Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)20:10 No. 367957 ID: 64b5b0
File 132219424177.jpg - (14.31KB , 700x500 , 15c.jpg )

>>367954
>>367952

Both valid ideas, you are, however, prepared to run, even as you step forward tentatively.

Then, your eyes grow slightly more accostumed to the lack of light, you start seeing contours better.

This rock was shaped purpousely, is your guess. You realize your heart's been skipping beats, though. Sending shivers through your body as you try to calm yourself.

>>367957
God damn rock pranksters. That thing might kill someone one day! Oh well, onwards to answers to questions about where you are and stuff.

>>367957
This is a troll turned to stone. Offer a KIWAPPLE.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)20:26 No. 367964 ID: 64b5b0
File 132219521727.jpg - (19.75KB , 700x500 , 16.jpg )

>Proceed
>>Notice something glowing.

It's actually pretty faint, but in the darkness you noticed something that wasn't there when you were trapped in the rubble earlier.

Your markings are glowing, and you appear to have a slight pattern going, though most of it vanishes some time later.
You question the wisdom in licking magical rocks.

Then, you focus on the task at hand, to not fall into the abyss right next to where you're practically hugging the wall.

>note:

What looks to be the exit is just up ahead, the fog is a lot thicker on this side.

Another set of eyes. Check if these ones are real.

>>367964
Looks like you're near the exit. There might also be another set of eyes there, they could also be carved but you should probably try a greeting before assuming anything.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)21:31 No. 367972 ID: 64b5b0
File 132219911754.jpg - (11.63KB , 700x500 , 17.jpg )

"Eyes? what eyes?"
You wonder, seeing nothing of the sort at present. especially not a few steps away from the exit.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)21:39 No. 367973 ID: 64b5b0
File 132219958875.jpg - (20.83KB , 700x500 , 18.jpg )

You produce a RED KIWAPPLE and chew on it for both comfort and celebratory reasons while making your way down the conveniently conjured dirt road, wondering why there was no road on the other side.

>Onwards

Let's, uh, hurry out of there. Disappearing eyes are never good.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)21:53 No. 367976 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220043591.jpg - (32.46KB , 700x500 , 19.jpg )

>>367974
It's pretty late when you finally arrive in town as described, even if you did hurry.
It's still raining, but at least the fog is gone.
The town is nowhere near as small as the book said, you even passed a castle on your way here.
But right now, you're wet, and tired.
Two of your less favorite things, you agree.

For a town this size though, and it is sizable, it's pretty quiet at night.

>>367976
Okay, let's look for an inn-- craaaaap, we don't have any money. So we either have to rob someone, do some menial labor, or live in a cardboard box. Let's look for opportunities!

>>367976
It could be that the book is very old. Anyway, lets try to find an Inn. There should be a sign or something out front.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)22:10 No. 367982 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220143409.jpg - (30.76KB , 700x500 , 20.jpg )

>>367978
>>367979

You immediately find one and scuttle inside the door, if only to get out of the rain.

The innkeeper, you assume, looks like some sort of vagabond.
As unnerving as this is, he doesn't seem to respond when you timidly try waking him with words.

Inquire at the price of a room.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)22:24 No. 367984 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220226275.jpg - (25.10KB , 700x500 , 21.jpg )

>>367983
Try as you might, you simply cannot rouse the man using.... words?
You're suddenly wondering whether you speak coherently or not.

Followed by the realization that while you are trying to speak proper words, they come out as squawks, chirps or hisses.

Way to go, ash, you sure taught language a lesson.

Well, shit. I'm starting to think our brain-meats aren't working all that well. We probably got some brain damage from that collapsing roof.

Well, let's see if there's anyone else in the Inn. Maybe they can help us? Assuming we can write if we know how to read, then we can write as a form of communication.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)22:43 No. 367986 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220342882.jpg - (23.35KB , 700x500 , 22.jpg )

>>367985
You find noone.
Not even inside the rooms. though clearly, most of the rooms appear occupied, so you leave them alone. You're growing tired.
And you almost start to seem to hallucinate, the only sound is the wind outside, rattling the old, wooden walls gently

poke the area between door 11 and 12

>>367986
This place is practically a flood of bad vibes. Let me guess: there's no room 13.

Maybe we should think about getting the hell out of here. Maybe there's a bunkhouse or a nice wooden box we can stay in. Livin' the dream.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)22:56 No. 367989 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220420717.jpg - (20.94KB , 700x500 , 23a.jpg )

>This place is practically a flood of bad vibes. Let me guess: there's no room 13.
>>Maybe we should think about getting the hell out of here. Maybe there's a bunkhouse or a nice wooden box we can stay in. Livin' the dream.

It does give you the shivers, yes, but so did that obelisk, and you know how that turned out.

>poke the area between door 11 and 12
There does seem to be something here.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)22:59 No. 367990 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220439821.jpg - (23.23KB , 700x500 , 23b.jpg )

>.......

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:00 No. 367991 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220442445.jpg - (26.15KB , 700x500 , 23c.jpg )

>---

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:01 No. 367992 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220446990.jpg - (26.17KB , 700x500 , 23d.jpg )

>Mark

Now where have you seen that before?

Monolith. Maybe we shouldn't have licked it.

How does magic work? Is it channeled through one's body or based on words of power? Because I think something might trigger if we channel magic into that thing.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:16 No. 367995 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220541566.jpg - (32.82KB , 700x500 , tomepointer.jpg )

>>367993
You consult your MINITOME.
You'd almost forgotten that thing, but it contains all you know about magic and more.
-Mainly as a side effect of you knowing next to nothing.

"Magic channels varying on its category. Summoning and curseweaving would be words of power. Sorcery is force of will. and other such things. Some magics are even based purely on imagination, but also that much harder to control or power up."

Which leaves you with no answ-

WHat's this on page one here?

>>367995
Okay, so maybe there's nothing negative to it. I mean, it's on the first page of a magical text, so it's not like it's a world-ending thing.

Is there any explanation to it?

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:38 No. 367997 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220670523.jpg - (36.44KB , 700x500 , 24.jpg )

>>367996
Signs slowly start appearing on the DOOR, which seems to have appeared. You wonder at the safety of sticking around, but glance at your MINITOME.

It's a sign for change of some kind.
The signs around it appear to tell what kind of change. In this case, it is a lock. A big lock, says the first two signs. So a vault?

Third, or southwest, is unintelligible, you simply cannot make it out, it looks broken.

Sign four.... Remains undecrypted in your MINITOME.

You assume the original owner of it never got that far.
Does this mean this town has something to do with the monoliths? That's at least a day or week away, depending on route.

You glance down at your MINITOME once more.
It appears to be glowing. flipping to the last page on its own, letters appearing.

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:44 No. 367998 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220708835.jpg - (23.12KB , 700x500 , 25.jpg )

>"GOOD LUCK"

PANIC

Blackspot 2011/11/24(Thu)23:58 No. 368000 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220793432.jpg - (11.68KB , 400x400 , 26.jpg )

>>367999
Panic achie-
OHDEARGOD ARE THEY MULTIPLYING?

ready death rays!

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)00:10 No. 368002 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220862402.jpg - (5.09KB , 400x400 , Deathrayno.jpg )

>>368001
You don't have any of the sort.
You wish you did.

then ready whatever you have in the way of killing things.

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)00:24 No. 368008 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220945256.jpg - (12.44KB , 500x400 , 27a.jpg )

>>368003
You don't really have much of anything unless you can read your MINITOME, which you cannot, in darkness...

Something smells poisonous..

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)00:24 No. 368009 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220949388.jpg - (7.04KB , 500x400 , 27b.jpg )

>Lights are on!...... and it's back to normal?

read your tome and shoot a blast over the box near the ceiling. just to be sure.

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)00:30 No. 368011 ID: 64b5b0
File 132220981173.jpg - (7.55KB , 500x400 , 27c.jpg )

>>368010
There's nothing there.
And thanks to your misfire, everything itches something fierce..

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)00:34 No. 368015 ID: 64b5b0
File 132221009025.jpg - (23.03KB , 650x400 , 28.jpg )

Coast seems clear.

You keep your scarf up as it gives you a feeling of being sneaky, if only an imaginary feeling.

now there's a door 13 or something over there.

>>368017
So there is.
>Behind is also a brick all.

A brick wall...? Poke it.

Maybe there's something in the gap!

Try drawing the lock symbol backwards on the brick wall. maybe it will open it?

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)12:05 No. 368090 ID: 64b5b0
File 132225151012.jpg - (66.55KB , 512x512 , dark_brown_brick_texture_tileable.jpg )

>>368065
>>368062
>>368029

You try all of these things, the BRICK WALL is pretty much unaffected.
There's also nothing here.
Drawing the symbols don't really work without drawing tools... There is a small draft of cold air, however.
Instead of poking the wall, you decide to tap it a few times, there's definately space on the other side.

>You glance around nervously, just making sure you're alone. Which you are, for now.

Let's grab some charcoal from the fireplace and use that.

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)12:31 No. 368095 ID: 64b5b0
File 132225311884.jpg - (22.22KB , 650x400 , 29.jpg )

>>368092
Charcoal it is then.
You need to find the fireplace of course, as you have no idea where it is in this building.

You figure you'll head back to the inn's entrance.
You contemplate whether you'll carry it in your hand or not, you don't want it smudging your MINITOME or your KIWAPPLES, and least of all you want it all over your SCARF.
Your hands will do, you suppose... provided the charcoal isn't too large.

I'd assume it'd be in the main room or entryway. The place where all the people sit. Failing that, maybe there's one in one of the rooms.

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)13:04 No. 368099 ID: 64b5b0
File 132225507451.jpg - (54.56KB , 700x500 , 30.jpg )

>>368096
You make your way down the stairs to where the FRONT DESK is.
Or was.
It has now turned into the RUINED DRINKING HALL.

You encounter the ARMED GNOLL.

Um. um.

Okay, if it does anything threatening, then bolt to the nearest window and jump out. If not, then it was probably just a routine bar brawl and is nothing to be worried about.

Wave at him.

Blackspot 2011/11/25(Fri)13:22 No. 368102 ID: 64b5b0
File 132225612810.jpg - (14.82KB , 400x400 , 31.jpg )

>>368100
>>368101

You are ready to bolt, you've had enough scary stuff happen already.

You do, timidly, wave at him, testingly.

>BE THE GNOLL
You are now the ARMED GNOLL.
You've never really seen this kind of creature before, but you raise your hand in greeting for a moment, reflexively mimicking her.
You introduce yourself as..?

>>368102
Coxswain Beautte, intrepid gnoll adventurer.

Jeremy Franswain, professional gnoll alcoholic. This is probably another of your drunken hallucinations.

>>368103
>>368107
Coxfranswain Beautte, professional alcoholic gnoll adventurer.
Friends call you Fran.

>>368102

Fred Rogers

>>368141
That would explain the sweater

>>368131
Franny, you should offer the nice hallucination something to drink.

>>368172
Second this.
While you're at it, compliment her on her fine choice of knitwear.

Blackspot 2011/11/26(Sat)17:59 No. 368297 ID: 64b5b0
File 132235917744.jpg - (27.71KB , 800x512 , 32.jpg )

>Introduction is in order
You are a gnoll, therefore, simpleminded.
From the jumbled mess of your thoughts, you glean that you are
SWAIN FRANBAUTTE, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER.
While you do not entirely know what a gentleman is, your mother made it out to be a nice thing.
And you want to come across as nice.
You introduce yourself as such.

>>368172
>>368238
You complimment her on her fine choice of knitwear, which makes her smile a little, even if she seems nervous, and assure her you would offer a drink if this TAVERN wasn't such a RUIN.

You offer to shake hands just to make sure she isn't a hallucination.
She shakes back awkwardly with both hands.

She seems to attempt to communicate, but you're unable to understand much of the chirrupy, hissy noises. Except what seems to be a name. Ashley? You can see why.
You think?

You are not sure, but you now know you see no hallucinations, that's sure a load off your simple mind.

>>368297
Now that you know that the hallucination is real, Franny, you should attempt to help the poor mute girl with whatever she needs, This likely including directions and telling her stuff about the town and its folk.

Okay, cool. I think she can understand us, but she just can't talk. Maybe you can find the nice lizardthinglady some writing implements?

Also, I will be very disappointed in you if it turns out that it was you who turned this fine inn into a ruin.

Blackspot 2011/11/26(Sat)19:03 No. 368320 ID: 64b5b0
File 132236303291.jpg - (23.32KB , 800x512 , 33.jpg )

>>368318
You did indeed make a few holes here and there.
But it was already a RUINED DRINKING HALL, as far as you can tell.

>You are now Ash again.

>>368317
You listen intently as the gentleman(?) adventurer explains that it is not safe here and you'd both best be going soon, but it's not like you'll get anywhere.
He tells you that he also assumes you are new to this area, and that ever since the storms started, noone's really been able to travel further than perhaps a day or so in each direction before returning to the town's door... gatestep?

Swain also mentions something about metal men and marionettes stalking the streets. and asks if you have any means of defending yourself.

Growl at him. Bare your teeth.

When that fails, maybe do something magic-y and fire related.

Can we defend ourself? Teeth won't do that much against metal or other inorganics, and we don't know all that much magic.

Blackspot 2011/11/26(Sat)19:16 No. 368327 ID: 64b5b0
File 132236376913.jpg - (22.60KB , 800x512 , 33x.jpg )

>>368323
Your teeth do seem scary, but not all that bitey.
Your claws haven't really become rending tools yet.

You settle for b. And show him your meager control of fire.
Meager, albeit you just started learning from your MINITOME.

You alternatively offer him some KIWAPPLES to throw. He eats one right out of your hand, he thanks you, but doubts they are good weapons.

Such a gentleman.

...idea. Let's set one of the Kiwapples on fire... and then throw it at something.

Shrug.

>>368328

And waste a delicious kiwapple? D: Madness!

Also the tried and true method for the inexperienced fire mage: set your friends' arrows on fire so they can shoot the bad guys with fire. Though only heating a metal arrowhead in fire would do any real damage against metal men.

If you don't have any adequate weapons with you, you may as well try to find some. There should be something in the tavern that can be used as a makeshift weapon.

Have your friend Frany break off a chair leg for an improvised club.

Blackspot 2011/11/27(Sun)08:45 No. 368411 ID: 64b5b0
File 132241233339.jpg - (32.49KB , 800x512 , 34.jpg )

>Such a gentleman.

>>...idea. Let's set one of the Kiwapples on fire... and then throw it at something.

>>368370
And waste a delicious kiwapple? D: Madness!
They are far too delicous to burn and toss.
Though you wonder if you could roast them and eat them.... You make a mental note to try this out later.

>Have your friend Franny break off a chair leg for an improvised club.
You ask Swain if he could at least make you a club. He agrees. But he also reminds you only to directly confront marionettes if you ever have to fight. The metal men are far too sturdy, Even his gentlemanly wailing at foes does not harm those giants.

Marionettes are easy enough, just don't let them spew smoke on you, it burns in the eyes something fierce.

You offer thanks for the advice. In the form of a happy squeak.

Swain hands you the BROKEN STOOLPIECE, now dubbed CLUB

Get outta there!

Ah, marionettes! That is a good deal more potentious than metal men in general. All you have to do to defeat them is defeat the puppet master, or else cut their strings. You are now armed with clubtorch. Exeunt!

>>368411
Before you leave the building, you should try to find out about what's behind the brick wall sealing room 13.
Ask Swain if he has spotted a fireplace, so you can finally get some charcoal. Or, failing this, ask him to break the wall down.

By which we mean gesture for him to go up, point at the 13 door/wall, and make a gesture of a magic symbol; because I think we still can't speak.

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)14:41 No. 368885 ID: 64b5b0
File 132269290831.jpg - (28.82KB , 800x512 , 35a.jpg )

>>368480
>>368482
By some miracle you manage to gesticulate that you want to check something upstairs.
Swain was going to do that anyway, he tells you.

But first, you crab some old CHARCOAL off the firepit that once might have warmed this RUINED DRINKING HALL.

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)14:42 No. 368886 ID: 64b5b0
File 132269297621.jpg - (32.85KB , 800x512 , 35b.jpg )

>Try to break the wall
Swain excercises ADVENTURIAL MIGHT in a GENTLEMANLY SAVAGE FLAIL at the wall.

It seems to cave in.

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)14:45 No. 368889 ID: 64b5b0
File 132269310761.jpg - (26.96KB , 800x512 , 35c.jpg )

>Excelcior!
Well, this reveals a whole lot of nothing but a DARK STAIRCASE descending downwards.
The entrance is mighty small, Swain remarks. He'd have a bit of trouble getting through there himself, but he could manage... the problem is that a few of the bricks still seem to be in the way.

>>368889
You however, are an easier fit.

>>368889
Nice. Spend a little time moving the bricks for easier movement through the door before we go down...

Also summon up some fire for a light.

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)15:33 No. 368900 ID: 64b5b0
File 132269599037.jpg - (40.02KB , 800x512 , 36.jpg )

>>368892
You proceed making space for Swain and his equipment, mainly his shield. Gnolls love their shields.
He has no explanation for it. Must be the pretty colors.

You steel yourself or more EXPLODNG MAGICAL MISHAPS when...
Oh, nothing happens.
You provide light.

Like a boss.
The tunnel you seem to be heading down into is fairly long. And quickly goes from brick, to wood, to natural rock and dirt wall.

Well, we don't have much else to do. Onwards!

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)16:35 No. 368920 ID: 64b5b0
File 132269970093.jpg - (42.25KB , 800x512 , 37.jpg )

You arrive at the ALCHEMY LAB.
It's dusty, but in good condition.

Swain promptly sates his hunger with a PIECE OF BREAD from the LOAF OF BREAD that he carries a POUCH nailed to the back of his SHIELD.
He also takes a swig of water.

You light up the blue coloured RESIN TORCH on the nearby wall.

Examine SHELF.

What's that, a scroll?

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)17:18 No. 368935 ID: 64b5b0
File 132270232940.jpg - (17.32KB , 800x512 , ohdear.jpg )

Oh dear god, not another scroll.

Lick it
Determine volatility of SCROLL.

Blackspot 2011/11/30(Wed)17:52 No. 368942 ID: 64b5b0
File 132270434243.jpg - (28.67KB , 800x512 , shelfexamine.jpg )

>>368924
>>368936
The scroll seems safe, but it's sealed, so that's a pretty sketchy assessment, you figure.

There's also a MINI MARIONETTE, a MORTAR & PESTLE, a bowl of CANDIZED APPLEKIWS, relative fruit of the KIWAPPLES you carry and a small box of TOOLS. One is a SMALL HAMMER, a CHISEL and a FOLDING KNIFE. There's also a a GLOVE in here that seems like it could protect against heated surfaces.

Methinks this is the workshop of the creator of the metal men.
Take the scroll and the knife, and show Swain the marionette, to see if he thinks it looks like the ones outside.

Examine the workbench. See if it gives a clue as to the previous occupant's last project.

>>368947
this and
>>368967
this

I'll hopefully update tomorrow, been unable to conjure a post on account of being rather busy lately.

>>368942
Equip glove. Maybe it'll make it easier to cast flame spells without fearing backfires.

Blackspot 2011/12/12(Mon)07:23 No. 371733 ID: 64b5b0
File 132370343298.jpg - (18.49KB , 800x512 , 38.jpg )

>>368947
You take the SCROLL and KNIFE. Though the knife seems the least useful out of all the tools in here, barely able to spread butter on bread.
>>370079
The GLOVE seems like a bad idea since your experience with the BOX exploding, the fireballs come -from- you, NOT -near- you.

You decide to bring the GLOVE and everything else over to the table however, it looks like it's meant for whatever workshop this is. And the ALCHEMY TABLE does have some bubbling things on it.

SWAIN says the MARIONETTE doesn't look anything like the other ones, this one doesn't move magically.
It has 'hair' and looks to be made out of METAL, not WOOD.

>>371733

Inspect the bubbling things on the table. It may be of use to us.

As for the seal on the scroll, is it physical or magical? Is it possible for us to break it, as to read the scroll's contents.

Blackspot 2011/12/12(Mon)07:58 No. 371736 ID: 64b5b0
File 132370552436.jpg - (28.36KB , 800x512 , 39.jpg )

>>371735
Examining the table, you try to convey what you want Swain to focus on, it takes a little while but you kinda manage to tell him few things, using your MINITOME.

You both find out there are lots of MIXTURES on the right side of the table.
The middle has CARVINGS, and the STONE BACKING has a sort of ALCHEMIC MANUAL. Reading the manual (as you don't read this particular language) Swain tells you that seems to be some sort of POISON in one end and a VIGOR potion in another setup. and a third collection, MIXed of the two. He has a bit of trouble understanding the rest as he's no alchemist.
He's a GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER, so at least he can read STANDARD ARCADIAN.

On the left side of the table, however. You ask about those MARIONETTES
Swain notes they are EXACTLY like the DAYTIME marionettes.

He knows the NIGHTTIME ones are different. But not how.

>>371736
Hmm... so what can we do here? Are the potions already mixed, or is that something we can *make*? If it's already mixed then let's grab the potions we identified.

As for the marionettes, what do they do when moving magically? Just dance around?

Are there any other exits from the room?

Take the potions. Is it safe outside?