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File 141866557944.jpg - (450.64KB , 800x600 , Samis Quest TitleB.jpg )
611997 No. 611997 ID: 3009b4

Welcome to Sami's Quest!

User Instructions:
Help guide Sami at a time where some old debts needs to be settled.

This Quest features the HMES 2.0 and TEN contextual magic system and Independent Protagonist Exposition (Sami has a will of her own).
Expand all images
>>
No. 611999 ID: 3009b4
File 141866580409.jpg - (126.93KB , 800x600 , Sami TEN Logon.jpg )
611999

:: HMES connection via TEN ::

:: Welcome to the TEN - We're Cat People!
:: Please stand by while contact your parties.

:: Your Administrators are ONLINE
>>
No. 612007 ID: db83ac

Hi.

So, you're probably wondering who we are, huh? Look, we know this guy who you probably met.

He's not a killer, he's a scout. With gold.

Yep.
>>
No. 612011 ID: b25a0a

greetings, chosen one.
we are advisor spirits, and we have come to aid you in your efforts to settle your debts, as well as offer general advice.
>>
No. 612012 ID: 3009b4
File 141866749115.jpg - (300.38KB , 800x600 , Sami Quest 1.jpg )
612012

:: ... Connection complete ::

Sami takes a deep drag from her pipe.

:: Loading Statistics ::
:: Warning: Current IP is 0; Influence is unavailable ::

She pauses.

:: Current Plot Armour: 100 ::
:: Racial Notes: The Rollen people are physically weaker than their human counterparts although there is considerably less strength difference between men and women (approximately 20% less muscle mass in women on average). Rollen culture includes a love of science, especially math and astrology, but they also enjoy engineering. They are omnivores but have a distinct preference to plant proteins over animal protein although they are not adverse to meat in any way. Rollen culture is one that is suspicious and secretive to outsiders, preferring stealth and avoidance giving them a cowardly reputation, as well as being known for being savage, ruthless fighters if pressed. Despite some isolationist behaviours, if befriended Rollen are friends for life and there is a story of the "The Good Bit" which despite the derogatory name is a tale of where a Rollen saved the life of a trapped Mericudian fighter despite their people having a hostile relationship. The Mericudian became the Rollen's lifelong defender and it is said their friendship opened trade between the two people ::

Sami looks around in confusion.

:: Attributes ::
:: Strength – Sami’s strength is below average. She's stronger than the average female civilian but is weaker than a male fighter ::
:: Agility – Exceptional. Sami is exceptional even within the context of her own people who are quite agile. Besides being graceful, it also means she can wiggle into areas others couldn't. ::
:: Speed – Above Average. Sami's speed is normal for her people, gives her better-than-average speed in comparison to Gaelish or Merucidian. ::
:: Stamina – Average (comparable to a fit human) ::
:: Bio Resistance – Exceptional. Sami’s people have no special resistance, but she is extremely resilient against harmful drugs, poison, toxins and disease. Sami won't catch diseases when others would, and toxins will take much longer and have significantly reduced effect. ::

:: Education – Reading, writing, complex arithmetic (algebra), read/write music, hunting, trapping, preparation of wild game, flute/pipe. Sami has also a very basic idea of how to care for wounds in the wild, but no other medical knowledge. She is a very talented but untrained singer with a voice similar to Biff Naked. ::

:iconsami:
Sami: Goddess, what did he sell me? I know cloppers love their dreamtime but...

She exhales, and then takes another deep drag.

Sami: ... I just want to relax. Maybe it's seeing the old house again.
>>
No. 612014 ID: 3009b4

>So, you're probably wondering who we are, huh? Look, we know this guy who you probably met.

:iconsami:
Sami: The bloody hell?

>greetings, chosen one.
we are advisor spirits, and we have come to aid you in your efforts to settle your debts, as well as offer general advice.

:iconsami:
Sami: What the hell's going on? Who are you? Or you?

Sami drops her pipe and scrambles to her feet. She grabs her walking stick and puts her back to the wall next to her fire and gazes at you with narrowed, deep indigo eyes.
>>
No. 612015 ID: db83ac

...0 IP.

SON OF A -

Ugh, sorry. Without IP we can't permanently increase your abilities!

You want to be stronger or faster or smarter, right? We can help!

This isn't a deal with the devil. Unless you consider a network of bickering, joking voices to be the devil. In which case you should probably throw away items until you stop hearing us, even though one of these items has magic that acts as a shield against death.

Did I get your attention?

Since you're our client, we can help you with... whatever it is you're supposed to do. Rekki said something happened to your village, we don't know much more than that.

You want to improve yourself? Just perform self-improvement activities, which create "skill points" known as IP, and we can ensure that they lead to genuine improvement!

Or we can sacrifice these "skill points", to help save your life or help you do something REALLY important, like kill a monster when you would otherwise miss and be pummeled to death.

Also, if you think this is all silly, you aren't seeing what we're seeing. (Cat people? Seriously?)
>>
No. 612016 ID: c9f2af

>What the hell's going on? Who are you? Or you?
Hello, there. Sorry to butt in on your relaxation time, but we don't really have much choice about being summoned.

We're a collection of spirits. We're not corporeal, and mean you no harm. Our usual function is to offer advice and companionship to those we find ourselves in the service of. Usually, those we're drawn to need it.

*cough* Did you need help with something? Or is there anything you'd like to talk about? We're pretty good at planning and brainstorming (it helps that time tends to pass differently for us than you, we often have more time to think), and if you just need someone to talk to, well, we're not in any position to go blabbing.

>Goddess, what did he sell me?
Something with a connection to a network of spirit-based advisers, it would seem. Unusual. We're usually attached to an object, not a substance. What were you sold, exactly?

...um. We don't have to play that silly game where we prove we're not a hallucination, right? (I suppose you've got a background in mathematics. I suppose that means we could always prove we're not a product of your mind by explaining concepts you aren't familiar with yet).
>>
No. 612019 ID: c9f2af

>>612015
What my companion is trying to say is we have a limited ability to influence the world. We can try to force outcomes towards a certain result (weighting the dice, as it were), or we can spend influence to accelerate our client's growth in some way.

A moot point, as our reserves are currently depleted.
>>
No. 612020 ID: 2ec61a

yes yes. voices in your brain. magic just works like that.
>>
No. 612021 ID: db83ac

I guess the first thing we want to know is your current situation. Where are you? What is your goal? Are you doing well to reach that goal? That kind of stuff.
>>
No. 612022 ID: b25a0a

Well madam, I suppose our starting circumstances could be better, as you have heard, we're powerless to assist you beyond our advice!
Personally, I'm more interested in the advising part of aiding you rather than the IP powers the others are focused on, but we collectively are here to help.
It rather sounds like that, ah, substance is the key to our connection...Which could make for some rather interesting complications to our presence, but I do hope not!
>>
No. 612023 ID: 3009b4
File 141866934552.jpg - (288.15KB , 800x600 , Sami is paranoid.jpg )
612023

>Ugh, sorry. Without IP we can't permanently increase your abilities!

:iconsami:
Sami: Oh please let me be high and paranoid.

>Did I get your attention?

:iconsami:
Sami: Oh please let this just be the dreamtime!


>Hello, there. Sorry to butt in on your relaxation time, but we don't really have much choice about being summoned.
>We're a collection of spirits. We're not corporeal, and mean you no harm. Our usual function is to offer advice and companionship to those we find ourselves in the service of. Usually, those we're drawn to need it.

:iconsami:
Sami: Goddess I know I've been unfaithful but I need you now!

>...um. We don't have to play that silly game where we prove we're not a hallucination, right? (I suppose you've got a background in mathematics. I suppose that means we could always prove we're not a product of your mind by explaining concepts you aren't familiar with yet).

** Sami's TRUST is now -3. **

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Mathematical concepts of the future sounds quite a lot like madness, don't you think? She didn't summon you, sweethearts. A third party has requested you. ::

>Something with a connection to a network of spirit-based advisers, it would seem. Unusual. We're usually attached to an object, not a substance. What were you sold, exactly?

Sami thinks for a moment.

:iconsami:
Sami: FUCK.
>>
No. 612025 ID: b25a0a

Well, if nothing else, you can simple ignore us, of that I'm certain.
>>
No. 612029 ID: db83ac

Look, we're sorry, alright? Our last client on TEN was a lot less high-strung than you are.

Look, we can help you. If you don't want our help, you're free to throw away whatever it is that is causing you to hear us. But we can give helpful suggestions, we can permanently make you stronger, and we can't directly harm you.

Can you think about it for a while before you decide? Thanks.
>>
No. 612030 ID: c9f2af

>Mathematical concepts of the future sounds quite a lot like madness, don't you think?
I've personally never considered education to be madness.

And who said anything about the future? No one person can have perfect knowledge of a subject. Exposure to things you don't know usually requires a source for that information.

>She didn't summon you, sweethearts. A third party has requested you.
Yes. Which would be why we didn't describe ourselves as summoned 'by her'.

Care to elaborate on that third party, admin? We can make a few informed guesses, but introducing or speculating on unknown third parties influencing her life is hardly helpful with paranoia, don't you think?

>FUCK
Care to elaborate? It sounds as if you know more about our situation than we do.
>>
No. 612032 ID: 3009b4
File 141867086885.jpg - (394.18KB , 800x600 , Sami realizes its her coin.jpg )
612032

Sami digs through her pocks and produces a coin coin with a familiar death's head on one side.

:iconsami:
Sami: "Oh... oh no. '>He's not a killer, he's a scout. With gold.' THAT 'scout'. The strange man that I met when I was eight, and he gave me this coin, told me to keep it secret and never lose it.

Ten years ago.

It's been ten years. I never made the connection."

(She shifts here gaze back towards you.)

Sami: You called me back, didn't you?
>>
No. 612034 ID: 3009b4

>I've personally never considered education to be madness.
>And who said anything about the future? No one person can have perfect knowledge of a subject. Exposure to things you don't know usually requires a source for that information.
:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Sweetie, you've no exact idea about Sami's mathematical background. Usually when people explain that they came up to the solution thanks to the help of the voices in their head, others think they're mad. When a girl who isn't mad but suffers from sleep deprivation and is in a medicated state hears voices trying to explain advanced mathematical theorem in an effort to prove they exist, she might just think she's gone mad. ::

>Care to elaborate on that third party, admin? We can make a few informed guesses, but introducing or speculating on unknown third parties influencing her life is hardly helpful with paranoia, don't you think?

:: ADMIN: No, I don't care to. ::

>Look, we're sorry, alright? Our last client on TEN was a lot less high-strung than you are.

:: ADMIN: Your last client was a naive, trusting and carefree young lady who was told she could call on you for help. A good *introduction*. ::
>>
No. 612045 ID: 3009b4

Sorry for not including this earlier, but this is an appropriate bit of theme music for reading this section: http://youtu.be/y5PZIxZ-OZU
>>
No. 612050 ID: 687279

>>612032
Called you back? I'm not sure what you mean. Please elaborate. Also, please calm down. We are here to help you, and we cannot do anything to directly harm you besides. We can't even do anything to indirectly affect you without IP.

For your information, that gold coin is a powerful mark of death. If you give it to a Fey, they will surely die.

>>612034
Do you have any advice on our functions, Admin?
>>
No. 612054 ID: b25a0a

called you back...I suppose that's what we're here for, then.
Good news is, this might be your first rodeo at dealing with Death but this isn't ours, so...
It is time, for someone to pay Death his due, and we are the Tax force to do it.
>>
No. 612056 ID: 88960e

>>612032
We didn't call you anywhere. Our first actions here were to speak with you.

For the moment, we are largegly incapable of doing anything but speaking with you.

>>612034
The idea was provide information she unambiguously did not possess herself. Math has the attractive features of always being math- it's less prone to distortion of time and place than other trivia we could provide. I don't know a simplier means to differentiate a hallucination from a seperate entity.

What is your game, administrator? If you care to participate, or have a better means to relate to a client you seem to know better than we do, then act on it.
>>
No. 612059 ID: db83ac

>>612032
...@#$%.

If that coin is your connection to the TEN network... then...

In case you don't know, that gold coin has a magic property: you slam it on someone, preferably a vital weak spot, and it marks them for death. Any reapers in the area will be tasked with killing the marked target. We've seen it up close, it's super effective.

Look, just make sure that you're ready when you use that coin. Like I said, we can permanently strengthen you, so be sure that you want to discard us when you no longer need our services.

And don't use it on anyone who is currently so powerful that even a reaper can't kill them. Any reapers who fail to kill a marked target are in turn killed... horribly.
>>
No. 612060 ID: 49a9b3

Augh, ok ok ok. Let's start over, miss. We're a bit chaotic and weird sometimes.
We're the TEN system, a collection of usually-friendly spirits whose purpose is to help provide guidance to those we are attached to.
Have a goal? We point you the right way.
Having troubles? We figure out how to solve them.
We're not infallible, of course, but you've now got access to what's essentially a large think-tank comprised of ethereal beings with nothing better to do but meddle about with mortal affairs.

So uh, tell us a bit about yourself!
>>
No. 612094 ID: 3009b4
File 141868385030.jpg - (288.86KB , 800x600 , leave me alone.jpg )
612094

>Good news is, this might be your first rodeo at dealing with Death but this isn't ours, so...
>In case you don't know, that gold coin has a magic property: you slam it on someone, preferably a vital weak spot, and it marks them for death. Any reapers in the area will be tasked with killing the marked target. We've seen it up close, it's super effective.
>Look, just make sure that you're ready when you use that coin. Like I said, we can permanently strengthen you, so be sure that you want to discard us when you no longer need our services.
>And don't use it on anyone who is currently so powerful that even a reaper can't kill them. Any reapers who fail to kill a marked target are in turn killed... horribly.

Sami's eyes go wide as this is mentioned. Her face darkens into a scowl and she rushes outside.

Sami shrieks: I AM NOT ONE OF YOU!!
>>
No. 612095 ID: 3009b4
File 141868388330.jpg - (490.03KB , 800x600 , nightmare.jpg )
612095

:: CONNECTION ERROR ::
>>
No. 612096 ID: 3009b4
File 141868435793.png - (3.37KB , 64x64 , achievementyorick1.png )
612096

:icontrustdown:
Sami's TRUST went down 10 points! Her trust is now -13.

:iconyorick:
::ADMIN: Oh NICE one! So you introduce yourselves by babbling on about stuff she's got no experience with, and then clarify that you're a creepy death coin when she starts to ask questions. And you're surprised when her first response is to try to toss you and then get overwhelmed by some horrific vision. Wow, I didn't think you guys could mess things up THAT fast. You... maybe looking for an achievement? Here's an achievement! Very amusing. I'll give you 5 IP as a reward.::

:iconaudrey:
::ADMIN: Don't encourage that kind of behaviour. Not all of us are amused.::

:: Reconnecting... ::
>>
No. 612097 ID: 8f01e8

You already know algebra, right? Addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, maybe exponents and roots? Let's talk calculus. It's another pair of mathematical operations, which is tricky to invent but reasonably easy to use once you understand it, and has all manner of practical applications to engineering by allowing you to calculate exact solutions to entire categories of problems which someone without calculus would need to come up with kludgy case-by-case approximations for.

For example, say you've got a barrel full of water with a hole in the bottom. You know the size and shape of the barrel, and how long it takes to drain completely, but you owe somebody exactly half a barrel of water, so you need to know how long it takes to drain halfway. Or, to some other arbitrary fraction. You can't measure the level of water remaining in the barrel directly because the barrel is opaque, and the flow rate varies over time because deeper water is under more pressure and thus flows faster.

How would you go about solving this problem normally?
>>
No. 612098 ID: 3009b4
File 141868503656.jpg - (345.20KB , 800x600 , Sami wakes.jpg )
612098

:: Connection re-established ::

The morning sun wakes Sami, but its soft warm fingers feel like nails dragging across her eyes and brain. She's got a terrible headache and feels horribly shaky.

She must have had another nightmare. She remembers trying to throw away the coin again. It lies a short distance away from her face and maliciously reflecting the glare of day into her poor, tired eye.

Her body is stiff and aches from the uncomfortable way she's been lying on the floor. She assumes that perhaps the dreamtime tobacco must be stronger than she's used to. It's supposed to relax her, but maybe this time it just made her paranoid again?

** Sami's Trust is reset to zero **

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: I'm going to mute anyone who starts to say something that stupid again so the girl won't hear you. I can't stop you from talking amongst yourselves but I can at least make sure she doesn't react that way again. Why don't you try to ease her into this gradually this time? Clearly any girl who's an insomniac and smoking dreamtime tobacco is in a more delicate state that a cheerful, curious girl like Nemain. Hence the profile of her culture -- isolationist, skittish, that sort of thing? I would advise NOT revealing some of the darker nature of the coin this time around.::
>>
No. 612099 ID: a19cd5

>>612098
Sup, s-dawg
>>
No. 612100 ID: 687279

>>612098
Hello miss. No, you're not crazy. Say, how long have you had that cape?
>>
No. 612101 ID: b25a0a

>> Jumpy culture
>>Insommniac

Okay, guys, I dunno how to do this without flipping her out again so I'm gonna shut up. But I'm thinking this time we should try and talk like we're thoughts in her head. HOPEFULLY she won't spot the difference if we're careful and passive. No addressing her directly and whatnot.
>>
No. 612102 ID: 3009b4

>You already know algebra, right? Addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, maybe exponents and roots? Let's talk calculus. It's another pair of mathematical operations, which is tricky to invent but reasonably easy to use once you understand it, and has all manner of practical applications to engineering by allowing you to calculate exact solutions to entire categories of problems which someone without calculus would need to come up with kludgy case-by-case approximations for.

Sami groans and gently looks at the coin. Her head throbs painfully and she could have sworn it was trying to teach her maths.

She quietly waits for JamesLeng to finish before wondering if she still might be under the influence. Normally she does ache like this when she is, but she doesn't have too many other explanations for the voices echoing through her head.

She digs through her pack and fetches out a skin of water and takes a large drink from it. As her head starts to clear, she fills her little kettle with water and wonders which tea she should brew.

:: INVENTORY ::
- Short hunter’s bow and a quiver of 6 arrows.
- Materials for a snare trap
- Flute/Pipe
- Sheet music for "On Mount Golgotha”.
- Regular sheets of paper
- Faerie paper
- Faerie pen
- Quill
- Small bottle of ink
- Hunter’s survival knife
- Small kettle for tea
- Dried rations (2 days remain)
- Small stash of Gaelish Dreamtime “tobacco” (marijuana) with smoking pipe
- A hip flask of very strong Mericudian whiskey.
- Sami has 54 pennies to her name; it’s enough for five meals or a cheap room at an established city
- Black Tea
- Herbal Tea

Most of the gear is stored in her pack. Sami doesn't have a spare change of clothes and it's been three days since she's bathed. She knows she's probably smelling a bit ripe but the last town she visited was Welser, and it's a two day trip on foot from here and it was the last place she could bathe. Sami is currently in her parent's old house. Her secret compartment in her room is still in one functional piece but due to the infestation of VERMIN in her home town of Ronnalin she won't leave any rations anywhere. She's probably lucky her supplies haven't been raided already.
>>
No. 612103 ID: 88960e

*cough* Good morning, Sami, can we start again?

How are you feeling? You don't look so good, sprawled on the floor.

>admin, censorship
Thank you.
>>
No. 612105 ID: 3009b4

*That should read "normally she doesn't ache"

** NEW COMMAND - Mark your suggestion "PRIVATE" if you want to hide it from Sami.

>Hello miss. No, you're not crazy. Say, how long have you had that cape?

Sami rubs her temples.

:iconsami:
Sami: In my experience, the moment the voices start talking back it's the definitive proof one *is* crazy. I guess it's about time.

Sami thinks for a moment and decides that BLACK TEA might be a good idea right now, even if it makes her jittery. She adds the tea to the kettle.

Sami's had this old cape for awhile now. It's been damaged and she should really replace it. Her mother would be beside herself is she knew what condition it was in but she had a bit of a scrape with some wild animals who were ultimately delicious if irritating.

She's not quite sure what's going on and doesn't realize yet you can hear her thoughts. She rubs the coin between her fingers and then looks up to the sky.

:iconsami:
Sami: Goddess Faustia?
>>
No. 612107 ID: 0ee153

We weren't sent by any goddess we know of, but we were sent by an unexplained third party. Our job is to help you with whatever needs solving that you can't do on your own. Or make what you can do on your own easier.

So, first things first. How're you for food, water, and why're you traveling?
>>
No. 612108 ID: 3009b4

** Author Note:

Admin Yorick is a bit of an asshole. Do not assume his voice is that of an author avatar. Most stories need at least one asshole, and we have Yorick. **

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN YORICK: Canadians say the cutest things when they're being apologetic little bitches. ::
>>
No. 612109 ID: 3009b4

>We weren't sent by any goddess we know of, but we were sent by an unexplained third party. Our job is to help you with whatever needs solving that you can't do on your own. Or make what you can do on your own easier.
>So, first things first. How're you for food, water, and why're you traveling?

Sami looks nervous, and instead of answering she checks the room for anything suspicious. While she does this, she wonders why the voices would question her supplies. She's never gotten sick like other people have, and she never suffers like other people have to.

Yet.

She checks her food -- it looks fine: dried fruit, lots of nuts and seeds and a bland paste made of tree bark that's filling but about as tasty as gruel. Her water looks OK.

And Sami's done travelling. Something has been calling her, demanding she return to her home town. It's been just a little under ten years ago today.
>>
No. 612112 ID: fef726

Why did you stay away from your home town for ten years?
>>
No. 612114 ID: 687279

>>612109
I believe now that we have shown up something is going to force you back there. We will help you with whatever it is, Sami. No matter what it is.
>>
No. 612116 ID: ea0ad9

>Something has been calling her, demanding she return to her home town. It's been just a little under ten years ago today.
Odd. I would normally not trust something demanding that you return somewhere, especially if one cannot place what is making that demand. *Sigh* I don't know if you've gone crazy, or been cursed by the Goddess or what, but you're you're own person, Sami. While we may like to advise you along a certain path, understand that you're welcome to take your own path. As such, I would like to ask you: What reasons would you have for returning home?
Understand, even if we were sent by Goddess Faustia, we don't necessarily know what's going on, so if we say something stupid, let us know. ...What kind of goddess is Faustia, by the way? In your own opinion, and what you believe the common one is, I mean.
>>
No. 612118 ID: db83ac

*Private*
>>612094
>>612095
>>612096
...Wow.

I'm better at this than I thought. Too bad I went in the opposite direction. I apologize.

I got this sense of "experience" from what Sami showed us. I mean, a girl with that level of distrust and high stats seemed unwilling to trust others, but willing to use the services of those who could promise her power for co-operation. I also figured that she would hate Rekki, but also respect him as an assassin and would thereby be on her guard to Rekki's friends, while also recognizing the potential of their power.

So I figured that explaining the coin's abilities and our connection to Sami as soon as possible would be our best bet at getting her to respect us (but not trust us).

...Okay, it doesn't feel right that you undid the negative trust. Can you restore her memories one at a time so that we can explain ourselves, thereby creating a different type of bond? Then we get +5 IP every time you restore 1 point's worth of memories that cause her to distrust us? May as well manipulate this achievement rather than call it a failure.
*/Private*

We're not the goddess. We're just a community of bickering people who bicker and nag for fun.

So, want to bicker with us?
>>
No. 612121 ID: 8f01e8

The two fundamental operations in calculus are derivation and integration. You can think of them as, respectively, finding the slope of a curve, and finding the area under a curve.

Consider a coordinate plane, with X representing position on the east-west axis and Y representing position on the north-south axis. In fact, don't just consider it, draw this out in the dirt so you can see with your own eyes I'm not just blowing smoke.

First of all, mark off the origin, and perpendicular lines for each axis at x=0 and y=0. Then, sketch out curves for three functions:

x=1
x=y
x=y*y

Or equivalently,

x=y^0
x=y^1
x=y^2

The first one is a straight line, parallel to the axis. The second one is a diagonal. The third one is a parabola, tangent to the Y axis at the origin but curving away from it to either side.

With me so far?
>>
No. 612123 ID: 687279

>>612121
All you're gonna do is convince her she's making breakthroughs in mathematics due to going mad. Insane brilliance and all that.
>>
No. 612124 ID: 3009b4
File 141868998828.jpg - (188.71KB , 800x600 , Sami who wants to know.jpg )
612124

>What reasons would you have for returning home?

Sami: Hold up, hold up. Who wants to know? Why should I spill my guts to a talking coin? Who are all you... things? How do you know my name? How did you find me?

Sami paces back and forth, glaring at the coin and then in your approximate direction. She lets out an exasperated snarl of frustration, takes a deep breath and sighs.

>I don't know if you've gone crazy, or been cursed by the Goddess or what, but you're you're own person, Sami.

Sami: Look I don't know either, Toko. But before I say anything more, I want to know who I'm dealing with.

Sami's subconsciously guarding her thoughts now. There's a lot she's not telling.

>What kind of goddess is Faustia?

Her initial reaction is to refuse to share anything more but she changes her mind about this subject.

Sami: ...If we actually listened to the Goddess Faustia, maybe the whole mess wouldn't have happened. She teaches peace, harmony, and friendship. To be faithful, we are supposed to open up to people instead of just our own communities, and while every adult attended the church every Fausday to worship, none of us truly believed in her.

Her thoughts remain guarded, but it takes more effort now.

****
PRIVATE
>...Okay, it doesn't feel right that you undid the negative trust.

It was basically my way of working around an early "Game Over". Sami's trust was sent right off into the negatives thanks to certain trigger words and phrases being mentioned repeatedly. I zeroed out the mistrust because otherwise she'd spend most of her time and energy trying to figure out how to ditch the coin and sending the quest into a downward spiral that might be recoverable but I didn't want to go in that direction -- so rather than have everyone dig things back out thanks to a few suggestions dumping way too much stuff on the girl way too early, I just did a Silent Hill number instead. I would have done a warning but the triggers just came so fast and furious it was the only way I felt I could resolve things in a way that allowed Sami to stay in character.

END PRIVATE
>>
No. 612129 ID: 687279

>>612124
We're spirits on the TEN. I'm not sure why we're talking to you right now but... we are. We were given your name when we showed up.

What mess are you speaking of?
>>
No. 612132 ID: 330ce5

It is morning, time to eat a bagel.
>>
No. 612133 ID: fef726

You can call me redaeth. As for how we found you... well we didn't, we were sent. By whom we don't know.

The group now nattering in your ear does want to help, but some of them are kind of overzealous. So even if it doesn't mean much sorry about that. We'll do our best to help you even if you have to filter 90% of what we say into inane vs helpful.
>>
No. 612138 ID: 3009b4
File 141869104565.jpg - (187.51KB , 800x600 , Sami wants straight answers.jpg )
612138

>We're spirits on the TEN. I'm not sure why we're talking to you right now but... we are. We were given your name when we showed up.

Sami: That means NOTHING to me.

>You can call me redaeth. As for how we found you... well we didn't, we were sent. By whom we don't know.
>The group now nattering in your ear does want to help, but some of them are kind of overzealous. So even if it doesn't mean much sorry about that. We'll do our best to help you even if you have to filter 90% of what we say into inane vs helpful

Sami: Redaeth. (You can sense her memorizing it) At least I have a name. So what are you? If you're a spirit, what WERE you?

:: Contextual Help (Private) ::
:: Nem reacts differently to the term "Spirit" because in her cultural background there are many kinds of spirits, some of which one might interpret more as an "elemental". Sami's culture is less nature-oriented. And she's considerably more cynical. ::
>>
No. 612142 ID: 8f01e8

>>612123
So? She seems smart and opportunistic enough to accept valid, useful results even when they come from an unconventional source.

*Private*
Flattery!
*/Private*
>>
No. 612144 ID: fef726

>What were you?

Human, though as I understand it that species doesn't exist here. So that probably doesn't mean much.

We looked like you pretty much, two arms, two legs, ears, eyes, mouth, nose etc. The exact details differ of course.
>>
No. 612147 ID: 3009b4
File 141869239468.jpg - (188.12KB , 800x600 , Sami is surprised.jpg )
612147

>Human, though as I understand it that species doesn't exist here. So that probably doesn't mean much.

Sami: Human? Actually the word sounds familiar. I've heard it mentioned by our scholars, something to do with the digs. If you're human...

She looks down and studies her coin, rubbing her fingers across the skull. She's trying to pick her words carefully, but her mind is racing at the thought that she could be speaking to the dead.

Sami: So... you *are* human or you *were* human?
>>
No. 612148 ID: db83ac

>>612144
...Really?

*sigh* Look, we're mortals. Plural. You are speaking to more than one mortal.
>>
No. 612150 ID: 687279

>>612138
Okay, you want it straight? The TEN is like a magical communications network that can stretch across into other universes. We're people in another universe with a completely different history and different set of people from yours. We communicate to you through text, and receive text and images in response. To your world we seem like spirits, but we're kindof not. We are bound to that coin, as you've guessed. WHY, I don't know.

We understand math, and science, and we are socially similar. Magic, on the other hand, is alien to us, though I wonder if the "magic" in your world is just really advanced technology. However there is only one race of people in our world, similar to Tryties but with rounded ears.
>>
No. 612151 ID: db83ac

And I'm pretty sure that most of us are alive. I can't speak for the others for sure, though, but the expected consensus is that anyone still talking is still alive... or their communication device got stolen by someone else.

So, what are you doing today?
>>
No. 612152 ID: 687279

Oh, and the TEN is run by cats.
>>
No. 612153 ID: db83ac

>>612152
DUDE WHAT?!

Sorry, we just saw something before we connected to the coin. Pretty weird stuff.

Look, we're not possessing the coin, we just use it as a communication device. Believe me, I don't like it either. Last time we got to connect using an item that was less likely to be STOLEN.

Not your fault, but please don't just trade this coin in for goods. This coin is special - and not just because of the nagging voices inside of it. I won't say more - we...

We'll try to help you get rid of us. Carefully.
>>
No. 612154 ID: 687279

>>612153
*PRIVATE*
It's literally run by cats. They run the TEN, and anyone who worships cats can access it. We have a lot of cat videos, which counts as cat worship. Swear to god, that's why.
>>
No. 612155 ID: a19cd5

>>612147
Sup, I'm Riot. And yes, we are human. Just very strange humans.
Like the guy before me said, we're not from around here, but we do this sort of thing a lot.
Sorry if we spooked you, we're really not as bad as our first impressions might lead you to believe.
>>
No. 612157 ID: fef726

>>612153
I'm very glad Sami now knows some of us are crazy. Because right now you sound crazy. Besides I'm pretty sure the coin can't be stolen without the thief dying. Normal people generally have their everything as a weakspot. No HP shield.
>>
No. 612160 ID: db83ac

>>612157
*Private*
Uh, dude? I think Sami just heard that...
*/Private*

Now that introductions are out of the way, can we get going already? You know the sound of pebbles grating will help drown out our voices.
>>
No. 612171 ID: 3009b4

>I'm very glad Sami now knows some of us are crazy. Because right now you sound crazy.

Sami nods slowly without blinking.

Either she has gone mad, or the voices have.

>Oh, and the TEN is run by cats.

Sami's heard of that. She's never seen a cat but she's heard many legends and stories about cats.

>Okay, you want it straight? The TEN is like a magical communications network that can stretch across into other universes. ... To your world we seem like spirits, but we're kindof not. We are bound to that coin, as you've guessed. WHY, I don't know.

Sami is now pretty sure she's speaking with the dead. She's reminded of the stories she's heard of how they come up with strange stories rather than face the truth, and that one should humour them because they can react violently to that fact until they realize it on their own.

>Sup, I'm Riot.

:iconsami:
Sami: Hello Riot. If you pardon my asking, but how much of me are you aware of? Can you see things? Hear? Touch? Smell? Are you a man or a woman? These are the kind of things I like to know when dealing with creatures as intangible as you all appear to be.
>>
No. 612173 ID: fef726

See and hear mostly. No sense of smell or touch. Not directly anyway.

I'm a woman.
>>
No. 612178 ID: a19cd5

>>612171
I'm a guy, and we can see you and your immediate surroundings and kinda... read sounds, I guess. As in, anything you and people around you say is immediately converted to text.
Makes it easy to remember stuff because we can just go back and look.

As for taste, touch, and smell? None o' that.
Closest we can do is that thing we mentioned where we boost your physical attributes, and even then there's some restrictions.
>>
No. 612182 ID: 687279

>>612171
We can see things quite clearly, and we are notified when audible events occur around you, though we do not directly hear them. Smell, taste, and touch we can only get information from if you comment on it, I think?

We can hear some of your thoughts. Surface ones.

I am a man, but it may be difficult to pick me out of the crowd of voices since I do not go by any name.
>>
No. 612184 ID: 330ce5

We can sometimes see, can't really feel, but we can hear you and we can hear your thoughts, if you let us.
>>
No. 612185 ID: ea0ad9

>Sami is now pretty sure she's speaking with the dead.
You know, maybe we are spirits of the dead, and the way the world of spirits works, we simply aren't aware of it. So, uh, please humor those of us who are inevitably going to argue that they're still alive. You can call me a spirit or a ghost if you want, of course, I won't mind. I'm fairly open minded... Though some people tend to say I go overboard with that.
> If you pardon my asking, but how much of me are you aware of?
I am a man, personally, though some of us may be women. I don't really pay too much heed to genders, aside from whether to refer to a person as a he or a she.
We seem to see the area from a random point, though it almost always seems to focus on either your face, or the direction you're focusing on. Sometimes we see magical auras that our "ward" does not see, but for all we know you're an exception capable of seeing them yourself. Surface thoughts from those we are directly connected with are readable, but any effort put into hiding your thoughts will succeed--in your case, shortly after I first spoke, you instinctively put up a barrier, meaning only thoughts you will out will be picked up. Subconscious thoughts, even if you are aware of them, do not qualify as surface thoughts. We may pick up a very vague empathic sense, but that will only tell us that you're angry or happy, not what about.
Senses of touch, taste, and smell are right out. We lack them whatsoever. Sense of hearing is a bit odd--We're deaf, but we have a different way of hearing things. I'm not sure how to describe it, being that we, as well, use those five senses in our own "spirit" world, but it sort of picks up on words and sounds and... Spells it out for us, I guess. If that doesn't make sense, then please don't push it, because it'll just get more confusing.

*private*
Are the years still going to be unintelligible to us?
*/private*
>>
No. 612205 ID: 3009b4
File 141869731098.jpg - (188.58KB , 800x600 , Sami relaxes a bit.jpg )
612205

>I'm a woman.

That seems to relax Sami a bit.

>...Closest we can do is that thing we mentioned where we boost your physical attributes, and even then there's some restrictions.

She mentally files this under "crazy things dead people say".

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: It's about time you lot showed some manners. I'm awarding 5 IP for introducing yourselves. ::

** Current IP is now 10 **
** Programs available for purchase:
Network Detection (10 IP) - Detects nearby active faerie, TEN and Pantheon networks. Identifies if the network allows anonymous login.
Port Detection (10 IP) - If in range of an active network, attempts to access it. Port detection will automatically change protocol to match the target network. **

>What reasons would you have for returning home?
:iconsami:
Sami: Now that you've told me a bit about yourselves, I guess I'm OK with letting you know a little bit about me. Ten years ago the town suffered a terrible disaster. My family was spared. The disaster killed the town -- a lot of people left afterwards, my folks included. I know I was just a girl at the time, but I wished I could have done more to help the victims. It's been bothering me more and more lately. I have a lot of nightmares. I've just got this feeling that the only way to be free was to come back here for some reason.
>>
No. 612207 ID: e607cd

Well did it work? Do you feel free yet?
If your vague feeling was really pointing to a resolution for this turmoil, I am curious if it was pointing you to finish line, or to the start of the journey.
>>
No. 612211 ID: 3009b4
File 141869823860.jpg - (250.27KB , 800x600 , Stay out of her head.jpg )
612211

>We can sometimes see, can't really feel, but we can hear you and we can hear your thoughts, if you let us.
>shortly after I first spoke, you instinctively put up a barrier, meaning only thoughts you will out will be picked up. Subconscious thoughts, even if you are aware of them, do not qualify as surface thoughts. We may pick up a very vague empathic sense,

Sami: Stay the FUCK out of my head, both of you.

Sami's TRUST has decreased; Trust at -3.

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Until Sami trusts you, you're going to need to hide some things from her. She's very private. You keep that up, she's going to try to throw the coin and we've ALREADY BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD!

:iconyorick:
ADMIN: Hee hee hee!

:iconaudrey:
ADMIN: Shut the hell up, Yorick. Don't mention things she hasn't told you herself. Let her take things at her own pace. The poor thing is scared and alone, and will be alone even when surrounded by spirits. At least until she starts to trust you. ::

>>
No. 612214 ID: 687279

>>612211
We will do as you say.
>>
No. 612216 ID: 3009b4

>If your vague feeling was really pointing to a resolution for this turmoil, I am curious if it was pointing you to finish line, or to the start of the journey.

:iconsami:
Sami: Worse. I feel worse. It's bringing back a lot of bad memories and it's worse at night.

Sami's tea is ready. She has some breakfast and her headache subsides a little.

Sami: I don't know what to do now. I don't know if you've seen Ronnalin or knew what it was like before, but it's infested with VERMIN now and it's so dead. When we left, there were still a few holdouts but now everything is rotting and horribly silent and I have this feeling of dread everywhere I go.
>>
No. 612220 ID: fef726

Are VERMIN a threat? Would you need to fight? What do they look like? By the name I'm guessing rat-like.

We can keep an eye out since sometimes the scope of our vision is a bit larger then yours.
>>
No. 612224 ID: 330ce5

Allow me to apologize, I didn't mean to be imposing. So if you don't mind what are your plans today? I only want to help by the way, if you want to talk about something else the ball is in your court. You can refer to me as Momo, if you want a name.
>>
No. 612226 ID: ea0ad9

>Sami: Stay the FUCK out of my head, both of you.
Certainly! I'm not one to invade people's heads, anyways. Makes me feel as uncomfortable as they end up.
>When we left, there were still a few holdouts but now everything is rotting and horribly silent and I have this feeling of dread everywhere I go.
Good lord that sounds like some horrible kind of plague. Hopefully the looks are deceiving, and there's something still there, but don't get your hopes up too much...
>>
No. 612329 ID: 82c018

Did the VERMIN noticeably come from anywhere, or just kind of show up?
>>
No. 612342 ID: a19cd5

Right, ok, let's stop with all the everything we are doing right now. Not you sami. The other voices.
Sorry again about this chaos, we've had problems with it a lot in the past.
*private*
seriously dudes, chill out. Just let her do her thing for a bit, and offer advice on the sides. We can't get in all gung-ho like we were before with Nem (yet), so PLEASE stop dropping crucial info right into her lap with all the subtlety of a sack of bricks.

It's likely we won't be doing much right off the bat aside from watching and chatting, so let's not push it.
Patience, virtue, yadda yadda.
*end private*

So Sami, you enjoy tea? I'm partial to the ginko brews myself, but black is always great if you need some perkin' up.
>>
No. 612343 ID: d3be40

You may as well check out your surroundings. Why not tell us about the area? It'll keep us from asking more questions about you for now.
>>
No. 612346 ID: 066a87

Hey Sami. Sami.

Hey Sami.

What do you get when you combine a bunch of disembodied autistic nerds, a Rollen, and a sarcastic TEN administrator?
>>
No. 612347 ID: d3be40

>>612346
WHY

*Private*
DUDE WHAT THE HELL

Please don't make funny jokes that will make Sami hate you.

Okay, I think we need to learn the extent of Sami's abilities. To that end, why not "barter" with her for information on what she knows, in exchange for us being distracted by the trivia?
*/Private*

...I am so sorry.

Look, why not tell us... oh! Can you show us some quarterstaff techniques? You might be able to distract us for a while!
>>
No. 612349 ID: 066a87
 

Hopefully this streams properly
>>
No. 612351 ID: b25a0a

*private*
Seems Yorick will enjoy the actions of 066a87...
*/private*
>>612346
>>612349

That guy's certainly feeling mischevious! But ultimately he's here for fun and once we all stop rising to his bait, he should grow bored and leave, I hope.
Ah, and I should probably introduce myself-I am Zaealix, miss Sami, pleased to make your acquaintance.
>>
No. 612356 ID: 066a87

>>612351
You all are too serious and too quick to pester her. The smart thing would have been to let her unwind and sleep properly and not assault her with a half dozen disembodied nitwits.
>>
No. 612392 ID: c9f2af

[private]
>hints regarding Sami's background and profile
*cough*. If you wanted the slightly paranoid, very private insomniac to have a smooth introduction maybe you should have made her profile available to us before initiating the connection?

>>612118
Honestly, I would advise not making blatant assumptions about characters you've just met. We had no information about her past contact with Rikki, how she felt about him, etc. Take it slow. (And maybe if you have a theory, maybe raise it in the dis thread for people to consider? Since we can't trust she won't react badly if we say the wrong thing here).

>upgrade options
I like the sound of network detection more than port section, if our client is right and there's something to be paranoid about here. Thoughts?

[open]
>I don't know if you've seen Ronnalin or knew what it was like before
We didn't, I'm afraid. I'm sorry for what you lost.

>I don't know what to do now
Well, we could help you search for information, if you'd like? Like we said, we're a TEN network. If there's any kind of network in the area, we should be able to sense it, and communicate with it.

I understand if you're skeptical there, but if there's something to be found here, maybe it's more spiritual in nature?

If nothing else, we'll watch for vermin. Another set of eyes doesn't hurt if there's danger about.
>>
No. 612416 ID: ea0ad9

>>612346
*Attempt HMES-sided muting of this message*
>>
No. 612426 ID: 3009b4
File 141876113255.jpg - (251.22KB , 800x600 , Hey look you can stream video to Sami ass.jpg )
612426

>Are VERMIN a threat? Would you need to fight? What do they look like? By the name I'm guessing rat-like.

:iconsami:
Sami: I don't know what you mean, Redaeth. Most vermin are rollie pollies, and they're just a nuisance -- they try to eat anything they can find -- mostly going after our produce and they eventually go after wood. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the floors give away in common homes. They've avoided my parent's place for some reason. The dangerous ones are the Leapers -- they've got powerful legs and they hide in shadows, and then they leap out and sink their teeth into you. If they hit the wrong spot they can go through bone, but the worst part is the infections. They're not big and the wounds aren't deep but they're painful and they're extremely difficult to remove. We usually have to burn them to make them let go, and then we have to deal with disease. The cloppers must have found some way to deal with them because occasionally we get a trytie selling this repellant for a king's ransom -- damn stuff works so the greepy bastards get what they ask for.

Now the problem with rollie pollies is that they've got a hard shell and they tuck up into a ball and nothing short of a hammer will kill 'em, but the leapers can actually penetrate their armour through the chinks. You kill the leaper's pollie and it goes after you. Plus pollies taste like shit. The WORST are the damn grites. Basically mouths with legs attached, 'bout the same size as a pollie (fist sized) but in packs they'll actually go after people. Bites get infected easily too. The only good thing 'bout them is they've got no armour and they eat pollies if there's nothing easier around.

>You can refer to me as Momo, if you want a name.

:iconsami:
Sami: Whatever.

>Did the VERMIN noticeably come from anywhere, or just kind of show up?

:iconsami:
Sami: We had a LOT of trouble with vermin for years before the disaster. Then we didn't, but it killed the town too. I guess the vermin have moved back.

>So Sami, you enjoy tea? I'm partial to the ginko brews myself, but black is always great if you need some perkin' up.
:iconsami:
Sami: Don't know what you mean. There's black -- I like it but like I said, makes me jittery -- and I have rosehip. I don't know what a ginko is.

>You may as well check out your surroundings. Why not tell us about the area?
:iconsami:
Sami: My parents lived in the small middle-class section of town. We're not too far from the blacksmith. Mom is a chemist, and Dad is a part-time astronomer and musician. He occasionally does fortune-telling using tea leaves, but only when the timing is right. We used to send out word when it is. Funny thing he... uh... nevermind.

Sami's mental shields come up again. She is consciously blocking some thoughts; more than likely because she was told her surface thoughts are readable.

>>612349

TRUST DOWN 3. TRUST NOW -6.

Sami sprays her tea across the room.

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Congratulations! You've discovered that Sami CAN see and hear images and video you send. You've also properly freaked her out and now she distrusts you more. +5 IP! Nice job! ... Ass!

:iconaudrey:
ADMIN: 066a87 you are now MUTED. Anonymous transmission of video, links or images to Sami is now blocked. Human-people, if Sami's trust drops below -10 we're going to have to go through this whole mess again and she'll still subconciously be aware of this idiocy. I shouldn't have to remind you if she loses conciousness again she's just going to use up what little rations she has left that much faster.
::

:iconsami:
Sami: WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?

>Ah, and I should probably introduce myself-I am Zaealix, miss Sami, pleased to make your acquaintance.

:iconsami:
Sami: Whoever you're talking about - can you hit him for me? I will be your friend if you hit him.

MUTED: 066a87

>Well, we could help you search for information, if you'd like? Like we said, we're a TEN network. If there's any kind of network in the area, we should be able to sense it, and communicate with it.

Sami thinks "Blah blah blah, addled rambling of the dead,"

>I understand if you're skeptical there, but if there's something to be found here, maybe it's more spiritual in nature?

:iconsami:
Sami: When you lot showed up that's what I began to suspect too. If you want to help though, I'm going to need some supplies. I thought I could do some hunting but all the edible things seem to be consumed by vermin or avoid the town altogether. I barely have enough supplies to trek back to Welser and I don't have much money left to buy more. So I either need to go hunting or maybe scavenge something here.

The town is divided into three classes -- the common, middle-class and the wealthy. It was built around the church for the Goddess Faustia. The church, town hall and merchant's guild are all in the wealthy areas along with boutiques. A school, a research laboratory, blacksmith and several shops in the middle-class area. The commons had the farmer's market and several farmers. Like I said, my family was middle-class -- my family's from a long line of gifted individuals. Like I mentioned, my Dad can see the future in tea leaves when the time's right. I don't have his gift of premonition... but I did get his gift of music.


(Private)
>I like the sound of network detection more than port section, if our client is right and there's something to be paranoid about here.
** A second vote will buy the upgrade. Currently 15 IP available. **
>>
No. 612427 ID: 687279

>>612426
Oh wow, that worked? Uh, sorry Sami, that was the wrong time to experiment with that. If it makes you feel any better, we have dealt with that spirit rather harshly and they won't be bothering you for a while.

Hmm. Sami, perhaps your trust in us is lacking right now but uh... we have some resources we can spend on gaining a choice of two abilities:

Network Detection (10 IP) - Detects nearby active faerie, TEN and Pantheon networks. Identifies if the network allows anonymous login.
Port Detection (10 IP) - If in range of an active network, attempts to access it. Port detection will automatically change protocol to match the target network.

What do you think? Or would you rather we not upgrade at all at this point, until you trust us more?
>>
No. 612429 ID: 3009b4

>Hmm. Sami, perhaps your trust in us is lacking right now but uh...

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: MUTED! BAD HUMAN! ::
>>
No. 612430 ID: 687279

>>612429
Wow, I thought it would be polite to include her in something like that. What's your objection, just telling her ANYTHING we can do?
>>
No. 612432 ID: a19cd5

>>612426
Consider him smacked, in the "He's been muted permanently" sorta way.
Yeesh.
Anyhow, you mind if I send you a picture of it? Ginko, I mean. Like you saw, we can do that, but it's kind of rude to do it unbidden, COUGH COUGH.

But if not, it's a tree leaf formed of a bisected sort of third-circle, and is usually a bright green color. Helps focus the mind, improves memory, etc etc? I'm curious if there are parallels between our knowledge and yours in some way.
>>
No. 612433 ID: d3be40

>>612426
Sami, we'd like to hear a song. Might pass the time. As I said, we'll shut up if you start singing.

RIGHT, GUYS?

*Private*
I admit it, I have screwed up. So did 066a87. I think that one possible reason is because we don't have much to talk about, so we go with all the annoying, disturbing stuff first. Can we please get this plot on the road so that we'll have stuff to earn her trust with?
*/Private*
>>
No. 612434 ID: 3009b4

>Wow, I thought it would be polite to include her in something like that. What's your objection, just telling her ANYTHING we can do?

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: We watched Nem's Quest. Did you learn nothing from trying to explain your concepts of reproduction to a teenager purposely kept ignorant and generations behind your own? Stop being so *alien* an expecting the poor girl to just adapt. It's not in her nature. ::
>>
No. 612435 ID: 3009b4

>Anyhow, you mind if I send you a picture of it? Ginko, I mean. Like you saw, we can do that, but it's kind of rude to do it unbidden, COUGH COUGH.

There's a flash of curiosity across Sami's mind, but she represses it in short order.

:iconsami:
Sami: I'd prefer if you stay out of my head as much as possible. But if you see any, feel free to point it out. Could be something I could sell.
>>
No. 612437 ID: b2c9e1

Hey, New headvoice/spirit. I'mma just say some of us are idiots...Now I'm not pointing fingers, But uh...Yeah, For now Why don't you just focus on enjoying that Tea while we try to figure out what we are actually trying to do...It's like tying animal's tails together you know? they all scramble in different directions and go nowhere.
>>
No. 612439 ID: 3009b4

>It's like tying animal's tails together you know? they all scramble in different directions and go nowhere.

Sami raises an eyebrow.

:iconsami:
Sami: You have tails too? I thought we were the only ones. Umm.... I'm going to assume you don't know what 'tying tails' actually refers to, right?

She finally smiles.

:iconsami:
Sami: Let's just say you paint an interesting mental picture when you talk about a group of people with their tails tied together and scrambling everywhere. Very interesting.
>>
No. 612440 ID: b25a0a

*private*
More like that's freaky dead stuff that will flip her out because she doesn't trust us.

Oh, and while I'm here, I'll upvote the network detection thing.
*/private*
Hrrrm.
The disaster...I'm guessing that if there WAS anything left, there'd still be people around, and you would have encountered them. You sound like you're planning to stay here or in this area given you said you barely have enough to make it back to Wesler, soo...Maybe scavenge the rich part of the city?
I feel like whatever drew you here is most likely going to be around that area if it's not someplace important to you, like a memory.
>>
No. 612446 ID: b2c9e1

>>612439
I don't know...But going by the way you refer to it, it's probably something sexual...ANYWAY, No we don't have tails...well...I don't at least, It was just a metaphor.
>>
No. 612447 ID: b2c9e1

>>612446
By the way, I'm using the alias adjective noun...Just call me Noun for short~
>>
No. 612452 ID: a19cd5

>>612435
Sure, I'll keep an eye out. It's good tealeaf, makes for a very herbal-taste without all the bitterness that comes of herbal stuff
>>
No. 612471 ID: ea0ad9

>We used to send out word when it is. Funny thing he... uh... nevermind.
Well, now I'm curious...
>Sami sprays her tea across the room.
But with jerks doing stuff like that, I'm not going to press. Really, now, throwing sounds and pictures at a person?
>but I did get his gift of music.
Ah, that sounds lovely! Perhaps, if we prove ourselves helpful, will you consider playing something for us? Not asking for an outright yes or no, as that would be unfair, of course.
>Let's just say you paint an interesting mental picture when you talk about a group of people with their tails tied together and scrambling everywhere. Very interesting.
...Oh dear. You make it sound like we said something naughty. I'm hoping that isn't the case, but uh, let's avoid talking about tails anyways.
>ANYWAY, No we don't have tails...
That's... Iffy. While we don't have large, wolf like tails, we do have a tiny one. And good heavens if you tied a tail THAT tiny to--no, I said let's not talk about it.
>I'm using the alias adjective noun...Just call me Noun for short~
...I'm going to call you Article, as that's the name for something that involves those two words together.
>>
No. 612491 ID: 8f01e8

I, for one, have very little context on your personal problem beyond it having something to do with settling old debts. That's why I started with maths, which is so universal.

You can call me Mr. Leng, by the way, or James if you'd prefer to be overly familiar. I'm willing to admit the possibility that I died at some point, but would prefer not to dwell on the subject.

Last thing I was aware of (previous to when you were smoking), the coin was in the hands of a Gaelander named Nemain Morrigan. aka the Black Wolf. Does that ring any bells? She might have become a noteworthy historical figure, or might not. She was certainly well-known when I lost contact with her, but mostly just in her home village.
>>
No. 612501 ID: 3009b4

>Ah, that sounds lovely! Perhaps, if we prove ourselves helpful, will you consider playing something for us? Not asking for an outright yes or no, as that would be unfair, of course.

She grins unpleasantly.

:iconsami:
Sami: Maybe. We'll see what happens.

>That's... Iffy. While we don't have large, wolf like tails, we do have a tiny one. And good heavens if you tied a tail THAT tiny to--no, I said let's not talk about it.

:iconsami:
Sami: Are you talking about your penis? Because I'm actually talking about a tail.

>That's why I started with maths, which is so universal.
:iconsami:
Sami: You'd think that, wouldn't you Mr. Leng? But no. Rollen is the only place that really respects math. The stouts aren't bad, but they're way too focused on their stomachs and the trytes just fake it. Cloppers are as dumb as shit. I'd love to see one try to follow what you started with.

>Last thing I was aware of (previous to when you were smoking), the coin was in the hands of a Gaelander named Nemain Morrigan. aka the Black Wolf. Does that ring any bells? She might have become a noteworthy historical figure, or might not. She was certainly well-known when I lost contact with her, but mostly just in her home village.

Sami looks uneasy but regains her composure, and when she speaks her voice is steady and soft.

:iconsami:
Sami: Why would a clopper be known as "The Black Wolf"? Do you mind my asking what happened to Nemain? Who gave her the coin, and how did she lose it? What's her story?

She's nervous and while she's hiding it pretty well, her mental distress is visible within your spectrum -- a flash wide, fearful eyes briefly overlays her outwardly calm expression.

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Think very carefully about your answer.::
>>
No. 612510 ID: 82c018

She had a sort of ancestral curse from a magical debt her great-grandmother had that would sometimes manifest as a Black Wolf. She ended up using the Wolf to kill the Fae Blind Yaga and Grendel Redcap who were terrorizing her town. Over the course of her journey she gained much more control over her curse, though she did not get rid of it entirely. I am not sure if the coin she had was the same one or a similar one; she was given the coin by the scout Rekki who was himself under some sort of magical debt that involved delivering items which are sometimes magic coins.

**private** Lets not mention Death if we can avoid it. **/private**
>>
No. 612522 ID: 330ce5

I don't know much about Nem, but I believe things worked out in the end.
>>
No. 612527 ID: 3009b4

** Author Note: Audrey's MUTES are NOT permanent. Her mutes apply to suggestions she feel would be repeating the same mistakes. **
>>
No. 612541 ID: b31619

She came off of things happy and well, and we parted amicably. Though...She ended up in a position that I would describe as a...Debt collector, of sorts.
*private*
Death and Taxes quip for the win? For The Win.
*/private*
>>
No. 612544 ID: b2c9e1

>>612501
I don't remember the whole story, But uh...there was magical shenanigans, Mysterious mysteries...and meat...mmmm...Uh...Sorry got a little distracted there, what were we talking about?
>>
No. 612548 ID: 8f01e8

Oh, certainly knowledge of and respect for math isn't universal. Even where I'm from most people don't seem to know much, or take much care with what they do know. But the underlying principles are the same. It takes a lot of context to figure out something like "is this tasty, or will it make me sick?" or "which way will the wind blow tomorrow?" but two and two always make four... oddly enough, that's true for 2+2, 2*2, and 2^2. What's the largest prime number you can name?

I'm not sure who, if anyone, knowingly gave Nem the coin. She found it inside a piece of bread which she got from Rekki. Similarly, I'm not sure how she lost it; as I said, she still had it with her the last I was aware of her, which was just as she was going out into the wider world.

Her story is, something was taking away people she got close to, and she didn't really know what. When the matter became excessively personal, threatening her beloved grandmother and stealing her panties, she picked up an axe and solved the problem as quickly and cleanly as she could. Heroic rescues earned her a few close friends, and the blood on her hands made a lot more people want to stay as far away from her as possible. I could give more detail than that, if you think it's relevant.
>>
No. 612594 ID: 3009b4
File 141878474650.jpg - (535.37KB , 800x600 , Sami cuts herself.jpg )
612594

>She had a sort of ancestral curse from a magical debt ... magic coins.

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Don't tell her th... hmmm... actually... I'm not quite sure what will happen. You're right, you shouldn't mention 'Death' and definitely not that she's holding a token of Death... at least not just yet but you probably shouldn't... hmmm... ... It's against my better judgement but I'm curious what will happen too. ::

Sami listens to the stories, and as she hears about Rekki, the coin, and especially about Nem's family curse her face falls and she begins to tremble. She grinds her teeth and softly whimpers as if in pain.

Then she digs into her pack and pulls out her hunting knife. She pulls back the sleeve and grits her teeth as she draws the blade down her arm.

For several moments, she watches her blood drip down and gather around her sleeve.

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Hey she's a CUTTER! Well I didn't really expect that. Well I am entertained -- that's certainly worth 5 IP. How about you, Audrey? Don't you like drama? ::

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: ... all right I hate to admit it but... drama is a guilty pleasure and I'll grant 5 IP as well. ::

** Also, yes the 2nd vote for Network Detection Registered. DETECT NETWORK now obtained! Program runs automatically. 8 NETWORKS have been detected in Ronnalin. One is close by. 3 are near the commons and 4 are in the wealtheir area. Other networks may be available but offline at this time; not all networks run 24/7

10 IP spent; 10 IP remaining.
**


** AUTHOR NOTE **

I was really not sure how to handle telling Sami what happened with Nem in quite the way that was done. The questors have inadvertently confirmed Sami's greatest fear. From personal experience, my greatest fear was the death of my wife. When it happened, I fell into deep depression (which Sami has been dealing with for awhile now) and did want to hurt myself although not in a cutting way, but I'm also not Sami. There was terrible, intense guilt despite there being very little I could have done and crushing grief. So when I put myself in Sami's shoes and tried to think of how she would react, this is what I came up with. I apologize if this seems contradictory or counter-intuitive, and no this is not what you were 'meant' to do, but in actuality Death is in fact a negative-reaction trigger word, especially when dealing with the coin. Debt is also a trigger word of a different kind. The real difference is the fact that prior the wording was "Hey, we're a Death Coin and we can do crazy stuff and you can kill people" whereas the way Nem's story was worded was "a bunch of people are being pushed to do things because of their debts", and the difference should hopefully be clear later.

In a nutshell however, I figured that if I was given equivalent information, I would just be broken. I'm still broken. So you've broken Sami. It's not the same as trust, but the immediate result is her defences are crippled for right now.

*******************

Sami's wound stops bleeding on its own, and while it looks unpleasant it has no serious impact on her. She finally speaks.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: ... I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, alright? I know... I know I should have saved them. It's my fault, and I'm sorry. I don't know what I can do to make things right, I don't know how I can possibly make things right but I'm sorry. I'll do what I have to. All right? I'll listen.

She tries to remain in control of her emotions but tears overwhelm her and streak down her cheeks.

** Sami's Trust has reset. For the time being, she is broken. While broken, she will not behave rashly but it will also impacts her reflexes -- she's not quite suicidal but she will have a penalty to avoid things like sneak attacks (if that becomes an issue) and she will not act first in combat (if that happens). More importantly, she is more willing to listen if only because the fight is worn out of her **
>>
No. 612599 ID: 3009b4

** Sorry, just got corrected you have 15 IP left after buying Network Detection. I miscounted **
>>
No. 612610 ID: 330ce5

okay, you should probably dress that wound even if it isn't effecting anything vital it can still be infected.
>>
No. 612629 ID: b2c9e1

>>612594
Fuuuuck...That's...kinda a bomb being dropped, isn't it? In the mean time...Well, Take care of that cut, It's not your fault, You didn't know. just take a deep breath and try to calm down a little.
>>
No. 612631 ID: ea0ad9

>Are you talking about your penis? Because I'm actually talking about a tail.
N-no. We have a tiny tail above the rump. Clothing fits right over it because it's so tiny, and in most people, the layer of fat goes right over it, anyways.
>She pulls back the sleeve and grits her teeth as she draws the blade down her arm.
OWWWW that hurts just to look at!
>I don't know what I can do to make things right, I don't know how I can possibly make things right but I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too. We all pressed things in the wrong direction. What can you do to make things right, you wish to know? That is something that we will all find out, together. It may involve the Vermin. It may involve something else.
>I'll do what I have to. All right? I'll listen.
Alright, thank you. While we don't know the specifics of things, once we start learning, we quickly realize what must be done, and will try and advise you on how to do it. If you can think of a better means to reach the result we seek, then go ahead, as right now, the results are our focus.
>>
No. 612633 ID: 3009b4

>okay, you should probably dress that wound even if it isn't effecting anything vital it can still be infected.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: It doesn't matter.

>Fuuuuck...That's...kinda a bomb being dropped, isn't it? In the mean time...Well, Take care of that cut, It's not your fault, You didn't know. just take a deep breath and try to calm down a little.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I always try to tell myself that but I never believe it. I think there's always something I could have done differently. If I had acted sooner. How can you say it's not my fault? You don't even know me.

I know you're just trying to be kind but you don't know.

Or maybe you do know. Do you?
>>
No. 612634 ID: 3009b4

>OWWWW that hurts just to look at!
>What can you do to make things right, you wish to know? That is something that we will all find out, together. It may involve the Vermin. It may involve something else.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Pain on the outside helps me match the inside. I think the vermin are just an irony now. There is *nothing* I can do to make things right.
>>
No. 612636 ID: d3be40

We don't. But that's just it. You've been obsessing over the answer for so long that you may have forgotten what the question really was. It happens.

Are you trying to ask if there was something else you can do? Or are you actually trying to ask if there was something more to all of this?

We're confused on what you are going to do, and what you're trying to figure out. Can you give us some questions so we can get to answering them?
>>
No. 612640 ID: 330ce5

I don't believe that, I believe that we were sent to you for a reason. I think you can do something, you can continue to live and look towards tomorrow. The past will always be there but it only has as much power as you give it. You may not believe it but you are strong, and from the way I see it you can only become stronger.
>>
No. 612642 ID: b2c9e1

>>612634
Right now, you need to focus on what you are going to do next? are you going to let this defeat you? I understand this is crushing...I've experience that same feeling (perhaps not quite as intense) But You can't just sit there and waste your life...The least you can do is find out How to keep this from happening again.
>>
No. 612646 ID: 3009b4
File 141879173366.jpg - (304.77KB , 800x600 , This was his pipe.jpg )
612646

>The least you can do is find out How to keep this from happening again.

Sami smirks weakly.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: There is *no way* it will happen again. Ever. That is the *one thing* I made sure of.

She takes a long breath, pulls out her hip flask and takes a long, slow drink, then leans back against the wall.

"Ten years ago, I was the last surviving child in Ronnalin. All the others were drowned like vermin, but I survived. I saw the other children, wide eyed and terrified like me, being swept away by the current, all thrashing and clawing and desperately trying to get a breath of air. We pulled on each other, kicked each other, all trying to get to the surface, and sent tumbling against the bottom or from the sheer speed of the water.

Despite the speed, despite the chaos, despite the vain wild thrashing for survival, I got to the other side. And I saw the man responsible. And I killed him."

She digs around her pack.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: This was his pipe. I took his things and hid them. Later at night, before what bodies we could fish up were recovered, I went back and took his things and hid them away in a secret stash in this house. I took them with me when we moved and kept them hidden there.

The day before the children were drowned, a man came by. Said he was a scout and a messenger and gave me the coin. Said it was a birthday gift, and that I should hide it from everyone and never give it away.

Now you tell me that your girl -- this "Nemain" -- got the same or a similar coin, and that she had a debt and a curse she was never able to get rid of.

Tell me...

Did she have faerie blood too?
>>
No. 612647 ID: d3be40

...
...
...
yes.
>>
No. 612648 ID: b2c9e1

>>612646
aww shit...Yeah...
>>
No. 612656 ID: ea0ad9

Hold on... You have Faerie Blood? Damn. Well, look, two similarities is still a coincidence. Your history, and the reasons you were given a coin are completely different. Nemain had lived a pleasant life, no troubles whatsoever, when she was given it, but you had survived a flood and slain the man responsible. So much destroyed, all you could be given was hope.
Don't assume my sugar coating is the absolute truth, though. It's a hope to have, not an expectation to accept.
>>
No. 612665 ID: 3009b4

>aww shit...Yeah...
>You have Faerie Blood?

Sami nods quietly.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Was she forbidden anything? Told of dire consequences about certain actions?
>>
No. 612669 ID: 185cb8

[private]
>admins rewarding us for 'drama'
I'm going to pretend you're giving us resources to help someone hurt and in need instead of what you're really doing.

At least when we crossed a line it was out of ignorance or carelessness.

>broken
Which means, obviously, we try to help her put herself back together, and not take advantage of her condition to push her into doing things.

>8 NETWORKS have been detected in Ronnalin
Well, at least we have leads to follow up on, when she's ready to hear it.

[public]
>Did she have faerie blood too?
From her great-grandmother.

>Was she forbidden anything? Told of dire consequences about certain actions?
Yes.

A very specific warning, without the consequences explained, that changed the course of her life.
>>
No. 612673 ID: 3009b4

(private)
>I'm going to pretend you're giving us resources to help someone hurt and in need instead of what you're really doing

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN Yorick: Pretend what you like chummer, but fact is we're just here to be entertained. ::
(end private)

>From her great-grandmother.

Sami cocks her head to one side in interest.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Mine was on my great-grandfather's side.

>A very specific warning, without the consequences explained, that changed the course of her life.

Sami suddenly laughs bitterly.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Me too. Well, actually the consequences I was told were a lie which is about as bad. I suppose if I knew the truth back then I might have been curious enough to try it. What was her warning?
>>
No. 612683 ID: ea0ad9

>What was her warning?
"Do not bring anybody to your grandmother's house." She was not told anything else on the matter, but it was advice she followed, and was grateful she did.

I'm guessing you want to know why she was grateful, but if you want that answer, I've got a question, first: What was your warning?
I swear, if it turns out to be a similar one...
>>
No. 612684 ID: 185cb8

[private]
>but fact is we're just here to be entertained
Which would be the biggest difference between you and us. If we sought mere entertainment, we have virtually unlimited options available to us.

Which means, if we choose to be here, that we're interested in something else.

[public]
>What was her warning?
"Do not let anyone follow you to grandmother's house"

Seems simple, doesn't it? But it left out the why, and the consequences.

I suppose it doesn't sound particularly important without a lot of context, either. It would take a while to describe all the particulars though, and I'm not sure how comfortable we should be retelling her life for her.
>>
No. 612685 ID: 3009b4

>I'm guessing you want to know why she was grateful, but if you want that answer, I've got a question, first: What was your warning?

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: "Stay away from running waters. Streams. Rivers. Lakes. The ocean. Baths were fine, anything indoors was fine, rain was fine. So I was told to never, ever go by the river by our town. Funny thing is, I love the water.

When I was with the other children, by the time I realized what was happening I was under the water -- but I was not drowning. It did something to me, and it's why I killed the piper.

But I could have saved the other children if I could have only controlled myself. But I didn't. I couldn't. I barely even remember attacking him -- it just keeps coming back to me in my nightmares. The scared, bloated, unblinking eyes of my friends and neighbours and a terrible ear-rending screaming sound."

Sami takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She closes her eyes in remembrance and wipes her teary eyes. After a few silent minutes, she looks up.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: So what happened to Nemain?
>>
No. 612686 ID: 8f01e8

Nem was advised by higher authorities than us to stay on the path (which she soon completely ignored, and honestly that worked out pretty well), and not to lead anyone to her grandmother's house (which she attempted to comply with, though it mostly resulted in wandering around like a fool and flinching away from her own shadow).

*private*
I think whoever's setting up these scenarios should maybe put more thought into anticipating what might happen when, not if, someone among us ends up misreading a culture we know almost nothing about, or otherwise acting creepy and weird. Instead of taking the best suggestions and ignoring the chaff, Sami seems to be dismissing anything she's unfamiliar with and clinging tenaciously to whatever hits her weak points.

This would have gone a LOT smoother if we'd started with a clean slate, no knowledge of Nem at all.
>>
No. 612687 ID: 8f01e8

Ah, so you're dealing with a Hamelin sort of situation! The traditional saying for those is "the piper needs to be paid." I should have connected the dots sooner.

Alright, going by precedent here, you've got the option of clearing the vermin out of your town by playing that flute to get them to follow you into the lethally purifying environment of the river, and some other option which is less well-defined, at least from the information I have available so far.

What else do you know about the piper?
>>
No. 612688 ID: 185cb8

>So what happened to Nemain?
From your description, something similar to what happened to you. She became one with an unknown part of herself, something that killed and hunted. "The Black Wolf" is a rather literal title.

Without intervention, she would have unwittingly fed that aspect of herself, continued in ignorance, and perpetuated the cycle. The wolf would have taken it's due from her family, as it had for generations. With the warning though, she ended up confronting it directly, and mastering it. To do so was a surrender of innocence though, and becoming other than she was.

Ultimately, she said if she had a choice, it's what she would have chose. She didn't relish it, but it beat the alternative.

...sorry if that's vague. I'm trying to explain what happened without getting too much into what might be too personal for us to talk about, or going into enough detail that the story would take hours. Did I get the balance right?
>>
No. 612689 ID: ea0ad9

>So what happened to Nemain?
Nemain met up with a strange new girl, who helped her along her journey. She refused to let this new girl, who's name was Macha, visit her grandmother, since the Scout told her not to take anybody there. Strangely enough, every time Nemain came across another person, Macha would stop following and seemingly vanish, and if the other person turned out to have malicious intentions, they wound up mysteriously dead.
...Eventually, Nemain learned that her innocence caused her "violent" side to be split apart from her, so that she never personally harmed anybody, but in learning of that fact, she lost her innocence and the two joined.

Your "other side" seems to be brought out by running water, though, which is completely different than what Nemain suffered. Perhaps the Court from which your blood originates is different? I have heard that there is a Court of the Deep, Sea, or whatever else you want to call it, which is based in water.
>>
No. 612714 ID: d3be40

We're divulging too much information about a previous client. Let's move on and we can talk about this later, alright?

Look, the main reason we're providing a slew of this codex information is because we don't have much to talk about except our past experience in this situation. You also show interest in someone who was also in a similar position - you're not alone.

Also, please try to make friends with Nem, if you see her.

...Look. People die EVERY day. For stupid reasons. You don't know how many people can die because of an accident, Sami. Trust us on this, every day there are little things that we could have done to make other people's lives better, or little things we did that combined with bigger things to make a tragedy.

I don't know the answers to the ethics about this, but in my opinion? You missed your chance to be a hero. That's all. Do you honestly think anyone else in your position, ESPECIALLY one who couldn't breathe underwater, had a better chance of saving someone than you? Least you killed the guy who kept screwing children over.

That counts for something.
>>
No. 612718 ID: b07442

*frowns*
I hardly think it fair for you to blame yourself for being unable to control yourself after that...Transformation? Since it caught you unawares and kinda messed with your head. I'd have considered that a situation where you'd have been able to do something HAD you known about it and was used to it, but your first ride? At least you got the jerk that did it, well done.
>>
No. 612720 ID: d3be40

I suggest you stay away from the river this time. But do what you want.

*Private*
Sami could become the next Pied Piper, just like Nem became the next Big Bad Wolf. Diverging from the script of the official fable seems to ensure that the story stops being directly linked to the fable.

I wonder if there's a way for her to create her own legend, or at the very least become something other than the Pied Piper.
*/Private*

Okay, it seems that you probably do NOT want to use that flute, for obvious reasons. Why not just turn it into something else? Or transfer its magic into a new musical instrument? Or look for a way to change the magic?

If you hate what it does, why not turn it into something you like, something that does what you like? Well, we can worry about this after you get moving.
>>
No. 612727 ID: 95fb3b

Sami, in case you don't know what >>612687 means - your situation is similar to a folktale in our world, called "The Pied Piper of Hamelin". In this story, the town of Hamelin hires a piper in pied (striped) clothing to get rid of the town's rats - a kind of vermin. The piper plays his pipe and lures the rats into the river, where all of them drown. The mayor of the town, for whatever reason, refuses to pay the piper for his services, angering him. The piper then uses his pipe to lure all of the town's children away, either drowning them in the river or taking them into a cave, never to be seen again, depending on the version of the story.
>>
No. 612730 ID: 066a87

Nem this, Nem that, you all are obsessed with Nem. I quit paying attention to her when she pissed herself and spent the day wandering around without any knickers.
>>
No. 612741 ID: ea0ad9

>>612730
*private*
Why are we even talking about the future, anyways? Rekki told us that Sami was the first person he brought a coin to. Nemain was the third.
>>
No. 612762 ID: e607cd

*Private*
My god, would you people stop telling her the story of the Piper? Did you see anybody telling Nem the story of Little Red Riding Hood? Would sharing that story have accomplished anything besides upset her? What on EARTH makes you think doing it this time would improve the situation, given our history with this poor girl. Know the reference yourself, use it to inform our decisions if applicable, keep your damn mouth shut about it.

Don't make assumptions, don't overshare. These are the same mistakes we KEEP MAKING. Stop it.

>>612741
As for this timeline thing, that's still kind of up in the air. Sami got her coin ten years ago. Nem's adventure could have happened almost any time in that window.

*/private*
>>
No. 612765 ID: 3009b4

>This would have gone a LOT smoother if we'd started with a clean slate, no knowledge of Nem at all.
** Smoother does not make for an entertaining story.**

>Alright, going by precedent here, you've got the option of clearing the vermin out of your town by playing that flute to get them to follow you into the lethally purifying environment of the river, and some other option which is less well-defined, at least from the information I have available so far.

:iconsami:
Sami: Oh THAT has been done already. It didn't end well.

>Ultimately, she said if she had a choice, it's what she would have chose. She didn't relish it, but it beat the alternative. ...sorry if that's vague.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: No, no... that's fine. It helps, really.

>...Eventually, Nemain learned that her innocence caused her "violent" side to be split apart from her, so that she never personally harmed anybody, but in learning of that fact, she lost her innocence and the two joined.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Interesting.

>Your "other side" seems to be brought out by running water, though, which is completely different than what Nemain suffered. Perhaps the Court from which your blood originates is different? I have heard that there is a Court of the Deep, Sea, or whatever else you want to call it, which is based in water.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I don't know anything about the courts past Seelie and Unseelie. From what I've been told, the Seelie are untrustworthy and hostile and the Unseelie are untrustworthy and indifferent. I do know that my great-grandfather sacrificed a great deal when he fell in love with my great-grandmother but never regretted it. I was told he was a little scary but a great man. I don't mind telling you that he bound himself to my great-grandmother so when Death came for her, he would have to take my great-grandfather too. I think it was wonderfully romantic... and in my experience, practical.

>We're divulging too much information about a previous client. Let's move on and we can talk about this later, alright?
:iconsamiok:
Sami: I respect that.

>... Least you killed the guy who kept screwing children over. That counts for something.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Counts for nothing. I should have died with the others. It would have been so much easier. You've no idea what it was like to be the only child left, to watch them fish up the bodies of my friends, and see your home town drown in a sea of grief. Everyone would have preferred to have perished along with them. The mayor 'died from grief' -- I think he killed himself but that wasn't the public story. Have you ever seen so parents lose all their children at once? They showered me with affection because I was the only one left and it just made it worse. I'd have become a drunk if I didn't have such an iron constitution.

>Okay, it seems that you probably do NOT want to use that flute, for obvious reasons. Why not just turn it into something else? Or transfer its magic into a new musical instrument? Or look for a way to change the magic?

:iconsami:
Sami: You want me to *what*? Do I look like I know anything about magic? I have faerie blood, that's it and I only told you about it because of that Nemain story. I can't DO anything with the flute but I know I can't let anyone else have it.

>...The piper then uses his pipe to lure all of the town's children away, either drowning them in the river or taking them into a cave, never to be seen again, depending on the version of the story.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I don't know about Hammelin but it's the same story of my town and our children were drowned in the river. That is the disaster of ten years ago, and I was the only survivor.

>Nem this, Nem that, you all are obsessed with Nem. I quit paying attention to her when she pissed herself and spent the day wandering around without any knickers.
:iconsamiok:
Sami: ... really?

She smiles.

Sami: You all have done this before, haven't you? I've been having nightmares for years about demons taking me down a dark path and becoming a monster... but they weren't as clumsy as you lot.

:icontrustup:
** SAMI'S TRUST has increased by 10 points. She'll need ten times that before she'll have the faith that Nem had in you but it's a good start **

(private: Why are we even talking about the future, anyways? Rekki told us that Sami was the first person he brought a coin to. Nemain was the third.)
** My quests don't always go in chronological order. Be careful who you mention future events to; immortals are likely to shrug it off but Sami's not quite ready for it yet **
>>
No. 612775 ID: b07442

Indeed. I'm surprised you find it endearing but yeah, we can be somewhat awkward due to the nature of us...
Anyhow...If you're ready to take action, I recommend searching the wealthier areas-it's easier to have gotten a hold of something fey with more resources, and easier to keep it under wraps as well, yanno?
>>
No. 612776 ID: 3009b4

:iconnorton:
:: ADMIN: All right, you guys figured out some SECRETS! Let's see... where's my list....

Ya got:
10 for discovering Sami is half fae
10 for discovering Rekki's Death Token

Nice!
::

** You now have 35 IP! New items available:

* Spoof 1.4 Personal for 25 IP -- prevents you and Sami from being traced by nearby networks. It's a good program to use if you're planning on brute force hacking a network. Pro version will hide you even from Physical Scans (10IP upgrade) and Pro Gold will hide you from being detected by any non-physical means.

* Charmnet for 30 IP -- Includes the song of "Analog". Using the appropriate instrument, Sami can play the song of "Analog" and it will allow her to remotely access the network later (an approximate equivalent of a Botnet). Check User Manual for specifics on use as different options are available depending on slaves used.

* Glamour Personal costs 20 IP -- the Admins regret that Sami lacks the hardware requirements to use the Pro version. Glamour Personal will allow you and Sami to impersonate another user ID on a Network. You'll needs to download an ID first.

* Physical Scan 2.3 Personal for 20 IP -- Detects the physical source for active networks, otherwise known as "Detect Magic". Will identify the physical location of any 'hotspots' worth investigating.

* BOOST for 20 IP -- Boost doubles the allowable IP use per player -- allowing a single player to spend up to 10 IP on a probability adjustment instead of the usual 5. This means only 2 players would be to team up to cause a 100% chance of a possibility to occur.

* BOTCH for 25 IP -- turns regular failures into critical failures, costs 10 IP to use. Requires 2 players unless BOOST is purchased.
* CRIT for 25 IP -- turns regular successes into critical successes, costs 10 IP to use. Requires 2 players unless BOOST is purchased.

**
>>
No. 612779 ID: 82c018

**Private**: I vote Physical Scan; right now we have a vague suspicion something supernatural is up with the Vermin but we don't know what.
>>
No. 612781 ID: d3be40

*Private*
I'm voting on Spoof 1.4, possibly Spoof Pro. Sami has two magical items, that makes her REALLY easy to be detected with magic.
*/Private*
>>
No. 612783 ID: 88960e

>clumsy demons
Ha. But yeah, I think we're far too uncoordinated and transparent to pull off that level of manipulation.

>it was my fault
I understand why you would blame yourself, but I have a hard time condemning a child for crimes of heritage and circumstance.

>moving on
If you're up for it, we've detected several of the 'networks' we mentioned before nearby. We could investigate them.

I won't get into spiritual mumbo jumbo, but they're places we can access information. Like... invisible books, or bulletin boards.
>>
No. 612820 ID: d3be40

>>612776
*Private*
Wait a minute. How many admins are on?!

You're Norton, right? Howdy do. Thanks for the Secrets IP.
*/Private*

Hey, do you have a map of the town that we could look at? You may want to plot a route to get to the town, or something.
>>
No. 612853 ID: 8f01e8

If you're worrying about dark paths, what do you call your life so far? We're trying to offer more options, including better options.

*private* Voting physical scan. She's got no magic of her own, so hardware access is the way to go.
>>
No. 612949 ID: b2c9e1

>>612765
The only one who can choose your path is you, Even if we were demons, you could ultimately just ignore us...But you have to trust that we want to help...In what little ways we can.
>>
No. 612957 ID: ea0ad9

Wait, when did we become Demons? I thought we were the ghosts of the dead.
>>
No. 612964 ID: b2c9e1

>>612957
Demons was what she originally thought we were, Blah blah blah, I'm just trying to do motivational speech...
>>
No. 613046 ID: 330ce5

*private*
Invest point into Spoof 1.4
*/private*
>>
No. 613088 ID: 3009b4

>I thought we were the ghosts of the dead.
:iconsamiok:
Sami: Well, technically I think you're delusional, slightly addled ghosts of the dead but I'm pretty sure you're not tricking me down some dark path unless you have a very unique method of doing so.

>If you're worrying about dark paths, what do you call your life so far?
:iconsamiok:
Sami: It could be worse. A lot worse. I'm grateful for my guilt, because the day I stop feeling guilty I'll know I'll have become something irredeemable.
>>
No. 613094 ID: 185cb8

[private]
Physical scan. First step to investigating, here. And she'll likely respond better if we can provide concrete objectives for her to seek out.

[public]
>Well, technically I think you're delusional, slightly addled ghosts of the dead
Interesting, then, that you thought we wouldn't understand loss.

>because the day I stop feeling guilty I'll know I'll have become something irredeemable
Or you'll have forgiven yourself.

Not that there's anything wrong with feeling the way you do, or being vigilant or cautious. But bad outcomes aren't the only way things can end.
>>
No. 613117 ID: 3009b4

>Not that there's anything wrong with feeling the way you do, or being vigilant or cautious. But bad outcomes aren't the only way things can end.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Maybe that's the way it's been for others. Maybe for girls like Nemain. Not for me, and not for my town. You maybe understand what it's like to lose your present, but you haven't seen suffering until you see a whole town lose its *future*. It's overwhelming. There's no hope, and no light at the end of the tunnel. I think suicide's a sin, and I just... can't be so selfish as to kill myself and do to what my parents what the piper did to all the others. So I've got no outs. I think sometimes I'm hoping something else takes me out, just so it's not my fault.

Won't die that easy though. I've had a few close calls, they shook me up, and they made me fight. Same time, I don't really want to live. I would have just stayed in the bottle or pipe if I could actually get a high that would last... I can't even afford to just waste away.

So I'm here.
>>
No. 613118 ID: 3009b4

:iconnorton:
::ADMIN: You guys could get Physical Scan 2.3 Pro for 30 IP. Pro allows access to the TEN cloud database and can give further information about the scanned object. Scans can take up to 15 min. depending on complexity, so scan before you attempt to kill something. Has a wider radius.

Or you could get Spoof Pro 2.3B for 35 IP; it will prevent you from being detected by physical scans from hostiles.

Limited time offer - pick one or the other right now. Personally, I think it's better to get exploration first, and work on defence when you know what's needed. Physical Scan Pro will be 35 IP later.


::
>>
No. 613124 ID: 185cb8

>>613118
Voting for the Physical Scan, mister antivirus.
>>
No. 613125 ID: 066a87

Hey Sami they're saying we can buy stuff now. Are you a take-away meal kind of person, or the kind of person who prefers to eat in the restaurant? There are no wrong answers, this isn't The Price is Right.
>>
No. 613133 ID: 687279

>>613124
I'll agree.
>>
No. 613142 ID: ea0ad9

>I'm pretty sure you're not tricking me down some dark path unless you have a very unique method of doing so.
Sami, if we're tricking you down some dark path, I assure you, it's entirely by accident. We may, however, show you some dark paths and let you decide if it's worth it or not... but that doesn't mean we know how dark the paths are. YOu got it right that we're pretty damn clueless.
>It could be worse. A lot worse. I'm grateful for my guilt, because the day I stop feeling guilty I'll know I'll have become something irredeemable.
They who walk the path of darkness and yet tremble still at the cold it brings are those who hold even the smallest speck of light within their hearts. Do not lose sight of your emotions, Sami. While we may try to console you and lessen the weight, you should never shun it completely.
>There's no hope, and no light at the end of the tunnel. I think suicide's a sin, and I just... can't be so selfish as to kill myself and do to what my parents what the piper did to all the others.
Sami, I understand what it's like to walk down a dark tunnel with no sign of light. Don't lose track of where you've been, though, and you'll be able to feel your way forward.
...I feel I'm being redundant now, so if that did sound like different words for the same statement, I apologize.
>I think sometimes I'm hoping something else takes me out, just so it's not my fault.
...And yet--
>Won't die that easy though. I've had a few close calls, they shook me up, and they made me fight.
The light of the future? This may sound cruel, Sami, but it sounds less like you're in a dark tunnel without a light, and more like you're just afraid to open your eyes. The reason you can't sleep, nor maintain a worthy high, is that you can't even wake up to reality.
You're alive, girl, and have the strength to prevent others from being caught in the snare of darkness. At some level, you are aware of this, and simply refuse to admit it to yourself.
>>613125
...What? I think you've gone off the deep end, sir, but a question's a question, I suppose. Without worry of any malicious entities, would you prefer to stay inside and eat, or still to carry rations about?
*private*
Almost wanted to block that, talking about shopping. Let's go with Physical Scan Pro. I'm guessing the point of the question was to determine which you felt Sami would prefer, but that's just ridiculous.
*/private*
>>
No. 613163 ID: d3be40

*Private*
Ooh, thanks for the sale!

I vote for
1. Physical Scan Pro
2. Spoof Pro
(I vote that you buy either app, and prioritize physical scan. I still like spoof, but being able to scan enemies would make this a lot easier. Plus, based on what Sami said, it looks like she wants to fight after all.)
*/Private*

For what it's worth, you don't know if the piper was the only person who could have destroyed the town. Maybe there was something within that was also destroying it. It won't bring the children back, but you may as well keep fighting - you wanted to protect the town's future. Maybe you still can.

Well, do you think that someone else moved into the town by now? The church still stands... right?
>>
No. 613177 ID: 185cb8

[private]
>>613142
I think it's way too early to change her perspective by talking her out of it. I'd drop the subject, for now, and work on slowly getting her to be less depressed / out of a suicide by cop mentality. Pushing is likely to upset her, and lower trust.

...although, if I want to perverse, she may fundamentally right about her situation, although she doesn't know how much. "She should have died with the others?" That's very likely literally true. If she's not supposed to be alive, she has the same debt Nem did. And in order to try and repay that debt, she very well may end up employed as a psychopomp as well- meaning she is literally going to spend the rest of her life hunting down dangerous things until one fails and takes her down.
>>
No. 613197 ID: 687279

Alright Sami, do you have a map of the area or something?
>>
No. 613265 ID: 3009b4
File 141904293263.jpg - (442.93KB , 1280x720 , Sami Layout 2.jpg )
613265

PHYSICAL SCAN PRO obtained! You can now scan objects, people and occasionally places. Network connections will be detected, and if the subject has a known signature in the TEN's private wiki the information will be pulled up. Note that no information is available on Sami due to your connection to her -- essentially her profile is in flux.

You have 5 IP remaining.

>Well, do you think that someone else moved into the town by now? The church still stands... right?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: The church stands from what I can see, but the town looks dead and fairly scavenged already. Most of the doors have been broken down. I haven't investigated the church recently but it looks to be in decent condition.

>Alright Sami, do you have a map of the area or something?

Sami: I know my way around this place -- things haven't so much changed as rotted. Points of interest -- other than just nosing around abandoned homes -- include the Blacksmith, school, research labs and an inn. There's a few shops as well. All look abandoned. The church is in the wealthy area, the farmer's market is in the commons.

** NETWORK SCAN: FAE.NET is active at the Blacksmith. **

** Author Note: I'm attempting a new Quest interface -- please let me know what you think. **
>>
No. 613269 ID: d3be40

Okay, back when the town was still active, which areas were frequented the most?

You said that the heart of the town was built around the church, so that's a good place to start. Afterwards, decide which areas obtained the most supplies and revenue, and loot / investigate those areas.

See, even though the town is mostly deserted, people tend to forget to bring things when they move. So, places that were once popular are good places to find supplies and information. Not to mention that they're likely to be more structurally sound due to the increased budget that the owners could spend on shop upgrades.

Be on the lookout for other wanderers or residents, and greet them politely.
>>
No. 613293 ID: ea0ad9

>NETWORK SCAN: FAE.NET is active at the Blacksmith.
Oh, we just got a feeling from the Blacksmith's. Might be worth checking that out later, but since we're already talking about the church, may as well go there first. Could be that looters were just superstitious enough to not damage the church, or it could be that somebody is guarding it, so knocking to make yourself seem friendly should be a good idea.
Or, y'know, it could turn out whatever's in there is aggressive anyways and knocking would clue it in to your presence, so your call.
>>
No. 613311 ID: 82c018

Our definitely-not-ghost senses say there might be something magical around the blacksmith's, though the church also sounds worth checking out if it is still intact somehow.

As a side question, how large an area is effected by the plague of Vermin? If this town is the only place that is seriously effected by them (or has them at all), then it is quite likely there is some specific source we can find.

*Private* The interface works for me.
Also, would it tell Sami if we were to Scan something nearby such as the flute? */Private*
>>
No. 613337 ID: 3009b4

>Also, would it tell Sami if we were to Scan something nearby such as the flute?

** All programs run silent. **
>>
No. 613345 ID: 687279

>>613337
Let's scan the flute, then.
>>
No. 613351 ID: 185cb8

We definitely sense something at the blacksmith. The last time we sensed something like this, it was around a fae settlement.

Which means it's probably worth investigating, but we may want to be cautious in our approach. Someone or something set up what we're sensing at some point, and we don't know if they're still around.
>>
No. 613383 ID: 3009b4
File 141905893456.jpg - (560.43KB , 1280x720 , Sami_ApproachChurch.jpg )
613383

>Okay, back when the town was still active, which areas were frequented the most?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: The church. It was full every Fausday.

> Afterwards, decide which areas obtained the most supplies and revenue, and loot / investigate those areas.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I would think the Merchant's Guildhall and Town Hall -- but the problem is most other people would think the same thing.

>As a side question, how large an area is effected by the plague of Vermin? If this town is the only place that is seriously effected by them (or has them at all), then it is quite likely there is some specific source we can find.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Vermin's always been an issue. I don't think anyone honestly looked into why vermin was such an issue, but they often are in growing cities. The piper got rid of them. It's odd they've come back -- I didn't see so many vermin when my family left town.


>Let's scan the flute, then.

** SCAN RUNNING **

Database Results: The pipe is the former property of the legendary "Pied Piper", a faerie of the Seelie court. It is a secure hacking tool -- hacking tools like a Third Eye have a vulnerability of leaving one open by virtue of connection and can be detected through their use. Secure hacking tools are more limited in their application but do not have these vulnerabilities -- similar to how using hardware security can prevent software exploits. In this particular case, the Pipe is limited to only impacting the "Natural" world -- it has no impact on fae, pantheon or cat elements. Of note, the pipe has a limited security device that restricts its use to the piper's 'essence'. 'Essence' was loosely defined, but essentially one needs to do more that simply take the pipe from the piper to be able to use it correctly. Of note, the pipe is useless on its own without specific songs.

** END SCAN RESULTS **

Sami approaches the church, and gently presses against the doors. They swing open quietly -- someone's taken the care to oil the hinges -- and at the far end of the church, a lone figure kneels reverently in prayer. He is dressed in the gold robes of a Faustian priest. While the church has seen better days, clearly someone has been taking good care of it, and Sami guesses the priest is the one to be doing so.
>>
No. 613393 ID: ea0ad9

*Scan priest*
Go ahead and knock on something, or something related in grabbing his attention. A priest surely wouldn't be aggressive to a peaceful visitor.
>Magic Pipe
Ah, hm. Found a page on the pipe, Sami. We've, uh, got an encyclopedia here. The Golden Piper's Pipe, able to control that which is not of magical origins. ...Well, that suggests that the Vermin didn't come from a magic spell, so there's that out the window. It also says that in order to control anything, the person who holds it must know the right songs, so hey, good news is that it's very unlikely for anybody who manages to steal it to be able to use it... Bad news is it's still possible.
>>
No. 613484 ID: d3be40

...Huh. That's... odd... what...?

*Private*
Why do I get the horrifying feeling that the flute is made of the same material as the statue of Faustia?
*/Private*

Sorry, it was the statue. Heh, too bad it isn't made of gold or you'd have made a fortune. Still, looks pretty; so, is that how the statue was? Is there some kind of material or magic or spiritual blessing that causes the glow, or are we just seeing sunlight?

I'm getting off topic, sorry. Approach the person praying and introduce yourself. You may not want to explain that you're a resident of the town, they might realize who you are and blame you for the town's downfall.

Ask about what they're doing here, if the town is populated now, and other current events.
>>
No. 613490 ID: 185cb8

>It's odd [the vermin]'ve come back
Unless someone or something has been fostering them, here.

>the church
Is that the correct iconography on the statue and the windows? I'm afraid we aren't previously familiar with the goddess Faustia. (And would be significant if someone decided to redecorate).

I would also like to point out, now that there is another person present, that we are speaking directly to you. Baring certain magics that can spy on our conversation, the priest and others you encounter should not hear us.

[private]
...I'd like to explain that she has the option of speaking to us non-audibly if she doesn't want to be overheard planning by others, or look as if she's talking to herself, but there's no way to word that that doesn't suggest mind reading. And I don't think she trusts us enough to be comfortable with that implication. (Trying to justify her choosing to send us a thought as different as our looking though them unannounced would come across as a poor excuse, I think).

There's also something a little disingenuous about offering privacy when we know she's being spied on.
>>
No. 613857 ID: 3009b4
File 141923244150.jpg - (463.35KB , 1280x720 , Sami Meets Nick.jpg )
613857

** SCAN COMPLETE **
** PRIEST not found in TEN database - he is no one notable. **

> It also says that in order to control anything, the person who holds it must know the right songs, so hey, good news is that it's very unlikely for anybody who manages to steal it to be able to use it... Bad news is it's still possible.

:iconsami:
Sami: I'm aware, because I've used it. Not in public of course. "On Mount Golgotha" seems to be the only song that seems to do anything.

>Sorry, it was the statue. Heh, too bad it isn't made of gold or you'd have made a fortune. Still, looks pretty; so, is that how the statue was? Is there some kind of material or magic or spiritual blessing that causes the glow, or are we just seeing sunlight?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: It's coated in a common metal that shines like gold but isn't useful for much beyond impersonating it. It's been polished and it is shining in the sunlight. I think the material was chosen for a spiritual effect, and as a goddess of the sun her colours are gold with reds and orange and violet for the rise.

>Is that the correct iconography on the statue and the windows? I'm afraid we aren't previously familiar with the goddess Faustia. (And would be significant if someone decided to redecorate).
:iconsamiok:
Sami: The iconography, like the priest's robes, are correct. I agree, it would be significant if someone dared try to change the church in that way.

>I would also like to point out, now that there is another person present, that we are speaking directly to you. Baring certain magics that can spy on our conversation, the priest and others you encounter should not hear us.
:iconsamiok:
Sami: I'm hearing voices in my head, don't talk to you around others or they'll think I'm nuts. Even if I am nuts, it's still sound advice.

>I'm getting off topic, sorry. Approach the person praying and introduce yourself. You may not want to explain that you're a resident of the town, they might realize who you are and blame you for the town's downfall.
>Ask about what they're doing here, if the town is populated now, and other current events.

Sami points out that as the last surviving child of her home town, EVERYONE knew who she was. She was treated as a miracle or cruel mystery, but generally treated well by everyone and she shared in the town's grief.

Sami politely knocks on the pews and clears her throat. The man stops his fervent praying and turns.

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Yes my child? What can Father Nick do for you?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: My name is Sami. This was my home. What are you doing here? My town looks dead now; are there other hold-outs remaining?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Oooh, my poor child... I am the last priest to try to maintain the church here. I cannot let the church fall, it is the only good place left now. If I can, I offer comfort to lost souls who come near. Some look for redemption, others are mere hungry travellers. I do my best and warn them of the dangerous of this place. I do so free of charge, but I gladly take any offerings you may spare -- it is hard work to maintain this place, especially with all the vermin.


Sami's tone and body language changed the moment she saw Nick's learn, tired and hungry face. Her voices softs and loses its edge, and is more open and more graceful in her movements.

** Network Detection has determined that there is a Pantheon Netowrk active in this area. It allows for anonymous connections and secure ones via a login.
>>
No. 613865 ID: 1ae57f

[private]
Can we scan the pantheon network for more information before we connect? Can we tell what source is broadcasting it?

After checking up on it, join the pantheon network via an anonymous connection.

[public]
A church without a flock is sad indeed.

I'd say to talk with him a bit. Maybe ask after the others who have passed through recently? It's possible they may be of interest to you. Or following up on the dangers might be important- especially if he happens to know of present of specific threats you might not.

>"On Mount Golgotha" seems to be the only song that seems to do anything.
I'd be curious as to the effect, when you're in a position to answer.
>>
No. 613867 ID: ea0ad9

>there is a Pantheon Netowrk active in this area.
Oh. There's a note here, Sami: A "Pantheon" network is available here. I'm doing some research on what this means, but for now I will ask: Do you want us to learn everything we can if we believe it is safe to do so, or would you prefer we play more cautiously than we believe necessary?
*Check the wiki for information on secure and anonymous connection ports, and scan the port to see which pantheon it connects to*
>Sami's tone and body language changed the moment she saw Nick's learn, tired and hungry face.
Good to know you carry compassion in your heart, no matter how dark your path has been. Even if we're mucking things up and making fools of ourselves... You at least are showing yourself to be a trustworthy person. *Faintly, FAINTLY show a smile for a few seconds*
>>
No. 613876 ID: 1ae57f

>>613867
[private]
Asking her how we should proceed is a little unproductive when she thinks she can't answer us, right now.
>>
No. 613877 ID: ea0ad9

>>613876
*private*
Oh, right, derp.
*public*
As it stands, I will, of course, avoid doing anything without absolute proof, so it's something to think about until you're away from the priest.
>>
No. 613896 ID: 90504c

*private*
Can we get a scan of the statue?
Also a scan of the "On Mount Golgotha" sheet music. Judging by the reference, I'm not sure if we should outright ask Sami what it does.
>>
No. 613941 ID: 3009b4
File 141927082334.jpg - (598.01KB , 1280x720 , Double Scan.jpg )
613941

>I'd say to talk with him a bit. Maybe ask after the others who have passed through recently? It's possible they may be of interest to you. Or following up on the dangers might be important- especially if he happens to know of present of specific threats you might not.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Father, has anyone else passed through the town recently? And would you know if there is anything dangerous about this place I should know about?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: A few travellers my child. They made an offering to Goddess Faustia and then were on their way. As to dangers... you must take shelter when night falls. A great tragedy befell this town and now the cursed spirits roam the streets at night. The church is safe, except on Fausday when they all gather here. I think the poor souls are trying to pray for salvation, so I leave them be and wait for them to leave upon the dawn of the next day. Might I ask what would bring a young lady like yourself to a place of pain?

Sami's face twitches upon Nick mentioning the cursed spirits, but he does not appear to notice.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I know about the tragedy, Father. I was there. I am the only child survivor, and I've spent my last ten years lost. I don't know what drew me back here.

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Oh my poor child! You're THAT Sami. I'm sorry. Well... I'm sure you know this place better than I then. Ah! I almost forgot the golems!

:iconsamiok:
Sami: What about them?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Be WARY at night. While looking for supplies, I've seen the golems acting peculiar, like they were searching for something. Ever since my brush with the Grinder I look for supplies only while the sun protects me.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Why skulk about at night in an abandoned town?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: I'm afraid that sleep is difficult while the cursed spirits roam - they haunt your dreams. It is sometimes easier to sleep during the day.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: ... I'm used to nightmares, but thank-you for the advice.


** SCAN RESULTS **

PANTHEON NETWORK allows for anonymous and registered (secured) login. PORT ACCESS program required due to Pantheon Protocols. Physical Scan shows the network source to be the status of Faustia, but there is no physical access available to the network.

"ON MOUNT GOLGATHA" is a secured TEN-active relic, and extremely old piece dating back to before AD. It is designed for use with TEN-access instruments such as the Piper's Pipe. It is divided into six sections - BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, YOUTH, LOVE, WISDOM, and DEATH.

BIRTH is shrill and carries far -- its purpose is to gain the attention of listeners. As such, the song is disruptive and breaks security and manipulative code alike. The concept was to break any running code designed to prevent targets from being unable to hear the song via barrier, illusion, or counter-measure. This is not a subtle device -- any TEN-active individual will be aware of its use from quite some distance away... but as its purpose is to obtain attention, that's the point.

CHILDHOOD is sunny and sweet. Unless the listener is aware of the song and its purpose, it will draw the intended targets towards the player. Focus is required to draw specific targets, otherwise anything applicable to the instrument will be drawn towards the player.

YOUTH is a lively but somewhat bittersweet song. It is primarily used as a catalyst as it turns the target's mental defences into physical strength, making them more susceptible to programs and hacks while improving their physical abilities.

LOVE is a sweet song that gradually increases in tempo, and is a manipulative hack. Like the other songs, being consciously aware of the song and its purpose will render it ineffective. The targets become extremely susceptible to suggestion. Suggestions that go against their nature will break the effect, but anything short of that will be complied with. The Piper infamously used this section to lead targets into powerful rivers by promising a vision of Heaven at the other side, subverting the suicidal nature of the suggestion. Interesting to note that this suggestion only works on creatures naive enough not to realize the true nature of the request -- while effective on children and animals, most suspect that adults are too aware of the threat of the river and would not blindly enter its water (they do suspect that the adults would quickly try to build a bridge however).

WISDOM is a sad, reflective song that has the opposite effect of YOUTH - instead of granting physical empowerment in exchange for mental resilience, the section of the song sharpens the mind and brings forth memories, especially repressed ones. The song causes fatigue and disrupts fate shields (HP Shields/Plot Armour), making the targets more susceptible to disease, toxins and so forth. Unless a specific memory is focused upon, most targets tend to reflect on critical moments in their lives.

DEATH marks the targets for Death. There is no counter-measure except for specific hacks against the song itself. Completely destroys fate shielding, and a specific cause of death can be chosen. The song itself does not kill the target, they are simply marked and in doing so lose all protection against Death. In the case of applicable constructs (golems and undead) they are instantly destroyed, being animate only due to a variation of fate shielding. The song is not applicable to curses and other elements lacking fate shielding or direct physical links.

Note that the song requires a specific instrument depending if the intended targets are Natural, Automation (construct, undead, elemental, program), Faerie, or Pantheon. The infamous Piper's Pipe only affects Natural targets.
>>
No. 613949 ID: d3be40

Ask about where you can stay, and if looting is permitted.
>>
No. 613962 ID: 1ae57f

[private]
>but there is no physical access available to the network.
...can we connect without physical access? I assumed most of this was magic wi-fi.

I'd like to attempt an anonymous connection, if we can.

[public]
>cursed spirits
If we're cursed, we're unaware of it. Also, we don't do much wandering around on our own. We need a client to travel with.

>ON MOUNT GOLGATHA
Woah. I don't know how much you experimented with this, but we took a look at the music, and this piece is potent. There's a lot that can be done with just that one piece. Definitely something to be kept from unscrupulous hands. (You need a reason to live? Not dying before this is secured somehow is a start).
>>
No. 613964 ID: 3009b4

>Ask about where you can stay, and if looting is permitted.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Father, can you recommend safe places to stay? Do you mind if I check the abandoned places for supplies?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: This is a safe place, or it will be for the next five days. If you can find any supplies, I only ask that you let me know -- keeping this place going is very difficult. The closest town is two days travel and I do not want the vermin to over-run the last good place left here. If you wish to make a donation of money or food I will offer prayers on your behalf to Our Lady of the Light -- may she bless you with good fortune and peace!

Sami half-smiles. She would love a blessing of peace but she gave up on Faustia a long time ago. She's not completely lost her faith, but she has so little left that she's become agnostic. Still, she admires people like Father Nick who can manage to keep striving for their ideals despite being surrounded by despair.

** PRIVATE **

>...can we connect without physical access? I assumed most of this was magic wi-fi.
>I'd like to attempt an anonymous connection, if we can.

** The PORT ACCESS program is required because the PANTHEON uses a different protocol. The TEN is the standard protocol (think HTML) but Fae.net and Pantheon.org use propritory protocols (think how Microsoft or EA). The PORT ACCESS program is a simple hacking tool that emulates protocols.

For those wondering, Nem had built-in Fae.net protocols because of the nature of her cape. Sami is using the Death Token and it only has standard TEN protocols initially) **
>>
No. 613973 ID: 742b4a

>>613941
Ah. Sami, that song's final section has the potential to destroy golems, but we'll need to find the right instrument first. The other sections can do a lot of different things... let me give you a basic rundown.

The first is called BIRTH and it is like a baby's cry. It will call attention to you over a large area. To do this, it will break any magical silence or similar things in the area.
The second is called CHILDHOOD and draws the target to you, unless they know what the song does.
The third is called YOUTH and weakens the target's mind while strengthening their body.
The fourth is called LOVE and allows you to manipulate the target through suggestion. Like CHILDHOOD, it doesn't work if they know what the song does.
The fifth is called WISDOM and is the reverse of YOUTH.
The sixth is called DEATH and allows you to mark a target for death, and you can choose to specify whatever cause of death you want. The song itself doesn't kill, though... I'm not sure how long it'd take for the target to die, but I'm betting it depends on what cause of death you specify, if any.
The pipe can only be used against non-fae people and animals. I'm hoping we can find more instruments like it but on the other hand I don't think it's very likely that we'll just come across one here.
>>
No. 614061 ID: ec2e47

Our not-ghost senses can feel a presence here that might be Faustia's, but we are not currently strong enough to find out more. We should head out now if it isn't too late to make good use of the remaining daylight.

*private*
> lead targets into powerful rivers [emphasis added]
Interesting; this mentions the river trick being used in multiple places by the Piper, though it is ambiguous whether the previous times were also massacres or were legitimate vermin-specific pest control. To clarify, in the version of the story I remember the Piper came when hired for some unspecified price, and only killed the children after the vermin were dead and the village then refused to pay their debt.

As another side note, those spirits sound like they might be our target. Find Automaton weapon, bring peace (either through suggesting they pass on or death marking) to tormented spirits.

>I've seen the golems acting peculiar, like they were searching for something. Ever since my brush with the Grinder I look for supplies only while the sun protects me.
Five Nights at Sami's?

>>
No. 614062 ID: d3be40

*Private*
>>613973
Can someone mute the D-word?!
*/Private*

Well, you may as well get going. Start looting!
>>
No. 614214 ID: 3009b4
File 141931692722.jpg - (466.48KB , 1280x720 , Sami Leaves the Church.jpg )
614214

Sami tells Father Nick she'll keep an eye out for supplies and will let him know if she finds any stashes. Then she thanks him for his help and bids him good-day.

Outside, Sami sighs.
:iconsami:
Sami: Please don't ramble on like that when I'm around other people and can't talk back. It's one thing to ask me what you need to know from people, and another to go on about things that... I haven't even shown you. It's very distracting.

Now as to "On Mount Golgotha" -- I'm curious as to where you got your information from.

As to looting -- where did you want to go next? In this area of town there's the town hall, merchant's guild, some shops for the rich, the former homes of the wealthy including the mayor's.

** NETWORKS DETECTED **
There is a ROT.NET local network in the Graveyard near the church.
There is a FAE.NET local network in the Town Hall and Jeweler's Shop.

The TOWN HALL Fae.net has a public notice:
"Avoid this area for your own protection. It has been infected with a malignant entity, “Song of Guilt and Grief”. This curse has infected the area of the town and approximately a 100m area around it, and has also impacted the constructs in the vicinity. This is a multi-layer curse and that means that both faerie and mortal are at risk. For your own safety, avoid this area until notified otherwise. We expect Rotland Redeemers to resolve this situation shortly."

This message was posted 10 years ago.

** PRIVATE NOTES **
>Interesting; this mentions the river trick being used in multiple places by the Piper, though it is ambiguous whether the previous times were also massacres or were legitimate vermin-specific pest control. To clarify, in the version of the story I remember the Piper came when hired for some unspecified price, and only killed the children after the vermin were dead and the village then refused to pay their debt.

You might need to ask Sami about that, but be careful on how you word it.

Sami is a little annoyed at your scanning her music without her permission, but not enough to distrust you more than she already does.
>>
No. 614223 ID: 1ae57f

>Now as to "On Mount Golgotha" -- I'm curious as to where you got your information from.
We 'scanned' it. Basically the song is magic, and we have the ability to intuit certain things about that magic when we turn our attention to it.

Sorry if that caught you off guard, but it's almost as natural as looking at our surroundings for us (makes up for the lack of smell or touch or taste, maybe). We didn't think.

>Please don't ramble on like that when I'm around other people and can't talk back.
Would you like to be able to talk back around other people, without being heard?

>also
Um. Speaking of scanning, the were just looking around, and the town-hall has the spiritual equivalent of a notice tacked up. It's a warning that claims the town and a hundred meter radius around it are cursed. It claims the problem should be dealt with soon... but the message is ten years old.

Would explain why things haven't improved around here.
>>
No. 614245 ID: 066a87

>>614223
Speak for yourself, there are spells that allow for remote tasting. Very useful if you're in the court protection business and want to be able to detect poisoned food without risking your taster.

Or if you're a pervert, but polite people don't talk about how the spell can be misused like that.

Anyway, Sami, you ever heard of Rotland Redeemers?

And Admins, I know you're tuned in. Who are they?
>>
No. 614260 ID: ea0ad9

>BIRTH, CHILDHOOD, LOVE
Hmm. It seems that luring and convincing are the effects of two songs combined. If one were to find a way to play Childhood and Love together... Sami, be very cautious if you ever play that song again. If you must play it, start with the BIRTH section so that any person nearby is aware of it, and focus the tune on the unaware. I will be sorely disappointed if you accidentally effect an innocent person by forgetting this step.

>In the case of applicable constructs (golems and undead) they are instantly destroyed, being animate only due to a variation of fate shielding. The song is not applicable to curses and other elements lacking fate shielding or direct physical links.
>Ah. Sami, that song's final section has the potential to destroy golems, but we'll need to find the right instrument first.
If these golems weren't conjured up by faeries, and were instead created from nature itself, the Flute will be able to mark them for death, anyways. Death is a very specific protocol, and has to be focused to work. As such, you do not want to play Birth if you are using it.
>There is a ROT.NET local network in the Graveyard near the church.
>There is a FAE.NET local network in the Town Hall and Jeweler's Shop.
There's a "stench" coming from the Graveyard. I don't know what it is, but I think it should be avoided. There's the aura of Fae in the Town Hall and the Jeweler's, but it's an old aura, about ten years old, but after you left, not before.
>It has been infected with a malignant entity, “Song of Guilt and Grief”.
*private*
I'm really hoping that Sami didn't do this herself...
*public*
>I'm curious as to where you got your information from.
I told you, we've got an encyclopedia. It's not so much a physical thing, but we can look stuff up in it.
Uh, sorry for rambling on in there, though. We should have saved our information for afterwards. It turns out we weren't able to access the network, anyways, as it requires something from the Faeries. It did scan as Faustia, interestingly enough; perhaps Faustia is a Cat who poses in the shape of a Mortal, but she does seem to be real either way. The philosophy she teaches suggests she doesn't mind anybody not worshipping her, though. You won't be punished for abandoning faith, and she may still bless you indeed... if you trust a God or Cat to do that.
>>
No. 614301 ID: db83ac

Looks like the Jeweler's is protected by a curse. Since you're pretty strong, you may want to start there and loot all the valuables you can find. See how far you can go without magic.

Stake a claim to one of these houses.
>>
No. 614351 ID: ec2e47

>Now as to "On Mount Golgotha" -- I'm curious as to where you got your information from.
We, as ethereal beings who are not ghosts, have a magical ability to sense, examine (scan), and occasionally interact with (access) magical effects (networks) nearby.

Around the graveyard we sense something that might contain useful information or useful tools but will very likely be dangerous, as it could be either ghosts much less friendly than the talkative sort (which we are not) or a camp of magical police who most likely got killed 10 years ago by said unfriendly ghosts.

*Private* Basically, I think ROT.NET might mean a camp of the Rotland Redeemers the message said were supposed to fix things, but since it has been 10 years with no fix something nasty probably got them first and might still be lurking near their camp. */Private*

There is also something magical at the jeweler's of an unclear nature, so I think we should examine either there or the blacksmith's shop.
>>
No. 614453 ID: 3009b4
File 141935920839.jpg - (536.04KB , 1280x720 , Sami enters the jewllers.jpg )
614453

>Sorry if that caught you off guard, but it's almost as natural as looking at our surroundings for us (makes up for the lack of smell or touch or taste, maybe). We didn't think.
:iconsamiok:
Sami: It's all right, I'd just like more warning in the future.

>Would you like to be able to talk back around other people, without being heard?
:iconsamiok:
Sami: That would be lovely, thanks.

>Anyway, Sami, you ever heard of Rotland Redeemers?
:iconsamiok:
Sami: Rotland? That's the underworld where the dead go. I've never heard of the "Redeemers". I've heard of shadows from Rotland that walk the land, who are very different from the faeries. They don't care for tricks or games and have voracious appetites. These wraiths sometimes come to drag people back with them, and are drawn to cursed places. You can usually tell them by their smell, it's like leaves rotting in the fall or wet earth in the spring. They can take multiple forms. Sometimes they come for revenge, other times they just want to deliver a message or fulfill a dying wish. If you see one, it means Death has come or will come shortly for a friend or family member. I've never met one myself. Maybe that's a "Redeemer"?

Sami makes her way down the streets to the Jeweller's shop. She can hear the skittering of vermin and occasionally catches one moving out the corner of her eye, but none accost her.

The door to the shop has been kicked in and hangs impotently off its hinges. It's dark inside and looks like it was ransacked awhile ago.

:iconnorton:
:: NORTON has awarded 20 IP. He will not say for what, except that he should have given you 15 IP back at the church when Sami met Nick.
::


** 25 IP AVAILABLE **

** FAE.NET in range, Hearth version 1.98. Requires login, no welcome message. **
>>
No. 614461 ID: 742b4a

>>614453
*private*
Waaaaait.
>one needs to do more that simply take the pipe from the piper to be able to use it correctly.
Yet, we know Sami can use the pipe. She has the piper's essence somehow.
*/private*

Sami, watch out, there's one on the top of the doorframe.

Let's buy Port Detection so that we can connect to fae.net stuff.
>>
No. 614463 ID: db83ac

Uh, Sami, we see a giant bug or something behind you, on top of the door frame.

Well, it might leave if you pretend it's not there. Your choice.

*Private*
I'm not sure if telling her about the giant bug is a good idea. Nem lost trust when she was asked to look behind her, only for the wolf to leave before she did. Any suggestions?
*/Private*
>>
No. 614482 ID: 1ae57f

There is something that looks like a really big spider on the doorframe directly above your head!

I assume that's some kind of vermin. Careful!

>That would be lovely, thanks.
It might take a bit of practice, but basically, you very deliberately form a thought with the intent of speaking... and then don't. And then the intent carries your words to us, unspoken.

To make a crude analogy, an attempt to read your thoughts would be like reading through someone's diary unasked. This is more akin to passing notes. Same medium, different means.

This technique obviously only works when there's a spiritual connection to pass notes along. It's how we talk to you- from our perspective we're not speaking aloud, per se.

[private]
Thank you, Norton.
>>
No. 614500 ID: 3009b4
File 141936487084.jpg - (466.29KB , 1280x720 , Sami swings at the leaper.jpg )
614500

Sami looks up and barely reacts in time, knocking the Leaper aside with a wild swing.

The creature is not killed however -- it bounces off the wall and rights itself quickly, preparing to make another strike.

** Your timely warning earns 5 TRUST. **

Sami takes a hunter's stance and prepares to defend herself against the LEAPER, a disease-spreading parasitic VERMIN that prefers to ambush its hosts. Once on, LEAPERS are difficult to remove and their needle-like appendages for drinking blood can inflict serious injury if they hit a bad spot, although they tend to aim for non-lethal areas. They have a hard exoskeleton; the legs and head are extremely resilient to crushing damage but their abdomen is relatively soft and if ruptured will kill the beast.

Every strike Sami makes against the soft spot has a 25% chance of killing the LEAPER, and this increases per consecutive hit (so her second hit has a 50% chance of killing, then 75% and if she lands 4 in a row it's dead regardless). There is a good chance that if the fight takes too long or Sami hits it too much the LEAPER will run away instead.

** NEW ENCOUNTER COMBAT INSTRUCTIONS **

Since quite honestly minor combat like this bogs down the story in Quest format, please indicate your IP budget for this fight -- it will automatically be used to modify Sami's rolls as needed for the swiftest end to the fight. Then the fight will continue until Sami kills it, drives it off, or it lands a successful attack (and then it's a matter of removing the beast).
>>
No. 614503 ID: 742b4a

>>614500
10 IP. This nasty little bastard is more dangerous than any foe Nem ever faced!
>>
No. 614511 ID: 3009b4

>10 IP. This nasty little bastard is more dangerous than any foe Nem ever faced!

** Maximum IP Spend per Player is still 5 to prevent group over-spending (plus Sami's got a much tighter IP budget) unless BOOST is purchased.

On the plus side, you don't have to calculate how much IP to spend per compressed combat round. If Sami misses a roll by 5%, then only 1 IP will be deducted from the spend to cover the difference. This will also include when rolling to see if Sami's hit is fatal or not -- if it misses by 15% and there's 5 IP in the budget, I'll use 3 points automatically to end it faster and the 2 remaining IP will be returned to the pool.

Significant combat against foes with Plot Armour goes in the traditional round-by-round format **
>>
No. 614516 ID: 0231de

>>614500
>>614503
I say 5 IP is enough. We don’t need to waste stuff here.
>>
No. 614524 ID: 4c088a

I'll throw in another 5 IP if we manage to burn through the first 5 without resolving the combat.
>>
No. 614552 ID: ea0ad9

>I've never met one myself. Maybe that's a "Redeemer"?
Sounds like what we used to call the "Reapers," then. Rotland Redeemers, huh. Interesting name, gotta say.
>>
No. 614567 ID: db83ac

Spend no IP. See if Sami can win this fight herself.

Sami, pin the bug to the wall and hold it there until something breaks! Then whack its head until the consistency of its brain is chunky salsa. If you don't know what salsa is, we can explain later!
>>
No. 614625 ID: 3009b4
File 141938352360.jpg - (515.08KB , 1280x720 , Sami kills the Leaper.jpg )
614625

Sami quickly swings again, stunning the Leaper. Before it can recover, she follows up with a stronger one that lands on a weak spot, splattering the VERMIN.

(She rolled well; no IP spent)

>Sami, pin the bug to the wall and hold it there until something breaks! Then whack its head until the consistency of its brain is chunky salsa. If you don't know what salsa is, we can explain later!

:iconsami:
Sami: Pin a Leaper? Look, no offence Kome but don't give advice about fighting creatures you know nothing about. The head's the most armoured spot on a Leaper -- it can punch through a rollie-pollie. They're fast and you don't want to get any part closer to the needle than you need to.

>Sounds like what we used to call the "Reapers," then. Rotland Redeemers, huh. Interesting name, gotta say.

Sami checks for other vermin but doesn't see any. Leapers work alone. She doesn't drop her guard but she does relax a little. Now that she's had time to look, she can see the shop has been ransacked. Nothing of note remains.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: It's an odd name to be sure. So what's so important here? I don't see anything but dust.

:: ADMIN PUNI has quietly awarded 5 IP. You now have 30 IP on hand ::
>>
No. 614629 ID: 4c088a

Glad to see you handled that as well as you did. Nasty thing.

There's... something spiritual, here. We'll examine it and see if there's any information, if you approve?

[private]
Do we need to make an IP purchase to connect to this network?
>>
No. 614649 ID: 3009b4

** PRIVATE **
>Do we need to make an IP purchase to connect to this network?

This network is a Fae.Net, which means you'll need a Port Access program to handle the protocol AND a valid Login ID or you'll need to use an OVERFLOW PROGRAM, which is 50 IP. In order to get a valid Login ID you'll need to get in contact with a Fae.Net local network owner. Since there might not be any left in the town, alternatively if you can find an unsecured network you can use the GLAMOUR PROGRAM (20 IP) to copy and impersonate someone else's ID.

Regardless, you'll have to purchase at least PORT ACCESS to use this network since you're using TEN protocol and it's using FAE.
>>
No. 614671 ID: 742b4a

Well. Let's purchase PORT ACCESS first.
>>
No. 614678 ID: 330ce5

*Private*
Buy port access.
>>
No. 614679 ID: db83ac

>>614625
Oh. Okay. Sorry.

This may make a good safehouse. Look around for a secret exit (this was a jeweler's store, so it would be reasonable to create an exit strategy in case of raiders), then barricade everything except said exit.

Also, this place has a connection to the fae. Probably a result of a few magic trinkets being bought and sold at this store. We can't do anything about that yet, but it might be useful later.
>>
No. 614801 ID: 5f402f

[public]
There's something here, but it's fae in origin, not TEN. Which means we'll need time before we can try and get any information for you.

The fae and the cats use different ciphers, essentially.

>>614679
I'm not sure why "rural jewelers" suggests "secret passages" to you. Or how that would significantly increase the strategic value of this location, when we're dealing with significantly smaller opponents who aren't as limited in their possible entrances.

The place Sami was staying before, at least, she was able to sleep without being attacked, so that was reasonably secure. The church is also pretty secure (except one day of the week) and has the added advantage of an additional pair of eyes and ears.

[private]
Thank you, Puni.

Huh. How many of you guys are there?
>>
No. 615128 ID: 3009b4
File 141946562533.jpg - (559.14KB , 1280x720 , Sami at Jewellers Shop Quiet.jpg )
615128

** PORT ACCESS has been obtained! Now any unsecured Network (or those that allow anonymous access) can be used. Note that the local network at the jeweler's requires a login. **

>This may make a good safehouse. Look around for a secret exit (this was a jeweler's store, so it would be reasonable to create an exit strategy in case of raiders), then barricade everything except said exit.

:iconsami:
Sami: Are you nuts? The building's picked clean, the wood is rotten (thanks to the damned rollie-pollies) and there's no 'secret exit' because this is the rich part of town we USED to have a garrison (which is stationed in the middle-class part of town, near the gates).

>There's something here, but it's fae in origin, not TEN. Which means we'll need time before we can try and get any information for you.

:iconsami:
Sami: I don't have a clue about what you're going on about. Anyhow, do you have any other ideas about what to do next? We could check the Town Hall, Merchant's Guild, an upper-class inn, Mayor's mansion, scout some of the homes of the rich, or head to the Middle Class or Common area of town.
>>
No. 615129 ID: 742b4a

>>615128
Town Hall, please.
>>
No. 615136 ID: 5f402f

>I don't have a clue about what you're going on about.
There are different kinds of ways spiritual messages can be written, and they're not all easy for us to read.

It's kind of like using a cipher or a code. Or a different language. The ones we know are easy. The ones we don't we have to find a way to work though or get around before we can understand.

I mean, all we can tell you right now is one of the fae, or someone with fae blood, or who was taught their workings, was once here. Not particularity helpful, in and of itself.

I mean, given what you know of them, is it really surprising the fae would have a hidden way to communicate with each other? Or that they'd make it hard for others to intercept their messages?
>>
No. 615350 ID: db83ac

The garrison might be a good place to loot, but only because the vermin likely use it as their base. Maybe later.

Okay, secure the research labs. You may want to look for any information the scientists discovered on the various diseases the vermin brought with them. It should help in case you (or another survivor) get wounded by one of the vermin.
>>
No. 615369 ID: ec2e47

Um, which way is the river? From what I know about ghosts (which is not first-hand knowledge), they often stay close to the last place they saw. I don't think we have the tools to approach there for now, but it would be good to know for future reference. For now going to the Town Hall sounds good.
>>
No. 615379 ID: ea0ad9

>I don't think we have the tools to approach there for now, but it would be good to know for future reference.
Well, I think the flute should be able to effect them. They're the ghosts of mortals, right? So they should still be effected. Would kind of be mean to use the source of their death against them again though.
Town hall. It's where we first sensed something at.
>>
No. 615755 ID: 066a87

Can we do a Physical Scan in here and locate the physical thing the FAE.net is tied to?
>>
No. 615898 ID: 3009b4
File 141970481968.jpg - (575.10KB , 1280x720 , Sami at Jewellers Shop Network location.jpg )
615898

** SCAN RESULTS **

The Physical Scan has revealed the Network source is beneath the floorboards.

According to the wiki, the configuration and type indicates that it's using a Faerie Ring fungal growth as its physical manifest. Under normal circumstances, tampering with the network draws the ire of the owner -- hence the warnings to never step within a faerie ring in old lore.

This is a Hearth local network, version 1.98. Version 1.98 has a security exploit where an iron nail placed in the centre of the ring can be used to gain admin access. This was patched in version 2.5 and later, but clearly this network hasn't been updated in some time.

****
>>
No. 615901 ID: 066a87

>>615898
Sami, there's a thing you can do for us to get more information. There's a faerie circle under the floorboards here, in front of you and to your left a bit.

If you pull up the old floorboard there, and put an iron nail in the center of the ring, we'll have full access to whatever magic it is capable of. Of course, whoever put the ring there in the first place might be annoyed if they find out you had a hand in it but this place doesn't seem to have been touched lately. If the owner were keeping the circle up they would have fixed the iron nail issue.
>>
No. 615903 ID: 5f402f

Aha! It's a fairy ring, Sami. Must be mushrooms growing underneath the floor. If you turn your face forward, it's uh, under the third floorboard from the wall, there, in between those two stains.

If you place an iron nail in the center of the ring, that'll trick it into allowing us access. Should be a lose nail or one that can be pried free somewhere.
>>
No. 615931 ID: 82c018

Maybe before trying the nail trick we should try connecting normally with Port Access? The ring is old and not well maintained, but we should check first whether there is some kind of hermit-faerie around to get mad at our fiddling.
>>
No. 615934 ID: 742b4a

>>615931
*private*
We can't connect with Port Access because we don't have any valid login credentials. Port Access just lets us switch protocol.
>>
No. 616007 ID: db83ac

I think you should use magnetized iron. In case you don't know, magnets are charged pieces of metal that attract and are attracted by other metals. We heard that this can sometimes interfere with fae magic, since magnets use the same type of energy as lightning, so it's really useful. We can help you build a machine that can turn ordinary iron into magnetized iron. It's pretty simple, you just need to heat up some ordinary iron, then take naturally magnetized metal and move it around the iron really really fast.

Before you ask, no you can't magnetize the gold piece and leave us stuck to a. For some reason, some types of metal (non-ferrous) aren't attracted by magnets or able to become magnets.

Oh, and can you sing a tune inside the faerie circle later? We want to see what happens.
>>
No. 616009 ID: ea0ad9

>>616007
*Private* This bunch of jargon and mumbo is just going to get Sami to either be angry at us, or distrustful. We don't have enough trust to get her to do all sorts of sciency things.
*public*
Sami, as the others said, an iron nail in the middle of the faerie ring should do the trick. Depending on how it works, you might need to brush a second nail, this one heated up, against the first one, but I highly doubt that's the case, and it would be too much trouble to heat it up safely.
>>
No. 616077 ID: 066a87

It's too bad there's no bar here. Sami could have a piña colada while we play The Girl From Ipanema in her head. That'd be much better than worrying about magnetic gibberish.
>>
No. 616384 ID: 3009b4
File 141983389515.jpg - (424.81KB , 640x720 , Sami Rips up the Floor.jpg )
616384

** Author Note - I found that the layout didn't work very well for smart phones and have adjusted accordingly. You'll see the Quest layout change a bit until I think I have something useful) **

Sami rolls her eyes at the various suggestions, and shakes her head.

:iconsami:
Sami: Hope you don't mind me asking but none of you died in an asylum or anything, right?

She slams the end of her walking stick -- which has a heavy metal tip for combat -- into the rotten floor boards. After digging them away, she finds the faerie ring. Finding a rusted nail, she tosses it into the middle.

While she sees nothing happening, the HMES leaps to life as it connects to the local network.

After some gibberish -- although it mentions a time-out error when trying to connect to the Admin -- the Network enters maintenance mode, granted admin-level access. This network security will stay down until the admin fixes it.

** LOCAL NETWORK: Goblin332 **

Public Login Message:
“This place is done. The mayor’s gone and thrown himself from the coils, the grim’s spread to the golems and I’m leaving. There’s just no point in living in a town without children, they’re the only good things they ever had. I’m glad the Piper’s dead, hope it was horrible and that the girl didn’t get indigestion. Side note – if someone else finds this note, please take a piss on the mayor’s grave. He’s got this big fancy headstone behind the church – had the money for that and to cover up his suicide but NOT to pay debts, apparently”

A quick search of the directory reveals a compatible program: BOTCH can be copied to the system. BOTCH is a modification program that turns failures into disaster, but its use requires 10 IP. Note that BOTCH does not change the probability of a target to fail an attempt, but to turn the failure into the worst possible outcome.

:iconnorton:
:: An ADMIN has awarded 5 IP ::
>>
No. 616392 ID: dd4ed3

>Hope you don't mind me asking but none of you died in an asylum or anything, right?
No offense taken. You just have to put up with the kooks for a little while, we're stuck with 'em.

>faerie ring
Thanks for listening to us about the nail, though. I don't know why that works, it just does. Magic is weird.

Hmm. Seems to have belonged to a goblin. Doesn't seem to have liked the mayor much, left a message disparaging his suicide and wishing for anyone who reads this to desecrate his grave. And he bemoans the lack of children for reasons I'm glad it didn't elaborate on. Nasty little thing.

Only thing recorded here that might be useful is a kind of hex we might be able to use. If employed, it can exacerbate or worsen a failure. (Say, if someone were to trip up while attacking you, we could make the consequences worse for them). Kind of limited in application, though.

...we could leave it, if you're uncomfortable with that.
>>
No. 616395 ID: 687279

>>616384
We found a note. It says to piss on the mayor's grave.

(yeah sure copy BOTCH, no reason not to)
>>
No. 616403 ID: 3009b4

** Contextual Help **
>(Say, if someone were to trip up while attacking you, we could make the consequences worse for them).

BOTCH is used to turn failing rolls into critical failure results. Tripping while attacking actually an example of a BOTCH. In application, an enemy who strikes but misses (thus, a failed attack roll) can be turned into a loss of weapon, stumbling, or striking another enemy. BOTCH can be stacked to a point, depending on circumstance. For example, if the floor is known to be weak, a BOTCH can turn a strike into a fall, and a second BOTCH to cause the floor to break.

** Program downloaded automatically. Note that it will take at least 2 players to activate unless BOOST is purchased, which allows players to use double their normal maximum contribution. **
>>
No. 616412 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
Let's run a search on what the Goblins of this world are.
*Public*
Alright, that worked out as much as it is going to... We did learn a couple of things, though they may just be the owner's opinions. A note was left behind, which stated that the Mayor commited suicide, and had simply left money behind to cover it up, but also that the mayor had some debts that were never paid, so it could be more that he was killed for not paying up.
The only thing the message makes clear is that the owner was glad the Piper was dead, and that they didn't like the mayor.

Sorry about all the mumbo-jumbo that went on involving the ring. What we know about faeries and breaking through their magic is quite lacking, but we do know that "Cold iron" can break certain bits of it. Iron qualifies as cold when it is sharp, and a nail has a sharp point, while also being something that presses through, so I guess that makes it effective, or something. Again, "Mumbo Jumbo."
>>
No. 616423 ID: db83ac

>>616384
...Wow, what a DICK.

Sami, we just found out that the mayor was RICH. Rich enough to pay the piper ten years ago. I guess you can blame yourself less, because if he wasn't such a miser, maybe this town would have lived.

I think this message implies that the mayor faked his death. Makes sense. He was probably running, not just from the angry raving townsfolk, but from some kind of debt. Fae debt, maybe? Well, he has a grave in the church backyard.

Considering what a miser this guy was, you should probably desecrate his grave and loot the contents! If the priest asks, just tell him that what you learned about the mayor from his citizens makes him unworthy of Faustia's embrace.
>>
No. 616474 ID: ea0ad9

>>616423
No. Let's not go desecrating holy grounds.
>>
No. 616476 ID: 687279

The graveyard is dangerous anyway. We should not go there unprepared.
>>
No. 616487 ID: dd4ed3

>>616423
Just no.

[private]
Geeze, I was trying for a little trust by asking permission before pickup up the potentially unsavory (but useful) program instead of just taking it or surprising her with it later and then you start talking about desecrating graves.

This was her home, and she's already worried we're crazy, or she could be lead down a dark path. Stop saying things that affirm that.
>>
No. 616491 ID: db83ac

>>616474
It's not desecration if the grave is a fake!

But yeah, I guess that might be sacrilegious, I apologize. Either way, you may want to visit the mayor's house. As the legal representative of the town, his house may have clues as to why the piper did what he did, and/or more information on the town itself.

For now, it looks like the former owner of the faerie circle no longer cares who uses it, so I guess you can claim it as your own. Why not play us a song inside the circle?
>>
No. 616494 ID: 3009b4

>Um, which way is the river?
** Author Note - I originally meant to do a sketch for her reaction but forgot **
:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Let's avoid river, OK? It's the same one the Piper tried to drown me in.

** Contextual Help **
>Only thing recorded here that might be useful is a kind of hex we might be able to use... Geeze, I was trying for a little trust by asking permission before pickup up the potentially unsavory (but useful) program instead of just taking it or surprising her with it later

Good idea, but Sami isn't notified about network communications, she just hears suggestions in her head. While it is a nice gesture, it's more information than she needs to know. Audrey has muted the comment; hold off on revealing your capabilities until Sami asks directly.

>This was her home, and she's already worried we're crazy, or she could be lead down a dark path. Stop saying things that affirm that.
Fortunately Sami isn't an idiot -- she is aware of different ID's and handles and now that she's had some time with you has begun to understand the different personalities.

** END HELP **

>Hmm. Seems to have belonged to a goblin. Doesn't seem to have liked the mayor much, left a message disparaging his suicide and wishing for anyone who reads this to desecrate his grave. And he bemoans the lack of children for reasons I'm glad it didn't elaborate on. Nasty little thing.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: What do you mean? Goblins usually only cause trouble for adults. I've never heard them do anything worse than a few harmless pranks to children. They can be a bit eccentric but they're usually good luck to have around.

>A note was left behind, which stated that the Mayor commited suicide, and had simply left money behind to cover it up, but also that the mayor had some debts that were never paid, so it could be more that he was killed for not paying up.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Perhaps the mayor was murdered? Possible -- everyone was very tight-lipped about the cause of death.

>Sami, we just found out that the mayor was RICH. Rich enough to pay the piper ten years ago. I guess you can blame yourself less, because if he wasn't such a miser, maybe this town would have lived.

:iconsami:
Sami: That's not news. Everyone on the council was wealthy. The Piper's asking price was 130 gold crowns. ** CONTEXT: $1,300,000 equivalent value **

>I think this message implies that the mayor faked his death. Makes sense.
:iconsami:
Sami: There was a body. I highly doubt that.

>Considering what a miser this guy was, you should probably desecrate his grave and loot the contents!
:iconsami:
Sami: Kome, so what you're saying is you think he faked his death so naturally I should desecrate the grave of some innocent substitute and anger the dead around it? I shall place that idea alongside "pinning a leaper and bashing its head in" in a little bin of suggestions I shall label "Lunatic Ravings". When it gets large enough my asylum lobotomist should have no problems locating the tumour.

Sami shakes her head.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I'm not sure what you've all found in that faerie circle but I do think you could be right about the suicide. Suicides... leave a stain. You know why we view it as a sin? I don't know what you seen on your side of the grave, but it's been said that suicide and murder leave a curse behind. The suicide's curse is worse, because while a murder leaves a lack of resolution for the poor victim, suicide involves succumbing to the idea that certain mortal troubles were worse than Death itself, and these troubles are given life as demons as a result. Now you understand why suicide is not an option for me -- I shall not stain the land with what I've endured.

*************************
** TEN WIKI: GOBLINS **
*************************

Goblins are members of the Unseelie Court. They have erratic tempers and eccentric personalities, even by faerie standards. Their culture is similar to that of the Goon in which they have a poor opinion of mortals and people in general, but they have a soft spot for children of all races and their pranks on children are nowhere near as malicious as their standard fare. Cultures differ widely based on geography; Northern goblins in Gaelend are more hostile while in Rollen they're more sociable.

Goblins on occasion will decide to adopt a family, similar to behaviour of their Seelie brownie counterparts. On such an occasion, the goblin will deem itself head of the household -- after which point the goblin's own managerial skills will determine if the adopted family will honour it or need to take steps to sever the arrangement. Like certain kobolds, some goblins will also attempt to domesticate organized groups of people (especially miners) much like a beekeeper -- making the work far easier in exchange for a portion of the rewards.

In general, Goblins are wild creatures and thus make poor pets although there are always exceptions to the rule. It is usually better to observe the personality of a goblin before interacting.

*************************
>>
No. 616498 ID: 687279

>>616494
Hmm. One phrase stands out in the note. "the grim’s spread to the golems".

Shall we head to the town hall next?
>>
No. 616537 ID: 066a87

None of the other chuckleheads here thought to pass along the message we pulled from that circle? Figures.

Verbatim:
“This place is done. The mayor’s gone and thrown himself from the coils, the grim’s spread to the golems and I’m leaving. There’s just no point in living in a town without children, they’re the only good things they ever had. I’m glad the Piper’s dead, hope it was horrible and that the girl didn’t get indigestion. Side note – if someone else finds this note, please take a piss on the mayor’s grave. He’s got this big fancy headstone behind the church – had the money for that and to cover up his suicide but NOT to pay debts, apparently”

That message is set to show to anyone able to use the circle the first time they try. No actual evidence there, just what amounts to hearsay if this were a police procedural.

The main user, and likely the one that left that message, styled himself Goblin332. In light of the sentiment about children, it may well have been an actual goblin. Do you remember one in the past?

Also are piña coladas even a thing in your culture? You don't really strike me as the cocktail kind of person, but maybe fruity drinks are your bag.

[private]
While I doubt Sami wants to be reminded of what she had to do to kill the Piper, I think it's better to be forthright on this. And if you haven't figured out what she did, don't pester her by asking.
[/private]

Let's create a new admin-level login here, Chuckleheads, key it to us, and reset the security. Can we upgrade this thing to a more recent version or are we stuck with it having a well known security hole for now?

Also, let's make a normal user level login, Sami, and key it to her. Maybe she'll be able to sense it once it's set up to recognize her.
>>
No. 616539 ID: 066a87

Oh and before we go, let's check this thing for the user list. See who all else had access at one time. Maybe we can browse their passwords, so we can spoof them in other systems.
>>
No. 616540 ID: 82c018

>suicide involves succumbing to the idea that certain mortal troubles were worse than Death itself, and these troubles are given life as demons as a result.
Does that mean that suicides without the element of despair, such as a spy killing themself to keep a secret or someone being tricked into killing themselves unintentionally would not leave a curse, or would they still have the after-effects?

>When it gets large enough my asylum lobotomist should have no problems locating the tumour.
Ghosts (and incorporeal beings similar to but distinct from ghosts such as ourselves) aren't the same thing as tumors. A lobotomist wouldn't do much good then unless they were also an exorcist, which would make a lot of sense to try first when you think about it. But that would still only work if we were ghosts, which we are not.
>>
No. 616544 ID: 066a87

>>616540
How do you know you're not the ghost of a brain tumor that died full of regrets at not being able to grow big and strong?
>>
No. 616570 ID: db83ac

>>616494
...If you accepted your fate at the riverbed, would a demon have killed the piper for you?

I think you did make a difference, Sami. A REAL difference. You saved future generations from this monster when no one else would. And I think you have the potential to do even more, but only if you choose to, yourself.

To say the least, 130 crowns is an amazingly high cost for an exterminator, but reasonable given the wealth and size of the town. So how many houses were there, and why didn't the council just pay the fine and make him leave?

For that matter, the piper could have held the children hostage; if that flute could control the children, it wouldn't be hard to just slowly drive them mad (or make it look like they were all becoming retarded) and pressure the council into paying him his fee in exchange for reversing the spell.

Something doesn't add up. The piper had too much power and too many options. Why did he choose to play it stupid? Sami, do you know something about the piper?

>>616498
Town hall seems like a good place to investigate for clues and supplies.
>>
No. 616645 ID: db83ac

130 crowns, 130 crowns, WHY so damn much? Wouldn't it be easier to just clear out the vermin each month and request payment in installments? It would have been a steady source of high income and popularity, what with the town's severe fear of vermin after all. Maybe it was specific to...

to...

Sami, out of curiosity, how much does the fake gold on the statue of Faustia weigh?

*Private*
I just had a thought. What if there was something hidden inside the Statue of Faustia, something that the Piper wanted more than gold, and the Piper worded his request of 130 crowns of FOOL'S GOLD with all kinds of loopholes and insane specifics, so that the only acceptable method of payment would be the statue?
*/Private*
>>
No. 616671 ID: ea0ad9

> I don't know what you seen on your side of the grave, but it's been said that suicide and murder leave a curse behind.
The curse of guilt and grief. I'm not sure if a suicide is directly responsible for this curse, but it definitely happens when somebody important enough, or enough people to leave a mark, ends up dead, regardless of the how. The town was likely struck by a curse from all of the children murdered, but adding more curse onto the pile is still a bad idea.

Okay, Encylopedia revealed a bit on Goblins: They're fairly friendly folk, although they treat the mortals--Rollands in this case--as though they're little more than insects. They do tend to take to "keeping the bees," adopting a family or group of people, teaching them how to perform more efficiently, in exchange for a portion of the profit. I believe that "Luck" you mentioned is them manipulating groups to be more efficient.
>>
No. 616709 ID: 3009b4
File 141992240733.jpg - (224.11KB , 640x720 , Sami Thinking.jpg )
616709

>Hmm. One phrase stands out in the note. "the grim’s spread to the golems".

:iconsami:
Sami: I don't like the sound of that. Golems are our machine labourers -- they're powerful but they're expensive to run as we have to trade for the fuel that makes them go. Prayer to Faustia was said to originally power them. My parents moved to a trading city after the disaster, and the golems there were powered by something called "Pearls". I'm not sure where they come from other than they have to be mined or traded from major cities.

>That message is set to show to anyone able to use the circle the first time they try. No actual evidence there, just what amounts to hearsay if this were a police procedural.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Interesting... and I wouldn't be surprised if it was true.

>Also are piña coladas even a thing in your culture? You don't really strike me as the cocktail kind of person, but maybe fruity drinks are your bag.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: As usual, I have no idea what you're talking about. I drink herbal tea, black tea, and the strongest hard alcohol I can find.


>Does that mean that suicides without the element of despair, such as a spy killing themself to keep a secret or someone being tricked into killing themselves unintentionally would not leave a curse, or would they still have the after-effects?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: Crikes... I've never thought about that. I... don't think self-sacrifice is the same as suicide in this context. By suicide, I mean a person who's fallen into such despair that death is seen as a preferable escape. Self-sacrifice is more a necessity out of duty -- the person might really want to live but is making a sacrifice for others. So... maybe a curse would be left but it'd be different.

>I think you did make a difference, Sami. A REAL difference. You saved future generations from this monster when no one else would. And I think you have the potential to do even more, but only if you choose to, yourself.
:iconsamibroken:
Sami: You mean well but you've no idea what you're talking about. I didn't save anyone. My friends drowned, my town's future died from despair and the only thing I accomplished with ... what, justice? Revenge? I'm not sure about you but I think 1 Piper Death is short of drowning all but 1 of a town's children. I didn't do anything but save my own skin.

>Something doesn't add up. The piper had too much power and too many options. Why did he choose to play it stupid? Sami, do you know something about the piper?
:iconsamibroken:
Sami: All I know is what he was carrying and that he was fae.

>Sami, out of curiosity, how much does the fake gold on the statue of Faustia weigh?
:iconsamiok:
Sami: A hell of a lot more than 130 crowns, even if you broken them down into pennies, and it's not made of gold anyway.


>The curse of guilt and grief. I'm not sure if a suicide is directly responsible for this curse, but it definitely happens when somebody important enough, or enough people to leave a mark, ends up dead, regardless of the how. The town was likely struck by a curse from all of the children murdered, but adding more curse onto the pile is still a bad idea.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I'm pretty sure the mayor wasn't the ONLY suicide. Just one covered up. And if there's enough pain over a long period of time, it just stains the place like the smell of smoke that never leaves your clothes.

If you guys have any other reason to say, say it and otherwise let's hit the town hall.

** Private Channel **
>Let's create a new admin-level login here, Chuckleheads, key it to us, and reset the security. Can we upgrade this thing to a more recent version or are we stuck with it having a well known security hole for now?

Using Port Access is basically giving you access to a local network with different protocols; it's more akin to using an emulator or an iPhone that's never been jail broken -- without good working knowledge of the underlying technology there's not a lot you can do. The programs the admins give you basically give you an easy interface to do some basic functions and updating security or creating new user accounts is beyond the scope of the interface. The most you can really do is install a Charmnet (which requires IP to buy and Sami needs a better understanding of her instruments to use) and browse through files.

You'll need the Glamour program to actually search and obtain user ID's through the Fae.Net encryption.

*********************
>>
No. 616716 ID: db83ac

>>616709
Huh, that's it? That's all it takes to power up a golem?

We don't know if your realm's pearls are different, but our definition of a pearl is "a small piece of sand, covered in layers of mineral by an animal, usually a clam". Clams are sea animals, and are a good source of pearls because when you put a small piece of sand inside a clam's mouth, it can hold its mouth shut for years. The clam is a tiny creature that looks like a rock, but has powerful jaws for trapping animals. They're really cute, you may want one as a pet.

Pearl farming is a lucrative venture, as most farmers don't have to pay land tax when they're farming clams that live in the sea. Some mortals like to grind up pearls and consume them for softer skin... though, I suppose that is kind of stupid.
>>
No. 616718 ID: 687279

I don't know any reason to stay here, unless you wanna tear up the floorboards in each room to check for hidden goodies.
>>
No. 616735 ID: 066a87

Right Sami, you take your hard liquor neat?

Anyway cocktails are when you take perfectly good hard liquor and you add stuff to it. Sweet syrups, shaved ice, other liquors, and weirder stuff. A real purist might say taking a drink on the rocks is a cocktail too, but I say they're full of crap. On the rocks isn't different enough, it just means you have to drink it fairly quickly or suffer it being watered down.

[Private]
Hey guys let's get the Glamour program and copy the login data from this network before we leave. 20 IP is around half our current budget, and we'll probably find other things this goblin had a login for.

How many of us need to agree on this purchase? Four?
[/private]
>>
No. 616741 ID: ea0ad9

>They're really cute, you may want one as a pet.
...What. If she wanted a sea-based pet, a starfish would likely be better than a clam. Clams don't even do anything. And keeping a sea-based pet while traveling along land is a bad idea, anyways.
[Private]
>Hey guys let's get the Glamour program and copy the login data from this network before we leave.
I agree. Let's go for it.
[/private]
>>
No. 616748 ID: 90504c

Sami, I think what was meant by saving people was that the Piper would have gone to another town. And keep going to more towns. Eventually someone would try to get out of paying, and another tragedy would have happened.

Those are the lives you saved. I know you would rather have saved lives then, but there's not much you could have done. I'm not sure if there's anything anyone could have done differently in your position. You were experiencing a change that you had no prior experience of.
>>
No. 616788 ID: dd4ed3

>What do you mean? Goblins usually only cause trouble for adults. I've never heard them do anything worse than a few harmless pranks to children. They can be a bit eccentric but they're usually good luck to have around.
Well, that's reassuring. I suppose when I hear a supernatural entity complaining about a lack of children I automatically assumed the worst.

>Pearls
Unless that's jargon for some kind of enchanted object, a pearl is an organic gemstone. A sphere the size of a pebble, white, and shiny. It forms inside a kind of shellfish. If sand of some other irritate gets inside, a coating forms over the grain to protect themselves, slowly growing into a pearl, as layers build over time.

They dissolve in vinegar.

[private]
>she's looking for a way for death to take her without leaving a stain on the land
...she's going to jump on this psychopomp business if it's offered to her, if she doesn't owe a debt to death already. It's too neat a solution for her problem. We're not here to help her- we're here to exploit her.

>ten wiki
We've had wiki access on lore this whole time? Geeze. We should have been accessing this earlier.
>>
No. 616800 ID: ea0ad9

>>616788
[private]
>We've had wiki access on lore this whole time?
Um, yes? As soon as we purchased Physical Scan Pro, it told us it would connect tot he wiki on our searches. Not much of a stretch to see if we could run our own searches, especially while already connected to a network anyways.
>>
No. 616852 ID: 3009b4

>Unless that's jargon for some kind of enchanted object, a pearl is an organic gemstone. A sphere the size of a pebble, white, and shiny. It forms inside a kind of shellfish. If sand of some other irritate gets inside, a coating forms over the grain to protect themselves, slowly growing into a pearl, as layers build over time.

:iconsami:
Sami: Gods, I knew I shouldn't have opened my mouth. Although... you're not too far off on the whole 'organic gemstone'. From what I know, pearls DO have something to do with slow growth and life... maybe that's where the term comes from? I can assure you that the pearls I'm talking about don't come from shellfish.

** CONTEXTUAL HELP **
PEARL: While it can refer to the organic gemstone, they're more frequently known as "Memory Pearls". Land-lovers like Sami would not know of any other term but the sea-loving Shinato use both. The memory pearl is a small sphere which encases the [closest translation] 'spiritual memory' [/] of a creature. This item can transmit memories and skills from one creature to another and thus allows golems to perform particular tasks. Some pearls derive [closest translation] emotional energy/chi/ki/magic points [/] from particular life experiences. The discharge of this energy powers the otherwise inanimate golems. Like the organic gemstone namesake, pearls form layers and layers of significance around a particular memory. It is...

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Whoah there, that's enough information for the likes of you. Let's see how much you can figure out on your own, shall we? ::

>We've had wiki access on lore this whole time? Geeze. We should have been accessing this earlier.

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Well, what we'll let you access. I'm not the sort of person who reads the ending of a good mystery first, are you? And even if you are, TOUGH -- you're not admins. ::

** GLAMOUR PERSONAL OBTAINED, IP now at 5 **
** Minimum 2 votes to purchase programs barring objections, after which majority rules.

********************
>>
No. 616888 ID: db83ac

Okay, the encyclopedia on our end says that memory pearls grow inside specific creatures and store some kind of... soul energy? from a creature, which can be installed in a golem or worn by a mortal, powering and enlightening the user. The memories of the previous creature are passed on to the user, and any strong emotions they had can be used by the user as... spirit power? So the pearl acts as a soul jar and a power source, except the "soul" is just leftover memories and emotions instead of an actual soul.

Looks like you just need to find the right type animal and harvest it for gemstones. This will probably be a very frustrating, high-paying hunt. You in?

Also, the encyclopedia says that regular gemstone pearls grown from shellfish (not clams, my mistake) exist in your world. So that's a good source of revenue.

Alright, we can tear this place apart later. To the town hall! But put the nail somewhere else so that a wandering vermin doesn't sabotage the faerie ring.
>>
No. 616892 ID: 82c018

Our not-ghostly sources of information tell us that you were right, and the pearls in question are memory pearls, devices that store energy from people's skills and experience and then grant that knowledge to other people or golems. Their ability to grow from experiences or memories would probably explain why the golems went crazy.
However, some of the less helpful and more knowledgeable non-ghosts who we sometimes communicate with had an odd reaction to the subject of memory pearls, leading me to suspect that the pearls or something like them are somehow involved to a greater extent than merely recording what happened and corrupting a few deadly machines.

>Looks like you just need to find the right type animal and harvest it for gemstones. This will probably be a very frustrating, high-paying hunt. You in?
It didn't say that memory spheres form on their own with or in the host; I think it meant that a memory sphere is given to the host who then wears it to powers it. So random animals probably wouldn't have them lying around.
>>
No. 616895 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
Okay, since we've got glamour, let's see about fetching the Goblin's login.
Yorik, I can certainly agree that spoiling too much is a bad thing, but in any story you're left asking questions, and that the pearl is "Sealed energy" is enough of an answer for me, so thanks for cutting that off.
>soul energy?
Dangit, kome, quit saying stuff that might end up freaking her out. That makes it sound like you're trapping a soul in it; I don't care if that's what it IS doing, don't tell her that!
*Public*
Sorry about that, Sami... We managed to look up what the golems' pearls are. It's got a sort of energy sealed in it, and unless you feel like asking the Shintao about it, we can settle for not knowing more.
>>
No. 616903 ID: 066a87

Let's use Glamour to spoof our Admins and lock them out. I'm sick of those dicks.
>>
No. 616924 ID: 3009b4
File 142000128103.jpg - (210.99KB , 640x720 , Sami Exasperated.jpg )
616924

>Looks like you just need to find the right type animal and harvest it for gemstones. This will probably be a very frustrating, high-paying hunt. You in?

Sami: No Kome, I am not in. As usual, you've got no idea what you're talking about.

>Sorry about that, Sami... We managed to look up what the golems' pearls are. It's got a sort of energy sealed in it, and unless you feel like asking the Shintao about it, we can settle for not knowing more.

Sami: Yeah, I've figured out that Kome is a bit of a loon. And as far as the pearls are concerned, I already know there's energy in them otherwise they wouldn't power the golems and I doubt the damn trites know anything more than we do. Let's head to the Town Hall.

** Private **
>Okay, since we've got glamour, let's see about fetching the Goblin's login.

* LOGIN ID Obtained: Goblin332 (Bob Goblin) *

This login can be used on Fae.net local networks.

>Let's use Glamour to spoof our Admins and lock them out. I'm sick of those dicks.
:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: We're Admins, we're not stupid enough to give you programs that will affect us, and we can hear you, idiot. We're also the source if your IP if you haven't noticed already. ::

*************
>>
No. 616936 ID: 3009b4
File 142000535877.jpg - (589.76KB , 1280x720 , Sami approaches Town Hall.jpg )
616936

** Author note - I started this illustration and then saw that someone realized that the physical scan could be used to locate the network and hack it, which is something I want to put into a Nem's Quest game, so it's using the old interface. **

Sami arrives at the town hall. The faerie network here is still broadcasting the old message about the area being dangerous and waiting for the Rotland Redeemers to take action.

The doors have been broken down, and the smell of rotten wood and ammonia permeates from within. The town hall looks like it was ransacked awhile ago.
>>
No. 616940 ID: e607cd

Dear, as I am sure you have noticed, our recollection of some basic information is a bit patchy. So let me just ask outright: In your experience, is that smell indicative of highly concentrated cleaning products, fertilizer, or something else entirely? In any case, if it smells this strongly out here, the air inside may be toxic in concentration. Might want to look for a way to air it out a bit, and don't plan on staying too long.

I hear wet cloth makes a passable filter for breathing fumes, though I never had cause to try it myself.
>>
No. 616945 ID: 3009b4

>Dear, as I am sure you have noticed, our recollection of some basic information is a bit patchy. So let me just ask outright: In your experience, is that smell indicative of highly concentrated cleaning products, fertilizer, or something else entirely? In any case, if it smells this strongly out here, the air inside may be toxic in concentration. Might want to look for a way to air it out a bit, and don't plan on staying too long.

:iconsami:
Sami: DEAR? Did you just call me fucking "Dear"? Look, don't call me "dear" OK? You can call me Sami. I really hate it when people assume they can be friendlier to me than they've earned.

And it smells like piss. You get a lot of vermin, they make a lot of piss, and it soaks into the place after awhile. It doesn't smell fatal, but it does smell nasty. Probably rollie-pollies and grites. They're not very active during dawn.
>>
No. 616956 ID: dd4ed3

>Gods, I knew I shouldn't have opened my mouth
Haha, sorry.

[private]
>I'm not the sort of person who reads the ending of a good mystery first, are you?
If a book isn't good enough to hold my attention reading it, I'm certainly not going to bother to skip to the ending.

But do I read instruction manuals when using dangerous equipment and someone's life (or worse) is on the line? Damn right I do.

Speaking of which, let's see if there's anything relevant to our client we'll be allowed to look at. Search the ten wiki for "Mermaid", "Siren" and "Selkie".

>>616903
I half expected the resident dick to reward you with IP just for attitude.

>The faerie network here is still broadcasting the old message
Can we scan the network for a physical location or more information? Can we login anonymously, or as Goblin Bob?
>>
No. 616959 ID: e607cd

>>616945
Now see, here is another of those contextual disconnects I was just talking about. Where I was from, 'dear' is about as unfamiliar an opening as you can get. It is used without thought to open communication between people who have never spoken before and may never again, as a general placeholder for names they might never learn. I apologize for the offense, and if you would prefer that we communicate strictly using names, then by all means, I will. Mine is a little tricky to pronounce though.
>>
No. 616983 ID: 3009b4

** PRIVATE **
>Speaking of which, let's see if there's anything relevant to our client we'll be allowed to look at. Search the ten wiki for "Mermaid", "Siren" and "Selkie".

:iconnorton:
:: ADMIN: Ahhh, I think I know what you're going for. Let me reward your curiosity with a minor form of assistance - since so many creatures go by so many names, perhaps you should search for the *traits* you're looking for. Mermaids for example are 'sea dwelling female faeries', but to find the right sort of mermaids you'd also need to include nearest country because they do behave different amongst different people. Rollen mermaids are more likely to be hostile, Shinato mermaids are more likely to be helpful. And just for simplicity, even though technically it's not cannibalism we've set the wiki to register any creature willing to eat a sentient creature as 'cannibalistic'. ::

>Can we scan the network for a physical location or more information? Can we login anonymously, or as Goblin Bob?
:iconflatphysicalscanprg:
PHYSICAL SCAN: There's a faerie ring in the meeting room itself -- check the ceiling if you can reach it.
GLAMOUR: Goblin Bob successful and you now have standard user access. While you can't download programs, you could plant a charmnet and can access public files.

** PUBLIC FILES AVAILABLE **
- Profile of the Pied Piper
- Profile of a half-blood girl named Sami
- Overview of the Disaster, as seen from the Fae.

>I half expected the resident dick to reward you with IP just for attitude.
:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Ha-ha, but that would be rewarding outright stupidity. I prefer to think that I encourage experimentation and learning from mistakes. ::


>Now see, here is another of those contextual disconnects I was just talking about.
:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Oh don't worry about it, Sweetie. The girl's got a lot of issues, and she sometimes doesn't really mean what she says. Not that she'd tell you, but what can I saw -- issuuuuuues! ::
>>
No. 616985 ID: dd4ed3

[private]
>>616983
Download / read the available public files.

>search by traits
Unknown creature, traits: fae ancestry, aquatic, shapeshifter (involuntary - environmental), cannibalistic, drug resistance
>>
No. 616989 ID: db83ac

Scavenge the mayor's office, council center, courthouse, and lobby.

There are likely vermin hanging out in the town hall, possibly in packs. You may want to try sneaking in the dark, kill them from behind or from above. Take note of everything that you see so that in the event that you are spotted, you can use the environment to your advantage.
>>
No. 617034 ID: 687279

>>616983
>Overview
Let's read this too.

Sami, we found another thing with some information in it. No need to go inside just yet. If you want to, you could try pausing at the doorframe so that we can peek inside for you, maybe?
>>
No. 617035 ID: ea0ad9

>** PUBLIC FILES AVAILABLE **
Ah, there's information on The Pied Piper and the Fae's report on the disaster... Do you want us to look into either, Sami?
[private]Let's look into Sami's file, but don't tell her.[/private]
>>
No. 617056 ID: 3009b4

>Ah, there's information on The Pied Piper and the Fae's report on the disaster... Do you want us to look into either, Sami?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: A faerie report? That could prove enlightening. Yes, please.

** PRIVATE **

>Unknown creature, traits: fae ancestry, aquatic, shapeshifter (involuntary - environmental), cannibalistic, drug resistance

The Wiki returns no searches: try using less terms. It automatically dropped "Unknown creature" because if it was unknown it wouldn't be in the wiki. Wiki Note: Half-bloods are considered a mutation as opposed to a race, species or culture and so only notable individuals will be found within the Wiki.

** Author Note: To save you some time, no -- you can't look up Rekki **

The Pied Piper
Court: Seelie, Tenth
Title: Moderator
Cause of Death: Partially cannibalized by Sami, half-blood of Ronnalin.
Suspected Court: Court of Four

Official word from the Seelie Court is that the Piper was to oversee the moderation of Rollen town growth, and as Ronnalin did not have an official representative of the Unseelie Court present he was well within his administrative rights to cull the town on the legal grounds of fraud, Pantheon influence and as it turns out, breech of contract.

There is some suspicion that the Court of Four orchestrated both the murder and disaster by marking the half-blood with one of their tokens. No further official action will be taken by the Seelie Court as the matter is now placed firmly within the jurisdiction of the Unseelie Court.


Sami, Half-blood of Ronnalin
Sami's family line has been kept secret, although it's largely suspected her faerie blood originated in an aberrant member of the Unseelie Court, likely of the water sprite family of origin. We don't know at what point she obtained a Token of Death, and the token may be the driving force that caused her to devour part of the Piper when her blood expressed itself. There is a chance it could also be an aberrant expression of her faerie nature.


The Ronnalin Disaster

Ronnalin had been plagued by an excessive amount of vermin -- possibly as a result of the Seelie Court.

From what we can tell, the town never had the Piper's asking price available and the Piper may or may not have known this ahead of time. The Council simply thought the Piper would fail, and when he succeeded they could not scramble enough funds to pay him. Instead they gathered some additional vermin and claimed the Piper failed to eliminate all of them as promised to avoid paying him. Whatever his motivation, the Piper retaliated by charming the town's children and driving them into the same river used to eliminate the vermin. What he did not realize is that one of the children had the blood of a water-dwelling sprite, who set upon him and ate part of his body. This half-blood girl Sami was the sole survivor.

The terrible loss of the town's children caused various deaths, amongst the first was the town's mayor, who hanged himself in his basement. For reasons known only to him, he locked the key to the sequestered funds within his own vault. The lock-down of city funds only hastened the town's demise - but perhaps when the gold cost them their children they lost their taste for it? Regardless, more suicides followed and the city's grief left a curse on the land. As the befoulment was due to the interference of the Seelie Court, in compensation they surrendered jurisdiction to our court. As a precaution, we have sent Ms. Skyia Lee to act as a dragon for the growing Rollen settlement of Welser and have asked Mr. Phooka to remain outside Ronnalin to monitor the curse's impact.

*************
>>
No. 617067 ID: 687279

>>617056
Wow this got us a lot of information. Hang on a moment, let me look some things up. Oh, and it turns out the town hired the Piper to clean out their vermin but didn't have the money to pay him so they tried to make it look like he failed, by importing more vermin. He realized what happened, and retaliated. He may have even known ahead of time that the town had no way of paying him.
[wiki search: Court of Four]
[wiki search: Sami, half-blood of Ronnalin]
[wiki search: token of death]
[wiki search: water sprite]
[wiki search: unseelie dragon]
[wiki search: Phooka]
>>
No. 617078 ID: dd4ed3

Initial summary:

The faerie report claims the Piper retaliated against the village after he was employed to purge the town of vermin, and then stiffed on the payment.

Their assessment of the current situation seems to agree with yours: the fae attribute the current blight to the stain of collective grief and suicide of the townspeople.

[private]
Is there an author / user / uploader attributed to these public messages?

>It automatically dropped "Unknown creature" because
...If you're going to quibble about syntax you might as well give us the actual syntax we're expected to use.

Try searching just for hits with aquatic and cannibalistic traits. That'll probably give few enough results we can sift manually. Or we could always refine the search with additional keywords if it returns too many.
>>
No. 617080 ID: 3009b4

** WIKI RESULTS **
[wiki search: Court of Four]

The Court of Four is an anarchist group that operates against the immortals. The Court actually goes by several names but in Sami's time they are known as the Court of Four, consisting of the Wolf, Owl, Leaper and Crow.

[wiki search: Sami, half-blood of Ronnalin]
Sami is currently in flux and her entry is unavailable.

[wiki search: token of death]
A gold coin with a skull engraved on one side. Tokens are ironically only carried by mortals and have specific owners and will mark any other who obtains the token for death. The tokens are infamously for working on mortal and immortal alike, disrupting any protective measures the marked party may have.

[wiki search: water sprite]
A classification of faerie that lives under water. These faeries derive at least part of their immortality from the life-giving waters themselves, although some will supplement their energies. Water sprites who give up their aquatic life also denounce their immortality, most often for love. Many will bind their life to their partners in order to pass at the same time.

[wiki search: unseelie dragon]
See Dragon (Occupation) :http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/87907.html

[wiki search: Phooka]
Phooka is a proper faerie clan name.
>>
No. 617082 ID: 0ee153

Someone remind me why the Piper thought luring rats into a river was a good idea? Rats can swim. I mean, I guess he could've done it deliberately if he knew the town couldn't pay but that seems a bit odd.
>>
No. 617096 ID: 687279

>>617080
[wiki search: cannibal, drug resistance]
[wiki search: wolf]
[wiki search: owl]
[wiki search: leaper]
[wiki search: crow]
>>
No. 617100 ID: 2f4b71

Also of note is that the Seelie Court may have been responsible for the initial Vermin infestation that resulted in the Piper being hired in the first place, but the report does not provide any additional evidence for this.
The Unseelie believe they now have jurisdiction over the matter, and there is supposedly a "Mr. Phooka" acting as an observer outside the town.

>>617082
>Rats
Are not the vermin in question here.
>>
No. 617129 ID: db83ac

Hm... I wonder how Jimmy's doing...
[wiki search: Jimmy Squarefoot]
[wiki search: The Unseelie Hollow]
[wiki search: Blind Yaga]

I don't think we should request a wiki search for Nem without her permission. Wouldn't be nice.

Oh, and the mayor hid the town funds in his vault.
>>
No. 617131 ID: ea0ad9

>>617096
Ease up on the browsing, will ya? We don't need to know every last detail!
>>
No. 617138 ID: 687279

>>617131
NEVER!
>>
No. 617164 ID: 53c424

>>617129
Hey. Focus. Knock it off.
>>
No. 617216 ID: 3009b4

** More Research Results **

>Someone remind me why the Piper thought luring rats into a river was a good idea? Rats can swim.
** Well as someone has already pointed out, the vermin in question are not rats. Additionally, human analogs can also swim -- it doesn't stop them from drowning in a swift current **

>[wiki search: cannibal, drug resistance]

Cannibalism and certain mutations often express themselves in half-blood mortals, sometimes generations later. Cannibalism is usually the result of stress rather than mutation, although "heart-eating" (gaining strength from the flesh & blood of enemies) may express in half-bloods depending on ancestry.

>[wiki search: wolf]

Wolves have a varied history with faeries and despite being loyal creatures their alliance will change over a series of significant events. The Black Wolves remain figures of Death.

>[wiki search: owl]

The Owls of Sami's time and especially her culture represent omens of death.

>[wiki search: leaper]

The Leaper is a parasite and a symbol of pestilence and disease. The Leaper's role in the Court of Four is less direct than the Owl or Wolf just as disease is often a less direct killer.

>[wiki search: crow]

The Crow represents the cunning of the Court of Four and is usually placed in a leadership role due to charisma and cunning.

>[wiki search: Jimmy Squarefoot]

Jimmy Squarefoot in Sami's timeline is a former slave. He was freed when his masters were slain, after which he spent some time travelling before settling down far North in Gaelend.

>[wiki search: The Unseelie Hollow]

Faerie Hollows are where the fae with no particular tricks live in order to maintain their immortality, safe from Death's minions.

>[wiki search: Blind Yaga]

The Yaga clan are a Northern family, mostly female with some male half-brothers. Politically the Yaga clan are a mixed group -- some are Seelie, others are Unseelie and the most famous of all -- Baba Yaga -- has no political affiliation at all. The Yaga clan should always be approached with caution -- they are powerful and unpredictable, although they tend to respond well to gifts of respect.
>>
No. 617218 ID: 687279

>>617216
Now for the kicker...
[search: water sprite, heart-eating]
>>
No. 617219 ID: dd4ed3

[Wiki trait search: aquatic, cannibalistic]
>>
No. 617221 ID: 3009b4

** Search Results: Water-Sprite, Heart-Eating **

Matches:
- Glastig (Fresh Water)
- Green Hags (Bogs)
- Mermaids/Merrows (Sea/Freshwater)
- Aughisky (Freshwater)
- Nuckelavee (Bogs or Freshwater)
- Kappa (Freshwater)
- Rusalka/Vodyanoy (Bogs of Freshwater)
- Adaro (Sea)
- Ahuizotl (Fresh Water)

Note that the name usage has changed over time; Glastig for example now refers to a Gaelish Heart-Eating Half-Blood, usually in reference of a faerie-killer as opposed to the original mythological creature that could be a possible threat to humanity.
>>
No. 617222 ID: 687279

>>617221
Grumph. [wiki search: water sprite, heart-eating, river]
>>
No. 617228 ID: ea0ad9

*private*
>>617222
Of interest, Kappa are known to swim in rivers, and consume the flesh and blood of their targets. Rather than looking through everything to see what might match, let's just look at whichever one we feel fits the best: I'd say Kappa.
Seriously, though, while we're looking up all this stuff, Sami's probably growing impatient. We don't want to keep her waiting too long.
*Public*
Let's see, the Pied Piper was a Moderator--a type of guard--for the Tenth Court of the Seelie. Or, well, it says "Tenth," I assume it's talking about courts?
Apparently he was tasked with watching Ronnalin grow, and since Unseelie Hollow hadn't sent anybody themselves to Ronnalin, was well within his rights for... Everything he did. That's a rather grim way of handling things, but apparently, the Court of Four took things into their own hands and marked him for death; they have higher rights than he did, I guess.

As for the disaster, it came as a surprise that a "Half blood child" managed not only to survive the Pied Piper, but kill him. Research into your Faerie blood origins was started, but they didn't get far. I suppose all of the suicides made them quit and leave this town be.
>>
No. 617286 ID: 066a87

[Search: List of network protocols]
>>
No. 617305 ID: 3009b4
File 142015013356.jpg - (541.39KB , 1280x720 , Sami approaches Town Hall2.jpg )
617305

>There are likely vermin hanging out in the town hall, possibly in packs. You may want to try sneaking in the dark, kill them from behind or from above. Take note of everything that you see so that in the event that you are spotted, you can use the environment to your advantage.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: Oh really Kome, you don't say? It's not like I grew up around here and had to deal with increasing numbers of vermin right before the day of my life that will be burned into my eyes for as long as I live. It's a good thing I have these voices in my head to tell me the obvious and treat me like I'm some kind of idiot. I don't know what kind of sheltered little pants-wetting girl Nem was, but I'm a hunter. I can handle myself.

>The faerie report claims the Piper retaliated against the village after he was employed to purge the town of vermin, and then stiffed on the payment.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: It's true. That is the disaster.

>Let's see, the Pied Piper was a Moderator--a type of guard--for the Tenth Court of the Seelie. Or, well, it says "Tenth," I assume it's talking about courts?

:iconsami:
Sami: Hell if I know.

Apparently he was tasked with watching Ronnalin grow, and since Unseelie Hollow hadn't sent anybody themselves to Ronnalin, was well within his rights for... Everything he did. That's a rather grim way of handling things, but apparently, the Court of Four took things into their own hands and marked him for death; they have higher rights than he did, I guess.

:iconsami:
Sami: ... what precisely does that mean? Do you know?

>As for the disaster, it came as a surprise that a "Half blood child" managed not only to survive the Pied Piper, but kill him. Research into your Faerie blood origins was started, but they didn't get far. I suppose all of the suicides made them quit and leave this town be.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: ... What did they make of me?


** PRIVATE **
>Is there an author / user / uploader attributed to these public messages?

** SECRETARY ID has been added to the GLAMOUR database **

>[Search: List of network protocols]

TEN, Fae, Pantheon, Rotland.
>>
No. 617315 ID: dd4ed3

>What did they make of me?
There isn't much here about you at all. They aren't sure of your ancestry, but suspect you're descended from a water sprite. They knew you had the coin, and theorized it could have driven you to do... what you did, if those impulses don't come from an 'aberrant expression' of your fae heritage.

No value judgements, really. The report is very clinical.

No plans regarding you, either.

>what precisely does that mean? Do you know?
Which part? To mark for death?

Many (if not most or all) fae cheat death in some way, extending their lifespan or otherwise avoiding the reaper. Marking someone for death bypasses those protections- makes it so an agent of death can find the marked individual and claim them. Like flushing prey out for a hunter.

[private]
I think I'll leave off explaining that the coin can be used to mark someone, or how she might fit into that role. Let her think about it and start to draw her own conclusions, or wait till she asks us. Too much information too fast doesn't seem to work well.

>SECRETARY ID has been added to the GLAMOUR database
If we use glamor to spoof the secretary and connect to this network, are their any different documents or options available? He or she might have had more rights on this network than goblin Bob.
>>
No. 617355 ID: ea0ad9

> ... what precisely does that mean? Do you know?
Being marked for death... When somebody is marked for death, they lose all ability to keep invisible to the "Reaper," who in this case is a bit different than the Rotland Retrievers. In the case of most Faeries, being visible means they will die, as those who are marked have lived longer lives than the Reaper would like, though even a mortal or non-immortal Faerie can be marked for death, which would influence fate to put them in the path of something that can kill them. In the Piper's case, fate "lead" him to conclude that drowning all the town's children would be a good idea... Man, The more I define these things, the worse the Faerie start to look. The Court of Four has to have known about your lineage. Bunch of asses, they are, and while we hadn't determined that while with Nemain, we had determined that the court needed to be disbanded. This Fourth Court is causing too much trouble for all the other courts.
>>
No. 617371 ID: db83ac

>>617305
Sorry about that, but it's good to go over the basics when interacting with a new client, even if tutorials are annoying.

Guess you're set. Head in and loot the place.

*Private*
>>617355
UH, AUDREY?!
*/Private*
>>
No. 617387 ID: 3009b4

** PRIVATE **

>If we use glamor to spoof the secretary and connect to this network, are their any different documents or options available? He or she might have had more rights on this network than goblin Bob.

** The Secretary is a user-level security login like Bob. Basically you can't expect to get Admin level access without hacking the network somehow, and the security level will depend on the network itself. Sometimes even getting a high-ranking Admin login won't allow you to break an independent local network, depending on who set it up. **

>UH, AUDREY?!

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Context and timing, Sweetheart. Sami's had a little time to get used to you all and nobody's told her that her coin marks people for death yet. The trigger isn't 'death' dear, it's connecting her directly to it.::
>>
No. 617405 ID: 82c018

Your profile also says you are "currently in flux", so your situation has too many possibilities for major change for them to be certain.

>what precisely does that mean? Do you know?
Marking a being removes magical protections from death (which every immortal relies on one or more of) and sort of bends fate so that the effected being is very likely to get killed soon afterwards.

*private*
>>617315
Lets not mention agents of death as what does the killing for the moment. That is not entirely accurate (the song Death marks and lets you specify cause of death), and we want to avoid implicating her as an agent of death right now.

>This Fourth Court is causing too much trouble for all the other courts.
The Fourth causing trouble for the fae courts isn't all that concerning to me, since the other fae also tend to kind of suck. I do take issue though with how all the Fourth's methods we have seen so far have indiscriminately killed mortals on the way to their intended fae targets.

Wiki Search "Pantheon"
Also Wiki Search "Humans" (just out of curiosity)
>>
No. 617411 ID: dd4ed3

>>617405
[private]
I see what you're saying, but I kind of feel not mentioning there's an agent involved dodges most of the question she directly asked. ("What does marked for death mean?" "It means they can die." "Well, yes, I got that"). It's certainly not as much to get her thinking, without it. (Unless it occurs to her to press and ask how).
>>
No. 617417 ID: 066a87

>>617355
I imagine that the irony in being killed by a child shortly after murdering all the other children in town would have seemed hilarious when they planned the... call it a hit, I suppose. Many of these beings have very alien senses of humor. Like our Yorick, who delights in fart noises and sniffing butts, except with more murder and mayhem for cheap laughs.
>>
No. 617425 ID: ea0ad9

>>617417
Good lord that absolutely FITS him! That's a rather scary thought. Why'd we have to be set to work with him as a chief for our ghost squad?
>>
No. 617447 ID: 3009b4

** WIKI SEARCH RESULTS **

>Wiki Search "Pantheon"

Just as the Cats represent all that is good and adorable and connected to the TEN and it's various parallels, the Pantheon represents... everything else. Advertising, pornography, games, and various sub-cultures -- some whimsical, others less so.

The Fae and the Pantheon are rivals and often bitter enemies. Relative to Sami's time, in ancient history there was a great war between a united Faerie Court and the Pantheon over [MOD: Yorick] "shall we say... a fruit tree?" [/MOD], and the Pantheon lost and were believed destroyed.

The faeries then believed the Court of Four was formed by the Pantheon's former allies as revenge. This is a falsehood; the Pantheon fought long ago was neither destroyed, nor is it quite the same group that the faeries continue to wage war upon.

>Also Wiki Search "Humans" (just out of curiosity)

Mostly harmless.
>>
No. 617449 ID: ea0ad9

>Wiki Search "Pantheon"
What in the... Hey, there's something buried in these files. The Pantheon, as it exists now, is not the same Pantheon that once was... Basically, this is just a new group stealing the old name. The old Pantheon is apparently still around, but I haven't seen any sign of them. So, uh, yeah, turns out that network at the church was not quite as holy as we thought; the CATs represent everything considered "Holy" and "righteous."
But, hmm, if I'm reading this right, that doesn't mean they're bad, Faustia's teachings did say to treat everybody else, regardless of race, with respect... And including all the various races is one of the things the Pantheon is known for.
>>
No. 617474 ID: 82c018

>Pantheon not the same, CATs represent everything considered "Holy" and "righteous."
Well, maybe. That part might have been a bit biased considering how the Pantheon seem to have some amount of rivalry with both the Cats and the fae (the possible authors of the document).

*private*
>>617411
It doesn't mean they can die so much as they almost certainly will die. And as for the uncertainty against whether an agent of death is the only resulting cause of death, that conflicts with my reading of
>DEATH marks the targets for Death. There is no counter-measure except for specific hacks against the song itself. Completely destroys fate shielding, and a specific cause of death can be chosen. The song itself does not kill the target, they are simply marked and in doing so lose all protection against Death.
If cause of death can be chosen, then that would probably mean causes other than an agent of death could be chosen (unless I guess what they really meant was "specific agent can be chosen".
>>
No. 617481 ID: dd4ed3

>>617474
[private]
Ah. But I don't think the agent who collects counts as the cause of death. They're stand-ins for death, and death doesn't kill people. Death is what happens to people who die.
>>
No. 617514 ID: 90504c

>>617449
That's not quite what my understanding of that information was.

The Fae and Pantheon fought ages ago. The Fae thought they completely destroyed them. And that the Court of Four was formed from the Pantheon's former allies for revenge. Which would explain why the Fae reports suspect the Court of Four being behind setting into motion the Piper's death/the disaster. So there's a bit of bias there, that we have to compensate for. We don't really have enough information to confirm one way or the other at this point.

Our non-fae source of information is saying that the Pantheon wasn't destroyed, "nor is it quite the same group that the faeries continue to wage war upon". Offhand that could either mean that the Pantheon has just changed some members, or the group the Fae are fighting consists of only a portion of the Pantheon members and possibly non-Pantheon members. Nothing in there that, to me, is implying that the current Pantheon is 'false'.

This same source is also mentions that they represent all that is 'good and adorable', not 'holy and righteous'. Which in this case, would probably contain everything cat related and some outside of that. Possibly more.

And the Pantheon just represents 'everything else'. So a broad spectrum of things. Some of that could be considered 'good' that aren't necessarily considered 'good' by the Cats. To quote the source 'some whimsical, others less so'.

*private*
So the secretary doesn't have private/personal files on the network? Or stuff that wouldn't be public to some random fae off the street?

If the fae.net has users, it stands to reason that some files would be accessible only to some users, even if it's not available to users at the same level. I mean, some independent networks not letting in even admin-level accounts implies that account level is not everything.
>>
No. 617555 ID: d3be40

All things considered Sami, would you pick a side or stand on your own? The Fae, the gods, the dead...

... and mortals. Who will you fight for, if anyone?

Well, that's a lot to swallow. Can we get this show on the road (again) so that we can find more things to observe and research?
>>
No. 617641 ID: 3009b4
File 142026648917.jpg - (393.32KB , 640x720 , Sami in Town Hall.jpg )
617641

While you're busy going through entries and formulating ideas, Sami enters the Town Hall.

It smells foul -- a strong odour of ammonia and rot mixes in with dust and earth. THe floor creaks under Sami.

She watches as 5-6 GRITES pop their eyeless heads out to greet her. A Grite is like a wingless cross between roach and rat. They're filthy, disease-spreading creatures but unlike Leapers they die in a single blow. Most grites are about a foot in length; these are a bit larger and sometimes they do hunt in packs and will attack intruders.

Right now she's mostly focusing on the threat the VERMIN pose. If you're going to give Sami a budget for minor combat, do so now. As noted, minor combat budgets will only use points as required and even the will only use the minimum amount required. If no one assigns a budget Sami will be on her own. (you only have 5IP left)

Sami herself is quick, even for the high standards of her people. She's got a high chance of landing blows on the Grites and they die one hit; it's just a matter of killing enough to make them run before she's bitten. Grites themselves can't kill Sami but they can weaken her Plot Armour if bitten too much or inflict penalties as minor wounds.
>>
No. 617645 ID: dd4ed3

No surprises hidden above or behind you this time.

Do your thing. Fight well, and be safe, Sami.

[private]
I'd assign 1-2 IP, I suppose. I'd expect to earn that much back from minor combat, so even if we roll badly and spend the points, we'll likely break even.
>>
No. 617652 ID: d3be40

When fighting a group, you want to use wide swings to maximize your counter-defense against a swarm attack (multiple enemies attacking at the same time). Flail wildly but be ready to shift gears and throw precise hits when one of the Grites is in smashing range.

*Private*
Do we get more IP if Sami kills them all?
2 IP for bullet-time reactions.
*/Private*
>>
No. 617670 ID: ea0ad9

>>617652
*Private*
Seeing as how Sami's already yelled at Kome for "telling her what she already knows," can we mute him now? We don't need her getting angry and losing focus right now.
>>
No. 617690 ID: 2ec61a

i'd say 5 IP specifically to make sure she doesn't get any wounds that could slow her down in a real fight.
>>
No. 617719 ID: d3be40

Try shouting at them first, use all the frustration and anger in your voice. See if they will run or fight.

Considering how feral the vermin are, we can expect the town hall to be picked clean if they choose to fight - they probably sense that you're a strong fighter, and will probably fight you if they're hungry, or run if they aren't.
>>
No. 617814 ID: 3009b4

:iconyorick:
:: Admin: I know you care about Sami and all, but don't you think it'd be a little more exciting if she got a LITTLE hurt? Think of it, she's doing well... too well for this place. How about a scratch or two to remind her of the danger, and make her fight now? I tell you what. Let me turn the odds against her -- say, no more than 5IP worth. If she does well, then I'll pay you the 5IP and you needed spend a thing! If she does poorly she might get a scratch or two but nothing as scary as the blood-letting she gave herself earlier, right? What do you say? Do we have a deal?::
>>
No. 617815 ID: 687279

>>617814
Too well? She got in one fight against one bug and managed to kill it in one hit. That's hardly enough data to come to any conclusion. No deal.
>>
No. 617816 ID: 42443a

>>617814
[Private]
No.

This isn't about our excitement (or yours), and I think she's plenty aware of the danger here without your 'reminders'. The only benefit you offer is a gamble we may reap a small amount of IP, which hardly seems worth the symbolic betrayal.
>>
No. 617882 ID: 59d0cb

Thank you for the offer my good man, but I think the rest of us agree we wish to decline it.
>>
No. 617884 ID: d3be40

>>617814
*Private*
Studies show that physical pain isn't all that different from mental pain. In fact, they might actually form the same effect over different methods!

Given all the annoyances we've put Sami through, I think she's had enough pain for one day. PLUS, SHE ALREADY CUT HERSELF. That's already more than enough.
*/Private*
>>
No. 617917 ID: 066a87

>>617814
Only if you promise to do so by making farty sounds. Deal?
>>
No. 617980 ID: 82c018

*Private*
The bugs are just road-bumps; the real fight is inside her own head (with obstacles including trauma, paranoia, depression, survivor's guilt, technically-not-cannibal's guilt, magic debt, deadly destiny, possible shapeshifter identity crisis, and sometimes kind of us). In that context she has clearly not gone unscathed, so bug bites would be a bit redundant.
>>
No. 618000 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
If Sami says yes, then go for it.
*Public*
Sami, you said before that you know what you're doing, and while we have only seen you fight once, you definitely seem more than capable of handling yourself in a fight. Do you feel confident enough that you would be able to still handle yourself just fine against enemies that were more capable?
>>
No. 618022 ID: 3009b4
File 142041547589.jpg - (382.61KB , 640x720 , Sami fends off grites in Town Hall.jpg )
618022

The grites try to encircle Sami. She nimbly evades their attempts to leap on her and brings her staff down on one, causing it to splatter and scaring off another.

Then she quickly follows up, killing two more -- the remaining grites flee for their lives back into the shadows. (She rolled very well and the grites fared poorly; no IP spent)

Sami looks disgusted at the carnage that stains the end of her staff, but there's nothing really available to wipe it on. Nothing that would get it any cleaner, at least.

:iconsami:
Sami: Grites are stupid, but they're not stupid enough to try that again without much greater numbers. So is there anything of interest here? You lot have been pretty quiet, so I'm guess'n there is. This place looks bad though. I can tell there's a lot of rot thanks to the vermin and there could be a grite's nest near by. I've never actually BEEN to city hall before since I was still a child when we left, so I wouldn't know where anything is. There's a staircase going up and there's probably a basement somewhere.

:: An admin awards 5 IP; you now have 10 ::

** Physical Scan note: The Meeting Room is on the second floor. WARNING: Due to rot and vermin, the floors and stairs have a 30% chance of collapsing even under Sami's light weight. Every time Sami travels in this building it will involve a roll to see if it breaks under her. IP can be spent against this happening and uses different rules. If you spend in advance, every point of IP will reduce the chance of collapse by 10% and it can be negated completely for 3 IP per travel (leaving counts as only a single travel). You can also hold off and only spend points if the floor will collapse under her, but each point will only be worth 5% -- so if the roll is 20, 2 IP will be needed to prevent the floor from collapsing. Alternatively, you can allow the floor to collapse and see if Sami is fast enough to avoid it - she has a 50% chance of avoiding a fall and this can also be assisted for 5%/1 IP. **

** DEVIL's DEAL OPTION **
:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN Yorick: I have a little wager for you. I'll pay 5 IP per location visited in the Town Hall BUT the chances of floor collapse will increase by 5% each location you visit AND you won't be able to buy insurance or influence Sami's odds of evading a fall. There's the private second floor Meeting Room, the basement, 10 offices (5 on the second, 5 on the first) and public speaking hall (first floor). That's 13 locations for a total of 65 IP if you visit them all. Or you can play it safe and just go on with your 10 points of IP. It's your choice, I just thought I'd lend a hand. ::
>>
No. 618066 ID: 42443a

Careful, Sami. Our senses tell us the floor in here isn't very stable. There's maybe a 1 in 3 chance of something giving out under your weight.

We don't sense anything here beyond the faerie reports we gathered at the entrance. Doesn't mean there's nothing here to find in the building, but there's nothing obvious to us at a distance.

[private]
At least this deal is less insulting than offering chump change in exchange for scratches.

If the chance of a fall in room 1 is 30%, and it increases by 5% with each additional location we visit, by room 13, the chance of a fall in room 13 would be 90%. The cumulative odds of not-falling in any room by the final room would be significantly less than 1%.

You're effectively asking that we guarantee a fall in exchange for points. And I notice you're not offering any assurances about her safety or the extent to which she could be injured this time.

Granted, we could make a 'safe' profit by taking the deal and searching only a few rooms, but we'd still be signing away our ability to protect her in the process. And odds are pretty good we fall, even exploring only a few rooms. (The counter argument would be that if we're going to end up taking a fall anyways, we might as well get paid for it).

I'm leaning towards not taking this.
>>
No. 618077 ID: d3be40

>>618022
>>618065
What he said. According to the analysis of the building, there's a 30% chance that the floor in any room will break if you walk on it. Too much gnawing and rot from the vermin. We can help this time by using a magic app to reinforce the floors, but it expends our powers. You want us to do that?

I suggest you find a heavy rock and throw it into each room; test the force limit of each room, and if it creaks, follow the walls or skip the area. Maybe you could come back after you find or craft some heavy-duty rope?

Hold on, let me see if I can get a map...

*Private*
Yorick, it's fun to gamble stupidly, but irrational if you can't walk away from most of the consequences like in a video game. Sami only has the one life.

Look, we might be more willing to explore more rooms if we can strategize. Would you be willing to give us a map of the town hall? No fakes or outdated versions, okay?
*/Private*
>>
No. 618085 ID: 687279

>>618022
Rotten floors are no joke. I suggest we visit somewhere else, since we've already gotten information here. We don't even know anything of worth is here.

Oh, you could straight up poke a hole in the floor to see if anything's in the basement?
>>
No. 618120 ID: ea0ad9

>DEVIL's DEAL OPTION
*Private*
I dunno. Maybe throwing up a solid 10% increase for the whole exploration, but not a per-room increase.
*public*
>So is there anything of interest here? You lot have been pretty quiet, so I'm guess'n there is.
This place is just full of what we would consider treasure. The problem is that treasure often comes with a trap, especially those left untouched for so long. We're quiet because we're focused on using caution to inspect what we find. It's just too bad this stuff isn't worth anything to you, but who knows, we may find something yet.
>>
No. 618183 ID: 3009b4

** Private **

>Look, we might be more willing to explore more rooms if we can strategize. Would you be willing to give us a map of the town hall? No fakes or outdated versions, okay

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN Yorick: I'll give you a map and even point out something interesting BUT you must get Sami to explore at least 4 rooms -- even without agreeing to the deal.::
>>
No. 618203 ID: 687279

>>618183
*private*
24% chance of getting through 4 rooms without incident. If we spend 1 IP each room, that goes up to 41%. ...I suppose getting that "interesting" thing pointed out might be worth the risk of encountering whatever's down there. Sigh. Well, on the other hand, if we go down into the basement, the floor giving out won't be a huge deal.
*/private*

Sami, we have figured out that there's something here worth finding. One of the cats told us, and is offering us a deal. If you explore 4 rooms he'll show us where it is, and give us a map too. The risk is high that you will fall through the floor at some point, even if we try to protect you. I recommend going to the basement to minimize the drawbacks of the floor giving way. Also, he says if we don't try to protect you from the risk, he'll give us more... uh, resources.
>>
No. 618205 ID: 42443a

[private]
...I don't see why a map of this one building is particular interesting.

And without spending IP, exploring 4 rooms is a 75% chance of a fall. Even if we burn IP the odds favor a fall. And if we want to recoup IP, we have to take your other deal, increasing the chance of a fall.

Honestly, you seem waaay too eager to make a fall happen. Which to me really says we shouldn't make it happen. You've overplayed your hand, Yorik. Bid too high.

[public]
I don't think there's anything here worth the risk, Sami. Really, the only thing we sense is the network we already read the faerie report from, and temptations and false promises above rickety floors.
>>
No. 618216 ID: d3be40

>>618183
>>618203
Hm...

*Private*
Call us boring for being cautious, but the negotiations are a game of their own. Thanks for telling us that the town hall isn't completely wiped.

Good game, let's play again!
*/Private*

Yeah, the math don't lie - this place is a deathtrap. Check for yourself if you want to - .7^4 = 24.01%, less than 4:1 odds of not falling down in four rooms, and you can expect major injuries if you can't evade. Not to mention the actual logistics of moving through rooms, going back and forth to traverse them, possible fights between more vermin, etc., etc., we'll stop boring you with the details. Besides, why not cut the knot (or rather, find a knot) and get some rope so that you can survive a fall easily? Or some sturdy planks or a ladder to traverse what is going to become a hole?

Basically, please don't walk into this very dangerous deathtrap without something to nullify or disarm said traps. Come back later, there's something interesting here. For now, just go somewhere else, find a sturdy rope, possibly a grappling hook for extra comfort.

I suggest you check the basement later, if that's where the mayor's vault is. All that money, stashed after the town failed to pile enough for the piper, and protected by the Fae due to their bureaucratic machinations. Yay.
>>
No. 618224 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
>If we spend 1 IP each room, that goes up to 41%.
Devil's deal is that we can't spend IP to assist Sami... At least, if we accept the potential profit bit. Falling through the floor isn't necessarily guarenteed to hurt Sami in any way serious, either.
Alright, we'll accept the map and directions, Yorick. I expect something beneficial for every malicious "Point of interest" you guide us to, though.
>>
No. 618263 ID: 066a87

The stairs are fucked, the floor is fucked, you'll probably fall through at some point.

My suggestion is to knock down the load bearing walls from outside and let the whole building collapse in on itself. Then you can pick through the rubble safely.
>>
No. 618353 ID: 3009b4

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I'm not in a terrible hurry to get myself hurt. If we give this place a miss, where did you want to go next? I could still use some more supplies -- we need to either hunt, scavenge or start heading to Welser. Before you ask -- I wouldn't try to eat a grite unless I was desperate, and rollie-pollies are inedible.
>>
No. 618359 ID: 687279

>>618353
Blacksmith!
>>
No. 618370 ID: d3be40

Recall the locations of general stores and equipment stores, like blacksmiths, fletchers, alchemists, locksmiths, etc.

Time to go shopping!
>>
No. 618387 ID: ea0ad9

I get the feeling there's something of value still here... But I suppose if you'd rather skip it over, then the Blacksmith might still have something useful.
*Private*
...Looks like that's a "No" to the map. Sucks, would have been nice to find something new.
>>
No. 618420 ID: 90504c

*private*
Let's see if I can guess what Yorick wants us to so badly find in the Town Hall. And if I guess right, I wonder if the look on Yorick's face would/will be as priceless as I imagine it would be.

I'll assume that the point of interest that would be marked would be something beneficial in and of itself. And not something like 'giant queen bug'. Also something that is immediately accessible and not something we would need to come back for. Rations/supplies doesn't seem like it would be 'important' enough to try to goad us into getting to it. Gold? Maybe, but that alone seems to be a bit much. Some sort of artifact? Possibly. But what I think it is? Information. Specifically something suitably dramatic.

Off hand, the only suitable dramatic information I can think of would be pertaining to the disaster. And since this is the Town Hall, it could very well be related to the mayor. And his role in it. Maybe it's stashed in the mayor's office. Or maybe it's in the basement.

For now, I'll just take the suspicious of the Court of Four being involved as being 'true'.

A timeline of what I think happened, possibly a bit out of order:
The Court of Four approaches the mayor. They buy information off of him about Sami. Perhaps they already knew. But I think the important bit was them getting the mayor to have at least 130 gold crowns. If not more. Maybe enough to cover his debts. 130 gold crowns might BE that amount. They also get the marked coin to Sami.

The Court of Four then gets the information of that money to the Piper. Either directly, or through rumors.

The Piper, of course offers his services for that price. And he may or may not have actually caused the pest problem in the first place. Depends on how trustworthy that report is.

The Court of Four could have convinced the mayor at some point that the Piper could not complete the job. Or the council just didn't believe that it could be done, as these stories usually go.

But the job does get completed. Someone decides that they can cheat the Piper. Either by their own idea, or the Court of Four's manipulations. The mayor might not want to admit to where he suddenly got the amount to pay the Piper.

The disaster happens.

The mayor is wrought with guilt. He seals up the vault with the money, possibly with a note. He doesn't want people to think any less of him, at least not close to his death, so he sets things up to cover up his suicide.
>>
No. 618497 ID: 42443a

Consensus seems to be for the blacksmith's. As near as we can tell, there's another message we might be able to read, there.

[private]
>>618420
What's the motive? I see a lot of speculative fiction, I don't see any suggestion as to what anyone gains from orchestrating that.
>>
No. 618523 ID: 90504c

*private*
>>618497
Mayor gets money to pay of his apparently considerable debt. I'm honestly not sure why he'd try to scam the piper after the job was done. Probably didn't want to explain where he got the money FROM. Especially if it was something distasteful he did to get it. And certainly after he wouldn't want to tell people he actually had the money after the disaster. Because then it's him being able to prevent it in the first place.

Court of Four gets the Piper killed.
>The Court of Four is an anarchist group that operates against the immortals.
Piper being the immortal. I'm basing this off the suspicion that they were orchestrating the whole thing.
And do note that 'against immortal' does not necessarily mean 'for mortal'.

The Piper's motivations would be simple greed/entitlement. If he got wind of someone getting a huge amount of money, he'd probably want it.

Unless you meant Yorick's motivations. He likes drama. and I'd like to think that it would be for something more than just wanting to see Sami get hurt/have difficulty. Besides, if that was the case, it would mean that we would likely not trust him the next time he wants to make things more interesting. So there's at least one thing of actual interest. And it's the town hall. It's a great place for a drama bomb relating to the incident. Especially if the mayor was involved heavily in it. It'd be that or his house.

I'll admit that some of what I said is somewhat weakly linked but it's a narrative that fits the information that we've been given:

The mayor sealed up the funds, leaving the town to ruin much faster than if he left them open.
The mayor had debt, we got that from the 'piss on his grave' message.
Also from that message: he got his suicide covered up, which took money that could probably cover his debt. And we know it's a suicide:
>The terrible loss of the town's children caused various deaths, amongst the first was the town's mayor, who hanged himself in his basement.
Vermin:
>Ronnalin had been plagued by an excessive amount of vermin -- possibly as a result of the Seelie Court.
Court of Four:
>There is some suspicion that the Court of Four orchestrated both the murder and disaster by marking the half-blood with one of their tokens.
Sami HAS one of those tokens, given by Rekki.

So was there something specific that I missed? Anything I left unclear?
>>
No. 618542 ID: 962eb4

*private*

hey. Yorick. you're a huge tool.

...that is all.
>>
No. 618764 ID: 3009b4
File 142067618425.jpg - (350.52KB , 640x720 , Sami approaches blacksmith.jpg )
618764

Sami travels from the town hall to the blacksmith accosted.

As she approaches, the network scanner returns the following:
Network Name: Brownie48
Network Type: Fae.Net, Hearth 1.33
Owner: Sam Brownie
Security: Brownie Login Required

Assuming you're going to want to automatically login (given past suggestions) the Secretary's ID appears to work with the GLAMOUR, although it only has a standard user security rating. The only notes of interest are the following:

• “Shi, it’s true. Heard it from the Smith; they’ve got plans to run the Piper out of town if he tries anything – they have no idea who they’ve crossed.”
• “Jonesy, you heard right. The Piper will likely drown their children, this place is going to go grim. I’m leaving soon.”
• “That Sami half-blood is got aughie in her veins – she won’t drown.”
• “Sami went out dead of night, came back with a little bundle of the Piper’s things. She ate him. I don’t know what went wrong, but I’ll bet it’s the token that’s twisted her.”

The doors are closed but on closer inspection Sami sees that the lock has been broken and a quick peek inside shows that the smith has been picked clean of anything of value. Also notable is that the floors look relatively sturdy and clean; apparently not many vermin stray around here.
>>
No. 618767 ID: 687279

>>618764
[wiki search: aughie]

There was another note here but nothing new. At least, what we can access right now. Maybe later when we can do more stuff.

What about that uh, crate out in front? If that's nothing interesting I think we can just leave.
>>
No. 618769 ID: 88960e

More faerie notes, this time like they were talking amoung themselves rather than writing a report. There was a brownie living here, looks like.

This place seems in suspiciously in good repair. Is someone or something maintaining or protecting it? Might be worth investigating.

[private]
Can we spoof the brownie's ID now that we've seen it?
>>
No. 618779 ID: d3be40

>>618764
Okay...

The basic rumors we got from the fae communication networks say what you'd expect; rumors of the piper, what he was going to do, what you were, how you killed him, etc. Looks like they called you an "aughie". No really, what is wrong with these guys?

Well whatever. Search around for clues. They may have picked the store empty, but what if that wasn't the blacksmith's only storage? Check for clues and maps to secret resources, like mine locations or weapon caches.

Oh, and be careful of vermin, specifically those that like the conditions a blacksmith's fires would support.
>>
No. 618782 ID: 3009b4

** Private **

>Can we spoof the brownie's ID now that we've seen it?

Yes; now you can log into foreign networks requiring a brownie login.

>[wiki search: aughie]

WIKI RESULTS:
"Aughie" is a derogatory term for a cannibalistic water-faerie. The original use for a water-dwelling horse shape-shifter has fallen out of fashion and now refers to a particularly vicious water-dwelling known for pulling its victims under and tearing them to shreds, leaving only entrails behind. They're considered barbaric by faerie standards. Despite this, even members of the most vicious water-faeries clans occasionally fall hopelessly in love with mortal from time to time.

>Oh, and be careful of vermin, specifically those that like the conditions a blacksmith's fires would support.

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Kome sweetie, you're just going to irritate Sami if you keep trying to tell her about things she has more experience with than you do. Sami is a HUNTER - she knows the flora and fauna well.::
>>
No. 618798 ID: b0b069

investigate the indoors.
>>
No. 618816 ID: ea0ad9

>I don’t know what went wrong, but I’ll bet it’s the token that’s twisted her.
Oh, that's odd... The Brownies who gathered at the Smithy here knew about you, Sami. Not just that you had Fae blood, but apparently that it related to the water... Would you like me to look into this more, or for us to stay out of your heritage?
>Sami is a HUNTER - she knows the flora and fauna well.
Say, we've heard about a few of the vermin from you already, but would there be any that prefer places like this, that slumber in soot piles or something?
*private*
>WIKI RESULTS: "Aughie"
Oh, that doesn't explain a whole lot, does it... Still, can we get the results on the Aughisky near Ronnalin then?
And Yorik, since you love drama oh so much, if she says yes, would you have any ideas for what can be a "trigger" for her to throw a tantrum?
>>
No. 618881 ID: 3009b4

>Oh, that's odd... The Brownies who gathered at the Smithy here knew about you, Sami. Not just that you had Fae blood, but apparently that it related to the water... Would you like me to look into this more, or for us to stay out of your heritage?

Sami's face drops.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: How much do you know? What did they say?

>Say, we've heard about a few of the vermin from you already, but would there be any that prefer places like this, that slumber in soot piles or something?

:iconsamiok:
Sami: If the blacksmith was still running it'd attract vermin in cooler weather, but I can't see it being especially attractive now. Rollie-pollies prefer moister climates, and none of them have any use for soot piles.

** Private **
>Oh, that doesn't explain a whole lot, does it... Still, can we get the results on the Aughisky near Ronnalin then?

There were no Aughisky of note near Ronnalin. (All that means is whoever Sami's faerie ancestor was, he was nobody of special historical note)

>And Yorik, since you love drama oh so much, if she says yes, would you have any ideas for what can be a "trigger" for her to throw a tantrum?

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: You got me wrong ghost, drama is Audrey's thing. I like things to be 'interesting'. Conflict is critical in any good story. It's only funny the first time you guys screw up though. ::
>>
No. 618883 ID: 8f3b8c

if there's nothing else to be found here, try the school. nobody ever expects to find interesting things in school.

*private*

wiki search rotland, grim
>>
No. 618885 ID: 69ab8d

>How much do you know? What did they say?
They apparently knew you were of 'aughie' decent, which our reference material tells us is a derogatory term for a water faerie that eat persons. They knew in advance you wouldn't drown. They knew after what you did to the piper- though they didn't expect that outcome.

They speculated it was the coin you were given that drove you to it.

Please note that this is not a report we're reading from, it's a message board. Different people leaving writing on a wall, as it were. Less hard facts, more gossip.
>>
No. 618887 ID: 8f3b8c

>They speculated it was the coin you were given that drove you to it

how about no
>>
No. 618890 ID: 3009b4

>>They speculated it was the coin you were given that drove you to it

>how about no

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Agreed, I don't quite think it's a good idea to mention the coin's involvement since it's also your direct connection to her. Wait until she trusts you a little more, be patient. I have muted the note about speculation about the coin.::
>>
No. 618892 ID: ea0ad9

>How much do you know? What did they say?
All they said was:
“That Sami half-blood is got water fae in her veins – she won’t drown.”
“Sami went out dead of night, came back with a little bundle of the Piper’s things. She ate him."
Let's see...
>There were no Aughisky of note near Ronnalin.
...Nope, that's it. They didn't know anything more, just that whoever your ancestor was was Water in origin--though they knew it before the incident, which is the first time we've found any mention of that. Well, at the very least, they were kind enough to keep it a secret... Still arses for spying on you, though.
*Private*
>Conflict is critical in any good story. It's only funny the first time you guys screw up though.
Well, we'll see if being spied upon is good for conflict, then. I kind of want a bit more drama, things are going so slow now.
>>
No. 618903 ID: 3009b4

>They knew after what you did to the piper- though they didn't expect that outcome.

:iconsami:
Sami: And what do YOU know about that day?

** PRIVATE **

>wiki search rotland, grim

"Rotland" is a term for a stage in the afterlife. One might also call it "Limbo" although its function is different -- it is a place where the dead must deal with the events of their lives, releasing their memories. Not much is known about Rotland except what has been explained by formerly living agents, and even their knowledge is rather limited. These agents are sometimes known as "Redeemers" -- generally they are suspected to be mortals who have by whatever circumstances are still somehow bound to both the land of the living and the dead.

"Grim" is a term for a CURSE created from a concentration of pain at a physical location. This pain may be physical (torture and death), emotional (grief, anger or sadness) or mental (insanity) but the end result is an 'echo' of that pain persists like a bad memory. Like a virus, the curse attempts to spread by recreating the same sort of pain. Most typically the pain is expressed in the form of shades -- semi-sentient 'memories' of those involved. It is important to note that these shades are most often NOT the 'souls' of the deceased but memories of them.

Related Note: Shades

Shades are the 'echos' of a specific memory and while they may appear to be the cursed souls of the departed it's important to note that they are only a representation of that person at that particular time. When a shade is in a relatively calm state it can be disrupted by inquiring about information outside of its scope. For example, asking the shade of a murdered man about his favourite colour will often confuse it since that information would only be known by the actual victim. Note that the disruption is only temporary; it's like an actor breaking character. It will recover and it will attempt to revert to its role.

Grim can apparently be cleansed in multiple ways according to the Redeemers:
- Lethe water: Named from ancient mythology, it is also known as the water of purification. Only available within Rotland. Lethe water is usually used by Redeemers when the source of the Grim is natural -- such as a disaster where there are no malevolent forces involved.
- Counter-Essence: Just as pain leaves a stain on the land, mass acts of benevolence leave a blessing. This essence can be coaxed into neutralizing the Grim.
- Redemption: This cleansing method usually requires a hero or avatar and is often only applicable when the spirits responsible for the Grim are bound within it. Note that this method actually uses counter-essence, but instead of coaxing the essence forth the required counter is created when the causal parties are redeemed.
>>
No. 618907 ID: ea0ad9

>And what do YOU know about that day?
Most of what we've gathered was from you directly. The Piper, infuriated at not being paid, lured all the kids into the river, but didn't know you had Water Faerie blood, which allowed you to... survive. If there's something more to it that you think we should know, then please, do tell.
>>
No. 618914 ID: 687279

>>618903
Um, there is something we found out that we haven't mentioned... you did something particularly unsavory to the Piper when you killed him. Do you remember that?
>>
No. 618915 ID: 8f3b8c

great, the golems apparently have magical AIDS. if you see one, run.

all we know about that day is what you've told us. and that fairies are dicks, because their reaction to it all was basically "welp, this place got boring. let's go fuck with some other mortal village."
>>
No. 618928 ID: 88960e

>And what do YOU know about that day?
Only what we've learned since meeting you. We weren't there. We're using your coin to talk to you, but we're not of it.
>>
No. 618967 ID: ea0ad9

>>618928
We're not in the coin, man... We're just ghosts who some crazy person thought "Hey, let's cast a spell on this person who happens to be passing through to bind ghosts to them!"
>>
No. 618981 ID: d3be40

>>618903
Payday.

Here are the options we found for removing the curses in Ronnelin:

Method 1: Lethe Water; "water of purification". I do NOT recommend this; according to one of OUR legends, the Lethe River is some kind of river found deep in the afterlife, representing a return to the cycle and forfeit of one's will in exchange for true absolution of one's sins: they forget everything. I don't think this will work, because the townsfolk almost certainly carried a definite grudge against the piper or the council who didn't pay him; forgetting memories without resolving them usually results in emotions that no longer have a memory linked to them, making the ghosts unstable. My guess is, this method will make things worse.

Method 2: Basically, the piper did great evil, so if you do great GOOD in the same area, it'll cancel each other out. You know, be a heroine, give charity and help to those who need it the most, make most of the population happy, etc. Considering our current population demographic, where the majority of sentient beings are the ones you hate and kill, I do NOT think that we will go this route.

Method 3: Rite of purification; Those who were responsible for the curses have to be bound to the land that they the curse is on. Then a "hero" redeems a few of the people who were responsible, usually those who were indirectly responsible. It's like method 2 only you focus on dealing with the grief of those who made the curse.

I think that method 3 is feasible. What do you say?
>>
No. 619041 ID: 8f3b8c

either way, the whole "good cancels out bad" thing implies that helping out the priest is something we'd want to do for reasons beyond simple altruism.
>>
No. 619132 ID: 3009b4

>If there's something more to it that you think we should know, then please, do tell.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Tokoshoran... have you ever met a monster before?
>>
No. 619135 ID: 9a8629

*private*

careful, dude, pretty sure she's talking about herself.
>>
No. 619138 ID: d3be40

>>619132
I don't think any of us could ever answer that question unless we were absolutely sure.

And even then, the monster in question is based on our perception.

Sami, did any of the villagers think you were a monster? You said they held you tight when they lost their children, instead of throwing rocks and blaming you. That says A LOT.

It says you have hope.
>>
No. 619187 ID: 3009b4

>Sami, did any of the villagers think you were a monster? You said they held you tight when they lost their children, instead of throwing rocks and blaming you. That says A LOT.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: The villagers didn't know what I did, Kome. All they know is that I was the only child that made it back.

Do you know what kind of sound a bone makes when it snaps while still living inside its owner?
>>
No. 619189 ID: ea0ad9

>have you ever met a monster before?
Monsters are rarely deserving of such strong titles... But I have met maybe one.
>careful, dude, pretty sure she's talking about herself.
Now... You aren't talking about yourself, are you? You may have the blood of a monster, but you've also god the blood of an innocent. Whether you're talking about yourself or another, though, it is important you let it out. I can tell just from your voice it's hurting you, and keeping it in will only allow it to continue doing so.
>>
No. 619191 ID: 69ab8d

>have you ever met a monster before?
What is a monster, Sami?

Is a monster wrought by blood, or deed, or choice?
>>
No. 619193 ID: ea0ad9

>Do you know what kind of sound a bone makes when it snaps while still living inside its owner?
Igh. Not something I can exactly describe, but it isn't pleasant, certainly.
>>
No. 619195 ID: 01745f

>Do you know what kind of sound a bone makes when it snaps while still living inside its owner?
Something like *sssscrrrtcch*? That was the sound we heard (as much as it can be called hearing with how our senses work) that one time we saw an old woman eaten alive her own home by the Black Wolf. She was a fae who had been terrorizing the surroundings and selling babies into slavery though, so in the end most people were better off for it and I don't regret it much.
>>
No. 619199 ID: d3be40

>>619187
Let me check.
*One Youtube video later...*
Yep.

*Private*
Is there a polite way of asking Sami if she would like to see a NICE video, like survival tips on where to find expensive crafting agents?
*/Private*

Look, we've dealt with clients who were SERIOUSLY deranged (city razers, evil overlords, eldritch abominations, etc.). We can handle this easy.

Ever think about finding a way to make vermin spread less disease, reproduce slower, and perform adequate diplomacy with civilians?

You know, uplift them so that they become regular, rational mortals rather than a horde of plague-infested, insane monsters?

What if they are capable of that already, and nobody else cared?
>>
No. 619200 ID: 9a8629

I do not. and I see your point.

you're still ignoring one crucial thing: it's not your fault.
>>
No. 619201 ID: 69ab8d

[private]
>>619195
>>619198
Do... you really not get that that question was largely rhetorical.

She's trying to deal with her pain and horror at something she did and you're making comic sound effects.
>>
No. 619208 ID: d3be40

>>619201
*Private*
We're trying to distance the conversation away from Sami's belief that she's a monster. But if you want we can petition Audrey to mute all the jokes about bone snapping for the moment.
*/Private*
>>
No. 619217 ID: 01745f

*private*
>>619201
I was being serious. She basically said that we don't understand because we haven't seen the gruesome stuff she has done. I was responding by saying that we have also seen some gory death in our time and that despite its unpleasantness it is sometimes leaves the world a better place.

>>619199
That post ranges from untrue in this setting to made up wholesale*. From Sami's perspective that will sound entirely insane and will not help.

* Please stop doing that latter part. It is very rude to play someone else's game then attempt to insert your own rules with no basis for doing so.
*/private*
>>
No. 619218 ID: 687279

>>619187
You're not a monster, Sami. None of the notes we found called you one, and they know you ate the guy. Cannibals aren't inherently monsters.
>>
No. 619234 ID: 3009b4
File 142087779495.jpg - (365.09KB , 640x720 , Sami Confession1.jpg )
619234

Sami is quiet, seeming to size everyone up. Her brow furrows and it's clear that even though she's made her decision she is not sure of it.

She speaks:
Sami: I know what that sounds like. I know what it sounds like when your teeth are the reason why it is snapping. The sudden, sickly crunch and the flood of hot, salty, metalic fluid that spills down your throat and splatters across your face. Feeling the owner of the bone push and flail against you frantically and the gleeful laughter and seems to bubble up from the gore.

I know what it feels like to lose control and let something darker takes its place. Something hungry.

Who you're talking to right now -- was just a passenger along for the ride. I realized later that I was *laughing* as I bit through the hand the piper raised to defend himself. I was the one in control, and I could do anything I wanted to him, and I felt something new and powerful like I had never experienced.

I didn't feel anything close to it until after I lose my virginity and I realize now that what I had felt before was sexual in nature. It was taboo, dirty, physical and very satisfying for me to be utterly in control for once.

Also much like my sexual experiences, after it's all done I'm left with regret and shame over what I did. Except as a child, also I felt a little... satisfaction.

She pauses to see your reaction.
>>
No. 619236 ID: 687279

>>619234
Yeah that's about what I expected. Also jeez we gotta find you someone you won't be ashamed to have sex with, then.

Now, just to clear the air... Sami, do you ever want that power again?
>>
No. 619241 ID: 69ab8d

Nature's primal. It has it's own interests at heart. It makes the dark urges feel good because it needs them. Things need to fuck and kill and eat to survive, and it incentivizes them. Who knows how much worse those instincts get when shape-shifting and years of repression factor in.

Moving up the ladder, psychologically, it's not surprising to revel in the feeling of power after being powerless, either.

>lose control / just a passenger along for the ride
>I was the one in control / utterly in control for once
You're contradicting yourself- did you notice? You're trying to have it both ways- making it out both to be something terrible and other that controlled you, and making yourself out to be something terrible for being in control of what happened.

Were you in control- or not? What did you choose?

More importantly- what would you choose now?
>>
No. 619246 ID: ea0ad9

>>619234
Y--...Damn, that's pretty serious.
>Also much like my sexual experiences, after it's all done I'm left with regret and shame over what I did. Except as a child, also I felt a little... satisfaction.
Er... Wow, that must have been bothering you more than I would have expected. I can't even relate to that statement.
>I realized later that I was *laughing* as I bit through the hand the piper raised to defend himself. I was the one in control, and I could do anything I wanted to him, and I felt something new and powerful like I had never experienced.
>I realize now that what I had felt before was sexual in nature. It was taboo, dirty, physical and very satisfying for me to be utterly in control for once.
Good lord, I can't even argue that that isn't monstrous. Nemain may have gleefully eaten the local witch to her village, but that's innocent compared to your description.
...But all the same, you said it was pleasurable. Do you seek to purify yourself of the monstrous blood, or to embrace it? Or, hell, even to find a way to control it, so that you may make use of it, while still retaining your... "Innocent" side? I'm not even sure what to call it any more, but at least it still carries the right emotions.
>>
No. 619249 ID: a19cd5

>>619234
Eh, I've seen worse, believe it or not. Piper was a child murderer, he deserved what he got in the end. Horrible way to go, maybe, but so's drowning.
I'm not saying it was a good thing you did, but that all that joyful bloody wrath could've gone towards a far worse end than ridding the world of another monster.
>>
No. 619265 ID: 9a8629

you feel shame and regret. monsters do not.
>>
No. 619271 ID: 2f4b71

>>619260
*private*
Better mute this. Equating Sami with vermin isn't going to help.
>>
No. 619279 ID: 01745f

So you went from being in the river, having no power over the situation, watching people die and seemingly dying yourself, to being out, having nearly complete power, getting revenge and being alive. A manic elation before the full weight of the situation sinks in isn't particularly abnormal to feel considering all of that; just finding yourself suddenly and unexpectedly not dead can trigger a strong reaction in many people. And when you did change shape, you didn't roam the countryside looking for blood but specifically targeted one person that definitely deserved it, so your actions were not that monstrous either.

*private*
>>619271
Yep. We have not seen any indication that the murder-termites are intelligent, and we really don't need that sort of confusion now. (Seriously Kome, if you have actual evidence for it that the rest of us missed talk about that instead of just asserting it.)
>>
No. 619292 ID: ea0ad9

>And when you did change shape, you didn't roam the countryside looking for blood but specifically targeted one person that definitely deserved it, so your actions were not that monstrous either.
You guys must have had some interesting experiences in life. Sami, herself, is not monstrous, I agree, but her second form is.
>>
No. 619300 ID: 3009b4

:icontrustup:
Sami seems relieved; her trust has increased by 5.

>Yeah that's about what I expected. Also jeez we gotta find you someone you won't be ashamed to have sex with, then.

:iconsami:
Sami: That would require my getting married first and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

>Were you in control- or not? What did you choose?
>More importantly- what would you choose now?

:iconsami:
Sami: I was and I wasn't. It was like my waking, normal self was paralyzed and an animalistic version of myself was acting instead. It all happened so quickly that I didn't really think and things come back to me over time as I look back on it. I will not allow myself to succumb again. Do you know what happens to half-bloods? They often go mad and become monsters. I will not become a monster. I originally thought you were clever demons or voices of madness, but from what I've heard even evil and madness are a little less disorganized and contradictory. Unless you're all very clever and are just feigning the silliness.

>...But all the same, you said it was pleasurable. Do you seek to purify yourself of the monstrous blood, or to embrace it?
:iconsami:
Sami: I feel so much better now that you've confirmed that I was indeed every bit the monster I suspected, but at least you understand how serious it is. If I knew how to purify myself I would have done so long ago. Maybe that's what's drawn me here, maybe I can figure out a way to get a second chance.

>you feel shame and regret. monsters do not.
:iconsamiok:
Sami: I suppose that's some comfort.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: The problem is I've never felt like that again since, and that's what I'm afraid of. I've tried alcohol, drugs and sex but none of it is the same.

>You guys must have had some interesting experiences in life. Sami, herself, is not monstrous, I agree, but her second form is.

:iconsami:
Sami: You're awfully convinced. How much do you REALLY know about my other self?
>>
No. 619303 ID: 687279

>>619300
We know what you told us, and what the notes said. The notes didn't go into any detail at all really aside from that you ate the Piper, and that is why you can use the pipe. They said you were half water-fae, and we've been trying to figure out exactly what type. I'm thinking it might be kappa. Does "aughie" refer to any specific type you're aware of?
>>
No. 619313 ID: 69ab8d

>I feel so much better now that you've confirmed that I was indeed every bit the monster I suspected
>Sami, herself, is not monstrous, I agree, but her second form is.
...I'd be rather less inclined to agree with that.

Consider first of all, your great grandfather. If your blood makes you a monster, how was he, a full blooded one, able to set aside his instincts and make a life among people his instincts would have screamed were prey? There's clearly more to this than form or blood.

Secondly, you're taking the view that Sami and her 'other self' are somehow separate and discrete. It strikes me that this is a dangerous mindset. The more you consider this part of you to be other than yourself, the less of a chance you ever have of controlling it. The more you try to deny and repress it, the more the pressure builds up. (In fact, this might be why many half-breeds become monstrous. They deny until they can't do anything about it?).

Then there's the mater of monstrous. What do we mean by that? Like a monster in appearance? I'll give you that (though you likely have distant relations who would take offense). Like a monster in deed? Quiet possibly. Although as we've raised before, that can be debated (it's awful hard to hold a child responsible for her actions, especially in an altered mental state). Like a monster in being though? That's much tougher. I don't think you're there now, and I don't think you were there then. You'd have to lose something you haven't lost yet.

>The problem is I've never felt like that again since, and that's what I'm afraid of. I've tried alcohol, drugs and sex but none of it is the same
Important question- why are you chasing that feeling? Do you want it, or are you trying to find some substitute, or something stronger that can overwhelm pr drown it?

I will say that if this a problem with self and control, doing things that make you ashamed or feel degraded probably isn't the right approach. The 'less' you make yourself, the more vulnerable you are to what you're trying to escape.

>How much do you REALLY know about my other self?
Nothing. All our information so far is second hand. All we can offer to help is reasoning, conjecture, and support.

Which I admit sounds flimsy, but you've been struggling with this a long time on your own. A broadening of perspectives can be pretty valuable when you feel trapped, or you're going over the same dark thoughts for the hundredth time.
>>
No. 619314 ID: bd1216

she eats people.

that's about it.
>>
No. 619321 ID: d3be40

You can't run away from yourself. Erm, your other self.

If you don't like how she rips and tears without abandon, you need to help her learn, guide her to be less "chomp tear smash" and more "hug tackle lick". We should be able to help with that, if the TEN connection can be modified with the right apps.

Leaving her ignored inside you is just going to make her clawing for release. You repress this part of yourself, she'll come out and start taking names.

Possibly literally, like with Nem and Macha.
>>
No. 619322 ID: 3009b4

>Does "aughie" refer to any specific type you're aware of?

:iconsami:
Sami: Mom and Dad are very close-lipped about the faerie side of our family. Basically we've got a book of lore that's used on a need-to-know basis, since things would get very difficult for us if word got out about our bloodline. The less we know, the easier it is to play ignorant amongst everyone else. From what I know, the faerie blood comes from out in Welser. Great-grandfather was a killer but my great-grandmother was cunning and played a song on a concertina to lure him from his lake and into a trap. She would have left him to die, but he pleaded with her and that his attacks were not random but specifically targeted on sinners so she had him swear loyalty to her instead. They had some adventures together and he became so smitten with her he proposed a different kind of loyalty -- one of husband. She said yes and because of his history in Welser they moved away to Ronnalin.

What I know of him is that he was very fast, very strong and could shape-shift -- he had three forms that we knew of. One of this long-faced creature, one that looked like a hairier clopper, and finally a proper Rollen form so he could fit in. The catch being is that while he swore off his old fae nature, he warned us that getting too close to his watery world could trigger the blood in us. We're fine in baths, but we're to avoid the sea, rivers and lakes.

She coughs.

My Dad and I also uh... enjoy our fresh meat more than what's normal. We're pretty sure it's related to the bloodline so when we lived in Ronnalin Dad made sure that we never indulged to a suspicious amount... but I can enjoy myself more as a hunter. I was taught by a stout and a trite, but the stout was the one who really taught me to cook game in the wild. Stouts might be cannibals, and while my teacher could probably tell you how to cook a person the ones that travel leave that bit of their culture behind. Really nice guy even for a stout. The trite wasn't bad either -- when you get them on their own they're nowhere near as arrogant. He taught me how to shoot; stouts are really near-sighted.

** Contextual Help **

The original "Aughie" is an Irish, saltwater Kelpie but in Sami's world the term applies to any water-sprite with a cannibalistic blood-lust.
>>
No. 619323 ID: 3009b4

>Important question- why are you chasing that feeling? Do you want it, or are you trying to find some substitute, or something stronger that can overwhelm pr drown it?

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Both.

>If you don't like how she rips and tears without abandon, you need to help her learn, guide her to be less "chomp tear smash" and more "hug tackle lick". We should be able to help with that, if the TEN connection can be modified with the right apps.
>Possibly literally, like with Nem and Macha.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: Dammit Kome, either just spout nonsense or say something useful but stop doing BOTH. What's this about Nem and Macha? You all painted her like some sort of pants-wetting ninny and now you're making it sound like she's some sort of child-minded monster who eats witches. Now who's Macha?
>>
No. 619324 ID: d3be40

Well, your family seems nice.

So, when was the last time you saw your parents? You know, what's your relationship with them? And stuff.

...You know what, let's just investigate the blacksmith while it's still daytime.

*Private*
Scan for strange markings using Physical Scan
*/Private*
>>
No. 619325 ID: bd1216

Macha is an alter-ego if Nem. Nem had a... split personality of sorts.

huh. that sounds kinda familiar for some reason.

*private*

wiki search: Welser
wiki trait search: native to Welser, aquatic, cannibalistic, shapeshifter
>>
No. 619327 ID: 69ab8d

I kind of wish we could deal with Sami and her problems on her own terms without all of this bringing of other people into this.

Especially when the knowledge you're bringing up is highly personal and it's not entirely appropriate to discus.
>>
No. 619330 ID: bd1216

*private*

yeah, at this point, I'm only not blocking everything kome says for the sole purpose of not being a dick, and against my better judgement.
>>
No. 619336 ID: ea0ad9

>Maybe that's what's drawn me here, maybe I can figure out a way to get a second chance.
Curses can be undone through "Redemption," although to purify your own self of a curse... I don't think I've ever seen any record of that happening.
>You're awfully convinced. How much do you REALLY know about my other self?
I know that you ate the Piper, and didn't simply do so out of necessity, anger, or fear, but out of perverted glee. I said before that "Monster" is a strong term, but anything that does something it knows is wrong, and enjoys it so much is a monster.
As for why I'm convinced that the you we are speaking with now is not a monster? You know what you did is wrong, and loathe the actions you did. I will trust you, Sami, because while I'm sure you have a monster within you, I'm even more certain that you hold your "righteous" desires just as strongly. Only if you forget the ethics and morals will I ever have reason to distrust you.
While the notes did not mention what your heritage is, they did say "Cannibal," which, if a Faerie is using it, it's a very strong word.
>Now who's Macha?
Unlike yourself, who has both "Halves" combined together, Nemain did not. Macha was her Faerie Blood, born out of a curse upon her family. Being of Faerie blood, she did think it fun to prank and tease Nemain, which is what caused Nemain to wet her panties, but over time, Nemain learned from Macha, until she had finally strengthened up enough that they became one. At the end of our time with her, Nemain considered herself and Macha to be the same person, so I've taken to considering them as such.
>>
No. 619337 ID: 3009b4

>So, when was the last time you saw your parents? You know, what's your relationship with them? And stuff.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I worry them. I'm afraid that I'm not quite the daughter they were hoping for, but then again everything expected of me changed ten years ago.

** PRIVATE **

WELSER Results: Welser is at this point in Sami's life a growing community that grew considerably after Ronnalin's abandonment. Welser is a DRAGONED city, in this case meaning that a faerie representative of the Unseelie Court plays the role of "Dragon" -- a powerful creature who asserts his or her influence as seen fit personally or as ordered by the Court.

Sami's great grand-father was the Dragon of Welser in his time. After his defeat and later resignation, he was replaced by Skyia the Serpentine who is the Dragon of Welser at this time in Sami's life. The long-term DRAGONING of Welser is the very reason why Ronnalin was a more popular location. While the general consensus amongst the Rollen is that while a threat, Dragons (they do not use that term) do defend their territory from other unusual threats.

** Author Note **
>yeah, at this point, I'm only not blocking everything kome says for the sole purpose of not being a dick, and against my better judgement

You needn't worry about that; Sami has adjusted to Kome.
>>
No. 619338 ID: 687279

>>619323
I predict that eventually some of us will try to get you to accept your transformed nature but you have made it clear that while transformed, you are not yourself. If there's any way to prevent that change so that you can think clearly when transformed, that would be the optimal solution. I wonder if it's possible?
>>
No. 619352 ID: bd1216

so your problem is something that will ruin your life if you indulge in it- by its very nature- and yet, by abstaining, you feel that you're ruining your life in a different way. because you know how good it feels to partake, and you know that nothing else will feel as good ever again. and yet you stay strong and keep on keeping on, not only for yourself, but for those around you.

that's kind of the exact same thing as being an addict, only instead of you getting hurt, people around you get hurt (physically, I mean). also, you didn't abuse substances to get into this predicament- you were born into it, which makes you less guilty (but apparently doesn't make you feel less guilty).

at least not giving in to your curse in spite of Fate herself seemingly working against you might give you some sort of satisfaction. and it definitely marks you as an incredibly strong individual, as most people, separated from their friends and family like you are right now, would've just given in to temptation a long time ago. most people get help. you probably should, too. and no, disembodied voices don't count.

...unless I'm misreading the situation and the direct psychological effects of cannibalistic fae blood aren't quite as dramatic as you made them sound to a guy like me. in which case, just ignore me. but if I am right, boy oh boy...

let me just say that if you add this to the giant pile of things your life has been fucking you over with, self-harm comes off as a rather mild psychological disorder to exhibit in contrast to the ones I'd expect you to.
>>
No. 619433 ID: 3009b4

>I know that you ate the Piper, and didn't simply do so out of necessity, anger, or fear, but out of perverted glee. I said before that "Monster" is a strong term, but anything that does something it knows is wrong, and enjoys it so much is a monster.
>As for why I'm convinced that the you we are speaking with now is not a monster? You know what you did is wrong, and loathe the actions you did. I will trust you, Sami, because while I'm sure you have a monster within you, I'm even more certain that you hold your "righteous" desires just as strongly. Only if you forget the ethics and morals will I ever have reason to distrust you.

The words lands on Sami like physical blows. She shrinks - shoulders drooped


>If there's any way to prevent that change so that you can think clearly when transformed, that would be the optimal solution. I wonder if it's possible?

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: It's only ever happened once and I've been avoiding streaks, lakes and rivers ever since. It can make travelling hard.

>...unless I'm misreading the situation and the direct psychological effects of cannibalistic fae blood aren't quite as dramatic as you made them sound to a guy like me. in which case, just ignore me. but if I am right, boy oh boy...

:iconsami:
Sami: I don't really understand everything you said but I don't think I like the tone.
>>
No. 619435 ID: 687279

>>619433
Well you could approach a stream or something when noone else is around. What's the harm?
>>
No. 619444 ID: 01745f

>>619435
We [i]are[i] in the middle of an empty town aside from that one guy in the church. If his barricades can hold golems they should be able to hold us, so if we make sure he is safely locked in (either by either waiting until night then staying away from town ourselves until morning or by convincing him to lock up early that day) we will have quite a while without anyone nearby to get hurt.
>>
No. 619448 ID: 687279

Oh wait, perhaps the harm is it'll become a habit. Make the temptation stronger, and all that.
>>
No. 619480 ID: 8a74e5

>>619433
The feeling of not being in control of yourself / not wishing to control yourself in certain situations is one of the reasons someone might agree to let themselves be bound.

If you cannot trust yourself, bind yourself to the rules that restrain yourself.

I might be getting ahead of myself here, but this might be one of the reasons why the supernaturals of your world are bound so strictly to rules. And it might also be a way out for you, though not right now.
>>
No. 619494 ID: bd1216

fine then, let's get back to exploring.
>>
No. 619523 ID: 3009b4

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: I want to make one thing perfectly clear: We are NOT going near any rivers or lakes. I don't care if there's anyone around or not.
>>
No. 619527 ID: 69ab8d

>The words lands on Sami like physical blows. She shrinks - shoulders drooped
Geeze, guys. You have all the sensitivity of a sack of hammers, sometimes.

Sami, I'm really not so sure it's healthy or safe to think about yourself or "your other self" in this manner.

Putting aside the faerie and the magic involved, repression and denial is very rarely a good thing, and tends to only exacerbate the problem. If your whole problem is one of identity and control, denying a part of yourself will make it all the harder to control.

If many halfbreeds turn into monsters, and presumably many of them did not want that fate, we have to ask ourselves, what mistake did they make? It would seem apparent that the obvious solutions didn't serve them.

>>619523
I would agree that experimentation would be reckless and dangerous at this point. We have no means to provide 'safe' conditions, and you're not in a mental or emotional place where I'd at all be comfortable with it.
>>
No. 619881 ID: 3009b4
File 142108308888.jpg - (317.34KB , 640x720 , Sam Enters the Smith.jpg )
619881

>fine then, let's get back to exploring.

Tired of the conversation, Sami agrees and enters the blacksmith's shop. It's picked clean except for the soot, dirt, and for objects too heavy to carry away. Just as the ventures into the middle of the room, there's a whisper and a rattle and suddenly the doors and shutters slam shut.
>>
No. 619884 ID: d9999b

fff-

okay, don't panic. just stay still and try to listen where the sound is coming from. we'll be extra quiet.
>>
No. 619890 ID: ea0ad9

>there's a whisper and a rattle and suddenly the doors and shutters slam shut.
PLEASE tell me there's a vermin that does that, and that it wasn't some brigand?
>>
No. 619891 ID: 69ab8d

Damn. A trap.

Eyes and ears peeled, everyone. [Scan vicinity]
>>
No. 619915 ID: 01745f

My guess is you are encountering a shade. Shades, according to our information, are sort of like ghosts, but only of a specific memory (like a death) rather than an entire person. If they are not yet attacking they can often be distracted by asking them questions unrelated to the subject of their memory.
>>
No. 619948 ID: d3be40

>>619881
Son of a-

1. How well can you fight in the dark?

2. What did the enemy chatter sound like? Mortals, vermin, or something different?

3. Sami, it looks like there are some whetstones and an anvil behind you! I have an idea: whack one of the whetstones on the anvil or rub the two whetstones together to stun the ambushers with a loud/screeching sound!

Also, throwing dense stones is a good tactic for stunning enemies. I'd recommend sharpening your staff on the whetstone but THAT IS JUST PLAIN STUPID! (Works in some realms tho.)
>>
No. 619964 ID: 3009b4
File 142111062784.jpg - (280.59KB , 640x720 , Sami in blacksmith.jpg )
619964

The room goes dark and Sami takes a defensive posture, listening carefully for threats.

She hears... water.

Looking down, Sami shrieks as she sees brackish water puddling up around her feet and a familiar smell assaulting her nostrils.

It's been ten years ago but the memory is still fresh.
>>
No. 619966 ID: 88960e

...a very specific trap. Intended for you, in particular.

Look around, Sami! Show us the room. We need to see what's around you. We need possible exit points, or somewhere we can break out, or open a hole to drain the water.
>>
No. 619967 ID: 687279

>>619964
It's a shade, trying to replicate the circumstances of its death! It's trying to drown you. Is that even possible though? We're gonna find out if you can't break down the door. I doubt you can do that with your staff, but if there's anything sturdier than it lying around you could smash the door with that.
>>
No. 619968 ID: d3be40

Get to higher ground while you look for a way out! Breaking the door seems like the best option!
>>
No. 619971 ID: 8ca0d0

*private* I will consent to the dishing out of any and all IP points to resist this. */private*

just try to think of things that make you human. friends, family, and delicious vegetables.
>>
No. 619991 ID: 3009b4
File 142112399792.jpg - (372.85KB , 640x720 , Sami in blacksmith 2.jpg )
619991

Sami looks for the exit but all she can see is brackish water and the roar of the current...

... and the bodies of the town's children...

... and that shadow ...

... she tries to scream but her voice is drowned.
>>
No. 620001 ID: d3be40

GRAB AS MANY KIDS AS YOU CAN AND SWIM TO THE SURFACE!
>>
No. 620006 ID: d3be40

You said it over and over, again and again: you regret saving nobody during the drowning, and you'd risk everything to make it right.

This is your chance, don't waste it! We don't have to order you to risk drowning yourself to rescue these kids, it's what you've wanted for years!

Focus, Sami! This is what you wanted! NOW TAKE IT!!! GRAB KIDS WITH HANDS AND SWIM WITH ARMS!!! FOCUS ON SURFACE AND HOLD BREATH! IF PRESSURE IN TORSO TOO TIGHT LET SOME AIR OUT!

GRAB KIDS?

SWIM!!!

SAMI, SAVE THE CHILDREN!!!

*Private*
P.S. Someone make sure Sami knows CPR!
*/Private*
>>
No. 620009 ID: 01745f

>>620006
I don't think shades work like that, but deviating from the 'script' of the memory might disrupt the shade so I guess it is worth trying.
>>
No. 620012 ID: d3be40

*Private*
>>620009
Yeah, I know. Too dramatic. But seriously, Sami has been constantly angsting about how she didn't save anyone during the accident.

If she just lets the memory play out, it's likely to drive her into deeper depression, watching the children drown again. This is her chance to prove to herself that she is capable of saving people, instead of leaving them to their fate.

Best we cheer her on.
*/Private*
>>
No. 620015 ID: 01efb5

[private]
We need to intervene.

Could we apply botch, here? If we broke the floor or the door that could snap her back to reality. Or we could just throw IP at making the illusionist fail a roll, or in trying to reinforce Sami.
>>
No. 620020 ID: 3009b4

** Contextual Help **
>Could we apply botch, here? If we broke the floor or the door that could snap her back to reality. Or we could just throw IP at making the illusionist fail a roll, or in trying to reinforce Sami.

BOTCH only works when an enemy fails a roll. In order to use BOTCH against a target, you first have to know where said enemy is and also wait for the enemy to fail a roll OR force a failure via IP.

If you want to use IP to bolster Sami, you will have to specify what you want her to do, and if she goes along with it you can throw IP at it. This system doesn't use regular table-top RPG rules given the plot armour system and such; Sami doesn't make saving throws. You have to say what she is to do, and then you spend your IP to alter the odds of her being able to do it if she agrees.
>>
No. 620023 ID: 687279

>>619991
Sami, close your eyes and remember where you are.
+2 IP for this.
>>
No. 620033 ID: 3009b4
File 142113100305.jpg - (325.51KB , 640x720 , Sami in blacksmith 3.jpg )
620033

2 IP spent.

Sami squeezes her eyes shut and covers her ears. She tries to remember that she is in the blacksmith while shutting out the images of drowning children.

Slowly the darkness of drowning in brackish water and the rush of a powerful current fades into the feeling of salty tears against her cheeks and her laboured sobbing.
>>
No. 620034 ID: 3009b4
File 142113152873.jpg - (316.45KB , 640x720 , Sami in blacksmith 4.jpg )
620034

It's quiet except for the sound of Sami struggling to regain her composure.
>>
No. 620055 ID: d3be40

Sami... It's time to wake up. The only source of water in this place is you.

Rain for the blacksmith's steam.

That shade has likely been living your worst nightmare (what you just saw) for its whole existence. Time to help them.

For what it's worth, you still remember them. Keep those memories of your friends intact and maybe you'll find a good place to put them.
>>
No. 620079 ID: ea0ad9

Holy... shit.
That kind of power is a frightening thing. I don't think I'd ever be able to escape it. I can't-just-no.
*Sound of something gentle fading*
*Private*
Y'ALL HANDLE THIS WHILE I BAWL DRY TEARS OUT.
>>
No. 620085 ID: 687279

>>620034
That's a pretty spooky ghost and no mistake. Do you think it will leave you alone if you stick around? I don't think this place is looted, so you may be able to get something useful here. If you're still in danger you may want to leave. Up to you.
>>
No. 620129 ID: 01efb5

Sami? You okay? It wasn't real. There was something here, messing with your head. You're not there. It didn't happen again.
>>
No. 620167 ID: 3009b4
File 142118741346.jpg - (301.96KB , 640x720 , Sami outside after nightmare.jpg )
620167

Sami bolts for the door and escapes the blacksmith. She makes sure she's a distance from the smith before she allows herself to kneel and release more of her stress.

>Sami? You okay? It wasn't real. There was something here, messing with your head. You're not there. It didn't happen again.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: No, I'm not OK. It might not have been real but it was horrible. I need some time to rest. I need to go someplace safe.

:iconnorton:
:: ADMIN: You've discovered Sami's dark secret -- awarding 20 IP. 28 IP available. ::
>>
No. 620169 ID: 687279

>>620167
You have two choices. The church, or the building we started talking to you in. There was something weird about the church, so why not go back there?
>>
No. 620174 ID: 88960e

All right. Back to where we started, or the church. Those are the only reasonably safe places we know nearby. Your call where you'd feel safer.
>>
No. 620195 ID: d3be40

>>620167
Sami, could you hear us while you were...

You may as well go to the one place with a guard and sturdy architecture, the church.
>>
No. 620388 ID: 3009b4
File 142127174134.jpg - (333.28KB , 640x720 , Sami Goes Home1.jpg )
620388

>You have two choices. The church, or the building we started talking to you in. There was something weird about the church, so why not go back there?
>All right. Back to where we started, or the church. Those are the only reasonably safe places we know nearby. Your call where you'd feel safer.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I'm through with weird things. I'm going back to my old home. I feel safest there.

>Sami, could you hear us while you were...

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Yes. Without... I'm not sure who it was, just a bunch of numbers -- but without that person's help probably would have had to relieve the whole thing all over again.

Sami retreats to her old house and just leans against the fireplace. She's exhausted from stress. Right about now, she'd be opening up her flask or lighting up some dreamtime tobacco -- but she has a feeling that the last time she tried to smoke up it went badly. She's also got some herbal tea. Regardless, she needs to rest for now.

How you choose to relax Sami will have various impacts on her current situation, but she needs to rest now and will refuse to entertain any more adventuring until she's recuperated a little.

Once that is done, she also needs to address the fact that her supplies are running out; after resting she will only have one to one-and-a-half days of supplies left.
>>
No. 620394 ID: a19cd5

I say light a fire and lay down for a bit.
We could tell a couple stories or something, we got plenty o' those lyin' about here in our collective afterlives.
>>
No. 620395 ID: 687279

Have some tea.
>>
No. 620438 ID: d3be40

01efb5 and 687279 were the ones who got you out of that stupor, you should thank them.

Look, why don't you disconnect from us for a while, do whatever it is you do to relax without us constantly bugging you. For what it's worth, this has been one hell of a day. You survived more than what a normal person could handle. Thanks for putting up with us.
>>
No. 620483 ID: 3009b4
File 142130372190.jpg - (321.40KB , 640x720 , Sami Dreams1.jpg )
620483

Sami has some herbal tea and then makes a few preparations to set up a place to sleep.

She dreams of her childhood friend Rosemary, staring at her blank and lifeless, far downstream in the brackish water of the wetlands where her body was recovered along with many other children.

She wakes a few hours later. Another horrid dream that leaves her just a little less tired than normal.
>>
No. 620486 ID: 3009b4
File 142130780226.jpg - (334.40KB , 640x720 , Night One.jpg )
620486

By the time Sami has woken up, night has fallen on the town. The VERMIN are now more active. Sami glares a a rollie-pollie in disgust -- they are nuisance creatures that take a lot of prodding before they will bite. The problem is they ruin things either by eating them or their excretions.

They also taste terrible. Sami tucks into more of her rations; she has one day left.

If you've any stories so swap or things you want to look for, this is the time to do it but don't forget that now Sami MUST look for more supplies. At this rate if she finds nothing she will have to go hunting or quickly return to Welser. It takes two days to get to Welser, so she will be very hungry and tired unless she lucks into wild game along the way, having gone a day without food.
>>
No. 620515 ID: d3be40

Hunting sounds like a good idea. However, if you run out of food you'll need to go back to Welser for supplies.

*Private*
Spend +2 IP for a successful hunt.
*/Private*
>>
No. 620541 ID: 687279

Hey, I have an idea. Why not use the pipe to attract some small animals? Easy hunting.
>>
No. 620561 ID: 3009b4
File 142137597570.jpg - (105.78KB , 640x720 , Konvi sketch.jpg )
620561

Hunting sounds like a good idea. However, if you run out of food you'll need to go back to Welser for supplies.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: Obviously I'll have to head back to Welser if I run out. Hunting takes time; I can set some traps for small animals and actively search for them. The best two places as far as I can tell would be near the abandoned farms -- where I can also see if I can scavenge any wild edibles -- or the forest near the river. There could be wild KONVI in either location.

:: Contextual Help: KONVI ::
Konvi are a domestic animal cultivated by then Rollen, Shinato and Mericudian people. They produce asexually via eggs and feed off tree sap as well as some grasses. Wild and feral konvi avoid predators by climbing trees (but may preyed upon by tree spiders) but konvi have also adapted to produce a sweet milk-like substance in exchange for protection. Gaelish people often consider konvi products to be taboo. In large numbers, konvi can cause considerable damage to forests.


>Hey, I have an idea. Why not use the pipe to attract some small animals? Easy hunting.

:iconsami:
Sami: All the animals I hunt stay away from smoke. I'm not sure how you would use a pipe to attract one.
>>
No. 620564 ID: d3be40

>>620561
I think that means "Use the flute". And no, I don't recommend doing that. We don't know what effect it will have on regular animals. Or the rest of the wildlife, for that matter.

Look, the river may be traumatizing, but there's likely to be good game there. If you don't want to stay there for long, just set up some traps in the dark and come back later. You have enough food to make two hunting trips to the forest.

Also, be sure to grab as much food as you can carry. That priest needs to eat, and he'll likely trade some of his rations and wares in exchange for fresh food / burnt offerings.

I suggest you harvest plants on the first run, set up traps, and find out how the river flows after ten years. On the second run, just shortcut to your traps and harvest anything on the way.
>>
No. 620565 ID: 3009b4

>I think that means "Use the flute". And no, I don't recommend doing that. We don't know what effect it will have on regular animals. Or the rest of the wildlife, for that matter.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: Oh, the piper's MAGIC PIPE. I don't know what I was thinking. Actually, yes I do. I was thinking of my dreamtime tobacco because of the stress.

The problem for using the pipe for hunting is that I have to be fairly close to the animals for it to work. Don't think I've not been curious about using it, but I tend to just summon a lot of what's already close by and usually game never comes close enough. I could just be lack of practice since I don't want anyone else to know I've got his things, so I don't use them very often.
>>
No. 620566 ID: 687279

>>620565
Aw, the description of the songs didn't say exactly how far away the range was. That's disappointing.

Let's check out the farm. Hmm... if you notice a konvi up on a tree, you can lure it down with the flute.
>>
No. 620604 ID: a18f15

>Aw, the description of the songs didn't say exactly how far away the range was
I would expect the range is as far as the sound carries (until it's either too distorted or quiet to work).

...of course, since it's a magic flute, how far the sound carries probably isn't a simple problem of acoustics and volume. Which puts us back at square one.

>I tend to just summon a lot of what's already close by
Well, judging from the last time the Piper used the flute, there must be some way to discriminate. He only summoned forth one thing.

But yes, experimenting with this wouldn't exactly be subtle.
>>
No. 620634 ID: 01745f

I would guess the range would have to be fairly far unless everyone who the piper killed were nearby to begin with.
>>
No. 620641 ID: 3009b4
File 142147744479.jpg - (323.68KB , 640x720 , Sami checks farm night 1.jpg )
620641

Sami picks up her gear and heads to the closest farm. The fields are in poor condition after years of neglect and Sami can find no salvageable goods. She also finds no sign of edible small game -- the grites and rollie-pollies have likely dominated this field, considering the lack of other growth.

Sami notices an inactive golem nearby. It's a tiller.

** NETWORK DETECTED **
** There is an active network nearby, outside the town boundaries and towards the river.
** No further details available; signal is too weak.
>>
No. 620642 ID: 687279

>>620641
Remember, the golems are infected. Do not get anywhere near that thing, it will likely attack you. I think you could investigate the house though. I mean, it's right there. Maybe there's some preserved food in there?

Alternatively we can go outside the town boundaries near the river, we can tell there's something of interest to us in that direction.

I'm leaning towards investigating the house since we're here already.
>>
No. 620643 ID: a18f15

I doubt you'll be pleased to hear this, but there's a network in the direction of the river.

Information gathering takes a backseat to finding supplies right now, though, so I say we leave it be, for now.
>>
No. 620653 ID: d3be40

The golem might be tainted, but if you can lure a predator to the farm it should be easy to get them to fight each other. You can profit from harvesting both their corpses.

So, are predators in Ronnelin good-tasting, or do they taste like vermin? Also, is Ronnelin more famous for its culinary spices or medicinal herbs?

Check the house. Since the golem is still here, maybe the owner left in a hurry.
>>
No. 620693 ID: ea0ad9

Ugh, of course the network would be near the river. I'm fine skipping this network, Sami.
While the Golems have been stated to be tainted, the fact that this one's inactive suggests it somehow avoided it, I would think. If you were willing to play the WISDOM portion of the song on the piper's pipe, with the golem as your mind's focus, you might be able to power its body up again, but that's only a guess from somebody who knows next to nothing about golems. If I'm half right, and the flute can power it up, it might alternatively be YOUTH to empower the pearl itself, bolstering the "Memories" it contains.
>>
No. 620769 ID: 3009b4
File 142155121681.jpg - (267.52KB , 640x720 , Sami checks farm night 2.jpg )
620769

>Remember, the golems are infected. Do not get anywhere near that thing, it will likely attack you. I think you could investigate the house though. I mean, it's right there. Maybe there's some preserved food in there?

:iconsami:
Sami: Nope. Picked clean.

>So, are predators in Ronnelin good-tasting, or do they taste like vermin?
>Also, is Ronnelin more famous for its culinary spices or medicinal herbs?

:iconsami:
Sami: Ronnelin is infamous for the disaster that claimed all its children but one. Most predators are OK to eat, it's the vermin that taste awful.

>If you were willing to play the WISDOM portion of the song on the piper's pipe...

:iconsami:
Sami: They're not responding to the song. I know the flute works but nothing seems to work on the golem. I must be doing something wrong. Or maybe it doesn't work on golems?
>>
No. 620770 ID: 687279

Yeah it doesn't work on golems. I told you a while ago, didn't I? The flute only works on natural creatures like people and animals. You'd need another instrument like it to affect golems.

Let's go to the river location.
>>
No. 620779 ID: d3be40

Time to scavenge the forest. If you can't find anything, then you should head straight for the church, exchange information about the surrounding area for food, and go back to Welser.
>>
No. 620822 ID: ea0ad9

Huh. I had come to the conclusion that the golems must have not been magical, for some reason. The Flute, regardless of what song or portion you play, will never work on those of magical origin. The most you could do would be to take the pearl with you for a while, and see if putting it back in after a day or several works. I mean, it's said to be charged by experiences, but not that it steals them, so simply "sharing" the experiences should refill it, maybe?
>>
No. 620850 ID: 3009b4
File 142156717696.jpg - (341.25KB , 640x720 , Sami Enters the Woods.jpg )
620850

Considering Sami's lack of comfort around rushing water, she decides to check the woods by the farms for game instead.

She's extremely fortunate -- a short distance into the woods she finds konvi droppings. Wild konvi are like sloths when it comes to pooping -- they climb down the trees a short distance from where they feed. Sami's short bow isn't very good for hunting konvi due to their armour (plus the fall can ruin the meat) but she could set up some traps or try the piper's pipe.
>>
No. 620864 ID: d3be40

I suggest you lay down some traps and lure the konvi into them using the flute. Have your bow ready in case a predator shows up instead.
>>
No. 621192 ID: 3009b4
File 142170960186.jpg - (344.68KB , 640x720 , Sami uses the pipe.jpg )
621192

Sami begins to play the pipe, and the music draws a great deal of her focus. However, before she can lure a konvi close to her snare traps, she gets the feeling something is approaching her.

Sensing it has been detected, the Tiller golem charges towards her through the brush. The terrain is rough even for its special legs however and it makes its movement clumsy.

Sami has enough time to act before the golem does, but she still needs to figure out a plan quickly.
>>
No. 621194 ID: 687279

>>621192
[scan the golem]
Damn thing must've followed you here! It's not great on this rough terrain and it's a lot wider than you so evade it for now by weaving through the trees and sticking to uneven terrain until we have more information on how to hurt it.
>>
No. 621263 ID: a18f15

Huh. So it's smart enough to play dead in front of you for a later ambush? I don't like that level of tactics.

That or you didn't set it off until now. It's set to defend a certain area, or the animals you're after?

>what do?
You're smaller and a lot more nimble than this thing. Put some trees between you and it, move towards denser forest. Put yourself in terrain where it has a hard time approaching you, or bringing it's weapons to bear.
>>
No. 621266 ID: d3be40

Can't you just climb a tree? Oh wait, the tiller might be able to just dig holes around the tree and knock it over. THAT MIGHT BE USEFUL FOR HARVESTING WOOD.

Like I said, if you find a predator in the woods, it should be easy to get the predator and the golem to fight each other. Run around but try to escape the golem, away from the river if necessary.

Hey, did you deploy any traps yet? Well, I don't think they'll do much good against an armored golem.
>>
No. 621721 ID: 3009b4
File 142199772151.png - (475.20KB , 640x720 , Scan Golem.png )
621721

Sami takes off running -- the golem takes off after her. She tries to weave through the trees to throw it off or at least slow it down.
>>
No. 621722 ID: 3009b4
File 142199792385.jpg - (377.76KB , 640x720 , running physcan.jpg )
621722

:: RUNNING PHYSICAL SCAN ::

:: Notable subjects have been highlighted. ::
>>
No. 621724 ID: 3009b4
File 142199939127.png - (498.30KB , 640x720 , Golem possessed.png )
621724

>[scan the golem]

** Private **

:: SCANNING GOLEM ::
The TILLER GOLEM is a heavy, powerful ceramic-like creature with enough physical strength to knock down medium sized trees and rip through the earth. It currently has no active power source and is being animated by a CURSE. It will not be slowed down in the slightest by simple snare traps and none of Sami's weapons are strong enough to make a dent. The tiller itself is made of steel.

WIKI RESULTS - GOLEM TILLER

Golem tillers are like heavy farm equipment and are subsequently extremely difficult to damage using weapons meant for engaging organic individuals. Despite their fearsome power, they make extremely poor weapons of war due to their slow speed -- a simple trench is enough to put the golem off balance and their striking speed is slow -- they are meant to rend earth, not soldiers.

WIKI RESULTS - CURSED SPIRIT

The golem is being powered by the cursed spirit, essentially a lingering memory of grief and pain. These shades cannot be reasoned with as they are not truly intelligent - they are best compared with a sort of spiritual cancer. The shades provide an energy similar to PEARLS, but it also means that manifesting using the golem is draining -- the curse will eventually wear itself out.

Unfortunately for Sami, while chasing down a single soldier would be extreme ineffective in a war the golem is a more considerable threat against a single individual.
>>
No. 621728 ID: 3009b4
File 142200121969.jpg - (285.88KB , 640x720 , Puni.jpg )
621728

:: ADMIN PUNI: So we have a real enemy this time! I'll give you 10 IP for discovering a real threat that Sami can't dispatch by squishing. Now if you want a real reward, I'll give you an extra 35 IP if you can figure out a way to defeat the golem RIGHT NOW. If you take me up on my offer, I won't let Sami off the hook until the golem is neutralized. You don't take it now, you don't get the reward later... and I'll remember you rejected my offer. ::

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: Puni... that kind of pandering is frankly embarrassing. ::

:iconyorick:
:: ADMIN: Yeah, even I think that's kinda tacky. ::
>>
No. 621730 ID: 687279

>>621728
So we CAN defeat it? Or are you goading us into attempting something we can't do? What do you mean by "off the hook"? I have a couple of ideas on how to defeat it. I presume your definition of "defeat" does not include running away until the shade tires out, right?

We could lure it to the river, and Sami could use her transformation to fight it. She'd probably hate that. Perhaps we could find some very uneven ground or muddy/soft terrain and get it caught up in something (we could use IP to encourage this), then get a very large rock and smash it. Oh, or we could lure it back to the town and into the unstable house we almost went into. It would definitely fall through the floor. We'd risk Sami falling through as well but that's much less of a sure thing, and we could spend IP to prevent it entirely.
>>
No. 621734 ID: d3be40

*Private*
Puni, this quest is not going so well and Sami is not at her optimal status, so I'm going to respectfully say no.

Well, if there's a way to use the tiller's tool against itself, since the tool is likely more dense than the ceramic armor, that might work.

>>621730
I like the mansion plan.
*/Private*
>>
No. 621755 ID: f3415f

*private*
Okay, so I'm semi-tempted to take that deal, but you guys hear me out first-
I think we can stop the golem with one of three tricks. One, by using the coin on it to collect the spirit. Two, by playing the death song on the pipe for much the same effect as the coin.
Lastly, we lure it to the river and let it sink to the bottom. I dunno how well this idea would work.
If these seem workable, we can take the deal, do the plan, and collect our reward.
*/private*
>>
No. 621765 ID: a18f15

[private]
Look, even Kome thinks locking ourselves into an engagement with this thing is a bad idea. That says something!

>I think we can stop the golem with one of three tricks. One, by using the coin on it to collect the spirit. Two, by playing the death song on the pipe for much the same effect as the coin. Lastly, we lure it to the river and let it sink to the bottom.
I'm not sure if using the coin would work. Last time we tried that we had an actual local avatar of death to summon. And it's possible the shell of the golem would protect it- that the coin would have to touch the spirit? That and we placed the coin over Yaga's eye, which was symbolically significant for a death ritual.

The flute would only work if cursed spirits / shades are considered 'natural'. Which... I'm not sure that they do. I mean, the person the shade originated from would have been, but at this point does the shade count as a lingering portion of a natural being to put to rest, or a supernatural derivative that would be unaffected?

Sinking it in the damaged house or the river would probably work. The biggest problems would be outrunning the golem long enough to reach those area (how far away are they, and does Sami have the strength / stamina to get there in a dead run?), and getting Sami to go anywhere near the river, and how to cross it without transforming and/or how to get across the floor without falling in when the golem collapses it behind us (pole vault over to the stairs?).

>and I'll remember you rejected my offer
Look, we've reached the point where it's starting to look like there might be more admins involved here than there are us voices. If you think we're going to bother pandering to any one of you, you are seriously flattering yourself, lady.
>>
No. 621768 ID: e607cd

Sami, I know running is top priority right now, but there is something pinging our senses under that fallen branch you just passed. Whether it would help you at all right now we cannot yet say, but at least try to remember this area so we might find it again later.

This golem is not going to stop while it can track you. We need to immobilize or damage it. Unless you see any precariously balanced boulders or boggy marshes around, that means leading it somewhere.

I understand that you want to stay away from the river, but if the bottom is mucky and the sides are steep, it would be an excellent place to leave this thing bogged down. Another alternative might be to lead it back to town and risk collapsing the town hall on top of it, which has some glaring problems of its own, especially if it doesn't kill this thing.

Or.. the flute. Scary unknown, untried artifact. Our extremely limited understanding is that the end of its song has the capability of outright ending both undead creatures and golems. This is essentially an undead golem. It... SEEMS like it should work.
>>
No. 621769 ID: e607cd

**Private**
Reviewing what we know about it, I'm actually fairly confident the flute will work here. Given that, it is just a matter of getting this thing slowed or stalled long enough to play it. I'm down for the bet.

Besides, it's not like this thing was going to leave Sami alone if we DIDN'T find a way to get rid of it.

I'll throw some IP at Sami finding a patch of boggy root-filled terrain to get this thing slowed up in too.
>>
No. 621776 ID: ea0ad9

[Private]
Wait, I thought we were dealing with the Fae, not the Cats.
>>621755
It's magical, the flute won't work on it, and it's an animated inanimate object. It has no need to breath, and its weight would likely prevent the river from sweeping it away. The coin might work, but we've been keeping that a secret from Sami.
The fact that it's a "Spiritual Cancer" means it might be above Death, anyways.
[Wiki search: Strength of Tiller's connection to the golem body; strength and location of joints in Golem's body]
>>
No. 621777 ID: ea0ad9

[Private]
>there is something pinging our senses under that fallen branch you just passed.
That's not an actual item, that's the icon for Physical Scan Pro. What's highlighted includes Sami and the Golem.
>>
No. 621789 ID: 01745f

*Private*
Considering methods of defeat:
Flute: Definitely no; it specifically targets organics
Coin: Probably no; the curse does not seem to really be living and as such might not count for death
Mud: No; that would work for getting away form it, but not really be defeating it
Transform: No; even if we could get Sami to agree we can't reasonably expect tooth and claw to work against solid ceramic
Rock: Probably no; Sami does not have super strength unless IP can temporarily grant that
Hitting Itself: Probably no; it is doubtful whether it is physically capable of bending to land a solid hit on itself
Floor Fall: Maybe; if we can get there it would probably work (and we can avoid the floor ourselves with a small amount of IP), but it might be too far to run to from here

So really I think it boils down to how close we are to town, and whether we can get there without spending overmuch IP.
*/Private*
>>
No. 621790 ID: 687279

>>621789
Ceramic is brittle. She doesn't need a huge rock, just a very large one. Plus, as someone else mentioned, if we can get that tiller blade to hit the main body of the golem it'll damage the golem. I wonder if it would be possible to break the arm off?
>>
No. 621799 ID: e607cd

*private*
>>621776
Bleh. I see it. Pipe is natural targets, yes. one place seems to list types as Natural, Fae, Pantheon and Cat. That is what I was looking at. Only later it gives Natural, Automation, Faerie, and Pantheon, which does appear to pull golems out of the loop.
I THOUGHT I remembered something to make this not work, just couldn't find it.
>>
No. 621801 ID: 3009b4

>So we CAN defeat it? Or are you goading us into attempting something we can't do? What do you mean by "off the hook"? I have a couple of ideas on how to defeat it. I presume your definition of "defeat" does not include running away until the shade tires out, right?

:iconpuni:
:: ADMIN: You have to get Sami to disable the golem in such a way that it can't be controlled by the curse again. ::

>Wait, I thought we were dealing with the Fae, not the Cats.

:iconaudrey:
:: ADMIN: We are so insulted. ::

>[Wiki search: Strength of Tiller's connection to the golem body; strength and location of joints in Golem's body]
** The Tiller's joints are as strong as the rest of it; they're made out of "golem flesh" **
>>
No. 622003 ID: 3009b4

:iconpuni:
:: ADMIN: You lunkheads taking the deal or you just gonna *talk* about taking the deal? This is a one-time offer. I'm not going to bother thinking up challenges if you're just gonna chicken out.
>>
No. 622006 ID: fef726

Sami you grew up around here, are there any gorges or ravines you could lead this thing to? It can't jump and it certainly can't climb.
>>
No. 622007 ID: 3009b4

:iconsami:
Sami: The land's pretty flat. The only obstacle around here is the river. Unless you guys have a plan I'm going to run deeper into the woods and see if I can lose this thing.
>>
No. 622026 ID: 90504c

*private*
I'm not sure how it would be possible to disable the golem in a way that the curse can't affect it anymore.

The obvious way would be to disable it so that it can't be used at all. But there's not really anything we can use to do that. The only obstacle is the river, and I don't think water would really hurt it much. Maybe slow it down, but not stop it. Plus Sami would really hate it.

Then there's the trenches weakness, and the only thing I can think of that would be remotely similar would be the mansion. And there's no way to do a quick trench digging in the time we have elsewhere.

It's a shame the curse can't be 'reasoned' with. Then we could remove it, and thus disable it where the curse couldn't control it again. Can't be controlled by something that's no longer there. And I can't think of anything that would 'counteract' it, immunizing the golem itself with the opposite of the curse. If we had a memory PEARL that might do it, but then it could very well just make the cursed golem last longer.

I suppose we could just outright run the cursed spirit out of power, make it go through terrain it can't handle easily. But I don't think we have any way of knowing how much power it still has left.
>>
No. 622030 ID: a18f15

>lost it in the trees.
Yeah, we don't have much better ideas. You might be able to trick it into the river, but that would involve crossing it, which doesn't seem a good idea for you. You could try to trick it onto the weak floor in the town hall, but that's kind of far too run, and risky too.

[private]
>We are so insulted
Don't be so catty. At least now we know the proper insults to use!

>asking if we're going to commit to something instead of just talking about it
You don't know us very well at all, do you.
>>
No. 622033 ID: eb7fba

*private*
IDK about you guys, but I'm thinking of taking this deal.
We've plans aplenty, we can make more if need be, and we just need to WIN. Don't necessarily need to PERFECT this fight.
>>
No. 622034 ID: d958ad

>>622033
I would be leaning towards accepting it, except for the fact that we don't even know all the details of the deal. Most of my questions go unanswered.
>>
No. 622076 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
>>622034
The only catch is that Sami will be hounded by the golem until she defeats it. Or, well, she'll be hounded by whatever Puni decides to send after her, if it turns out the Golem can't follow, despite still being functional.
>>
No. 622080 ID: d958ad

>>622076
Er, really? Where'd Puni say that? I mean I guess this is okay since I ASSUME Puni wouldn't ask us to do something impossible.

Before we make it go walk into the collapsed house how about we try to make it get its tiller stuck in a tree? Then try to bash its joints with a rock?
>>
No. 622090 ID: ea0ad9

>>622080
Sami's got a metal tipped quarterstaff. I'm pretty sure a rock would be less effective as a weapon.
>>
No. 622399 ID: 3009b4
File 142233431353.jpg - (341.89KB , 640x720 , Sam on the run.jpg )
622399

Sami: GUYS! Do you have a plan or shall I just keep running until this thing gives up?
>>
No. 622402 ID: d958ad

>>622399
Christ, it can cleave through trees?

...I think trapping it in the basement of a derelict building would probably count as defeating it, so let's try that, and accept the Devil Deal.
>>
No. 622412 ID: d3be40

Okay, the plan is:

Keep running, have the tiller chop as many trees as it can, and THEN kill or dominate the tiller!

You can then use the wood (charcoal, barriers and traps for the church, or put the trees in a cart and sell them later), and harvest food from the branches of the fallen trees!

MAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF NOISE! Get the tiller to fight something else!
>>
No. 622414 ID: a18f15

...it can cut down trees that thick? That's absurd. That either calls for ridiculous sharpness, or ridiculous force behind the blow. I'm calling shenanigans. The spirit is cheating somehow.

Although that does open one option. If it's not very bright, you could goad slash trick it into slicing down a really large tree. From the side the tree would be inclined to fall towards. Smash!
>>
No. 622418 ID: d958ad

>>622414
Ha! Yes, good! Crush it with a tree it chops down on its own!
>>
No. 622432 ID: 3009b4

>...I think trapping it in the basement of a derelict building would probably count as defeating it, so let's try that, and accept the Devil Deal.
:iconpuni:
:: ADMIN: Deal ACCEPTED. It's Sami or the golem now!::

>...it can cut down trees that thick? That's absurd. That either calls for ridiculous sharpness, or ridiculous force behind the blow. I'm calling shenanigans. The spirit is cheating somehow.

** Author note: The tree is supposed in the foreground close to the "camera"; it's not as thick as it appears. But of course the curse is cheating. **

>MAKE LOTS AND LOTS OF NOISE! Get the tiller to fight something else!
:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: KOME! Either focus or shut the hell up! I DO NOT CARE ABOUT WOOD RIGHT NOW. And this thing seems to hate me personally!

>Christ, it can cleave through trees?
:iconsami:
Sami: I'm surprised as you are -- it's not made to cut down trees! The claw's meant to hew through earth as tough as clay and not shatter if it hits stone. Normally tillers can't move this fast, but this thing's been... getting faster as I've been running from it!

>Although that does open one option. If it's not very bright, you could goad slash trick it into slicing down a really large tree. From the side the tree would be inclined to fall towards. Smash!

:iconsami:
Sami: I'm not sure if I can pull that off; I'd have to get it to hold still long enough for the tree to crush it. Taking out trees seems to slow it down; if I go into thicker forest it shouldn't be able to follow.

** PLAN ESTIMATE: Basement Box-in **
Sami will have to hoof it to town and find a suitable building to enter (the only building you know for sure to be weak is the town hall, thanks to Yorick's deal). She will need to then lead the golem inside, but manage to not fall in with it when the floor inevitably gives in. Sami won't have the luxury of time to plan a safe route across the floor so she'll have to hope she doesn't hit a rotten spot herself. Worst-case scenario is she falls in WITH the golem -- Sami will lose Plot Armour for the fall, again for the cave-in, and will then need to scramble to climb out before the golem can strike.

** PLAN ESTIMATE: Timber Tiller Take-Down
Sami will have to find an appropriately large tree and get the golem to hack it down in a way that the tree crushes it. Moving through the woods slows both her and the golem down and finding the right tree will take a bit of luck. Then Sami will have to get the tiller to knock the tree down -- there's a few ways to do this but they will all require agility rolls to avoid injury (will hit to Plot Armour). Finally, she'll need to position the tiller so it does get crushed by the tree. Since illustrations can't accurately capture the movement of the tiller -- it moves quickly enough that Sami needs to keep a brisk pace to stay ahead of the claw and it does not tire, and it agile enough to follow her through the woods -- you'll need to spend IP to force it to be struck by the falling tree, have Sami stay in the tree's path until the last moment, or some kind of distraction as it won't just sit there otherwise.
>>
No. 622434 ID: d958ad

>>622432
I feel like the basement plan is the simplest and most cost-efficient one. Honestly I feel like ANY building with a basement will do. Even a sturdy floor will give way to that huge heavy golem's stomping around.
>>
No. 622484 ID: d3be40

Okay, can you climb on the walls of the mansion, force the tiller to chase you upstairs and invoke a 51% chance of dropping through a floor?
>>
No. 622486 ID: 42130a

The plan it seems is the Basement box-in.
We lure it to the Town hall, get it to go in, and then it falls through the bad floor. That will deal with the golem and prevent it from causing any more damage.
>>
No. 622502 ID: a18f15

>>622484
Actually, that gives me an idea. Sami, are you capable of using your staff to preform a pole vault? Jumping over the rotted floor to the stairs or something would be safer than running across it. Or if you went vertical instead of horizontal, putting yourself through a window or on the roof would force the golem to enter the building to come after you, and likely fall though.

[private]
Since this is dangerous, and we expect to make an IP off the deal anyways, we should spend what we need to to make this work, without getting her hurt. IP on acrobatics / dex checks as Sami needs them, and botch the floor into breaking worse (or the fall being worse) if we get the chance.

We're only allowed 5 per person, so I'll allocate 5IP here.
>>
No. 622753 ID: 14f5a7

>>622432
How fast can that thing turn? I’m thinking of improving either plan by running straight toward whatever we want to hit and then changing direction at the last moment. For the building plan this would hopefully end with the golem running into the building before it can stop while Sami stays outside.

Another plan would be to have the golem run into something that is to hard for it to take down, like a boulder.

Yet another would be for Sami to climb a house (prerequisite: Sami needs to have enough of a lead to do this before the golem catches up). The golem would then hopefully either crash into the house and be disabled by falling debris / breaking through the floor or at be harmed by hitting something that’s harder than it is designed to hit. Sami would need to jump away before the crash of, course, which would mean Sami would need at pretty big headstart for this.
>>
No. 622954 ID: 3009b4
File 142268555715.jpg - (378.91KB , 640x720 , Sami runs back to town hall.jpg )
622954

Sami runs back to town, the golem in hot pursuit. Sami's people are quick and she is no exception.

As she gets closer to town, the golem seems to be losing speed. It doesn't appear to be getting 'tired' but it's moving much slower. Slow enough that Sami has time to gasp for breath. Even with her adrenaline rush, she's pretty tired.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Guys... do you feel anything odd? I just shivered and I feel a sense of dread.

>Actually, that gives me an idea. Sami, are you capable of using your staff to preform a pole vault?

Sami: It's a modified walking stick that I can use as a weapon. It's too short to pole vault... and it's not something I've experience doing anyway.

>How fast can that thing turn? I’m thinking of improving either plan by running straight toward whatever we want to hit and then changing direction at the last moment.

Sami: Tillers don't turn very well. They're not supposed to be able to swing the claw like that either though.

>Yet another would be for Sami to climb a house

Sami: If it attacks the house the whole thing might collapse under me.
>>
No. 622955 ID: 7d265e

>Guys... do you feel anything odd? I just shivered and I feel a sense of dread.
[Scan]
>>
No. 622956 ID: d958ad

>>622954
Sami, I suspect the shade that's possessing the golem has just alerted some of the other shades in town. I think I can see three of them coming at you from your left along the cobble path. They're going to try to screw with your head, I reckon.
>>
No. 623043 ID: a9753c

Hm... Does the statue of Faustia have any special functions that ward off shades or something?

I get that you don't want to lead the tiller and any other shades to the priest, but at this point you could die. HOWEVER, Nick claims that he has been living here for ten years. Maybe he knows a way to shut down the possessed tiller.

>>622954
I don't think the tiller will slow down to a halt. If the shade is making it more flexible with its tool, them maybe that shade is calling for other shades to possess and re-energize the tiller. Regardless, that tiller could regain its speed at any time.
>>
No. 623084 ID: 5dae7c

>>622954
> If it attacks the house the whole thing might collapse under me.
Which is why I said you should do this only if you have enough time to jump of / climb down the house before the machine runs into it.

> Tillers don't turn very well. They're not supposed to be able to swing the claw like that either though.
Tricking it into running into an old house still seems safer than running into an old house together with the golem and hoping you can escape.

>Sense of dread.
Probably those other shades. If the help possessing the golem it might have enough energy to speed up again.
>>
No. 623176 ID: 3009b4
File 142283197828.jpg - (355.76KB , 640x720 , Running Scan on the Run.jpg )
623176

:: SCAN RUNNING ::
:: CURSE CHARMNETS are being run on two nearby golems - a Sawing Golem and a Grinding Golem. The golems are powering up. Scan detects that the power to the pursuing golem has decreased, lowering its speed. Multiple cursed spirits have been alerted to Sami's presence.

WIKI Notes:
Physical manifestations of cursed spirits -- even with 'conductive' forms like golems -- require a great deal of energy. The golems will only move at a fraction of their capacity.

:iconpuni:
ADMIN: Huh, didn't see that coming. Look, the deal only requires you to take out ONE golem. I'll give a bonus if you guys can figure out how to deal with the other two but you're only held to the ORIGINAL deal. You duck out on this one and you blow the reward this time BUT I'm not gonna hold it against you and if you want to let Sami escape... well, we'll revisit the situation for when it's just one-on-one.



>Hm... Does the statue of Faustia have any special functions that ward off shades or something?
>I get that you don't want to lead the tiller and any other shades to the priest, but at this point you could die. HOWEVER, Nick claims that he has been living here for ten years. Maybe he knows a way to shut down the possessed tiller.

:iconsami:
Sami: As far as I know, Faustia's done nothing to protect the town. But I'm open to heading to the church to see what he says -- it's not far from here.
>>
No. 623177 ID: d958ad

>>623176
Oh god there are more golems. Sawing and Grinding.

...I'm starting to think there's a way to defeat them that we're missing. Wasn't there something about positive actions reducing a shade's power or something? Maybe you can hug them to death, haha.
>>
No. 623215 ID: a9753c

>>623176
>>623177
Yeah, time to run.

Hm... according to the wiki, the golems are only moving at a FRACTION of their true speed because of the compatibility problems. If that's so, why didn't the other shades just co-possess the tiller, bring it up to full speed and knockback strength, and just chase you in a straight line until they caught up? Maybe they know how to slow you down in the middle of town, but need multiple allies to corner you.

If that's the case, then you'll want to get to the church, which should have the highest defense against sieges due to its centralized position and solid construction. See if there's something inside that you can use against the golems.

Or just leave Ronnelin and never return. Either one works.
>>
No. 623216 ID: 7d265e

...there are now three golems at play.

Luckily, the curses are spreading themselves thin like that. They're slower than they were before.

So you're likely faster, but golems don't tire. Not sure how do deal with all three unless you can trick or feint them into accidentally attacking each other when going for you.
>>
No. 623237 ID: ea0ad9

*Private*
A deal's a deal, Puni... I appreciate that you're attempting to keep it fair for us, but until Sami takes a golem out, she's due to be hounded.
>>
No. 623555 ID: 3009b4
File 142310567560.jpg - (253.96KB , 640x720 , Sami returns to the church.jpg )
623555

>If that's the case, then you'll want to get to the church, which should have the highest defense against sieges due to its centralized position and solid construction. See if there's something inside that you can use against the golems.

Without any other real plan and with leaving the city behind with her business unfinished out the question, Sami retreats to the church.

The Tiller follows her, but then stops a short distance away. Sami watches it carefully -- but unlike the abyss, she can't tell if it's looking back.

:: SCAN RESULTS ::
:: The golem is still active. ::

After a few moments, she announces her presence to Father Nick and pushes the door open to go inside.
>>
No. 623588 ID: d3be40

>>623555
Something feels off. Be careful!

Oh, and I think that the first thing you should do is grab as many pews (church benches) as you can and bar the door.

*Private*
Okay... anyone got any ideas? What do we know about religious architecture?
*/Private*
>>
No. 623593 ID: ea0ad9

Hmm. Alright, the golems won't touch the Church. Whether this is because of Faustia herself, or simply the "Blessing" brought about by all the people who felt good feelings by being in the church, is yet to be determined (Though I'm betting on the latter, since people feeling miserable causes curses).
>>
No. 624584 ID: 3009b4
File 142362648195.jpg - (344.79KB , 640x720 , Sami and FatherNick.jpg )
624584

Sami warns Father Nick about the golems outside, but he is unconcerned.

:iconnick:
Father Nick: They won't dare touch the church Sami, you are safe here. I've been chased by them myself -- you must have gone some place that made them angry. But we are always safe here in the church, except on Faustday. On that holy day, the spirits of the dead gather to pay their respects and their tortured souls are... *painful* to be around. On those days, I try to gather supplies outside the church. Come the next dawn after Faustday, the church is safe once again.

Sami slumps in a pew in relief.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: So... how long will they wait for me outside?

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Might be best to stay the night then.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Shi...rry Father. That's bad news, I'm running out of supplies and was hoping to get some hunting in.

Father Nick looks surprised as hunting is an unusual profession for Rollen (Rollen eat meat but it's a small portion of their diet) and even more unusual for a woman, but Sami's used to the reaction and she just shrugs.

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Well, you're welcome to rest here. By daylight the golems will be gone. Word of warning -- they get be woken during the day as well. And if do rest here... perhaps you might be willing to share your supplies? I'm running thin myself.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: If you don't mind me saying so, you look it. I'll share regardless, you look like you could use something to eat.

Sami rations half her supplies for Father Nick; it will mean she will be hungry tomorrow but Father Nick looks like he hasn't been eating regular.

:iconnick:
Father Nick: Thank-you child, Faustia bless you.

Sami gives him a sad smile; she doesn't think such any gesture of charity can save her soul now. Regardless of the state of her soul however, she needs to tend to the more immediate needs of her body -- and that means she's got to find some supplies. She could try to sneak past the golems -- she could leave some of her things with Father Nick so she can move faster -- or wait until daylight, in which case she could rest or explore the church. If she sneaks past she figures she'd better hunt outside the town's border. No other plans come to mind.
>>
No. 624678 ID: d3be40

Explore the church for weapons, traps, and food most of all. I know that the church's rations have likely been scavenged or rotted, but there might be some MREs hidden around the area.

I'll make this short - an MRE stands for "Meal Ready-to-Eat". The containers they're stored in are designed alchemically to act as one-time cooking devices. The food is INTENTIONALLY filled with poisonous toxins, which preserves the food so well that it can stay "fresh" for YEARS. Decades, even! The main problem is that the toxins can have devastating side effects, but if you only eat them in emergencies they should be better than starving to death.

I say this, because fae have a level of technology that is similar to ours. If one of them got the bright idea of making a foodstuff that would remain preserved but inedible unless doused with lots of magic, then the other mortals and vermin in the church have probably left it alone!

Alright, let's scan for preserved foodstuffs. We can work out how to make them edible later.
>>
No. 624679 ID: d958ad

>>624584
[scan father nick]
>>
No. 624773 ID: 3009b4

>I'll make this short - an MRE stands for "Meal Ready-to-Eat"

** AUTHOR NOTE: You're being silly. **

>[scan father nick]

** AUTHOR NOTE: He's been scanned already. Nothing found in the wiki**
>>
No. 624780 ID: d958ad

>>624773
Oops. Okay, how about we use PORT ACCESS to try to check the login requirements for the pantheon network then.
>>
No. 624786 ID: 3009b4

:: PORT ACCESS::
Network Type: Pantheon
Secure: Yes; Login required.

Public Notes available...

•Welcome to Pantheon.Org, your local host is the Goddess Faustia! We’re excited to bring this net network to you from the little hamlet of Ronnalin that we hope to grow into a major network! Please check out our Pantheon profile for donation rewards and our future goals!

•About Goddess Faustia – Faustia represents the spirit of love, friendship and harmony! She is the Princess of Peace and benevolent living goddess of the hidden lands of Equinox. Your donations will spread her influence to this and other locations like it. We’re proud to showcase this young demigoddess’s new and exciting vision of world harmony.

The list of benefits on the "Pantheon Profile" for becoming a donor begins with “Glitter” and seems to move onwards to becoming a Moderator, becoming an “Avatar of a Harmony Element” with some merchandising options and with the top goal of “World Peace”. It reads like a Kickstarter page.

It seems that the Pantheon use memory pearls as currency.
>>
No. 624815 ID: d3be40

>>624786
*Private*
...DEMIGODDESS?!

WHAT THE HELL?!

"Hey Sami your town's patron goddess is a demigoddess what the [[CENSORED RANT]]?!"

*huff huff* Okay. First up, it seems we have a use for memory pearls. Second, how far did they get in the kickstarter?

*/Private*

Okay, it looks like we can connect to some kind of divine charity box. You know, donate a certain amount and earn rewards, that kind of pathetic religious commerce. So for some reason, they're offering rewards for memory pearls.

Suffice to say, we now have a good reason for destroying the golems. You might as well look for stuff around the church to deal with them.
>>
No. 624818 ID: ea0ad9

>It seems that the Pantheon use memory pearls as currency.
*Private*
What's the cost for the first few rewards?
*Public*
Hey, Sami, looks like Faustia has some real power, but it requires the donation of memory pearls, not money. If you happen to defeat one of the golems, there's a reward for it, but it's certainly not necessary.
>>
No. 624891 ID: 5bf165

[private]
>>624786
>Faustia
>Equinox
>Harmony Element

...

*facepalm*
>>
No. 625033 ID: 3009b4
File 142389712492.jpg - (219.85KB , 640x720 , Sami and memory pearls.jpg )
625033

>Hey, Sami, looks like Faustia has some real power, but it requires the donation of memory pearls, not money. If you happen to defeat one of the golems, there's a reward for it, but it's certainly not necessary.

Sami: Do either of you know how to extra a memory pearl? I don't. It isn't a simple process. I'm a hunter, and I can tell you how to extract the inedible parts from the edible but that's about all the internal mechanics I'm familiar with.
>>
No. 625038 ID: d3be40

Maybe Nick knows.
>>
No. 625039 ID: ea0ad9

...Good point. Still, if you happen to see a way, go for it. If not... Well, your main reason for destroying the golems would be so they don't bother you further, anyways.
>>
No. 625064 ID: 82efdc

Well, mechanical systems can be simpler to disassemble than biological ones. Because the mechanical ones are usually built out of separate pieces that were assembled in the first place. Or are built with the expectation that parts will need to be replaced or maintained.

Although it's kind of a moot point until we manage to destroy or disable a golem. Which might or might not expose the pearl, or leave it in a usable or accessible state.
>>
No. 625128 ID: ea0ad9

>>625064
That applies to non-magical contraptions. Golems are magical, so that may not stand.
>>
No. 625597 ID: 3009b4
File 142432102918.jpg - (321.62KB , 640x720 , Sami explores the church.jpg )
625597

Sami decides to explore the church for things of interest -- she doesn't expect to find supplies given the state of Father Nick, but maybe she can find something else of interest. Or at least see how he's been surviving so far.

She waits for him to go to sleep -- which doesn't take long after a meal -- and then begins to explore. She finds most of the church is open and unlocked... except one door near an unusual outcropping within the inner sanctum. Nothing she has found in the church so far has been unusual and Nick's been keeping it fairly clean, so either she figures out a way to open the door, goes to sleep, or tries to sneak past the golems outside.

She can hear their heavy, scraping footsteps and the skittering of vermin who flee their approach. It's the only sound in the darkness so if Sami tries to escape the church she'll at least avoid an immediate ambush.
>>
No. 625599 ID: d958ad

You could pickpocket the key off of the priest.
[+2 IP towards not waking him up in the process]
>>
No. 625603 ID: 82efdc

Hmm. You do need some rest at some point, I'm not sure stirring things up here is a good idea or not.

[Scan locked door]
>>
No. 625607 ID: 01745f

I think I am against stealing the key; Nick hasn't really done anything suspicious, and if there is some crazy secret it would be best to investigate it when our escape route is not full of killer golems.
>>
No. 625610 ID: 3009b4

>You could pickpocket the key off of the priest.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: I'm not a thief, idiot. I'm not curious enough about that room to act like one either.

>Hmm. You do need some rest at some point, I'm not sure stirring things up here is a good idea or not.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: I agree. Unless you know a way through the door that's QUIET and doesn't involve me trying to lift stuff from sleeping people let's give it a miss for now.

:: DOOR SCAN: The door is an ordinary door; no magic and no wiki entry on it ::
>>
No. 625612 ID: d958ad

Only way to get past would be to bypass the lock. Either pick the lock, or (if it's the right kind of door) you could slide something thin in the crack of the door to push the bolt back.

What sort of lock is it? Do you have a screwdriver or any fine instruments?
>>
No. 625852 ID: 066a87

>>625610
Picking pockets is as much about misdirecting and distracting the mark as about having deft hands. It's an advanced topic for a... street entertainer.

Picking locks, however, is not as hard. From a security point of view, it's depressingly easy to defeat an unguarded lock. I may be able to walk you through it if you move close to the lock so I can get a look at it. The type of lock dictates how we try to pick it.
>>
No. 625881 ID: ea0ad9

>>625852
Let's not pick the church's locks.
>>
No. 625950 ID: 3009b4

>Picking locks, however, is not as hard. From a security point of view, it's depressingly easy to defeat an unguarded lock. I may be able to walk you through it if you move close to the lock so I can get a look at it.

:iconsami:
Sami: Well all I've got on me tool-wise is my field knife and I don't want to leave any evidence that I've been tampering with anything in the church.
>>
No. 625960 ID: d958ad

>>625950
...well, if that room in particular has a window on the outside you could maybe sneak past the golems to climb in through it.

You should also check on the top of the doorframe to see if someone left a key up there.
>>
No. 626002 ID: 066a87

>>625950
Depending on the type of lock, you may be able to whittle a suitable skeleton key with your knife and some hard wood. Otherwise, you'll need stiff wire and a little time to create some make-shift tools for picking pin locks. Picking a lock in that way is delicate work, but I believe you could do it.
>>
No. 626003 ID: 82efdc

Lock picking is a skill, that requires practice.

Lock picking well enough not to leave scratches or other evidence of your attempt takes greater skill.

I say to leave it for now.
>>
No. 626804 ID: 3009b4
File 142501894643.jpg - (226.13KB , 640x720 , Sami tries to sneak out.jpg )
626804

Sami leaves the door alone for now and decides to sneak out of the church as she's not tired from resting fairly recently.

The question is, does she make it out without being detected? Should you interfere or leave it to fate?
>>
No. 626806 ID: d3be40

Case the nearby buildings. Place some traps and figure out the fastest route back to the church. Return after you find three days worth of food.

Luckily, the violent rampage from the golems probably scared off most of the vermin for the night.
>>
No. 626841 ID: 6ac21b

>>626804
Fate, definitely.
>>
No. 627993 ID: 3009b4
File 142571079080.jpg - (288.18KB , 640x720 , A Golem spots Sami.jpg )
627993

Sami hears the golems lumbering suddenly and excitedly. Two of the golems charge in one direction, but her old friend with the claw is close behind her once again.

Unless anyone has objections, she will rush towards the Town Hall to try the floor collapsing plan.
>>
No. 627994 ID: ea0ad9

>>627993
*Private*
>Feline figure being chased
Uh, thanks, I'm going to guess Puni?
*Public*
I've got no plans, so go for it.
>>
No. 628004 ID: d3be40

What the

*Private*
hell is that yellow guy sprinting across the village?
*/Private*

Nevermind, it's not important! Town hall!
>>
No. 628007 ID: 82c018

That works. Is the golem still slowed, since the others are sort of close by but distracted?
>>
No. 629035 ID: 3009b4
File 142631577925.jpg - (316.58KB , 640x720 , Sami returns to the hall with golem in pusuit.jpg )
629035

Sami hurries back towards the town hall, with the hammering sound of stone against stone of the golem's feet across the cobblestones chasing her.

>That works. Is the golem still slowed, since the others are sort of close by but distracted?

Yes; the golem is definitely moving slower.

Sami slips through the door of the hall. It's very dark, and all Sami is initially aware of is the earthy smell of rotten wood mixed with the vinegar and ammonia reek of vermin piss until her eyes adjust. As the clattering sound of the golem approaches her, she realizes that part of the problem with luring the golem here is that the floor might very well collapse under her as she crosses.

** As before, there is a 30% chance of the floor collapsing under Sami. **

-You may expend IP to reduce this by 10% per point by buying in ahead of time, spending 3 points to prevent the floor from collapsing.
-You may also direct her to take one of 3 paths across the floor instead; one route is likely to collapse, one may collapse, and one will not.
- Yorick will pay 5 IP if you can get Sami across without influencing the floor's collapse.
- If you have some other idea of getting her across you can suggest it as well, but keep in mind that our agile Sami is a hunter, not an acrobat.
>>
No. 629036 ID: d3be40

Sami, we got intel about the floorboards: there are three paths; one will not break, one has a chance of breaking, and one will definitely break. Unfortunately, the people who told us this didn't tell us which was which, but you've got a 70% chance of making it across without the boards breaking. We can spend our Influence Points to reinforce the floorboards to 100% stability but this will get expensive for us if used too many times.

So, two main options:
A. Pick one of three different paths
B. Have us expend IP to reinforce the floorboards

I vote for plan B.
>>
No. 629037 ID: d3be40

Once you get across, lure the golem by using the Love song on the spirit that is controlling it; have the spirit ooze in excitement of using this giant robot to slice the stupid girl who's just standing there into gory, juicy bits, every thumping, shaking step-

And then the floorboards crash, we win.
>>
No. 629054 ID: 8f01e8

I say take route 3, or whichever seems to hew closest to a load-bearing wall.

To improve the odds without spending IP, shuffle along sideways, shifting weight between heel and toe of each foot rather than between one foot and the other. Less force on any one point, less sudden force, and it's related to hunting techniques for stealthily crossing an area of dry leaves.
>>
No. 629094 ID: d958ad

>>629035
Smack the floor in front of you with your staff, you can test its strength that way to get across.
>>
No. 629124 ID: 5db52c

Judging from the remains, route 2 apparently supported the weight of a vermin, and your smashing into the floor with your staff, earlier.
>>
No. 629136 ID: ea0ad9

>>629036
*Private*
Did you forget how insane you sound when talking about "Influence points"?

I'd be up for spending 1 point, but only 1. Any more seems kind of silly to me.
*Public*
>lure the golem by using the Love song on the spirit that is controlling it
Golem's animation core is magical. The flute will not work on it.
>>629094
The staff itself is more of a focused point of force, and won't help much when testing the floor's strength.

Sami, I can only get a sense for the floor as a whole, not for any weak points or strong points, but it seems that as you head across, you have a very good chance of avoiding making it fall. The golem is heavier, and has to step across a wider area, so he's more likely to trigger a collapse, but I'm not sure just how likely.

Hmm. When it comes to walking across thin ice, shuffling--or sliding your feet forward, rather than lifting and lowering them-- will reduce the odds of it breaking on you, and you can even spread your weight out more by crawling upon your belly, so that it is distributed. Unlike the golem's distribution, you would have a single large distribution, while it has a few, small-but-spread-out points, which is why it should work. Only attempt this if you've gotten a sufficient lead on it, though, as going prone slows down your movement, too.
>>
No. 629191 ID: 3009b4
File 142639959974.jpg - (339.83KB , 640x720 , Sami crosses the hall with golem in pusuit.jpg )
629191

>Smack the floor in front of you with your staff, you can test its strength that way to get across.
>The staff itself is more of a focused point of force, and won't help much when testing the floor's strength.

Not enough time and the staff isn't appropriate for testing floor strength for exactly that reason.

>I say take route 3, or whichever seems to hew closest to a load-bearing wall.

That is indeed the safest route, exactly for that reason. Yorick reluctantly awards 5 IP and Sami's trust increases by 5. Sami begins to carefully creep across when suddenly the tiller slams into the doorway, sending half the door flying and crushing the other half, gouging the frame. Splinters fly everywhere and Sami cannot repress a terrified squeak of alarm.

She turns and runs as fast has her legs will carry her towards the far end of the room as the golem claws its way into the room, clawing the walls and ceiling to force its way inside.
>>
No. 629195 ID: d958ad

>>629191
Oh cool we figured out a safe-ish way of traversing the house, then. I say loop around the edge of the room to lure the golem into the middle of the floor where it will definitely fall through.
>>
No. 629197 ID: 5db52c

Stay near the rear wall- the center is more likely to cave with it than the edges. Stay near the stairs, too. I'm not sure how sturdy they are, but if the whole floor goes, at last you have someplace to go other than down.
>>
No. 629198 ID: d3be40

Goad the golem.
>>
No. 629556 ID: 3009b4
File 142656965656.jpg - (377.77KB , 640x720 , golem confrontation1.jpg )
629556

Sami prepares to act as the golem breaks through the doors. The smell of rotten wood fills the air as it splinters the frame and begins to wedge itself into the opening; there is no way for Sami to escape past it now.

:: Scan has identified three spend targets for IP (max 5 pts/questor) ::
:: SAMI can be augmented to be faster, adjusting the chances of her evading danger by 5% per point spent ::
:: The OLD FLOOR can be made to break when the golem is in the middle of the room; every point spent will decrease the chance of it breaking too early or too late by 5%, and increase the chance of it breaking perfectly by 5% ::
:: The Golem's reaction rolls can be hampered by 5%/pt. ::

33 IP available.

Alternatively, you may do nothing and simply let Sami do what she thinks is best and let fate take its course.
>>
No. 629557 ID: d958ad

>>629556
+1 IP towards Sami escaping (up the stairs or otherwise)
+3 IP towards the OLD FLOOR breaking.
+1 IP towards the golem fucking up.
>>
No. 629558 ID: d3be40

>>629556
*Private*
I vote for one point in each of the three spend targets
*/Private*

Sami, up the stairs!
>>
No. 629566 ID: ea0ad9

>>629557
*Private*
I'm against spending points on Sami, she's already quick enough, but otherwise I'd agree with the spending budget outlined here.
>>
No. 629572 ID: d958ad

>>629566
Very well.
>>
No. 629619 ID: e607cd

[Private]
>>629566
I know this is different from normal, spending IP is not a consensus thing. Its fine if you agree or disagree, but it doesn't actually DO anything. Because of the individual-usage nature of this set of buffs, we are currently spending IP from both of the people who have suggested specific spends. Right now we would be spending 8 points total.

This is kind of an important moment though, so I am cool with making it an even 10 IP spend.


[+2 IP to Golem reaction penalty]

So that is
+10% to Sami's evade
+20% to floor breaking perfectly and +20% to not breaking too early
-20% to Golem's evade/reaction
>>
No. 629717 ID: ea0ad9

>>629619
*Private*
I understand that the spendings can stack, I was simply voicing what I would like to place a cap upon. Whether or not the others revoke their spendings is up to them, not me.
>>
No. 629729 ID: 3009b4
File 142665645798.jpg - (386.37KB , 640x720 , the goelm falls.jpg )
629729

The golem charges forwards as Sami dashes for the stairs, but the floor is far too weak to withstand the weight. Its rough talons were meant for clawing through thick dirt and mud and tear through the old floors -- the neglected building barely gives a protesting moan before there's a dull crack as the creatures plummets into the basement cellar. Sami is unable to repress a shriek as she grasps the staircase rail as her support gives way.

While the fall isn't far, it opens up into a nest of grites, which screech and scatter. The golem isn't damaged, but it gets stuck on its back and thrashes about -- eventually it stops moving.

Sami's TRUST has increased by 10. It is now 35, which means she is leaning towards you genuinely wanting to help and knowing what you're doing, but she still suspects you could just be manipulating her.

While she can still leave by retracing her steps, she could also climb up to the second floor.


10 IP invested.
Puni grants a 35 IP reward for defeating the golem.
25 net IP for new total of 58 IP.
>>
No. 629741 ID: d958ad

>>629729
There's something in here... Go upstairs. Stick near the walls again, and look around. Try not to actually enter any rooms that look empty, so we travel as little as possible along the rotten floor.
>>
No. 629746 ID: d3be40

Nice work!

Sami, focus on getting up the stairs, until you can sit down. The golem's pilot ejected and the shade is now behind you - it's probably trying to goad you into falling into the hole with the giant saw. And the giant vermin nest.

And hey, good work. We're going to analyze the hole while you get back on your feet.

*Private*
[Scan Hole]
[Scan Nest]
[Scan Shade]
[Scan Staircase]
[Scan Second Floor]

BTW, I didn't know Sami had a tail. Wait, this isn't a new growth, right?
*/Private*
>>
No. 629821 ID: ea0ad9

>>629746
*Private*
Her kind have tails... She's mentioned this before, Kome.
*Public*
Brace yourself and steel your nerves. I'm getting a bad vibe now. The blacksmith had its own haunt, it wouldn't surprise me if the town hall does, too.
>>
No. 630128 ID: 3009b4
File 142688568035.jpg - (302.62KB , 640x720 , Second Floor of Town Hall.jpg )
630128

:: SCAN RESULTS ::
None of the things you've suggested scanning are notable or have not already been scanned. The shade is one of the same curse spirits Sami has encountered before. Also the second floor itself is too large to scan; yes there is a chance Sami could fall through the floor at the same 30% chance as before.


Sami mostly ignores Kome; she's gotten used to his rambling. She pulls herself up the stairs and arrives on the second floor.

The second floor still reeks of vermin - same ammonia smell of urine, musty aging wood, earth and rot. Most of the upper floor consists of empty offices. Sami heads towards the area that appears to have the most moon light, and comes across the council meeting room.

Most of it is useless with broken chairs, although the large meeting table looks to be in good condition. Of note is a large, heavy-looking locked chest. Sami examines it further - there's dents and multiple attempts at forced entry, but the chest itself has withstood all attempts to open it. It's been sheltered from the elements and is in better condition than the rest of the town hall.
>>
No. 630133 ID: 5db52c

Hmm. A chest.

[private]
Scan chest. (The town hall's chest, not Sami's).
>>
No. 630176 ID: 066a87

[Private]
Scan chest. (Sami's. Not the town hall's chest).
>>
No. 630575 ID: 3009b4
File 142716696478.jpg - (306.61KB , 640x720 , Chest Scan.jpg )
630575

:: Reminder: Physical Scan does not see through objects. It detects any sort of TEN presence (magic), references notable objects from the wiki, and sometimes can provide additional information. In short, you can't scan Sami's chest. Yorick is amused by the attempt though, but not enough to award IP ::

** Physical Scan of Chest **
It's a solid metal chest that is not likely able to be opened even with a key at this point. While the contents of the chest are not notable, there is something significant within it because it seems to be tied to the curse somehow.

Sami feels light-headed as she approaches the chest. For some reason, the Piper's song as she originally heard it and its promise of paradise to her young, foolish 8-year old mind echoes in her head. The memory is strong enough that she broadcasts it to you.

She remembers how it opened with the shrill song of Birth and nothing stood in her way - everything opened before her, and there was nothing between her and the source of the music. Then the sweet song of Childhood, where she followed the rest of the children to the source... before suddenly feeling the cold water whip around her and the terrified looks of the others as they washed down the river. When it was her turn to feel it fill her lungs... that's when everything changed. She didn't drown. She felt new life burst almost painfully through her veins, and the murky water became as air -- and she as a bird.

She remembered that as she realized what was happening, that new life began to burn. She saw her friends wash away behind her, and she looked to the surface and saw him playing. Those cold, dull eyes -- not the slightest glimmer of any regret, no recognition of the enormity of the crime he was committing. She had never known any cruelty like this before, and it dissolved her innocence away -- opening the cage to something dark.

It wasn't a primal nature that made her leap upon the Piper - if it was merely nature, she would have simple gone for his throat and ended it. As the Piper desperately tried to push her away, she bit down on his clawing fingers until they crunched between her jaws and her mouth filled with warm, salty, metallic tasting liquid.

The feeling of domination, of hearing a hated enemy scream in terror, in making him regret everything he had done to her friends... it felt powerfully sexual in way she was never able to recreate with any of her lovers.

Sami shakes her head and comes back to reality, feeling sick to her stomach and weighed down once again with ten years worth of guilt.
>>
No. 630578 ID: 5db52c

Sami, uh, this chest is important, somehow. It's tied to the curse. You feel that, right?

[Private]
Let's not let on that her flashback bled over. Not sure if she'd react positively to us viewing memories, even unintentionally.
>>
No. 630774 ID: 01745f

Can the chest be pushed along the floor? We sense something important is inside, but it might be too damaged to open. Depending on how fragile the contents are, it might be worth dropping it into the basement to try and open it.
>>
No. 630779 ID: a9753c

Maybe you should leave the chest alone. Passing out is NOT a good idea when you're low on supplies. Just search the other rooms, set up some traps, etc.

Look around for a few tables to turn into walking planks.
>>
No. 630818 ID: ea0ad9

Hmm. This chest has no magical connections, so perhaps it can be effected by the flute... I wonder, will playing the song be able to "Mark" the lock for death? If so, then all it should take is a good whack to shatter it.
>>
No. 631000 ID: 3009b4
File 142734367584.jpg - (328.08KB , 640x720 , Sami Flute Chest.jpg )
631000

>Hmm. This chest has no magical connections, so perhaps it can be effected by the flute... I wonder, will playing the song be able to "Mark" the lock for death? If so, then all it should take is a good whack to shatter it.

:iconsamiok:
Sami: No, I can't just play the song of death without one of the other sections first - the results aren't pretty. I almost always have to open with the song of Birth.

Sami begins to play the Song of Birth. There's metallic clicking and then a pop as the chest opens itself during her song.

"...everything opened before her[i]..."

"...[i]as such, the song is disruptive and breaks security and manipulative code alike. The concept was to break any running code designed to prevent targets from being unable to hear the song via barrier, illusion, or counter-measure....
"

Sami understands now. In order to affect all targets, including those that might have bound themselves to resist the song or use enchantments, the Song of Birth OPENS everything.

As her song finishes, she feels a chill.
>>
No. 631010 ID: a9753c

That. Was. AWESOME.

Careful, the chest might still be trapped. The birth song itself might have also repaired any disintegrated trap mechanisms.
>>
No. 631017 ID: 296917

>>631000
>chest opened from playing the song
What. The flute is not supposed to be able to even TARGET inanimate objects! ...oh god damn it. "Natural" was the restriction, not "animal". The chest is made out of natural materials and is not a construct or fae or anything special, so the flute works on it, despite it not having a mind.

Ugh. At least now we know how to get through that locked door. Brace yourself and open the chest. It's gonna be spooky, I just know it.
>>
No. 631027 ID: 01745f

So "Natural" does mean "Not supernatural". Good to know.

>At least now we know how to get through that locked door.
The problem with using Birth is that by design it attracts attention, especially of TEN active beings, so it isn't really a sneaking tool.

About that, you should check to make sure nothing is sneaking up on you before looking in the chest.
>>
No. 631041 ID: 88960e

Handy. No natural lock can stop you.

I suggest standing back, and to the side, and using your staff to push the lid of the chest fully open. Just in case. And even if nothing happens, don't go sticking your hands in there immediately- cursed chests call for caution. Just observe the contents.
>>
No. 631894 ID: 3009b4
File 142777657235.jpg - (347.19KB , 640x720 , inside the chest.jpg )
631894

Sami gently moves the top of the chest open and peers inside.

Despite being in a rough sack, she can sense the gold within. Even in the dim light, and hidden beneath crude material the precious metal glimmers and reflects in her grey-blue eyes.

Next to the bag is a sheet of paper. Same reads what she can in the dim light... they appear to be... financial papers of some sort.

One thing Sami can tell -- there's far less than 130 crowns in that sack.

**** Admin Activity and Upgrades Available ****

:: NORTON awards 10 IP for the discovery of how the song of Birth works, 5IP for the second floor of the Hall and 5IP for opening the chest for a total award of 20 IP.

You now have 78 IP.

Shopping List:
--Spoof 1.4 Personal is 25 IP. Spoof will work on evading opposing port detection (mask from networks) but NOT physical scans.
--Overflow is 50 IP. Overflow is a brute-force attack program used to break security.
--Physical Scan 3.2 Gold is available for 15 IP due to your previous purchase of Physical Scan. Gold version bypasses glamours use to spoof physical scans.
--BOOST is a “spell program” that allows the players to DOUBLE the maximum IP each individual can use, Boost costs 20 IP.
--CRIT is a boosting program that allows the players to turn regular success into critical successes. CRIT costs 25 IP to download. CRIT costs 10 IP to use.
>>
No. 631897 ID: d3be40

Yay gold. Technically, since Nick is the one who stayed the longest, he's the most eligible to claim the gold. Given how horrible this town has become, he probably deserves it. Second most eligible is probably you since you're the only other former resident to come back to this "Insert Name of Hell Here". Pocket the gold and financial papers, you can give them to Nick later on.

*Private*
[[Scan Inside of Treasure Chest]]

I vote for Physical Scan Gold. There are so many secrets in this town but we can only scratch the surface with the basic scanner.
*/Private*
>>
No. 631902 ID: 296917

>>631894
(Let's get Scan Gold and Spoof 1.4)

Sami, is there something appropriate you can do with that gold, that might appease the spirits haunting this place? Like, I dunno, bury it? I suspect if you took it outright, the curse would chase after you. The financial records could use a read, regardless. Maybe it can give an indication of if the Piper could ever be paid. It's possible that there was more gold here before and someone ran off with some of it.
>>
No. 631954 ID: 88960e

>gold, financial papers
Wild guess, but I bet that's the contract with the Piper and/or the money they didn't pay him. The monetary seed of the disaster. It would explain the negative aura, here.

[private]
>>631902
I agree. Spoof and scan.
>>
No. 632131 ID: 3009b4
File 142786607278.jpg - (313.51KB , 640x720 , Sami Reads the Ledger.jpg )
632131

Sami reads the ledger. It seems that they never had the means to pay the piper. Once he started to show his ability council was able to raise 30 crowns, but raising the rest would require raiding the coffers of the Merchant Guild or raising taxes significantly.

Besides the piper's contract - written in same faerie ink Sami took from his body -- Sami also finds work orders for several imbued iron weapons -- using some 'faerie killing' prototype technology. Since the town had a research centre and a merchant guild it must have been relatively easy to obtain.

There's more than just a ledger -- there's some meeting notes here too.

Considering the common people were already stretched due to having to constantly dealing with the vermin, the council decided they would argue the piper had failed by bringing in new vermin.

Notes say they offered the 30 crowns and revealed their weapons so the piper would know he'd have a fight on his hands. The piper left.

When they realized what had happened, the mayor locked away the coins, declaring that it was blood money, and retreated to his hall where they found his body a few days later.

** SCAN of the GOLD COINS reveals they are CURSED and NOTABLE.**

** SPOOF notes: When active, Sami will be invisible to networks and harder to detect in general. While active, she will not be able to talk to anyone or access networks. This is similar to a weak glamour; it will not hold up to enemy scans. **
>>
No. 632137 ID: 296917

>>632131
The coins are cursed. I'd advise not touching them. Keep the papers though. You can show it to someone so that the truth gets out.

How about we return to the church and open that door? Oh, and we can help you sneak past the golems, now. It's not guaranteed, it just makes you harder to detect.
[activate Spoof]
>>
No. 632139 ID: d3be40

... If the Piper needed a cover story, this is it. They really were in over their heads, weren't they?

It looks like the gold coins are cursed. We're not sure what will happen if you take them, but it's your call.

*Private*
What strikes me as odd is that they never even considered offering up the statue of Faustia - and the rest of the church - as a down payment. Sure, it's sacrilegious, but so is fraud (refusing to pay the full amount and outright re-infesting the town to make the Piper look incompetent) and assault (threatening an immortal with true death).
*/Private*
>>
No. 632262 ID: 88960e

>the stuff
This, right here. These things were the seeds of the disaster. Of the wrong that followed. If there's a way to break the curse here, I think it has to involve these objects. They're at the heart of things.

Huh. Do cursed natural objects still count as natural objects? I wonder if one of the songs would be relevant in purification, here.

[Private]
>CURSED and NOTABLE
Okay, that's kind of exact terminology.

Can we search our wiki to see what a 'notable' object is defined as? And a search on cursed objects- I'd like to know if there are standard rules and precautions to handle / transport / interact with them.
>>
No. 632263 ID: 88960e

>>632137
If we have to play a song to open the door, that stands a good chance of waking the priest. Unless he's a heavy sleeper, but a dangerous place like this trains people to sleep lightly. That's a problem if Sami wants to sneak in there.

Unless we can cheat and use IP to keep him from waking.
>>
No. 632832 ID: 3009b4
File 142810403986.jpg - (354.48KB , 640x720 , wiki on cursed objects.jpg )
632832

>The coins are cursed. I'd advise not touching them. Keep the papers though. You can show it to someone so that the truth gets out.
>Oh, and we can help you sneak past the golems, now. It's not guaranteed, it just makes you harder to detect.

:iconsami:
Sami: I figured they might be. I'm not sure what good holding on to the papers would be though; it's not like it does any good to point fingers when all the guilty parties are dead. I'll do it though. Now... why can you suddenly help me sneak past golems now? Why didn't you do that before?

>What strikes me as odd is that they never even considered offering up the statue of Faustia - and the rest of the church - as a down payment.
:: Admin: Perhaps you should ask Sami that instead. ::

>Huh. Do cursed natural objects still count as natural objects? I wonder if one of the songs would be relevant in purification, here.

:iconsami:
Sami: I have no idea.

** Private **

>Can we search our wiki to see what a 'notable' object is defined as? And a search on cursed objects- I'd like to know if there are standard rules and precautions to handle / transport / interact with them.

WIKI: Cursed Objects and Notability

NOTABLE: When an object is 'notable' but whose nature is not elaborated on, it means it is of special importance AND in flux. For example, Sami is a notable person but her fate is currently in flux -- so while she is important, how and why is constantly changing.

Contextual example: Macha's 'sideways' memory.

CURSED OBJECTS: "Cursed objects" have no special properties other than acting as a sort of anchor for curse and spirits of the curse. The specific 'curse' properties of the object depend both on nature of the curse and subject interacting with them.

Contextual help: Nem's cape and collar and Sami's death token act as anchors for you, allowing you to influence the area and holder through Influence. A cursed object does the same thing, but for the malevolent spirits of the curse.

HANDLING CURSED OBJECTS: Never handle a cursed object, especially if you were involved in the event that created the curse. The one exception is if one knows of the place of death of a guilty party whose spirit remains trapped by the curse; bringing the object to the place of death will allow the guilty spirit to remember who it was and gain its assistance in resolving the curse. Note that once you touch the object, you are marked and not every spirit can remove this mark, as much as they might want to do so.

Additional information is in the discussion thread at http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/87907.html
>>
No. 632835 ID: d3be40

>>632832
We didn't get the power until just now. Basically, it costs energy to obtain powers; that's in very short supply around here.

Okay, the guide says that you definitely should not touch those coins. You'll be marked if you do. Apparently there is one exception; if you give a cursed object to one of the spirits associated with it, that can help break the curse (help, not instant cure). Since you don't know where to find these spirits, I guess you shouldn't touch it.

*Private*
You sure I should talk about that? I figured it would anger Sami. Hm, I should be able to word it more carefully...
*/Private*

Hey Sami, if the townsfolk didn't have the funds to pay the Piper, then why didn't they just lease some buildings and/or relics as a down payment until they gathered enough gold to pay him in full?
>>
No. 632844 ID: 5db52c

>Now... why can you suddenly help me sneak past golems now? Why didn't you do that before?
We came to you weak and diminished, able to do little more than speak to you, observe the world around you, and to try to influence outcomes- like a gambler trying (poorly) to cheat his dice.

As spirits, we're nourished by... odd things. Successes. Discovery. Exploration. Bets with cats. A sort of karma, almost. We make gains in that way, and sometimes get new tricks in the process.

We're like your flute, in a way. A tool that can do different things with different 'songs'. We just learned (or remembered?) a new song.

So your victory over the golem just now, and the discovery you made here, are the reason we can now do something we couldn't before.

I know it sounds silly. That's magic, I guess.
>>
No. 632847 ID: 296917

>>632832
So um, we looked into the cursed object thing and it sounds like if you took the coins over to a place where someone involved in the curse died (and turned into a shade) they would gain clarity of mind. Unfortunately once you pick up the coins you will be marked by the curse. I'm not sure how that can make things worse than they already are to be honest. It might make it harder for us to help you sneak past the golems?

We already know one place the coins might be useful- the blacksmith, right? Heck I expect you know a lot of places around town where people killed themselves. You could wrangle up an army of friendly spirits to help fix things. Still, the mark is... difficult to deal with. It sounds like you might be able to get the mark removed if you can find the right spirit. Maybe the mayor's spirit can do it?

Ultimately the choice of whether or not to pick up the coins is up to you, but... I'm leaning towards using them. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all...
>>
No. 633318 ID: 3009b4
File 142846321951.jpg - (296.62KB , 640x720 , Sami takes coins.jpg )
633318

>We didn't get the power until just now.

Sami frowns suspiciously but doesn't let on anything.

>We came to you weak and diminished, able to do little more than speak to you, observe the world around you, and to try to influence outcomes- like a gambler trying (poorly) to cheat his dice.

That fills Sami with even less confidence.

>Hey Sami, if the townsfolk didn't have the funds to pay the Piper, then why didn't they just lease some buildings and/or relics as a down payment until they gathered enough gold to pay him in full?

:iconsami:
Sami: I don't have a lot of experience with faerie folk, but I don't think they take collateral and especially not buildings or anything we consider relics. Faerie folk tend to take people as payment, especially children and virgin women. We will NOT do that to anyone in our community.

>We already know one place the coins might be useful- the blacksmith, right? Heck I expect you know a lot of places around town where people killed themselves. You could wrangle up an army of friendly spirits to help fix things. Still, the mark is... difficult to deal with. It sounds like you might be able to get the mark removed if you can find the right spirit. Maybe the mayor's spirit can do it?
>Ultimately the choice of whether or not to pick up the coins is up to you, but... I'm leaning towards using them. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, after all...

Sami hesitates. She looks over at the bag of coins and looks over her options: her supplies are almost gone and she's done little more than trap a golem in the basement of the town hall.

She glances behind her back, as if she feels like something is watching her. She doesn't really want the gold, but if silencing the spirits here can give her some peace... maybe she's willing to trust the little voices in her head.

Sami decides to trust the group.

Her survival instincts scream in outrage at the idea of putting herself at more risk, but a long-forgotten little voice of faith proves to be stronger than anticipated. Sami takes a deep breath, puts her faith that... SOMETHING... cares enough to protect her, and picks up the bag.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: I guess we take this to the mayor's house, unless you have any better ideas?
>>
No. 633320 ID: 3009b4
File 142846416025.jpg - (309.04KB , 640x720 , Sami takes coins2.jpg )
633320

:: New Users have Logged On ::
>>
No. 633329 ID: 5db52c

>That fills Sami with even less confidence.
*Cough*. Sorry if being frank about our capabilities is less than reassuring. Honestly, our strength has always really been in our ability to brainstorm and plan and think, more so than any magic trick.

Granted, magic tricks are handy when we pick them up, but they're not central to who we are.

[private]
> :: New Users have Logged On ::
List users.
>>
No. 633334 ID: 296917

>>633320
Oh BOLLOCKS. Sami, watch out, they've invaded our personal space. Some unfriendly spirits will likely start whispering at you. Make haste! Try to tune them out, and we'll try to keep you hidden. Tune all of us out if you have to.

[activate SPOOF] Can we upgrade to spoof gold yet? Can we maybe block the other users from talking to Sami? Hell, can we disable all communication to Sami, and let her run on autopilot until the other "users" calm down?
>>
No. 633375 ID: 8ebd1a

>>633334
Don’t panic, you sillywilly. We don’t even know if anything bad has happened.

I wonder if there is a way to trace the connection to the user (since in this case the users are probably the ghosts).
>>
No. 633440 ID: ea0ad9

>:: New Users have Logged On ::
Intruder alert!

Sami, brace yourself. You, new guys, state your names! Or, if there's more than half a dozen of you just state your group name I guess. I'm hoping you guys are folk we can trust, but I'm wary in a town full of curses.

I promise you, Sami, I did not expect, or even know, somebody could connect to you through... us? So easily. Maybe it's not through us, but just a similar method enough that we can detect it, but either way, frightening surprise. I would recommend working on getting to the Mayor's house to lift his curse.
>>
No. 633482 ID: 3009b4

DROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWN
EDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDRO
WNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDD
ROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNED
>>
No. 633483 ID: 5db52c

>>633482
Oh, is that what they're doing. Let's see if we can fight that.

[Mute post 633482]
>>
No. 633485 ID: 3009b4
File 142854097656.jpg - (345.71KB , 640x720 , new_users.jpg )
633485

:: 3 new anonymous users ::
:: IP increased by 30, now 68 IP ::
:: New Program Available: Phantasm ::
:: New Program Available: Draw Memory ::

>DROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROW
NEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDR
OWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNEDDROWNED

:: IP Spend: 6 (3 users) ::
:: Floor break chance: 30% +30% = 60% ::
:: Remaining IP: 62 ::

The town hall aches and groans, the sound of creaking old wood getting louder. Sami squeaks with fright against her will as she realizes the floor is beginning to shift under her feet. In her panic, her muscles lock.

** Sami rolls 92 to take evasive action; she fails by 32%. **
** The floor is giving way out from under her! **
>>
No. 633490 ID: 296917

>>633485
Wow what they can do THAT too? Alright time to spend all our resources so they can't use them against us.
+5 IP towards Sami landing safely. She's already failed the dodge, let's get her to recover at least.

Hey Sami, can you try using your staff to wedge into some wood closer to the walls so that you break your fall? Or hell, we know the floor nearest the chest is solid. Grab onto that, or the chest itself.
[shopping spree! List available programs to buy]
>>
No. 633492 ID: 5db52c

Shit, sorry, Sami. The curse is fighting us on our own terms. You've now got forces trying to tilt outcomes in your favor, and against. This is gonna be interesting.

[private]
Okay, we need to spend all our IP to prevent it being spent against Sami.

Spend +2IP towards Sami making it to safety.

>:: New Program Available: Phantasm ::
>:: New Program Available: Draw Memory ::
Since the descriptions were not given, and these appeared with the enemy, we need to assume these are malware. We do not want to purchase these, or allow the enemy to.

Purchase Overflow for 50 IP.

...and we can't have any IP left over. Gotta lose it all somehow.

Hey! Yorik! I bet you all our remaining IP that we can keep quiet!
>>
No. 633496 ID: d3be40

Sami, ignore everyone and focus on making it out of the madhouse alive! Through the window!

*Private*
And here's another +5 IP to increase the probability that Sami regains control of herself!
*/Private*
>>
No. 633501 ID: 296917

>>633492
I agree with buying Overflow.
>>
No. 633540 ID: bd8b82

+IP to sami's health
>>
No. 633541 ID: 3009b4
File 142855255237.jpg - (334.35KB , 640x720 , Sami Dives.jpg )
633541

>Since the descriptions were not given, and these appeared with the enemy, we need to assume these are malware. We do not want to purchase these, or allow the enemy to.

** Clarification: By "Available" I mean they're ready-to-use. **

>+5 IP towards Sami landing safely. She's already failed the dodge, let's get her to recover at least.

** Additional Clarification: Until the action is shown it's safe to assume you can still change the outcome; since I didn't make myself clear this one time the points will be used to help her roll. **

** Spending 7 IP = +35% to evade and Sami is able to leap to the safety of the hall **

Sami feels a sudden rush of energy and before she can think she finds herself sailing in the air towards the doorway. The roof gives out under her feet but she's able to land half her body on more solid ground.

Shaking, she pulls herself up to her feet.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: ... l... lost... lost my staff. Let's go to the Mayor's place. Protect me.

>Purchase Overflow for 50 IP.

:: For security reasons, the store is currently unavailable. ::

:: 55 IP remaining ::
>>
No. 633542 ID: 296917

>>633541
>store unavailable
BULLSHIT.
>>
No. 633545 ID: 5db52c

>Let's go to the Mayor's place. Protect me.
We'll do our best. If we were cheating at dice before, it's a full up gambler's brawl, now.

[private]
>For security reasons
List current security status and restrictions.
>>
No. 633548 ID: 296917

Alright, retrace your steps. If you step on the same floor that proved safe before, it probably won't collapse on you. Once we're out of the building it'll be harder for the spooks to turn luck against you. I mean, right now they're manipulating the floor. They won't be able to do anything like that while you're walking around-- the worst they can do is try to manipulate the golems to coincidentally move in your direction, or cause you to accidentally make noise and attract attention.
[activate Spoof already]
[describe Phantasm and Draw Memory]

+2 IP towards Sami not giving the floor a chance to collapse.
>>
No. 633674 ID: 3009b4

WEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDWEDROWNEDTHEYDROWNEDTHEYDROWNEDTHEYDROWNEDTHEYDROWNEDTHE
YDROWNEDSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNT
DROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDROWNSHEDIDNTDRO
WNSHEDIDNTDROWN

>>
No. 633675 ID: 3009b4
File 142864484250.jpg - (411.88KB , 640x720 , Sami outside town hall night.jpg )
633675

Sami quickly picks herself up and scampers down the stairs, skirting around the hole in the main floor left by the golem.

As she passes through the main doorway into the cool night air, it becomes readily apparent she can hear the voices too. They raise in tempo and volume until they suddenly stop.

Sami takes a deep breath.

Then there is a collective wail of what sounds like a hundred ragged souls. It seems to rip through the sky and echo across the town.

Sami's normal confident, husky voice is weak and trembles.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Oh... oh goddess... what now...

Sami's ears ring with the silence.

** STATUS REPORT **

Your network is currently in quarantine. Access to the admins, store, and wiki is DENIED, and PORT ACCESS has been locked down.

PHANTASM creates an illusion that impacts Sami's senses; the higher the IP spend the more realistic the sensation from 1 being a whisper or suggestion to 5 resulting in a physical response from her body. While PHANTASM cannot kill Sami directly unless she is in a weakened state it can clearly temporarily cripple her ability to deal with reality. The PHANTASM has a duration of only a minute but will feel longer, and each sense must be impacted separately. Due to the obvious potential for abuse it is not available in the store. Multiple PHANTASMS cancel each other out.

DRAW MEMORY brings any available memories to the surface and intensifies their vividness depending on spend. This can be used to relive an experience or remember something in far greater detail than normally possible. DRAW MEMORY relies on the subject's 'surface thoughts' - it's not possible to make subjects remember their first kiss unless they think about it on some level first. Again, due to potential abuse this program is not normally available.
>>
No. 633676 ID: 296917

>>633675
Alright Sami, the ghosts brought with them an illusion-creating power that we can use too, or at least counter their attempts to use it. It looks like they can also draw forth your memories, but you have to think about the memory first. Try to think of something happy. Or anything, really. Focus on some memory that doesn't bother you. Also I'm going to try to show you the path towards the Mayor's house.
[+2 IP towards Sami NOT thinking about the day the children drowned]
[+2 IP activating Phantasm, sight-based, showing Sami a glowing path that leads towards the Mayor's house.]
>>
No. 633716 ID: 88960e

Sorry, Sami. We're currently in the "it gets worse" phase of "it gets worse before it gets better."

Sorry about the noise, but we haven't figured out how to shut the curse spirits out, or up.

They have a way to make you see things, but we can fight that by copying their trick and making you see other, not terrible, things. I appologize for this invasion of your personal space, but I'd feel worse not covering your eyes. I'd cover your ears too, if we could.

[private]
Do we have any antivirus software we can run?

Can we appoint a local admin? Be nice to start banning these jokers.

Can we impliment a local word filter? (Censor and replace every instance of "drown" with "puppies" or something).

>Multiple PHANTASMS cancel each other out.
Well, at least that gives a means to counter it.

>DRAW MEMORY
Okay. That gives me a really dumb idea.

Sami's better off frustrated, annoyed, and/or angry than losing he mind in fear and guilt. So... Kome. Go all out. Get her surface thoughts focused on you, cast draw memory to dredge up your earlier interactions, and we've temporarily safeguarded state of mind in a 'safe' memory.

We'll appologize profusely for manipulating her emotions later.
>>
No. 633731 ID: ea0ad9

What now? You get going, that's what! Reach the Mayor's residence to undo his portion of the curse! Afterwards, it sounds like you need to head for the river and toss the gold in. Unless, of course, you know somebody else who killed themselves in guilt over the fees, then you can do them before tossing the gold, since it'll be hard to get the gold back once it's tossed...
>>
No. 633744 ID: d3be40

>>633716
*Private*
Not a good idea. If she goes too far, she might remember what happened when she threw the coin; that would cause her trust and willpower to plummet abysmally.

Still... Sami has MANY flavors of memories. The Piper. The town's reaction to the massacre. The golems, the goddess, the vermin. If any of you know which memory is the best to use with little interference from our three adversaries, that would be useful.
*/Private*
>>
No. 633749 ID: 5db52c

>>633744
[Private]
The real problem is we lack a good known target memory to try an immerse / insulate herself in. Basically any memory of her childhood is tainted with grief and regret. We don't know of any significant relationships not tainted by this disaster. She's ashamed of her romantic liaisons, and she turned to drugs to try and numb herself (and calling up sex memories or trying to put her in a drugged mental state seem like terrible ideas). And then... she was here.

I'm not sure the memories of overcoming the golem or the vermin are long or significant enough to offer much protection. They're also connected pretty closely to the present.

The town's reaction, or memories of the piper would be no protection at all. Those are things our opposition will try to dredge up.

That leaves... memories of interactions with us, which isn't much. Yeah, we could tap into the amped up distrust and fear from the first encounter (which yes, would be bad). Or we could shoot for times she was frustrated and angry with us (at the very least, anger to get through fear or despair is a known coping mechanism). Or there's the trust, but that's diffuse enough I don't know for sure what we can do with that. On the plus side though, Sami is very inclined to trust us right now. She specifically made a point of it noting it before taking the gold, and then called on us to protect her. She's clinging to faith in us to get through this- so it's on her mind. Which means it's something we can reach with the program. Weirdly, armoring her in her own faith might be an option.

Short of that, there's the hail mary option, where we just ask her when she was happy. If we get her to think of it, we might be able to act to immerse her in that for a while. (The problem is I'm not sure she'll be able to bring up what we need, or that that kind of ridiculous question in this setting might backfire, make her react with incredulity, anger, despair).
>>
No. 633817 ID: 3009b4
File 142872417976.jpg - (384.69KB , 640x720 , Sami is choking.jpg )
633817

>[+2 IP towards Sami NOT thinking about the day the children drowned]

** Nice thought but you'll need more than 2IP to stop that. **

[+2 IP activating Phantasm, sight-based, showing Sami a glowing path that leads towards the Mayor's house.]

:: VISUAL PHANTASM: Glowing Path (illustrated as light blue); 2 IP spent 53 IP remains::

>Do we have any antivirus software we can run?
** While cursed spirits are somewhat viral in that they're malicious memories that seek to infect and replicate, their roots in the emotional and spiritual realm make them far more difficult than souless code to stop **

>Can we appoint a local admin? Be nice to start banning these jokers.
>Can we implement a local word filter? (Censor and replace every instance of "drown" with "puppies" or something).
** No. You're all user-level privilege and that requires at least a mod-level privilege. **

>What now? You get going, that's what! Reach the Mayor's residence to undo his portion of the curse! Afterwards, it sounds like you need to head for the river and toss the gold in. Unless, of course, you know somebody else who killed themselves in guilt over the fees, then you can do them before tossing the gold, since it'll be hard to get the gold back once it's tossed...

Sami's shaking, drenched in sweat and the night air suddenly feels chilly against her skin, but she steels herself and begins to sprint towards the mayor's mansion. Her muscles begin to ache from fatigue but Tokoshoran is right, she has to keep moving or she'll just drown in the curse that's seeping out of the town.

The running gets harder and soon she is gasping for breath. Soon she is choking as the water in her lungs begins to smother her, but she keeps pushing herself forwards.

:: 48 IP available ::
>>
No. 633819 ID: 296917

>>633817
You know, Sami, a memory stronger than drowning would be... eating the Piper. Think about that, unpleasant as it may be, and you can keep moving.

[+3 IP towards Sami moving faster.]
>>
No. 633835 ID: fef726

Sami. You can't drown. Remember that, embrace it. Remember while they drowned. You. Did. Not.

+2 IP to reinforcing that part of Sami's memory.
>>
No. 633857 ID: 05d909

Can we phantasm over the other phantasm?

Maybe we can give her the feeling of taking a deep breath of fresh warm air scented of lilacs.
>>
No. 633867 ID: a9753c

Play the flute, lure yourself?
>>
No. 633868 ID: 296917

You know, I wonder... if WISDOM and YOUTH are opposites, and WISDOM causes you to remember things... does YOUTH cause you to forget or block out memories?
>>
No. 633878 ID: 5db52c

>Soon she is choking as the water in her lungs begins to smother her
But you're not underwater, Sami. You're running through the town, on an errand, remember? You have to deliver something. Trying for vague phrasing, consistent with the present truth, that might also latch onto a pre-piper childhood memory. Running and errands are pretty common.

>>633819
That seems the exact opposite of a good idea. Send her running from something she's afraid and guilty about to the part of herself she hates, and that's where all the guilt is coming from.

[private]
I get that she has to confront that part of herself and come to terms with it. But she's really not ready for it and forcing her to go there with mind / memory magic would be a massive betrayal of trust.

>>633868
Not sure. It might. But the description does say youth makes the target more susceptible to programs and hacks. And it could be really bad if that amped up how hard phantasm is hitting her. Worst case, making her more susceptible lowers the bar for how hard they need to hit to kill her.

>obvious idea
Okay, if the spirits have hijacked our network, what happens if we force our network to shut down? Deny them that avenue of access, or a framework to run malicious programs on. At the cost of our being able to offer support until we reboot, obviously.

Only thing that makes me really hesitate is I'm not sure we're the only way the curse can get to her, in which case we'd be leaving her defenseless.
>>
No. 633882 ID: 296917

>>633878
She's not being hit by PHANTASM. The ghosts are using DRAW MEMORY.
>>
No. 633883 ID: 5db52c

>>633882
[private]
She's actually being hit by both. The phantasm just happens to be benign, since we used it to make an illusion of a path to follow.

That doesn't mean she won't be hit by a hostile phantasm in the near future (they just have to cancel ours, or wait for the minute to run out).
>>
No. 634003 ID: 3009b4

** Author Note: Sketching the next update but figured I'd do some replies to the ideas -- none of these are "audible" to Sami. **

>[+3 IP towards Sami moving faster.]

Sami's going about as fast as she can since she's choking. You can push her faster but there will be consequences unless you also use IP to let her cheat and ignore them, and you can only spend up to 5 IP total/player unless the other players help.

>+2 IP to reinforcing that part of Sami's memory.

Memory isn't the issue right now.

>Can we phantasm over the other phantasm?

Yes, but you have to match up the senses and points used. If her vision and hearing are being PHANTASM'd for 5 pts, then it would require two players working together to counter. If vision, hearing and taste were being PHATASM'd but only for 1 point each then one player could counter it all for 3pts.

>Play the flute, lure yourself?

The flute is a wind instrument and Sami is choking.

>But you're not underwater, Sami. You're running through the town, on an errand, remember? You have to deliver something.

As players you see Phantasms too, with the exception of when GLAMOURS are being used.

>Okay, if the spirits have hijacked our network, what happens if we force our network to shut down?

Requires Admin access.
>>
No. 634006 ID: ea0ad9

>Yes, but you have to match up the senses and points used.
Well, shoot. We'll be able to cancel out and leave our own effect by throwing a stronger one on, though, right?

[+5 IP to Phantasm: Three on FEEL for a dry summer day, two on SCENT for whatever dried plants would be found locally in the summer]
>>
No. 634012 ID: 5db52c

Okay. If phantasms on different senses don't cancel, the visual illusion of the path doesn't protect her from illusions on any other senses.

The sensation of drowning could be memory retrieval, or a physical illusion.

>>634006
Okay, we already had sight, that should cover scent and touch, that just leaves... taste and hearing.

[+1 IP, Aural Phantasm: Gentle Breeze]
[+1 IP, Gustatory Phantasm: Lemon Sucker]

They'll have to cancel our phantasms to affect their own, now, and it should be obvious when they do so, because we'll see ours drop out.

[private]
>requires (remote) admin access to power cycle a local network
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We should just crash the network, then.
>>
No. 634014 ID: 296917

>>634003
...each sense has its own phantasm slot that has to be fought over? Should have specified. I'll retract the 3 IP towards moving faster.

In the interest of saving IP I don't think we should spend much on anything other than keeping her sense of touch stable.
[+2 IP to the touch-sense of being dry and warm, to bring it up to 5.]
>>
No. 634016 ID: 3009b4

>Well, shoot. We'll be able to cancel out and leave our own effect by throwing a stronger one on, though, right?

** For more elaboration: **
If a Phantasm is unchallenged, then the spend is as normal. For example, no one is challenging your visual Phantasm so its spend is normal.

To cancel out a running Phantasm, you have to match the spend. The running Phantasm has already spent IP and this used up. If you challenge it, you have to match the spend -- but this is only used up if you succeed (so in the case of multiple PHANTASM users, if two spend 5 and one spends 5 to oppose, then the Phantasm runs on a 10 point spend, but the opposing player doesn't use up any IP. While the in-story impact is a L5 Phantasm (the extra points don't make it any stronger) it will take a 10 point spend to stop it.

In the case of a Phantasm 'battle', it becomes a numbers game. If one group wants to create a phantasm of the smell of fresh bread while the other wants fresh fish, the end result depends on who goes first and who wins. Let's say the Bread Group moves first and spends 5 to make a completely realistic bread smell. That IP is spent. Now to turn the bread smell into a fish smell, the Fish Group has to spend 5 to cancel it out, and another 5 to make their fish smell. If the bread group fights them, then its whichever group spends the most. So if the bread group proposes to spend 20 points and the fish group 25 points, then the fish group wins, the bread smell becomes fish, and the total spend is 30 (5 for the initial phantasm, and 25 for the victory). If the fish group had less members and can only spend up to 15 points, then the bread group wins and the total spend is 20 (5 for the initial and 15 to counter the fish).


>+5 IP to Phantasm: Three on FEEL for a dry summer day, two on SCENT for whatever dried plants would be found locally in the summer

You can spend 2 on SMELL but you will have to specify the smell as Sami is not thinking of anything related to summer plants (thus you can't use DRAW MEMORY to complete it).

Attempting to create a TOUCH PHANTASM reveals that there is currently a L5 TOUCH PHANTASM fueled by 5 points of influence.
>>
No. 634018 ID: 3009b4

>That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We should just crash the network, then.

** Please note that you're not literally operating a computer network in Sami's world and power cycling and network crashing is something that's easier to do here than there. **

>...each sense has its own phantasm slot that has to be fought over? Should have specified. I'll retract the 3 IP towards moving faster.

** I got the feeling I wasn't communicating very clearly which is the reason for this text update **

>[+2 IP to the touch-sense of being dry and warm, to bring it up to 5.]

The CURSE steps up its spend to protect its PHANTASM. It will spend an extra 6 points to maintain it, meaning the Phantasm will run on 11 points. The group's total counter spend is 5. Note that none of these points will be spent until both groups hit their limit. The DROWNING TOUCH PHANTASM has 3 separate backers; their maximum spend is 15.

Note that regardless of who wins the base spend will be 5 + whatever the victors spend to influence the results.
>>
No. 634021 ID: 5db52c

>Attempting to create a TOUCH PHANTASM reveals that there is currently a L5 TOUCH PHANTASM fueled by 5 points of influence.
Spend 5 IP to cancel out the existing tactile phantasm
Spend 3 IP to create a new tactile phantasm: feel of a warm summer's day

...also can we just run a watchdog script to ping us every time our available IP count changes? Or can we just toggle the IP count on the UI? Part of the problem here is we didn't see them spending.
>>
No. 634034 ID: 3009b4

** Author Notes **

If I've done my math right, here's the spend towards touch:

>5db52c: Spend 5 IP to cancel out the existing tactile phantasm
>Tokoshoran!: +5 IP to Phantasm: Three on FEEL for a dry summer day
>296917: +2 IP to the touch-sense of being dry and warm

That is a total of 12 points to counter the CURSE, which will beat the Phantasm's 11.

In retaliation, the CURSE maxes out its possible spend to 15 pts.

Users 5db52c and Tokoshoran can no longer influence the battle as they have maximized their contribution. If the group can match the CURSE, they will win the battle and the Phantasm will change to warm summer breeze.

Sami is subconsciously aware of your struggle and you gain 5 trust regardless of outcome; her trust is now 40.
>>
No. 634044 ID: 296917

>>634034
That's a lot of IP... We could switch tacks... Use DRAW MEMORY, causing Sami to remember how she didn't drown?

Sami, we have a choice here. Spend a bunch of resources to counter the ghosts' illusion that's making you feel like you're drowning, or we can draw upon your memory of not drowning, allowing you to possibly ignore it. Doing the memory thing would cost us less resources and force the ghosts to waste some. Or you can just keep going while trying to ignore the sensation. We could spend resources to help you ignore it, too. Consider that you are actually still breathing, it just feels like you aren't.
>>
No. 634047 ID: 5db52c

>>634044
Pulling up a memory won't stop the phantasm from choking her. And max-spend phantasms can kill. We literally don't have time for this- someone just spend a point and push us over.

The curse spirits brought IP with them- it's not a resource we need to currently conserve. In fact, it would be better if we could drop it to zero so they couldn't use it to fuel hostile actions. (And if/when we survive/win this by getting the gold where we want to, there will probably be an IP reward anyways).

Don't fall prey to the adventurer's fallacy. Don't try and conserve your potions for later when you need them now.
>>
No. 634049 ID: 296917

>>634047
Phantasms past 5 points can be fatal? Well fine. I'll max out my spend to match the 15.
>>
No. 634053 ID: 3009b4

>Sami, we have a choice here. Spend a bunch of resources to counter the ghosts' illusion that's making you feel like you're drowning, or we can draw upon your memory of not drowning, allowing you to possibly ignore it.

Sami is in no condition to reply.

>Pulling up a memory won't stop the phantasm from choking her. And max-spend phantasms can kill. We literally don't have time for this- someone just spend a point and push us over.
>Phantasms past 5 points can be fatal? Well fine. I'll max out my spend to match the 15.

** Just a note, Sami has to be in a weakened state -- sick, physically injured, etc -- for a Phantasm it kill her, and even then it comes off her Plot Armour first. The maximum Phantasm level is 5 -- that's where her body will react as if it's actually happening -- but putting in more points just prevents it from being over-ridden or cancelled out. So if Sami's body thinks she's drowning her body will switch into survival mode, and that's where the complications are. **

>I'll max out my spend to match the 15.

Total IP spend to counter is 15; 33 IP is left. Sami will experience a DRY SUMMER BREEZE PHANTASM. The counter comes in the nick of time... (** and that means I have to scrap my update and start on a new one ** )
>>
No. 634080 ID: 05d909

+4 points to countering the curse.
>>
No. 634081 ID: 5db52c

>>634053
Noted, although since the original program description didn't specify what qualified as weakened, or to what degree, I think we made the right call.

That and I'm pretty sure IP is a more renewable resource than plot armor. Burning one to conserve the other seems reasonable.
>>
No. 634249 ID: 3009b4
File 142897201568.gif - (1.46MB , 640x720 , Sami Abort Transform Anim.gif )
634249

Sami can't breathe and she feels her lungs fill with water, all the while she's actually hyperventilating. She thinks she's drowning, and that's when the change begins to take place.

She shrieks and her voice carries across the town, while in her mind she cries "NO!" over and over again, loud enough for you to hear it.

But just as one of her hands bursts into form, the drowning sensation ceases and a soft, dry wind blows across her face.
>>
No. 634252 ID: 3009b4
File 142897250893.jpg - (263.16KB , 640x720 , sami_st1c.jpg )
634252

Aside from her echoing cry, the air is still and quiet again. Sami sighs raggedly as she sees her hand is normal once again.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: ... thank-you. Thank-you. I... I could feel myself starting to change and it was terrifying.

** Sami's Trust has increased by 15; her trust is now 55. While her natural paranoia hasn't left completely she now trusts you like a team mate. **

Her clothing is still drenched in sweat but her skin no longer feels chilled. The ordeal was draining and as she lifts the bag of coins they feel as heavy as a corpse.

Despite all this, Sami feels a growing confidence that she hasn't felt in years beginning to grow within her. With grim determination -- and knowing full well that the horrors are probably only beginning -- she marches towards the mayor's closed up mansion.

** Sami has gained a temporary Plot Armour boost of 10 due to determination; she now has 110 PA. (This buff lasts as long as PA 'damage' does -- basically end of chapter) **
>>
No. 634265 ID: 296917

>>634252
Well, that was kindof expensive but it looks like it was worth it. The ghosts will probably try another avenue of attack... Hmm. You might have to play the flute again to open the mansion. Try to hurry, the golems probably heard your screaming.
>>
No. 634272 ID: 5db52c

>Thank-you. I... I could feel myself starting to change and it was terrifying.
I'm only sorry it took us that long to figure out what they were doing and counter it.

Give 'em hell, girl. We've got your back.

[Display IP Count]
>>
No. 634326 ID: d3be40

Sami, all we did was counter those ghost hacks. You were the one who fought against their most traumatizing nightmares. And SUCCEEDED.

You have the capability to end this curse, Sami. Now, there's still two golems, a bundle of shades and ghosts, and an army of vermin to deal with.

You're armed with a magical flute, a HEAVY bag of hyper-enchanted gold, and your sheer boiling determination. Give these psychos HELL.
>>
No. 634522 ID: ea0ad9

>You were the one who fought against their most traumatizing nightmares. And SUCCEEDED.
For once, I have to agree with Kome... but I suppose that is us being what we are, and you what you are. Our achievements seem impossible to you, while yours impossible to us.
>>
No. 634524 ID: 066a87

If I could, I'd reward you with a piña colada Sami.
>>
No. 634537 ID: 5bf165

>>634524
Two piña coladas. One for each hand.
>>
No. 634544 ID: 5db52c

[private]
>>634524
>>634537
...you do realize that we currently have the ability to fake sensory information, right?

Phantasm piña coladas are totally an option. Pretty sure we don't have a taste-phantasm up and running right now.
>>
No. 634912 ID: 3009b4
File 142925350888.jpg - (350.06KB , 640x720 , mayors mansion1.jpg )
634912

>[Display IP Count]
** 33 IP **

As Sami approaches the mayor's mansion, she hears a rumbling, then a rapid, frightful hammering.

Sami may have new-found confidence but it's not the same as suicidal bravery and she quickly backpedals and ducks down just before the front doors burst into splinters and fragments.

Standing before her is The Rook, a golem the town purchased for defensive purposes but hadn't quite figured out how to operate. It is a siege/anti-siege weapon with no known weak points. The mayor was supposed to have a control device but nobody ever quite figured out how to use it, but it's clearly not an issue for the curse.
>>
No. 634913 ID: d3be40

>>634912
If one more of these shows up I'm going to say "screw it" and ask you to run. "Batteries" (an army of Rook-based enemies) are nigh-indestructible without receiving some damage of your own, so your best bet is to go with the chess metaphor and dodge its linear attacks.

*Private*
No IP awarded while the admins themselves have been barred by hacking, so let's get Sami inside as soon as possible.

Anyone got any ideas on how to hack a control rod?
*/Private*
>>
No. 634916 ID: 296917

>>634912
Well fuckballs. Sami, if things get desperate you may have to change into your undine form just to survive. For now, try to lure it away from the building and lose it in the city streets. Or at least get some distance so you can circle around and get into the manor without it immediately crashing through the walls to get you. If you can reach the mayor's ghost you may be able to get the gold's curse lifted, which MAY stop the golem. I also strongly suggest you ask the mayor where the control device is. We'll probably be able to make it work. If it's faster than you uh well you're just fucked I expect. Don't worry though, you won't die from one attack. Part of our power shields you from deadly attacks, and we have yet to deplete any of that. From your perspective it will seem like you are just barely able to dodge out of the way in time.

[scan the golem?] oh hey [scan the mansion]
>>
No. 634921 ID: b9cef6

Really?! Another?
Wait, because they possessed a new one, that means that all of them are slower and therefore less dangerous. And, they slowly run out of energy, right? Maybe we could just go back and spend the night in the house with a basement, on the second floor. We'd still have to deal with the curse hacking us, but we can handle that a lot better than big stompy golems.
>>
No. 634942 ID: 88960e

>The Rook
[chess joke]Stand diagonal to it.[/chess joke]

Seriously though, boss fight time. I almost welcome a physical opponent over more mind games.

>Sami, if things get desperate you may have to change into your undine form just to survive
Even ignoring the obvious, traumatic reasons that's a bad idea, I don't see that helping.

Her other form will be a good deal less maneuvable on land. It might help with evasion or fleeing in the water, except I don't see Sami remaining rational enough to flee. And I'm not sure how well tooth and claw will fare versus reinforced stone.

>what do
Keep your distance, for one. Let's see how fast it moves.

I'm tempted to see if we can use the flute here, but playing a wind instrument while running and dodging isn't practical.

[private]
Botching that thing first chance we get is my first idea.

It might also be interested to see if we can phantasm non-living beings. The right physical illusion could be inconvenient or damaging.

...also, if enough of the curse is busy piloting that, we might be able to wrest control of our network back. Or the opposite- we follow the connection the other way and interfere with their piloting.
>>
No. 635081 ID: 3009b4
File 142934019474.jpg - (361.01KB , 640x720 , Sami reacts to golem.jpg )
635081

Sami takes stock of the situation, and after a moment of deliberation she decides to inform the curse and fate exactly what she thinks of it.

Sami: ... well FUCK YOU!!

The flood of suggestions are mostly meaningless to Sami but a few points stick out.

>Maybe we could just go back and spend the night in the house with a basement, on the second floor. We'd still have to deal with the curse hacking us, but we can handle that a lot better than big stompy golems.

:iconsami:
Sami: It's got hands, which means if it falls into a basement it could climb out of it.

>Keep your distance, for one. Let's see how fast it moves.

:iconsami:
Sami: Most big golems are really slow moving, this one doesn't look any different.

>[scan the golem?] oh hey [scan the mansion]

** SCAN RESULTS **
The GOLEM has 6 separate cursed spirits infecting it. Sami has 3 cursed spirits infecting her. The WIKI is OFFLINE due to security lockdown, but there is a note that has been cached:

:: The Rook ::
:: If you're reading this, you're carrying a cursed object and the Rook is after you. The Rook is a siege model weapon, capable of destroying buildings and other golems. The good news is that it's not designed to kill infantry, and as a threat it's a lot like a human trying to stomp a smaller, quicker animal. It could kill Sami with a single swat but that's only if she lets it get in range and she's much faster. The bad news is that there's nowhere to hide from it and there's no way in hell Sami can destroy it through physical means. The Rook's only weakness it's as heavy as hell and it means it sinks pretty bad in soft terrain like mud -- the hands let it climb out of pits but unless it's got something to grab that can support it's weight it's screwed.

A bit of advice -- Sami can easily out-run it, but as long as you've been marked she can't hide from it. What that means is Sami can lure it away and then out-run it to get where she needs to go. She can also run past it if you're willing to risk it taking a swat at her; the more space she has to work with the easier it will be.

-- P ::

>It might also be interested to see if we can phantasm non-living beings.

** Phantasm only works on the host -- Sami. **
>>
No. 635089 ID: b9cef6

From what we're seeing, the only reasonable way to deal with this thing is to juke it. Because if we hide inside, it will turn that building into outside.
The thing is also real slow, and it seems like once it starts up a swing, it's going to have a real hard time stopping. We could probably manipulate it to swat at the smaller golems, if we want to risk that. Might not be the best idea, but it's a possibility to keep in mind.
In short: Run the fuck away. It won't be able to catch you. Maybe circle the block then come back so that we can get inside the Mayor's house.
[P]
It sounds like the only way to actually kill this one is to sink it in the river mud, unless there's another muddy place I'm not thinking of. That sounds like a bad idea, though.
[/P]
>>
No. 635094 ID: 296917

>>635081
Yep, from a note someone left us... its weakness is it's slow. There will be no hiding from it. Lure it away, towards any swampy places nearby, or just to the edge of town depending on how fast it can move. Then sprint back into town and get into the mayor's house. You'll want to finish all your business in the house by the time the Rook catches up to you.

You could even just try to run past it, and we'd probably lose some power keeping you from getting hit, but then it would probably destroy the manor while you tried to find the ghost and maybe the control device.
>>
No. 635126 ID: 5db52c

>Sami: ... well FUCK YOU!!
Amen to that.

>It's got hands, which means if it falls into a basement it could climb out of it.
The important bit is how long that would take. Also, in order to climb, it has to grab something that can support it's weight, which is considerable.

If you can't kill or stop it, that means the only viable strategy is to stall it. We need to lead it far enough away, or drop it down enough of a hole, that by the time it's caught up again you've already got the gold where it needs to go and rid yourself of your curse spirit contamination. Then it won't be able to track you, anymore.

>river mud
A thought. It occurs to me that the curse's first act was to try and force Sami to transform by magically drowning her. Then we're confronted with an enemy we can defeat, if we lead it to the river.

The rook might not be the real threat, here. It might be a means to the same end as before.

Where else could we try to lose it? I don't suppose there's a sand pit we could drop it in? Or a big open area where you can put your speed to better use?

[private]
>Phantasm only works on the host -- Sami.
I wonder if we can still use that. If we give Sami a physical illusion she believes, we might be able to give her an advantage.

I mean, I doubt we can give her the illusion of an explosive charge in her hand that would actually work on real objects. But say, fatigue might not be much of a problem if we tell her body it's fine and it believes us. Mind over matter tricks might be exploitable.
>>
No. 635140 ID: a9753c

*Private*
Looks like it's a letter from Puni; she's giving us advice on how to combat the monster one-on-one. Our best bet is to drown the adversary, but that's not high on Sami's list.

Could she overload Rook's core by making it harder for it to move? If there were a way to get tar or molasses into its joints, it might overheat the arms and make the armor easier to break.
*/Private*
>>
No. 635427 ID: ea0ad9

Okay, we totally owe the Cats... They just gave us some useful info on this guy.

Lure him into a swamp or mudpit, preferably away from any big, sturdy trees, and he'll have a real hard time getting out. Will not guarantee his defeat, especially since the other golems can easily come to his rescue (He can grab onto them to be pulled out, if he doesn't manage to slowly crawl out himself), but at least he'll be out of your hair for a long time.

[private]
Wait, I just had a worrisome thought. What if he can be effected by his Curse's phantasm? A level 5 Phantasm becomes physical, and could potentially be used to pull it out...
>>
No. 635459 ID: baaf70

** Note re: Phantasm **
Phantasm at maximum level creates an illusion that seems real enough to fool physical senses and trigger physical responses like the body's reaction to drowning. It doesn't physically create anything. Phantasm is useless on golems (no actual senses except in special cases) and can't be used to alter Sami's physical limits as those are internal, outside the realm of her five senses.
>>
No. 636413 ID: 3009b4
File 143003761954.jpg - (275.79KB , 640x720 , Something Happens as the Golem approaches.jpg )
636413

As the golem slowly lumbers forward, Sami feels the air grow cold around her and a familiar rush of water surrounding her on all sides.

The water smells rotten and earthy and as it slashes across the cobblestones it feels icy cold against Sami's feet.

:: PHANTASM is being used across multiple sense:
5 points towards vision of river.
3 points towards smell of the old river.
5 points of touch of the river.
4 points spent towards the sound of the river.::


Sami knows it's not real but it's messing with her sense of where things are and will certainly cause trouble with escaping.
>>
No. 636418 ID: b9cef6

[P]
I don't think we need to worry about sound and smell, those can be ignored. However, sight is actively messing up her escaping, and touch has got to be bad when she appears to turn into a kappa (or whatever the term was) on contact.
[/p]
Don't worry Sami, we got this. Just focus on getting away.
5 IP towards touch: Pleasantly warm air. Like just a real nice breeze.
>>
No. 636433 ID: d3be40

Ugh, these hackers are draining our power reserves. Sami, make sure you keep track of the golem, it can slowly smash you. If you get blinded by these phantasms, pick a direction and run.

*Private*
5 points towards highlighting Rook's weak points. With flowers. Because we can record them if Sami is distracted.
*/Private*
>>
No. 636442 ID: 3009b4
File 143007107769.jpg - (351.24KB , 640x720 , spirit combat2a.jpg )
636442

** private **

>5 IP towards touch: Pleasantly warm air. Like just a real nice breeze.

The Enemy CURSE's Phantasm is countered, however one of the other CURSE spirits contributes 1 point towards the TOUCH Phantasm to maintain it. You will need to offer at least 1 point to counter.

>5 points towards highlighting Rook's weak points. With flowers. Because we can record them if Sami is distracted.

ROOK has no physical weak points as previously stated. It's only weakness is that it is very heavy and sinks in soft ground.
>>
No. 636443 ID: 809713

Why didn't the enemy have to overcome our previous touch phantasm to cast a new one? Did it expire?

Also, display IP count. In fact, if possible, run a script that prints the IP count every update in which IP is spent.

>You will need to offer at least 1 point to counter.
Spending 2 points to counter.

Next priority is probably sight. Sami needs to be able to see where she's going.

Spending 5 points for visual phantasm: the world around her, as it is, but lit as if it were daylight. (Harder to be scared in the light, and being able to see her surroundings might be tactically useful).

>all this river stuff
Yeah, this just reinforces the idea that leading it to the river is a bad idea.

>what do
Sami, move! That thing isn't going to just wait until we sort your head out, it's going to try and hit you while you're distracted.
>>
No. 636446 ID: e114bc

>>636442
Why didn't the ghosts have to counter our existing phantasms?
>>
No. 636449 ID: 3009b4

>Why didn't the enemy have to overcome our previous touch phantasm to cast a new one? Did it expire?
>Why didn't the ghosts have to counter our existing phantasms?

** Yes. They only last a minute. It took Sami a little time to recuperate. **

** IP COUNT **
CURSE A will spend 5 pts. on river vision
CURSE B will spend 5 pts. on river touch.
CURSE C will spend 3 pts. on river smell, 4 pts on river sound. CURSE C will assist A with 1 point.

This is the early stage of Phantasm and it's only been moments (Sami is not within striking range and will not be within striking range until this combat finishes).

Since you're 'watching' you can actually counter the Phantasm before it fully manifests so only the end result will cost IP. So of the 33 IP that's available, it's only the end spend that matters.

You have the option of allowing the CURSE to spend IP, then spend more to counter it or counter immediately for just a single spend. **
>>
No. 636451 ID: e114bc

>>636449
I think it makes the most sense to counter immediately. It's possible that the repeated counters won't exhaust our IP pool by the time the curse is lifted.

+2 IP to countering the touch phantasm. That's the most important one.

...wait how is Curse C spending more than 5 points? That's CHEATING.
>>
No. 636452 ID: 3009b4

>...wait how is Curse C spending more than 5 points? That's CHEATING.

** Two separate items. Each sense Phantasm impacts is a separate spend. Perhaps you should be more curious as to why it isn't spending more. **
>>
No. 636453 ID: e114bc

>>636452
Are you saying we've always been able to spend more than 5 points at once, so long as it wasn't all on the same thing?
>>
No. 636454 ID: b9cef6

I think between us all we've covered sight and feeling so we don't need to worry about that anymore unless they counter again.
But each phantasm spend is an individual spend? So all three can theorhetically spend TWENTY FIVE POINTS at one time on phantasms?!
We don't even have seventy five points! I think.
So, they aren't just swamping us with points because they must have some kind of limit too.

I, uh, don't really know what to do with that information but maybe one of you people do.
I think it means all of us can shoot over fivs IP so long as we're doing phantasms, but I don't really have any helpful observations beyond that.
>>
No. 636459 ID: 3009b4

>Are you saying we've always been able to spend more than 5 points at once, so long as it wasn't all on the same thing?

** Yes, and if it wasn't clear until that point it's my bad... I've actually been redoing the IP system for my next quest so I think a little confusion is going to be unavoidable, but yeah... you could spend it on multiple things. Player caps were originally just designed to avoid abuse so one person couldn't blow through the entire IP bank forcing one thing to happen. The multi-cast use never came up before because until PHANTASM most of the time nobody focused on altering more than one thing at one time.**
>>
No. 636460 ID: b9cef6

>>636459
I think people would've been spending IP on a whole lot of stuff the whole time had we known we could! It seemed like it was just a 5IP per person per scene thing.
I guess it never really mattered though, we got through as far as we have without knowing we could spend more than 5 IP at a time.
>>
No. 636461 ID: e114bc

>>636459
...alright. I'm guessing the ghosts' next move is to use DRAW MEMORY. This means... smell may be the most important sense to override. That's the sense most closely associated with memory.
[+3 IP to overriding the smell of the river, change it to the smell of Sami's mother's cooking or something.]
[+3 IP towards countering the Touch phantasm.]
[+5 IP towards countering the Visual phantasm. Can we highlight the Mayor's spirit's position in the house? If not, how about making everything brighter instead? Nightvision.]

Sami, you need to move fast, the ghosts are about to do something that may trigger another transformation, and I don't think we can really prevent it this time, just make the associated illusion less inconvenient. Just try to get past the golem and inside. Stay out of its reach if possible.
>>
No. 636530 ID: e114bc

...wait a minute. We have 33 IP. I see what's going on. If we fight over the phantasm enough so that say, 20 or 25 IP is used, they can force through the Draw Memory by using up all remaining IP. We can avoid this by letting them get the initial Phantasm started, then overpower it by blowing all the IP we have left.

Right now they're using 18 IP. If we allow that, there's 16 IP left, which we can blow on countering MOST of the phantasms, keeping the ghosts from using draw memory.

In light of this, I am retracting all my spending plans for IP until after the phantasm is set.
>>
No. 636533 ID: 809713

>>636530
We can use up the remaining IP, too, though.

The easiest way is to game the IP so only 25 is left, and then blow it all on a botch to hurt the Rook when it takes a swing and a miss at Sami. Granted, that means we're risking a hit, but there's no way this thing doesn't try at some point anyways.
>>
No. 636536 ID: 3009b4

>Right now they're using 18 IP. If we allow that, there's 16 IP left, which we can blow on countering MOST of the phantasms, keeping the ghosts from using draw memory.
>In light of this, I am retracting all my spending plans for IP until after the phantasm is set.

** To clarify: You are wanting allow the Cursed Spirits to proceed with their Phantasm, wait a minute for it to subside, and then apply your own? **
>>
No. 636538 ID: e114bc

>>636536
>Since you're 'watching' you can actually counter the Phantasm before it fully manifests so only the end result will cost IP. So of the 33 IP that's available, it's only the end spend that matters.

Okay how is this different from what happened the first time?
>>
No. 636543 ID: 809713

>>636538
Last time we thought it was the memory of her drowning, not a phantasm (because we had the light path up and didn't realize phantasms on different senses didn't conflict). So we wasted time trying to counter the memory and let the enemy phantasm take hold before we attempted to counter it.
>>
No. 636560 ID: 3009b4

>Last time we thought it was the memory of her drowning, not a phantasm (because we had the light path up and didn't realize phantasms on different senses didn't conflict). So we wasted time trying to counter the memory and let the enemy phantasm take hold before we attempted to counter it.

** That's correct; Sami had been 'drowning' since she began to choke. Your Phantasm kicked in at basically the last second when she had begun to transform... (I had already begun sketching her transformation). I just want to make sure that the plan is to let Sami deal with the Phantasm for a solid minute OR if the plan is to just wait until the Cursed Spirits have 'paid' and then pay to fight them.

It sounds like there are three plans being proposed:

1. If you let the Phantasm take hold, the Curse pays the initial value (not the added amounts to fight you) and it will last a minute, although it will feel longer to Sami. You can then project a new Phantasm of your choosing at whatever cost of realism. This has the lowest IP cost but Sami will have to endure a minute of the Phantasm.

2. If you want to fight the Phantasm but then 'throw the fight' when they up the ante, they will have to pay the 'won battle'. This has the middle IP cost and Sami will have to endure a minute of the Phantasm.

3. Or you can fight them to win, and you'll have to pay an upped ante but their Phantasm will stop before it affects Sami. This has the highest IP cost but Sami will not have to deal with their Phantasm.

As a side note, DRAW MEMORY can ONLY work on sharpening SURFACE THOUGHTS. Unless Sami is reminded of her mother's cooking it will never be available as a surface thought to focus on. You may scan her surface thoughts using DRAW MEMORY for free **
>>
No. 636562 ID: e114bc

>>636560
I want to make the spirits pay and then pay to fight them. That way we are more likely to be able to exhaust our entire IP pool, making this the final phantasm/memory attack.

From how it worked the first time around, the phantasm would not last the full minute.
>>
No. 636564 ID: 809713

[private]
>You may scan her surface thoughts using DRAW MEMORY for free
Well, that seems like a no brainer. If we can do that, we should, so we know what we risk the curse spirits dumping us in.

It seems to me that if we let the enemy phantasms take effect, her surface thoughts will focus on the drowning, and the enemy can and will cast draw memory on that.

If we get our phantasms up (daylight, breeze, cooking, ...uh, do we leave taste and sound out?), any draw memory will hopefully not focus on that.

Option 3.

...also, if we try to game the spending so we have exactly 10 IP left, we have Sami get close enough for the Rook to attack, she dodges, and we apply botch to the attack attempt.
>>
No. 636565 ID: e114bc

>>636564
>spend IP on other things while countering the phantasms
...I actually like this better. We can just plain nullify the worst parts of the phantasm, and still empty our IP pool.

I think I can actually do that in one post, if other people agree with me. I mean I could spend 5 IP on seven things- all five phantasms and both a failure and success roll. That's 35 IP without anyone helping.
>>
No. 636672 ID: 3009b4

:iconsamibroken:
** The following surface thoughts are available to focus, in no particular order **

- The Piper's song and the beautiful illusion
- Sami's best friend Rosemary. Hers were the last eyes she looked into before she transformed.
- Rage, bloodthirsty, blind rage.
- Excitement so intense it became sexual when she tore into the creature who murdered the town's children and would have murdered her if not for her buried fae blood.
- The choking sensation of water in her lungs right before she transformed; her body reacted to the aquatic asphyxiation sexually. It is a fetish she has long suppressed because she also associates it with death and shame.
- A passing realization that shame sexually excites her, regardless of its appropriateness at the moment.
- Curiosity at the colour of the golem.
- Fear at trying to deal with a huge creature.
- Calculations on where she could run to and estimating the golem's speed.
- Wondering if there could possibly be a God of any sort that could allow this to happen.
- God doesn't exist.
- Hating God if She exists and let this happen.
- Hoping that God exists just so there's a chance her friends might not just ceased to exist.
- Hating herself and thinking this is happening because she deserves it. This one seems to repeat in different themes, including wondering if this is happening because God actually does exists, is actually good, and that Sami is being punished because she's a horrible monster.
- Wondering if the spirits are really on her side.
- Hoping the spirits are on her side.
- Considering the spirits are just toying with her.
- Wondering if the spirits are the 'good' counterparts to the Curse. Wondering if the spirits are actually that of the other children.
- Why is the golem in the Mayor's home?
- Feeling hungry.
- Really wanting a drink and to smoke some weed when this is all over.
- Hoping that this kills her and just ends it all already.
- Intense fear that she'll die.
- The water is really cold for an illusion.
>>
No. 636675 ID: 809713

>>636672
[Private]
...okay. Wow, first of all, we do not admit we did that. Or make reference to these thoughts. I don't care how much she trusts us, or not, there's some personal stuff in there I feel skeezy just looking at.

Got that? Sami hasn't ever mentioned Rosemary to us, we don't know about the erotic asphyxiation or the Catholic shame fetish, or her theory we might be dead children. Don't mention that where she can hear.

I think we can also agree that's not a happy collection of thoughts.

>Curiosity at the colour of the golem.
Well, at least she'll get a better look at it if our daylight phantasm takes hold.

Maybe we cast draw memory after we've overcome the phantasm, but I still favor option 3 from before for the immediate action.
>>
No. 636809 ID: 3009b4
File 143025478078.jpg - (364.74KB , 640x720 , CursedRookisAngry.jpg )
636809

Struggling with the Cursed Spirits is like trying to have a physical confrontation by shouting at each other, drowning each other out with the loudest noise until one side becomes hoarse.

** VISION Phantasm is over-ridden for 6 IP. **
** TOUCH Phantasm is over-ridden for 5 IP. **

As the vision and sensation of the river around Sami fade, Sami gets a sensation of pins being pulled out from the back of her mind and shivers involuntarily.

** The CURSED SPIRITS have removed their direct presence from Sami, taking with them the power they brought, although the PHANTASM and DRAW MEMORY applications remain available. IP is down 20 (11+19), 13 IP is left **

It's soon apparent that the Curse has had enough of using nightmares and mental anguish and has decided to take a rather direct approach in ensuring that Sami never leaves this place.

Despite a lack of mouth or any visible audio equipment the Rook lets out frenzied scream that sounds like the death scream of a rabbit amplified a hundred times.

Sami manages to stammer "B... bugger me sideways, what did you lot do?" just before the Rook charges towards her at terrifying speed, the rapid crash of stone against stone echoing like a machinegun.
>>
No. 636812 ID: 809713

Run first! Talk on the go!

Please remember you can talk to us by thinking hard at us, you're probably going to need your breath for running.

Also, the illusion of daylight will only last a minute, though it might feel longer for you. Take advantage and get as good a look at your surroundings as you can while it lasts. Every edge in staying ahead of that thing counts.

>"B... bugger me sideways, what did you lot do?"
We won the battle for your mind. We prevented their crushing your spirit, or letting them make you see and feel what they wanted.

...and they are really sore losers. They aren't trying to torture you emotionally or drive you insane anymore, now they're just trying to kill you.

To win the war, you just need to stay ahead of that thing long enough and get the gold where it needs to go.

[private]
>13 IP left
>phantasm and draw memory still available
Okay, now that the curse is out of her head, we don't need to worry about using draw memory anytime soon. Phantasm will be useful later, but I don't think we need more now.

Right now all the IP is gonna be good for is emergency evasion, and maybe a botch on the golem if we time it right. If we can get it to wipe out, that might give us time to double back and get the gold where it's going.
>>
No. 636819 ID: e114bc

>>636809
Oh! Okay Sami, the ghosts gave up on illusions because we kept fighting them off. They went to boost the Rook instead.

...unfortunately this is bad because the golem is now likely just as fast if not faster than you. You can't outpace it and you can't hide from it, so you're going to die unless you transform, I reckon. It's almost like fate is conspiring to force you to face your monstrous side! GEE HOW ABOUT THAT. Well I guess you have one stupid option left- try to enter the house while the golem actively attempts to kill you, resulting in the building collapsing around you as you try to find the mayor's ghost or whatever controls the golem. Do whatever you want. We have a small amount of resources left, but it's not like you're going to be able to hurt the golem in any way. All we can do is maybe help you dodge.

Sami, do you recognize what the golem is made out of?
[+2 IP towards Sami dodging incoming attacks]
>>
No. 636823 ID: 809713

>>636819
I don't know why you're assuming transforming would cause her to not die. I doubt her aquatic form would be faster on land than she is (in fact, it might be much slower). It might be more durable, but I doubt that makes much of a difference when being pummeled by anger-fulled stone fists. Plus, a less rational and/or our of control Sami is on a poorer position to try and protect herself.

Even divorced from the emotional and/or moral concerns, it doesn't seem like it would help. If anything, I think a transformation would significantly up the odds of a bad outcome. (Which would be why the curse was pushing for it, before).
>>
No. 636826 ID: b9cef6

>>636823
What this guy said. The Curse wanted her to transform, so we clearly really don't want that to happen.

Basically, uh, Sami, cheese it. Book it. Get outta dere. It's going to be faster now than it was thanks to the Curse moving from messing with you to boosting the golem. We'll do what we can, but it's mostly going to rely on you keeping a level head and running away.
>>
No. 636832 ID: d3be40

Sami, can you play the flute while running? (That's just so we don't miss an easy solution.)

The golem is now even faster. Do not try to outrun it, keep dodging and get somewhere that it can't reach.

The other three golems were unable to approach the church. What if these ghost hackers (or the golem) have a place nearby that they're loathe to approach? Keep moving until you find a place where the golem stops advancing. You'll need adequate defenses against melee and ranged attacks, as the hackers are in control and likely smarter than Rook.

*Private*
We should have access to TEN, so somebody DO SOMETHING!
*/Private*
>>
No. 636834 ID: e114bc

>>636823
>>636826
The transformation makes her much stronger, but it has some effect on her mind. The Curse isn't trying to make her transform, it's trying to make her suffer and/or die. I doubt the ghosts even know Sami survived because of the transformation.
>>
No. 636838 ID: 3009b4
File 143027164599.jpg - (465.31KB , 640x720 , Rook Attack.jpg )
636838

Sami figures her best bet is to get to whatever the Rook is guarding and dashes forwards, trying to run past the golem.

She feels the air rush past her tail as the stone creature slams its massive stone fist into the ground with a deafening slam that makes her ears ring. She just made it past!

** Even with help, Sami failed her dodge and lost 10 Plot Armour; 90 remaining **

Thankfully she doesn't have to worry about the door as the golem hammered it to pieces. As she runs blindly into the darkness she trips over some rubble and tumbles down the hard, stone stairs.

She can hear the roar of the golem bearing down on her as she spins helplessly in the darkness, as her her poor little body bounces off unidentifiable, worn but still painfully solid corners.

** Sami rolled extremely poorly and loses and additional 5 points of Plot Armour to avoid breaking bones or taking serious injury that would severely impeded her chances of survival. **

Finally the spinning stops as she loses the last of her momentum, sprawled out on the ground in an undignified bruised heap. As her hearing returns and her head begins to right itself, she realizes that it's oddly quiet.
>>
No. 636841 ID: 809713

Ouch. Sami, you okay?

That was real close. If you were a cat, I'd say you burned off one of your nine lives making that.

>As her hearing returns and her head begins to right itself, she realizes that it's oddly quiet.
...are we there? Or is just the eye of the storm.
>>
No. 636843 ID: e114bc

You should have matches. Light one up.

I'm guessing that nightvision phantasm doesn't actually work?
>>
No. 636847 ID: e607cd

>** Even with help, Sami failed her dodge and lost 10 Plot Armour; 90 remaining **

Do you mean 100 remaining, because Sami was at 110 due to extra determination a few updates back?
>>
No. 636849 ID: ea0ad9

Jeez! Didn't think that would be possible... This guy just got stronger, and will remain so until you help the guilt-ridden spirits find peace. Every spirit you help do so will weaken that power boost it got, I believe there's eight right now?
*Private*
>Perhaps you should be more curious as to why it isn't spending more.
...They were able to copy our remaining points into the Rook, weren't they?
>>
No. 636850 ID: 3009b4
File 143027509823.jpg - (284.07KB , 640x720 , Sami meets the Mayor.jpg )
636850

** I realize I forgot to activate the nightvision Phantasm, but she rolled so poorly (94 for a target of 50) it wouldn't have had an impact. **

A soft light begins to grow along with an unsure whispering that slowly begins to take the form of a voice.


....ssssssSAAAAAAmmmmiii ....

... sssSAAAmmii .. ?

... SAMI!

Oh no... no... no... no... oh Sami... what... what have I done to you? Sami... Sami I'm sorry...


Sami painfully turns and squints to see an aspiration before her. She does not recognize its form, but she recognizes the voice. Her vision begins to clear somewhat. Spectral tears flutter down and land on her face like dust before fading.

Despite her situation, she can hear the pain in the former man's voice and she pities him.

Sami: Mr. Mayor?

The Mayor:Sami?

Sami: Pardon me for saying so sir, but you look like shit.

Her attempt to lighten the situation is lost as the ghost stares at her in disbelief. As Sami slowly turns over to right herself, she hears a crinkling of glass in her backpack.

** Sami's inkwell has broken in the fall. It's ruined her normal paper. Her sheet music, faerie ink and faerie paper are fine. The pipe is also fine. **

The Mayor:Are you hurt?

Sami checks herself for broken bones. She's in a lot of pain, but she's not seriously hurt.

Sami: I'm fine (she lies).

The Mayor:Why have you come back? What are you doing with that cursed gold?

Sami: I thought it was related to the curse on this place. I hoped you might know how to cleanse it.

The Mayor:That gold... was what we gathered to pay the piper. It was not enough. It is blood money. I locked it away because it reminded me of my failure and what I did to our town. I was... not thinking very clearly, although at the time I thought I was being very calm and collected. It was... fortunate I did, because it is cursed. It was locked away so others would not fall to this curse, and Sami... you of all people should be spared from it. You were our only child. You were truly *innocent*.

Sami takes a deep breath and sighs.

Sami: Not to be rude Mr. Mayor, but do you know how to cleanse it?

The Mayor:You must take it to the Piper. It is his gold, and his debt is unpaid..

A thought occurs to Sami.

Sami: ... 99 children.

The ghost reacts in horror.

The Mayor:NO SAMI!! Please, if you die I'm afraid you will be entwined in this curse and I've done enough wrong as is. Every moment is spent regretting what I did. You are innocent..

Sami: ... it's why I felt like I had to come back though. It's the debt. It's got to be settled one way or another, doesn't it? And there is not enough gold here to do it.

The ghost sinks in shame.

The Mayor:No... there is not enough gold. There was never enough gold. I can't remove that mark, but if you take that to the piper it should cleanse you..

The mayor cocks its wisp of a head to one side.

The Mayor:It's funny but now that you're here I've clarity that I've not had in so long I cannot remember. You... have you dealt with ghosts before? You are very calm..

Sami smiles weakly.

Sami: I've been haunted ever since that day, Mr. Mayor. And several ghosts have already tried to drive me mad and kill me already, including that Rook we never got to work. This is nothing.

The mayor seems to ignore her second attempt to lighten the mood somewhat.

The Mayor:I think I can... no, I WILL hold the Rook. I will not let any more harm come to you while you are here.

Sami nods. She wonders if her guides might have any questions for the mayor?
>>
No. 636851 ID: 3009b4

>Do you mean 100 remaining, because Sami was at 110 due to extra determination a few updates back?

** No, I forgot about that. Thanks for catching it. Sami's at 95 because she still loses 5 not being seriously hurt falling down the stairs. **

>...They were able to copy our remaining points into the Rook, weren't they?

** They took the points they brought with them back the Rook. **
>>
No. 636857 ID: d3be40

Sami, please don't try to complete the blood contract. Offer the statue of Faustia and the gold or whatever and finish this.

We didn't help you come this far just for you to throw your life away.

...Maybe you'll never be the happy little girl again. But you still remember her. You carried the memories of better times across your nightmares, and the result is a survivor.

Maybe... maybe there was always a debt, before Piper. Before all of this. A debt of cold, hard reality that would write your fate, even before you understood what fate was.

And despite your misery YOU CAN FINALLY PAY THAT DEBT.
>>
No. 636865 ID: b9cef6

There are a lot of people at fault here in all this business. Mayor should've had the money to pay the man he hired. Piper shouldn'tve been such a bastard. But, bastard as he is, he does not deserve your life. We get him his money, we scrape together whatever we don't have, and put this to an end. All debts paid, all sales final, no grudges on either side.
But you're not going to be the collateral. Non-negotiable.
Now.
Do we know where the Piper is? Is getting to him as easy as walking the road and knocking on his door?
And, what can we give him in payment?
Statue of Faustia is made of gold, isn't it? That'll work.
The priest might know where/how we can get some more gold.
I bet those golems, or their parts, sell real well if the Mayor can hold them back.
Basically I'm, and I hope you are, fully prepared to strip this village bare to get that asshole's shadow out from under you once and for all.
>>
No. 636866 ID: e114bc

>>636850
Yeah, first, ask him where the rook's control device is. We may be able to use it. Secondly... uh, the Piper is dead. Does bringing the coins to his corpse still work? Or would we have to bring the coins to his employers?

Is there anything else of interest in this house?
>>
No. 636867 ID: 809713

>You must take it to the Piper. It is his gold, and his debt is unpaid.
So. Um. Sami has to eat the gold?

Or we have to dump the coins in the river.

>Sami: ... 99 children.
While the concept of self sacrifice is noble, I don't think blood can cleanse the darkness rooted here, Sami.

And I don't think you can take the chance that if you offer yourself up in payment, that something else will then own the darkness inside you. You've kept it contained- you don't want to loose it.

>She wonders if her guides might have any questions for the mayor?
Hmm. Is he aware of any other ghosts that linger here? Who else remains?

Are there other cursed objects, like the gold? If we can cleanse it, are there others we have to find?

[private]
>She's in a lot of pain, but she's not seriously hurt.
I don't suppose the experience of a phantasmal painkiller is an option?

Although we can only give a minute's relief at a time that's not very cost effective treatment. It would only really be worth it if we could drag it out, or if we just had to get her past a hump.
>>
No. 636868 ID: fbc59e

Heya Mayor...
AH! a question for you-was there a specific place in town where you would meet the Piper or no?
And good luck with the Rook, hey, maybe we can give you a hand with that?
[give 3IP to Mayor]
>>
No. 636956 ID: ea0ad9

>Offer the statue of Faustia and the gold
That won't do anything, Kome. The gold has to be offered to the "Grave" of the Piper. Do you remember, Sami, the part of the river he was at? Take the gold there, and bury it.
>The Mayor: It's funny but now that you're here I've clarity that I've not had in so long I cannot remember.
Sounds like just being permitted to see you was enough to cleanse his guilt. He is glad that the Last Child has lived.
>The Mayor:NO SAMI!! Please, if you die I'm afraid you will be entwined in this curse and I've done enough wrong as is.
On the other hand, your death will cause him more Grief than he ever had before, strengthening the curse. At least until we can lighten up the curse some more, dying is not an option... Of course, I would prefer it be avoided anyways, but now we have a solid reason.
>And despite your misery YOU CAN FINALLY PAY THAT DEBT.
Man, what.
>Do we know where the Piper is?
...Did you forget? The Piper is dead. All we can do is take the gold to his "Grave." Making a proper grave for him might help, too, even if it's just a burial mound: A bunch of rocks piled over it to denote somebody died there.
>Are there other cursed objects, like the gold? If we can cleanse it, are there others we have to find?
Cleansing any objects cursed by the Guilt and Grief should help weaken the curse's hold on the city, and make it easier to rebuild.
>maybe we can give you a hand with that?
[Im_OK_with_this.jpg]
>>
No. 636994 ID: 3009b4
File 143035462705.jpg - (397.35KB , 640x720 , Sami and the Mayor1.jpg )
636994

>[give 3IP to Mayor]
** Not possible. **

>And good luck with the Rook, hey, maybe we can give you a hand with that?
** Nice idea but not necessary. **

>Sami, please don't try to complete the blood contract. Offer the statue of Faustia and the gold or whatever and finish this.

Sami: The statue isn't made of real gold, guys.

>Do we know where the Piper is? Is getting to him as easy as walking the road and knocking on his door?

Sami: I *know* where the Piper is, and I'll never forget it. He'll be where I killed him.

>I bet those golems, or their parts, sell real well if the Mayor can hold them back.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: Oh probably except for the fact that there's no way in hell I can move them.

>Yeah, first, ask him where the rook's control device is. We may be able to use it. Secondly... uh, the Piper is dead. Does bringing the coins to his corpse still work?

Sami: Do you know where the rook's control device is?

The mayor flickers and nods.

The Mayor:The vault is just a little further. It's locked up, and I don't know if you'll be able to open it, but the Siren's Axe is supposed to control the golem. It looks like some sort of... angry guitar.

Sami: ... so I control the rook by playing the guitar?

The Mayor:That's what we thought, but we could never get it to work.

>Does bringing the coins to his corpse still work?

Sami: I'm pretty sure it will.

Sami removes the flute from her pack. The mayor wisps around her with interest.

The Mayor:... is that...

Sami nods.

Sami: I'm not as innocent as you think, Mr. Mayor. I killed the Piper, and stole his things and told no one about it. I'm sorry.

The Mayor:... I don't understand. You were just a little girl. The Piper was found ripped to shreds.

Sami: I'd rather not discuss it.

Sami plays the flute. Like a late riser struggling out of bed, with a creak and a groan the vault opens before her.

Sami: ... I don't suppose you know if there's anything left to scavenge in the town? Like where I could get some food? I gave half my rations to the priest.

The Mayor:... Priest? I... don't remember a priest. But I don't know anything that happens outside this place. Your best bet would be the merchant's guild for supplies; it had the sturdiest locks. Be careful Sami, taking anything from this town enrages the curse.

Sami stows the gold in her pack and approaches the Siren's Axe. It is stored in the center of the otherwise empty vault (save for the remains of smashed objects) on a simple wooden table. Despite everything else being coated in a thick layer of dust, the guitar looks pristine. As Sami picks it up, it flickers with power you can see, and while Sami can't see it you can tell she is aware of something magical about the instrument.

Too bad she doesn't play guitar.
>>
No. 636997 ID: d3be40

>>636994
Look around for a reptilian scale or something of the same shape. These equate to the "bow" of this type of musical instrument.
>>
No. 636998 ID: 809713

I'll bet the guitar is like the Piper's flute. The flute affects natural things. If the guitar works on the golems then... manufactured things? Enchanted things? Spiritual things? Hold on, we'll scan it for you.

[Scan guitar]

>Sami: ... so I control the rook by playing the guitar?
>The Mayor:That's what we thought, but we could never get it to work.
They probably didn't know the right song to try. I'll bet your sheet music works.

>Sami: Oh probably except for the fact that there's no way in hell I can move them.
Well, you could sure move them around if we found a way to take control of them.

>Too bad she doesn't play guitar.
...that may not be an issue. Hey, guys, anyone here know how to play a guitar? We might be able to manipulate the strings with a touch based phantasm. Or, failing that, we could guide Sami through the chords on a piece (making the places she needs to put her fingers light up, a warmer / colder feeling to guide her fingers, a visual example of someone playing to mimic, etc).
>>
No. 637001 ID: e114bc

>>636994
Hmm. Well Sami, I think you're going to have to learn.

Also it sounds like the "Priest" is a Fey using an illusion of some sort. Don't we have something that can dispel illusions?
>>
No. 637002 ID: 809713

>>637001
He's not necessarily hiding something (though he may well be). He could have just come to this town after the mayor was dead. (Although, the general trend would have been people leaving town, not moving in, once the decline started).
>>
No. 637025 ID: 3009b4

>Look around for a reptilian scale or something of the same shape. These equate to the "bow" of this type of musical instrument.

:iconsamiirritated:
Sami: I know what a guitar is Kome. It's not a violin.

>They probably didn't know the right song to try. I'll bet your sheet music works.
Sami: Problem is it's not a matter of notes, I have to get the rhythm too. It has to be played properly or it doesn't work at all.

> We might be able to manipulate the strings with a touch based phantasm.
** Phantasm only works on Sami's senses to create illusions. For example, a daylight Phantasm actually relies on spirit vision and then overlaying it as an optical illusion. Yes, I know I forgot to trigger it but that's how it would work.**

>Also it sounds like the "Priest" is a Fey using an illusion of some sort. Don't we have something that can dispel illusions?
** You have the ability to see through Glamours now, but not dispel illusions. This ability does not transfer to Sami, so for example if the Big Bad Wolf used a Glamour to appear to be Sami's grandmother, even though YOU can tell it's Big Bad, Sami still sees her Grandmother and you'd need her complete trust to get her to attack. **

If no one has other questions, the Mayor explains that the Piper is trapped within the Curse as well -- he can sense him -- so if Sami can find his place of death she should be able to give him the gold. He warns her that despite her best intentions, until she gets close to the Piper's place of death he will be enthralled by the rage of the Curse and will attack her with everything he has. He warns Sami that he might not be able to restrain the Curse if she moves too far away from him -- he could barely focus consciously at all until she was right next to him.
>>
No. 637026 ID: e114bc

>>637025
So to sum up, you're safe here but if you go anywhere the golem will chase you. How long do you think it would take for you to learn how to play even the first part of the song on the guitar? If you learned how to play the whole thing, it would instantly destroy the golem.

Hey, can you get to within sight of the Rook while the Mayor is still able to focus? You could just try to experiment with the guitar. Oh! Ask the Mayor if he knows what material the golem is made out of.
>>
No. 637027 ID: 3009b4

** Also: The Wiki is still not available yet. The Guitar is a network-active item but that's all you can find out for the moment. **
>>
No. 637030 ID: 809713

>If no one has other questions
Where did he get this guitar, anyways?

>Sami: Problem is it's not a matter of notes, I have to get the rhythm too. It has to be played properly or it doesn't work at all.
...and the only way around that is practice. Which we don't really have time for. And I'm not sure one should practice with a magical instrument, anyways. Mistakes could have unforeseen consequences.

Unless we can find someone else who can play a guitar. Not very many candidates for that around here, though. And we'd have to trust them with it.
>>
No. 637044 ID: ea0ad9

The Priest may be a Fae, or a Cat, or just somebody who arrived afterwards and happened to either already be or decided to become a priest. No sense doubting him, though, he's kept the church in good shape, and hasn't done any harm.

I suppose the best course of action is to relieve the Piper of his Grief, since we're carrying around a portable curse. It might be best to wait for day, but it's also possible that the enraged curse would be able to break into the church.
>>
No. 637071 ID: 066a87

If we had a luthier we could make a curved bridge for the guitar! Then it could be a giant violin!

I once saw a concert where the performer had done that. Mid-act he switched from playing it like a guitar, to playing it like a violin. It was very impressive.
>>
No. 637116 ID: ea0ad9

>>637071
I would think a guitar is too big to play like a violent. A cello, maybe.
>>
No. 637138 ID: 066a87

>>637116
That might work better for Sami, she's not that big.
>>
No. 637292 ID: 3009b4

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Mr. Mayor -- could you watch over me if I needed to rest?

The Mayor:Yes Sami. I'm afraid you'd have to rest right here since the farther we get from my place of death the harder it is to focus, but I can stop the Curse from doing anything to you as long as you're here.

:iconsamibroken:
Sami: Thanks. Guys, if you don't mind... I'd like to just rest here until morning. Unless there's anything else you wanted to do or ask.
>>
No. 637302 ID: 809713

You more than deserve a rest, Sami. We've got nothing immediately pressing to ask of you.

Goodnight. We'll be here when you need us.
>>
No. 637423 ID: 09b7fb

[Private]

Would it be possible to spend a couple IP towards her having a nice dream? Or should that be conserved for something more important anyways?
>>
No. 637426 ID: a9753c

Goodnight, Sami.
>>
No. 637447 ID: ea0ad9

>I'd like to just rest here until morning.
Hey, it's all good. I was worried about them breaking into the church, but I trust the Mayor to be able to stop them from breaking into here.
>>
No. 639162 ID: 3009b4
File 143114666758.jpg - (318.67KB , 640x720 , Sami Chapter End.jpg )
639162

Sami Quest: Chapter One Complete

Despite all the excitement, threats to her life, aching body and general horror, Sami falls asleep quickly. Perhaps its the presence of the mayor or maybe it's sheer exhaustion, but even on the hard floor of the basement she sleeps soundly, gently clutching the Siren's Axe.

The mayor watches over her, light pulsing in rhythm to Sami's breathing. Every so often he mutters to himself, repeating "Protect her" over and over, as if he might forget if he didn't focus himself. Other whispers seem to coast in and out like waves, and you catch 'the child' or 'Sami'.

Every so often, the mayor whimpers "Sami... forgive me," but never loud enough to disturb her.

****

Sami's Quest will continue in a new thread; this one will be updated when ready. I plan to create a more consistent interface that also displays things like current IP.
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