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Post by wingilbear on Dec 22, 2021 12:19:22 GMT
I will give everyone three cards and my bet is between the worm queen and the lady that the lady will solve her visions and name her culprit correctly first.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 24, 2021 9:42:42 GMT
The six suspects are: Archeologist, Nun, Doctor, Sculptor, Magician, Policeman.
The Worm Queen has her cards held up for her by a bevy of small worms: The Hourglass Knight, The Washing-Line Argument, and the Thief in the Hallway. "The Archeologist. A scurrying figure of theft and larceny in the old places, much as the Thief in the Hallway. All else is noise. Perhaps our ghostly quarry was strangled and robbed, but it matters not. They died."
The Lady has hers displayed by a kobold waiter: The Sunset Bridge, The Moonlit Tower, and Doves and War. She spends quite a while thinking, before saying, "The Sunset over the Bridge perhaps is the sunset of life. The Nun and the Policeman are the most elderly, but the Policeman is a creature of war in pursuit of peace, hence the Doves. The Policeman."
The Empress holds her own: The Top-hat Bug, The Cat-fish Thicket, and the Balloons of War. She laughs, "The Magician of course! A top-hat full of tricks, a magical chimera in a fishbowl, and these balloons are merely a delightful distraction."
((Have I done this right?))
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 24, 2021 11:26:25 GMT
(You have done it right in practice but you flip flopped who got each set of visions but that is ok)
After a pause I solemnly say. “The empress is correct. The other two are wrong.”
More cards for the lady and the worm queen.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 28, 2021 12:06:22 GMT
The Lady seems a little perturbed. "Doors, doors, so many doors! Perhaps... the Sculptor?"
The Worm Queen is silent for a long time. Then, giving no explanation "The Nun."
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 28, 2021 12:33:45 GMT
“Both incorrect. We are now onto the final round. Remember you all can help each other and that includes you empress. It is a cooperative game.”
Deals the final set of cards.
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Post by Spwack on Dec 31, 2021 3:18:48 GMT
The Empress seems to be taking a little too much pleasure watching the situation. "If I have any thoughts, I'll be sure to share them!"
The Worm Queen seems a little peeved by her colleague. "Dearest Phykalla. I find these eyes of mine are not what they used to be. Perhaps you would be so good as to describe my hand, as well as that of The Lady?"
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 31, 2021 20:34:58 GMT
“Queen you have a knight or suit of armor sitting in the sands of an hourglass surrounded by roses, a man and woman fighting over a door with clothes on a line above them, a small man running down a red hallway filled with menacing paintings away from a suit of armor/knight, ghost soldiers marching through an abandoned town, a crowned figure with a torch riding a serpent over a gloomy lake, workers on ladders painting over the nights sky over a dark house, a knight swinging the wit sword at a tower in a large field, a carpet and lamp flying over a white city filled with tigers, and green legs walking through mice and skulls with crossbones.”
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Post by wingilbear on Dec 31, 2021 20:40:39 GMT
“The lady has a woman in white going over a bridge, a white gargoyle sitting over a dark street, white doves flying over a black crater filled surrounded by crosses, three visions of doors and windows of various colors and sizes, a black bird flying over a white lake next to a white bird flying over a red field, a broom and ship in the rain at sea, and a rope ladder climbing into the light in a green prairie filled with white rabbits.” “Each image either vision or suspect is overfilled with details giving more for the mind to gloss over or focus on.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 7, 2022 7:00:14 GMT
"Each card certainly does, and yet, I feel much more soothed hearing you describe them so..." says the Queen. She seems a little amused. Have you been played slightly?
"Not the Nun. Not the Archeologist. Not the Magician. So many knights and cities in these visions. Perhaps it is the Policeman, as the Lady said before."
The Lady looks from one card to another. "Perhaps I was nearly right with my first guess. Black and white, doves and crosses, birds and rabbits. The Nun?"
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 7, 2022 14:18:20 GMT
“Hooray! Both correct! We won!”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 9, 2022 10:35:24 GMT
All three of the other guests smile, and several of the waiter-kobolds applaud gently. "Jolly good show!" says the Empress. "Say, would you pass me some more of that tea?" her manners seem to have relaxed a little with the game. "Now Phykalla, you've had so many questions for us, but I must ask, where is it you come from? Anyone miss you, up on The Surface?"
((Phew! That could have been... messy))
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 9, 2022 13:41:13 GMT
“I come from the desert nation of Zon. My father was chief of a nomadic group of traders. I left behind 18 half brothers and sisters but am sure we will meet again. There was a terrible sand storm and I woke up here in the dungeon.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 11, 2022 14:08:18 GMT
"Fascinating. And such a prodigious family, in every way! I truly hope that you will meet again" says the Empress.
"Many blessings on them as well. Would you tell us a little about Zon? It has been so long since I have seen such sights..."
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 11, 2022 15:52:18 GMT
“It’s all sand mostly, scattered outposts. The fungi tribes have laid claim to all vegetation, but if you obey their laws it’s easy enough to make a living. The spirits of the passing storms are very mercurial though so that is always an event and a half.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 14, 2022 7:31:01 GMT
"Sounds like a place of austere beauty. A little like this dungeon, I suppose." muses the Empress. "Unrelated, what did you think of our experiments with the tracks? They may be of some use if relocation is required for some reason. Or perhaps even used for moving forces to a war front."
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 14, 2022 11:55:54 GMT
“Faster travel is always lovely in the dungeon.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 17, 2022 6:12:43 GMT
"Hmm, I suppose it is. I haven't been this far from my lounge in quite some time."
The Lady speaks up. "Oh these adventurers you know, they can't stop still for more than a few minutes at most! Always rushing hither and yon, off to slay some beast or pilfer some treasure. Still, it's not all bad. Some of them rescued me from just the most horrid chamber, and they are just so delightful seeing their scurrying antics don't you know?"
It's at this point that worms start squirming up through hidden holes in the walls, disgorging coins and trinkets in a slimy pile in one corner of the room. "Some of the larger pieces will have to go the long way around, it may take some time to determine a safe route." says the Queen.
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 17, 2022 8:09:54 GMT
“Still safer than one of our heroes carrying piece by piece.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 18, 2022 6:57:39 GMT
"But of course. Hmm, I believe I shall reveal my little contribution to this delightful gathering."
A large stone bowl with an ornate carving is moved onto the table, carved with fascinating swirling runes. Inside it is a large pile of what looks to be black caviar.
"Naturally, my children gladly give a gift of their strength, in both indirect and forthright ways."
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 18, 2022 13:50:36 GMT
“Any particular ceremony or just dig right in?”
If they want me to eat then I will eat.
Rude to refuse a god
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Post by Spwack on Jan 19, 2022 15:11:47 GMT
"Enjoy how thou wilt."
You chow down on the worms. They taste... alright? A smoky undertone, with plenty of salt in the initial bite, and then some kind of slipperiness. There's quite a lot of them, and Empress helps but a little, giving them a delicate (and slightly suspicious) sniff and glance each bite.
You also gain 1 point of "Worms". Huh. Are you going to say anything to the Worm Queen about that? ((As an experienced adventurer, Phykalla has a very good idea of what her own character sheet looks like, if that makes sense))
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 19, 2022 20:39:40 GMT
I believe I should wait until some privacy but I do want to discuss it with the worm queen with some discretion. Something like “Hmmmmm they seem to be setting up shop inside me so to speak. I have come quite far without having a patron because I like you all too much. What does this entail?”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 21, 2022 5:11:18 GMT
You hear (feel) a subtle voice rising from inside your stomach. "How convenient then, that we can speak like this. Don't worry, I can't read all your thoughts, just the ones direct at me. Don't worry, I'm not angling to become your patron through trickery. Such things are simple not done. No, I just wished for you to have the option, should it come to that. My children will remain for a little while, then be on their way. Until then, we can talk freely like this. Is this suitable?"
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 21, 2022 12:41:19 GMT
Works for me. Back to the tea party
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Post by Spwack on Jan 23, 2022 6:52:12 GMT
The Lady and the Empress are having a small debate amongst themselves on the purpose of magic. Specifically, theoretically spellcraft. The Lady is of the opinion that the higher mysteries of the dungeon, and perhaps the universe, can be unlocked if only the correct spell is cast. Such a spell would be the culmination of who knows how much resources, dedicated to pure knowledge. The Empress insists that magic is but a tool. "What is a shovel that cannot dig? What is a pulley that cannot lift? Broken. Even if such things were designed that way, they are still broken, and useless. What say you, Storm-Born? Have you fussed about muchly with magic in your stay down here?"
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 23, 2022 8:11:21 GMT
“I have mostly avoided magic in my travels down here but am slowly using it more because it seems unavoidable. I have some spell beads I should learn to manipulate eventually or perhaps run through a forge and I have been working on a net of occultum silver and gold but ran out of the resources. “
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Post by Spwack on Jan 24, 2022 4:49:43 GMT
The Empress nods in sympathy, she knows what it is like to struggle with limited arcane resources. One of the kobolds comes up and whispers in her ear. "Ladies, I do believe we are about to have an unexpected visitor, one of yours, I believe?" she turns towards you Phykalla. You hear a voice calling up from below the Court: "Ho! Anyone up there? Mind tossing the rope down?" (( fifthdragon))
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Post by wingilbear on Jan 24, 2022 5:33:19 GMT
“They are their own person. Rather new I believe despite the name. It is up to you queen if you wish for them to be invited up.”
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Post by Spwack on Jan 24, 2022 14:06:12 GMT
The Queen sits and thinks for a moment, then beckons over one of the kobold waiters. The waiter listens, nods, and scurries over to the edge of the balcony.
"The Queen of Wormssss sseekss to know if you are a fit combatant amongst this duel of wordssss."
The Kobold Empress looks towards the statue of the goddess. "Are you- oh my, you actually are! Hahaha oh this will be a hoot!"
The waiter continues: "Challenger, you mussst ansswer as badly as posssible. What walksss on four legss in the morning, two legs in the day, and three in the evening?"
"That should keep him busy. Now, where were we? Ah yes. Magic as a tool. My dear Andsaca was of two minds, as far as I could tell. Always seeking the absolute fringe of magic, mixing together arcane disciplines, seemingly just for the sheer delight of it. Then when he did use it, it was as a cudgel to blast anything in his way to smithereens. Ah Andsaca. We will not see his like again... lest he comes a second time of course."
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Post by fifthdragon on Jan 24, 2022 18:35:21 GMT
"A cow cared for by a hungry farmer who carves prosthetic legs in his free time! May I come up, please?" He is slightly annoyed, now, but still willing to be polite.
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