feeling and find out why you were taught to think up was down. There are a few situations where the individual observer is insane - but far, far fewer where the rest of the world is actually perfect.

Rewarded for murder… I really was, wasn’t I? I’m… I’m glad I can tell that it’s wrong now, but how could I ever have gotten to that point? Who, or what was I? Feels kinda insane to ask questions like that.

I guess that’s something we could discuss now, if we really wanted to. Things are… they seem to be calming down now. I have the box and there’s no more danger as far as I can tell. Now all that’s left is to deal with the repercussions of everything.

There’s been a lot of weird shit tonight, a lot of it from me. There’s also Mina and Evel’yee sitting outside that door, only way out of this room. And speaking of this room… gods I still get shivers just being in here. Trying not to focus on it, but I want to get out of here as soon as possible. Everything is telling me this place is supremely dangerous.

>Loot Roderick's precious items.

So I guess… what should I do next, Winds? Taking a look at Roderick’s stuff is on my list of things to do, but I really want to get out of here and find a place to sleep, I'm exhausted. I imagine dealing with Evel’yee and Mina is gonna be… an ordeal as well. I did kinda shut the door on that firecracker, and they’ll probably be wanting to ask questions about you all. It’s possible… that you all might have questions for me too. I’ve definitely got some complex feelings myself about all the weird shit I’ve been feeling.

Ah, lotta stuff. Your call, Winds. Got any suggestions?

>>1100414
Alright, that's super useful to keep the jerk contained. But still, unreliable information is better than nothing... so long as it's something we can confirm with outside sources. I don't think we've caught him in an outright lie yet, but I sure as hell don't trust him.
Bakoth: Will what? What happens if the priest touches the box? Also, what does that curly symbol on the top of the box mean?

...now that we've silenced Bakoth, will he be unable to influence the others? The Geas is still in place, unfortunately, which means they will all try to open the box still, but so long as we are in control of the situation we can keep it away from them. That will of course mean we have to part ways with Mina... and get far enough away from her that the others can't track us down and try to steal the box as we sleep. We can't sleep here, either, because it would be best to leave while those two others are trapped in the jail.

I know we wanted to climb out, but... what about that river exit? If we have the key to that door, we can use that and it will be much harder for the others to figure out where we went, because rivers leave no tracks.

Check his pockets for gadgets and take his weapons. The rest has a low price-to-weight ratio.

Explain to Mina that we were trying to keep Roderick alive, but when it came down to the wire, we'd rather kill him than risk letting anyone else die. Mina had a sword straight through her torso, and every second she was courting true death. We stopped trying then.
We'd rather save someone we know we can trust than try to convert someone who could have been reasoned with.

This is interesting... Just a speculation: it's possible that the same way your cast of detect magic affect us in a way different to yourself, by our association a song from us could have some magical effect because you are a bard.

Ignoring Bakoth is good, but the real prize should be preventing him from influencing others. Ask Evel’yee if she have any invading thoughts.
Don't assume peace is a guaranty of success. It could be a trick: Bakoth laying low waiting for the right time.

When you return say that you found a way to keep Bakoth quiet, ask for confirmation as I said above, explain that you seem more resistant to his influence than others, and request that neither Mina nor Evel’yee touch the box for fear of what might happen to them.
I also think it's time to explain the mental compulsion, but be tactful with what you say because you are not convincing Evel’yee to go against her so it's better if you don't say anything that can make her turn against you. If possible you should explain that Bakoth is inside the box, but don't let Mina say anything against opening it in front of Evel’yee.
Lastly having just experienced the satisfaction of the fulfilment of your compulsion share this understanding with Evel’yee and ask about her perspective since she went with a similar but less intense thing as your temporary friend and now is free of it. Ask what what does she feel about it now. And also if she want to do it again sometime. It could be fun.

To Evel’yee:
Please forgive our girl. She was very happy to have you caring so much about her, even if it was just an illusion.

I feel that here were a few lose topics between us from before things got crazy, like distinguishing us, but they are of little relevance. If any of that is a curious subject you should be the one asking the questions.

>>1100416
>Also, what does that curly symbol on the top of the box mean?
That's the Yellow Sign. Don't dwell on it.

>>1100416

The curly symbol indirectly links to a cognitohazard. Focus your attention elsewhere.

Here's an elsewhere to think about, you looked absolutely adorable holding that box! You were just so happy!

And yea, better to enjoy a high than angst over it, no? That sort of mindset helps you get a good trip!

Anyway, I think you should get out of these ruins soon. Get on the route to some safe place where precautions can be taken and information gathered. I'm still a little hesitant to talk your ear off about things (or flirt with you! Eeee you are so cute when you are happy!) until you're at least out of that dungeon!

>>1100417
probably shouldn't steal from the corpse of a friend's friend.

>>1100414
Damn.
That was cute.

Mhhg. Okay.
To business.
Treat rodericks body with respect.
He paid the heaviest price this night and in doing so you will convey your reluctance to have felled him so.
Predistigitation cleaning. Pose him restfully. Close eyes and drape his cloak over him.
No looting slinky.
Hes got nice stuff, sure, but his status to the others is more important than a smattering of treasure and kit. Examine it, sure, but dont keep it.

Now, bakoth said something as you stifled him.
He was cut off but expressed fear at the prospect of the preist touching him and that it would have an effect on us both.
Possibly both.
It got cut off a bit.
This implies he has a corporeal form which i can only presume is the box barring anything else odd turning up in the search of roddy.
As to whether we let mina indulge in soMe box fondling, im not sure...

I get the feeling he was talking to us.
He could gave been blurting the truth and the jeopardy is either legitimate to us both or hes attempting a lie to leverage our sense of self preservation.
More fool him if so.
We dont have a sense of self preservation, only slinky preservation.

Secondly, it may be a last desperate ruse using reverse psychology.
Until we know for sure who stands to be harmed by such an action, we should exorcise caution.
We can still keep this knowledge in our backpocket if we ever interact with him again.

Tanna.
Dont feel bad about the source of satisfaction you felt on getting where you are.
Geas or not, you deserve a little joy after all that.
Its a good sign you are mindful of where it came from though.
In the full grip of the compulsion you would not think of that at all.
The fact you did tells me you're becoming stronger than the bonds that bind you.

>>1100414

Oh no! She's reached murderous levels of cuteness! She must immediately put on a very serious no nonsense frowny face before she kills us all!

Yeah, no looting. If anyone should get his stuff, it should be his friends.

You know, maybe before you lost your memories, you were able to keep him silenced before, just like now, which might actually put your pre-amnesia self in a better light.

If you get the stuff get it to show his friends and ask what they want to do with it. But hmmm.

Maybe just ask his friends what they want to do with his effects? Don't actually loot their friend?

We could very likely use the same White Magic we used to paralize Vax to resurrect Roderick tomorrow.

>*sniff* No, it's imposs-

It's a power not bound by the laws of physical reality, do not tell it cannot do something.

The only Power that could prevent Roderick from coming back is the Law of Drama, and it's not like we are stuck in a play. Unless...

>I will be part of this story.

Oh ho! So we ARE in a story!

Tell us, Bakoth, what do you know about the Yellow Man, the Thespian King, and his meddling in all this?

>>1101502

Sigh. So some of these mind-bending entities that people are referencing were considered fictional and not a hazard (due to being fictional). But they seem real to you, and to have power. Some idiot went and actually made them or caused them to be made, apparently.

1/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:11 No. 1101791 ID: 9bd6f5
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>you looked absolutely adorable holding that box! You were just so happy!
>Damn. That was cute.
>Oh no! She's reached murderous levels of cuteness!

O-Oh? Heh, I guess I did kinda get a little enthusiastic there, didn’t I? Gosh, now you all got me embarrassed…

>better to enjoy a high than angst over it, no? That sort of mindset helps you get a good trip!
>She must immediately put on a very serious no nonsense frowny face before she kills us all!
>Tanna. Dont feel bad about the source of satisfaction you felt on getting where you are.

A good trip… what I wouldn’t do for some crimson right now. And you’re right, I actually want to feel happy right now, damn the consequences. No frowning here! Guess you’re doomed, Winds!

>Alright, that's super useful to keep the jerk contained.
>Ignoring Bakoth is good, but the real prize should be preventing him from influencing others.

I have no idea how I even did that if I’m being honest. But as I was singing with you all, I started feeling something inside me, some kind of power.

>...now that we've silenced Bakoth, will he be unable to influence the others?

I’m fairly certain, yes. It’s the same feeling from before with Vax. I just kind of ‘know’ that it’s working like that.

>This is interesting... Just a speculation: it's possible that the same way your cast of detect magic affect us in a way different to yourself, by our association a song from us could have some magical effect because you are a bard.

You think so? I won’t lie to you all, I don’t really feel like I ever had any ‘musical’ talent before my amnesia. Like, with all these symbols, this room, poisons and spiders? They felt familiar. Music? Not at all. I really don’t think I was a ‘bard’ before all this.

>You know, maybe before you lost your memories, you were able to keep him silenced before, just like now, which might actually put your pre-amnesia self in a better light.

Maybe…? I… I don’t know.

...No, I do know. The way he was talking to me, it felt as if he was familiar with me, and he seemed genuinely surprised at being silenced. I think we may have been acquaintances.

Well not anymore! Fuck. Him!

>Now, bakoth said something as you stifled him.

He did. Something about not letting Mina touch ‘him’. I can only assume he means the box.

>He was cut off but expressed fear at the prospect of the preist touching him and that it would have an effect on us both. Possibly both. It got cut off a bit. This implies he has a corporeal form which i can only presume is the box barring anything else odd turning up in the search of roddy. As to whether we let mina indulge in soMe box fondling, im not sure...

I’m not sure either, out of all the things he could’ve said, why that? I remember back when Mina was explaining her first encounter with the box, the others prevented her from touching it. I think in Vax’s journal too… he said there were a bunch of runes on it that no one could recognize. I’m not sure what he meant though, I don’t see any runes…

Oh wait, the more I look at…

2/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:12 No. 1101792 ID: ffa44a
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>That's the Yellow Sign. Don't dwell on it.
>The curly symbol indirectly links to a cognitohazard. Focus your attention elsewhere.



>MENTALITY SAVE VS CURSE: 9(4[Roll] + 2[Warning] + 3[Mentality]) > 10 = FAILURE

A-Agh… hold on!

>MENTALITY SAVE VS CURSE: 11(4[Roll] + 2[Warning] + 3[Mentality] + 2[P▒ss▓n▓e░]) > 1▓ = S░C▓▒S▓

▓▒░▒▓ i▒ y░▒ s▓y so. I w▓n’t lo░k at i░ anymore. It kinda glowed f▒r a second there thou▒h… Hmm, I wonder, if Bakoth wa░ genuinely afraid of Mina touching the box, wouldn’t he have kept silent about it?

>I get the feeling he was talking to us. He could gave been blurting the truth and the jeopardy is either legitimate to us both or hes attempting a lie to leverage our sense of self preservation.

Well… I guess you could ask him? Assuming you have the ability to? I know I do, but I kinda don’t want to hear him for a while.

3/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:12 No. 1101793 ID: 9e8c18
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Private Conversation

...Seriously? Oh well if this isn’t the most one-sided bullshit.

>Will what? What happens if the priest touches the box? Also, what does that curly symbol on the top of the box mean?

Hmm...

...We’ll both die, ‘Tanna’ and I. Not what I’m actually scared of, mind you. It really would be a shame though, we have the beginnings of something truly interesting going on here. Tah, well, take it however you will. Out of all the lies a serpent spews, its truth is the most dangerous.

As for that symbol, wouldn’t you like to know? Might I suggest having your stupid doll stare at it again?

>Oh ho! So we ARE in a story! Tell us, Bakoth, what do you know about the Yellow Man, the Thespian King, and his meddling in all this?

Ah, so he does have some connotations from where you’re from. How interesting, you say he’s meddling in things? I do wonder why he took a particular interest in this story?

Well… as for what I know? Plenty! But for now I’ll just say he’s most certainly responsible for YOU all being here. Use what I know as a bit of leverage. I’d love it if you came back and talked with me some more! …Though I can’t imagine you harbor many positive feelings towards myself. Believe me when I say, I can be very patient. I’ll wait for you… hahaha.

4/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:13 No. 1101794 ID: fed219
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Returning back to Tanna.

Ugh.

Guessing you had a conversation with him? I got some kind of ‘empty’ feeling just now. It’s weird, but I could’ve sworn I got that same feeling twice before during that fight with Roderick. Did you have conversations with him earlier? …Ah well, I know your messages kind of come in ‘waves’. Could you regale me with what he said later?

>Sigh. So some of these mind-bending entities that people are referencing were considered fictional and not a hazard (due to being fictional). But they seem real to you, and to have power. Some idiot went and actually made them or caused them to be made, apparently.

I’m uh… not entirely sure what you mean? I got a thought bouncing around about some kind of ‘Thespian King’.

Hmm… something about it does kind of ring familiar, but I’m not entirely sure why… ah well. What does the name mean from where you’re from Winds?

>Check his pockets for gadgets and take his weapons. The rest has a low price-to-weight ratio.

>probably shouldn't steal from the corpse of a friend's friend.
>Yeah, no looting. If anyone should get his stuff, it should be his friends.
>Maybe just ask his friends what they want to do with his effects? Don't actually loot their friend?

Ehhhhhhhh fine. I won’t take his stuff. That’s probably the respectful thing to do.

>The Geas is still in place, unfortunately, which means they will all try to open the box still, but so long as we are in control of the situation we can keep it away from them. That will of course mean we have to part ways with Mina... and get far enough away from her that the others can't track us down and try to steal the box as we sleep. We can't sleep here, either, because it would be best to leave while those two others are trapped in the jail.

As far as I remember, Mina doesn’t have that compulsion, only Evel’yee does. Though to be honest…

>I feel that here were a few lose topics between us from before things got crazy, like distinguishing us, but they are of little relevance. If any of that is a curious subject you should be the one asking the questions.

Distinguishing you all? I know you all are different individuals, it’s just kinda difficult to remember that sometimes. One of you called yourselves Fox earlier when Bakoth was in my head, but if you asked me to identify them now, I’d probably have a hard time. You definitely have mannerism that I can pick up on, but yeah…

Speaking of loose topics though, that stupid rat is still somewhere in this room. I can smell them. How though? The door is closed and there’s no other way out of here. I don’t even see any small holes it could come in or escape from…

>Anyway, I think you should get out of these ruins soon. Get on the route to some safe place where precautions can be taken and information gathered. I'm still a little hesitant to talk your ear off about things (or flirt with you! Eeee you are so cute when you are happy!) until you're at least out of that dungeon!

Flirt with me? A-Ah?

W-well, I don’t see any reason to stick around in this room! I need to get out of these ruins as soon as possible. It’s really bringing down my high from getting the box. Stuffing it inside my backpack and grabbing my chakram, I’ll slowly open the door out.

5/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:13 No. 1101795 ID: 2512ac
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Stepping out of the ritual room. “Mina? Evel’yee?” It’s dark… why is the door down the hallway closed? Their scents are nearby…

Suddenly, moonlight begins to stream in and I can see the two of them… EEK!

“Don’t move, Tanna.” Evel’yee coldly says as her arrow is trained on me. “You’re talking to us. I fucking swear, if I hear a voice in my head that isn’t my own you’re getting an arrow through your skull.”

“Sorry. we just… we’re not sure if you’re safe… or what was going on earlier…” Mina quietly says behind her, dagger in hand. She struggles to maintain eye contact. “We don’t… need to be rude about this Eve…”

“Talking, right! I can do that! Just put your weapons down… please?”

>PERSUASION CHECK: 12(3[Mentality] + 9[Roll] + 2[Effective] - 2[Untrusting]) > 7[DC] = SUCCESS

Slowly, Evel’yee lowers her bow, though she still keeps the weapon well in hand. “Start explaining then. What the hell’s been going on?”

>If possible you should explain that Bakoth is inside the box, but don't let Mina say anything against opening it in front of Evel’yee.

Alright… I slowly go to take out the box again, holding it aloft for them to see… “You’re familiar, right? There’s some kind of creature in here… these past few days, it’s been whispering into you and your friends minds, making you think it was what you were thinking, these awful things and making you want to hurt each other. Its name is Bakoth.”

“And why isn’t… why isn’t it doing that right now?” There’s a bit of a fearful inflection in her voice. Mina shivers behind her.

>When you return say that you found a way to keep Bakoth quiet, ask for confirmation as I said above

“I’ve uh, somehow found a way to keep him quiet. You haven’t heard a voice, have you Evel’yee?” I say as calmly as possible.

“No, but…”

“You’re… holding it. That awful thing. He could just be hiding inside you…” Mina hisses, clenching her dagger. “You could be lying to us. You might be harboring that monster.”

“It could never directly control anyone while they were conscious, otherwise it would’ve murdered you a long time ago Mina. Your friends refused to kill you even while Bakoth was constantly trying to get them to, think about that.” They might’ve hurt her but still… a week down here with that piece of shit manipulating everyone.

>Explain to Mina that we were trying to keep Roderick alive, but when it came down to the wire, we'd rather kill him than risk letting anyone else die. Mina had a sword straight through her torso, and every second she was courting true death. We stopped trying then. We'd rather save someone we know we can trust than try to convert someone who could have been reasoned with.

“I’m sorry Mina. I didn’t want to kill him, but he was trying to take you out with him. Each passing second could’ve been your end. Your life took priority over his.”

“She isn’t wrong about that.”

6/6 Tanna 2024/12/31(Tue)18:35 No. 1101800 ID: 9b5e9d
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Upon saying that, she turns away, tears pricking her eyes again. “It’s not your fault, it’s… it’s… I just should’ve been better.” She lets out a shuddering laugh and clutches at her chest. “Never good enough, haha…”

>Let the others feel their loss but dont allow them to blame roderick, you or themselves. The enemy who did this was beyond retribution this day, but that will not always be so.

“It’s not your fault either, Mina. It’s Bakoth’s. He’s the reason for all of this, don’t blame yourself.”

All those words seem to make her do that hollow laugh even more. Shaking her head, she says, “Heh… I appreciate it Tanna. I trust her Eve, she isn’t that monster.”

Evel’yee doesn’t seem as convinced however, she continues to look at me distrustfully.

>I also think it's time to explain the mental compulsion, but be tactful with what you say because you are not convincing Evel’yee to go against her so it's better if you don't say anything that can make her turn against you. Lastly having just experienced the satisfaction of the fulfilment of your compulsion share this understanding with Evel’yee

“You still feel it, don’t you?”

“What bullshit are you spewing now?”

Holding the box a little higher towards her, “Even knowing what this thing did to you, you still want to open it.”

“No… no, you seriously can’t be… after everything?”

I see Evel’yee visibly stiffen, even she knows it’s crazy. “I’ve got a similar compulsion, I know what it’s like. Unnatural, but I can’t turn away.”

She’s breathing hard now. I can see it in her eyes. “Yeah? Yeah, I do mother fucker. I wanna open it and kill the thing inside, tear it apart for what it did to me. You gonna get in my way?”

Is that how she’s going to justify it now? I can work with that.

>explain that you seem more resistant to his influence than others, and request that neither Mina nor Evel’yee touch the box for fear of what might happen to them.

“No, no! I’m absolutely not looking to get in your way. Actually, I really want to help you with that! Whatever Bakoth was doing to you almost made you do something self destructive… just imagine what he’d be doing now if I wasn’t keeping him silent.” It’s a little manipulative, but she does kind of need me. “As I said before, I’m keeping the monster inside silent, I want him dead too. Also, if I was being controlled by him, wouldn’t he just do what he was doing to you before?”

“STOP… bringing it up.” She snarls at me. She seriously looks like she wants to let her bow loose, her fur is bristling and her hold on the string is shaking. Did I push the wrong point?

Mina bends down slightly to get level with her. With a quiet voice and making note not to touch her, she simply says her name. “Eve…”

A tense moment passes, the two of us just waiting for what she’ll do until she finally snaps. “FUCK YOU! FINE! GODS DAMMIT! Dammit… all to fucking hell… fine.”

Evel’yee lowers her bow seemingly defeated, all the aggression in her little form dispersing quickly. Putting her bow away, she looks up at seemingly nothing. With a sad and self-loathing smile, she shakily says, “Man… man I am SUCH a fucking tool. Just ALWAYS getting yanked around constantly, aren’t I? Like my role in life or something, haha. Pathetic.”

“No… that isn’t…”

“Hah, don’t pretend you weren’t a part of that little stunt with the charm earlier.” She says a little sharply, but there isn’t any real malice behind it. Even still, Mina recoils slightly. “Look, I get why you did it, it just… sucks. Everything about this is such fucking trash. Gimme a sec.”

Evel’yee places her back against the wall and slides down until she’s sitting. Taking a deep breath, she then pats her fist against her collarbone and shakes off whatever bad emotions existed. After a moment to compose herself, she trains her eyes towards me. “Well, fuck it. Guess you gotta hold onto it for now, eh? Wouldn’t be safe otherwise.”

I quietly nod my head at her, a moment of silence passing until I hear Mina speak up. “I don’t mean to ignore all that… but I’ve got a lot of questions Tanna. That monster’s still in there, just suppressed by you somehow?”

“Er… yeah. I kinda genuinely don’t know how I’m doing it to be honest, but I am.”

She narrows her eyes at me. I’m being truthful! “Well, it holds some responsibility for killing my friend, and I want it destroyed. But just what the heck was it trying to do? So many weird motives. Why stick around here in the first place? And also it really seemed like it didn’t want me to touch it. It made the rest of my friends align with that goal as well. Why Eve, what did you feel?”

“I ain’t sure about the sticking around part. I didn’t really question it as much as I should have, Roderick seemed insistent. As for not letting you touch it, it must’ve manipulated me not to let you, though it really did feel like it was my own thoughts. Something about it being unsafe, playing with my head like that…” Evel’yee takes out her dagger and starts to spin in it around in her hand. “It had been weird at the time… even Jacob pulled me to the side and asked me why we did that. The two of us went to ask Roderick, but by the time we got to him, it seemed so trivial. And then the days kept passing, and the thoughts more and more vicious. Just constantly dark and sinister, wondering when the thread was going to snap between everyone. But the one about you touching the box, that one was forefront. I knew something terrible would happen if you managed to. Eventually it got so bad that that uh… it’s the reason why Jacob and I attacked you.”

There’s a visible shiver that runs through Mina when Evel’yee brings up how they were manipulated. It’s pretty creepy honestly. As if shaking something off, she turns to me. “Why though? How come that monster wanted to kill me so badly compared to everyone else? Couldn’t it have just enthralled me along with them? And also… what the heck were those other voices from earlier? Not the… I guess the one belonging to Bakoth, but the ones that seem friends with you.”

Evel’yee’s whiskers twitch upon mention of the other voices. “Ah yeah, shit, I kinda forgot. What was that? They were kinda weird, but definitely not malicious like that cunt in the box.”

I’m starting to think my past self didn’t like talking to others very much, I am quickly getting exhausted of explaining things. Winds, could you help here?

>To Evel’yee:
>Please forgive our girl. She was very happy to have you caring so much about her, even if it was just an illusion.

Classical.

Evel’yee’s eyes go a little wide when the message is sent her way. A small smile creeps up though, first genuine looking one in a while. “Haha, alright. I forgive her for the charm, it was for the best. Though did you really feel that way? They’re just some voices that belong to you?”

“Sorry for yelling at them earlier, I wasn’t in the best state of mind.”

>ask about her perspective since she went with a similar but less intense thing as your temporary friend and now is free of it. Ask what what does she feel about it now. And also if she want to do it again sometime. It could be fun.

“I’m not sure who or what they are to be honest? They only came to me recently. And uh… they’re quirky, alright? Right now, they’re asking me if you’d want to be charmed again in the future?”

Her fur suddenly bristles and her gaze turns wickedly sharp. “No. And I ain’t sure how it works, but let them know never to fucking suggest that again.”

Eesh! That was a bit hostile... “Er… don’t worry, they heard.”

There’s some awkward silence until Mina lets out a small cough. “Ehm, about me having not touched it…” I’m dying here.

“O-Oh, sorry Tanna. I guess I’m kind of barraging you with questions. Maybe once we’re above ground? I really do want to get out of here, but I need to… say goodbye to Roderick first.” Her voice carries a shaky tone as she says that.

Evel’yee pauses in twirling her knife and holds it up to look at her reflection. “Yeah, I suppose I do too.” Apparently she doesn’t like what she sees, because she stabs it in between the cracks of the floor and chips away at some dirt angrily. “...Wish my last words to him had been a bit better.”

>That will of course mean we have to part ways with Mina... and get far enough away from her that the others can't track us down and try to steal the box as we sleep. We can't sleep here, either, because it would be best to leave while those two others are trapped in the jail.

>I know we wanted to climb out, but... what about that river exit? If we have the key to that door, we can use that and it will be much harder for the others to figure out where we went, because rivers leave no tracks.

What should I say to Mina’s question about touching the box Winds? I guess it’d help to know what Bakoth said. And also, should I consider leaving them behind? I could pretty easily do so when they go to pay their respects. I remember the river exit being behind some kinda gate. I never did check whether it was locked or not, though I do have a key in my pack. That water was pretty torrential though…

I dunno, I don’t exactly hate them, even if they’re kind of exhausting to talk to. What do you think Winds?

Fox here again. For your information, I have reason to believe that there are so many competing effects mucking about with you, your mind, your perception, curses on you, etc. that you are going to need some expertise to untangle them all. It's not always a good idea for us to mention them as we perceive them happening, though no doubt some of my companions are about to do JUST THAT unwise thing. For what it's worth, I suggest staying with these people, and bring up the idea that there might be multiple things messing with you in multiple ways. And ask where one might go to begin untangling all of that crap? Also, see if you can cover the box in cloth maybe, without looking at it, so it can be manipulated without looking at any of the facings. That's it from Fox for now.

>>1101793
To Bakoth:
Why the hell should I keep talking to you if you're going to withhold information and give bad advice? You better say something helpful right now or this is the last time I contact you. You're certainly not helping yourself with that serpent thing.

>>1101794
>thespian king
The King in Yellow. The Unspeakable One. Him Who Is Not to be Named... It is an eldritch entity associated with stage plays and faces. We know its true name, but to speak it would invite calamity. Like all Great Old Ones, deep knowledge of it, and its very presence, can drive you mad.
The rat must be someone or something powerful, in disguise. I think they're helping us, since *something* gave you enough of a boost to prevent the symbol's curse from fully taking hold.

>mina touching the box
He said you and him would both die if Mina touched it, and yet that's also not what he was so afraid of, which implies something even worse than death will happen to him. Of course, if that's true, then if that happens inside that room both you and him will experience True Death. ...that implies you have not done that in any other (previous?) iteration of this story. I wish there was some way of knowing if he's telling the truth. I don't think we've gotten any verified lies from him yet, though, and he said something about a serpent's truth being more dangerous than lies. That's certainly true; giving truthful yet incomplete or misleading information can be just as bad as lying.
Hmm, Mina's seen the symbol on top of the box already, right? Ask if she recognizes it. You can tell her about the King in Yellow if you want, maybe she knows something there.

>>1101792
Odd.
Potent symbol.
Hard to focus upon.

>>1101794
We shall slinky, for sure.
Brief preview though, he's every bit as punchable as you remember.

>>1101800

To evelyee : hello there. I apologise for the intrusion but, please, feel no guilt over those words.
What he spoke were not his thoughts given voice but bakoths weapons.
Words like arrows aimed to wound you.
I only know a little of roderick but from what i do leads me to believe he wouldnt have been hurt by your words.
If anything, he'd have been proud to see you fighting back against a most cruel foe.
Prouder still to know you both live and the foe who used him failed.
Feeling guilt here would be giving bakoth a small win.
He deserves nothing.
Victory here belongs to you, mina and even roderick for i can assure you while his fight was not physical, he was still fighting alongside you all.
I...
I'll go now.
Feel loss, feel pain, honour your friend, but feel no guilt. Not for this.

Back to tanna:
What to tell mina?
Truth, if we can.
That bakoth told us letting mina touch the box may start an event chain that leads to his destruction but also tannas and we dont know if that claim is a ruse or desperate self preservation. Until we can tell for sure, we cant know the consequences.
Share that.
Speak with honesty to your friends.

As to our thoughts to share...
I dont know slinky.
I suspect he figured out something ive been sounding out and tiptoeing around for a while.
Unsure of what can be heard and by who, ive been as circumspect as i could be.
What ive been trying to figure out is if breaking bakoths connection, by mina or otherwise, will break our connection to you.
The two seem entwined in some fashion, or of a similar type.
But, yes. If breaking the box and bakoth breaks us?
I think he knows thats a price id pay if you survived tanna.
I suspect im not alone in that.
So...
im wondering if his inclusion of you as a potential victim is him tying his destruction to something, well, someONE we value so we dont pursue that goal.

I... I dont know how to discern the truth here with the resources at hand.

She's alive isn't she? Might be good to remind Evel'yee that being charmed is better than being dead, after she killed you, and then Bakoth killed her. You just wish there was something you could've done to save Roderick too. None of them deserved to get roped into this.

Mina is feeling really helpless right now. She should know that Bakoth wants to kill her because her faith to that fucking butterfly is his most serious threat. She's more powerful than she thinks.

Maybe... don't tell her that she's also your most serious threat. Bakoth didn't sound like he was bluffing, when he said it would kill you too.

Oh also uh, there's a guy you kind of paralyzed back there. Probably don't wanna leave him like that.

>What does the name mean from where you’re from Winds?
I told you not to dwell on it. If you really want to know I can resume like this:
He's a god of love. The path of false masks, madness and death. A king that rule over desolation.

>that stupid rat is still somewhere in this room
Unless you have a wide area of effect attack there is not much to be done. Maybe remind Mina and Evel’yee of it's presence.

>Just ALWAYS getting yanked around constantly, aren’t I?
To Evel’yee:
Well, we can yank you around with the gentlest of touch. What do you say? Cards on the table and the general goal of reaching a happy ending. (Several, if we can help.) Up for more ocasional head nudging and cheering of your sharpshooter skills?

To Mina:
Don't sweat it kitty cat, I understand. This lost must weight heavily on you.
I believe your choice at the time was the best course of actions for the purpose of saving Roderick's live. Unfortunately it was too luck dependent and you were not lucky enough. I hope this help you feel better.
And I'm sorry for going over Tanna with the explanation but I will be brief: The strongest mental influence from the box comes from the king, and the king is above Cassilda. Even if it's undesirable for Bakoth that you touch the box it would certainly still be bad for you to do so.

And Tanna, just to be clear, Bakoth gave an absurd reason for why it would be bad for you but I don't believe a word of it. Still I would prefer if Mina don't get in contact with this thing.

>What do you think Winds?
There is merit in the idea of abandoning them now. They would pursue you, but I can't say for certain that cooperating would bring more benefits than detriments. It may be a selfish choice, but I far prefer if you stay with them. I want you to have friends and to see the end result of all you did for them.

Suggestion 2025/01/01(Wed)14:18 No. 1101830 ID: a671e8
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>Distinguishing you all? I know you all are different individuals, it’s just kinda difficult to remember that sometimes. One of you called yourselves Fox earlier when Bakoth was in my head, but if you asked me to identify them now, I’d probably have a hard time. You definitely have mannerism that I can pick up on, but yeah…

Some adopt names, but for something more reliable that work for everyone I can give you a tip: Pay attention to our ponies.
They are assigned to us and change from time to time. One can have multiple ponies associated but the same pony won't be associated to different people.

>>1101805
Magic Bud.

>>1100417
Rainbow Mountain. For the wind called kome.

>>1101804
Cherry Bee. For the wind calling himself Fox.

>>1100445
Mauve Dusk Daisy. For the wind named Will-O'-Liquid.

>>1101811
Yellow Star Flutter

>>1101810
Rain Buzzer. For the one that goes by Trip.

Mine is currently Sandy Rose.

You've being far less constant in this regard than us. You had an entire stable.

For the winds:
If you know I know why you know.

Also for the winds:
>>1101800
This is a dating game selection screen. Choose wisely.

>>1101830
This is insanely cute, nice job! Will make for a fun response.

Nobody knows why an elder god would have a favorite color, or even pretend to have a favorite color. I've seen his handiwork, though. Street gangs in noble attire. Spare bodies in a drowning city. A willingness to destroy entire worlds even while he sips their tea and wears their fanciest clothes.

The Yellow King, and his minions, the 'little kings', will do anything to get what they want. But they're smart about it, and hold themselves back. For them, winning is just a matter of living long enough to see their plans come to fruition.

He puppets spare bodies, typically males. Shooting one in the head with a future-tech bow does nothing to him. And I'm sure that whatever you think is in that box, it's not their core. Destroying the box seems to be too great a risk - if it's reverse psychology, that's just a shade of the real god and releasing his energy would screw your world over. If there is a solution, we would need the assistance of another elder god, or something of equivalent power and influence, and we'd need to give them the box for study.

So that's the plan. Find a way to deliver this to a greater power who really wants the Yellow King dead, or find a place we can seal it away until civilization Makes Contact on amicable terms.

>>1101830
A pony, eh?
Hmm.
Makes sense.
I talk that much its no wonder im a little horse.
...
..
.
I... I'll just wait over here.
Sorry.

>>1101830

...I completely forgot that was a thing.

1/11 ??? 2025/02/12(Wed)12:14 No. 1103656 ID: 63a958
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>>1101830

…What in the…

3/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:14 No. 1103658 ID: 95e195
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>>1101830

Eh? What the heck? Hey, what are these cute looking ponies? I’m not the one imagining that, am I?

>Some adopt names, but for something more reliable that work for everyone I can give you a tip: Pay attention to our ponies. They are assigned to us and change from time to time. One can have multiple ponies associated but the same pony won't be associated to different people.

Oh! There’s a way to associate you all with… ponies? Hehe, I can see them! They’re all blushing and look like they’re having fun! They have some pretty weird colors for horses, but honestly that makes them cuter! Especially that upside down one, I think they’re my favorite!

But… uhm… I don’t really know what you mean? How do I associate you all with a pony? I can sort of “understand” those numbers in this message, they lead to other messages that I presume are the ponies names and written by those people? How come you get horses assigned to you by the way? Does everyone from where you from get an assigned horse?

Sorry, getting off topic. It’s just super fascinating actually! I didn’t know you all could even do that, conjure some kind of… drawing in my head! It is a drawing, right? It looks like they’re drawn. Also, what do you mean when you say I’ve had an entire stable? Mhm, maybe I’m not understanding properly?

It’s a bit confusing. Do I also have a pony? Or maybe you mean I’ve had multiple? Weird. Also, revisiting this point, I don’t know how to associate your messages with ponies. There doesn’t really seem to be any… indication for that? You’re just messages that sometimes lead to other messages to me.

It’s nice to have your names though. Hi Kome, Fox, Will-O’-Liquid, and Trip! And for those that weren’t named, Magic Bud, Yellow Star Flutter, and Sandy Rose! Hi to you too! Thanks for guiding me!

>A pony, eh? Hmm. Makes sense. I talk that much its no wonder im a little horse.

*snrk*

4/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:15 No. 1103659 ID: 4c3ae8
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>For what it's worth, I suggest staying with these people, and bring up the idea that there might be multiple things messing with you in multiple ways.
>There is merit in the idea of abandoning them now. They would pursue you, but I can't say for certain that cooperating would bring more benefits than detriments. It may be a selfish choice, but I far prefer if you stay with them. I want you to have friends and to see the end result of all you did for them.

Hmm…

Well… hrm, dang. Why am I feeling so conflicted about this? A part of me is saying that I barely know these people, why should I stick around? I have what I want, and it’s kind of tiring to talk to them.

But there’s another part of me that’s also kind of excited? Anxious? Something about it all feels fresh. Mina’s alright, even if she’s a Cassilda worshipping freak, and Evel’yee isn’t too bad either despite her telling me she’d murder me like… three times so far? Not sure.

...I think if it were purely my decision, I’d leave. But uh… I’m not too confident I’ve made good decisions in the past, and you all haven’t steered me wrong yet. So sure, I’ll stick around. Hells, they might be able to help out with all the weird shit happening around me too, as you’ve mentioned.

>Guessing you had a conversation with him? Could you regale me with what he said later?

>We shall slinky, for sure. Brief preview though, he's every bit as punchable as you remember.
>Tanna, just to be clear, Bakoth gave an absurd reason for why it would be bad for you but I don't believe a word of it.
>He said you and him would both die if Mina touched it

What? W-We’d both die? Such a strange reason… how would it kill both of us?

>So… im wondering if his inclusion of you as a potential victim is him tying his destruction to something, well, someONE we value so we dont pursue that goal.

That makes sense, but then why even bring attention to it? Obviously he doesn’t want Mina to touch the box, so much so that he didn’t even want to risk it happening accidentally with him saying nothing.

So he’s either really desperate and lying about it being bad for me, or he’s telling the truth somehow. Ugh… he never seemed that desperate if I’m being honest. Even when he was losing that fight. I’m not sure what to make of his warning.

>implies something even worse than death will happen to him. Of course, if that's true, then if that happens inside that room both you and him will experience True Death

True Death. Is that something he’s really scared of? That room the box was in, it had to do with ‘True Death’. Apparently it was used to kill… beings like us. If he was afraid of something like that, why would he stick around for so long?

5/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:17 No. 1103661 ID: 470e8d
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That term though, the idea of True Death? Winds… I know I’ve said that a lot of things have felt familiar during our short time together, but there’s something about that feels… even more familiar about the term, “True Death”. As if it resonates wholly with me in some way, something intrinsic. It reminds me of that feeling of killing Roderick, that “rightness”. Something different than the way people normally die, no more being reborn, no more second chances. And the idea of having it happen to me feels… strange.It’s terrifying, but there’s some strange comfort associated with it as well.

>...that implies you have not done that in any other (previous?) iteration of this story

Well yeah, I guess if I suffered this “True Death”, I wouldn’t be around, but…

What do you mean by… story?

6/11 Who? 2025/02/12(Wed)12:19 No. 1103662 ID: 47313d
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...This story? That word…

Story… why does that word… I haven’t truly died in this story? What do you mean, what story are you… oooghh. What… what is going on? My head feels like it’s… splitting. What am I… I-I’m seeing… so many things. Different lives, different stories… times as a sightless seer, or a prisoner trapped in the earth, a cast-away princess, an orphaned street-rat. Who am I now?

In all, there are constants. Always hunted… and in many of them, dying. Oftentimes a blessing… compared to some of these, other stories.

Again? How? These aren’t her memories, it shouldn’t be poss- …s-shoot, ignore me!

Hiding Hidden Messages

These lives… coalescing. Tonight, the cliff… running with the box. A narrow path followed to lead me there, but there are others like it. Some succeed, but many of them die. Different paths…

All of them, stories… told… an infinite amount of times. No matter the trail, no matter who I am. Thousands upon millions upon billions upon trillions upon infinite worthless lives… no escape… always ending in the same way… no point to any of it.

..............................

7/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:20 No. 1103663 ID: 870478
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Oh, my head… W-Winds…?

“Moons above, the fuck’s going on with you?” I’m being… propped up by Evel’yee and Mina. What happened?

Blurry… I meet Mina’s eyes. Did I hurt myself, why does she look so worried? “Tanna? Are you okay? You spaced out for a bit there, then suddenly fell and hit your chin.”

I… what? Was I really that tired? I can taste some blood in my mouth. “I must’ve passed out… sorry for worrying you.”

“Okay, good to hear. Was worried you might’ve bitten your tongue pretty badly there.”

With their help, I manage to stand by myself once more. Eaugh, I was feeling pretty energetic earlier, but now I’m feeling… exhausted.

>What to tell mina? Truth, if we can. That bakoth told us letting mina touch the box may start an event chain that leads to his destruction but also tannas and we dont know if that claim is a ruse or desperate self preservation. Until we can tell for sure, we cant know the consequences. Share that. Speak with honesty to your friends.

>She should know that Bakoth wants to kill her because her faith to that fucking butterfly is his most serious threat. She's more powerful than she thinks. Maybe... don't tell her that she's also your most serious threat. Bakoth didn't sound like he was bluffing, when he said it would kill you too.

>I would prefer if Mina don't get in contact with this thing.

Can’t… can’t let her know for now… partial truth.

“I don’t think it’s safe for you to touch it for now Mina. There’s just… a lot of unknowns at the moment, too dangerous.”

>To Mina:
>Don't sweat it kitty cat, I understand. This lost must weight heavily on you. I believe your choice at the time was the best course of actions for the purpose of saving Roderick's live. Unfortunately it was too luck dependent and you were not lucky enough. I hope this help you feel better. And I'm sorry for going over Tanna with the explanation but I will be brief: The strongest mental influence from the box comes from the king, and the king is above Cassilda. Even if it's undesirable for Bakoth that you touch the box it would certainly still be bad for you to do so.

>PERSUASION CHECK: 12(3[Mentality] + 5[Roll] + 2[Effective] + 2[Encouragement]) > 6[DC] = SUCCESS

Mina turns about, trying to find you before realizing that you’re all a buncha disembodied voices. A little embarrassedly, she flashes me a small smile and a friendly nod. “Yeah, it’s no problem Tanna. I get it, it’s probably not a good idea right now. I wish I knew why touching it seems like such a big deal, but I’m not looking to cause anymore trouble…”

“And to your voices, thanks for the kind words as well, maybe you’re right… I just wish I could chalk it up to luck myself…” A dull look crosses her eyes before she quickly shakes it off. She tilts her head a smidge as she asks, “Who’s this king your friends-”

“I call them the Winds.”

Evel’yee lets out a scoff. “Ooh, how mystic.”

“I think it’s kinda cool. Did you name them that?”

“No actually… that’s what they called themselves when I first met them.”

“Mhm, alright. Who’s this king they’re mentioning?”

“Eh?”

8/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:20 No. 1103664 ID: 63a958
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>Hmm, Mina's seen the symbol on top of the box already, right? Ask if she recognizes it. You can tell her about the King in Yellow if you want, maybe she knows something there.

>What does the name mean from where you’re from Winds?

>I told you not to dwell on it. If you really want to know I can resume like this: He's a god of love. The path of false masks, madness and death. A king that rule over desolation.

“He’s some kind of… Theotian? Sorry, the Winds are kind of reciting him to me. I think they’re related to this weird symbol, the one I showed you earlier and the one on the box.” Taking out the box carefully, I begin to show it off to…

“Hey, hold on.” Crossing her arms, Evel’yee looks to me and says, “You sure that’s a good idea?”

>*something* gave you enough of a boost to prevent the symbol's curse from fully taking hold.

What?! It tried to curse me?! Oh, no it definitely isn’t a good idea! I shouldn’t show her this thing at all actually! Pulling it back, I say, “Eh, shoot, good catch actually.”

Mina gets an annoyed look on her face, her fur frazzing a little. “Are you serious, we’re doing this again? What’s the big deal?”

“No, Evel’yee is right. The Winds made me realize this thing might curse you if you look at it, it’s better to-”

“Curse me?” She looks towards Evel’yee and seems to realize. “R-Right. Fine. I don’t really get it, nothing shows up when I try to Detect Magic on it. It looks like it’s made of black stone too, you shouldn’t be able to affix any normal Weave to it in the first place.”

Black stone? That’s… I kind of remember. That ritual room was made of the stuff as well, at least, the walls and the door were. It’s a rare material, many consider it divine. Impossible to affect with spells, like lead but even stronger.

“You saw that shit Tanna’s scroll and Roderick did, right?”

Mina shoots me a sharp glance before letting out a huff of air. “Erm, yeah. I guess it could be something like that?”

Getting back on subject, Mina says, “That’s all besides the point. The symbol, right? I’ve seen it on the box before. It’s the triple curly symbol, right? I have no idea what that symbol is or who it’s related to, especially not some king. I guess it’s sort of similar to another Theotian’s symbol? The Primordial Wyrm’s, but that’s only because they both have three prongs…”

“Yeah, who the hell is this king. Give us some more details.” Evel’yee puts emphasis on the word with mock quotation marks.

>The King in Yellow. The Unspeakable One. Him Who Is Not to be Named... It is an eldritch entity associated with stage plays and faces. We know its true name, but to speak it would invite calamity. Like all Great Old Ones, deep knowledge of it, and its very presence, can drive you mad.
>>1101832

Jeez Winds, what the fuck. “He’s like… some kind super bad guy? You can’t say his real name or bad things happen, and he’s something called a great old one? Just knowing about him can drive you mad… some kind of god of love, false masks, madness, and death. And his favorite color is yellow.”

“Erm…”

“Look, the Winds are saying that he’s involved with this box, and I don’t think they’d mess around about something like this. He’s got cronies that help him do terrible things to other worlds, probably this piece of shit Bakoth. And something about future-tech bows…” I think I’m starting to lose them. I feel like I’m losing myself.

Evel’yee purses her lips and looks towards Mina. I don’t think I did the best job at explaining this. “Well, considering tonight it’s not the weirdest shit I’ve been subjected to. What the fuck is a future-tech bow? Is it one of those ‘flintlock’ things I’ve been hearing about?”

I just give her a shrug. No idea what a flintlock is.

>For your information, I have reason to believe that there are so many competing effects mucking about with you, your mind, your perception, curses on you, etc. that you are going to need some expertise to untangle them all. bring up the idea that there might be multiple things messing with you in multiple ways. And ask where one might go to begin untangling all of that crap?
>So that's the plan. Find a way to deliver this to a greater power who really wants the Yellow King dead, or find a place we can seal it away until civilization Makes Contact on amicable terms.

“I just… between my amnesia, the sudden voices, the weird spell I cast earlier, and all the other freak occurrences, I need help. The winds helped keep me alive tonight, I’m not inclined to distrust them. If they say this king guy is involved and he’s as scary as they’re describing… I need to take to box to someone who can…” Remember her compulsion… “...examine and help understand it, and help me out too.”

“Amnesia? Seriously? When you were saying you couldn’t remember before, it was full-on ‘amnesia’?” Whoops… welp, she knows now. My bad.

Mina laughs inwardly, a gallows smile creeping up past the rest of her feelings. “Hah, yeah. Got a real weirdo on our hands.”

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Getting a little serious again, Mina continues, “I agree with you though, that box is bad news in some way or another. Getting it into the hands of someone more capable would be for the best. Luckily, we’re not too far from a city called Cosiax, it’s about a few days' travel from here.”

The name sounds familiar, I think… it was some kind of capital? “Are there people there that could help with… all of this?”

Mina nods with more determination now, some confidence returning. “I’m certain. Cosiax houses some of the most powerful organizations in the world, places called the Cosiaxian National Institute of Research and Temple of the Omnifideus.”

Evel’yee rolls her eyes. “You know that shit doesn’t come free Mina. There’s no way a couple of nobodies like us could get an audience with people that high up.”

Mina lets out an annoyed sigh. “Eve, you just heard what Tanna said. You saw what happened tonight. We’re so far out of our league with this, it’s so incredibly dangerous. Besides, this thing killed Roderick. This is the easiest way to desss- open it.”

Despite Mina’s obvious mistake, the fact that she’s even pushing for this Cosiax seems to put Evel’yee on a bit of a bender. “You think they won’t try to use it themselves? Those people are scum Mina, the worst of the opportunistic bastards, and that’s saying something because everyone in Cosiax is one. Such a little paradise, all supported by company towns tucked away in corners where nobody can see the atrocities that happen there.”

Something changes in Mina when Eve says this. She doesn’t seem to disagree, but her fur starts to bristle and her voice takes a hard edge. “You think I don’t know that? That I want to go to Cosiax myself? I can’t stand the idea of going there, but this monster killed Roderick, and from what Tanna’s saying, it’s capable of so much worse! I have a moral duty to see it dealt with, and if that means using the connection I have to do so, I will.”

Evel’yee seems genuinely surprised when Mina says that. There’s something like sympathy in her gaze when she regards Mina now. I let out a small cough, I’m kinda lost. “Uhm…”

There’s a bit of a hollower edge to Mina’s voice when she speaks again. “I can… get us in to see someone pretty high up within the Avlontol branch if we go to Cosiax. People within the institute. They’d be far more equipped to deal with whatever is happening with that box and you.”

“That’s… good?” What’s the problem then?

“The person she’d have to get into contact with to make that happen isn’t a good person, Tanna, and the Avlontol Research Association if composed of a bunch of fucking psychopaths. It’s not an option Mina.”

Mina doesn’t say anything, instead just shaking her head.

>Mina is feeling really helpless right now.

“Hey, there’s no need to rush into things, we can figure it out in the morning.” Not going to open that can of worms for now.

“Besides, we need to figure out how to help Jacob and Vax too…” Evel’yee says, though she can’t seem to suppress a bit of venom in her voice when she says their names. For Mina though, she jolts and bites her lip. “Cosiax is too far away, and I dunno if bringing them with us is a good idea exactly. I think we should stop by Felicol. It’s way closer, and there’s probably someone there that could help. Roderick was pretty close to that mayor guy, maybe he could.”

“You’re right…” Mina is quiet for a bit. When she opens her mouth again, she speaks in nearly a whisper. “Well, I think that's enough discussion for now. I’m going to go see Roderick now.”

An air of solemnity passes over the two of them as Evel’yee wrings her hands together a little bit. “Aye, I think I’ll do the same.”

>Also, see if you can cover the box in cloth maybe, without looking at it, so it can be manipulated without looking at any of the facings

Good idea Winds. “Do you have a cloth or something Evel’yee? I think it’d be a good idea to cover the box up for now.”

“Yeah, here.” She says as she fishes into her pack and produces a simple gray cloth, sizable enough to cover the box in its entirety.

“I think the Winds have something they want to say to you Eve, you mind hearing them out for a sec? They’ve got a way of making me feel better.”

“Are they not a single thing? I guess that’s why you’re using ‘Winds’, huh?” I give her a quick nod. “Sure I suppose.”

>To evelyee : hello there. I apologise for the intrusion but, please, feel no guilt over those words. What he spoke were not his thoughts given voice but bakoths weapons. Words like arrows aimed to wound you. I only know a little of roderick but from what i do leads me to believe he wouldnt have been hurt by your words. If anything, he'd have been proud to see you fighting back against a most cruel foe. Prouder still to know you both live and the foe who used him failed. Feeling guilt here would be giving bakoth a small win. He deserves nothing. Victory here belongs to you, mina and even roderick for i can assure you while his fight was not physical, he was still fighting alongside you all. I… I'll go now. Feel loss, feel pain, honour your friend, but feel no guilt. Not for this.

Her whiskers twitch as your message reaches her, her gaze softening slightly. “Man that’s a weird feeling…” There’s a pause before she continues, “Hard not to feel guilty, it felt good to thunk him with arrows in the moment. Felt like getting revenge for the past few shit days. All just to realize he wasn’t even himself. Have his own ‘kids’ at each other’s throats.”

Evel’yee chokes up, her next words coming out in quavering waves. “I-It’s just… why did this have to happen…” Just as quickly as her voice quavers though, she clenches her fist and forces it back down. “Abyss take it all, things just never seem to get better.”

>To Evel’yee:
>Well, we can yank you around with the gentlest of touch. What do you say? Cards on the table and the general goal of reaching a happy ending. (Several, if we can help.) Up for more ocasional head nudging and cheering of your sharpshooter skills?

With a choked laughing cough, she softly sniffles and nods. She takes another deep breath and manages to catch herself. “Yeah you know what, sure. I am a damn good shot. The best even! Just stop suggesting stupid shit like that charm idea.”

“Eve, chill out. You can’t be doing that.” The mousling shoots Mina with a mean glare, but that doesn’t seem to phase her. “They don’t know what makes you uncomfortable. You snapping at them like that doesn’t help, it just makes you seem antagonistic.”

Evel’yee whiskers twitch and she looks like she wants to snap back, but she ends up just pinching the bridge of her snout instead. “Agh! Fine. I just…” She takes a deep breath and curses under her breath. “Fucking hells… look.”

Holding onto her elbow and exasperatedly sighing, she quietly says, “I didn’t mean it like that. I would appreciate it if you didn’t call me cute, touch me, or suggest things like charming me… Sorry for being a bitch about it.”

Krai’s sake, this constant whiplash. At least there’s some kind of apology there, but I have got to get away from these people. “It’s not a big deal, don’t worry about it. I can’t really speak for the Winds, they kind of come in ‘waves’. I’m sure they’ll send a message though, or let me know.”

“Erm… yeah. Okay.” Making quick eye contact, she’ll give a nod. She then moves to the ritual room, and with an awkward wave, Evel’yee enters.

Mina passes a wave as well and lets out a soft laugh. “Well, we’ll be out soon, just need a moment with Roderick. There’s a camp nearby above ground, feel free to rest there if you’d like. Just, please don’t run off?”

Stop tempting me. “Please, why would I think of doing that?”

Mina raises her eyebrows at me. UGH… “Okay, fine. I already had this moral dilemma in my head already.”

She purses her lips and looks like she wants to say something about that. Thankfully though, she instead passes a soft smile. “Alrighty Tanna. If you end up falling asleep somewhere, then have a good night.” Turning away, she closes the door behind her, the only light left coming from the faint glow of the moons from the main hall.

10/11 Tanna 2025/02/12(Wed)12:25 No. 1103668 ID: ec3d26
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Just you and me Winds.

>Oh also uh, there's a guy you kind of paralyzed back there. Probably don't wanna leave him like that.

Yeah, I haven’t forgotten. Gonna stay that way for a bit, at least until we’re far enough away where he can’t hurt us. I wonder if Jacob is awake? Probably. Bleh.

I wonder what Mina and Evel’yee are going to want to do with them?

>The rat must be someone or something powerful, in disguise.

Wherever they are, I don’t smell them nearby anymore, just a faint lingering scent. Wonder what their deal is.

Gosh… I think I’m out of energy Winds. I’m really tired. I’m gonna wait in the main lobby for Mina and Evel’yee, and just… sit for a bit. Need the solitude.

As I walk back and moonlight streams into the main chamber, it seems like the rain’s let up. There’s just a gentle rustle as the moons illuminate the forest above. Don’t wanna be underground anymore, but I also don’t want to climb this damn rope just yet. So I just look up and take a deep breath, closing my eyes and letting the glow from the moons permeate through my eyelids. Finally, some silence, and some calm.

Hey Winds, perhaps it’s a bit selfish, but if you’ve got something to say to Bakoth, maybe now’s a good time? I can see you got a message lined up for him, and I kinda just want to be alone for a moment. I won’t go anywhere, I just need to sit by myself for a little.

11/11 Bakoth 2025/02/12(Wed)12:26 No. 1103670 ID: cfe8a5
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Private Conversation

Welcome back! Quite a bit of melodrama out there, no?

>To Bakoth:
>Why the hell should I keep talking to you if you're going to withhold information and give bad advice? You better say something helpful right now or this is the last time I contact you. You're certainly not helping yourself with that serpent thing.

Something useful? I felt like I’ve said a few useful things already! I mean, you saw how she reacted to the word story! What did you think of that? Hahaha…

Funny what words can do to a person. Apologies for the bad advice though. Quite honestly, I thought you’d realize it as a joke, or as an indication I can still see and hear what’s happening on the outside. Don’t really care to dance around whether I can do that or not, just gets in the way of meaningful conversation.

Seems like your charge is rather exhausted, can’t blame her. I imagine it’s been one hell of a night for the poor thing! Just look at her, needing some alone time. She was always like that, you know? A very asocial being.

Well, you want something helpful, right? Or else you threaten to not contact me again? Oh how dreadful, I certainly wouldn’t want that! Hmm, let me think…

Well, how about some straight on good old fashioned simple information! No riddles or rhymes, yours to do with as you please! As I was poking around in Roderick’s head, I learned that he was actually a secret inquisitor to the god known as Yis, one of the three gods of ‘fate’ here. The old dog was on the lookout for cultists that shared, or well, had shared Tanna’s beliefs. Supposedly there was a small sect within the nearby town of Felicol.

Whatever you do with that is up to you of course. Maybe finding someone who knew Tanna before her memories were sealed might be of help? Or perhaps those are exactly the type of people you wish to avoid? I do so look forward to seeing what you choose.

As for something a little less tangible, more of a guess really, but how were you introduced to this story? Did everything stay consistent? I can’t imagine he got a perfect match.

Chapter 1 is swiftly coming to a close. The next update will likely be the last.

Mhm… is it now?

>>1103661
Oh no. I just realized, since we killed Roderick in that room, he suffered a True Death. We uh probably should've lured him out before fighting him, so that killing him would have still allowed resurrection to be on the table. It should've been possible with the help of the gods, though I don't know how difficult it is in this world. Then again, maybe you wouldn't have liked the idea.

>>1103670
Hmm, good enough.
To Bakoth: I'll be straight with you. I know what that sign is. Why is it on your hand?

"Consistent", he says... well, maybe Tanna could see in the dark a bit better than expected. Not sure what else could've been off. Not that I care overly much. I guess the two characters we saw in the intro don't quite look the same as they did later, but that isn't unusual considering "how" we see things.

I think it is a mistake to think of the King in Yellow as a God.

>>1103678

There are so many definitions of that term. If you're using one of the looser definitions --any being of sufficient power-- than it fits.

Pfffffft.

((I will wait until Tanna is paying attention. I have nothing to say to anyone else))

Fox Here. Tanna? You deserve some rest. And I still want to absolutely talk your ear off (and maybe flirt some!) once you get to a place of safety and can relax and are no longer urgently expecting something horrible to happen to you soon. The sooner you can get some of these forces around you to back off and get this stuff under control and can get some real rest and rejuvenation, the better!

>>1103662
...come on back to us tanna.
Dangerous, deep waters of the mind lay that way.

>>1103663
That's why its good you chose not to leave them.
You fell.
They helped you back up.
Simple as that.
Despite all the unknowns and unresolved things between you, their reaction was to help.
Their hearts are good.

>>1103668
Rest well slinky.
You've earned it.


Oh.
Bakoth.
We're listening.
Cant promise you'll get an answer.
Also, can't promise not to just float here spending all my effort trying to manifest a spectral hand so i can flip you off.

God, this update is amazing.Thank you for this quest, Capitulize, you have gone above and beyond for it!

>Did everything stay consistent?

Funny, I have been meaning to ask who that other dog-folk, the one with black fur and pointed ears that captured Tanna, was and where had gone.

And I swear some of Mina's fur pattern is different.

How stupendously foreboding!

>>1103657
Don't you like it? Tanna though it was cute.
I think it's time we have a little talk. Do you have a reason not want to talk beside shyness?

A festa acabou
A luz apagou
O povo sumiu
A noite esfriou

What now? The original objective of keeping Tanna alive seem to have being a success. What else should we take in consideration moving forward?

In case you can't explain...

To Mina:

As a priestess, could you give us some advice on how we contact our patron god? Would be nice to receive further instructions about what we should be doing at this point. If I knew this would be a problem I would have turned Tanna into a priestess instead of a bard...


Tanna,

Don't think of the King in Yellow as someone that distant (or something you can fight against). You saw him earlier today when you were about to cut Jacob's throat.
Jacob's latter connecting earth to the divine realm...
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.

It's generally better to not acknowledge eldritch things or tell others about it, but if you want to share the important thing for a mortal to keep in mind about the King in Yellow is this:
There is a script for a performance named after him. It tells about Carcosa, Camilla, Cassilda and the stranger (who I believe is death). The first chapter is safe to read but not recommended. Reading anything after seem to doom the reader. Suicide is a likely outcome, but if it doesn't come to that tragedy and madness seem to be almost guaranty.
I didn't mentioned it before because honestly I was already suspecting you yourself wasn't a mortal and past you probable already read it at some point. Since you decided to share, this may be more pertinent information for Mina and Evel’yee. Don't mention the part about Cassilda being part of it to Mina.

For the pony questions:
I'm glad you like them. Yes, you had multiple ponies. The drawing was illustrative. Seem like you can't see the actual ponies or the chosen names. Shy god definitely can, ask him to show you if you want to.


To Evel’yee:

What can I say? I like seeing you angry almost as much as I like seeing you happy. You are charming in either mood. If only there was a conveniente word I could use to describe you as such...

To Tanna, get a fire going by that campsite to get cozy and warm up. Can't imagine this cave has been very warm. Rest up, for you've got a long trip to make with the others!

>>1103883
>black fur and pointed ears
That was Roderick. Except, yeah, his ear design is completely different. That can't be explained by "visual style". So... I guess character generation shunted us into an alternate timeline/dimension that tried to stay consistent but there were limited variations to pick from and it didn't quite get there.

>>1103670
Ok,ok.
Ive visualised flipping you the bird long enough.
Time to nibble the bait.

What evidence is there of rodericks secret allegience and where can it be found?
No good being a secret agent if you cant communicate with your faction.
Passcodes?
Brand?
Sigil hidden in armour?
Supersecret handshake?
What thing marks him as what you claim he is?

As to how i found this.
Thats a secret.
Just in case revealing it compromises something we havent forseen as vulnerable.
Consistency?
Yes. And coherant. Even when things got strange.
What variations and oddities made a kind of sense, especially considering the forces at work.
Right.
Back to my original task...
....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
..............\.............\...

Well, whaddya know?
The visualising worked!