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Post by Spwack on Feb 18, 2021 6:47:04 GMT
The boxy machine (which needs a name) keeps grinding away and pushing out slabs of bridge-planks, while the spider machines sit, skitter about, and mostly just watch you carefully. Do you talk while watching the process, or sit in silence?
Beneath you, the slabs sloooowly move, back and forth, like near-frozen ripples across a tranquil lake.
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 19, 2021 0:52:54 GMT
While the party waits, Henry regards the robots. "Do you really think these are the ones who created this maze and trapped us here? I have to say I feel they are not capable of such a feat. The dungeon is larger and stranger than their mechanical minds can encompass... perhaps they are only stranded here, the same as us, and carrying out functions that they do not understand."
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Post by frankiestein on Feb 20, 2021 5:56:58 GMT
"Henry, I feel as if you have summed up life in general" I snort a little "HE BELOW does not explain their machinations. But yes, I don't think this is the top of the ladder. That's why I want to crack it open."
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garmr
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King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 20, 2021 22:58:29 GMT
"Hm? Who is this HE BELOW whose name you capitalise so reverently?"
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 21, 2021 8:24:27 GMT
"Still, even if the spiders are prisoners of the dungeon, too, they do not seek to cooperate. They chose to study us and expose us to danger in the process. We should not forget that."
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Post by frankiestein on Feb 21, 2021 23:28:32 GMT
"Oh! Verily Jax! We shall fell them with our blade when we are done observing them. This is unjust to say the very least! Very dishonorable."
Turning to Henry I will intone solemnly: "HE BELOW is the true creator of this realm. You may have heard clergy make pronouncements about them, but most are farce, especially when it comes to matters of morals. HE BELOW only asks that we make of our life that which we want. I want to live the life of honor and splendor and that makes it holy. That I want it is enough." I will have a somewhat far away look in my eyes and you see something indescribable reflected in them for a moment.
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Post by Spwack on Feb 22, 2021 3:36:24 GMT
((Nice!))
The machines make their slow and steady work, creating a rough and zig-zagging path across the worst of the ravines. Are you heading north, or will you attack them? The spiders are still watching carefully, as the boxy machine continues south, back the way you all came.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 23, 2021 19:22:43 GMT
Jaxudyzad's hand twitches over the crown. These spider creatures are no better than the doctors back in Caoilainn. They deserve the same fate, for forcing needless suffering unto others, simply to satisfy their curiosity. But then he turns his back on them, ready to go north towards the light of the flames.
"Let's just go," he says.
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Post by Spwack on Feb 24, 2021 5:30:53 GMT
Winding your way along the stone bridge, you head out of the bizarre rocky ravines, walk up a short hallway, and feel the dry heat of the fire wall on your faces. Around you are scattered bits of shattered junk and melted tools, while before you flickers the near-silent sheet of thick fire. What next?
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Post by frankiestein on Feb 24, 2021 6:18:08 GMT
Along the way I will say to Jax "Showing restraint is indeed a goodly thing, but only if that thing is worthy of your goodliness. I fear it may be wasted on those that keep us here." But looking at me it is pretty clear that I respect the decision, even if I disagree with it.
Out of my vegetable sack I'll pull out a some very fibrous tubers and offer them to Jax and Henry, as a show of comraderie "Well, seeing as I doubt I'll make it to Caoilainn, we mine as well make use of them eh? They aren't much to look at, but they were going to do well in the stubborn earth of that region."
((I hope its OK that I'm riffing off a name you mentioned! I dont know your total backstory but thought it'd be fun to intersect.))
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 24, 2021 12:46:26 GMT
"I would agree with you, Sir Hurricane, but what is to be gained from fighting the metal spiders here? We could sate the vengefulness and bloodlust in our hearts, true, but I'm not sure if that is a good thing." I will take the tubers with thanks and push them close to the wall of fire to bake them. ((No problem, riff as much as you want, frankiestein. Our whole backstory is pretty much just that Caoilainn is a kingdom ruled by the nobility of porcelain doppelgangers. There was a civil war in which me and Henry fought. I was caputed by the king's mad scientists, while Henry, being a porcelain doppelganger himself, eventually managed to steal the face of the old king, thus becoming the new king of Caoilainn. Add to this as much as you like.))
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 25, 2021 2:37:08 GMT
Henry sniffs the tubers dubiously. "Yes, hmm... these would be quite suitable to feed the fleshly classes of my kingdom. When I am restored to my rightful throne, Sir Hurricane, you will be appointed my Minister of Agriculture. What do you say to that?"
While waiting for an answer, I will begin setting up the necessary tools to inscribe the spells into myself. Essentially the process will be: - Use the jagged piece of metal to carve the spell sigils into my arms (presumably this destroys the original scrolls? Do they vanish, or become blank, or what?) - Put some gold into the weird crank-sphere and push it close to the wall of fire - When the gold is melted, use my 10' pole to drag it back within reach - Use the jagged piece of metal to 'paint' the molten gold into the etchings
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 25, 2021 2:46:21 GMT
And here is the map with the two areas finally joined! Unfortunately we can't go directly to the area north of the flame wall unless can figure out a way to get past it.
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Post by frankiestein on Feb 25, 2021 6:53:10 GMT
I will join Jax near the wall of flame, staring into it a bit vacantly "Fair! Perhaps more than anything I hope to find some gleem of that force which keeps us in here. Or maybe an indication of their character or purpose. I have seen the face of GOD and yet not those that keep us here. Tch"
I'll keep staring in as Henry pipes up, chortling at his offer but a smile not touching my face, a hollow sound "Not even on the throne and already falling into nepotism? No. I do not think you'd like me in the court. Ive seen too much suffering to be able to ignore it."
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 25, 2021 7:19:19 GMT
garmr I'm not wearing the crown, so I can help by telekinetically moving anything too hot to touch. ((And I really like that format of maps.)) Speaking of which, I will try to push the wall of fire. Maybe I could break a hole through, if we wanted to proceed that way?
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 25, 2021 21:14:41 GMT
"Ah, but Hurricane, that is just the sort of perspective I am looking for in my ministries! I intend to be a just king, showing generosity to the poor and mercy to the weak. After I have purged the court of all those who conspire against me, of course."
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Post by frankiestein on Feb 26, 2021 4:59:28 GMT
"A 'Just King' you say? What is 'just' about having a king? You know what I thought of when I first saw you? Cups. I traveled the lands of Caoilainn, met many of 'your' people and I didn't see any porcelain on their shelves. Wood, clay, some tin here and there. How are you, one made of a thing they can't even afford, decorated with gold, supposed to act in their best? If you ask me, the best thing you could do is make it so there is no more kings in that land."
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 26, 2021 10:19:41 GMT
After I have purged the court of all those who conspire against me, of course.
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Feb 26, 2021 10:27:40 GMT
"No more kings? Who would rule over the people? Who would keep granaries to insure against famine, or marshal armies to defend the borders? It is easy for the common folk to complain about their rulers, but not so easy to do without them."
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Post by Spwack on Feb 26, 2021 10:38:53 GMT
Henry: A perfectly reasonable plan to me! I'd say you'd take the scroll to pieces, lay it over the porcelain that you wish to inscribe, and etch directly through the scroll. So as to keep the magic all in once place. Copying a scroll is much much harder, and is a lot more complicated than just writing down the same symbols. Moving the scroll is a whole lot easier ((for reasons)).
((Nice map!))
Jax: It takes some serious focus, but you've got time. You get a little bit of a headache before you realise what is happening - even if you push a portion of the wall, that bit of flame goes woosh into smoke and heat, while another bit of flame pops up from underneath to replace it. It's like trying to push a stream by poking at it with a stick.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Feb 26, 2021 12:43:04 GMT
"Hm, maybe if we could find something big and durable enough to lay down through the flames, we might create a path, just as a water curtain parts when you put a big enough stick through it. Still, the fire seems to have no problem melting metal to slag, so the durability of our bridge might be a problem."
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Post by Spwack on Mar 1, 2021 1:47:42 GMT
A large stone slab might work, at least for a little while.
Henry, I presume you'll be going ahead with your inscribing! I'll say the whole process deals you d6 damage. Where are you mostly putting the scroll, your arms? I think we discussed that you'll be turning into a flesh-to-steam transmuting machine. Do you think you'll be sucking up blood and flesh through your hands, or eating it?
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Post by red_kangaroo on Mar 1, 2021 9:51:12 GMT
I will eat the tubers and offer assistance if Henry requires it.
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Mar 2, 2021 2:46:39 GMT
I'm inscribing Flesh to Steam on my right hand and Swan Bat on my left.
The way I envision the right hand is that in the centre of the sigil is a grinding toothed aperture, like a garbage disposal, that goes right through my hand. By shoving flesh into the back of my hand, I expel steam from my palm.
As for the left hand - I'll leave it up to you, Spwack, to tell me what results emerge from the mysterious Swan Bat sigil.
Here is the damage I take:
IwxKhWI21-6
1-6
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Post by Spwack on Mar 2, 2021 9:17:36 GMT
Both scrolls, very brave! The process is debilitating, that's for sure. As the molten gold pours hissing through the scraps of scroll, you can feel your arm cramp and twist, as nearly organelles sprout where before was only porcelain muscle. The gnashing aperture stretches your hand as you move it, and not all the movements are under your control either... you can see strange bulges under the skin of your arm, pulsing steadily and making your arm feel heavy and somehow even more delicate than before.
Are you sure you wish to proceed with the Swan Bat scroll? You can take some time to recover your 1 HP, but maybe some supplies are in order first. Have we seen Henry eat anything so far?
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Post by red_kangaroo on Mar 2, 2021 11:42:21 GMT
(( garmr I also have a scroll of darkness, if you'd like to use that.))
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Post by frankiestein on Mar 4, 2021 5:21:13 GMT
Looking over at Hurricane, Henry may or may not notice him watching him as he is partially debilitated by this process, waiting for him to decide if he will debilitate himself further ((I'm not going to attack a PC obvi but I do like the idea of Hurricane's thoughts on Henry being a bit unclear))
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garmr
Full Member
King Henry XIV
Posts: 227 Likes: 31
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Post by garmr on Mar 4, 2021 10:09:28 GMT
Henry regards his gnashing hand-mouth curiously. "Hmm... a little more unpredictable than I was hoping. Perhaps it simply needs to be fed."
If my companions are fine with it, I'll rest here and eat some food before I continue on with the grueling thaumato-surgery. Henry's rations that came with him are a pack of bone china biscuits. Each one is delicately painted with a blue ink image of a different meal - in this case, roast pheasant on a bed of saffron rice.
Henry nods to Hurricane. "I'd offer you a share, good Sir Hurricane, but porcelain food tends to disagree with the stomachs of fleshkind."
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Post by frankiestein on Mar 6, 2021 6:04:28 GMT
Fine by me! Ellipses are a bit of an assumption on your responses I will gesture to my rough tubers "I am quite pleased with my food! Does that have a taste?" .... Nodding towards the biscuit "Do you know how to prepare that meal? The practice of cooking?" ... "Well, let me explain...." and I'll launch into a large explanation about cooking of food and preparation and how its connected to the woes of agriculture and flesh.
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Post by red_kangaroo on Mar 6, 2021 14:10:59 GMT
As Henry is resting, Jax has nothing better to do, so he goes around the room scrutinizing every bit of the walls, floor and ceiling. He will try tapping them with his cane or lightly pushing at them, looking for any hidden spaces or entrances. He has a feeling that this fire must be coming from somewhere and maybe there is a similar trap room like the one by the orange gas trap north of Cell Block Zero.
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