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Post by wingilbear on Dec 1, 2021 22:53:53 GMT
The machine slotted in its own parts before by grabbing them with the beams but I can make a roll. Gonna use the old system for now
[4C_KyUmm1d20] trying to get a 12 or under
seems the ring was simply cursed and didn’t have some nice magic a person couldn’t live without.
the bars are resistant to magic huh interesting.
im going to head back to cell block zero and try to commune with the possessed great sword. I’m picturing me reaching through one of the cages to touch the sword and unwrap the bindings a little one handed. I will take off my armor and possessions before hand and put them out of reach so the sword can’t affect them and I will ask sergeant toughmuffins to shoot me with an item if I start acting weird. (I will pay for it of course.)
also I wish to talk with the painting of the lady. “Greetings I am the lady phykalla. Is our little oasis here agreeing with you? Anything I can do for you to make your stay more comfortable?”
how do my eyes describe this painting to me?1d20
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Post by Spwack on Dec 3, 2021 1:27:30 GMT
((Ah, thank you for the reminder))
The beams guide the extractor fans into position and hook up the cables, and the quasilator seems to be doing something where the machine has put it.
It may indeed have had some nice magic in there, but it was also definitely and absolutely cursed.
They are, or at least, resistant to this kind of magic.
I'll deal with the sword first: With all your equipment out of reach, you touch the sword. A few moments later, you pick it up, and try pull it out of the cage. It doesn't fit. Then you try and move over to the door of the cage, but you can't reach that either without letting go of the sword.
You can feel EER buzzing in your eyes and brain. You're only touching the sword by the tiniest amount right now, and it can't make you unwrap it any further without letting that bit go. Honestly, it's pretty stuck. What would you like to try and say to the sword?
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 3, 2021 4:26:04 GMT
“What should I call you?”
“What do you want?”
“What will you do for me in return?”
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Post by Spwack on Dec 3, 2021 13:39:56 GMT
All you get back is a mess of static from EER, then a black line. Then, they slow it down for you. The thoughts of the sword scroll across your eyes: "RIP BURN KILL BLEED TEAR THE MEAT AND DRINK THE BONES GIVE ME THE FLESH FLESH FLESH FLESH FLESH RIP BURN KILL KILL KILL RIP BURN KILL LET ME BURN LET ME BURN THEM ALL GIVE ME BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD" and so on, and so forth.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 3, 2021 16:57:28 GMT
Oh so it’s a mindless killing machine.
“I thought you were more honorable than this, seeking fights instead of destruction. I would give you fights to win, flesh to cut, meat to cook. Ally with me, a sword cuts better with an arm behind it.”
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Post by Spwack on Dec 4, 2021 6:28:17 GMT
"Oh it certainly has a mind, just a very focused one." says EER.
"BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD?" says the sword. You can read this things thoughts, and you are absolutely certain that if it had more control right now you'd be heading off for a killing spree. That said, you might be able to cut some kind of deal.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 4, 2021 11:31:04 GMT
Pun intended?
“Become my sous chef and you shall escape these bindings. we will clash with other weapons, chop man eating vines, slice fish from the dungeon rivers, butcher giant birds and beasts, and be tempered in the fires of hell.”
If they take me up on the deal I want to know what they need to act as an entity, can they fly around like the giant axe in the room of death or do they need a body to control/piece of armor/ fake limb
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Post by Spwack on Dec 6, 2021 13:00:09 GMT
((Not intended, but very apt!))
The sword, sadly, seems intent not on mere combat with birds and beasts and plants. It seeks the bloody shrieking death of sentient creatures. It doesn't even seem to have the honour of a predator - it doesn't need to do this, it simply wants to.
As far as you can tell, any ordinary stooge with at least one arm could be handed this blade and become a truly monstrous fighting force, in ever sense of the word. It can't, thankfully, move on it's own.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 6, 2021 13:05:24 GMT
Can I gain tolerance to its control so I could wield it for a fight then go back to myself?
I think I am done with the sword for now. BAck to the lady.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 6, 2021 15:17:53 GMT
Not just by yourself. A powerful mage or diabolist might be able to untangle some of the curse, and you would be very suited for gaining tolerance once that has happened.
The Lady: "My, another noble-woman, what a true delight! You seem to have the complexion and build of a knight as well, what a vision you are indeed. I am exceptionally glad to have been taken out of that filthy hovel with those disgusting fungi, and for that, I must thank you are your underlings, I presume? The Professor and I have been discussing some of the finer points of etiquette. I understand that mortal creatures sometimes bore of going into detail in such a manner, but the Professor is quite the conversationalist. You're too kind. Tell me, is there anything I may do for you, Lady Phykalla?"
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 7, 2021 4:13:09 GMT
Sword: the sword is cursed? I thought it was possessed by the spirit of the black knight. Perhaps the professor could educate me about it? The lady: “oh etiquette? I find much like with dealing with an animal it is better to work out to in. (Ayyy an etiquette joke . Yes there is something you could do for me. You could join myself, the worm queen and the queen of the kobolds for tea if it would please you. Also I have heard tale of some unique symbols on your back. May I take a peek?”
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Post by Spwack on Dec 7, 2021 14:18:34 GMT
Sword: ((It is? I mean, of course it is! I totally recall everything involved with the sword... mostly)). "Possession, curses, ghosts, spells, demons. All different sides of the same coin. A very very odd coin, as you can imagine, to have that many sides."
Lady: She laughs politely at your joke, and gladly accepts the offer of tea. She gasps when you mention the symbols. "Lady Phykalla! How very forward of you!"
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 7, 2021 15:15:40 GMT
Sword: guess I will wrap it back up in its anti magic bindings and leave it be for now.
Lady: “well I do have a way with words.” I will make a show of EER in my eyes. If she lets me I will look at the runes otherwise i will head for the kobold queen and tell the lady I will be back shortly to escort her to tea.
After getting all dressed up I will wait at the entrance to the kobold tower. They liked me quite well when last we met and I am hoping they will escort me through their trap maze.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 8, 2021 15:07:51 GMT
It takes some serious finagling between you and EER, but you eventually manage to get the sword out of your hand and safely stored again. It feels sullen.
Lady: "Ooh how dashing! Well... if you insist..." the painting blushes even more, the faint scent of cinnibar touching the air. When you check the back of the painting, you can see a very nice "Charm" magic word built into the back of the frame. EER tells you that the word probably is an important part of what keeps the Lady alive.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 8, 2021 16:50:21 GMT
Oh the sword that only wants to destroy flesh is sullen So this thing “ The whole back of the painting is engraved with an incredibly complex swirling glyph that twinkles in your eyes even after you close them. It brings to mind dancing tables, swords floating in the air, works of art comprised of impossibly swirling colours and sounds, stolen dreams and apples poisoned with eternal sleep.” Is a complex charm rune? We shall do the kobold thing then as I leave I will tell the lady “I shall return shortly to escort you to tea.”
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Post by Spwack on Dec 9, 2021 14:03:41 GMT
((You certainly have an eye for details! Especially when I've forgotten them, it definitely works though))
The glyphs on the back of the Lady are at least "Charm", maybe "Enchant" as well, and quite possibly some more could be extracted by a skilled thaumaturge.
Clackety-clack, goes the minecart, whisking across the void. Bwoop, goes the magic barrier as you slice right through. ((I can't recall Phykalla's exact method of getting to the kobolds, did she use the lift on the south side of the abyss? I think that might have been damaged at some point))
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 9, 2021 15:38:16 GMT
Plan was using the lift on the south yeah. Oh no that got damaged?
I have a toolbox, various scrap metal, and the dungeon architect perk. Could I repair the lift?
I really should ask the kobolds for a map of this cavern they live in. They have gone pretty far on their mining escapades (I forgot to ask for what they are mining)
This is a really weird method of organizing the tea party but it is easy enough because phykalla.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 10, 2021 4:34:49 GMT
Also I forgot but before this I would like to make a bowl of jello using my red gelatin. And some very thin honeyed quetzal worm meat sandwiches with the dungeon sourdough.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 11, 2021 4:54:02 GMT
Jello: Congealing.
Sandwiches: Delicious.
Lift: Oh wow, you are incredibly qualified to deal with this. You've throw together a pulley system without much effort where the lift was before, using some rope ((that I'm pretty sure was in some CB0 stash or other)) and the existing socket. You wouldn't trust it to move a piano, and it's not as comfy a ride as before, but it works just fine.
While you're fixing the lift, hammering away at the rock and rigging up the system, Helnelya comes out to greet you with an escort of kobold warriors, and, woah, what must be an ogre wearing a huge pile of armour and a massive rune-marked collar. The kobolds have been busy.
((Also they are mostly digging out living areas for themselves))
"Fair greetings large friend!" calls the scout. "It has been much too long, our queen heard word that you had returned to these halls. How have you been?"
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 11, 2021 5:38:11 GMT
“Imprisoned but better now. How are you my friend and what is with this get up?” Pointing to the ogre
If possible I would like to do the conversation with the queen at the same time to save some real time.
“Hello queen, long time no see.”
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 11, 2021 8:48:18 GMT
Let’s see questions I have about the kobolds.
What is their religion like?
For what were they mining?
What do they have for marketable goods?
What are they doing with the ogre?
Who do they have as Allies and enemies?
What maps can they give me? I’m sure they would have information on stuff in the dungeon and would be willing to share it.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 12, 2021 8:45:56 GMT
Helnelya happily chats with you while she leads you into the kobold colony ((or Kobold Kolony)). It's much easier for you to travel through this time, the main halls have been enlarged to allow for larger machines and more of the bound ogres to pass through. All around you scurry the little creatures, you get a few glances and a couple waves as well.
The ogre: "We captured this one down below after it ate a whole mining crew. We've discovered some binding rituals, and will probably eat it once it falls in battle protecting us, likely from more of it's kind."
Religion: "Hmm, we don't hold much truck with anything like that. Apart from our Empress of course, but she's a bit like our dragon, you know? Really scary, and very nice to have looking out for us. She helped us with the binding rituals as well."
Mining: "For space to live, and for more fungi and fish farms. We can't trust any of the other tunnels than the ones we control."
Marketable goods: "Food. Equipment. We reverse-engineered some dwarven mining engines. Ourselves. Maybe someone would buy some of our ogres, they're scary. Eat a lot, but if you're fighting something edible, then every victory feeds them further. Plus, if one of them falls in battle, you can feed them to each other."
Allies and Enemies: "Well, the Gundead in the tower not far from here are a worry, but so far they've kept quiet. The Drow are... well. If we really had to deal with them, our Empress said she'd go in person, or something similar. On our side, we've got, um, you!"
Maps: "We've mostly been sending scouting crews downwards after the disaster that happened on Floor 2. What do you need to know?"
((Please don't make me draw maps, I beg of you!! :D I'm happy to throw hints at you though, and use them to generate areas when you get there))
- - -
The Empress: "Indeed it is, Tall Friend. The halls have echoed, heralding your return. As you can see, my many vassals have been busy indeed. I feel you have come with news and plans. A tea party? Well, I would be honoured! Though I feel - deeper plans, moving behind those astonishing eyes of yours. What do you seek, Phykalla?"
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 12, 2021 9:27:09 GMT
How about can they flesh out the abyss more (this big cavern they live in) stuff like this really messes with my mapmaking and I bet they would know it well.
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 12, 2021 9:31:44 GMT
“I seek to borrow a tea set from you for the party. Additionally if you could message the worm queen to ask if she would host us I would appreciate it. It would save me a little time. Then I can go pick up the lady and meet you there.”
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 12, 2021 9:48:08 GMT
To save some time (as I constantly itch to do with play by forum)
I have some other errands I wish to run if you will permit me which shouldn’t effect the timeline too much (although one could be kinda fun)
I wish to free the rag person from the cage (no reward needed I just want them freed)
Make some ceramic “bombs” using clay by Seymour and the hellfire then fill them with anti magic goo to have anti magic water balloons
investigate and get parts from the robot corpse north of cell block zero
Give the roll of alchemical tape from zavunar the undying to the book bats in the cliff along with some quetzal worm pens. (I may help them with repairs if they wish because I have some word knowledge from EER and a toolbox
I have a couple others that come to mind but they would involve more hijinx and probably are best dealt with on their own.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 12, 2021 14:52:31 GMT
((So it begins...))
Abyss: "Helnelya will take you for a stroll of the cavern floor, and the space that was once controlled by the metallic lizard. While we do not use that area, you might find some benefit in passing through it"
You've got full knowledge of the abyss: - Three pillars, Kobold Kolony, Gundead, and Empty - A shattered runic circle, nearish the Gundead Pillar - A word sulphurous vent, to the West of the Empty Pillar - A broken staircase leading down a Floor, but it's heavily trapped and they don't really want to deal with it - A weird blobby corpse that doesn't seem to either properly rot or stop twitching. It's magical, and they also don't want to deal with it - There's a passageway up a cliff to the north that leads to a foul midden - The former metal lizard site has two main exits, a south one that is heavily trapped and a big one leading west that used to have a large door - ((I regret putting the FMLS on Floor -1, it makes no sense, but whatever. Dungeon geometry is weird at the best of time))
Also, if anything else is generated in the abyss, you can assume that you have knowledge of it.
Tea Set: "Naturally, I shall send a messenger with an invite forthwith."
Helnelya tells you they have been experimenting with walking along the minecart tracks directly above their tower. It took some testing and some messing around with metal and wires, but there is some kind of sensor in the track that tells the carts if something is in the way. They are planning on adding a new track stop to the top of their tower to make it easier to access.
Rag Person: The one in the cage on Floor 0? This might end up being an encounter, so it's a bit finicky
Ceramic Bombs: You make two, it's hot hard and sweaty work, you're not all that good at pottery yet. The third one breaks and showers you with the goop. You hurry to wash it off since you're planning to go and have tea with not one but two Queens and/or Deities soon. You can make more if you like, but it's just awful stuff to deal with, and the scent of brimstone from the Hellfire gets in your hair, ugh.
Robot Corpse: I'm not sure where this one is/was. A large robot was defeated using a Hell Grenade, but that destroyed the body.
Book Bats: You leave the tape and pens there, and when you check again later, they are gone. +1 to relationship with the skittish Book Bats! Remind me of this next time you interact with them. How much Quetzal Worm material have you got left?
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 12, 2021 19:28:29 GMT
I think that is the last of the quetzal worm stuff, wow those tasks all went great.
I will hang with the queen til the message gets back and we can start the tea party.
“The ogres… you seem to be preparing for something. What is it?”
Yeah the rag person in the cage on floor 0 I want to free.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 13, 2021 3:56:21 GMT
They sure did! Phykalla is so heckin competent it is unreal ((and so are you, so yeah))
We will deal with the Ragged Prisoner in due time.
"We are preparing, for every eventuality. My precious followers are brave, strong, feisty, dedicated... and tiny. We need forces to match the beasts of the depths. The ogres, while not as versatile, are that answer."
You've haven't answered the Empress, but she politely lets it slide. "Tell me, have you heard word of the Ash Orcs or the Gems? My scouts haven't tested the Gem defences, or visited that horrid site of butchery where the Ash Orcs used to dwell."
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 13, 2021 4:31:04 GMT
“I have heard nothing of either of them nor have there been any sightings from the other adventurers.”
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 13, 2021 4:33:28 GMT
Oh the robot corpse is north of the dwarven vault.
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