Don't mess with it until we get a translation on what the corridor's symbol said.

Anciu 2012/01/11(Wed)21:32 No. 379359 ID: a83682
File 132634635639.png - (86.65KB , 640x480 , 166.png )

>>379033
The display on the right of it has a greenish line that moves up and down. There's a cyan line that fluctuates but remains close to the greenish one.
translations activated
Spectacular! Device, give me that head-mounted lantern that you made earlier. confirmed
>>379035
Right. No more messing with it for now.

Let's see if there are any signs on the outside of the tower.se shivers when the door opens.there are no symbols to be found
Nothing!? Ugh. Back to the cave it is. Take the lantern back, for now.confirmed
"ooghhuh" Anciu says while in the tunnel
So weird. Alright, the sign for the tunnel is NOT USEFUL. Maybe there's a map somewhere that says what the areas are. The machine seems like the best candidate out of what we've come across, as far as things that might be useful. Maybe it will say what a King's Eye is, or contain information about the monsters, or SOMETHING. Or maybe a King's Eye will take us out of here. I'm going with the machine unless you have better idea.

>>379359
How fresh is the blood? If it's within the last... hour or so, I think we should go down the safe corridor to find the wounded person and help them. They wrote some notes here so they probably know about the area!

[estimate IW costs for creating some universal repair patches/bandages for organic creatures, possibly nanotech if that's a simple method, alternatively purely chemical]

Hm, maybe when we did the extendable pole thing we should have given then a sharp end...
In any case you might want to have the lantern readily availible, as hopefully its warding light works on the monsters from the graffiti.

[query:]When we are in sight range of this 'trapped ether' light, can we analyze it to confirm whether it is the same light our lantern can currently emit?[/query]

The one on the right is a dead end, so we won't find our way out there. As for the blue tunnel, the dial and those red things REMEMBER THE BIG RED SCARY FACES? YEAH DON'T TURN THE DIAL DOWN. I guess that leaves only the red room, but it's marked with the warning of a monster...

What's that thing poking its head out of the blue tunnel? Give it a wave.

>>379403

That's Anciu.

Anciu 2012/01/14(Sat)11:19 No. 379781 ID: a83682
File 132656878980.png - (55.98KB , 640x480 , 167.png )

>>379373
I can't say for sure. It's just a big stain on the floor now. There's not even anything to scrape off. I'll guess that it's very old.

purely chemical universal bandages require too much IW to calculate for no cost.nanotech variety would cost IW 1 for an extremely small amount
>>379377
That might have made them harder to transport. Maybe we should make some more items that are just plain weapons after all.

yes
>>379390
Yeah, I won't adjust the dial.

Two of you want the tunnel on the right, right? Let's have a look.
the tiny sphere Anciu carries begins humming again as se goes through the passageway
...Huh.
Oh, that's disorienting. More gravity weirdness. It looks like these pedestals with the floating triangular prisms are "King's Eyes". I wonder what the significance of the name is. Shall I try turning it, like I did with the first one?

Might as well; there are no other visible exits.

>>379781
Turn that thing.
[estimate IW costs to predict effects of the King's Eyes, or a thorough analysis of what they are]

Anciu 2012/01/17(Tue)16:10 No. 380462 ID: a83682
File 132684540984.png - (67.07KB , 640x480 , 168.png )

there is another spheroid on the pedestal.it hums along with the one in Anciu's pocket
These spheres have to be for some purpose, don't they?

>>379815,>>379830
In the absence of more specific guidance, I'll turn it to where the trail leads. "Hhh,"se exhales while doing so.
warning.you are about to do something dangerous That wasn't nearly soon enough to [[I am ending this sentence prematurely]]-
WHOA [[SHIT]] WHAT IS THAT THING!? "EEEEGHHHHH!"

prediction of effect is free.thorough analysis requires IW1

Don't worry, we got this.

[deploy mobile turret, presumably free action?]
[use that weaker form of the untranslatable ability on the monster, free action]

While we try actions, you should probably get out a pole, as a makeshift bludgeon is better than nothing.

Anciu 2012/01/19(Thu)19:32 No. 381066 ID: a83682
File 132703034317.png - (72.00KB , 640x480 , 169.png )

>>380475
"Eeeeeh!" I'm not fast! I can barely dodge this thing!
>>380464
turret deployed.untranslatable ability used-SSSSSKRRRRRRRRRRP- "ERGHHHH" That is an AWFUL NOISE. the creature is held in place while the space it occupies bubbles -PEW- then it is shot by the turret
Anciu exhales loudly
What a mess... se extends a pole and pokes the dead creature with it
This is disturbing. This corpse apparently occupies non-contiguous space. Its texture seems to change depending on its position and orientation, too. A shame your device doesn't usually provide video. I hope this thing wasn't the baby of something intelligent...
Do I still... go into the new area? What if there are a lot of these, or something worse?

>>381066

With all due respect, it was a floating maw. Chances of intelligence are 0%. More likely it was just the appendage of a hyperdimensional creature who even now seeks revenge.

>>381075
You never know with creatures that live in non-euclidean territories.

I am vaguely in favor of continuing onwards.

Anciu 2012/01/22(Sun)12:22 No. 381608 ID: a83682
File 132726375318.png - (50.18KB , 640x480 , 170.png )

>>381075
>>381107
You're right that it could be an appendage! That would also be reeally bad.
I don't want to go very far right now. I'll explore a little bit further, but then I'll return to the machine.

there is a droning sound that grows louder as Anciu approaches a glowing area, which turns out to contain a small body of liquid
The blood trail leads into...wow, this attractive pool. se pokes at it with a pole.nothing unusual happens.se touches the end of the pole that stirred the water, briefly.noticing that the liquid doesn't hurt, se feels it more thoroughly
Well. The device warns me of danger. So [[I'm about to do something]]... Anciu removes hir clothing and slowly enters the pool
Oh, wow. "Ahhh..." This is pleasant.
...Whoa! The fatigue in my upper limbs has dissipated, and I feel slightly energised! I wonder if that's what the sign at the entrance refers to.

>>381608
A healing pool. Neat. I wonder if the water keeps its healing properties when removed from the pool?
[is that the case?]
[if so, store a couple gallons of it]

Anciu 2012/01/24(Tue)20:21 No. 381973 ID: a83682
File 132746530718.png - (149.80KB , 640x480 , 171.png )

>>381612
healing properties are lost very rapidly after removal
Awww... I was really hoping for that to work. Anciu sighs
Alright, it's back to that machine for me. se swims out of the pool, gathers hir items, and returns.after some effort, se removes all the outer panels of the machine
I don't know what any of this is! How fascinating! I CAN see that some things have broken. I beliiiieve I can repair them. with more time, se proves this belief correct
Ok, this looks like the power cable... And this part should activate it. I would so like to analyse this device further! I'm going to try turning it on instead. the machine powers on slowly, then
"4 2? What are you doing here?"
EEP

The float-bot wanting to talk is better than I was expecting. Tell it you are preforming repairs on damaged machinery.

>>381973
No knowing what it's intentions are. We may be considered to be trespassing. Worrisome. We have the turret though. Just answer it's questions, feel free to ask who they are, what this place is, where any exits are...

[analyze robot for general information, especially weapons]

Anciu 2012/01/28(Sat)22:23 No. 383033 ID: a83682
File 132781818506.png - (90.30KB , 640x480 , 172.png )

>>382198
any part of robot can be used as a weapon against suitably soft targets, such as Anciu.touch robot to acquire general information?

[[GOD]], I didn't even hear it walk up behind me!
>>381973
>>382198
Good thinking. I might as WELL tell it the truth.Anciu turns around to face the assumed robot
"I'm repairing damaged machinery. And who are you, and what's 4 2?" I hope the translation will work both ways...
it leans in close to Anciu
"Why do you ask? I am 3 3. You are 4 2. Aren't you? No... You are someone else. 4 2 is also here somewhere." it leans back, and asks, "Who are you? Why are you repairing damaged machinery?" Hey, it does work. That's excellent.
"I'm Anciu. I was repairing this machine because I hoped that it would help me to escape this whole place." se gestures in the general direction of everything "I want to return to my home. I don't know how I got HERE, though... The situation is kind of a mess."
"It does contain a map, but that won't tell you how to get out, because it's not labelled that way. I don't know where the exit is, either. I just know that there is one. Sorry."
"Oh... I see." 3 3 looks upward
"4 2, I know you can hear me. Is this your host?"it looks back at Anciu "Sometimes it just doesn't feel like responding."
"What IS 4 2?"
"Oh! Oh right. I didn't answer properly the first time. I am the third of the three-dimensional constructs created by The Machine. 4 2 is the second of the four-dimensional ones."
"What's The Machine?" 3 3 staggers backward slightly in surprise
"Why, it was one of the creators of the Project of Accumulated Reality."
"That's the name of this universe," it adds.then it shakes its head and says "4 2! Respond! Gosh!" stomping one 'foot' and gesturing to the ceiling with open 'palms'

Hello 3 3. We did not recognize you due to a total memory failure we had recently. Aside that we are functioning properly as far as we can tell. Anciu here is a temporary host. Our main one is in a different universe.
Could you summarize what happened to this place and why you remain here? Knowing the abilities of the local creatures would also be useful.

>>383033
...wait a minute...

Anciu, where are we? Where is the Device?
[speak: "Are you trying to talk to us? Are we 4 2?"]
[also how are we supposed to touch the robot?! I haven't seen our physical object anywhere!]

4 2 wouldn't happen to have a really ugly toothed purple maw would it? Because if not you're in some 4 dimensional trouble 3 3. If it is uh... oops.

Anciu 2012/01/30(Mon)21:50 No. 383558 ID: a83682
File 132798901406.png - (76.86KB , 640x480 , 173.png )

>>383077
It's like I said a while ago. I don't KNOW where the device is! We can still communicate and it can still send and receive items.

section of device within Project will temporarily shift spassitudinally to touch 'robot'
...Aha?

>>383033
>>383077
>>383195
messages relayed to 3 3
"Of course, the charges! Hello! You are not 4 2, but I'll sure talk to you until it feels more responsive. All the hosts are temporary, I think. I think that's how it works. Anyway, this place isssss norrrmalllll? I saw 3 4 a while ago, and last time I went outside, I saw 4 1. There's still the population of other subjects here, too, not just the servants! 4 2 was only here briefly, after its creation. After that, er, I don't remember if the shadow-dwellers had arrived yet, but they are here now! I know a few of the King's Eyes were in place already. So uh, pretty much just more extensions were accumulated. Stuff fell in to the Project, the main subject population fluctuated..."part of its face swivels around "That's about it. The local creatures, wellll that's kind of hard but some of the big ones can open intradimensional tunnels and the SMALL ones might be poisonous and the medium ones might use tools and you know that's kind of dangerous. There's a LOT of stuff here. Can't really pin it down... I'm sorry, was that more talking than you wanted?"
"It's fine with me. Can you help me escape, in any way?"
"I guess if you really don't want to stay, I can accompany you while you try to find a way out. You can all ask me things on the way!"
"I really don't want to stay."3 3's 'head' makes some weird, vaguely expressive waving motions
"Well, ok. I'll follow you."
"I think we should look at the map before going anywhere."se turns back to the machine
"Although, some of the other things look useful too."
"Yep. Definitely.
Useful."
displaying translations

>>383558
So, 3 3, what are your functions? Is it alright if we touch you to get some data on your composition? ...do you know what created the device we are using to communicate? It sounds like it could have been created by someone involved in this place.

Anciu, you may as well try every option. Map first, why not.

[determine if we can shift spassitudinally permanently, or if that is even a good idea at this point]

Anciu can stay or not stay, but this is very important 3 3. We have limited resources known as Impulse Weight. We have no idea how to produce more of these resources, and Anciu has expressed that we may not be able to do so until we get her out of here. Thus even if we wanted to stay, we have no choice. We're on a limited budget, and if we stay too long we will be powerless.

Anciu 2012/02/02(Thu)21:16 No. 384010 ID: a83682
File 132824617931.png - (93.66KB , 640x480 , 174.png )

[[oh lawdy I'm sorry for all the text :( ]]

>>383560
"I am a servant of the POACR's creators. A construct created to um, do whatever!" it flexes its fingers
"Mostly building stuff for The Machine, but The Carver uses me occasionally and The King is welcome to but he hasn't. Ever. Without orders I just go to sleep until something wakes me up, like you guys! Yeah, you may touch me. And the device you are using is 4 2, so The Machine is who created it."
"Ohhhhhhh! That still leaves plenty of questions! How did 4 2 come to my universe?"
"I'unno." Anciu droops suddenly and frowns with a "hnf," and returns hir attention to the machine

Alright. Let's see, ok this changes the selection and then...Ha!
Heyyy, it's 3d. And HIGHLY symbolic. And...
Anciu:"Wow, this is frustratingly extensive. We need a way to narrow down the choices by a loooot."
"An exit is definitely not uh. Hmm." it kicks at the ground "At a node where 4, nor where more than 6 connections meet unless the number of connections is between 17 and 23. For sure. That's an insight I picked up about the structure."Anciu is unfazed
"Can you make this map reflect that somehow?"
"Yeah, here, scoot." Anciu makes way for 3 3, who makes such rapid adjustments that Anciu has no hope of keeping up "Now the ones it's narrowed down to are all marked differently. And they'll stay that way."
"Sweet! That still leaves a lot, though."
"Yes, hmm. Sssssomehow we'll find more details!"it throws its hands in the air excitedly "There's a bunch of stuff lying around that I can't read, but maybe 4 2 can. Like on that thing."it points to the structure labelled by Anciu as 'I don't know'
"Of course! I haven't even looked at that since we got translation going."
"Oh, marvelous."Anciu selects the 'Hierarchy' option on the machine, having figured out how to get back to the menu mostly by quick luck.incorporating data into displayed visual

proposed action is possible with IW1 and not recommended

>>383561
"Oh, operating on reserves? Mm-hm, I can see that being a problem. I can't get you more or anything, but that's important to know. If that happened, I think part of the device must be somewhere else! How did you get here?"
"We don't know."
"Ohhh, well."

displaying net of 'I don't know' object

>>384010
Oh-ho, so the Device is 4 2? This means it can talk on its own. It has not for as long as we've interacted with its assistance. I wonder why that is?

Your choice on what to do next, Anciu. Myself, I'm interested in this Chat menu option.

[4 2: Alright, now I know for sure you think for yourself. Why would it not be recommended for us to shift more of you here? Wouldn't that let us use IW unrestricted? Can you tell us more about the circumstances of us getting here?]

>>384014
It is possible some advisor subsystems are still working while the main 4 2 is indisposed, though I suppose it probably would't hurt to ask.

Incoming and outgoing through the trapped 'aether'. That sounds suspiciously like the way out, if there is a way out that doesn't involve dying. There is also the un-numbered area from which the subjects entered, but it doesn't say whether you can go out that way, or if it's out at all. A node with 1, 2, 3, 5 or 17-23 connections probable leads to the trapped aether. But if outbound is through the trapped aether, why does it translate as being "trapped"?

Anciu 2012/02/05(Sun)13:22 No. 384510 ID: a83682
File 132847692699.png - (181.68KB , 640x480 , 175.png )

3 3 acknowledged
"There we go."

>>384014
>>384022
It has talked, sort of. Never when unbidden... you're right.

I am interested in that too! Let's see what it does.
"You want to converse with some of the subjects?"
"I don't want to sound utterly single-minded, but do THEY know anything about escaping?"
"Mmmmaaaybe ssssome of themm?"
"Good enough! What's the Aether, by the way?"
"It's the stuff of the universe... more or less. The spaceworms use it to make their spacewormholes. They can't use it to enter areas like the one we're in, though, because the Aether here is bound. The Shadow-Dwellers can't get in because it's too concentrated here, but they don't care if it's bound or not."it paces in a small circle while continuing to face Anciu while it says this.stopping, it says,"err, is that helpful?"
"I will have to ask more about it later!"3 3 makes an odd dancing motion to which Anciu blinks and turns back to the machine again.se is able to sign in as a guest and picks a chat room equivalent that is based in area 11
MRZERO:Greetings, guest!
guest:Greetings, MRZERO! I've just ended up in the POACR by accident.
MRZERO:My, how unfortunate. Are you interested in escaping?
guest:Yes! Very much so.
KAST:That's a shame. We don't get a lot of newcomers.
MRZERO:I believe Area 11 is connected to an area that is connected to ANOTHER area, which has an escape route. Perhaps we should meet, and look for it together. What do you say?
KAST:I like that idea.
"Hey, I could use an excuse to visit some of the other subjects."
"Uh, ok. How long would it take to get to Area 11?"
"About 2 days, if we walked."
"That's longer than I'd like! How can we get there faster, aside from ambulating more quickly?"
"We could try to find 4 1 and ask for transport, or maybe hijack a spaceworm. 4 2 could probably take us there, but it might take a lot of reserve impulse weight."
"Is the spaceworm thing... practical?"
"Mmm, uhhh, no, but it might take less IW than teleporting."

proposed action (spassitudinal translation) would exacerbate timespace fragmentation.potentially,depending on manner of conduction of action.unknown

Ehh. This time I'm simply unsure of what the best option is. Until now I've mostly had an opinion one way or the other!
displaying Area 11 and connected areas

Toastline 2012/02/05(Sun)14:42 No. 384577 ID: a83682
File 132848174935.png - (205.46KB , 640x480 , 175.png )

[[oops here's the actual correct version of the image]]

We might as well try finding 4 1.

Anciu 2012/02/07(Tue)15:15 No. 385111 ID: a83682
File 132865651028.png - (11.85KB , 640x480 , 176.png )

>>384616
guest:I'm not sure when I can get to Area 11. I'm a sort of tube-shaped thing with six tentacles, 4 eyes, and 2 wings... Is that distinctive? Would you recognise me if you saw me?
MRZERO: Most definitely. I'm a grey thing with a long snout, 2 legs, 2 arms, and 2 eyes.
KAST:So am I. We might bring a friend or two.
"Should I mention you?"
"You might as well. They should know who I am. 4 1, too. Maybe 4 2, but probably not actually..."
guest:3 3 is with me too.
KAST:What? REALLY? How did you manage that? I don't know ANYONE who's seen 3 3!
MRZERO:That is impressive. We'll have to talk more about it when you get here.
guest:We're going to look for 4 1 now. Maybe we can be transported quickly.
MRZERO:Best of luck! We'll be waiting for you here. You can contact us with the usual chat, like you are now.
KAST:Good luck!
guest:Be well.se leaves the chat
"So how DO we search for 4 1?"
"HEY 4 1 ARE YOU HERE?" Anciu rubs hir head
"You don't have some kind of special communication method just for creations of The Machine?"
"Nnnnnnope. Let's go outside."
"Wait. I'd like to do this as quickly as I can. How about this: We start on the path to Area 11 and call for 4 1 on the way."
"Yeah, that should work. Hey do you have a light?" head lamp appears on Anciu's head
"Ok good. You'll need it to protect you. The shadow-dwellers can't do anything to me because I'm imbued with ancient magic against that sort of thing, but you're NOT."
"Right."they go outside. There is no path leading away from the entrance area
"Oh yeah so um someone turned the King's Eye away. 4 2 can turn it remotely or we can take a longer path."
turn King's Eye back? (IW1 will enable 501 remote turnings.current IW: 39)
I vote yes...

>>385111
That many remote turnings for 1 IW seems quite efficient. Sure.
[how much IW would it cost to find 4 1?]

>>385112
Agreeing with this.

Anciu 2012/02/11(Sat)19:12 No. 385934 ID: a83682
File 132901633239.png - (284.72KB , 640x480 , 177.png )

[[aaack sorry, didn't mean to take so long with the update]]
>>385112,385525
task completed.pathway appears
between 0 and 3 inclusive
That doesn't sound TOO bad... How much would it take to get 4 1 to us?
unable to determine
Hmm.
they spend a mostly uneventful time walking, until 3 3 stops.Anciu follows suit
"I haven't been over in this area for a while. Things've changed around a bit. Basicallyyyy I don't know what to do to get through here."
IW cost to get through? 5
WHAT. WHY? powerful interference in the area
Fine.
"Why is there a puzzle thing here."
"This universe has a mind of its own! HEY 4 1 CAN YOU HEAR MEEEE?"
Let's see if we can figure this out, then.
Anciu tosses a pole into the blue area.it acts normally, but after several seconds, a ghost of it appears, following its exact trajectory, and bumps the original pole out of the way.se presses the reset button and the ghost disappears, and the pole flies back out where 3 3 catches it
"Huh. Good catch."
"Huh, was it?"
I'm thinking 3 3 should be the one who tries out whatever we come up with, from this point on.

>>385934
[+1 IW to locating 4 1]
[how much IW would it take to determine what the objective of the puzzle is, exactly? Push all the buttons at once? Push a specific one?]
[is the blue area dangerous?]

Try throwing a pole so it hits a button. Or heck, if the blue area isn't particularly dangerous to 3 3 it could go in there and push buttons. From a distance. While keeping away from its shadow-copy.

What happens if you throw a pole in and do not reset? Does the 'echo' only follow the initial path of the pole, or will it continually push the pole while following it until it reaches a corner?

[[Apparently I have too much going on to update as frequently as I'd like. So, do you guys mind terribly if I keep going sporadically, or should I try to pause until I can be more reliable?]]

>>387022
[[I don't see any particular advantage for not updating as opposed to updating less.]]

Anciu 2012/03/18(Sun)18:18 No. 393954 ID: a83682
File 133211993297.gif - (1.08MB , 640x480 , 178.gif )

[[geeeez I didn't mean to take this long. Really sorry! D:]]

>>385939
>>385947
task initiated
1 or 2
not intrinsically

Anciu throws a pole so that it hits a cyan button, which creates a buzzing sound.the 'echo' continually pushes the pole while following it until it falls off of the platform.now generating new pole to replace it.
se throws another pole so that it hits the purple button, at which point several things happen.a small cup appears, visually similar to the 'echo' of the pole, and another button turns purple.the reset button is pressed before this pole falls off of the edge like the last one
"Maybe we have to press all 3 buttons at once and do something with the cup. How destructible are you?"
"This thing can't push ME around!"
"Er, great? Ok, how about you go in there and maybe avoid the duplicates of yourself. Take a pole, if you want."
"I'll try it without a pole first." it does.displaying simple animation of sequence of events, sped up
I uh, am kind of lost here. It reminds me of a few computer games I've played. I'm not sure if that's a helpful association or not...

>>393954
It looks like you may have to interact with the summoned ghost objects. Like, put the long thing into the cup. Did a third object appear when the third button is pushed? Perhaps you are supposed to push that when the two shadow-objects are united.

Anciu 2012/04/06(Fri)00:21 No. 398971 ID: a83682
File 133369690631.png - (207.28KB , 640x480 , 179.png )

>>394059
That is how it seems. No third object.
"Try putting the second object inside the first one and then pressing the third button."
"Mmyup, ok."
after several experiments, the following new things are determined:
-the second object does not fit inside of the cup
-pressing the third button while the items are pressed together has no special effect
-the two green ghost objects do not experience duplication like the externally introduced ghost objects
-the second object is a sledgehammer.the cup does not break when 3 3 hits it with the hammer (when this was attempted, the cup was flung out of the blue area and disappeared instead)
-none of the ghost objects exist outside of the blue area
-pressing buttons with the objects does not have any special effect
-all ghost objects turn off after about a minute has elapsed, when the sun engraving's eyes light up.at that point, the area must be reset
-letting go of a button does not end a blue ghost object, but it does end its green one until the button is pressed again
-the platform's gravitation goes in the same direction on all of its accessible faces, making it impossible to stand on the bottom

I'm sure we can figure this out. You can try to give us more ideas, get the device to solve it for us (for a hefty price, apparently), or just wait and see how long it takes for us to do it...

You could try smashing the panel with the eyes on it, using the sledgehammer.

Can the poles extend far enough that you can press a button from outside the area? Using that you could probably have 3 3 do the same thing as before while your press the third button.

Anciu 2012/04/26(Thu)12:36 No. 404897 ID: a83682
File 133546898262.png - (160.12KB , 640x480 , 180.png )

>>398975
3 3 tries this on the next attempt.the face cracks from the force of his strike with a noise like a gong shattering.pieces flake off of the bottom of the platform

"WHOOOAAAAAAAAA! A... are you FANTASTICALLY strong, or what!?"
"Oh, well, I guess. I built things for The Machine. I could take apart just about aaaanything here, too."it wiggles its fingers "I don't think a direct approach like that is going to work on this! Mmm, better reset it."
the pieces reattach to the platform and the cracks fuse back when Anciu presses the reset button

>>399101
No, unfortunately.

[[This may be a bad spot for it, but it seems I need to put more attention into game development than I have been, so, I'm going to have to put the quest totally on hold for a while! Thanks for sticking with me so far...]]

>>404897
Does the order in which you push the buttons make a difference?