kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057634 ID: 1173be
File 167809995145.png - (19.21KB , 700x700 , u25p1.png )

>Check outside the window for anything suspicious

There is no vessel outside the window, though the water seems disturbed, like some boat left in a hurry.

kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057635 ID: 1173be
File 167809995501.png - (23.84KB , 700x700 , u25p2.png )

>Examine the Doctor's notes if there's nothing out there.

Nicoletta attempts to remove the ash from the notes. The more ash she removes, the stranger the notes seem. They're all scripted in an odd hand. At a glance, they seem to be noting the characteristics of the deceased. However, they start getting more incomprehensible as they go on. Nicoletta doesn't understand what any of it means. What feels like hours passes, and Nicoletta still feels none the wiser. The world seems to slow down around her as she gets more and more engrossed in the nonsense.

kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057636 ID: 1173be
File 167809995878.png - (28.15KB , 700x700 , u25p3.png )

Nicoletta is about to discard the notes, but then she reads a critical sentence. It's not that the sentence wasn't memorable, for it was without a doubt memorable, but Nicoletta won't remember what this sentence says. She will suppose that it said something or other, but she will not, for the life of her, remember it. It is an unrememberable sentence.

kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057637 ID: 1173be
File 167809996207.png - (28.11KB , 700x700 , u25p4.png )

Reading this sentence has a profound impact on Nicoletta. All at once, in the context of this sentence, all the notes make complete sense. Nicoletta feels like she sees the world from a bird's eye view, not only around or in front of objects, but in and out of them too. The natures of this ship have been revealed unto her, and she's about to blurt them out to Damien, but then...

kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057638 ID: 1173be
File 167809996648.png - (10.19KB , 700x700 , u25p5.png )

...darkness...

kpwlt 2023/03/06(Mon)02:52 No. 1057639 ID: 1173be
File 167809997081.png - (21.61KB , 700x700 , u25p6.png )

"Nicoletta!" The Reverend's harsh voice rings out.
Nicoletta's eyes snap open, though they still feel closed.
She stares at the Reverend and the Cabin Boy.
"You've been out for a while."
Nicoletta's mouth is dry.
It's dark outside.
"Come on, lie down on the bed for a little bit."
Echoes of the Doctor's strange notes resound around in her head, refusing to form into anything coherent.
Nicoletta is placed on the bed by the two others in the room.
She tries to recollect her thoughts, though all her attempts seem an ersatz of the clarity of what felt to be a moment before.

CITR AP 'RXKXW AVP PHGIHA RPGD,
NSC AVP WNSX UVF REGQMCN IYHXB.
JDSZZA MBYT TWYI UVSDKM MIVU,
SE'U HSMGO INLG ES YEPALGE AHXHTY.

...what the hell just happened?

Ask the Reverend and Damien if they saw anything suspicious after you passed out. Additionally, it might be an idea to go and check on Jack and Kevin, see how they're holding up.

>>1057639
Tell them the murderer escaped via boat. ...and the notes let you understand something about the ship... but you can't remember what it was. This place isn't normal, that much is clear, but neither are those notes.

>garbled text
It's a keyed cipher using the demon's name as the key, the plaintext is
SEEK ME 'NEATH THE LOWEST DECK,
DON THE SUIT FOR GANGING UNDER.
FOLLOW TRUE MINE BLOODY BECK,
OP'N THINE EYES TO FULLEST WONDER.

That explains how we're supposed to go under the ship. There's a diving suit on board. WHY is there a diving suit though?

Rest a bit, until you're ready to get up again. Then I think it's time we started looking for a way to the lower decks. Or find the boat the killer used.

"That suicide note is fake... If it wasn't, how'd the doctor shoot himself through the head with such a large gun and leave it on the bed several feet from his body? The sludge outside were disturbed... that must be how they escaped - by boat. Lord knows Damien and I left a few adrift when we came aboard. Still a bit of a strange position if it were murder, though - they'd have had to've been standing on the table; was the doctor drugged, to have not resisted?"

kpwlt 2023/03/08(Wed)03:47 No. 1057874 ID: 1173be
File 167827607390.png - (25.08KB , 700x700 , u26p1.png )

>"That suicide note is fake..."

Both Damien and Samuel agree, though the Reverend came to that conclusion because "he wouldn't write his name like that for us."

>Rest a bit, until you're ready to get up again.

Nicoletta's heart is racing, she simply cannot rest. Besides, she's feeling fine apart from the existential dread that now hangs around her.

>Ask the Reverend and Damien if they saw anything suspicious after you passed out.

They say that nothing seems amiss since Nicoletta passed out, they decided to take it easy and play it safe while she was in such a vulnerable state.

>Additionally, it might be an idea to go and check on Jack and Kevin, see how they're holding up.

Great idea. Nicoletta makes her way up to the main deck, illuminated by the brilliant moon, and spots Mona looking remarkably more aware of her surroundings, holding Nicoletta's pistol, and staring at Maria.
Maria is unchanged, though she now holds what looks to be a little golden object, about the size of a key or so. When asked when she started holding that, Mona claims that Maria had been since Mona got here.
While Nicoletta is slightly perturbed at the sight of the most unstable crewmember holding her gun, she decides that it's better Mona than her having to guard Maria.

kpwlt 2023/03/08(Wed)03:47 No. 1057875 ID: 1173be
File 167827607752.png - (17.98KB , 700x700 , u26p2.png )

While Nicoletta is climbing up to the crow's nest, she notices that the sails have all been unfurled. Seems Damien got bored without her around.
Kevin is glad to see Nicoletta, and she quickly gets him up to speed on what's been going on since she saw him last. He says that he wishes he was free so he could help get the boat to safety. He explains that Damien's been bringing him water and that he's feeling much better.

kpwlt 2023/03/08(Wed)03:48 No. 1057876 ID: 1173be
File 167827608251.png - (19.75KB , 700x700 , u26p3.png )

Jack is well, though he's a bit grumpy about the anchor still being down and the sun having now set. Nothing much has changed for him. It crosses Nicoletta's mind that she should probably check out the lower deck at some point, seeing that it's one of the only places on the ship foreign to her. She asks Jack about it, and he tells her that it should be unlocked, and that it's mostly just storage down there.

>>1057681

S CXYZPJ MUHH,
MMT OUR TL FUHH
EZE ECRQML EBSZLED LMRZT NYLTFD
FBI OGCFIV'D VEMNL ZF DMS WZ VUZ?
NLP HIAOW XSN WHSHK TTY SYW.

Funny that the sails have been unfurled whilst the anchor is still down. Really should sort that out ASAP, even if it means destroying the mechanism. Enlist the help of more crewmembers for that effort.

Afterwards, and after sorting out a course, we should check out the lower decks.

To those trying to solve this update’s cipher:
GLPA HSI FYXWLF'D RTWI GLJPEEC
MH ZWXTEI WD TWYMFKP.
RVBDMWOV IOS YEFO
SU AVP WNCTTJHPH VBMBPBLP.
WY RDA GEEMO XWLWC JTWMAF CC ELCSRPOEMHX
ECK HTXEOW BBGE FX YQBPHPH UI WXUQPVXCX DIZTKTDMDU.

Politely ask Maria for her small item.

>>1057877

A CLEVER MIND,
BUT CAN IT FIND
THE SINFUL SHOOTER RIGHT BEHIND
THE DOCTOR'S DEATH ON DAY SO DUN?
THE PIOUS MAN KNOWS THE ONE.
New key, "SAMUEL".

>>1057915

WHAT THE MOTHER'S NAME REVEALS
IS SIMPLY SO MINIMAL.
CONSIDER THE NAME
OF THE SUSPECTED CRIMINAL.
DO NOT STATE THEIR FAMILY OR ASSOCIATION
AND TITLES MUST BE OMMITED BY SINCEREST OBLIGATION.
The demon's name was the key here again.
Why is Reverend Samuel "the suspected criminal"?

Look around the sides of the ship. The boat is likely still where the killer left it when they came back on board. We can follow their trail from there. Also, reclaim the pistol from Mona. It probably won't do anything against Maria anyway, and we need to be armed in case we find the killer (assuming it's not Mona).
Oh, ask Mona if she saw anyone in the corridor before the doctor was shot. Did she hear the Doctor talking to anyone in his room, perhaps? ...come to think of it, it's likely the killer climbed IN through the window, as well as out.

kpwlt 2023/03/09(Thu)02:00 No. 1057992 ID: 1173be
File 167835602990.png - (16.19KB , 700x700 , u27p1.png )

>Funny that the sails have been unfurled whilst the anchor is still down. Really should sort that out ASAP, even if it means destroying the mechanism. Enlist the help of more crewmembers for that effort.

Nicoletta mentions this to Jack, who replies that the mechanism was built to be nearly indestructible. Nothing short of an explosion would harm it, ignoring the fact that such a blast would likely remove half the ship.

Nicoletta writes that idea off for the moment.

>Politely ask Maria for her small item.

Nicoletta does, and Maria wordlessly extends it towards her. She snatches it as gently as possible. No reaction.

The thing seems to be a little golden key, seemingly designed after a ship's wheel. It reminds her a little of the lock on the door in the Captain's office.

>Oh, ask Mona if she saw anyone in the corridor before the doctor was shot. Did she hear the Doctor talking to anyone in his room, perhaps? ...come to think of it, it's likely the killer climbed IN through the window, as well as out.

Mona says she didn't see anyone, but she heard the Doctor yelling, then the gunshot, then the sound of him falling on the ground, then the sound of a chair scraping across the floor, only moments before Nicoletta and Damien rushed downstairs.

kpwlt 2023/03/09(Thu)02:01 No. 1057993 ID: 1173be
File 167835609104.png - (17.16KB , 700x700 , u27p2.png )

>Look around the sides of the ship. The boat is likely still where the killer left it when they came back on board.

Nicoletta reclaims her pistol from Mona and searches the sides of the ship. The darkness makes it hard to see much, but eventually Nicoletta spots a little black boat lurking next to the ship. It is empty, but it has a rope tied to it which looks to be entering the ship through a window.

TNR QSN OA FDAIX LWLJ ASL TNR AWAVBR,
LHUHKZ HGQ XZE GAKWLY FXJAE FS S DKIMD CUHPV SZRT AN.
ZUI HRORWL KTBAK OL GLW NAA'W OIIXIV PRNR,
LHUHKZ WUHPV NUG WLOV VX, XOX UI AS NRV ZATQ.

>>1057974
MSGYSNX, YYV HHAFIE MSJSR YSM REKL GSSM RMB,
AVZYZR LT KWO QTUI VVCO IYPSGA HZ FEYX WPA
QVHW XWL PCEBXW DM CFV YBMTURD, XAO SGPUTRTV TPPF,
DS AOPELR SI WOVXCS QSNVRTZG QVHW JPPF.

>>1057993
>little black boat
Huh, did someone new show up?

THE MAN IN BLACK HELD NOT THE WEAPON,
THOUGH HAD THE ANGELS STRAY SO A DEVIL COULD STEP IN.
THE PRIEST KNOWS OF THE NUN'S WICKED PLAN,
THOUGH WOULD NOT STOP IT, FOR HE IS HER HAND.
Key: SAMUEL
Very worrying.

>>1057994

CORRECT, FOR SAMUEL COULD NOT HAVE SHOT HIM,
THOUGH HE DID MAKE GOOD EFFORT TO BLOT HIM
FROM THE BRAINS OF OUR FRIENDS, THE ORIGINAL PAIR,
SO HELPED HE DERIVE FOULNESS FROM FAIR.
Key: demon's name
Extremely worrying. This implies he's responsible for the two main characters' amnesia. Of course, this is likely communication from a demon, so we cannot rely on it to establish Samuel's guilt. After all, demons and priests are natural enemies.

Collect Damien and Mona. Get the rifle, perhaps the axe too. Everyone should be armed, then we make our way to the lower decks, to find the killer. While we're moving, and away from Samuel (if he asks to come along, tell him he should tend to the chained up crewmembers instead), ask Mona exactly what happened in the room she was trapped in.

>>1057995
Key: SAMUEL

slight correction, the key for that one is AGNES

I concur - head to the lower decks with Damien and Mona, and arm yourselves as best as you can.

As friendly as he's been, the Reverend seemingly is not to be trusted. Do be subtle about that with him, though.

kpwlt 2023/03/10(Fri)04:39 No. 1058103 ID: 1173be
File 167845196547.png - (19.44KB , 700x700 , u28p1.png )

>head to the lower decks with Damien and Mona, and arm yourselves as best as you can

Nicoletta, being the strongest of the three, grabs the axe. Damien reluctantly takes up the rifle, empty though it may be, and Mona takes Nicoletta's pistol.
The Reverend asks what the trio are doing, and, when answered, happily resigns himself to caring for the prisoners abovedeck.

The staircase to the lower deck is just outside the anchor room.

kpwlt 2023/03/10(Fri)04:39 No. 1058104 ID: 1173be
File 167845197395.png - (23.25KB , 700x700 , u28p2.png )

The lowest deck is presumably the hold. It is remarkably poorly lit. The ground is soft and squishy, and Damien claims it to be wet when he reaches down and touches it. The whole area is perfumed with a disgusting smell, not like blood and spoiling meat, but like seaweed rotting in the sun. Occasionally, the group will bump into what is presumably a barrel, and this punctuates their silent journey with woody percussion. This deck, for some reason, feels larger than any of those above it.

Eventually, Nicoletta bumps into a strange object. It feels leathery, and man-shaped, with little glass lenses way up high. It somewhat reminds her of her father.
She tells the others about what she's found, and says that it's a shame that there's no light down here.
Then, Damien gets a brainwave, and pulls out the firesteel he still has, and strikes it.

kpwlt 2023/03/10(Fri)04:39 No. 1058105 ID: 1173be
File 167845197893.png - (26.63KB , 700x700 , u28p3.png )

Let there be light!

KR DSR XEG'C WJPH JSN REKL ZZGTDIS,
AVZYZR M'KL QSEGQIS TM XMGN MC AVP XBWI NVI SILSXPASO.
TEOEHL, C EVTFIASSCW, YBIT AVP FHKX CVH!
QSK LIAVK TX, WOES RSALHVII DOTXL NVTHATRZ SR GVH.
APXKWT ZHLC, HDLTYKTWX RIGL WE ML WCHLZQ SGVC,
LPHSSND WDTS QVBORSZ W DLTVP QL CS WH VSCLZJ.

RHD CDBF NLHSGT, OCHIOOV, HV GESI ISJY KTWASR'
'RHIDI FI ICAVCSGOH PNSYX AKW BVJPH BXXD WCDMMSSC.
MFZQ IBIHLBE QHWICA MZYK ZVDNFPWL SW QSCNOXN,
'XXS KTXA WC LPGOSF ISJY ATRWC CDB VLZX CXDJYPH.

Looks like we've found the diving suit.

>>1058105
AN OLD MAN'S SUIT YOU HAVE LOCATED,
THOUGH I'VE CHANGED MY MIND IN THE TIME YOU HESITATED.
PLEASE, O TRAVELLERS, FREE THE BOAT NOT!
FOR BELOW IT, DEAD XXXXXXXX WAITS DREAMING IN ROT.
PLEASE STAY, OTHERWISE HERE IT IS MYSELF ONLY,
WITHOUT SOME FRIENDS I SHALL BE OH SO LONELY.

NOT YOUR CHOICE, HOWEVER, SO STOP YOUR WISHIN'
'CAUSE MY ENTHRONED AGENT HAS MOVED INTO POSITION.
FROM PRESENT MOMENT YOUR PROGRESS IS BLOCKED,
'TIL WITH MY WISDOM YOUR MINDS YOU HAVE STOCKED.
Key is the demon's name again.
I don't think we actually hesitated? We just didn't know how to do it until now. Anyway, this might explain why everything's so fucked up. We're floating above a major demon, who is dead but not really.

I assumed there'd be light down here. I guess we technically could keep going by occasional spark-light but that's mighty inconvenient. We should get the candle.

kpwlt 2023/03/11(Sat)05:02 No. 1058206 ID: 1173be
File 167853973642.png - (24.34KB , 700x700 , u29p1.png )

>I guess we technically could keep going by occasional spark-light but that's mighty inconvenient. We should get the candle.

This seems to be the very front of the ship, but a candle would be good to check if they've missed anything.

The three retrace their steps, tripping over barrels and bumping into each other, but eventually making it out.
While Nicoletta and Mona retrieve the candle, Damien hears what sounds like Reverend Peters yelling.

He moves towards the sound, but soon runs back to the others, and insists that they come have a look.

From behind the blocked door, Samuel's muffled yells could be heard, though these ceased once Mona let him know that they were all okay.
The door is being blocked by Maria, though only her face is still recognisable. It seems she's spread herself out to block the door more effectively.
The flesh still seems to be soft and susceptible, though there's no telling what will happen if it's attacked.

VEN KCHR TXH GLQTIOO QN IZPWLSRV,
LZDI, WYR'I NC FRWOV IOS MSTD QTZGTRZ.
DLT DOJ WAKPA IS NPXKVTK WQ CHE ERJSAX FI PXNVE.
FR DLT DOJ, QTBMP JOY FXKX NVI TR T PMVOH.

Hug Damien for confort over the horrific scene.

After calming down, ask Samuel who killed the doctor and why, because you feel he knows more about the situation .

>>1058206
LAY DOWN AND RECIEVE MY BLESSING,
ELSE, DON'T GO UNDER THE BOAT MESSING.
THE WAY SHALL BE CLEARED IF YOU ACCEPT MY LIGHT.
BY THE WAY, MARIA CAN BEAT YOU IN A FIGHT.
standard key.

Have we been everywhere accessible on the ship now? I wonder where the killer went. Also, which door is this that's blocked?

kpwlt 2023/03/12(Sun)05:39 No. 1058320 ID: 1173be
File 167862477177.png - (20.61KB , 700x700 , u30p1.png )

>Have we been everywhere accessible on the ship now?

Almost everywhere that Nicoletta can think of, apart from half of the crew's cabins. Also, there are a couple of places that are locked off, such as that door with the heavy lock in it (seen in update 3) and the locked door inside the Captain's office (seen in update 21). May as well try some of their keys on those locks when this all blows over.

>Also, which door is this that's blocked?

Not exactly a door, per se (poor wording on my part), but the threshold between the stairs leading down to the middle deck, and the hallway joining the crew cabins. (This threshold was first seen from the other side in update 12)

>Hug Damien for confort over the horrific scene.

Nicoletta embraces Damien. Damien puts his arms around her in return. At times like these, they feel glad to still have each other. Damien lets out a few repressed fearful tears. Nicoletta holds hers in.

Mona, possibly deciding that we've had quite enough references to little known quests made by some fellow named Weaver, but more likely feeling that Nicoletta's gesture was an invitation for a group hug, stretches her arms around the pair as well.

>After calming down, ask Samuel who killed the doctor and why, because you feel he knows more about the situation .

Nicoletta now turns to face the sickening wall, and calls out a demand to know who killed the Doctor, and why.
There's no response for a while, and then the Reverend replies.
"He was killed by an acquaintance of mine, Sister Agnes. He figured something out from looking at those possessed people. Once he wrote it all down, it was all together in one place, the evil one had his mind. If she hadn't shot him, Matthias would be the one doing this now." He presumably gestured to Maria at this point.
"Anyway, Agnes can explain it in detail to you later. Right now, Nicoletta, I need you to shoot Maria in the head."

RITK BZX MRI LVFOW HP XWL DCMXCX, UVF ELXI EGL RCSLC.
GWVCDI GYX IV ZTWMOR IV AP EGN MI'Z MZYK VSHZ.
HSML WEC OOD RH SHTH KSEM RMH VKY FHYO HHMD,
E LSRCLF HLH SW XSZTXXBEIL VTW HGR IHIRLM GENZ.
WQ CHE'VT ZHCYZQPXUU ES ZOX LOOE IQKGISM T QXKR.
GLAPQUOV TECOYL DATUHJ, ZXBWT AVTVMOIC.

Shoot Maria in the head

>>1058320
HEED NOT THE WORDS OF THE PRIEST, FOR THEY ARE DROSS.
CHOOSE NOT TO LISTEN TO ME AND IT'S YOUR LOSS.
THIS MAN HAS NO IDEA WHAT HIS OWN BOOK SAYS,
A SINNER WHO IS ILLITERATE HIS OWN TAUGHT WAYS.
IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING TO GET WHAT EXACTLY I MEAN.
REMEMBER EXODUS TWENTY, VERSE THIRTEEN.
Standard key.

Tell him you'll think about it. You don't want to pick a side right now. Though, ask him why he considers Maria to be worthy of an execution. She hasn't done much yet. Blocking this path is mostly just preventing you from retrieving the candle so you can see in the cargo hold, which would actually serve Maria's interests since you were trying to find his "acquaintance". It's strange. Anyway, you wouldn't shoot someone just for locking a door you wanted to get through.

Let's try the big key on the starboard door that had the big padlock on it.

What if we find something, a paddle, or pick or such, to pull Maria's mass away from the walls, so we can pass through.

Also, we need to check our mental health after this whole debacle blows over, this is crazy.

kpwlt 2023/03/17(Fri)04:16 No. 1058821 ID: 1173be
File 167905177452.png - (29.99KB , 700x700 , u31p1.png )

>Also, we need to check our mental health after this whole debacle blows over, this is crazy.

Agreed. Unfortunately for our protagonists, modern therapists won't emerge until the mid 1900s.

>Tell him you'll think about it.

"I understand," he says, "but PLEASE make the right choice."

>Blocking this path is mostly just preventing you from retrieving the candle

Sorry, this is incorrect. The candle is just about the only thing that the group can get at the moment, as the rest of the ship (including the padlocked door) has been blocked off by Maria, which is probably why Samuel wants her gone. Anyway, here's Nicoletta's mental map of this general area so far.

>What if we find something, a paddle, or pick or such, to pull Maria's mass away from the walls, so we can pass through.

Would the axe do? Even if it would, Nicoletta is a little bit hesitant to peel Maria off the walls, lest she lash out. You could probably convince her though.

>>1058821
Oh I thought we were on the other side of the door for some reason.

Hmm, we haven't visited all the rooms here. Let's go investigate, maybe there will be something useful in one of them. Or the nun's hiding in one of them, since we didn't find her in the hold.

Specifically, go to the unknown room closest to Maria.

kpwlt 2023/03/19(Sun)18:49 No. 1059074 ID: 1173be
File 167927697008.png - (16.86KB , 700x700 , u32p1.png )

>Let's go investigate, maybe there will be something useful in one of them.

The group look into the unchecked room closest to Maria.
"Kevin's room" observes Mona.
Overall, the room is fairly scant. There's a closed porthole on the wall, and a misshapen looking mattress on the floor. Tucked in a corner lies a little black book with KEVIN written in crude lettering. Damien takes the liberty of cracking it open to about the middle and reading the latest tract.
"Somthings rong with cookie." There are no further entries.

kpwlt 2023/03/19(Sun)18:49 No. 1059075 ID: 1173be
File 167927698205.png - (15.93KB , 700x700 , u32p2.png )

The group then investigate the next closest room. Mona identifies it as Maria's room. The door creaks open to reveal a bare room, though the window has been opened, and an anchor lodges itself on the threshold. A closer inspection shows this anchor to attach to the little black boat that Nicoletta spotted earlier. Whoever put it here, however, is nowhere to be found.

kpwlt 2023/03/19(Sun)18:49 No. 1059076 ID: 1173be
File 167927698731.png - (18.03KB , 700x700 , u32p3.png )

After that, the next room is checked. This one belongs to Jack.
It's a nice room, but it's rather plain. A sheathed sabre lies on the bed.

After emerging into the corridor, the door of Maria's room slams shut.

>>1059076
Are we seriously doing some fucking Scooby Doo shit here? Yeah, I was going to have someone stay out in the hallway *if we investigated more than one room at a time.*

Whoever's least armed, take the sabre. Then we breach. One person stays outside in the hall in case the door slam was a diversion, one open the door from the side so the nun can't shoot the door opener instantly, and the third (whoever has the gun) waits a second then peeks in with gun at the ready.

kpwlt 2023/03/20(Mon)16:35 No. 1059164 ID: 1173be
File 167935533856.png - (18.97KB , 700x700 , u33p1.png )

>Are we seriously doing some fucking Scooby Doo shit here?

Yep.

>Whoever's least armed, take the sabre. Then we breach.

Got it. Damien grabs the sabre and stands guard in the hall. Nicoletta waits with her back to the wall, and Mona cautiously swings the door open.

Nicoletta peeks her gun around the corner, then her eye.

A nun standing in the centre of the room turns around to face the doorway. She appears to be unarmed. She's about as tall as Samuel.
"Hello. I am Sister Agnes. You have already met my colleague, Reverend Peters. Please, don't be shy. This boat is too dangerous for either of us alone."
She speaks with a honeyed tone, and smiles gently at Nicoletta.

Tell her to not make any sudden moves, and put her hands in the air. You know she murdered the doctor. If she didn't think it was wrong, she wouldn't have tried to hide it, so you won't be buying any of that "demon corruption" bullshit either. Even if that were true, she could have just imprisoned him, like no less than four other people on this damned ship.

Oh, and if she starts backing up towards the window shoot her in the leg.

kpwlt 2023/03/22(Wed)00:28 No. 1059288 ID: 1173be
File 167947010442.png - (18.03KB , 700x700 , u34p1.png )

>Tell her to not make any sudden moves, and put her hands in the air.

Agnes raises her arms slowly, and frowns.

"Nicoletta..." she searches for a valid argument.
"Nicoletta, you use that gun on me, and the only way you can leave this boat in one piece vanishes."

Okay, next order her to come out of the room. She will be physically restrained, searched, then locked in... crap we don't have a key to any of these rooms do we? Maybe we can tie her up by cutting up bedsheets... oh! We can use the black boat's rope for that-- wait, no, we can't. The black boat is the only way we can get past Maria now. We use the grapple to get back on deck where the rope ladder was. I suppose if Maria stays where she is, then Agnes will be trapped here anyway once we take the boat. Probably should take the axe too so she doesn't have any useful items at all.

Tell her you'd rather no more deaths happened on this boat. So long as she cooperates she will be treated fairly, with far more mercy than she showed the doctor. (the usual punishment for murder is to be hanged from the yardam, but we really should talk to the captain first)
Once she's been searched and tied up, or at least restrained, we can ask her what she thinks this boat really is, and what she meant by that last comment.

...I wonder if Maria knows what the wasting is caused by.

kpwlt 2023/03/23(Thu)01:15 No. 1059348 ID: 1173be
File 167955930766.png - (25.08KB , 700x700 , u35p1.png )

>Okay, next order her to come out of the room...

She comes out. Damien and Mona collect bedsheets and cut them up with the sabre. After this is done, the two search Agnes. She carries only a Latin Bible, which is then confiscated. The three then tie her up with the sheets, then tie her to Mona's old chair, and drag her to Kevin's room after moving Kevin's things to Maria's room.

>Tell her you'd rather no more deaths happened on this boat...

She indicates that she understands, but warns Nicoletta that the devil prefers to divide and conquer.

>we can ask her what she thinks this boat really is, and what she meant by that last comment.

"This ship is anchored over a site of unholy corruption. That's why the water is black. The devil wants to enter the minds of its crew and then return to civilisation and spread like a plague."

Nicoletta then quizzes her again about the other comment.
"I know you only have one bullet. If you waste it, then you can either starve to death here, starve to death rowing my boat, or die from the girl on the wall."
She looks like she considers adding something to that list, though shuts her mouth instead.

>...I wonder if Maria knows what the wasting is caused by.

Can't hurt to ask, right? Nicoletta casually mentions it to Maria.
Maria, as usual, does not respond.

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kpwlt 2023/03/23(Thu)01:15 No. 1059349 ID: 1173be
File 167955931148.png - (19.36KB , 700x700 , u35p2.png )

>The black boat is the only way we can get past Maria now.

The group take anything that they think could help Anges escape and hop on the boat. They row into a good position, through the grapnel up, each choose a weapon (Nicoletta wields the pistol, Damien the sabre, and Mona the axe), and shimmy up the rope.
When they embark, the Reverend Samuel Peters stands as though he's just come up the stairs, glowering at them.

>>1059348
YOU NEED NOT ASK HER YOUR QUESTIONS AT ALL.
I MAY ANSWER, SO UPON MY NAME CALL.
THE SO-CALLED HOLY ONES UPON THE WATER LIE.
WHEN INGESTED, THEY CAUSE BRAINS TO SPONGIFY.
SUCH A TERRIBLE THING IS NO DEED OF MINE,
FOR MY CHILDREN SHOULD LIVE, I DO OPINE.
Holy ones...? Anyway, it sounds like drinking the black water causes brain damage and thus the wasting disease. I dunno why anyone would have ever tried it. Even drinking suspicious water as a last resort doesn't make sense when it's seawater! ...this implies someone has been poisoning the crew via the black water. Cookie is the prime suspect there. Wait, Maria was in the black water, how come she didn't get affected? Demon's blessing, I'm guessing?

Odd that Agnes is calling the demon "the devil". It's not satan, that's for sure.

>>1059349
Awkward. Ask him why they didn't try to exorcise the doctor, or imprison him. Then tell him you want him to follow you as you need to keep track of him. You don't want to completely discount his advice regarding avoiding demonic corruption and he's only accessory to murder so locking him up is a lower priority.

Hmm, is there anything stopping us from fetching the candle to get the diving suit so we can cut the anchor? It could wait until after we check behind the locked doors... though someone's going to have to keep an eye on Samuel so he doesn't grab the black boat and go free Agnes. The locked door I'd want to check first is the one with the big lock, up here on the top deck.

Alright, reverend, calm down. We are fine, Agnes is fine. We are just frustrated that you shot the doctor without trying to get him away from the madness first, and witholding things from us.
Also, I'm jealous that you have horns and I don't.
Also also, since when do we have goat faces?

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:35 No. 1059427 ID: 1173be
File 167965415210.png - (26.28KB , 700x700 , u36p1.png )

>Wait, Maria was in the black water, how come she didn't get affected? Demon's blessing, I'm guessing?

Probably. Nicoletta has about as much idea as you do.

>Ask him why they didn't try to exorcise the doctor, or imprison him.

"He was too far gone." The Reverend does not seem too talkative at the moment.

>Then tell him you want him to follow you as you need to keep track of him.

"Of course."

>We are just frustrated that you shot the doctor without trying to get him away from the madness first, and witholding things from us.

"Understood."

>Also, I'm jealous that you have horns and I don't.

Nicoletta decides not to say this bit out loud, but she thinks it would be funny if she did.

>Also also, since when do we have goat faces?

Since the quest began.

>Hmm, is there anything stopping us from fetching the candle to get the diving suit so we can cut the anchor? It could wait until after we check behind the locked doors...

Mona keeps an eye on the Reverend while Nicoletta and Damien fiddle with the heavy lock on it. After twisting the huge key around, the lock falls off. Inside is what can only be assumed to have once been a nice bedroom, and what can only be assumed to have once been Cookie, standing shivering and muttering.

Cookie is still alive, though he appears withered and vacant. He's bruised, his clothes have been torn. He stares at nothing in particular. He babbles incomprehensibly.

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:35 No. 1059428 ID: 1173be
File 167965415962.png - (16.77KB , 700x700 , u36p2.png )

Damien spots a pot in the corner of the room. It seems to be filled with the black water.

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:36 No. 1059429 ID: 1173be
File 167965416543.png - (31.19KB , 700x700 , u36p3.png )

Alright, time to check the other room. Damien and Nicoletta go to the Captain's office now. After inserting the little golden key into the lock, the door swings open, revealing what can only be the Captain's bedroom.

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:36 No. 1059430 ID: 1173be
File 167965417009.png - (26.15KB , 700x700 , u36p4.png )

Captain Lowe lies on her bed. She's pale. She's cold. She has no pulse. She's limp. She looks so peaceful.

Damien rummages through her pockets after a brief moment of silence, and pulls out three paper cartridges. He slips them into Nicoletta's pocket.

Nicoletta picks the Captain's canteen off the floor. It's open, and trickles dark liquid out of its mouth.

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:36 No. 1059431 ID: 1173be
File 167965417577.png - (21.96KB , 700x700 , u36p5.png )

Before the pair head out, Damien comments on the strange mechanism tucked in the corner of the room. It has cranks and pipes, and is wrapped in a good measure of thick tubing.

kpwlt 2023/03/24(Fri)03:36 No. 1059432 ID: 1173be
File 167965418092.png - (22.18KB , 700x700 , u36p6.png )

Anyway, that's quite enough faffing about. Nicoletta, Damien, Mona, and Samuel pile onto the little black boat and make their way over to the window of Maria's room. After making sure that the boat is anchored tight to the sill, Nicoletta hops through, followed by Damien, Mona, and the Reverend.

They grab the candle and head on down beneath the deck. The planks they walk on appear to be blackened and mushy. Aside from that, they walk to the front of the ship without issue, and Samuel grabs the suit around the waist.

The group resurface, replace the candle, and go back around the side in the boat. Before the grapnel is even thrown up, Samuel stands, twists his torso to near its limit, and, with one almighty movement, throws the suit onto the deck.

Everyone joins it on the deck afterwards.

Shouldn't you inspect the captain's cabin a bit longer, see if you can find Kevin and Jack's keys?

>>1059427
What's that red thing hanging out the window? Last we checked there wasn't anything around the edges of the ship we could see, THAT would've been easily visible unlike the black boat.

Doesn't boil off... so, that means it can't be purified by distillation? Or was he expecting it to evaporate before the water, like reducing alcohol content via boiling? Well, the black water is caused by angels apparently so I'm not surprised conventional methods of purification don't work.

>>1059430
Captain's dead then. Odd, she doesn't seem to have died from wasting, despite apparently drinking the black water. Is this another murder? It'd be poison this time. Or maybe it's suicide by poison... Well, I don't see any obvious manipulation of the scene. Unless Samuel knows something I guess we'd have to assume suicide, which really isn't too surprising. Well, that or death by thirst.
I wonder where our clean canteen came from? We haven't found any other clean water on the ship!

Who's next in the line of command?

>>1059431
Looks familiar. Perhaps we can ask around to find out what it is.

Oh, could it be an air pump?

...Cookie could become a problem. Might want to make sure his door is locked when you're not in there. The captain locked it for a reason, after all. ...wait, who locked the captain's room? Maria had the key! That means she knew she died... I wish we could interrogate her, but she's not even speaking in the image names anymore.

Lastly, ask Samuel how to tell if someone is "too far gone".

we should use the axe to knock down a wall. I don't think it'll help but maybe you'll feel better
Wait no the axe cant cut down walls fuck

kpwlt 2023/03/26(Sun)05:34 No. 1059531 ID: 1173be
File 167983406288.png - (19.99KB , 700x700 , u37p1.png )

>Shouldn't you inspect the captain's cabin a bit longer, see if you can find Kevin and Jack's keys?

The group scour all corners of the Captain's room, and eventually Damien relieves the bookshelf of its contents to see it anything's hidden there. Nothing. It could easily be in one of the books, but it's not super practical to check that, especially as Nicoletta feels that there are more pressing issues at hand.

Perhaps Captain Lowe intended to cut the shackles off at shore, or perhaps she never intended to free them.

>What's that red thing hanging out the window?

Seems to be a scarf of some kind. Cookie's window is very, very close to the bow of the boat, which is why the group didn't spot it.

>I wonder where our clean canteen came from?

Nicoletta presumes that she had it on her before she came to in the morning.

>Looks familiar. Perhaps we can ask around to find out what it is.
>Oh, could it be an air pump?

The general consensus is that it appears to be a hand-operated air pump. This is confirmed by a turn of the crank.

>Might want to make sure his door is locked when you're not in there.

Absolutely. Nicoletta locks Cookie's door. He doesn't object.

>Lastly, ask Samuel how to tell if someone is "too far gone".

"If the demon can speak to them, there's no hope for them out here. If they start growing new bits, then there's nothing we can do, even on land."

kpwlt 2023/03/26(Sun)05:34 No. 1059532 ID: 1173be
File 167983407553.png - (17.74KB , 700x700 , u37p2.png )

>we should use the axe to knock down a wall.

...

kpwlt 2023/03/26(Sun)05:35 No. 1059533 ID: 1173be
File 167983410168.png - (17.37KB , 700x700 , u37p3.png )

The axe bounces uselessly off the wall. As expected. Still, it makes Nicoletta feel a bit better.

>If the demon can speak to them
Uh oh. Is Nicoletta aware of the coded messages?

Get the pump attached to the diving suit and prepare to use it to cut the anchor. ...what are we going to use to cut it?

kpwlt 2023/03/28(Tue)17:00 No. 1059721 ID: 1173be
File 168004803747.png - (16.21KB , 700x700 , u38p1.png )

>Uh oh. Is Nicoletta aware of the coded messages?

Absolutely. She's not going to tell the Reverend though. She'd rather take her chances getting exorcised at shore than executed at sea.

>Get the pump attached to the diving suit and prepare to use it to cut the anchor. ...what are we going to use to cut it?

The tube fastens to the diving suit very well, and Damien takes a moment to figure out how to operate the pump in a way that won't kill whoever goes inside the suit. As for what to use to cut the anchor, there are many things lying around, though the only things that come close to being able to cut the anchor are the sabre and the axe, and Nicoletta's certain that neither of those will do the job.

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GLQDQ IK,
NOD MP JLMDV QS NLZVD.
UT NQLX CLB BANV INP SKMEX ACQKQ.

>>1059721
New cipher. For once I'm trying not to auto-solve it... ah, the key is MARIA.

SUBMERGE YOURSELF.
I SHALL SUPPLY THE BLADE.
GUIDE IT,
FOR MY BLADE IS BLIND.
IT WILL CUT BONE AND STEEL ALIKE.
Sounds like the demon is allowing us to leave, now? What was that about changing its mind, before? A lie to make us deal with Agnes first, no doubt.

Hey uh, is that a leak in the suit? I expect if there's a leak you will be exposed to too much demonic influence and become too corrupted. Or on the flipside, you could get black water in the suit and catch the wasting. Or is that a one-way valve in the chest that's meant to release air?
I wonder how we're supposed to see what we're doing once we're down there. The water's black! Or maybe... that's only a layer at the surface? But even then there's no light down there, as the black water layer will have blocked the sunlight.

>If the demon starts talking to them, there is no hope for them out there.
Oh, no.
Are we to remain behind and die with the ship? Are there others hearing the voices? Is there anyone can leave safely?
And we really should ask Samuel and Agnes how they know about this demon.

At any rate, if the demon is telling us to release the ship, it might be a good idea NOT to release the ship full of fleshy growths and black water.

We should find the means to free Kevin and Jack instead so those of us who remain can rowboat out of here, or whatever else the priest and nun have planned.

>>1059782
No, you misquoted that. The stage of corruption that allows communication can't be cured OUT HERE. At sea. The implication is don't have the resources here. On land, they can cure you unless you're at the point you start growing new body parts, like Maria.

Yes, the demon wants to let us go now, that lends support to the priest's explanation of its motives. That is not sufficient reason, IMO, to stay. Also Agnes made it clear we are far too out at sea to make it back to land with the black rowboat. Also Nicoletta's corruption might progress too fast to make it back in time for a cure anyway!

((also, the only way we can leave is with its help. If we had attacked Maria I expect it would be less cooperative. We have to play along for now, and then clean up before the ship reaches port. We have more ammo now...))

Do the paper cartridges fit in the rifle?

kpwlt 2023/03/30(Thu)02:32 No. 1059892 ID: 1173be
File 168016872390.png - (18.74KB , 700x700 , u39p1.png )

>Hey uh, is that a leak in the suit?

Absolutely not. The air is coming out of the entrance hole, which will be sealed when the user is inside.

>I wonder how we're supposed to see what we're doing once we're down there.

Nicoletta supposes that light from the surface might shine through. It's unlikely though. Anyway, she's fairly confident that she can find her way to the anchor even in the dark.

>And we really should ask Samuel and Agnes how they know about this demon.

Samuel gives an evasive answer and then nods as though he's just explained it in detail.

>We should find the means to free Kevin and Jack instead so those of us who remain can rowboat out of here, or whatever else the priest and nun have planned.

Well, we've explored the whole ship, and there still seems to be nothing capable of freeing them. Agnes also said that the ship is too far from land to row away from it.

>At any rate, if the demon is telling us to release the ship, it might be a good idea NOT to release the ship full of fleshy growths and black water.
>That is not sufficient reason, IMO, to stay.

Nicoletta isn't sure what the right thing to do overall is, but she knows that she would much rather get back to port, regardless of the repercussions it has on others.

>Do the paper cartridges fit in the rifle?

Visually, they do. Nicoletta doesn't try so as not to tip Samuel off to the ammunition surplus.

Still indecisive, Nicoletta gets in the suit and seals it off. The air is stale inside, though that is soon alleviated by Damien, who ensures that fresh air enters the suit. The suit is clumsy, though it probably gets the job done. Nicoletta looks over the side of the boat, wondering how it'll fare underwater.

>>1059892
Ah, we need to decide on a system to communicate when you want to come back on board. Two yanks to signal that you want to be pulled up, I guess? Or, two yanks to signal more air, and three to signal that you wish to come aboard? ...I'm assuming the air line is sturdy enough to pull you up with? Or is there another rope attached to the suit for that purpose?

Okay, my plan is we lock Samuel in the captain's quarters since he's being dodgy as hell and he might try to sabotage the diving operation while Damien's busy pumping. Then dive.

Once we're back on board we'll check the rifle's compatibility, then bring Samuel out for an ultimatum. Either he gives you a full explanation, no bullshit, or you shoot him AND Agnes in the head and throw them overboard.

kpwlt 2023/04/01(Sat)01:06 No. 1060152 ID: 1173be
File 168033640174.png - (20.46KB , 700x700 , u40p1.png )

>>1059894

The group discusses communication. Two yanks for more air, three or more yanks in quick succession to come back up.
The line seems sturdy enough, and Damien and Mona can comfortably lift Nicoletta in the suit with it.

Excellent. Now time to get Samuel out of the way. Still being lifted by her friends, Nicoletta declares that she remembers that there was some treatise about operating the suit in the Captain's shelf. Being the only person without anything to do, the Reverend shuffles off to go get it. The second she sees him cross the threshold, she rips the suit off and sprints over while her friends watch in awe.

The door is locked. Samuel is indignant. He sounds like he's kicking the door. It seems a sturdy piece of timber, but the aggressive noise puts stress on our protagonist.

Damien and Mona are very confused, though Nicoletta manages an explanation while putting the suit back on. Damien and Mona get into place. Nicoletta takes one last look at her friends, and disembarks the ship.

kpwlt 2023/04/01(Sat)01:06 No. 1060153 ID: 1173be
File 168033640550.png - (23.94KB , 700x700 , u40p2.png )

Below the layer of complete darkness, which isn't too thick, the water is a transparent reddish colour. Something splashes into the water behind Nicoletta, but skates down past her and thuds on the sea floor.
The boat recedes into the red darkness, and a line descends from the keel into the depths.

>>1060153
Huh? Odd... my initial reaction was that was Cookie jumping out his window, but... a person wouldn't sink that fast unless weighed down with something.

Follow the anchor line (it's to your right) down until you can see the ocean floor and maybe also see what that fallen object was.

kpwlt 2023/04/04(Tue)02:57 No. 1060526 ID: 1173be
File 168060227640.png - (19.41KB , 700x700 , u41p1.png )

>Follow the anchor line (it's to your right) down until you can see the ocean floor and maybe also see what that fallen object was.

The anchor seems to be... piercing the ocean floor. The floor is black and bleeds from the entry wound.

kpwlt 2023/04/04(Tue)02:58 No. 1060527 ID: 1173be
File 168060228024.png - (29.53KB , 700x700 , u41p2.png )

Doesn't seem to be any sign of whatever fell down here though.

>>1060527
OH god, it was Maria. Turn and definitely freak out before realizing and saying hello.

Hmm, if Maria is the Blade, then she's been blind all this time? That would explain why she didn't intervene in a more active manner.

Swim as fast as you can to the anchor and hide behind ir, quick!

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061727 ID: 1173be
File 168191102128.png - (34.05KB , 700x700 , u42p1.png )

>OH god, it was Maria. Turn and definitely freak out before realizing and saying hello.

Nicoletta manages a quiet "hello" to Maria. Maria doesn't react, but saying it has made Nicoletta feel a little less terrified.

>Swim as fast as you can to the anchor and hide behind ir, quick!

Nicoletta begins swimming, but the suit is clumsy and she can only make little paddles. Luckily, she puts the chain between herself and Maria before the latter writhes towards the chain and latches her teeth onto it.

When Maria loosens her vice-grip on the chain, it's clear that she can't cut through that. Looks like she'll have to target the point of connection to the anchor.

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061728 ID: 1173be
File 168191102598.png - (24.81KB , 700x700 , u42p2.png )

Nicoletta panics and is breathless for a moment, but soon feels the stale, but cool breeze coming from up above. It's a nice reminder that Damien is still there.
She uses this rush of air to propel herself down to the anchor. Her feet touch the sea floor. It is soft, and depresses slightly when she puts weight on it. Blood pours from the anchor's resting place.

Maria turns, still wearing her serene expression, and launches herself into the anchor. For a moment, she rages against the metal in an attempt to gore Nicoletta, but after a while, she realises that the anchor is nearby and clamps down on the connection between it and the chain. After this link is severed, she begins ramming herself into the anchor. Nicoletta, entranced with this behaviour, puts her hands on it and shoves it deeper.

There is a big rumble.

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061729 ID: 1173be
File 168191102976.png - (28.68KB , 700x700 , u42p3.png )

Nicoletta suddenly feels the tube above constrict. Her breath catches in her throat, and the seed of a migraine pulses in her head.

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061730 ID: 1173be
File 168191103455.png - (20.10KB , 700x700 , u42p4.png )

Nicoletta awakens in a lake of boiling flames. She still holds her spear and shield. Several dusky figures lay on the lake as well, with one seemingly stirring. Nicoletta has never seen this one before, but feels calm, and in good company with it. A friend.

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061731 ID: 1173be
File 168191103992.png - (32.69KB , 700x700 , u42p5.png )

Nicoletta sits on her throne. It is the biggest one in the room. In the others are her friends, the figures in the lake that were obscured by the flames, but are much clearer now. There is a large hubbub between the group. They seem to be discussing which of them should embark on a dangerous journey. Nicoletta, almost by instinct, raises her hand. A cheer rings throughout the hall.

kpwlt 2023/04/19(Wed)06:30 No. 1061732 ID: 1173be
File 168191104376.png - (29.58KB , 700x700 , u42p6.png )

Nicoletta crouches next to an sleeping couple. They are covered only with leaves, and look serene, and almost unburdened by the things of this world. Her admiration is interrupted, as an ugly looking toad begins to babble and drool into the woman's ear. Though the toad looks and sounds disgusting, Nicoletta somehow knows that it is to be respected on an almost political level. The toad glances her way, and beckons her while continuing to whisper in the sleeping woman's ear.

Step on the toad, whisper on woman's ear not to listen to the toad's lies. Don't eat the fruit, ere you create microplastics and credit scores.

Don't try to harm the toad. Wake the woman instead. Let her choose with her eyes open.

>>1061752
Yes, that's probably a better idea.

kpwlt 2023/04/20(Thu)06:48 No. 1061770 ID: 1173be
File 168199849711.png - (22.12KB , 700x700 , u43p1.png )

>Step on the toad, whisper on woman's ear not to listen to the toad's lies. Don't eat the fruit, ere you create microplastics and credit scores.

Nicoletta has no clue what microplastics or credit scores are. Even if she did, she probably wouldn't step on the toad. It is to be afforded respect.

>Don't try to harm the toad. Wake the woman instead. Let her choose with her eyes open.

Nicoletta taps the woman. She is stone cold and does not move. Further pushing reveals that she feels immovable as well. The toad turns to Nicoletta, and says in a deep, handsome-sounding voice,
"This is not the past, Nicoletta. This is my memory. I am showing it to you in order to reach out to you. I need you, Nicoletta, we need you."

kpwlt 2023/04/20(Thu)06:48 No. 1061771 ID: 1173be
File 168199850174.png - (20.88KB , 700x700 , u43p2.png )

Two striking looking men arrive through the room's opening. They strike the toad, and he returns to his true form. He is Satan. The two restrain him, and begin to drag him away. They pay no heed to Nicoletta whatsoever.
"Don't give up hope, Nicoletta. Never bow to the tyranny of heaven. We need to cooperate in order to survive. But first, you need to survive in order for us to cooperate."

Oh god, it's all coming back now.

kpwlt 2023/04/20(Thu)06:48 No. 1061772 ID: 1173be
File 168199850551.png - (52.50KB , 700x700 , u43p3.png )

Nicoletta awakens in a clammy, crude diving suit at the bottom of the sea. Looking around the sea floor, she finds she has nought but her consciousness, a body full of cramps, and an unbearable headache. It also seems that she can breathe nothing from the tube above her.

kpwlt 2023/04/20(Thu)06:48 No. 1061773 ID: 1173be
File 168199851125.png - (124.84KB , 700x700 , u43p4.png )

In all regards, it is a beautiful day, except for the fact that the water is a macabre blood red. Nicoletta's lungs tell her she's about to asphyxiate.

Signal time! Three, four yanks!

>Oh god, it's all coming back now.
What is? Do you remember what you forgot?

Yeah yank on that there tube. First signal for more air. Then you can signal for a pullup right after.
If nothing happens then... uh. I don't know. Is it possible at all to swim upwards in the diving suit? Maybe Maria can drag you upwards? Taking off the suit is not an option, since the water is full of poison and it's too far to swim without it anyway. Depleted though the air is, it's still air and will probably last another minute or so, which is more than could be said for holding your breath in this state.

kpwlt 2023/04/21(Fri)07:04 No. 1061840 ID: 1173be
File 168208587768.png - (24.52KB , 700x700 , u44p1.png )

>Signal time! Three, four yanks!
>Yeah yank on that there tube. First signal for more air.

Nicoletta yanks the tube. First, a pissing fizzle of unbreathable air. It seems like Damien's return signal. A signal to say that her request for more air could not be fulfilled. Nicoletta feels herself begin to rise. Looks like Damien and Mona have decided to reel her in. Nicoletta begins kicking pathetically and rising at an aching pace.

Nicoletta can almost feel the others tiring of dragging her up. Suddenly, the line stops dragging upwards. Nicoletta tries to tug the line in query, but her arms are now too heavy. Moments before she decides to close her eyes for good, the line begins rising at a tremendous pace.

Nicoletta, half-dead, is yanked from the sanguine depths by the Reverend, (who for whatever reason has been released from captivity,) not unlike a particularly large fish being wrenched from the seas by the hardiest of fishermen. Nicoletta slaps down on the deck wetly, and Samuel follows suit, becoming a victim of momentum.

kpwlt 2023/04/21(Fri)07:04 No. 1061841 ID: 1173be
File 168208588120.png - (17.75KB , 700x700 , u44p2.png )

The three quickly strip the suit off of Nicoletta, utterly mutilating it in a way that would upset her normally. Today, however, she's just happy to be out of it and in the fresh air.

The others are chattering to her, presumably asking her about how it went down there, but Nicoletta can't focus on them. Damien hugs her, and constantly checks whether she's breathing. She loses consciousness.

kpwlt 2023/04/21(Fri)07:04 No. 1061842 ID: 1173be
File 168208588535.png - (21.06KB , 700x700 , u44p3.png )

She wakes up on the deck next to the wheel. Damien crouches over her.
"Hey, Nicoletta, are you okay now? It's gonna be alright. We're going to be in port soon."
Nicoletta glances around. Jack is gone. His chains are broken. Agnes stands at his post. Agnes says nothing to Nicoletta.

The Reverend yells to Damien about a fish that Mona has spotted. Nicoletta looks over. The water is a deep, cerulean blue.

Damien says goodbye to Nicoletta and rushes off.

Agnes looks darkly at Nicoletta.
"Nicoletta. I know what was down there, and I know that it's in you now. I need you to tell me everything that you saw. I also need you to ask me any questions you have; your mind is easy prey when troubled by loose ends."
She looks at Nicoletta's expression of confusion.
"Once we get back to shore, we can think about having you exorcised. For now, you need to keep the devil contained."

"Guuuh, Nanny and Billy... first goats....credit scores....
Um, how did you know of this place? How did you know there was a ship here? What sea are we even in? Why can't I remember the last few days since before I came here? If the Devil can escape Hell from that horrible place why hasn't God destroyed it?

>>1061842
Oh, it's the devil now? Not a demon? How about this for a question: how did the Temptation of Adam and Eve really happen?
Where is Jack?
Why is Samuel so strong?
Why did they really kill the doctor? They're not killing you, despite being in the same condition.
Who killed the captain?

Why was the ship here in the first place?

"First... I want to ask what gave you the impression that I'm possessed. Did something happen while I was down there?"

"Second... How did Damien and I come to be adrift in that cursed sea? Why do we not recall what had led up to it?"

"Third... how did you and the reverend come to be here? Did you know there was a demon here? A ship? Don't bullshit me."

"Fourth... why did you go straight to killing the doctor... and why did you try to cover it up?"

"Finally... What happens if it turns out I can't be exorcised, but... also don't ever give in to the demon? Do I just live my life with an intrusive voice in my head?"

kpwlt 2023/04/22(Sat)07:02 No. 1061910 ID: 1173be
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>"Guuuh, Nanny and Billy... first goats....credit scores...."

Agnes tilts her head.
"Hmm. Sounds like you can't remember all too well. That's alright, you've got time to condense it all in your mind."

>Um, how did you know of this place? How did you know there was a ship here? What sea are we even in?
>"Third... how did you and the reverend come to be here? Did you know there was a demon here? A ship? Don't bullshit me."

Agnes gazes at Nicoletta for a moment, then begins.
"Our abbot said he had a vision in his sleep. He said that (in his vision) he was watching the world from afar, and he saw the devil fall into the ocean between Africa and the America, and stain the water with his blood. Samuel was convinced that it was a message from the Lord, and was eager to set off right away, but I was sceptical, and came only to prove him wrong. Needless to say, I stand corrected."

"We didn't know exactly what we were looking for, but once we saw the sea go black, it was fairly easy to find the ship. Once we got aboard, it was fairly obvious that it was either the source of the corruption, or directly above it. I don't know why, perhaps it was the crew's sins that did it."

>Why was the ship here in the first place?

"I could not tell you."

>"Second... How did Damien and I come to be adrift in that cursed sea? Why do we not recall what had led up to it?"
>Why can't I remember the last few days since before I came here?

Agnes scratches her head. She looks genuinely confused.
"I didn't realise you two had been adrift. I thought you were just part of this ship's crew to be honest. I don't know why you can't remember anything either. Do you perhaps recall drinking heavily before you got here?"

>"First... I want to ask what gave you the impression that I'm possessed. Did something happen while I was down there?"

"You read the Doctor's notes. After that, you went and investigated the source of the corruption. Anyone who can come out of that without at least a few demons is either inhuman or holy."

>Why did they really kill the doctor? They're not killing you, despite being in the same condition.
>"Fourth... why did you go straight to killing the doctor... and why did you try to cover it up?"

"Doctor Becker was not the most spiritually intact man to begin with. The devil immediately took his mind. Besides, I had no way of knowing how long we'd be out there after his possession. With you, I knew we'd be able to set sail right afterwards."

Agnes contemplates for a moment. She tilts her head slightly forward.
"Also, I think killing you after you saved us all would have been a bit harder to justify to everyone. I don't think your friends would have been able to trust me after that."

>Who killed the captain?

"I don't know. My guess is that she figured out that she caught the wasting and drank some poison. She was notorious for being proud like that."

>Where is Jack?

"He's looking around the ship for more food and fresh water. He's quite alright after a bit of time in a proper bed. Kevin (who I assume you don't care about, since you haven't bothered to ask) is also with him."

>Why is Samuel so strong?

Agnes grins broadly.
"Samuel has always been fond of his exercise. Most days he practices his shot put throw."

>If the Devil can escape Hell from that horrible place why hasn't God destroyed it?

Agnes winces slightly.
"God works in mysterious ways."

>Oh, it's the devil now? Not a demon? How about this for a question: how did the Temptation of Adam and Eve really happen?

"All demons work for the devil; I use the terms almost interchangeably."

Agnes raises an eyebrow at Nicoletta while considering the second question.
"You sound Italian though? Shouldn't you know this already? The serpent told the first people to eat the fruit that God had forbidden them to eat."

>"Finally... What happens if it turns out I can't be exorcised, but... also don't ever give in to the demon? Do I just live my life with an intrusive voice in my head?"

Agnes swallows.
"You'll have to stay with us. Indefinitely."

kpwlt 2023/04/22(Sat)07:04 No. 1061911 ID: 1173be
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Agnes looks out to sea again.
"Anyway, you should probably relax a bit now. Maybe have a sleep. I can't imagine you want to stay around me much longer."

Nicoletta begins to head down to the main deck to spend time with her friends. It looks like Mona and Damien have figured out how to gut the fish.

"Settle in, by the way. We're a long way from shore."

--- KEPHOQUEST ---

Thanks for sticking around! I hope you enjoyed it.
Discussion thread:https://questden.org/kusaba/questdis/res/139581.html