Scramble across the tunnel and up on your feet, then spin around to make sure nothing is following you. If there is, keep running until it isn't. If there isn't, tell that scared miner guy to get Mr. Swing right now. Check that none of yourself or your stuff got left behind. Then steady yourself against the wall, catch your breath, and rest until your heart stops feeling like its banging against your ribs.

>>474139

Wholly agreed... :)

>>474139
Not to mention take that lantern out into the sun. Gotta free your ghost buds.

salf 2012/11/24(Sat)03:55 No. 474148 ID: f50094
File 135375815522.jpg - (87.19KB , 986x745 , Rest.jpg )

>>474139
Nothing's there, I'm safe. Let me just... get my breath back a little... I don't think I've ever been in that much danger before... didn't enjoy it very much...

Phew, ok.

The miner guy ran away when I jumped out of the tunnel. He's probably gone to get Mr Swing. I mean if something weird happens you tell the guy in charge don't you? I still have all my things, my bag, Woody, Baby, and the Pick. Plus the lantern of course, I didn't have to drop it, thankfully.

>>474141
Right yeah, hold it up to the sun and the ghosts go free. That was it wasn't it? I dunno.

Aw man I'm still a little shaky.

unless you are at a DIFFERENT mine. due to magic tunnels

>>474148
[?]Oh, hey, there you are, I figured you were done for the night.[/?]
When you're calm, I do have some questions.
As things are, go ahead and free those ghosts while you wait for Swing, and calm down. The tunnels probably don't exist anymore, judging by the twang and the magical effects of the crystal.
>>474149
On examining her surroundings and reading back, I think she's in the same place. Mr. Swing should be by shortly.

>>474150
And that shortcut doesn't work here.

Shine the lantern into the little tunnel to see if it just abruptly ends now, or if it goes somewhere else. While you do that, ask Woody what the heck was that that happened on the way out. There should be enough time for him to reply before anyone comes.

Other than that, I can't think of anything more to do here than wait for Mr. Swing, answer his questions, get your congratulations, release the ghosts, and head off.

When you head back into town, swing by the tavern; You deserve a drink after that ordeal. After swinging by the jewelers to get Baby appraised.

Lets just hope you are in the same mine as you left. If not then there might be some issues.

salf 2012/11/25(Sun)00:05 No. 474347 ID: f50094
File 135383071397.jpg - (79.17KB , 986x696 , Clarity.jpg )

>>474149
>>474179
No I'm in the same place. This is the tunnel I crawled into.

>>474150
My heart's stopped hammering so ask away.

>>474153
I shined the lantern, the tunnel ends after a meter or so. Was it just me or did any of you guys hear a twanging sound when I got out of the cave?

Yeah so, Woody, what the heck was that?
>I'm terribly sorry Mistress but I don't really know for certain. I've been thinking about how the crystal works, the ramifications of removing the ghosts and the knock-on effects of morphing the eel but I can't give you much beyond guesswork. I mentioned before that no one has ever gathered that amount of crystal before because it's far too dangerous. Therefore there hasn't been any research for me to know about.

>>474122
>Regulators? Hmm, I suppose the base essences of the ghosts were encased in the crystal. They may not have regulated the flow of the magics but they could have become intertwined with it. That would mean that removing the ghosts would have thrown the pulse of the crystal out of sync... oh dear that was dangerous. It's a good thing you decided to leave when you did Mistress, removing the ghosts was like removing the foundations of a building, everything just falls apart.

>>474126
>Moving magic from the eel to your ruby may have confused the crystal, that is possible, but it's not likely that it could have caused the cave to collapse. You moved some extraneous magic from one foreign container to other so the inside of the crystal couldn't have been disturbed at all.

So it was freeing the ghosts that made the cave fall apart. Huh. I suppose I'll have a bit of a kip while I wait for Mr Swing then. Oh no, wait, I haven't let the ghosts out yet. I'll wave the lantern around in the sun until something happens.

How about holding on to the lantern until Mr. Swing comes. Then you can show him the ghosts while you explain what happened in there, hand over Bag's broken pickax, and afterwards release the ghosts while he watches.

>"Was it just me or did any of you guys hear a twanging sound when I got out of the cave?"
No, it wasn't just you. We heard it as well. Was that the sound of reality shifting and snapping back into place, Woody?

>Little study on what happens when that much pale onyx is brought together.
Oh, dear. Just had a thought. You might have messed up some wizard's research on that subject by pulling the ghosts out of there and making the whole place go "kablooey." He's not going to be happy at losing that much pale onyx.

That makes me think: Are large natural formations of pale onyx and other magic absorbing gemstones a mining hazard in this world? That'd make gem mining an extra dangerous profession, to go with the gems being extra lucrative.

Also on the matter of that cave going "kablooey," is there going to be a danger to the land above and earth around that cave from that much magic "grounding" itself all at once? That cave wasn't purely extra-dimensional; It's actually located somewhere in the world, and it's entrances are what shifted, right?

>>474347
Alright, first, your horns. Are they pointed, or rounded? (They look rounded to me but we can't always see all the detail, so I could be wrong) Are they hard, rubbery but stiff like your bones, or just plain soft?
Your teeth. You said they are sharp, but how many rows do you have, and about how big are they? Bigger or smaller than a human's, and smooth edged or rough?
Your fingertips; do you have claws like a human or other mammal, or do they just end?
Your tail; I would like to have a closer look at it, but I don't know what controls what we can and cannot see, so instead, you'll have to describe it. Does it have any features beyond simply starting at the base and getting narrower towards the tip? Any fins, teeth, notches or other irregularities?
I think I might just know what you are. You'll still want to see the Lich, of course, for richer information - someone else already gave you a well-worded question to ask him that can still answer many more questions than I can.

Finally, forgive me if my voice has changed. I lost the link for a little while.

>>474351
this

salf 2012/11/26(Mon)02:36 No. 474583 ID: f50094
File 135392621360.jpg - (84.46KB , 982x771 , Did you say lost the link.jpg )

>>474350
I would like to have some recognition for my good deeds. Also my story's not particularly believable, having a little proof might be helpful on that front. I do hope it's not too uncomfortable for the ghosts, the lantern is a bit on the small side compared to the crystal.

>Yes, twanging is audible. Polewasher et al found a way of making the fabric of reality visible and tested a few spells. Most of the morphic magics make bubbles in reality and force the threads of physics apart. When they are removed the resulting sound of twang is quite literally the sound of reality snapping back into place.

Wow, uh, never thought I might be messing up someone's magic experiment. God I hope they never find out it was me. Maybe it didn't blow up, then he wouldn't be mad at me right? Woody?

>Er, well morphic magic doesn't tend to explode as such Mistress. The surrounding cave is likely to be restructured and the magic faded a little but the crystal would not have been harmed. Crystals emit magic or absorb it Mistress, they are not damaged by it.

Phew, I don't want to be hounded by an angry wizard. They get quite creative when they're cross, or so I've heard. This one duke said something rude to a Grand Mage at a garden party and got turned into a croquet ball for the afternoon. His maids found him unconscious in the bushes the next morning covered in bruises. I don't like bruises.

Mining hazard? No you need a lot of crystal in one big lump before it gets magical on it's own. That's why Baby is safe and the Onyx turned people into butterflies. Odds are people have found big chunks of gemstone and been singed a bit, but nothing deadly or anything. Most of what makes gem mining a dangerous profession is all the people who want to steal the gems off you the moment you dig them up.

Woody said that the cave and the crystal are safely unexploded, but yeah it was a real cave somewhere. Both the ghosts who explained how they died said they came from incredibly far away places so with luck we'll never come across it again.

>>474351
Um, hard rounded horns but they sort of bend. I have one and a half rows of teeth, my eight front teeth have another eight front teeth behind them. My dentist gave me a special brush to get the bits in between the rows. My teeth are normal size I think. Slightly smaller than human teeth maybe, sharp at the front and more rounded at the back. My fingers just end but my thumb has a tiny nail on it. My tail hasn't got any features on it, smaller at one end and that's it.

Hang on a second, did you say earlier that 'some of us have access to large stores of information'? I wasn't paying much attention at that point because I was panicking, but what do you mean large store of information? Wait, what does lost the link mean? Guys?

>>474583
It means that some of us are insane, and also that we are only ever individually present intermittently. It isn't really a thing worth worrying over.

>>474586
Not every quest needs an Orb of Infinite Psyche, or for "us" to be those voices. There is likely an in-quest explanation for our presence and bringing in your meta approach is jarring. You have no evidence of your stance and it interrupts the narrative with something that can not currently be proven or discounted. It is forcibly injecting your own canon into the story and could be seen as disrespectful towards the author. I obviously have no way of knowing how the author feels about it, so that's all I'll say.

>>474594
i quite agree with this statement, just shut up and enjoy the ride

nothing really, some people want to be more then they are.

>>474594
You have a point, and if the author says the same thing I will stop immediately.

salf 2012/11/26(Mon)05:40 No. 474601 ID: f50094
File 135393720299.jpg - (83.98KB , 978x767 , Moving smartly on.jpg )

>>474594
>>474595
Ok, so maybe I do need a therapist. Not that I'll ever admit that to his face, but still.

>Excuse me, Miss? Did you catch her name Brian? I plum forgot to ask, oh how rude of me Hello, Miss?

Look it's Mr Swing, he's normal, let's talk to him.

>>474594
>>474601
Given this, I think the author's made his point well enough, so I think I'll just go clean up the mess there. Sorry about that, salf, I mean no disrespect to you.

>>474603
s'allright

>>474583
From what I've heard of your world I'm going to take a wild guess and say we're speaking to you from the afterlife. Maybe all those gems you're carrying around allow you to channel us. Maybe you're a natural necromancer and you just don't know it!

I also noticed that the ghosts didn't comment at all on your nudity. Considering the way we see you when you're naked I'm gonna assume they see you the same way. Yeah... we're definitely the voices of the dead.

>>474605
I dunno. If we were ghosts wouldn't Woody comment on it? Seems like he'd notice. He's got an affinity for dead things I understand.
... Hey, Ring, once you're not preoccupied with Swing, what does Woody have to say about us? Can he see us or hear us? That might give you - and us - some clues, since he can see spirits and magical constructs. Or it might just raise more questions like my interrogation on your morphology did, but I for one think questions are great fun.

salf 2012/11/26(Mon)06:49 No. 474612 ID: f50094
File 135394138723.jpg - (87.76KB , 726x588 , Swing and Brian.jpg )

>Ah hello, I'm terribly sorry I forgot to ask your name, Ring? Ha, now that's an adventurers name through and through isn't it? Oh yes uh, Brian here came running into my office a minute ago saying that you burst out of the tunnel screaming. I thought I ought to come down and ask what was going on. Are we safe? I don't have to evacuate the mines do I?

>>474350
I give him vague explanation of what happened using the word 'magic' repeatedly. He gives me a blank look which could be confusion or disbelief, I can't tell.

>So these tunnels were created by a wizard, but his magic crystal stopped working and now the tunnels are gone. Did you say that you've filled one of my lanterns with ghosts?

Confusion or disbelief; it could still go either way.

>>474612
"Just temporary, putting it into the sun will release them again"
Even in disbelieve he will most likely let you do your crazy things when not to troubling.

Is the cave safe now? can you risk another peek inside? Or is it more like a place to be sealed now?

>>474616
She already took a look inside, it ends a short ways in now. The tunnel's entrance changed, and you can't get there from here anymore.
I second the conversational suggestion though.

>>474612
>So these tunnels were created by a wizard, but his magic crystal stopped working and now the tunnels are gone. Did you say that you've filled one of my lanterns with ghosts?
"Well, I could put them back..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWb1z6ZwUoY#t=1m15s

>>474612
Say yeah, ask if he wants to see you release them into the daylight.

"Sure did, but it's only temporary." Lift the lantern up and ask the ghosts inside to peek out for a moment and say "hello" to Mr. Swing.

On the way up to release the ghosts, explain that they were the ones singing the scales that the miners heard, in an attempt to get anyone to come rescue them.

Wait until after releasing the ghosts to return Bag Hamming's broken pickax to Mr. Swing. That way you can say his ghost was one of the ones that flew away, and don't have to explain what Woody is. Don't forget to pass on Bag's message to Dave that he's "a prick and a terrible surveyor."

Also point out to Mr. Swing that the magic crystal and its cave aren't gone. Just the tunnels leading to it got changed. So he might want to tell his miners that if they find any tunnels appearing for no reason, they can be removed by someone entering, then immediately leaving. That'll "thump" the magic, and it'll rearrange its tunnels again.

I don't think anyone has entertained the idea of possibly keeping the ghosts. They may have not wanted to be trapped at that crystal forever but some may like to go with an adventuring girl. Could simply wait to find a dark spot and ask what they'd like before sending them to the sun. If they were affecting that gemstone they might even be useful with tampering with other magic gemstones in the future.

>>474722
They weren't tampering with the gemstone, just trapped by its light.
They MIGHT want to go with us for awhile, though, you have a point - but remember what Woody said, too, if they remain too long in the mortal realm they'll become spectres.

I don't see how the story is not believable when the ghost are right there in the lamp and can talk. Should be easy to just go yo ghosts! Though I can't imagine why the ghosts would want to stay in the lantern it's small and not magic and just seems dangerous like if it goes out in the darkness they are boned.

Just let them go I mean we already have a dead pal with Woody so what point would there be with taking more ghosts.

salf 2012/11/29(Thu)03:46 No. 475433 ID: f50094
File 135418961334.jpg - (117.36KB , 1213x733 , Brian is having a bad day.jpg )

>>474722
>>474846
I don't want to keep them, besides the spectre thing creeps me out.

>>474616
>Yep, six ghosts, but it's just temporary. Putting the lantern into sunlight will free them again.

>I-Is that, uh, a good thing?

I think it's edging towards disbelief, I'll show him the ghosts so he doesn't think I'm crazy. I may have a therapist, but I'm not crazy. This is an important distinction. Sorry I get a little touchy about that sometimes.

>>474680
I Lift up the lantern and ask the ghosts inside to peek out for a moment.
>Oh it's cramped as 'ell in 'ere Missy can ya' not get ous out into the sunlight? Hey who'er these weird buggers?

Oh dear, Mr Swing's gone all quiet and I think Brian's hyperventilating.

"Oh, don't worry, ghosts like these are pretty harmless. They just needed a bit of help moving on to the next world. Trust me, I'm a professional."

"Anyway, that should clear up all that trouble with the mines."

Didn't we have something to deliver to the boss here? Like, a lost possession, or a message?

Introduce the ghosts and see if they recognize Mr. Swing there.

Also, make sure those two can even see the ghosts.

Tell Mr Swing that they were trapped in a cursed gemstone and were the source of the singing, then excuse yourself to free the ghosts they seem to be getting quite anxious to get out of that tiny thing and you really should let them move on now.

>>2eac65
We have the pickaxe from the dead miner to give him. We should definitely release the ghosts quickly and pass on the heirloom.

Try to calm them down as well, we don't want to be banned from the mine because we scared them.

Tell Mr. Swing that the ghosts were the ones singing, and letting them out under the sun will allow them to pass on to the hereafter. Say that you probably should get on that right now, and suggest you take the lead out of the mine, since Brian and Mr. Swing would likely be nervous about having you at their backs right now.

>>475433
People often make the mistake of thinking that therapists and psychologists are only there to judge if someone is a gibbering madman. It's like assuming doctors are only good for amputating a limb instead of helping people not to get sick. There's nothing wrong with a therapist but it sounds like you had a pretty crappy one. If you don't want people to think you're crazy you should talk about why you were seeing one you should talk about it and not try to hide it.

I think it's important to let him know that these were just ordinary people that got trapped by a wizard. He's probably thinking they are spooky ghosts that want revenge on the living.

salf 2012/11/29(Thu)21:58 No. 475567 ID: f50094
File 135425511981.jpg - (117.18KB , 1045x728 , Man I sound like a right proper adventurer.jpg )

>>475436
>>475438
>>475505
I'll give Mr Swing the message and the pick once I've freed the ghosts. I'm not sure he's in a fit state to receive them right this moment.

>Oh, don't worry, ghosts like these are pretty harmless. They just needed a bit of help moving on to the next world. Trust me, I'm a professional.

Mr Swing gives a slow mute nod whilst Brian continues to hyperventilate.

>This is Angus, he's from some place far away.

>Aye, watch'a.

Mr Swing nods at Angus and then mumbles a greeting. Brian just stares.

>He found one of the magic tunnels and wandered into it, getting killed and trapped by the crystal.

>T'was pretty embarrassin' way t' die an' all. I hope youse two have a much better death than I did.

Brian makes a high pitch whimpering sound. Mr Swing gently puts a hand on his shoulder and pats him a little.

>He was also one of the ones singing. They wanted attention so someone would come along and rescue them. Anyway, that should clear up all that trouble with the mines.

>Mines? Wh-yes, my mines, all back to normal then. Right, uh, Angus, did you say you needed sunlight? Well let's, um, get you out of this mine then.

>Ah swell, an' here was me thinking you'd just stand there like a tall-arse lemon all day. Come on then an' get a move on Missy.

Brian and Swing still look more than a little nervous. I'll lead the way then I guess.

Better make sure they actually DO see the ghosts and aren't just humoring us in case we went absolutely insane after wandering around the caverns.

>>475572
Well, I mean, Brian has been in abject terror this whole time and is staring straight at the lantern, so it's a good bet that he sees the ghosts at least.

Still, I guess we could ask.

Alright, time to get out of this hole in the ground and get some fresh air and sunshine. Hope the sun hasn't set by now.

On the way up, ask Brian why he looked like he was about to jump out of his skin back there. These ghosts aren't even scary looking. They're basically pale blob shapes with eyes, and that isn't scary at all.

>>475567
Of course they are shocked they don't want ghosts in the mine! That just means they are gonna have to get ghost insurance and anti-spook devices for the miners. It's just a nightmare of expenses and extra measures!

>>475567
This is hilarious. Alright, let's march outside and let 'em loose.

salf 2012/11/30(Fri)02:22 No. 475613 ID: f50094
File 135427095684.jpg - (115.42KB , 1426x990 , Swinging back.jpg )

>>475572
>>475577
>>475579
Brian is intentionally lagging behind, I'll ask Mr Swing.

>Brian? Oh he's always been like that. Afraid of everything that lad. He barely talks, barely eats and lives on coffee and biscuits. Between you and me, I reckon the only reason he didn't run away when you showed us that ghost is because he was too busy hyperventilating. I have to admit though, when you held up that lantern it gave me quite the fright and no mistake. A real-life ghost! Never seen anything like it.

Ok, they can see the ghosts too. Worth checking I suppose.

>>475602
Right then. I hope it's going to be as easy as getting them into the lantern was. I'd enjoy that.

salf 2012/11/30(Fri)03:36 No. 475621 ID: f50094
File 135427541563.jpg - (109.90KB , 1043x784 , Come out little ones and be free.jpg )

I hold the lantern in the sunlight and it shakes slightly, maybe the ghosts can feel the change.

>Ough, that feels luvly...

>Oh goodness, what a marvellous sensation...

salf 2012/11/30(Fri)03:56 No. 475622 ID: f50094
File 135427657042.jpg - (122.04KB , 1053x786 , Escape forever.jpg )

>Hell, I think I can feel my fingers agen.

>It's like pulling your whole body out of cold water...

Say goodbye and good luck to the ghosts. Hope Woody was right about this.

Guess once the ghosts are gone there's nothin' left to do here but hand over Bag's pickax and the explanation for it to Mr. Swing. While you're at it, ask his full name, and if Bazzy Swing was his dad.

So what are you going to do after this?

salf 2012/11/30(Fri)05:57 No. 475633 ID: f50094
File 135428384999.jpg - (142.65KB , 1341x1098 , Bye guys.jpg )

They're all glowy, oh it's so pretty.

>Darling, thank you so much for rescuing us. I'm sure we are all eternally in your debt.

>Aye Missy, ta an' all. 'Ope you 'ave good luck in your adventurin' an' such like. Whatever it is you folk do, hope it goes well.

>>475624
>You're welcome, goodbye and good luck. I hope heaven is nice.

salf 2012/11/30(Fri)05:58 No. 475635 ID: f50094
File 135428392115.jpg - (121.24KB , 1343x1088 , Told her.jpg )

>Sod heaven I'm reincarnatin', I gotta die in battle afore I can look m' dad inna eye.

>In battle? Angus how barbaric! Oh how non-humans haven't all died out by now is a mystery to me.

>Oh go stuff y'self ya racist bint. I cun die happy knowin' I'll never have t' talk to you agen.

>Angus!

>Bugger off ya dosey ponce.

...

Well, ghosts are still people, after all.

I guess that about wraps things up. Give the message to Swing, ask if he wants the lantern back, maybe make small talk about how he feels about all this and what they're going to do now.

What do you want to do after that? Go on another quest? Or maybe take a little time off to do something fun?

That was nice and dramatic. Swing has got to be pretty impressed by now. Stay around and chat, see if you can get some free food or if there is anything else going on in the area. Remember to give them the message from the dead miner you found. That's also a good story. Try to let them know that you handle most adventures and moderately daring undertakings, not just ones involving ghosts and dead people (although you've got a few tricks for that).

If you get bored you can try to convince Brian that there's a ghost hiding somewhere on his body. Then tell him has to take off all his clothes and expose himself completely to sunlight in an open area to get rid of it before the ghost crawls into his eyes and turns him blind.

>>475641
>time off to do something fun
Well we could go see about that "house-sized" beast.

>>475679
Yes, I think we deserve a break from all this slime and dark tunnels.
It's time for some fresh, open-air encounters.

>>475704

So is that a euphemism for "Get drunk"?

I think that all depends on how much ghostbusting a mine will pay. Especially if you want to travel to see the all knowing litch that's not gonna be super cheap. The house sized snouter might be an option but I'm not sure how you would fight the aforementioned giant house sized magical snouter while unarmed. Unless you happen to know some hokuto shinken that might be a bit of an impossible fight.

>>475705
i approve of drinking a bit

Well. All in all, this went pretty good. You didn't get killed or maimed, and you got Baby gem and some stories to tell out of it. Time to have a bit of celebration.

>>475726
But rent a room at the inn first, so there's someplace with a nice bed to crash when the booze gets to be too much.

Think you'll take on that giant snouter next, or the bandits. Maybe ask Mr. Swing if he knows of any adventuring gigs around as well.

Go rent a room at an inn, then go have some drinks to celebrate your first completed quest.

salf 2012/12/01(Sat)23:46 No. 476042 ID: f50094
File 135443438156.jpg - (190.82KB , 1601x1150 , That was a bit camp wasn\'t it.jpg )

>>475624
>>474680
>Mr Swing, I found something in the cave which I think might belong to you.

I pull out the broken pick from my bag and hand it to him.

>One of the ghosts was a man named Bag Hammings. He told me that this pick wasn't his, he was borrowing it from Bazzy Swing who I'm guessing is a relation of yours.

>Are you telling me you found my old man's pick? Oh you wonderful girl you! My brother and I have been looking for this for years. Thank you so much Ring, I just have to go and tell him right now, oh I am such a gossip. Here, take this for helping with the mine and finding this, no don't say anything you've earned it.

Whoa, he just pressed a hefty bag of coins into my hands and then ran off.

>>475651
I did kinda want to talk to him a bit more, shame. I'm not going to tell Brian there's a ghost inside of him, that's mean. Plus, y'know, he'd probably have a heart attack or something.

>>475778
Yeah I'm done for today, I'll rent a room and have something nice for tea.

DOSH.

This mission was a great success. So you like tea? What kind?

Well, that was a pleasant surprise. Now you won't have to sell off Baby Gem (for awhile.) Give Brian a little wave goodbye, check that your skirt isn't about to fall off, and head into town.

Speaking of Baby Gem, swing by that nice jeweler guy and get it appraised. Then the bakery to see if they have the kind of biscuits you like with tea.

So what're you going to do after tea? Hang in the pub and chat? Or are you going to your room at the inn to rest and maybe talk with Woody?

Why would we get tea when we could have a good time and get drunk! We need to celebrate our first successful mission and loosen up before we set out on our next.

I agree with checking on what the price of Baby gem would be, but don't sell it till we are out of gold.

Do we get to keep the mining gear we have with us? I don't think anyone would notice if you took it.

salf 2012/12/03(Mon)20:39 No. 476404 ID: f50094
File 135459595279.jpg - (118.18KB , 980x745 , Late out.jpg )

>>476043
Not some tea, tea the meal of the day. It's when you've had a late lunch so you can't have dinner, so you have tea which is like late lunch mixed with light dinner. Unless you're having supper later in which case tea is generally a cold snack to tide you over until then. Sometimes tea is interchangeable with lunch but only when lunch is cold and also contains tea the drink.

Sorry, I grew up in high society, I like fruit and peppermint teas.

>>476045
>>476356
My skirt is fine, stop worrying about it.

I waved at Brian and he sort of wiggled his fingers at me before scurrying back into the mine. Poor guy. I bet he could never use this lantern again for the fear that ghosts might pop out of it and bite his head off. I will have to take the lantern purely for his benefit. I will, however, just check that no one is looking before I stuff it in my bag. There's not much of a difference between your bag and your pockets is there? If so it's very unfair to female adventures as don't tend to have pockets.

I'll go get Baby appraised. I wonder if the jewellers is still open? There was hardly anyone left at the mine and I swear it's darker earlier than usual. Maybe they close early around here, it's a small town.

Afterwards I am going to the pub to drink, only a little bit though, I like getting up early.

My guess? Time was also slightly messed up when you got those ghosts into the lantern. Anyway yes, go eat. It might actually be dinner time though.

>>476409
Actually, it may be a lot later than you might think. All that spatial magic might have messed with time too, and you could have come out days after you went in. Better ask the jeweler or barkeep what the date is.

Hmm yeah maybe time got a bit mixed up. You should ask the jeweler how long you were gone, that should give you a good indication.

salf 2012/12/05(Wed)00:51 No. 476628 ID: f50094
File 135469747684.jpg - (128.53KB , 1064x694 , Hope he dosen\'t think I\'m following hi.jpg )

>>476409
>>476429
>>476431
It was magic whatever the reason, I'll get Woody to clarify the specifics later. I doubt the cave's lost me more than a couple of hours. Someone definitely would had mentioned if I'd have been gone for more than a day.

Oh look, Mr Swing's at the Jewellers.

it's fine, if he asks where you got it just explain it was in the magic tunnel, you aren't stealing out of his mine.

Find out what swing is doing there before flaunting your loot.

>>476630

That's likely his brother/father familial relation, wait patiently than move on in.

Looks like Mr. Swing is recounting to his brother what happened. Close the door and step up to the counter but don't butt into the conversation. Wait until either one of them brings you into it. The jeweler Mr. Swing probably will want to chat with you about that.

Once the conversation dies down, bring out Baby ruby and ask the jeweler brother to appraise it. With that done, perhaps you could ask if either of them would care to walk with you to the pub.

>>476633
Yeah no sense bursting in and being all hoity about your giant ruby but don't worry about intruding. People only get weirded out by someone lurking around trying to not socialize with anyone.

Use your Woman's Intuition: Is it better to use your femininity to influence them into giving you a good price, or should should you shake them up with more talk of ghosts like you did at the mine? Mr Swing should be easily shaken up and could back up your story, but the first option is more fun and probably more effective depending on how good of a seducer you are.

>>476636
Agreed, if things go well bring one of them to the pub.

salf 2012/12/06(Thu)05:21 No. 476806 ID: f50094
File 135480006763.jpg - (84.73KB , 817x482 , Brothers.jpg )

>>476636
A bell jingles when I close the door and alerts both of them to my presence.

>Oh, Hello again Ring! I was just talking to my brother about you. I'd introduce you but he tells me you've already met. Are you doing a bit of shopping or did you find something shiny in the tunnels? It's, uh, not a chunk of that big magic gem is it?

>>476630
>>476633
So that's his brother, he did say he was going to tell him about finding the missing pick. Did either of them tell me their names at any point? I can't call both of them Mr Swing and I'd feel too awkward to ask, hopefully they'll mention each other by name soonish.

>>476431
>>476629
Anyway.

>No it's just a a normal ruby. I found it behind an underground lake in the tunnel. Speaking of the tunnel, how long was I in there for exactly?

Tall Mr Swing strums his fingers in thought for a bit before answering. Average-height Mr Swing smiles at me whilst continuing to polish whatever it is he's polishing. Was it Bazzy Swing? No that was his father or something, crap.

>I'd just finished recording the haul for mine five so... three hours maybe. Three and a half at most. Why'd you ask?

>Well when I came out it was getting dark but I'd only been in the tunnel for an hour so it should have still been light out.

>Are you telling me that magic can even change the time of day? Ha, no wonder wizards can never get anything done. Imagine going to bed after a days worth of tinkering and then waking up two months later. Honestly, magic, is there a stranger thing?

>>476806
Ask their names now, before it gets any more awkward.

salf 2012/12/06(Thu)08:11 No. 476814 ID: f50094
File 135481029589.jpg - (154.33KB , 762x595 , Tall Swing and slightly shorter than average Swing.jpg )

>>476809
...

>>476797
I don't think I have woman's intuition; my mother was fond of telling me that I was oblivious. I don't think I could act particularly seductive either. I can only do the whole, whoops, I bent over too far and now I'm accidentally showing you my cleavage, clumsy me, kind of thing. I am not comfortable doing that in front of two people. I could try shaking them up but I think the real reason Mr Swing, Tall Mr Swing, was a little shaken was because I told him I was holding a lantern full of ghosts in my hands at the time.

I hand over Baby for Average-height Mr Swing to appraise. He handles him far too roughly for my liking. What if he gives him little scratches with his pointy fingers?

>>476809
So, um, I didn't catch your name.

>Pardon Madam?

>Ring, James. Call her Ring not Madam. You don't have to be so formal all the time y'know.

>Oh sorry, um, Ring.

Yes! James Swing. Now I can ask him by name and just say 'your brother' to circumvent asking Tall Mr Swing's name. No more awkward conversation for me.

James gives me a delightfully high estimate for Baby and says he is an exquisite object, which is true. After I put Baby back in my bag I ask if either of them would care to walk with me to the pub. James begins to stammer something but Tall Mr Swing smartly pulls him out from behind the counter and pushes him towards me. James looks a bit embarrassed but says that he would love to escort me to the pub seeing as I am new in town and all.

Nice. Time to get wasted in order to forget your slimy eel induced trauma, but make sure Baby is in a safe and secure place first. Don't want to lose that jewel.

>>476814
Hah, he's cute in a shy sort of way. I doubt he'd be any good for you in bed though considering your preferences and how meek he is, so try not to lead him on too much. Unless you have experience in getting less-assertive men to do what you like them to do?

>>476833
And if anyone has a safe and secure place for a jewel, it's probably Mr. Jeweler here, actually.

>>476843
Oh, c'mon. Ring is not going to the pub with the intention to bed one of these guys. It's just nice to have company to talk to as a stranger in town, that's all. She can tell them more about what happened down there, and how she came here. Maybe she can find out who in town left that strange talking mask at the doe statue (which she didn't pickup, no siree.)

>>476853
Yes, ask James if he could keep Baby in the shop safe for you until you leave town. Just make sure he writes down that its yours in his records, and gives you a signed receipt.

>>476853
No self respecting adventurer leaves their precious loot with shopkeepers unless they are selling it. The safest place for a ruby is on your body.

Yeah I dunno about using the jeweler's store as a bank. It's not a bank. If there's a bank in town we can use that.

salf 2012/12/07(Fri)07:22 No. 476948 ID: f50094
File 135489373207.jpg - (183.04KB , 980x707 , Drinking and chatting.jpg )

>>476843
What? I wasn't going to sleep with him, I genuinely don't know where the pub is. I don't want to go around sleeping with people, jeeze. And what do you mean preferences? I don't have preferences, you are clearly talking nonsense. You should stop.

>>476940
I don't want to leave Baby cold and alone in an empty shop. I want to keep him with me until our eventual tearful farewell when both my purse and stomach are empty.

>>475778
I paid the Innkeeper for three days worth of rent in advance because then I get free breakfast. Breakfast is a meal I feel I miss far too often so I'm quite chuffed about this. Hopefully it isn't one of those terribly greasy fry-ups and the chief can cook something other than sausages. If worst comes to worst I suppose I can mop up the excess grease with a napkin.

I also order some food, but they don't have any watercress sandwiches so I guess I'm having dinner instead of tea. Not that I'd classify watercress sandwiches as food, but they tend to be next to food on menus a lot of the time so I suppose other people might think of them as not just chewable texture to have in between sips of tea. Eventually I get a plate of pork chops and cauliflower to eat. James keeps me entertained with stories of how his great great grandfather founded the town and the small number of interesting encounters he's had with other treasure hunters. He says he even met one of the king's knights. Apparently he came in asking if he could get a jewel for the pommel of his sword.

We also both drink a bit.

Try not to make eye contact with the barkeep guy, i think he's staring at you.

King's knights aren't usually out here, are they? Ask if he knows what the knight was doing out here, other than getting a gem for his sword.

Just to satisfy your curiosity, ask James how he's related to Bazzy Swing. Was he his father? Grandfather?

You have any stories of your own that you could share with James so this conversation isn't so one-sided?

>>476953
Not like there's anyone more interesting to look at around here right now. The place is oddly dead for right after-shift in a mining town. Maybe ask James where everyone is this evening.

that's pretty cool, now ask him of there's anything else an adventurer can do around here.

>>476964
I think we already asked around about that? There are three jobs and we did one today.

>>476948
Yeah I know you weren't gonna sleep with him, I was just saying it might look like you're taking him out on a date so he might expect something. So, like, don't lead him on.

salf 2012/12/07(Fri)23:07 No. 477149 ID: f50094
File 135495046153.jpg - (183.54KB , 983x728 , Drink more.jpg )

>>477106
Oh, sorry. This does look a bit like a date, yeah. Doesn't help that I massively flashed him my cleavage earlier today either. I still don't understand what you mean about preferences though. I obviously don't have any. You must have pulled your assumptions from thin air. Very thin air.

>>476953
Sometimes people stare at me, they've never seen one of me before. I am, like, blue and everything. I know I've stared at those white furred niddles before. Ok it is getting really hard not to glance at the bar and check if he's still looking at me.

>>476961
The knights patrol all along the king's road all the time. It's what keeps it so safe. You don't want to risk getting run down by the knights for any reason. They are pretty much honour bound to hunt down anyone who commits a crime on the king's road so they will not stop chasing you for any reason. They ride in big patrols along the road so occasionally they trot into a town and rent rooms instead of setting up camp again. I guess they must also need to buy food and stuff.

>I think he was looking for a travelling merchant who gave a lady the wrong amount of change. Technically that's a crime and it was on the king's road so he has to do something about it. Believe me he was not very happy, scowling six ways from Sunday and no mistake. Imagine the fright on that merchant's face when the knight finally caught up to him. Poor man, he'd probably collapse on the spot.

>Bazzy Swing? He was Larry and I's father. The pick you found was a family heirloom, it's the pick my great great grandfather struck gold with. Without it there wouldn't be a town here. The gold's all gone but the gold rush it caused near enough built everything around you.

Aha! Larry and James Swing, excellent. I tell some stories about my previous adventures, but I make some minor changes to keep them interesting. Honestly today was my most exciting adventure by far but I don't feel like telling James about being nude whilst covered in slime. After the story I ask why the pub is empty.

>There's a theatre group performing near the forest, they arrived recently. My brother let the miners go an hour early so they could eat something before going to see it. Everyone's been talking about it for the last two days so the whole town has probably turned up to watch. I'm not the greatest fan of theatre so I don't mind missing it.

>>476964
>I already told you about the Snouter and the Trolls didn't I? I suppose you could go explore the three islands, it's not a quest or anything but it is certainly adventurous. There are some odd things on those islands I'll tell you. You hear strange stories about them. Oh, fairly recently, I remember a rumour going around about a talking skull. It chattered all the time, trying to turn people insane. The man who found it gave it to the doe to be rid of it. Not that I believe all of the things people natter about but, well, the tunnels were really singing weren't they?

I nod. We both drink some more.

>>477149
Oooh, the theater? Let's go see if we can catch part of it.

>>477154
Yeah, the both of you can go try and catch the theater troupe's show before it ends. That sounds like a nice cap off to this day. Maybe you can somehow bring Woody along so he can watch, or listen, as well.

salf 2012/12/10(Mon)01:26 No. 477594 ID: f50094
File 135513156655.jpg - (136.14KB , 835x687 , watching.jpg )

>>477154
>>477160
Why not? I mention to James that it might be nice to watch the end of the performance. He mumbles something about actually quite liking the theatre while we finish our drinks.

We walk west for a short while until we see the forest. Cheerful laughter and snippets of dialogue float towards us on the breeze... Ugh, that was some flowery tosh, must be the drink. The troupe has set up a quaint little camp and unfolded a stage from a big caravan. Quite impressive really.

>I don't know Gwendolin, there is something so horribly fascinating about that woman.

>Yes Howard, two things in fact, and they are both on full display and ready to make your acquaintance.

I think I drank enough to make the actors just a little more entertaining than they would have been.

salf 2012/12/10(Mon)01:27 No. 477595 ID: f50094
File 135513162702.jpg - (136.95KB , 927x531 , knights.jpg )

I think we missed the first half or so but it's still entertaining. I think the king's gay but doesn't want to tell anyone because he's the last of his line. If he doesn't produce an heir the kingdom's buggered and so he has to keep coming up with increasingly convoluted reasons not to sleep with very eligible and attractive nobles. I like the knight, the king clearly has a thing for him. Maybe he should order him to give him a kiss, with tongue. I'd like that.

>Hey, what's that?

I wonder if the real king is allowed to order his knights to make out with him.

>Who's talking?
>Keep it down would you, some people are trying to watch the play.
>What's what?
>Wait, what's that in the trees?

salf 2012/12/10(Mon)01:28 No. 477596 ID: f50094
File 135513168370.jpg - (143.48KB , 927x531 , WELL HOT SHIT IT\'S HUGE.jpg )

>It's the Snouter!
>What? Are we safe?
>What happened, why is everyone suddenly talking?
>It ran away, it was that giant Snouter that's been jumping people.
>It was watching us, it just ran away.
>God it was enormous.
>How'd it get so big?
>Where was it? Ring, Did you see it?
>YES

salf 2012/12/10(Mon)01:29 No. 477597 ID: f50094
File 135513179822.jpg - (308.85KB , 1414x1153 , Next time.jpg )

>>475679
>What was it doing? Watching us?
>Didn't anyone tell the troupe that they were setting up next to a monster?
>It's so scary. Is anyone going to do something about it?

I know what I am doing tomorrow.

End of chapter one

Chapter two will begin in a few days.

>>477597
Yep, you're doing the Snouter. Or maybe it's doing you. Who can say?

>>477597
As a wizard, who is also a scientist, I must stringently recommend an alternate course of action. There are limits to your personal elasticity and a lengthy hospital sestay is beyond your current funds. Either take a different course of action of apply the crystal to it first. Unless you really are that stretchy or regenerate like Wolverine, in which case, go ahead.

>>477642

Nonsense! What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger!

Besides, it was barely bigger than that tree. What are you so worried about?

We have nothing to worry about. As we've learned, it doesn't kill, it only has a taste for women. Which Ring happens to be, making us the perfect bait to bring it right to us.

We don't have to kill it either, since we only need to get it to stop bothering the town, so we defiantly don't have anything to fear from its probing, not at all. Take the gem with you and maybe we can find a way to undo the spell on it.