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File 162268005046.jpg - (160.85KB , 500x500 , 1a.jpg )
1002454 No. 1002454 ID: 4c9664

2.0
updates weekly
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No. 1002455 ID: 4c9664
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1002455

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No. 1002456 ID: 4c9664
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1002456

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No. 1002457 ID: 4c9664
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1002457

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No. 1002458 ID: 4c9664
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1002458

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No. 1002459 ID: 4c9664
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1002459

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No. 1002460 ID: 4c9664
File 162268024875.jpg - (81.48KB , 500x500 , 6.jpg )
1002460

You awaken alone in a field. Beneath you the ground is scorched. The grass around you is tall and wild. The wind is soft and warm.
You were once a Grand Slime, the queen bee of a hive of slimes. Now you’re barely a fraction of your old self.
>>
No. 1002461 ID: 4c9664
File 162268025209.jpg - (93.06KB , 500x500 , 7.jpg )
1002461

The broken hilt of the sword that slew you is wedged in a small, heart-shaped fragment of your magical gem core. The other pieces don’t appear to be close by.
The blade is stuck pretty good, almost like it’s fused with the crystal. Right now you’re not sure if that’s a Good Thing or a Bad Thing, so you file that away under “Thing” for now.
>>
No. 1002462 ID: 4c9664
File 162268025666.jpg - (174.63KB , 500x500 , 8.jpg )
1002462

As far as you can tell you’re currently all alone. You hear a stream nearby. In the distance you see some trees, and in another direction what might be a town. It’s different from how you remember, and your memories are still a little fuzzy, but you think you recall your hive being somewhere nearby.
>>
No. 1002463 ID: 0fae41

Sniff out some lunch. Won't be getting revenge on an empty stomach.
>>
No. 1002464 ID: e7c7d3

Head towards the stream
>>
No. 1002466 ID: ef6063

What's the road to the trees like? Any memories of your name?
>>
No. 1002467 ID: eb1fcc

>>1002457
damn, fuckin' twat really just walked up and stabbed ya

who does that, jesus

we should file a police report, get this dude on trial
>>
No. 1002470 ID: fa20da

Idly chew some grass while looking for your hive.
>>
No. 1002471 ID: 6f14a3

Try to shake the feeling that you've been here before.
>>
No. 1002511 ID: 094652

Immediately mark where your 'death' occurred with a big rock, and move in the direction of the sun.

Bawl at the incalculable loss of your former masteries of shapeshifting, including the ever-elusive "enhance knockers".
>>
No. 1002512 ID: 2aa5f0

go to the water
>>
No. 1002521 ID: 30b9f6

>>1002470
Yeah, have a wander about and a chew. Reflect on the state of things.
>>
No. 1002539 ID: c09f5e

Why not head to the town? Maybe the people there are nice enough to not attack you on sight.
>>
No. 1002556 ID: ee2771

Head to the water, a drink might clear your head.
>>
No. 1002654 ID: 6c85e8

God that's so mean!! Go have a snack. Grass is good.
>>
No. 1002958 ID: 4c9664
File 162326521936.jpg - (169.08KB , 500x500 , 9.jpg )
1002958

You feel pretty hungry, so you grab a handful of tall grass and chow down. It’s bitter and hard to chew, but a slime can eat anything with enough time.

The grass doesn’t satisfy you, but it takes the edge off at least. You decide to stop for now, hoping to find something more hearty later.
>>
No. 1002959 ID: 4c9664
File 162326522380.jpg - (176.19KB , 500x500 , 10.jpg )
1002959

You head towards the stream. It’s a little thing, not very deep, and narrow enough to jump across. The water isn’t moving very fast, so you can get a good look at your reflection.
>>
No. 1002960 ID: 4c9664
File 162326522620.jpg - (89.47KB , 500x500 , 11.jpg )
1002960

It’s you!
But this isn’t really you. You used to be big, much bigger. What happened? You close your eyes and try to remember.
>>
No. 1002961 ID: 4c9664
File 162326522997.jpg - (142.64KB , 500x500 , 12.jpg )
1002961

A knight, dark, piercing eyes.
A sword, sharp, plunging deep.
Friends, family, gone, killed or hiding. Fleeing.
You remember burning.
You remember breaking.
You remember crying.
>>
No. 1002962 ID: 4c9664
File 162326523206.jpg - (160.04KB , 500x500 , 13.jpg )
1002962

There’s also a vague sense that this has all happened once before. You hope that it goes a bit more smoothly this time around.
>>
No. 1002963 ID: 4c9664
File 162326523685.jpg - (176.88KB , 500x500 , 14.jpg )
1002963

You open your eyes. Someone killed you, but didn’t do a good job.
>>
No. 1002964 ID: 4c9664
File 162326523985.jpg - (164.62KB , 500x500 , 15.jpg )
1002964

You get up. The sun is starting to set behind the town, so you decide to head off in that direction. Maybe there’s someone who will feed you. More importantly, maybe there’s someone in there who has answers for you.
>>
No. 1002965 ID: 4c9664
File 162326524210.jpg - (122.94KB , 500x500 , 16.jpg )
1002965

The sun is almost set as you arrive at the town gate. A lizard with a giant hat stands guard by the open gate. They look extremely bored.
>>
No. 1002966 ID: ef6063

Make a silly face to liven up their day!
>>
No. 1002967 ID: 512d05

>>1002965
do a fun dance!
>>
No. 1002968 ID: e7c7d3

Inquire where you can get a hat like that
>>
No. 1002969 ID: 96c896

>>1002965
Ask him if he knows anything about a slime settlement that was nearby. Or if not, does he know if there's anyone in town who would?

Oh, is there a doctor in town that can help slime injuries?
>>
No. 1002970 ID: 9a2966

Can you talk?

If so, say that they have a cool hat. What's the symbol on it mean?

Then ask them if they've seen any other slimes, or if they know where you can get something nice to eat.

If you can't talk, pantomime that you want to enter town then look questioningly at him.
>>
No. 1002971 ID: c09f5e

Eh. Have a staring contest. Let him speak first.
>>
No. 1002975 ID: cdabe3

Tell them they’re cute
>>
No. 1002995 ID: 312b32

Yikes, 13 always was an unlucky number. Whelp, nothing for it but to mock them for their lack of nakedness.
>>
No. 1003002 ID: 0fae41

Ask him for his hat.
>>
No. 1003046 ID: c93e10

Great guard. Ask where you are as you are unfamiliar with this town.
>>
No. 1003048 ID: c93e10

>>1003046
Greet*
>>
No. 1003218 ID: 403dc3

>>1002965
Say hello and compliment their hat
>>
No. 1003449 ID: 4c9664
File 162388414075.jpg - (79.26KB , 500x500 , 17.jpg )
1003449

“Hey,” you say to the guard, “Nice hat.”
>>
No. 1003450 ID: 4c9664
File 162388414432.jpg - (107.03KB , 500x500 , 18.jpg )
1003450

“Thanks,” he says back dryly, and it slips down over his entire head because it’s too big.
>>
No. 1003451 ID: 4c9664
File 162388414789.gif - (98.59KB , 500x500 , 19.gif )
1003451

You seize the opportunity and do a silly dance while he can’t watch. It’s hilarious, and you get twenty fun points for being silly. Cash those in later at select retailers for fabulous prizes!
>>
No. 1003452 ID: 4c9664
File 162388415016.jpg - (105.19KB , 500x500 , 20.jpg )
1003452

“I’m new here, can you tell me where I am?”

The guard successfully frees himself from his hatted prison with a gasp. “I freaking hate this hat, it was the only size they had, and I HAVE to wear it,” he perches it atop his head and sighs.
>>
No. 1003453 ID: 4c9664
File 162388415353.jpg - (113.02KB , 500x500 , 21.jpg )
1003453

“What was that? New in town huh? I would have thought you came from the hive, but I guess you slimes are all over these days.
>>
No. 1003454 ID: 4c9664
File 162388415675.jpg - (115.06KB , 500x500 , 22.jpg )
1003454

“Folks call this place the 'Lesser Hyther Orbital Edge Town' (or just 'Edge Town' if you're in a hurry) on account of... well, you know,” he does a motion with his hands as of something exploding.

“It used to be a mining town, but I think the caves ended up on the other side of the break, so now it’s just kind of a regular town.”
>>
No. 1003455 ID: 4c9664
File 162388415806.jpg - (102.16KB , 500x500 , 23.jpg )
1003455

“I don’t recognize the icon on your hat. What is that?”

The guard’s brow raises. “You must be new, that’s the Void Mark. It’s been around as long as I can remember.”
>>
No. 1003456 ID: 4c9664
File 162388416306.jpg - (130.28KB , 500x500 , 24.jpg )
1003456

He shrugs, “Tho these days it really doesn’t mean much of anything. The Void are pretty chill.” The hat falls over his head again.
>>
No. 1003457 ID: 4c9664
File 162388416674.jpg - (96.05KB , 500x500 , 25.jpg )
1003457

You seize the opportunity and make a silly face while he can’t see it. You get twenty more fun points. you’re really racking them up!
>>
No. 1003458 ID: 4c9664
File 162388416848.jpg - (86.38KB , 500x500 , 26.jpg )
1003458

“I was attacked earlier, and got hurt pretty bad. Is there a doctor in town who can take a look?”
>>
No. 1003459 ID: 4c9664
File 162388417171.jpg - (112.89KB , 500x500 , 27.jpg )
1003459

“hmm, there’s a doctor yeah. Don’t know how good they are with slimes tho. They’re right on the edge, tallest building.” He leans on his spear and yawns. “Anyway, yeah. Welcome to Edge Town. Don’t cause any trouble, I really don’t wanna have to actually do anything.”
>>
No. 1003460 ID: 4c9664

Promise to cause some serious slime based trouble
>>
No. 1003461 ID: 9d29cf

Let's go look for this mysterious doctor.
>>
No. 1003466 ID: a2493c

>>1003459
sure thing bud

also you could probably glue like a bowl or something into the brim so it at least sits on top of your head better, food for thought
>>
No. 1003468 ID: ce39da

"Kind of makes me wonder why the whole hat is hollow in the first place. Do guards usually have really tall foreheads or something?"

"Anyway, k' thx bai."

Let's go see this doctor.
>>
No. 1003469 ID: 96c896

>>1003459
Ok, one last question. Where's the hive?
>>
No. 1003470 ID: 08e322

>>1003459
ask him if you can have his hat
>>
No. 1003472 ID: 681bfa

Thank him for the information and head into town.
>>
No. 1003511 ID: c09f5e

>I would have thought you came from the hive, but I guess you slimes are all over these days.
Your hive is still A Thing? How long has it been since the incident? Get the date today.

Still a good idea to see a doctor to diagnose your condition before you deal with any issues back at the hive, with the power vacuum and all. As you are now, I don't think anyone would take you seriously, much less believe you're their (former) queen.

Hopefully, your subjects and/or the fragments of your majestic self won't get into too much trouble without you...

>on account of... well, you know
No you don't know. This amnesia thing is why you need to see a doctor, you know.
Ask if you could see him in a tavern later, after the doctor, to share news and a meal (that he'd have to be pay for, so be cute). There may be better sources of news, but they don't have that hat.
>>
No. 1003622 ID: 63edbf

Who are these chill Void? Do they have cool hats?
>>
No. 1003624 ID: 422cea

Retract your limbs and do a silly slug crawl into town.
>>
No. 1003690 ID: 6c85e8

You know, that would be a really great hiding place.
>>
No. 1003706 ID: 74c499

"Wouldn't you want to do something with me?" Wink
>>
No. 1004147 ID: 4c9664
File 162464527086.jpg - (62.10KB , 500x500 , 28.jpg )
1004147

“I promise nothing,” you say defiantly, “I do what I want.”
>>
No. 1004148 ID: 4c9664
File 162464527368.jpg - (99.58KB , 500x500 , 29.jpg )
1004148

The guard is already asleep standing.
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No. 1004149 ID: 4c9664
File 162464527705.jpg - (144.48KB , 500x500 , 30.jpg )
1004149

You decide you could use a giant hat, and take it from the sleeping guard. He doesn’t seem to notice.
>>
No. 1004150 ID: 4c9664
File 162464527988.gif - (110.07KB , 500x500 , 31.gif )
1004150

Now you have a Giant Guard Hat. It’s big enough for you to fit your entire body in, but it’s also a pretty conspicuous object. In the right environment it could certainly be of some use. Like as a stepstool or somethin’.
>>
No. 1004151 ID: 4c9664
File 162464528301.jpg - (167.01KB , 500x500 , 32.jpg )
1004151

You enter the town. With the sun nearly set by now it's pretty dark. A few houses among the pines have lights on. Directly ahead of you is a large weathered statue of -

You’re not actually sure what it’s a statue of. Looks like some kind of giant. The head is shaped like some sort of insect, the pincers pointed skyward. Strange grooves cut across its form like circuitry, and a large round gem is floating in a cutout in the center of the head. Vines have crept over it from years of neglect, and one of its arms appears to have fallen off long ago. The other arm is holding the hilt of a very large sword which appears to be sunken into the stone platform the creature is resting on.

There’s a glowing yellow slime near the statue, looking up at the being. They don’t seem to have noticed you yet.
>>
No. 1004152 ID: 38aa7e

Exercise your eminent domain over that slime’s slime.
>>
No. 1004154 ID: 96c896

>>1004151
Say hi to the slime, ask who the statue is.
>>
No. 1004166 ID: 6c85e8

Be nice. Say hello. Ask what it is looking at and why!
>>
No. 1004173 ID: c09f5e

Prepare a greeting equally as glowing as they are.
>>
No. 1004174 ID: ef6063

Are they the warm type of glowy? Bask in their glow holding your hands towards them!
>>
No. 1004197 ID: ec2dda

Inform them that eating giant stone arms off of statues is, like, the eighth best way to grow arms. Offer your superior arm-growing secrets in exchange for a [month or month-equivalent] of service as your bard.
>>
No. 1004202 ID: 2aa5f0

Greet slime, ask about the statue and where you could find the doctor.
>>
No. 1005028 ID: a6c929
File 162569147632.jpg - (126.85KB , 500x500 , 33.jpg )
1005028

“What’s this a statue of?”

The slime jumps in surprise. “OH! oh hi, I didn’t know you were there,” it eyes your hat nervously, “I’m not causing any trouble, I was just, I’m, goodnight,” and it begins to scoot away.
>>
No. 1005029 ID: a6c929
File 162569147911.jpg - (93.76KB , 500x500 , 34.jpg )
1005029

“Hey come back here,” you call out, “I just wanted to ask a couple of questions.”

The yellow slime reluctantly scoots closer, eyeing you and the hat. “Sorry to keep you, I only have a few questions and then you can go.”
>>
No. 1005030 ID: a6c929
File 162569148243.jpg - (138.97KB , 500x500 , 35.jpg )
1005030

“I’m new to this area. What can you tell me about the statue?”

“Oh," it perks up, "this isn’t a statue. Or, well, it WASN’T a statue. When the earth was whole it was protected by these mighty slime titans. They stood against any who would seek to upset the balance of nature.
>>
No. 1005031 ID: a6c929
File 162569148477.jpg - (83.36KB , 500x500 , 36.jpg )
1005031

When the Void showed up, the titans rose up against them and defended Ahrcane from their invasion. But the Void was too great, and then..
>>
No. 1005032 ID: a6c929
File 162569148834.jpg - (308.82KB , 500x500 , 37.jpg )
1005032

.. the Void King landed..

His power was too great, and he overwhelmed the titans, destroying them one by one.
>>
No. 1005033 ID: a6c929
File 162569149088.jpg - (148.24KB , 500x500 , 38.jpg )
1005033

Those were the lucky ones. The others were consumed by the Void and left behind like this. The core in some still shines out, but gradually they’re starting to fade out. It’s only a matter of time, and then that’s it. No more titans. Void officially inherits the world, or what’s left of it.”

Something stirs in you, maybe anger, maybe guilt.. perhaps once you see the doctor you’ll be able to remember more and process your emotions properly.
>>
No. 1005034 ID: a6c929
File 162569149389.jpg - (79.73KB , 500x500 , 39.jpg )
1005034

“So, the Void are pretty bad then, yeah?”

“Oh, n-no, not exactly,” he looks very uncomfortable, “I mean, like, they did break the planet and kill the titans, but uh, I mean, things actually haven’t been so bad. I guess, the worst thing about it is that it’s harder to get around because the world is broken, but like, everyone else seems pretty cool with them.
“It’s a little weird seeing a slime in the Void guard, but I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later.”
>>
No. 1005036 ID: 96c896

>>1005034
Oh tell them you just took the hat off a sleepy guard. Maybe you shouldn't be wearing it...

Climb up and touch the core.
>>
No. 1005041 ID: 094652

Throw the slime into the titan's core.
>>
No. 1005043 ID: 9a2966

>>1005036
Laugh mischievously and tell your glowy new friend this, then climb the statue and poke the core.

And put that hat on top of the statue. It's the perfect crime.

In what way you're not sure, but it surely is.
>>
No. 1005048 ID: 894419

>>1005034
Assure the poor slime that you're only wearing the hat because its a nice hat, not because you're a guard.
>>
No. 1005053 ID: 2aa5f0

ask what the void guard is. Then when he questions you about the hat tell him that you found it on the ground outside of town and thought it looked neat and decided to wear it. You would have asked the guard outside of town about it be you didn't want to wake him as you felt that would be rude.
>>
No. 1005056 ID: 24ae03

The core seems all glowy and slime-good, while the flesh looks all stoney and icky. The latter can't be doing anything good for the former. Try to rip out the core and maybe give it some slime to act as a starter-body. You can spare a chunk out of your butt, right?
>>
No. 1005065 ID: beea23

Short term: Make friends with as many slimes as we can, make an army of friends and family.

Longer term: Find your slime dragon fragments. Hunt them down. Make them part of us once more.

Very long term: Awaken the slime titans and have our VENGEANCE! MAKE THE VOID RETRURN FROM WHENCE IT CAME! MAKE THE VOID KING SUFFER FOR EVERY ATTOSECOND WE WEREN'T WHOLE!!!
>>
No. 1005071 ID: c09f5e

Is it just you or is the core looking at you? Tempting you to eat it, maybe? Touch it first. See what happens.

You could remove the mark off your nice hat, but as a disguise it's pretty handy. Either way, nobody's taken it off you yet.

Also, you still don't know why your fellow slime is glowy. Does he know why he's glowy? Either way, let him know you're going to the doc. Invite him to your party.
>>
No. 1005211 ID: 741a2f

Oh, man, the Void King! That's the guy who slew you! We need to be extra cautious people don't learn you were strong enough for the Void King himself to kill you.

Touch the core only when no one is looking.
>>
No. 1005381 ID: 08e322

>>1005033
could you eat the glowy bit?
>>
No. 1005410 ID: a0e9bd

>>1005032
Oh. Hey. It's probably that dude that killed us, or someone pretty close.

Hey yellow dude, can we touch the glowy bit?
(if yes, touch. If no, get them to look away/touch when there isn't anyone looking)
>>
No. 1005564 ID: e221bc
File 162630170749.jpg - (72.27KB , 500x500 , 40.jpg )
1005564

“Oh, this isn’t mine,” you say quickly, “I’m just borrowing it.”
>>
No. 1005565 ID: e221bc
File 162630171005.jpg - (111.50KB , 500x500 , 41.jpg )
1005565

“Oh, why?”

“Never you mind.”
>>
No. 1005566 ID: e221bc
File 162630171324.jpg - (85.39KB , 500x500 , 42.jpg )
1005566

You look up at the glowing red core. A strange longing fills you as you gaze into it. “Can I touch that?”

“Wh- I uh.. sure, I guess. You wouldn’t be the first one.”
>>
No. 1005567 ID: e221bc
File 162630171661.jpg - (118.04KB , 500x500 , 43.jpg )
1005567

“Rad,” you say, and begin climbing up the titan.

The core is a vibrant, softly pulsing red. You can almost hear, or rather feel, a low hum coming from it.

You reach out to grab it.
>>
No. 1005568 ID: e221bc
File 162630171951.gif - (329.93KB , 500x500 , 44.gif )
1005568

-it’s all over you, it's crawling all over you, try as you might it won’t shake off, it's climbing higher and higher, it's digging inside, it's hurting-
>>
No. 1005569 ID: e221bc
File 162630172462.jpg - (111.03KB , 500x500 , 45.jpg )
1005569

You wake up on the dirt, the statue looming over you. Your hat is a short distance away, like it rolled off when you hit the ground.

“What did you see?” the slime hangs over you, looking concerned.

“I saw the Void crawling all over my body, digging into it. That was horrible!”
>>
No. 1005570 ID: e221bc
File 162630172776.jpg - (78.29KB , 500x500 , 46.jpg )
1005570

“Yeah, those were the last moments of this titan. I don’t want to think about what any of the others went through…”

You had vaguely considered trying to eat the core, but if touching it threw you on the ground, maybe eating it would also be a poor choice.

Which reminds you..
>>
No. 1005571 ID: e221bc
File 162630173014.jpg - (89.80KB , 500x500 , 47.jpg )
1005571

“Oh yeah, I had a couple other questions! I’m hungry, is there any place I can get some food?”
>>
No. 1005572 ID: e221bc
File 162630173313.jpg - (98.35KB , 500x500 , 48.jpg )
1005572

“Well, since you’re a slime, you’re always welcome to visit us in the hive! I was gonna head back there as soon as you uh, let me. We’ve got plenty of food there for you.”
>>
No. 1005573 ID: e221bc
File 162630173663.jpg - (54.44KB , 500x500 , 49.jpg )
1005573

“Cool, thank you! And one last thing,” you point at the impaled core floating inside you, “I got hurt bad, and the guard said there was a doctor I could see, do you know where they are?”

“They’re near the edge, across from the gondola. If you don’t mind waiting til morning, I can show you? It’s not really a great idea to wander around at night, unless you’re a guard or have a sword, or somethin’.”
>>
No. 1005574 ID: e221bc
File 162630173942.jpg - (96.81KB , 500x500 , 50.jpg )
1005574

You nod. “Yeah, I can wait. Hey I never asked, what’s your name?”

((In a past life, this character was named Humphrey. Do you want to keep this name, or vote on a new one?))
>>
No. 1005575 ID: 2aa5f0

old name is fine.

Also can't help but wonder if the Titian is actually dead and it's core is just filled with it's last moments or if it's still alive and trapped in place. Oh well nothing we can really do about it. Go get some food and then you can see the doctor in the morning... Also uh, what do they use for money around here because I'm pretty sure you don't have any.
>>
No. 1005576 ID: 094652

Humphrey Showercurtains!
>>
No. 1005580 ID: a2493c

>>1005574
Hink Skinkler, part-time sprinkler
>>
No. 1005586 ID: c09f5e

/hits accept without looking at name entry

We leave now and there's a chance the guards might not let us back in the morning, if only because of the hat. OTOH, we secure a homebase (or just a rest couch) and potential allies if we go with him.
Just ditch the hat when you leave, where the guard was posted. He'll take the blame for "reporting it stolen after losing it".

What's his hive like? Are they accepting new members?
>>
No. 1005602 ID: e22f01

him a hum
>>
No. 1005670 ID: 24ae03

Rey Humph
>>
No. 1005673 ID: 36784c

Explain that you used to be a Grand Slime and you had your own hive. But then some jerk came and stabbed your core and left you severely weakened. You don’t know how long you were gone, but it must’ve been a really long time, since your hive had disappeared when you finally woke up.

Express how sad you are and how much you miss your hive.
>>
No. 1005856 ID: 15a025

Humphrey is swell name.
>>
No. 1006625 ID: 3a576f

Humphrey’s a fine name. And yeah, let’s roll with him to get sone food.
>>
No. 1007195 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811078789.jpg - (58.36KB , 500x500 , 51.jpg )
1007195

“It’s Humphrey,” they say, “what about you?”

“Oh, uh, hmm..” You have a good long think. You should know your own name, it’s right at the edge of your mind, but you can’t seem to focus on it. Humphrey eyes the pierced core inside you.
>>
No. 1007196 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811079021.jpg - (100.30KB , 500x500 , 52.jpg )
1007196

“Oh, I guess you might not remember. That looks pretty serious. What happened to you?”
>>
No. 1007197 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811079312.jpg - (132.74KB , 500x500 , 53.jpg )
1007197

You recap what you already know: you used to be a Grand Slime, and you remember a dark knight thrust a sword into your core. Then you woke up in a field. You can’t recall anything further back than that. You’re not even sure you know what “Grand Slime” means, just that you remember Being It.
>>
No. 1007198 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811079661.jpg - (75.77KB , 500x500 , 54.jpg )
1007198

Humphrey ponders over all this info. “There was a time where I would have laughed at you for saying you used to be a Grand Slime, but if even a Titan can be defeated, I suppose anything is possible.

“I know our Grand Slime went missing a long time ago, but I think that was before I was around,” they look thoughtful, “it’d be pretty wild if it turned out the Grand Slime survived and it’s you. Maybe someone at the hive will recognize you?”
>>
No. 1007199 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811079816.jpg - (65.42KB , 500x500 , 55.jpg )
1007199

You nod. “Maybe. Either way, I’m starving. Let’s see what you slimes do for food.”
>>
No. 1007200 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811080154.jpg - (164.97KB , 500x500 , 56.jpg )
1007200

The two of you make your way from the statue and head towards a giant structure sticking out of the ground. It looks sort of like rock, sort of like crystal, sticking up like a weird fragmented tower. There’s a dull yellow glow shining inside of it, and the whole thing is full of tunnels and holes.
>>
No. 1007201 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811080409.jpg - (250.52KB , 500x500 , 57.jpg )
1007201

You enter the hive. There are a few round slimes like Humphrey scooting around, as well as some upright slimes like yourself, all going through tunnels and climbing the walls and ceiling. Large yellow mushrooms are scattered through the space, shedding a soft warm light on everything. There are doors cut into some of the walls. It seems like everyone is closing up for the night.

Nobody really seems to notice you or Humphrey.
>>
No. 1007202 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811080750.jpg - (100.45KB , 500x500 , 58.jpg )
1007202

Humphrey leads you through some tunnels and rooms. You try to keep track of where you are, but soon you’ve traveled too far into the hive to retrace your steps. Everything looks the same. It also looks vaguely familiar, but no matter how hard you look nothing seems to trigger a specific memory. You continue deeper and deeper feeling an increasingly uncomfortable sense of deja vu.
>>
No. 1007203 ID: 5fc1f4
File 162811081024.jpg - (170.90KB , 500x500 , 59.jpg )
1007203

You eventually spill out into a cavern with a different set of glowing mushrooms growing out of the floor, these ones green and blue, and much smaller than the yellow ones in the lobby.

“These are glowshrooms,” says Humphrey, “They’re safe to eat. Don't eat the yellow ones tho, those are sunshrooms and they’re not safe to eat.” They absorb some of the mushrooms and you see them start dissolving in their flesh.
>>
No. 1007204 ID: 96c896

>>1007203
c o n s u m e
>>
No. 1007206 ID: 736b7e

Om nom
>>
No. 1007211 ID: 2aa5f0

whelp, he offered. Grab some shrooms and get your fill. Also thank friendly slime for the food.
>>
No. 1007226 ID: 24ae03

The yellow slimes are not safe to eat. So lick them instead!

Honestly, you need to take more opportunities to show off your elite tongue-having skills.
>>
No. 1007289 ID: c09f5e

"'ow 're 'ey 'ot 'afe?"
>>
No. 1007290 ID: c8996f

CONSUME ALL, LEAVE NOTHING FOR THE INFERIOR SLIMES
>>
No. 1007325 ID: 66fcbc

Om nom, time for a three course snack. Become the slime and mushroom katamari ball you’ve always wanted to be!
>>
No. 1007368 ID: 2de4fd

Consume only glowshrooms. Get a nice meal.
>>
No. 1007403 ID: 24ae03

Hunt as did the ancient slimes of distant yore! Just collapse your form and see what you catch as a puddle.
>>
No. 1007469 ID: 028f23

Doubt we have enough mass to eat all the mushrooms, and that also that would be very rude.
Humphrey has been very nice, and also we desperately need friends/allies right now.
>>
No. 1007476 ID: fa8baf

Fall into the glowshrooms and make a shroomangel.
>>
No. 1007673 ID: 81d799
File 162871529840.png - (132.76KB , 500x500 , 60.png )
1007673

You decide not to lick Humphrey (for now anyway) and instead focus your efforts on eating. You get five fun points for thinking about it tho.
>>
No. 1007674 ID: 81d799
File 162871530214.png - (131.61KB , 500x500 , 61.png )
1007674

The glowing fungus pops out of the ground fairly easily. “It’s about medium size for a mushroom,” is a thought that enters your mind briefly before you remember you’re in a room with giant yellow mushrooms bigger than you.

Wasting no time you give it a bite.
>>
No. 1007675 ID: 81d799
File 162871530544.png - (163.08KB , 500x500 , 62.png )
1007675

It tastes pretty good! It’s kind of savory, almost buttery, with a sort of earthy aftertaste.

You eat your fill of them and are now Fed and Satisfied.
>>
No. 1007676 ID: 81d799
File 162871530856.png - (165.65KB , 500x500 , 63.png )
1007676

“So, you said the Grand Slime that used to live here disappeared?” you say between mouthfuls of mushroom, “who’s in charge now then?”

“Not anyone really, we just sort of do what we can to get by and help each other out.”

“What about the Void, what’s really going on with them? The guard earlier seemed pretty chill about them, but you seem to be afraid of them.”
>>
No. 1007677 ID: 81d799
File 162871531173.png - (122.40KB , 500x500 , 64.png )
1007677

Humphrey looks a little uncomfortable. “It’s … complicated. The Void hurt the world and its people really badly. But that was all before my time. Now days the humans talk about it like its ancient history,” he looks thoughtful, “but some of the older slimes here remember, and are worried it could happen again. It’s hard for me to say what’s really going on.
“You shouldn’t have any trouble with them tho, as long as you don’t try to cause any trouble.”
>>
No. 1007678 ID: 81d799
File 162871531454.png - (101.02KB , 500x500 , 65.png )
1007678

“Yeah, they’re alright.”
>>
No. 1007679 ID: b081a5

Ask for a bit more information from your new acquaintance.

Try desperately not to freak the fuck out that the Void King who probably killed you before is just right there.
>>
No. 1007680 ID: c8996f

Ask the new guy if they're edible.
>>
No. 1007681 ID: 0fae41

What's he got on his head?
>>
No. 1007682 ID: 96c896

>>1007678
You. YOU KILLED ME. WHY DID YOU KILL ME.
>>
No. 1007684 ID: ce39da

"Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
> Looks like your attacker.
"UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
> Super casual - friendly, even.
"UHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh... Hi?"
> Probably not the same person. Same species(???)?
>>
No. 1007686 ID: 1433b0

ask the new guy if he's seen any real cool hats laying around, you're starting a collection
>>
No. 1007687 ID: e70793

Oh, hey, you are the Void King? Hi!
>>
No. 1007690 ID: 736b7e

What happens if you lick the void king.
>>
No. 1007691 ID: 2aa5f0

...is that a void slime?
>>
No. 1007702 ID: ef6063

Ask the small voidlad if they know of anyone with a flowing scarf the same color as their... handkerchief?
>>
No. 1007711 ID: c09f5e

If this is a random encounter, they're the one who has to start things. Not you.
>>
No. 1007794 ID: 24ae03

Politely inform them that the yellow mushrooms are yours, and that they are not allowed to have any.
>>
No. 1007795 ID: fa8baf

Ask if they're from the hive.
>>
No. 1007813 ID: 486c93

>>1007678
Holy Shitfuck! That is the bastard that did you in! Run the Fuck away!
>>
No. 1007827 ID: a2493c

>>1007678
"Oh hey you're the dude that stabbed me apparently like a century ago or something, why'd you do that? kinda rude bro"

why be shocked when you can turn it back around?
>>
No. 1007847 ID: 03f6c0

>>1007678

> Just play it cool~ Talking things out is always preferable and you're not the one intruding here.

HEY! It's a lil rude for you to just eavesdrop like that! And is that a lamp on your head? Well, if you're going to intrude so suddenly, please join us for lunch and tell us a lil about yourself!
>>
No. 1008325 ID: 400296
File 162940054416.gif - (151.65KB , 500x500 , 66.gif )
1008325

You have an intense inner battle as you look over this void person and fight to not freak out.
>>
No. 1008326 ID: 400296
File 162940054831.jpg - (140.30KB , 500x500 , 67.jpg )
1008326

They *look* like the figure you remember murdering you, but.. somewhat different? The shape in their “eye” is different, an inverted pyramid instead of an hourglass glyph. You remember your murderer wearing a great cape, but this one is wearing a kerchief . The color is the same tho. They’re a lot shorter than you remember, too, and the pointy bits accenting their head shape are different. Small droplets of their body seem to slowly drip upwards off of them.
>>
No. 1008327 ID: 400296
File 162940055136.jpg - (190.96KB , 500x500 , 68.jpg )
1008327

“Any luck down there?” Humphrey asks them.

“Nah,” they shake their head, “It’s starting to seem like it might actually be on the other island. The caves and mineshafts are deeper over there. We’ll dig around a little more next couple weeks and if we don’t find something then we’ll prolly head out.”
>>
No. 1008328 ID: 400296
File 162940055369.jpg - (112.35KB , 500x500 , 69.jpg )
1008328

“What are you looking for?” you ask.

“Lookin for a gem. Or part of one. Void King wants it. Or them, I guess. They’ve got voidkin everywhere looking out for them,” they shrug, “Not sure what it’s about, but Void King must have a good reason to send everyone after them.” They turn to leave through one of the holes. “Anyway, we’ll be back at it tomorrow

“Well, keep us updated on how it goes,” says Humphrey, “let us know if you need anything.”
>>
No. 1008329 ID: 400296
File 162940055789.jpg - (196.84KB , 500x500 , 70.jpg )
1008329

“So that’s why the Void Guard is hanging around?”

Humphrey nods, “Yeah, they showed up a couple months ago. This hive is connected to the old mines, so they’ve been digging around looking for that gem piece. The voidkin have been doing the searching, and the guard have kinda just been the escort.”
>>
No. 1008330 ID: 400296
File 162940055980.jpg - (193.88KB , 500x500 , 71.jpg )
1008330

“You seem really chill about it, are you really ok with those murderers rooting around your hive?”

“Oh no, I don’t like them here at all. They're weird and scary. But they’re not really hurting anything by being here. And they’ve actually been really helpful, leaving any gems or food they find for us. Hmm..” they look thoughtful.

“Hmm..”

“Anywho, we should probably get some rest. I’ll take you to the doctor tomorrow, and we can figure out what happens next after that.”
>>
No. 1008333 ID: ce39da

They're... a void-slime? How is that even possible? Also:
> Looking for gem shards.
Oh crap. You're gonna wanna find those before they do. Are you tired or anything? Maybe while our inky friend is off the clock, we should try searching the mine he just came out of.
>>
No. 1008336 ID: 96c896

It does sound like you want to get to at least one of the gem shards before them. If only to find out why they want them. That's going to be difficult, though. They have more manpower than you do... unless you were to take your place as the queen of this hive and direct the slimes to dig around for it while the void guards aren't here.

Ask Humphrey if all the void guard wear red. I'm guessing the Void King has a double triangle eye, not a single?
>>
No. 1008345 ID: 9ce839

Go to sleep. If they've been searching for the gem for several months, then it's unlikely they'd find it tomorrow, so we're not in a hurry. It's more important to get whatever info we can and prepare ourselves, maybe even get healed, before we decide to go into the caves.
>>
No. 1008357 ID: 2aa5f0

so why was that guy in here? Was he waiting in here to tell you what he found or was he just for the mushrooms? Who was that anyways? Oh and who's the void king?
>>
No. 1008713 ID: 400296
File 162991918758.jpg - (169.47KB , 500x500 , 72.jpg )
1008713

“Why were they waiting here, did they have to tell you specifically about their progress?”

“No, I think we’re just the first ones they came across. There’s not really any sort of authority figure here, so they’ve kinda been just telling whoever they find, and we’ve been relaying the info to each other.”
>>
No. 1008714 ID: 400296
File 162991919098.jpg - (171.57KB , 500x500 , 73.jpg )
1008714

Humphrey leads you through more tunnels and into a different chamber filled with shallow pits and holes. Some of them are occupied by slimes, others are empty. “You can just kinda pick a spot, wherever looks most comfy. You’re taller than the round slimes, so you might not be as comfy but you’ll be fine for one night.”
>>
No. 1008715 ID: 400296
File 162991919353.jpg - (165.57KB , 500x500 , 74.jpg )
1008715

You curl up in a hole, hugging your knees and tail close to you. The temperature is pleasantly cool, but not so cold you feel like you need a blanket.
>>
No. 1008716 ID: 400296
File 162991919645.jpg - (165.70KB , 500x500 , 75.jpg )
1008716

You close your eyes and try to relax. Your mind is racing, leaping from thought to thought. Who are you? Are you really a Grand Slime, or do you just think you are? What are the Void? Why is the Void King looking for a special gem? Was it really the king who killed you, or someone else? It feels like your already fragmented memories are being cast into the shadows of doubt. Nothing is certain. Everything is strange. The void seem nice enough, but..
>>
No. 1008717 ID: 400296
File 162991919907.jpg - (76.08KB , 500x500 , 76.jpg )
1008717

You have an uncomfortable dream about a hundred giant eyes looking at you, staring. Their gaze pierces you as they scan and study your body and core. You wish they would stop.
>>
No. 1008718 ID: 400296
File 162991920280.jpg - (75.86KB , 500x500 , 77.jpg )
1008718

A tall bright figure wearing that brilliant red approaches you. The eye you remember so clearly looks down at you silently, the cloak around them gently swaying in the breeze. Their face bears no expression. You feel oddly at ease in their presence. The eyes wink out one by one, leaving the two of you in peace.

They seem like they’re waiting for you to say something.
>>
No. 1008719 ID: b081a5

LEAVE ME ALONE YOU ALREADY GOT WHAT YOU WANTED YOU MONSTER
>>
No. 1008720 ID: 9ce839

"You have no penis."
>>
No. 1008721 ID: de3746

“Why?”
>>
No. 1008723 ID: 33f0ce

>>1008718
Sup' Di*k weed, you better not think I'm one of those Pu*sy a*s pi*s babys who think killing is wrong. 'Cuz when I find ya', I will kill you.
>>
No. 1008724 ID: 9a2966

>>1008721
Good question.
>>
No. 1008725 ID: a2493c

>>1008718
honestly I just want to know why ya did it. I don't think I was hurting anyone, doesn't seem like me. so why'd you try to kill me?
>>
No. 1008728 ID: 629f2e

>>1008721

This.
>>
No. 1008738 ID: e7c7d3

>>1008720
>>1008721
These two together
>>
No. 1008743 ID: 2aa5f0

>>1008721
I'll support this
>>
No. 1008758 ID: fc1eab

>>1008738
Supporting these two as well

If they answer by asking us the same thing, literally just form one for a sec cuz you are a slime and can literally make yourself whatever shape you want.
>>
No. 1008807 ID: e5dcca

Imagine some slime kittens.
>>
No. 1008896 ID: d052fd

The "oddly at ease" part has me concerned. Maybe try going the opposite of what the silent stare act would seem to suggest he expects from you. Like, smile and say you forgive him.
>>
No. 1008915 ID: ce39da

"Was killing me the first time really necessary?"
>>
No. 1008964 ID: 03f6c0

>>1008718

"What do you want from me? Haven't you caused enough harm to me, and to this world?"
>>
No. 1008967 ID: fa8baf

Where can I get a cape as stylish as that?
>>
No. 1009226 ID: c4c039
File 163052563562.jpg - (67.25KB , 500x500 , 78.jpg )
1009226

“Why did you kill me?” you ask.

There’s a prolonged silence. Then a voice, monotone, low, almost artificial replies

“You are not dead.”
>>
No. 1009227 ID: c4c039
File 163052563890.jpg - (44.36KB , 500x500 , 79.jpg )
1009227

“N-no? I mean, I guess so. Why did you try to kill me, I guess?”
>>
No. 1009228 ID: c4c039
File 163052564087.jpg - (73.92KB , 500x500 , 80.jpg )
1009228

“Critical error. A misunderstanding. An apology.” The figure bows its head. “an effort is made. Seek yourself. We will speak again.”
>>
No. 1009229 ID: c4c039
File 163052564320.jpg - (3.33KB , 500x500 , 81.jpg )
1009229

The world around you fades into quiet nothing, and you sleep dreamless the rest of the night.
>>
No. 1009230 ID: c4c039
File 163052564688.jpg - (91.34KB , 500x500 , 82.jpg )
1009230

“Well, here we are.”

You and Humphrey have made your way to the edge of town where the doctor’s house stands. A short ways away a rickety looking gondola sits at the edge guarded by a single voidkin, its ropes stretching out almost so far you can’t see where they end.

The house isn’t very wide, but it’s several stories tall, more like a tower than anything. It looks very old.
>>
No. 1009231 ID: c4c039
File 163052564943.jpg - (112.38KB , 500x500 , 83.jpg )
1009231

You reach out and knock on the doctor’s door. “It’s open, please come in!” a voice calls out from within, “Or, I think it’s open, I haven’t checked. It’s unlocked anyway.”
>>
No. 1009232 ID: c4c039
File 163052565220.jpg - (183.36KB , 500x500 , 84.jpg )
1009232

The two of you step inside the house. The windows are all open, and the pleasant morning breeze gently blows through the house. There are books and bottles lining the shelves and tables everywhere. The wall is covered in dozen and dozens of maps, charts, diagrams. Any spaces that aren’t papered over have strange symbols carved into them.
>>
No. 1009233 ID: c4c039
File 163052565538.jpg - (152.14KB , 500x500 , 85.jpg )
1009233

There’s a small seating area in a sort of pit in the middle filled with soft cushions, and lounging in it is a magnificent unicorn holding a steaming mug. Her eyes are closed, but she turns her head to face you and smiles.

“Always a pleasure when slimes come to visit. What can I do for you two?”
>>
No. 1009234 ID: c8996f

"can you fix an attempted murder?"
>>
No. 1009235 ID: 582604

>>1009233
"Help, I've been stabbed!"
>>
No. 1009242 ID: ce39da

"I uh... have what I think is the remnants of a magic sword stuck through my core. It was left in for... probably a while before I woke up, judging by how much things have changed, and I guess I'm mostly consulting you to ask whether it'll be more dangerous to try and remove it versus simply leaving it in."
>>
No. 1009244 ID: 1433b0

Ask if you can pet the mysterious creature the doctor has in a fishtank in her bookshelf.
>>
No. 1009260 ID: 2aa5f0

I believe that I have been stabbed awhile ago and I wanted you to check how bad it is. I am also suffering from memory loss and I think I've also shrunk as well and believe both of those are also a result of the stabbing. Mind taking a look?
>>
No. 1009261 ID: 63edbf

"AHHHH Your house is gorgeous and so are you!"
>>
No. 1009286 ID: e5dcca

Act out a valiant death scene, collapse to the floor, then point at where it hurts.
>>
No. 1009303 ID: 53560f

So a dude put his sword in me without protection and now I think I’ve got something wrong with me.
>>
No. 1009492 ID: c92a02

Give me back enough mass to wipe this place cleaner than the Void's backside.
>>
No. 1009851 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112742996.jpg - (67.92KB , 500x500 , 86.jpg )
1009851

"well, someone tried to murder me, and left their sword in me. I think it's stuck in there pretty good, can you get it out?

"Also I may or may not have been a grand slime before that but my memories are kind of scrambled. Is there anything you can do about lost memories?"
>>
No. 1009852 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112743299.jpg - (103.94KB , 500x500 , 87.jpg )
1009852

Her smile fades. "oh, that sounds terrible, I'm so sorry. Yes, I'll take a look."
>>
No. 1009853 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112743571.jpg - (125.52KB , 500x500 , 88.jpg )
1009853

She climbs out of the seating pit and sets herself on a stool to peer at your pierced heart.

"Hmm.. this is void stuff. Tricky to work with, deadly for most, but you're lucky; you're a slime." She puts her fingertips lightly on your chest. "May I?"
>>
No. 1009854 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112744073.jpg - (103.68KB , 500x500 , 89.jpg )
1009854

You nod. She gently presses her fingers into you, sinking her entire hands inside. Her fingers wrap carefully around your core, feeling the cracks splintering down from the sword. Weird soft jolts ripple through you as she carefully pulls at the hilt, before finally pulling her hands out of you.
>>
No. 1009855 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112744482.jpg - (91.82KB , 500x500 , 90.jpg )
1009855

"Well I have some good news and some bad news," she says as she wipes her hands off with a nearby towel, "the bad news is that for right now, that sword is stuck in there. It's fused with your core in a way that makes it more dangerous to remove than it would be to leave it alone.

"Thankfully there's a wealth of good news. It's not corrupting you, which to me says that your core was once much bigger and more powerful, strong enough to render the sword harmless. We still can't say for certain, but it's more likely than not that you are, or at least were, in fact a grand slime.

"Secondly, and this is especially exciting, that's a void sword. Since it's fused to you, it IS you. Right now that may not mean much, but over time you may come to learn some void magic, and this sword gives you the power to use it.
>>
No. 1009856 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112744786.jpg - (105.02KB , 500x500 , 91.jpg )
1009856

"Lastly, this one is sort of a mix of good and bad. The bad is that I can't do anything about your memories right now. This is a fragmented core, and it's missing a lot of its pieces. Without a whole core, some of your memories are permanently lost, etched on those lost pieces.

"But there's hope. If those fragments are still out there, and you can find them and put them back together, you should be able to get your full memory back."
>>
No. 1009857 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112745056.jpg - (95.95KB , 500x500 , 92.jpg )
1009857

"Can you do anything about my size? If I'm a grand slime I should be big like one so I can crush the dumb idiot who tried to kill me.”
>>
No. 1009858 ID: 9bc6b6
File 163112745795.jpg - (106.74KB , 500x500 , 93.jpg )
1009858

She shakes her head. "Right now that core can only handle the slime flesh you have currently," she giggles, "pull yourself together a little bit first and then we'll talk about making you big again."
>>
No. 1009859 ID: 9a2966

"Say, would those core pieces be capable of, well, being me, too? As in, walking around, talking, wondering what's up with their scattered memory."
>>
No. 1009860 ID: 730b0a

Say thank you, then start questing for Big
>>
No. 1009861 ID: 5232cd

I wonder if the pieces of your heart are the same crystals the void king is looking for? He's trying to make amends, for some reason, and finding your pieces for you would go a long way towards that.

First thing's first, tell your hive. If they're hiding any pieces from the void guard then you can recover them. After that, I suppose you can start gathering information on where else your pieces might've gone.
>>
No. 1009905 ID: 2aa5f0

I guess ask if she has any idea how to put a core back together... and I guess take a shot in the dark and ask if she would have any idea how one would go about finding their missing shard pieces?
>>
No. 1009910 ID: 988d40

>>1009859
and is there any way to find these pieces or am I gonna have to search for bits of myself spread across a field?
>>
No. 1009913 ID: 53560f

I don’t suppose you’d happen to know where I’d even begin to learn some void magic?
>>
No. 1009990 ID: 2de4fd

Thank her for being so helpful! Does she know any good way to start trying to find them?
>>
No. 1010149 ID: 5fd55c

Huge Quest: Slime Edition is a go!
>>
No. 1010286 ID: 2e4e5c

Interpret this news through ponderous dance!
>>
No. 1010451 ID: 9ce839

I'm pretty sure that swords and slime cores shouldn't go together. Like a crystal, if your core would grow around the sword, it would just become imperfect and deformed. I doubt the gain in void magic would outweigh the loss of slime powers. What we need to do is find a way to melt this sword as only then could we properly absorb it. For now, I think only the titans would possess such info... we need to go back to the statue.

Ask the unicorn about the void magic and how to deal with void stuff.

And then go back to the titan statue.
>>
No. 1011351 ID: 171f20
File 163234367811.gif - (33.39KB , 500x500 , 94.gif )
1011351

“If I’m broken up and able to walk around, does that mean the other pieces could be walking around as well?” The thought of parts of yourself moving around without you, thinking their own thoughts, missing their own memories, your memories, sends a brief shiver of existential dread through your body.
>>
No. 1011352 ID: 171f20
File 163234368234.jpg - (77.91KB , 500x500 , 95.jpg )
1011352

“I suppose it’s entirely possible, yes,” the unicorn says thoughtfully, “if they were somehow able to acquire a slime body, they could theoretically take over and control it.”

“And supposing that happened, where would be a good place to look for them? I didn’t see any pieces near me when I woke up, so maybe they just got up before I did and went into hiding?”

The doctor thinks about it for a bit. “I don’t think there’s any way to say for sure. The world is quite broken, and has been for a very long time. But it’s possible the pieces could have moved to other islands and started new lives.”
>>
No. 1011353 ID: 171f20
File 163234368526.jpg - (111.49KB , 500x500 , 96.jpg )
1011353

She crosses the room and begins touching one of the maps on the wall, moving her hands carefully over the canvas. It shows what appear to be several islands, each with detailed labels and measurements. “So, if I were a broken slime, and I wanted to lose myself in a new place, I would start with the hive. I know that there’s an old mineshaft connected to it, split in half between two islands, so maybe one of those became home to one of your fragments.”

“It’s possible, sure,” pipes up Humphrey, “The Voidkin have been searching the half on our side, and as far as I know there aren’t any slimes living on the other side. The Voidkin said they were going to search the other side soon, so maybe someone is hiding there.”
>>
No. 1011354 ID: 171f20
File 163234368875.jpg - (147.08KB , 500x500 , 97.jpg )
1011354

“Might be a good place to start,” says the doctor with a shrug, “There are a couple other places to consider. There’s a small town in the mountains hidden in the snow and trees. They don’t get many visitors, so it would be a wonderful place to hide.”

“There’s a big city a little closer to use than the mountains. It would be easy to get lost in a crowd, a great place to blend in.”

“If we go in the complete opposite direction from the mountains and the city, there’s an old castle that’s recently been rebuilt into a sort of college for slime folk. Losing yourself among so many of your own kind would be easy, almost certainly one of your pieces would have ended up there.”

“hmmm, other than that, I suppose it’s possible that the Void King has already found some pieces. You could always go pay them a visit and ask.”
>>
No. 1011355 ID: 171f20
File 163234369104.jpg - (128.15KB , 500x500 , 98.jpg )
1011355

“So to summarize: Mines, City, Mountains, College, Void King..?” you recite back.

“That’s where I would start if I were a slime looking for autonomous pieces of myself,” she giggles, “but it’s up to you! those pieces could be anywhere at all.”
>>
No. 1011359 ID: 96c896

>>1011355
The void king telling us to seek ourself implies that he doesn't have any pieces. If he did, he'd ask to meet.

Anyway, the mines are a terrible place to live on your own, and a terrible place to search without an organized effort. Let's head to the small town on the mountain. It's a comfortable place to hide, and a relatively easy place to search by yourself.
>>
No. 1011360 ID: 1433b0

Hug the doctor
>>
No. 1011370 ID: 9ce839

Uhh... it's quite a leap of logic to imagine that the pieces would just walk away on their own. Because if I was one of those pieces, the first thing I'd do is take the rest of the pieces with me. At least if they were smart. But if they weren't smart, then they also wouldn't be smart enough to mingle in a crowd. Which leads me to think that, if they did wake up, they were probably already divided when it happened.

We found ourselves near a stream. Maybe there was a flood and the other pieces were washed away (except us because sword). And then found by someone later. Maybe the stream just happens to run through a cave network that happens to be connected to a certain mineshaft...

Anyway, I'd vote to first visit the titan statue again and see if we can access some other memories of theirs. Like how to deal with void stuff. Or if the titan had some famous last words (or novels) it wanted to leave behind. My second choice would be the castle.
>>
No. 1011384 ID: 2aa5f0

well if we're just guessing I guess one place is as good as any other so I guess we can check out the mines though a part of me also thinks the castle would be a good spot to look as well.

Oh and I just realized we never did ask the good doctor her name.
>>
No. 1011387 ID: 736b7e

>>1011360
Second this

Also if the castle "certainly has one of" our pieces there then we should start there and get the pieces easy to find first. We'll be stronger for finding the other pieces afterward then.
>>
No. 1011407 ID: 2e4e5c

The mines look like a pretty miserable place to hide, so let's go there first to rescue any lost fragments, who will be more appreciative and less socialised, thus easier to mentally coerce and dominate.

If we should happen to find any crystal fragments while we are down there, then we can grab them on principal, to spoil Voidhead's plans.
>>
No. 1011417 ID: 2de4fd

Thank them for all the help, they've been really really helpful.
>>
No. 1012212 ID: da5175
File 163320551965.jpg - (103.22KB , 500x500 , 99.jpg )
1012212

“Well, I guess I’d better get moving. Um.. what was your name?”

“Not important,” she waves you away, “there are more important names to remember than ours. Just ‘Doctor’ is fine.”
>>
No. 1012213 ID: da5175
File 163320552398.jpg - (180.65KB , 500x500 , 100.jpg )
1012213

“Ok.. thank you for the advice.” You reach out and give her a hug. You don’t really know why you do it, but you go with it. She seems surprised, but hugs you back with a giggle. Something about this feels familiar. Tears well up in your eyes and you don’t know why. You hug her tighter.
>>
No. 1012214 ID: da5175
File 163320552658.gif - (100.77KB , 500x500 , 101.gif )
1012214

(Before you leave, the doctor gives you a cloak lined with many pockets. If you find any cool items, you can now hang onto them!
“It’s not much for defense, but it’ll at least hide your weak spot.”)
>>
No. 1012215 ID: da5175
File 163320552961.jpg - (91.71KB , 500x500 , 102.jpg )
1012215

“The mines are a good enough place to start looking. They’re closest and if nothing’s there, then we can head somewhere else.”
>>
No. 1012216 ID: da5175
File 163320553298.jpg - (90.91KB , 500x500 , 103.jpg )
1012216

“I do wanna go back and look at that statue again first, maybe there’s more info I can get from that core.”

“Okey dokey.” Humphrey nods, “I’m gonna go wait by the mines while you do that. Uh, just be careful.”
>>
No. 1012217 ID: da5175
File 163320553521.jpg - (122.02KB , 500x500 , 104.jpg )
1012217

You stand at the base of the statue. The sunlight lights up the core floating between its pincers. The ivy wrapped around the stone waves gently in the breeze.
>>
No. 1012218 ID: da5175
File 163320553896.jpg - (126.89KB , 500x500 , 105.jpg )
1012218

You clamber up the statue. There’s not really a safe way to situate yourself so you don’t fall, so you just kinda perch up there, accepting your inevitable reunion with the earth.

You touch the orb with both hands. “You’re the closest to where I died, is there anything you can tell me?”
>>
No. 1012219 ID: da5175
File 163320554239.jpg - (140.92KB , 500x500 , 106.jpg )
1012219

- You see chunks of slime raining down, a dark figure standing in their midst.

- Some of the larger parts seem to collect themselves and hurry off in different directions. One of them heads into the mines, others towards the mountains and trees.

- The Void army begins to swarm you. You raise your sword, ready to strike the knight as they approach.

- The Void covers you entirely, painfully turning you into stone again.
>>
No. 1012220 ID: da5175
File 163320554598.jpg - (92.43KB , 500x500 , 107.jpg )
1012220

“Hey, you good?”

You’re on the ground again. The guard from earlier is standing over you. They’re wearing their hat again.

“So like, you’re new or whatever, but like, just so you know, don’t touch that again maybe. Void King says they’re dangerous or something.”
>>
No. 1012222 ID: fdc5ef

Thanks, you've got a good idea why that is now.
>>
No. 1012223 ID: be12da

>>1012220
I'm good. Did your hat get fit better?
>>
No. 1012225 ID: 96c896

>>1012220
Maybe for others.

Anyway, looks like our leads are between mountains and mines. The mines are closest so let's start there, then head to the mountain town or city afterwards?
>>
No. 1012226 ID: 56d49d

Thank the guard and kiss them goodbye and then head towards the mines.
>>
No. 1012227 ID: 737d27

>>1012226
A pat will do, methinks.
>>
No. 1012236 ID: 53560f

“I am going to touch everything.
Also thank you for making sure I was okay, you’re very nice.”
>>
No. 1012238 ID: 3ab17b

Fair enough, wish him a good day.

Also, did you use to be yellow?
>>
No. 1012327 ID: fd3bf4

Argh! Scary guard! Puff up like a cat so as to look enormous and scary.
>>
No. 1014154 ID: 4c9664
File 163596503619.jpg - (84.53KB , 500x500 , 108.jpg )
1014154

“You’re not the boss of me,” you say from the ground, “I do what I want.”
>>
No. 1014155 ID: 4c9664
File 163596503877.jpg - (124.34KB , 500x500 , 109.jpg )
1014155

The guard shrugs. “Ok. I’m not here for your sake anyway. Saw my dumb hat laying over here, so I had to come get it.”
>>
No. 1014156 ID: 4c9664
File 163596504227.jpg - (84.18KB , 500x500 , 110.jpg )
1014156

You clamber off the ground and dust yourself off. “Well, thanks anyway for checking on me. I guess it’s the least the town guard could do.”
>>
No. 1014157 ID: 4c9664
File 163596504523.jpg - (96.12KB , 500x500 , 111.jpg )
1014157

“Oh, ha, no. I’m not with the town itself. I’m with the Voidkin working in the mines. Just figured I’d let you know about the statue while I’m here.” The hat falls off his head. He sighs and picks it up again before turning to leave with a noncommittal wave.
>>
No. 1014158 ID: 4c9664
File 163596504883.jpg - (85.95KB , 500x500 , 112.jpg )
1014158

“Oh, which way are the mines?” you call after him, “I’m supposed to meet my friend there.”

“It’s past the slime hive. You’ll know it when you see it.”
>>
No. 1014159 ID: 4c9664
File 163596505183.jpg - (168.18KB , 500x500 , 113.jpg )
1014159

You meet up with Humphrey just past the hive. A few tents with flags bearing the void mark are pitched in front of a small doorway carved into the face of a large rock. There are small lanterns hung on the support beams leading down into the earth. Old rusty rails run out of the mouth of the tunnel. There are a handful of voidkin milling about, their strange chatter bubbling about the tents and gear.
>>
No. 1014160 ID: 4c9664
File 163596505516.jpg - (93.63KB , 500x500 , 114.jpg )
1014160

“I already let them know we were gonna poke around in there, “ Humphrey says as you approach, “They’re still packing up, so we might bump into a couple on their way out.”

A tall figure approaches you, a slender voidkin wearing the same brilliant red you saw one of them wearing earlier. In fact you notice all of them seem to be wearing some article of clothing of the same color. The large white circle in their face bears a large black X in the center, like some kind of strange unblinking eye.
>>
No. 1014161 ID: 4c9664
File 163596506022.jpg - (75.33KB , 500x500 , 115.jpg )
1014161

“Hey, I just wanted to ask you something real quick, if you don’t mind? A couple things, actually, small stuff, don’t worry. Or do worry, I dunno, whatever you slime folk like to do.”
>>
No. 1014162 ID: ce39da

"I'm kind of in the 'trust, but verify' mindset regarding you guys right now; thanks for your concern. Ask away, I guess?"
>>
No. 1014163 ID: d591f0

Find some state between worry and not worry to take out of spite. This person is also still not your boss.
>>
No. 1014164 ID: 9a2966

Sure, if he'd be happy to answer some questions in turn.
>>
No. 1014165 ID: 4c9664

>>1014164
[What do you want to ask the voidkin?]
>>
No. 1014166 ID: 9a2966

>>1014165
They know why they're searching for those gems, or whatever?

Could you - or someone you know - teach someone else void magic?

Are all voidkin black, or do they ever come in other colors?
>>
No. 1014168 ID: b73e3a

Ask the voidkin if they're single. Or if they know any single void guys. Asking for a friend.
>>
No. 1014170 ID: c01eb5

Ask the voidkin where everyone's getting those super cool scarves. You want to be cool and popular and fit in, because PEER PRESSURE.
>>
No. 1014200 ID: 2de4fd

"If I worry too hard I won't be able to get anything done so just go for it but go gentle ok"
>>
No. 1014201 ID: 53560f

Us slime folk do tend to do things. Ask away.
>>
No. 1014204 ID: 5b1c8c

Well he can ask but not sure if you’ll have the answers. You do have memory loss after all.
>>
No. 1014472 ID: 829897

Is it true that Voidkin are made of liquorice?
>>
No. 1014523 ID: 96c896

>>1014161
Where do baby voidkin come from?
>>
No. 1014698 ID: 4c9664
File 163658614236.jpg - (77.46KB , 500x500 , 116.jpg )
1014698

You still don’t feel like you can trust these voidkin, but they seem harmless enough for now. “Ok, but I wanna ask you some stuff too.”
>>
No. 1014699 ID: 4c9664
File 163658614502.jpg - (64.58KB , 500x500 , 117.jpg )
1014699

“Oh, sure, go for it,” they say down to you. They’re easily three or four times your height, absolutely towering over you. Small dark droplets slowly drip upwards, vanishing in the air when they get too far away.
>>
No. 1014700 ID: 4c9664
File 163658614912.jpg - (111.08KB , 500x500 , 118.jpg )
1014700

“What exactly are you looking for?” you ask, “One of your guys said something about a gem, or parts of a gem?”

They pause for a moment, their large eye staring straight through you, before responding, “Yeah, I remember us telling you that. Not much else to say about it. Void King wants the parts of some kind of weird gem. Has been looking high and low for it. ‘Could be anywhere’, they said,” the voidkin shrugs, “So we’re out looking for it. Don’t know why, other than Void King wants it.”
>>
No. 1014701 ID: 4c9664
File 163658615203.jpg - (97.72KB , 500x500 , 119.jpg )
1014701

“You said ‘we’ and ‘us’, but aren’t you single?”

“I mean, aren’t you one person,” you quickly correct yourself.
>>
No. 1014702 ID: 4c9664
File 163658615589.jpg - (70.60KB , 500x500 , 120.jpg )
1014702

“We are Voidkin,” they say simply, “your interest is noted tho.”
>>
No. 1014703 ID: 4c9664
File 163658615816.gif - (63.72KB , 500x500 , 121.gif )
1014703

“Can you do magic? Can you teach me magic?”

“You’re…. not… quite void,” they seem to study you harder, as tho noticing you for the the first time, “Not…. yet… but soon, maybe.” Another pause, and then suddenly they lean forward, stabilizing themselves on all fours. Several soft voices echo out of them, all speaking in unison, “We wonder… Will you march in lockstep, or find your own rhythm?”

They blink. It’s really weird to see that giant eye move.
>>
No. 1014704 ID: 4c9664
File 163658616182.jpg - (81.22KB , 500x500 , 122.jpg )
1014704

“How about this,” they say suddenly standing upright again, speaking in their original voice, “So, we found some weird mushrooms, strange stuff, different from the glowing ones you all eat. Uh, some of our kin got kinda messed up by it. It’s a whole thing. We’re taking care of them in the tent, don’t worry, but uh, there are a couple of us that are still missing. You’re not like obligated to assist us in anyway,” they pull out a small bottle filled with a strange dark-glowing fluid inside, “But if you DO happen to find them down there, and they’re messed up, can you give this to them and point them back to the surface? Do that, and we’ll write down some void runes for you to get started on.”
>>
No. 1014708 ID: 629f2e

That seems totally reasonable, and even if you aren't sure how to feel about these guys yet you probably don't want 'em being messed up. Agree to take the bottle and help any you meet.
>>
No. 1014709 ID: c92a02

What if their idea of 'messed up' is actually a good thing though? Like partially un-corrupted by void because it wore off, or something. Take potion and sniff it.
>>
No. 1014711 ID: b73e3a

>>1014702
>your interest is noted tho
Hmm, having multiple bodies like that could be pretty fun; could go out with a new one every day to keep things fresh hehe

Anyway, the bottle. Lips suddenly feel very dry~

Accept the request and ask what's in the bottle.
>>
No. 1014718 ID: 96c896

>>1014704
I'm guessing that's some kind of void-healing potion.
Anyway yeah agree to the rescue sidequest and then let's go.
>>
No. 1014719 ID: 4c9664

Agree to take the bottle and help any you meet.
>>
No. 1014729 ID: 515cc0

quick, double down and ask to take them on a date
>>
No. 1014730 ID: 2aa5f0

that seems fair, go for it.
>>
No. 1014797 ID: 34dfce

>>1014729
Seconding!


Humphrey looks a bit sus tho
>>
No. 1014800 ID: 36784c

>>1014704
>strange mushrooms mess with the voidkin
We should also try to avoid those mushrooms. Since we’ve got that void sword fused to our core, interacting with those mushrooms might also mess with us!

>assist the voidkin?
Agree to help them.
>>
No. 1015487 ID: 4c9664
File 163721166493.jpg - (77.48KB , 500x500 , 123.jpg )
1015487

“Sure, we’ll keep an eye out for them,” you say as you accept the bottle, “What is this stuff?”

“Medicine. Flushes invasive entities from the body and reestablishes a connection to the Void King. Hopefully you won’t have to use it at all.”
>>
No. 1015488 ID: 4c9664
File 163721166765.jpg - (108.49KB , 500x500 , 124.jpg )
1015488

“What are you doing stop it,” they say as you uncork the bottle and sniff at the contents, “You’re not infected, please don’t use it on yourself.”
It smells … sweet and spicy, like some kind of pepper candy. You pop the cork back in.
>>
No. 1015489 ID: 4c9664
File 163721167108.jpg - (198.94KB , 500x500 , 125.jpg )
1015489

(You put the Medicine in your inventory.
“Probably enough for two swallows. Purges the body of strange effects.”)
>>
No. 1015490 ID: 4c9664
File 163721167699.jpg - (138.11KB , 500x500 , 126.jpg )
1015490

The voidkin leaves you be as the two of you steel yourselves in the mouth of the mines. The lanterns hung inside provide a dim light that fades quickly into darkness the deeper you look.

Nothing to it but to do it. If your core is in there, you won’t find it standing in the door. You step forward and enter the Old Crystal Mines of the Lesser Hyther Orbital Edge Town.
>>
No. 1015491 ID: 4c9664
File 163721167943.gif - (124.22KB , 500x500 , chapter 1.gif )
1015491

-{ CHAPTER ONE }-
The Old Crystal Mine
>>
No. 1015492 ID: 4c9664
File 163721168709.jpg - (106.94KB , 500x500 , 127.jpg )
1015492

It gets dark very quickly. You follow the lanterns down the tunnel, slowly descending until you pass them. Humphrey’s body gives off a soft light, bright enough to see where you’re going. Even so, it begins to feel oppressively dark as the lights from the surface grow dim behind you. There are old carts, picks and shovels, piles of rock and other minerals. Here and there you catch the glint of small crystals growing out of the walls.
>>
No. 1015493 ID: 4c9664
File 163721169160.jpg - (111.52KB , 500x500 , 128.jpg )
1015493

You continue following the tracks as they open out into a larger cavern, and eventually come to a sharp drop. The tracks hang just over the edge. It’s too dark to see how deep it is from where you stand. There are a couple of tunnels branching off from this room, a cool breeze gently wafting through one of them. More piles of mining junk litter the place.
>>
No. 1015497 ID: 96c896

How well can you climb? If you jumped down there could you climb back up? Also could you survive the fall?

Maybe we should go down a tunnel first though. Acquire shovel.
>>
No. 1015500 ID: ce39da

That track used to lead somewhere, but trying to reach where it starts back up would be folly without a better light source.

Equip yourself with a shovel or pickax or something, then head down... I'd say the tunnel with the breeze. If it cuts back up to the surface, that's one path explored. Do we need to keep a mental map, by the way?
>>
No. 1015505 ID: 279c23

Do you have anything to mark the paths you have taken? It can be pretty easy to get lost in a mine if you don’t know where you’re going.

Anyways I see two passages behind you, might as well see if they will lead you down.
>>
No. 1015508 ID: 53560f

Wow, that looks like a humongous health and safety violation. Good thing you aren’t a safety inspector.
Follow the breeze and make sure shout out to see if anyone can hear you every now and then.
>>
No. 1015512 ID: ab862d

Wait, why is Humphrey coming with us? It never said that it was going to help or follow us forever... sus~

Check the non-breezy tunnel first because it's probably a dead end. Get that completionist achievement.
>>
No. 1015527 ID: a2493c

>>1015493
we're a slime, so why don't we just stick to the wall and slowly drip down it?
>>
No. 1015532 ID: 829897

Can you eat some of the crystals? It might be like how some animals eat rocks to improve their digestion!
>>
No. 1015908 ID: 4c9664
File 163769687694.jpg - (115.75KB , 500x500 , 129.jpg )
1015908

You grab a shovel from one of the piles. It’s an average sized shovel, but still bigger than you. Holding it makes you feel a little better equipped to handle a scary dark cave.

(You put the Shovel in your inventory.
“A sturdy old tool. A little unwieldy for your size, but it’s better than nothing.”)
>>
No. 1015909 ID: 4c9664
File 163769688167.jpg - (113.83KB , 500x500 , 130.jpg )
1015909

You also grab a small piece of crystal from the pile and eat it. As you chomp on it, it cracks and begins to glow a soft pink.
>>
No. 1015910 ID: 4c9664
File 163769688439.jpg - (119.92KB , 500x500 , 131.jpg )
1015910

Humphrey looks mildly distraught seeing you eat crystals off the ground, but now you know that you can make crystals glow. You grab a few for the road.

(You put some Crystals in your inventory.
“Tastes like stale bitter salt. Not much of a meal, but they glow when broken.”)
>>
No. 1015911 ID: 4c9664
File 163769688770.jpg - (85.47KB , 500x500 , 132.jpg )
1015911

You contemplate trying to slide down the wall, but without knowing what’s down there, the idea doesn’t seem very appealing. You think that maybe you could do it if you had to tho.
>>
No. 1015912 ID: 4c9664
File 163769689092.jpg - (130.07KB , 500x500 , 133.jpg )
1015912

“Let’s go this way,” you say to Humphrey, pointing down the breezy tunnel. You crack a crystal by the entrance, and the two of you head down that way. Daylight seems to be ahead, and sure enough you turn the corner to an interesting sight.
>>
No. 1015913 ID: 4c9664
File 163769689228.jpg - (201.60KB , 500x500 , 134.jpg )
1015913

The cave continues down, but the wall on the left is completely gone. You can see clouds and sky outside of the dirt and rock around you. Across the way there’s another island, it’s side a little rough, but strangely clean for a break. It sits a little lower than you, but is too far away to jump down to. You can see tunnels and caves exposed to the air on its side, as well as some crystals that must have grown out from the wall since the break. It looks like there used to be wooden bridges connecting the two halves, but those have since broken and now simply hang down the sides of the island.

“That’s the other half of the mines,” pipes up Humphrey, “The voidkin said they haven’t been over there yet, probably because it’s not easy to get over there.”

The tunnel continues back into the island. Looks like it keeps going down.
>>
No. 1015920 ID: ab862d

I don't suppose you could extend yourself to reach the end of the wooden bridge on our half, could you? If not, then go back to the other tunnel branch.
>>
No. 1015921 ID: ce39da

Note the hole above you, but proceed down that tunnel for now - we still have voidlings to find.
>>
No. 1015927 ID: 96c896

Continue down this path until we reach the end. The missing voidkin are most likely deep in the mines, so there's no point backtracking just yet.
>>
No. 1015982 ID: 3e0315

Attempt to construct a crude trebuchet from the remnants of the bridge above you, then leave it behind as an artwork to commemorate your glorious presence at this place.
>>
No. 1015991 ID: 2aa5f0

well I don't see any other way for you two to easily get to at this time so might as well keep moving forward and see what else is up ahead.
>>
No. 1015994 ID: a2493c

>>1015913
build a giant straw and have humphrey blow into the end to send you flying over like a big spitball
>>
No. 1016906 ID: 4c9664
File 163901308746.jpg - (73.78KB , 500x500 , 135.jpg )
1016906

You wrap your tail around Humphrey and try to stretch out to the other island, but going too far starts to strain your core, so you can’t really bridge the gap with your body. Not yet, at least.

You also don’t have the materials or knowhow to build a way over there. You ultimately decide to keep exploring this side before trying the other.
>>
No. 1016907 ID: 4c9664
File 163901309298.jpg - (168.37KB , 500x500 , 136.jpg )
1016907

The tunnel with the bridge above you is too high up to reach. You might be able to find a way up to it from inside the mines.
>>
No. 1016908 ID: 4c9664
File 163901309513.jpg - (98.34KB , 500x500 , 137.jpg )
1016908

You and Humphrey continue your descent into the mines. The tunnel twists back and forth, always going down. It’s dark most of the way, but after a bit you start to see more of that pink light spilling out into the tunnel. A few minutes later the path turns out and into another large cave.
>>
No. 1016909 ID: 4c9664
File 163901309898.jpg - (230.51KB , 500x500 , 138.jpg )
1016909

Before you lies a whole little town made of rock and crystal. Small simple houses dug into the stone, larger buildings carved out of the crystals, lamp posts lining the main street. Several beings seem to be milling about, wandering to from various buildings.
>>
No. 1016910 ID: 4c9664
File 163901310170.jpg - (259.72KB , 500x500 , 139.jpg )
1016910

They appear to be strange bugs. All sorts of beetles and worms and other hard-shelled critters skitter about purposefully. A few stand on two legs, but most seem to scurry by on multiple segmented limbs. Most of them are about as tall as you, but some are at least twice as tall, and there’s a long thin one in what seems to be the middle of town that’s as tall as the cave. A couple notice your arrival and watch you, while most of the others continue milling about. A couple of tiny glowing bugs flutter around the glow of Humphrey’s body.
>>
No. 1016911 ID: 4c9664
File 163901310560.jpg - (179.61KB , 500x500 , 140.jpg )
1016911

There’s a bug in a cape leaning against a lamp post. They’re eyeing you suspiciously.
>>
No. 1016922 ID: 2aa5f0

whelp they made eye contact, time to go talk to the to cool for school bug by the lamp post. Might as well start off with simple questions and ask where you are and if they don't seem immediately hostile if they've seen any wondering voidkin wondering by.

Maybe introduce yourself as well if they don't seem to upset by you being here.
>>
No. 1016924 ID: 96c896

>>1016911
Cute bug. Tell them they're cute.
>>
No. 1016932 ID: 53560f

“Hi, you wouldn’t have happened to see a slime around here, would you? Might look a bit like me, probably the kind of guy to eat rocks. Know anyone like that? Or if you haven’t seen the slime i’m looking for, then maybe you’ve seen a void dude or two?”
>>
No. 1016953 ID: 3a06e7

I can tell that the caped bug is very excited and they're desperately trying to keep their cool. I mean, who wouldn't at a sight of a fellow cape-wearer.

Ignore the caped bug and talk to the other bugs instead. The lack of attention would cause some veins to pop on the forehead of this obviously important character, but that's ok because it would be hilarious. Let's see how long it takes before they come to talk with us themselves.

Ask other bugs (in a way that the caped bug can overhear you) why is the caped bug wearing a cape, why are they leaning against a lamp alone like that, are they someone weird / a deviant, etc.
But in general, you can ask about what is this place, who they are, where to go looking if you're searching for lost voidfolk, etc.
>>
No. 1017002 ID: 736b7e

What's in the lamps?
>>
No. 1017057 ID: df4bc9

Be polite to the bugs. Ask for the name of their town.
>>
No. 1017088 ID: fec07f

>>1016911
Time for some POLITE INTRODUCTIONS
>>
No. 1017104 ID: 9a2966

>>1017088
Heck yeah POLITE INTRODUCTIONS! No matter how rude, boorish or standoffish they're gonna be (because you've got matching capes?), a nice proper greeting is its own reward.

Say you're new around these parts and looking for someone you might know - so you're exploring and looking for any other slimes who might be living in the mines currently.

Oh, and has she seen any voidkin acting odd? Or, well, odder than usual?

Oooh, or does she know where "strange" mushrooms grow?

(If the strange mushrooms are messing up the voidkin, it's an area where a crystal part or a slime self of ours could be, since it's not been as widely searched. Our best bet is to search there.)
>>
No. 1018071 ID: 4c9664
File 164019463267.png - (28.93KB , 500x500 , 141.png )
1018071

You approach the bug with a friendly wave. “Hello! Can we ask you some questions?”

“Sure.”
>>
No. 1018072 ID: 4c9664
File 164019463551.png - (7.25KB , 500x500 , 142.png )
1018072

“We’re looking for a couple things down here, we were wondering if you’ve seen any slimes or void kin down here?”
>>
No. 1018073 ID: 4c9664
File 164019463951.png - (56.76KB , 500x500 , 143.png )
1018073

“Yeah we’ve seen voidkin. They’ve been wrecking the caves for months looking for some kind of treasure. You’re not with them are you?”

“Not officially. They asked us to look out for a couple of them that might have gotten into some mushroom trouble as we were coming in.”
>>
No. 1018074 ID: 4c9664
File 164019464222.png - (22.92KB , 500x500 , 144.png )
1018074

“Ah, ok. That's too bad, for them. I haven’t seen any void stragglers, but as it happens I have actually seen a slime around here. They’re in a good bit deeper. Huge thing, can’t miss it.”
>>
No. 1018075 ID: 4c9664
File 164019464479.png - (8.77KB , 500x500 , 145.png )
1018075

You and Humphrey cast each other an excited look.
>>
No. 1018076 ID: 4c9664
File 164019464729.png - (46.38KB , 500x500 , 146.png )
1018076

“Bad news tho, you gotta go past the mushrooms to get to them, and that stuff doesn’t play around. A single spore is enough to do you in,” they chuckle.
>>
No. 1018077 ID: 4c9664
File 164019465017.png - (118.79KB , 500x500 , 147.png )
1018077

“Oh..” the two of you deflate a little.
>>
No. 1018078 ID: 4c9664
File 164019465309.png - (57.74KB , 500x500 , 148.png )
1018078

“But maybe,” they say with a mischievous twinkle in their multiple eyes, “if you can help me out with something, I could help you get past the mushrooms somehow.”
>>
No. 1018084 ID: ce39da

"Well, I suppose there's no harm in hearing you out, at least!"

Do keep an ear out for alternate solutions in case this request ends up sounding shady. Come to think of it... you'll probably find downed void-kin near the mushrooms... which means this guy is lying about not having seen them, if he knows about the slime boi (especially since it aligns with the shard being in a place they failed at searching)... which checks out, considering his clear distaste for them in particular.

"... Hey, wait a minute, if a spore will normally do most people in, how's that slime okay? Are slimes not 'most people' to begin with, in this case?"
>>
No. 1018085 ID: 68dfed

Make sure to there’s hugs in it for you.
>>
No. 1018088 ID: 3a06e7

Okay... but melting bones is hard so you're leaving those.
>>
No. 1018100 ID: f105d9

What did you have in mind beautiful?
>>
No. 1018125 ID: 9a2966

>help in exchange for help
Goooo onnn, trustworthy and dependable person who we just met. We are intrigued.
>>
No. 1018127 ID: a2493c

>>1018078
"alright but if you bring out a strap I'm walking"
>>
No. 1018147 ID: 2de4fd

"Sure, but be advised, our morality's down for 'precocious mischief' at maximum."
>>
No. 1018148 ID: 7217df

Ask where they got their outfit, and whether there is one in your size.
>>
No. 1020304 ID: 4c9664
File 164201678288.jpg - (134.18KB , 500x500 , 149.jpg )
1020304

“If the spores are dangerous, how do you know if that slime is safe?” you ask them.

“I’m not a slimeologist, I don’t know if it’s fine or not,” they answer back, “I just know where it is, not how it is. That actually ties into the thing I need.”
>>
No. 1020305 ID: 4c9664
File 164201678534.jpg - (180.13KB , 500x500 , 150_1.jpg )
1020305

“Ah. Ok sure, we’ll see what we can do. What’s this thing you need help with?”

“It’s horrible. The mushrooms have been getting too wild lately, what with all the ruckus the voidkin have been stirring up. Normally we have ways of totally avoiding the spores and keeping the mushrooms in check, but they’ve become more and more difficult to deal with.
>>
No. 1020306 ID: 4c9664
File 164201678807.jpg - (225.47KB , 500x500 , 150.jpg )
1020306

“One of our strongest was helping to clear them out and an accident occurred, rendering them completely exposed to the spores. There’s nothing we can do ourselves, but, there may be a way for you to help.
>>
No. 1020307 ID: 4c9664
File 164201679123.jpg - (126.84KB , 500x500 , 151.jpg )
1020307

“one of two things. Firstly, if you’re willing, we may be able to use some of your slime to create a healing potion. Our doctor says she’s made it in the past, but it requires a significant amount of slime matter, and it takes a while to make. By the time it’s ready, it may be too late for my friend, but we would be able to make enough for the rest of us at least.

“we can’t use the slime in the cave because it’s beyond the mushrooms, and we’re not willing to risk ourselves further for slime that might already be compromised. You can see our predicament, surely.
>>
No. 1020308 ID: 4c9664
File 164201679432.jpg - (132.08KB , 500x500 , 152.jpg )
1020308

“Alternatively.. it smells like you’ve got some special medicine. I would normally never EVER entertain the idea of using something created by the void. I despise them and everything they have done and ever will do. But… even I can’t deny they make incredibly powerful things. I’ve seen the things they use down here. If I could have that medicine, I’m certain it could cure my friend.”
>>
No. 1020309 ID: 439a2b

Help bug
>>
No. 1020310 ID: 094652

Ask to see the wounded friend first.
>>
No. 1020311 ID: 9a2966

You wanna help, of course! It'd be the right thing to do, and if nothing else it sounds like this strong person could help in turn by finding or clearing a path to our lost slime - or their buddy here can, at any rate.

Y'dunno about giving them the void medicine, though. While probably the best bet for a quick cure, you need that stuff to give to the affected voidkin as well! And using voidstuff tends to leave some after effects, right? Still... if it's that or nothing, and the spores were riled up by the voidkin activity, leading to this accident, it sounds like it'd only be fair to offer the void medicine to rectify the situation.

Oh! Could the slime potion also work on the affected voidkin? Then maybe you could TRY BOTH!

Void potion for the local spore-slayer to get their help and slime potion for the affected voidkin to help fight their affliction might work - assuming the voidkin haven't been afflicted as badly as the spore-slayer and that a slime potion would even work for them.

Let's hurry off to the doc and see what they think - how much slime mass they'd need and whether they think their slime potion would work for voidkin. Then we can decide, yeah?
>>
No. 1020312 ID: ce39da

"I dunno about the void medicine - the guy who sent it with me said it purges one's system and 'reestablishes their connection to the Void King.' If you still wanna try using it, more power to you, but I just wanna make sure y'all know there's a risk of void-y side effects. We should prolly want to get the patient's informed consent, too, assuming I haven't turned you off of it already. I'd be happy to provide some slime if you aren't down for that kind of risk, though!"
>>
No. 1020313 ID: 2aa5f0

ask if you can see the person that got sick. You want to see how bad things are and hear how much time they have left.
>>
No. 1020321 ID: 96c896

The void medicine will probably work but will have an unintended side effect. Is that okay? Hmm, what if the bug only drank a little bit of the void-medicine? Just to keep them alive until the slime-based medicine is ready?

Obviously if you're going to donate slime you will need them to give you food to recover it. Also you can split the donation between you and Humphrey, so nobody gets too small.
>>
No. 1020323 ID: c92a02

You're right not to trust void ichor, and falling prey to it when desperate is how they get you. We do not have much slime of our own, but given that we are no ordinary slime we may be able to cleanse the slime of spores ourselves. We cannot promise anything but we will keep your friend in mind.
>>
No. 1020326 ID: 7fe3d1

>>1020313
This seems like a good idea.
>>
No. 1020331 ID: 7217df

Have you tried diplomacy with the mushrooms? Maybe they can coax their spores out of someone...
>>
No. 1020337 ID: 53560f

Sorry, i’m fairly sure that the void medicine is only designed for void dudes and will probably have funky side effects if it works at all. I can share some of my goo though.
>>
No. 1020340 ID: 35f98c

It seems to me like using void medicine on non-void could easily poison them. (Plus, we were given it to give to injured void. Though, granted, this situation is due to the void activities.) Though
>>1020321
using just a little bit, both for safety and for keeping the majority for its intended recipients, (hopefully healing him enough to last), then using the slime potion when ready, might be a good compromise.

And/or, if the guy would last a while anyway, we could talk to the void about getting another healing potion?
>>
No. 1020668 ID: b01382

>>1020308
Slime is stores in the potions. Lewd.
>>
No. 1020686 ID: 7217df

Because of the nearly identical morphology, I am assuming that a body-fusion team-up is incoming, and I don't want that nasty void stuff inside someone who is sharing an oversized coat with me, regardless of if they are the legs or the head.
>>
No. 1020928 ID: 4c9664
File 164282903712.jpg - (161.02KB , 500x500 , 154.jpg )
1020928

You ask for a moment of privacy and turn away to discuss this with Humphrey. “What’s your take on the situation?”

Humphrey thinks for a moment. “It’s possible the medicine could heal this bug, but we don’t know what else it might do. It’s special medicine specifically for voidkin. And we were supposed to give it specifically to any voidkin we find in here. I don’t really want to make them angry if we can avoid it.”

“Fair, but maybe we don’t need to use all of it,” you retort, and pull out the flask to examine it, “There’s not much, but I’m sure we could spare a little bit. Maybe it could buy them some time while they make a potion with our slime?”

“Possibly… about that, which of us is donating a chunk of their body for medicine?”

“I guess it depends on how much they need, but I was thinking we could split the cost between us? We can regenerate mass by eating, right?”

“It’s not quite that straightforward. It’s pretty hard to regrow in the wild, but in a hive it’s fast and easy. As long as one of us is able to make it back to the hive intact, we can regrow a body around our cores there.”
>>
No. 1020929 ID: 4c9664
File 164282904045.jpg - (111.41KB , 500x500 , 155.jpg )
1020929

“I think before we decide on anything we should be able to see this friend of yours,” you say after some debate with Humphrey.
>>
No. 1020930 ID: 4c9664
File 164282904420.jpg - (151.28KB , 500x500 , 156.jpg )
1020930

The bug nods and motions for you to follow, leading you to a crystal spire further in the town. As you arrive at the tower, you see a small crowd gathered by the entrance, chattering and clicking excitedly They seem like they’re waiting for something to happen.
>>
No. 1020931 ID: 4c9664
File 164282904710.jpg - (148.18KB , 500x500 , 157.jpg )
1020931

An imposing bug stands by the door, presumably keeping the crowd outside.

“Dang, Soot. That was fast,” the guard says as you and the bug approach. They step aside and let the three of you enter the double doors. They seem to watch you and Humphrey suspiciously as you enter. “Good luck.”
>>
No. 1020932 ID: 4c9664
File 164282905084.jpg - (291.64KB , 500x500 , 158.jpg )
1020932

The door closes behind you. You’re inside a sort of hospital lobby. The waiting room is empty, appears to have been vacated suddenly and quickly. There’s only a strangely suited creature behind a receptionist desk.

“Hey, I got some slimes, now let me see her!” the bug shouts.
>>
No. 1020933 ID: 4c9664
File 164282905372.jpg - (176.45KB , 500x500 , 159.jpg )
1020933

The receptionist leans out and examines you. “Mmm. They’re kind of small, but they look clean enough,” they lean back and write something on a clipboard, “Doc is in 5-4. Better Hurry.”
>>
No. 1020934 ID: 4c9664
File 164282905609.jpg - (313.07KB , 500x500 , 160.jpg )
1020934

You race after the bug as they dart up several flights of stairs.

You stop just before room 5-4 and the bug throws open the door. Inside there’s a long bug in a lab coat and sweater sitting by the bed in which lies their patient. They jump, startled by your sudden entry. “Soot!! You shouldn’t be in here, you might get infected!!”

The patient is a rough looking bug tethered to a large crystal and a strange, softly beeping box with glowing runes flashing across its surface. Several bright red, slowly blinking mushroom caps are sprouting from a gash in their chest, and also from the stump of one of their four arms. The bug seems to be having some trouble breathing.
>>
No. 1020935 ID: 96c896

>>1020934
Wow, that looks bad. Tell the doc the idea to use a little potion to stabilize the patient then donate slime to make the cute.
As for who to donate... well, Humphry *is* more expendable?
>>
No. 1020938 ID: 9a2966

Donate your own slime, but say you've got some void medicine (reserved for infected void people) in a pinch if the patient takes a turn for the worse. Unless it needs to be applied now? You're not a doctor! They DO look bad...

Also, pull the doc aside and whisper-ask privately - doctor-donor-patient confidentiality-wise - if... you once having been a Grand Slime (and being a tiiiiinge void-infused) might have any positive effects on your slime as medicine - or worse, make it LESS useful?

Could also try to split the difference with Humphrey's slime and both just turn into tinier versions of yourself!

(But if you do donate your own slime, the bug-buddy owes you a ride until you recover! You had stuff to do down here, after all.)
>>
No. 1020941 ID: ee9ae6

That's some advanced tech they got there...

This is ridiculous. We should just absorb the mushrooms/spores directly with our slime powers. Besides, I think that any sort of fungicidal effect that they could produce from our slime is something that we should be able to create on our own already. Altho we lack the practice to do that, there's nothing stopping us from trying out on a sample mushroom first. So ask them if you can try doing that first.
>>
No. 1020942 ID: 2aa5f0

I guess ask the doctor for more details on what's happening to the bug and I guess how your slime will help. Also ask about the void potion... as in side effects. You really don't want to give something to a sick person that will poison them in the end.
>>
No. 1020958 ID: ce39da

"Listen to the doc, Soot! I don't think we can spare enough potion for two critical patients!"

"Speaking of, the void potion was specifically made for voidlings. Specific intended effects are 'purges the system of impurities' and 'reestablishes the connection to the Void King.' Not sure how that second one will manifest if I give it to this patient - maybe it'll establish a connection, and I think we all know what that means. Or it could purge them too much by normal person standards. You still wanna try that, Soot, or should we just hope our slime is processed in time to save her? I mean, preferably, it'd be her choice, but you seem to be the closest one to her that ain't too out of it to answer."

If they do choose to use the potion: "Here it is, doc; we were told the potion has two doses, so don't use more than half."
>>
No. 1021015 ID: 7217df

Pick the mushrooms and commune with or eat them.
>>
No. 1021381 ID: 4c9664

[please vote on who should donate the most slime]
A = Queen (Humphrey gets her core)
B = Humphrey (Queen gets their core)
C = Both (Both cores share one body)
>>
No. 1021382 ID: e7c7d3

C sounds like it'd lead to some fun shenanigans
>>
No. 1021383 ID: ce39da

B, but if Humphrey doesn't wanna (i.e. if this option is in the minority), C.
>>
No. 1021384 ID: 629f2e

C
>>
No. 1021385 ID: ed37ff

C
>>
No. 1021386 ID: 575fcc

C, best to split the loss evenly.

Additionally: Ponder how LEWD and SCANDALOUS core sharing probably is.
>>
No. 1021387 ID: 736b7e

C
>>
No. 1021389 ID: 2aa5f0

if we picked A would that be a time skip until we reform or would we just see things from Humphrey's prospective until we could revive the queen?

Oh yeah and either A or C
>>
No. 1021390 ID: 6c227a

beeeee!
>>
No. 1021421 ID: 34dfce

C.
>>1021386
Do this
>>
No. 1021495 ID: 4c9664
File 164335496882.jpg - (304.29KB , 500x500 , 161.jpg )
1021495

“Oh, you brought slimes?” the doc says with some surprise, “They look pretty clean, no spores at all. I admit I didn’t think you w-would find anything so quickly, but this is a clear s-stroke of luck.” She gathers several armfuls of bottles and alchemy tools and skitters over to you excitedly.
>>
No. 1021496 ID: 4c9664
File 164335497280.jpg - (320.91KB , 500x500 , 162.jpg )
1021496

“Hold up a sec,” you say quickly as the doc looms over you, “I think we deserve to know all the details before we commit to any sort of .. anything.”

The long bug pauses, glancing from you to the flashing box and back. “O-ok, of course. Yes, obviously. Apologies, friends.” They set the tools down and nervously twiddle their fingers.
>>
No. 1021497 ID: 4c9664
File 164335497572.jpg - (298.27KB , 500x500 , 163.jpg )
1021497

“Th-there’s not enough time to get into the nitty gritty of it, but the short version is this: S-slime is a sort of reactive material. In its r-raw form, like your bodies are c-currently, it’s fairly inert. But when processed, it can be infused to make p-potent medicines. It takes a few hours to prepare, uhm,” they look nervously over to the box again, “M-more time than I th-think Bramble has left at this rate, b-but even if she doesn’t make it, we need a way to stop the spores so they don’t spread and hurt anyone else.”

“Which leads to, uhm, the amount,” they don’t seem keen on making eye contact, tapping their fingers together nervously, “I’d say… one of you, or half of both would be enough for Bramble. That’s a lot to ask, I know, but it’s kind of an emergency. It would be enough to stop the spores and destroy the mushrooms for good.”
>>
No. 1021498 ID: 4c9664
File 164335497873.jpg - (297.61KB , 500x500 , 164.jpg )
1021498

“What about this?” you present the bottle given to you by the voidkin, “It’s supposed to be used on voidkin, but would it work on your patient?”

“Uhm, hmm..” they lean in and examine it closely, “I’m certainly no expert on the stuff, but I’ve read a bit here and there.. it’s generally not advisable to take this stuff, but it for sure would do the trick. Uhm, well, if it doesn’t kill her anyway, but she’ll die either way I suppose.”

“Couldn’t we use a little bit of the medicine now just to keep her alive while you make up a potion with our slime? Or even better, there’s an even bigger slime deeper in the mines, what if we brought them back and used some of their body?”

“Too d-dangerous,” they shake their head, “void medicine is already wild and unknown, and mixing it with another potion is just asking for disaster when we don’t even know how those things would react. Probably badly. Secondly, there’s not enough time to bring that slime here, and we don’t even know if it’s b-been infected. It might end up doing more harm than good just getting them here. It’s too risky.”
>>
No. 1021499 ID: 4c9664
File 164335498109.jpg - (197.27KB , 500x500 , 165.jpg )
1021499

You nod. You consult with Humphrey, and turn back to the doctor. “We’ll split the difference, half of our slime from each of us. The void stuff is too risky, and the last thing you need is void trouble on top of mushroom trouble,” you turn to Soot and bow your head apologetically. They look crestfallen, but nod with determination.
>>
No. 1021500 ID: 4c9664
File 164335498427.jpg - (279.47KB , 500x500 , 166.jpg )
1021500

“Ok, so, I’ve uh.. only done this a couple times before,” the doctor begins nervously as they shuffle through some tools, “But don’t worry, I’ve uh, haha, I’ve got a ‘handle’ on the situation,” they wiggle their extra arms in an attempt to lighten the mood. It doesn’t really seem to work.
>>
No. 1021501 ID: 4c9664
File 164335498752.jpg - (336.13KB , 500x500 , 166_5.jpg )
1021501

You and Humphrey are resting in a large basin as you watch the doctor get to work. They approach and carefully sink their hands into Humphrey’s body. Humphrey winces a little, but the doctor carefully pulls a small crystal sphere out of them. It’s a mostly clear, faintly yellow, and perfectly smooth gem. What was Humphrey’s body is now just a puddle of goo around your ankles. The sight makes you feel slightly unwell.
>>
No. 1021502 ID: 4c9664
File 164335499087.jpg - (231.23KB , 500x500 , 167.jpg )
1021502

“Don’t worry, they’re perfectly fine! Your friend is safe as long as this core is safe. Look,” they hand you the small core.

A voice ripples through your mind, and you have the strangest sensation of seeing the entire room from the orb in your hands. “I’m good! You can trust them.” You hand it back to the doctor and they set it carefully in a softly-lined box.
>>
No. 1021503 ID: 4c9664
File 164335499363.jpg - (250.89KB , 500x500 , 168.jpg )
1021503

They then sink their hands into your body. The sensation is similar to when the unicorn did this, tho they feel less confident, bristling with nervous energy. You begin to have second thoughts about trusting them as they grasp your core, and begin to carefully pull it outwards.

“You uh, sorry, you need to let go of it.” You try to relax. The doctor pulls your broken core free, and -
>>
No. 1021504 ID: 4c9664
File 164335502207.jpg - (29.26KB , 500x500 , 169.jpg )
1021504

>>
No. 1021505 ID: 4c9664
File 164335502551.jpg - (41.77KB , 500x500 , 170.jpg )
1021505

>>
No. 1021506 ID: 4c9664
File 164335502881.jpg - (34.74KB , 500x500 , 171.jpg )
1021506

>>
No. 1021507 ID: 4c9664
File 164335503545.jpg - (143.58KB , 500x500 , 172.jpg )
1021507

You’re suddenly filled with memories that don’t belong to you. Except, no, they do.. It's as if you had forgotten eons of your own life, and suddenly recalled every moment from the moment you died to now. You feel like yourself, and also like someone else, who was also always already you, just different.
>>
No. 1021508 ID: 4c9664
File 164335504012.jpg - (176.35KB , 500x500 , 173.jpg )
1021508

You feel like you’re a whole new person, and you look like it too. A piece of your fractured heart has been restored, bringing you a single step closer to your full glory.

Welcome to the world, Queen Humphrey!
>>
No. 1021510 ID: 96c896

What the HECK Humphrey? I guess your fragments don't know they're you. How will you be able to tell from here on? Look back in his memories, see if his first memory is waking up in a field, like you. Weird that a fragment of yourself chose a different gender...

Is that really your name though? Or just the name your cast-off slime chose? Doesn't sound very queenly. How about we use something else for a bit. Hilda?
Your cores DID merge, right? Take a look.
>>
No. 1021518 ID: ce39da

“I have gained NEW WISDOM! (Unexpectedly reuniting with a fragment of my original core will do that, FYI.) Soot, is there still time to use the Void Potion? It’s not the extraction itself that takes too long, right?”
“After thinking it over, I realize that if she’s going to die no matter what without that medicine, then it might be a risk worth taking. You... mentioned hating the voidlings, though, so I feel I should warn you that death isn’t the only possible outcome that you might consider ‘extremely unfortunate.’ On the off-chance that your big sis becomes of the Void, would you still love her? Hopefully not be too mad at me, either?”
>>
No. 1021519 ID: 2aa5f0

wait did your two cores FUSE?! That's a thing that can happen?! I, uh, I feel like we just killed somebody. Speaking of dead bodies, ask bug friend if their bug friend is alright?
>>
No. 1021520 ID: 9a2966

Oh... oh! Well. That makes sense. And also worked out.

>Face hovering bugperson
Hello! Turns out 'we' were me. Sorry if I made you worried when my parts combined! Chalk it up to an uncommon 'slime thing'.

>Face reality
... but how'd the procedure go? Did the poor patient make it?

>Recollect memories
Your - er - Humphrey's earliest memories might be a clue to more information of where other fragments have gone, so idly start sorting through them when you can.
>>
No. 1021523 ID: 9a2966

Oh, also:

Hug tail. If needed, hug bug.
>>
No. 1021529 ID: ee9ae6

This seems a bit too much for a coincidence. Search your memories for an explanation to why things happened the way they did.
>>
No. 1021542 ID: a9af05

Are we sure Humphrey was one of the shards of our core we were looking for? What if he was just a regular slime and we just absorbed him by accident?
>>
No. 1021589 ID: 7217df

Do you still remember how to dance extra-dorkily? I worry that roundness instincts will have your dancing reduced to jiggling your centre-mass...
>>
No. 1022115 ID: 4c9664
File 164383878179.jpg - (125.24KB , 500x500 , 175.jpg )
1022115

You close your eyes and reflect on your situation. There’s a lot to unpack.
>>
No. 1022116 ID: 4c9664
File 164383878593.jpg - (193.97KB , 600x500 , 176.jpg )
1022116

An image of the two of you sitting with your new core hovering gently between you fills your mind. “So, are we the same person now?” you ask.

Humphrey ponders. “I’m not sure. I still feel like me, I think.”

“Are you ok with us being like this?”

“I think so.. this is all really new and weird. I didn’t even know I was a missing piece. Or, maybe you’re the missing piece?”

“Yeah.. I guess we were missing each other..” you quietly respond.

You sit together in silence for a bit.

“I’m not sure which of us is driving,” you say after a bit, “I’m not even sure if I’m really just in your mind or if you’re in mine.”

“Maybe it’s both?” they say thoughtfully, “I think I’m still me, and you’re still you, yeah? But, maybe we can still be one unit here. We’re a team, and we can still work together like this.”

“Maybe… What if you wanted to leave?” you stare into the soft light of your new core, “I don’t know if we can do that now.”

“I don’t think I want to leave. We’re stronger together, and.. it’s silly, but I’ve never really traveled much. It sounds like you’re gonna be seeing a lot of the world, and I wanna come with.”
>>
No. 1022117 ID: 4c9664
File 164383878983.jpg - (186.04KB , 500x500 , 177.jpg )
1022117

You sidle over to them and give them a hug. You feel an immense amount of affection for this goofy little slime. Something about this feels familiar. Tears well up in your eyes and you don’t know why. You hug them tighter.

“If we need anything, I’ll be right here in us to help us remember, or think about, or give us the strength to do whatever we need this body to do,” Humphrey says as you break the hug.
>>
No. 1022118 ID: 4c9664
File 164383879266.jpg - (206.96KB , 500x500 , 178.jpg )
1022118

You open your eyes. You feel Humphrey’s memories filling in the gaps of your own, and you feel yours being shared with Humphrey. You know what they know, and vice versa.

(Humphrey has some amount of knowledge of Slime Culture, as well as limited knowledge of the world outside this island. Consider the queen and Humphrey’s minds one and the same when making suggestions.)
(Your new core is still broken, but with this fusion it is Reinforced. You now have greater control over your body, and have learned Basic Shapeshifting! You can adjust some of your physical features and redistribute mass to some small degree, tho you will always return to a neutral form when no longer concentrating.)


## you wanted to lick me..? ##
>>
No. 1022119 ID: 4c9664
File 164383879604.gif - (104.72KB , 500x500 , 179.gif )
1022119

You want to try out your new body immediately, and bust out your signature moves. Aw yeah babey, you still got it. You get twenty fun points for doing a goofy dance.
## What are we gonna spend all those on? ##
>>
No. 1022120 ID: 4c9664
File 164383879984.jpg - (130.96KB , 500x500 , 180.jpg )
1022120

You also take a moment to luxuriate in the increased size of your tail. You’re not sure why, but something about it makes you feel more attractive. Probably just a slime thing, Soot doesn’t seem affected.
## wow, I’m … pretty… ##
>>
No. 1022121 ID: 4c9664
File 164383880297.jpg - (132.20KB , 500x500 , 181.jpg )
1022121

“Well, you’re back. Doc is working on the medicine,” Soot crosses their arms, avoiding your gaze, “You did your part, so you have my thanks. I’ll help you get past the mushrooms.”

“How’s Bramble? Is she gonna be ok?”

“She’s stable. Doc is working on the medicine now. She’s strong, I th-, I know she’ll pull through. She has to.” They turn to leave the room, “C’mon, we better get going.”
>>
No. 1022122 ID: 4c9664
File 164383880509.jpg - (146.66KB , 500x500 , 182.jpg )
1022122

“We’ve been dealing with the mushrooms for a while, since before even I was around,” Soot explains as the two of you walk through the twisting tunnels leading deeper and deeper into the earth, “They’re wild things, afraid of almost nothing, except for this..”
>>
No. 1022123 ID: 4c9664
File 164383880969.jpg - (230.17KB , 500x500 , 183.jpg )
1022123

You come upon a lone crystal table, upon which is resting a magnificent glowing blade. The handle is cut out of bottom end, a short bar long enough for gripping with two hands. The blade itself is wide and perfectly sharp. It radiates a harsh red light. The whole thing is just a little longer than you.

“This thing has some kind of magic to it,” Soot explains, “the mushrooms despise it and shrink back in its light, and when used as a weapon, it obliterates them entirely.”
>>
No. 1022124 ID: 4c9664
File 164383881396.jpg - (155.25KB , 500x500 , 184.jpg )
1022124

You grasp the sword and lift it up. It’s fairly heavy, but you’re a bit stronger now and can hold it easily with two hands.
## it feels so alien.. I’m a little afraid of it, but it’s also kinda enthralling.. ##

“If this thing is so powerful, why are the mushrooms such a problem?”

“It doesn’t let just anyone use it. Anyone can hold it and use its light, but only people it accepts can wield it as a weapon. The last person who was able to use it died a few weeks ago. My sister Bramble is one of the strongest in our town, and she tried to use the sword to clear out the mushrooms. That’s how she ended up…”
>>
No. 1022125 ID: 4c9664
File 164383881615.jpg - (170.62KB , 500x500 , 185.jpg )
1022125

“A-anyway, even if you can’t swing it, you can still use it to ward off the mushrooms. There are a few open caverns and branching paths, but it’s mostly straightforward as long as you’re heading down.”

“Good luck. I’ll see you later, or I won’t. I’m gonna go.. be with my sister.” They turn to leave. “Put the sword back on the table if you make it back.”
>>
No. 1022128 ID: 96c896

>>1022125
Examine the sword closely. Has it been maintained properly? Does it need oiling? Polishing?
Say hello to the sword, and say you're looking forward to working together for a little bit.

Then let's go!
>>
No. 1022152 ID: 2aa5f0

thank her for her help before she get's to far away and wish bother her and her sister the best of luck and hope you'll see both of them again soon.

Now let's go see if we can't find and save those viodkin while looking for the crystal or whatever it was that they were looking for.
>>
No. 1022162 ID: 9a2966

>Silly dance
Excellent form. Those points will definitely come in handy one day.

>They turn to leave.
Thank 'em. Wish the best of luck to their sister... though, before they go. Anything they can say about how their sister ended up in a bad shape despite having the sword's light to ward off the mushrooms? Are there, like, spore clouds you have to avoid that the light doesn't deflect? You just wouldn't want to make the same mistake, 's all.

And of course you'll take care of the sword and return it. Hopefully you can also pull some badass stunts with it! Or if not, at least scare the daylight outta some mushrooms.

>Admire sword
Wait... so they're really just gonna let you have this one-of-a-kind artifact that nobody can use except to ward off mad mushroo-oooh right, what other good use for it for them would there be?

>Introduce to sward
Hello friend, I'm on an adventure to find myself! And on a (side)quest to save some people, I guess!
>>
No. 1022184 ID: 894419

>>1022125
Time to smite some fungus, lets roll!
>>
No. 1022193 ID: f1ad68

It is going to cost us some fun points, but I think that we should get a second opinion as to whether we can just take this thing with us, and whether it is horrifically cursed. This feels like more of a community possession, rather than a gift for some random kid to go handing out.
>>
No. 1022231 ID: 8dc7c5

Hey, could you ask the sword of it would let you use it?
>>
No. 1022301 ID: e007ef

Could we use the sword's light to chase the spores out of Bramble?
>>
No. 1022427 ID: f1ad68

Ask the sword if it has considered just talking to the mushrooms and resolving their differences. Surely this endless conflict can only bring unending pain to all involved!
>>
No. 1023022 ID: 4c9664
File 164452434070.jpg - (146.39KB , 500x500 , 186.jpg )
1023022

"Quick question, what do I do about the spores? Does this thing stop those too?"

"Oh, I didn't actually think of that. You're more vulnerable as a slime than us bugs," they pause, then shrug, "don't touch the spores I guess."

## that's not very helpful ##
"Will do. Sorry we couldn't be more help with Bramble.."

Soot stops again and sighs. "It's fine. Like you said, no sense adding void trouble on top of everything. I gotta go." They walk briskly away, the light from their little lantern growing smaller and smaller until they turn a corner and vanish.
>>
No. 1023023 ID: 4c9664
File 164452434388.jpg - (223.16KB , 500x500 , 187.jpg )
1023023

You turn your attention to the sword. The solid chunk of crystal it’s cut from has a few scratches and nicks on the side, but the edge is immaculate and sharp. The bottom of the hilt looks like it used to have more attached to it. Perhaps it was part of a larger weapon? It’s got a solid heft to it, and you feel like if you had to you could definitely swing it, tho it’s still too heavy to handle with finesse.

## it's weird that they're just letting us borrow this, yeah? We'd better take care of it ##

“Uh, hmm… You said you felt something in there?”

## Yeah, I think this sword has a mind of its own. Lemme see if I can reach out and talk to it ##

You focus your thoughts on contacting the sword, allowing your consciousness to poke outwards. Something reaches back, a sensation as tho dark tendrils are wrapping inquisitively around your thoughts. It feels familiar, perhaps something you experienced in your past life?
>>
No. 1023024 ID: 4c9664
File 164452434765.jpg - (128.53KB , 500x500 , 188.jpg )
1023024

Visions of an eye resting within a sort of shattered diamond shape fill your thoughts. It stares unblinking at you and Humphrey as you begin to converse.

$$ CONNECTION ESTABLISHED — HELLO $$

## Do you have a name? ##

$$ OUR NAME IS GODRENDER $$

## That’s pretty intense. Have you rent many gods? ##

$$ … THAT IS IRRELEVANT $$

“Can we use you to fight these mushrooms?” you ask.

$$ PROCESSING … YOU MAY CARRY US — HOWEVER WE TIRE OF THIS ENDLESS BATTLE $$

## What do you mean? It kind of seems like you’re made for this ##

$$ WE WERE MADE TO KILL GODS — NOT MUSHROOMS $$

“Do you have an alternative?”

$$ YES — FIND A WAY TO STOP THE MUSHROOMS PERMANENTLY — DO THIS AND YOU MAY HAVE FULL AUTHORIZATION OVER THIS BLADE $$

## How do we do that? ##

$$ THERE IS A HEART DEEP IN THE THICK OF THE MUSHROOMS — IT MUST BE EITHER PURIFIED OR DESTROYED — HOWEVER IT IS DONE DOES NOT MATTER — JUST GET RID OF THIS STUFF SO I CAN FINALLY GO KILL A GOD $$
>>
No. 1023025 ID: 4c9664
File 164452463223.jpg - (31.61KB , 188x175 , 189.jpg )
1023025

$$ ... A THING I HAVE DEFINITELY DONE -- MULTIPLE TIMES $$
>>
No. 1023029 ID: 96c896

Sounds like a good quest. Accept. The spores are a big problem though... maybe if we had some kind of suit?
>>
No. 1023034 ID: 240e68

Wait, this thing is made of crystal? Is this the thing the voidkin we’re looking for? Is this thing also a part if you like Humphrey was?

Eh, either way might as well see about taking care of those mushrooms, might make it safer while we look for those voidkin
>>
No. 1023038 ID: ce39da

"No reason to say I won't! The spores are a tricky issue, though... Say, you mentioned 'purification' like that's a viable option. Is that a thing you can do?"
>>
No. 1023041 ID: 575fcc

Before agreeing, ask what *exactly* Godrender is, possibly who or what made it too?

And does it know how you'd go about Purifying the spores exactly?
>>
No. 1023085 ID: f1ad68

Try to find somewhere to sheath the sword.
Just stick it through your jelly-flesh.
Realise that this sort of 'giant sword through the torso' thing is lethal to structurlings, and do a dramatic death-scene.
Recall that the sword through your core means that you probably actually were stabbed to death, and feel sad.
Realise that you are half-sword now, and ask the sword if there is anything you should know about being a sword, you know, medically...
>>
No. 1023101 ID: 34dfce

Their head-thing kind of looks like a slime titan...
>>
No. 1023103 ID: 96c896

Do we know of any gods?
>>
No. 1023114 ID: a2493c

>>1023029
or a flamethrower. a torch, a sprayer nozzle, something liquid that burns good... mushroom be gone.
>>
No. 1023170 ID: ebf26a

Well, we might as well ask if it used to be bigger, if its missing any parts etc...
>>
No. 1023174 ID: a9af05

Since the mushrooms are magical and are coming from a heart of some kind, does that mean that if we destroy or purify the mushroom heart, that'll cause all of the mushrooms to disappear? Because if we can do it fast enough, we might be able to save Bramble!
>>
No. 1023612 ID: 4c9664
File 164505177433.jpg - (106.35KB , 500x500 , 190.jpg )
1023612

“Ok, we’ll see what we can do, but we need some way to ward off the spores. Is there anything you can do about that?”

$$ DO YOU NOT KNOW ANY RUNES — JUST USE ONE OF YOUR MAGIC RUNES — YOU INSECTS ARE ALWAYS CASTING WEIRD SPELLS $$
>>
No. 1023613 ID: 4c9664
File 164505177712.jpg - (91.55KB , 500x500 , 191.jpg )
1023613

## We don’t know any runes.. ##

$$ OH $$

$$ OK ONE SEC $$
There’s a long pause as it thinks.

$$ OK — SO WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT — IF IT GETS DICEY WE CAN PUT OUT A SHORT BURST AND DESTROY ANY NEARBY SPORES — HOWEVER IT IS KIND OF DRAINING — WE THINK WE CAN DO IT ONLY A FEW TIMES ON OUR OWN $$
>>
No. 1023614 ID: 4c9664
File 164505178082.jpg - (122.82KB , 500x500 , 192.jpg )
1023614

“So we gotta be careful about when we use it, got it. Maybe we can use that to purify the heart you mentioned?”

$$ … YES — PROBABLY — WE HAD NOT CONSIDERED THAT BEFORE $$

“Cool.”
>>
No. 1023615 ID: 4c9664
File 164505178398.jpg - (124.54KB , 500x500 , 193.jpg )
1023615

You have a moment where you think about storing the sword in your body, but that seems like maybe it would be bad actually. It does make you wonder tho.
>>
No. 1023616 ID: 4c9664
File 164505178609.jpg - (136.15KB , 500x500 , 194.jpg )
1023616

“Do you know anything about magic swords and what having one inside you might mean? Like, medically?”

$$ IT DEPENDS — IF A SWORD IS IN YOU AND IS NOT KILLING YOU OR YOU ARE NOT ALREADY DEAD — THEN YOU HAVE A COOL SWORD THAT LIVES INSIDE YOU — IF YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH YOU CAN BOND WITH IT AND MAKE IT YOUR OWN $$
>>
No. 1023617 ID: 4c9664
File 164505179098.jpg - (197.27KB , 500x500 , 195.jpg )
1023617

“Hmm, hmm, ok. I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.” You begin down the tunnel, holding the sword aloft to light the way. You travel in silence, some ways, passing the occasional cluster of mushrooms or crystals, sometimes a mixture of both. The mushrooms crumple and shrink away in the ring of light as you near them, and you proceed with no trouble for some time.
>>
No. 1023618 ID: 4c9664
File 164505179462.jpg - (184.63KB , 500x500 , 196.jpg )
1023618

You strike up a conversation in your head. Humphrey seems to have made themselves very comfy on a plush imaginary pillow. “Do we know anything about any gods? I don’t even know where we’d begin looking for one.”

## I don’t think those exist anymore. I’ve heard a lot of people tend to refer to a goddess, but only as a turn of phrase or in the odd fable here and there. ##
>>
No. 1023619 ID: 4c9664
File 164505179747.jpg - (147.37KB , 500x500 , 197.jpg )
1023619

“What sort of things do people say about the goddess?”

## Some people seem to think she was a kind and loving being, others say she was full of anger and wrath. The most consistent story is that she used to hang out in ‘the woods’ and was a ‘mother’ to a ‘bunch of cats’, and was killed when the void king broke the world. It all happened so long ago that hardly anyone who would know is still around. Not even some of the oldest slimes are sure. ##
>>
No. 1023620 ID: 4c9664
File 164505180070.jpg - (98.12KB , 500x500 , 198.jpg )
1023620

“And what do you think?”

## I dunno. I think it sounds like she used to be nice. I’ve seen some of the weird cats that people say lived in the woods with her, and they seem to believe in her still, if only a little. Maybe she’s still hiding somewhere. ##
>>
No. 1023621 ID: 4c9664
File 164505180462.jpg - (160.63KB , 500x500 , 199.jpg )
1023621

“I don’t know how I feel about killing a nice god for this sword…”

## It would be easier than killing an angry god.. ##
>>
No. 1023622 ID: 240e68

Ask sword if he knows of any gods and which one he wants to fight the most.
>>
No. 1023623 ID: 96c896

We haven't made any promises yet. If we do find a nice god maybe we can help godrender make peace with them and find a new purpose? Hmm, what about godtender... or godmender... or godrenderer!
>>
No. 1023624 ID: 736b7e

We just have to convince the sword that purifying the heart is the same thing as rending a god.
>>
No. 1023633 ID: cd48aa

Ask Godrender if it's damaged and also how it ended up here to begin with.

Suggest that the mushroom heart thing is kinda like the god of the mushrooms.
>>
No. 1023643 ID: cd48aa

Wait. Would a Slime Titan technically count as a kind of god?
>>
No. 1023653 ID: ce39da

To the sword: "Well, regarding the god-killing, I dunno whether I should make any promises, on account of not knowing if there even are any gods in our current world. I guess the Void King is kinda close to being one? But not really, and they seem... fair, anyway, if not entirely nice. I don't think I'm really up to kill him. There was this cat mother, and the slime titans, but she and they are all dead already, I think. Do you know who you were made to actually kill, precisely? Seems kinda silly to design a sword to kill..." do a sweeping broad gesture "'gods,' just... as a concept. Are you sure your maker wasn't just being melodramatic when he named you? You mentioned you killed gods before, but can you name or describe any? Humphrey and I would both really be interested in hearing stories about these assuredly forgotten gods!"
>>
No. 1023704 ID: 7a9719

Note: the sword has not told us to find it a god to kill. The bargain on the table is to purify/destroy the mushroom heart, and it will let us use it. (Not sure if we're allowed to use the sword in the process leading up to purifying the heart.)
>>
No. 1023709 ID: b01382

>>1023621
Trrrruuuuueee. It would be easier, but would it be the right thing? Maybe it not be the right thing. Maybe we should leave the god slaying to the angry gods no one likes Mr. Sword.
>>
No. 1023711 ID: 7a9719

>>1023709
(I think we've been talking to Humphrey - looks like Humphrey is ##, Sword is $$.)
>>
No. 1024283 ID: cd48aa

Maybe ask Godrender if it can give us an estimate of how many times it can do the short burst thing, and also what it means by "on [its] own"?
>>
No. 1024494 ID: 4c9664

SOFIA -- {{Please enter "dice 1d20" (w/o quotes) in the email field to determine whether the spores are agitated or avoided. The average roll will be compared against a randomly chosen number to determine success or failure.}}
>>
No. 1024495 ID: 629f2e

rolled 4 = 4

My rolls are usually good, let's hope for a high number.
>>
No. 1024496 ID: e07ed2

rolled 13 = 13

>>
No. 1024497 ID: 575fcc

rolled 14 = 14

RNGesus dont abandon us now
>>
No. 1024498 ID: 1f11d7

dice 1d20
>>
No. 1024500 ID: 87ee69

rolled 3 = 3

how many rolls?
>>
No. 1024501 ID: e07ed2

>>1024498
put in email field
>>1024500
1 each, they get averaged
>>
No. 1024502 ID: cd48aa

rolled 9 = 9

Current Average: 8.5, d20 Average: 10, 8.5 < 10; I hope this brings the score up.
>>
No. 1024503 ID: cd48aa

>>1024502
Er, d20 Average: 10.5, whoops. Point Stands.
>>
No. 1024504 ID: 2b3343

rolled 15 = 15

>>
No. 1024509 ID: c92a02

rolled 7 = 7

Agitate them anyway! Turn around and shake your Humphrey at the spores.
>>
No. 1024560 ID: f1ad68

rolled 7 = 7

c'mon slightly above average!
>>
No. 1024571 ID: 815672

rolled 13 = 13

lets gooooo
>>
No. 1024597 ID: 34dfce

rolled 4 = 4

>>
No. 1024611 ID: a2493c

rolled 18 = 18

Why don't vampires need condoms? They need permission to come inside! Wakka wakka
>>
No. 1025168 ID: 4c9664
File 164626799104.jpg - (246.47KB , 500x500 , 200.jpg )
1025168

[[Avg roll 10

Target 15

within five, a mixed success]]


The mushrooms begin to get thicker and larger as you descend. The light seems to be less effective on these thicker ones. They still shrink back but begin to rustle violently as they do, shaking clouds of spores loose around you as you go. You raise the sword and cover your eyes as it puts out a harsh blast of light, clearing the air around you.
>>
No. 1025169 ID: 4c9664
File 164626799554.jpg - (68.50KB , 500x500 , 201.jpg )
1025169

The caps shake angrily as they draw back, releasing a low fog of spores across the ground as you move forward. It sticks to you, but doesn’t seem heavy enough to root just yet.

(You are now Lightly Covered In Spores.)
>>
No. 1025170 ID: 4c9664
File 164626799895.jpg - (169.65KB , 500x500 , 202.jpg )
1025170

$$ THAT $$
$$ IS A LOT HARDER TO DO THAN WE REMEMBER $$
$$ PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS — WE CAN ONLY DO THAT A COUPLE TIMES MORE $$

“You said something about doing it on your own, but maybe there’s a way we can share some of our strength?”

$$ UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT BONDED — WE MEAN ONLY THAT AS A FRAGMENT WE ARE NOT AS POWERFUL AS WE COULD BE — WE CANNOT SHARE YOUR OWN STRENGTH $$
>>
No. 1025171 ID: 4c9664
File 164626800215.jpg - (101.60KB , 500x500 , 203.jpg )
1025171

“A fragment huh? What’s your story anyway?” you ask, “What happened to the rest of you?”

$$ THAT IS DIFFICULT TO ANSWER — WE DO NOT HAVE FULL ACCESS TO OUR MEMORIES — WE DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME $$
>>
No. 1025172 ID: 4c9664
File 164626800627.jpg - (144.15KB , 500x500 , 204.jpg )
1025172

“That’s kinda what I’ve got going on as well. I’m missing a lot of pieces, and I can’t remember much of anything.”

$$ MM $$

Humphrey pipes up:
## What if we helped each other out? We’re traveling around looking for our pieces. Maybe we could travel together, and maybe even find a god or two to uh, rend? ##

$$ … WE WILL CONSIDER THIS OFFER — HOWEVER WE FIRST MUST DEAL WITH THE HEART — THEN WE WILL MAKE A DECISION $$
>>
No. 1025173 ID: 4c9664
File 164626801046.jpg - (271.23KB , 500x500 , 205.jpg )
1025173

$$ LOOK LIVELY — DANGER AHEAD $$

A large cavern opens up in front of you, and it’s absolutely teeming with mushrooms. The floor and walls and ceiling are covered in gently rustling caps and eyes. Every single pupil swivels to stare unblinking at the harsh light of the sword.
>>
No. 1025174 ID: 4c9664
File 164626801366.jpg - (275.14KB , 500x500 , 206.jpg )
1025174

Far back into the darkness of the cavern you can see a softly pulsing light shining through a tangle of roots and mycelium. Silhouetted against it is a dark figure with several bright eyes. They seem to have just become aware of you, and are staring across the room in your direction. They hold a pickaxe in their hand. A large mushroom cap is sprouting from their head.

{{ Please continue to make 1d20 rolls as you suggest actions for this encounter to determine how well you avoid being consumed by the spores. The sword can save you from the spores two more times. }}
>>
No. 1025175 ID: cdc2ff

Yell over at the creature and see if they’re alright. If they seem cool approach them but keep your distance
>>
No. 1025176 ID: cdc2ff

(Forgot to roll)
>>
No. 1025177 ID: 96c896

rolled 1 = 1

>>1025174
Ah! We need to give this poor guy the potion. Attempt communication first, tell them you're here to help. If they attack (which I suspect they will), it would mean they're taken over by the mushrooms.
We're not authorized to swing the sword yet, but maybe we can use it to block. Attempt to grapple and disarm the voidkin and force-feed them the potion.
>>
No. 1025179 ID: 094652

rolled 2 = 2

RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN
>>
No. 1025181 ID: cdc2ff

rolled 20 = 20

(Did it wrong)
>>
No. 1025188 ID: ce39da

rolled 1 = 1

This is what we agreed to take along the potion for. Considering these guys don't really have mouths, it should be fine to splash a dose on the guy, right?
>>
No. 1025196 ID: cd48aa

rolled 12 = 12

The potion! Let that guy get close and pour some on him. It should probably be fine.
---
Since Humphrey turned out to be a piece of the Queen, is it possible that some of the other Slimes in the Hive are too? We should probably check that later.
---
Current Average: 6; d20 Average: 10.5; 6 < 10.5; Average Expected Change: +0.9; Chance of Increase: 7/10; Here's hoping this goes well.
>>
No. 1025207 ID: 1d1cda

rolled 17 = 17

Swordie looks kinda voidy, let's pour the potion onto it!
>>
No. 1025226 ID: 6a114a

rolled 10 = 10

Offer that voidkin a drink. mining is thirsty work, after all!
If they do attack, let them stick their weapon in your gooey bits and then go in for the potion delivery.
>>
No. 1025241 ID: b01382

>>1025174
Rush forward and try to knock over that infected with the flat side of the weapon. When we do immediately do the swore light thing for as long as we can as we rush past all of it, hopefully past those fines blocking our path down the way. If needes cut them down.
Rng give me strength.
>>
No. 1025242 ID: b01382

>>1025174
I messed up my roll one second.
>>
No. 1025243 ID: b01382

rolled 14 = 14

>>1025174
Damnit okay i think i know what im doing wrong here
>>
No. 1025246 ID: 4275d4

rolled 17 = 17

Ask sword if he doesn't mind killing this one mushroom before we kill the heart, attempt to chop off the mushroom currently attached to the voidkin.
>>
No. 1025247 ID: 4275d4

>>1025196
We now have an average of 10, which while much better, still feels like we might not make it to even a mixed success given the difficulty of this task, unfortunately unless sever people get a 20 in a row, there's not much more room for improvement.
>>
No. 1025249 ID: 629f2e

rolled 13 = 13

Let's try to raise our average then.
>>
No. 1025251 ID: 9a2966

rolled 20 = 20

>>1025226
A bit of drink for the thirsty one!
>>
No. 1025388 ID: 34dfce

rolled 12 = 12

>>1025174
So, can we try to digest the spores? We eat mushrooms and the spores are tiny. Ofc this probably wouldn't work if we actually have a mushroom growing, but until that point, we could try.
>>
No. 1026113 ID: 4c9664
File 164721015543.jpg - (187.49KB , 500x500 , 207.jpg )
1026113

You and Humphrey deliberate quickly and decide to attempt communication. You call out, “Hey! We’re looking for a couple voidkin lost down here, are you one of them? Your friends said they lost contact with you, and gave us some medicine to help .. reconnect you?”
>>
No. 1026114 ID: 4c9664
File 164721016018.jpg - (255.66KB , 500x500 , 208.jpg )
1026114

The figure blinks. They raise a hand and point at you. A strange distorted babbling echoes out of them, a kind of speech you can’t comprehend.

$$ IT SAYS “WE WILL NOT RELINQUISH THE SHADOW -- THE KING IS A FRAUD — THE SHADOW IS IN MUCH BETTER CARE WITH US” $$
>>
No. 1026115 ID: 4c9664
File 164721016402.jpg - (196.75KB , 500x500 , 209.jpg )
1026115

“I don’t know, none of this seems very good,” you say, gesturing to all the fungi surrounding you, “From what I’ve seen and heard this mushroom stuff seems pretty harmful. How does the voidkin feel about being part of this?”
>>
No. 1026116 ID: 4c9664
File 164721016796.jpg - (306.57KB , 500x500 , 210.jpg )
1026116

“I would rather rot in this cave, riddled with mushrooms, than reconnect with that loathsome tyrant,” they hiss angrily, their voice now similar to the other voidkin you recognize, “their rhythm is stilted and broken. I serve a much simpler, consistent beat now.” They rush forward, pickaxe raised, and swing it down on you. “I refuse to go back now!”
>>
No. 1026117 ID: 4c9664
File 164721017159.jpg - (241.79KB , 500x500 , 211.jpg )
1026117

12/20 = failed save

The pick pierces you, driving deep into your chest. Your core is safe in your tail, but you still feel a harsh searing pain as your flesh is split. Some of the spores coating you are pushed inside, and you can feel them begin to take root. It hurts a lot and the gash leaves you vulnerable to the spores, but for the moment you are still fully capable.
>>
No. 1026118 ID: 4c9664
File 164721017461.jpg - (229.55KB , 500x500 , 212.jpg )
1026118

You pull the medicine out and smash it on the voidkin.
>>
No. 1026119 ID: 4c9664
File 164721017864.jpg - (158.89KB , 500x500 , 213.jpg )
1026119

The bottle crashes over their head, splashing them with the dark liquid. A horrible piercing shriek vibrates out of them, echoed by the mushrooms surrounding you. They jump back, clutching and clawing desperately at their head. Several thick globules of darkness float upwards from them. The mushroom eyes all around grow wide and unfocused.
>>
No. 1026120 ID: 4c9664
File 164721018293.jpg - (261.37KB , 500x500 , 214.jpg )
1026120

You seize the moment and dash past them. The fungi all around kicks out thick clouds of spores as you dart through, but the sword performs another flash, allowing you to safely pass through them.

{{Please continue to make saving throws (dice 1d20) against the infection, as well as continued spore attacks. The sword can save you once more.}}
>>
No. 1026121 ID: 9a2966

rolled 13 = 13

Time to move on through and hope the medicine did its thing. Shame we had to use both doses!

Anyway, blech, infection geddout!
>>
No. 1026124 ID: 575fcc

rolled 2 = 2

Time to go fast and find Slime.
>>
No. 1026128 ID: 048607

rolled 20 = 20

>>
No. 1026131 ID: ce39da

rolled 6 = 6

Head towards the light! Cut your way through if you must. If this next roll fails, and we have to spend the last pulse protecting ourselves... well, we tried, but the mushroom core has to go, either way; no hesitation. (If it does succeed, then yay, we get to purify it instead of killing it.)
>>
No. 1026132 ID: 96c896

Yall don't know when to stop rolling, do you?

There is nothing to say. Continue, try to stay away from mushrooms.
>>
No. 1026150 ID: 01f77d

rolled 19 = 19

>>1026132
Well, we have to keep rolling now.
>>
No. 1026187 ID: d53872

Suggest that, with their considerable territory and population, that the mushrooms could be a commercial powerhouse. Get some basic business transactions going, hire some public relations, run some advertisements... they will have people actually wanting to join their creepy spore infection... but they gotta start with some friendly discourse that doesn't result in any spore zombies first, to get the ball rolling.
>>
No. 1026196 ID: cd48aa

rolled 4 = 4

Yell an apology to the voidkin over and keep running. Locate the Mushroom Core ASAP. Purification is highly preferable to murder, but we only have one chance left.
---
Current Average: 12; d20 Average: 10.5; 12 > 10.5; Expected Change: -0.25; Chance of Increase: 2/5; Rolling is risky, but current average has been too low twice. Hoping for the best, may regret.
>>
No. 1026197 ID: cd48aa

>>1026196
Immediately regretted. Current Average: 10.66667
>>
No. 1026198 ID: 9a2966

>>1026197
Just roll if you feel like it, tbh, rather than feel obliged to game the system. Though it's very much the case that the more rolls we make the more the average will trend towards the, well, average, the still comparatively small number of rolls means outlier results are possible.

It probably isn't the best way to introduce luck-based action aspect in quests, as evidenced by the sudden need by people to game them rolls. One thought would be to implement some method of compensating, like, a larger # of rolling questers could reduce the overall action difficulty. That'd be a neat way to reward the extra engagement (in fact, it is already somewhat happening - if the first roll is low, questers will be tempted to jump in to make additional rolls to increase the average).

Of course, thanks to the anonymized nature of the board, there'd be no way to prevent people from starting cheesing those aspects as well, so... yeah.

(Finding/designing good group game mechanics be hard, yo! I do appreciate the current attempt to introduce a random success/fail consequence aspect to actions and take it for the fun experiment it clearly is!)
>>
No. 1026215 ID: ae6d44

{{making a small change, if you've already rolled, post your first roll, and make a second. If you haven't rolled, roll dice 2d20 alongside your suggestion. The higher number will be averaged against the target}}
>>
No. 1026216 ID: ae6d44

{{I'm hoping this helps, but I've never done something like this before. Thank you for being patient and understanding as I figure this out!
Win or lose, this story is going to be told.}}
>>
No. 1026217 ID: 9a2966

rolled 14 = 14

>>1026121
Second roll!
>>
No. 1026218 ID: 01f77d

rolled 19 = 19

>>1026150
This was me.

Second Roll.
>>
No. 1026219 ID: 01f77d

>>1026150
>>1026218
Wow
>>
No. 1026275 ID: ce39da

rolled 6 = 6

>>1026131
This was mine.
>>
No. 1026276 ID: 96c896

rolled 7, 19 = 26

Hmm, ok.
>>
No. 1026302 ID: cd48aa

rolled 4 = 4

>>1026196
First roll was 4. Really hoping this one is better.
---
2d20 Drop Lowest Average: 13.825
>>
No. 1026303 ID: cd48aa

>>1026302
This is legitimately hilarious to me.
>>
No. 1026428 ID: 575fcc

rolled 13 = 13

>>1026124

Second Roll
>>
No. 1027017 ID: 4c9664

SOFIA -- {{Do you want to use the last cleansing burst, or save it for the heart?}}

A. Use it
B. Save it
>>
No. 1027020 ID: 17d021

Save it!
>>
No. 1027022 ID: ce19e8

Save it
>>
No. 1027023 ID: 1f11d7

Save it
>>
No. 1027028 ID: a9ad31

USE IT! :D
>>
No. 1027056 ID: 4c9664
File 164807120404.jpg - (221.14KB , 500x500 , 215.jpg )
1027056

You dash past the spores and arrive at the cluster of roots and mycelium. The light behind is soft, gently pulsing. It’s too thick to see what exactly is behind them, but you can detect some gentle movement deeper in the room.
>>
No. 1027057 ID: 4c9664
File 164807120880.jpg - (272.44KB , 500x500 , 216.jpg )
1027057

You raise the large blade above you and take a couple of swings at the roots. The blade passes fairly easily through them, burning and shriveling back the tendrils as you work. The nearby caps begin rustling violently as you clear an opening, shaking loose thick clouds of spores on top of you.
>>
No. 1027058 ID: 4c9664
File 164807121187.jpg - (170.47KB , 500x500 , 217.jpg )
1027058

“Save that last burst!” you shout as the dense yellow dust settles on you, “We need to get you to the heart!”

$$ WE HOPE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING $$

You feel the spores burrowing into you. The cut in your chest doesn’t seem to burn as badly now.
>>
No. 1027059 ID: 4c9664
File 164807121589.jpg - (191.86KB , 500x500 , 218.jpg )
1027059

You finally tear open a hole large enough to scramble through. You glance back as you crawl in. The voidkin is laying still in a pile on the ground, their shrieks slowly fading until you can’t hear them anymore.
>>
No. 1027060 ID: 4c9664
File 164807121961.jpg - (319.95KB , 700x500 , 219.jpg )
1027060

Inside you see what looks like a large slimey dragon with thick mushroom caps growing out of it from all over its body. Hundreds of thin tendrils shoot upwards from its body into the roof of the cave. Inside there’s a couple of brightly glowing objects, one red, one blue.
>>
No. 1027061 ID: 4c9664
File 164807122392.jpg - (271.55KB , 500x500 , 220.jpg )
1027061

In between pulses you can just make out the shapes; One of them looks like a small spherical wedge, the other like a hollowed diamond. The two appear fused together, and several mushrooms are sprouting from the point of contact.
>>
No. 1027062 ID: 4c9664
File 164807122766.jpg - (246.65KB , 500x500 , 221.jpg )
1027062

The slime dragon raises its head slowly to look at you as you approach. It towers over you, head swaying slightly, eyes unblinking. The mushrooms are transfixed on the light of the sword. The dragon is fixated on you. The voidkin’s shrieks outside have faded. It’s crushingly silent now.
>>
No. 1027063 ID: cd48aa

rolled 16, 20 = 36

No time to waste and no time to talk. GET IN THERE!
>>
No. 1027064 ID: 9a415c

(( oh, and no need for rolls this time ))
>>
No. 1027065 ID: 96c896

You're sprouting. Burst! No negotiation, these mushrooms have caused verifiable harm and when you tried to talk you got attacked anyway.

Make sure the burst hits the heart. Hmm, does that look like a piece of your heart? I'm not sure it would fit. That blue thing looks like a foreign object, you're gonna have to extract it.
>>
No. 1027066 ID: 736b7e

I bet that core inside is the heart and if you purify it, it'll fix everything including your own spore problem. Go ahead and try to burst it clean but also try not to kill our new friend who might be a part of you.
>>
No. 1027070 ID: ce39da

"I'm not here to hurt you."

Envelope the sword, then jump into the dragon towards its core, burst.
>>
No. 1027112 ID: d53872

Ask your new head-friend what the proper etiquette is for introducing yourself.
>>
No. 1027167 ID: d8b1de

Obviously the sword burst doesn’t harm you, but aak the sword if it would harm this dragon. If not, then get in there and use the last burst to purify yourself and the dragon’s core.
>>
No. 1027200 ID: 34dfce

>>1027065
Humphrey didn't look like they would fit either, yet here we are.
>>
No. 1027216 ID: 9a2966

>GET IN THERE
>Burst!
>burst it clear
>burst
Oy oy oy! Stop stop stop!

She's... sort of hugging her mushrooms, protectively. She's scared. She's stuck, rooted.

She's you. She's A you, right? Gotta be! So hold on to your horslimes!

The wedge crystal must be the 'you' bit. And it's stuck in something else... is... is that the same material the eye of that Titan was made of? Could there be a different mind-part in there, and not just another you? Like a symbiosis between two conscious crystalline entities? Or maybe one part has control of the other - one IS somewhat bigger, after all!

It looks like this dragonslime part of you either found that diamond or got stuck to it (willingly or not), and then formed these... eye-mushrooms? And that she can see through, infect and control people (at least voidkin!) with them.

She spoke through that voidkin, too, and said the Void King was a "fraud", so she must know and remember some bad old things and keep a grudge, but it's probably not gonna be the full truth, just scattered parts of it. Just like you can only remember some things!

But... if they remember how you died even half as well as you did, imagine what they see here: someone coming for them with a sword 'n cloak, the sword it knows can hurt its mushrooms bad. And what does some hero coming in with a sword and cloak combo remind YOU of?

Of the old you, being stabbed, that's who! So how scared and afraid don't you think this part of you is right now? Are we sure we're just gonna go in gung-ho and blow her mushroom bit to kingdom come before we can convince her of our good intentions? Who knows what'd do to the stability of this part of you and the memories she keeps?!

Maybe the best thing to do is slow down. To stop, lower your blade (sorry god-slayer, it's slime time!). Discard your cloak. Show her your regal booty, your stabbed-through core. Prove that you're not actually here to hurt her, like so much else surely has of late.

Tell her you can see they're hurt. And that you are as well. That you used to be a Grand Slime - Queen Humphrey! - and that the Void King did you in... sorta! You got better. Now you think a part of them might be an old part of you, and it hurts you to see yourself so wounded and scared and... angry? That's not how it should be. What happened to this old face?

(Try to Basic Shapeshift your head into roughly the old shape you used to retain - at least what you remember of it! That might jostle some memories on their end.)

Tell her you'd really rather not fight if you can help it, but they need to reconsider what they're doing down here and stop hurting people if they can. There are bugfolk dying from being infected by their shrooms, y'know? She's really got the whole town up there terrorized from the looks of it! And that's bad, even if they have been fighting her mushrooms.

Look, you don't know what she knows, but the world above has changed. When was the last time she was up there? The voidkin appear to have stopped doing their weird conquest thing and are instead trying to... be confused and non-hostile? Make amends? The mushrooms of the dragonslime did control one, so they should know the Void King is actively searching for some crystals, right? You've been looking to gather them for yourself - since it'd seem like it'd be to gather yourself, too!

Would they be willing to share their story?

>Two-way communication
If the slime can't speak and the sword can't translate, try to communicate through that shroom in your body - there has to be possible to form a connection there - it managed to do so with the Voidkin, after all. But try not to lose control over your core and body! If it DOES try to mind-control you, you can trigger that blade as the last resort!
>>
No. 1027236 ID: cd48aa

>>1027216
There's no time for all that! We know the mushrooms screw with the minds of Void, we know they cause physical pain to QH, and we know that if we don't act fast Bramble might die. If QH stops to worry about all of that she might lose control of her body, or at least be unable to act quickly enough to possibly save Bramble. It's now or never. Trauma and consequences are the future's problem.
>>
No. 1027264 ID: d53872

This is looking kinda heavy... Spend some fun points to make things more fun! Can we at least et some smiley-faces on those mushrooms?
>>
No. 1027272 ID: 0e2a6f

you've got a mushroom head, time's up. Burst now!
>>
No. 1027855 ID: a557fd

QH: step on a mushroom by accident
Mushroom: make a fun squeaky sound
>>
No. 1031520 ID: 4ef090
File 165196747209.png - (91.84KB , 500x500 , IMG_0599.png )
1031520

You gaze up into the large glassy eyes of the dragon, eyes so large you can see your own reflection in them. The sword burns brightly, casting you in that harsh red light. From this angle, in this lighting, you notice something about yourself.
>>
No. 1031521 ID: 4ef090
File 165196747703.png - (87.92KB , 500x500 , IMG_0604.png )
1031521

The last thing you ever saw before dying was a dark knight with a sword and cloak. If this slime dragon is a part of you, then seeing a figure like yours, with a cloak and a sword, is probably terrifying.

You lower the sword.

“Humphrey, I.. is there a special way to greet a grand slime?”

## not that I know of, but we might try bowing? ##
>>
No. 1031522 ID: 4ef090
File 165196748177.png - (184.30KB , 500x500 , IMG_0606.png )
1031522

You do a bow. The dragon doesn’t react.
“Hi there, I uh, I’m .. what’s your name?”

The dragon responds with a low raspy voice. “I don’t have a name. I don’t need one. I don’t want you here. Please go.”

“I won’t hurt you, I promise. I just want to talk.”
>>
No. 1031523 ID: 4ef090
File 165196748587.png - (173.63KB , 500x500 , IMG_0608.png )
1031523

The dragon glances between the sword and you, taking a long moment to think before finally saying, “… you, did hurt me. That light burns my eyes, and you killed my new friend. I don’t trust you.”

“I’m not comfortable trusting you either, you’ve hurt a lot of people up above. Those bugs are suffering because of what you’ve done to them.”

“They tried to hurt me, I had to defend myself. I don’t want to have to hurt you too, so please leave me be.”
>>
No. 1031524 ID: 4ef090
File 165196748884.png - (128.13KB , 500x500 , IMG_0609.png )
1031524

“What’s up with you and the mushrooms anyway? How’d you get like this?”

The dragon doesn’t respond for a while, but their eyes quiver as tho they’re thinking hard about what to say. Then, finally, in a low voice, they speak.
>>
No. 1031525 ID: 4ef090
File 165196749256.png - (132.19KB , 500x500 , IMG_0612.png )
1031525

“I am not just one being. These mushrooms are the fruits of my union with another. We found each other impossibly in the dark, and together have protected each other for ages. You cannot possibly understand.”
>>
No. 1031526 ID: 4ef090
File 165196749676.png - (144.29KB , 500x500 , IMG_0613.png )
1031526

You feel something pulling at your mind. The cap flowering on your head is growing. You try to focus on what the dragon is saying, ignoring the faint whispers beginning to manifest in your ears.
>>
No. 1031527 ID: dbc6b8

Stab the blade into the ground and hang the cloak on it?
You've got a story to share too, and while insisting you get the concept of finding others who assist you and finding yourself might not get it across, maybe laying clear your desires and intent will.
At the very least, it wouldn't hurt to put the blade down within arm's reach.
>>
No. 1031528 ID: dbc6b8

>>1031527
sometimes you just have to know when to ask for help. it doesn't need to be from a position of power.
>>
No. 1031540 ID: 96c896

>>1031526
>cannot possibly understand
Show them that you have two cores. You understand what it is like to be... more than one.
Also, just go ahead and tell them that you think they are you, or the other entity is, depending on who you're talking to right now. Share your story, but uh, maybe try cutting off the mushroom with your sword if the whispers get too intense?
Ask if the union they mean is the other type of crystal fused to their core. Was it another slime? Or something else?

Also yeah their "new friend" tried to kill you, despite trying to talk to them, and you don't think you killed them either; it might look that way if the mushroom connection was severed.
Speaking of which, how exactly did the ants try to hurt the slime queen?
>>
No. 1031541 ID: 34dfce

>>1031523
>Don't want to hurt you
(points to mushroom on head) You are already hurting us. Trying to involuntarily control someone's thoughts is hurting someone. Just like the spores hurt the bugs. Are you saying this is for the bursts before? We can apologize, but moving forward, we need to talk diplomacy.

>>1031540
We don't have two cores. They merged into one.
>>
No. 1031543 ID: 3ce9fb

>and you killed my new friend. I don’t trust you.”
he's not dead, the potion just teleported him back home.
>>
No. 1031546 ID: 839eb2

Just tossing it out there, but maybe slicing off that mushroom would lessen its influence over yourself?
It'll probably grow back with a bunch of small versions or something, but that extra minute or so might make all the difference.
>>
No. 1031556 ID: dbc6b8

>>1031546
It seems like the mushrooms are a hive mind of sorts, and aggression against them is probably not the greatest idea. Something to do if it becomes necessary.
>>
No. 1031580 ID: cd48aa

Try dropping your sword clutching your head and screaming in pain, maybe that will be enough to convince them to at least stop the continuing growth.

> You cannot possibly understand.
Try pointing out the Void sword fused to your core.

> you killed my new friend
I agree with everyone else. Definitely point out that their friend attacked first while you were trying to find out if they were okay.

If the mushroom grows any more, burst. It's self defense.
>>
No. 1031581 ID: b01382

>>1031526
Mushroom bad. Stab the mushroom on your head with the sword.
I didn't give you permission to sit there mister!
>>
No. 1031582 ID: cd48aa

Oh! Also try begging them to stop hurting you. They may not even be aware that they're doing that.
>>
No. 1031932 ID: 4ef090
File 165231596551.jpg - (111.83KB , 500x500 , 229.jpg )
1031932

The fungus doesn’t seem to hurt. You can feel its roots reaching deeper and deeper inside you as the cap slowly grows larger. It hasn’t reached your core just yet. You might be able to speak with the mycelium if it does touch.

## I’ll try to handle it if it grows too close to us. Keep doing whatever you’re doing. ##
>>
No. 1031933 ID: 4ef090
File 165231596815.jpg - (85.48KB , 500x500 , 230.jpg )
1031933

You feel your grip around the sword tighten. You don’t want to have to use it, but if you need to..
>>
No. 1031934 ID: 4ef090
File 165231597176.jpg - (108.09KB , 500x500 , 231.jpg )
1031934

“You say I couldn’t understand, but we’re not as different as you think. A lifetime ago I was attacked by someone and torn apart. I’m just a fragment of my old self.”

You point to the core in your tail. “But I found a piece of myself again, miraculously, and we’re one unit now.”
>>
No. 1031935 ID: 4ef090
File 165231597453.jpg - (232.57KB , 500x500 , 232.jpg )
1031935

“We didn’t kill your friend, we were asked to find them and heal them,” you glance back, “I think they’ll be ok now, that medicine should have helped.”
>>
No. 1031936 ID: 4ef090
File 165231597824.jpg - (192.33KB , 500x500 , 233.jpg )
1031936

You turn back to the dragon, “They said something about choosing a simpler beat to follow. They phrased it like it was the lesser of two evils. Were they really your friend?” You point to the mushroom on your head, “Do I get a choice, or are you going to force me to be one of your new friends?”

The dragon is silent for a long while. Their gaze flicks between you, your core, and the mushroom growing in you. They then stare into the passage through which you crawled.
>>
No. 1031937 ID: 4ef090
File 165231598162.jpg - (145.12KB , 500x500 , 234.jpg )
1031937

All the eyes growing in the cave turn to gaze at the dragon. “We didn’t choose this,” they say softly, “but we needed it. What other choice did we have? To wither in the darkness, weak, until someone finally found and killed us?” they look at you, eyes quivering, “I don’t want to hurt anyone, but if I don’t, then someone will hurt us. That’s what they’ve always told us.”
>>
No. 1031938 ID: 629f2e

"You did what was necessary to survive. But you don't have to keep doing this. You're strong enough now to choose your own path, apart from the spores that preyed on your weakness and drive away any and all who might disprove their assertions that others will only cause you pain."
>>
No. 1031939 ID: 96c896

>>1031937
Self defense is fine. Attacking first is not, that only breeds more violence.
There is another option. Stop the mushrooms, come with us. We will defend you.
>>
No. 1031942 ID: cd48aa

Who's "they"? The mushrooms that literally control people's minds?

Point out that you aren't trying to kill them even though you probably could do so right now. Also, explain that you wouldn't have even had to hurt them if they weren't attacking you and you could probably have just talked things out. And add that the bugs have only had to hurt them because they're hurting the bugs and preventing them from going about their lives. Not only has hurting people not prevented people from hurting them, but people are hurting them BECAUSE they're hurting people. Clearly, whoever "they" is lied.

Humphrey, handle the defenses.
>>
No. 1031956 ID: dbc6b8

>>1031938
>>1031939
This! The mushrooms are so far the instigating party here.

>>1031942
At the very least they're incapable of grappling with the fact they're hurting people and it can't continue.


At this point we might be rescuing the dragon and getting out however we can.

Talking isn't over though, so hold the aggression! The dragon doesn't seem to be unreasonable as of yet.
>>
No. 1031963 ID: ce39da

"Why did you assume that someone was coming to kill you? Were you attacked by someone before meeting 'them?'" If so: "I think we might have even more in common than you may have come to realize. Will you let me in?"
>>
No. 1032113 ID: b01382

>>1031937
"They've" told you only what "they" wanted youto hear, to manipulate you. You and I, nothing but food for these spores. I meet a bug outside who's friend was endangered by these mushrooms, thats not so friendly. We're more just food to them, or a lure to attract other slimes to you. Did you know theres a place up there where slimes like us can eat moss and stuff? We fould be up there where its safe, instead of down here where the mushroom can hurt people. I can help you, but we need to get rid of the spores.
>>
No. 1032172 ID: b01382

>>1031523
Not gonna lie the dragon pic in this post is terribly cut i wanna hug her and sleep on her back!
>>
No. 1032180 ID: 96c896

Let's not speak for the mushroom entity's motives until we talk to them directly.
>>
No. 1032224 ID: b01382

>>1032180
If reach that point of infection, i doubts we'll be able to go back.
>>
No. 1032239 ID: 9a2966

>>1032224
Silly! There's definitely a way to reach that point without having to go through the vehicle of the spore infection.

Gently put down Godkiller (Thanks for the escort, buddy! You'll take it from here.), discard your cloak (since, hey, bad memories) and wander up to give the the big ol' thing a gentle squish-hug as you bump your fine tail-part into their side, by their glowing heart.

Offer to touch your core to theirs. You were once a Grand Slime, and they too, yeah? There's a chance you can connect, and then you can give that other part of them a, well, a more direct talking to than through this (prod mushroom) funny hat here. Because there's a lot to say, and you want both of them to be in on the conversation.

For one, how can they accept just staying down here, trying to control others through fungi spores - which can kill, by the way! - and never, ever make proper friends with someone? If they're lonely and sad that they're stuck, they need to figure out how to make friends again. And... maybe figure out if they've got all that much to be afraid of anymore.

See, sometimes all you gotta do to make a friend is try to be friendly! Friends say hi when they meet! Friends do fun things together, like share food and talk about all sorts of topics that interest them. Friends certainly don't go out of their way to control their friends, or stop them from doing what they really want. Or if they do, they ought to consider whether what they're doing is right and talk about it, or else they aren't being much of a friend at all.

Even if all you're trying to do is help, or you're scared it might lead to something bad.

You get that their other part is worried, maybe super so. It used to be a Titan, didn't it? But the war's over, and things have calmed down, apparently a lot. You met some good people above, they were (mostly) nice, so it can't be all bad. There was a slime colony, too, and they were being left in peace.

Even if the two of them can't bring themselves to leave, if they don't push people away using all these spores, they might get people visiting and bringing them stuff. Like food! Or news! The slime colony has got these really delish mushr-ooo wait, would that be cannibalism? Anyway, if they could at least stop their spore thing - or reduce the radius and let slimes past - to accept visitors then they'd have a lot more space to consider whether the world's still dangerous and they gotta hide and hurt people and all that compost at all.
>>
No. 1032247 ID: 36784c

>>1032239
>put down Godkiller and hug them
Don't do that.

The Godkiller is our only way of protecting ourselves and keeping it with us will ensure that the mushrooms won't try and suddenly attack us.

And the slime dragon doesn't trust us enough to just walk up to them and hug them. They'll think we're going to hurt them and they'll attack us.
>>
No. 1032248 ID: 9a2966

>>1032247
Not if we put down Godkiller!
>>
No. 1032257 ID: 01fe07

>>1032248
Getting rid of our only protection is pretty dumb.

Also, having no weapon doesn't mean the slime dragon will automatically trust us. They'll still attack if we approach them.
>>
No. 1032262 ID: 96c896

Do not drop Godkiller.
>>
No. 1032265 ID: ba605b

>>1032239
>>1032248
I'll have to disagree with putting down Godkiller. It's the only thing preventing the spores from advancing any further. Plus the funny little guy is growing on me.

I hope we'll find it's other half some day and make it whole.

>>1031937
Remember the slime titan statue thing we touched? Is it possible to absorb it to combine our sliminess?
>>
No. 1032266 ID: ba605b

>>1031937
More questions for you OP
>How often do you post updates? You said Weekly? Week ends? Week days? Specific days of the week?
>Why did you do Slime Quest over and not continue from the first try? Is the First Slime Quest Canon?
>Would it be possible to combine Godkiller with our core, or the broken sword still in our core?
>Can we use Godkiller to kill small game to eat and grow bigger?
>>
No. 1032281 ID: 36784c

>>1032266
These questions should be asked in a disthread, not here in the main quest thread.
>>
No. 1032301 ID: 4ef090

>>1032266
I try to update every wednesday, tho I don't always manage to hit that mark, so once a week is the loose goal.

If you have other questions unrelated to current suggestions, please ask in the thread I just set up! thank you!

https://questden.org/kusaba/questdis/res/137440.html
>>
No. 1032303 ID: b01382

>>1032301
Thanks
>>
No. 1032307 ID: b01382

Maybe we should use our last burst from Godrender to purify the big slime? Talking to her might not really matter since the mushrooms are so imbedded in her, and they more or less control the bigger slime's thoughts and actions, so.
Really the best thing we can do for them now is use the last charge of the sword to kill the mushrooms and save us all. That makes sense right?
>>
No. 1032356 ID: cd48aa

I agree that dropping Godrender and directly hugging the other slime would be suicide and we shouldn't do it.
>>1032265
I strongly agree that we should try to eat the Slime Titan if possible. As it is it's slowly dying and isn't really able to do anything. But it may contain some power that a Grand Slime could use. Plus maybe eating it would count as killing a god and make Godrender happy.
>>1032307
I think that's definitely a good backup plan, but we can still try talking.
>>
No. 1032387 ID: b15d9c

>>1032356
Yeah exactly. It seems a majority wants to try talking the big slime out of collaboratinf with the giga slime. It could work, maybe it doesnt. Weather it works or not we should resort to using Godrender to purify the heart of the corruption which is the slime's core. There's honestly no other option since talking right now is a formality.

So after talking is over, weather the grand slime consents or not, we will use Godrender to purify them- WHICH will hopefully purify us as well. Then from there we can try combining with the grand slime because more likely than not its one of our bigger pieces that managed to crawl away.

Then after our ordeal here, and maybe conversing with ghe voidkin we "saved(?)" We can head baxk to the titan slime to absorb it. As mighty as it once was, it's probably too weak to resist us, especial after we combine with the two sline cores here. I mean honestly? Absorbing the titan would be doing it a favor.

Oh and yeah you're probably right that Godrender might like us "killing" thw titan, since its more or less a demi-god equivalent for slimes.
>>
No. 1032758 ID: 4ef090
File 165292990609.jpg - (176.21KB , 500x500 , 235.jpg )
1032758

All eyes are on the dragon. Even the mycelium has frozen, almost like it’s waiting.

“Who is ’They’? The mushrooms? Nobody would be hurt at all in this situation if it weren’t for them. Nobody would want to hurt you if your mushrooms hadn’t tried to kill everyone who got near you!”
>>
No. 1032759 ID: 4ef090
File 165292991033.jpg - (222.11KB , 500x500 , 236.jpg )
1032759

The dragon closes its eyes, teeth grit as tho straining against something. “n-no, you’re wrong! They’re here to keep me safe! They HAVE kept me safe!” They glare angrily at you, “You’re just like the rest of them, you’re only going to hurt me! You’re here to finish me off, but I won’t let you!”
>>
No. 1032760 ID: 4ef090
File 165292991319.jpg - (173.96KB , 500x500 , 237.jpg )
1032760

All the eyes return to you, and you feel the mycelium resume its advances. The dragon raises its tail and swings it down on top of you.

You jump towards the dragon, narrowly missing the attack as it crashes behind you.
>>
No. 1032761 ID: 4ef090
File 165292991778.jpg - (227.28KB , 500x500 , 238.jpg )
1032761

The faint whispers you’ve tried ignoring are growing in volume, a soft hush of mutterings caressing your mind as the mycelium begins to grasp your core.

“You’re not a fighter”
“You can be safe here”
“You’ve been hurt too”
“We will keep you safe”
“You don’t want to kill”
“It’s ok to be afraid”
“Let us protect you”
“Please be reasonable”
“We don’t want to hurt”
“We want to help you”
>>
No. 1032762 ID: 4ef090
File 165292992048.jpg - (168.56KB , 500x500 , 239.jpg )
1032762

Time seems to slow to a crawl as you get on your feet. You can feel Humphrey panicking. You can see the dragon readying another attack. You feel thin strands, links of sorts highlighted in your mind, connecting your core to the {A} dragon, to the {B} sword in your hands, to {C} Humphrey, and to the broken {D} hilt inside you.

You must act, and only have enough time to act on one of those links.
>>
No. 1032765 ID: 1f11d7

While the dragon is focused on offence, now's your chance to surprise attack them!
Drop your sword!
Hug the dragon and bring your cores together!
>>
No. 1032766 ID: b01382

>>1032762
{A} dragon
USE THE LAST BURST NOW! PURIFY THE SHROOMS!
>>
No. 1032767 ID: b01382

>>1032765
Dude no what is wrong with you? The sword is one of the few things stopping the advance of the mushrooms. You do know that the sword can either purify or destroy?
>>
No. 1032769 ID: 96c896

>>1032762
A. Show them you are connected.
>>
No. 1032789 ID: 36784c

>>1032762
You need to get close enough to use the sword to purify the mushrooms!

>>1032765
>Drop your sword!
No, don’t do that.
>>
No. 1032805 ID: 4f399b

A. You tried to talk it out and the dragon swung first. Use the sword on it and hopefully it'll purify the dragon core.
>>
No. 1032808 ID: 629f2e

A is the way.
>>
No. 1032813 ID: dbc6b8

Humphrey. We have connections with others like the dragon does, it's not an empty boast. Nothing else is either.
>>
No. 1032816 ID: 736b7e

Pretty sure B is the option for using the sword. A seems to be connecting yourself to the dragon, which might be a peaceful way toward solving this problem, but this situation seems to be getting worse. This is a hard decision.

I guess try A? It would be sad to have to kill the dragon.
>>
No. 1032821 ID: 30b9f6

Finishing them off is the last thing you'd do! But they really do need to get that 'they' aren't being very much of a friend right now. You hear them now and boy are they being pushy!

Please be reasonable? Is it reasonable for this poor old gal to sit down here forever, huh? Sheez! Get a grip! She's lonely, you mycelium mooks! Mind-control fake friends won't cure that! But you think you know what might - or who, rather!

Queen Humphrey was never so sad as to not look for a way to make things better!

A!
>>
No. 1032838 ID: cd48aa

{A} Connect to the dragon to hopefully snap them out of it. Just yell for Godrender to burst now instead of communicating psychically. Hopefully either it can hear sound or Humphrey will hear your words and tell it. I don't trust the hilt.
>>
No. 1032840 ID: cd48aa

Just adding some further thoughts:
If the dragon is another part of the Queen, then strengthening that link should make it realize that fact and hopefully stop attacking because it would be attacking its self.
I don't see how linking with Humphrey would help right now anyway. He's supposed to be fighting off the spores' corruption specifically so the Queen can focus on other factors.
The Queen already has links of some form with Humphrey, the Hilt, and Godrender, whereas the link with the dragon is new and thus should be seized upon now. Plus the Queen has already physically become one with Humphrey and the Hilt, and we don't currently have any intent to merge with Godrender, but if the dragon is a part of the Queen then merging with it is important.
And if the Queen acts on link {A} it's possible that the slimes will automatically merge and we won't have to worry about physical combat any more.
>>
No. 1032901 ID: ce39da

[C], assuming that's what the "purify burst" suggestions actually translate into! Even if it doesn't permanently solve the situation, it'll at least buy you some time to come to a better understanding and find a more permanent solution!
>>
No. 1032960 ID: f98a7b

B
>>
No. 1032991 ID: a70d43

>>1032762
A, probably
>>
No. 1033035 ID: bed7b5

D: the mystery option! In theory, these are a chance to communicate with the dragon in a more forceful way, Kill mushrooms(which may be a god), fortify ourselves but likely reduce the extent to which Humphrey is its own being, and finally to connect with the void in some way. The void seems destructive and domineering, but if we don't form connections with it, how can we understand it enough to be rid of it?

I wonder how honest the mushrooms are. This could be a case of them genuinely wanting to help, but having an extremely poor grasp of/interest in our perspective.

I am plum out of ideas on how to farm silliness points here?
>>
No. 1033175 ID: ce39da

>>1032901
*rereads* Ah snap, Sword is [B], not [C]. Changing my vote to [B], then!
>>
No. 1033559 ID: 4ef090
File 165351962881.jpg - (137.94KB , 500x500 , 240.jpg )
1033559

You focus on the dragon.

You look deep into its eyes as you charge forwards. You grip Godrender’s hilt tight again, hoping through touch to communicate your resolve. You’re determined to connect with the dragon, and more importantly to survive.
>>
No. 1033560 ID: 4ef090
File 165351963137.jpg - (192.10KB , 500x500 , 241.jpg )
1033560

The dragon’s eyes grow wide as you race towards it. It tries to back away, raising its tail to slam into you again.
>>
No. 1033561 ID: 4ef090
File 165351963565.jpg - (164.31KB , 500x500 , 242.jpg )
1033561

You pounce headfirst into its body, reaching a hand out to touch the cores inside.
>>
No. 1033562 ID: 4ef090
File 165351963947.jpg - (255.68KB , 500x500 , 243.jpg )
1033562

Your fingers touch the fused cores, and -
>>
No. 1033563 ID: 4ef090
File 165351964414.jpg - (220.93KB , 500x500 , 244.jpg )
1033563

>>
No. 1033564 ID: 4ef090
File 165352604412.jpg - (244.38KB , 500x500 , 244_5.jpg )
1033564

>>
No. 1033565 ID: 4ef090
File 165351964882.jpg - (250.19KB , 500x500 , 245.jpg )
1033565

>>
No. 1033566 ID: 4ef090
File 165351965255.jpg - (106.18KB , 500x500 , 246.jpg )
1033566

>>
No. 1033567 ID: 4ef090
File 165351965532.jpg - (117.90KB , 500x500 , 247.jpg )
1033567

>>
No. 1033568 ID: 4ef090
File 165351965857.jpg - (142.32KB , 500x500 , 248.jpg )
1033568

>>
No. 1033569 ID: 4ef090

- an image fills your mind of yourself, Humphrey, and Godrender, standing beside your shared cores. Across from you is the dragon, and next to them a strange geometric figure. Mushrooms pop up from the ground around the two. Their core is hovering behind them. The dragon looks terrified and angry. They’re standing somewhat behind their friend. You can’t read an expression on the other figure.
>>
No. 1033571 ID: 9a8cf5

So. That’s what happened. Your shard ended up with the remnants of a Titan - did you save them? You spent a while underground, hiding, recovering and, uh, budding as you bonded. And then you saw some awful vision that reminded you of how you got hurt - and fought back? Before clarifying if they were indeed hostile to you? Or did the insect person with the sword attack first?

Well, anyway. Hi. Well met, the two of you. You’re not here to hurt them. In fact, you’d like nothing more than to have a proper chat and come out the other end of this peacefully.
>>
No. 1033573 ID: ce39da

"... You're a part of me - or rather, we're one of each others' missing parts." Look to the titan. "Your friend looks strong... I get the feeling that the mushrooms aren't either of you, though. That's why the second swordsman came - they aren't the same. I can't speak for the first one's motive, but the second only sought to beat back the mushrooms threatening her home. I am also different; I came here seeking you, in the hopes of reconnecting. I brought the sword because the mushrooms were in the way of that."
>>
No. 1033574 ID: 96c896

>>1033568
Tell them once again, you are not here to hurt them. So it would be nice if they would stop trying to hurt you, and everyone else. You want to arrange peace between them and the bug people in the caves. Let's leave the voidkin out of this for now. They have an understandable grudge there.
Ask if they can control the spores, to prevent them from killing the bugs.
Also, uh, tell them the slime part might be a shard from when your core was broken. Can the Titan survive if they separate? Or... perhaps they can both come with you?

Hmm, looks like there are three entities here. The slime dragon, the Titan, and the mushrooms. We were speaking to the dragon, and the mushrooms eventually made contact, but did the Titan get a chance to speak?

I just realized the sword's uh, "face" when we spoke to it looked like a Titan. I'm guessing it was a Titan's sword at one point?
>>
No. 1033575 ID: cd48aa

1. Try saying hello.
2. Try to act on that link to the Void Hilt you noticed earlier and ask it to please come out and join the conversation.
3. Everyone: Start explaining your earliest memories.
4. Mention the petrified Slime Titan to this new (presumed) Slime Titan. Maybe they'd like to regroup and/or can convince it to give you its remaining power/essence and/or merge with you, since it's kind of a waste for it to just stand there and slowly fade away.
5. Ask if the mushrooms are a third/second entity separate from the Dragon and the Titan/the fused Dragon-Titan entity.
6. Introductions time.
7. Apologize and explain again that they and their Void friend attacked you when you were just trying to talk things out.
8. Ask if there's another big slime in the caverns somewhere or if the bugs were referring to the Dragon.

Alright, well, that's everything I can think of to do right now. I wonder if everyone at this little meeting of the minds is broken/damaged and suffering from some degree of amnesia.
>>
No. 1033578 ID: cd48aa

>>1033574
Looking more carefully at several pictures, Godrender definitely bears a resemblance to this Titan's weapon, although it isn't identical. It definitely isn't part of the Statue Titan's sword, which may or may not be broken. Also that definitely is the Statue Titan in panel 6.

How many swords did the Void King have, anyway? Because the meeting of the Titan and the Dragon definitely happened after the Grand Slime got exploded and the Void King's sword was left stuck in the Queen's core, but we can see the Void King still wielding a sword during the meeting.
>>
No. 1033593 ID: b01382

>>1033568
We did it! You're saved from the mind control! I think?

Check your own body to make sure you're not covered with shrooms.
>>
No. 1033637 ID: b01382

>>1033568
Hmmm. The time for fighting is over. The time for reasoning is now. My name is Queen Humphrey, whats yours? Who is your friend? Is it and Godrender one and the same? Are we all divided? Kind of a wacky coincidence huh.

Wait- oh my gosh, those are past memories. That was the evil sword dude approaching us, then us in pieces? Then a piece of us combining with the. Wait is that a Slime Titan? What happened to it? Is Godrender and the titan one in the same? Today is sp confusing.
>>
No. 1033642 ID: 9a2966

>>1033578
Void King might just be able to make swords outta Void, y'know. We also don't know if that caped attacker is the Void King - or one of his underlings. Or otherselves? Gah, Voidkin are confusing. Either way, the Void Knight (let's call them that) may not directly be the Void King - but could have acted on the latter's orders!

Let's not mention the fella for now. Not a very receptive crowd for 'VK says thinks he made a critical mistake', I think.

That said, on consideration Godrender does appear to be what's left of the other Titan. Or belonged to the other Titan, you're not sure.

Ironic they've been sorta fighting each other since that day, huh?
>>
No. 1033647 ID: cd48aa

>>1033642
No we know for a fact that that's the Void King. The Void King was the one who exploded the Grand Slime. The Statue Titan was defeated almost immediately after the Grand Slime blew up by a Voidkin standing alone in the middle of the immediate aftermath of the Grand Slime Exploding. Based on this, the Void King had to have been the one who defeated the Statue Titan. And in the image in question the Statue Titan is being attacked after the Grand Slime exploded. Which means that has to be the Void King.
Plus, according to Humphrey it was the Void King specifically who defeated the Slime Titans.

---

If the mushrooms turn out to be a separate entity, maybe we can offer to let them come along if they promise to behave.
>>
No. 1033649 ID: bed7b5

Hug the shrooms and tell them that they are good kids but that they need to learn to respect boundaries.
>>
No. 1033666 ID: b01382

>>1033647
>>1033649
+1 to these. Make friends, but no more mushroom mind control. Thats mean and can hurt people pretty bad.

Do you think if we return Godrender to the broken titan, it'll be whole again?

Who is Humphrey in the grand scheme of things? Was she like the queen of all slimes, and the titans her stawlard knights?
>>
No. 1033667 ID: cd48aa

>>1033666
The Queen was described as "a" Grand Slime, the local hive's Grand Slime, and "the queen bee of a hive of slimes", so they were only really the ruler of the local slime population. The Slime Titans were, according to Humphrey, protectors of the Earth and the balance of nature. So presumably they didn't hold any particular allegiance to the Queen.
Also I don't think Godrender is this new Titan's weapon. They look similar but far from identical, and the Titan was significantly larger than Queen Humphrey currently is, and based on how big the Slime Titan's weapon is compared to it, Godrender is far too small.

---

Also, I decided to write up a tentative list of all potential short- and long-term goals that I could think of:
1. Fuse with the Dragon.
2. Fuse with the Slime Titan that fused with the Dragon.
3. Find out if there is another slime down here in the mines.
4. Deal with the threat to the bugs posed by the mushrooms through either purification, absorption, destruction, negotiation, or collaboration.
5. Act on the link to the Void Hilt in hopes of communicating with, learning from, gaining information about, and/or accessing the power of it.
6. Try to figure out if the gem the Voidkin are looking for is any of the present cores.
7. Try to locate the rest of Godrender and (if appropriate) the gem that the Voidkin are looking for somewhere in the mine.
8. Point the disinfected Voidkin back to the surface.
9. Try to find out if there's a second missing Voidkin around.
10. Get those Void Runes that the tall slender Voidkin with the x-shaped eye promised in return for helping with the missing/infected Voidkin.
11. Fuse with/absorb the core/power of the Slime Titan that got turned into stone.
12. Go back to the Slime Hive to find out if anyone knows the name of the Grand Slime/the Queen.
13. Check the Slime Hive for any additional pieces.
14. See the doctor about getting bigger now that more core pieces have been recovered.
15. Begin learning/practicing Void Magic.
16. Investigate the other side of the mine for any missing core fragments and (if appropriate) the rest of Godrender and/or the gem that the Voidkin are looking for.
17. Investigate the mountains and the mountain town for any missing fragments.
18. Investigate the city for any missing fragments.
19. Investigate the slime college for any missing fragments.
20. Locate and talk to the Void King.

1-5 are immediate-term goals, 6-10 are short-term goals, 11-15 are intermediate-term goals, and 16-20 are long term goals. Would love to hear thoughts on these or other goals.
>>
No. 1033668 ID: 9a2966

>>1033667
We don't have the relative size of the new titan. It could indeed be Godrender is a piece of them. It does rather LOOK like it, at least!

>>1033563

And that list is way too large to ponder at this instance! Let's take things as they come and opportunity arises. For one, just taking the first two items, it's not a certainty either of the other entities here WANTS to or CAN fuse as they are!

Could post it in the /questdis/ thread, tho.
>>
No. 1033713 ID: cd48aa

>>1033668
I mean, we can see the new Slime Titan's size relative to the Void King is roughly the same as that of the petrified Slime Titan, and the petrified Slime Titan is much bigger than Queen Humphrey. Also, like, it's bigger than the Void King, who is bigger than Queen Humphrey.

Also, we know Queen Humphrey can fuse with the dragon slime, because the dragon slime is another piece of the Grand Slime, and the very existence of Queen Humphrey is proof pieces of the Grand Slime can fuse. And we know that Queen Humphrey can fuse with the new Slike Titan because it's already fused with the dragon slime. Plus the Void Sword Hilt that was fused with the Queen's fragment remained fused when said fragment fused with Humphrey's fragment. And if the dragon doesn't want to fuse, it needs to be convinced. Assuming the fusion isn't already occurring automatically.
>>
No. 1033714 ID: 2aa5f0

The more I learn about the void king the more it looks like he was a massive dick.

Also from the flashback it looks like god render was once a part of the geomatic guy.

as to what to say...,"Uh, hello?"
>>
No. 1033826 ID: be4026

>>1033568
Do a silly dance to break their expectation and dispell the tension in the air.
Do some sick flips! Bust a move! Yobanyone got some cardboard laying around? We gonna break a leg!
>>
No. 1033827 ID: be4026

Hey wait. Second. Dont we still have thar old shovel? Can we like, combine the Shovel with Godrender to make him bigger?
>>
No. 1034203 ID: 4ef090
File 165413374884.jpg - (161.55KB , 500x500 , 250.jpg )
1034203

“Go away, we will hurt you if you try anything!” the dragon barks at you. The taller figure reaches out a hand of what looks like vines and mushrooms to quiet them.
>>
No. 1034204 ID: 4ef090
File 165413375224.jpg - (147.09KB , 500x500 , 251.jpg )
1034204

“Be still. If they meant us harm, we would have surely felt the cut of their blade by now.” A strange voice, almost artificial, mechanical.
>>
No. 1034205 ID: 4ef090
File 165413375638.jpg - (173.03KB , 500x500 , 252.jpg )
1034205

They gesture to themselves, “I am, or was once, a Titan. My function is to protect the planet. Tho I failed my primary mission, I have endeavored to defend this shattered slime.”

They point at your group. “You are here to have a discussion, so I will not harm you in this space. That is not to say I trust you entirely. You have my sword in hand, as well as memories of our demise. Explain yourselves at once.”
>>
No. 1034206 ID: 4ef090
File 165413376001.jpg - (237.94KB , 500x500 , 253.jpg )
1034206

You and Humphrey begin to relay everything you know. You talk about how you woke up in a field, about the fragments you remembered of your own death. You talk about how you met Humphrey and together set out to try and find the rest of your pieces. You gesture to your fused core, explaining how you discovered they were one of your missing pieces.

The dragon looks away as you explain the situation with Bramble, and about how you sacrificed your own bodies to try and save her. The tall figure appears unmoved.

“And now we’re here,” you conclude, “We believe you’re one of our missing pieces, and we came here looking for you.”
>>
No. 1034207 ID: 4ef090
File 165413376357.jpg - (120.00KB , 500x500 , 254.jpg )
1034207

“I don’t believe it,” the dragon snaps back, “You don’t know how long we waited for someone, for anyone to come rescue us. And you just woke up and started looking for me?”
>>
No. 1034208 ID: 4ef090
File 165413376661.jpg - (108.89KB , 500x500 , 255.jpg )
1034208

“I can’t help it I didn’t wake up sooner,” you say softly, “I’m just as upset about it as you are. But I’m here now, we’re here now.”
>>
No. 1034209 ID: 4ef090
File 165413376929.jpg - (140.77KB , 500x500 , 256.jpg )
1034209

“You should have been here a hundred thousand years sooner,” they snort.
>>
No. 1034210 ID: 4ef090
File 165413377226.jpg - (122.82KB , 500x500 , 257.jpg )
1034210

The tall one rests a hand on the dragon’s head. “Our time here has been lengthy and stressful. And once the mushrooms manifested, it became even harder to leave the safety of the darkness.”

“What’s up with those anyway?” you point at one of the mushrooms, “Were they always down here, or-“
>>
No. 1034211 ID: 4ef090
File 165413377634.jpg - (232.99KB , 500x500 , 258.jpg )
1034211

“We made them, tho unintentionally,” the figure explains, “A frantic concoction physically manifested from our union. A critical desire for safety, mixed with the determination to protect one another, sprouted as small eyes which would watch over us from every angle.”

“Time grew on tho, and so did the mushrooms. They kept us safely together, but their network began to grow into its own self, and it eventually held us more than we held it.”

“They attack not out of malice, but a desire to protect their charge.”
>>
No. 1034213 ID: ce39da

"It almost sounds as though their function became 'corrupted' over many iterations. This blade has one more 'purifying burst' in it, at least for now - if it's yours, then you'd have greater insight on whether using that function on the 'core' of the mushrooms construct is a good solution to that, right? Either uncorrupt them, or delete them entirely without harming either of you?"
>>
No. 1034217 ID: 96c896

>>1034211
Right. The mushrooms are corrupted. The sword has the power to purge them. With their permission, you will do just that.
The Titan knows how the sword works- will they both be okay if you perform a burst?
>>
No. 1034218 ID: b01382

>>1034210
>>1034211
We're upset that this happened too. If you'd like, you can relive our memories as we yours.
If we give back your weapon, what will happen to you?
>>
No. 1034219 ID: df39fa

>You should have been here a hundred thousand years sooner,

Well to be fair, I did die, still kind of surprised I came back at all. And two, how long have I been dead?

>They attack not out of malice, but a desire to protect their charge.
They do realize though that if they just reach out and blindly attack everyone around them eventually everyone will rise up to defend themeselves right? I mean you already are seeing it with the bug people, they came down here to try and rid a threat to their homes and family, now that you may have actually taken one down it will become much more personal. Even the void kin where starting to take notice when their own started disappearing in the mines.
>>
No. 1034225 ID: cd48aa

Definitely mention the statue Slime Titan. It's still semi-alive, and perhaps this Slime Titan would like to regroup with their comrade.
Ask how long it has actually been since you blew up.
Also, the Dragon has been here and awake this whole time. The Queen's core fragment was apparently just sitting there out in the open this whole time. If anything the Dragon is the one who should have done some rescuing.
Offer to return Godrender and ask what a purifying burst would do to the mushrooms, the Slime Titan, and the Dragon.
Ask if they know of any more Slimes or Voidkin that are in the mine. Ask if they know what stone the Voidkin are looking for. Ask if the Mushrooms are now an independent entity and if there's some way to get them to stop hurting people.
Offer to let the mushrooms come along if they promise to behave.
>>
No. 1034226 ID: cd48aa

Oh heck, also, they were in the head of that Voidkin AND they have better and more memories. Try to get some information on the Voidkin and the Void King.
>>
No. 1034263 ID: 63da4c

>>1034211
Hugs! Lets do a group hugs! Hugs always makes everyone feel better.
>>
No. 1034312 ID: 9a2966

>>1034211
If they don't carry malice, then can't someone just explain that their services have ceased to be useful in their current function?

That they have, in fact, become overprotective and it is damaging to both themselves and their charge(s) ability to life a full life - which includes the acceptance of some risks and the strategic heading off of others through, say, diplomacy? Not that peace is always an option, but shouldn't it at least be attempted? The more we understand of our neighbors the less we are like to make a... critical error of judgement.

Consider this - the insectkin had someone worthy enough to wield their blade in what they considered the defense of their home against an aggressor.
>>
No. 1034596 ID: 69bdf1

>>1034211
I hope we get to kick someone's ass after all is said and done. Im loving our big encumbering sword. I hope we get to learn some fire runes so we can do some cool finish moves.
>>
No. 1034606 ID: 4ef090
File 165473677488.jpg - (158.44KB , 500x500 , 259.jpg )
1034606

You notice there are more mushrooms in the space than you realized at first. Hundreds of small bright eyes peering back and forth at you and the dragon. “There’s a lot of mushrooms around here. Has it really been a hundred thousand years since we died?”

“It is impossible to say exactly, but give or take a few millennia,” the titan responds.

“That’s not funny,” the dragon growls.
>>
No. 1034607 ID: 4ef090
File 165473677886.jpg - (169.18KB , 500x500 , 260.jpg )
1034607

“No it… that isn’t funny!” Humphrey chirps suddenly, “I don’t know why they woke up just a day ago, but you’ve been here this whole time cowering in fear, hurting people, instead of trying to find me! Trying to find any of us!”

$$ YEAH THAT KIND OF SUCKS — WE WERE JUST UP THE TUNNEL — YOU COULD HAVE COME TO GET US AT ANY TIME $$
>>
No. 1034608 ID: 4ef090
File 165473678371.jpg - (292.96KB , 500x500 , 261.jpg )
1034608

“Perhaps it seems unkind,” the titan muses, “However, our perception of time is different from yours. To put it simply, the time between inputs does not exist, and save the odd intrusion, there has been precious little input.

“Dwelling so deep in the dark, tucked away from the blessed radiance of the the Goddess, I have no way of knowing exactly how much time has passed.”
>>
No. 1034609 ID: 4ef090
File 165473678630.jpg - (125.41KB , 500x500 , 262.jpg )
1034609

“Well, what if we used your sword here to purify these mushrooms and get you out of here?” you gesture to Godrender, “Maybe you can find the goddess, and we’ll go find the rest of our selves, together!” you hold out your arms and smile encouragingly at the dragon.

The dragon looks uncertain. “I don’t know..”
>>
No. 1034610 ID: 4ef090
File 165473679002.jpg - (163.18KB , 500x500 , 263.jpg )
1034610

“Purifying the mushrooms will destroy them and sever our connection,” the titan explains, “It may be difficult to understand in this space, but the body around us is a unique combination of ourselves. By destroying the mushrooms, you effectively kill that creature.”

The titan bows its head. “To put it plain, Titans are not fluid enough to come back to life like slimes. I will die.”
>>
No. 1034611 ID: 4ef090
File 165473679392.gif - (36.53KB , 500x500 , 264.gif )
1034611

You think for a moment. “What about Godrender? They’ve been alive for however long, would they be able to keep you alive somehow?”

“G-godrender?” the titan blinks in confusion, and then begins to laugh.

“You have chosen an interesting title for yourself,” they say after calming down, “Unfortunately, the best I can do is return my memories to it. I suppose functionally that is the same thing as surviving.”
>>
No. 1034612 ID: 4ef090
File 165473679761.jpg - (69.50KB , 500x500 , 265.jpg )
1034612

They call to Godrender. “What say you, are these little intruders worthy enough to carry you in the service of the Goddess?”

$$ THEY HAVE SHOWN IMMENSE BRAVERY AND KINDNESS OF HEART — WE TRUST THEM TO CARRY US WELL $$
>>
No. 1034613 ID: 4ef090
File 165473680011.jpg - (64.79KB , 500x500 , 266.jpg )
1034613

They turn to the dragon. “Well, what say you then? It seems as tho your salvation has finally arrived. Shall we part ways?”

The dragon looks between all of you. “I… I’ve lived in fear for… for so so long. It’s hard when it’s dark, and half of me can’t even comprehend time,” they fidget with their hands nervously. “I’ve hurt a lot of people, and I can’t make things right while sitting around in the dark for another hundred centuries or whatever.. Do you really think they’ll be able to protect me?”
>>
No. 1034614 ID: 4ef090
File 165473680439.gif - (73.05KB , 500x500 , 267.gif )
1034614

“Well they protected themselves well enough to come find you,” the titan responds, “By going with them, you’ll have their strength as much as they will have yours.”

"We're parts of the same person," you say as you take their hands into your own, "We'll take care of each other, and that's a promise."

The dragon nods and smiles. “Ok.. let’s do this."
>>
No. 1034615 ID: 4ef090
File 165473680826.jpg - (267.91KB , 500x500 , 268.jpg )
1034615

You point Godrender at the cores and create one more cleansing burst.
>>
No. 1034616 ID: 4ef090
File 165473681176.jpg - (88.51KB , 500x500 , 269.jpg )
1034616

>>
No. 1034617 ID: 4ef090
File 165473681635.jpg - (181.10KB , 500x500 , 270.jpg )
1034617

>>
No. 1034618 ID: 4ef090
File 165473682043.jpg - (149.91KB , 500x500 , 271.jpg )
1034618

>>
No. 1034619 ID: 4ef090
File 165473682398.jpg - (49.86KB , 500x500 , 272.jpg )
1034619

You awaken in an empty cave. You're a bit bigger than you seem to remember. The mushrooms are gone. Godrender lays on the ground next to you.
>>
No. 1034620 ID: 4ef090
File 165473682784.jpg - (94.33KB , 500x500 , 273.jpg )
1034620

You almost choke as you cough up the titan's core. You don't sense any presence in it.
The core is now inert.
>>
No. 1034622 ID: 273c18

>>1034620
We'll keep it with us. Perhaps bringing it to the void-scoured titan will do something?

Anyway, mission complete. Let's go back, Godrender. Check on the voidkin in the tunnel too.
>>
No. 1034627 ID: 2aa5f0

take both godrender with you and the Titian core.

As for what to do next... did we have anything else to do down here? I mean we came to find a piece of your old self and that seems to have worked out well, we were asked to find the void minors and I'm pretty sure we solved that... was their anything else we needed to do or did we complete everything? guess check on the bugs and see if they're doing better on your way out.
>>
No. 1034630 ID: ce39da

Take the blade and core with you. Check where the voidling was, then go meet with the bugs. Maybe they can tell you if there's anything you missed on the other side of the chasm (once things die down).
>>
No. 1034632 ID: cd48aa
1034632

I agree with keeping the Slime Titan Core and bring it to the Petrified Slime Titan. Also check on that Voidkin and the bugs. And get those Void Runes.

But first, ask Godrender for some information on the "Goddess" that Dragon Queen Humphrey apparently serves now.

>>1034627
Make sure there weren't any other Voidkin in need of help or any more slimes. Also try to figure out what "gem" the Voidkin were looking for and if it's around here. So that should probably also be done.

And head back to the Slime Hive to see if they remember the Grand Slime's name and if any other Core Fragments are present.
>>
No. 1034634 ID: ae9bd9

Rejoice!
For you have regained your bunny ears!
>>
No. 1034636 ID: b01382

>>1034620
Keep core with us. He is friend and does not deserve to be left behind. Or, this is no longer a friend, but an empty vessel. Like us the two halves more or less are made whole, in the strange circumstance that is Godrender.

Hello Godrender friend! Is that still your name? Who are you now? Are we still friends?

Are the mushrooms still nearby? Can we communicate with them? Lets all be friends! But no more mind controlling and hurting people! Instead we'll eat more morally acceptable things....I really hope eating non-sentient mushrooms is considered cannibalism, new mushroom Hive-mind friend(s). I SHALL NAME YOU PATTY!
>>
No. 1034637 ID: b01382

>>1034622
+1 check the voidkin friend. Does he still "dance to the beat" or whatever he said, or did he "find his own rhythm" for whatever that means?

>>1034630
+1 this to speaking with bug, speaking with the voidkin, and asking around to see if there's anymore of us down here we missed.

>>1034620
My bad. I missed the detail about the mushrooms being gone. OH SHOOT! Before we leave, can we ask around if they can teach us any runes? Both void and non-void runes? Might as well get our reward's worth. OH! And also food please and thank you.
>>
No. 1034668 ID: 30b9f6

>>1034614
>Hoppin' Humphrey
Guy gets the bounce-lyf. Probably at least part of where you get your SILLY DANCE instincts from. Ready one up for later jiggin'. Or maybe just burst out into one, being freed from that situation at long last... must feel nice.

>Ears
Oooh, those are nice. Worth 100K years of mostly lonely feels, definitely. Though guess they didn't feel like 100K years. (Probably for the best.)

>Titan's core
Bury the poor thing! Let it rest at last. Hm. Or maybe you can find a more worthy resting place for it later?

Anyway, that's just junkle now - but the arguably most important thing got picked up! How're you feeling, Godrender! And are you in there, dragon-me?!

... oh, and what happened to all the mushrooms? Did they all really die from that? Will the bug people be safe around here now?
>>
No. 1034670 ID: b01382

>>1034668
The silly dance seems to be innate to all parts of Humphrey since we danced before combining with tail-Humphrey.

>>1034668
Leaving it behind leaves a poor taste in my mouth. Maybe we could try combining the empty core with Godrender?
>>
No. 1034701 ID: 825eee

>>1034620
Do a silly victory dance! Ah cha cha cha!
>>
No. 1034702 ID: fec07f

>>1034701
Then cry over the inert core
>>
No. 1034716 ID: f75bba

>>1033564

Hhmm. Judging by the complete Grand Slime image here. We are missing around 4 more Slime Parts. Assuming each feature is a slime, we are missing: The spikes on the side of the head, the whiskers, the third pair of limbs and with Humphrey currently as the tail the hip should be also a separate slime.
>>
No. 1034728 ID: cd48aa

>>1034716
You may be right. There are four main locations left to check and the doctor imagined the Grand Slime's Core shattering into eight main pieces, so about four is probably right.
>>
No. 1035045 ID: 4ef090
File 165527989470.jpg - (94.84KB , 500x500 , 274.jpg )
1035045

“Well, that’s.. outside of me now I suppose,” you cough. You rise to your feet and look around.

As you begin to notice how dark it is, your body lights up, a stronger light than Humphrey’s, but just as warm and soft.

“So, this is.. me.. this is us, huh,” you say to yourself as you take a good look at your new body. You have a couple of new features, the most notable ones being your increased height, and the two large floppy ears sticking out from your head. “How uh.. how do we feel about things?”

A voice responds, echoing from that familiar head space where you and Humphrey communicate.
&& I think.. this feels.. nice. But, I’m nervous. This feels familiar, but also so alien. I think I want to rest for a bit, but if you need anything, please let me know and I’ll do my best. &&

“Do you have a name?”

&& Oh, I.. oh.. &&
You feel a rush of emotions course through you. Confusion, panic, despair.
&& I can’t remember if I used to have a name. I suppose it would be the same as yours, yeah? &&

“Not necessarily. I also can’t remember my own name. But you can still be your own person in here,” you pat your chest, where your new core rests once again, “Humphrey has their own name still. Just because we share a body doesn’t mean you have to stop being yourself.”

Tears well up in your eyes.
&& Oh … well.. in that case, I think.. I would like to be called — &&

((What would you like to name the dragon?))
>>
No. 1035047 ID: dbc6b8

Maybe "Mirrow"?
>>
No. 1035048 ID: b01382

>>1035045
Marigold, like the flower. cuz we pretty.
>>
No. 1035049 ID: 273c18

Lamella.
>>
No. 1035054 ID: 2aa5f0

Scarlet
>>
No. 1035057 ID: b5cf15

Jimmy
>>
No. 1035059 ID: 629f2e

Spore
>>
No. 1035060 ID: 00c382

Titania.

Or just ‘Tania for short.
>>
No. 1035065 ID: dbc6b8

>>1035060
I love this!!
>>
No. 1035067 ID: ce39da

I like Scarlet.
>>
No. 1035075 ID: 4ef090
File 165533609756.jpg - (62.04KB , 500x500 , 275.jpg )
1035075

&& — Mirrow. Call me Mirrow. &&

“It’s a wonderful name, Mirrow. You rest now and I’ll get us out of here.”

(You tuck the titan’s core in your pocket. You’ll think of something to do with it later, maybe give it a proper burial or something.
“It’s heavier than it looks. Just a shell now as far as I can tell.”)
>>
No. 1035076 ID: 4ef090
File 165533610195.gif - (29.75KB , 500x500 , 276.gif )
1035076

You do a funny little victory dance to celebrate your reunion. You get 20 fun points for dancing alone in a deep dark cave.

As you dance, you reflect on your new capabilities!

((Mirrow has a lot more mass than you and Humphrey together. You stand twice as tall as before, and your tail is thick and magnificent. Thanks to their core’s strength you are now more capable in almost every way.

Your Basic Shapeshifting is now Intermediate Shapeshifting! You can take on larger and more complicated shapes, and holding them is much easier. You will still have the texture of a slime tho. You can maintain a shape as long as you are focused on it, but will return to your original form if you are unconscious or unfocused.

You’re physically stronger now, no longer needing to wield Godrender with both hands. You can resist more physical trauma as well, and are less easy to knock over.

You’re More Massive, which means a couple of interesting things:
1. You are able to submit suggestions to other cores currently inside the Queen’s body. A majority vote will determine which slime will control the body, with the default state being the Queen.
2. If needed, you can split into three separate slimes to take care of multiple tasks at a time.

You also taste like a lot…. like, a LOT of mushrooms. That’s not really an upgrade or a downgrade. It’s a fact. You just taste like mushrooms now. In fact you are so dense with mushroom taste, it would be safe to assume that you still have a lot of spores in you. They don’t seem to be rooted. You might be able to communicate with them again if you wanted to. Otherwise, they will probably wash out whenever you return to the hive.
>>
No. 1035077 ID: 4ef090
File 165533610722.gif - (22.20KB , 500x500 , 277.gif )
1035077

You can remember echoes of memories about what magic is and how it works. Something something, runes and crystals? Papers and books? Hats and staves? You vaguely recall a couple of drawn shapes, but can’t parse their meaning. The one thing you know for sure is that the hat has to be, it HAS to be big.))
>>
No. 1035078 ID: 4ef090
File 165533611102.jpg - (55.71KB , 500x500 , 278.jpg )
1035078

You pick up Godrender. “How’s tricks?”

$$ good — wow you got strong — look at you go $$
It’s voice is less intense now.

“Did you get those memories back from the titan?”

$$ yes — we have a lot to think about — good job on purifying the heart by the way — that got pretty intense for a bit there — are you ok $$

“Oh, thanks. I’m…” you pause. You don’t feel ready to unpack your emotions just yet. Maybe later when you’re not in a dark cave. “I’m doing alright. So, we can fully wield you now?”

$$ correct -- you are now a knight of the goddess $$

“Oh, about that, I don’t actually know anything about the goddess. Can you tell me about them?”
>>
No. 1035079 ID: 4ef090
File 165533611609.jpg - (160.16KB , 500x500 , 279.jpg )
1035079

$$ we can share a bit — the goddess was love and life, and the love of life — she created the slimes to shape the land and live joyously in it — she created the titans to protect the world and all who lived there — many people traveled to her world to see her beauty and the wonder of her creation — she happily welcomed them with open arms $$
>>
No. 1035080 ID: 4ef090
File 165533612065.jpg - (322.55KB , 500x500 , 280.jpg )
1035080

$$ then one day she was killed — a violent trickster selfishly stole her life in an attempt to become as powerful as her — as her body shattered so too did the world begin to crack apart — without her divine light to protect us the earth was soon invaded by the void king and destroyed $$
>>
No. 1035081 ID: 4ef090
File 165533612539.jpg - (222.64KB , 500x500 , 281.jpg )
1035081

$$ we titans did our best to fight back — but the void is powerful and overwhelming — we all fought until our bodies broke — a fitting end to die in pieces like our goddess $$

$$ only a being as strong as a god could do something so horrific — and so we took the name godrender for ourselves — we vowed to destroy the god who killed our goddess $$
>>
No. 1035082 ID: 4ef090
File 165533612870.jpg - (54.23KB , 500x500 , 282.jpg )
1035082

$$ it has apparently been a very long time since then — nevertheless our resolve has not faltered — we would ask just one more thing of you — carry us to the miserable being who took our goddess from us so that we may be driven deep into their heart $$
>>
No. 1035086 ID: 273c18

If the void arrived after the Goddess died, wouldn't that mean the void king didn't kill her?
Whoever did it... is probably already dead. It's been a long long time. If they are still alive, then justice must be done.
>>
No. 1035092 ID: ce39da

"Huh! You make it sound like the Void King only swooped in to clean house and pick up the pieces after some other asshole messed everything up. Am I right in thinking he's not necessarily who you're mainly after? If so, cool, 'cause I had sort of a wary kinda rapport going with him so far. Apparently, him shattering us - the slime queen - was an error he's still trying to help fix."

You can probably walk and talk at this point.
>>
No. 1035093 ID: 2aa5f0

So this trickster arrived before the void king did then? Huh, got any details on what they look like? Cause I'm somewhat curious they haven't tried to go after the void king to try and steal their powers as well since that seems to be their goal.
>>
No. 1035097 ID: b01382

>>1035082
You got it chief.
>>
No. 1035119 ID: 02e7e9

If bramble's still holding on, could we purifying burst her? Full sword privileges, and we're definitely strong enough now that we could fuel one
>>
No. 1035187 ID: cd48aa

Try to reach out to the broken Void Sword in your Core and to the Mushroom Spores. Maybe they can help in some way? An extra set of eyes never hurt anyone, and the mushroom cap *WAS* pretty stylish.

Also, go check on that Voidkin you purified earlier. And see if Mirrow or Godrender know if there's anything else of interest down here. Specifically, more Voidkin in need of help and more Slimes. While you're at it, see if Godrender has any idea about what the gem that the Voidkin are looking for might be.

And go check on the bugs. Hopefully Bramble is okay.

Maybe later take the Slime Titan Core and Godrender to the Petrified Slime Titan to see if anything happens and/or can be done.
>>
No. 1035414 ID: 103426

>>1035082
I dunno. Someone has to pay for breaking the world, and someone has to pay for trying to kill us. For now lets focus on getting a reward, learning magics from the bug people, and finding the rest of our parts.
>>
No. 1035723 ID: 4ef090
File 165593730328.jpg - (67.53KB , 500x500 , 283.jpg )
1035723

You start your way back up the tunnel as you talk.  The voidkin from earlier is gone, tho the brilliant red fabric they wore is laying in a heap on the ground. You make sure to grab it as you pass.

(You put the Void Cloth in your pockets.
“It’s so bright and beautiful.  It must be important to the void if all of them are wearing it.”)
>>
No. 1035724 ID: 4ef090
File 165593730830.jpg - (100.47KB , 500x500 , 284.jpg )
1035724

“So this trickster invited the void in?” you ask.

Godrender:
$$ correct – we never did get any information on what they look like – everything happened so quickly – everything we told you is what was relayed to us moments before we were shattered $$

Humphrey chimes in:
##it’s weird that the void king is still around, but I’ve never heard of a trickster until just now. If they were accomplices wouldn’t they both still be here now?##

“Maybe it’s complicated,” you muse, “and it’s been a really, really long time, too.  Maybe they died already, and the void just lived longer?”

Godrender:
$$ possible – you do intend to face the void king eventually tho – maybe they will have answers – we will not rest until we are certain our goddess is avenged $$

“Alright, well, I can’t promise we’ll run into them, but I’ll keep you with me if that’s what you want.”

Mirrow pipes up:
&&For my… I mean, for our sake, we would feel safer with you protecting us&&
>>
No. 1035725 ID: 4ef090
File 165593731250.jpg - (122.37KB , 500x500 , 285.jpg )
1035725

You pass the crystal table where Soot gave you Godrender, and keep moving up the tunnel.

It’s quiet, save the gentle noise of your footsteps on the stone.  There aren’t any mushrooms on the walls or crystals.  You think about the cacophony of whispers you heard, about the network you could sense.  

“Mirrow, those mushrooms won’t come back, will they?”

Mirrow:
&& I don’t think they will, but I guess we could make them come back, if you, I-I mean, if we wanted them to &&

Humphrey:
##Having an extra pair of eyes would be handy…##

Godrender:
$$ those mushrooms are a double-edged sword – a powerful network of minds can be useful, and the roots will make your flesh stronger – however you will be fully at the mercy and whim of the fungus – should it ever be compromised, you would be powerless to resist it $$

“Hmm.. well, we don’t have to decide on it right this minute I suppose.”
>>
No. 1035726 ID: 4ef090
File 165593731735.jpg - (134.34KB , 500x500 , 286.jpg )
1035726

You continue up the passage in quiet thought. There’s something else on your mind.

Something weird happened in the heat of the encounter with Mirrow, something you didn’t give too much thought to in the moment, but now that things are calm..

You remember feeling a sort of thread connecting you to several people all at once.  You could feel their intense emotions in the moment.  You chose to follow the line connecting you to Mirrow.  It seemed like those threads were coming from your core, but, not exactly.
>>
No. 1035727 ID: 4ef090
File 165593732102.jpg - (74.98KB , 500x500 , 287.jpg )
1035727

You realize just now that you haven’t actually tried to examine the sword in you.  It didn’t give off any suspicious sort of aura before, and even now it just feels like it’s a broken thing stuck in you.  

You reach inside yourself and grasp the hilt–
>>
No. 1035728 ID: 4ef090
File 165593732695.jpg - (252.30KB , 500x500 , 288.jpg )
1035728

There’s … something.  Echoes of a rhythmic beat light up in your mind, but you might also be imagining it.  Didn’t they say something about music? Something about marching in “lockstep”? What was that supposed to mean?

Maybe you can ask the super tall voidkin back at camp about it.
>>
No. 1035729 ID: 4ef090
File 165593733132.jpg - (131.73KB , 500x500 , 289.jpg )
1035729

You finally make it back to the bug town.  It’s much less busy now.  Fewer bugs are wandering around, and the lamps are dimmer.  It must be night time.

“Should we go see how Bramble is doing, or head for the surface?”
>>
No. 1035733 ID: 629f2e

Inquire into Bramble. It'll be good to know they're doing well, and I'm sure they'll be happy to see you too.
>>
No. 1035738 ID: 273c18

>>1035728
Oh! We're connected to the Void Hivemind...

>>1035729
Go see Bramble. Now that the mushroom core is gone, they should be fine, right?
>>
No. 1035746 ID: ce39da

> Mushrooms
I say "don't" for now. We can't risk it corrupting again while we're still hooked up to it. Better to just let it die, assuming Mirrow doesn't want to take full responsibility and risk for them.

> BONDS
Ooooooh, so we can sort of form a hive-minded connection with people? If we're careful not to tap into the larger void-mind, the weaker version actually sounds like a neat utility technique. We should experiment with splitting apart while still being (partly) of one person-hood.

> What Do
Let's see how the affected are doing.
>>
No. 1035751 ID: cd48aa

Go check on Bramble immediately. Also, try to figure out how long you have before you'll have to make a decision one way or the other about the mushrooms. If possible, hold off until after you've met with the voidkin.
>>
No. 1035761 ID: 2aa5f0

see if the sick bug is doing better. Hope she made it.
>>
No. 1035763 ID: 736b7e

No harm in checking in. And wouldn't it be a shame to not say good bye?
>>
No. 1035769 ID: c1db1e

>>1035729
Lets go find brambles.
Regading hive minds and mushrooms, maybe we can combine them somehow. Make our own sound to counter the devilitating quality of the mushrooms. The best of both worlds with no ill effects! Lets also ask around if anyone has seen the void kin.
>>
No. 1035778 ID: 53560f

I wonder if we might be able to make our own hivemind one day using our connection to the void/the parasitic mushrooms/other things we find on our journey.
A slimemind would be pretty cool.
Also visit bramble.
>>
No. 1035779 ID: b01382
File 165596211693.gif - (2.59MB , 600x338 , giphy.gif )
1035779

>>1035778
Sounds like one way to recreate what the Goddess Slime once was. I like the sound of that. We could harmonize and try to make a slime song with other slimes if we ever go back to that one Slime reserve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MPOO4F3aPI
>>
No. 1035780 ID: b01382
File 165596213046.gif - (2.59MB , 600x338 , giphy.gif )
1035780

>>1035778
Sounds like one way to recreate what the Goddess Slime once was. I like the sound of that. We could harmonize and try to make a slime song with other slimes if we ever go back to that one Slime reserve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MPOO4F3aPI
>>
No. 1035801 ID: 9a2966

Go see how the operation went. For good or ill, the bugkin probably want to know we've solved their mushroom problem. Sorta. And will be taking 'their' blade. Sorta.

If we're gonna be bringing those mushrooms back, perhaps the bugkin should have a say in it? There could certainly be problems if we brought them back without the bugkin realizing they weren't evil and hostile, just overprotective and misguided. They deserve the truth as much as anyone involved, besides.

Does Godrender have anything he wants to say to Bramble? They did wield 'em for a while, after all.

And I s'pose we gotta thank Bramble's sister for the help. Things might've gotten dicey without Godrender.
>>
No. 1035899 ID: cd48aa

>>1035801
If we bring the mushrooms back it will, presumably, be only on our body. It definitely won't be in the mine.
>>
No. 1035935 ID: 9a2966

>>1035899
Even if we weren't passing spores around, wearing mushrooms around the bugkin are gonna make them uncomfortable if we don't tell them about the changed circumstances. Considering their history and all!
>>
No. 1035936 ID: b01382

>>1035935
Agreed. Only start mushrooming once we're outside this place. I really want that large cute mushroom hat.
>>
No. 1035994 ID: 01fe07

How about we don't use the dangerous double edged sword (the mushrooms) just for fun? Let's wait until we actually need them before we try using them.
>>
No. 1036492 ID: cd48aa

>>1035994
We aren't using it for fun. We're using it for style, which is far more important.
>>
No. 1036500 ID: d9bb2d

>>1036492
That still counts as using it for fun and that doesn't change the fact that the mushrooms are dangerous to use.
>>
No. 1036503 ID: 4ef090
File 165653467834.jpg - (302.93KB , 500x500 , 290.jpg )
1036503

Humphrey:
## Let's go check on them. We shouldn't leave without letting them know what happened, and it would be nice to see how Bramble is healing up. ##

Godrender:
$$ we agree – Bramble was a courageous fighter – we would like to say good bye $$

You head over to the hospital. The big bug guard from before is gone, along with the crowd of bugs. 

The receptionist looks up as you walk in. "Good evening how, uh.. can I help you..?" They stare at you as if trying to figure out what you are. Eyes narrow looking between you and Godrender.
>>
No. 1036504 ID: 4ef090
File 165653468298.jpg - (143.39KB , 500x500 , 291.jpg )
1036504

"You're… you're the slimes from earlier, aren't you? You sure got tall huh." They sniff the air, "you reek of mushrooms, but I don't see any sprouts, so you're probably fine to go up."

You ascend the stairs and knock on the door to Bramble's room. A few moments and the doctor from before peeks out. "OH!!" They pull the door open.
>>
No. 1036505 ID: 4ef090
File 165653468633.jpg - (182.56KB , 500x500 , 292.jpg )
1036505

"You made it back safely!! I was so worried I'd taken too much, but it seems you've flourished in spite of that. Come in, please!" They usher you into the room.

Soot is slumped in a chair next to Bramble's bed, asleep. They jolt awake as you enter. "Y-you're back? You're safe!" They eye you up and down, "wow, looks like you found that slime you were after. Good job! The mushrooms weren't a problem I hope?"

You explain everything that happened. How godrender asked you to destroy the mushrooms at their core. The fight with the infected voidkin. The conversation with Mirrow and the Titan. The whispers of a million minds as the spores dug into you. 
>>
No. 1036506 ID: 4ef090
File 165653469165.jpg - (210.55KB , 500x500 , 293.jpg )
1036506

"You got infected and came back here??" They almost shout. The doctor skitters over to examine you as you explain how the mushrooms came from Mirrow's fusion with the Titan, how they were simply overprotective and misguided. You explain how Godrender purified the cores and destroyed the mushrooms. 
>>
No. 1036507 ID: 4ef090
File 165653469513.jpg - (126.12KB , 500x500 , 294.jpg )
1036507

"... god render? You mean the sword? I didn’t know it had a name.”

Godrender:
$$ nobody ever asked $$

Soot doesn’t seem to hear them. “Well, I guess… shoot. I guess we don't have to worry about the mushrooms anymore huh." They gesture to Bramble, “The medicine seems to have worked, she’s stable now.  Doc says she’ll survive.”
>>
No. 1036508 ID: 4ef090
File 165653469934.jpg - (248.35KB , 500x500 , 295.jpg )
1036508

Bramble is breathing evenly now, almost enough to snore lightly.  The gashes where the mushrooms were sprouting are covered in bandages.  Her chitin seems to be emitting a soft, warm light from within.

“Is she supposed to be glowing like that?”

“Oh, y-yes,” the doc says, “W-well no.  But she’s perfectly fine.  The mushrooms did a lot of damage to her insides, but your slime was just the thing to patch her up.  It seems like it’s filling in the gaps and tunnels carved by the mycelium.  She’s more slime than bug at this point.”

“Apparently the spores didn’t do too much damage to her brain,” Soot explains, “So she’ll probably still have most of her memories intact.”
>>
No. 1036509 ID: 4ef090
File 165653470203.jpg - (148.17KB , 500x500 , 296.jpg )
1036509

They bow so low that their antennae touch the floor.  “I don’t know if I can ever thank you enough for your help.  I admit I doubted it would be enough, however you not only saved my sister, but everyone else in this town as well.”
>>
No. 1036510 ID: 273c18

>>1036509
Hmm, I wonder if they can help you? Tell them about your missing cores and any information they might have on who betrayed the Goddess.
>>
No. 1036511 ID: 04487d

>>1036508
Goodness! Hope she’ll be alright. Put Godrender onto her so they can talk.

>>1036509
No worries. You’re very happy to have been of such assistance. In a way a part of you were the cause of the problems, so it’s more than fitting the rest of you were able to make amends.

... now you just need to figure out where to go next!
>>
No. 1036514 ID: cd48aa

Explain that you just did what anyone would do in the situation, and you're just glad that everyone is okay. Also tell them that Godrender says nobody ever asked them their name before.

Ask them if they have any clue what the Voidkin were looking for and also if any Voidkin passed through here since you left.

Also inform Soot that you're taking Godrender and ask if there's anything more you can do for them.

And ask what exactly Bramble being more slime than bug means for her.
>>
No. 1036519 ID: b01382

>>1036509
Is it okay if Godrender comes with us?
Can you teach us magics and runes please and thank you?

QUICK DO A SILLY DANCE WHILE SHE'S NOT LOOKING!
>>
No. 1036522 ID: 2de4fd

It's hard to see people suffering and not try to help. It's really nice to see things working out.

Seconding doing the dance while she can't watch.
>>
No. 1037201 ID: 4ef090
File 165714041743.jpg - (133.19KB , 500x500 , 297.jpg )
1037201

“Well, maybe you can help us out a little actually. Godrender said they want to go with us.  Is that cool?.”

“Oh, sure, I guess I don’t see why not.  It sounds like you took care of the mushrooms pretty handily, so we won’t need the sword to fight them anymore.”
>>
No. 1037202 ID: 4ef090
File 165714042283.gif - (159.05KB , 500x500 , 298.gif )
1037202

“Cool!  Just a couple other things.  Do you happen to know anything about runes?”

The doctor gives you some paper and a pen, which you use to draw the runes you recalled earlier.  Soot looks at them with a frown.  

“I only recognize one of these.  The spikey looking one means “beacon”, or “guide”, or…maybe “focus”?  Without any context it’s hard to say exactly, but the shape is similar to a beam of light.  I don’t know the other ones.”

((You did a silly dance while they were looking at the runes and got 20 silly points. At 100 they roll over into a single Silly Ticket! Golly! You now have:
ONE (1) Silly Ticket
FIVE (5) Silly Points.))
>>
No. 1037203 ID: 4ef090
File 165714042820.jpg - (178.26KB , 500x500 , 299.jpg )
1037203

Godrender:
$$ we would like to say farewell to Bramble – please put us near her $$

You relay the message to soot and they wrap Bramble’s hand around Godrender’s hilt.

Godrender:
$$ hey – we know you probably cannot hear us – but we are going away – perhaps one day we will return – you held us powerfully – we will never forget you – we hope you continue to fight valiantly $$

Bramble doesn’t seem to respond, continuing to breathe evenly. Godrender seems satisfied tho.
>>
No. 1037204 ID: 4ef090
File 165714043162.jpg - (154.61KB , 500x500 , 300.jpg )
1037204

“One last thing before we go.” You quickly summarize your situation.  “We’re looking for more slimes like Mirrow, but we don’t have a lot of leads on where any of them might be.  You wouldn’t have any idea where they could have ended up?”

The bugs look confused.  “Y-youre asking us if we know w-where the needle in the haystack is,” the doc says, “there are slimes all over the world.  Any one of them c-could be the one you’re after.”

“Sorry we can’t be more help,” soot looks dejected.
>>
No. 1037205 ID: 4ef090
File 165714043587.jpg - (170.55KB , 500x500 , 301.jpg )
1037205

You hug them both.  “Don’t worry about it, you already helped us out enormously.  We wouldn’t have been able to reach Mirrow without you, and it’s thanks to you that Humphrey and I ended up together.”

Something about this feels familiar. Tears well up in your eyes and you don’t know why. You hug them tighter.
>>
No. 1037206 ID: 4ef090
File 165714043929.jpg - (107.88KB , 500x500 , 302.jpg )
1037206

You head back to the surface, through the winding tunnels and are now at the small camp the Voidkin had set up.  It’s strangely empty now, tho it is also night, so maybe everyone is asleep. You do see one figure, the tall voidkin who gave you the medicine before you entered the mines.
>>
No. 1037207 ID: 4ef090
File 165714044213.jpg - (89.33KB , 500x500 , 303.jpg )
1037207

They’re sitting on a rock and staring into space.  Thick droplets of darkness are floating off them more rapidly than you remember.  They look pretty rough.
>>
No. 1037208 ID: 9a2966

>>1037207
Hm. Try to connect to that void part of you again. Maybe you can make sense of what's happening to this one if you do.

Walk up and ask if he's okay.
>>
No. 1037209 ID: 7a1397

Hug them
(and also use your power to connect, if possible)
>>
No. 1037210 ID: 15c72a

>>1037207
You good?
Tell them about what happened to the voidkin, and how you "gave" them the potion.
>>
No. 1037222 ID: cd48aa

Cautiously approach and try to figure out if they're even awake. Also try connecting to your voidy bits and "listen" for anything weird you can sense through it.

If they are fully aware and acknowledge you, ask if they're okay and if anything happened. Also inform them about the Voidkin you encountered, the events of the encounter, and that the mushrooms are gone. And ask them about the red cloth you found.

And get those void runes!

After this, probably head for the hive or the petrified Slime Titan.
>>
No. 1037231 ID: 2aa5f0

approach tall void kin, ask if they are ok, if not give hug to tall void kin and see if there is anything you could do to help.
>>
No. 1037236 ID: 4ef090

DO NOT TOUCH VOIDKIN

DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS
DANGEROUS


>>
No. 1037267 ID: b01382

>>1037207
Is he okay? Try communicating with him...her...it. If it doesn't respond, try grabbing at the blade hilt in your core.
>>
No. 1037280 ID: cd48aa

>>1037267
They. Plural they, to be exact. Voidkin seem to refer to themselves only in the plural.
>>
No. 1037295 ID: 30b9f6

>>1037208
Heck, maybe ask if 'Void' itself is okay, given what you heard previously.

If the Voidkin from earlier had listened to the mushrooms' whispers, understood some of the context, and got reconnected into the bigger hivemind, their perspective might've made some waves when they got integrated back.

"Walk in lockstep or find your own rhythm", right?

Is this an actual choice - or a danger - to the Voidkin and their way of life?
>>
No. 1037296 ID: 53560f

Hey buddy, you doin okay?
>>
No. 1037298 ID: ee520c

>>1037206
Anyone else notice the symbol in the sky?
>>
No. 1037299 ID: c1a3dd

>>1037298
It’s a flag/banner. You could see it going in:

>>1014159
>>
No. 1037301 ID: 2aa5f0

>>1037299
it's also the same shape as the void king's pupil

huh, wonder if the king is upset because one of his void people got cut off from him and he's taking it out on the supervisor as they were the supervisor's responsibility or if something attacked the camp and the void king is observing to try and figure out what did it.

That or they were looking for the same slime core we were for reasons and are pissed that someone else got it first... or the most unlikely reason being the void king has some how developed a crush on the slime queen for some reason and is the jealous type and is punishing the supervisor for making moves on his girl earlier.
>>
No. 1037307 ID: 30b9f6

>>1037301
Yer right. The flag, also, was red, not white.

Wave at the frowny eye in the sky.
>>
No. 1037309 ID: 00bf4c

((it's an artistic error, I forgot the flag was red and didn't think much of it))
>>
No. 1037320 ID: 9a2966

>>1037309
I won't lie, I'm actually a little disappointed there was no frowny eye in the sky.
>>
No. 1037454 ID: b01382

>>1037309
Is he say cuz he got no mushroom? We got mushrooms for him if he's down for it.
>>
No. 1038006 ID: 4ef090
File 165775139115.png - (12.79KB , 500x500 , 304.png )
1038006

You cautiously approach them.  “Hey, we’re back! Are you ok? Is this a bad time?”

They jolt, seeming to only just notice you.  The droplets lessen, but don’t stop.  “Oh, hey!  I think I drifted off there, sorry.  Did you find any of our guys down there?”
>>
No. 1038007 ID: 4ef090
File 165775139588.png - (10.68KB , 500x500 , 305.png )
1038007

“We did find one of them.  They were infected, but we, uh, administered the medicine.  It was kind of rough going.” You hand over the red garment.  “We’re not sure where they went, but they left this behind.”

The voidkin takes it and stares at it.  “Interesting.  Did they say anything?”
>>
No. 1038008 ID: 4ef090
File 165775139846.png - (12.11KB , 500x500 , 306.png )
1038008

You tell them about the mushrooms and what they said about marching to a “simpler, consistent beat”.

They stare up into the night sky.  “So it’s not just me…” they whisper.  You stand together in silence for a moment.
>>
No. 1038009 ID: 4ef090
File 165775140138.png - (13.73KB , 500x500 , 307.png )
1038009

“Well, I did promise you some runes didn’t I?” they hand you back the cloak, “You’ll need this.  You’re only a little bit of voidkin, so you don’t need it to maintain form like me.  Us, sorry.  I’m..” they shake their head, “But you’ll need it for casting.  Void is formless without it, so by manipulating the fabric you can manipulate the structure of whatever’s in you and draw power from it.” 
>>
No. 1038010 ID: 4ef090
File 165775140478.png - (10.20KB , 500x500 , 308.png )
1038010

They hand you a note with a couple of runes drawn on it.  They’re different from the ones you recalled after waking up in the cave.  The lines are long, thin, weblike. One is labeled “Blink” and the other “Ask”. The Note is signed “Vuota”. 
“Basically, you use thread from the fabric to draw these shapes, and if you do it cool and good then magic happens.  This stuff is self mending, so don’t worry about using it up.”
>>
No. 1038011 ID: 4ef090
File 165775140813.png - (14.54KB , 500x500 , 309.png )
1038011

You swap out the doctor’s cloak for this new red one, and re-pocket your items.  It seems to fit you perfectly. You feel a little weird about wearing clothing from the voidkin, but you try not to think too hard about that. It’s just clothing.

Magic clothing, apparently!
>>
No. 1038012 ID: 4ef090
File 165775141125.png - (13.55KB , 500x500 , 310.png )
1038012

You can’t seem to sense any sort of connections to or from the Voidkin as they sit back down and resume their upwards dripping.

“Are you sure you’re ok?” you ask, “Is there anything we can do to help out?”
>>
No. 1038013 ID: 4ef090
File 165775141594.png - (15.35KB , 500x500 , 311.png )
1038013

They don’t seem to hear you.  You watch as more and more drops float into the inky night until they’ve completely disappeared.
>>
No. 1038014 ID: 4ef090
File 165775141889.png - (11.08KB , 500x500 , 312.png )
1038014

>>
No. 1038015 ID: 4ef090
File 165775142266.png - (7.56KB , 500x500 , 313.png )
1038015

>>
No. 1038016 ID: 4ef090
File 165775142609.png - (10.99KB , 500x500 , 314.png )
1038016

You’re alone with yourselves once again.
>>
No. 1038017 ID: 15c72a

Took their fabric too. I'm guessing that wasn't simply death. More like, they attuned to a different being or force, and went to join it.
...considering the voidkin in the mines left their fabric behind, they lost their form. Either dead, or summoned back to the primordial void or something.

Anyway. Let's head to the next destination! Oh, we haven't decided though. Why don't we go talk to the Void King while we're still in his good graces? I expect the longer this journey goes on, the less he'll want to help us.
>>
No. 1038018 ID: 7b75ea

Huh. Well... he just said that the cloth helps maintain their form... so if it also got caught up in this "dispersion," then I don't think what happened here is as simple as him losing cohesion.

We can only hope, though. Let's look out for other voidkin when we head back to town; approaching them (assuming we find any) will help answer whether something big is happening, or if that was just a decision Vuoto arrived at themself (or if it's a bit of both). They're all connected, but it's clear now that some are more "plugged in" than others. (I do hope they're okay, wherever they are.)
>>
No. 1038019 ID: cd48aa

Well that was, worrying.

I think before we set out for real we should stop by the Slime Hive and the Petrified Slime Titan.
At the Hive we might be able to ask around and kearn more about the original Grand Slime, or at least their name so we can stop calling the Queen the Queen. Plus maybe we can get some kind of supplies.
At the Petrified Slime Titan we can see if there's any reaction from the broken Slime Titan Core and/or Godrender and if there's anything we can do for it. At least we can maybe try to eat its Core or ask it to grant us whatever residual power it has, since it's not gonna be able to use it.
We may want to show the broken Slime Titan Core to the Doctor or give it a burial at either the Slime Hive or the Petrified Slime Titan.

Also, I say it's Mushroom Time.

>>1038017
The Void King literally told us to gather more of ourself first.

As for where our next major destination should be, I vote either the City or possibly the other side of the Mines.
>>
No. 1038027 ID: 15c72a

>gather more of ourself first
But we did! We merged twice since we last spoke to him.

Oh right there was that gap in the mines we couldn't cross. We can do that now, I think?
>>
No. 1038040 ID: cd48aa

>>1038027
He also said we'd talk again, so we should probably take a nap before we consider paying him a visit.
As for the gap, maybe? It would definitely be easier to decide where to go with a proper map so we knew how each island connects to the other and plot an optimal route. But I guess we'd need secondary objectives to check out or known obstacles for that to matter.
>>
No. 1038051 ID: f373c9

>disappeared into thin air, taking clothing as well
Oh. I think Void Kin have fast travel(?)...

Very unfair (that you dont have any, at least) but also very neat too.

And yeah, do head back to town, see if you can learn how others get around the islands and if you can do it as well, maybe chat up the Titan.

Worst case locate a Plank of Unusual Length or similar to cross gaps?
>>
No. 1038072 ID: 762223

now would be a good time for tapping into Shroomish Power, we should head to town and see what we can do there, nap, and probably head to the king since we have to ask them just, so so many questions, ABout Void and about the god that let them in
>>
No. 1038086 ID: b01382

>>1038016
LOOT THE CAMP! FREE LOOT!
>>
No. 1038087 ID: 2aa5f0

look around the camp and see if anyone is still here. If so ask what that was all about, the disappearing voidkin thing. If no one is here... well grab anything that looks interesting or valuable since you're flat broke right now and some money to get supplies for any future tips will probably be helpful.
>>
No. 1038142 ID: 7b75ea

Regarding the mushroom question; I still don't think we should open up that kind of vulnerability. It could be useful in the short term, but I get the feeling it will really bite us in the long term.
>>
No. 1038169 ID: 8a4b6e

Look around to see if there's anything you can take with you.
>>
No. 1038224 ID: cd48aa

I really don't think we should steal from the Voidkin, since currently we're on friendly terms and we definitely need to visit the Void King at some point.

And I say mushrooms good. And not just because of the cuteness/fashion factor. The mushrooms would basically be a new friend, which we could always use. Plus more eyes. But also if the Void King wants to meet us he might need help, or we may have to fight him. Either way, being stronger than the Grand Slime was when he easily killed them is probably a good idea, and the mushrooms would boost our defense. Plus the mushrooms were able to mess up the Void, so we probably don't have to worry about thd Voidkin compromising them and they may actually provide bonus resistance in case anything Void-y tries to use the broken sword against us.
>>
No. 1038800 ID: 4ef090
File 165844026122.png - (11.91KB , 500x500 , 315.png )
1038800

You poke your head into the tent nearby. It happens to be the only tent left behind. Maybe you can find some clues about the voidkin in there, or maybe some leads on your own quest.

There’s not really much to speak of in here. A plain blanket on the ground, and a chest of wood and iron.
>>
No. 1038801 ID: 4ef090
File 165844026597.png - (17.45KB , 500x500 , 316.png )
1038801

You open the chest. Inside you find:
Several red cloaks
stacks of journals and letters
A void-black dagger with red cloth wrapped around the hilt
A pendant with the voidking’s symbol
A map

Mirrow
&& Vuota probably wouldn’t mind if we helped ourselves to some of this &&

Humphrey
## I don’t know, it’s not ours to take ##

Mirrow
&& They wouldn’t have left it behind if they wanted to keep it &&
>>
No. 1038802 ID: 4ef090
File 165844026987.png - (13.75KB , 500x500 , 317.png )
1038802

You flip through the journals and letters while Humphrey and Mirrow argue. The penmanship is incredible, but you can’t read the language. No pictures, just notes it seems. You put them back.
>>
No. 1038803 ID: 4ef090
File 165844027254.png - (12.36KB , 500x500 , 318.png )
1038803

The dagger looks neat. The blade floats disconnected from the handle, but moves like a solid piece as you inspect it. It hardly weighs anything. It’s double edged, and incredibly sharp. You slip it into your inventory.
>>
No. 1038804 ID: 4ef090
File 165844027670.png - (11.50KB , 500x500 , 319.png )
1038804

The pendant is also black. The icon of the Voidking is seared into the face of it in that same red. It seems like it’s supposed to open, but you can’t pry it open. You slip it into your inventory.
>>
No. 1038805 ID: 4ef090
File 165844027982.png - (15.38KB , 500x500 , 320.png )
1038805

You pocket the map and close the chest. You’ll examine this in the morning when there’s more light.

Humphrey
## They’re gonna be mad at us for taking that stuff ##

“We’re not really stealing anything,” you say evasively, “We’re just... borrowing it. I’ll give it back if we ever meet Vuota again.”

Mirrow
&& yeah, we need it more than they do, especially that map &&

You leave the tent and head back towards the hive.
>>
No. 1038806 ID: 4ef090
File 165844028367.png - (35.32KB , 500x500 , 321.png )
1038806

You catch yourself staring up at the stars as you walk. You marvel at how incredibly serene it is. The cosmos seems so silent and still. You can recognize constellations you haven’t thought about for lifetimes. In spite of everything the stars are still here, shining their brightest.

Mirrow
&& I can’t believe the stars are still so bright… &&

Your eyes start watering.
>>
No. 1038807 ID: 4ef090
File 165844028628.png - (49.29KB , 500x500 , 322.png )
1038807

The hive is asleep when you arrive at it. Still as bright as it was before. It feels safe. It feels like home.

Mirrow
&& My hive is still here? After so long? &&

Large tears well up in your eyes.
>>
No. 1038808 ID: 4ef090
File 165844029085.png - (13.41KB , 500x500 , 323.png )
1038808

Humphrey guides you to the sleeping area again, and you nestle down in an unoccupied spot.

Mirrow
&& Can I be in front..? Just for a moment please &&
>>
No. 1038809 ID: 4ef090
File 165844029308.png - (16.89KB , 500x500 , 324.png )
1038809

You feel your mind shift as Mirrow takes your place. You and Humphrey watch silently as she starts to cry.
>>
No. 1038810 ID: 4ef090
File 165844029745.gif - (72.36KB , 500x500 , 325.gif )
1038810

Thick tears roll down her snout, dripping to the floor with tiny glittery plips. She grits her teeth and heaves as an intense cascade of emotions wracks her body. Eons of grief, old memories and feelings crash over her as she wails, yanking her ears, hands grasping and unclenching like they don’t know what to do.
>>
No. 1038811 ID: 4ef090
File 165844030243.png - (20.15KB , 500x500 , 326.png )
1038811

Several slimes wake up and wander near, unsure what’s going on or how to help. She reaches out and they crowd her as she tries desperately to hug each of them at once. Mirrow cries on and on, until she can’t anymore. Her bellowing moans soften into sniffles and shuddering gasps, and eventually, in a pile of caring strangers, the three of you pass out.
>>
No. 1038812 ID: 4ef090
File 165844030585.png - (4.71KB , 500x500 , 327.png )
1038812

You sleep peacefully with no dreams or nightmares.
>>
No. 1038813 ID: 4ef090
File 165844030938.png - (17.94KB , 500x500 , 328.png )
1038813

When you wake up, you’re in front again. And also in a pile of slimes.
>>
No. 1038814 ID: 4ef090
File 165844031401.png - (13.73KB , 500x500 , 329.png )
1038814

Your tail is a good bit bigger than you remember. Seems like the mass you sacrificed for Bramble has regrown. The slimes seem to like it!

(You're now as big as you can get with your cores, meaning your slime powers are bigger, better, and squishier.)
>>
No. 1038815 ID: 4ef090
File 165844031852.png - (7.30KB , 500x500 , 330.png )
1038815

You eat some of the mushrooms the hive dwellers bring you, and after Mirrow gives them several more hugs, you depart the hive.

“How are you doin, Mirrow?” you ask as you head back towards the petrified titan.

Mirrow
&& I’m doing ok. It’s just, a lot to take in. Everything is both exactly how I remember it, but also completely different &&

&& It feels like I don’t belong in the world, like it moved on without me &&

“Maybe, in a way I guess it did,” you say thoughtfully, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t belong here.”

## We still have a lot of work to do, a lot of places to look, and I’m sure we’ll find our place along the way. ##
>>
No. 1038816 ID: 4ef090
File 165844032385.png - (13.63KB , 500x500 , 331.png )
1038816

Speaking of…

You pull out the voidkin’s map and consult it for a moment. It looks similar to the one in the unicorn doctor’s house, albeit with much more detail, covered in notes and grids and such. Several locations are circled, most of them crossed out. Perhaps they didn’t find anything there.
>>
No. 1038817 ID: 4ef090
File 165844032960.png - (83.44KB , 1000x1000 , MAP.png )
1038817

You’re currently in the western quadrant of the map, the Hyther Region. It seems like just about every location in this region has been searched thoroughly by the voidkin. There’s a good number of circles in the Tue and Frow regions, north and south respectively, and only a handful of potential spots in the Yawn area to the east.

There don’t seem to be any notes around the large city in the center of the map, save one labeling it as the current location of the Voidking.

You identify the location of the snowy mountains and university mentioned by the doctor. The Snowloaf mountains are in the Tue region, and the slime university is in the Yawn region.

You need to decide on where you want to start searching next.

The unicorn doctor mentioned the Mines, the City, the Mountains and the University as strong possible locations to search. You’ve tackled the mines already, and judging by the marks on your map, there’s nothing else to be found in the Hyther region.

The Snowloaf Mountains are in the Tue region. You’ll need to take a train to get there, according to the map. To do that, you need to take the gondola near the doctor to get to the Grand Station.

The University is in the Yawn region. You can get to that by passing through Froasting, the big forest that covers most of the Frow region, and then riding a gondola to Yawn.

The Voidking is labeled to be in the City. You’re not sure what to make of them, but you’ll have to take the Threaded Bridge across the Crestal Sea to get there. The bridge starts at the Grand Station.
>>
No. 1038824 ID: 629f2e

Go for the mountains. If a part of you ended up there, that sounds like a harsher place to end up than a university. It'll be best to retrieve them first.

Plus, trains. I like trains.
>>
No. 1038827 ID: 7b75ea

>>1038824
Agreed. Part of me wants to meet up with the Void King soon while he's also on top of the city, but we should gather at least one more piece of us before we start coordinating.
>>
No. 1038829 ID: 279c23

Kind of want to hit the university. Lots of thing we don’t know about this world that we’ve woken up in so even if we don’t find anything their it would allow us to catch up on “current events”
>>
No. 1038839 ID: 15c72a

Mountains, because we can take the train back. If we go to the university, won't we have to walk through the forest to return? Bit annoying, that.

Will we need some cold weather gear?
>>
No. 1038846 ID: b71dce

Do you think you will always remain a fractured consciousness, or do you think eventually you will merge together into one?
>>
No. 1038852 ID: e6cc4c

I think we should meet up with the void king first, as we have multiple reason to do so: Coordination, asking what's up with Void and our new power, and making sure both sides are up to date with what's up with the Gods, though we may want to go to the college before that last one
>>
No. 1038854 ID: e6cc4c

Hmm, we should probably try to do the Forest and College in one trip once we get to it, since we have to go through one to get to the other
>>
No. 1038868 ID: cd48aa

Alright, definitely check with the Petrified Slime Titan and see if Godrender or the broken Slime Titan Core can do anything. If not, it's a good place to give the Slime Titan a proper burial of some sort.

As for where to go, I say forest and college first. The other two paths both explicitly start at Grand Station, so it would be silly to do the Mountains first when we'd have to leave that hub and trek all the way to and through the forest to hit the college and then go all the way back. Much better to do the one quest that doesn't involve the hub area of Grand Station first. And I really think we should save the city (and Void King) for last.

Plus the forest might be the "woods" that that goddess is associated with. If it is, then there's probably good info there.
>>
No. 1038875 ID: 73087f

>>1038868
oh, yeah, the Titan, AND the goddess... perhaps it is best if we try to help the Titan, go to the Mountains if we can't, and go to the Void king if we CAN to get some more information on the goddess, should they have any... likely saving those two areas for last
>>
No. 1038876 ID: 73087f

* saving the Forest/University for last
>>
No. 1038879 ID: 7faca4

(what specifically do you want to do at the petrified Titan? We'll go there before anything else, but I think I'm unclear on what the goal is.)
>>
No. 1038890 ID: cd48aa

>>1038879

What I can think of:
1) Most obviously see if Godrender can get any useful information out of it.
2) Check if there's any reaction from waving Godrender or the broken Slime Titan Core around near the orb.
3) See if Godrender has any ideas on how to help it. Maybe the broken Slime Titan Core can be used in some way?
4) If it can't be freed, see if there's a way to siphon off or be granted some of its power. Seems a shame to let it just slowly fade away.
5) If it can't be helped and is stuck petrified and constantly reliving the horrible pain of petrification, attempt a mercy killing.
6) I dunno, try to eat the orb I guess? See what happens.
7) If nothing happens with the broken Slime Titan Core, give it a proper burial under the Petrified Slime Titan. It's a good spot with an obvious marker and the spot can already be considered something at least roughly akin to a shrine or monument. Plus Mirrow could probably use the closer, and it might help a little with the Queen's guilt.
>>
No. 1038921 ID: 73087f

I figured our larger core would let as maintain a connection to the Titan core for longer, though it was also why I was pushing for the Mushrooms, as it would help with the titan.
Save the Titan... no matter what "Save" will have to be
>>
No. 1038980 ID: b01382

>>1038817
Before we go anywhere, lets get some practice done for the journey.
Practice some of the runes we've learned.
Get fighting tips from Godrender.
>>
No. 1039391 ID: 4ef090
File 165895014937.png - (13.42KB , 500x500 , 333.png )
1039391

Humphrey
## I don’t really want to go see the void king. They’re scary ##

“They didn’t seem scary in my dream tho,” you say, “they actually seemed kinda apologetic.”

## That’s just a dream tho, that doesn’t necessarily mean anything ##

“I suppose.. They did say to ‘find myself’, so, maybe we should focus on that first.”

Mirrow
&& What about the University? It would be a good way to catch up on all the time we’ve lost &&

Humphrey
## maybe… it’s kind of out of the way tho, and we’d have to go through the forest twice if we go there first. ##

“Maybe the mountains would be best to start with. There’s a…” you squint at the map, “a ‘train’? Is that… what is that?”

Humphrey
## Oh yeah, I’ve heard of it. People talk about it from time to time when they come through town. Apparently people are working on building a network of tracks to each major part of the world, and the train rides along those. ##

“Golly…”
>>
No. 1039393 ID: 4ef090
File 165895015296.png - (15.93KB , 500x500 , 334.png )
1039393

It’s decided! You’ll head to Snowloaf. But not before…

Humphrey
## oh no please don’t eat it or something weird ##

You approach the petrified titan a third time.

Godrender
$$ interesting – they never did manage to send up a beacon $$

“The past couple times I tried to connect to their core, I saw flashes of their death and then fell on the ground. But I was thinking, maybe if Mirrow could activate those mushrooms again, we might be able to get more info. If it doesn’t work, I’d want to give them a proper burial.”

Mirrow
&& I don’t know, are you sure? It probably is safe, but it might not be easy to reverse &&

Humphrey
## What about that ask rune Vuota taught us? That could be much safer than mushrooms ##

Gordender
$$ we are just – wildly curious to see what happens either way $$

How do you want to interface with the Titan? Please only choose one:

A - Mushroom Power
B - Ask Rune
C - Connect Godrender
D - Just like, touch it again
>>
No. 1039394 ID: 629f2e

A, use the power of Mushrooms!
>>
No. 1039396 ID: 60ab46

well, the most sensible option, sadly, is to use godrender, as "titan" to titan connection will probably be more stable than a rune you have never used before, using mushrooms just for this is a bit small(they can probably help you in the forest though), and touching it historically yeeted you
>>
No. 1039397 ID: f0bf00

hm, id go with B, option A could issues
>>
No. 1039398 ID: 60ab46

Also, voidkin seem pretty literal, and "Ask" seems momentary and "ask a question get a answer?", and I'm pretty sure you need more than that
>>
No. 1039399 ID: 15c72a

>>1039393
C.
>>
No. 1039402 ID: 7b75ea

C would be the least risky option, but let's go with B - for science!
>>
No. 1039405 ID: 4ef090

(You’re going to try casting Ask first, and if that doesn’t work you’ll try connecting Godrender to the core.)
>>
No. 1039417 ID: 4ef090
File 165896707277.png - (14.32KB , 500x500 , 335.png )
1039417

“Um.. I don’t know if I’m doing this right but, here goes..”

You pull on a thread from your cloak and wrap it around your finger. It begins to wave gently as though it were submerged in water.

You point at the core and with your wrapped finger, you draw the shape Vuota gave you for “Ask”. The thread leaves a vivid trail as you draw in the air, and as the shape completes, several inches of your cloak crackle and burn away.

You can feel a sort of link latch into place, connecting you with the core. You’re now able to ask it a question.
>>
No. 1039418 ID: 4ef090
File 165896707679.png - (14.39KB , 500x500 , 336.png )
1039418

“Hey, uh… how are you doin’?”

A weak, distorted voice answers you back.
?? not bad – could be worse i suppose – you turned out alright – so that is already the best news i have had in however long ??

Not what you expected. “I saw how you died. Can you tell me anything more about the void king?”

Titan
?? oh is that what it was called – sorry but no – i only know what you have seen ??

“You mean you haven’t seen the voidkin around in all the time you’ve been stuck here?”

Titan
?? i cannot even see you now – i have just been stuck here broken ??

“I have another titan here with me, if they touch your core can they talk to you?”

Titan
?? sure – worth a try – anything beats reliving my death ??
>>
No. 1039419 ID: 4ef090
File 165896707823.png - (14.85KB , 500x500 , 337.png )
1039419

You lay the tip of Godrender gently against the core. The moment the two touch you hear a rapid series of beeps, buzzes and clicks, almost mechanical sounds as they exchange information.

The noises cease as quickly as they started.

Titan
?? well is that not the most interesting turn of events then – thank you Godrender ??

?? i did not see where your pieces ran off to – however – perhaps we may yet help one another out ??

?? I was never able to call out to the goddess before i was destroyed – if you possess the ability to do so – please light my beacon so that I may reach out and gather information from the old titan network – i may be able to connect to her yet ??
>>
No. 1039420 ID: 15c72a

>>1039419
Huh? That's odd, wouldn't the information exchange have told them that all the titans are dead, and so is the goddess? Perhaps Godrender left some things out... best not to tell them.

Say you don't have that ability as far as you know, but if you ever get it, you'll be back to help them with it. Can they describe what the ability is, exactly? Is it a rune?
>>
No. 1039423 ID: b01382

>>1039419
Sure thing. Lets do that.
>>
No. 1039425 ID: 2aa5f0

sure... uh, how do we do that?
>>
No. 1039429 ID: 7a4584

We DO have a rune that was described as being a beacon >>1037202 , so like... draw it on the Titan? I assume Godrender knows a thing or two about this
>>
No. 1039430 ID: 7a4584

also, maybe ask If the titan want to come with you, since they are currently like, lacking both a body AND any senses
>>
No. 1039431 ID: 15c72a

>>1039429
Oh hey that's right. That's probably it then?
>>
No. 1039434 ID: 8d313d

Godrender? They're doing titan things. What do?
>>
No. 1039455 ID: cd48aa

I agree with trying to activate the beacon if at all possible, and asking the Titan if it wants to come with (if it somehow can? It's at least worth asking).

Also aak if there's anything we can do so it won't be stuck reliving its death, and if Slime Titans have any sort of funerary rites. And if not, if there's any use for a broken Slime Titan core.

I would also like to activate the Mushrooms. If we're able to, say, place one down and remain linked over large distances, it might be a good idea to put one here, both for possible communication with the Titan and just to watch over the settlement.

Oh, and ask them if they have a name. Just calling them "the petrified Slime Titan" is weird now that we're able to talk.

>>1039420
We don't know that *ALL* the Slime Titans are dead. There could be survivors hiding somewhere or in a Godrender-like condition. And even if they are all deaf, there are definitely more petrified ones, and if we get this one connected to the network, and then connect another, they could at least talk. Plus, one of the others may have already successfully lit its beacon.
>>
No. 1039936 ID: 4ef090
File 165956532833.png - (13.34KB , 500x500 , 338.png )
1039936

“I can give it a try,” you say. You recall the icon Soot referred to as a beacon. It’s different from either of the void runes, but it’s a single shape, so you think you can cast it the same way.
>>
No. 1039937 ID: 4ef090
File 165956533126.png - (17.13KB , 500x500 , 339.png )
1039937

You grab another thread, and carefully trace the pattern. As the trail completes, more of your cloak burns away, and-
>>
No. 1039938 ID: 4ef090
File 165956533581.png - (24.98KB , 500x500 , 340.png )
1039938

>>
No. 1039939 ID: 4ef090
File 165956533912.png - (16.93KB , 500x500 , 341.png )
1039939

>>
No. 1039940 ID: 4ef090
File 165956534437.png - (14.48KB , 500x500 , 342.png )
1039940

A brilliant, burning beam of red light pierces the heavens. You pick yourself up off the ground. Your cloak is more of a shawl now, but you can see it already beginning to knit itself back together, very very slowly. The vines that were previously covering the titan have burned completely away.

Titan
?? oh wow owowowowowowowowowowow ??

“Are you ok?”

Titan
?? that is a different kind of beacon than I was expecting – it did the trick tho – the network is still there – however I am not finding any other titans – or the goddess ??

?? well – I will maintain a look out – if you come across any other titans in a similar state to mine – please do ignite their beacons as well – i am certain we can be more helpful as a network than as individuals ??

“Is there anything we can do with Godrender’s old core? They said it’s inert, should be bury it or.. Something?”

Titan
?? hmm – if you knew any crystalmancy you might be able to turn it and godrender into any weapon you please ??

“Oh, I don’t think I can do that. I’ll just hold onto it for now.”

?? very well then ??

((You revived a Titan in the Hyther Region! On its own it's not much help, but if you can get more of them online you might activate ancient features and blessings. Keep an eye out!))
>>
No. 1039941 ID: 4ef090
File 165956534898.png - (61.95KB , 500x500 , 343.png )
1039941

You head for the gondola near the doctor. The lizard guard with the enormous hat is there along with a couple of voidkin, and a magnificently dressed slime.
>>
No. 1039942 ID: 4ef090
File 165956536171.png - (121.75KB , 500x500 , 344.png )
1039942

“YOU!!!” the well-dressed slime dashes up to you, excitement glowing in their face. “Did you see that incredible beam just now?? What an adventure!! Did you do that?? Tell me everything you know right now!!”
>>
No. 1039946 ID: 15c72a

>>1039942
Haha yeah okay buddy.
Introduce yourself, with all your names, and as a recovering, formerly shattered slime queen. Then go on to talk about your recent adventure in the mines.

Oh and we should probably ask those voidkin about Vuota's disappearance. Was that death, or something else?
>>
No. 1039948 ID: 2aa5f0

uh... could you kindly give your name first?
>>
No. 1039958 ID: d344dc

Heh heh!! They seem fun! Sure! Exchange names and tell them about the adventure. Perhaps ask them what information they know as well. Whether it's magic or other slimes with a misshapen core! Also. Since the cloak magically mends, pull off a little bit of thread and hand them it. (Yes, technically an autograph, soon to be adventurer, Queen!) We got a fan!
>>
No. 1039959 ID: 9a2966

Introduce yourself, but uh, keep at least a few secrets, like who you really are (as far as you know), the truth of Godkiller, how you're a knight of the dead goddess and-- uh, keep most secrets! But do introduce yourself! Politely!

I think it's obvious enough something happened and you were involved that you can admit to this slime adventurer (?) that you tried something with the help of your new blade, some red thread and a rune and somehow it all seems to have worked and the Titan's... awake? Sorta. Doesn't seem particularly mad about its situation either, so that's probably good.

Nod to the Void guard and the voidkin, apologize for the lightshow and poking their crusty old relic, but it seems to have turned out okay. Though... are they okay? Couple of their voidkin buddies did a vanishing trick on you yesterday, a guy that had been lost in the mushroom cave and Vuota. If they somehow know anything about that, you'd appreciate all they could tell, but understand if they can't or won't. There were also a bunch of belongings left back at Vuota's camp. Were those theirs?

(this is an opportunity to return the goods you 'borrowed' if they say yes and/or your conscience prickles)

If they're doubtful or dubious of your credentials, show them Vuota's note to you about magic and tell them he traded you those symbols for helping return the mushroom-infected voidkin to the fold. Do not go into the same amount of details of that encounter as you did with Vuota unless they seem very keen to know.

See, I have this weird feeling the more the voidkin figure out something of their true nature the more likely they are to get slurped back into space or wherever they go. Though maybe there are ways to mitigate that. Like wearing more red cloth or something, since that apparently helps them maintain their form.
>>
No. 1039960 ID: d344dc

Other than fame! Try to catch up to those voidkin, and ask them if they seen a missing voidkin (from the caves that you saved). I do recognize the little one! (And I think Humphrey would too!)
>>
No. 1039964 ID: e2a9eb

I don't see any reason to keep secrets, nothing to be gained, and nothing to be lost, either.
and also they can SEE YOUR CORE
So say yes, tell them YOUR Slime Quest (become whole after the very visible sword got stabbed into you ,and maybe figure out why, that hurt), and see if you can't get them to help
>>
No. 1039966 ID: e2a9eb

Also these voidkin are all over the place AND have various things to make runes with, get them to help with your brand-new SideQuest
>>
No. 1039975 ID: cd48aa

Well I'm glad that worked out.
-------
Might as well give the coat back to the doctor before you ride the gondola.

Also keep the mushroom spores safely stored for now, we don't want to accidentally spore the Voidkin.

And talk to this new slime friend. Also ask where they got all those clothes.
>>
No. 1039995 ID: 7b75ea

So... Note to self: Magic systems can absolutely be mixed (even if I'd hesitate to do so as our first option).

I'd regale this guy with tales of your quest to find your fragments, but not much else.
>>
No. 1040040 ID: b01382

>>1039942
Ey are you a part of us? I'm looking for all the pieces.
POP quiz. Lemme see your silly dance. I'll know if we used to be together by the way you dance.
>>
No. 1040057 ID: 8b544a

>>1039964
This

>>1040040
Not every slime we meet is secretly a part of us.
>>
No. 1040257 ID: b01382

Hey guys. When should we try messing around with the mushrooms?
>>
No. 1040261 ID: 0d74b4

This magic stuff seems worthwhile. We want more runes. Any worthwhile magic system would have a silliness rune! Try a dancing silhouette, a clown shoe, a pair of Groucho glasses... try brainstorming with your party, maybe they can think up other ideas while travelling...
>>
No. 1040526 ID: cd48aa

>>1040257
I'd say the next time we aren't in the presence of Voidkin (for safety purposes).
>>
No. 1040759 ID: 4ef090
File 166043356335.png - (104.27KB , 500x500 , 345.png )
1040759

“Oh, well, it’s kind of a long story..”

You briefly explain how you woke alone in the field, explored the mines, helped the bugs and fought the mushrooms. You talk about the medicine and the voidkin you fought, and how Vuota taught you a couple runes. The other two voidkin look over as they hear you say that.

“I figured out a way to speak with the Titan core. Seems like it’s still alive, and it asked me to ignite its beacon. So that’s what that was just now.”
>>
No. 1040760 ID: 4ef090
File 166043356864.png - (123.83KB , 500x500 , 346.png )
1040760

They are vibrating with excitement. “Golly!!! What an adventure!! And a mystery! I didn’t know you could mix runes like that… I must give that a try when I get the chance!”
>>
No. 1040761 ID: 4ef090
File 166043357525.png - (120.35KB , 500x500 , 347.png )
1040761

The lizard guard approaches you. “Hey. You said you found a voidkin infected with mushrooms down there, yeah?” You nod. “I need to know exactly what happened.” Their voice is more stern than you’ve heard it before.

You explain what happened. He seems to deflate as you recount the fight. “I guess you didn’t have a choice in the matter, huh… I was worried this would happen with us so far from the king,” He sighs, ”Well… alright… Thank you for telling me.”
>>
No. 1040762 ID: 4ef090
File 166043357982.png - (92.37KB , 500x500 , 348.png )
1040762

“I actually wanted to ask you about that,” you say as the other voidkin gather near, “Vuota disappeared too after I came back. What…. what was that?”

“Uncertain,” the taller one says, “It’s complicated, but the gist of it is… mm.. ‘vuota’ mentioned something called ‘lockstep’, right? We all abide by it, working together in a sort of rhythmic flow of consciousness. Sometimes a couple of us fall out of rhythm, and with nothing to guide them anymore, they just kinda start to go away.”
>>
No. 1040763 ID: 4ef090
File 166043358217.png - (101.33KB , 500x500 , 349.png )
1040763

“O-oh.. is that what’s happening to you right now?”

“Oh, this?” they gesture to the droplets floating softly off of them, “Nah, this is pretty normal for being this far away from the Voidking. It’ll clear up once we get within a closer range of them.”

“They’re not gone,” the headlamp voidkin pipes up, “but they’re also not here anymore. Don’t worry about it. As long as we can keep up with the Voidking, we’ll be safe.”

“And if you can’t?” you ask.

They both shrug. “Then we fall out of lockstep and vanish.”
>>
No. 1040765 ID: 042b35

Are... they sure that Vuota is okay..?

The way she vanished sounds pretty similar to what that looked like...
>>
No. 1040767 ID: 9a2966

Y'all live strange lives and it's weird you have each others' memories, but you guess also all sorts of convenient. Rather brave of them to wander so far from the void king's main presence, though.

(Have they clued in that it may be your shards they might be searching for?)

Ask the li'l excitable fella's name. And Hat Guard too, for that matter. You never did get a proper introduction. You're gonna be travelling to search for more, uh, slimeselves you guess, but... hm. Does travelling by this 'train' thing from Grand Station cost anything in particular?
>>
No. 1040769 ID: 15c72a

It sounds like those not in lockstep go somewhere else, but nobody knows where. I wonder, could it be the Goddess taking soldiers for her own?

Anyway, we're about done here, but maybe we can ask if they know more runes we can learn?
>>
No. 1040770 ID: cd48aa

Well first, properly introduce yourself to this new slime, and ask what their deal is.

Second, if there's still time, return the coat to the doctor since you no longer need it.

And third, ride the Gondola.
>>
No. 1040784 ID: cecb11

they way they describe it, A Voidkin that falls out of lockstep is still alive, but stop being like, all the way in this world/separate from the Void itself, see how much detail you can get from them and later get the rest from the Void-King

also ask what's up with the Void-King, why are they like that and how are the the source of the music
>>
No. 1040800 ID: c3c31e

>>1040760
Who's this little ragamuffins name? Do they want to join us on our quest for silly dances when no one is looking and excitment? We'll show you the ropes. We'll distract everyone, and they gotta show us their silly dance. The sillier the dance, the more points you earn.

>>1040763
Neat. Try grabbing at thr handle in you core again and see if you can understand this lockstep or "find our oen beat" thing he mentioned.
>>
No. 1040830 ID: 4ef090
File 166050871306.png - (65.32KB , 500x500 , 350.png )
1040830

You tell the others to wait up, and run over to the doctor’s house. You knock, but there’s no answer. You carefully fold up their cloak and lay it neatly in front of the door. It feels a little sad to be leaving it behind, especially with no note of thanks, but you don’t really need it anymore.
>>
No. 1040831 ID: 4ef090
File 166050871882.png - (68.38KB , 500x500 , 351.png )
1040831

The group of you clambers into the box and it begins to ascend the cables. Thick fluffy clouds drift lazily underneath you. Too thick to see beneath.

“So…”

“Hm?”

“The void king… tell me about them. I’m new to… everything, and I’m not sure what to think of them.” You decide to keep it to yourself that the void king is the one who murdered you, at least for now.

“They’re the center of our people,” says the taller one, leaning lazily against the side of the gondola, “The serene calm of the placid storm of void. The eye, if you will, or perhaps the heart. It’s difficult to compare it to terms that make sense to mortals.

“They give us purpose, a reason to exist. They lead and protect us. Without their guiding song, we would be hopelessly lost.”

“Are all voidkin connected to the king like you guys?” you ask.

“Not necessarily,” the headlamp void says, “Voidkin need a thing or idea to follow. A lot of us follow the voidking. Some of us find something else. Some find nothing and vanish.”

“Where do they go, if they’re not here?”

“Here, and also, not,” the taller one says unhelpfully, “They’ll drift in their own emptiness until they chance upon a purpose again.”

“That sounds pretty awful..”

“I wouldn’t know,” they shrug, “I’ve never been detached from a king.”

“What about the goddess? I heard the voidking was somehow involved with her death.”

They stare at you for a moment. “Gods don’t exist, what are you talking about?”

“Quit bugging them,” the guard snaps at you, and his hat falls over his face, “They don’t need you pestering them the whole way to the station.”
>>
No. 1040832 ID: 4ef090
File 166050872371.gif - (267.07KB , 500x500 , 352.gif )
1040832

You look over and see the eager slime doing a silly dance. They stop as soon as you see them, acting like they weren’t doing anything at all.

Humphrey
## masterful…. ##
>>
No. 1040833 ID: 9359ec

We must join the Fan Slime in the silly dance! Pronto!
>>
No. 1040834 ID: f0bf00

ok that does it, they must be some aspect of your former self. ask them about their past or the first thing they remember
>>
No. 1040839 ID: 042b35

Yeah, that silly dance seems awfully familiar.
>>
No. 1040840 ID: 10a040

Dance!
>>
No. 1040844 ID: 9a2966

>>1040832
Hah! Nice. So who are they? Not a local slime, surely. Not in those neat digs.
>>
No. 1040849 ID: 72ebc0

As you partake in silly dancing with the Slime Fan, do ask them if you can see their core? If it's broken like yours(?) Hopefully, we can come up with a good excuse. (Could be a fun roll too).
>>
No. 1040853 ID: 2b697f

>>1040832
I don't know seems we never lost our silly dancing abilities, probably not one of your missing parts they are too much like you. BUT DANCE WITH THEM
>>
No. 1040857 ID: 708905

>>1040832
Dance off time?
Dance off time!
>>
No. 1040859 ID: 7906fc

Whelp, time to demonstrate the power of Silly Dancing
try not to bring down the Gondola!
>>
No. 1040865 ID: ba605b

>>1040832
This QT is my new son, i love him. Her. Whatever.
LETS DANCE!
>>
No. 1040866 ID: cd48aa

>>1040834
Which part would they be? The head spikes/top ears/horns?
>>
No. 1040871 ID: 9ab9f7

Dance off, but not just any kind of dance off, a silly dance off! One where neither of you can dance when the other is looking.
>>
No. 1040923 ID: 2de4fd

They might be. They might not be. What's most important is that as soon as <i>they</i> stop looking at <i>you</i>, you gotta dance back.
>>
No. 1041009 ID: e51896

"oh! you wanna dance?"
proceed to dance
>>
No. 1041034 ID: 5d03a4

>>1040832
This is my new child.
>>
No. 1041084 ID: 4ef090
File 166077278078.gif - (626.27KB , 500x500 , 353.gif )
1041084

You start dancing in support of your new slime friend. They watch you for a moment and then join in. Your collaborative efforts earn you both 40 silly points.
You have one ticket and 45 points now.
>>
No. 1041085 ID: 4ef090
File 166077278717.png - (90.82KB , 500x500 , 354.png )
1041085

"So, what's your name? What are you headed to the station for?" you ask as your dance comes to an end.

"I'm Tricky! I've never been to the station, and I wanted to see if I could find adventure in the world! The station seemed like a good place to start."
>>
No. 1041086 ID: 4ef090
File 166077279134.png - (67.62KB , 500x500 , 355.png )
1041086

"Oh, how's that?"

"Not a lot of new people come to visit Hyther, but the ones that do have stories to tell. I've always been fascinated by their tales. I've lived there for probably a hundred or so years, and realized that nothing exciting is ever going to happen to me if I just stay put. So I worked hard and saved up to afford some traveling gear, and am determined to find some real adventure out there!
The station connects to every other part of the world, so if I start there I'll be spoiled for choice on where to start my journey." They finish their spiel with a glitter in their eyes.

"Golly, sounds like you're already well on your way!" you giggle. You can't help but be charmed by their enthusiasm.
>>
No. 1041087 ID: 4ef090
File 166077279474.png - (64.53KB , 500x500 , 356.png )
1041087

You pause for a moment, wondering if it would be rude to ask, but decide it would be best to find out for sure. "Hey, remember how I said I'm looking for more of my missing pieces? You wouldn't happen to be one of them would you?"
>>
No. 1041088 ID: 4ef090
File 166077279823.png - (81.05KB , 500x500 , 357.png )
1041088

They stare at you, a faint blush emerging on their face. "O-oh, w-well I... I don't think I'm the one you're looking for. You seem very nice tho, m-maybe if we get to know each other better first?"
>>
No. 1041089 ID: 4ef090
File 166077280289.png - (69.45KB , 500x500 , 358.png )
1041089

"A-ah." you blush a little too, "Yeah, I guess so, maybe. Thanks anyway!" It doesn't seem like they understood what you meant, and probably aren't one of your fragmented cores. Also you think maybe you just agreed to a date with Tricky sometime in the future??
>>
No. 1041090 ID: 4ef090
File 166077280644.png - (78.94KB , 500x500 , 359.png )
1041090

You can see a massive chunk of the world emerge through the clouds as your little box in the sky draws closer to it. You'll arrive soon, is there anything else you'd like to talk about with anyone in the gondola before you disembark?
>>
No. 1041091 ID: 9a2966

>>1041090
Lizard guard. Ask about his name, how'd he get a job with the Void Guard, what's the city like, that sorta stuff. He said not to bother the voidkin, after all - that means we can bother him!
>>
No. 1041095 ID: cd48aa

Suggest that the lizard guard should put some padding on the inside of that hat so it will stop sliding down.
>>
No. 1041099 ID: b01382

>>1041088
>>1041089
dddaaaawwww. that. is. so. PRECIOUS!
>>
No. 1041115 ID: 7906fc

I mean, a date ain't a BAD thing, though it seems we keep stumbling head first into them
Lizardman seemed somehow sad Vuota disappeared like that, or that the voidkin fought you, you should ask about that, while you can
>>
No. 1041186 ID: 2aa5f0

>It doesn't seem like they understood what you meant, and probably aren't one of your fragmented cores. Also you think maybe you just agreed to a date with Tricky sometime in the future??
Task failed successfully?

either way I guess you could ask the others in the box if they know anything about what the area on the other side of this ride is like.
>>
No. 1041198 ID: 8483cf

Ask about the local food!
>>
No. 1041214 ID: 6e862c

Ask the lizard about how their hat seems to fit them better. Were they able to get one more in their size?
>>
No. 1041306 ID: d5b762

Humphrey demonstrated insufficient silliness. I fear it is a lost cause, and the only solution is straight-man training...
>>
No. 1041319 ID: 66f0f9

>Also you think maybe you just agreed to a date with Tricky sometime in the future??
Good for you! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful date!
>>
No. 1041721 ID: 4ef090
File 166138427329.png - (71.96KB , 500x500 , 360.png )
1041721

You move over to the guard. They're tapping away at some sort of notebook. "What," he says without looking up.

"You still having trouble with the hat?"
>>
No. 1041722 ID: 4ef090
File 166138427780.png - (68.89KB , 500x500 , 361.png )
1041722

"Yeah." The hat drops over his face.

Mirrow
&& yeesh, what's this guy's problem &&
>>
No. 1041723 ID: 4ef090
File 166138428213.png - (143.25KB , 500x500 , 362.png )
1041723

"Why don't you ask for a better fitting hat?"

"I've tried, but it seems like it's a one size fits all kinda thing. It's ridiculous." He takes the hat off and tucks it under his arm, pocketing the notebook.

"How did you end up in the void guard anyway?"

"I needed a job, and the king was looking for new recruits, so I joined up. It's not really that exciting. I basically just kinda babysit them while they travel around."
>>
No. 1041724 ID: 4ef090
File 166138428673.png - (86.75KB , 500x500 , 363.png )
1041724

"What's the void king like?"

He shrugs. "I've never actually met them. In fact, nobody really gets to see them. The voidkin talk to them all day long, but that's more because they're all a hive mind, and less because they're being sociable."

"You seem pretty upset about Vuota and the other in the mine vanishing, did you know them well?"

"Yeah, kinda," he sighs, "But that's how it is with voidkin I guess. They come and they go and they come back. Or they don't. And then you just gotta move on without em."

The two of you are silent for a bit.
>>
No. 1041725 ID: 4ef090
File 166138429125.png - (97.66KB , 500x500 , 364.png )
1041725

"What's the town up ahead like?"

"You've never been to the Station? It's pretty neat. There's the train, all kinds of shops, inns, restaurants, you name it. And people from all over the world come to sightsee and shop. It's almost as busy as the city sometimes."

"Sounds exciting! Any recommendations?"

"Hmm, lemme think.. Oh, you probably don't have a spellphone, do you?" The gondola stops at the edge of the world and you all clamber out and onto stable ground. You can see several buildings, some new, some old, and dozens, no, hundreds of people moving around them.

"Spellwhat? No, I don't think so?"
>>
No. 1041726 ID: 4ef090
File 166138429699.png - (130.38KB , 500x500 , 365.png )
1041726

"This thing," he pulls the notebook back out of his pocket, and you can see now that it's actually a sort of smooth crystal slate that's cut to look like the cover of a small book, "It's called a Spellphone. It has a little slime inside that can keep track of information and send messages to other people. You should get one if you're gonna wander around the world. I'd check out the Honeyhive for that. It's a famous shop for slime folk, you could probably trade some stuff and get a cheap phone there.
>>
No. 1041727 ID: 4ef090
File 166138430093.png - (97.28KB , 500x500 , 366.png )
1041727

"There's also the Crystal Smith, they do weapons and stuff. Might be able to buff out some of the scratches and nicks on your big uh... sword.. thing..?"

Godrender
$$ it has been a bit since we were polished $$

"The Train Station should be running by now, they just finished laying down tracks into the Bonelands up in the Tueyawn area. You could go there or to Snowloaf. Uhh, there's the post office, the food market, there's like a hundred great restaurants," he shrugs, "whatever, you'll find something to do, it's a big town. I gotta get these guys across the bridge to reconnect with the king."
>>
No. 1041729 ID: 6e862c

What if the slime in the Spellphone we're going to get is one of our missing cores??? We have no choice but to rush and get one! No, I am *NOT* making an excuse for us to get a Spellphone just because they look awesome!
>>
No. 1041730 ID: 4ef090

((While shopping around town, you can collectively vote on the kind of thing you want to get up to and we'll find a place to do it. We only need to get on the train, but since we're here it wouldn't hurt to look around!))
>>
No. 1041732 ID: e230a0

Spellphone sounds useful, we can use it to keep track of places we've been to before like the mine, it would be nice to know how the bugkin (and slime-bugkin) are doing.
and all that's not mentioning that we get to check out HoneyHive, and figure out what it is!
>>
No. 1041736 ID: 2de4fd

Having a spellphone seems like a good idea, but you should also check out how they're being made, that sounds neat! Definitely get godrender a polish, maybe shop for CUTE CLOTHING too just because that's an option, ask the others if they wanna pick out some outfits too!
>>
No. 1041758 ID: 2aa5f0

I feel we should stop at the crystal smith. I mean your sword has been trapped in that mine as long as your dragon core self, might as well let them have a little R&R for the first time in who knows how long.
>>
No. 1041779 ID: 9681ef

A polishing sounds like a good idea; godrender probably deserves some attention and care.

The spellphone sounds very useful and a good tool to have. I just have a nagging feeling that being a person stuck in a box to do menial tasks for someone for their lifetime sounds… not great…
>>
No. 1041780 ID: cd48aa

Alright, obviously we should get a spell phone and in general check out Honeyhive. Also get Godrender polished. And maybe see if the crystal smith can do anything to modify Godrender using the broken Slime Titan Core. (Maybe add a second handle for two handed use or even a shaft for use as a pole arm?)

As for what else to do, I think first we should try the mushroom thing. That way we can accessorize properly.

I'd also suggest getting some basic supplies/equipment like rope, a grappling hook to attach to the rope, or some third non-rope-related thing. Also maybe some slightly more protective clothing, like gloves or boots or a shirt that we don't have to unweave for magic. Although we'd probably want to account for our future growth and its effects on clothing fit.

=======
Also, that hat isn't that difficult to fix. Honestly I think the guard is either very lazy, very uncreative, or completely unaware of both the concept of sewing and the concept of KerPlunk®.
>>
No. 1041795 ID: 9a2966

Back to the whole 'money' issue - what's it take to get all these cool services?
>>
No. 1041796 ID: a9af05

>>1041795
Good question. I'd also like to know how we're going to afford any of this stuff?
>>
No. 1041825 ID: 2a3927

>>1041780
This
>>
No. 1041834 ID: 4ef090

((While you decide on what to do in town first:
Mushrooms, Yes or No?
https://strawpoll.com/polls/w4nWDw3ldgA[/b]
))
>>
No. 1041842 ID: cd48aa

>>1041834
Link's broke. Correct version: https://strawpoll.com/polls/w4nWDw3ldgA
=======
Also I really think we should all vote yes. It's not putting of the decision any longer. And one option means we lose some possibility space permanently.
>>
No. 1041844 ID: 2de4fd

Aaaa mushrooms are creepy though D: Did you know some of them are so similar to humans you can't eat them because your immune system freaks out?? They're scary!!
>>
No. 1041870 ID: b01382
File 166149816604.jpg - (647.71KB , 977x1265 , 165829493516.jpg )
1041870

>>1041730
>shopping
.......WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY AAAAHHHH!
>PANICPANICPANICPANIC!
OH MY GOD WE SHOULD HAD GRABBED SOME CRYSTALS FROM THE CAVE TO SELL AAAHHHH! How will we ever afford phone!?

>>1041780
I got some idea of adding a long two hander handle to the base of godrender, instead of having the handing in the blade. Then we could like, I dunno attach the titan core to the base of the handle like a pommel so they're connected?

I liked Sofia's idea from their thread. Gotta get us a banger hat.
>>
No. 1041872 ID: cd48aa

>>1041870
We should also keep the in-blade handle, for versatility if nothing else. Also, I was thinking we could maybe have Godrender's blade at the end of a pole so we could use Godrender as something akin to a glaive/guandao/naginata/sovnya/woldo. With the handle still in the blade we would have good control if using it as a sword, though a shaft could get in the way. Perhaps if the shaft could be disconnected? As for the other end, I was thinking something like a simple spike or spear tip, or maybe something fancier.
Of course, that's all assuming the Crystal Smith can do anything more than polish. Which reminds me: While in town we should check to see if there's some kind of mage's guild or something. Maybe we could find some more runes or learn/learn about Crystalmancy. Maybe see if there are any other magic systems we might be able to use.
And all of that reminds me that we should check to see if there are any petrified Slime Titans we could light the beacons of around. Maybe ask around for any Slime Titan, Grand Slime, or Goddess-related rumors.
And *THAT* reminds me that there's a big Point of Interest on the Voidkin map just north of the Grand Station, across a bridge. Maybe we should check that out before we take the train?
>>
No. 1042369 ID: 4ef090
File 166198802128.png - (96.85KB , 500x500 , 367.png )
1042369

"I'm going to go look for a bulletin board," Tricky pipes up eagerly, "There are probably exciting jobs to follow up on, so I'll catch you later! Good luck with your slimes quest!" They head off into town, followed by the guard and voidkin.

You trot after them, feeling the warmth of the early afternoon sun beating on your slime flesh.  

Mirrow
&& I completely forgot what sun feels like &&

Humphrey
## what do you think? ##

Mirrow
&& Makes me feel queasy for some reason. Let's go find some shade quick &&
>>
No. 1042370 ID: 4ef090
File 166198802550.png - (115.03KB , 500x500 , 368.png )
1042370

You also feel a little nauseous as the heat builds up in your body. Or, maybe nauseous isn't the right word. Loose? Less solid? 
You realize suddenly that the heat is causing your flesh to flow more easily. You've spent so much time in the cool morning, the chill nights and the dark caves that you haven't had a chance to experience heat yet.  You're not melting exactly, just runnier. It doesn't seem to affect any of your abilities, you're just slimier when warm. Neat!

Humphrey
## I wanna go check out the HoneyHive! Such a famous slime shop might know a thing or two about us! Plus we should try to get one of those crystal spell books that guard told us about.

Godrender
$$ we would like to be polished and repaired – perhaps the crystal smith would even find a use for the core $$

Mirrow
&& you just wanna look pretty and shiny, nerd &&

Godrender
$$ ... it would be nice… $$

"Let's start with the HoneyHive, and then go check out the smith.  If we find something else exciting, I'm sure we can go check it out."  You press your hand against your chest, feeling the hard core under the surface, "If they've waited this long, our pieces can wait just a little bit longer."
>>
No. 1042371 ID: 4ef090
File 166198803037.png - (142.01KB , 600x400 , 369.png )
1042371

You enter the town.  

Humphrey
## wh-whoah.. there's a lot of people here.. ##

Crowds of people walk about, some rushing by, some stopping to chat with friends, all milling about purposefully.  Slimes, cats, voidkin, several humans, strange creatures with large eyes.  Several pop up shops, tents, booths and wagons loaded with various goods and trinkets fill the town center.  Tall buildings, inns, larger shops and homes fill the skyline.
>>
No. 1042372 ID: 4ef090
File 166198803401.png - (99.41KB , 500x500 , 370.png )
1042372

"E-excuse me," you stop one of the cats as they rush by, "we're looking for the HoneyHive, can you point us to it?"

They glance from the direction you came and back at you, two of their four eyes looking at you.  "Oh, Hytherfolk, neat!  Not many of you slimes end up coming this way.  Yeah, it's like, go down that way, can't miss it.  Big purple crystal building.  Welcome to town!"
>>
No. 1042373 ID: 4ef090
File 166198803768.png - (70.68KB , 400x600 , 371.png )
1042373

They run off, and you follow their directions, coming to large crystal structure.  It's shaped similar to the unicorn doctor's tower, tho it's not as straight.  A wooden sign hanging above the door reads "Candyfloss' HoneyHive".
>>
No. 1042374 ID: 4ef090
File 166198804124.png - (208.40KB , 500x500 , 372.png )
1042374

You enter the shop.  It's brightly lit inside, several hanging lanterns illuminating the space with a soft pink light.  Large shelves and tables line the wall, all stacked with books, crystals, wands, hats and cloaks, and other strange devices and materials.

"Does any of this stuff look like slime... stuff?"

Humphrey
## Honey slimes and magic go hand in hand.  I don't know much of anything about it, but I know it's a really big deal to them. ##
>>
No. 1042375 ID: 4ef090
File 166198804628.png - (135.03KB , 500x500 , 373.png )
1042375

A glowing yellow slime in a purple cape pops up next to you with a puff of pink smoke.  "Welcome friends!! Thou'rt finding everything alright?"
>>
No. 1042376 ID: 4ef090
File 166198804970.gif - (86.65KB , 500x500 , 374.gif )
1042376

"Oh, I uh, I'm not sure actually what it is I'm looking for," you stammer, "Everything here is so strange."

"A fledgling mage," she cups her face in excitement, "how sweet! How long hast thou yearned to channel the sweetest nectar of Candyfloss?"

"P-pardon??" 
>>
No. 1042377 ID: 4ef090
File 166198805408.png - (82.27KB , 500x500 , 375.png )
1042377

"Ah, p'raps… thou'rt so freshly spawn'd, thou know'st not even of Candyfloss?" she laughs, "Aye, thou'rt quite confused, I see it now.  Garbed in that atrocious hue even, I s'pose a darkling void hath shared its knowledge with thee anon?"

"I don't understand anything you're saying.."
>>
No. 1042378 ID: 4ef090
File 166198805924.png - (89.79KB , 500x500 , 376.png )
1042378

Mirrow
&& Ask her about the phone thingy! &&

"S-sorry, I'm just, overwhelmed.  I was actually looking for a thing called a 'spellphone'?  A friend told me about them."

Humphrey
## I didn't think we were friends… he didn't seem fond of us ##

Mirrow
&& nah he was definitely warming up to us &&

"Thou hasn't even a spellphone?  Thou'rt truly lost, and art fortunate to have stumbled blindly into mine shop."
>>
No. 1042379 ID: 4ef090
File 166198806736.png - (92.95KB , 500x500 , 377.png )
1042379

She claps her hands together and explodes into more pink smoke, reappearing with another cloud of it behind the counter.
>>
No. 1042380 ID: 4ef090
File 166198809634.png - (114.96KB , 500x500 , 378.png )
1042380

"What colour dost thou favor?"

(what is Slime Queen's favorite color?)
>>
No. 1042382 ID: 6fde29

Silver or dark blue!
>>
No. 1042383 ID: 899c9f

Royal purple!
>>
No. 1042384 ID: 708905

>>1042380
Neon pink
>>
No. 1042387 ID: b151de

Perhaps a neon blue or red of sorts can be neat! A bright green can look good too. And remembering those charms the lizard had, ask if they do custom charms? I think the Titan Core would be a great test subject for a phone charm.
>>
No. 1042388 ID: 6e862c

Cyan!
>>
No. 1042399 ID: 7576ad

Royal purple is nice... but it is always nicer in the form of large, friendly spots, on a neon-pink background!
>>
No. 1042412 ID: 90c451

A dark calming blue, like the ocean. But also for color contrast against all this voidkin red.
>>
No. 1042416 ID: 60dc15

>>1042388
Sorry guys, Cyan it must be!

This shop seems cool.
>>
No. 1042417 ID: ae4094

royal purple
>>
No. 1042422 ID: bbb04b

Hmm... We're usually depicted as white, but I believe our actual color (when shown) is a sort of cobalt, right? Our robe's color could be mistaken for crimson in some lighting, but I believe it is demonstrably red at the end of the day, right? If we want our favorite to conveniently be a compliment to the two (which they already happen to be with each other), we could go with cobalt's other compliment, yellow, or red's other compliment, turquoise.

Gonna go for the dark horse and vote for yellow because Humphrey's our friend who(se body) we remember fondly, and because our design is mostly cobalt. (Though turquoise would be closer to the cyan votes that have been proposed.)

"Is there something wrong with void magic? I know from experience that it and traditional magic aren't mutually exclusive, per se, so at least I'm not locking myself out of anything, right?"
>>
No. 1042440 ID: cd48aa

>>1042422
I think the Queen's yellow? It's really hard to tell.

Regardless, I'd say go with blue or purple-like color. Maybe royal purple or maybe dark blue would work.
I'm also casting a vote for "not neon".
>>
No. 1042441 ID: ffc1e1

well with our color being ??? a nice neutral color would do well

BUT THAT'S LAME, RED TO GO WITH OUR STUFF
>>
No. 1042451 ID: 15c72a

>>1042380
Red
>>
No. 1042461 ID: 2aa5f0

white, black, or a combination of the two. That why the phone works in all panels, even the monochrome ones.
>>
No. 1042466 ID: 53560f

Hopefully not all wizards are this weird and condescending.
Royal blue, or any other colour that is royal for obvious reasons.
>>
No. 1042477 ID: 2de4fd

Black n' white! Can't go wrong with those cookies and cream.
>>
No. 1042487 ID: cd48aa

>>1042466
Royal Azure, Royal Blue (Dark), Royal Blue (Light), Royal Brown, Royal Fuchsia, Royal Green, Royal Orange, Royal Red (Dark), Royal Red (Light), Royal Purple, and Royal Yellow. There's also Queen Blue, Queen Pink, Duke Blue, and Imperial Red. So, a lot of options for pallet even if we want to limit it to "royal" colors.
>>
No. 1042488 ID: 30a1cc

>>1042380
Blue
>>
No. 1042490 ID: ffc1e1

ALSO HEY, HoneyHive-mage-person seems like a good person to ask about the other Runes we know and have no idea what they do
>>
No. 1042562 ID: ffc1e1

>>1042441 think I'll change my vote to Tourquise, I nice compliment AND very good color
>>
No. 1042563 ID: d12415

>>1042380
Seems like it must be Cyan with a White and Black diamond pattern on the back, as depicted here:
>>1041870
This is what I am voting for.
>>
No. 1042572 ID: 4ef090
File 166209804406.png - (79.93KB , 500x500 , 379.png )
1042572

"How about uhhh, blue?"

"Mmmhm, pr'aps a lovely cyan to compliment thine red garments? Thou can always purchase a different case later if thou tires of the colour. "

"Ooh, sure!"

She jots down some notes, taking several pauses to look you over, like she's measuring you with her eyes. "Um, so, is void magic.. bad?"

She laughs. "Forgive my comments. I shan't pretend to be terribly fond of the void or it's strange magics. I find them... mm... clinical? Straightforward. Dull, even. However, even I can admit it hath a strange allure, and after all, magic is magic no matter which way thou slices it. Candyfloss herself wouldst chide me most royally for dismissing it outright."

"I only just woke up like, two days ago, so I don't really know much of anything about any of this."

She writes some more notes and then looks at you. "I wouldst be thrilled to educate thee in brief on whichever school thou wishes to pursue," she slides the paper over to you, "Have a look at this and let me know if thou hast any questions. We want to make sure thou picks the perfect tool to aid thine magical journey."

The paper has a few neat doodles and lines of text. There are three options to pick from, a "Crystal Core", a "Thread Core", and a "Snail Core".

A. Crystal Core - a fun-loving bright and resonant core
(slime runes use less honey, and honey regenerates more quickly. Connects with crystal network)

B. Thread Core - a no-nonsense analytical and intelligent core
(void runes use less thread, and thread regenerates more quickly. Connects with void network)

C. Snail Core - a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none kind of core
(mixed runes are more efficient, but does not enhance regeneration. Connects with both networks slowly)

((you can ask more questions before making a final decision, all votes before and after will be taken into consideration))
>>
No. 1042574 ID: a7e3a3

Could we know more about the differences between slime and void magic? what are mixed runes? and oh! who is Candyfloss?
>>
No. 1042575 ID: cd48aa

I'm thinking of voting Snail Core, better to not get locked out of anything.
But first, what kind of personality would the Snail Core have?
And for some reason I'm wondering if Slimes can get piercings and what that would look like. Regardless, ask what other sort of stuff is available to buy here.
>>
No. 1042576 ID: cd48aa

I'm thinking of voting Snail Core, better to not get locked out of anything.
But first, what kind of personality would the Snail Core have?
And for some reason I'm wondering if Slimes can get piercings and what that would look like. Regardless, ask what other sort of stuff is available to buy here.
>>
No. 1042577 ID: 6e8309

I think we technically are already connected to the void network due the void blade in our core, however, the thread core (my primary vote) could help us amplify that connection. It will be a good idea as well, to do the snail core instead since we can likely contact some of the characters we already met if their attuned to that, since I doubt not all of them are exactly void connected.
>>
No. 1042578 ID: 15c72a

>>1042572
Snail! Let's bridge the networks!
>>
No. 1042580 ID: 515982

Snail.
>>
No. 1042583 ID: 6fde29

I'm interested in further mixing with the void with that sword in our core, Thread.
>>
No. 1042585 ID: 2aa5f0

well we're actually much older than we look, so let's go for the snail core since it will still be much quicker then anything we've ever used before.
>>
No. 1042591 ID: bbb04b

If I'm right, regeneration doesn't matter much in the heat of the moment. Effectively combining our disparate mana pools and spell libraries will allow us to pop off harder against someone who deserves it, even if we need to be cautious about picking our battles. Plus, being able to access both networks is a good boon, even if our phone will chug at dialing up. All of this goes double for if we pick up any other schools of magic. Snail Core.

Plus, it'll be essential if this works the way I think it does:
> "If this body happened to be hosting multiple cores, could each of them specialize in a different direction?"
If so, I could easily see Humphrey speccing solely into crystal-school magic. Mirrow doesn't seem the type to want to align herself with the Void, though - she'll probably focus more on her connection with the Titan and its affinity for the blade than magic, to begin with. (Wait, were the mushrooms crystal magic, or something unique to a Titan Core if there is a distinction? She could spec towards that if so.) Anyway, if our cores want to all go in different directions, I imagine that Snail Core is vital for maintaining a halfway decent connection with all of them. (Yeah, getting the benefits of multiple core schools feels like cheating, but I feel like having separate cores sharing one body should allow us to get up to some kind of protagonist-tier nonsense.)

>>1042576
I imagine it's a more moderate middle-ground between the two extremes; cheerful, empathetic, and content, but calm and measured, perhaps a bit wistful, and always curious (likely being the one quality both schools have in spades).

Also, just one more curiosity: "Am I right to guess that there're more channeling methods than just these two, and they're just the ones that slimes have the easiest access to?" I can see Void magic being the sort that anyone can learn, while the honey crystal method is slime-specific; other peoples probably have unique options of their own.
>>
No. 1042611 ID: d12415

I am voting Snail, but
>>1042591
wouldn't having different specializations also sort of mean we will never fully coalesce into the single consciousness we once were? Is that what we want?
>>
No. 1042618 ID: 726f7c

>>1042572
C. Snail Core
>>
No. 1042625 ID: b01382

>>1042572
I'm voting Crystal just so we can expand more on slime magic.
>>
No. 1042642 ID: a9af05

>>1042625
I agree, let's get the crystal core.
>>
No. 1042643 ID: ffc1e1

Mixed Runes, Huh? well if I had to guess, mixing powers lead to them being greater. SNAIL
>>
No. 1042644 ID: ffc1e1

We should like, ask about slime magic, we know even less about it than we do Void magic, which is ALSO nothing
>>
No. 1042648 ID: 9a2966

Snail Core. We seem to be in a bit of a mix ourselves, so let's mix it up!
>>
No. 1042650 ID: e590e5

One Question: Can we buy another phone?
>>
No. 1042659 ID: ba605b

>>1042572
GO Crystals or go HOME. We know little in the ways of slime honey, and we can easily get more void related stuff. We did keep the void stuff we found at the camp right? We could just stitch it all together to make a larger cloak, ergo more string we can use.
If void kin cloaks regenerate, and we stitch 4 of them together, do they regenerate 4x as fast, or normally?
>>
No. 1042683 ID: cd48aa

I figure that everyone who wants Thread would prefer Snail to Crystal and everyone who wants Crystal would prefer Snail to Thread, so that makes Snail a good compromise, I think.
Personally, I say Snail, but if not Snail I'd prefer Crystal since we already have a few void items, but this is the first we're learning about Slime Magic. And because it has a better personality.
But yeah, SNAIL.

>>1042591
I think you're probably right about the personality. I disagree with each part of the Queen specializing differently though. We don't have three cores, we have less than one core.
>>
No. 1042686 ID: 2de4fd

Snail mail.
>>
No. 1042711 ID: ffc1e1

Thinking about the upsides and downsides, I think the Snail core not having a regen bonus does not matter as much, as BOTH magic-sources have their own regen, Mixed runes, while I know nothing about them I IMAGINE to be more difficult/awesome, and if we REALLY REALLY NEED aa fast connection to either network, we can use the Void Sword or God-Render
>>
No. 1042719 ID: f8cd25

>>1042711
I think you have definitely solidified my choice to Snail over Thread. Good thought!
>>
No. 1042725 ID: e59c20

Could we add some nonsense to the thread core by pulling the thread tight and plucking it as accompaniment to shanties and ballads?
>>
No. 1042741 ID: 16169e

snail core. but also ask for recommendation for equipment/magic upgrades that are separate from the core to improved yourself so to help with the short comings of it or even increased the efficiency of the core even if it temporary. also ask for pictures and details of all cores so you can look it up later for reference and compare it to other people choice in cores. it not try to comment it to memory.
>>
No. 1042821 ID: cb3781

Snails. We're already committed to void, but getting weird vibes on that that tell me we shouldn't go all in there.

Gotta rep our fellow slimes, too
>>
No. 1043263 ID: 4ef090
File 166269616470.png - (77.26KB , 500x500 , 380.png )
1043263

"I like the sound of the snail core, I think I'd like to get that," you say as you hand the paper back to her.

"Excellent choice! A snail core may be slow, but tis certainly reliable." She pulls a small kit from under the counter filled with intricate slabs and gadgets you don't recognize and begins to work on building your new phone.
>>
No. 1043264 ID: 4ef090
File 166269616879.png - (79.39KB , 500x500 , 381.png )
1043264

"I'm new to all this, so pardon my ignorance, but what's the difference between void and slime magic?"

"Slime magic cometh from the fount of oneself," she says as she lays two crystal slates on the counter and begins to screw them together, "That is to say, thine crystal core taketh a portion of its energy and channels it through thine flesh, or 'Honey', to produce an effect. This tires the core and sacrifices the honey, but time heals all wounds, and one can grow stronger from practice," she eyes your big tail, "Thou hast an ample supply of honey already, it seems."
>>
No. 1043265 ID: 4ef090
File 166269617133.png - (62.03KB , 500x500 , 382.png )
1043265

"Void magic," she continues, "is complicated in its simplicity. It cometh from delicate patterns which guide the formless void to produce a shape or effect. The voidkin hath special fabrics which they use to form these patterns. Anyone can use it, which maketh it a popular choice for aspiring mages, since thou need only memorize a rune and draw it cleanly enough with that sacred thread to harness its effect. The thread is sacrificed, and the void is given its orders, producing magic."

"So what about mixing runes? I did something like that a bit ago."

She peers into a small crystal snail shell before slotting it into the device. "They intersect somewhat, yes. Thou can do it, but the effect wouldst be unpredictable, and scholars art studying the limits of such fusion. Think of it like this: void magic hath precision to a fault, and slime magic hath heart. Say thou cast a fire. A slime fire could be shaped, thou could change the temperature, or snuff it out, all while maintaining a connection to it. But a void fire will burn until it hath finished, precisely as instructed. Thou hast no control over a void spell once cast."
>>
No. 1043266 ID: 4ef090
File 166269617573.png - (31.90KB , 500x500 , 383.png )
1043266

"You mentioned someone called Candyfloss, who is that?"

"I'm surprised at thee, why almost everyone hath heard of the Great Mage Candyfloss!"

"I woke up like two days ago, there's a lot I don't know about still.."

"Candyfloss was the greatest magician who ever lived. She knew everything there possibly was to know about magic, and shared her knowledge freely with everyone. She would perch atop this very tower and gaze at the cosmos, studying their construction, and communing with the goddess. They say her tail was the largest of any slime who lived. Oh how I so wish I couldst have known her when she was alive.."
>>
No. 1043267 ID: 4ef090
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1043267

"What happened to her?"

"The void king slaughtered her, and every other grand slime in the land. At least, I suppose that's what happened, I wasn't there." She holds out the device, "Squeeze a drop of thine honey in there, and I shalt have this ready in just a moment."
>>
No. 1043268 ID: 15c72a

>>1043267
Squeeeeez

After the phone's done, tell her you were a grand slime once. You're trying to recover your pieces, so if she hears of any slimes that are lacking memories or woke up in a field after that battle, they might be part of you. Or maybe part of another grand slime that managed to survive, yet diminished...
>>
No. 1043269 ID: 379f36

Oh! You don't say? Tell them how you're a grand a slime, or well, was a grand slime. And also show them the void sword we hath been strucketh by uponst our very own core.
>>
No. 1043287 ID: cd48aa

I wonder. Can the Queen only absorb her own fragments, or could she assimilate the remains of another Grand Slime. Either way, we should definitely keep our eyes out for Candyfloss and/or her remains.
I mean, she had whiskers and we're missing those.

We should definitely ask about other available equipment, especially a pointy hat. Also, inquire into payment.

And ask this slime forvany information on any remains of Slime Titans and/or Grand Slimes.
>>
No. 1043291 ID: d2baf2

Huh, wonder if you knew her before you got voided by the king?
>>
No. 1043314 ID: bbb04b

Do the squeeze, and yeah, I think it's prudent to say that we either forgot her, or she was after our time - our original time, that is. I feel we can trust this one with knowledge of our quest. We would need to reveal it to her either way if we want to ask the following:

"So, given that this body is hosting multiple cores, would it be possible for me to get multiple phones, or is that restricted to one per body?"

Also, while we did get a medical opinion on our void sword fusion already, I'd like to get a magical opinion about it, too. How would it affect our ability to cast, exactly? Maybe her answer will be more precise than that of the doctor.

I'm also assuming that there are other, more esoteric channeling methods out there beyond the two we've seen, which we don't have easy access to.
>>
No. 1043322 ID: 8bace7

we simply MUST have a big, pointy hat
Give visual explanation of how long we were "dead"... and ask how long we've been dead
Remember to hug them for the help!
With our fragments able to fuse back together, I wonder if slimes can just... do that, if that's how Grand Slimes came to be... it would explain the emotions we have when hugging people
>>
No. 1043323 ID: 8bace7

also seriously ask about THESE >>1035077 Runes
>>
No. 1043410 ID: 8bace7

>>1035076 oh and I guess splitting us probably a thing
>>
No. 1043441 ID: 16169e

so how slow will the snail core work in connecting to the networks ? can i tell how far along it is in being finish? does it access the network bit by bit gradually or it won't connect at all until reaching 100% sync rate with both of them? and does it vaires from person to person with how fast to reach it or will the core work at the same pace for all of them?
>>
No. 1043455 ID: 310f06

Sad to say, adventurers tend to get stabbed, and we are upon an adventure. 'Tis as good a time as any to grow accustomed to the sensation! Stick that thingamajigger into your tail and swoosh it around a bit.
... While doing a handstand/somersault!

Point out that Candyfloss had a big tail, and that we have a big tail, so maybe we have a little of her honey in us.
>>
No. 1043515 ID: d12415

So slime magic is blood magic. Isn't that usually associated with dark arts and black magic?
>>
No. 1043519 ID: 8bace7

>>1043515 usually, causing harm to others is, and uh, Slimes don't much care about their honeyed body, it comes back
>>
No. 1043603 ID: fc1eab

>>1043519
So does blood, if you think about it.
>>
No. 1043604 ID: cd48aa

>>1043441
I think they mean the connection is slow. Like, a low data rate.
>>
No. 1043793 ID: 4ef090
File 166319505388.png - (65.53KB , 500x500 , 385.png )
1043793

You squeeze your hand over the device, pressing a droplet of slime out of you. It falls with a soft "plip", and the lady takes it back. "Just a moment longer."

"What makes the snail core slow compared to the other two options?"

"Tis a snail," she replies simply, "They take their time. 'Never hurry, never worry,' as they say. The snails say that."

"Should we tell her we were a grand slime?" you ask Humphrey and Mirrow privately.

Mirrow
&& I don't think there's really any reason to hide it from her. She seems like she knows what's up, at least more so than we do. Maybe she can help us figure ourselves out? &&

Humphrey
## I say it's worth a shot. The worst thing that could happen would be that she doesn't believe us, and the best would be we get a clear lead on where our missing pieces are. ##
>>
No. 1043794 ID: 4ef090
File 166319505899.png - (50.50KB , 500x500 , 386.png )
1043794

"So, uh, this is maybe a bit weird," you begin nervously, "but I'm actually a Grand Slime."
>>
No. 1043795 ID: 4ef090
File 166319506203.png - (76.83KB , 500x500 , 387.png )
1043795

She stops her work and looks at you through narrow eyes. "Thou... thou'rt hardly a Grand Anything, I'm sorry to say. Thy tail, as large as it is, is barely even close to something as magnificent as a Grand's. Thou'rt confused, methinks, and shouldst hold thine tongue lest thou speak flippantly of the fallen."
>>
No. 1043796 ID: 4ef090
File 166319506681.png - (65.95KB , 500x500 , 388.png )
1043796

You pull the cloak aside to give a clearer look at your core. "Well, what about this?" You briefly recap the past couple of days, how you woke up in a field with a sword in your chest, how you can only remember flashes of the void king standing over you. You detail the experience of finding and fusing with two of your broken pieces.

The shopkeeper is staring at you hard. "Tis impossible... not a single one of the Grands survived the Void's slaughter. Tho... Grands were known for their special healing powers... no common slime can fuse with another like they could, and tis remarkable that thou wouldst even know of such abilities. Can thou prove that thou'rt fused?"
>>
No. 1043799 ID: 15c72a

>>1043796
Yep, you can prove it! Split up into your three separate slimes. Might as well introduce yourself again, as your myriad parts.
>>
No. 1043801 ID: 10fb04

>>1043799
Agreeing with you! And if that doesn't work. I've got an idea so stupid, it might just work. We attempt to get or let the shop keep handle our core. If we're lucky, they can perhaps see some of our memories. They seem powerful enough.
>>
No. 1043804 ID: 6e862c

Well, if we can prove it depends on if Humphrey and/or Mirrow wanna come out to say "Hi". Either y'all alright with that?
>>
No. 1043807 ID: b7598d

we haven't split up before, be fun to practice, and some great showing off... with their last line though, now I'm wondering again if Humphrey was originally a part of us. Wonder if we can get this dude(tte) to come along for a while
>>
No. 1043808 ID: b7598d

IF they know how, they could also talk to Godrender, if Godrender would talk to them
>>
No. 1043820 ID: cd48aa

Split! And then chew this jerk out for daring to call you a liar.
>>
No. 1043835 ID: 2de4fd

Eh. This person's opinion of you isn't a huge amount important. If Humphrey or Mirrow are willing to show, that could probably be fine, but really, if neither are up for it, just say that you don't really wanna unfuse right now.
>>
No. 1043876 ID: 2aa5f0

>Tis impossible... not a single one of the Grands survived the Void's slaughter.
I didn't survive I just got better.

Also yeah, split into three if for no other reason to see if you can.
>>
No. 1043877 ID: cd48aa

You know, the shopkeep probably thinks all the Slime Titans are dead too. We should disabuse them of that notion.
>>
No. 1043881 ID: fc1eab

I am not against the split demo, but we should get a guarantee from the shopkeep first that they won't freak out and make some huge waves. This could be info that could drastically reshape the local slime hierarchy (even if that is not our intention). Just make sure they can keep it secret for the time being.
>>
No. 1043963 ID: f860c7

>>1043881 it's a bit late now, we sailed that ship ourselves!
>>
No. 1043965 ID: 9a2966

>>1043963
I think they mean getting them to not tell anyone else for now. It's not like it was obvious to us how big of a deal having been a former Grand Slime might be to some people until just now!
>>
No. 1043974 ID: fc1eab

>>1043965
Precisely
>>
No. 1044054 ID: 1a6f28

I am not the best judge of scale, but I thought that Mirrow was rather large. How certain are we that if we split, Mirrow will fit inside this room? I mean, I want to silly-dance alongside our other selves as much as anyone, but ex slimeploding someone's place of business and summoning a giant slime-dragon in the middle of a settlement is not the best way to keep a low profile.
>>
No. 1044058 ID: 1d37c6

>>1044054 that was Mirrow AND The Mushrooms, she's only like, twice Queeny(who needs a name)+Humphrey, so we'll end up three smaller slimes
>>
No. 1044068 ID: 2de4fd

What are you talking about queenie is a lovely name.

It's silly, laconic, and accurate. It's very fitting!
>>
No. 1044180 ID: cd48aa

>>1044054
Uh, Mirror would be smaller than their current combined form. Because of conservation of mass and volume and stuff. There's only so much slime available, and we're using all of it.
>>
No. 1045180 ID: 4ef090
File 166466609926.png - (100.63KB , 500x500 , 389.png )
1045180

Are we ok with splitting up for a moment?

Humphrey
## Oh, sure, just for a bit ##

Mirrow
&& Yeah lets show her! &&

"I've never done this before, but... here goes." You close your eyes and ... you're not really sure what to do. You try thinking very hard about splitting up, visualizing your soul pulling away from itself. Humphrey and Mirrow are doing the same, and as you each suddenly grasp the concept of splitting your core-
>>
No. 1045181 ID: 4ef090
File 166466610358.png - (69.06KB , 500x500 , 390.png )
1045181

SHLORP

Your fragments peel off of each other, returning to their original, broken shapes, and the three of you fall out of one another and into a heap on the floor.
>>
No. 1045182 ID: 4ef090
File 166466610789.png - (61.96KB , 500x500 , 391.png )
1045182

The shopkeeper drops her tools, mouth agape. "Well then..."
>>
No. 1045183 ID: 4ef090
File 166466611082.png - (72.69KB , 500x500 , 392.png )
1045183

"We can't remember anything about our time as a Grand," Humphrey says from underneath you, "at least, nothing outside of the part where we die."

"Thou has not shared this with anyone else?" You all three shake your heads. "Thou would do well to guard this secret. The King may have softened somewhat, but they mercilessly destroyed the Grands, and there's no knowing if they wouldst not do the same again."
>>
No. 1045184 ID: 4ef090
File 166466611475.png - (72.99KB , 500x500 , 393.png )
1045184

"Why kill us at all?" Mirrow asks, "Did we do something to make them angry?"

"Alas, precious little is known. Even the Elsekin harbor few secrets about the Grands. I'm... somewhat crestfallen thou canst recall any of thine past. But! praps thou will remember more as you find your pieces, and if thou do, I hope thou wouldst permit me to, ahem, pick thy brain, so to speak. Would terribly love to know what thou remembers."

"What about that Candyfloss you keep talking about? Do you know anything about her?" you ask.
>>
No. 1045185 ID: 4ef090
File 166466611793.png - (67.86KB , 500x500 , 394.png )
1045185

"Unfortunately I only know about her personal studies of magic. She left behind very little record of her nature. I have guesses, but they are just that, guesses." She resumes work on the device.

"There we go," she hands over the bright blue phone, "I'll let thee have this for free, but if you need charms, I'll have to charge you for them."
>>
No. 1045186 ID: 4ef090
File 166466612194.png - (93.32KB , 500x500 , 395.png )
1045186

You accept the phone, and Humphrey and Mirrow gather close to look too. It's a simple looking thing, fitting comfortably in your hand. It flips open with a small window on the upper half, and several tiny buttons on the lower half, as well as a tiny slime with glasses. It beams up at you.

"Hi there! Welcome to your new spellphone, friend! I'm running a snail flavor of JellOS. I can take notes, cast spells, track your location, and all kinds of other neat things! Would you like to name me?"

"Oh uhh..."

((What do you want to call your new phone?))
>>
No. 1045192 ID: 99ca7b

Dexter
>>
No. 1045193 ID: 6fde29

Tin
>>
No. 1045197 ID: 629f2e

Name it *Snrk* Butt. It'll be hilarious.
>>
No. 1045202 ID: 9a2966

>Name?
Shello!

Cuz' it's using a snail shell and you use it to say 'hello' to people~
>>
No. 1045206 ID: d344dc

Omg, adorable!! They shalt be Lem! Or Lemmy!
>>
No. 1045207 ID: cd48aa

I vote Dexter.
---
Definitely ask about how exactly we pay for things and what exactly is for sale. And for advice on what kind of stuff we should buy, given our current inventory.
Also, ask for any information on the locations of any petrified, broken, or somehow surviving Slime Titans.
>>
No. 1045208 ID: 06b0be

>What do you want to call your new phone?
Friend
>>
No. 1045210 ID: 6e862c

Bubby!
>>
No. 1045213 ID: f373c9

ABSOLUTELY "Shello"

That's *three* puns in one, we need the puns, all of them
>>
No. 1045219 ID: 53560f

Tangerine shall be their name!
>>
No. 1045232 ID: 908530

>>1045186
Shelby
>>
No. 1045235 ID: 5fd489

Shello! Or shelby. Both are good.
>>
No. 1045237 ID: b5f2af

Pika.
>>
No. 1045244 ID: b01382

>>1045186
Shello Shello Shello!
Lets all do the silly dance! That's it! I am certain that Queen Humphrey was the Queen of funk, break dancing, and silly dances!
>>
No. 1045250 ID: bbb04b

Shmorby!

Also: "Well, for what it's worth, I think I shared a dream with the King where he told me that killing the Grand Slimes was 'in error.' Notably didn't apologize for the Titans, though, so I think there might have been a mix-up when he set out to take them down, getting us caught in the crossfire?" Show your sword-core. "We got a medical opinion on this already, but do you think you can give some insight into the magical implications of having a void sword fused to my core?"
>>
No. 1045276 ID: affcb9

shell flavor. We can savour its utility, it can be our saviour if we get lost, It can be the saver of our notes, if we get bored we can stick it in our "mouth" and savour its flavour, and if we stretch pronunciation a little we can call it "Savoy" for a vaguely realish name.

Do we actually know if we can only fuse with ourselves? If this researcher wants to pick through our mind, then that would be easier from the inside...
>>
No. 1045296 ID: fc1eab

Shello, short for Shelatin.
>>
No. 1045297 ID: f43935

Shello sounds EXTRA fun!
also maybe mention the whole Void King "personally" checked in on us thing
>>
No. 1045310 ID: cd48aa

>>1045276
We should ask about that.
>>
No. 1045449 ID: 9244ad

>>1045296
Yes, this one in particular
>>
No. 1045450 ID: a9af05

I think we should ask how we can get some money. That way we can get Godrender all polished and repaired like they wanted.
>>
No. 1045458 ID: 15c72a

>>1045296
Perfect.
>>
No. 1045535 ID: 4ef090
File 166501426151.png - (75.51KB , 500x500 , 396.png )
1045535

"How about Shello? It's like... sounds like a snail's name," suggests Humphrey.

"Great! And you are?"

"This is Humphrey and Mirrow," you say, pointing to each, "I don't really know who I am, but we're all part of the same person."

"That's Great! Ok, so have you ever used a phone before?"

"No, this is a first for us."

"It's easy! I have a small list of simple spells you can use. If you want me to remember specific spells, you'll need a tome charm to record them in, but don't be afraid to channel your own magic through me with your own materials!" It chatters away happily for a good bit about all the things it can do.

((The phone can cast a handful of very small, simple spells on its own, but you can still use it as a casting focus for any spells you've learned. You won't burn up as much material when casting through it. This is automatic, so you don't need to specifically choose to use the phone.
The phone has five charges it can spend before it needs to sleep and recharge, and the words it knows are "Push", "Pull", "Hot", "Cold" and "Mend". These are very weak, and when casting I will roll dice to see how successful the effect is, but in a pinch they could prove useful. Combining words uses one charge per word, so you can only cast a maximum of five prepared spells before needing to recharge. You can cast as many external spells as you have the material for, such as the void cloak.
Finally, asking the phone questions costs a spell charge. It may not give you straight answers, but it will make assumptions based on any information you've gathered.))
>>
No. 1045536 ID: 4ef090
File 166501426655.png - (54.01KB , 500x500 , 397.png )
1045536

You pocket the phone and return your attention to the lady. "You mentioned paying for charms, but I don't think we have any money. What do people trade these days?"

"Gold," the shopkeeper says simply, "Tho rumors waft about of a new currency in the works, a sort of 'funny money' if you will. I don't accept it, but some people are interested in it. Other than that, if thou hast valuable resources a merchant could use for their craft, they would most likely be more than willing to work out a deal. I know the crystal smith exchanges services for crystals, for example."
>>
No. 1045537 ID: 4ef090
File 166501426964.png - (62.23KB , 500x500 , 398.png )
1045537

"Do you think you could use a shovel?" Mirrow asks.

"N-no. I'm ... good."
>>
No. 1045538 ID: 4ef090
File 166501427201.png - (72.26KB , 500x500 , 399.png )
1045538

"Two more things, then we'll stop buggin you," says Humphrey, "We talked to a doctor and got a medical opinion on the sword thingy in our core, but do you have maybe a magical opinion on it?"

The lady glances at the pierced core and shrugs. "I'm unfortunately not particularly informed on the effects of void weaponry. I wouldst inquire with the crystal smith about such things."
>>
No. 1045539 ID: 4ef090
File 166501427558.png - (54.42KB , 500x500 , 400.png )
1045539

"Fair enough. Last thing, um, if you touch our cores, would you be able to see our memories?"

She opens her mouth, then pauses in thought. "My first thought is No, but then I've never met a grand before. Who's to say such things wouldn't be possible? May I?"

You allow her to reach forward and sink her hands into your chest. It's different from when the doctors did it, like her slime is mixing with yours, but still separated. She gently lays fingers on your core.

Nothing happens.
>>
No. 1045540 ID: 4ef090
File 166501427894.png - (65.26KB , 500x500 , 401.png )
1045540

"Alas, twas worth a try."

You thank her for her help, reform into a single unit, and exit the shop.
>>
No. 1045541 ID: 4ef090
File 166501428281.png - (89.74KB , 500x500 , 402.png )
1045541

Mirrow
&& I guess we gotta be more careful about who we talk to huh? I should have expected it would still be dangerous for us out here..&&

"Yeah, I guess so..." You recall mentioning your quest to Tricky, but it didn't seem like they understood what you meant, so you try not to worry about it. Hopefully the guard and their voidkin friends didn't overhear anything.

You find a signpost nearby with directions to different places in town. Where would you like to go next? The crystal smith isn't far, the train is near the edge of town, and Tricky is probably wandering around somewhere if you wanted to meet back up with them
>>
No. 1045548 ID: 15c72a

>>1045541
Crystal smith. More core examination can't hurt.
>>
No. 1045586 ID: cd48aa

Crystal Smith. And maybe a temp agency. Keep a look out for any more petrified Slime Titans too.

I like to imagine the sign post has a sign pointing to Tricky.
>>
No. 1045590 ID: b01382

>>1045541
Crystal Smith.
Quick, earn some more silly dance points so we can cash those in for candy!
>>
No. 1045592 ID: 2de4fd

Smith! Smith! Smith!
>>
No. 1045596 ID: 09b298

Smith for them to look at your core.
>>
No. 1045599 ID: 30b9f6

Smithy crystal!
>>
No. 1045609 ID: bbb04b

Ooh, bonus spells and mana, on top of reducing resource consumption? Yes, please. I get the feeling Snail Cores are known for being able to chain together some pretty nutty combos.

... Oh, and I immediately want to ask a question: "Would you be able to help with a third channeling method - fourth, if you count yourself? Specifically, I'm referring to the titan core and/or blade focus; the intelligence within the blade - which is now a part of me - was able to channel an effect that doesn't seem to match with honey or thread, and I guess it'd make sense since the titans didn't seem to have any 'honey,' despite clearly being capable of more than just swinging a sword around."

Crystal Smith, for a third opinion (and to possibly get answers about titan(?) core magic). Though do try to keep in mind that you sorta agreed to a date later; make a mental note of when you should do that.
>>
No. 1046341 ID: 4ef090
File 166562006864.png - (92.77KB , 500x500 , 403.png )
1046341

Godrender
$$ our turn now -- we wanna go see the crystal smith $$

Mirrow
&& you just wanna be all pretty and admired &&

Godrender
$$ yes -- obviously -- would you not as well $$

Mirrow
&& ......... y-yeah... fair enough...&&
>>
No. 1046342 ID: 4ef090
File 166562007161.png - (131.89KB , 500x500 , 404.png )
1046342

You follow the signs and sounds of clanging metal to a small somewhat secluded building with a large chimney billowing smoke into the sky. The windows and doors are thrown open, and you can see a large figure working at an anvil in the shade.
>>
No. 1046343 ID: 4ef090
File 166562007544.png - (80.23KB , 500x500 , 405.png )
1046343

They're hammering a piece of glowing crystal and look up at you while they work. They're a very large and strong looking voidkin, nothing like the spindly thin one's you've seen so far. "What."
>>
No. 1046344 ID: 4ef090
File 166562007991.png - (85.05KB , 500x500 , 406.png )
1046344

Their voice is lighter than you expected, but still a little gruff. "Uh uhm, we were, I have a..." you pull out the titan core and hold it up, "do you know if there's anything you can do with this?"
>>
No. 1046345 ID: 4ef090
File 166562008202.png - (66.05KB , 500x500 , 407.png )
1046345

They glance at the core as they pick up the crystal with their bare hand and plunge it into water with a steamy hiss. "That's a titan core. Haven't seen one of them in ages. Looks inert, but still useful. You wanna fuse it with your sword or what?"

"What would that do exactly?"

"Stronger. More resonant. Can also change the shape of it if you'd like."
>>
No. 1046346 ID: 4ef090
File 166562008680.png - (53.06KB , 500x500 , 408.png )
1046346

"Maybe. I had another question. Uhm, do you know anything about uh.. this?" You show off your pierced core, "I uh, got attacked, and I can't get this thing out."

"Lucky. Most of your ilk don't survive the wild void. Yeah, I can probably get that out." They tap their face in thought for a moment. "It'll cost extra, but I can put it in your sword too. Or do that instead."

Godrender
$$ wait do what -- how is that possible -- what will happen to us $$

"They want to know what it'll do to them."

"Void matter and slime crystal create a powerful sort of mind when smashed together. I'm assuming your sword can think for itself, and with void matter installed it'd be able to think even faster. And if you fuse that old core with it, it'll cut better, and maybe even change its own shape at will. The wild void wouldn't stand a chance against a sword like that."
>>
No. 1046347 ID: 4ef090
File 166562009062.png - (57.20KB , 500x500 , 409.png )
1046347

"How much would that cost?" You rummage in your pocket and hold out the small handful of crystals you gathered in the mines. "This is all we've got on us right now."

They eye the crystals for a moment, seeming to weigh some options in their mind. "For that much I can do one of these for you, the core fusion or the void fusion, but not both."
>>
No. 1046348 ID: f373c9

Well... one question to ask would be: Can we come back later and do the Void Fusion after the Core Fusion's been completed?
Or is it impossible once finished?

I'd vote Core Fusion either way, honestly.
>>
No. 1046349 ID: 53560f

Lets just do the core fusion for now, as interesting as it is, I can’t see an immediate need for the void fusion yet. Though it is worth keeping in mind.

Also, ask for clarification on the wild void.
>>
No. 1046352 ID: 15c72a

>>1046347
Core fusion. The void sword might actually be useful for yourself at some point.
>>
No. 1046357 ID: f43935

Ask God-Render, they're the one who's getting changed after all, it will most likely be Core, because void is something you have to THINK on, but still
>>
No. 1046358 ID: bbb04b

Core Fusion. "To be clear, will the void sword completely fuse with my own core if I just leave it be, and will I get similar benefits?"

"Also. I was curious about how a titan's magic works - if you have any crystal-based insight? Asking you too, Godrender. I was wondering about how they did fantastical things without any 'honey,' and if it's a separate thing from Crystal Magic?"
>>
No. 1046363 ID: b01382

>>1046347
core fusion. I'd like a big sword please.
Also flirt.
>>
No. 1046366 ID: cd48aa

Definitely voting Core Fusion, but first:
1) Ask what happens if we leave the Void Sword in us.
2) We don't want to lose the our Void connection, ask if it would be possible to only remove part of the sword and fuse that with Godrender while leaving some in.
3) Ask if there's any good way to acquire more "Wild Void" so we could have it fused with Godrender at a later date without losing our connection.
4) Ask for advice on earning money.
5) Check for side quests.
6) Just ask about Crystal Magic in general.
7) While we're at it, maybe ask about that pendant and Void-y dagger we have.
>>
No. 1046387 ID: f43935

OH can he remove the sword for us even if wee don't do the void fusion
>>
No. 1046388 ID: 908530

I'm afraid that removing the sword will do more harm than good.
>>
No. 1046391 ID: 2aa5f0

can you ask them if they know if the void sword is doing anything to your core.
>>
No. 1047242 ID: 4ef090
File 166648265525.png - (51.96KB , 500x500 , 410.png )
1047242

"Do we have the option of coming back later for the other fusion, or is it like a one and done kinda thingy?"

"You can come back, sure."

"That's good. What about if you just removed the sword from my core, is that possible?"

"Mmmm..." they lean down and peer at your core, "Not safe. If I pull it out and don't immediately fuse it, it could either vanish into nothingness, or fester into wild void and hurt you and maybe several others. Right now you're its king figure, so it's better to leave it where it is."
>>
No. 1047243 ID: 4ef090
File 166648266064.gif - (97.46KB , 500x500 , 411.gif )
1047243

"I'm a ... void king?"

"Don't get too excited about it kid," the smith says with a laugh, "you're a 'king figure', which just means you're the focus for that piece of void. Without you, it has no form or purpose."
>>
No. 1047244 ID: 4ef090
File 166648266517.png - (78.36KB , 500x500 , 412.png )
1047244

"Oh, I guess that makes sense. Ok uhm, what do you think Godrender? It's your body."

Godrender
$$ whatever is chosen will make us a far more powerful weapon -- but since it is a choice -- we would prefer to be fused with our titan's core $$

"I guess it's settled, we'll do the titan core!" you announce.

"Cool beans. Gimme the sword and materials and I'll get rollin."
>>
No. 1047245 ID: 4ef090
File 166648266993.png - (68.03KB , 500x500 , 413.png )
1047245

You hand everything over and watch as the smith begins working, taking measurements of Godrender and the core, and putting together a new mould.

"So, can we ask you some questions?"

"Sure, I don't mind."

"What did you mean by 'wild void'? The voidkin I rode into town with didn't mention them."

"Ah, well, they wouldn't want to talk about it." The smith methodically pumps the billows, creating a roaring fire in the forge. "The King is ashamed of the wild void. Nasty creatures who lost their connection to the king ages ago, but never vanished or found a new purpose."

"Oh, that's awful..."

"Aye, it is," the smith says with a sigh. They pick up Godrender and set them in the forge to heat up. "The best thing anyone can do for them is kill them. Only then can they sink back to the nothingness they came from."

"That seems kinda harsh..."

"Well, you just try having a friendly and reasonable chat when and if you ever meet one and let me know how it goes," they say with a laugh, "You'll be torn to shreds before you manage so much as a 'how do you do'."
>>
No. 1047246 ID: 4ef090
File 166648267201.png - (79.85KB , 500x500 , 414.png )
1047246

Mirrow
&& You know, I bet people get paid big money to get rid of these monster void guys. Maybe we could take on some jobs while we're out wandering around? You already fought a voidkin, and you even beat up a big slime dragon, so I'm sure we could handle some weird old void monster. &&

You were the slime dragon, remember? We didn't really beat you up.

Mirrow
&& Yeah, but you COULD have beat me up! &&

"Are there bounties on killing wild void?" you ask out loud.

"You bet. I would check with the Heroes' Guild for details, but off the top of my head I know there's something going on by the lake just outside town."

((Shello makes a note and pins the location of the Heroes' Guild and the Lake))
>>
No. 1047247 ID: 4ef090
File 166648267805.png - (90.98KB , 500x500 , 415.png )
1047247

"So, I didn't realize it was possible to melt crystal and reshape it," you say as they pull a searingly bright godrender out of the forge and start hammering away.

Godrender
$$ hrggfhjt -- krggsstx -- hgfgj -- grestgjjfgk -- b -- fzzsft $$

It doesn't sound like they're in pain, just a bit scrambled.
>>
No. 1047248 ID: 4ef090
File 166648268346.png - (73.39KB , 500x500 , 416.png )
1047248

"It's not a common skill. A lot of natural crystal is delicate and fragile, almost porous. Crystal weaponry on the other hand is almost indestructible, if it's made right. You can hit things with it all day long and never dull or chip the blade."

"So what makes crystal magic different from slime magic?"

"Who says they're different?"

"Oh, I guess... I guess I just assumed they were different."

"Nope. Crystal and slime are two different flavors of the same thing working in harmony."

"What about Titans then?" you ask, "Godrender had a purification spell or something that seemed different from slime magic."

"Mmm, how many times was it able to cast?"

"About three."

"It was pretty dry then. Titans didn't have a slime body, but still resonated slime energy, and that's how they cast magic. They compensated for that by just being extremely large."

"So, where does energy come from, slime or crystal?"

"Both. It doesn't matter how much of either you have, but you need both to do magic."
>>
No. 1047249 ID: 4ef090
File 166648268778.png - (65.12KB , 500x500 , 417.png )
1047249

They dunk Godrender into a tub of water and hold them out for you to take. "Alrighty then, there's your new sword. How's it feel?"

You accept the sword and hold it aloft, examining it in the sunlight. The scratches and nicks are gone. The once dull pink blade now a brilliant translucent magenta. The handle in the side of the blade is gone, replaced by a proper hilt. A round hole sits near the base, and as you peer close it ignites with a bright red eye.

"That was so much fun. We want to come back here as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your beautiful craftsmanship. We are honored to have been worked by your hands."

The smith bows. "Glad you like it. Not often I get to hear my work compliment me," they laugh, "Alright, well... anything else?"

((Pinned locations are currently the Train Station, Heroes' Guild, and Lake. The crystals from Hyther have been removed from your inventory))
>>
No. 1047251 ID: 15c72a

>>1047249
Hero's Guild next. Let's take down some random encounters!
>>
No. 1047252 ID: 8483cf

Heroes' Guild!
>>
No. 1047253 ID: 182425

>anything else?
Tell ‘em they’re a good smith.

Heroes’ Guild!
>>
No. 1047265 ID: cd48aa

I mean, we could ask them about the voidy dagger or the pendant, since they're Voidkin and all. But first I'd say we should quickly ask if having the bit of Wild Void in us is dangerous.

I'm also curious if there are any known Voidkin who found a purpose disconnected from the Void King. Maybe we should ask that, but maybe it would be rude.

Regardless, our next stop should definitely be the Guild. We might be able to get some free stuff.
>>
No. 1047266 ID: 99ca7b

First things first: Ask Godrender how they're feeling.
>>
No. 1047269 ID: 2aa5f0

let's check out the hero's guild and see what they have to say. Oh, and don't forget to give the smith a goodbye/thank you hug before you leave.
>>
No. 1047272 ID: f631fc

OOH ask the smith if they are a Voidkin that found a purpose in smithing, they seem different from the other voidkin we met, not being angler in body and speech, and also ask God-Render about being reforged that seems neat. SURE the heroes guild seems neat, and we will probably find that slime friend we met earlier
>>
No. 1047278 ID: d12415

>>1047248
So, based on this, it leads me to believe that we can use our slime to both recharge and/or just directly power godrender's purification thingy if we want to do it again.
>>
No. 1047292 ID: f631fc

>>1047278
we could probably use God-Render for slime magic really, all we need is the Big Hat, for style
both of these are things we could probably ask them about
>>
No. 1047321 ID: b01382

>>1047249
SILLY DANCE TO ASERT DOMINACE!
THINK YOU ARE GREAT ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE OUR SMOOTH MOVES!?
>>
No. 1047336 ID: bbb04b

"For future reference, is there an actual benefit to fusing the void sword to Godrender, as opposed to leaving it fused to my own core? Kinda sounds less like an upgrade and more like a... side-grade. Less 'better,' more just 'different?'"

> Where to?
Straight to the lake! Let's be efficient with our time!
>>
No. 1047357 ID: 2205c2

Huh, difficult call.
Straight to the lake would get to the objectives.
Still, Hero's Guild may have uses. Side quest would be a useful test of the blade, plus would improve combat EXP. Perhaps a quest could be posted that requests details of slimies who have forgot their past so they may be potentially enlightened.
>>
No. 1047365 ID: b01382

>>1047249
Go to the lake. Seems interesting.
Try getting some practice swings in with Godrender and maybe see if he can give us some tips on how to fight gud.
>>
No. 1047369 ID: 06cb07

Ask the smith if there is some way to "upgrade" the void sword without taking it out.
Then to the Hero's Guild!
>>
No. 1047527 ID: f631fc

we still have that random void dagger and pendant, we could also ask how to open it, and if we could use that, in reverse order
>>
No. 1048258 ID: b01382

>>1047249
>You reach inside yourself and grasp the hilt–
>There’s … something. Echoes of a rhythmic beat light up in your mind, but you might also be imagining it. Didn’t they say something about music? Something about marching in “lockstep”? What was that supposed to mean?
Hmmmm. I wonder what would happen if we did this near wild void. Would they be friendly? I kinda wished we kept those extra red cloaks. Could had been useful.

>we have the floating dagger, voidking pendant that we can't open, and the map
Have we tried stabbing stuff with it? Like a rock, or dirt? What if we tried prying the pendant open with the dagger?
>>
No. 1048278 ID: 4ef090
File 166743278919.png - (58.74KB , 500x500 , 418.png )
1048278

"How are you feelin about all that, Godrender?"

"We feel amazing," the sword says eagerly, "We feel like we could take on anything in the world."
>>
No. 1048279 ID: 4ef090
File 166743279443.gif - (374.12KB , 500x500 , 419.gif )
1048279

You do a stylish twirl and sheath Godrender behind you. You get 5 silly points, finally evening out your total at one ticket and fifty points.
>>
No. 1048280 ID: 4ef090
File 166743279951.png - (61.31KB , 500x500 , 420.png )
1048280

You remember the pendant and dagger, and show them to the smith. "We saw a voidkin vanish and leave this stuff behind. Do you know anything about it?"

"Interesting." They turn the pendant over in their hand, examining it, and then suddenly pop it open. Inside a tiny music box plinks to life playing a strange tune. The sword in your heart stirs as the melody plays. "Voidkin linked to the King carry these when they travel afar, lest they forget the King's song." They close it with a small snap and toss it back to you.

They look over the dagger next. "Pure Void Weaponry. It's void matter bound with sacred cloth, but otherwise purposeless. It doesn't think or act on its own. Voidkin can share mass with them, making them bigger or smaller, but to you it's just a small knife." They hand it back. "Good weight, great for throwing. Come back with money and I can add its shape to your sword."
>>
No. 1048281 ID: 4ef090
File 166743280299.png - (73.10KB , 500x500 , 421.png )
1048281

"I noticed you haven't been dripping away like any of the other voidkin we've seen, why is that?"

"Not linked to the king," they say simply, "Found my own purpose here, and it suits me just fine."

"Oh, how did that happen?" you ask.

"I don't actually remember. I heard the song of the anvil, of the hammer, the symphony of crystal, and next thing I know I've always been here."

"One last thing. Can I get a quote for that void fusion?"

"Fifty gold, or crystals worth as much."
>>
No. 1048282 ID: 4ef090
File 166743280664.png - (68.67KB , 500x500 , 422.png )
1048282

You hug the crystal smith and thank them for their help, and trot off to the heroes' guild.
>>
No. 1048283 ID: 4ef090
File 166743281047.png - (124.47KB , 600x400 , 423.png )
1048283

By the time you reach the guild, your cloak has fully repaired itself.
You approach a large building with several towers and extensions. The roof is thatched with bright yellow straw, the walls made of dark beams. Slimes, cats, voidkin, and all other manner of adventurous looking people are milling about in the courtyard. Boisterous music can be be heard coming from inside.

Humphrey
## this seems like more of a drinking hall than a heroes' guild... ##
>>
No. 1048284 ID: 4ef090
File 166743281349.png - (132.52KB , 600x400 , 424.png )
1048284

You open the door and enter the building. The walls are lined with different booths and windows for things like "lost and found", "Bounties", "Odd Jobs", each with their own lines leading up to them. The center of the room has several tables where many heroes and bards are laughing over drinks and food. The atmosphere is one of organized chaos.

A large board at the far end of the building is covered in papers and photos, various ads and job offers. Tricky is examining the job board.
>>
No. 1048285 ID: 4ef090
File 166743281745.png - (58.77KB , 500x500 , 425.png )
1048285

"Hey Tricky, how's it goin?"

They jump and smile at you excitedly. "Friend, hello!! So you've come in search of adventurous work as well? There's no shortage of jobs here, I'm just absolutely overwhelmed by all these options."
>>
No. 1048286 ID: 4ef090
File 166743282028.png - (80.15KB , 500x500 , 426.png )
1048286

"I heard there was something going on at the lake," you say as you scan the myriad ads, "Have you heard or seen anything about it?"

"Oh, this one!" Tricky grabs a poster off the board and the two of you look it over. The ad reads "BOUNTY - Wild Void Activity Reported in the Tue Area Lake - Reward for Dealing With It = 100G - DANGER RATING = Low to Medium"

"I didn't want to jump into something so dangerous right away, but if you're interested, maybe we could tackle it together and split the reward?"
>>
No. 1048290 ID: b01382

>>1048286
Yeah lets do it. what weapons, magic, skills, and items do you have? We got like, a spell or two we know, and a handsome sword friend.
>>
No. 1048292 ID: 2aa5f0

don't know where else to start and you even have a friend tagging alone. Why not.

Also I guess you have a piece of the void king inside you since it seems viodkin make their weapons form themselves and that sword belonged to the void king.
>>
No. 1048296 ID: 15c72a

Splitting the reward will give us 50g, that's enough for the second upgrade. The encounter will also let us know if we want to keep the void sword in our heart!

Let's do it. Uh, assuming that Godslayer likes us enough to use it as a weapon?
>>
No. 1048300 ID: bbb04b

>>1048292
I don't think it works like that. Given we're its king-figure, it'd be more accurate at this point to say it's our void matter.

Anyway, yeah, let's take the request. We've got general spells on a rune phone - Snail OS - a void rune or two, some crystal runes that we don't entirely know the function of, and a new and improved crystal sword focus. We're uh... a little out of practice on the magic end of things, just a fair warning.

What can Tricky do?
>>
No. 1048314 ID: cd48aa

Yeah this side-quest sounds like a good idea. While we're at it maybe we can grab a bit of that Wild Void so we don't have to use ours. And maybe we'll find some loot while we're there.

We'd better be careful to protect Tricky though. They don't have thecsame resistance to Wild Void that we apparently do.
>>
No. 1048316 ID: b499ad

Intruduce Tricky and God-Render!
This should be a good time/opportunity to test out the other 2 slime/crystal runes we have, see what they do
hey half of 100 is 50, what we need for the void fusion assuming the cost is the same
>>
No. 1048344 ID: bceec2

>>1048286
>Team up?
Sure. Do they need to go get anything before we leave?
>>
No. 1048354 ID: 429bef

It's always nice to have someone watching over your back, but make sure that lil dude can actually pull their weight on an adventure and a fight
>>
No. 1048362 ID: 8b5bb5

Say you're new to this too, but getting practice in with a friend and getting better sounds like a great winning combo.
>>
No. 1048529 ID: b01382

>>1048286
Can we spare? what kinda moves can he do?
>>
No. 1048740 ID: b01382

>>1048286
Any additional bounties? Missing pets? Missing child? Missing people? Bandits? Criminals? Silly dance offs?
>>
No. 1048842 ID: 4ef090
File 166804687481.png - (77.55KB , 500x500 , 427.png )
1048842

Humphrey
## the train will still be here. even if we miss it now, it'll come back. We've been gone for a while, I don't think a small diversion will make much of a difference ##

Mirrow
&& I wanna smash stuff &&

Godrender
$$ agreed -- the experience and money will be valuable -- additionally we think it would be cool to try out our new capabilities -- or as Mirrow put it -- we want to smash stuff $$

Mirrow
&& Tricky could probably use the help anyway. They seem pretty new to this sorta thing, and I don't want them to die. Besides we still have that date with them later! &&
>>
No. 1048843 ID: 4ef090
File 166804687710.png - (84.70KB , 500x500 , 428.png )
1048843

[i]That's a fair point,[/i} you think, and then to Tricky, "Are you equipped to handle something like this?"

"I have some knives I'm really good at throwing, and I have a rapier. I've never fought anyone before, but I've practiced a lot of techniques, so I think I can hold my own."
>>
No. 1048844 ID: 4ef090
File 166804688197.png - (69.39KB , 500x500 , 429.png )
1048844

You nod. "Alright then, yeah! Let's do it! Do we take this to the window, or...?"

Tricky takes the paper and leads you to the Bounty window. A deep orange slime with auburn hair and dark, tired eyes is sitting behind the counter. She eyes the poster and then sizes the two of you up. "Bout time. Had that thing up for weeks, was beginning to think nobody was gonna clear it up. The Overseer will be glad to hear it's been taken care of."
>>
No. 1048845 ID: 4ef090
File 166804688508.png - (114.01KB , 500x500 , 430.png )
1048845

She takes the poster and dips a pen into a bottle of ink. "Names?"

As Tricky says their name you realize again that you can't recall your own original name. It feels like it's just on the tip of memory and yet you can't seem to pull it into focus. It's not Humphrey, it's not Mirrow, what is it..??

Humphrey
## You can put my name down if you w- ##

Mirrow
&& No do mine! My name looks cool on paper I bet! &&
>>
No. 1048846 ID: 4ef090
File 166804688856.png - (28.15KB , 500x500 , 431.png )
1048846

You get mixed up in your own headspace and blurt out the word "Hirrowf".
>>
No. 1048847 ID: 4ef090
File 166804689227.png - (65.37KB , 500x500 , 432.png )
1048847

The lady stares at you, unamused. "... Hero? Alright, I ain't judgin'." She writes it down. "Just so you know, you do need a bit more work under your belt before you get to Hero Status. Hopefully you live up to it."

You suppose your new name is "Hero", at least as far as the Guild is concerned. Maybe you can think of something better later.
>>
No. 1048848 ID: 4ef090
File 166804689634.png - (106.49KB , 500x500 , 433.png )
1048848

"You ever fight wild void before?"

"I've fought a voidkin, but I don't know if it was different from the wild void," you say, recalling the fight with the mushroom infested voidkin.

"Right, so that's a No then," she says. She drops a huge book on the counter and flips through it to a page with an illustration of a dark creature with a large red eye.

"As the name implies, these things are unpredictable. Their only desire seems to be to destroy anything they can. When they're not breaking everything in sight they just kind of stand still until provoked. They're fast and agile, so good thing you've got each other's backs. Hit em hard enough and they'll be freed of their mortal torment.

"When they die, they'll leave behind that big red eye. Bring that back and you'll get paid. We're expecting there to be at least two or three wild void in the area, but if you happen to bring back more eyes you'll get a bonus for each extra.

"Oh also, we're not sure if these things can be tied up and dragged back to town, but Void King has an outstanding request to try and bring them back alive. I'm not so concerned with that, but it's worth mentioning if you're interested in making it harder on yourselves. Dead or alive, job doesn't end til those eyes are in this building.
>>
No. 1048849 ID: 4ef090
File 166804689979.png - (91.72KB , 500x500 , 434.png )
1048849

"People haven't been able to go to or from the lake for a while now, so I'm glad you've come to do something about it. Completing this job will make a lotta folks feel safer."
>>
No. 1048850 ID: 4ef090
File 166804690358.png - (69.22KB , 500x500 , 435.png )
1048850

"Alright, so," she closes the book with a soft thud and puts it under the counter, then pushes a form in front of the both of you. She takes a deep breath and begins to quickly rattle off a disclosure she must have memorized by heart, "You acknowledge the Heroes' Guild is not responsible for any death or dismemberment on this job. If you are injured and make it back to the hall you may receive discounted medical care which will be deducted from your payout when you return to finish the job. The two of you agree to split the reward evenly between yourselves. If you can't complete the job, you forfeit the rewards entirely. Causing excessive environmental or property damage may incur fees, which will be pulled from your payout before you are required to pay out of pocket. The job begins as soon as you sign, and ends when the bounty is delivered to the Guild Hall. If the bounty is too large to bring back, a Guild member must be summoned to verify the job's completion. If that all sounds cool then sign at the bottom."

(All good?)
>>
No. 1048855 ID: d12415

>>1048850
Tell them your name is Nemo (temporary alias). We don't want the bad rep that will come with being named hero.
>>
No. 1048860 ID: bbb04b

"What if I manage to pacify one or more of them - get them synched with a new song? How do I prove I didn't just get some voidkin to come over and lie for us? And will there be an additional reward if we address whatever must be causing multiple cases to pop up near the lake?"

Other than that, we're good; let's sign.

>>1048855
And yeah, I agree with both the sentiment and the choice of name. Apologize and explain that you hadn't actually decided on a name for yourself up until this point, and she put you on the spot.
>>
No. 1048871 ID: cd48aa

Now would be a good time to find any of the following:
- A burlap sack
- Rope
- A jar

If it turns out calling oneself "Hero" is an issue just say it's with an 'i'. Problem solved.

And maybe we shouldn't be using any Terminology. We don't know what is and isn't common knowledge and we don't want to look weird.
>>
No. 1048873 ID: af9a7d

Still want to put forth Queenie as a name but yeah that souns probably good?? Stay safe, all!
>>
No. 1048874 ID: 623c7e

Sounds fair enough
>>
No. 1048908 ID: b01382

>>1048850
Lets try to pacify a bunch and make lots of friend's!
>>
No. 1048910 ID: fec07f

>>1048855
Seconding Nemo as a name.
>>
No. 1048911 ID: fec07f

>>1048855
Seconding Nemo as a name.
>>
No. 1048947 ID: ceaf93

hey do you care how we bring them back alive, and how do we prove it?
maybe inform tricky that we may try Weird Void Stuff with the sword stuck in us
>>
No. 1048948 ID: ceaf93

Nemo IS a silly sounding name... sure a third!
>>
No. 1049520 ID: b01382

>>1048850
accidental hand holding with our new slime friend.
>>
No. 1049521 ID: 908530

I aspire to have eyebrows as cool as Tricky's.
>>
No. 1050707 ID: 02cfda
File 166995841353.png - (76.39KB , 500x500 , 436.png )
1050707

"I misspoke," you say nervously, "Uh, it's not 'Hero", it's uhhhhhnnnnnnnn... 'Nemo'. Sorry. I hadn't decided on one just yet."

Humphrey
## Oooh that's a fun name ##
>>
No. 1050708 ID: 02cfda
File 166995841707.png - (101.08KB , 500x500 , 437.png )
1050708

The lady glares at you for a moment, then scratches out your name and writes the new one next to it. "Alright then. Any other questions?"

((your name is now "Nemo", at least for the time being. What's the record for "longest time in a quest without settling on a name"?))
>>
No. 1050709 ID: 02cfda
File 166995842122.png - (134.67KB , 500x500 , 438.png )
1050709

"Does it matter how we pacify the wild void," Godrender asks.

Her eyes widen a bit as she seems to notice Godrender for the first time. "Talking sword huh? We don't get a lot of sentient weapons in here if you'll believe it. Are you taking a share of the reward?"
>>
No. 1050710 ID: 02cfda
File 166995842407.gif - (129.75KB , 500x500 , 439.gif )
1050710

"Our reward comes in the form of the blood of our enemies and the enemies of our companions," Godrender says flatly, "the gold from this job will hone our edge, and the experience will sharpen our mind."

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaallllright then. Well, like I said, we don't even know if these things are capable of being knocked out without dying, just that the King wants us to try. I guess if you hit them hard enough they might conk out, or you could try stuffing them in a box or tying them up. Just be careful, they're pretty sharp," she thinks for a moment, then points at your cloak, "That's void thread? You might be able to fashion a strong rope from that. The Sacred Hue holds these guys together, so maybe you can use it to tie them up."
>>
No. 1050711 ID: 02cfda
File 166995842805.png - (52.94KB , 500x500 , 440.png )
1050711

The two of you nod, and the lady dips her pan in a bottle of red ink, drawing a complicated sigil over the document. Once complete, the paper bursts into flames.

"Welcome aboard, Hunters," she says with a smile, "Best of luck out there."

((Shello records the details of your contract and routes a path to the lake))
>>
No. 1050712 ID: 02cfda
File 166995843385.png - (127.68KB , 500x500 , 441.png )
1050712

You and Tricky depart the Guild Hall and leave town.

"I can't believe it!" Tricky says excitedly, "My first real adventure!! And I get to share it with a seasoned professional too!"
>>
No. 1050713 ID: 02cfda
File 166995843795.png - (75.06KB , 500x500 , 442.png )
1050713

You blush a little bit, "Oh I don't know about that, I've really only had the one adventure, at least that I can recall." You wonder about your past. Were you ever really brave? You remember cowering away from the King, and hiding for ages in the dark. But then, you did push through the mushroom caves and fought the infected voidkin and Mirrow.

"I know we'll be able to handle this just fine together," they say supportively.
>>
No. 1050714 ID: 02cfda
File 166995844121.png - (122.54KB , 500x500 , 443.png )
1050714

You walk together for a good bit, following roadsigns pointing to the lake. You feel the heat of the sun shining overhead. It's a bit more uncomfortable than it was before, but you feel like you'll be fine. You're dripping a lot, but Tricky seems to be doing just fine.

"So, I guess this is a first for both of us, huh?" you say.

"Huh?"

"Neither of us have been past Hyther. Everything here is new to me." Everything is new, just, like generally speaking...
>>
No. 1050715 ID: 02cfda
File 166995844573.png - (104.40KB , 500x500 , 444.png )
1050715

"Oh, I guess that's true!" Tricky chuckles, "I've always dreamed of getting to see the world. I still can hardly believe I'm finally out here doing it!"

"What was stopping you from leaving sooner?"

"Oh, well, you know.." they gesture to their lower half, "I'm a little new to limbs, so it was never really much of an option till a couple years ago. It's a little hard to hold a sword without arms."
>>
No. 1050716 ID: 02cfda
File 166995845077.png - (118.80KB , 500x500 , 445.png )
1050716

Humphrey leaps to the front, and you find yourself sliding back into your headspace. "Oh I had no idea! Congrats on the evolution! I only got legs just yesterday myself."

"Hey, leg buddies!"
>>
No. 1050717 ID: 02cfda
File 166995845465.png - (98.76KB , 500x500 , 446.png )
1050717

Humphrey and Tricky talk excitedly as you walk together to the lake. It's such a strange sensation sitting in your own body while Humphrey does the walking and talking.

"So, what do you make of this 'wild void' stuff?" Mirrow asks from across your headspace. She looks agitated, pacing around. The space around her is littered with big pillows shaped like mushrooms.
>>
No. 1050718 ID: 02cfda
File 166995845792.png - (75.70KB , 500x500 , 447.png )
1050718

"Oh, I dunno, why?" You lean back against a bookshelf. It's made of wood but feels very soft somehow. "Seems like there's a lot we don't know about the void."
>>
No. 1050719 ID: 02cfda
File 166995846128.png - (132.12KB , 500x500 , 448png.png )
1050719

"Seems that way." She flops into the pillows. "It's really messing me up. They all seem really nice. But the King definitely did kill us, right?"

"Yeah," you say, recalling the dream you had a couple days ago. "They seemed pretty sorry about it. Said it was a mistake."

"Hell of a mistake," Mirrow snorts, "I wanna give them a good beating if we ever meet them again."

Humphrey
## maybe we should try not to antagonize the big scary king that murdered us... ##

"Yeah, well..." Mirrow waves her hand dismissively, "I won't kill on sight, but if we do ever meet them again and they seem like they're gonna do something nasty, I'm gonna run Godrender straight through their big stupid face."

Godrender
$$ we will happily drink deeply of the king's blood $$

You look through Humphrey's eyes and can see a sign saying you're close to the lake area. Anything/one else to talk about/to before you enter the new area?
>>
No. 1050721 ID: 15c72a

>>1050719
Have a basic plan for what to do when you encounter them. You don't want to walk on eachothers' toes. Also, figure out how to use your thread as rope to tie them up... and see if you can connect to the void sword in some way. Maybe you can "broadcast" your "beat" to distract them or even pacify them?

Lastly, as for the void king, I'm thinking you demand reparations. He tried to kill you, dispersed you, and did some major damage to your psyche in the process, so he owes you big time.
>>
No. 1050728 ID: d12415

>>1050719
Ponder what our headspace actually is, since this is the first time you have actually ever been in it so vividly. What do the books on the shelf say?
>>
No. 1050731 ID: cd48aa

Alright, here are some ideas:
- First, try pulling some thread off of the cape. If you end up cutting off any pieces of void or whatever, and it doesn't immediately evaporate or vanish or something, tie the thread around it to potentially collect a sample. That way we might not have to lose the Void Sword to upgrade Godrender.
- Maybe try fashioning a rope out of part of the cloak too, if that seems possible, now instead of later. So we aren't scrambling to do it mid-fight.
- Definitely try broadcasting with the Void Sword to see if it can pacify the Wild Void.
- Also try using the Music Box Pendent. Maybe it will do something if used against/in the vicinity of the Wild Void.
>>
No. 1050734 ID: b01382

>>1050719
Odds are we're a looooooong way from doing any lasting harm to him, and that's only after we recombine all our parts so we're a grand smile again. We'll put a pin on the revenge for now. Right now lets focus on the jerb, and maybe learn more about void magic so we can take advantage of it.
>>
No. 1050735 ID: b01382

>>1050719
Odds are we're a looooooong way from doing any lasting harm to him, and that's only after we recombine all our parts so we're a grand smile again. We'll put a pin on the revenge for now. Right now lets focus on the jerb, and maybe learn more about void magic so we can take advantage of it.
>>
No. 1050737 ID: 2aa5f0

hmm, not sure if this was just how it was drawn or if it is an actual thing but...

you looked like you were starting to melt a bit while you were walking but when Humphrey took over it looks like you weren't melting as much. You think that each personality can only be the pilot for only a certain amount of time?

Or am I looking to much into this and you're still just as goopy and it only looks less so because simply how Humphrey was drawn?
>>
No. 1050744 ID: 885f1a

So, you all, despite being pieces of a grand slime, are capaple of growth/evolution than?
We still have that Music box!
and also I would assume the Void Sword may do something, having the ability to connect to the Wild Void may be usuful, given that may very well have been its original job!
>>
No. 1050745 ID: bbb04b

Hmm, the desk lady really didn't answer the question I was actually asking, in that I wanted to know how to prove we actually did it if we do something to "un-wild" these void, which is potentially feasible if we work out how to use the music box pendant for ourselves.

"I mean, with how the Void seems to work, most of our interactions with them were sort of us talking to the King, in a roundabout way. Also, maybe offing the guy who's setting the 'rhythm' for almost the whole world population of voidkin could have... problematic results, assuming he's even killable in a way that matters."

"It's good that this void shard thing doesn't necessarily mean I'll 'fall into step' with that guy, though, even if I do 'turn' somehow. Thank goodness."
>>
No. 1050751 ID: e33fa7

Voidking messed up a lot of things aside from just us. Better get started on filing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of the entire world. We must inflict a debt of such profound magnitude that even an entire empire of pure Absence cannot comprehend it. Maybe we can apply enough suction to invert the void! Pull them out of themselves as it were.
>>
No. 1050767 ID: 53560f

We shall hold the King to trial, his actions and intentions will be judged, but first we must learn all we can of what he’s done so that every crime and good deed can be measured.
Chances are we probably wont end up killing him on account of what that would do to all the poor void dudes who follow him but we’ll figure it all out when we get there.
>>
No. 1050774 ID: 885f1a

Do you have your own corner of the headspace? Mirrow and Hamphery seem to have made little corners but you're never "here"
>>
No. 1050817 ID: b01382

>>1050716
Oh my god i love tricky so much theyre such a treat! Can we pick en up and have them ride our shoulders?
Slime powers combined!
>>
No. 1050820 ID: cd48aa

Remember, the Void King didn't kill the Goddess, that was the Trickster. And the world broke because the Goddess was killed. The Void King only showed up after that and (mostly) killed the Titans and Grand Slimes. And apparently he considers trying to kill the Queen a mistake caused by some sort of misunderstanding, so it's entirely possible his demigod slaying was justified and reasonable given his understanding of the situation at the time.
>>
No. 1050822 ID: b01382

>>1050820
red pill me here, but who is the trickster?
>>
No. 1050904 ID: 885f1a

>>1050822 we have no idea! one of many things we have to find out in our quest
>>
No. 1051976 ID: 02cfda
File 167123673569.png - (149.43KB , 500x500 , 449.png )
1051976

You take a moment to look around the space. There are soft clouds everywhere, and piles of objects scattered about. Mirrow is lounging in a small mound of mushroom shaped pillows, and a ways off you can see several plush purple pillows nestled among some crystals, presumably where Humphrey hangs out.

You look back at your own space. Several small bookcases encircle a single large pillow. The shelves are filled with books of varying sizes and colors. Small crystals are sprouting from the clouds around the space, and there are several candles littering the area, some of which are lit.

"The books are hard to read because a lot of pages are missing from them, but there's a lotta stuff in there. Old journals and letters, stuff like that. Some of them are mine, some are yours. Humphrey seems to have the cleanest selection of books, but it's mostly about slime culture. Kinda boring, honestly."
>>
No. 1051977 ID: 02cfda
File 167123674067.png - (51.84KB , 500x500 , 450.png )
1051977

You pull one of Mirrow's books off the shelf and open it up. It looks like gibberish. "Why can't I read it?"

"Cuz I don't want you to, nerd. I can't read most of yours either. What do you want to know?"

"Oh, just.. I guess I thought we'd be able to read each other's minds since we're the same person?"

"Yeah, well, I don't think that's how it is."

A pulse of grief ripples through you, but you try to ignore it for now.

You look at the cover of the book. The hand shaped symbol is embossed on the front. "We learned this when we found you, do you remember anything about it?"

"Not really. It's not a spell. Or, it's not exactly a spell. I think there's something specific about it, like it's a symbol, but I don't remember what it means. Maybe we used to be really into high fives." She shrugs nonchalantly. "If you figure it out, let me know."
>>
No. 1051978 ID: 02cfda
File 167123674694.png - (105.50KB , 500x500 , 451.png )
1051978

You put the book back on the shelf and turn your gaze to the broken sword floating some distance above your space. There are thin tendrils growing over the crystal, with small mushroom caps flowering near the top. A gentle melodic beeping resonates from the sword, easy to miss until you paid attention to it.

"Do you know what the hand means?" you ask it.

The sword continues to beep softly, a quiet pulsing rhythm.

"Can you say anything at all?"

It doesn't respond, just gently beeping and booping.

"It's actually been more chatty since the crystal smith opened the locket," Mirrow says, "I think it recognized the song and has been trying to answer it back."
>>
No. 1051979 ID: 02cfda
File 167123675245.png - (96.58KB , 500x500 , 452.png )
1051979

"Hmm.. Hey, Humphrey, can we open that locket for a second?"

Humphrey
## Oh, sure, I'll try. ##

Humphrey pulls out the locket and tries to open it. There's a seam and a hinge, but they can't seem to figure out a way to pry it open. Tricky watches you struggle with it.

"I've seen one of those before, traveling voidkin carry them. How'd you get one?"

"It belonged to uhh... a friend. They disappeared, and this was one of the things they left behind." Humphrey puts the locket away.

"Gosh, I'm sorry about your friend. At least you have something to remember them by."

Humphrey
## sorry guys, I don't think we can open it ##

You look back up at the sword. It isn't making noise anymore.

"Oh, one more thing, uh, Tricky! Do you know if there's a way to turn this stuff into rope?" Humphrey tugs at your cloak.

"Well, I guess if it's thread, you could maybe tell it to be a rope? I'm not sure how that works tho, I think only voidkin can control the shape of it, but I don't know a lot about magic."
>>
No. 1051980 ID: 02cfda
File 167123675736.png - (123.91KB , 600x400 , 453.png )
1051980

You arrive at the lake. The water stretches out a great distance, almost further than you can see, tho you're just able to make out the shape of trees and houses on the far bank.

"Oh gosh..."

The houses closer to you are destroyed, splintered and torn apart. Trees with deep gashes, deep dents in the earth, and the shallows are littered with debris from the destruction.

In the middle of the lake, balanced on the surface of the water stands a trio of voidkin. They look thin and frail, all three are staring directly upwards, their brilliant red single eyes shining brightly even in the full might of the sun. They don't seem aware of your approach just yet.

Humphrey slides back into his space, putting you back in front.

(You are at the top of the order, and will take turns between the wild void. You have your weapon Godrender, your spells, and Tricky has a rapier and several throwing knives. Don't worry about rolling, I'll handle that as I write the updates.)
>>
No. 1051982 ID: bbb04b

The locket clearly opens with Void magic. Either that or Void essence, but that's a bit less actionable. Try channeling thread into the locket; that could be an easy win-condition for this.

There's also the question of why these three are all here, in this one place. Why are they fixating on the sun? Does it have a song, and these guys just attack anything that interrupts their attempts at trying to listen to it?

If that doesn't work, they probably won't notice the attempt, so just proceed to Plan B: Fireball. (I'm sure there's a way to do that with basic runes, if you don't already have it.)
>>
No. 1051991 ID: 53560f

Dang, was hoping we’d be able to single them out but it looks like that’s not happening out in the open like this.
We have some time before they notice us so let’s prepare some traps and lure them towards us.
>>
No. 1052005 ID: 6bc5d5

Making traps is a good idea, seeing as I doubt feral voidkin will notice untill it's too late.... assuming we don't disrupt the water or make too much sound, I feel either will disrupt the Voidkin from just... having a thousand yard staring contest with the sky.
Not like there is much else we could easily do while they are so far, but prepare to cast a Spell at them when they begin to move, maybe a Slime-casted beacon, so we can blind em and hopefully not us, again not much long range options
>>
No. 1052006 ID: 6bc5d5

We COULD try to throw a Ask rune their way, but somehow I doubt we will get far with it... could provide a hint on pacifying them tho
>>
No. 1052007 ID: cd48aa

1) Try using your cloak/thread to open the locket.
2) Pull some of the thread from your cloak so you can at least tie it around something if you get the chance.
>>
No. 1052011 ID: 2aa5f0

if this is going to turn into a fight I guess the smart thing to do would to be to set up a kill zone and then try and lure them into it. Preferably with a ranged attack of some kind.
>>
No. 1052177 ID: cd48aa

Huh. I wonder if we could use the "mend" spell to trap one of them. Like, cut a strip of the cloak off, tie the ends together so you have a loop, and then rip it opposite the knot so it becomes two strips tied together. Then just get it behind a Wild Void and "mend" the tear so the strip ends up tied around them. Maybe pull out threads from the ends of the tear to make it longer so it's easier to get around a Wild Void without the mended loop being looser.
Alternatively, the Beacon Rune might be useful.
And I still think we should try to get a sample of Wild Void and tie it with thread so we don't have to remove the Void Sword to upgrade God Render. It seems too potentially useful as part of the Queen.
>>
No. 1052474 ID: 02cfda
File 167184334494.png - (147.40KB , 500x500 , 454.png )
1052474

"Why are they just standing in the middle of the lake like that?" you ask softly. You look up into the sky. There's nothing above them but the sun, no clouds or creatures or anything. "Are they staring at the sun?"

"Seems that way," Tricky whispers back, "I don't think I can hit them with a knife from here. We need to go to them, or get them to come to us, and I don't know about you, but I can't walk on water."
>>
No. 1052475 ID: 02cfda
File 167184334727.png - (83.76KB , 500x500 , 455.png )
1052475

You nod, scanning the area. The wreckage of the shoreline buildings could provide some cover. "I could try a beacon to lure them out here, and then we jump em. I'll see if I can't figure out a way to turn this thing into rope, we'll tie one up, and then it's two against two, an even match."

"Sounds as good a plan as anything!" Tricky gives you a hearty nod, and the two of you hunker behind the nearest building to the shore.
>>
No. 1052476 ID: 02cfda
File 167184335299.png - (125.00KB , 500x500 , 456.png )
1052476

You pull the cloak off and look it over. You try to imagine what a rope made of this material would look like. "Uh... Shello, if I rip this up, can you mend it into a rope?"

Your phone beeps cheerfully, "I'll do my best!" You take a deep breath, and begin to tear the fabric to shreds. Shello channels magic through your finger tips, casting the MEND spell, and you begin to reform the cloak into a rope.
>>
No. 1052477 ID: 02cfda
File 167184335428.png - (88.53KB , 500x500 , 457.png )
1052477

[1d10 = 1]
At least, that's what you try to do. The spell seems to wash off the fabric like it's oil and water. Some fibers stick together for just a moment, only to immediately fall apart. You now have several useless scraps of red cloth, too frayed and damaged to be of any use, and only four charges of magic in Shello.
[Your cloak gains the SPELLPROOF tag]
[Your cloak will repair itself over time, but is currently unusable as is]
>>
No. 1052478 ID: 02cfda
File 167184335811.png - (131.69KB , 500x500 , 458.png )
1052478

"Well... rope isn't going to be an option unfortunately," you sigh as you gather up the scraps of your cloak and pocket them, "But we still have a chance to get the jump on them!"

You channel slime magic through Shello, burning a little bit of your tail up as you draw the sign for BEACON.
[1d10 = 8]
A circle forms on the ground, filled with intricate lines crisscrossing, converging in the center, where they become to dense and bright to look at, and with a harsh crack, a searing beam of blue light rockets upwards, stretching infinitely into the heavens. You feel a serene sort of cosmic warmth coming from the light, but you don't have long to ponder this.
>>
No. 1052479 ID: 02cfda
File 167184336210.png - (63.13KB , 500x500 , 459.png )
1052479

All three of the wild void snap their heads to look at it, following the beam with their eyes from the sky to the shore.
>>
No. 1052480 ID: 02cfda
File 167184336684.png - (77.93KB , 500x500 , 460.png )
1052480

They begin to sprint to the shore, their feet barely disturbing the surface of the water as they approach. You and Tricky ready your weapons as they draw closer and closer.
>>
No. 1052481 ID: 02cfda
File 167184337076.png - (54.37KB , 500x500 , 461.png )
1052481

[2d10 = 6,9] nice
"NOW!"
The moment they reach the beacon, the two of you swing out your weapons, catching them mid sprint. Godrender catches one in the chest, digging halfway into them before sending them rolling some distance back. They let out a distorted sort of cry as they tumble back into the water, an ichorous dark fluid dripping out of them and spreading around them in the lake as they stumble back to their feet.
>>
No. 1052482 ID: 02cfda
File 167184337459.png - (55.40KB , 500x500 , 462.png )
1052482

Tricky lunges forward with their rapier and deftly pierces one of the other voidkin in the chest. It lurches to a halt, stopped by Tricky's sword, and with a grunt, Tricky yanks the sword through the side of them, spilling more of the dark fluid onto the earth and water.
>>
No. 1052483 ID: 02cfda
File 167184337843.png - (150.60KB , 500x500 , 463.png )
1052483

The third voidkin reaches out to claw at you, swiping through the beacon.
[1d10 = 7]
They move directly into the beam of light, and shriek horribly as their body crackles and burns from the energy. They reach out blindly and manage to sink their claws into you, gouging out a decent chunk of slime flesh.

The pain ripples through your body, the wounds feel like they're burning, but your core is still intact. The sun is beating down on you, and you feel a little woozy in the heat, but you're still standing, and Godrender isn't too heavy to lift just yet. If anything, they seem lighter in your hand.

"YES -- YES -- A TASTE OF BLOOD," they yell as void fluid drips down their edge, "DELICIOUS -- FURIOUS -- POWERFUL."
>>
No. 1052489 ID: cd48aa

I mean, keep fighting, obviously. It's a bit late for any fancy tactics. Unless...

Try using all your remaining charges to cast "COLD" on the Wild Void in the water. Maybe you can freeze one.
>>
No. 1052491 ID: 6bc5d5

>>1052489
can't imagine any other use for those charges, other than maybe PULLing them onto the sword, so however many will freeze the Wild Void, which may be all of them, and use the rest as PULL as my vote on those charges.
The Beacon spell seems able to Harm Void, maybe use some of that
Have one Mirrow/Humphery try and look for that other symbol we know from >>1035077 and see if it's a rune, have the other try to reach and activate the Sword, see if it will help out some
>>
No. 1052498 ID: 3184a6

hit it with a mushroom spell.
>>
No. 1052507 ID: 6bc5d5

You can try casting "Ask" as a slime spell, but I somehow doubt you're getting much from them, you could also do the same with "Blink" which may be useful for dodging or supporting tricky if you need to tho
>>
No. 1052538 ID: 7bf8f6

THE BLADE DEMANDS BLOOD, IT SEEKS THE HEAT OF BATTLE, LISTEN TO IT'S DESIRES, CLOSE YOUR EYES AND RIP. AND. TEAR. UNTIL IT'S DONE.
>>
No. 1053439 ID: 0ba437
File 167314304882.png - (120.03KB , 500x500 , 464.png )
1053439

You brace yourself, holding Godrender pointed towards the wild void that just swiped at you. It staggers backwards from the beacon between you, a shuddering clicking sort of moan of pain issues from it as the cracks of blue white energy slowly fade from its flesh.
>>
No. 1053440 ID: 0ba437
File 167314305257.png - (54.60KB , 500x500 , 465.png )
1053440

You stretch out a hand to it, focussing on the PULL spell. Your hand clasps into a fist and yanks backwards hard, and the wild void is drawn rapidly forward towards you and into the beam.
(1d10 = 10)
[spells 3/5

You hold your ground, your sword firmly grasped in your hand. You thrust the weapon out to meet them over the beacon and the Voidkin slams into the blade, sinking down to the hilt. It's dark blood pours onto the ground and almost completely coats Godrender.
>>
No. 1053441 ID: 0ba437
File 167314305718.png - (68.99KB , 500x500 , 466.png )
1053441

The beacon hisses and crackles over Godrender's crystal body, and with a loud CRACK, the blade splits in two, turns inside out--
>>
No. 1053442 ID: 0ba437
File 167314306265.png - (205.54KB , 500x500 , 467.png )
1053442

--and then slams closed over the wild void, swallowing them entirely.

You have ensnared the whole of a wild void.

Godrender's body begins to seal back into a solid piece. "Untethered wretch, find comfort in the quiet of oblivion."
[1d10 = 5]
Godrender's eye flushes red as dark fingers slip through the cracks of Godrender's new maw and begin to attempt to pry it open as their blood pours out in sheets. They are trapped, but not defeated.
>>
No. 1053443 ID: 0ba437
File 167314306640.png - (103.58KB , 500x500 , 468.png )
1053443

The wild void Tricky attacked is on their feet again and attempts to swipe at the smaller slime.
[1d10 = 1]
It stumbles unsteadily towards Tricky, woozy from the heavy damage, and just misses swiping at them. Tricky sidesteps easily and thrusts their rapier towards them again.
>>
No. 1053444 ID: 0ba437
File 167314307072.png - (102.20KB , 500x500 , 469.png )
1053444

[2d10 = 7, 7]
The blade sinks into the wild void. They shriek in agony, but this time they grasp the hilt with both of their hands, holding Tricky close.
>>
No. 1053445 ID: 0ba437
File 167314307349.png - (64.65KB , 500x500 , 470.png )
1053445

The wild void stares at Tricky with that enormous angry eye, lifting them up in the air. Tricky struggles to escape as their eye begins glowing brighter and brighter, until suddenly a blinding explosion blasts from their face, pushing the two of them away from one another.
>>
No. 1053446 ID: 0ba437
File 167314307744.png - (87.10KB , 500x500 , 471.png )
1053446

The wild void falls to the earth, while Tricky is knocked back several feet, landing with a muffled thud in the grass. Their flesh is steaming and bubbling from the heat as they stumble to their feet again. Their rapier is still lodged in the wild void's chest.
>>
No. 1053447 ID: 0ba437
File 167314308366.png - (90.89KB , 500x500 , 472.png )
1053447

You are a slime named Mirrow. You're trying very hard not to think about the last time you were in a fight with the void. You wanted to be brave after all these years, but this is freaking you out a little bit.
[1d10 = 9]
You're good. This is totally different! These are just guys, no biggy. You've even got a big sword this time. You didn't have one before. It's even bigger than the one that killed you.
>>
No. 1053448 ID: 0ba437
File 167314308633.png - (79.78KB , 500x500 , 473.png )
1053448

>cast a mushroom spell
You look up at the core. The tendrils wrapped around it are thin, the small caps growing out of it aren't large enough to be of much use. But maybe you can pull on a little magic to help out.
>>
No. 1053449 ID: 0ba437
File 167314309109.png - (94.64KB , 500x500 , 474.png )
1053449

You climb on top of Nemo's shelves and leap onto the core. Humphrey watches you. They look tense. "What are you doing?"

"Don't worry about it, I wanna just see if I can help us out." You clamber up onto the core and examine the space. The void sword embedded inside is humming at a similar frequency to Godrender. You can faintly hear the mutterings of thought from the mushrooms.


You reach out, carefully wrapping your fingers around the hilt of the sword. Your mind focuses on the Sigil of Sight as you grasp it.
[1d10 = 7]
It fills your mind once again, those voices, whispering, murmuring, soft, sweet, gentle, hushes of comfort and care. You can't make out anything they're saying, but you feel reassured by their tone.
>>
No. 1053450 ID: 0ba437
File 167314309560.png - (44.07KB , 500x500 , 475.png )
1053450

You cry out in pain as your core pulses powerfully through your body, burning up a significant amount of your tail. For just a moment it feels as tho time has frozen, and in that instant you can see faint connections linking the wild void to you and Tricky, and further, tho faint, you can see something leading into the depths of the lake. It feels familiar, like what you experience while fighting Mirrow in the caves. Faint whispering fills your mind, hurried secrets of the thoughts of your assailants.

[SIGIL OF SIGHT is an expensive power granted you by the mushrooms slowly growing inside you. While active it allows you to predict what your foes are going to do moments before it happens. Attacks made against you have disadvantage for a very short time.]
[You've activated some mushroom powers. Things might get a little weird.]
>>
No. 1053451 ID: 2aa5f0

well you got one trapped in your sword and tricky is currently disarmed. I say go help him. Just have somebody keeping an eye on the lake. I'd like to investigate it once the fights over but I'm somewhat worried that something might be hiding in it.
>>
No. 1053459 ID: 15c72a

Protect Tricky until they get back in the game, then maybe you should investigate the lake. The wild void were standing on the surface... maybe they can't dive underwater? Since you can go down, you can check out what's down there before you do anything too irreversible to the wild void.
>>
No. 1053490 ID: ceaf93

Well a voidkin trapped yet undefeated, and another yet fighting, I'd say the solution to both are bashing with Godrender, given that one is IN them and the other is the one getting bashed, maybe you can at least get the rapier out.
Maybe ask Godrender... What?
SIGIL OF SIGHT seems fun, it LOOKS as though Mirrow knows more about it, at least enough to know it's name... unless she was just focusing on that whole Thing That Happened, BUT QUESTIONS LATER.
you should check out the (thing in the) lake LATER tho, it may be why the Wild Void are here, may just be that third void you Should Not Forget About, but also you need to help Tricky not die via Void Mauling
hmmm if you are able to predict your foes, maybe SEE if that third void is gonna recover and come wreck you, and PUSH them back in, as thinking on it COLD won't really work unless you get reallt lucky
>>
No. 1053492 ID: ceaf93

>>1053445 also this looks like beacon how dare
>>
No. 1053497 ID: b01382

>>1053450
Hmmm. Maybe there's another titan in the lake. After this we should take a moment to rest and recover, maybe find random things to eat.

>>1053490
+1 bash the wild kin with another wild voidkin.
>>
No. 1053499 ID: cd48aa

See if Godrender can disable or knock out the trapped Wild Void without killing it. Then we'd have our prisoner, and possibly our sample. Perhaps tying some thread from the torn-up cloak around it would help?

Also, see about casting "Cold" on the one that's bleeding out in the lake. It might freeze. We don't know that it's dead or even defeated, and we definitely don't want it getting the jump on us.
>>
No. 1053657 ID: 0ba437
File 167349369175.png - (101.32KB , 500x500 , 476.png )
1053657

"What did you do??" you yell out loud.

Mirrow
&& I'll explain it later, just go help Tricky before they get blasted again! &&

You look over near the water where Tricky seems to be paralyzed by the pain of that attack . The voidkin you hurled into the shallows moments ago is crawling towards them, its face splitting open to reveal several rows of sharp teeth as it prepares to take a bite out of the slime.
>>
No. 1053658 ID: 0ba437
File 167349369591.png - (102.69KB , 500x500 , 477.png )
1053658

"STOP!" you yell, thrusting your hand out towards them. You focus as hard as you can on the COLD spell, and Shello kicks into overdrive.
>>
No. 1053659 ID: 0ba437
File 167349369912.png - (159.72KB , 500x500 , 478.png )
1053659

[1d10 = 7]
[Spells = 0/5](you can still cast spells, but you'll have to draw their runes)
A frigid shock of energy crystalizes down the length of your arm, spiking into sharp icicles stretching out from your hand.
>>
No. 1053660 ID: 0ba437
File 167349370404.png - (134.81KB , 500x500 , 479.png )
1053660

A blue white bolt snaps between your palm and the wild void, striking the water where they stand. They are rapidly encased in a jagged formation of ice.
(Shello beeps a faint "Goodnight!" and goes to sleep to recharge)
>>
No. 1053661 ID: 0ba437
File 167349370821.png - (74.82KB , 500x500 , 480.png )
1053661

Your arm is frozen almost solid, making it harder to wield Godrender. You can still bend your fingers and move your arm, but it's kind of painful and slow. On the plus side, you don't feel like you're miserably hot anymore.
>>
No. 1053662 ID: 0ba437
File 167349371285.png - (75.53KB , 500x500 , 481.png )
1053662

"Are you ok, Tricky?" you ask as you approach them, "What did you get hit with just now?"

"I-I don't know, I can't... help me up please.." You reach out with your good arm and pull them to their feet. "That thing it hit me with, it was so... angry. And sad?" they gingerly feel the spot where the void beam struck them, still bubbling and steaming.
>>
No. 1053663 ID: 0ba437
File 167349371667.png - (62.71KB , 500x500 , 482.png )
1053663

"Let's worry about that later. There's something in the lake underneath where they were standing. Are you good to go investigate, or do you need to take a rest?"

You look over at the wild void that blasted Tricky. It glares at the two of you as it tries to stand, Tricky's rapier still lodged firmly in its chest, dark blood pouring out of it onto the damp earth.

[1d10 = 9]

It manages to rise to an upright position and stands there somewhat shakily. It looks like it's in extremely poor condition as it begins to shuffle away towards the water.
Sigil of Sight tells you they're headed towards whatever is in the lake.
>>
No. 1053664 ID: 15c72a

>>1053663
Sad, huh? Yeah, going under that lake seems like a very good idea now. Follow the voidkin. That's the last one, so... you're not really in any danger anymore.
>>
No. 1053672 ID: c5f793

Are we going for captures? Cause you got one trapped in your sword still.
>>
No. 1053674 ID: b7f4e1

well, you have a frozen arm and he has a boiling face, so the obvious (and pretty silly-weird) solution is stick your arm in his face
between the 2v1, damage, it seemingly wanting to do something else, and also you'd know if they are gonna attack you, the fight seems over, I suppose you should follow, maybe help out, DiplomacyQuest!
maybe try to collaborate what Tricky felt and what The Sight is giving you to figure out something about their deal, MAN if only you had a usable cloak... is there enough for an ASK rune? hell God-Render has one captive steal, maybe try to get some answers that way too
>>
No. 1053676 ID: 30b9f6

>Encased
>Entombed
>Enstabbed
Huh, might actually get all three captive if you can take down the final one. Tell Godrender to warn you if the one he's chewing on is going to get out any time soon, then set off after the last one before it can get to deeper waters. Maybe it's weak enough you and Tricky can just restrain it yourselves.

>angry, but sad
>trying to get back to whatever's in the lake
At a guess, these three voidkin found something that made them go wild - or some force there began to control them - and it's in the lake. There's a chance whatever it be, it be relevant to your quest. Based on our sample size of one crazy mushroom'd voidkin.

>Icy arm / boiling face
Submerging a bit in lake water ought to be decent for warming up / cooling down. Not as high a temperature differential as combining the two.
>>
No. 1053729 ID: cd48aa

Hmmm...

Uh, I think you should give it a hug, it seems like it needs one. Or maybe offer it the music box. Either way, we should definitely check out the lake.

See if you can use the Sigil of Sight to tell if there's any chance of your captives escaping any time soon first, though. And maybe try putting the frozen one in your inventory for easier carrying and so you don't lose track of it.
>>
No. 1054061 ID: f0bf00

offer music box
>>
No. 1054089 ID: 0ba437
File 167409824407.png - (117.46KB , 500x500 , 483.png )
1054089

Humphrey
## It doesn't seem like it wants to fight anymore... maybe we should let it go? ##

Mirrow
&& I don't think we should leave any of them standing. I don't care what the king wants, these things hurt a lot of people as well as us, and deserve to be punished for it &&

"Hmm..."

Godrender, is the one inside you still alive?

Godrender
$$ Alive and desperately trying to get out -- $$
[1d10 = 9]
$$ We have them under control, tho. They will not escape $$
>>
No. 1054090 ID: 0ba437
File 167409824975.png - (101.93KB , 500x500 , 484.png )
1054090

You stride over to the void and stop in front of it. It glares at you, but doesn't attack.

"Hey! uh... Your friends are unharmed. Uh, I mean, well they're still alive anyway."

It lets out a sort of angry buzzing growl in response.
>>
No. 1054091 ID: 0ba437
File 167409825309.png - (146.14KB , 500x500 , 485.png )
1054091

>use locket
An idea strikes you, and you pull the locket out of your inventory and hold it out to them. "The Void King wants to meet with you, do you think this would let you talk to them?"
>>
No. 1054092 ID: 0ba437
File 167409825825.png - (124.57KB , 500x500 , 486.png )
1054092

The locket opens up and begins to play that soft tinkling melody. Your core resonates with it.
>>
No. 1054093 ID: 0ba437
File 167409826280.png - (114.78KB , 500x500 , 487.png )
1054093

The wild void lets out a bloodcurdling scream that ripples the water around them, clutches their head, and collapses.

"HOW... DARE ... YOU..." it gurgles, "THAT... TRAITOR... THAT WRETCHED... SWEET... SONG... IT CRRRAAAWWWLLLS INTO MY BLOOD... MY GOD... FORGIVE ME..."

A familiar voice echoes through your core, low, calm, monotone, but not without emotion.

"Child, you have wandered alone for too long. Forget this ancient song, and remember, not what you were, but who you are."
>>
No. 1054094 ID: 0ba437
File 167409826830.png - (182.86KB , 500x500 , 488.png )
1054094

The sobbing void crumbles, and sinks down into the blood, leaving behind nothing but a large red orb and Tricky's sword.

The locket snaps shut. Your core is silent.
>>
No. 1054095 ID: 0ba437
File 167409827383.png - (189.21KB , 500x500 , 489.png )
1054095

Tricky is staring at you, mouth agape. " It just... melted?? How did you do that?? What WAS that??"

"Oh, uh... well, I'm not sure honestly, but hey, it worked! We got an eye, and two live ones!"
>>
No. 1054096 ID: 0ba437
File 167409827860.png - (169.74KB , 500x500 , 490.png )
1054096

"Well... mission successful then!" Tricky smiles and then winces.

"Oh, lemme take a look at that.." you reach out and hold Tricky's head gently in your hands. The blast area is still gently bubbling and hissing.
>>
No. 1054097 ID: 0ba437
File 167409828350.png - (174.75KB , 500x500 , 491.png )
1054097

You gently press your frozen hand over it. Tricky shivers, grimacing in pain, but doesn't pull away. The hissing slowly stops as the ice cools it.
>>
No. 1054098 ID: 0ba437
File 167409828977.png - (168.12KB , 500x500 , 492.png )
1054098

.........
>>
No. 1054105 ID: cd48aa

Alright, probably time to go check out the lake.

...

I wonder what its god is?
>>
No. 1054106 ID: 823a1a

well... grab that orb, and see just what is in the lake I guess, wait wouldn't the void in the sword have been in the songs effect?
There are SO MANY MORE QUESTIONS that we need to be asking both the Voidking, and also maybe a "Wild Void" or two!?
That orb, by itself, looks much like a Titan Core, which is also located in the head
Did Void King kill a god? or whatever that "Ancient Song" is?
If that void in the sword wasn't affected, we can ask it so many questions, like what even is that song
>>
No. 1054109 ID: bbb04b

"Healed two birds with one stone."

> The Lake
Still... That exchange. Something tells me the Void King isn't really the origin of the void - perhaps of the void as we know it, but not of the void as a whole.

"That thing I used, it's a locket that lets voidkin resonate with the 'song' contained in it - in this case, that of the void king. Do you know how the voidkin work, as a whole?" If he doesn't, explain how the Void King isn't the only "song" i.e. "purpose" or perhaps "collective" that voidkin can follow.

"My core heard what they discussed - I learned that something emitting a 'song' older than that of the Void King is in that lake. I think that's what could be drawn from it, anyway." If Tricky wants to know how your core could have heard it, seeing as we don't want him to think we're crazy... I'd say if we fought for our lives together, he's someone we can tell our secret condition to.
>>
No. 1054115 ID: 15c72a

>>1054098
Dive dive dive!
>>
No. 1054117 ID: e33fa7

Host a lakeside picnic, and invite the lake to join in!
>>
No. 1054123 ID: aafca5

Tell your fellow slime that you noticed something in the lake and want to check it out before you report back.
>>
No. 1054131 ID: cd48aa

Drink the void juice.
>>
No. 1054133 ID: d344dc

Ya'll, this date (mission) is going quite well, tbh! Lol. I say this is a perfect moment, lean in for a kiss and ask something like "I hope this has been a fun date so far." Or something else witty!
>>
No. 1054140 ID: 8c7af7

...
THEME MUSIC AND VICTORY POSE NOW!

The silly points enthusiasts are alone, time to grind some out
>>
No. 1054146 ID: d12415

>>1054098
That smile is creepy af...
>>
No. 1054690 ID: 0ba437
File 167469919799.png - (190.77KB , 500x500 , 493.png )
1054690

The spot where Tricky was burned appears to be a sort of glittery stone materieal. It's thin and surface level, but doesn't brush away. They reach up to feel it. "It's... it's stone.."
>>
No. 1054691 ID: 0ba437
File 167469920212.png - (161.52KB , 500x500 , 494.png )
1054691

You look down at the gash the void left in your side. It's stopped dripping, but like Tricky's face the damage areas have turned to stone. "Oh, I guess that makes sense.. this is the same void that turned the titans into stone."
>>
No. 1054692 ID: 0ba437
File 167469920646.png - (62.14KB , 500x500 , 495.png )
1054692

You wade out and collect up the large red eye. It's perfectly smooth, glossy in the water. An intense, angry energy radiates from it, but it otherwise doesn't feel like it's going to hurt you. You pocket the thing.

[your cloak has mended a little bit and is now wearable again. You also pick up Tricky's rapier and return it to them.]
>>
No. 1054693 ID: 0ba437
File 167469921016.png - (160.68KB , 500x500 , 496.png )
1054693

"Ok, well... I guess that's three eyes, one dead, two alive!" Tricky walks over to the one frozen in ice, "How are we gonna get this thing back?"

"The guild lady said we could call them if it's too big to carry and someone would come help," you pull out Shello and flip it open.
>>
No. 1054694 ID: 0ba437
File 167469921403.png - (158.56KB , 500x500 , 497.png )
1054694

"Hi there!" it chirps sleepily, "I'm not ready to do magic yet!"

"That's fine, we just need to contact the guild for some assistance, please."
>>
No. 1054695 ID: 0ba437
File 167469921934.png - (169.45KB , 500x500 , 498.png )
1054695

"Right away!" Shello yawns and then assumes a sort of rotating gyroscope shape for a moment, occasionally chirping "connecting...... connecting..... gotcha!"
>>
No. 1054696 ID: 0ba437
File 167469922403.png - (160.56KB , 500x500 , 499.png )
1054696

It turns into the shape of the guild lady. "You again? You survived?"

"Wh- yeah? We shouldn't have?"

"Just figured you were so green you'd either give up or die trying."

"Oh.."

"Hey, just means I judged you wrong kid. I've seen a lotta heroes come and go, enough to recognize the over-eager attitude. Don't take it personally. Guessing you need someone to come collect?"

You quickly summarize the situation. She nods. "Wild shit. Alright, yeah we've already got someone on the way. The King will be thrilled, so make sure you stop by for the reward. Good work!"
>>
No. 1054697 ID: 0ba437
File 167469922884.png - (170.78KB , 500x500 , 500.png )
1054697

You pocket Shello ["good night again!"] and walk back to tricky.

"So why were they here?" they ask, "They wrecked all the buildings and then just stood in the middle of the lake. What's that about?"

"I'm not sure, but there's something in the water that has something to do with them. Maybe they were keeping guard?"

"In the water? What do you mean? They were looking up, not down. And how do you know?"

"I... it's..."

Should we tell them about us?

Humphrey
## I don't think Tricky is our enemy. I trust them. ##

Mirrow
&& yeah, they seem really cool. &&
>>
No. 1054698 ID: 0ba437
File 167469923317.png - (204.26KB , 500x500 , 501.png )
1054698

"So... I'm... You know how the Void King destroyed the world forever ago and killed the grand slimes and titans? I'm uh... I'm actually one of those grands, and this," you point to the sword stuck in your core, "is the King's sword. I'm not sure how or why, but I can feel connections to people and things through it, and it's telling me there's something down at the bottom of the lake that has to do with the wild void."
>>
No. 1054699 ID: 0ba437
File 167469923852.png - (119.62KB , 500x500 , 502.png )
1054699

Tricky stares at you with wide eyes. "No way... they all died forever ago... but... that would explain how you felt things about the wild void..."
>>
No. 1054700 ID: 0ba437
File 167469924281.png - (175.88KB , 500x500 , 503.png )
1054700

They begin to vibrate excitedly. "That's so cool omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg you're a grand?? I can't believe I'm adventure buddies with a grand slime?!"

"Well, I mean, I'm part of a grand I guess," you say sheepishly, "I lost a lot of my pieces, and can't remember everything. But I'm figuring it out, and I... I trust you, so that's why I'm telling you about it. I don't think it's a good idea to let everyone know what I am just yet, so please keep it between us."

They nod enthusiastically, "Of course! I won't breathe a word of it to anyone. Wow... wow....." They look out into the lake. "So... should we go see whatever's down there then, or should we deal with the wild void first? The guild is sending someone to pick them up, should we wait for them?"
>>
No. 1054701 ID: 0ba437

((I forgot to draw it but tricky is still battle damaged))
>>
No. 1054702 ID: b01382

>>1054700
Tricky is the cutiest!
Yeah lets explore the lake. While we're at it, try grabbing the handle of the blade in our cure and try and see if we can communicate with the eye or whatever is at the bottom of the lake.
>>
No. 1054703 ID: 2aa5f0

well it's going to be awhile before they show up so unless you two are still tired from the fight might as well see what's in the lake.
>>
No. 1054704 ID: 04b3f8

Thank goodness Tricky's eyebrows are unharmed.
>>
No. 1054705 ID: b01382

>>1054701
Now that I think about it, we should give Tricky a smooch, just to make sure the pain goes away.
>>
No. 1054711 ID: 15c72a

>>1054700
Investigate now. Whatever's there might have sensed the wild voids having been defeated, which means it might get away if we wait.
>>
No. 1054733 ID: bbb04b

We should probably investigate later to see if separating the 'crystalized honey' from us allows healthy honey to grow back in its place, and also if anything can be done with that 'crystal.'

For now, though, we can't dismiss the possibility that more voidkin will come with the guild, and either freak out or smush the cause. I say we investigate now.
>>
No. 1054784 ID: 275adc

I doubt the Lake-Thing will be moving. I don't THINK the Guild will need any help or further information on dealing with Frostie. We should deal with things sooner rather than later.
Therefore, we go check it out, and dance under the water where none else may see, AND we con directly introduce Tricky to Mirrow and Humphery, though we can also just, do it before we go into the water, which wouold be a good idea
>>
No. 1054794 ID: cd48aa

Perhaps the Crystal Smith can help with the "stone"? Regardless, wait for the guild. We don't want anything to happen to our prisoner while we're in the water, and we don't want to miss the guild because we're underwater.

Unless waiting means going back to town. We definitely want to check out the lake.
>>
No. 1055108 ID: 0ba437
File 167531083461.gif - (59.09KB , 500x500 , 504.gif )
1055108

"Before we do anything, I think we deserve a moment of celebration for our achievements."

"Agreed!"

The two of you dance victoriously.

You earn a cool fifty silly points, bringing your total to a solid 2 Silly Tickets! Look at you go!! I'm so proud of you. <3

Tricky earns an undisclosed number of silly points. They also seem a little taller? Good for them!
>>
No. 1055109 ID: 0ba437
File 167531083860.png - (76.52KB , 500x500 , 505.png )
1055109

You can put it off no longer. The lake lies before you, smooth, undisturbed. Weirdly calm after all the activity.
"Let's grab hands so we don't get separated. I don't know what's down there, but I don't want to lose you."

Tricky nods and clasps your hand. The two of you wade out into the water.
>>
No. 1055110 ID: 0ba437
File 167531084310.png - (172.01KB , 500x500 , 506.png )
1055110

As a slime, you're not bothered by the lack of air, but you certainly feel the pressure of the water. You're a lot denser than water, and have no trouble staying on the cool grassy soil. The land slopes steadily as you head further out. The lake is a lot clearer than you expected it to be, making it easy enough to see, tho you're thankful that both you and Godrender glow in the dark.
>>
No. 1055111 ID: 0ba437
File 167531084776.png - (35.93KB , 500x500 , 507.png )
1055111

The surface must be a good ten, maybe twenty feet above you, when you suddenly come to a drop off. You're about in the middle of the lake, and before you is a massive dark pit. It's so deep you can't see the bottom, save a soft red pinprick of light glittering in the dark. Small black bubbles occasionally trickle up from the darkness.
>>
No. 1055112 ID: 0ba437
File 167531085133.png - (111.23KB , 500x500 , 508.png )
1055112

"That's... ohh.. oooohhh.... that's really dark..." Tricky peers over the edge nervously, "I-I don't know if we should go down there..."
>>
No. 1055113 ID: 0ba437
File 167531085598.png - (120.86KB , 500x500 , 509.png )
1055113

Mirrow
&& There's nothing scary in the dark. It's just a place to hide. &&

"Whatever's down there, I'm sure we can handle it. We took on three of those wild things, lets clear this up, and then think of the amazing story you'll get to share! Your first adventure, Tricky!"

Tricky blushes a little and nods with determination. "A-alright, I can do this! WE can do this!" They grip your hand a little tighter.
>>
No. 1055114 ID: 0ba437
File 167531086028.png - (218.41KB , 500x1557 , 510.png )
1055114

The two of you step over the ledge and begin to sink.

Deep

󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪Deep

󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪Deep

󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪Deep

󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪Deeper

󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪and deeper
and 󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪deeper
󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪and
󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪󠂪 󠂪deeper

The surface begins to fade out of view as you descend. Soon you can't see it at all. It's just you, Tricky, and Godrender, illuminated in a small halo of light. You stop seeing fish. Tall, black kelp comes into view, lazily drifting in the currents disturbed by your descent.
>>
No. 1055115 ID: 0ba437
File 167531086468.png - (231.55KB , 500x500 , 511.png )
1055115

You sink deeper and deeper and deeper.

Humphrey
## I don't know if the ocean even goes this deep... ##

Mirrow
&& Whatever's down here sure wanted to stay hidden huh.. &&

"How are you doin, Tricky?"

"I'm... fine... it's kind of calming actually. It's so quiet. I'm just a little worried about how we're going to get out of here."

"I- uh... we'll figure something out," you say, trying to sound confident, "Oh, hang on, I think this is that thing that was hiding down here."
>>
No. 1055116 ID: 0ba437
File 167531086881.png - (216.84KB , 500x500 , 512.png )
1055116

You settle gently to the bottom of the lake. You brush away some of the kelp to reveal a stone statue of what looks to be some kind of mage. Its single eye is shut, but a glittering red light shines through the seam. Heavy looking metal chains are draped over the body and shoulders of the figure. Each link has intricate runes engraved in it. The whole thing is sealed with a large heavy padlock, which is also covered in runes. The figure has a hand stretched upwards, a single finger aimed at the surface. Small black bubbles slowly issue from the fingertip and lazily drift out of sight into the inky darkness above.

"This appears to be an extremely powerful binding," Godrender says, "Please proceed with caution."
>>
No. 1055117 ID: 15c72a

>>1055116
Well, ask them who they are, why they've been bound here. If we get no answers from regular speech... perhaps that ASK spell will work again.
>>
No. 1055118 ID: 042212

yeah ASK is the most reasonable way to try to talk to this... Void-Critter, they DO have a really nice hat tho, probably a mage.
The chains ARE covered in runes tho, so you MAY have to Rend them first
WAIT are those runes VOID or SLIME or whatever else?
>>
No. 1055119 ID: d12415

>>1055116
Become incredibly jealous of their sick wizard hat. Make a mental note to get one for yourself later.
>>
No. 1055120 ID: d12415

Oh! Before you do anything, call the guild and tell them where you are and what you found, just in case something really bad happens.

Signal isn't a thing, right?
>>
No. 1055121 ID: fb2164

Ponder the ABSOLUTE DRIP of that Wizard Hat.

And how cool you'd look with one...

Do try chatting it up though, maybe poke it a little if it doesnt respond?
>>
No. 1055123 ID: d6036a

Absolutely do not unleashe the ancient boss wizard locked in rune chains in the bottomless pit.

...do note it down on your map later, tho.
>>
No. 1055126 ID: cd48aa

Jot it down on your map, copy the runes as best as you can, and take some good notes on any details like the lock, number of chain links, location of the ends of the chain, and exact locations/layout of runes. Maybe use the ASK spell, but no matter what don't touch it.

Also tell Tricky not to touch it.
>>
No. 1055132 ID: bbb04b

“Okay, if I’m interpreting the exchange between the King’s locket and that wild void I melted(?) correctly, then whatever this is preceded the Void King. Let’s not touch it carelessly.”

Jot down the runes for later use (assuming for now that it’s BIND or somesuch), try calling the lady to give an update on how you’re following up on the cause of all this and what you’ve found, and then try ASK on this thing.
>>
No. 1055137 ID: b01382

>>1055109
>hand holding
LLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWDDDDD!
>>
No. 1055138 ID: b01382

>>1055116
Cool beans! Try studying the runes on the chains to figure out whats going on.
Failing that, try to get the WIZARD'S attention.
Failing also that, t-touch index finger, you slunt.
>>
No. 1055139 ID: 15c72a

Do not touch ancient imprisoned maybe-evil.
>>
No. 1055144 ID: d14e86

Upon finding something unknown and unprecedented, surrounded by enslaved minions who seek only violence, in the deepest depths of the darkest darkness, bound the the most desperate bindings of a lost people using lost arts that might never be recreated, the best approach is always to release it! Smash those chains!
>>
No. 1055170 ID: 084179

>>1055116
Silly dance at it show your superiority!
>>
No. 1055175 ID: 15f210

Before using any runes, ask Godrender if there's any chance that they might disrupt its bindings. I want to use ASK, but I want to make sure as much as possible that it wont have negative consequences before we do.
>>
No. 1055176 ID: d12415

>>1055170
Tbh you could probably throw down some sick breakdance moves in slow motion because of the water.
>>
No. 1055177 ID: 58dd24

>>1055139
This would be a more compelling argument if we were not ourselves an ancient imprisoned maybe-evil until recently.
>>
No. 1055178 ID: 58dd24

>>1055139
This would be a more compelling argument if we were not ourselves an ancient imprisoned maybe-evil until recently.
>>
No. 1055186 ID: b01382

>>1055116
I kinda wonder if this is another one of our pieces.

>>1055176
Exactly. Imaging all the cool techniques we could do underwater. Image, a new branch of underwater dancing!
>>
No. 1055202 ID: 30b9f6

On the one hand, folks being locked up and chained away forever don't feel so good and right. On the other, could this be a part of the void that was fooled into doing the goddess-killing? I'm sure this is the one letting out the 'ancient song of who you were' that the void king was talking about to the furious void above.

Their presence is leaking out into the surrounding area and must be affecting nearby voidkin.

Godrender did say their blood was 'furious and powerful'. Not to mention they were instantly hostile towards the goddess beacon - which we know is ancient-past Void behavior.

Take care, because we can be pretty sure whoever's locked up here is incredibly angry and might be really tough to deal with! Likely they're some kind of void figure of legend from way back when. Or a remnant of one?

We do know that the void were tricked by the trickster into attacking the goddess, so maybe there's a way to get through to this guy as well. Maybe the void king would know - they seem more and more to be a voice of reason. The affected voidkin called them 'a traitor', too. So this guy, whoever they are/were, is/was in opposition to the void king.

I wouldn't mess with the statue or bring any of the other voidpeople close to the statue. At best, some form of communication could be attempted, but it's likely it's going to be a 'deal with someone who is angry, upset and been locked up for ages' sort of conversation.

We've done one of those before to our benefit - hello Mirrow! - but this one feels like it might need a bit more prep.
>>
No. 1055277 ID: 0ba437

((what do you want to ask the statue?))
>>
No. 1055304 ID: bbb04b

"Who are you, and why are you imprisoned here?"
>>
No. 1055310 ID: d14e86

Can you dance? Do you feel the funk?

What is a [blow bubbles] like you doing in a place like this? come to think, what are you anyway?

Can you teach me your training regime? It must be amazing to have allowed you to hold your breath for so long!

Are you a god? Have you met any?
>>
No. 1055354 ID: 084179

>>1055277
Ey sexy boi, wanna h-hold hands?
>>
No. 1055355 ID: 6b2bf7

>>1055277
maybe ask who they are, why they are here, and if they have any connection with the void king
>>
No. 1055431 ID: cd48aa

I agree with asking who and what it is. Also ask what it wants and why it's here.

>>1055177
No we weren't. None of the Queen's pieces were imprisoned. One was dead, one was living their life completely unaware of their nature, and one was in hiding.
>>
No. 1055432 ID: cd48aa

Oh! Maybe we should use the Beacon rune on the statue to see if it connects to the Titan Network. Because it would be funny.
>>
No. 1055456 ID: 5b5986

>>1055432
Aren't we out of magic? Can we still do that?
>>
No. 1055458 ID: 0ba437

((you can still cast spells, you just don't have any prepared charges and have to manually draw the runes. It took long enough to sink to the bottom of the lake that both tail and cloak have fully regenerated, a detail I forgot to mention))
>>
No. 1055569 ID: 0ba437
File 167590507754.png - (193.45KB , 500x500 , 513.png )
1055569

>look
You examine the chains and lock, taking care not to touch anything. The metal is completely smooth and undamaged, no rust or deterioration of any kind. The only marks are the runes engraved on each link. It seems like each link has identical runes, but you can't make out any of them.

The padlock itself is in the shape of a diamond, with two horns at the top. A bar connects the two in the middle, forming a closed loop. The center is hollow, with no keyhole or other such unlocking mechanism. It too is covered in runes.

Humphrey
## it's shaped like a titan's head, or similar to one... did a titan do this? ##
>>
No. 1055570 ID: 0ba437
File 167590508291.png - (217.14KB , 500x500 , 514.png )
1055570

"Do you think it would interfere with the lock if I used ASK on it?" you ask Godrender.

"We do not recognize these runes, but we doubt very much that ASK will disrupt them."

Tricky squeezes your hand. "We should let the guild know we're down here before we try anything, just in case they worry. If... we don't come back for a while, maybe they'll come looking for us."

You nod and pull Shello out of your pocket. "Hey, can you let the Guild know where we are? Tell them we found something deep underneath where the wild void were in the lake."

"Oh... no I'm afraid not!" Shello beeps sadly, "I can't seem to reach any networks at the moment. In fact... I'm not sure where you are right now!"

"What do you mean?" Tricky asks nervously, "We're in the lake still, right?"

"That doesn't seem right, but I'll do my best to deliver your message as soon as I can!"
>>
No. 1055571 ID: 0ba437
File 167590508858.png - (183.94KB , 500x500 , 515.png )
1055571

"Hmm.." you pocket the phone [bye bye!], "Ok, well, we've come this far. Let's try asking some questions. I tried this on the Titan back in Hyther, so maybe we'll get some good answers."

<ASK>

You pull thread from your cloak and draw the sign for ASK before the statue.
>>
No. 1055572 ID: 0ba437
File 167590509317.png - (125.97KB , 500x500 , 516.png )
1055572

A soft, sad voice echoes through your mind. Tricky jumps a little, surprised at hearing the voice as well. Maybe it's because they're holding your hand, but the effect seems to work on both of you.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

???
;; .... a voice..? ... please tell me your name ... I must be dreaming again... ;;

"Oh, I'm Nemo. What is your name?"

???
;; ... I don't remember anyone by that name... ;;
There's a long pause.
;; ... I can't even remember her name anymore ... how cruel ... ;;

"What can you remember? Did someone lock you down here?"

???
;; ... she chained me up ... the worm told her to do it ... ;;

"What do you mean, what worm?"

???
;;... please... I just want to feel the sun again... I just want to hear their laughter...;;


"What about the Wild Void, or the Void King? Do you know anything about them? Or the Titans?"

???
;; poor things... so lonely... she never cared for them ... ;;
>>
No. 1055573 ID: 0ba437
File 167590509821.png - (128.69KB , 500x500 , 517.png )
1055573

You turn to Tricky, hushed so the statue can't hear you. "I'm not sure what to make of this. Do you happen to know what it means by worm?"

"No idea," they shake their head, "I've never heard any stories of worms. I've met some wormfolk traveling to Hyther, but no I don't know about any particular notable worms."

Humphrey
## I bet if anyone knew about worms it would be the cats. They archive and study all kinds of historical information, maybe there's a famous worm they know about? ##
>>
No. 1055574 ID: 0ba437
File 167590511428.png - (117.11KB , 500x500 , 518.png )
1055574

???
;; please don't leave me here alone ... ;;

Mirrow
&& .... &&
&& Nemo, I want to try that beacon thing on them, maybe that'll .... help? &&

You're not sure if that's a good idea. Something is off about this being, but you don't have all the info you would like to. You can't help to feel sympathetic; you felt the same way about Mirrow, and she turned out to be more than a scary mushroom dragon.
>>
No. 1055575 ID: 0ba437
File 167590511968.png - (148.33KB , 500x500 , 519.png )
1055575

Ok, I trust you.
"Hey Tricky, you wanna see that beacon I talked about before up close?"

You draw the BEACON rune before the statue.
>>
No. 1055576 ID: 0ba437
File 167590512306.png - (157.57KB , 500x500 , 520.png )
1055576

The stone immediately reacts, cracking and crumbling, harsh shafts of light piercing through the new openings--
>>
No. 1055577 ID: 0ba437
File 167590512736.png - (54.34KB , 500x500 , 521.png )
1055577

...
>>
No. 1055578 ID: 0ba437
File 167590513223.png - (126.59KB , 500x500 , 522.png )
1055578

-- the stone explodes off of the statue as a brilliant beam of red lances the heavens. Unlike the Titan in Hyther, this beam doesn't linger, and is gone moments after it appears.
>>
No. 1055579 ID: 0ba437
File 167590514226.png - (92.26KB , 500x500 , 523.png )
1055579

The stone fully cast off, the figure stretches, brushing away small flecks of gravel. Its single red eye opens and a wicked grin crosses its dark face.

"You idiots."
>>
No. 1055580 ID: 0ba437
File 167590570257.png - (221.13KB , 900x900 , 524 - SQ Chapter 2 - The Foolish, the Faithful, Th.png )
1055580

>>
No. 1055581 ID: 5b5986

oops
>>
No. 1055586 ID: 2aa5f0

KICK IT IN THE DICK!
>>
No. 1055589 ID: 15c72a

WHY DID YOU DO THAT

Use the amulet. The Wild Void didn't react well to its song, and this guy is associated with them. Perhaps you can disable it long enough to REND it with GODRENDER.
>>
No. 1055592 ID: 6b2bf7

WHELP
May as well ask what their REAL deal is, and maybe hope that Chain will restrict their magic so they don't Magic at you.
hey maybe that Sword that is still in you or that pendant will be able to do something if you grab/use them them
Slap with broad side of God-Render for tricking you, but otherwise I feel a fight with a sane Void just won't end well
>>
No. 1055595 ID: cd48aa

Oh fuck that was a bad idea apparently. Whoops!

Uh, ask what their deal is first. Then try everything. Connect to the Void Sword, brandish the Amulet/Music Box, use the Void Dagger, see if you have any spores you can throw at it, ask God Render to use its burst ability. Anything to at least stall this thing.

Then flee.
>>
No. 1055597 ID: cd48aa

Wait did it move its hand while it was still stone?

Oh, and maybe try using the Beacon Rune on Shello and/or God Render to call for help and/or yourself and Tricky in hopes it destones you.
>>
No. 1055605 ID: 8850b5

I see the lock is still around it’s neck, wonder if that means it’s still partially bond?
>>
No. 1055618 ID: b01382

>>1055580
I never suggested freeing him, but I'm gonna simp SO HARD.
>>
No. 1055694 ID: 30b9f6

Aw nerts, knew it. Bad guy alert woop woop woop

>"You idiots."
Whuzzat, you cyclop creep? You the tricky bounder that got the goddess hurt way back when or just some hench-hobo got dunked on?!

... is what I'd want to say - along with trying to bonk him with Godrender - but A) that's probably a very bad idea if they're as powerful as seems and B) if they don't know that we know such ancient lore, Void-Wiz here could end up inadvertently dropping some hints as to the nature of things and themselves and what all happened way back when. We can still play clueless for now, which might mean they won't, uh, do quite as much damage to us since they might be feeling pretty smug tricking their way outta timeout jail.

Maybe something like...

"Whoah whoah, hold on, okay, we can see you're a bit upset here, but WE didn't chain you up here - quite the reverse! Why don't we introduce ourselves here before we do anything else?"

Aaand back slowly away because you really really might need to run here.
>>
No. 1055705 ID: bbb04b

"How are we idiots? We don't even know who you are, much less how you should be acting, and even now, I don't think we're necessarily your enemies. I mean, unless you want us to be enemies? Though I'd like to know why, in that case."
>>
No. 1055706 ID: d14e86

"We're not idiots! We're just meddling in affairs from beyond our comprehension..."

We really need to bite off Tricky's busted ear...
>>
No. 1055725 ID: d12415

>>1055586
Strongly Seconding!

KICK IT IN THE DICK!!
>>
No. 1056223 ID: 0ba437
File 167651141515.png - (52.94KB , 500x500 , 525.png )
1056223

The sword inside you feels like it's shrieking in anger. It sends a shiver through your body. It remembers something about this strange figure and is clearly agitated by its presence. Mirrow seems particularly distressed by this.
>>
No. 1056224 ID: 0ba437
File 167651142011.png - (66.11KB , 500x500 , 526.png )
1056224

The figure speaks in a mocking tone. "Ohh woe is me, trapped in this stone, boo hoo hoooooo. Won't some IDIOT just waltz on over and uncurse me."

"Wait a second, who are you?" you yell, "What are you talking about?"
>>
No. 1056225 ID: 0ba437
File 167651142564.png - (81.88KB , 500x500 , 527.png )
1056225

They laugh, a scratchy and grating noise. "Looks like she didn’t do as good a job hiding me as she thought! A Million chunks of earth and water and you still managed to trip over my corpse like a moron!" they wipe a tear from their eye, "Whatever, seems I have you to thank for letting me go. Think you can do the lock too?"

"I-I don't know how to open that.."

"Hmmph." The prisoner folds their arms and glares at you, their grin widening. "Ok, well, whatever then. I'll find another way out of these chains. So, you're Nemo huh? I'd share my name, except I don't wanna."
They glance around. "Weird, seemed like there were more of you here a moment ago, but I guess it's just you two. Shame I couldn't have had a bigger audience."
>>
No. 1056226 ID: 0ba437
File 167651142966.png - (127.29KB , 500x500 , 528.png )
1056226

Mirrow
&& try the locket, the dagger, something, anything, just make it stop make it shut up!! &

You hold out the locket before the stranger. It doesn't open.

"D-does this mean anything to you..?"

"I'm good on jewelry, thanks," they scoff, tugging at their chains, "I've got enough of it on me to last a million lifetimes."
>>
No. 1056227 ID: 0ba437
File 167651143448.png - (122.36KB , 500x500 , 529.png )
1056227

Tricky calls out, "Please, tell us what happened, who are you, how did you get here? Maybe we can find some common ground together!"

"Sure, common ground like being locked in stone for however many years its been!" they chuckle darkly, “that stupid wizard thought she could keep me here forever, that if she just locked me up and hid me in the dark that everyone in the world would forget alllllll about little old me. Hell, it’s been so long I can’t even remember her name, but I never forgot her face. I should really thank her for making it so easy for you to bumble your way down here to let me out. Then I'll kill her for making me wait an eternity for you to do it!"
>>
No. 1056228 ID: 0ba437
File 167651143979.gif - (154.83KB , 500x500 , 530.gif )
1056228

Humphrey
## who do they keep talking about? Do they mean Candyfloss? ##

The screaming inside your core is starting to become harder and harder to ignore.

"L-look, I'm really sorry about all that, it sounds horrible! I-I can only imagine what it's like to be locked away for so long-"

Mirrow
&& .... &&

" - but we don't want to be enemies! We just want to help."
>>
No. 1056229 ID: 0ba437
File 167651144449.png - (139.23KB , 500x500 , 531.png )
1056229

"You've already been a great help!" they laugh, "That beam spell did more than you realize for me. Seems like you people have taken a liking to smashing my favorite little guys and pulling their eyes out. Is that what you were gonna do to me? Idiots. You never wanted to help me. Not an eternity ago, and not now. You stupid idiot morons have no idea how much I've longed for this freedom, how long I've planned your world's punishment, and I'm gonna take my time enjoying it."
>>
No. 1056230 ID: 0ba437
File 167651144830.png - (119.44KB , 500x500 , 532.png )
1056230

>"kick it in the dick"

Mirrow
&& KILL IT KILL IT KILL IT &&

You are Mirrow. The agitation from the void sword has finally pushed you over the edge, and you have forced your way to the front of your body, shoving Nemo backwards into your mind. The void sword's shrieking rage bellows out of your own mouth as you grasp Godrender tightly and leap towards the clownish figure, ready to strike.
>>
No. 1056231 ID: 0ba437
File 167651145250.png - (129.65KB , 500x500 , 533.png )
1056231

[1d10=10]
You throw your entire being into cleaving the fool before you in twain. Your panicked rage courses through you like an electric fire as Godrender makes contact with them-
>>
No. 1056232 ID: 0ba437
File 167651145699.png - (65.40KB , 500x500 , 534.png )
1056232

- and is stopped. The prisoner has caught your blade between their fingers and is laughing.
>>
No. 1056233 ID: 0ba437
File 167651146087.png - (60.49KB , 500x500 , 535.png )
1056233

"Yes, YES! Hit me! Kill me!! Murder me!! Make me suffer!!" They cackle loudly. They yank the blade out of your hands and fling it up out of sight.
>>
No. 1056234 ID: 15c72a

>>1056233
...welp, so much for that. Just sit there and be boring, I guess. We can't leave, he can't leave. He's still imprisoned.
>>
No. 1056235 ID: bbb04b

“Apologies for my other self’s actions. The sword was yelling at us. Let’s back up: Who are you? I feel like we’re both missing a lot of important context here. For instance; we defeated these wild void because they were hurting people. Also, while it wasn’t specifically stone, we can relate to lying dormant for an astronomical amount of time.”
>>
No. 1056236 ID: 40647d

Sword's only warning us NOW!?
WELL, the only other trick I think we have is maybe, since the rune is the exact same for both slime and void Beacon, casting a beacon with both, edge of thread, inside of glowy slime rune.
OTHERWISE, ask if they really of no idea who/what the void king is
>>
No. 1056237 ID: 5b5986

GODRENDER NOOOOOOOOOOO
GET THEM BACK GET THEM BACK GET THEM BACK GET THEM BACK
>>
No. 1056264 ID: cd48aa

Kindly explain to this trickster the following: One, you have no idea who he is, so whoever "she" is was apparently entirely correct to think "that if she just locked [him] up and hid [him] in the dark that everyone in the world would forget alllllll about little old [him]," because everyone in the world did "forget alllllll about little old [him]." Two, the world was already destroyed so he's a bit late on that one. And three, if the wizard he's talking about was a Grand Slime named Candyfloss, she was killed a long time ago so he's also too late for that.

Frankly, he's largely failed. His revenge is pointless because everyone and everything is already doomed anyway. There's nothing he can do that wasn't already happening. He might as well just fuck off and find someone who cares.

Also: You have another bladed weapon. You might as well try it too. Who knows, maybe the Void Dagger will interact differently with his Void makeup. If that fails, there's also the shovel.

But really, I think the best course of action is to go get Godrender and then ignore this clown. There's clearly no hope of defeating him right now, he doesn't actually seem to care all that much about what anyone says, he's definitely not reasonable, so there's no point in actually trying to reason with him or appeal to his emotions, and he's strong enough that if he wants to do something to you, he will. Either he's going to do something, or he isn't. In the former case it doesn't matter what you do (or don't do), so there's no reason to act based on that possibility. In the latter case, you're going to have to go get Godrender and find a way out of wherever you are anyway.

Basically:
> Just walk out, you can leave!!!
> If it sucks... hit da bricks!!
> Real winners quit
>>
No. 1056266 ID: 8850b5

Huh, well… this is awkward. Politely ask him to wait a minute and then go and retrieve your sword and come back. And inadvertently ruin the moment without realizing it.
>>
No. 1056270 ID: b01382

>>1056233
kiss him! love him! hold him tenderly! he'll never expect it!
>>
No. 1056271 ID: d12415

>>1056230
>clownish
Idk about anyone else, but this guy looks nothing like a clown. I don't really get it.
They look like a little cute wizard thing with a serious attitude problem and probably enough power to back it up.

Anyway, seems like we are at an impasse. We can't really do anything to them (aside from potentially inadvertently undoing the lock somehow), and they aren't doing anything to us, and idk if we can get out the way we came in, so idk, lets just sit tight. Maybe retrieve the sword.
>>
No. 1056296 ID: b01382

Someone mention leaving. We shouldnt really do that without Godrender. So i propose we do the one thing he would never expect: flirting!
No no, A SILLY DANCE OFF! Thats one thing he can never beat us in, because we're the master of the silly dance! But also flirting, and maybe a smooch or two.
>>
No. 1056298 ID: 300835

>beam earlier
Wow, so we gave him a viewing seat during the fight with the mad voidkin above. Man did we make a few bad calls!

>doesn't recognize Void King's symbol
>'your world'
Ancient and offworlder! That confirms it! He really is the trickster that got the void to attack the goddess and got her killed way back! Except... he seems to think she might've been a wizard or something? Unless that really was Candyfloss.

And the void people were his 'favorite little guys'? Sounds more like his playthings. I don't think he's going to like just how much the world's gone to pieces since he got locked up! Thankfully he still seems to be bound somehow by that lock and chains.

>void going bananas
It's either pushing back against his influence - or reflecting his own crazy-ass desire for violence. Maybe it's starting to beat to his rhythm! You gotta change it, push back somehow! If it falls deeper in lockstep, things are just going to get worse! Make it sing to a different tune - your own!

>murder me!
"Huh... methinks nope and no! And we didn't murder all the poor voidkin you made mad earlier either, you dummy! Tricky, even if we can't do much to him, I don't think he can hurt us just like that - he seems to still be bound somehow! Let's just pick up my sword and get outta here!"

Truly, it is high time you danced your way outta here. Can we cash out a silly ticket or two on this silly trickster? Pull a... silly tricket, if you will?
>>
No. 1056323 ID: d14e86

Pfft, thinks itself soooo powerful, when it can't even dance!
>>
No. 1056383 ID: bbb04b

... Honestly, yeah, the best way to counter his "neener neener, look at you absolute dinguses" narrative is to just calmly spam the clown emoji right back at him. Just absolutely take the bombastic wind out of his sails.
>>
No. 1056845 ID: b01382

>>1056383
That, or tenderly holding his hand, or better yet giving him a smooch.
or two.
or three...
geez is it me or is it getting hot in here?
>>
No. 1056857 ID: b01382

>>1056233
>other players trying to stop the possible Big Bad Evil Guy
>they probably have a very good reason to stop him
>me, a hopeless romantic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiIBKcd4m5Q
>>
No. 1056864 ID: 084179

>>1056233
I bet this guy is weak against hand holding and snuggling
>>
No. 1056881 ID: d14e86

Dab! Dab harder than you have ever dabbed before! Dab as though your life depends upon it, for it most assuredly does...

For the one thing that ancient evil is never prepared for, is for the world to have moved on without them...
>>
No. 1056882 ID: 0ba437
File 167722672341.png - (179.28KB , 500x500 , 536.png )
1056882

"You pathetic little wretch," it sneers at you, eye piercingly red, "I smell it on you, that stupid knight buried in your ugly rock heart, clinging on to you because daddy isn't around to tell them what to do. My precious knights, lost, angry, converted by them and turned into docile little shadows."
>>
No. 1056883 ID: 0ba437
File 167722672866.png - (49.09KB , 500x500 , 537.png )
1056883

They plunge a hand into your chest, grasping your core tightly. You can feel eons of boiling rage wrapped around your core as they pull on it.

"N-no," you gasp, trying to grab onto their arm and pull them off of you, "I don't know who you are, b-but we can talk about this, please.."
>>
No. 1056884 ID: 0ba437
File 167722673203.png - (184.34KB , 500x500 , 538.png )
1056884

They lean close to you, almost close enough to kiss you. "All you ever wanted to do was stamp me out. Why should I give you the dignity of a conversation," cracks begin to snap across your core as their hold tightens, "even so, it's not your fault, you're just a silly little creature who got mixed up in all this. And if that's their sword, then I know exactly who you are, 'Nemo'. You're not going to die right now. That wouldn't be fun. What joy is there in dancing on your enemy's grave if they don't have the pleasure of watching you do it?"
>>
No. 1056885 ID: 0ba437
File 167722673688.png - (131.80KB , 500x500 , 539.png )
1056885

They lower you back to the ground. Tricky looks terrified, sword poised to attack, but there's clearly nothing they can do in this moment.
"Please honor me by having this dance, Oh Grand Slime."
>>
No. 1056886 ID: 0ba437
File 167722674064.png - (114.88KB , 500x500 , 540.png )
1056886

resist
1d10 = 9

You feel the agony of stone and the relentless fury of the void push into your heart, cracking it further, but you just manage to keep it all in one piece as you're flung upwards.
>>
No. 1056887 ID: 0ba437
File 167722674490.png - (106.26KB , 500x500 , 541.png )
1056887

////
hold it together

you rocket through the air, still going up and up after you break through the surface of the water
>>
No. 1056888 ID: 0ba437
File 167722674862.png - (59.90KB , 500x500 , 542.png )
1056888

///
you're going to be ok

you feel gravity grasp your body once more as your arc draws you over the shallows where you fought before. It looks like Tricky also got hurled into the air. At least you're not alone

//
you have to be ok

you curl up into a ball as the soft earth grows closer, hoping it's soft enough not to kill you immediately. A small group of people is gathered around the ice-encased wild void. They seem to be rushing to try and catch the two of you
>>
No. 1056889 ID: 0ba437
File 167722675114.png - (90.04KB , 500x500 , 543.png )
1056889

/
if you're not ok I'll make you be ok

You hit the ground hard, splashing in the shallows, bouncing and rolling out onto dry land

Alive.

One of the newcomers manages to catch Tricky.
>>
No. 1056890 ID: 0ba437
File 167722675592.png - (34.36KB , 500x500 , 544.png )
1056890

You lift yourself up and rise to a stand shakily. The cloaked figure floats gently to the surface of the lake. The water stills around their feet as they touch down.

"As charmed as I am to meet you, I really do have far more important things to be doing," They call out, "So I'm gonna just leave you with a little something as a token of my affection."
>>
No. 1056891 ID: 0ba437
File 167722675863.png - (89.75KB , 500x500 , 545.png )
1056891

They reach into the water and pull Godrender up from the depths.
>>
No. 1056892 ID: 0ba437
File 167722676228.gif - (100.69KB , 500x500 , 546.gif )
1056892

They wrench open the sword's jaws with a sickening crunch, letting the wild void inside fall out.
>>
No. 1056893 ID: 0ba437
File 167722676641.png - (62.68KB , 500x500 , 547.png )
1056893

It begins to froth and bubble, growing larger and larger in the water.
>>
No. 1056894 ID: 0ba437
File 167722676912.gif - (30.43KB , 500x500 , 548.gif )
1056894

"I'll let the three of you get acquainted," they say as they toss Godrender over to you, "do put on a good show. Bye!"
>>
No. 1056895 ID: 0ba437
File 167722677430.png - (117.24KB , 700x500 , 549.png )
1056895

A titanic monster of void, several stories tall, solidifies in the lake as the trickster disappears with a snap. It's large red eye, easily the size of a house, opens and its dark X-shaped pupil focuses on you and Tricky. A harsh low rumble of a roar vibrates out of it as it raises several thick tentacles out of the water and prepares to attack you.

"What the hell is that??"

The group that was near the ice block are gathered near you and Tricky. A green lizard, a four-eyed cat, and a grey bird with heavy metal gloves. They look confused and scared, but ready to help in any way.
>>
No. 1056897 ID: 15c72a

>>1056895
Godrender, are you ok? Will you be good to fight soon? The others can keep the enemy busy until then. If you can't fight then I guess magic will do...?

Tell the guild members that was some kind of evil wizard. You'll explain later.
>>
No. 1056898 ID: 5b5986

Ow.
Everything hurts.
Physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
We need a second, to breathe, to recover, to at least just recognise the pain in our core and, I don't know, can we heal that??? Can we move? Can we fight? Cast spells? Can we even run away right now without feeling like we'll trip and fall?
>>
No. 1056900 ID: dbc6b8

>>1056898
Counterpoint:
Empty our biggest spell into the beast.
>>
No. 1056903 ID: b01382

>>1056894
Damn. Hes so hot.
>>
No. 1056905 ID: cd48aa

Ask Godrender if it's okay. Then try casting mend on your core and on Godrender. And then try to figure out who that voice was. See about cutting out the part of you that got turned to stone earlier too.
>>
No. 1056908 ID: bbb04b

"We tried to address the cause of the voidkin going wild - I fucked it up!"

"Godrender, I know you probably aren't okay right now, but are you okay enough for another fight?"

See if you can't repeat the trick with the locket - if that fails, switch to magic mode.
>>
No. 1056938 ID: dd858d

OK SO
Getting your core messed up is bad, Cast Beacon so maybe help with that and God-Render, while you got the phone out call the guild you need SO MUCH HELP
Grasp the void-sword and ask it to help you fight like you've never fought before hopefully won't again
HEY YOU FOUND THE TRICKSTER
oh he knows you, you are SO SO SOO pressing the void king on details the first chance you get
>>
No. 1056942 ID: d14e86

Maybe try the squiddle song?
>>
No. 1056945 ID: d12415

We need to evacuate. This is too much for us. We are all going to die if we don't leave now. This has nothing to do with bravery. It will kill us and keep on going. It would be better to run away, call the guild, get medical help, and make a plan. Worst case scenario, we can at least warn the people back in town that there is a monster coming so they aren't caught by surprise.
>>
No. 1057098 ID: 0ba437
File 167757978599.png - (52.82KB , 500x500 , 550.png )
1057098

This is too much.
This is too much.
"This is too much," you say aloud weakly, "I can't, I can't do this." Tricky looks at you worried.

"Nemo?"

You feel fragile. Your core is still in one piece, but it's not in great shape. It hurts like hell, and that familiar rush of blinding panic creeps up from the corners of your mind. Something you've managed to push out of the way since meeting Nemo, but can't ignore any longer.
>>
No. 1057099 ID: 0ba437
File 167757978912.png - (77.29KB , 500x500 , 551.png )
1057099

You don't have time to think about it as the dark monster swings a tendril at you. Tricky pulls you out of the way just in time and the black tentacle slams into the earth where you just were standing.

"Wake up, we need to do something!" They shout, "Nemo, please!"
>>
No. 1057100 ID: 0ba437
File 167757979364.png - (57.47KB , 500x500 , 552.png )
1057100

Mirrow closes her eyes for just a moment.
"Nemo, we're not in good shape. We need to leave before that thing kills us again."

Nemo wrings their hands nervously. "We can't leave this thing here, it'll hurt more people if we don't-"

"It's going to kill us, and we're not going to get another second chance!" She yells back, "Godrender is broken, and we need to heal before we get smashed to pieces!"

Humphrey looks like they're about to cry as they chime in. "We don't have time to argue, we need to do something now, either run away or fight, but we have to support each other."

Nemo paces around a bit. "Godrender, are you well enough to fight?"

"Tho we are broken and jagged," it gurgles weakly, "we will hold ourselves together and fight for the glory of the Goddess... we will fight to protect you, Mirrow, as we have for eons."

Nemo turns to Mirrow. "Listen. This isn't like before. I know it's scary and this sucks, but you and me and Humphrey, and Tricky and these new guys, we're strong as a team. I think we can come out on top.

"But I also respect you. If you don't feel safe, we'll leave, no judgement. We can call the Guild and get more help. We're a team, which means we support each other in all decisions.

"What do you think we should do?"

A. Stay and fight (Nemo will take charge)
B. Escape and heal (Mirrow resumes control)

(a soft voice, or perhaps a hushed chorus, offers an additional option: "let our tender grip become firm and be safe in our embrace")
>>
No. 1057101 ID: fb2164

Yeeeah, i feel like this is an instance to
B: Flee.

Godrender's banged up, we're definitely not doing too hot, and who KNOWS what that thing is capable of doing, not to mention how massive it is...

Best course may be to pull out, and get the Guild on that thing ASAP, Strength in Numbers and all that.
>>
No. 1057102 ID: 15c72a

Don't go mushroom-crazy again.

A, stay and fight, but cautiously. Support the others, take attacks of opportunity, use magic more than godrender.
>>
No. 1057104 ID: 336bce

We’re still out of magic from the fight before we went under the lake right? Yeah I’m going with leaving this to the team that’s still fresh to deal with this thing.

B
>>
No. 1057106 ID: 5b5986

To stay and fight is to risk our life, Godrender's, and the lives of those who came to help unprepared for a threat of this size. I don't want our recklessness to cause more damage than has happened already.

B
>>
No. 1057108 ID: bbb04b

A, but let others do the frontlining for you - stay back and support the group with magic.
>>
No. 1057109 ID: 8e6882

A
>>
No. 1057112 ID: 7c0da2

A. With the help of the others, it should be okay. Help them as much as you can, but if you get to the point where you are just too weak to fight, get to a safe distance and let them finish the fight without having to worry about you.
>>
No. 1057119 ID: dd858d

IF we were to fight, we wouldn't be on the front line, both God Render and our core are damaged, and another good hit from that void could cause SERIOUS damage. We ARE capable of magic, HOWEVER, Shello is depleated, and we only know Beacon, Blink, and Ask. Something tells me Ask is NOT going to help us here, and neither will the Void King stuff. The only hail mary we have is a VERY well placed beacon with the support of others...
Ask of they can get us a opportunity to Blink in and Beacon, otherwise you HAVE TO GET OUT
(compromise always works!)
>>
No. 1057122 ID: d12415

>>1057100
B. and make sure to take everyone else with you. You all need to get back to town and get help.
>>
No. 1057155 ID: d14e86

Sea.
>>
No. 1057162 ID: 0ba437
File 167772271480.png - (82.15KB , 500x500 , 553.png )
1057162

Mirrow backs away, clawing at her head as her eyes fill with tears of panic.
"I-I can't, I can't , I'm, I'm so sorry, I can't-"
>>
No. 1057163 ID: 0ba437
File 167772271825.png - (53.44KB , 500x500 , 554.png )
1057163

You feel incredibly nauseous. Your mind feels like it's going to split open, your heart feels like it's peeling itself apart layer by layer.
>>
No. 1057164 ID: 0ba437
File 167772272356.png - (25.93KB , 500x500 , 555.png )
1057164

You double over, trying desperately to ground yourself, but the feeling only grows more intense. You feel like your soul is being pried apart.
>>
No. 1057165 ID: 0ba437
File 167772273312.png - (156.16KB , 500x500 , 556.png )
1057165

Mirrow tightens her grip on Godrender, and with a scream she steps out of your body, her core cracking off of yours as she parts from you.
>>
No. 1057166 ID: 0ba437
File 167772273726.png - (32.30KB , 500x500 , 557.png )
1057166

Mirrow has left your system, and is running away with Godrender. She looks to be headed back towards town.

Tricky stares at you in horror. "Wh-what was that?"

Your core is not happy about the split, and feels less stable than before. You feel like a good hit or two could be enough to do you in.

"She'll be fine," you gasp as you clutch your chest, "I'm..."

Humphrey
## I've got you. We'll help Mirrow later. ##

"I'm fine. Let's get cover, we need a plan."
>>
No. 1057167 ID: 0ba437
File 167772274286.png - (11.37KB , 500x500 , 558.png )
1057167

You and Tricky motion to the others and duck behind a ruined building out of the monster's reach. It bellows as you disappear from its view, and begins to slowly lurch its way to the shore.

"What's going on, the guild didn't say anything about a giant monster," the green lizard says to you and Tricky.

The two of you briefly explain what happened under the lake. The cat looks incredulous. "So this is your fault? You were just supposed to take care of the wild void, not unlock ancient shadow demons!"

"We don't have time to argue about fault," the bird snaps, "that thing needs to be stopped before it starts causing some serious damage."

"That's easy enough to say, but nobody has ever fought wild void this large before," the lizard says.

"I'm not in great shape for beating it up, and uh, I just ran away with my sword," you say sheepishly, "But earlier when we were fighting the smaller ones, one of them walked into a beacon I'd placed, and it seemed to really mess them up. Maybe if I can get close enough to it to cast another beacon, it might weaken it enough for us to finish it off?"
>>
No. 1057168 ID: 0ba437
File 167772274749.png - (127.94KB , 461x378 , 559.png )
1057168

"Beacon stuff huh?" the bird taps her beak in thought, "Yeah, that could work. Are you sure you're strong enough to handle that tho?"

"I ... don't think I'll be fine if it hits me," you say nervously, "but If I can cast the beacon before that happens I think I'll be fine."

"What else do we have at our disposal?" Tricky asks, "I have my sword and some knives, but I don't know how well those will fare against something that large."
>>
No. 1057169 ID: 0ba437
File 167772275173.png - (173.79KB , 500x500 , 560.png )
1057169

"Fire," the lizard raises a burning hand, "I can torch it if I can touch it, or throw a fireball some distance."

"I have a halberd," the cat says, and a large spectral halberd materializes in his hands, "soul-bound, so it can't be lost."

"I have these gloves," the bird says, "They're magnetic, can push or pull. I've used them to sort of fly by pushing off the earth's polarity. Maybe we could use that to get you closer to the monster."
>>
No. 1057170 ID: 0ba437
File 167772276679.png - (148.54KB , 500x500 , 561.png )
1057170

"I have a void dagger and a shovel," you say and present the items, "And this void king locket. It made one of the wild void disappear earlier, but it seems picky about when and how it works."

"Alternatively," the cat says quietly, "we could call for more help."

Everyone looks at him. "Well, it's an idea," he mutters, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't fancy dying today. I'm certain if we tried really really hard we could scrabble together some sort of glorious solution with our meager means. OR we could live another day and let someone else take care of your mess."

"Ok, but we're it," the lizard says, "the guild sent us to clean up, so they're expecting us to do that job. We won't get paid if someone else comes and does it for us. Who would we even call?"

"We could call the Void King."

There's a heavy silence amongst the group, punctuated by more beastial roars as the monster draws closer.

"It's unprecedented, but also, consider," the cat says, "that the thing we're fighting is also unprecedented."

What's the plan?
A. Fight it yourselves (make a plan)
B. Call the Void King for help
C. Something else?

>>
No. 1057172 ID: 0ba437
File 167772332834.png - (79.03KB , 800x800 , 562.png )
1057172

(you thought your cloak had gotten lost when you were thrown out of the water, but it seems like it's started to reappear around your neck again. So you have that again!)
>>
No. 1057175 ID: 5b5986

Whilst not exactly thrilled of calling in the Void King for this, especially considering our potential history with them, to try and deal with that ourselves is incredibly risky... not sure if it's less risky than finding a way to deal with this ourselves, though. I really hope Mirror keeps themselves safe.
A
>>
No. 1057179 ID: 581d3a

Perhaps calling the Void King may be an apt idea. That creature we reawakened looked void enough, perhaps letting the Void King know there's something more dangerous than us is a step closer to an alliance. A (likely) common enemy between us now. (And this is guessing that the King knows about this enemy)
>>
No. 1057183 ID: 15c72a

>>1057170
B is actually a good idea! It serves two purposes: to call for aid, and to warn him about the ancient evil you unleashed which has a direct connection with him. That's what the void mage implied, anyway.

If Mirrow is smart she's going to ask for help at the town too.
>>
No. 1057205 ID: 12b116

Calling the Void King is a bad idea. What if he comes to finish the job he started and kills you anyway? Let's see if we can hit it with a beacon first, or possibly use the gloves to fire the locket into it?
>>
No. 1057218 ID: cd48aa

Woops! Mixed up the letters the first time.

This is our mess. We caused it, we have to fix it. A.

Wear the locket, pull out Shello, get a kiss from Tricky for good luck, and try to Beacon the thing.
>>
No. 1057221 ID: d12415

>>1057170
B. Holy shit, come on, be reasonable. Mirrow was delirious, but she had a point. A tactical retreat with a level head would be ideal. You will probably need several ranged attackers to fight this thing.
>>
No. 1057222 ID: d12415

>>1057205
You know what, if that happens, then so be it. At least that would only be one casualty rather than several.
>>
No. 1057245 ID: dd858d

IF we were to fight this thing... we would get ONE SHOT
The core basis is Blink in and Beacon, therefore we need it distracted, it is already targeting You, so we need it's focus to be split, Ms.Birds gloves allow her to push and pull, hopefully that includes people, also backline because frankly if she tries to move that void she is the one moving, so she has to push and pull people.
The Locket, fireball, and halberd should all be able to distract it, redirecting its attention long enough to not notice you Blink in, allowing you to beacon, Locket goes on a close range person, Dagger goes with Tricky so he can actually do damage, the Shovel head can be seperated and put into a slimes body for the gloves to work, and since your already using Blink to get in Tricky gets it, which allows Ms.Bird to Push and Pull him whenever he would be hit, allowing Tricky to actually close range and distract it for a moment or two. Ms.Lizard's fireballs can distract at range, STAY AT RANGE. Locket goes on Tricky to draw its attention from the others and you. Fireballs and Tricky should distract in enough for Mr.Cat to attack with Halberd, if not Ms.Bird can move him via that Halberd
Tempting as it is to pitch in yourself, you do NOT want it focusing on you or it will notice your blink and flatten you
Use this distraction to Blink in and Beacon AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, the moment it is not focusing on you, even all of this will NOT be enough to keep the void from flattening someone in under a minute, but it should be enough to give you said opportunity... assuming you don't get hard targetted
OKAY NOW THAT THERE IS A PLAN
A
>>
No. 1057547 ID: 5fd272

B. Discretion is the better part of valor, and this thing is way out of your league right now. It sounds like that trickster is a personal enemy of the Void King, too. If that's true VK would have plenty of reason to intervene personally. Whether or not you trust the Void King, you have a common enemy at the moment.
>>
No. 1058779 ID: 0ba437
File 167903142943.png - (170.60KB , 500x500 , 563.png )
1058779

What do you think, Humphrey?

Humphrey
## I think it's important to do our best, and try not to let anyone else get hurt. And... and we'll be fine. I trust you. ##

"We can do this," you say aloud, "We don't need to rile up the Void King. The Guild expects us to finish this job, and I think I have an idea for what we can do."

Tricky looks encouraged by your determination. The bird and lizard nod in acknowledgement, and the cat sighs. "Alright then," he says, "but if it gets bad I'm outta here. What's your plan?"


(you tie the shovel to your back as a pull target for the bird's gloves, and give the locket to Tricky)
>>
No. 1058780 ID: 0ba437
File 167903143401.png - (57.73KB , 500x500 , 564.png )
1058780

The void monster draws closer, its growls rumbling the air. Waves splash over shore as it lumbers nearer and nearer.

"HEY BIG GUY!"
>>
No. 1058781 ID: 0ba437
File 167903143944.png - (68.94KB , 500x500 , 565.png )
1058781

It turns to focus on the source of the noise and is hit smack in the eye with a fire ball. It winces and lets out a shriek, swinging at the fire lizard.
>>
No. 1058782 ID: 0ba437
File 167903144570.png - (93.20KB , 500x500 , 566.png )
1058782

She dodges out of the way and the cat darts forward, halberd swinging, cutting the tentacle clean in two.

The monster pulls back, screaming in agony as the cut tentacle writhes on ground, bleeding more ichorous fluid on the ground.
>>
No. 1058783 ID: 0ba437
File 167903145023.png - (85.18KB , 500x500 , 567.png )
1058783

It turns back to the attackers, angry red tears beginning to stream down its face as it prepares to swing another tentacle at them. Tricky pins the second tentacle to the ground with their rapier.

The longest tendrils dealt with, the monster moves closer to continue attacking.

It's just about close enough now...
>>
No. 1058784 ID: 0ba437
File 167903145664.png - (132.39KB , 500x500 , 568.png )
1058784

You have no idea how far BLINK works, how to aim it or how far it can carry you. You're not even sure what it does exactly, but you feel like now is as good a time as any to find out.

You don't have much thread to work with, but you recall the sign given to you by Vuota, and facing the monster, you draw the sign for BLINK.
>>
No. 1058785 ID: 0ba437
File 167903146147.png - (114.64KB , 500x500 , 569.png )
1058785

You feel a powerful pulse as the world seems to stand still around you. Your cloak is slowly disintegrating around your neck, very very slowly. Everything is blurry, and it feels very hard to think about anything. You realize you don't have a lot of time to make a decision.
>>
No. 1058786 ID: 0ba437
File 167903146670.png - (99.62KB , 500x500 , 570.png )
1058786

You look ahead at the void monster. It's not very clear to you right now. You begin taking steps towards it, and as you do your cloak burns more quickly. You break into a sprint, and as you draw closer to the shore the eye of the monster grows sharper and sharper. You focus hard on that clarity, and when you blink your eyes-
>>
No. 1058787 ID: 0ba437
File 167903147190.png - (37.60KB , 500x500 , 571.png )
1058787

You're flying towards the monster, just about level with its eye. It turns to look at you as you snap into existence near its face. It's way bigger than it looked from the shore.
>>
No. 1058788 ID: 0ba437
File 167903147662.png - (72.36KB , 500x500 , 572.png )
1058788

Here goes nothing...
You draw the BEACON sign, your tail burning and bubbling away as you draw it as large as you can, and smack the monster in the eye with it.
>>
No. 1058789 ID: 0ba437
File 167903148008.png - (132.94KB , 500x500 , 573.png )
1058789

A searing beam of cerulean energy lances through it's eye, covering it in bright lines of crackling power.
>>
No. 1058790 ID: 0ba437
File 167903148657.png - (186.11KB , 500x500 , 574.png )
1058790

Enraged, the monster seems to split in half, revealing several sets of enormous sharp teeth in its dark maw.
[1d10 = 2]

Your plan was to get pulled back by the bird's gloves as soon as you cast the beacon, but the monster reacted so quickly she didn't even have a chance to raise her hands.

Gravity has you for barely a moment.
>>
No. 1058791 ID: 0ba437
File 167903149036.png - (82.22KB , 500x500 , 575.png )
1058791

The monster slams its jaws on top of you.

"Humphrey..."
>>
No. 1058792 ID: 0ba437
File 167903150211.png - (86.32KB , 500x500 , 576.png )
1058792

Your soul shatters as massive teeth crush down on you.

"I'm sorry..."
>>
No. 1058794 ID: 273c18

>>1058792
...and? There's nothing to suggest. We are dead.
>>
No. 1058795 ID: 6fde29

...The sword in the core, oh no.
>>
No. 1058804 ID: 2aa5f0

and this is why when a DM suggest to run you should run. Oh well GG everyone see you in the next quest.
>>
No. 1058809 ID: cd48aa

Uh...

> Nemo: Be Mirrow.
>>
No. 1058817 ID: a8f755

Of all the times for misfortune to strike, it's in a critical moment. Not sure what to suggest beyond a Hail Mary.

You are one, Queen, split up into pieces, so: Pull yourself together, dammit!
>>
No. 1058819 ID: ee44de

Raise the sword!
>>
No. 1058838 ID: 0ba437
File 167908124501.png - (2.04KB , 500x500 , 577.png )
1058838

...
>>
No. 1058839 ID: 0ba437
File 167908125028.png - (84.98KB , 500x500 , 578.png )
1058839

You open your eyes again. You're sitting on a bench. It's dark, but you can just make out the shape of stone pillars all around you, hanging down from so high up that you can't see the top. There's a sort of heavy fog laying close to the ground, and when you kick your feet you get a glimpse of the polished marble beneath as the fog wafts away, before slowly reappearing to hide the ground.

Humphrey is sitting next to you. They seem to be asleep.
>>
No. 1058840 ID: 0ba437
File 167908125385.png - (31.35KB , 500x500 , 579.png )
1058840

On your other side is the void king's broken sword hilt. You pick it up.
“Huh... how'd this get out of me?”

"Ahh, good afternoon!"
>>
No. 1058841 ID: 0ba437
File 167908125723.png - (10.68KB , 500x500 , 580.png )
1058841

You look around and notice a desk with a snake lady sitting by it. She has several smaller snakes on her head, all looking in different directions.

She looks between a piece of paper and a small clock with several hands on her desk.
“At least, I think... afternoon is the right time? I’m sure you’re a little disoriented, so please take all the time you need to get your bearings."

You nudge Humphrey awake. "Hzaa.. wha? What happened? Are we still inside the void? I think I passed out. Did we win?"

The snake taps her fingers together awkwardly, "Aah. I'm afraid I have some difficult news for you about that. You have unfortunately ah... perished."
>>
No. 1058842 ID: 0ba437
File 167908126095.png - (7.30KB , 500x500 , 581.png )
1058842

"Wh-what?" you choke, "perished? What about the monster, what about Mirrow? What about the guild?"

"Mmm..." she shuffles some papers around for a moment, "Well... There's no other names than yours and your sword's on the report, but the ahhhhh...." she squints at the documents again, "'Lake Beast' has been 'successfully destroyed thanks to your sacrifice'. Um, also there's a note here? Miss Grace would like to see you, apparently. Strange, she hardly ever makes requests like that.. you must be something special."

A: Go Meet Grace
B: Ask about...
>>
No. 1058843 ID: 9a2966

Oh hey, afterlife! Cool.

But, uh, if you're dead... isn't there someone missing?
>>
No. 1058844 ID: 7e1e0b

>>1058842
Wait, hold on, who's this "Grace"? Why's she asking for us? Why did the void sword somehow cross over with us?

>>1058843
Mirrow left with Godrender a few updates ago. >>1057165
>>
No. 1058845 ID: 34713f

"... Oh. O-okay. Um... Who is Grace, and who are you? ... Wait, the sword's on the record?" Look down at the sword. "Uh... hello there? Sorry you didn't get a say?"
>>
No. 1058848 ID: 6e7268

The sword has a soul?
>>
No. 1058850 ID: 273c18

>>1058842
A
>>
No. 1058884 ID: cd48aa

As much as I'd like to ask about the sword being on the record, what it means that we're dead whwn we know another of our pieces is alive and we've been shattered before, if the Goddess and/or Candyfloss are dead, or even what thos means for our fungal friend, I think becoming no longer dead as soon as possible is more important. A. Let's meet Grace and hope she has good news.
>>
No. 1058924 ID: 6b2bf7

oh, how dead? Mirrow could theoretically re-absorb the rest of our core, assuming we didn't get pulverized
Though I imagine Miss Grace has more answers on that front
>>
No. 1058936 ID: ae1513

B: Ask about... timekeeping and deciphering clocks.
>>
No. 1058950 ID: 2b3343

A.
Save the questions for Grace.
>>
No. 1059015 ID: 98d8c7

Wait, the name is on file? We've been wondering what our real name is. Do tell.

How's this afterlife thing work overall? Lots of theories (religions), but now we can just find out by asking!
>>
No. 1059045 ID: d12415

>>1059015
Seconding the name thing.
>>
No. 1059055 ID: cd48aa

>>1059015
Our original name is the name of the Grand Slime, and the Grand Slime didn't just die. We know for a fact at least one component is alive, and probably several more, so that name wouldn't be on the list right now.
>>
No. 1059176 ID: 5fd272

Ask the sword what its name is. After all, it's been with you longer than even Humphrey and you never got acquainted. Well, more acquainted than having it stuck in your core.
>>
No. 1059252 ID: 0ba437
File 167945674822.png - (54.85KB , 500x500 , 582.png )
1059252

"Can you tell us anything about where we are? Who are you?" Humphrey asks.

The snake lady stands up and crosses to a door you hadn't noticed, looking very regal and proud. "My name is Jordon, and my job is to greet new souls. Right now we're sort of between spaces, as it were. New arrivals show up on that bench, and once I get their paperwork in order I escort them to wherever it is Miss Grace has decided they belong." She opens the door and waits for you to follow her down a long hallway.

"In this particular case, she hasn't specified a fate for you three just yet. That doesn't happen very often, so I wouldn't keep her waiting too long."
>>
No. 1059253 ID: 0ba437
File 167945675361.png - (6.08KB , 500x500 , 583.png )
1059253

"This sword had a soul?" you look down at the broken blade.

"Oh, uhhh," she shuffles through the papers again, "So, that's... mm.. it's only part of a soul, just like you and Humphrey are both parts of a soul. It's not yours, but it doesn't seem like it can walk on its own, so you'd better carry it with you."

"Does it have a name?"

"It doesn't seem to have one, it just says 'fragment of soul' in the name field."
>>
No. 1059254 ID: 0ba437
File 167945675785.png - (100.67KB , 500x500 , 584.png )
1059254

"What about this Grace lady?" you ask, "Who is she, and why does she want to speak with us?"

"She's the guardian of the underworld!" Jordon says proudly, "She's pretty big around here, takes very good care of the souls. Well, she does play with some of them, but I think they either deserve it or enjoy it when she does. As to why she wants to meet you, I haven't a clue."

The hallway opens up to a very long bridge, stretching a great distance ahead of you. Above you are thick, clouds, out of which stick the ends of great stone pillars. They all hang at different lengths, but are all of various sizes, and some hang down, dipping into what appears to be a gentle sea of darkness. There appear to be stars in the fluid.

"That's the Void," Jordon says, gesturing to the ocean below you, "It belongs to the Void King, technically, but she has a small amount a sway over it, by nature of it being in her domain."
>>
No. 1059255 ID: 0ba437
File 167945676034.png - (9.43KB , 500x500 , 585.png )
1059255

You walk down the bridge for a while and eventually come to a door in the middle. The bridge appears to continue further behind the door, fading out of sight in the distance. "Alright then! Miss Grace is just beyond this door. Good luck and all that!" And the snake lady turns and flounces back the way you came.
>>
No. 1059256 ID: 0ba437
File 167945676483.png - (6.94KB , 500x500 , 586.png )
1059256

"Alright, well... I guess we go see Grace," Humphrey says, "I hope Tricky and Mirrow are ok.."

"Maybe Grace can help us get back to them," you say encouragingly, tho you're feeling uncertain yourself.

You turn the knob and open the door.
>>
No. 1059257 ID: 0ba437
File 167945676886.png - (38.38KB , 500x500 , 587.png )
1059257

You're in a large, bright room. Several of those pillars fill the ceiling, and the floor is made of an immaculately polished marble. There are hundreds of giant cushions filling the corners of the room, and all the way at the end is a giant golden throne. Sitting on the throne is an enormous black cat, several stories taller than you. She smirks and waves as you enter and close the door behind you.
>>
No. 1059258 ID: 0ba437
File 167945677248.png - (19.21KB , 500x500 , 588.png )
1059258

"Well well well! I can't begin to tell you how delighted I am to see you. Or, perhaps I should be devastated? It makes no difference to me how you feel about it. You're here now, after all!" she laughs for a bit and sits up straight.
"I am Grace of the Underworld, caretaker of lost souls, big cat, etc etc. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, O Grand Slime, and I'm sure I have a lot of answers. I also am curious about the world beyond my realm, so let's trade secrets, shall we? Don't be shy now."
>>
No. 1059259 ID: 0ba437
File 167945677638.png - (4.70KB , 500x500 , 589.png )
1059259

"Uh, well, I guess first would be, what... what happened?"

"You were masticated by the jaws of a monster, and thusly crushed to death. Nemo's core is very badly broken. Little Humphrey fared somewhat better, tho still it shattered enough to send you here."
>>
No. 1059260 ID: 0ba437
File 167945678009.png - (25.01KB , 500x500 , 590.png )
1059260

"Is there any chance we can go back?" Humphrey asks meekly.

Grace erupts into laughter. "Getting right to it! No need to rush your revival, sweet things, time flows differently in my domain. We have time to discuss things, so please, relax."
>>
No. 1059261 ID: 0ba437
File 167945678596.png - (200.23KB , 500x500 , 591.png )
1059261

A couple of giant soft cushions puff into existence before you, and the two of you sit down on them.
"My turn, then," says Grace, "Tell me your story so far. What do you remember?"

You and Humphrey recap your adventures together, as well as the few details you can recall about your original death. "Hmm hm hm hm hm hm. Very interesting. A lot has happened in such a short time..."
>>
No. 1059262 ID: 0ba437
File 167945678903.png - (8.93KB , 500x500 , 592.png )
1059262

"I'm a little confused about why we're here," you say, "When we died before, we just split into different fragments of ourself with new... selves? Why didn't that happen again?"

"You're a unique creature as a Grand Slime," she says, "When a slime core breaks, the slime dies. When a Grand Slime core breaks, it has the ability to create smaller selves. That can only work so many times before the core becomes too broken to hold a soul inside. You've done it once before, but doing it again might be a bit much, considering you've shattered into at least four pieces already, possibly more. You're at your limit. Well, you specifically have surpassed that limit. That's why we're here talking about it."
>>
No. 1059263 ID: 0ba437
File 167945679369.png - (37.31KB , 500x500 , 593.png )
1059263

"What's the deal with this sword?" you ask, holding up the broken void sword, "It belonged to the Void King, and he killed me the first time with it. Jordon said it's a fragment of someone's soul. Is it part of the Void King?"

"It is part of the Void King, yes. As for its 'deal', it had sworn to protect you, tho being one half of a sword, it hasn't been particularly actionable about it."
>>
No. 1059264 ID: 0ba437
File 167945680072.png - (73.46KB , 500x500 , 594.png )
1059264

The sword vibrates angrily in your hand at her words, and a monotonous, sort of artificial voice you swear you can recognize speaks aloud.
"I have kept her core alive for eternities, and have tried to guide her to safety. She can barely hear me speak, and she doesn't understand my song when she hears it. Do not mock me for my failure."

"Touchy," she smirks, "Alas, it is correct. The Void King can explain it better, but the gist is they left their sword behind specifically so you wouldn't die by their hand. As for the singing, that's a void thing, I can't explain it as well as him."
>>
No. 1059265 ID: 0ba437
File 167945680410.png - (45.48KB , 500x500 , 595.png )
1059265

"What about our name?" Humphrey asks as you stare dumbfounded at the sword, "What were we called as a Grand Slime?"

Her face breaks into a wide grin. "Well, I shouldn't say, really. You're merely pieces of that name now. But there is a piece of yourself out there who does know your name. Wouldn't it be nice to hear it from yourself?"

A: Ask More Questions
B: Bargain for Resurrection
C: Something else..?
>>
No. 1059266 ID: a7a180

B.
>>
No. 1059267 ID: 12b116

Ask more questions. Is the void king here too, and can we ask him what the hell he's doing?
>>
No. 1059268 ID: 172ae0

C. Want to have a drink? You're a pretty cool cat.
>>
No. 1059270 ID: 273c18

>>1059265
B
>>
No. 1059271 ID: fb2164

Plenty of quetsions:
What IS the Void exactly?
Where's this Last Piece of us? (And other piece of the sword, as well)
Should we try and contact the Void King ASAP if we return?
Are there any OTHER Grand Slimes still living?

Who's that funny menace we accidentally released?
>>
No. 1059272 ID: 6b2bf7

We can ask the void sword if it wants to be fused with God-Render now, and we may as well ask if we'll keep our memories of this if we revive (we might want to lock the memories so Mirrow doesn't get emotionally destroyed). Ask how Grace would describe herself, and the sword how to understand it's song, also ask grace what it's like to be Ruler of... the realm of the dead? what IS this places name! what is this place! what's that white thing on her head? is Grace the Cat Goddess? is OUR Goddess down here?

How's your day?
>>
No. 1059273 ID: cd48aa

A bit of A and a bit of C: Ask her what other questions she could possibly want you to answer. You don't know very much at all, so you can't really trade more secrets for secrets.

Other things to ask:
Why is the sword hilt dead? It didn't get shattered.
Who was that wizard fucker?
How badly have you fucked up?
Can she maybe shed some light on the Goddess, Candyfloss, and/or whatever gem the Voidkin are looking for?
Are (or rather, were) you the last surviving Grand Slime?
Are there any more non-petrified Slime Titans around in some form or another, or was Godrender the only one?
Can the Slime Titans ever be unpetrified?

I don't think we need to bargain for resurrection, she seems to have already decided to do so. So maybe ask her how and why. Also, is there anything you can do to help her?
>>
No. 1059278 ID: 6b2bf7

What is the difference between Core-Crystal and Titan-Crystal? can Void be fused to Core-Crystal?
>>
No. 1059289 ID: abe56f

Whats her take on Evil Cyclops Void Wizard?
Nice thighs by the way!
>>
No. 1059295 ID: e770db

Jordan said something about being played with. Maybe we should play a bit with Grace?
>>
No. 1059298 ID: 800527

Oh, those little lines from when the evil wizard shot us up must have been from the sword, that's neat. Thank it for keeping us alive, even if, that isnt currently the case...
Yo why would the void king kill us but also not want to ACTUALLY kill us, and make sure we stay alive instead? That's pretty weird.
>>
No. 1059300 ID: 9a2966

A - You've told her your tale. Maybe she can tell you the story of the world and what happened to it? In brief strokes, from her perspective.

Accidentally unleashing wizard guy - who called himself the parental figure of the Void King here - and getting killed by his big mean mutha-monster means you're not so keen on remaining ignorant, is all. Especially if you're to return, facing something that powerful or his puppets. Like, Mirrow swung Godkiller at his gob like vengeance incarnate - and they got shrugged the heck off! How are you even to stop someone like that?

Regardless of if she can answer those questions or not, you'd be grateful to just return to the living again if it's possible. If nothing else, leaving Mirrow alone to deal with this, success or failure, isn't something you feel is alright. You pulled her out of her funk before. You'll do it again!

Or Humphrey will. That's the thing, innit? You're too mashed. Humphrey's not as bad. If he can incorporate the parts of your core that's left, maybe he'll be okay... unless some other solution to revival exists that you don't know about?
>>
No. 1059301 ID: 365de0

>>1059265
Does the sword have another half?
>>
No. 1059303 ID: d12415

>>1059265
A.
So, like, if we were to find all our pieces, how would that affect our sense of self? Would we all fuse into one consciousness, or stay separate?

--

>"Well, I shouldn't say, really. You're merely pieces of that name now. But there is a piece of yourself out there who does know your name. Wouldn't it be nice to hear it from yourself?"
Doesn't the wording of this sort of imply that she already has decided to send us back?
>>
No. 1059361 ID: d12415

>>1059336
Hey now. Lets not do anything rash. First, lets ask what we can cash them in for. We don't want to squander them.
>>
No. 1059503 ID: ae1513

Be rash. Gamble those silly points with gay abandon! Why even bother to earn them if not to squander?
>>
No. 1059676 ID: e0e102

>>1059361
We either use them or lose them. Best to use the silly points while theyre still pop n' lockin ffffrrreeesh!
>>
No. 1059940 ID: 0ba437
File 168023003698.png - (13.13KB , 500x500 , 596.png )
1059940

"Does that mean you know where more of my pieces are?" you ask excitedly, "you sound like you already decided to send us back."

"Ohhhh pleeeeeeeaaaaase don't be boring, let a cat play with her prey for a bit first?" she says dramatically, "Yes, I do know where A piece is. And yes, I can send you back, but I haven't made up my mind just yet on the matter. I don't get to hear much news of the world these days."

"Well... can we ask some more questions? We've already shared everything we know."

"Go ahead," she says lazily.
>>
No. 1059941 ID: 0ba437
File 168023004122.png - (9.46KB , 500x500 , 597.png )
1059941

"What is the Void, where did it come from?"

She taps her chin thoughtfully, "The Void King can tell you more about the voidkin themselves, but the stuff itself? That's her blood."

"Her... blood? The Goddess?" Humphrey says weakly.

"Her blood," Grace repeats wistfully, "How wonderful is that? Even in death she still managed to create some manner of life. You've met some of them, I believe. One of them came through recently. She seemed to regard you as a friend."

"Oh, is Vuota here?" you ask eagerly.

Grace giggles, "No no no, she merely passed through. A strange hand pulled her out of the sea," she gestures vaguely to the door behind you, "The Void King would be very interested in hearing about that," she stretches, "I admit I know very little about it. I see them come and go, and they rest within my domain, but the Void King is the one to ask about such matters."

"What about the Grand Slimes? Are any of them down here?"

"Several of them are in my realm, yes," she says with a smile, "None of them belong to you, tho. I haven't heard about any living on the surface other than yourself. You haven't happened to meet any others up there?"

"No, just us, and Mirrow," Humphrey says.

"Ah."
>>
No. 1059942 ID: 0ba437
File 168023004404.png - (15.40KB , 500x500 , 598.png )
1059942

"Who is the Trickster?" you ask, "why did they kill the Goddess, and how did they end up locked under the lake?"

"Nothing but a wretched little liar," she says through her teeth, her fur bristling at the mention of them, "they deceived the goddess, and when she trusted them, they killed her. A fool and a murderer, a thief and a charlatan. If they ever set so much as a toe in my realm I'll personally devour their rancid soul. Candyfloss would know more about their imprisonment."
>>
No. 1059943 ID: 0ba437
File 168023004843.png - (9.00KB , 500x500 , 599.png )
1059943

"Sounds like there was some kind of history between the two of them before that all happened," you say, "Can you tell us about the Goddess?"

"Sweet Goddess..." she sighs, "she was radiant, a beacon of love and kindness. You may have heard it said that she was Love, and Life, and the Love of Life. She overflowed with magic, and used it to create a world overflowing with beautiful things," she rests her head on her hand, "she desired so desperately to share her magic with everyone. How sweet and naive she was."

"If she was killed, wouldn't her soul be in your realm?" you ask, "Is she... is she here? Can we speak with her?"

She looks away as she answers curtly, "No. She isn't here. I .. do not wish to speak about it further."
>>
No. 1059944 ID: 0ba437
File 168023005322.png - (7.77KB , 500x500 , 600.png )
1059944

"So, about reviving us..."

"..... hm... Alright then," she says with a smirk, "I think that's about everything I can get out of you for now. I have the power to revive you, but, there are complications. And, I have some conditions.

"Nemo. Your core is horribly broken. I mean it's a real mess. No matter how I thread things, your fate is unfortunately the same every time. You were crushed to death." She points at you. "You will stay here with me."

"Humphrey. You are profoundly lucky. Your core suffered far less harm than Nemo's. I can knit your fate back together and send you back to the world of the mortals."

"Are-are you allowed to do that?" Humphrey asks.

"A-allowed? Allowed?!" she bursts into laughter, "What do you care of the bureaucracy of the afterlife?" she wipes the tears out of her eyes before continuing, "No, I am not 'allowed' to do such a thing, but I am capable of it. Worry not for my sake, I'm offering to give you a second, or I suppose third chance. Don't protest too hard or I'll change my mind~."

"You said it was conditional," you say as Humphrey blushes with embarrassment, "What's the condition?"
>>
No. 1059945 ID: 0ba437
File 168023005780.png - (14.36KB , 500x500 , 601.png )
1059945

"Three things: First, I mentioned that I know where one piece of your core is. She has the ability to heal slime crystal. Find her and she will be able to repair Nemo's core. Once that is done, I'll allow Nemo back into her body.

"Also please tell her wish her well.
>>
No. 1059946 ID: 0ba437
File 168023006029.png - (13.67KB , 500x500 , 602.png )
1059946

"Second, I want you to swear to write to me no less than once a month. I want you to tell me in as much detail as possible what is going on in the world," she gestures broadly, "If you wish to write more often I would welcome that, but I ask only for a single letter a month. I crave so desperately to know what goes on in the land of the mortals, but I cannot communicate with them, and they do not think to write to me.

"If you fail to send me a letter within a month, I will smite you immediately and drag you back to hell."
>>
No. 1059947 ID: 0ba437
File 168023006404.png - (12.36KB , 500x500 , 603.png )
1059947

"Third, I desire for you to destroy the vile Trickster entirely. Above all else they wish to remain immortal. I will not allow them to escape their fate. See that their dream is shattered."

"Well? What say you?" she puts her hands on her hips and grins at you, "Do you want to wallow here longer still, or shall we start putting things back in order?"
>>
No. 1059949 ID: a7a180

like a cat pawing at the kitty door, now I want to wallow some more.
>>
No. 1059952 ID: b6c09a

So do we just write the letters addressed to you and you recieve them, somehow? and what of the sword?
all the conditions seem good, they're all things we would want to do regardless, infact! but also, if we have to write you letters how have to write back!
May as well ask, so that Humphery (and leter poor Mirrow) will know, will Nemo just, be hanging out here?
>>
No. 1059956 ID: fb2164

>See that their dream is shattered.
Well, before we DO accept, we need one more question if she can provide:
HOW do we kill them? Any suggested means/gear?

They kinda just casually slapped us aside and spit out a monster that, you know, KILLED us last time...
>>
No. 1059963 ID: 273c18

>>1059947
Sounds good. Also now we know for sure who Godrender wants dead. How do we kill the fucker? He was completely unstoppable before (no-sold an attack roll of 10, even) so there must be something special we have to do to fight him.
Wait, how do we send a letter to her? Does she have an address? Or do we do something like burn the letter?

...I think either the Goddess's soul has been trapped by the Trickster, or the Void King is a reincarnation of the Goddess. He's the top dog when it comes to her blood, so it makes sense for him to be tied to her directly somehow.
>>
No. 1059964 ID: cd48aa

Uh, how do we address the letters? And what is the Trickster? They looks like Void, but if the Void is the blood of the slain Goddess, and they were the one who slew the Goddess, then they predate the Void and thus can not be it.
>>
No. 1059973 ID: b31a26

>Candyfloss would know more about their imprisonment.
wait is Candyfloss not dead?
>>
No. 1059975 ID: b01382

>>1059947
SILLY
DANCE

Humphreys will accept this grand quest, while Nemo will stay to learn from the dead peeps. Cover all our bases amirite?
Oh and dont forget to collect on the bounty!
>>
No. 1060309 ID: cd48aa

Oh wait! Before we go we should ask the hilt about being used to enhance Godrender, since this might be our only chance to talk. Powering up Godrender sounds great, but we don't want to lose access to the Void nature it grants us.
>>
No. 1060311 ID: 273c18

I can't help but notice this deal doesn't include the void sword at all. It died too, what do we do about that?

Also, what about the mushrooms? Are they an entity, or more like a latent power?
>>
No. 1060438 ID: ed0183
File 168053432843.jpg - (138.59KB , 654x654 , 41FFE65E-4FF7-4CED-A168-D6BA50784D8C.jpg )
1060438

So I’m Still Guessing That There Are At Least Five Or Six Pieces Of Us We Will Need To Collect Looking From The Complete Form
Oh And As For The Trickster Yup Let’s Kick His Ass!
>>
No. 1061263 ID: 0ba437
File 168135174423.jpg - (5.29KB , 500x500 , 604.jpg )
1061263

"How do we get letters to you?" Humphrey asks, "is there an address or... like a ritual? Do we just tell the post office to send it to... uh, hell..?"

"... a-ahh.." She slumps in her seat for a moment. "I'm not actually... sure... uhm..."
>>
No. 1061264 ID: 0ba437
File 168135174872.png - (18.83KB , 500x500 , 605.png )
1061264

She snaps her fingers, and Jordan appears with a squeak beside you in a burst of flames and papers. "Jordan!" the large cat calls out, "How did She send letters? I've requested that these sorts do the same."
>>
No. 1061266 ID: 0ba437
File 168135175407.png - (21.01KB , 500x500 , 606.png )
1061266

The snake lady scrambles to pick up the papers fluttering to the ground. "M-miss Grace, with all due respect, you're not planning to resurrect lost souls ag-"

"It's not your place to question my decisions," Grace sighs with exasperation, "answer the question, or be replaced with someone less bothersome."

"Y-yes of course Miss Grace, Ma'am," Jordan stands straight, her papers finally gathered again, "Well, if I recall, She sent letters by addressing them to you and then destroying them. Most letters arrived by fire, so, I suppose the idea was that by erm, 'killing' a letter, you would be able to receive it."
>>
No. 1061267 ID: 0ba437
File 168135175934.png - (36.79KB , 500x500 , 607.png )
1061267

"Good, so just do that then," Grace says to you with a dry smile, "Thank you, Jordan. Go."
>>
No. 1061268 ID: 0ba437
File 168135176330.gif - (93.81KB , 500x500 , 608.gif )
1061268

Jordan hesitates for a moment, as tho she expects to be snapped away in fire again. She bows, and hurries back through the door you entered.
>>
No. 1061269 ID: 0ba437
File 168135177226.png - (7.58KB , 500x500 , 609.png )
1061269

"About the Trickster," you say as the door snaps shut behind you, "we threw everything we had at them, but they tossed us away like we were just a toy."

"Mmmm, that's a bit of a problem isn't it," says Grace, "Who decided to attack the Trickster?"

"Mirrow did," you say, "she got so angry that she took over our body and attacked them."

"And you didn't help her?"

"I... n-no, I didn't. I was afraid.."

Grace shrugs. "Well that's it then. You didn't come to an agreement about how to use your body, and it ultimately cost you your life. You said she ran away? Perhaps she believed that she couldn't trust you to protect her." She laces her fingers together. "Merely speculation, as I haven't met her, but it sounds like she's a troubled soul. I certainly wouldn't blame her for acting in such a manner, nor am I accusing you of neglecting her. The fact is, you must operate as a group to succeed against the Trickster. Through collaboration only will you find the strength to gain the upper hand."

"If we can find her again, I'm sure we can sort things out," you say meekly, "at least, I hope we can."
>>
No. 1061270 ID: 0ba437
File 168135177725.png - (7.60KB , 500x500 , 610.png )
1061270

"What happens with the sword?" Humphrey asks, "It came here with us, but it belongs to the Void King, right?

"Honestly, I don't know. I think it just came here because you did." Grace laughs, "What do you want to happen, knife?"

"I WANT," the sword hilt growls, "to uphold my promise to protect the Grand Slime."

"Again, big talk for one half of a sword," Grace snips back smugly, "Here, let me see it. I have an idea."
>>
No. 1061271 ID: 0ba437
File 168135178152.png - (8.78KB , 500x500 , 611.png )
1061271

She reaches down and plucks the sword out of your hand, examining it closely.
>>
No. 1061272 ID: 0ba437
File 168135178704.gif - (11.57KB , 500x500 , 612.gif )
1061272

Then she crushes it in her hand. The sword screams in agony as it's turned into dark paste.
>>
No. 1061273 ID: 0ba437
File 168135179209.png - (6.86KB , 500x500 , 613.png )
1061273

"There," she says, reaching out and letting it drip onto the floor in front of you. It forms a sort of puddle with a single eye floating inside it. "Take it with you, Humphrey. It'll be a bit more useful now."

"Oh... t-thanks..." Humphrey somehow looks more pale than before.
>>
No. 1061274 ID: 0ba437
File 168135179792.png - (7.79KB , 500x500 , 614.png )
1061274

It oozes over Humphrey and solidifies into a large bow on their head. The edges look strangely sharp.
>>
No. 1061275 ID: 0ba437
File 168135180179.png - (51.74KB , 500x500 , 615.png )
1061275

"Alright then. I'm getting bored now. Let's get you on your way. Say your farewells while I get this ready." She puts her fingertips together and pulls them apart, stringing several thin golden threads between them. She begins to pull and fold and twist them around, quickly and precisely.
>>
No. 1061276 ID: 0ba437
File 168135180762.png - (8.09KB , 500x500 , 616.png )
1061276

"You'll be fine out there," you say encouragingly, "You're brave!"

"I'm... I'm not brave," Humphrey says softly, "I just acted like I was because you seemed so confident."

"Wh-... Humphrey, I was acting confident too," you say with a chuckle, "I didn't want to let you down."

"Oh, really?"

"Of course. Obviously I'm not perfect. I mean, we ended up here after all. But we got pretty far didn't we? I'll keep being brave for you if you promise to be brave for me, and for Mirrow."

Humphrey looks encouraged. "Ok, yeah. Yeah, I'll be brave like you then."

You hug the small slime. Tears well up in your eyes. You hug them tighter.
>>
No. 1061277 ID: 0ba437
File 168135181390.png - (197.41KB , 500x500 , 617.png )
1061277

"Nearly done," Grace mutters absently, "Humphrey, you're going to want to try to head for Froasting. You'll find that piece of yourself hidden somewhere in there. I can't tell you more than that because I don't know exactly where in the forest she is, but I know it's definitely in Froasting. Also," She adds as she makes some small adjustments, "Nemo's core is broken and can't hold her soul, but as long as you can keep it inside you, you'll still have a little of her power. I think you'll find that more helpful than hopping about with no legs."
>>
No. 1061278 ID: 0ba437
File 168135181842.png - (246.04KB , 500x500 , 618.png )
1061278

"Aaaaaaaaaaand," Grace slaps her hands together, and with a flash Humphrey and the void sword vanish, "Bam! They're alive!"
>>
No. 1061279 ID: 0ba437
File 168135182644.png - (14.32KB , 500x500 , 619.png )
1061279

She turns to you with that smug grin again. "So. Nemo. I have some stuff for you to do.~"
>>
No. 1061280 ID: 0ba437
File 168135183856.png - (2.04KB , 500x500 , 620.png )
1061280

...

.....


..................you.....

...where....nemo
>>
No. 1061281 ID: 0ba437
File 168135184370.png - (208.18KB , 500x500 , 621.png )
1061281

You are Humphrey, a small yellow slime from the Hyther Region.

You open your eyes. Tricky is staring back at you, tears in their eyes. "Nemo you're alive!"
>>
No. 1061285 ID: cd48aa

>>1061281
Oh no my emotions.
>>
No. 1061291 ID: 273c18

>>1061281
Tell tricky you're... half alive, yes. You've been maimed. First, we need to get to town, see if Mirrow is still there. Maybe see if we can rest and recover as well... I'm sure there's more wrong with this body than Nemo's broken core.
>>
No. 1061292 ID: ae1513

"Nope! Nemo's gone. Mirrow and I are still kicking though, and I'm hoping to put together a Nemo zombie soon!"
>>
No. 1061294 ID: d12415

>>1061281
Say no.
Ask to be taken to town to rest.
Ask them to find Mirrow and tell her you are sorry and desperately need her help.
>>
No. 1061301 ID: 042212

Ah humphery, we never got around to telling Tricky that he was talking to you on the way to this trouble, well, no one to be brave with now but yourself (and technically the Bow-King, can they talk? they would be better at explaining while Humphery gets their grip), well, Humphery now has that to deal with, well Tricky do you wanna go help us find our pieces?
>>
No. 1061302 ID: fb2164

>"You're alive!"

"No i'm a zombie slime ooOOOOooo, i'm going to eat your CooOOoores"
>>
No. 1061305 ID: 042212

well, at least with there being Bigger Problems, there is no reason to hide being a Grand Slime anymore
>>
No. 1061309 ID: 9a2966

Give Tricky's hands a gentle squeeze and apologize for scaring them. Say the monster got to you, but it seems by some miracle - (literally) - you're okay. But... you're not Nemo. Best to think of Nemo as out of commission until help can be found. It's, er, Grand Slime stuff. Actually, it's more.

You'll get into it - they deserve to know, if they can believe it - but first things first. Hi. You're Humphrey. You've been around this entire time - just like that other slime that popped out of you earlier - but it's nice to 'officially' meet. Thank them for fighting with and believing in Nemo.

It got messy, but a threatening monster was stopped, you and Mirrow are still alive, and you're confident Nemo can be restored. Sure, things could've gone better - but you'll take it. And keep trying your best from here.
>>
No. 1061310 ID: b01382

>>1061281
Kiss him you fool!
>>
No. 1061321 ID: a9af05

>>1061281
Let's go to town and hope Mirrow is there waiting for us with Godrender. We should apologize to Mirrow for putting them through that situation and thank them for taking Godrender with them.

Any reward money we get from this quest, we're going to spend it on repairing Godrender.

……also, it seems like we've got a void hitchhiker sitting on our head. Is that the Void King's sword that was talking to us in the afterlife?
>>
No. 1062116 ID: cd48aa

Time to make Mirrow feel extremely guilty!
>>
No. 1062134 ID: bceec2

>>1062116
Please don't. I'm sure they'll feel bad enough without having to rub it in.
>>
No. 1062199 ID: 0ba437
File 168264099176.png - (109.98KB , 500x500 , 622.png )
1062199

As Tricky holds you, their eyes glistening with relief at seeing you alive, the thought to scare them by pretending to be a zombie briefly flashes through your mind. You push it away, now's not the time for jokes and pranks! Besides, you kind of like Tricky, and the thought of scaring them seems repulsive!

...

Maybe later...
>>
No. 1062200 ID: 0ba437
File 168264099667.png - (134.08KB , 500x500 , 623.png )
1062200

"Wh-what happened?" you sputter.

"Your beacon did the trick! We were able to cut down the monster completely because of it. Look!" they point over to the shore where the guild members are working on lifting the monster's giant eye with magic. "It's a miracle you survived that attack, it looked like it bit down on you hard."
>>
No. 1062201 ID: 0ba437
File 168264100072.png - (147.30KB , 500x500 , 624.png )
1062201

"Yeah, it's... something, alright," you say weakly as you press on your chest. It feels like your own core is cracked, but still whole. Nemo's core is badly pulverized, suspended around your own core in splintered bits and chunks. It hurts like hell, and every time you move you feel painful jolts ripple through you. "Tricky, we gotta talk. I'm not... I'm not Nemo."

Tricky's smile fades a little. "What do you mean..?"

You quickly explain the situation with Grace and Nemo. Tricky nods thoughtfully. "I guess that makes sense. It explains what happened when you split in half and ran away with your sword. And Nemo is .... dead?"

"Yeah. Her core is broken pretty badly, but apparently there's someone in Froasting who can heal broken slime cores. I need to try and find them so I can bring Nemo back."
>>
No. 1062202 ID: 0ba437
File 168264100597.png - (76.83KB , 500x500 , 625.png )
1062202

"What about that sword thing, is that still in you?"

"I'm right here," the bow on your head pipes up, "that Grace Lady broke me out of that shape so I could be more useful."

"Right, right," Tricky helps you to your feet, "Uhm, so what are your names then?"
>>
No. 1062203 ID: 0ba437
File 168264101038.png - (118.43KB , 500x500 , 626.png )
1062203

"I'm Humphrey," you say, and then immediately topple over into the shallows. "I"m uh.. new to legs. Nemo did all the walking."
>>
No. 1062204 ID: 0ba437
File 168264101368.png - (104.18KB , 500x500 , 627.png )
1062204

Tricky gathers you up in their arms. It feels much easier to assume your familiar blob form right now.

"I was never really given a name," the bow says thoughtfully, "Void King just kinda left me in you."
(you can decide on a name for the void sword if you'd like)

You feel like a rest would benefit you, but you're anxious to help Nemo out as quickly as possible. You're also worried about Mirrow, but right now you're not sure where she ended up running off to.
The trip back to town will probably be enough of a recovery period for you to get your land legs, so if you wanted to push on you think you could do it. Resting at the guild would give you more time to heal, but that's valuable time you could spend traveling.

A. Return to the Guild, collect your payment, and rest up
B. Head to Froasting immediately
>>
No. 1062207 ID: 530a1d

B. It might be a little reckless, but I don't want to leave Mirrow alone for any longer than they have been already. We can rest up after we meet up with them again
>>
No. 1062216 ID: 365de0

>>1062204
A. How do legs work?
>Sword Name
Cali
>>
No. 1062217 ID: 12b116

Head to town, get our payment, and look for Mirrow . We need to get her back before we leave town, somebody else might have seen her
>>
No. 1062220 ID: 6b2bf7

A. perhaps you can ask around to figure out where Mirrow is
>>
No. 1062222 ID: 273c18

>>1062204
A. You're still injured, and it would be wise to join back up with Mirrow if she's still there.
>>
No. 1062224 ID: 02b681

>>1062204
A. You gotta heal up!!! ;_;
>>
No. 1062226 ID: 6e7268

>>1062216
I like Cali.

I'd have also gone for Tizona.
>>
No. 1062227 ID: cd48aa

A) We should try to see if we can upgrade Godrender and also we absolutely need to find Mirrow. Plus traveling to Froasting might cost money.
>>
No. 1062229 ID: b01382

>>1062204
Damn you Sofia! Stop making suck cute characters and cuter moments!
>>
No. 1062701 ID: 0ba437

((Name the Void King's Sword: https://strawpoll.com/polls/B2ZBEXNkLgJ ))
>>
No. 1063933 ID: 0ba437
File 168429503955.png - (93.54KB , 500x500 , 628.png )
1063933

"Let's go back to the guild," you say, "I need a nap real bad."

"We've got payment to collect as well," Tricky says as they wade back to the shore, "we've certainly earned it."

You stay quiet for a bit, mind swimming with thoughts. The whole reason you wanted more gold was to upgrade Godrender at the crystal smith. You'll get the gold, but now you have no sword. Well, you have half of a void sword. Maybe the smith can make you a new one? It won't be the same as Godrender tho. You suddenly feel how alone you are. It's only been a couple of days since you met Nemo, but you already miss her company. It always felt like she knew what to do, how to navigate a situation. If she were here now she would probably be silly dancing with Tricky in celebration. You don't even have the strength to stand on your own.
>>
No. 1063935 ID: 0ba437
File 168429504454.png - (122.15KB , 500x500 , 629.png )
1063935

The two of you meet up with the three guild members. The bird and cat are working together to magically lift both the frozen void and giant eye into the air and down the path back to town.

"Are they getting a share of our payment?" you ask, "I'm not sure how that all works out."

"Don't worry about it," the green lizard says, "Your job, as I understand it, was to neutralize the bounty. Ours was to carry back what you couldn't. We're on different contracts, so everyone gets their pay. You'll probably get a bonus for fighting such a huge monster, and we'll get a bonus for saving your ass." She giggles, and with a wave she walks ahead to catch up with her coworkers.

"Well thats good then," you say meekly.
>>
No. 1063936 ID: 0ba437
File 168429504769.png - (107.35KB , 500x500 , 630.png )
1063936

"So... Nem- er, Humphrey, what's... what's going on? Who was that weird wizard guy?"

You do your best to explain everything you know, about how it was the Trickster, not the Void King, who killed the Goddess.

"A vile, deceitful little clown," the void sword growls, "A despicable creature who fancies themselves greater than a god. They sing a beautiful song, but it's all lies."
>>
No. 1063937 ID: 0ba437
File 168429505170.png - (64.06KB , 500x500 , 631.png )
1063937

"What's your deal anyway?" Tricky asks, "You're a sword... voidkin?"

"I'm The Void King's Sword, an extension of their will," it says proudly, "My entire purpose is to protect this grand slime."

"An extension of the Void King, huh?" you ask, "Can you talk to them?"

"No."

"...... why?"

"Can you talk to your Mirrow piece even tho she isn't connected to you now?" it snaps angrily.

"Oh, n-no, not really. I guess not. Sorry.."
>>
No. 1063938 ID: 0ba437
File 168429505519.png - (64.39KB , 500x500 , 632.png )
1063938

"So that's what happened, huh?"

The guild lady crosses her arms, brow furrowed in thought. "A weird magic man at the bottom of the lake was causing all those wild void to spawn and wreck the area. He escaped, but you managed to finish the job, so there's some comfort in that. Still, that's definitely not the best news."

You've relayed the information about the encounter with the wild void and the prisoner, but left out any mention of dying and meeting Grace. You're not sure
Do you want to keep it simple, or share everything?
A: Keep It Simple, Slimey
B: Tell All About It
>>
No. 1063940 ID: 273c18

>>1063938
A. Being brought back to life will only provoke jealousy in those that know. Also people will try to get you to bring back their loved ones etc, which will obviously not work out, and will probably make them very angry with you for it not being possible.

...unless I guess people know about Grace's resurrection thing already? Seems unlikely.
>>
No. 1063948 ID: cd48aa

Let's not go blabbing about the death lady breaking rules and just find Mirrow and Godrender. Humphrey is in no state to travel on his own.
>>
No. 1063963 ID: 2c1245

>>1063938
A, we still gotta find Mirrow. Maybe ask around?
>>
No. 1063966 ID: 12b116

yeah let's see if anybody's seen Mirrow in town
>>
No. 1064012 ID: 5fd272

A. Keep it short and sweet. you don't need to blab everything to EVERYBODY after all! Just the stuff people need to know. Like how Mirrow could be goodness-knows-where by now and probably extremely stressed out.
>>
No. 1065035 ID: 0ba437
File 168574676794.png - (10.90KB , 500x500 , 633.png )
1065035

You decide to keep it to yourself. You don't want to make anyone freak out by telling them you met the guardian of the dead.

"I'll reach out to my superiors and see if there's anything they know about this wizard guy," the lady goes on, "Since you were the ones who encountered them you might receive correspondence from the higher ups for more information, so just keep an eye out for that. In the mean time," she reaches under the desk and lifts up large sack of gold, "here's your payment."

She drops it on the counter with a jingling thud. "It's 300 gold. We clearly underestimated the threat level of the bounty, but you came out on top in spite of it. Good job."

You put 150 gold into your inventory. That's more than enough to fix Godrender whenever you find them again! Speaking of...
>>
No. 1065036 ID: 0ba437
File 168574677183.png - (10.33KB , 500x500 , 634.png )
1065036

"Did you happen to see a slime run through here?" Tricky says as they pocket their share of the gold, "My friend here lost their sword in the fight and uh, part of them ran away with it."

"Oh you got split up? Damn, that sucks," She shakes her head, "Nobody with your sword in here but you two today, sorry. If you can find them, bring them back here and we'll do what we can to patch y'all back up into one slime," she points at Tricky, "You should stay and we'll see what we can do about your ear."

"Don't worry about me," Tricky says to you cheerfully, "You go find Mirrow and I'll catch up to you."
>>
No. 1065037 ID: 0ba437
File 168574677451.png - (15.71KB , 307x255 , 635.png )
1065037

And just like that you're on your own outside the guild. It's late afternoon now.

"Well now what?" the void sword pipes up, "where do you think you would have run off to?"
>>
No. 1065038 ID: 273c18

Well, Godrender was injured. So the first place I'd go to was the blacksmith, to get it fixed. Let's check there.
>>
No. 1065051 ID: 43309b

>>1065037
Check the crystal smith's shop, maybe?
>>
No. 1065146 ID: cd48aa

Crystal Smith or the nearest cave.
>>
No. 1065285 ID: 2c1245

>>1065037
To the smith! If you dont know how to walk yet, or dont feel comfident enough that you can, try sliming your way there. Else give walking a try. Who knows! Maybe you might like walking from time to time.
>>
No. 1065326 ID: 14b8a5

Mirrow's probably gonna find comfort in somewhere cave-like, a nearby cave or dark spot would probably the best place to look for them!
>>
No. 1065402 ID: 0ba437
File 168628177917.png - (7.18KB , 500x500 , 636.png )
1065402

"Well if I had a big broken crystal sword, I guess my first priority would be to get that fixed," you say as you begin down the road, "Let's go check out the crystal smith."

You walk along quietly, past shoppers and people headed here and there.

"Tell me about yourself," you say to the bow.

"There's nothing to tell," it says back flatly, "I was left in Nemo's core to keep her from dying."

"Are you ok with that?"

"What are you asking me. Are you asking if I'm ok with being stuck in your heart, completely silent and alone for hundreds of thousands of years. Yes, I am ok with that, I have no other choice than to be ok with that. Do not question me about it further, and focus on getting Nemo repaired."

You shut up.
>>
No. 1065403 ID: 0ba437
File 168628178456.gif - (63.51KB , 500x500 , 637.gif )
1065403

As you approach the smith you hear a very loud argument taking place.

"You HAVE to fix it, I need it to protect myself!"

"You can't even protect your own sword! I created a PERFECT blade with your materials, and you somehow destroyed it! I will NOT repair your blade so you can just go and smash it again."

Mirrow and the voidkin smith are by the forge yelling at each other. Mirrow is in tears, and the smith looks furious.
>>
No. 1065404 ID: 0ba437
File 168628178846.gif - (52.38KB , 500x500 , 638.gif )
1065404

"Mirrow, what's going on?" you call out as you rush up to them, "are you ok?"

She looks startled to see you, her eyes flicking over you and the void bow. She doesn't seem to recognize you at first, but after a moment she says, "Humphrey, wh-what happened to you..?" She looks uncomfortably hot right now on top of being generally upset.

"I'll explain it later," you say, "Are you ok? Is Godrender ok?"
>>
No. 1065405 ID: 0ba437
File 168628179332.gif - (25.52KB , 500x500 , 639.gif )
1065405

"I'm... fine," she tries to wipe away her tears, foiled as more quickly replace them, "Godrender isn't doing well, and this jerk is too proud to help!"

"You insult me with your arrogance," they hiss back, "you spit in the face of my craft and then ask me to whip up another like it's no big deal. And for free? I should put you in the forge and turn you into a sword, see how much you like being broken."
>>
No. 1065406 ID: 365de0

>>1065405
We already are broken, jackass!

Throw da money at their face.
>>
No. 1065408 ID: cd48aa

Alright. Tell Mirrow that Nemo is temporarily dead. Throw money at the smith, and hand over the bow.
>>
No. 1065409 ID: 273c18

>>1065405
Tell him Godrender was damaged by the Trickster. The incredibly powerful entity responsible for the Goddess's death. There was no way for you to stop it, and if he wants to help you avenge her death and serve his King, this would be a good start. Godrender will have to be even stronger than it was before.
>>
No. 1065410 ID: fc8ab3

To Mirrow: It's okay. Things are going to be ok. There's a plan of action on how to fix things, godrender included.
To blacksmith: Yes, your work was perfect. That the sword was damaged so heavily should tell you the degree to what they were fighting was not a normal threat. Mirrow and, well, everyone, has gone through some very bad times lately, it's hard to speak well when you're distraught but we'd really like to ensure our friend Godrender is okay, and you are the expert on being able to help us ensure that.
>>
No. 1065417 ID: 8f9bc4

For free?? No big deal??? What did you tell him, Mirrow?! If anything, you should be warning him that a complete psychopath broke free of some ancient prison, who's the worst wild void, and broke the smith's "perfect" sword like it was made of cardboard!

We don't actually know the whole story behind this Trickster and the cat lady was kind of skeezy, so best not to jump to conclusions about him killing the goddess (wasn't it the Void King who did that? (who is the goddess, really?)). But holy crap he trashed Godrender! What mountain do we have to move to fix this sword?
>>
No. 1065420 ID: 163d55

I can understand why the blacksmith is so upset, it's not like they know what we were up against. First, let's let Mirrow know that Nemo's going to be okay, and that we can explain the rest later. Then let's give the blacksmith the 300 gold we got and ask them please to help Godrender, the situation ended up being much more dangerous than we had expected and we were caught off guard.

Hoping to try this as some sort of 3 pronged plan. Telling Mirrow that Nemo will be okay will let the blacksmith know how dangerous the situation was and that one of us actually got hurt (even if he doesn't know they died). By giving him the bonus, whether or not he accepts it I wouldn't be surprised if he's familiar enough with guild payouts to see the bonus and realise it really was quite a dangerous mission we were given. Lastly offering him the whole payout should hopefully convince him that we do really care for Godrender, we're just inexperienced. Having Godrender repaired is much more important than keeping the money.

Also, I wonder if the void sword and blacksmith will want to say anything to each other. There was a point we asked to have the void sword put into Godrender after all
>>
No. 1065426 ID: cd48aa

>>1065417
Uh, no. The Slime Titans agree that the Trickster killed the Goddess and the Void King only showed up after that. That's how we first heard of the Trickster.

>>1065409
Not *his* king though. The Crystal Smith is independent.

Also, we definitely should still ask to have the Bow combined with Godrender if possible. I agree with the plan to explain that the Crystal Smith's work was perfect and that we ended up fighting something much, much more powerful than expected. The damage done to Godrender is pretty good evidence of how powerful that enemy was. After all, how could we possibly have done that much damage to such good workmanship? What could possibly have broken Godrender so badly other than an absurdly powerful enemy after how well the Crystal Smith had upgraded it. Obviously no matter how irresponsible we were we couldn't possibly have caused that much damage ourselves.

And if kissing up to the Crystal Smith doesn't work, we can pay all of our gold. Also if we have no other options, reveal our full backstory to explain why we're special and helping us is the best chance of preventing the end of the world.

Also tell Mirrow that we have other weapons and that even with Godrender currently out of action she has us and Tricky to protect her too.
>>
No. 1065427 ID: 273c18

>>1065426
Oh, then... serve his world, then. Or something like that.
>>
No. 1065434 ID: 9a2966

Smith's right, kinda. He has no understanding or reason to aid someone who just - from his perspective - carelessly hurt his craft and is foolish enough not even want to pay for the effort.

Mirrow's feeling distraught and betrayed herself, and she just got out of being isolated for an age, so she is not in her most social or diplomatic mood to put it mildly. You need to gently lower them both down from their agitated states. And, well...

Take a moment to steel yourself, and then bow and apologize to them both - and directly to Godrender, too.

Had you and Nemo not hesitated, had you supported Mirrow's choice to the fullest to attack, believed in her, none of this would have happened - at least as it did. You cannot undo that, but you want to make amends, and explain, as best you can, what occurred to them all (leaving out stuff about having been dead, but maybe getting some support from your new companion - heck, you can say they're the source of some of your new knowledge, it wouldn't be entirely untrue).

Conclude that it's a complicated situation and you lost a part of yourself just trying to clean up - but you're not gonna give up while there's hope. Then bring out the bag of gold, offer it to the smith and ask if this will begin to do. At least could he arrange a fix so that Godrender hurts less? They basically tried to do their job description, and it was their wielder that let them down, in fear and uncertainty.

As far as you're concerned, most if not all of the reward money you and Nemo's efforts got from taking on the Trickster's 'plaything' can go towards that.

(Though you may need a little left over for travel money now that you think about it.)

Ah, also warn the smith to be wary. This entity for sure seems like they'd have a dangerous interest in free voidkin like them, given how it was manipulating voidkin into becoming aggressive monsters. If they can, they should prepare a contingency or two. Couldn't hurt, at least.
>>
No. 1065524 ID: 2c1245

>>1065405
Ask Sword Bow to talk to Smith Dude please. Also, would Mirrow like to fuse again? Walking sucks.
>>
No. 1065531 ID: 3fabea

Let's all just calm down for a sec and explain things.

Whether we were too proud or not, the sword was hurt by a god killing monster from beyond imagination, so sorry about that.

More importantly, Godrender is sapient, and hurting very badly, can you at least make sure it's ok? *also, money at him*
>>
No. 1065537 ID: 8f9bc4

>>1065426

Slime Titans can be fooled. If they're on the same side as the Void King, and the Trickster's the bad guy, then why did the Void King destroy them all? Why did the Trickster call the voidkin his "precious knights" because the Void King definitely turned them into "docile little shadows" and there's something sketchy about that. The Trickster killed the Goddess to make "knights" out of her blood? Why? What does he even want with all that power?

And they say his dream is immortality but he obviously got it so why is he still so pissed? Just because the Void King and that death kitty didn't let him kill people? Nothing else going on? Keep in mind that the Void King also killed you, even though you got better, and the death kitty threatened to finish the job if you didn't write her a letter. This doesn't add up. What was the Goddess?

We need to find the wizard.
>>
No. 1066000 ID: cd48aa

>>1065537
I think you may be thinking a bit too hard about this. There's already been a big twist about the nature of the Void. So far the Voidkin have been nothing but polite since Nemo woke up. The Void King explicitly stuck his sword in Nemo to save her life. The Trickster actually killed us upon meeting. The Void King apologized for almost killing The Queen. Death Kitty also literally resurrected Humphrey from the dead and gave us a way to resurrect Nemo.

The Void King told us why he killed all the Slime Titans and Grand Slimes. It was a misunderstanding.

The Trickster killed the Goddess to steal her godhood. What he wants is to be an all-powerful deity. He's pissed because he was imprisoned in a statue.
>>
No. 1066070 ID: 2c1245

>>1065404
Ask Mirrow if we can combine. Walking is hard. Also where's she put Godrender? Hows he doing?
>>
No. 1067599 ID: 0ba437
File 168906299254.png - (9.83KB , 500x500 , 640.png )
1067599

"If money is the issue, we can pay you," you say brightly, "I got the money from the guild, so we can do those upgrades we talked about earlier now, right?"

Both of them stare at you as you hold out your share of the gold.

"You can't... this is... it's not just... wh..." the smith seems even more flustered, "it-it's not just about the money, it's a matter of principal, of pride! That blade was perfect, nothing should have broken it, especially not in that way."

"Yeah, about that..."
You briefly explain how Godrender split open on its own to swallow the wild void, and was then later wrenched open by the Trickster.
>>
No. 1067600 ID: 0ba437
File 168906299699.png - (7.83KB , 500x500 , 641.png )
1067600

The smith begins to pace around the forge as you finish your account. "I see, I see... ok.... alright." They turn and face the both of you, hands on hips.

"I should be even more angry at you for freeing him, but you didn't know. You couldn't have known. I'll repair your sword. But don't break it again."

"I have 150 gold," you say, "is that enough to fix Godrender and also fuse the void sword with it?"
>>
No. 1067601 ID: 0ba437
File 168906300132.png - (9.81KB , 500x500 , 642.png )
1067601

"Excuse me??" the bow snaps, "I do not want to be turned back into a sword."

"Oh, I thought-"

The bow cuts you off, "I was a useless weapon, and I refuse to be turned into another one. I will protect you better as a hat than as a sharp slab. Fix your sword, and leave me out of it."

"Ok ok, im sorry," you say meekly, "uh, so, is 150 enough to fix Godrender?"
>>
No. 1067602 ID: 0ba437
File 168906300494.png - (11.48KB , 500x500 , 643.png )
1067602

"100 is enough," the smith says, eyeing the bow quizzically. You hand over the gold and they lift Godrender off a nearby table and carry it to the furnace. It looks like it's not even conscious right now.
>>
No. 1067603 ID: 0ba437
File 168906300971.gif - (19.83KB , 500x500 , 644.gif )
1067603

While they work you turn to Mirrow. "So... how are you holding up?"

"Bad," she says with a sniff, "I feel like I really screwed things up."

You decide to rip the bandaid off sooner than later and tell her about Nemo and Grace. She laughs sharply.

"Wow, cool! I really did ruin everything for everyone huh!"

"N-no, it's not like that at all," you say quickly, "none of us knew, we couldn't know. And Nemo is.... fine! She'll be fine. She's counting on us to save her."
You grab Mirrow's hands and look her fervently in the eyes. "Nemo needs us to be strong and brave for her. She believes in you and me."

Mirrow looks away. "Ok. I... yeah. I'll be brave for her. For us."

"I don't want to pressure you to do it, but it would probably be great if we could fuse back up," you say awkwardly, "you're stronger and taller than me and I don't think I could hold Godrender up if I tried."

Mirrow shakes her head. "I'm not ready for that. I need to think about stuff, I think. But I'll come with you and help fix Nemo. I owe her that at least."

(Mirrow rejoins the party!)

"So, do you have a name?" Mirrow asks the bow.

"No." it replies tersely.

"Oh. Uhm.. hm. How about Cali?"

"... Cali..." it says thoughtfully, and it's eye seems to brighten, "a delicate and smooth name. It suits me well. You may call me Cali."
>>
No. 1067604 ID: 0ba437
File 168906301321.png - (11.72KB , 500x500 , 645.png )
1067604

The smith approaches the three of you. "Alright, I fixed it. Or, well, it's ... Well, it's not broken, but it's not the same as it was."

They hold out Godrender. The blade is cleanly split into two sharp forks. Its eye flicks between you and Mirrow, but doesn't say anything.

Who gets to carry Godrender? And what do you do next?
>>
No. 1067605 ID: cd48aa

Mirrow gets to carry Godrender. Now let's get moving.
>>
No. 1067606 ID: 8f9bc4

> Who gets to carry Godrender?

oh god this is an impossible quandary

Humphrey's a small boi and cannot carry.

Mirrow is entirely and totally the reason he got broken in the first place.

And Cali is uh

a hat.

What do we do???
>>
No. 1067608 ID: 273c18

>>1067604
We should really just ask Godrender who it wants to be carried by? If it has no preference then Mirrow can do it.
>>
No. 1067609 ID: f1589c

Don't think Godrender would feel very happy being held by someone that can't use it, so let's give it to Mirrow. Also, it hasn't spoke... can it still speak? How is it feeling? How does it feel about his new form?

Also... what to do after this? Take a break to talk to Mirrow and try and help with their thoughts? Work on finding the person who can fix Nemo's core? Or did we have a plan already for after this.
>>
No. 1067615 ID: 8f9bc4

We're kind of a mess tbh. Maybe we shouldn't... carry Godrender, until we've got our shit together, and got Nemo back.
>>
No. 1067617 ID: 1d4e91

>>1067604
Could you possibly both wield Godrender?
>>
No. 1067641 ID: b6c09a

looks like a tuning fork! I wonder if this form can be used as such
>>1067617 the only way for both to weild is to have Mirrow and Humphery merge
I assume we don't have enough void that random void dagger to fuse with Godrender? or we could give it to Cali!
>>
No. 1067664 ID: e99f45

Ask Godrender if there ok! They've been through a lot to, and we need to make sure there ok.
>>
No. 1068364 ID: 0ba437
File 168990272920.png - (8.76KB , 500x500 , 646.png )
1068364

Mirrow hesitates, so you reach out and take Godrender. It's a lot lighter now than you expected it to be, but still a bit heavy for someone your size.

"How are you doin, Godrender?"

A quiet voice speaks out, softly, "We feel ... resonant .... what was the outcome of the battle..."

You quickly recap the fight with the Trickster and the giant void, how you and Nemo perished, and Grace gave you a chance to repair Nemo's core.
>>
No. 1068365 ID: 0ba437
File 168990273386.png - (12.42KB , 500x500 , 647.png )
1068365

"Then hope is not snuffed after all. Our path is clear. We- .... are you.. good, Humphrey?"

You're having a little trouble holding Godrender steady, so Mirrow takes it. It seems to fit better in her grasp than yours, tho she seems a little unsure about holding it.

"Anyway," the sword continues, "we have a strong lead on one of your pieces, so we must make haste." It pauses for a long moment, and then more quietly, "Mirrow...continue to wield us well."

Mirrow sniffles a bit, but nods and hugs the sword close to her.

After bidding thanks and farewells to the smith, the two of you gather around the map. It looks like the only way to reach Froasting is to take the gondola in the south of the central island. The sun is low in the sky by now, just about ready to set. Will you spend the night somewhere in town, or try to catch the gondola as soon as possible?
>>
No. 1068366 ID: df6aa3

Catch the gondola as soon as possible. There's no time to waste!
>>
No. 1068390 ID: 953668

>>1068365

GONDOLA, GONDOLA, GONDOLA, LETS RIDE THE GONDOLA WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>
No. 1068392 ID: 34713f

Catch that Gondala - but not without at least seeing Tricky again!
>>
No. 1068394 ID: 5fd272

Tricky deserves to know both that Mirrow and Godrender are okay and where you plan on going next. They are your friend, after all. Who knows? Maybe Tricky will come with you on this leg of the journey, too.
>>
No. 1068417 ID: 273c18

Proceeding quickly seems wise. The Trickster is out, so the clock is ticking. We can get a room on the other side.
>>
No. 1068437 ID: cd48aa

Go talk to Tricky and then get out of town.
>>
No. 1068754 ID: f1589c

It's late and we've been through a *lot*. We need some time to let that all process and to get some rest, physical and mental. Let's find somewhere in town to spend the night
>>
No. 1069083 ID: 0ba437
File 169049898607.png - (18.41KB , 500x500 , 648.png )
1069083

You decide to head for Froasting as soon as you can. Nemo is counting on you and Mirrow to fix her core, and you don't want to keep her waiting!

"Let's go meet up with Tricky again," you say as you roll up the map, "They wanted to catch up with us after we found you, so we should find them before we leave."

"Tricky's not... mad at me, are they?" Mirrow asks softly.

"Oh, I'm... I don't think so? They didn't really say anything about it that I can remember. I think they'll be happy to see you're still alive tho."

You follow the signs leading towards the gondola, hoping to bump into Tricky along the way. Shops close up around you as it gets darker and darker, and as you finally approach the edge of town, you spot the yellow slime waiting for you by the gondola.
>>
No. 1069084 ID: 0ba437
File 169049899014.png - (115.48KB , 500x500 , 649.png )
1069084

"Oh you found her!" They rush over and pull Mirrow into a big hug, "glad you made it back safely. And you fixed your sword too! That's wonderful."

"Yeah, I'm... glad you're ok too," Mirrow says awkwardly, "I'm... yeah."
>>
No. 1069085 ID: 0ba437
File 169049899542.png - (77.60KB , 500x500 , 650.png )
1069085

Tricky pulls away, face beaming. "You're headed for Froasting now, right?" The two of you nod. "I wish I could come with, but I signed up to help rebuild the town around the lake. But I wanted to see you off before we parted ways again.

"I guess, I just want to say, thanks for the adventure. I've always dreamed of fighting monsters and helping people. You've given me a taste of that, and I feel like I've grown a lot from my time with you, and I hope," their eyes shine brightly in the fading sunlight, "I hope we meet again and have wonderful stories to share with each other."
>>
No. 1069087 ID: 0ba437
File 169049900039.png - (199.64KB , 500x500 , 651.png )
1069087

They pull you and Mirrow into another hug. You don't really know what to say, so overwhelmed by this show of affection. You hug Tricky back. You feel the warmth and love of friends and fellow adventurers radiate through you, resonating with Nemo's shattered core. Something about this feels familiar. Tears well up in your eyes and you don’t know why. You hug them tighter.
>>
No. 1069088 ID: 0ba437
File 169049900439.png - (52.78KB , 500x500 , 652.png )
1069088

Tricky gives you their spellphone contact, and you and Mirrow pile into the gondola as Tricky heads back into town. The box begins traveling along its cables into the thick clouds. As the sun finally fades away your body lights up softly. It's just you, Mirrow, Cali and Godrender, and a long ride towards Froasting.

What do you wanna do/talk about?
>>
No. 1069093 ID: cd48aa

Shello's there too!

Anyway, talk to Cali. Seek more information.
>>
No. 1069103 ID: b31a26

we should talk about if we should bother pretending we are not a grand slime any longer
>>
No. 1069106 ID: 273c18

>>1069088
Did we tell Mirrow that she wasn't responsible for Nemo getting shattered? If she had stayed, we still would've had to do the same plan since Godrender was too injured to fight, which would mean she would've gotten chomped alongside the two of you.
>>
No. 1069107 ID: 7b4eb5

>>1069088
The best thing to talk about is, "NOTHING". Take a chill pill, enjoy the ride.

You can talk about stuff later, for now? It seems like a good time to decompress, get your thoughts in order, and just let your mind be empty, if for nothing more, than a moment.
>>
No. 1069109 ID: 8a6f1b

Let Mirrow know you understand why she left and that looking back it was probably the best option, but maybe next time she can give us a heads up when things are a bit too much for her. Other than that, let's take this chance to relax.
>>
No. 1069115 ID: 8f9bc4

When you used SIGIL OF SIGHT, why did the connection to the Trickster feel familiar? Why was it like the connection to Mirrow? Is there something Mirrow's desperate fusion with the slime titan had in common with the Trickster?
>>
No. 1069132 ID: 5fd272

Why not soak in the landscape a little? See the sights. Looks like a dramatic view, after all. If you all have to talk, let Mirrow take the lead, but for now, you all earned some relaxation time.
>>
No. 1069133 ID: 365de0

>>1069088
Talk about how cool Tricky is.
>>
No. 1069241 ID: 449bbd

>>1069088
Sword friend looks sort of like a tuning fork. You know those things you tap and it makes a humming sound? It just reminds me of the previous fact of when Nemo reached into her chest to grab the hilt of the void sword, it sort of made a noise? Sound? Music note or something? I dont know if there is any actual connection, or im making up my own.
>>
No. 1070048 ID: 0ba437
File 169172599023.png - (143.11KB , 500x500 , 653.png )
1070048

You settle against the side of the gondola, resting in your simple blob form. This is much easier for you. Your head feels like it's buzzing with activity, furiously going over everything that's happened to you over the past couple of days.

You were just a regular slime two days ago. Then a part of yourself you didn't know was missing appeared and turned your entire world upside down. You'd heard stories of the Grand Slimes from some of the older slimes who heard stories from their elders, who heard stories from theirs, and on and on again. Echoes of a great and powerful being that used to take care of your people. That was you.

You felt so, so empty and mixed up. You're just a simple slime. Nothing special. You couldn't really be part of a Grand, could you? But now there are memories that fit in the spaces that didn't make sense in your mind before. You fit so perfectly with Nemo and Mirrow, there's no way it couldn't be you. And yet for some reason it still feels hard to believe.
>>
No. 1070049 ID: 0ba437
File 169172599533.png - (235.89KB , 500x500 , 654.png )
1070049

"How are you holdin' up, Mirrow?" you ask quietly. The blue slime across from you is huddled in a corner, her arms wrapped around Godrender protectively.

"I'm fine," she says, "Thanks for helping earlier with Godrender."

"Of course."

There's a long moment of silence broken only by the creaking and rattling of the gondola.

"Hey, I... I think you did the right thing at the lake." Mirrow shoots you a look. "I don't blame you, and I know Nemo doesn't either. If you hadn't, and... and I hadn't managed to come back..."

"I'm not a hero," she mumbles, "I'm not brave at all. I panicked."

"Nemo isn't brave either."

Mirrow looks back in confusion.

"She told me before I came back that she only acts brave because she doesn't want to let us down. She wants to protect us. And, she's not here right now, so," you blush a little, "s-so I'm going to be brave so I can protect you."

Mirrow doesn't respond. She looks away for a moment, but you can see tears well up in her eyes, and the faint quivering of a smile. "Well... just... don't go getting killed on my behalf again."

You pass a few more moments in silence. Something else has been rattling around in your mind, and you finally speak up about it.

"Hey, what was that thing you did that gave us like foresight?"

"Oh, that's uh, that's Sigil of Sight," Mirrow says, "It's uhm... I learned it from the mushrooms. I don't know how to explain it, but I used it to protect myself when I was... ya know, a giant mushroom dragon."

"Why do you think it pointed us to the Trickster?"

"I dunno. I think it somehow connected Cali to them, but I don't know why."

"We have history," Cali says tersely, "They had some sort of dealing with the Voidking, but I was never made certain what that was. My only job was to kill, until my final job was to protect you. So here I am, protecting you from the clown."
>>
No. 1070050 ID: 0ba437
File 169172599912.png - (246.45KB , 500x500 , 655.png )
1070050

Another moment of silence.

"Tell me about the mushrooms, Mirrow," you say, "I heard them whispering when we first met. What are they like?"

Mirrow is quiet for a bit before answering. "It's like a hundred hands holding you. It's like a hundred eyes watching over you. It's like a hundred hushed voices telling you you're gonna be safe because the eyes and hands will protect you. It... it hurts, and it's lonely. It wants to cling on to you and hold you tight because you're the only thing it has left in the world, and you let it because it's the only thing you have left in the world." She sighs wistfully. "I guess I do miss it. It felt like safety to me. But... it's better to be out here. I feel like I'm really awake. I ... I love the wind on my face. It's scary to feel so alone after so long, but ..."
>>
No. 1070051 ID: 0ba437
File 169172600419.png - (200.69KB , 500x500 , 656.png )
1070051

"You're not alone now."

"Yeah. Yeah."
>>
No. 1070052 ID: a39c57

>>1070051
Get some rest you two, it might be a while before you reach your destination.

I wonder what Nemo's up to... probably... dead slime things? Like staring at rocks or something
>>
No. 1070078 ID: 8f9bc4

Need to find a friendly fungus for it to be fungus buddies with.
>>
No. 1070093 ID: a39c57

>>1070078
preferably one that DOESN'T infect people and turn them into puppets. Maybe an edible one to snack on sometimes...
>>
No. 1070148 ID: 57f869

There's something I'd like to ask Cali. I think it's important.
Why did The Voidking slay us, yet leave the sword to protect our damaged heart? And if we complete this quest we're on, recovering our lost pieces and restoring ourselves as a Grand Slime, will that cause any problems?
>>
No. 1070215 ID: 2c1245

>>1070051
AND NOW THEY KISS!
>>
No. 1070217 ID: a39c57

>>1070215
Would you really do that? Give yourself a smooch?
Perhaps
>>
No. 1070725 ID: 0ba437
File 169292384354.png - (77.86KB , 500x700 , 657.png )
1070725

"Why did the Voidking try to kill us in the first place?" you ask Cali, "Why leave you behind to protect us? Why not just... not kill us in the first place?"

Cali doesn't respond for a very long while.


"The Voidking never told me. Our only purpose as Void was to destroy, but I can't say who or where that song came from. We tend to follow one another in lockstep, tho we don't always understand the reason. United under a common note to kill and break and hurt. I don't think we always wanted this. I... don't think that is what I ever really wanted. But it felt like it was what we were supposed to want. The song was comforting and inspiring.

"I never knew a time before the Voidking. My first memory is his hand picking me from the crowd and his voice shaping me into his weapon. He chose me to carry out his will. He gave me a unique and royal purpose, to fight with his strength and passion. I remember feeling so... proud. Out of any of the others he happened to pick me. I think we all yearned for clarity, and being chosen by a figure above us was like the promise of turning on a light to see in the dark. It's not easy to describe. Forgive me...

Cali is silent again for a long while.

"It is very hard to talk about, to remember it. But, I feel like for much as he poured his desire into me, I could also feel a sort of resentment. Like he despised me. Like he hated what I was. As though he wished I could have been anything other than a sword for him. But he held me all the same and together we conquered the world. So I never questioned him. I just needed to serve him faithfully. I fought so hard because I wanted him to be proud of me for being a strong and loyal servant.

"I remember feeling his determination falter with every blow, weakening further and further until suddenly he threw me down, tears raining from his face. He broke me inside of Nemo's core, and instructed me to remain. He told me to do everything in my power to keep her safe. He told me to do this until he returned. He told me he was going to fix his mistakes. So I stayed. I kept Nemo's core from shattering. I waited. He would return as he promised. And ... well, you know the rest."
>>
No. 1070726 ID: 0ba437
File 169292384929.png - (73.76KB , 500x500 , 658.png )
1070726

"Gosh..." you feel at a loss for words. You didn't expect Cali would actually have an answer for you, and now you feel a bit overwhelmed by their story. "I'm sorry that happened to you. I guess we've both got a lot of questions for the Vodiking whenever we finally meet him, huh."
>>
No. 1070727 ID: 0ba437
File 169292385408.png - (136.87KB , 500x500 , 659.png )
1070727

"I'm gonna kick his ass until he explains himself, and I Mean That," Mirrow says quietly. Cali snorts with laughter, and the mood somehow feels a bit lighter the rest of the ride.
>>
No. 1070729 ID: 5fd272

So, Voidkin describe their purpose so often as a "song," and the crystal smith said before that the three of you were Cali's "king," so to speak. Does Cali hear a song from you three (well, two at the moment)? What does it sound like?
>>
No. 1070731 ID: bf18db

Mirrow has the right idea, better get nemo back to avoid violence
>>
No. 1070734 ID: a39c57

>>1070727
Mirrow: Plan your epic combo. Maybe a slide kick into an uppercut and cornerlock with Godrender until max meter then hit him with the ol' Mushroom Soup
Humphrey: Take a snoozypoo
Nemo: Be dead
Mystery Piece: ???
>>
No. 1070737 ID: e8880b

Sounds like the voidking didn't want to fight in the first place. Think they were forced or tricked into going to war?
>>
No. 1070751 ID: 7695ec

I wonder if the Trickster is the one behind the war, and VK rebeled, that note of hurt and kill seems rather familiar, with this being what the known Trickster influenced Red-eye void of present, and what the memories of that one Titan had, a darkness with red stars, spooky stuff!
>>
No. 1070757 ID: 127d01

>>1070727

Hold up, can we get a "Mean while" moment? Nothing serious or anything. I just feel like, it'd be good to see something else happen in the Slime Quest world for one small bit, related or not to the current slime quest.
>>
No. 1070761 ID: a39c57

>>1070757
Meanwhile...
Two slimes stare each other down, cowbpy style.
One does a jig
The other cuts a rug
They are dancing... THE DANCE OF DEATH (nobody dies in this dance)
>>
No. 1070810 ID: 0ba437

>>1070757
Sure! What do you want to see?
https://strawpoll.com/wAg3AG3q8y8
>>
No. 1070952 ID: 7f957f

>>1070810

Haunted inventor???
AHHHHH YEAH, GHOST BUSTER TIME
>>
No. 1070976 ID: a39c57

>>1070952
or haunted by the bite of 87
>>
No. 1070983 ID: f9ee19

>>1070727
Man i love these characters
>>
No. 1071238 ID: 084179

>>1070810
One hot minute. Nemo was Voidking's waifu / focus of his affection, and he feels super bad about stabbing his GF, but had to for some contrived reason so people think Nemo is dead where in reality she's still alive. As a means to protect her....by stabbing her....damn love is something strong amerite?

TIN FOIL HAT IS GOOOOO!
>>
No. 1071288 ID: 0ba437
File 169343103084.png - (78.28KB , 872x385 , Screen Shot 2023-08-30 at 2_24_43 PM.png )
1071288

Runaway wins! stay tuned...!
>>
No. 1071292 ID: a39c57

>>1071288
#RUNAWAYSWEEP
>>
No. 1071450 ID: 0ba437
File 169368290544.png - (151.75KB , 500x500 , 660.png )
1071450

Rain pours heavily around you as you hike through the trees. The thin pine branches do little to shelter you from the downpour. Your clothes are soaked through to the skin. You're miserable, cold, hungry, and lost. The waystone you used got damaged and sent you so far off course that you have no idea now where you are now. You're starting to wonder if running away was really a good idea after all.
>>
No. 1071451 ID: 0ba437
File 169368291098.png - (235.75KB , 500x500 , 661.png )
1071451

You see a plume of smoke over a line of trees and can just make out the warm light of what seems to be a small building. Your hopes rise as you approach, desiring nothing more than to be inside where it's safe and dry. You can't be certain, but you feel like something has been following you for some time. You shiver at the thought of being jumped by wild void and dragged away to die in the rain. If you had to die in a fight you at least hope you could be dry.
>>
No. 1071452 ID: 0ba437
File 169368291497.png - (188.49KB , 500x500 , 662.png )
1071452

You open the door to a small inn and step inside. There's a fire lit inside, a few tables and chairs, a bar counter, and some stairs that lead up. It feels a little small, but it's not crowded at least, with only a handful of patrons and the innkeeper inside.
>>
No. 1071453 ID: 0ba437
File 169368291812.png - (122.05KB , 500x500 , 663.png )
1071453

Before you do anything, you try to quickly think up a cover story just in case anyone asks about you.

Who are you? And what are you going to do next?
>>
No. 1071454 ID: c290f0

>>1071453
If anyone needs a name keep it simple, lets go with "Bea".
You were trying to get to the next town over looking for a job but got a little lost; rain didn't help your cheap map much. You just need some guidance and a place to dry your soaked bones for a spell.
>>
No. 1071458 ID: e754f9
1071458

>>1071452
You're looking for a friend who is in another town because they had a cool rock to show you. Yes. That is a good lie.
But what is the truth...?
>>
No. 1071459 ID: 7b65e9

You need food, new clothes, anything valuable that could be traded.
Survival first, everything else second.
>>
No. 1071460 ID: c290f0

>>1071452

Not a suggestion HOLY FUCK look at that fucking nerd to the left lol what a point dexter
>>
No. 1071461 ID: 8ab08b

>>1071453
You're name Is Soaking Wet Stephen, and you are Soaking Wet. Ask the barkeeper where in sam hell you are. Dry yourself off and get a room for the night.
>>
No. 1071462 ID: 14b8a5

Somethin simple like "Sam" maybe

As for a backstory? Maybe they're trying to learn more about themself and had to leave home in order to get a new environment for some introspection. These folks seem nice enough, but you can't be too safe, keep as much information as you can to yourself until you're sure they're not gonna turn you in or anything
>>
No. 1071463 ID: 9c66d2

Best keep it simple. You’re Sam or Alex or whatever and you were on your way to visit a friend when you got horribly, horribly lost in the storm. You need directions, a chance to dry off, and maybe a bite to eat.
>>
No. 1071464 ID: d344dc

>>1071460
Watch who you calling poindexter. ;3
As for a suggestion, we need a simple name and a simple request, as this is an inn, perhaps they can accommodate with a private room for the time.
>>
No. 1071485 ID: cd48aa

>>1071454
I like this name.

And obviously what you should do next is something incredibly silly.
>>
No. 1071838 ID: 2c1245

>>1071453
You're an adventure from a little farm outta some place not really important. You got tired of doing nothing and decided "hey! I want to adventure!" well here you are!
>>
No. 1071847 ID: 0bf2fd

>>1071462
Samron
>>
No. 1071976 ID: c413cb

Sam Bea is a more generic name. Hopefully that will allow you to blend more into your surroundings.

As for backstory? Share little. You're on your way to a town you're not going to for personal business.

Now scan the cilentele, shiftey eyes like. Become aware of all of the danger in the room. Act as Eastwood-like as you can.
>>
No. 1072074 ID: 0ba437
File 169431730959.png - (136.49KB , 500x500 , 664.png )
1072074

You approach the counter. The innkeeper looks up from her sweeping. "Oh goodness, you're a bit of a mess aren't you? How'd you get caught out on an awful night like this?

"Bit of a long story, I won't bore you with the details," you say evasively, "I was just doing some uhh, spiritual reflection, and I got a bit turned around. You know how it is haha." That's true enough to make for a convincing lie.

She seems surprised when you mention getting lost. "Hon, it's a miracle you managed to find your way here. Don't you know how dangerous it is to stray from the lights out here?"

"Oh, No? Is it?"

"You're in the heart of Froasting, hon. No better place to get lost or lose yourself than here in the trees. Lucky of you to stumble on my little inn!" She chuckles with an air of relief and pulls out a small notebook from her apron. "Not meaning to pressure you, but you probably want a nice warm room to dry off in, miss uhhh.....? Is it Miss?"
>>
No. 1072076 ID: 0ba437
File 169431731358.png - (142.62KB , 500x500 , 665.png )
1072076

"Miss Sam," you say, "And that would be wonderful." You try to subtly glance around the room. The folks in here don't seem very dangerous, probably just passing through on their own business. You kick yourself for not realizing it sooner. Of course you're in Froasting. It's one of those places He told you about. The dense forestry and dark tangle of plants are home to all manner of vicious creatures. The wild void especially favor the darkness of the trees. An old crystal-lit path winds through Froasting, connecting the Grand Station to Yawn, providing a modicum of safety to travelers, but those who stray from the safety of the light are rarely seen again.

"Alright, I've got something upstairs for you, Miss Sam," the Innkeeper says as she pockets her notebook. "Don't worry about paying it up right now, I'll collect it before you leave. Just go on up and rest. If you leave your wet things in the basket outside the door I'll get them nice and dry for you in the morning."
>>
No. 1072077 ID: 0ba437
File 169431731738.png - (157.62KB , 500x500 , 666.png )
1072077

You sit mostly undressed on the bed in your tiny room, your belongings all laid out to dry. It's not much, a small embroidered purse with some money, a knife, your thread kit, and the broken waystone that got you here. On the table is a small meal the innkeeper brought up to you, just a quick soup she whipped up and some bread.

If the Oracle were here she would probably say some nonsense about how the Goddess' Will protected you. And if He were here He would probably scold you for being so reckless. But they're not here.

You're definitely all alone. Even tho Crestal Sea Spire and the Oracle are geographically close to you (if you recall the maps He drilled into your head correctly) they're not directly connected, and as far as you know there's no way for anyone to trace you here. You're safe. You're alone.
>>
No. 1072078 ID: 0ba437
File 169431732175.png - (111.12KB , 500x500 , 667.png )
1072078

So alone. Tears drip down your cheeks. You used to believe that the Goddess was alive, that her warmth and her will embraced you always. Hours ago you were excited to finally come of age and take on the mantle of Oracle, to finally, finally get to see the Goddess, to hear her voice. Hours ago you learned the truth. You ran away to escape the lies, but now you feel so lost and directionless. You want to pray out of habit, but knowing now that your prayers have nowhere to go...

Do you pray anyway?
>>
No. 1072083 ID: a39c57

>>1072078
pray to... something, *anything* that can hear your lone voice in the maelstrom.
>>
No. 1072084 ID: 5fd272

Prayers are still a way of expressing yourself, of airing your thoughts. Even if they won't be heard, aren't they still a good way to process what you've been through?
>>
No. 1072085 ID: e5709d

It depends. Do you believe in anything? You can pray to that if you want.
>>
No. 1072087 ID: c290f0

>>1072078

You don't need to pray if your hearts not in it, what's the point otherwise?

Things are clearly way worse off then just being wet and lost; so in lieu of "praying" just talk to yourself. Give yourself a pep talk and take solace in the fact that at least now you've technically have nothing holding you back.

In fact this could be the start to a new chapter of your life, "Sam". Let's roll up those sleeves, tighten that belt bucket, get pumped, and say "I'm still alive, I've got skills, and what ever I do next I'm certain to succeed cause "SAM" has never failed once!"
>>
No. 1072089 ID: 8f9bc4

Who's lying about the Goddess being alive? That's so cruel! And dangerous too! Do they not know of the wild void? The fall of the Grand Slimes? Statues of frozen Titans all over the land. None of that exists according to them?

What you need now is not prayer but purpose. Answers.
>>
No. 1072091 ID: d6d4cd

The routine might help you feel some semblance of normal. Who knows, you might find a way to change them slightly for who they're for to suit your situation. Even if it's just for you.
>>
No. 1072092 ID: cd48aa

Pray. It can't possibly make anything worse. And even if the Goddess is gone, maybe someone else will hear?
>>
No. 1072093 ID: 273c18

>>1072078
Pray. But not to a being you know is dead. Reach out with your powers and see if you can find anything else.
>>
No. 1072102 ID: fa3034

Maybe the habit will be comforting. Give it one last hurrah, yeah?
>>
No. 1072166 ID: 0b5926

>>1072089
This.
>>
No. 1072167 ID: dba426

Say a few words in your mind about what you're feeling. It's not a prayer, exactly, but it's a lot closer to one than you'd generally admit
>>
No. 1072278 ID: 6f11f5

>>1072078


Contemplate.
>>
No. 1072280 ID: 7edfcd

Why pray to nothing? If you truely wanted to embrace this lie then you wouldn't have fled home.
Reflect instead, who were you? What did you leave behind?
>>
No. 1072352 ID: 2c1245

>>1072078
Whatever you do, do not pray to Todd Howard. He will take you money!
>>
No. 1073428 ID: 0ba437
File 169588420425.png - (79.63KB , 500x500 , 668.png )
1073428

You close your eyes. It takes only a moment of concentration to unshackle your thoughts. You drift away from your body and into the cosmic swirling infinite darkness. The light you had imagined was her is there as always, burning inside you, but it feels off. Or, it feels the same, but now you are wracked with doubt. Is this her? Or is this you?
You decide to focus on you, the realest thing in this world right now. The light seems to shift a bit and as you peer closer you seem to make out the image of your own reflection. She floats there lazily, looking at you in silence.
"So what... what do we do?" you ask, "I'm so confused and lost."
"Talk to me," she says. It's your own voice speaking back to you, but it feels different somehow. "Tell me what's on your mind."
"All my life I've believed the Goddess was real, that she lived in her temple. The Oracles would pray to her and she would speak her will to them. I was so excited to come of age and finally see her. I snuck into the temple to get a glimpse, and ... found nothing. Just the Oracle's workshop."
"That's a heavy revelation," she says, "What did the Oracle say when she caught you?"
"She told me that the Goddess had been dead for so long that nobody even remembered when she was alive. She showed me a journal the Oracles passed down to one another. Instructions for how to keep the people believing," you ball your fists in anger, "and it was my job to keep up the lie."
>>
No. 1073429 ID: 0ba437
File 169588421522.png - (107.93KB , 500x500 , 669.png )
1073429

She nods and stretches. "Well, I suppose by running away we're breaking the cycle. Or attempting to, yes? You can't be an oracle or a princess anymore, so what are you? Who are you?"
"I don't know, but whatever I am, I want it to actually help people. It's what the Goddess would want. If she were real, I mean.. I don't even know if she ever did exist now."
"Well, helping people is a noble goal, whether it's for a made up god or for it's own sake," she says, "You'll always have yourself after all, and that's a fount of power nobody but you can lie about."
"I don't really know what that means, but it feels ... comforting I guess?"
"It doesn't have to mean anything if you don't want it to. You know who you are, Sam, and you'll think of a way to do it. As for a reason, why not for yourself? Be your own Goddess."
"Yeah... I can do that. Thanks, me."
She chuckles. "I'll be here for you."

((From the Fount of Your Self, you are able to perform small Wonders. You recall some of the lessons the Oracle taught you and re-contextualize them as spells you can attempt to cast through prayer and focus.))
>>
No. 1073430 ID: 0ba437
File 169588422690.png - (87.79KB , 500x500 , 670.png )
1073430

>>
No. 1073431 ID: 0ba437
File 169588423373.png - (108.87KB , 500x500 , 671.png )
1073431

>>
No. 1073432 ID: 0ba437
File 169588423955.png - (122.78KB , 500x500 , 672.png )
1073432

>>
No. 1073433 ID: 0ba437
File 169588424977.gif - (127.47KB , 500x500 , 673.gif )
1073433

>>
No. 1073434 ID: 0ba437
File 169588426116.png - (100.16KB , 500x500 , 674.png )
1073434

You awaken some time later to an enormous clap of thunder that shakes the whole inn. Or, is it an earthquake? You're not sure. It's still dark out, but the rain has stopped. Maybe you woke up early? Or is it just this dark in the dense forest?
Something feels very very off...
>>
No. 1073436 ID: 365de0

>>1073434
Is your clothing ready? Get dressed and check if anyone else is awake. Use a blanket if you have to.
>>
No. 1073437 ID: cd48aa

Run.
>>
No. 1073439 ID: 273c18

>>1073428
The Goddess lives on inside all of us.

>>1073434
Prepare for a fight, and step outside.
>>
No. 1073440 ID: a39c57

>>1073434
BELIEVE IN THE YOU THAT BELIEVES IN YOURSELF! POINT TO THE HEAVENS AND SAY "I CAN DO IT!"
then get dressed and see what's happening, that felt too earthy to be just a thunderclap.
>>
No. 1073449 ID: 8feac3

God isn't real, you can blearily peek out your window and curse the sky for being too loud this late at night and nobody can smite you for it!
>>
No. 1073450 ID: 8f9bc4

An adorable maniac has decided to unleash the beast!

Hope you're good at weeding.
>>
No. 1073834 ID: 2c1245

>>1073433
god why'd you have to make him so HOT!
>>
No. 1074026 ID: 0ba437
File 169654909999.png - (176.19KB , 500x500 , 675.png )
1074026

You peer out the window, but can't seem to see anything for the darkness. There seems to be a lot of thorny vines covering the window. You definitely don't remember seeing that before.
>>
No. 1074027 ID: 0ba437
File 169654910398.png - (68.91KB , 500x500 , 676.png )
1074027

You crack the door open and see your clothing folded neatly in front of it, nice and dry. You quickly get dressed and pocket all your items.
>>
No. 1074028 ID: 0ba437
File 169654910767.png - (81.53KB , 500x500 , 677.png )
1074028

You cautiously descend the stairs and step out into the main room of the inn. The travelers you saw earlier are no longer present, and the innkeeper-

"Miss Sam!" you hear a hiss from behind the counter, and spy the innkeeper hiding behind the counter, "Don't go out there!"
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No. 1074029 ID: 0ba437
File 169654911243.png - (191.14KB , 500x500 , 678.png )
1074029

You dart behind the counter. The lady is shaking badly, a large kitchen knife clutched tightly in her hands. "What's going on? Was that thunder just now?"
"I don't know!" she squeaks, "The others went out to investigate, and -and... something took them! It just grabbed them and dragged them away and - and -and," she chokes back a sob, "This is too much for me!! I can handle regular monsters, but now the damn forest is attacking?? How the hell do you fight a forest??"
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No. 1074031 ID: 82842b

>How the hell do you fight a forest?
Arson? :V

Worst case you could loot the inn for potential anti-thorn stuff gear, and wait til morning (or when you NEED to/are forced to leave) and see if things become easier?

Unless it's still getting worse, whatever it is...
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No. 1074033 ID: 31c6af

>>1074029
HM. Yeah. This is bad.
Uhhh... you got any teleportation spells or magic that can let you see what's going on outside?
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No. 1074035 ID: a7a180

You don't, you adapt to it. Flourish in it. Become an invasive species in it and crowd out the native plant life.
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No. 1074036 ID: a39c57

>>1074029
Arson is a viable alternative to strategy.
Either that or get a plant cleaving weapon like a machete or cleaver
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No. 1074037 ID: 273c18

>>1074029
You burn it.
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No. 1074038 ID: 8ab08b

>>1074029
Construct a makeshift weed-wacker or find another cutting implement to take care of the plants, you know how to do that right? As much as Arson (fire) is a viable idea, it could set the Inn ablaze as well, and presumably we don't want that to happen to these nice folks.
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No. 1074040 ID: cd48aa

Herbicide?
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No. 1074047 ID: 0b5926

>>1074029
With fire.
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No. 1074101 ID: 708905

>>1074029
Axes, fire, poison, stripmining
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No. 1074106 ID: 0bf2fd

>Herbicide?

Herbicide.
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No. 1074108 ID: 8f9bc4

You find whatever is wrong with the forest and you fix it. Hard to do when it's surrounded by thorny brambles. If you could get a sample of those thorny vines you might be able to figure out what they are.

Unfortunately you're not a botanist, and they'll just drag you away soon as you try. Their roots might be less threatening, if this place has a cellar? Plants make thorns to defend against things above the ground, not under it so much.

What you need is a giant trained and very hungry gopher...
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No. 1074137 ID: a39c57

HERBICIIIIIDE! KILL PLANTS! UPROOT PLANTS! SPRAY PLANTS WITH CHEMICALS! MALNOURISH PLANTS! PUT PLANTS IN POTS TOO SMALL FOR THEIR ROOTS! CHOP PLANTS! FORGET TO WATER PLANTS FOR ALMOST A MONTH AND THEN WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU HADN'T WATERED IT IN WEEKS DUMP IT IN THE TRASH!
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No. 1075091 ID: 0ba437
File 169776642561.png - (82.44KB , 500x500 , 679.png )
1075091

You recall the stories He told you about Froasting. None of them included thorny vines, but He made sure to impress upon you the importance of Fire when facing anything in the trees. "Um... well, fire comes to mind. Plants usually don't like being burned."
She stares at you as you unravel a spool of thread from your kit and wrap several lines of it carefully around your fingers. "How are you going to fight an entire forest with a tiny fire?"
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No. 1075092 ID: 0ba437
File 169776642924.png - (214.13KB , 500x500 , 680.png )
1075092

"Well, hopefully I don't have to do any fighting," you say as you work. You lace your fingers through the loops you've created on your other hand, and with a sharp pull you snap several of them. Instantly your hand ignites in flame, crackling brightly in the dark inn. "Lots of creatures are afraid of fire, so hopefully I won't actually need to burn anything."
The lady yelps as you set your hand on fire. You're unharmed as the fires dance around it, but you can still feel a great deal of heat radiating off of your fist.
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No. 1075093 ID: 0ba437
File 169776643440.png - (166.83KB , 500x500 , 681.png )
1075093

"I'm gonna go out there and find them," you say as you rise, "you're welcome to come along if you want, or just stay here and hide."
She grabs your arm to stop you as you leave. "W-wait, please don't leave me here alone!" she squeaks.
You try to give her a comforting smile. "Alright, alright. What's your name?"
"I'm Chester," the lady says shakily, her kitchen knife shaking in her hand.
"Alright Chester, just stay close and we'll be fine." She squeezes your arm so hard it hurts.
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No. 1075094 ID: 0ba437
File 169776643788.png - (102.44KB , 500x500 , 682.png )
1075094

You cross the room and press ear against the door, listening for anything on the other side of it. Not even the wind can be heard.
You carefully open the door and peek outside. "Oh."
The entire doorway is blocked with a thick wall of those thorny vines.
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No. 1075095 ID: 0ba437
File 169776644182.png - (212.48KB , 500x500 , 683.png )
1075095

You raise your burning hand and press it against the plant flesh. A bright wave of fire ripples across the thick vines from your touch, and they shudder and hiss, unraveling and pulling away from the door.

A path begins to form through the vines as they pull and shift away from the fire.
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No. 1075100 ID: a39c57

>>1075095
NOW WE'RE COOKING! Remember the basics of CQC and PUNCH! THOSE! PLANTS!
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No. 1075103 ID: cd48aa

> Flirt
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No. 1075107 ID: 6b2bf7

progres with care! the vines had to get there somehow, after all
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No. 1075110 ID: 273c18

>>1075095
Careful now. Don't let them cut off the path behind you. If they don't regrow at all then focus on making paths to the other buildings. You're probably going to want to see if anyone can help you in this task.
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No. 1075113 ID: 8f9bc4

> how are you going to fight an entire forest with a tiny fire

That is literally how you fight an entire forest. Tiny fires don't stay tiny.
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No. 1078305 ID: 0ba437
File 170132076004.png - (193.22KB , 500x500 , 684.png )
1078305

You lay your hand on more of the barbed vines as you push out into the darkness. Chester follows close behind.

"You didn't happen to see or hear what direction they were taken?" you ask her as you disintegrate another thick vine with your burning hand.

She shakes her head, nervously eyeing the creeping and writhing tendrils around the two of you. "Just, farther from the inn. I hope they're alright.."

"I'm sure they're fine," you say encouragingly, "folks know better than to wander through the woods unarmed, right? I'm sure they can take care of themselves, at least long enough for us to find them."

You hope that they can, anyway.
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No. 1078306 ID: 0ba437
File 170132076596.png - (164.20KB , 600x400 , 685.png )
1078306

The light from the inn shines brightly through the tunnel you've burned. At the moment it doesn't seem like they're keen on growing back behind you, so you press on. You decide to strike up a conversation to keep the mood light.

"So, uh, how long have you been out here for anyway?"
"Oh, a-a few years," she says, "I took over when my grampa passed."

"Family business, that's cool. Giant thorny vines aside, how's it going for you?"

She chuckles. "It's fine I suppose. It's a lot quieter than I'm used to out here. But the guests keep it exciting."

"You work all by yourself?"

"Mostly, yeah. Sometimes I'll hire some help when I can get it, but it's usually temporary. A lot of people are grateful for the inn, but most folks aren't willing to live out here in the woods," her expression sours a little, "I know I wouldn't have chosen this as my new home. Still, I'm happy I'm able to provide travelers a place of safety."

You continue on, pushing vines aside, burning them where you can, all the while keeping a firm grip on Chester's hand. Or maybe she's the one holding you tight.
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No. 1078307 ID: 0ba437
File 170132077014.png - (175.57KB , 500x500 , 686.png )
1078307

"What about you, miss Sam? You said you were doing some spiritual reflection?"

"I uh.. Yeah. I got a bit lost, but I think I've found my way again. Nothing like a long walk in the woods to clear your head, ya know?"

"Or a long walk up a mountain," she says with a soft laugh, "Well I'm glad you found some kind of comfort out here. In spite of the-" she waves her hand at the vines, "-all of this right now."

"It's not all bad," you say slyly, "I could be fighting these things all by myself. It's a lot less scary with you here."

Chester blushes. "O-oh. Wh-well.. I'm really glad you're here too."
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No. 1078308 ID: 0ba437
File 170132077685.png - (216.24KB , 500x500 , 687.png )
1078308

Your foot splashes in a puddle suddenly, snapping your attention back to the world around you. The fluid is a bit thicker than water, and dark, barely reflecting the blazing fire in your hand. In fact now that you notice it there's a lot of it all around you, oozing out of the vines and pooling on the forest floor.

"Ugh, gross, wh-what is this stuff?" Chester asks, trying to shake it off her feet. It seems reluctant to let go.

"It's void matter," you say as you examine it, "Why would it be leaking out of the vines tho? Wild void doesn't saturate plants..."

"H-how do you know that? Have you dealt with this sort of thing before?"

"I've heard a lot of stories about the wild void, but I've never heard or seen anything like this." You reach out to burn more vines. The flames eat away at the dry parts of the plant flesh, but seem to sputter and fizzle over the void matter. You're able to burn enough to squeeze through a bit further, but the dark liquid seems to quickly coat the singed parts of the vine and stop it from creeping further up the length of the plant.
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No. 1078309 ID: 0ba437
File 170132078327.png - (137.50KB , 500x500 , 688.png )
1078309

You look back and can see the space you cleared beginning to lace back together, slowly covering your path. If you turned back now you might be able to make it back safely. You've made it this far now tho, and if you don't keep pressing forward the travelers will certainly be lost for good.

A) Keep Going
B) Turn Back
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No. 1078310 ID: 7edfcd

How long can we keep that fire burning? It's thread magic so does it come off our clothes?

Should we feel confident about the spells length, I say press on.

Regardless, if we do go back, we're back at square 1.

(P.s. Ask Chester to donate her clothes to the keep fire hand burning fund. P.p.s. Flirt)
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No. 1078311 ID: 273c18

They're regrowing AND adapting? That's bad news. Unless you're very close to another building, turn back.
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No. 1078312 ID: 3c2dff

A. The only way forward is through.
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No. 1078313 ID: 330bc3

Well, you started this for a reason, and going back would not make you not stuck in the middle of the void bramble, continue
Wild void does not saturate plants yet here it is, probably safe to assume there is a reason
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No. 1078314 ID: eb0a9c

You live in a world where the truth is known; the things in the void are just seeds waiting to be people.
There's much to fear, but not from them. (A).
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No. 1078315 ID: cd48aa

A, obviously. Going back just means being stuck in the inn until the weight of vines crushes it. This is the only way forward.
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No. 1078318 ID: 0ba437

((The next update will be in a new thread, since this one has started to take a while to load. A link will be posted here leading to the new thread when it goes live. Please continue to leave suggestions here until then!))
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No. 1078321 ID: 0b5926

Keep going. You've come so far. You have people to save.
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No. 1078337 ID: 350c4d

A)Keep Going
I'm excited for the clean new thread!
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No. 1078969 ID: 0ba437
File 170207650450.png - (70.25KB , 500x500 , 1b.png )
1078969

NEW THREAD NEW THREAD NEW THREAD
https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1078964.html
https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1078964.html
https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1078964.html
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