1/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:30 No. 1083618 ID: d93edd
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Branches and leaves rush by our protagonist, desperate to escape the thugs chasing them. With heaving breaths, their body crying out in pain from barely managing to escape earlier, despair begins to creep in as they find themselves face to face with an insurmountable obstacle, a massive cliff.

2/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:30 No. 1083619 ID: b62b58
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SPLASH
The dreaded sounds of the thugs boots behind them, and our protagonist turns to face them. Things can’t end here they thought to themselves, they can’t let them ruin the package!

3/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:30 No. 1083620 ID: 027d85
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An Okagou (left) and an Irxui (right) emerge through the forest line. The rain pitter-patters on their armor, and looking at the protagonist with hostility, they realize they have nowhere to go.
“End of the road, looks like.” The Okagou says with a dark chuckle.
“Another step and things’ll get worse for you than they already are.” The Iruxi growls.
They begin to slowly advance forward, clubs drawn.

4/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:31 No. 1083621 ID: 8f3b85
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Our protagonist looks for an escape, maybe they could escape back into the forest! Taking a look at the two thugs, they’d turn their head and begin rushing, only to have a club come down on their head.

“You little wretch!” The Okagou yells as he hits them.

The protagonist drops the package, panic claiming their every thought. They need to escape with it! Another blow smashes into them.

5/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:31 No. 1083622 ID: a307f1
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“Making us chase after you in this fucking rain!” The Iruxi viciously snarls.

A few more blows, and the protagonist lies crumpled upon the rainy forest floor. Before blacking out, they can feel one of the two pick them up.

6/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:32 No. 1083623 ID: e2f484
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“As things stand, they’ll surely die.”

7/7 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)19:32 No. 1083624 ID: 2cf195
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“Think you could do me a favor and help em’ out?”

What do you expect us to do?

>>1083624
Well who are you then?

Put us in coach

1/1 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)20:02 No. 1083628 ID: 57a1b7
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>What do you expect us to do?

”I’ve got a bet with a friend of mine. Without getting into the details, I can impart your collective consciousness into their mind, and from there you can suggest to them and lend them your guidance and strengths! Your first objective is to get them to safety, no matter what.”

”Of course, how you do that is up to all of you. Remember that they’re their own person though. I don’t really know how they’ll react to suddenly hearing a bunch of different voices in their head, and considering their recent injuries…”

”I’m sure you’ll do just fine!”

>>1083628
So basically, you want us to do our job.
Well, come on, go go go!

I see you seen us guide others in need of guidance and would like us to help.

Sure, we got nothing else to do. Though I am curious... you did say guidance and strengths what strengths would that be? normally we just give advice.

Alright, but you owes us some serious smooches after this

>>1083632
And sexy familiars. We want to get paid in contracts with sexy familiars. Among other things.

>>1083628
Wouldn't us helping them be considered cheating or interfering with the bet you've got with your friend?

>>1083634
maybe the bet concerns us, and not the protagonist

1/5 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)21:23 No. 1083641 ID: b325e2
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>Well who are you then?

”Oh! I forgot to introduce myself! Sorry!”

”I go by a lot of different names, but I’m normally called The Whisper. Though if you think we can be friends, you could call me Solo. Either one works really. I’d love to talk more about myself, but I’ve kinda been disallowed from doing so.”

>Wouldn't us helping them be considered cheating or interfering with the bet you've got with your friend?

”Oh no, they’re aware of what I’m doing. This is part of the bet, and while I really can’t get into it too much, I’m hoping you’ll prove them wrong!”

>Put us in coach
>So basically, you want us to do our job.
>Well, come on, go go go!

”Right! I’m glad I could count on you all! Lemme tell you, I was worried you might say no! But before I send you in…”

>I see you seen us guide others in need of guidance and would like us to help.
>Sure, we got nothing else to do. Though I am curious... you did say guidance and strengths what strengths would that be? normally we just give advice.

[i]”The person I’m sending you to is… well a little lacking to say the least. Along with your guidance, you’ll bring along your strengths. But we need to determine your strengths.”

2/5 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)21:23 No. 1083642 ID: b325e2
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”What do you think best describes you?”
>Choose your class.

1. Martial
Has an effective aptitude for martial combat.
Can effectively use any weapon and armor.
Increases strength and dexterity.
Cannot interact with the Weave normally.

2. Caster/Priest
Has a weak aptitude for martial combat.
Uses the Weave to cast spells very effectively.
Cannot effectively use weapons and armor. Armor inhibits casting prowess.
Increases mentals.
Interacts with the Weave easily.

3. Rogue
Has a decent aptitude for martial combat.
Can effectively use many weapons and light armor.
Increases dexterity.
Is effective at skills such as lockpicking, lying, sneaking, and skullduggery.
Can interact with the Weave to some degree.
Can cause great harm to unaware or otherwise occupied creatures.

4. Bard
Has a decent aptitude for martial combat.
Can effectively use some weapons and light armor.
Increase dexterity and mentals.
Can use the Weave to cast spells somewhat effectively while using an instrument.
Is effective at skills such as persuasion, performing, sneaking, and lying.
Can interact with the Weave normally while using an instrument, and is effective at using an instrument.

3/5 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)21:23 No. 1083643 ID: b325e2
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”And do you have a particular talent?”
>Choose your talent.

1. Improved Initiative - Never surprised by sudden situations. Always act first.

2. Greater Strength - Strength category increases, cannot rise above great. (Below average, Average, Above Average, Great.)

3. Greater Dexterity - Dexterity category increases, cannot rise above great.

4. Greater Mentality - Mentality category increases, cannot rise above great.

5. Toughness - Pain does not affect capability.

6. Weapon Capability - Can effectively use any weapon.

7. Armor Capability - Can effectively use any armor.

8. Skilled - Choose two skills to be effective in.
Lockpicking, lying, sneaking, skullduggery, persuasion, performing.

4/5 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)21:23 No. 1083644 ID: b325e2
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”And if you had a choice theoretically, what kind of person would you most like as your host?”
> Choose your sex.
Male or Female

1. Okagou - Wolf/Dogfolk
Cannot see in the dark.
Has a strong bite.
Has a strong sense of smell.
Above average strength.
Average dexterity.
Below average mentals.
Able to power through many conditions.

2. Amurrun - Catfolk
Cannot see in the dark.
Naturally lucky.
Has strong claws.
Average strength.
Above average dexterity.
Below average mentals.
Able to sprint very quickly and fall from great heights.

3.Tachidoki - Weaselfolk
Cannot see in the dark.
Has a bite that can latch onto things.
Has a strong sense of smell.
Average strength.
Average dexterity.
Average mentals.
Can fit into small spaces as if they were small.

4. Iruxi - Lizardfolk
Can see in the dark.
Has a strong bite and claws.
Slow regeneration.
Above average strength.
Below average dexterity.
Average mentals.
Can swim and climb easily.

5. Kobold - Kobold
Can see in the dark.
Immune to an element upon creation (Fire, Cold, Electricity, Acid, Sonic).
Can always interact with the Weave, and has natural magical abilities.
Once per day, they can fire a ray of energy, create a sound, and fire missiles of magical energy.
Below average strength.
Average dexterity.
Above average mentals.
Small sized.

6. Weski - Mousefolk (“That’s my current form! No wings though.”)
Cannot see in the dark.
Can use their tail as an extra appendage and for lockpicking.
Has enhanced hearing.
Below average strength.
Above average dexterity.
Above average mentals.
Small sized.

5/5 The Whisper 2024/02/18(Sun)21:23 No. 1083645 ID: b325e2
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>Alright, but you owes us some serious smooches after this
>And sexy familiars. We want to get paid in contracts with sexy familiars. Among other things.

”Ohh umm… I was told you all were kind of risque. Um… m-maybe? Are you sure you don't want a-anything else?”

Gotta head to bed, will resume tomorrow!

I'm thinking... Caster with weapon capability, to make a spell-blade of sorts. And then perhaps a tachidoki lady.

Bards are underated. lets be a bard.

increase dexterity so we can play our instrument better

Weski cause mice are cute, and good with dexterity and mentality like a bard

and im feeling male right now, tho wont oppose to female.

Martial

Toughness

Female

Iruxi - Lizardfolk

Being able to see in the dark is helpful, along with having natural weapons like teeth and claws. Regeneration will also help a bit.

The class and the race combined should give us Great Strength, Average Dexterity, and Average Mentals.

Martial, Initiative, Female, Iruxi

I agree that Weski bard is the way to go. Maximum dexterity and mentals right out of the gate.

I think we should play to the Bard's role as face and diplomat. If we get in a fight, we lose, but the point is to talk our way out of any fight before it starts. Great mentals should do wonders for that, and our profession gives us an excuse to rub elbows with anybody.

I say pick up Skullduggery and Lockpicking as backups, in case our talking falls through, and we need to play dirty, or we get thrown in a brig or something. We'll never be without our lockpick, after all; we should know how to use it.

I'd also lean towards a male character, if only to bring balance to the force.

Bard
Improved Dexterity
Female
Catfolk

A Martial Female Kobold with Greater Strength and an immunity to Electricity!

The combined stats from the class and the talent will give us Above Average in all the categories of Strength, Dexterity, and Mentals!

Everyone will be caught off guard by a really strong Kobold because they'll underestimate her!

>>1083654
Agree

>>1083653
This combo sounds like a fun time

>>1083653
Mouse bard sounds good

>>1083653
I support this, but with a weaselfolk.

Instead of relying on stat bonuses, we get to latch onto things with our mouths (the irouxi will be first in line), solve puzzle with our sniffer, and be a big fuzzy noodle!

>>1083649
I like this one! Go for this!

>>1083668
This, fuzzy noodle bard

1/3 The Whisper 2024/02/19(Mon)19:24 No. 1083732 ID: d56515
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”Wow! That’s a lot of responses! It’s kind of hard to get something definitive from this, so I’ll try to determine your strengths as best I can.”

Weighted Votes, Chosen Randomly:
>Sex
Female - 7 [Chosen]
Male - 6

>Race
Amurrun - 2
Iruxi - 3
Kobold - 1
Tachidoki - 3 [Chosen]
Weski - 4

>Class
Bard - 8 [Chosen]
Caster - 1
Rogue - 0
Martial - 4

>Talent
Greater Dexterity - 3 [Chosen]
Greater Strength - 1
Improved Initiative - 1
Skilled - 5
Toughness - 2
Weapon Capability - 1

2/3 The Whisper 2024/02/19(Mon)19:24 No. 1083733 ID: d56515
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”Seeing as you all liken yourselves to the bardic ways, you need to pick some spells! Remember, you can only cast these if you have an instrument available, and while normally bards can sing or act to cast their magic, those motions belong to our friend here. You’ll need a physical instrument to convey your will!”

>You are capable of detecting magic and creating very minor magical effects at will.

>Choose 4 spells to know.
Charm Creature:
Enchant a creature into liking you more, even if they really shouldn’t. While they will consider you a long-time friend, this does not change their relations with others.
Does not work on certain creatures, such as undead, constructs, or anything without a mind.
This spell automatically succeeds if the differential between mental categories is greater than or equal to two. If mental categories are the same, it is a 50% chance, and plus or minus 25% if within 1 category.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target to be close.
This spell lasts for one hour or until the user harms the target in any way.

Grease:
Cover an item or a large portion of the floor in slippery grease.
Automatically succeeds in tripping creatures or forcing a creature to drop their item if the differential between the user’s mental category and the creature's dexterity category is greater than two. If categories are the same, it is a 50% chance, and plus or minus 25% if within 1 category.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the item or area to be close.

Magic Missile:
Launch forceful darts of energy at a target, always inflicting a level of pain.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components. It can target creatures as far away as mid-range and closer.
This spell fails against creatures that have the spell “Shield” active.

Suggestion:
Enchant a creature to do something the user suggests. The creature will spend their next turn doing this action. Actions that have hazardous or otherwise self-harming implications increase the target’s mental category by 2.
Does not work on certain creatures, such as undead, constructs, or anything without a mind.
This spell automatically succeeds if the differential between mental categories is greater than or equal to two. If mental categories are the same, it is a 50% chance, and plus or minus 25% if within 1 category.
This spell requires only verbal components, and requires the target to be close.

Hideous Laughter:
Enchant a creature to find something so absurdly funny, they can no longer act properly. The creature will spend a number of turns tripped and laughing on the ground equal to the difference in mental categories, with a minimum of 1.
Does not work on certain creatures, such as undead, constructs, or anything without a mind.
This spell automatically succeeds if the differential between mental categories is greater than or equal to two. If mental categories are the same, it is a 50% chance, and plus or minus 25% if within 1 category.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target to be close.

Vanish:
Turn a creature invisible for a number of turns equal to your mental category. This spell can target one’s self. Inflicting any form of harm removes the invisibility.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target to be touched.

Cure Light Wounds:
Heal two levels of pain from a touched creature. This spell can target one’s self.
Creatures that heal from negative energy instead take two levels of pain from this spell.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target to be touched.

Inflict Light Wounds:
Inflict two levels of pain to a touched creature. This spell can target one’s self.
Creatures that heal from negative energy instead heal two levels of pain from this spell.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target to be touched.

Rage
Enchant a creature to become furious. Their strength category increases by 2 (cannot rise above Superb), dexterity category is reduced by 1, and they can no longer cast spells.
This spell automatically succeeds if the differential between mental categories is greater than or equal to two. If mental categories are the same, it is a 50% chance, and plus or minus 25% if within 1 category.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components. It can target creatures as far away as mid-range and closer.

Ghost Sound
Create an illusory noise at a target destination. This noise can be as loud as four creatures per mental category level.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components, and requires the target area to be close.

Silent Image
Create an illusion of something. This illusion has no sound, smell, texture, or temperature. The illusion stays up for a minute per mental category. The user can move the illusion by focusing, making it appear animated as they envision in their mind or move to another destination.
This spell requires verbal and somatic components. It can target areas very far away.

3/3 The Whisper 2024/02/19(Mon)19:24 No. 1083734 ID: d56515
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”And hey, if you have any questions, throw em’ my way! I have to play by certain rules, so I can’t guarantee you’ll get an answer, but I’ll definitely answer what I can!”

Grease, Vanish, Ghost sound, and Silent image

A lot of trickery without going into the ethics of mind control

>>1083745
seconded, trickery is the bard's purview.

>>1083733
Charm Creature
Suggestion
Vanish
Cure Light Wounds

>>1083745
>>1083753

I'm with these two.

Ghost sound and Silent Image would make an excellent combo! think about it, we can create an illusion of a monster, or somebody, and then use ghost sound to make the illusion make sounds to make the illusion more believable. those are my top choices

vanish will also be good for the combo too if we want to stay hidden while casting the illusion and sound.

I'm fine with grease, tho suggestion is a good choice too if not grease. Using suggestion with the ghost ound and silent image could trick people into doing what we want easier. but honestly, I'll stick with grease.

Question: can we learn the other skills later?

Yes, Ghost Sound and Silent Image. We can use these to enhance musical performances, as well.

Even though we got dexterity instead of mentals, I'm partial to Charm Person and Suggestion. This is another killer combo; if someone likes us more, they'll be more open to our Suggestions. It doesn't look like there are many spells that would combo with increased dexterity, either, so I think that sticking with a social manipulation theme is a reasonable play.

I'd go with abilities that give the most opportunities for interesting things to happen. Killer combos have well, predictable results.

Charm Creature
Grease
Vanish
Ghost Sound

>>1083759
This

Anything is fine as long as we have Cure Light Wounds. I got so much use out of this spell...

>>1083745
Good selections.
Potential for combinations aplenty.

Im with this one talking sky mouse!

Hey, do you think grease is effective as a lube?
Aahaha.
Just messin with you whisper.

My mind is fully focused on helping our new best friend weasel out of trouble and offering sage counsel.

>>1083833
>My mind is fully focused on helping our new best friend weasel out of trouble and offering sage counsel.
Same thing, but also occasionally giving relationship advice to help her get a date!

>>1083733
Charm creature
Grease
Vanish
Cure light wounds

Omitted the mimicry spells cause it seems that it can be dismissed by there not being any smell
and cure wounds will let our weasel fix right up

>Spells
Charm creature, Grease, Inflict light wounds, and Vanish.

A sly character that likes defusing or weaseling out of situations, but can harm someone if push comes to shove.

>Questions
Why did you refer to this person in the gender neutral if you already knew them?
Are we... are we retroactively changing this fellow's identity with our choices?

What's the bet? What's the objective? What are the stakes?

Who did you make the bet with?

Are you God?

Why are you a metaphorical pidgeon? Is it because God likes them more than everyone else?

Why do clouds look so fluffy when they are actually just mist? Why can't I have an actual fluffy cloud? Why?!

>>1083734
>questions?
Are you free later? We'd love to take you out on a date some time. Maybe even get some smooches?~

1/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084012 ID: c058cf
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>Why are you a metaphorical pidgeon? Is it because God likes them more than everyone else?

”Yes! Though I wouldn’t have called myself a pigeon, my favorite form is the Weski. They’re so dang cute. But I also like Nimbulasa a lot too!”

>Hey, do you think grease is effective as a lube?
>Aahaha.
>Just messin with you whisper.

”Grease has a lot of uses! And you’re a pervert!”

>My mind is fully focused on helping our new best friend weasel out of trouble and offering sage counsel.

”But you also mean well, and I’m glad you're willing to help!”

>Are you free later? We'd love to take you out on a date some time. Maybe even get some smooches?~

”A-ah! U-um, It’ll probably be a bit before we meet again! But that sounds… lovely? I could try to schedule it in!”

2/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084013 ID: c058cf
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>Question: can we learn the other skills later?

”Yes! There might be ways to earn them as you explore with your host, and everytime I come and visit, I’ll offer you further benefits! Likewise, strange things are abound in the world. You never know what you might find!”

>Why did you refer to this person in the gender neutral if you already knew them?
>Are we... are we retroactively changing this fellow's identity with our choices?

”It’s… a bit complicated to explain that. I assure you, no one’s identity is being retroactively changed, more like… form fitted.”

>What's the bet? What's the objective? What are the stakes?

”I can’t give you any details about the bet. It might alter who wins after all. As for your objective, safety! Keep it alive. The stakes are a person’s life, but… there might be more once things settle down.”

>Who did you make the bet with?

”A friend of mine, which kind of leads into your other question.”

>Are you God?

”Sort of. My friend and I are a bit… how do I word this without sounding full of myself? A bit higher tier?”

>Why do clouds look so fluffy when they are actually just mist? Why can't I have an actual fluffy cloud? Why?!

”Oh this cloud is definitely mist. I’m kinda just floating along with it! Sorry!”

”Also it looks like you’ve picked your spells!”


Weighted Votes, Chosen Randomly:
Grease - 7 [Chosen]
Vanish - 8 [Chosen]
Ghost Sound - 6
Silent Image - 5 [Chosen]
Charm Creature - 5 [Chosen]
Suggestion - 2
Cure Light Wounds - 3
Inflict Light Wounds - 1

”Nice choices, no one’s gonna be able to draw a bead on you two! I’m sending you off now! Remember, no matter what anyone says, getting your host to safety is your main priority. Let’s see what you can do, good luck!“

3/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084014 ID: c058cf
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Let us see indeed…

4/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084015 ID: c058cf
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Confusion, Pain
What… agh… where…

5/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084016 ID: c058cf
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Confusion, Pain, Fear
“Where am I…? What happened?”

6/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084017 ID: c058cf
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“Ah, I was wondering when you would wake up. Thought you’d get away, did you? Nicked some of our goods, though gods forbid asking why you stole only the box. Figure we’ll be finding out soon enough.”

“What? The box…”

Confusion, Pain, SHIT! Where’s the box?!
“The box!”

“Yes, yes. The box. The one with the stupid symbol on it. Don’t suppose you could tell us how to open it, could you?”

“I-I don’t remember…”

“Ah, that’s a classic. Here, this might help you remember.”

7/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084018 ID: c058cf
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He’s… No no no no! PAIN!
“AHHHHHHHHHhhhh!! AGHhh…! Hah… hah… ugh...”

“Remember anything?”

“NO! P-PLEASE, I DON’T REMEMBER! I DON’T REMEMBER ANYTHING!!”

8/8 The Whisper 2024/02/21(Wed)16:37 No. 1084019 ID: c058cf
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“Shame that is. That’s alright. We’ll let that simmer for a bit while I get a drink. I’ll be back though, and I’m wondering if some of my other tools’ll help jog your memory. Think you could remember before I return?”

“W-why…”

“Went out of your way to go and steal it didn’t you? Especially since we’re out in the middle of nowhere, how would you have even known we’d find it here? Must be something valuable inside. Don’t worry, we can keep at this for a while, I’ve plenty of healing on hand.”

SLAM

misery...

I’m not sure what proper etiquette is for maintaining some form of character sheet and inventory, so I’ve made this google sheet for the moment. If there’s a better method, please let me know. Looking forward to running the quest!

Might help if I link the damn thing. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J--jGpfxRs4Dr_MHsmfS662_oyL3BN8a1qVj0hPzwbA/edit?usp=sharing[/spoiler]

Currently not a good way to keep character sheets on-site. Usually keeping a wiki entry up to date. A google doc works just fine

Well dang, we're not in a good position. Can you wiggle around at all? Able to cast spells? Cause grease might be able to help slip us out of the bindings

>no one’s identity is being retroactively changed, more like… form fitted.
The Whisper says trans rights

>>1084019
Ah damn.
Ok.
Ok.
First things first.
Yes, you're hearing voices.

No, you havent suffered a psychotic episode though the day youre having i wouldnt blame you if you were.
No, were not one of the asshole with the knife's friends using magic to mess with you.

Think of us as... as...
Uh.
Non denominational guardian angels?

We want to help.
Unfortunately we can only offer advice and encouragement.
Think of it as many extra sets of eyes watching your back.

Say.
Whats your name?

1/1 The Protagonist 2024/02/21(Wed)17:42 No. 1084026 ID: 7d6680
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>Well dang, we're not in a good position.

PANIC! WHERE IS THAT VOICE?!

“W-What the fuck?! Who said that?! Help!”

>First things first.
>Yes, you're hearing voices

Wariness! Wait… w-what?

>No, you havent suffered a psychotic episode though the day youre having i wouldnt blame you if you were.
>No, were not one of the asshole with the knife's friends using magic to mess with you.

I-I’m not thinking this?

>Think of us as... as...
>Uh.
>Non denominational guardian angels?

...

>We want to help.
>Unfortunately we can only offer advice and encouragement.
>Think of it as many extra sets of eyes watching your back.

O-ok…

>Say.
>Whats your name?

My name? Uhm… I… I can’t remember…

>Can you wiggle around at all? Able to cast spells? Cause grease might be able to help slip us out of the bindings

I uh… I don’t know if I can cast spells? I don’t think I’ve ever done that before. These
straps aren’t tied on too tightly though, I don’t think they’ve ever tied down a Tachidoki before. I can probably wiggle out.

>>1084026
Good, get started wiggling. Fortunately for you, we know some things about you, so we can help jog your memory. You are a Bard. You can cast spells with the help of an instrument. Your current spells are Grease, Vanish, Silent Image, Charm Creature.
You are female and have improved dexterity compared to others of your race.

My guess is that that box is important to the higher tier entity known as The Whisper, but currently our main objective is to keep you alive. We don't know anything about the box.

Can you get your head close enough to where the straps are attached to inspect them? Maybe you could pull them loose with your teeth.

Listen up Fun Noodle, you are getting out of here!
First get out of those bindings.
Second grab that sickle.
Then figure out how to cast spells, god told us you can do it. Try detect magic, it should require some kind of hand gesture and verbal chanting, maybe something musical. Once you get the hang of it we are ready to turn the tables on that sadistic fuck!

You like music, right? Everyone likes music. We're in a frightening place, in a delicate situation, so we need to keep our nerves about us. Think about your favorite songs, and try to keep them in your head. Hum along to them a bit—if nothing else, it will keep the fear from getting to you too badly.

You're so pretty! Hi! Hello!

Wiggle for your life! You can most assuredly cast spells. Cast Grease on the straps! You should slip right out!

make a thread on /questdis/ if you could.
Ignore any suggestions we make at your convenience, up to the point that the hero doesn't even hear them. We won't be upset if you don't take them (to a point), and we can be so noisy here it disrupts the story. Check the >>/questdis/121761 quest advice thread as well as http://questden.org/wiki/Advice_for_Running_a_Quest and Good Luck!

>>1084026
...Ah. Well, we apologize, but...
It appears we're GFs.
You don't need to know what those are. What's important is that some of your memory data has been swapped with programs.

When we bumped into your head we knocked some memories around and put spellcasting in the hole.

You should be able to cast magic... though, I don't have any memories on the instructions for casting magic. Take a quick brainstorm; try to remember your family, your ambitions, your first kill or shag or killshag. If a random thought pops in your head instead, follow it and it should lead to the instruction manual.

>>1084026
Well, im just gonna call you slinky until you remember.

So, you know you can get outta those bindings.
Good.
The suggestion to hum a favorite old song is a good one.
Keeps your mind calm, plus might help you remember something. You dont need a title for it, just start humming and seen where it leads you.
May jog something loose in the old memory.

When youre ready, wiggle free and we'll start thinking on the waymout of this place.

1/6 The Protagonist 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084334 ID: 016291
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>Good, get started wiggling.
>Wiggle for your life!
>First get out of those bindings.
>Can you get your head close enough to where the straps are attached to inspect them? Maybe you could pull them loose with your teeth.
>When youre ready, wiggle free and we'll start thinking on the waymout of this place.

A-alright. I start to wiggle back and forth, and find it easier to slink back on myself and break free from the frontward strap. The other strap is a bit more tight though. With half my body free however, I lean around and gnaw through the backend strap. Eaugh… t-the cut on my side flares with pain as I turn to do so, and my head is killing me, but with some effort I’m free from the table.

2/6 The Protagonist 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084335 ID: 016291
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>The suggestion to hum a favorite old song is a good one. Keeps your mind calm, plus might help you remember something. You dont need a title for it, just start humming and seen where it leads you. May jog something loose in the old memory.
>You like music, right? Everyone likes music. We're in a frightening place, in a delicate situation, so we need to keep our nerves about us. Think about your favorite songs, and try to keep them in your head. Hum along to them a bit—if nothing else, it will keep the fear from getting to you too badly.

I-if you say so…


“A-along the shore the cloud waves break…
The twin suns sink behind the lake,
The shadows lengthen in Carcosa~

Strange is the night where black stars rise,
And strange moons circle through the skies
But stranger still is lost Carcosa~

Songs that the Hyades shall sing,
Where flap the tatters of the King,
Must die unheard in dim Carcosa~

Song of my soul, my voice is dead;
Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed
Shall dry and die in lost Carcosa~”


Mhm… you were right... I feel way better now. Thank you.

3/6 The Protagonist 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084336 ID: 016291
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>...Ah. Well, we apologize, but...
>It appears we're GFs.
Um… you’re right, I have no idea what a GF is. Girlfriends?

And that sounds bad? Good?

>You don't need to know what those are. What's important is that some of your memory data has been swapped with programs.
>When we bumped into your head we knocked some memories around and put spellcasting in the hole.
>You should be able to cast magic... though, I don't have any memories on the instructions for casting magic. Take a quick brainstorm; try to remember your family, your ambitions, your first kill or shag or killshag. If a random thought pops in your head instead, follow it and it should lead to the instruction manual.
>You can most assuredly cast spells.
>Then figure out how to cast spells, god told us you can do it. Try detect magic, it should require some kind of hand gesture and verbal chanting, maybe something musical. Once you get the hang of it we are ready to turn the tables on that sadistic fuck!

Right, remember something! That’ll help for sure. Ok……….. um………. I’m… having a hard time remembering anything. Like at all. I can’t remember my family, my name, my first shag and/or killshag. I don’t even know why I’m here, or…

>My guess is that that box is important to the higher tier entity known as The Whisper, but currently our main objective is to keep you alive. We don't know anything about the box.

A box! Yeah, it was really important! It… had something really important inside it, but… er, I’m sorry, I really can’t remember anything more besides that. I have no idea who the Whisper is, stupid name though.

As for casting magic, I could feel something when I was singing earlier, you’re right. I’ll try singing again.

Mhmm~ in the lake of black, rests the old one~

I’m trying to focus on casting something, it feels like I’m really close, but I’m missing something important. As if I need a medium or something to will it forward.

>Fortunately for you, we know some things about you, so we can help jog your memory. You are a Bard. You can cast spells with the help of an instrument. Your current spells are Grease, Vanish, Silent Image, Charm Creature.

A bard? Like one of those musical dandies? Weird. Oh! Yeah! An instrument, that’s what I’m missing!

4/6 The Protagonist 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084337 ID: 016291
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>Second grab that sickle.

Sickle acquired. I take a look at my reflection in the blade. Sharp! Let me know if you need me to describe anything for you by the way. I don’t exactly know what you’re capable of seeing.

5/6 Fun Noodle/Slinky 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084338 ID: 016291
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>Well, im just gonna call you slinky until you remember.
>Listen up Fun Noodle, you are getting out of here!

So like, can you call me something maybe a little less silly than that? And what should I call you all?

6/6 The Protagonist 2024/02/23(Fri)17:40 No. 1084339 ID: 016291
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And once we figure that out… it’s time to teach these assholes a lesson.

Discussion Thread: >>/questdis/141736

>>1084338
Well slinky, we couuuld but then we'd miss the chance that you'll get mad at one point and blurt out your real name reflex.
You know, like "dammit voices, stop calling me that, my name is"

Oh, that was a lovely song by the by, i can see why you like it.

Say, talking music...
maybe your voice is your instrument.
Singing or humming as some way of aligning you mind and mana with your will.

Focus on an image of yourself, still tied up. Visualise it as you hum.
Worth a shot huh slinky?
If you can pull that off it'd be a good distraction when the asshole cones back.

Would any instrument do? Like drumming on the table, or a saw harp, or blowing on a bottle? Maybe you could improvise something?

Also, I suspect that getting the heck out of dodge is probably a better option than retribution; I don't think we know how many enemies are in this place, do we? Though - I guess if we were able to kill our tormentor QUIETLY (or covered up with our own expected screaming), it might be longer before our absence was noticed.

OR, duh, is your own stuff nearby? Your own instrument?

You know what a slinky is? Strange.
Because most worlds that still have kings in stone castles haven't learned how to precision-forge a thin strip of metal into a single-piece set of compressed rings.

The more you know about 'Tech', the more suspicious we're going to be about... outside interference to your world.

Okay, according to what the higher powers told us, you should have the "Grease" spell in your mind. I don't know how it works, but it makes for an easy trap.
Just cast the spell near the door, then grab the lit brazier and prepare to set whoever slips on the oil on fire.

Whoa whoa whoa, before you can teach them a lesson, you gotta get dressed first. Go find that cloak of yours... unless... you are okay with being a nudist or theres no taboo on nudity in this world. Do you remember if there is or not?

And we probably dont have to teach them a lesson, we can just sneak out if we can without putting ourselves in danger., preferably with the box. We were told to help you survive, and survival is top priority.

If you think whisper is a stupid name, you can also call them solo instead

Just call us "the winds of direction" "winds" for short.

For your name, you look like an Amber to me.

So what are those drinks of the counter? Might want to take them, but dont drink them. Also, open the drawers, see whats inside

> I can’t remember my family, my name, my etc

You can't... remember your family? Oh no! That won't do at all! There has to be something you can do to remember them. Family is important!

Right now you need to get to safety.

> like one of those musical dandies?

Aha, so you do remember something! OK OK focusing on safety yes.

> can you call me something maybe a little less silly than that? And what should I call you all?

Is not being called Slinky really your first priority here?? We can work on remembering your name later! A sickle's great for threshing wheat, but you're probably not a brawler if we accidentally made you be a bard. Sorry. No hiding place here. Peek out the door. Bards can sneakysneak a little, so less claw more pad, try not to make any noise. It'll probably work!

Well, lovely locks, you're deep in enemy territory, time for stealth. Did they bother to lock the door? It seems like they're underestimating you, but that won't last. Do you hear anyone in the hall?

Do you see anything else in the room that might be useful?

1/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084562 ID: 829081
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>Oh, that was a lovely song by the by, i can see why you like it.

Thanks! The lyrics just… kinda came to me.

>Whoa whoa whoa, before you can teach them a lesson, you gotta get dressed first. Go find that cloak of yours... unless... you are okay with being a nudist or theres no taboo on nudity in this world. Do you remember if there is or not?

Get dressed? Wait, wha- AHH! Where are my clothes!? C-can you all see me?! I-I’m not a nudist!

2/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084563 ID: 829081
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>Well slinky, we couuuld but then we'd miss the chance that you'll get mad at one point and blurt out your real name reflex. You know, like "dammit voices, stop calling me that, my name is"

I’m already past that point! I’m naked and a bunch of voices in my head keep calling me stupid names!

>You know what a slinky is? Strange. Because most worlds that still have kings in stone castles haven't learned how to precision-forge a thin strip of metal into a single-piece set of compressed rings.

I-I don’t know what you’re talking about? The name just sounds kind of mean! Y-you’re just calling me a slink and putting y at the end of it! What the heck do rings have to do with any of that?!

>For your name, you look like an Amber to me.
>Is not being called Slinky really your first priority here?? We can work on remembering your name later!

Aargh! Fine! Just call me whatever! But we are talking about this later!

>OR, duh, is your own stuff nearby? Your own instrument?

I-I don’t know if I had any stuff! I can’t remember anything substantial! You mentioned I had a cloak earlier? I don’t see anything like that in the room! Gods, I really wish I had something to wear…

3/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084564 ID: 829081
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>Say, talking music… maybe your voice is your instrument. Singing or humming as some way of aligning you mind and mana with your will.

>Focus on an image of yourself, still tied up. Visualise it as you hum. Worth a shot huh slinky? If you can pull that off it'd be a good distraction when the asshole cones back.

Deep breaths… magic is greater than clothes at the moment. Okay, I try singing and focusing on casting a spell, but I get the same feeling. It’s on the verge of release, I just need something… anything to play it through.

>Would any instrument do? Like drumming on the table, or a saw harp, or blowing on a bottle? Maybe you could improvise something?

Not a bad idea! I start tapping my claws on the table along with the rhythm of the song I’m humming and… I can feel something happening! My song thrums with intent and power, and while the casting is a little messy, it works! Look! It’s an illusion of me! I can feel a connection to it too, as if I can control its movements and where it is! I make it give me some finger guns, and then I focus on it being tied up on the table.

I-it was a bit draining though… I think I can only do that a few more times.

4/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084565 ID: 829081
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>Just call us "the winds of direction" "winds" for short.
Okay, winds, gotcha.

>Well, lovely locks, you're deep in enemy territory, time for stealth. Did they bother to lock the door? It seems like they're underestimating you, but that won't last. Do you hear anyone in the hall?
>No hiding place here. Peek out the door.

I move up to the door and listen for a moment. Hearing nothing, I try to open it as quietly as I can. It isn’t locked. Taking a look through, it’s pretty dark. It appears to be a hallway with some stairs leading up at the end to a double door, and some doors interspersed on the sides. The place looks pretty badly damaged, there’s a dirt cave in to my immediate left, cracks everywhere, and a gnarly root growing out of the wall towards the end of the hallway. I don’t smell any unfamiliar scents nearby.

5/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084566 ID: 829081
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>Try detect magic, it should require some kind of hand gesture and verbal chanting, maybe something musical.

>So what are those drinks of the counter?

I don’t know. They’re green and sealed with a crystalline topper. This seems like a good opportunity for detect magic!

W-woah. This is… really weird. Is this what the Weave is? The drinks are so different from everything around, I… focus my gaze on them, their threads and…

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 > 2 = SUCCESS

...and they’re both Potions of Cure Light Wounds. They’ll heal the wounds of living creatures. I don’t have a bag, and one of my hands is holding the sickle, so I pick up one of the potions in my other hand and leave the other on the table. After taking a quick look around and not seeing anything else magical, I revert back to my normal sight.

Was I really someone capable of doing that before? I-I feel like I’d remember something as memorable as that. Hmm…

6/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084567 ID: 829081
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>Also, open the drawers, see whats inside

I jiggle the left drawer, and it opens without issue. Inside is a thread of string and a needle, a cloth sack, a few pieces of paper, a quill, some sealed ink, a small mirror, and…

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 > 3 = FAILURE

...some kind of small bomb looking thing, but no clothes! I take all the items and put both of the potions inside the cloth sack, then strap it around myself. Getting there! Honestly… drinking one of those potions sounds like a good idea right now, my side and head are really hurting, but I want your opinion first.

I try jiggling the other drawer, but it seems to be locked. It feels like there’s something light inside, kinda like the paper from earlier.

>Do you see anything else in the room that might be useful?

The leather straps on the table could come in handy now that you mention it. I’ve already gnawed one through, so it looks a little weird with my illusion, and I can just change the illusion to have those straps. I use my sickle to cut them away and stuff them in my bag. Other than that though, I don’t see anything else in here of note.

7/7 The Protagonist 2024/02/25(Sun)22:26 No. 1084568 ID: 829081
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>Okay, according to what the higher powers told us, you should have the "Grease" spell in your mind. I don't know how it works, but it makes for an easy trap. Just cast the spell near the door, then grab the lit brazier and prepare to set whoever slips on the oil on fire.

Er… I can do that winds… and I can’t see that failing to kill him, but that’s a dark way to go. I can only cast so many spells too. If you think this is the best method though… I’ll do what needs to be done.

>Also, I suspect that getting the heck out of dodge is probably a better option than retribution; I don't think we know how many enemies are in this place, do we? Though - I guess if we were able to kill our tormentor QUIETLY (or covered up with our own expected screaming), it might be longer before our absence was noticed.

Setting someone on fire is also probably going to be pretty loud. I might be able to mask their screams with my own performance… but… jeez. I don’t really want to kill anyone if I can help it… maybe beat up them up a bit.

>Right now you need to get to safety. A sickle's great for threshing wheat, but you're probably not a brawler if we accidentally made you be a bard. Sorry. Bards can sneakysneak a little, so less claw more pad, try not to make any noise. It'll probably work!

That’s what I should be thinking about, yeah. I need to escape this place with the box, and I’d rather not get into a direct fight if possible. I’m still naked, and I don’t know where I am or how many enemies I have. They probably don’t have the same qualms I have, considering t-that guy from before was going to try and torture me… I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier winds, but I really need your help. What should I do?

Based off of experience, double doors usually mean an exit/entrance to a building (this case, probably an exit), or an entrance to somewhere important like a throne room.

we'll save that double door for later when we find the package, anything cool we can find, and get you dressed.

as for what to do next, I think we looted the important stuff we can from this room. unless there's something under the bed, go into the next room, and put your ear against the doors. If you hear noises, don't go in and go in one with no noises as we don't want to get spotted.

>>1084566
Drink one of the potions, since you're injured and have limited carrying capacity. Use it or lose it, I say!

>>1084568
Not ambushing the guard is reasonable, we don't really need to do that. Bring your illusion with you, you can either use it as a distraction or as a way of hiding yourself. At some point we're probably going to have to use Vanish, but I don't know how long it'll last so we should make it count. It's awkward drumming on things to cast but it'll have to do... oh, can you take the drawer out completely? That way you can look at the drawer under it without pulling it out, and also use the drawer as a improvised portable drum.

I don't see anything else in the room besides the table and lamp. You could look under the table? The lamp seems too awkward to drag around as an improvised weapon. You could take one or two of the rocks from the rubble outside, throwing one could cause a momentary distraction.

Go listen at the doors outside, and peek through any you can't hear people behind.

>>1084562
If it helps, you can imagine were all naked too.

I'll hold off on the slinky for a wee bit but i assure you theres nothing insulting hidden there. Promise i'll explain it at another, better time.

>>1084564
>>1084566
Excellent spellcraft.
You're a natural at this sli...n.
Uh.
Go you.

>>1084567
Ok.
You have a bag now. Good.
Can store your spare potion and the other things.
I trust your assessment of it and agree itd be worth using one. Lessen the pain and clear your head a little.

Looking at the other drawer, you dont have the tools to jimmy the lock and forcing it may be too noisey, but you could check if its a shared cavity.
If the other drawer comes all the way out, do so quietly, if not reach your hand in and feel if theres a partition between the two drawers.
May be able to either pull out the paper or flip whatever mechanisms keeping it locked.
Worth a quick look but not high priority.

Only other thing id suggest is when listening at the doors feel at the edges for a draught.
Could help tell you if its a room with a way out

We'll do our best to advise you in ways that will help avoid conflict.
Killing, even villain like your captors, is a hard thing to do and its not something we want to put you through if it can be avoided.
So, chin up lil' slin... sister.
You've taken the First steps on a short journey that leads to your freedom.

Ok *I'll* explain what a slinky is. It's like a really weak spring whose natural state is fully compressed, so that you can stretch it out a bit and it'll try to weakly spring back but you can't compress it at all. It has a sort of momentum-conserving property where you can shove it in a direction along a floor or especially a downward slope and it will appear to "walk" by repeatedly toppling over in an arch and drawing its back end forwards. It's also fun to move from hand to hand.

Long animals such as yourself are compared to them because of the arching shape slinkies make, and how long you can stretch them.

>dirt cave in to my immediate left
So this place is, at least partially, underground. There is dirt between the northern room and the torture chamber. The northern room must be slender than this hub area, maybe it's a corridor.
At this point it's a likely hypothesis that the torture chamber is acoustically isolated and the only place someone could hear your previous singing would be the hub. I'm more confident no one from the north heard you so check the south-west first.


>If it helps, you can imagine were all naked too.
No need to pretend, I am.

> C-can you all see me?! I-I’m not a nudist!

Not a nudist... yet!

> Was I really someone capable of doing that before?

The Whisper told us that "no one’s identity is being retroactively changed, more like… form fitted" so... ...maybe?

> I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier winds, but I really need your help. What should I do?

You have 3 spells left before you need to rest, so use them sparingly! You need a hiding place, you need an instrument, and you need an exit. The box is important, but you need to keep yourself safe. You can always come back to retrieve it, more skilled and better prepared.

> drinking one of those potions sounds like a good idea right now, my side and head are really hurting, but I want your opinion first.

Our amazing magical powers can divine your basic health, and you're about halfway to the limit of your pain tolerance. It's your call, but if you take one potion, it won't be wasted. If you take two potions, you'll be at full health, but one of the potions will be half wasted.

I'm sure you'll heal with some lengthy bedrest once you're safe, but saving your potions won't do any good if you don't make it that far! I'd say drink one, and save the second.

1/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084771 ID: 2ea297
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>Drink one of the potions, since you're injured and have limited carrying capacity. Use it or lose it, I say!
>I'd say drink one, and save the second.

Aye aye! I pull the stopper off and start chugging. And wow! I wasn’t expecting it to be so tasty. It’s really sweet, like candy, and has some heavy lime flavor. There’s something else that really brings it together too, some magical sensation I can’t really figure out how to describe. I’ve never had anything like this before, so it’s kinda hard to describe it, but imagine a bunch of sharp popping feelings that tickle my mouth.

As I drink it, I can instantly feel the magic running its course. The cut along my flank disappears, along with the pain, and my head stops hurting so much. There are still some minor aches across my body, but I feel a ton better. I kinda wanna drink the other just to enjoy it, but you’re right, I should save it.

>If it helps, you can imagine were all naked too.
>No need to pretend, I am.
>Not a nudist... yet!

Whether fortunately or not, I have no frame of reference in which to imagine that. And I’m not a nudist… ever!

>Ok *I'll* explain what a slinky is. It's like a really weak spring whose natural state is fully compressed, so that you can stretch it out a bit and it'll try to weakly spring back but you can't compress it at all. It has a sort of momentum-conserving property where you can shove it in a direction along a floor or especially a downward slope and it will appear to "walk" by repeatedly toppling over in an arch and drawing its back end forwards. It's also fun to move from hand to hand.

>Long animals such as yourself are compared to them because of the arching shape slinkies make, and how long you can stretch them.

Huh. Well… I guess I am kinda stretchy, though I think if I toppled over I’d probably just fall on my butt. So it’s sort of like a weird spring toy? You all have some weird ideas, with your nudisms and your slinkies.

2/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084772 ID: 2ea297
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>oh, can you take the drawer out completely?

Yeah, surprisingly I can! And there’s no partition in between them! Big security flaw if you ask me. Quietly placing down the drawer, I take a look at the contents within the other drawer. There really wasn’t much inside besides a rolled up piece of paper. The parchment feels really durable though, way higher quality than the paper in the top drawer. Opening it up, I am greeted with a puff of dust. I bat it away and look at the scroll, there’s a poorly drawn face with some straight lines over it, and a buncha squiggles drawn all over. Talk about disappointment!

>also use the drawer as a improvised portable drum
I grab it by the handle and try to start carrying it with me, but it’s sort of heavy and awkward. Sorry, I’m gonna put it back where it belongs for now.

3/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084773 ID: 2ea297
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>Bring your illusion with you, you can either use it as a distraction or as a way of hiding yourself.
>Go listen at the doors outside, and peek through any you can't hear people behind.

Okey dokey! I step into the hallway and begin to shut the door to the torturer’s room before realizing I’m not going to be able to see without the light coming through the door, so I leave it a smidge open.

>You could take one or two of the rocks from the rubble outside, throwing one could cause a momentary distraction.

Honestly, I love collecting things, so alright! I pick up some of the rocks from the small cave-in into the bag. They’ll find their use, I’m sure!

>So this place is, at least partially, underground. There is dirt between the northern room and the torture chamber. The northern room must be slender than this hub area, maybe it's a corridor. At this point it's a likely hypothesis that the torture chamber is acoustically isolated and the only place someone could hear your previous singing would be the hub. I'm more confident no one from the north heard you so check the south-west first.
>Only other thing id suggest is when listening at the doors feel at the edges for a draught. Could help tell you if its a room with a way out
>we'll save that double door for later when we find the package, anything cool we can find, and get you dressed.

Right, good ideas all around. I’ll mark the doors for you all in my head, just to help with organizing. As I’m deciding which door to go through first, I feel a draught under door number 2. Maybe this’ll be easy!

4/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084774 ID: 2ea297
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Taking a listen at door 2, I hear something that surprises me. Rushing water! Taking a quick sniff, it’s a dull sort of gardeny scent. Peeking my head through the door, the sound of rushing water only gets louder. It’s a bit hard to see inside the room, but I can tell it's a wreck. There’s glints of broken glass on the floor, buckets strewn all about, and a broken cabinet.

5/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084775 ID: 2ea297
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Listening closely to door 3, I hear absolutely nothing. Quick sni- BLEAUGH! Ew! It smells really really bad in there! I have to stop myself from gagging! Ah… eaugh… ok, I steel myself, and reluctantly open the door. Yeah I can barely make out a kitchen…

I… don’t like this room. I’m gonna close the door. Hopefully you all got a good look, sorry.

6/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084776 ID: 2ea297
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Alright. Well with that out of the way, door 1! Same deal, listen, smell. I don’t hear anything, and honestly? I don’t smell much either. I take a peek through, and see what looks like a thin hallway with some prisoners' cells. There’s a really large cave in at the end, it looks like it’s blocking the way forward.

7/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:24 No. 1084777 ID: 2ea297
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Lastly, I move up the stairs and listen at door four. I actually hear something this time, the murmuring of voices broken occasionally by a group's laughter, definitely more than two people. I lean into the door, trying to hear what could be being said, but I really can’t make anything out. Taking a sniff, I can smell that fucking asshole, the guy who cut me earlier. And then there’s… two other familiar scents? I don’t know why they’re familiar. Hmm, well there’s some other smells mixed together, but I can’t differentiate them. So at least four people in the other room, if not more.

8/8 The Protagonist 2024/02/27(Tue)20:25 No. 1084778 ID: 2ea297
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Alright, I back away from the door without opening it. Some good information, but I didn’t see a way forward unless that water led somewhere, but it sounded like it was really ripping.

>We'll do our best to advise you in ways that will help avoid conflict. Killing, even villain like your captors, is a hard thing to do and its not something we want to put you through if it can be avoided.
>Not ambushing the guard is reasonable, we don't really need to do that.

T-thanks...

...I uh… ok, look. If at any point you believe it’s the best course of action to harm someone, don’t hesitate to give it. I’d rather get out of this alive and having killed than die because I didn’t take an opportunity I should have. Not that I’m saying it’s the immediate go-to, just… keep it as an option.

>You've taken the First steps on a short journey that leads to your freedom.

And with that grim message out of the way, veritably! Let us go forth and challenge the darkness!

>The box is important, but you need to keep yourself safe. You can always come back to retrieve it, more skilled and better prepared.

...Ah, right. Getting out of here is the number one goal.

(Discontent, paranoia. I-I can’t leave without that box.)

Forgot to mention! If you could vote which room you'd like to explore, that would help me a lot!

I want to go into room 3, there's a sword in the back and a door. Maybe even a dumbwaiter; if you could get in there you might be able to reach another floor. However, the smell... well, leaving the door open for a bit could help. We could also look for something to cover your mouth/nose with.
Let's search room 2 to see if we can find something that works for that. It's also a potential escape route since it looks like there's a river behind that gate, but the gate might be locked.

There's shards on the floor, be careful. We might be able to use those for caltrops if they're sharp enough... There's a sign in the back? Can you read it?

things of note:
there is a harmonica in one of the prison cells! looks like we found you an instrument. most likely not your instrument before you got captured (assuming you had one before), but hey, harmonicas are a cool and underrated instruments, lets you play the blues, and easy to carry. we gotta get that asap so you can bard effectively. we might need to find a key howeverer, or something long enough to reach it and grab it towards you if you can't reach it with your arms... or maybe your noodley body can fit through the bars?

in the kitchen: there is another door, and a sword. If you don't want to stay in there long, focus on reaching for the sword, and inspect the other side of the door. If anything, the sword might be long enough to reach the harmonica and pull it towards you.

Okay slinky.
Good scouting.
You have an impressive sense of smell.
Say...
Is it possible what youre smelling thats familiar in the occupied room are your clothes. And possibly the box?

The bad smelling room looks like an abandoned kitchen.
looks like a pantry in there but may be another room.
Theres also a scimitar on the wall above the suspected pantry.
Theres also two potential escape routes.
Theres a possible chimney and a dumb waiter
While i dont think youll want to take them without the box being found, itd be worth scouting.

In the prison chambers i think i spotted a skeleton.
Unfortunate guy may be holding a harmonica. Small and portable as instruments go.


Careful if you do go into the water room. Not sure but the floor looks strewn with debris.
While youre streaking, it could lead to cuts on your feet.

If im going to pick a first stop, id say room one.
Go see if you can reach the harmonica.
He'll be fine with you borrowing it.
Skeletons are surprisingly chill like that.

>>1084792
>harmonica
Oh that could be one, yeah. That should be our first priority, then. Changing my vote to door 1.

one last thing, when you go into the prison room, there a little bit of a opening that you can peek through one of the cells being blocked by the cave in. Maybe peek in and see if there's anything of interest in there too.

>Is it possible what youre smelling thats familiar in the occupied room are your clothes. And possibly the box?

That be nice. though consider it could instead be the Okagou and Iruki who knocked out our new friend out before taking her here. We might need to go in that room if we can't find clothing and the box anywhere else later.

Idea to reach the harmonica if you cant reach it:
use your sickle to hook and drag it to you
or
use your bag to try to drag it towards you
last resort if its even too far for your bag:
tie the sickle to one of the leather straps with the thread of string, and try to use that to drag the harmonica to you.

We go to the dungeon.

Retrieving an instrument is indeed our top priority: we must ensure exercise of the full range of your powers. Once this is secured, see if the skeleton is guarding any other treasures in the cell that you might reach.

Oh boy I didn't even see the harmonica! That's solid gold for you, right now! Get thee to the dungeon, and... what they said.

"Slinky" is an adjective btw, like stretchy, flexible or lithe. The spring toy was named after it, because it looks sort of slinky, when you wave it around.

> I-I can’t leave without that box.

If it's any comfort, these guys don't know how to open it. They didn't even know it was valuable until you uh, failed to steal it. You're not leaving. You're just... temporarily retreating to regroup, and then take the box.

Getting that harmonica is the priority. Use your bardly charm to get that skeleton to give it to you.
Room 2 seems to have a broken chair which could be turned into a makeshift torch.

we'll get that box, don't worry

Door number two looks like most promising, or at least the least dangerous.

I like "Slinky" but you don't, so how about we call you... Tanna. It has a nice ring to it.
Could be Tanna Sybilant. Like with sybilant notes, which bards make; and also sneaky snakes, which weasels kind of are.

Speaking of names, does "Hastur" ring a bell?

>>1084901
I like how that name sounds

>>1084901
Now, that IS a good nane.

You know what?
Use it.
Even after you remember your real one.
Bards change names like they change hats.
You could always use a spare.

I'll probably still call you slinky sometimes though.
You know, for funsies.

>>1084934

Meh, sounds like the name of a high ranking cult member to me. Still holding hope that Slinky can find her birth name.

>>1084772
Oh wait! that poorly drawn picture of the face you picked up earlier, that's a drawing representing a human, and that's what all of us guiding you are, humans! Though humans actually have eyes above the nose, not a bimcj pf thick lines where the eyes should be. And most have hair on their head, This drawing is a bald human. Also, our noses aren't that big.

do you know what a human is in this world? though you guys do have different names for your species than what we call you guys in our world (Tachidokis are called weasles in our world) though it's only humans that are sapient, all other species are just wild in our world. With that in mind, humans might be called something different in your world. Did you recognize the species on the picture?

In any case, I wonder why it is there

>>1084962
That is a good point.
Curious...
Worth keeping that paper till you can find out about this.

Keep it stashed safe tanna or slinky.
Keep it at the back of your mind.
Youve got a date with a boney feller and a harmonica to pilfer.

1/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:02 No. 1085033 ID: 01c8e1
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>If it's any comfort, these guys don't know how to open it. They didn't even know it was valuable until you uh, failed to steal it. You're not leaving. You're just... temporarily retreating to regroup, and then take the box.
>we'll get that box, don't worry

O-oh, I didn’t… ah. I guess I can’t really hide my thoughts from you winds, can I.

I don’t know why, but I need that box. It’s still here, that Amurrun from before gave that away, but what if they leave with it as I escape, how am I going to find them? They could figure out how to open it, or something could happen to it! I can’t leave without it, and I know that sounds stupid, but I need to succeed or die trying. So… can you please help me make that happen?

>You have an impressive sense of smell. Say… Is it possible what youre smelling thats familiar in the occupied room are your clothes. And possibly the box?
>That be nice. though consider it could instead be the Okagou and Iruki who knocked out our new friend out before taking her here. We might need to go in that room if we can't find clothing and the box anywhere else later.

It's definitely not my clothes, it’d smell like me, and… it’s not the box. I’m not sure who brought me here, but if you say that I had two abductors, then that seems like a reasonable conclusion. I’m guessing that the final smell, the one I’m unfamiliar with, is another person if not more mixed together, but I can’t really determine that exactly. It definitely didn’t smell like food or something else I’d recognize.

>"Slinky" is an adjective btw, like stretchy, flexible or lithe. The spring toy was named after it, because it looks sort of slinky, when you wave it around.
>I like "Slinky" but you don't, so how about we call you... Tanna. It has a nice ring to it. Could be Tanna Sybilant. Like with sybilant notes, which bards make; and also sneaky snakes, which weasels kind of are.

It’s not that I hate Slinky, it just doesn’t seem like a real name? As you said, it’s more like an adjective, and you all have a toy named after it too. Tanna does sound nice though.

>I like how that name sounds
>Now, that IS a good nane. You know what? Use it. Even after you remember your real one. Bards change names like they change hats. You could always use a spare.

Well, I was gonna wait till we were out of this mess and if I still didn’t remember, but sure! I like the name a lot too. We can roll with it for now!

>Meh, sounds like the name of a high ranking cult member to me. Still holding hope that Slinky can find her birth name.

I really am too! For now though, I’d rather have a name, and we can always switch it later.

>I'll probably still call you slinky sometimes though. You know, for funsies.

Mental eye roll

>Speaking of names, does "Hastur" ring a bell?

3/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085035 ID: ced28d
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Sorry, what name might ring a bell?

>>1084962

Oh, you’re all humans? I guess I have a frame of reference now. Yeah, I know what a human is, they’re fleshy n’ stuff, like dwarves, gnomes, and the rest of the non-fuzzies. If I knew where I was at, I could probably tell you if they were common around here.

>Worth keeping that paper till you can find out about this.

I did recognize that the face on there was a human too, it didn’t really occur to me whether that’d be significant to you all or not. Sorry!

>In the prison chambers i think i spotted a skeleton. Unfortunate guy may be holding a harmonica. Small and portable as instruments go.
>there is a harmonica in one of the prison cells!
>Oh boy I didn't even see the harmonica! That's solid gold for you, right now!
>Retrieving an instrument is indeed our top priority
>Get thee to the dungeon
>We go to the dungeon.

Ooh! A harmonica! In the dungeon? I’m on it! I make my way into the dungeon room and… ah, it’s really dark in here, I can’t see very well.

>Room 2 seems to have a broken chair which could be turned into a makeshift torch.

You’re right! Stepping into the water room, I grab one of the chair sticks and hold it over the torch in the torturer’s room for a bit. It won’t last very long since it’s a poorly made torch, but it’ll work for now.

4/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085036 ID: ced28d
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>He'll be fine with you borrowing it. Skeletons are surprisingly chill like that.

I see the harmonica next to Mr. Skeleton. He does seem pretty chill, just lying on the ground like that, he probably won’t mind if I borrow his harmonica for a bit.

>Go see if you can reach the harmonica.
>something long enough to reach it and grab it towards you if you can't reach it with your arms... or maybe your noodley body can fit through the bars?

I try reaching through with my arms, but it’s just a bit too far away. Likewise, it seems the bars were made for all shapes and sizes, I really can’t find a good purchase to get myself through with my, *ahem*, noodly body.

>Use your bardly charm to get that skeleton to give it to you.

“Mr. Skeleton, might I humbly ask you to deliver your harmonica unto me? I promise to use it with the utmost care and reverence.”

5/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085037 ID: ced28d
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…
(No)

6/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085038 ID: ced28d
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“Fine, be that way.”

>use your bag to try to drag it towards you
>DEXTERITY CHECK: 4 > 2 = SUCCESS

I take my stuff out of the bag really quick and sling it through the bars to try and drag the harmonica towards me. Taking care to make sure I don’t knock it away further accidentally, I successfully manage to get the bag propped up against it, and slowly drag it back.

And just like that, I have the harmonica! Behold! It’s a solid little metal instrument, albeit a little rusty. I give it a test fweet, and it gives a sweet and sonorous tone! Immediately, I can feel magic and intent well up just from that, this thing is a WAY better medium than tapping on the desk from before.

>Maybe peek in and see if there's anything of interest in there too.

There’s a bucket in the far left corner, and a bedroll slumped at the end. Besides that, I don’t see much more in this particular cell.

7/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085039 ID: ced28d
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>there a little bit of a opening that you can peek through one of the cells being blocked by the cave in. Maybe peek in and see if there's anything of interest in there too.

Sure, I can take a looksy. Ignoring the other cells for the moment, I climb the cave in and take a look into the cell.

Jeez, someone had a ba-

8/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085040 ID: ced28d
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Ģ̵̽̑E̸̺̮͆̽T̸̟̖͋ ̷̩͉͑͌̕T̸͓̊͑̚Ḩ̵̮̹͗̌̑Ě̴̱̍ ̷̺̝͓̀Ḃ̸̩̺̬͌͝O̶̟̩̐̌X̷̤͛̊

9/9 Tanna 2024/03/01(Fri)19:03 No. 1085041 ID: ced28d
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“AGH!!”

CRASH! SLAM! BUMP!

“AHH!!! Ah shit! Ahh! Hah… Hahh… Ahh… I will, I promise I will! I will! I WILL!”

...Did… w-was…? I-I… what was that?! Winds, did you see that?!

Yes, yes we did. I have no idea what that was, but considering you can hear us winds, that could be another more powerful wind, i could be wrong tho, im hypothesizing here. It did have some words from a language i dont recognize though. If we can get more letters, we can try to decode them later.

I think we should do what it said, So we dont get in trouble. Before we continue, sit down a bit, take some deep breaths, maybe play a tune from your harmonica to calm your nerves. You'll be okay.

Ah. Hmm. I was on board with you trying to get the box, given how set on it you were, but it DOES feel kinda potentially bad to have anything to do with...the kind of being whose vibes I'm getting, here. Though also maybe all the outcomes are bad, here. :/

>>1085034
Have you seen it?
>>1085040
Come child, and see the world in ruin
(It's a simple substitution cipher, and punctuation seems to be indicated by little lines coming off of the main upper one, but we only have comma and question mark here.)

>>1085041
Seems like there's another higher entity ordering you around.
Unfortunately you just made a lot of noise. Your captors will be here in moments. My advice is to cast Vanish on yourself, leave the Silent Image inside one of the locked cells fallen over "unconscious", and wait by the door for the the others to arrive. You can sneak out after they get here, and hopefully they'll have left the other door open so you can get through there without incident. Worst case scenario you can use Charm Person on the last guard at the entrance so you can retrieve the box and escape. You might even be able to convince the charmed guard to block the door behind you, giving you more time to escape?

>>1085053

Yes, OK you have your instrument. Silent Image of your unconscious body in the locked cell so they can't reach it to see it's an illusion. Vanish and let them walk by you to struggle with it. Then go to the room your captors just left, where there should be an exit, or the box. Charm Person on the guard still waiting in the room. Pray that nothing else goes wrong, because that's all the magic you have left.

The best way to get the box is by escaping, then circling around once you're better supplied.

Well, another possible way of getting the box out would be to not run out the front door, but to retreat back to the river. Assuming we can get the keys from the guard.

>>1085057
Aye, time is of the essence now.

>>1085041
That was not us.

Firstly, are you ok tanna?
If so, and only if you feel like it and can reach it, looked like there was a robe on the floor in that room.

Even if you dont wear it now, warmth for when youre outside and something if you have to get outta here before finding clothes

Illusion of yourself in the cell sounds like a good idea. They'll have to waste time unlocking the door to look further. Should buy you enough time to make a safe trip out of the room.

1/3 Tanna 2024/03/03(Sun)17:06 No. 1085294 ID: 2ea297
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>Firstly, are you ok tanna?

Y-yeah. I… whatever that was just caught me off guard. I ended up tumbling down the cave-in and landing back on the floor of the dungeon. O-other than a little bruising, I didn’t hurt myself that bad.

>Yes, yes we did.
>That was not us.

O-okay, I’m glad you s-saw that too. If t-that wasn’t…

>that could be another more powerful wind, i could be wrong tho, im hypothesizing here.
>Seems like there's another higher entity ordering you around.

O-ordering me around? Another wind? I-I…

>Before we continue, sit down a bit, take some deep breaths, maybe play a tune from your harmonica to calm your nerves. You'll be okay.

R-right. I sit up and take my harmonica out of the bag. Putting it to my l-lips, I begin to pl-

CREAK~

“Whatchaaaaa screamin’ for baby? Haven’t even started yet!

2/3 Tanna 2024/03/03(Sun)17:06 No. 1085295 ID: 2ea297
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>Unfortunately you just made a lot of noise. Your captors will be here in moments.
>Aye, time is of the essence now.

Shit shit shit shit!

>My advice is to cast Vanish on yourself, leave the Silent Image inside one of the locked cells fallen over "unconscious", and wait by the door for the the others to arrive.
>Silent Image of your unconscious body in the locked cell so they can't reach it to see it's an illusion. Vanish and let them walk by you to struggle with it.
>Illusion of yourself in the cell sounds like a good idea.

Please work please work please work! I play a quick tune and turn myself invisible! At the same time, I mentally command my illusory double into the cell on my right. I can’t see myself anymore, so I guess I’m invisible?!

SLAM.

“Huh…? *Hic* Was… that a harmonica?

CREAK…

The A-amurrun from before enters the dungeon and takes a look around. I move quietly along the side as he notices the torch and makes his way towards it. Bending down to investigate, h-he turns his head and notices my illusion in the prison.

3/3 Tanna 2024/03/03(Sun)17:06 No. 1085296 ID: 2ea297
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“What the… *hic* how the hell’dja get in there, you stupid bitch… hehehe.”

>You can sneak out after they get here, and hopefully they'll have left the other door open so you can get through there without incident.
>They'll have to waste time unlocking the door to look further. Should buy you enough time to make a safe trip out of the room.

R-right, I start moving towards the door, he even left it open…

“Hah… Ah… come on… *Hic* Wasn’t gonna hurt ya none too bad, just… waaanted to know how to open the box’is all. Can’t have ya’ gettin’ loose like this though… *hic*”

!

>The best way to get the box is by escaping, then circling around once you're better supplied.
>Ah. Hmm. I was on board with you trying to get the box, given how set on it you were, but it DOES feel kinda potentially bad to have anything to do with...the kind of being whose vibes I'm getting, here.
>another possible way of getting the box
>retrieve the box and escape

...He’s… alone, and vulnerable, and in my way.

Quietly, I step behind him. Without any deliberation, I hover the sickle around his neck, all it’ll take is just a quick jerk... he’s still looking at the illusion like a moron. Won’t even have time to scream…

>SUGGESTION (Tanna’s current desire, Strong) - Start combat dealing to the Amurrun a fatal* wound that will silence**, deal 2 levels of pain, and gain surprise***.

* A wound that, if pain threshold is met, will kill the creature very quickly after combat is over.
** A silenced creature cannot speak, and is therefore unable to cast spells with verbal components.
*** A creature or group of creatures that have surprise have a free round to act.

Tanna’s invisibility will end at the final image of the next two sets of images or until she makes a hostile action against another creature.

>What do the winds suggest?

Make pretend sex noises. Trick him into thinking he's plowing you and can't feel his dick. Strangle him unconscious.

Try not to kill people that you have at your mercy. Ethics aside, every life has leverage and every death angers your enemy.
Besides, knowing you have emotional control over whether or not you murder someone makes your kills taste sweeter.

>>1085296
Erm... well, sure. Kill him. You only lured one of your captors here, so we can't achieve our objective(s) as easily as I expected. That leaves two, right? We'll have to ambush another one at some point, or just wait until they check on this one. Hopefully when one of them goes missing they'll be smart enough to go check in greater numbers, which will give us an opening to sneak past them.

>>1085296
I would have said hold your blade tanna, as the first kill will complicate things,,
but this guy sounds every bit as bad as the other.

"Wasnt gonna hurt you too much"
His words.

To hell with him.

Hands steady, mind on the goal.
Just like cutting a thick plant stem.
Simple and quick.

Think about nothing else till the job is done.

When youre safe therell be time for ruminating.

I do prefer to kill them and search for the box without any enemy around to hear you hallucinating, but you will be losing your current stealth advantage.
Right now he is drunk and doesn't understand the illusion in front of him. If you don't kill him he will have to make sense of what is going on: "Why did she scream?" "Why is she unconscious?" "Did my hand passed through her?" "Is she a ghost?" "Did she disappear?" It's possible he will recognize the illusion, but if he doesn't his confusion could be an advantage for a peaceful escape. Reaching the wrong conclusion could lead all enemies into a wild goose chase while you remain invisible.
If you kill him you will be visible with two enemies between you and the exit and half of you daily spells spent.
I'm not entirely certain, but I think sparing him is the more advantageous choice.

Is this what you want Tanna? You seemed adverse to killing before, is someone else guiding your hand now?

>>1085324
In his drunk state he'll be distracted here for a while, and might even call over one of his buddies. This would be your best chance to slip into the other room without raising an alarm.

Are you hungry or something? Just think about the smell in the kitchen. You can find something to eat when you get out of here. He'd take too long to eat, and it's a waste to leave all that meat to the rats.

Okay some of these wind voices are crazy crazy.

You have a violent streak. It'd be an effective way to deal with the threat, and someone possibly quite horrible. That said, this is a dramatic departure in your personality. Might this abrupt change be indicative of something nuanced and complex going on?

>>1085296

I just realised this is the guy who tortured her.
Of course you want payback, but the other wind whispers have caught something I missed.

Be sure this is you that wants this.
Not that, uh, whatever the hell it was.
yellow wind.

Earlier, even in pain, you didnt want to kill.
After the, um, encounter back there youre understandably on the edge.
Take a quiet, slow breath and think.
If, after your take a moment, this desire not to kill is still true, then you have alternatives.

I dont know if you are strong enough to knock him out, but i'm pretty sure your nimble enough to trip him and push him into something solid if you have to.
Let gravity and inebriation do the heavy work.

Whatever you choose, we're with you.

>>1085296
This guy's a non-threat for now, best to leave him be and keep the vanish advantage.

>>1085296
Eh you need that asshole alive so he could tell why he needs the box...

1/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085631 ID: 360d03
File 170977267875.png - (15.27KB , 500x500 , Page 1 Set 11.png )

>Erm... well, sure. Kill him.
>Try not to kill people that you have at your mercy

I-I could really use a straight answer here winds…

>I just realised this is the guy who tortured her.
>Ethics aside, every life has leverage and every death angers your enemy.

“You… how… the heck… fuck… *hic* seriously… how the fuck did you get in there… why aren’t… you answering…?”

He begins to lean forward, I have to move the blade away from his throat. His face begins to squish against the bars. My hands start to shake.

>this guy sounds every bit as bad as the other. "Wasnt gonna hurt you too much" His words.

This bastard was going to torture me. Maybe even worse, and he’s in the w-way of getting the box. H-he deserves to die, why is this suddenly so hard!?

>You have a violent streak.

What? N-No, I-I don’t! This has to be done! I don’t actually want to do this!

2/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085632 ID: 360d03
File 170977268137.png - (16.10KB , 500x500 , Page 2 Set 11.png )

>Is this what you want Tanna? You seemed adverse to killing before, is someone else guiding your hand now?
>Earlier, even in pain, you didnt want to kill. After the, um, encounter back there youre understandably on the edge.
>That said, this is a dramatic departure in your personality. Might this abrupt change be indicative of something nuanced and complex going on?
>Take a quiet, slow breath and think.

I am… what? I’m in… control, I think? I want to do this… this is what I would always have done. I… hah… deep breaths… deep breath… thi-

“Back at that village… you’re cute, ya know. *hic* Should’na told ya we found this place, and ya s-should’na followed us here, you dumb pretty thing. Buuuuut you did, hehehe… just to fuck stealing from us up… Haaaaaate having to carve girls like you up~ so if you could… just tell me how to open that fucking thing, I promise I won’t have too much fun.”

>Make pretend sex noises. Trick him into thinking he's plowing you and can't feel his dick. Strangle him unconscious.
>Are you hungry or something? Just think about the smell in the kitchen. You can find something to eat when you get out of here. He'd take too long to eat, and it's a waste to leave all that meat to the rats.
>Okay some of these wind voices are crazy crazy.

“Y-you… piece of shit… I could fucking k-kill you right now…”

“Can’t do shit babe… you can’t do nothing ‘hind those bars~ *hic* you’re just a stupid worthless biiiiitch~”

F-fuck! FUCK YOU!! WHAT AM I DOING?! IT DOESN’T MATTER! NONE OF THIS DOES! HE DIES! I DIE! WE ALL FUCKING DIE AND NONE OF IT MATTERS! A STORY TOLD AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF TIMES, AND IT’S NEVER ANY DIFFERENT! AHHH!!!!

3/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085633 ID: 360d03
File 170977268327.png - (14.37KB , 500x500 , Page 3 Set 11.png )

Hahh… ah…. huh?

4/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085634 ID: 360d03
File 170977268655.png - (14.48KB , 500x500 , Page 4 Set 11.png )

“What?”

5/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085635 ID: 360d03
File 170977268887.png - (37.06KB , 500x500 , Page 5 Set 11.png )

“Hello? W-who are you?”

6/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085636 ID: 360d03
File 170977269188.png - (139.89KB , 500x500 , Page 6 Set 11.png )

“What? What are you saying?”

7/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085637 ID: 360d03
File 170977269355.png - (260.57KB , 500x500 , Page 7 Set 11.png )

“...”

9/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085639 ID: 360d03
File 170977269847.png - (17.18KB , 500x500 , Page 9 Set 11.png )

“Zzz”

10/10 Tanna 2024/03/06(Wed)16:51 No. 1085640 ID: b7c9db
File 170977270584.png - (15.03KB , 500x500 , Page 10 Set 11.png )

“Zzzzzzzzz”

>This guy's a non-threat for now, best to leave him be and keep the vanish advantage.
>Eh you need that asshole alive so he could tell why he needs the box...

He’s asleep.

>Whatever you choose, we're with you.

I don’t want to kill him.

>>1085640

Okay.
Then that is a thing we shall avoid.

Sorry if i and the other winds added to your confusion there.
We tend to, um, think out loud
From your perspective at any rate.

Anyway.
Something odd happened there tanna.
Lets not dwell on it though.
I promise the winds will think about it, but you need to be in the moment.
At least until you are more safe.

You are a nimble sort.
Carefully disarming and robbing the drunken ass should be easy enough and, should it be still active,not break your vanish.

Afterwards, or as an alternative.
Could be time to explore another room.

>>1085640
Well that's awfully convenient. Find something Tie him up, then figure out you're next steps.

>>1085640
Well he's not in your way anymore, let's go. Even if the others come to check on him, they won't be alerted to your escape, because of your silent image in the cell. How long is that going to last, anyway...?

Go see if that door leading to the exit is open. If not, then let's check the waterway, maybe you can get the gate open there. Not to leave immediately, we shouldn't give up on the secondary objective yet.

>>1085649
Do you think we will be here for long enough for him to wake up? I hope not.

It may be better to not touch him. Let's hope the box won't be too hard to find.

(edited)

>>1085649
We don't have to find anything, We already got those two tough leather straps to tie him up with. if he's totally passed out, use one of the leather straps to tie him up against the prison bars. Make sure it's tight.

We can probably tie his mouth shut with the other leather strap so he doesn't alert anyone right away if he wakes up too.

>>1085636
A story told nigh infinite times
(The symbols are rotating and flipping now.)

>>1085637
It never changes. Their victories, their defeats. So utterly uninteresting. (the u and o symbols are very similar here due to the rotation, possibly not intentional? The circle in the background has runes on it, might be translatable. I'm having trouble matching the collection of runes to known runic languages, mostly due to that weird X/Z hybrid at the top. It doesn't match the runic text used in the Ultima games, that's for sure.)

>>1085638
These (winds) however, perhaps they were right
Perhaps this play will prove interesting.
(clockwise, starting from straight up.)

>>1085639
Let them guide you devoted little tanna.

>>1085640
Entertain me.
(spooky!)

>>1085666
The runes in the circle on >>1085637
are the Armanen runes in alphabetical order, going clockwise starting from the top (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armanen_runes). Just noting it for future possible translations.

>>1085665
I like how you think. though I would like to interrogate him so we can get some answers from him.

>>1085670
(ah, thanks. I wish all the runic languages were on one page...)

>>/questdis/141831

You don't want to kill him, then don't. See if you can get out of here. Leave the illusion as long as you can, in case anyone comes to check on this guy. They should be less suspicious when they find him without his throat cut.

Dont forget to loot him before you leave. He might have keys for example, or something helpful.

Maybe you can wear his clothes? Though i dont think they fit you.

>>1085734

She's on a very short time table here. It won't be long before she can't sustain the illusions, and she only has 1 spell after that.

Move quickly and get to freedom before they can see you again.

We don't need to kill him now that he's passed out. We should definitely loot him, though—the booze should keep him out cold. We can plan next actions based on what we find on his person; the box remains an important target, so keep an eye out for anything relating to that.

1/4 Tanna 2024/03/09(Sat)22:41 No. 1085982 ID: 385671
File 171005287440.png - (10.35KB , 500x500 , Page 1 Set 12.png )

Last set of images won’t count towards the Vanish timer. Vanish will expire at the final image of Set 13.

>Sorry if i and the other winds added to your confusion there. We tend to, um, think out loud. From your perspective at any rate.

It’s fine. Sorry for freaking out.

>It may be better to not touch him.

He seems pretty out of it, unnaturally so. He collapsed face first into the bars and fell asleep. This drunk in a few minutes? Either he can’t hold his drink at all, or it was something else. I don’t think moving him around is going to wake him up.

>Maybe you can wear his clothes? Though i dont think they fit you.

Tachidoki don’t really wear pants, and I try on his shirt, but it’s awkward to the point of being dangerous. I put it back on him to help avoid suspicion from any passerby.

>Well that's awfully convenient. Find something Tie him up, then figure out you're next steps.
>We don't have to find anything, We already got those two tough leather straps to tie him up with. if he's totally passed out, use one of the leather straps to tie him up against the prison bars. Make sure it's tight.
>We can probably tie his mouth shut with the other leather strap so he doesn't alert anyone right away if he wakes up too.

I adjust his body to sit against the bars, then use one of the leather straps to tie his arms behind the bars tight. Using the other leather strap, I open his mouth and wrap the other strap around it and the bars.

2/4 Tanna 2024/03/09(Sat)22:41 No. 1085983 ID: 385671
File 171005287687.png - (17.60KB , 500x500 , Page 2 Set 12.png )

>Anyway. Something odd happened there tanna. Lets not dwell on it though. I promise the winds will think about it, but you need to be in the moment. At least until you are more safe.

Something odd? I’m uh… not really sure what you’re talking about, but I was kinda feeling a bit disoriented there. Things are starting to clear up though. You’re right, no use dwelling on whatever happened. Let’s get back to it!

>Don't forget to loot him before you leave.
>Carefully disarming and robbing the drunken ass should be easy enough and, should it be still active,not break your vanish.
>We should definitely loot him

His torch is better than my crummy makeshift one (which has since gone out), but I’m going to leave them both on the floor for now. They’d give away my position.

Quickly looting him, I take stock of everything else he has on him:

Dagger - Swiped and holstered on the sheath on the strap of my bag. Easily accessed!
Potion of Cure Light Wounds - A thin green vial, a quick Detect Magic proves it’s another one of those healing potions. Always good to have more!
Lock Picking Kit - A bunch of thin metal tools that I can only assume are for lockpicking. Not that I know the first thing about that.
Small Pouch Coins - He had 3 Gold, 5 Silver, 12 Copper pieces. Now I have that much.
Small Pouch of Chalk Powder - Kind of a weird thing to have, but maybe useful.

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 - 1[Unfamiliar field] > 2 = FAILURE

Vial of Clear Liquid - It has a faded label of an acronym, D.S. Sealed with a cork stopper. No idea what this is, it isn’t magical.

As I’m stuffing the items into my bag, I notice something else magical in my pouch. The scroll from before. It’s a magic scroll. Gods I’m a dummy, I really should’ve thought to check that before.

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 > 2 = SUCCESS

It’s a scroll of paralyzation. Only works on humanoid-esque things though, like me or our friend here. Wouldn’t work on say, a wild dog or butterfly.

There’s also the wine bottle on the ground. A bunch has spilled out, but I take the stopper from the potion I drank before and stick it on there. Kinda wanna drink it, but it’s probably not the best idea at the moment.

3/4 Tanna 2024/03/09(Sat)22:41 No. 1085984 ID: 385671
File 171005287915.png - (80.88KB , 500x500 , Page 3 Set 12.png )

>Do you think we will be here for long enough for him to wake up? I hope not.
>I would like to interrogate him so we can get some answers from him.

Me either! Though, I guess I wouldn’t mind asking him some questions. He mentioned seeing me before in some village.

>Even if the others come to check on him, they won't be alerted to your escape, because of your silent image in the cell. How long is that going to last, anyway...?

I can feel my concentration on it waning. It’s got some time still, but not much, maybe a little more than a minute?

>Could be time to explore another room.
>See if you can get out of here. Leave the illusion as long as you can, in case anyone comes to check on this guy. They should be less suspicious when they find him without his throat cut.
>Even if the others come to check on him, they won't be alerted to your escape, because of your silent image in the cell. Go see if that door leading to the exit is open.

Sure! I’m kinda tired of this area. Stepping back into the main hallway, I walk up the stairs leading to the double door. It’s not open, but I’m kinda curious to hear if they’re still there. I lean up against it and take a quick list-

4/4 Tanna 2024/03/09(Sat)22:41 No. 1085985 ID: 385671
File 171005288183.png - (144.12KB , 500x500 , Page 4 Set 12.png )

CREAK~

EEK! WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?!

“Jacooob, you feeling alright? ………I’ll take that as a no, good.”

Ready to do something risky?

As she exits, try and sneak right in before she closes the door. Then, try and find a place to hide in this room before your vanish runs out.

In due time, she will discover Jacob, alert the others, and then they'll go out and search for you, but the last thing they expect to look is the room that they just exited. In which case, you can quickly try to find the box in here while they are out bumbling around looking for you. I have a sneaking feeling it is in this room.

>Tachidoki don’t really wear pants

wait, are you sure you're not a nudist?

>>1085988

I expect, with their body type, that they are considered clothed if their upper body is clothed, in some sort of body stocking, sweater, long shirt, hoodie, vest, or similar. As long as they aren't, you know, lifting their tail and *presenting*, they should be considered reasonably modest. That said, there might be a sort of hygiene etiquette for them to carry their own cloth or a towel for sitting on, so the crotch doesn't touch public chairs and benches. And carefully cut clothing that carefully covers the lower body without getting in the way of movement might be a sign of wealth.

I'm not sure what position everything was left in the prison. Is your illusion still inside a locked cell? Is it in the same cell Jacob is tied to? This would make more sense, in a weird way, if this amurrun find him before the illusion disappear.

I agree with:
>>1085986
It's better to enter the room without touching the door in case there is someone on the other side.

>>1085993
The illusion and "Jacob" are in the bottom right cell located in >>1084776

Sweet, now that we have that scroll we have a guaranteed path to victory. Use paralyze on one, charm person on the other. You won't have to kill anyone, you can grab the box and tell the charmed person to just sit still while you tie everyone up. Well, I guess we don't have enough binding materials... We may be able to do that if there's rope somewhere in this new room. If not, we need to figure out some other way of incapacitating everyone. If someone has a key to one of the cells you could lock them in... but then they'd eventually starve to death.

Are you okay with indirectly killing these people? They are very bad people.

>>1085982
"Tachidoki dont wear pants."
Thats the kind of tjing a nudist would say slinky.

>>1085986
The winds blow true tanna.
Trust your light feet and sneak on in if you can.

Weren't you complaining about being naked before?

I just realized the significance of the color of your eyes. Anyway, yes sneakysneak into the room! You have a plan after that even if your vanish wears off. The scroll of paralysis can take out one, and when the last one comes back, you can charm them to help you.

Need to act fast! Get ready with the harmonica. If the cat starts closing the door again you'll need to charm her. Stay hidden behind the other door and have her just stand there. When the other bandit comes over to see what she's doing hit them with the paralysis.
But if she goes to look for drunky you can slip in the room unseen and charm the other bandit after she walks away.

>>1085982
>He seems pretty out of it, unnaturally so.
>This drunk in a few minutes? Either he can’t hold his drink at all, or it was something else.
Probably really strong alcohol or someone spiked his drink.

>>1085985
>“Jacooob, you feeling alright? ………I’ll take that as a no, good.”
Judging from how happy she is of the other guy not feeling good, I think she could be responsible for drugging the other guy's drink.

>>1086002
>The winds blow true tanna.
You mean like a fart?

>>1086092
>The winds blow true tanna.
>You mean like a fart?

There you go, Tanna, whenever one of us winds teases you, like calls you "slinky", just call them a fart

(Slinky is a cute nickname tho, not gonna lie

Trip her and see if she lands on her feet, lol.

1/5 Tanna 2024/03/12(Tue)20:10 No. 1086282 ID: c1b8eb
File 171029944349.png - (15.11KB , 500x500 , Page 1 Set 13.png )

>wait, are you sure you're not a nudist?
>"Tachidoki dont wear pants." Thats the kind of tjing a nudist would say slinky.

I. AM. NOT. A. NUDIST!!!!

>Weren't you complaining about being naked before?

I was, and I still am! Believe me, if not being able to move properly didn’t come with a chance of dying, I would wear his shirt, however awkward! But I can’t afford that right now, it’s way too dangerous.

>>1085991

This wind gets it. There’s specially fitted skirts, kilts, and pants my kind can don, but they’re pretty expensive and need to be tailor made. I’m not sure if I ever had anything like that, but ponchos, shawls, and robes with cuts around the tail and legs are what we normally wear. There’s a few other races like that, Weski (Mousefolk) and Usatokki (Rabbitfolk) are good examples.

2/5 Tanna 2024/03/12(Tue)20:10 No. 1086283 ID: c1b8eb
File 171029944715.png - (255.93KB , 500x500 , Page 2 Set 13.png )

>Need to act fast!
>The winds blow true tanna.
>Ready to do something risky?

Whatcha have in mind?

>Trip her and see if she lands on her feet, lol.

That sounds like a good way to get myself killed! What does “lol” mean?

>As she exits, try and sneak right in before she closes the door. Then, try and find a place to hide in this room before your vanish runs out.
>if she goes to look for drunky you can slip in the room unseen
>Trust your light feet and sneak on in if you can.
>Anyway, yes sneakysneak into the room!

No time like the present. As she steps past and moves to the other side of the door…

>SNEAKING CHECK: 10[Roll] + 4[Dexterity] + 2[Effective] + 4[Invisible] > 8[Roll] + 3[Mentality] + 4[Proximity] = SUCCESS

...I take soft steps and manage to slip around to enter the next room. Doesn’t seem like she noticed me at all.

“Gods I hope I’m not too la-”

CREAK~

The door closes quietly behind me.

3/5 Tanna 2024/03/12(Tue)20:10 No. 1086284 ID: c1b8eb
File 171029945060.png - (8.72KB , 500x500 , Page 3 Set 13.png )

>Are you okay with indirectly killing these people? They are very bad people.

I… no. I’m not. It scares the shit out of me. The idea of being responsible for someone’s death, direct or indirect. I wouldn’t mind locking them away for a time, but it’d eat away at me. I would really need to come back or free them in some way.

>Get ready with the harmonica.
>Sweet, now that we have that scroll we have a guaranteed path to victory. Use paralyze on one, charm person on the other.
>The scroll of paralysis can take out one, and when the last one comes back, you can charm them to help you.

Right, just a few seconds left on my Vanish. I position myself behind a pillar, and take out the scroll of paralyze and my harmonica. My heart begins to thump rapidly in my chest, but I take a deep breath to steel myself. First step, figure out where they are. Taking a quick sniff, I try to determine that… huh?

4/5 Tanna 2024/03/12(Tue)20:10 No. 1086285 ID: c1b8eb
File 171029945362.png - (50.62KB , 1750x750 , Page 4 Set 13.png )

It doesn’t smell like anyone’s here. Just some lingering stenches. One belonging to that person I just passed, two familiar ones, Jacob’s, and another unidentified one (which may be a mix). Just to confirm, I peek around the side and see no one. Not a soul in this area besides me.

There’s a big rectangular hole above me, a bit to my left. Rain is quietly pattering away over there too, and some ropes are dangling from it. If it weren’t for it being so open up there, it’d be pitch black in here. The mixed moonlights from Lunayin and Io shining down are the only thing letting me see as it is. I can faintly smell grass and trees drifting from above.

...What is this place?

5/5 Tanna 2024/03/12(Tue)20:10 No. 1086286 ID: c1b8eb
File 171029945989.png - (9.91KB , 500x500 , Page 5 Set 13.png )

>The winds blow true tanna.
>You mean like a fart?
>There you go, Tanna, whenever one of us winds teases you, like calls you "slinky", just call them a fart

Slinky and Farts. Huh.

>Probably really strong alcohol or someone spiked his drink.

You think the drink was spiked with something or really strong? It was strange how he came back completely hammered like that.

...I take the wine out of my bag and uncork it, then give it a quick sniff.

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 + 1[Familiar Field] + 1[Scent] > 4 = SUCCESS

It’s… it’s definitely spiked. I… recognize it too. It’s Olo’tharr, a species of mushroom that grows in the realms below. It’s a powerful anesthetic used for medicines and poisons.

>Judging from how happy she is of the other guy not feeling good, I think she could be responsible for drugging the other guy's drink.

...

Forgot to mention! I'm no longer invisible!

>>1086286
Wow, this is excellent news. Based on the drugged wine, and what she just said about not being "too late", that one was an ally! So we only have to deal with one more of your captors... Can you still control your illusion at this range? Have them point towards the door you just came through, and do something that makes it clear they're an illusion, like standing halfway through the cell bars. Well, I guess it's possible she simply doesn't agree with torture. It's up to you if you want to reveal the deception. Wouldn't hurt to just leave the illusion where it is for now, since you at least want to find where your belongings went.

Speaking of which, it's time to sneak around and sniff around at all the doors to see if you can catch the scent of your stuff or the final captive. That rainy area looks like an elevator, by the way.

>>1086282
Ever heard of a razor? It's where you cut off all the fur getting in your way so you can wear stuff.

>>1086285
Oh no.
I think... I think this is a Ruin. A bad one.
In places like these, cults would destroy their followers' minds, turn them into disposable henchmen - or mind control them into giving up their entire family fortune.

>>1086286
Slather your scythe in this soup. Should make for a decent poison modifier.

Wonder if she's trying to rescue you, considering she said something like "i hope im not too late"

well, doesn't matter, we're doing good without her help if that is the case. that said, best not risk it, and not interact with her, we still have no idea if she's freind or foe for sure. If she sees jacob, she'll at least know we're safe if she's an ally, and know we're capable.

Lets do the same ol' thing, listen, smell, and check behind every door

afterwards, look through the table and inspect the giant broken statue.

maybe check under the chairs too and the giant lantern things.

Go through the things on the table, since that's closest to the door and we don't want to be there when she gets back. Hopefully the box is on there and we can get out of here fast.

Try not to look directly at the large sigil on the wall and under roof opening, as they match the one that shocked you in the buried cell.

Oh! forgot to mention

If you hear somebody coming, the perfect hiding spot would be behind the large broken remains of the shattered statue over there.

>>1086286
We're full of wind.
You wanna call me a fart, slinky, go ahead.
Its a fine nickname. i wont sniff at it.

Oop.
Distraction time over.
Good sneaking.
Ok tanna, looks like a table of treasures ahead.
Something looks vaguely key shaped other stuff looks like jewelry, maybe.


This whole chamber has the look of a ruined temple, buried and long forgotten.
Hm.
Ropes...
The ropes present a future opportunity to escape without leaving them trapped.
When you leave, pull up both ropes.
Cut off enough that it hangs 15foot or so above the floor.
Eventually theyll figure out they can stack enough furniture, pews and things from around the place to reach it.
Tire them out, give you a good head start.



Regarding the spiked drink...
There's a chance the bandits are tryingbto cut and run on one of their number.
Maybe theyre all looking to cut thenotyers out.
The good part of this if it is the case, theyre divided.
The bad side is theyll be a little more alert, watching their own backs.
Worst possibility is they may be ready to move out sooner than we planned.

Oh right the table. Is that your stuff on the table?

Stay away from the altar and the painted wall. Check the table, loot anything valuable, then go hear if there is anyone behind the opposing double door.
Unfortunately we can no longer thrust in stealth alone, we need to act fast.


>>1086289
>that one was an ally!

Not necessarily. She could be unaware of our presence and assume we are with them. She could be one of them betraying her colleague. She could be from a rival faction with similar intentions. Let's not assume she is trustworthy.

Alright! Lemme explain 'LOL'. You know how spells like Whispering Wind or Sending have a '25 word or less' limit? Those are specific spells that transmit messages over distances. Consider a population that can send a spell like that to people they know, pretty much at will, except only once a minute or so. This would quickly go beyond the typical tactical, emergency response, criminal, economic, and espionage uses of those spells, and this group of people would quickly begin to use it for socializing and self expression. And then they'd develop a robust jargon to express complex concepts in as few words as possible, with lots of acronyms and compound words and shorthand and such.

Which is, indeed, what happened here. LOL stands for 'Laughing Out Loud'. It expresses the concept of, 'You just Sent me something so funny that I am actually laughing out loud.' The particular version of the spell in question was silent to outside observers, so 'someone standing and focusing on nothing and then randomly laughing out loud' is a notable event.

The subtext of that particular Wind was, 'I am intentionally giving you bad advice since I don't have any rapport with you and you aren't in my social in-group, and am laughing at you potentially suffering an amusingly dire fate'.

Unfortunately, not all of us are invested in your well-being. You seem particularly insightful, though, so just keep using your best judgment!

So, this happened a while back, but there's been some, uh, Eldritch things happening. Entirely separate from the memory loss, you experienced a 'cognitohazard'. Your cognition has been affected, as if you succumbed to one of the fancier sort of Charm spells that changes how a person thinks and doesn't let them know that their thoughts were messed with, even after the spell ends. I'm saying this cause things are relatively calm now, and if we have to direct you to work around something you are being forbidden from perceiving or remembering having perceived, I don't want it to be a surprise. A good rule of thumb for this crap is to keep an eye out for 'losing time'. I hope this message doesn't cause you too much angst!

This place is a temple, with pews for worshippers to sit at. It's a temple dedicated to a very unpopular deity, since their statue in front was clearly very deliberately smashed to pieces. Desecrated temple is about all you need to know at this point, but it looks like the statue has a plaque which might contain the name of the thing they worshipped, if you're curious.

There are many doors from here. Hopefully the double doors across from you lead outside.

I don't have message length limit, I just said lol instead of guffawing normally because it sounds funny.

But oh, boy. This looks like the dilapidated ruins to a temple. A temple to something vile, judging from the basement cells.

Speaking of which, we might want to peek back into the room we came in, to see if that catfolk was trying to rescue us or so something a bit less selfless.

>>1086346

Message limit is the earlier reason for that kind of thing. But culture endures, even when the original reasons for it are no longer true.

Rofl. ;)

1/10 Tanna 2024/03/17(Sun)18:17 No. 1086612 ID: 2e65ed
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>>1086328

Ohhhh okay. I was wondering if I was missing something there, it seemed like strange advice to give and maybe “lol” meant something more. Thanks for explaining that to me!

>I don't have message length limit, I just said lol instead of guffawing normally because it sounds funny.
>Message limit is the earlier reason for that kind of thing. But culture endures, even when the original reasons for it are no longer true.

I really wanna know more about where you’re from, it sounds like you all are capable of casting magic there. Maybe after things settle down, we can just talk for a bit? Assuming you don’t have to leave or anything.

>Rofl. ;)

Another acronym, right? Roaring out fast laughs? Naw, that sounds kinda dumb… is that a smiley face?

>I just realized the significance of the color of your eyes.

My eye color? They’re just gray, what’s so significant about that?

>>1086329

Err…. okay? I guess some weird things have been happening, with the buried cell, and my panic attack earlier, but eldritch? What does that even mean?

I don’t mean to seem antagonistic, I guess I’m just confused. But you all have steered me well so far, so it’s not like I don’t believe you. I’ll try to follow what you say, even if it seems a little weird at the time.

>I hope this message doesn't cause you too much angst!

You’re good! I think I’ve reached a threshold of angst where a message like that isn’t going to add much. Considering my lack of clothes, the people wanting to torture me, and the sudden multitude of voices in my head, it’d take a lot more than a friendly warning to pile on to that.

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>look through the table
>Go through the things on the table
>Ok tanna, looks like a table of treasures ahead.
>Is that your stuff on the table?
>Check the table, loot anything valuable

Speaking of clothes… guess what I smell! Upon the table are some purple-black robes with some gold trimming, completely drenched in my scent! This nudist streak comes to an end! Lemme put these on real quick.

...Well, they fit me perfectly, but they seem kind of... I guess I didn’t expect myself to wear something like this. Not that I’m complaining, this is so much better than being naked, and they’re pretty comfortable all things considered too. Ugh… I don’t wanna be the one to bring it up… but I look kind of culty don’t I? I’m gonna put down the hood.

Ah well. With newfound confidence, I notice that’s not the only thing on the table. There’s a bunch of other stuff too. I’ll organize it for you all and let you know what I take.

Sacrificial Looking Dagger - Scary curvy dagger. I don’t think I need another weapon at the moment, and it’d contribute to the cultist look, so I'm going to leave it on the table.
Pile of Coins - I freaking love money. Looks like 9 gold pieces, 14 silver, and 28 copper. Stuffed into the previous coin pouch. With that added, I have 12 Gold, 19 Silver, and 40 Copper.
Eye Symbol Amulets x3 - They look like they’re made of gold and silver. Worthless garbage besides that, better off melted. Leaving behind, starting to have too much stuff in my bag.
The Dark Truth and You (Book) - Leather bound book, not too large. Has another symbol of that eye on the cover. Garbage that I’m leaving behind.
Dictations of the Eye (Book) - Another culty looking book. Bigger than “The Dark Truth and You”, looks more like a bible. Probably makes for good tinder. Leaving behind.
Painting of the Eye - A faded painting, way too big to carry. More tinder.

>MENTALITY CHECK: 3 > 2 = SUCCESS

Scroll of Silence - A magic scroll of silence, will attach an aura of complete silence to an object or person, though a person has a chance to resist the effect. Useful for sneaking and preventing someone from casting spells that require speech! Stuffed in my bag.
Eye Key - A key with a stupid eye for a head. No idea what it’s for. Stuffed in my bag.


My pack is getting pretty full.