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Post by Spwack on Jun 27, 2020 3:40:35 GMT
It seems very similar to the stuff that has been sprayed on you. And that is a very likely assumption!
This is a dead-end.
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jun 28, 2020 3:19:44 GMT
I'll go and have a look at the shiny new machine. Are there any buttons or levers that can be used to control it? Also, do the cables lead from the new machine to the corroded tank, or do they lead somewhere else?
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Post by Spwack on Jun 28, 2020 9:58:05 GMT
There are no external controls that you can see, but there might be some way to mess with it if you cracked open the metal exterior?
The cables connect the new component to the corroded tank, yes.
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garmr
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Post by garmr on Jun 29, 2020 0:52:32 GMT
How large is the tank and how firmly is it attached to the machine? I'm trying to determine the feasibility of prying the tank loose and rolling it back to Cell Block Zero. Does it look like it's so corroded that it would fall apart if we moved it?
I will touch the cables with my mirror-on-a-stick and see if there is any reaction - maybe a jolt of electricity through the wood? If there is no reaction, I will try to pull the cables out from where they attach to the new machine.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 29, 2020 1:09:10 GMT
It's about the size of a large barrel, firmly attached, and it's actually quite difficult to tell how damaged it is. It looks incredibly corroded, but it hasn't leaked yet, so who knows?
No reaction from the cables when you touch it. When you yank the cables out, they tear out some internal mechanisms, and you can hear a tiny little bell start ringing from inside the new device, once every ten seconds or so.
What do you do?
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jun 29, 2020 7:49:49 GMT
"Cracks and splinters!" Is there any gap in the casing of the new machine, even a small seam? If so, then Henry XIV will take out his jar of acid and pour it into the machine. If not, he'll try to smash it to bits with his hammer.
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Post by Spwack on Jun 29, 2020 8:26:47 GMT
Yes, where the cables were before, there are now holes. The acid goes in, and there's an acrid smell and the sound of metal melting. Smoke oozes out the holes, and the ringing bell slows and stops.
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jun 30, 2020 22:37:44 GMT
"Come, Sandra... I believe it's time we made ourselves scarce."
Henry XIV will move quickly back to the orange gas room, where he will get out his mirror-on-a-stick and use the non-mirror end to push down on the pressure plate that triggers the trap. Hopefully it will be disabled now.
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Post by 7Q45QBH0, "Sandra" on Jun 30, 2020 23:26:24 GMT
And here I'd hoped I found us a shortcut. Back to that dreadful painting, then.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 1, 2020 1:08:22 GMT
Well in a way, you have! The pressure plate goes *click* and nothing else happens. Are you going to go back to Cell Block Zero now?
((It might be worth updating discoveries & goals with whatever you've learned about this location))
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jul 1, 2020 4:09:56 GMT
Henry XIV strides halfway across the trap room, hesitates, dithers a little bit.
"I am quite certain I am going to regret this," he says, then goes back to the river where the painting is sitting.
"My Lady. If you wish, I am now able to carry you safely back to our base camp. I cannot say it is much more attractive than your current location, but it is at least clean and dry."
If she agrees, I will carry her back to Cell Block Zero. I will also ask her what sort of location is ideal for her - does she want to get out of the dungeon, to hang somewhere pleasant, or what?
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Post by Spwack on Jul 1, 2020 6:38:13 GMT
"Clean and dry and free of muck? I would be most grateful, especially if I won't need to be carted across that river like some sack of grain."
"Oh, hmm, there are plenty of nice places around here. I heard tell of some of those elves, I'm sure they'd know how to treat a lady."
And... you're back! How are you all feeling about your first little jaunt? Where do you want to explore next?
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jul 2, 2020 12:28:03 GMT
Henry XIV sits down for a while and buffs the scratches out of his skin. He feels somewhat despondent about the first expedition. He risked his life and used up some of his precious items, but what did they achieve? They didn't bring back any treasure besides an ungrateful, homicidal painting.
Oh well. There's nothing to do but carry on. Henry hangs Lady on the wall and writes a label to stick underneath her: "SENTIENT PAINTING OF A LADY. TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT FITTING TO HER STATION. BY ORDER OF HIS MAJESTY KING HENRY XIV OF CAOILAINN."
Henry isn't sure where to go next. He would like to find some coins to buy spells from Professor Spell-O-Matic, and also some gold so he can inscribe the spells on his skin.
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Post by 7Q45QBH0, "Sandra" on Jul 3, 2020 19:34:43 GMT
Sandra would like to ask the Sergeant if there's any bounty or reward for bringing back the painting. Further, she would be up for exploring in a new direction and riding the train cars up (presumably towards freedom).
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Post by Spwack on Jul 4, 2020 1:41:42 GMT
"WELCOME BACK, MAGGOTS!" thunders the Sergeant. "Mm... mm... well, 'praps you'd best talk to that pansy egghead round the corner. Prob'ly have something to say on the matter."
Professor Spell-o-Matic is quite enthused by the return of Lady. "Say, if you should hang her on, say, this opposite wall here, and maybe clean up the place a little as well, I'd be happy to answer, say, a middling question of yours? Perhaps two?"
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garmr
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Post by garmr on Jul 4, 2020 4:34:37 GMT
As always, I'll handle Lady only with her permission - but I will assure her that Professor Spell-O-Matic is a worthy conversationalist.
The mess in the cart room is mostly smashed up carts, right? I'll haul it all back to Cell Block Zero and sort it into piles of metal and wood. Maybe someone can make use of it.
I would like to ask the Professor how his spell service works. How much does it cost? What currency does he accept? Do we get to pick the spell? Does he also sell other goods? I assume that won't count as one of our earned questions, though.
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Post by Spwack on Jul 4, 2020 4:55:37 GMT
"You assume correctly. I accept coinage of all types in return for scrolls, cyphers, rituals, thaumic elements and alchemic sigils. As a baseline, I have a well-tuned and reliable Magic Missile for one-hundred silver tassels or ten gold pounds."
"I also broker in information about this complex, the factions and entities therein, and any obscure and interesting knowledge or question you care to name."
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garmr
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Post by garmr on Jul 5, 2020 0:08:56 GMT
"I see. In that case, where would we find one hundred silver tassels in this dungeon? Or other coinage of a similar value."
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Post by Spwack on Jul 5, 2020 9:17:18 GMT
"You're interesting in locating the nearest large cache of unclaimed treasure? The closest one matching that requirement would be: East, North down the stairs to the floor below this one, North-East, East, South-East. It contains in excess of 100 gold pounds in a wide variety of currencies, including some items of unknown yet considerable value. It is, unfortunately, guarded by a fully actualised Beholder that has slain five individuals of your ilk, as well as many more besides."
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jul 7, 2020 1:47:17 GMT
"Why you-- if I were seated upon my rightful throne, I'd have you melted down for scrap!" Henry XIV's bone-china face briefly turns blue with rage. He takes a moment to control himself.
"What I mean to say is, Professor... can you not direct me to a cache of treasure that I would have a reasonable chance of retrieving, without being blasted into oblivion or some other dreadful fate."
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Post by Spwack on Jul 7, 2020 8:34:52 GMT
The Professor doesn't seem particularly perturbed. "Well now, if you were to charge in headfirst and try and slay the beast yourself, you probably would end up disintegrated. However, I never said you had to kill the Beholder in order to take it's treasure. There are multiple entrances to this lair, some more secretive than others. And besides, I could give you the location of a cache that I am less certain of, but I would also not be able to inform you as to the hazards that might await. This situation, while undoubtedly dangerous, is fundamentally known. Do you understand?"
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jul 8, 2020 2:42:26 GMT
"Hmph. I suppose I will have to make do with what is available in this wretched place." Henry XIV looks around to see if Sandra 7Q45QBH0, "Sandra" is still nearby, and if she is willing to follow him into the dreadful Beholder's lair.
(Also chiquitafajita you are welcome as well if you are looking for an expedition to join. We might not die!)
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Post by chiquitafajita on Jul 9, 2020 20:02:58 GMT
(Hi garmr, I would be happy to join!)
Elizabeth wipes the oil dripping from her eyes, only now awake and having emerged from her cell. "Are we leaving?" She speaks as if her mouth were numb. "Where are you going?"
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Post by Spwack on Jul 10, 2020 1:11:31 GMT
((You're welcome to describe yourself however you like!))
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
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Post by garmr on Jul 10, 2020 2:46:08 GMT
"Greetings. You have the honour of addressing His Majesty, King Henry XIV of Caoilainn. Er, normally I should have a servant to say that for me, but in difficult circumstances one must make do."
"I am planning an expedition to the east. Apparently there is treasure there, guarded by a fearsome Beholder. I doubt we can defeat the creature in battle, but I hope to steal some of its hoard without it noticing. If you join me you shall have an equal share of the treasure. Moreover, those who are loyal to me shall be granted noble titles once I reclaim my throne."
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Post by 7Q45QBH0, "Sandra" on Jul 10, 2020 15:03:20 GMT
Sandra stands to back up her king and introduces herself. She is entirely willing to follow him into the Beholder's lair.
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Post by chiquitafajita on Jul 11, 2020 7:23:14 GMT
Elizabeth straightens up, a little bemused but knowing better than to question the situation. "Pleased to meet you, your highness? My name is Elizabeth of... somewhere." She thinks to herself for a couple seconds. "Ah. I'll come with you!"
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