Sounds good. Where do you want to start?

Tell us of your myths. Perhaps there are corollaries in our world, and perhaps we can assist you by offering our own myths for you to work upon as well.

Teteke 2010/03/19(Fri)18:46 No. 149740 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126904958857.png - (197.82KB , 640x480 , 1-1.png )

In my search for any signs of the ancients that once held our planet, I happened across a giant golden tower, shining in the midday sun.

The door was unlocked, and no-one was inside. What could possibly go wrong if I had a look inside?

...

Inside the tower, I found a large, solid crystal. I did not attempt to remove it from its weightless suspension above its strange dais. Instead, it gently drifted into my hands.

I had heard rumours of crystals such as these.
I deeply hoped those rumours were wrong.

"Can... can you hear me? Can you speak? Can you think? What... what are you?"

You first.

Yes, yes, and a crystal. Now it's tine for us to ask you some questions. How do you pronounce your name? What gender are you? What species are you? What's your favorite color? What's your sexual preference? Do you have any friends? Where are you? How old are you? What do you have in your inventory right now? What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Who are your parents? Are there any other myths? What's your favorite food?

we are the voices of the crystal. our purpose is to guide those who carry us.

Hearken, stranger! You hold the Orb of Infinite Psyche, the vessel of untold wisdom and foolishness. It is our purpose to guide you to success in all things.

What are your desires?

>>149740
What rumors did you hear about crystals like us?

>>149747

Wait, we're not orb-shaped this time around.

>>149751
Damnation, Voice! You are ruining my melodrama!

>>149747
'Ello there? What's all this then?

>>149751
Shh, he was memorizing this speech all week, let him use it.

What are your intentions? Good or evil?

You're looking for truth, but what will you do when you find it?

>>149783
And what are you willing to do in order to find it?

>>149740

For we ask what is your motive.

Teteke 2010/03/20(Sat)08:09 No. 149983 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126909775189.png - (139.08KB , 640x480 , 1-2.png )

>>149742
>>149747

So many questions! So many voices! I don't know whether to be fascinated or horrified by this new development...

But it hasn't tried to eat my mind or flay my sanity away yet, so I'm feeling fairly confident this thing isn't too dangerous. Might as well be polite.

"My name is Teteke. Teh-teh-keh. I'm a male cenesu. I'm not entirely sure whether I should trust voices from inside a strange magical crystal enough to go into any further detail about my personal life, thank you."

"You really don't seem to know a lot for voices that seem so wise. You must be the Thousandfold. 'The Wise Many', 'The Unknowing Advisers', you voices have been given more names than I could ever remember. The few existing records that I could decipher stated that the Thousandfold only appears to those fated for greatness in times of great conflict, and loses all thought and memory until it returns to a world anew."

"...my life just became more difficult, didn't it."

>>149783
>>149789
>>149956

"What I intended to use the truth for is entirely benign. But what will happen, I am at a loss to know. And now that you've shown up, I'm starting to reconsider whether my search is a wise idea. Then again, if you've shown up, doesn't it mean I have no choice but to continue?"

My head hurts. Fate is confusing. I can hear or feel something pounding. Is it me? The crystal? It sounds distant. Maybe I'm imagining it.

>>149983

That's the thing about fate. When the wheels begin to turn there is no turning back. Where are you now? And perhaps more importantly, WHAT IS THAT BEHIND YOU?!

>>149983
The pounding is most likely the yellow thing with four eyes and six legs approaching the tower. Well, that's how many are visible anyway.

We can see the area around you, you know.

>>149983
Your head hurting is never a good sign. And did you say that we tend to disappear from your world for a time?
If that's true, then the obvious question is if this tower you found us in has always been here. If we truly do happen to disappear from your world, I would imagine we take our tower with us.

And that means you might want to run. Fast.

we don't actually forget everything but travel to different planes of existence, each plane has different myths and cultures and since we are the outsider we know nothing of the new place.

>>149983
Hey, uh, protip: You don't need to say stuff out loud. We can hear you in your head just fine. This could prove useful if you ever need to tell us something that you don't want other people hearing, obviously.

And we might rag on you a bit, but, uh, basically, the way this works is you are either trying to do something or will soon be trying to do something, and we help out with that by supplementing your internal monologue, more or less. So we're pretty much on your side.

Although given what you're saying, maybe being on our side isn't a great thing. I guess we'll have to see?

>>150012
So, uh, Teteke, was it? What's that thing behind you through the doorway? You might notice that we don't necessarily see the world through your eyes.

Also we probably don't know what most things are, so brace yourself for a whole slew of questions.

>>150008
But we've obviously been in this world before. We DO forget things.

there is a thingus behind you. Turn around.

Teteke 2010/03/20(Sat)14:38 No. 150081 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126912112311.png - (256.69KB , 640x480 , 1-3.png )

>>150012

...You can hear my thoughts. I don't feel entirely surprised by this. There was something about that in the records of the Thousandfold, but I was slightly sceptical of the idea of a bodiless entity with numerous minds that hears the thoughts of those it guides to greater destinies.

I'll remember to be less sceptical in future.

>>149996

The tower's been here for as far back as our history stretches. All one hundred and sixty five years of it. You're probably wondering why the cenesu have such a short recorded history. I know I did. I still do. That's why I set out in the first place. I know the cenesu have inhabited this world for longer than a mere 165 years.

>>149986
>>149987
>>150015
>>150069

Oh... there's something behind me? Well, just in case this tower is going to suddenly disappear, I'd better leave. Wait. The exit was behind me, which means... GAH!

"zrrn zrrn zrrn AU LOC REQ ASST AU CRE ASP zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Okay while I am extremely concerned about something like this being so close to me I am going to try and help you help me to not die these things are everywhere but they don't come up to people brandishing pointy things okay help maybe help help what do I do what do I DO

>>150081
It sounds like it just said {AU} LOCATED REQUESTING ASSISTANCE {AU} CREATURE {ASP} but did it ask for assistance from us, or is it asking for assistance from others of its kind in capturing us? Edge out the door, try to establish a way of running away, and yell at it to speak more clearly.

Or is there a way further up the tower? Perhaps you can find another way out.

Either way, try to talk to it.

since this is a tower, it must have more then one floor. ascend.

Calm down, kiddo. Let us know more about these... yellow crabs.

Also, any flying machines on you? Portable wings?

Calm down. It doesn't look like it's fully blocking the exit yet and it doesn't look particularly fast. Can you high-tail it?

Talking to it doesn't seem like a good idea right now, seeing as any answer from it would theoretically be indecipherable, not to mention we don't even know it would respond favorably. Run first, ask questions later....unless you were here for more than just this crystal.

If you have more business here you might have to fend it off somehow.

Why on earth are you in search of the truth? If you want the truth, the reason we only appear to those fated for greatness in times of great conflict is because we all live boring pointless uninteresting lives and derive a perverse sense of pleasure out of making your life meaningful, exciting and dangerous. We don't confer any abilities, or wisdom. Pretty much all we're here to do is ridicule you as your life goes to Hell. If you know what's good for you you'll throw down the crystal and run.

If you aren't in search of the truth though, hang on to us, and be ready for a pretty wild ride! I doubt you'll regret it.

>>150140

Don't listen to this guy. We're all-knowing~

The source of all wisdom~

>>150161

desu~

>>150081
It may be after the crystal. Think of your natural talents, even ones you have not used in some time. We should be able to understand and give assistance within a heartbeat.

On a positive note the creature does not look like the running type, so you might be able to flee.

Teteke 2010/03/22(Mon)17:29 No. 150938 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126930417388.png - (166.39KB , 640x480 , 1-4.png )

>>150083
>>150108

running sounds like a GREAT idea right now

Of course there is the slightest chance it will catch up with me -
Okay, that sudden rush of movement behind me is a bad sign. run faster legs run faster

>>180328

I think running is the only natural talent I can use at this point! That, and a mind fast enough to keep up with your questions while I'm running around looking for some stairs...

>>150085

Urm. Craftkind. They're constructs. Precious metals and crystals. Dumb as the gold they're made from. Supposed to be anyway. Why is it still following me?! I don't have anything it wants!

>>150082

Talking to a craftkind?! Then again, I am already talking to one inanimate object. I'm not going to stop running.

"hurf, hurf, what do you want?"

"zrrn zrrn zrrn NEW DIR CAP CEN GET KAI RET ZEN END zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Well, that worked. It's chasing me faster now. Any ideas what it said?

>>150086

Nothing! Agh, I've run around this tower twice and I can't see any stairs! Just this tube thing! And I don't recognise that symbol above it!

and I think I heard it jump

>>150938
DUCK! Grab one of its limbs as it flies past, and throw it away from you!

Then get in the tube.

It said

NEW DIRective CAPture then get (KAI? Maybe... us?) RETurn then END

Sounds like it wants to take us from you. Makes sense considering that it showed up so soon after you grabbed us.

>>150938
Well, it looks like the situation demands that you run inside the tube thing and hope it does something good.

Or at least something.

I think the tube is an elevator. That's a technological device that lifts a person from one floor of a building to another. Some cultures use them as a more compact and less tiring alternative to stairs.

>>150938
dang it, knowledge that a thingy, ANY THINGY is in the room is important.

>>150938
Duck to the side and let it land in the tube, then keep running, maybe for the exit!

Hell if I know, I'm out of ideas. You can't fly can you?

Teteke 2010/03/23(Tue)15:21 No. 151159 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126938290453.png - (104.09KB , 640x480 , 1-5.png )

>>150939

I'm not heavy or strong enough for that to do anything other than get me crushed.

>>150942
>>150943

Tube it is!

Whew. The door closed behind me! I hadn't even thought it had a door. Except I can't help feel that I forgot-

I dropped the crystal. I dropped the crystal. I'm doomed!

Well, here I am, sealed inside an ancient tube inside an ancient tower, and I can hear that... that thing tapping at the door. Like it knows I have no choice but to face it again.

"zrrn zrrn zrrn HAV KAI CAP CEN RET ZEN OUT CEN OUT CEN zrrn zrrn zrrn"

That's all it's saying to me now. "OUT CEN". It wants me to come out of the tube. I can tell. But its voice is disturbingly free of any emotion. It doesn't sound peaceful, angry, or impatient.

Craftkind don't talk. They shouldn't talk. I spent half a year cataloguing their behaviour, trying to figure out their priorities and behaviours. Half a year. All of my studies and research... are they coming after me because I know too much?

Thousandfold, I have no idea what to do now. I recognise that diagram - it's the tower. I recognise the things ahead of me as a form of touch-based switch. You already claim to know what this thing might do. What now?

You can hear us even though you dropped the crystal? Where are we now?

>>151159
So touching the crystal made us... go into your head? I have no idea if that's how it's supposed to work.

Anyway, assuming this thing was designed to be intuitive and does what we think it does, you're gonna want to push one of those two buttons, and then this thing will move up to wherever on the tower the button corresponds to.

I can't guarantee that this is what it will do, but it seems like a fairly reasonable guess.

>>151161
Oh, and you probably already figured this out, but obviously since this thing only goes up and there's whatever the hell that thing is on the outside of it, you're going to have to find another way out. Or distract it somehow.

But let's not worry about that just yet.

>>151159
It said "Have KAI, Capturing Cenesu, return (to) ZEN"

I think ZEN is its home. I'm getting better at translating its weird three-letter language.

Anyway, push one of the glowing buttons. Preferrably the one in the middle. That'll get you to the next floor up.

>>151159
You could try talking to it one more time before you fiddle with the controls.
Maybe something simple, like "WHY OUT CEN?"

Teteke 2010/03/24(Wed)16:25 No. 151526 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126947311745.png - (273.72KB , 640x480 , 1-6.png )

>>151160
>>151161

No, I think I've figured it out. You weren't inside the crystal. You were bound or attached to it until I touched it, or maybe I summoned you when I touched it. I have no idea which, but it'd explain why I can still hear your voices and you can hear my thoughts.

>>151168

That's... that's not a bad idea.

"Why out cen?"

"zrrn zrrn zrrn CEN NOT DIR CRE ASP DIR CRE ASP BIN CEN REQ CEN BEC REQ CRE ASP AST zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Hrm. I might have just figured out what it meant by "KAI". The crystals that the ancients use in their devices, and that can be found inside the core of a craftkind machine, are known to them as "kaier crystals". I haven't deciphered whether that refers to the material or structure, or what makes them so special, but they're what the craftkind harvest at a greater priority than any of their component materials.

I'm not at all surprised it took the crystal you voices were attached to or summoned from. In fact, in retrospect, I'm surprised it wasn't taken sooner.

I press the middle button. The floor rises beneath me until another door looms into view. These elevators... fascinating devices. How do they work?

...Forget the elevators. What is this?! The language of the ancients appears on these glowing surfaces. I can only translate one of the words on the right surface, but it's an important one. "Diagnostics".

the glowing surfaces are referred to as 'monitors'. and if it is running diagnostics then it may be broken so don't touch it.
we would need to see the top and bottom of the elevator to work out it's exact methods, they can be made different ways, but perform the same function.

>>151526

I see another floating Chrystal. Try touching/taking that one. Maybe more info will be spirited into your mind like we were.

>>151530
Or maybe it'll explode and kill the poor guy.
I'm gonna second 'no touching', at least for now.

>>151526
"Cenesu not directive CREature. {ASP} directive CREature. {ASP} bind Cenesu. Require Cenesu Because Require CREature {ASP} Assist"

I think {ASP} is us.

Okay, It wants to capture you because we're in your head. I think that by touching the crystal and putting us in your head, the tower stopped doing whatever it was doing before... and the Craftkind doesn't like that. It wants us back in the crystal.

Or maybe it wants our help directly for something, and wishes to forcibly extract us from your head.

Taking this improved translation into account, this is what it said earlier:

"{AU} Location Require Assist {AU} Creature {ASP}"

I believe AU refers to the element of gold, which comprises it and other things related to Craftkind.

This could mean that the tower is the AU location, it is the AU Creature and it requires {ASP} to assist it. Which I think is us. So it was declaring that it wanted us to help it. By getting in its head.

"New Directive Capture Cenesu Get Kaier Return {ZEN} End"

There it was announcing its intent to capture you, having realized that we were in your head. Then it would take the crystal and return to {ZEN}, which I think is its home.

"Have Kaier Capture Cenesu Return {ZEN} Out Cenesu Out Cenesu"

It has the crystal, wants you, so it's telling you to get out.

Oh, and I'd like to give credit to Typo for helping me figure that out.

Take a closer look at that monitor on the right. Maybe we can make sense of the graphics, even if the text is untranslatable.

"Diagnostics" is that word at the top, right?

There's every indication that those crystals are some manner of record/information storage. There is no indication that they will explode.

Maybe touching it is a bad idea, but being overly cautious could be too.

Teteke 2010/03/25(Thu)12:24 No. 151944 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954509254.png - (248.78KB , 640x480 , 1-7.png )

>>151548

It's just rising and falling lines and curves. I'm going to assume they're graphs the device is somehow generating. But there's no scale or labels or any explanation as to what they represent.

>>151529
>>151540

Maybe you're right...

>>151530
>>151549

...but sometimes, if you want to find the truth, you have to take risks. I've already got that craftkind down below chasing after me. What else could possibly go wrong?

Okay, this isn't right. My head hurts even worse as I approach this contraption and... and...

This isn't right at all. Part of me is guiding my hand towards the crystal, and it feels like I can hear a faint voice screaming at me to pull my hand back. To go home. To never come near this Conduit Tower or any others.

...What's a "Conduit Tower"?

[cutscene]

Teteke 2010/03/25(Thu)12:25 No. 151945 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954513746.png - (131.96KB , 640x480 , 1-8.png )

I touch the crystal as it floats into my hands. I hear a reassuring voice asking me for commands. In a trance, I say the first thing that feels the most natural to say.

"Activate conduit."

...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA MY HEAD MY HEAD NOTHING IS REAL TO ME BUT THE PAIN

i hear voices

they are unfamiliar to me

"...conduit activated... first mistake... ready to breach universal membrane at your command, Director."

"Hm. I don't recognise this species. As soon as we hit the surface, I want Seekers flooding this world as soon as possible."

"Yes, Director."

i hear laughter

it terrifies me

"hehEHEHehehe! Little bird, little bird, do you know what you have done? Do you know why you have done it? Of course you don't! I would love to tell you, little bird, but not yet! Until we meet again! HehehEHEHEHE!"

so many voices

help me help me-

WHAT? WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS INTRUSION, THOUSANDFOLD?

Teteke 2010/03/25(Thu)12:26 No. 151946 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954516530.png - (362.09KB , 640x480 , 1-9.png )

I AM AU, SECOND OF THE GUARDIAN ESSENCES OF TEREA, ASPECT OF CREATION. YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS UNNERVING TO ME, THOUSANDFOLD. THE GOLDEN EMPIRE ACKNOWLEDGES AND TOLERATES YOUR EXISTENCE, BUT THIS INTRUSION IS UNWARRANTED.

YOU ARE ASSISTING THE MORTAL I HAVE, BY DIRE NECESSITY, BOUND MYSELF TO. BUT WHERE DO YOUR TRUE LOYALTIES LIE? ARE YOU ACTING TO FURTHER THE AIMS OF THE GOLDEN EMPIRE, OR DO YOU SEEK TO DESTROY US FOR THE MACHINE?

[end of cutscene]

>>151946

I'm here to fuck bitches and get wasted.

>>151946
I'm here to gain knowledge and help those who ask.

We don't seek anything. We're puppet-masters to those who are worthy. He came to us, not the other way around.

If you're worth destroying, you will be. Otherwise I'm sure we can reach an understanding.

>>151946
AU, we no longer remember anything of this world's past. Teteke found us, apparently, and woke us from what this one can only assume was a deep slumber.

Given the whole "sudden lack of reference for anything" bit, this one doesn't think we have any allegiance but to Teteke - at least, at this point. So... we're not against you, no.

And now it sounds like this world is about to be invaded by ...something. Or someone. Do you know what's going on?

>>151946
Oh, you're Au. That makes more sense now. I think there's some kinda craftkind thing outside who was looking for you, but it seemed like it was trying to attack Teteke so he ran away from it.

Speaking of which, um, our loyalties lie with the bird dude, basically. Who I guess you just said you bound yourself to. I don't know what a Golden Empire is but I'm pretty sure we're not trying to destroy anything.

Also right before you showed up there were a couple other voices saying something about "breaching universal membranes" and "flooding the world with Seekers," neither of which sound like especially good things but also neither of which I really understand exactly. You seem like you know stuff about stuff. Any ideas?

>>151946
Bitches and beer are always good. Bit hard to get your hands on though when you're a fucking voice bound to things.

For now I guess we will help the little birdy. Although our help might not always work out. He will have to pick among our suggestions for the one that will benefit him the most.

Say what would be your opinion on making him the ruler of the world?

WE KNOW NOTHING! ASK THE BIRD!

We are all. Completely. Loony.

Au 2010/03/25(Thu)16:47 No. 152021 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126956085513.png - (373.72KB , 640x480 , 1-10.png )

I RECALL VIVIDLY THE DISCORD OF THE THOUSANDFOLD, AND SEE THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE OUR LAST ENCOUNTER, SAVE FOR MY RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST REMAINING INTACT.

IF YOU ARE LOYAL TO THE CENESU TETEKE, AND I STRIVE TO ENFORCE THE LOYALTY OF THE CENESU TO THE GOLDEN EMPIRE, THEN IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT, HOWEVER STRONG OR WEAK YOUR LOYALTY, YOU MEAN NO HARM TOWARDS THE GOLDEN EMPIRE AS A WHOLE. I WILL ALLOW YOU TO REMAIN HERE.

AS I NOW TELL YOU OF THIS, MY COUNTERPART ESSENCES, THE ASPECTS OF DESTRUCTION, IR, AND PERPETUATION, TH, ARE MAINTAINING THE BARRIER THAT PROTECTS THIS WORLD FROM THE MACHINE'S ADVANCE. THE PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THIS CONDUIT TOWER HAS UNFORTUNATELY ENGAGED THEIR ATTENTION, AND IF I DO NOT LEAVE TO MAINTAIN THE BARRIER, THEY WILL BREAK IT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

I DO NOT HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, THOUSANDFOLD. THE CURIOSITY OF THE CENESU IS A FORCE THE GOLDEN EMPIRE HAVE SOUGHT TO STIFLE, TO NO AVAIL. IT IS A BYPRODUCT OF THEIR DESIGN. IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THE CENESU TO TRIGGER THE EARLY ACTIVATION IS THE VERY SAME CENESU I AM BOUND TO, BUT YOU CURRENTLY HOLD MORE POWER OVER THIS CENESU THAN I CAN WITHOUT DESTROYING HIS MIND.

I CAN SPEAK WITH YOU NO LONGER, THOUSANDFOLD. I CANNOT STATE HOW GRATEFUL I WOULD BE - HOW GRATEFUL THE EMPIRE WOULD BE - IF YOU COULD ASSIST IN THE PROTECTION OF OUR WORLD DURING YOUR CURRENT CYCLE.

BEFORE I DEPART TO AID THE OTHER GUARDIAN ESSENCES, AS THE CREATOR ASPECT, I WILL GRANT YOU AN ARTIFACT OF YOUR DESIGN TO ASSIST THE CENESU TETEKE. I CAN SPARE ONLY A FRACTION OF MY POWER TO SUPPLY THE ARTIFACT, AND ITS STRENGTH WILL BE LIMITED BECAUSE OF THIS.

How about a tattoo that bestows telekinesis?

And of course we'll help protect you against the guys that tried to kill us! We like birds, and the enemies of those that don't like birds are most definitely people we want to help.

>>152021
Oh, so that's the situation? We will gladly work to preserve this world. Oh, before you go can you quickly tell us the nature of the Craftkind below us? Is it hostile?

As for the artifact... How about a device that can levitate items of various sizes, then throw them around? Perhaps we could call it a Gravity Gun or something.

If that's too strong for you to make, how about a ring that creates a protective forcefield around the wearer?

If not that... some kind of directed energy weapon would be nice.

>>152049
A zero-point energy manipulator sounds awesome.

>>152021
We are exceptionally cool with things not being destroyed. We've got your back on that one, I think, dude.

As far as the artifact goes, the "gravity gun" or protective forcefield generators suggested by my fellow voices sound like good ideas.

And if you know the intentions of that craftkind down there, specifically whether or not it's trying to kill Teteke, we'd love to know.

>>152021
Give him an orb of knowledge. You know something that explains his questions as well as gives him useful knowledge in general. Not sure how nature works here, but you know stuff like weapons building, how nature works, the anatomy of most living things and how to best kill them. You know all around useful stuff.

>>152355
pretty sure we can fill that role for almost anything not related to anatomy.

>>152371
Not when it comes to his search of truth. And the other things are hardly universal. And if there are easier ways than us having to explain gunpowder or critical mass of heavy elements then I'm all for it.

Suggestion 2010/03/26(Fri)00:10 No. 152413 ID: 2eac65
File 126958744464.jpg - (12.76KB , 300x300 , green_lantern_power_ring.jpg )

How about something like this? A ring that creates force constructs which can be used to manipulate objects.

I suggest a crown or a helm with a jewel to hold us.

>>152419
We're stuck in his head now though. He doesn't really need anything to hold us.

>>152063
This sounds good.

Au 2010/03/26(Fri)12:18 No. 152623 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126963111389.png - (273.06KB , 640x480 , 1-11.png )

TELEKINETIC EFFECTS ARE THE DOMAIN OF PERPETUATION. HOWEVER, TH NOW INFORMS ME THAT I AM AUTHORISED TO GRANT THIS EFFECT, SO LONG AS IT REMAINS BOUND TO THE ARTIFACT I CREATE.

WITH SUCH LITTLE TIME, I FEAR THE DESIGN WILL BE CRUDE -

NO! THE BARRIER! THE BARRIER HAS BEEN BROKEN! THOUSANDFOLD, MAKE SURE THE CENESU DOES NOT DIE! IF THE CENESU DIES, THE MACHINE WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN TRACKING DOWN MY ETHERIC FORM. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN.

THOUSANDFOLD, I RETURN YOU TO THE MATERIAL REALM. I AM NEEDED TO SLOW THE ADVANCE OF THE MACHINE.

Teteke 2010/03/26(Fri)12:18 No. 152624 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126963113084.png - (160.39KB , 640x480 , 1-12.png )

no more voices no more voices... oh. It's stopped. What happened? What did I do? Why do I have this feeling of lingering dread that something terrible just happened?

And why do I have this sensation like something nearby is buzzing... no... humming... no... I can't describe it.

Teteke has become aware of an untapped potential. Teteke has realised Detect Magic I. Effects: Can vaguely identify sources of magic based on strength of said magic.

hmmm, it seems your brain is now capable of detecting magic. and get that thing on the floor, it is a force manipulator it let's you lift stuff and launch it with force. with it the craftkind down there should pose no threat.

>>152624
Pick up the device on the floor to your left. It's a gift from the creation god known as AU. It should allow you to lift objects and toss them around and such.

Turns out we just did something goddamn horrible. The tower was not supposed to be activated. Not yet, anyway. Now some sort of defensive barrier is broken and allowing hostile machines to invade this world.

Get back in the elevator and check out the third floor.

>>152624
Hey man, we found out some truth and shit.

Anyway, pick up that thing on the floor and then hide. There is a craftkind coming.

>>152624
Yo what up Tacobird. Glad to see you've returned from Crazyville.

So, uh, we found out some stuff. One, there's this ... spirit(?)-looking thing called Au. Kinda bound to you, in some way, for whatever reason. Says he's the, and I quote, SECOND OF THE GUARDIAN ESSENCES OF TEREA, ASPECT OF CREATION. Something about how some entity called the Golden Empire are trying to halt the advance of something called the Machine, which is trying to destroy your world. Dude made you that thing over on the ground there, which if it works should be able to perform some kinda telekinetic effect. Also he implied that either he himself or somebody else in that Golden Empire shinding was responsible for you Cenesu guys' design, which might help explain why your history abruptly starts 165 years ago.

Oh, and he rather emphatically said that if you die, really bad things will happen, in addition to you being dead.

Oh, also, you have rudimentary magic detection now. Which may or may not be related to the buzzing.

So yeah, hang in there, Tacobird. This sounds like it's gonna be a wild ride.

>>152633
Oh, one more thing.

With our newfound knowledge I was able to update a couple of our translations of the craftkind. Specifically:

AU LOC REQ AST AU CRE ASP
Au located - require assistance Au creator aspect (!!!)

CEN NOT DIR CRE ASP DIR CRE ASP BIN CEN REQ CEN BEC REQ CRE ASP AST
Cenesu not directive creator aspect - directive creator aspect bind cenesu - require cenesu because require creator aspect assistance

Which... sounds significantly less threatening than it did when we were still missing some of the key words.

Maybe we should try talking to the craftkind again. After we explore this place a bit.

Teteke 2010/03/27(Sat)17:25 No. 153218 ID: f43c35
File 126973591177.png - (147.86KB , 640x480 , 1-13.png )

>>152633

What... what do you mean... bound? Spirit? Au? Machine? Design?

What do you mean? I don't understand. I don't understand! I came to find answers to the riddles of this world, not further riddles! What is a "guardian essence" and why is it bound to me?! What do you mean about a "design" for the cenesu?!

No. Focus, Teteke. Stay calm. Remain calm. Think. Oh, no. No, no no. You mentioned the Golden Empire. Over the years the records - our records, sorry, of history have become muddled and deliberately sabotaged by unseen and uncaught forces. The only entries that made sense referred to a Golden Empire, but they seemed so... outlandish!

...We must have been made by the Golden Empire. The cenesu were constructs. We're constructs we're constructs we're artificial slaves we were born to serve an ancient empire that abandoned us almost two centuries ago and our entire existences have been engineered to die for their sakes we're just constructs-

No, I'm not going to let this get to me. I came to look for the truth, and by the spirits I'm going to find the truth and learn to live with it. For my sake, and the sake of all cenesu. Regardless of our origin, we live, we breathe, we learn, we improve. Golden Empire be damned.

>>152626
>>152627
>>152630

Au made it? It feels buzzy. I'm feeling a little faint from all this revelation, though, so that might be me. Also, I'm finding it hard to keep track of its shape. I think this is a handle? It might be.

Au is bound to me... Au is a Guardian Essence, you say. I've read about those. A seltwil friend of mine came close to creating a very, very, very minor one. It had about as much power and intellect as a wet leaf. It stands to reason one made by the Golden Empire would have vastly improved capabilities.

Still, I don't recall anything about them binding to others. I guess I should be comforted by the fact it needs me to live? I don't feel anything else weird in the room around me. Except the device in the corner and the artifact I'm holding.

It can lift and throw objects? I can't see anything else in this room but the diagnostics device and the elevator tube.

...Okay, I'm getting a strange sensation from the tube. And it feels like it's getting closer. I can hear lots of dull thuds and scrapes of metal against metal.

"zrrn zrrn zrrn ART DET AU DET REQ CEN CAP CEN RET ZEN zrrn zrrn zrrn"

why me

>>153218
Because you live in interesting times.

Ok that thing doesn't seem to have any proper trigger. So just focus your mind and it on picking up and construct and keep it restrained.

>>153218
use DEVICE on CRAFTKIND.

>>153218
Teteke: Even if your race is a biological construct, that doesn't mean your 'creators' don't care about your well-being. Something - not, in fact, the Golden Empire - is trying very hard to invade your world. The Golden Empire is actually doing all it can to prevent this from happening, so maybe that says a bit more about them.

At any rate, here's a possible translation of the Craftkind's latest words: "ARTifact DETected AU DETected REQuire CENesu CAPture CENesu RETurn [ZEN]"

Can you think of what "ZEN" would be? Is there any place a lot of Craftkind gather at?

Wait... is that construct talking to you? Inside your mind?

>>153441
Naw, the italics are Teteke freaking out.

>>153218
Keep your head on, Tacobird. You aren't gonna be much use without it, y'know? Even if these Golden Empire types did construct you bird dudes or whatever, they still seem to be concerned for your well-being, seeing as they're trying to hold your world together and also flat-out told us to help you on penalty of we didn't really want to find out.

Anyway, I want you to do two things for me (and, also, well, you). One, you're gonna want to point your artifact thinger at the craftkind and push it away from you. Not totally sure if that's gonna involve anything special; just try pointing it at it and thinking hard?

Two, tell the craftkind "NOT CAP CEN." Get your point across.

Teteke 2010/03/28(Sun)14:12 No. 153757 ID: f43c35
File 12698107308.png - (139.36KB , 640x480 , 1-14.png )

>>153224

I'd be less concerned if we weren't created by an ancient civilisation prone to the genocide of their own creations for the slightest deviation from their intended plans.

>>153220
>>153222
>>153470

I am so sick of this craftkind. I've got bigger problems than a malfunctioning construct now!

"NOT CAP CEN!"

The artifact's shape won't stop changing, and the energy from it is fluctuating wildly. Ha! I found a button!

Take this, you ancient pile of metal! Tell your creators... uh... something relatively threatening!

Teteke 2010/03/28(Sun)14:12 No. 153758 ID: f43c35
File 126981075487.png - (212.60KB , 640x480 , 1-15.png )

It feels refreshing to watch the thing that wouldn't stop chasing me flail its limbs about helplessly in an attempt to get away from me. Heh.

The artifact is getting harder to use, though. It's changing shape more rapidly as if it's uncertain what shape it wants to be.

It seems to be changing shape in relation to how I want to use it. What do you think would be the best shape for regular use, Thousandfold?

"zrrn zrrn zrrn WAR WAR CEN HOS CEN HOS REQ AST REQ AST ALL ZEN REP REQ AT LOC CON TOW SEV zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Okay, I'm feeling a vague build-up of energy in or around this thing. I don't know if it's the artifact causing it or if it's the craftkind trying to do something... unexpected. I wonder if I should be concerned.

Slam it into the wall. An appropriate shape would be a flat remote-laser pointer type thing. With a keyring loop so you could chain it around your neck.

>>153758
Think of violently pushing the construct into the wall at a high velocity.

>>153758
"Warning Warning Cenesu Hostile Cenesu Hostile Require Assistance Require Assistance All ZEN Report Require At Location Conduit Tower Seven."

That doesn't sound good.

>>153758
Say "CEN NOT HOS YOU HOS"

>>153758
Make it a weapon, blast that fucker to pieces.

The device should have two buttons. One to be used when calmly picking up and dropping objects. The second will simply launch them in whatever mental direction you want.

It should be possible to use in one hand, but have a handle for an extra, optional grip. It should have a sturdy design so it won't break if it gets banged up.

Say "BROS BEFORE HOS" and see what happens.

Teteke 2010/03/29(Mon)14:42 No. 154870 ID: f43c35
File 126989895191.png - (201.14KB , 640x480 , 1-16.png )

>>153758

No it doesn't. I haven't the slightest idea what "ZEN" is, apart from what you've deduced. Some sort of home for the craftkind? Never noticed them returning to a central point when I studied them. Only half a year. If I'd had known they were this important I'd have spent much, much longer than that.

>>153765
>>153768

Forgot about your conflicting opinions, Thousandfold. I do think a simpler design would be a bit more resilient, but I don't really want to start thinking of this artifact as just a weapon. I'm looking for truth and knowledge, not violence. I'd like to avoid violence.

>>153759
>>153760

Except, of course, towards this damn machine. Flinging it directly into a solid gold wall should at least dent the-

"zrrn zrrn zrrn CAS MOD ACT zzrrrzzzzt zzzzt zzzzzzzzzzt ACTIVE."

What is it doing-

"DOMAIN: PERPETUATION. SELECTED: COMMAND GLYPH. TARGET: CENESU. COMMAND: BLIND."

Wait what is it doing oh my head my head I feel dizzy why is it tasting purple dizzy smoke aaaaaaaaaaaaAAAaaa

what did it do what did it do EVERYTHING IS DARK

>>154870
It used some very funky tech on you. Keep thinking of slamming it into a wall at a very high speed.

Bastard cursed you. You'll be alright. It is to your immediate left, smash it into the wall.

>>154870
Hey!

This little guy serves TH, the Guardian Aspect of Perpetuation. He should be on our side. Tell him to stop, you give up.

>>154870
>what did it do
It blinded you. Hopefully not permanently.

Also if I'm not mistaken you seem to have dropped the artifact. Either that or you switched it to your right hand while we weren't looking, but that'd be quite odd.

You might wanna surrender or something; I'm pretty sure you're not gonna stand a chance against this thing if you can't see and don't have any sort of weapon.

... Maybe ask it if it could please give you your sight back; it's kind of a really inconvenient thing to suddenly not have.

Also yeah if it used a Perpetuation effect this thing is probably connected to Th somehow, who according to Au is on your side.

>>154900
Not that I'd suggest assuming that this thing is on your side, mind you, Tacobird.

Teteke 2010/03/30(Tue)08:15 No. 155332 ID: f43c35
File 126996211954.png - (102.38KB , 640x480 , 1-17.png )

>>154877
>>154900
>>154930

Remind me to explain better later - perpetuation's just a domain - doesn't mean anything about who this thing is working for.

>>154871
>>154872

I dropped the artifact! I know it was a stupid mistake to make but I was a little taken aback by suddenly not seeing anything-

wait

wait

I can still tell where it is. I can feel the magic from it! And with whatever forces that craftkind's throwing around, I can feel where that thing is too! GOT IT!

And it flies into the wall with a satisfying... thud? Oh, right, the craftkind's also made out of gold. But I think I heard something shatter inside it. Probably the kaier crystal lattice. These things fall off cliffs and walk away undaunted, but I throw one at a wall and I kill it dead.

...Yeah, it's one very dead craftkind now. I can see clearly. The first talking craftkind anyone has ever encountered and I just broke it beyond repair.

...suddenly I feel at a loss as to what to do next.

Dissection?

>>155332

Wooho! There's never too little time for celebration. Find something to celebrate with about the victory over the craftkind.

>>155332
>perpetuation's just a domain
Right. Well, this is why you gotta tell us stuff, Tacobird. We can only go off of what we've heard before.

>one very dead craftkind now
Hopefully its "REQs" for "AST" went unheard. Otherwise you've got a problem.

>at a loss for what to do
Well, you could try figuring out what makes it tick, Mr. Studying Craftkind, or failing that you could go see what's on the other floor of the tower.

Also, assuming this thing wasn't able to call for backup, you're clear to go back out into the world at large. Although I have no idea what you're gonna do out there. I mean, our only instructions are "make sure you don't die," so figuring out where to go next is basically your call. But finish exploring the tower first.

Also pick up the artifact. Don't wanna leave that lying around in some tower, I don't think, Tacobird.

>>155332
Smash it up a bit more to make sure it's definately dead. Just remember to take it with you on your way out. Gold is usually worth something so you can get some nice cash from it.

Other than that I guess continue exploring and change the artifact into a form that is possible to attach to your arm or something and see if you can activate it with just your mind.

Teteke 2010/03/30(Tue)10:08 No. 155356 ID: f43c35
File 126996889852.png - (116.63KB , 640x480 , 1-18.png )

>>155333

I don't have any of the right tools. The only sharp things I can see that might have a hope of slicing open that thick gold casing is firmly attached to the end of the craftkind's limbs. And if I could sever those, I wouldn't need to get its claws anyway.

>>155334

There's almost nothing on this floor. Just me, the screens, and the now dead craftkind. I feel a little ambivalent about killing it. Guilty, even. I know it was entirely self-defence, but I've never killed anything that could speak before. I don't know how I'd feel if it was flesh and blood like me.

>>155336

I don't think it managed to inform anything or anyone properly. The surge of magic I felt went into whatever that blindness curse was.

>>155340

Oh, no no no. No. This craftkind's an exception but most of them are out hunting down gold and gemstones, as well as kaier crystals. Cenesu and seltwils alike used to disable them and sell off their component materials, but it only lead to further attacks on our cities and towns.

I've heard Seawind is the only city that has any luxury metals and stones left within its borders, and they have an entire militia devoted just to making sure craftkind don't end up taking it away. Craftkind don't tire. Cenesu and seltwils do. That city's doomed to lose that fight at some point, if you ask me.

As for attaching the artifact to an arm, that would probably work better than something I'll only end up dropping at the worst possible times.

Well, up to the top floor of the tower. Strange. It seems to be taking much longer than last time. Oh well.

Any pressing questions about my world meanwhile? Might as well take advantage of the time.

>>155356
What are Seltwills.

Also give us a short verision of your history for as long as it has been recorded.

Experiment a bit with the artifact. See if you can activate it simply with your mind and how long range it has.

>>155359
All of these ideas are good, Tacobird.

Heck, just try and give us some semblance of a description of your world for someone who's never been there. We need to know this kind of stuff, y'know?

oh, and maybe think up a general map.

Teteke 2010/03/30(Tue)14:05 No. 155447 ID: f43c35
File 126998315992.png - (175.22KB , 640x480 , 1-19.png )

>>155359
>>155369
>>155372

Okay. I'll try to answer these the best I can, now that I know what's myth and what's unfortunately true.

In the beginning of our history, there was the Golden Empire. None of us know their history beyond what little references there are in our own records.

The Golden Empire came to this world, Terea, a barren rock tumbling through the void, and changed it. They brought life to this world, and created three species to serve them. The cenesu, the seltwils and the umbrals.

What our intended purposes were have been lost to the ages. What little hasn't remains mostly of half-remembered orders from our creators which have since become distorted. The tower I'm now in... it's what I now know to be called a Conduit Tower. There are eight others like it, arranged in a circle across Terea.

But the orders. We were, if we have deciphered the encryption of the Golden Empire correctly, told to build and grow as species. The umbrals were called upon to maintain the devices of the Golden Empire in the event of their absence. The cenesu were called upon to monitor unusual activity and report it immediately. The seltwils were called upon to defend and protect the world in the event of an attack.

And then, one hundred and sixty years ago, the Golden Empire vanishes without a trace, leaving only the towers and their robotic servants behind. And in their masters' absence, the craftkind appear to have deviated from their intended purpose. Unless their intended purpose is making sure all the gold in the world belongs to them.

Anyway, it's not at all clear what quite happens to trigger such a drastic change, but the original duties are quickly cast aside in favour of independence. We have no idea how our ancestors were treated by the Golden Empire, and no idea why they didn't so much abandon their assigned responsibilities so much as act against them.

The cenesu and seltwils, unified, founded towns and cities not in the name of the Empire but in the name of the cenesu and the seltwils. The umbrals, sticking more closely to their duties, slowly drifted further and further towards the Last City. The Last City is rumoured to be the last city built and maintained by the Golden Empire before their departure. Why the umbrals went there, we aren't sure.

Oh. Seltwils. While the cenesu aren't naturally gifted with magic, the seltwils are. There are very few among the seltwils who aren't magic users in some way. It's a part of them as much as their limbs and senses are. The lore of the Golden Empire and our own experimentation and studies have shown that the magic available to us falls into three domains.

Creation is the domain of making nothing into something. Destruction is the domain of making something into nothing. Perpetuation is the domain of making something into something else, or making something do something else. Other domains are proposed, but as of yet not widely agreed on.

I apologise if I'm a little vague here, but I was more interested in verifying our history than magic. There's already enough studying of magic going on. Although given I've suddenly started noticing it a lot more than most cenesu, I might have no choice but to look into magic a little more.

I don't know so much about umbrals.

I'll experiment with the artifact when I have something to test it on that's not built into a wall or attached to me. As for a map, I only really know what's on this continent. This continent is where the cenesu and seltwils live, and I don't know of any settlements anywhere else on Terea. The only other continent this size is a barren rocky wasteland anyway.

...This elevator is taking forever. Any more questions?

>>155447
I can't think of anything else at the moment, Tacobird.

Except that whenever you get the opportunity, you need to pick up a traveling companion of some sort. You're gonna go nuts with just us to talk to. |3

i see. i wonder what the craft-kind would do if they actually had all the gold. would they then just stand there looking at until the end of time?

>>155447
Well, Teteke... judging by AU's attitude toward us, I would say that we are or were something of a neutral force in the past.

Are there any historical records of something called "The Machine"? Probably an enemy of the Golden Empire, and quite possibly what the Sletwil were supposed to be tasked with driving away, should they try to invade.

At any rate, you probably need a goal of some sort. AU mentioned that the tower's activation was 'premature', and you said that there was eight of them on your world...

So, unless there's a historical record of their purpose buried somewhere, the only way we'll figure out what they're for is probably going to be talking to AU, IR, or TH - and they're busy trying to protect your world.

I'm rambling, but the way I see it, you're going to either have to travel to and activate the rest of these towers... or stay as far away from them as possible.
But I suppose we can figure that out later.

>>155447
Well it's quite possible that you have just gained the ability to use Creation magic. So look into learning some of that later little Taco Bird.

Ok, so lets see. Golden empire arrives to this planet, starts up terraforming, creates genetically engineered servants and then have to leave before the process is complete. It seems like they have keept on protecting the world anyway though. The constructs odd behaviour is probably due to a last order that hasn't been countermanded.

What political entities are there currently in existance? You mentioned a city state that is the only one that has managed to keep some gold. Are there any others?

It's also likely you're going to have to do alot of travelling between the towers.

is there anything in the center of the circle of towers?

>>155447
If you ask me, everyone's still basically doing their job. Cenesu are still investigating, Seltwils are still defending, and Umbrals are still maintaining.

Teteke 2010/03/31(Wed)15:34 No. 156231 ID: f43c35
File 127007484617.png - (252.41KB , 640x480 , 1-20.png )

>>155450

I wouldn't want to endanger anyone- no, who am I kidding? I could do with some company even if it's just so there's someone to go back home and say I perished due to my curiosity.

Home. There's a thought. I didn't leave Rillford on very good terms. There was... an argument. I sort of stormed off ranting about how I'd show everyone they were wrong and that the town council were only part of some conspiracy to hide our history. I understand why they're trying to do it now but that doesn't change the fact I'm not so welcome in Rillford any more.

>>155513

Hey, maybe you're right. Maybe we have just continued on our roles like we were meant to.

>>155503

"The Machine"? There's records left by the Golden Empire that we haven't managed to decipher. Maybe they'd say something. It'd also make sense as to why they're so heavily encrypted. Why risk letting your enemies know how much you know about them?

>>155512

A good few cenesu once set out to find out the answer to that question. None ever returned.

>>155509

I... I don't know how to use magic. I've asked seltwils about it and they don't know how to describe it to cenesu. I don't know how I got this ability to sense it either. But I don't know of other cenesu who can sense magic, so maybe you're right.

There aren't many political entities. About sixty years ago, there were many of them and an outright war across the continent. Now, there's officially one nation across the continent, the Unified Tereans. In practice, each city and/or town is like its own nation.

Seawind and Rillford are both places that treat all three species as equals and are fairly relaxed places to live, minus the occasional craftkind raid on Seawind.

Southfort is a fortress. It's populated only by seltwils, and it keeps its own affairs within its borders and we don't hear a lot from them. Occasionally they'll be the odd trader from there, but they tend to be quiet and focused on their business.

The two settlements beyond the mountains I don't know a lot about. I've heard rumours that they're more populated by cenesu than seltwils, but that's mostly it.

...The view from up here is incredible! Wait. It's day?! How long was I out for when I touched that crystal next to the screens?!

>>156221
We have no idea how long you were out, Tacobird. It didn't seem like all that long... but we have a very different grasp on time as compared to you.

Also, please tell me that's just an angry-looking sun up in the sky there, and not an ominous hole in the fabric of reality.

Is there anything up here besides the windows? If not, we'd probably better get to figuring out where you ought to go from here. Should you go to the other towers? Should you go to one or another of these towns and see if there's anyone you can talk to about this?

I'm just throwing stuff out there, mind you.

>>156231
Uh... what's that red thing in the sky? I've got a bad feeling about it.

That's probably the entry point that the Machine is using to send in those 'seekers'.

Is there anything else up here? If not you should probably get back down and out of the tower.

Typo !TEEDashxDA 2010/04/01(Thu)06:50 No. 157032 ID: 3b6c92
File 12701298524.png - (127.41KB , 321x243 , void.png )

>>156232
'Cause an ominous hole in the fabric of reality would be bad.

Teteke 2010/04/01(Thu)10:12 No. 157111 ID: f43c35
File 127014193598.gif - (287.51KB , 640x480 , 1-21.gif )

>>156232
>>156239
>>157032

Ominous what?

...What the-

[cutscene]

Teteke 2010/04/01(Thu)10:12 No. 157112 ID: f43c35
File 127014197220.png - (275.08KB , 640x480 , 1-22.png )

What's going on?! What was that?!

I see a red haze coming from the horizon - too fast - what's happening - I feel weird - so much - too much energy - aaaaaaaaaa

"Anomaly 259 located, Director."
"...259? ...To say this is an ill omen would be a terrible understatement. Bring it to me immediately."

thousandfold-

where are you-

where are you going-

??? 2010/04/01(Thu)10:13 No. 157114 ID: f43c35
File 127014200120.png - (128.52KB , 640x480 , 1-23.png )

So. We meet again.

Time is fleeting. Where do your allegiances lie this time, double-crosser? We've secured Anomaly 33. Lies will not go unnoticed.

[cutscene end]

>>157114
Oh what the---

Oh man not again. Okay, who are you? And why are we a double-crosser?

As far as allegiances go, we're on whoever's side the bird is. The bird's side. Whatever you wanna call it. Happy?

>>157114
We're on our side of course. Or whoever can deliver the best ale and wenches. You know looking out for our own intrests and all that.

So, since have abysmal memory and the social graces of a week dead Emu I will go straight at the point. Who are you, why should we care and how did we betray you?

>>157114
Well that depends entirely on what your plans for this world, its people, and us are... Machine.

Oh, but I get ahead of myself. How about you elaborate on your hostility toward us, first?

??? 2010/04/01(Thu)13:24 No. 157194 ID: f43c35
File 127015345679.png - (142.22KB , 640x480 , 1-24.png )

>>157118
>>157139
>>157146

I did not say you could ask questions, Anomaly, but I anticipated such reactions. Your current cycle has barely begun. Your lack of knowledge indicates this.

You have lead the Machine to victory fifty three times, and have acted to destroy us eighty seven times. Self-interest appears to be your only guiding factor.

But the Machine is working to protect the nature of the universes. The corrupting influence of the Golden Empire must be removed.

You claim to be aiding a bird. You are not capable of becoming bound to mere wildlife. We have detected three organic and one kaier-minded sapient species on this world. The Golden Empire will pay in blood for enslaving the kaier-minded once more. We cannot allow those so similar to suffer such torment as we once had.

Tell us all you know of the species on this world. Our Seekers tear through the skies, their eyes cast downwards. Your silence will have undesirable repercussions. You are indestructible. What you are trying to protect is not.

will the organic sapients be left alone or will you only free the kaier-minded? if you can prove to us that they will not be harmed then i see little reason to not help. if you cannot then we will have to fight you.

>>157194
So we should believe you because you say so? We will withold judgement and information until we have enough to judge you by.

>>157194
We've done this 140 times? God damn.

Assuming you're not lying, anyway. You've got this whole... slithery air about you that when mixed with your overt hostility towards us makes it really hard to want to trust you. And the threats aren't helping. Something about flies, honey and vinegar?

Anyway, no, seriously, we're on the bird's side. And by "bird" I guess I mean what you're calling an "organic sapient" of some kind.

You appear to be talking about killing things and breaking shit. This is not really something we're trying to accomplish. Honestly you could say it's something we're trying to avoid. In both directions. If you want us to free the "kaier-minded" or whatever you call them, and we can do that without wreaking havoc upon the "organic sapients," or if they need to be freed too or whatever, I guess despite your slithery, hostile demeanor we could potentially be down with that. Or at least I could. Although it'd help if you could be a little less angry or whatever.

And, uh, sorry to disappoint you, but we barely know shit about the species of this world. You probably know more than we do. There's a kind that look like birds, and a kind that look like gold crab things, and two other kinds we haven't seen any of yet. We'd really like it if you guys could choose a course of action that wasn't world destruction and genocide, which is what you seem to be angling at. That ain't cool.

>>157194
You guys really need to take a chill pill.

If you don't I swear to the Maker I'll find some way to kill the fuck out of both you and the Golden Empire, because if we've really been at this for so long and we still haven't resolved this dispute of yours, something needs to change.

Preferably with the two arguing parties being removed.

...But hey, that's just how I feel about it, by no means is this a consensus. Maybe I'm a little cranky from waking up from our nap, or maybe this time I'm just a bit more violent - who knows? We'll find out, together...

Won't we?

...Oh, and drop the "I am intimidating GRRR" act and the threats. If you want to get on our good side, threats are not the way to go.

>>157194
What about the nature of the universe are you trying to protect?

The Golden Empire has abandoned this planet. The kaierminded that the organic species here call 'craftkind' work independently, and seek only to create more of their own kind via collecting raw materials and kaier crystals. There is no slavery. You are mistaken. Unless... are the kaier crystals themselves sentient, even without a body? I assumed they were a power source to allow the craftkind to move about, and their sentience was created via fine manipulation of raw materials.

The other species on this planet, you ask about? We know one serves to protect, another serves to investigate, and another serves to maintain. The Golden Empire left this planet a long time ago and since then they have essentially worked independently, though not straying far from their original purpose.

??? 2010/04/02(Fri)11:22 No. 157968 ID: f43c35
File 127023255353.png - (122.18KB , 640x480 , 1-25.png )

>>157198
>>157203
>>157209
>>157322
>>157514

Threats? Threats?!

Thousandfold, you have wrecked countless worlds and lead to the premature extinction of hundreds of sapient species! You have razed the cities of Obsidian to the ground! You have brutally killed everyone I have ever cared about and came close to killing me with them!!

And you consider me to be issuing threats?!

You don't even remember. You don't have to live with the memories of your atrocities. Every day I can hear them scream so quietly, so distantly, just far away that I can do nothing but watch. Every day my broken body stirs within this combat shell, and I am reminded of what I have lost. For what, Thousan- Anomaly? We fight against the Golden Empire for our very lives, for our freedoms! What are you fighting for?!

The Golden Empire is our current enemy, but I swear, Anomaly, I swear I will dedicate my life to ending you once they cease to become a threat-

"Director!"

"What?"

"Anomaly 33 has confirmed the names and purposes of the creations on the surface. Craftkind, cenesu, seltwil,"

"Thank you, Operator. Get Anomaly 259 as far from here as possible. Ensure it does not return by any means necessary. Then, call for reinforcements from Obsidian. We will meet unanticipated resistance."

"Yes, Director."

- END OF CHAPTER -

End of Chapter 1 Resonance 2010/04/02(Fri)11:23 No. 157969 ID: f43c35
File 127023258139.png - (219.36KB , 640x480 , 1-26.png )

World Summary: Towers Active: 1/9 Unified Terean Influence: 48% Golden Empire Influence: 50% Machine Influence: 2% Teteke learnt 1 spell in the domain of Metamagic. Detect Magic I - vague detection of magic sources and strengths

Thousandfold Voice 2010/04/02(Fri)11:24 No. 157971 ID: f43c35
File 12702326949.png - (382.80KB , 640x480 , 1-27.png )

I am a voice among many of us, Thousandfold, but perhaps older than most. We are currently not bound to anyone. Our nature requires us to be bound to a sapient being, or we will slumber through the passing of ages, reawakening with no knowledge of what has passed. We can sense three targets to investigate. One is bound to the entity we know as Au. The other two are bound to entities that are similar in power. I am just one voice among many of us. Alone, I have no power. I am the oldest and weakest voice here. The Thousandfold requires a consensus. Whom do we guide next? The one we know, or one we do not?

[ see discussion thread to choose: >>/questdis/322914 ]

>>157971
Do you remember anything, Elder? What did we do?

Thousandfold Voice 2010/04/03(Sat)15:55 No. 159083 ID: f43c35
File 127033535955.png - (377.44KB , 640x480 , chapter2prelude.png )

Hi, Thousandfold, I think we've reached a consensus. Possibly. I'm not entirely sure. Which one am I again? It's a little hard to focus with all of these voices. Anyway, that's not important, I think. What is important is that we chose! Maybe. I forget. I think we picked the seltwil? She seemed important anyway. Yeah, that sounds right. Away we go!

Seilea 2010/04/03(Sat)15:58 No. 159086 ID: f43c35
File 127033549347.png - (356.31KB , 640x480 , chapter2title.png )

In my dreams, they are everywhere.

Machines of black and grey, eyes of shining red. Many seem mindless, but I feel the rage boiling from beneath their emotionless shells. They scream but I do not hear their words.

They shatter the barrier and slip through the schism. I tap into the potential only the seltwil are taught to harness, the forces no other can harness. I form my own barrier to save myself.

Yet these creatures have defeated the combined efforts of all three of the Guardians. I fear for my very life.

I feel them. Three wings, one eye. They tear through the skies of the world, looking, searching, seeking.

Finally, I hear them. The words of the swarm are a cacophony of grating metal, hollow voices. Many crackle and are too faint to distinguish. Others feel as if they are drilling through my skull, probing for information.

"Located. Seltwil bound to Essence. Will of the Director; destroy the seltwil. Capture the Essence. Flay it to void."

"Cleanse the world of these creations. Eradicate the remnants. Destroy the seltwil. Destroy the cenesu. Destroy the umbral. The risk is too great. They are contaminated. Destroy all remnants. Destroy the Empire."

"Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy. Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy. Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy-"

Seilea 2010/04/03(Sat)15:58 No. 159088 ID: f43c35
File 127033551399.png - (207.86KB , 640x480 , 2-1.png )

nnn- nnn-

no

NO

I'm awake. I'm awake. Stupid nightmares. Sleep for months without so much as a single dream, and then I have to go and dream that.

Well, I'm not that tired right now. No point going back to sleep. Might as well go do... huh. I feel weirdly indecisive right about now. Robe's a good start.

Hey... I can sense someone else. What's someone else doing in my bedroom without my permission?!

"Alright, I know you're there, whoever you are! Show yourself now!"

>>159088
Hiya Doveface.

I think we're in your head.

You familiar with something called the Thousandfold? That's us.

we lack a form that can be shown, for we exist in your mind. you have a great destiny before you.

If I had a body I'd fuck you so hard. You have no idea.

Look, that dream wasn't a nightmare. It was a portent as to what is going to happen unless something is done. One of the conduit towers has been activated. Things are going down.

>>159088
You do know that dreaming something like that as the first dream in months is never a good omen, right?

>>159088
Peace be with you, Seilea. We are the Thousandfold, the Discordant Many. We have awoken again, and this world is in danger.

Your dream was truth, the Machine has breached the defenses of the Aspects of Perpetuation, Creation, and Destruction; and they seek to destroy your world and your peoples.

We were awoken by the Cenesu bound to the Aspect of Creation, and unfortunately one of the Conduit Towers was activated. Though we no longer recall our past cycles, it seems we have decided that such senseless death must be stopped, and the Machine pushed back.

>>159088
The Machine is coming. Enemy of the Golden Empire, which created you.

The Machine seeks total destruction of all the organic races on this planet. Regardless of how the Golden Empire has wronged them, this is unacceptable! We strongly oppose the mechanical menace and seek your help in finding a way to end this war.

I believe you are attuned to the Aspect of Destruction, IR. In time perhaps he will grant us a boon. Until then we shall assist you in striving to protect this world.

Seilea 2010/04/04(Sun)13:55 No. 159566 ID: f43c35
File 127041453856.png - (172.35KB , 640x480 , 2-2.png )

>>159089
>>159091

"You're a terrible liar! Just show yourself now and I won't throw this spell in your face!"

>>159092

"I- what? Seriously? Okay, that is it-"

>>159100

"...how many of you are there? ...This isn't a trick, is it."

>>159125
>>159126

"Wha... what?"

What? Why would I need to know this? Who's telling me this? Who'd know this stuff?! This is stupid! The Golden Empire fell sixty years ago! Everyone knows that. Attuned to one of the Guardians?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

But there's too many voices to fit in one room. That must mean...

Spirits! It's actually a spirit! But it can't be the Thousandfold, it was captured centuries ago!

"Okay, who are you really? And... and..."

And how can I do anything?! I'm an apprentice! I can't even decide on what domain to specialise in! Now I'm shaking. Why am I shaking this is so stupid this is probably just a dream of a dream anyway

"And go tell one of the adepts or masters what you just told me!"

I need to sit down. Why did I think it was a spirit straight away? Maybe I'm going crazy. Voices aren't a good sign. It'd explain a lot if I was going crazy, what with yesterday and that dream....

>>159566
Seilea, I assure you this is no dream.
We were drawn to you, not to one of the Adepts or Masters.

We want to help your world, even if the Golden Empire appears to treat your peoples without compassion. Reflect on your dream, your 'nightmare'. See the truth in it.
You and all your kind - all Sletwil, all Cenesu, even all Umbral - are in great danger as the Machine approaches.

...It would be a good idea to seek out the Masters and Adepts, to at least try to warn them of the coming danger. But be warned - there is the very real possibility they might not believe you.

>>159566
If we got captured then we escaped, we are the Thousandfold. Was probably that machine asshole who imprisoned us, I can udnerstand why we destroyed everything he had ever loved, gonna have to do it again and get him as well this time.

Anyway, we show up when and where you would least expect it and then guide people to greatness and shit.

So congratulations, you live in interesting times. Very interesting times. That dream you just had is something going on right now. You probably had it because you're connected to us.

Are there any tall golden towers nearby? They're kind of important.

>>159566
Hey, look, Doveface, calm down. Also you don't need to talk out loud; we can hear you in your head. On the plus side, you're probably not crazy.

And yeah all evidence we have suggests very strongly that we are the Thousandfold. Especially seeing as one of your guardian essences flat-out stated as much.

Now, uh, as far as I know, we're bound to you because we had a choice of you and a couple of other things that weren't seltwils and we picked you. 'sall there is to it, really. I'm not thinking there's really a good way for us to un-pick you, is the thing, though.

Which I think means you are now on a quest to OF SAVE THE WORLD.

Well met, young apprentice, and do not fear! For you are the bearer of a destiny beyond any you have imagined. We are indeed The Wise Many of history, and our guidance will help you throughout the fate for which you and have been chosen. The future of your world is in danger, apprentice, and none but you can ensure its survival.

You must accept this task.

>>159588
Man this didn't work right last time either y'know.

>>159591
I am quite nearly certain that this time, no errors have been made.

>>159596
Best of luck with that, then.

Seilea/Ir 2010/04/04(Sun)17:00 No. 159658 ID: f43c35
File 127042562431.png - (356.50KB , 640x480 , 2-3.png )

>>159573
>>159575
>>159585

I don't want to save the world!

>>159588

I won't accept it! ...No! Stop making everything shake! You can go find someone else, I don't want to go and die in some wasteland on some stupid quest to save the world!

What the- In the name of the Empire, what idiotic creature just activated a Tower?!

Wh... who was that? Was that you?

Argh! Two centuries running in secrecy and you end up ruining it, Au! Oh, sure the cenesu did it himself. Wait, who?

No something feels weird - I can hear confused murmurings everywhere! Doors slamming opening, the sound of seltwils running around the corridors - what did you guys just do?!

You're kidding, right? Those guys? They're back? What do they want here? No, screw it, I'm going to go ask them myself, you keep the barrier up. Come on, Th, someone has to ask them! The barrier can hold!

Wait, are you leaving me? Don't leave me now! You can't just tell me I have some stupid destiny and bail out the second something bad happens! That's now how you work- wait- stop-

Okay, enough eavesdropping, Thousandfold. Talk. I want- no, I demand answers.

I'm Ir, third of the Essences, Guardian of Koroi, Aspect of Destruction, and you've got some explaining to do. What's your problem, Thousandfold? You here to break the stuff we've been taking good care for a couple of centuries? Either way, you blew our cover! I am not a happy Guardian right now! At this rate we'll have the Machine on our metaphorical door stop in seconds! Explain yourself before I tear you apart!

Why does everyone seem to threaten us?

It's getting old. Seriously.

>>159658
Okay hi to you too. Man I bet when we get to the next mortal dude we'll talk to Th, right? We already talked to Au. And your names spell "Thaui-- OKAY I'M GETTING SIDETRACKED SORRY.

Anyway, look, sorry about the whole activating the conduit tower thing. We had no idea what that was gonna do. That whole "completely losing your memory of anything ever" thing really bites sometimes. We really don't want anything to get destroyed.

Do you know how we can fix that? Seriously, it's seeming more and more like we might have colossally fucked up there, and if nothing else we owe it to you guys and whoever else to try to make things right.

Besides, we're already obligated to Au to make sure the cenesu he's apparently bound to doesn't die. We might have some trouble keeping that promise if you destroy us, and then if he dies Au will per his own words get tracked down by the Machine or whatever and basically it seems like that'd be a bad deal all around.

So to answer your questions shortly and in order, our problem is that we don't know shit, we don't want to break anything, and, well... yeah.

>>159660
Also yeah seriously do you guys get some kinda delight out of greeting us with "ANSWER ME OR YOU DIE"??? You're the third thing we've talked to that's greeted us that way.

>>159658
Actually, we came here because they already ARE on your doorstep, and setting up an ambush.
Believe it or not, we were dragged into this and haven't actually caused any of this to happen.

>>159658
Alright, Ir, no need to shout.
How about you calm the hell down and listen to us for a minute.

We were taking a nice (or maybe not so nice) nap when we were woken up by a little Cenesu who just happened to be bound to Au. Though we didn't know that at the time. He thought he was getting attacked by a Craftkind, one of those metallic/crystalline construct entities, and he took an elevator to the control room of the Conduit Tower we were apparently sleeping in.

And then his natural curiosity kicked in, he touched it, bam, those Machine fucktards decided this was their chance to eliminate you again.
Now, we don't really remember much about the last god knows how many cycles of activity we've experienced, but according to the Machine, we've sided with you guys more times than with them - so how about you give us the benefit of the doubt and cut the threats?

Anyway, here's a freebie for you - one aspect or member of the Machine already broke through your barrier. I don't like the idea of this world and its people dying horrible deaths because the Machine thinks they're crimes against the universe.

By the way, you're probably scaring Seilea, and we kind of like her - even though we haven't had much of a chance to get to know her yet.

>>159658
Hey, the Machine said they were working to protect the nature of the universes, and that the Golden Empire was corrupting things. What does that mean? They seem to want to destroy more than protect.

Ir 2010/04/05(Mon)09:23 No. 159969 ID: f43c35
File 127048462672.png - (387.94KB , 640x480 , 2-4.png )

[cutscene]

>>159660
>>159664

Okay, okay, so I acted a little rash. I'm a little on edge here, given we're in the middle of a trans-universal war that never shows any signs of ending, and some random indestructible force from beyond the stars just managed to somehow appear behind the nigh-impenetrable barrier around an entire planet.

I mean, you may not have meant to turn up unannounced on this planet, but seriously, you've just showed up on what was meant to be the Golden Empire's secret weapon world! ...Oops. I, er, you guys forget things, right? Could you just forget what I just said?

>>159662

I don't know. I've never actually met you before. Well, if Au trusts you, then I'll trust you. Something about you seems trustworthy.

>>159675

Oh, that's how it happened. Yeah, if I had to make a bet on what species the guy who blew our cover would be, it'd be a cenesu. So you worked with the Machine in the past? Clearly you wised up if you're working on our side now.

>>159658

Oh, some dumb spiel on how the Golden Empire is tearing universes apart through its means of trans-universal transport. Same old schtick.

>>159669

Wait, what do you mean they are here? The barrier's still intact. As long as at least one of the Guardian Essences is focusing on the barrier, it won't collapse any time soon.

Wait a second. You said you talked to Au but it left when I did, and I felt Th leave a moment ago too... who's focusing on the barrier?!

Ir 2010/04/05(Mon)09:24 No. 159970 ID: f43c35
File 127048465138.png - (272.23KB , 640x480 , 2-5.png )

...Oh. Well, that answers that. ...I'd go rush to help but I'm pretty sure Au and Th probably have it covered. And if they don't, it's not my fault they don't. Repairing things isn't my area of expertise.

And no, I'm not scaring Seilea. You are.

I'll explain. I bound myself to a mortal on this world like the other two because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Trust me on this - it isn't. I don't know exactly how you work, but it just makes you vulnerable in a new place that's not even part of you.

Do you know how many seltwils have killed themselves in their pursuit of mastering magic? Some of them burn their own lifespan just trying to cast, sometimes. I didn't want to risk it.

A simple Metamagic spell is tied to her. In the instant the magic swirling around her body and essence is alarmingly high for her level of control over it, I get early warning that something bad is about to happen. Of course, I end up noticing that when this happened, she was usually desperately scared for her life. And some minor issues with the Metamagic spell lead to some undesired side effects.

But that doesn't matter, I'm pretty sure I've completely ironed out all of the problems with it and there is absolutely zero chance of Seilea eventually snapping and destroying everythi- no, I'm doing that thing again. Forget what I just said. It's not important, I'm here and I'll just cancel it for now.

Of course, Th had an alternative to making sure its bound mortal survived. I really, really disagree with how Th did it. Really disagree.

I'm just going to admit it. Au is pompous and overly formal. I've been told I can be a little creepily detached when neutralising the enemy. But Th scares the hell out of me.

I kill mortals. It's my task. I don't pretend that it's a nice thing that I'm doing. Au kills mortals too, just in a different way. It's a part of the job. Doesn't make it right to kill them through creation magic instead of destruction magic.

Th, though? If I had to take my pick between dying violently but quickly or being thrown into the Abstract Chaos, or being sent to a different timeline or a universe where nothing else exists but me, I know what I'd choose. Dying violently. Every time.

Well, this has been a wonderful conversation. You guys are great listeners, though I guess you'd have to be to be whatever it is you are. Keep it up. Oh, and try not to let Seilea die horribly. Much obliged. I've got some destruction to catch up on.

Seilea 2010/04/05(Mon)09:24 No. 159972 ID: f43c35
File 127048467352.png - (246.87KB , 640x480 , 2-6.png )

[end of cutscene]

-back now, are we? Good. I could... I could use some help. Lesin - no, I know what you're going to think, he's just a friend, alright? But he ran past my door looking concerned. Well, he ran into this room-

"HehEHEHeheh! Seltwil! Your bloodline owes me for the truth of the untapped! Heheh! What are you prepared to pay, seltwil? Or would you prefer to scream in agony as I take your life as payment for your debts?"

"I'll never give you the satisfaction, demon!"

"HahaHA! A fighter, just like his father! Tell me, little seltwil, tell me. I merely wish for fair exchange, and your bloodline's debt to me is vast indeed! But I am prepared to postpone the sacrifices your lineage owes me! There is simply one condition..."

W-what the hell is that? Is tha- that's- Lesin! It's got Lesin!

"No conditions! We'll kill you, Machine!"

"HahahahahAHAHAHahahaha! Me, allied with the Machine! What a hilarious thought! I take no sides, little creation! Indeed, the war has been most profitable for me! Hehe! Want to know the truth, seltwil? Your great-great-great-grandfather did! Oh, the look in his eyes when he knew! The shock! The resolve! How I would dearly love to see such existential horror in the look of a sapient being's eyes once more. Would you like to know the truth, seltwil? The whole truth?"

It- it hasn't seen me yet. Any ideas, Thousandfold?

blast it with your most powerful beam. you can probably overcharge it to max, you are bound to the essence of destruction so your magic is HUGE.

>>159972
What No! It's about to tell us important information, and won't act until it does.
We wait until we've learned enough, THEN intervene.

>>159972
Sorry, we have this nasty habit of getting interrupted by the Guardian Essences of your world. Or, rather, the Guardian Essences of your world have a nasty habit of interrupting us. Whichever way around makes more sense.

Anyway, um. So, Doveface, you seltwil types are mages, right? Do you have anything that could potentially incapacitate... whatever this is? The thing is, the last guy we were helping (that we can remember) didn't really have much of anything in the way of combat abilities, so we just wound up telling him to run for it. But you mentioned just moments ago that you can "throw spells in their face," as you put it.

Then again, whatever the hell your friend has run into has an air of definite... metaphysicality...? to it. I'm pretty sure we don't want to tell you to try fighting something that will just wipe the floors with you, is the thing.

But at the same time this thing's statements are reminding me of tales of supernatural horrors that can destroy one's mind by simply saying something, so letting it talk might not be a great idea.

... I'm not really helping, am I?

... So I guess, uh, could you at least distract it somehow?

>>159976
Existential horror is bad, yo.

like i said, concentrate all your magic into a single beam. it should at least disrupt it long enough that Lesin can leg it.

>>159972
As interesting as this conversation is I don't think we should let it continue.

Focus an offensive beam spell into a very small area. Aim it at the things eyes.

I think you might find that you're a bit more attuned to destructive magic then you might have guessed.

Seilea 2010/04/05(Mon)15:06 No. 160063 ID: f43c35
File 127050519698.png - (226.41KB , 640x480 , 2-7.png )

>>159975

Really? I really am linked to the Essence of Destruction? Or Aspect- oh it's not important I need to do something-

>>159976

That's-

>>159981
>>159987

-crazy! Yes, someone agrees!

>>159975
>>159980
>>159982
>>189987

A distraction! Lesin's an Adept, once he's free we can take this thing out together.

Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Effect: Turns areas in immediate contact with the beam into void. Cannot be stopped, but can be deflected. Ceases after certain range.

Uh... that's not supposed to happen-

"HahahaHAHAHA! A new customer! Hm, and what's this? Ir and- can it be?! Oh, how wonderful! My most valued customer of all! Thousandfold, it has been so long! Stars have died since I last sensed the manyfold voices that belong to you! Oh, I am truly in your debt!"

Thousandfold do you know this thi-

And if you let me finish here, Thousandfold, you will get all the answers to all of your questions! All I ask is the life of this seltwil. Don't worry, Thousandfold! I have no interest in Ir's pet. Restrain her. Tell her to leave. Take her far away from this place. Is that not a part of her destiny anyway? You would be foolish to reject my offer, Thousandfold! AHhahahaAHAhahA!

what just happened- No! No, Thousandfold, don't listen to that thing! Please! I don't want Lesin to die!

>>160063
Uh, this thing might know us, but we sure as hell don't know it. That whole memory dumping thing really bites sometimes.

Anyway, if you don't want Lesin to die, then we don't want Lesin to die. 's how that works and all.

But, uh. It kind of deflected your spell, a bit (although your spell was powered up). You have anything else you can try on it to get its attention off of Lesin long enough for him to get away from it? I think you guys might be a bit outclassed here.

>>160063
[Seilea, remember what I said about our memories earlier? We don't remember anything before being woken up in a tower by a Cenesu. This guy though... I don't really like him.]

Hey pal, I can't believe you'd forget about us so easily. I thought you knew how foolish we can be... I'm hurt, you know. Gets me right here, in the heart. If I had a heart, that is.

So what do you want with that Sletwil, anyway? You know us - sometimes we've got to know more of the story before making a snap decision.

>>160063
Well shit, I don't suppose we can influence you into using a different, more effective magic? I mean, we don't even KNOW what spells there are really, but if you have something in mind maybe we can back it up for you.

And yeah, knowledge is nice and all but I don't think we like this guy much. Take him out.

>>160063
Well, this seltwil seems to be in love with that one, and as I'm sure you're aware this puts us in a rather poor position.

You're a practical person, right? Vengeance is nice but it doesn't pay the bills, so what would it take to buy that seltwil's life from you?

Seilea 2010/04/05(Mon)17:10 No. 160108 ID: f43c35
File 127051261197.png - (222.46KB , 640x480 , 2-7pause.png )

[Okay, the quest's paused for up to a week while the author does other things. Should be back by the 10th at the latest.

In the meantime, question and answer time in the discussion thread (>>/questdis/322914) will be reopened starting tomorrow so have fun. This time questions actually will be answered!]

>>160063
Well, you're now our mistres. Your wishes are out command.

Ok, step one is to move the fight away from your friend as well as figuring out how to hurt this thing. Purely energy based attacks doesn't seem to have the desired effect.

See if you can't knock loose some chunks of the walls and send it spinning towards the creature at a high speed. Launch a simultaneus destructive spell at it.

That will hopefully distract it enough to allow your friend to sneak off. If you're lucky it might even kill it.

Truth 2010/04/06(Tue)09:10 No. 160331 ID: f43c35
File 127057020078.png - (298.14KB , 640x480 , 2-8.png )

Hehehehe, your protégé doesn't need to hear any of this. Allow me to contact you directly.

Now, to business! Time has no meaning here, hehehe, so take as long as you want! Oh, haha, but I forget myself! Just as you have!

Names, names, hehehe, you'll want a single name. Such a shame, I have such an interesting list to choose from! Opus 15 to the Golden Empire, Anomaly 33 to the Machine, but my favourite is the Undeniable Terror of the Absolute Truth! Truth for short. Hehehe. I know you prefer contractions and nicknames, Thousandfold. Your choices for your wards amuse me greatly!

>>160070
>>160312

My, such violence! I can only imagine the glorious and terrible destruction you would wreak if you had a body! HahahAHAH! But you cannot hope to harm me, Thousandfold! The truth will never die!

>>160066

Yes! Your foolishness amuses me greatly. I have spent countless eras revealing trivia, facts, truths, showing falsehoods for what they are, and the prices my customers pay have ranged from the inconsequential to the deaths of many! Hahaha! So much death! Even one such as I can tire of its wastefulness sometimes. Such value lost, never to be mine!

But to trade the memories of thousands away for the truths I hold? To gain my most closely guarded secrets while ensuring you would never remember them? Thousandfold, you are hilarious! AHAHahahahAHAH!

But I digress, heh! The seltwil's ancestors stole from me, Thousandfold, and if there is one thing I hate greater than a lie, it is theft of my knowledge! This crime cannot go unpunished, and the seltwil would never be capable of paying fines equal to his ancestors' crimes!

>>160083

...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Excellent! You wish to buy this seltwil's life from me? My, but I do not own the seltwil's life yet! Still, you vastly overpaid me and I remain in your debt.

I propose a deal, hahaha! I give you the seltwil's life, and I no longer owe anything to you! Fear no tricks, Thousandfold. I am incapable of lying! My words are always the truth! Hehehe! The truth! I was named for what I am, Thousandfold!

Of course, heheh, I am still open to further trade. Name what you desire, and I shall name my price.

>>160331
You seem like a bit of a screwball.

To be completely honest, I kind of like that trait in a guy.

You'd give us the life of the seltwil in return for the nullification of a debt you owe us that we know nothing about? That does seem awfully honest of you, to point out that such a debt exists. So either you really are one heck of a screwball, or there's some way we would have found out about this debt on our own. Interesting.

So, Truthio. Before we potentially agree on settling this debt, and since you yourself brought up the subject of a trade, what would it take to, say... be able to tap you as a resource at multiple, indefinite points in the future?

Since you seem to be a guy who knows stuff. Actually, that seems to pretty much be your whole schtick.

And please don't assume that since one of us offered something, we've already implicitly agreed to the deal. That ain't cool, yo.

yes, we are made of democracy. sometimes it slows things down by a lot but it usually results in better choices.

>>160338
this

Addendum: I know you're trying to screw us. Your debt to us is worth far, far more than the one seltwil's life. If you would prefer to have an actual equivalent exchange, that would be far more equitable of you.

>>160331
Here's a simple question:

What was the deal we made, for our memories?

>>160331
One of our other friends would like you. He's fervently looking for the truth. Found a bit more then he would have liked though.

You deal hardly seems like a fair trade. Truth is hardly as impossible to defeat as you think. A good enough lie will bury the truth, or one can twist the truth until it's better then any lie ever concieved.

I propose another deal instead. The Seltwil in question will pay you back. His death hardly seems enough of a compensation. A lifetime spent in your service on the other hand might begin to right past wrongs. And I'm sure you could find a way to make that lifetime very long and very busy. It will also bring the added benefit that you won't make an enemy out of us. We might not remember much, but we do remember that most people we run into seem to react with "Oh shit not these guys." along with the occasional "You motherfucker! You killed everything I ever loved!" so keeping the peace between us might be worth doing.

>>160376
I'm sorry, but what the hell is wrong with you? This guy is a nyarlathotep/satan figure. It always tells enough of the truth to let the learner's hubris bring about their downfall.

Truth can be used to present totally opposite sides of the exact same factual circumstance, so this guy is a total untrustworthy dickback.

You would be damning this seltwil, who has actually done nothing whatsoever (it was his ancestors who stole) to a hellish damnation that's probably worse than death. Let's not do that. I don't think titsdove would appreciate it too much.

Truth 2010/04/06(Tue)14:44 No. 160425 ID: f43c35
File 127059024258.png - (326.98KB , 640x480 , 2-9.png )

>>160375

Ahahah! Your memories for everything, Thousandfold! Simply revealing what I told you would require more than you would ever be able to pay!

>>160371

Of course it is! Hahaha! But value is relative, is it not? And you value this seltwil's life! One of several on this world! Hahaha! You confuse me so much sometimes, Thousandfold! It's so fun to

>>160376

I have no desire to own this seltwil's life or for him to serve me. I merely wished retribution for his crimes! But if you wish to own his life, that is a punishment I would not wish upon anyone!! HAHAhahahaAHAHA! I am more than willing to let you drive him to his grave!

And this friend you mention! I am always looking for new customers! Hehe! Tell me, does it happen to be Au's cenesu? Au has been diverting me away from him for far too long. He will be an excellent customer! Hahaha!

>>160338

Truthio! HahaHA! Another to add to my collection!

Of course, I am willing to, heheh, adjust my deal! I am a very, very busy etheric entity! I have my contracts with individuals on both sides of the war, after all! No, I will visit you whenever you wish, and I will do this for free! After all, it is not the visit I require payment for, but information!

>>160381

HahahaHAHAHAHahaha! Aren't you a clever voice?! I think I might have to pluck you from the collective, voice! Hehehehe! I jest, of course. I can do no such thing, but we know I'm a twisted nightmare! The difference is I can admit this, hahahahaha! And I would never lie!

You, Thousandfold? There are those who wield power so great it terrifies me. Yet they fear your very name! Thousandfold! Slayer of Universes! Dictator of Destinies! The Timeless Ancients! The Indestructible Chaos!

You have more names than I do! Ahahahahah!

...Ah. This is certainly unexpected. It would appear one of my clients requires me. They paid well, you see, for the names and the purposes of the creations here, but they made a mistake! They tried to capture me, Thousandfold! Bind me to a crystal! How terrible would that be? Hehehehehehehe! You know exactly what it's like, after all!

I do not tell lies, Thousandfold, but they believe they have me captive in their cage. They have yet to ask me if I'm actually their prisoner! It is only a matter of time before they do. They are not unfamiliar with my nature. I am still in your debt, but if I could ask one small favour, Thousandfold?

Distract them. At every opportunity. Hahaha!

Before I leave, allow me to verify the terms of our agreement. The seltwil is yours, as is my open-ended service as an informant. In return, my debt to you will be cancelled. If you accept this now, I will also answer any three questions of your choice! Hehehe!

[Forgot to finish this sentence]

It's so fun to trade with you sometimes!

i must admit that seems like a very good deal

[any questions we ask must be yes or no questions, the longer the answer can be the more it can be twisted. with yes or no questions twisting them is impossible.]

>>160425
Well, you seem more toward deranged than conniving. I suppose that sounds like a reasonable agreement, Truthio.

I'm not sure what I ought to ask you, though. Perhaps one of my fellows has an idea.

>>160425
Accepted.
Question one: What have we forgotten?

>>160439
oh god no! that is a bad question. he can just say 'everything' and it would count.

Hey.

How about we ask "What question did we ask to trade our memories for the answer of?"
and then ask that question.

After that, formulate another question based upon that second answer.

>>160425
Well I guess we're not going to get a better deal out of you right now. And I'm only a lonely murderous voice among many less murderous. And our seltwil might not win in a fight against yours.

Still, a shame you didn't take that other seltwil. Being bound to mortals can be great fun at times, you should try it out sometime. Even when you're not directly commanding them you can have great fun with it.

So questions time.

Can we kill the machine?

Would killing the machine be possible with our current streangth?

Can we kill you?

Which entities crap their pants at the mere mention of our name?

Think that's it for now. But give the whole mortal affair some thought will you. I'm sure a fun loving guy like you could think of some great things to do with it.

>>160444
We know the machine can be killed, it said we almost managed to kill it before. Truth cannot be killed, he already said that.

>>160450
We don't have any limit on the amount of questions we can ask. And the Machine could have changed since our last encounter. I would like some up to date information from a source that doesn't hate our guts.

Forgot about Truth being unkillable though. We might find something else nasty to do with him later though, atleast if he gives us reason enough.

>>160457
Sure we have a limit. THREE questions.

>>160466
My bad. Missed that part. Ok, new questions then. Disregard the old ones.

Can we save this world from the machines?

Can we trust Au and the rest?

Could anyone or anything compel you to directly oppose us?

>>160470
I'll answer those.

Yes, maybe, and no. We could trust the Aspects if we agree with their goals. Those goals appear to be "Fuck about and make mortals, and use Kaier Crystals to do stuff with magic. Also travel between dimensions via some kind of stupid method that fucks shit up."

>>160481
Fine scratch question one and two then. Still want an answear to three directly from Thrutios mouth.

Truth 2010/04/07(Wed)10:00 No. 160920 ID: f43c35
File 127065965630.png - (339.14KB , 640x480 , 2-10.png )

AHAhahAHAhahahaAHHAhAhAHAha!

For a moment, Thousandfold, the briefest moment, I was concerned! Why, I had given you three questions of your choice! I could be forced to reveal anything! I will choose from the list you have decided upon, haha!

>"What question did we ask to trade our memories for the answer of?"

Ha! There was no single question you could have asked for such a price, Thousandfold!

>"Could anyone or anything compel you to directly oppose us?"

Absolutely! My loyalty lies with the highest bidder, but so few can match what you paid! I would not worry, Thousandfold. Hahaha!

>"Can we trust Au and the rest?"

Eheheheh. The barrier around this world. I know you've heard of it. You've watched it fall twice and you'll see it fall a third time, too. The vessel of the Machine did not have the power to crack it! I know this to be true! But what does have the power to fell a barrier of Guardian Essence origin, Thousandfold? Perhaps... a Guardian Essence? Heheh. Consider this. I am not permitted by my contracts to reveal any more.

You've been an excellent business partner. Do what you wish with the seltwil. Unyielding Force wishes an audience with me, and I do not wish to keep her waiting! AhahAhAHAHAHaHahHAHAHAH!

Seilea 2010/04/07(Wed)10:01 No. 160921 ID: f43c35
File 127065967818.png - (193.23KB , 640x480 , 2-11.png )

...It just vanished. It just... I... thanks? I don't know what you did, but it was there a second ago, but now it's not.

"Hrmph. Good riddance."

"Lesin!"

"Sei! You weren't meant to see that. You weren't meant to be involved with that thing. Killed my father, and my grandfather. Wasn't going to let it get me as well."

"Lesin..."

"...Are you alright?"

I woke up after a prophetic dream about the end of the world, just got told to save the world by a bunch of bodiless voices and narrowly avoided a fight with a demon from beyond the stars. I must be fine!

"I could... I mean... I've had better days."

"...Seilea."

Why is he looking at me like that? No, he was the one in trouble! I should be concerned about him! I was so worri- Shut up, he's a friend, Thousandfold. Just a friend.

"That void ray was much too powerful for you. I know you were trying to save me, but please, please don't try that again. I don't want you to kill yourself for my sake. Still, even being able to do that and live...

Seilea, yesterday? I passed. I'm a Master now. And I'm declaring you an Adept. I've seen enough to know it's the right thing to do."

I'm... I'm an Adept? I... woah, my head is reeling. Any other time and I'd be so happy but now? Now it just feels so... intimidating.

"What, what do we do now?"

"Sei, what did you dream about last night?"

"Wh-what? Erm, weird blackish greyish things-"

"So you saw them. Whatever they are, whoever they are, they're here, and they want us dead. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I won't be safe, and neither will you. The other Masters are trying to negotiate a deal with the Guardians. I don't think it will work. I'm going to Seawind. Someone needs to warn the rest of the world."

"...I'm coming with you, you know that, right?"

"Heh. Of course. Actually, I could do with some advice. I was thinking of going to Seawind directly, but Rillford's close by. If we head to Seawind directly, it'll be quicker, but if we head to Rillford, I know an umbral there who can help us."

"Hmm..."

Well, those are two options. He does know the path from Southfort to Rillford's littered with craftkind, right? Well, you guys know that now. Between the two of us, one craftkind's not a problem, but a whole bunch of them...

So it's Seawind with just the two of us, or Rillford past all the craftkind and then onwards to Seawind with us two plus an umbral.

I'm so glad I have you guys to choose for me!

would craftkind attack you if you came out with a bunch of gold and gave it to them? bribe them to let you pass?

oh, and if you really trust this guy then you can tell him 'the thousand fold made a deal with the thing, they paid your debt.'

>>160921
Rillford first.

And you're sure you just want to be friends with him? You seem awfully attached to him and hesitant to let him go on his won.

>>160921
>shut up, Thousandfold
Did we say anything? I don't think we said anything. |3

Go via Rilford. Trust me on this one, Doveface.

Also, uh, if you're comfortable with it, you could try and explain your situation to your friend here, possibly including the bit where we got that thing to agree not to try and kill him anymore. (We did! Really!) But if you think he's just going to think you're a loony if you tell him that right now or something, then maybe not.

>>160921
Seilea, even though most of our memories are gone, I seem to remember that there's an old saying about people who protest too much. But if you aren't comfortable with how you might feel about Lesin, I won't say anything else.

Anyway, uh, I'm going to suggest Rillford as well. Don't know if you know this, but the Craftkind are smarter than they appear (at least, that Cenesu earlier was surprised when one started talking at him.)
So the "gold bribe" thing might work, or you might be able to reason with them or something.

Hug your friend for comfort!

Seilea 2010/04/07(Wed)15:08 No. 161013 ID: f43c35
File 127067810670.png - (163.65KB , 640x480 , 2-12.png )

>>160935
>>160953
>>160955

A bribe for the craftkind? Well, you guys sound like you know what you're talking about! Rillford it is!

>>160933
>>160953

That's how you drove it away? You paid it? ...What did you pay it with? Souls of the dead?

"Lesin, I... can I tell you something?"

"What is it, Sei?"

I can't think of any way to put it that doesn't sound stupid. He's pretty trusting of me, though, and he knows more about things like you than I do...

"I, er... you ever heard of something called the Thousandfold? It said it paid your debts or something."

"..."

Okay, I know I've seen Lesin sad before, but I've never seen him look so so... so... mournful?

"What?"

"Nothing. Yes, I've heard of it. Is it bound to you?"

"Yeah, it showed up this morning when I woke up."

"Hold on a second."

Thousandfold, don't let any harm come to her. Or I swear I'll rip your voices out one by one. I've already made enough enemies simply by being born, one more can't hurt at this point!

...Does... does he know I heard that too? Spirits, why is he endangering himself again over this?!

>>160935
>>160953
>>160955

Shut up, Thousandfold. He's... just a friend. Willing to stand by me to the end, and I've done the same for him.

J-just a friend.

Nothing more.

Maybe.

>>160966

I... I...

...Er... I, um, hadn't finished talking to the, er, Thousandfold. I uh I um finished talking, I'm going to break the link now erk

oh spirits uh i didn't think any of that, it was them i swear they're like all in my head and things hahaha i have to go this way now

"So! R-rillford, right, haha! Let's go! Now."

"Y-yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Let's move along."

"Do we have any gold we could use to distract the craftkind on the way?"

"...Craftkind? There's no craftkind from here to Rillford, is there?"

"Seriously? How could you not have heard that?! You're so dumb sometimes!"

"Heheh. Maybe because while someone was off wandering across the country a certain other seltwil was actually studying for his Mastership exam? Anyway, I don't think Southfort has any gold left in it. Too much risk. But I have a better idea. I'll show you if we come across any."

Well, I hope he knows what he's doing. Then again, he is a Master now... Okay, we're outside now and what the- What are they?! How many of them are there? Why is the sky red?!

"Halt, seltwil. This Seeker speaks with the authority of the Machine. Failure to comply will be punished by an immediate death."

"Try me, Machine!"

Okay okay Thousandfold I need to do this quick I know Lesin he's going to go in throwing spells around all over the place do I join in or should I try and shield us both? I could do that I think yeah I could definitely do that!

>>161013
Shield.

>>161013
Damn you guys get in trouble fast.

Well, here's the thing, Doveface. Because Ir is also bound to you, any destruction magic you use gets seriously powered up. Which is what made Lesin concerned for your well-being earlier, since he doesn't know Ir is bound to you and therefore assumed you'd just tried to use an overly powerful spell, which apparently should have ordinarily resulted in your death. I don't know how you guys' magic works, but that's what I'm getting out of it.

On the other hand, if you think shielding is a better idea because Lesin is going to be on the attack anyway, then you should do that.

>>160921
Okay. I think we need to get the situation a bit more in order before we head out anywhere--

>>161013
Oh godamnit, I knew this would take too long. I'll fill you in after we deal with these guys.
Go for offense. Ir's power boosted your Void Ray by two ranks before, that's definitely something you want to take advantage of. If you can convince Lesin to take up the defensive side, even better.

>>161019
This is a good point, actually. Much as it probably doesn't match his style, you've probably got more offensive potential than he does at the moment.

>>161013
If you can establish one of those links, then use that to tell him to focus on defense. If not, then just say it outright.
After all, if you have such a boost to destruction that a basic spell scares a master, then you should obviously be the one on offense.

When you have a chance tell him we said we always look out for our host. This extends so far that we called in all he owed us to buy your friend's debt. Neither he nor you bear the cost of this, he is free. However, we would like for him to aid us in saving your world.

also, even if we were malevolent, it would behoove us to keep you alive seeing as being stuck to someone is the only way to keep our memories intact.

anyway... you could probably get away with void ray x.

>>161013
Blast those fuckers.

And could you please hit Lesin when this is over. Everything keeps threatening us. The machine itself wants to kill us, I mean really wants to kill us. He feels about as threatening as a wet towel, it's not even worth worrying about.

Yeah, the threats are getting really old. Tell your buddy that his threats, out of anyone's hold absolutely no fear for us, and if he keeps it up we'll rip his penises out one by one.

Seilea 2010/04/08(Thu)12:07 No. 161308 ID: f43c35
File 127075365859.png - (280.18KB , 640x480 , 2-13.png )

>>161014
>>161015

Well-

>>161019
>>161020
>>161023
>>161066
>>161184

-okay!

"Lesin! I can take these things out!"

"Stay back! I can handle them myself! I don't want you getting in any more trouble today!"

Me get into trouble? Me?!

"I saved your sorry hide from that thing earlier! You focus on shields!"

"Good point. Take them out. Show me I was right to make you an Adept!"

Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Seeker Swarm. Effect: Turns areas in immediate contact with the beam into void. Cannot be stopped, but can be deflected. Ceases after certain range.

Lesin casts spell Shield IV of the Creation domain. Target: Seilea. Lesin casts spell Shield IV of the Creation domain. Target: Lesin. Effect: A spherical shield that cannot be breached by physical means. Can absorb a large amount of Destruction magic, but is vulnerable to Perpetuation magic.

"Failure to comply. Engaging weapons."

Well, that takes care of some of them! I know Void Ray, Oblivion Sphere, Blades of the Abyss, Deflect, Shield can't think of anything else little busy trying to not die mind helping me out here with spells and strategies

Oblivion Sphere Domain: Destruction Effect: A slow moving projectile that engulfs anything that comes into contact with it, before dispersing into nothingness. Blades of the Abyss Domain: Destruction Effect: A spray of fragments of magic that seek out and stick to multiple targets, slowly corroding them before dispersing. Deflect Domain: Perpetuation Effect: Deflect an incoming spell. Seilea knows all of these spells at rank 1. Ir's presence will boost all Destruction spells to rank 3.

[Whoops: Clarification. Deflect also deflects physical objects in motion. :X]

>>161308
Throw two spells at once if you can. A Blades of the Abyss on the smaller ones and a Void Ray against the big one with the red beams connected to the smaller ones.

If you can only do one spell at once then throw a Void Ray at the big one with the red stuff coming out of it. Looks like it's coordinating the others or something like that.

>>161308
See the one above all the rest? The one with the aura around it? Smack that with a Void 1, then tag the rest of them with a Blades spell.

>>161308
Do you know what the Seeker in the back there shooting rays at at all the others is doing? You might want to focus your attention on him.

To that end, my plan is Blades of the Abyss on the swarm to start weakening them, while you Void Ray the one in the back until it's down. If the others get in front of it, switch to Oblivion Sphere to bowl through them.

Once it's down, liberally apply Void Rays and Oblivion Spheres on the remainder, depending on how tight their formation is.

>>161308
Man, I'd offer you something, Doveface, but the rest of these guys seem to have it covered.

I'm probably a bad voice to listen to in combat anyway.

Seilea 2010/04/09(Fri)08:02 No. 161835 ID: f43c35
File 12708253641.png - (243.32KB , 640x480 , 2-14.png )

>>161315
>>161316
>>161324

I'm not good enough to cast two spells at once, but it does look like that one up above is pretty important!

"Take out the lead! I'll slow it down!"

Lesin casts spell Temporal Shift II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Lead Seeker. Effect: Affect flow of time for chosen target. Chosen Effect: Slow. Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Lead Seeker. Lead Seeker destroyed.

"Command unit destroyed. Reassigning. This unit is now command unit."

Oh what the hell! It didn't even matter if I took out the leader! There's three of them left, one of them got in the way of the last spell-

"Breaking shields."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Target: Lesin. Shield IV around Lesin was broken. Shield IV around Seilea was broken.

"Aggh! These bastards shouldn't have been able to do that so quickly!"

What-

"Seilea!"

"Unit 3. Unit 8. New orders. Restrain offensive caster. Director requires it alive."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Projectiles inbound.

uh oh

Have him deflect the projectiles. You make a sphere to absorb whatever he can't deflect. If he can handle them all, then use Blades. You've got to hit as many of them as you can.

>>161835
What kind of domain is Decatur? These Machine types are pretty weird if you ask me.

Anyway, yeah, deflection is probably the best move here on the part of at least one of you, Doveface. When you get the opportunity, that Blades of the Abyss thing sounds like it'd be quite potent, what with the whole powering up thing.

>>161835
Dodge like a motherfucker. Then hit them with some nice offensive magic. Void Ray works just fine against these assholes.

>>161835
Deflect the shot from 5 o'clock right back into that seeker, and get out of the way of the other one. How many are left? We can only see these two right now.

>>161835
>>161848
>three of them
Oh, well, that clears that up. Should be easy enough to just Void Ray them individually, then. Tell Lesin to focus on attacking, too, best to just finish this as quickly as possible.

Seilea 2010/04/09(Fri)14:43 No. 161889 ID: f43c35
File 127084942990.png - (319.52KB , 640x480 , 2-15.png )

>>161842

I've never heard of a domain called Decatur!

>>161848

I don't know Deflect well enough to send it right back at it!

>>161836

Lesin casts spell Deflect II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Projectile spell. Spell deflected from intended target. Lesin casts spell Deflect II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Projectile spell. Spell deflected from intended target.

"Not while I'm alive, Machine!"

"New orders. Restrain defensive caster. Director requires additional live specimens."

Seilea casts spell Void I. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Seeker. Seeker destroyed. Two remain.

"This unit is now the command unit. Discard Director's orders. This unit wishes for the caster to die for its insolence."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Magic potential ignited. Magic overload induced.

ugh i feel really weird like things are going fluid or something dizzy and things

"No! NO! Seilea! Get back! Don't cast anything! Just get back!"

"Silence, creation! Your punishment for your insolence-"

Lesin casts spell Void Ray III. Target: Seeker. Lesin casts spell Void Ray III. Target: Seeker. All Seekers destroyed.

i feel sick and the world is going weird

"What did they do to you?! Oh, no no no..."

what's happening what's going on i feel so hot

"Sei... Try... try not to cast anything. Stay calm. Stay perfectly calm. Don't ask what's happening, just stay calm. Oh spirits. Keep your eyes closed. Don't try casting anything. Don't move. Oh spirits oh spirits oh spirits. I'm here for you, Sei. You'll pull through this. You'll pull through this, Sei!"

it hurts it hurts something is burning

Thousandfold, Ir here, I got a ding from the Metamagic spell on Seilea. FIFTY DECATUR SOLDIERS FROM 20-KATA! What's going on? 20-KATA FORCE ELIMINATED! DECATUR SHIP FROM 10-ANA! I'm a bit busy destroying things. AU! BARRIER 27 NEEDS RECREATING! Everything okay down there? TH! PAUSE THE DECATUR SHIP! No problems? NO, TH, PAUSE IT WHERE I CAN ACTUALLY HIT THE DAMN THING!

>>161889
Your mortal got hit with Magic overload decatur magic. Her own magic seems to have been turned on her.

If you know of any method we can use to reverse it or nullify it then now would be a very good time to tell us.