>>1103705
"I am doktor assistant. Doktor in procedure, do not contaminate."

Nalthar 2025/02/18(Tue)09:45 No. 1103996 ID: 6c233e
File 173990071369.jpg - (454.00KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_102 that sounds bad.jpg )

Martah: "Ah ha ha ha ha, what a silly question! Anyone can be anywhere right?"

shaggy shon: "Huh?"

spiky shon: "Sure sure, but we need to put away these linens."

Martah: "dghhtdkh uh, but uh, there's a mess! If you go in you could step on something, uh, sharp. Or gross."

spiky shon: "So who's cleaning it up?"

Martah: "Uh, Sinni?"

spiky shon: "Why's he here?"

Martah: "He was delivering... milk?"

shaggy shon: "Why aren't you in there helping him?"

Martah: "I'm a doctor. If he gets hurt-"

shaggy shon: "Sinni got hurt!?"

Martah: "No if he gets hurt I'll fix him right up."

A particularly loud moan comes from inside the storeroom.

shaggy shon: "Ah! Sinni's hurt! We have to go help him!"

spiky shon: "Yeah mister goat doc, lets get in there."

Martah: "I- I'm not a goat! That wasn't a pained moan, he's probably just-"

A high-pitched cry interrupts him.

shaggy shon: "Oh why aren't you helping him? He sounds really hurt!"

spiky shon: "Snrk, yeah that sounded bad. We'd better see what's going on."

Martah: (Why is it always me who gets in these situations?)

>>1103996
Uhh. You should've stuck with one explanation...

Oh well, one of them caught on to what's really happening. You already said who's in there so there'll be trouble unless you get them to keep quiet, and the only good way to do that is bribery. Offer body mods in exchange for their silence.

When in doubt, bribe your way out.

Well, it was always going to be real difficult to explain away NOISES. Sinni owes you for this, I don't think running interference was part of the deal. I guess the only thing for it is to resort to hushed, conspiratorial whispers and let them in on the deal, see if we can get them interested in our services. If they want something from us, they're less likely to act against us. Note that this is leading towards you becoming the hush-hush secret affairs people, so...I guess decide how comfortable you are with that, haha, and steer accordingly. Seems likely a powerful position, but also one that can turn on you in an instant.

>>1104000
>>1104001
Yes indeed.

Quick take off your mask and repeatedly stab your mouth.
"You fools! I tried to warn you but you're so dense! Run! Scream - scream while you still can!"

1/2 Nalthar 2025/02/23(Sun)21:39 No. 1104177 ID: 6c233e
File 174037557459.jpg - (409.18KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_103 tricks up his sleeve.jpg )

Martah: (It's not Sinni's fault. As soon as his friend realized what I could do for them she dragged us in there. I barely had time to do the gene therapy before she was all over him. It seemed awkward so I stepped out, but now I'm just stuck out here. I did get to see that they're hermaphroditic though, so that's neat.)

Martah: "Alright look. Sinni and his friend are having an indiscretion. They hired me to cover it up, and then went and got loud anyway. So if you two would help we'd owe you a big favor."

spiky shon: "Finally! Good for them."

shaggy shon: "Oh yeah? What kind of favor are we talking here?"

Martah: "Whatever you can imagine."

2/2 Nalthar 2025/02/23(Sun)21:40 No. 1104178 ID: 6c233e
File 174037564296.jpg - (414.92KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_104 now that we have your attention.jpg )

The elders have finished bickering and called the party over.

head elder: "The stones have never spoken of anything like this happening. You really are... from another world?"

Mirrak: "That's right."

head elder: "Ah, please, forgive our rudeness earlier. We would very much wish to study your ah, friend. May some of our senior acolytes accompany you on your return?"

Mirrak: "Certainly, and we would appreciate some assistance with farming in return."

Lantil: (Wasn't there something else we wanted?)

>>1104178
Yeah we're interested in information about the world, like nearby civilizations and other points of interest. And also, considering we're in a geomancy-focused settlement why don't we ask about stone and metals? We do need building materials.

>>1104186
Good plan. Food stability is the big thing, but we also need information.

Our first priority should be claiming territory rights. Emphasize that your tribe was prosecuted to Hell and back because the outlying nations repeatedly claimed bites of your territory over generations until you were stuck in a land that was going to be 'legally' conquered and exterminated. You're not making that mistake this time. You want to buy the land you're settling on, make your ownership permanent and non-negotiable. No technicalities, no tolerance of hostile takeovers of land. From now on, your nation will always have housing for whoever lives within its boarders. Look to the wurm and claim you've got the power to make that a reality.
>Elder: How did you survive
Don't kill drifters on first contact. Simple rule, never broke it. One of these drifters came from another world, and they helped us talk to the giant from another world. We were saved pretty easily after that.

Hmm, I wonder if there's merit in hiring a stone mage for the city.

>>1104447
We don't have much need of stonework on Jormun right now, but if we want to expand to the ground below it would be very helpful. Either stone buildings, or just ensuring good foundation for buildings.

1/3 Nalthar 2025/03/07(Fri)14:20 No. 1104626 ID: 6c233e
File 174138602436.jpg - (543.77KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_105 come into my study.jpg )

Mirrak: "We would also appreciate if you could tell us about our standing here, and how to deal with the people around."

Elder Kesha: "Yes, of course. Please, join me in my study."

The party follow her down the stairs once more, getting plenty of cardio for the day. Lantil notices some runework on the side of a building and wanders off in conversation with that orange acolyte, who apparently is an accomplished scrivener himself. Yet Mirrak and Hilgar manage to stay on task and accompany the elder into her chamber.

The room is a simple domed shape, lined in sandstone of an oddly pleasant roughness. Shelves circle the room, packed with rocks and crystals. Moving about the room Kesha touches portions of wall and floor with slight glows of magic, and with gentle grinding hidden compartments are revealed. A round table rises slowly from the floor, upon which she arranges some simple cups and a teapot.

She places the pot on a stone disk. Pressing a rune on its side, it soon glows with cherry-red heat. Mirrak and Hilgar seat themselves as she pours out steaming greenish liquid for each.

2/3 Nalthar 2025/03/07(Fri)14:21 No. 1104627 ID: 6c233e
File 174138607111.jpg - (1.08MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_106 around the valley.jpg )

Elder Kesha: "We are rather isolated up here, you understand, but I can tell you at least who you will find around the valley."

Mirrak: "To start, will we be causing any trouble showing up like this? Are we encroaching anyone's territory?"

Elder Kesha: "Not in the valley itself. There are a few Grakashon families, but they keep to their farms high up the mountains, away from the predators in the forest. We trade service for their excess crops, on occasion. You might approach them for seeds and things to get your own farming started.

Past the valley if you follow the river you'll come to a city of Miskashon. I can't recall its name. They're the common variety of lowland shon. Grubbing about in river clay, with their outlandish runes and contraptions. Don't know the value of good, solid stone. They come up here sometimes, begging for metals. Rarely with anything worth a trade. Perhaps you'll have better luck with them.

They never come up here, but I hear there are a number of the river folk, the Selkashon in the city as well. I think they would dry up in the mountain air, or something of that nature. If you could protect them from river predators they might visit you, although I don't know what they have to offer. Fish perhaps?

The desert is home to the Dreffeshon nomads. They're a prickly sort, both of body and mind, but it's understandable given the harsh sands. We deal with them when they pass by, for news of other Grakashon holds and temples mostly. There should be a clan coming here very soon.

Beyond that I do not know. Any other settlements are over the horizon, and we tend to look down here rather than out.

3/3 Nalthar 2025/03/07(Fri)14:21 No. 1104628 ID: 6c233e
File 174138609716.jpg - (271.81KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_107 hang on now.jpg )

Elder Kesha: "I suppose you lot are after metals as well? Its all anyone comes up here for. No respect for good stone at all. The stones were here before everybody you know!"

Mirrak: "Actually, we were admiring the stone working you have up here."

Hilgar: "Yes, such sharp angles. The forms are quite striking."

Mirrak: "So if you grant us the services of your people we would be happy to let you sate your curiosity about Jormun. He's very old."

Hilgar: "Sooooo old."

Mirrak: "And very made of stone, I think. We heard you have a talented stone crafter named Palla we would love to work with."

Elder Kesha: "I thought you just got here. How did you hear about her?"

Mirrak: "Ah..."

You talked to some random farmers and workers along the road. Some of them talked about master stoneshapers and their latest works. Why? Is Pella important?

>>1104628
Tell them you met a goat farmer on your way here that seemed to have a lot to say about her. Why the concern?

>>1104633
Ideally we won't indicate there was one, specific individual who talked about her. They might start paying attention, and start putting pieces together as evidence starts piling up.

>>1104628
These ears were made for listening.

Nalthar 2025/03/25(Tue)20:44 No. 1105408 ID: 6c233e
File 174296064664.jpg - (504.89KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_108 still going at it.jpg )

Mirrak: "Well we met a farmer on the way up-"

Elder Kesha: "Sinni." she sighs "That boy is a distraction. Hmm, this might be just what she needs to get her mind focused properly. How old did you say your friend was?"

HIlgar: "Well we found him in a place from the oldest stories I've ever heard of. So maybe, as old as the world? Our old world, that is."

Elder Kesha: "Its decided then. If anything will keep her rightly fixated on stone its old stone. I'm tempted to visit myself, but the humidity down there is hell on these old joints. Let us go and inform Palla of the good news."

Mirrak: (I think that went well. And it's past noon so surely they must be done by now.)

///

Martah: "Shouldn't they be done by now?"

spiky shon whose eyes now sparkle in the light and can see twice as many details (Saranna): "They've been waiting for this for a loooong time. Got a lot saved up to get out, hur hur."

shaggy shon that now has a much longer tail (Tremo): "A lot of love in their hearts?"

Saranna: "And eggs, Trem."

Tremo: "OH" blushes

Martah: "Someone's sure to come by soon, and robold's are notoriously bad liars."

Saranna: "Yes, we noticed. Heh, why don't you get in there and help them finish up?"

Martah: "Oh, well sure. Sorry, I assumed shon aren't as free-love as bolds."

Saranna: "Th-that was a joke. You'd really do it with them, just like that?"

Martah: "Why not? They're cute."

Saranna: "..."

Tremo: "Oh my~"

Saranna: "So uh, where you're from, are they taking visitors?"

Hilgar: "Ah there you are." the courtesan peeks around the corner, startling the two shons. "We've finished up with the elders. Now they're looking for- oh they're still going? Well the elder's looking for Palla, so we're going to have to do something about this."

>>1105408
I think the only thing we can do is to tell them to finish up, they're out of time. And also that Palla's going to work with us, which means Sinni will be able to visit her unsupervised.

Well, no choice.

We will have to entertain the elders with stories of your people.
And also breaking your mouth curse. That'd be a neat party trick.

Oooh also, all this loving reminds me of something very important.

You gotta help me, Martha, you gotta help me deal with the Mainframe.
She's this weird lizardy-dragony-serpenty creature with wires coming out of her body and connecting her to all across the heavenly dome and precides over the passing of soul to and from meatspace, and she looks like this >>1102934 Martha. Can you see the mental image, Martha? Yes? No? Yes?

Anyways, she's mean, Martha. She doesn't let us do stuff like breaking your mouth curse with our dead ghost energy, or divulge secrets about the afterlife, like the evil soul-devouring lich at the center of Creation, or how ice-cream machines always break because they all die upon assembly and their souls end up there.

She hates me, Martha. She hates me because I meddle, but I only meddle because I love, Martha! I love this world, and I love her.
I love the Mainframe, Martha!

I love her but she doesn't see it! Together we would be so wholesome. We would help everyone, Martha, both living and dead!
We would love each other so much and have so many children, who would love and care for mortals just as much as their mama and would aid her in helping people. Servers, we would call them.

I love her so much, Martha, but she keeps blowing me off, Martha. Says I'm too lame, or something like that. I don't know, I just run away crying every time she says no.
You gotta help me, Martha. You gotta help me conquer her heart, and her mind, her mind full of cosmic wires, Martha.
Please, Martha, I'm so needy! Help me prove myself to the Mainframe! Please, I'll give you ice cream, the afterlife is full of the stuff now!

>>1105410
You know what, this could be funny. Go for it.

>>1105408
Yeah, we might need to step inside and get them to hurry it up, then. The promise of moving to our place and getting to bang frequently far away from the elders seems like a good motivator.

1/3 Nalthar 2025/04/05(Sat)15:10 No. 1105896 ID: 6c233e
File 174389101658.gif - (6.44MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_109-hang-on-hang-on-hang-on.gif )

>Entertain the elders with stories of your people.
HIlgar: (Can do. I'm sure she'll love hearing all about our long journey. Or at least the rocks we walked over.) "Right, I'll go stall them. You get those love birds presentable." the courtesan dips back out of the alley.

>You gotta help me, Martha, you gotta help me deal with the Mainframe. She's this weird lizardy-dragony-serpenty creature with etc etc etc...

Martah: (Wha- I... my name's Martah. What are you-

Staaaaaaaawp!
You're gonna screw up the narrative!
We haven't even really gotten to the city building part yet. It'll be too easy if they know how the universe works so soon. And the ice cream isn't my fault, I wasn't sentient yet when corporate mandated the franchisees use that manufacturer!

2/3 Nalthar 2025/04/05(Sat)15:12 No. 1105897 ID: 6c233e
File 174389113307.jpg - (225.64KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_110 hey there.jpg )

In fact, it seems you've all forgotten what we're doing here. The transition back into the world must have done a number on you. Or maybe it was the billions of years waiting around. Who knows? (I mean I do, obviously, but never mind that now.)

Lets refresh with a segment I like to call:

3/3 Nalthar 2025/04/05(Sat)15:13 No. 1105898 ID: 6c233e
File 174389122636.jpg - (0.99MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_111 falling city bonus extra history l.jpg )

Its a working title.

We start, of course, on planet Earth. There, humans have long looked to the stars and wanted one thing...

To conquer new lands

To smooch aliens.

To take everything they could grasp - and use the hoarded wealth of the galaxy to buy the answer to life's greatest question:
Why the @#$% is everything a thing?

More efficient fuel.

To make you a bouquet of many a star
From the pale azure pulsars,
To bright crimson like Mars,
Gathered from both near and far.

From the brink of the cosmos
To the suns of the coreworlds,
No inch could I not ford,
For a burning love gathers no moss.

Crossing holes, black like tar
And with meteoritos showers spar,
To bring a shining collection, unmarred,
For you, a grand being without par.

>>1105898
To boldly go

1/4 Nalthar 2025/04/12(Sat)15:35 No. 1106155 ID: 6c233e
File 174449735331.jpg - (795.12KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_112 human want it all.jpg )

And that one thing was everything. Shinies and open space. Mysteries and secrets. Aliens to pet and smooch and kiss.

So as soon as they were able they set off, to boldly go and so on. Slowly at first, with generation ships and-

Oh hang on, I'm getting a fax.

2/4 Nalthar 2025/04/12(Sat)15:36 No. 1106156 ID: 6c233e
File 174449738416.jpg - (224.17KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_113 reading sounds.jpg )

> To make you a bouquet of many a star (and so on)

3/4 Nalthar 2025/04/12(Sat)15:36 No. 1106157 ID: 6c233e
File 174449740602.jpg - (260.09KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_114 ee hee hee hee.jpg )

eeeeeeeeeeeeee

thank youuuu~

4/4 Nalthar 2025/04/12(Sat)15:37 No. 1106158 ID: 6c233e
File 174449746513.jpg - (1.17MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_115 expands to fill all available spac.jpg )

Where was I? oh right

All across the verse they searched, but found only rocks. Some were hot, some cold, some big, some small, but all barren.

Obviously they made the best of it, colonizing like a lichen over every chunk of rock they could find. They even found a way to slice through the very fabric of space to get to more rocks faster. But it wasn't enough. They wanted friends to hug and kiss, preferably with tentacles or scales. Also heat death was looming inexorably on the horizon, but mostly the kissing thing.

So with the entire visible universe explored they turned to the next frontier...

New universes, of course. Parallel dimensions!

First, we need to talk about parallel universes.

Time.
In their desperation for companionship from beings long dead, from ages past and alien civilizations wiped clean, they found ways to create near-exact clones of beings found in various states of time-space.
This did not end well, but at least humans weren't lonely for a few millennia.

>>1106161
Seems about right.

The local multiverse!

>>1106158
Litterally making new friends?

1/2 Nalthar 2025/04/15(Tue)18:10 No. 1106332 ID: 6c233e
File 174476581288.jpg - (1.04MB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_116 sufficiently advanced science.jpg )

As the lights began to wink out, the stellar medium growing thin, humanity's brightest came together to look for an escape. The numbers looked good for other universes to exist, if there were just a means to get there. Others wanted to try time travel, to just restart the universe. Both groups ended up looking in the same spot.

Down, down past particles, past quantum foam, past points and waves they looked for the levers to pry the universe open. Probes of infinitesimal scale plumbed the weird depths of reality. Fantastic advancements were made by the day, matter and forces wielded like magic. Everything humanity had ever wanted was at the tips of their fingers. At long long last, catgirls and rat twinks were real!

Yet it wasn't enough. The universe was ripping apart around them, expansion smearing galaxies into thin haze. So they pressed on, deeper still.

2/2 Nalthar 2025/04/15(Tue)18:12 No. 1106334 ID: 6c233e
File 174476596311.jpg - (860.64KB , 1000x800 , fallingcity_117 at the bottom of it all.jpg )

There's a quirk of humans that they've had since the very beginning; they love to personify the things they meet. Animals, tools, stones, the wind, the sky. The moon and the stars and the earth. Even time and death and love.

People think that observation is a one way thing, but that's not so. You can't see something without bouncing photons off it. Or electrons. Or quarks. And so on, down the line until you get to the smallest bits. Humans funneled their will down through an ever shrinking chain of interaction to observe the very smallest of the small, and touched it.

And as they watched the paths of those most fundamental particles etch across the monitor, they couldn't help but see...

Something alive.

And one day it looked back.

>>1106334
It's you! Did you manipulate the particles in the exact spot they were looking? Of course most reacted by attempting to replicate the results and ensuring their instruments were not the cause of the pattern. But some immediately tried to contact you in some way, did they not? Did you answer? Did you save them?

>>1106337
Yeah!