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Post by fifthdragon on Feb 2, 2022 3:04:28 GMT
"Filled with danger yes, but I would be with allies and we would not be stranded without a way back to safety."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 2, 2022 3:51:44 GMT
“What about your companions? We will see what the others think. It seems perhaps I should do the exploration of floor five myself though.”
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Post by fifthdragon on Feb 2, 2022 4:09:03 GMT
"My companions are my responsibility- I cannot rely on them to protect me as it is my duty to protect them. Besides, Porter is still a boy and is hardly capable as an adventurer, if he does have strong legs and the occasional decent idea. Blade is fully capable, here, but her skills are rather focused. Someone with dungeon knowledge, someone skilled with magic, and someone with healing arts are what I would need to feel safe throwing myself into such a dangerous area without knowledge or retreat."
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Post by Spwack on Feb 2, 2022 7:40:07 GMT
When you mention the Gundead Tower, the Empress gives you a wry smile, almost a grimace. "I was wondering when you would mention that. I must ask you a question Phykalla. The Gundead are a dangerous fighting force, it is true, and their tower is very close to my own. Why do you think I would leave such a faction standing in my area of influence, and not wipe it out of existence?"
One Way Portal: "I would be willing to send my scouts with you through this strange portal Phykalla speaks of, with plenty of supplies to last the trip. However, I may happen to have in possession an artefact of sorts, a way to escape certain death and return to my demesne. It is highly valuable, of single use, and extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, but knowledge of the Upper Floors would be extremely worthwhile. I would caution you though, returning via a staircase or an emplaced portal would be safer (and useful intelligence) should that option arise."
"And besides. These nameless halls are full of stairways, ladders, pits and chimneys, minecart tracks and portals, chutes and shafts and rivers and roads. I would hazard that your journey to Floor +5 would see you find a route back down by chance before long."
Worm Queen Blessing: "The pleasure is all mine. It seems you will be heading on quite the adventure, and it would be my honour to play a small part in such an endeavour."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 2, 2022 8:08:26 GMT
“For starters the gundead mostly keep to their tower so they aren’t a huge threat if left alone, the gundead tower is heavily trapped and while the kobolds are unrivaled geniuses when it comes to devising traps they do not do well with avoiding traps or taking them apart. Additionally there is the black goo to consider.”
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 2, 2022 8:28:31 GMT
“We can skip the gundead though if you all don’t want the extra supplies, as I said they mostly stick to themselves. I have been meaning to take a peek on flights of fancy and as usual have a long to do list.”
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Post by fifthdragon on Feb 4, 2022 4:52:56 GMT
"With the assistance of the Empress's scouts and the blessing of the Queen, and of course with a token of luck from the Lady if she would bestow one, I would feel more confident performing that exploration. I will return soon with my other companion Porter, they will accept the offering of the Queen, and your Highness the Empress, if you would allow me to meet your scouts to discuss with them the time and location and strategics of our departure?"
Assuming they do and the Lady gives me no more than a word of encouragement and a blown kiss of good luck, which is all he expects, Pops is ready to begin that no doubt lethal exploration.
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Post by Spwack on Feb 4, 2022 5:26:24 GMT
Gundead: The Empress smiles at you. "You're correct on all points, but I must sadly inform you that you have missed the forest for the trees. Right now, the gundead fully and safely occupy that tower. Even if a few of them are killed, I believe there are caches of them- well, suffice to say, it would take quite a lot of effort to burn them completely out. Once I had done so, I would need to reinforce, restock and re-trap a structure I have just spent considerable resources clearing out and potentially damaging. In the meantime, I would have my forces split between the two locations, and be very loudly and publicly advertising that I was distracted. And we both know someone that would take advantage of such a situation..." The Lady: "Oh but of course! It would not do for me to be so lacking in my encouragement. Come here Pops, for I have words for you, and you alone." As you lean closer, she whispers in your ear "The Welcome-Lost-Stone is close by. Beware their kindness, seek their cruelty, and always watch the hands." Scouts: "It will take me a little while to gather the scouts and prepare the additional asset. I will send them to your end of the minecart track once they are ready, should that be suitable for you." Worm Blessings: "Your followers can visit me whenever they wish. My children shall look after them, and return them to you safely."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 4, 2022 9:09:25 GMT
“No worries, let me know if you all have any ideas for how to best use our time.”
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 4, 2022 9:25:17 GMT
“You are all much more knowledgeable than I. Jello anyone?”
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 4, 2022 13:20:07 GMT
“Oh and pops, you have four employers now so best not to disappoint.”
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Post by fifthdragon on Feb 5, 2022 0:31:17 GMT
Allright, then I head back to CB0 , get porter, here his report, and bring him to the Queen for a bowl of caviar to share with Blade.
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 5, 2022 3:04:01 GMT
“Lady, your talk of romance and magic, it seems there is some chemistry between you and the professor.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 6, 2022 6:31:50 GMT
Use of time: "Well, with Pops heading to the top of the dungeon, perhaps you might seek the lowest levels instead? And I would certainly have more jello, you do spoil us so Phykalla. What recipe did you use?"
Romance: "Fi fi! We are but colleagues!" says the Lady, blushing shamelessly and fanning her face a little. "What would make you say such things?"
"Farewell for now," says the Empress as Pops and Blade leave. "May the halls treat you well. I look forward to the success of your venture."
((I'll swap back to the other thread))
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 6, 2022 8:18:46 GMT
“You seemed so interested in the romance stories of others lady and keep discussing the professor. I was curious if you had love on your mind or at least flirtation. Queen, The jello is made with Dried slime mixed with water. Some use dyes to change the colors but I prefer using the various colors of the slimes that occur naturally in the dungeon. I have some other plans that will occupy my time while pops explores the upper levels. Last time I was on some of the lowest floors I wound up trapped by massive fire spirits, dreadful business. Probably wouldn’t be able to go that far down again without fire protection and I am not sure if I want to even do so. There was some adventurer I recall that was very curious about going as low as possible and even went so far as to use a dwarven mining machine powered by blood.
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Post by Spwack on Feb 7, 2022 15:00:03 GMT
"I- I- I don't know what ever you might be thinking of even possibly insinuating!" stammers Lady. The Empress smirks and flicks her fingers, making rose coloured bubbles float up and pop with a bevy of longing sighs. "It's nothing like that!" the Lady forges on. "The Professor is just so, so, so dashing. And insightful!"
You've never heard a vending machine described as dashing before, but first time for everything I suppose.
"Flame spirits hmm? I seem to recall a story about fire magic. So long ago it was, I can't for the life of me recall all the details. Oh it's just on the tip of my tongues..."
The Empress scoffs. "Oh dwarves with all their blood-rituals and mega-weapons and dug-too-deep-and-greedily. Trust me, Once I get a couple of my younglings helping out with that mech of yours, you'll wonder how you ever did without." She tilts her head. "Down here, things descend more easily than they rise. Old and powerful things last the ages, but sink as they go, especially those without the wherewithal to keep an eye on their Floor."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 7, 2022 17:33:07 GMT
“None of them could be so charming as all of you. Mmmm I did know a rather dashing statue once, when he was gifted life he grew angels wings.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 9, 2022 0:37:03 GMT
"Oh stop it you!" says the Lady.
"Oh, pray tell? A statue as in... made of stone? How did this gift of life occur?" says the Queen. You feel the full weight of her attention on you.
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 9, 2022 1:06:16 GMT
“He was a robotic moving stone statue that was gifted life on the lower levels by a large arch that gives life to anything that has passed through it. Lots of pebbles wandering about down there. I wonder what became of him.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 10, 2022 6:03:20 GMT
"I wonder as well indeed. If you find this Not-Statue, pray ask if he would visit me. I have questions for such an individual, as well as a desire to make his acquaintance."
The Empress squints a little. "Sounds like quite an artefact. Granting life to anything in close proximity, with no ritual preparation? There'll be steep costs there, somewhere in the process. Curious."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 10, 2022 7:00:42 GMT
“It seemed as if it was meant to be some sort of trap, have your weapon turn on you that sort of thing.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 11, 2022 8:53:47 GMT
"Right, that makes sense. But still, such an immense effort made for something so fundamentally mundane. You could make dozens of similar traps for a fraction of the investiture. A magnetising trap and a swinging blade, or even a Dancing Blade curse. It's strange..."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 11, 2022 16:36:02 GMT
“Much of the dungeon confuses me. It’s not for me to reason why.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 13, 2022 8:15:00 GMT
"But whyever not? Phykalla, you are a force of reason and order and justice! You stride the deep places and consort with gods and goddesses," she gestures to the the tea-party "why would you not try and reason why? Of all of us, I would hazard you best-placed to seek answers, and thereby, power."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 13, 2022 12:39:22 GMT
“Alas I know it all is temporary. Eventually I shall leave this place. Perhaps I will return for visits but I don’t really know. Family and friends to return to you know. I miss them.”
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Post by Spwack on Feb 14, 2022 14:28:11 GMT
"No doubt you do," says the Lady, touched by your display of emotion. "And, speaking of leaving, should we be heading out soon, your Wriggling Highness?"
"I mind not," she replies. "I'm hardly busy."
Do you have more things to ask these three Phykalla? You are welcome to stay as long as you wish, the company is pleasant and the locale well-lit and well-defended.
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 14, 2022 19:48:19 GMT
Probably gonna head out after some polite good byes and thank yous. Had fun and some good company. Didn’t really get much for rumors but that is ok. Did what I wanted to do Hoping to catch the kobold empress on the way out and say something about it looking like our bet was a draw.
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Post by Spwack on Feb 16, 2022 12:04:44 GMT
((Glad to hear it, I enjoyed it a lot as well!))
"Mm yes you are correct. A draw indeed. I'm sure we'll have a chance to have a flutter again soon, not to worry. Tell you what though, if you can secure your end of the tracks, I'll send a message-bold around every day or so to take letters."
She seems much more informal as you move away from the tea-party, holding out a hand one of the kobolds places a lit black cigarette between two of her tiny fingers. "And, if you see my no-good-dirty-rotten-nephew around these parts, tell him..." she takes a deep pull, and breathes out a curling black cloud full of menacing, half-seen shapes. "Tell him, Auntie says hi."
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 16, 2022 12:29:52 GMT
“Will do, let me know if you would like me to open that vault.”
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Post by wingilbear on Feb 16, 2022 12:38:50 GMT
If she doesn’t take me up on that offer then I am off to cell block zero for supplies and to work on cleaning up the track
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