We'll take your mechanical corpse with us when we're done with you, W3AVER. Perhaps in time you'll find yourself repaired and in a kinder place than this.

1/5 Silv 2024/10/03(Thu)18:27 No. 1098193 ID: 1effd3
File 172800522722.png - (177.50KB , 900x750 , 100324_FromNothing162_Fern_is_not_brave.png )

>No, fuck that noise. Red knows the layout and you don't, that's how you get picked off and can't protect Fern. I feel sorry for Blue since they share a body, but it's time to fuck Red up.
>Oh this jerk. This fine piece of jerky. Chasing us away to protect this place is one thing, but toying with us? Who knows if he will stop at just pursuit? This sadist needs to be stopped pronto. Lets teach him a painful lesson on why his own personal opinions should not overwrite his duty.
>You can do your damndest to avoid picking a fight silv, but sometimes the fight picks you…You did your best. Get fern behind you. Fleeing would be like running off into a spiders lair...

>Tetsi has chosen violence!<
“Fern, get behind me-”
Fern is currently running to the other end of the factory.
Fern has disengaged from combat!

2/5 Silv 2024/10/03(Thu)18:27 No. 1098194 ID: 1effd3
File 172800525634.png - (225.11KB , 900x750 , 100324_FromNothing163_Marshlight_Spam.png )

>10 seconds? That's long enough to make a good spell. Lightning mortar is tempting, but against an agile target it might miss. So we'd need a different Interia… Static as the core, stream as Inertia, and Primal to augment it? That'd be a kind of lightning hose with... whatever Primal does. I wonder if Static core, Static inertia, Static augment makes sense. Lightning delivered as lightning, with MORE LIGHTNING. Actually... can you just cast a bunch of Marshlights around you, so red weaver can't get past? I'm not sure how good the shock effect is on them, or how many you can make in 10 seconds.
>Wisdom here sylv. Static and shock is the way to go. I suspect electricity would be disruptive for weaver.
>Fleeing deeper into a spider's lair is definitely not a great idea.
Machines will be vulnerable to electricity. Whatever we do, it should use the element of surprise Weaver just gave us to give him a shock.
>If ten seconds is enough to weave a spell, then how about this? Static core; Gale for a wide spread; and toxin for penetration
>>1097869
>>1097878
>Doesnt silv only have 2 runes with her?
”Maybe it’s best if Fern gets some distance while I’m dealing with W3AV3R”, Silv thinks, looking back towards W3AV3R. They haven’t moved from their spot yet.
Silv doesn't have enough runes on her for a maxed spell, she doesn't know if she can modify an existing spell, and now does not seem like the best time to try that out. She decides the best plan is probably to cast Marshlight as much as she can with the time she has left.

>This is a long shot, but if we can disable W3av3r that should give us time to find documentation to make us an employee, or even owner
>We'll take your mechanical corpse with us when we're done with you, W3AVER. Perhaps in time you'll find yourself repaired and in a kinder place than this.
With the time remaining, Silv is able to surround herself with 9 Marshlights, in addition to the Marshlight anchored to Tetsi. The plan is to use Static to disable W3AV3R, and find a way to stop Security mode!

3/5 Silv 2024/10/03(Thu)18:28 No. 1098195 ID: 1effd3
File 172800528799.png - (205.23KB , 900x750 , 100324_FromNothing164_Pounce.png )

”[SIMPLE ILLUMINATION SPELLS? IS THIS A DISTRACTION TACTIC?]”

The internal mechanical whir intensifies. W3AV3Rs body vibrates in anticipation.
”[UNFORTUNATE.]”

Suddenly, W3AV3R lunges towards Silv, and Silv covers her face.

4/5 Silv 2024/10/03(Thu)18:28 No. 1098196 ID: 1effd3
File 172800530608.png - (593.59KB , 900x750 , 100324_FromNothing165_CRITICAL_ERROR.png )

Upon contact with multiple instances of Marshlight, a horrific sound between that of screeching metal and a thunderclap reverberate through the building. W3AV3R staggers backwards urgently, bumping into the silent machinery and giant spools of thread.
”[␦C-C-RITICᗆL ER-R-RꓤOR␦ SHORTᗄ-AGE OC-C-C-CUꓤRENCE TO ᛗA-A-AGIC DRIVE␦ EᛗEꓤGEN-N-NCY SHUTDO-O-OWN␦]” W3AV3R stutters before finally collapsing to the ground.

Silv and Tetsi stand there silently for a few moments watching W3AV3Rs body. It’s silent.
“...Sorry Mr. W3AV3R.” Silv says, quickly turning and running down the factory floor.

Reaching the end of the building, Silv calls and looks for Fern, but they’re nowhere to be found.
“Do you think Fern ran into the other building Tetsi? The office one?” she asks, looking through the hole in the wall towards the structure across the tented in area.

5/5 Silv 2024/10/03(Thu)18:28 No. 1098197 ID: 1effd3
File 172800533953.png - (199.24KB , 900x750 , 100324_FromNothing166_Uh_Oh.png )

CLANG…!

The ominous sound echoes through the building, making Silv turn back.
...Oh those are big needles.

[color=red]”[T-THOUGHT YOU W-WEAK. UNDERESTIMATIONS C-C-CORRECTED. SO YOU WILL PROVIDE ENT-T-TERTAINMENT.]”/color]

”...Tetsi I’m going to start running now.”

...I know we're in mortal peril right now but I can't help but wonder how and why a simple clothing factory had a security system this lethal? This couldn't have been legal.

Oh and if you can get into a hallway think a use of the tremor spell might be able to collapse it to stop the security golem from the "totally legal and not at all a front" company from following you?

>>1098197
>”...Tetsi I’m going to start running now.”
And how will that help you? W3AV3R has repeatedly demonstrated being faster than you. If you let your fear cloud your judgement, you're just prey. You'll have to fight again, and how about next time you don't turn your back on an enemy without making sure they're down for the count first?

>>1098197
We can't see where you are now, do you have an escape route? You can at least use Marshlights behind you as you flee to block pursuit...

I kindof want to set a trap. Put a puddle of water down with a trail leading to you and hit it with Static. Except, Static might just go into the ground...
Lighting something on fire might serve as a decent distraction, force Weaver to prioritize putting out the fire?

Looks like too tough to fight head on. Lets hide for a bit and look around for some machinery that might be rigged to trap. Something that could cut or crush his limbs. Bet you if you slap a machine with static it will operate for a second.

>>1098197
Running looks good.

How big a marshlight can you make? One big light or enough to block an exit?
Float a few as you run just to slow the pursuit.

I got it!
So Marshlight is designed to exist in whatever arbitrary space you defined, and as we've seen it can move and be anchored.

So, Visualize in 3D space overlayed upon your vision a sphere. Define the Marshlights to anchor to whatever location that imaginary sphere appears to be to you.
Now you can shoot Marshlights!
I can do you one better though!
Cast many Marshlights like this, but only imagine the sphere at the moment of casting, then stop. Once you have at least a dozen or so Imagine the sphere overlaying W3AV3R, and watch as he gets absolutely BOMBARDED.

Alternatively you can make a Marshlight (say, an anchored one) much more dangerous by throwing both an Eldritch and a Static in at the same time. Due to how Eldritch is programmed, throwing either in by themselves could cause the Marshlight to explode! So be careful if you do so.
That said, I'm sure you can think of some uses for an explosion right now!

Could also just find a chokepoint like a doorway and put marshlights in it so W3 has a hard time moving through.

And then even if they try wriggling past you bonk ‘em with us into ‘em. Mind you watch out they just stab for ya. Use well the cover provided by such an action.

>>1098295
Ah, and option of last-ish resort. If you get stung, grabbed or can touch, ‘em, grab a marshlight while you’re connected to them. A jolt to W3 seems to induce a far worse reaction than a jolt to you.

And if you do get them disabled again, try to see if you can’t detach the head. Maybe put up a marshlight as backup so you can keep jolting it.

>>1098296
Forming a conduit seems like a really bad idea. Better to use Static directly on the robot.

Maybe it's time to combine two Static runes to try to get a stronger electricity spell. Surely the result won't explode instantly.

>>1098312
I bet it will of she throws that result into a Marshlight!

1/2 Silv 2024/10/12(Sat)13:06 No. 1098531 ID: 1effd3
File 172876360956.png - (157.53KB , 900x750 , 101224_FromNothing167_.png )

>We can't see where you are now, do you have an escape route? You can at least use Marshlights behind you as you flee to block pursuit...
The area ahead is a courtyard between the main factory building and the building with the offices. It’s enclosed by a huge canopy of fabric stitched to the walls and ground, letting a small amount of light into the area.
...Wait, how did they stitch fabric to stone???

>>1098241
You know, now might not be the optimal time to fry the child's brain?

>...I know we're in mortal peril right now but I can't help but wonder how and why a simple clothing factory had a security system this lethal? This couldn't have been legal. Oh and if you can get into a hallway think a use of the tremor spell might be able to collapse it to stop the security golem from the "totally legal and not at all a front" company from following you?
>Looks like too tough to fight head on. Lets hide for a bit and look around for some machinery that might be rigged to trap. Something that could cut or crush his limbs. Bet you if you slap a machine with static it will operate for a second.
>Could also just find a chokepoint like a doorway and put marshlights in it so W3 has a hard time moving through. And then even if they try wriggling past you bonk ‘em with us into ‘em. Mind you watch out they just stab for ya. Use well the cover provided by such an action.
”From the windows, the offices seem a lot more cramped than the factory building. That should make it harder to follow me, right?”
Quickly running over, Silv finds a door that's ajar. This might be where Fern ran off to!

2/2 Silv 2024/10/12(Sat)13:07 No. 1098532 ID: 1effd3
File 172876363280.png - (131.08KB , 900x750 , 101224_FromNothing168_WittyFileNamesArentEasyOK.png )

>And how will that help you? W3AV3R has repeatedly demonstrated being faster than you.
>Ah, and option of last-ish resort. If you get stung, grabbed or can touch, ‘em, grab a marshlight while you’re connected to them. A jolt to W3 seems to induce a far worse reaction than a jolt to you
>Forming a conduit seems like a really bad idea. Better to use Static directly on the robot.
“Where is W3AV3R?”, Silv asks as she peers through one of the dusty windows.

W3AV3R is only just exiting the main factory building, still equipped with its giant needles, but visibly unsteady and slow. Seems it running into several Marshlights did actually do something to hinder it. But leaving a few Marshlights strewn about is still a good idea.

>How big a marshlight can you make? One big light or enough to block an exit?
”I think I can only make one size right now. But we need to hurry and find Fern and those papers! Where should we go? And should I get rid of the Marshlight stuck to you?”

Options are limited:
Keep the Marshlight stuck to Tetsi for defense, but risk being tracked easier.
Search the downstairs offices, allowing W3AV3R to get closer.
Search upstairs, giving you some more time to search and hide.

>>1098532
Oh thank god it's slow now.

Search upstairs, I think. Can you do the marshlight-attachment thing but with the marshlight further away from the attachment point? If so, you could use it as a long range attack and actually fight effectively. Especially if you can put like five of them in a line.

Leave this marshlight here and get upstairs quick.

>>1098537
She should be able to, but it appears she has to be very near the initial cast point. Silv would need to put us down, at least briefly, to do so.

I worry this could make us unwieldy, though. Even if Marshlights are weightless, Silv hasn't ever wielded anything that large. In a place so filled with flammable things, I worry that might accidentally start a fire..

I think we can end this with an ambush.

Leave the Marshlight on and go downstairs, knowing we'll be followed. Find a good corner or other ambush hiding spot, and Then turn off the Marshlight.

Prepare a static rune, wait for W3AV3R, and hit him with it directly when he appears!
While he's suffering it's effects, cast one more Marshlight very near him, and throw a static rune into it to finish him off!

>>1098541
Static basically requires Silv to touch the target to transmit the electric shock, and it's a mild shock as well. I don't think it would do very much.

>>1098532
Weaver has seen us wth the light.
It does present an opportunity to have a diversion if pursued.
You can send the light one way while you hide or go another direction.

Keep that in reserve.
For now, dim it and search upstairs.
Fern will have gone to ground somewhere im sure.
Somewhere cramped and safe like her other hideyholes she usedbin the past.

>>1098537
Marshlight flail whip seems like a good combat option. Marshlights attached to each other at the end of the staff.

Keep the light for now. We know it works to stun Weaver, and Weaver probably has night vision anyways. Better we even the odds of being able to see.

Go upstairs to search.

>>1098555
Oh I was thinking of more like an extended line making a staff or spear. One long enough to beat Weaver's needle range advantage might be difficult to carry through indoors areas though.

>>1098543
Good point...
What if we have her open up with a blast grenade instead?
Silv'll need to be fast with the follow up, but W3AVER certainly won't be expecting it. He'll be caught well off guard.

1/2 Silv 2024/10/14(Mon)17:53 No. 1098601 ID: 1effd3
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>Snuff the light, and go upstairs.
Leaving a few Marshlights in the hallways while snuffing hers out, Silv quietly crawls up the stairs onto the 2nd floor.

>Static? Grenade?
”Static I have to touch with, and I don't think throwing blast runes in here is a good idea…”, she thinks, almost tripping on a pile of papers in the hallway.
Downstairs, you can hear the door Silv entered from squeak open. W3AV3R is now in the building.

”[OUTSIDE PERMI-I-ITED PATROL ROUTE. OVERRIDDEN TO SEARCH FOR TRESPASSER. LAYOUT UNKNOWN.]”

2/2 Silv 2024/10/14(Mon)17:54 No. 1098602 ID: 1effd3
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”Seems like W3AV3R’s never been here before. That should help us hide from it while we look for the papers.”
Silv checks the doors, seeing which rooms are open. So far you’ve found a closet, a room with FAR too much paper in lots of boxes, and several other locked doors. Near the end is a room with a desk and some shelving. Still no sign of Fern however.

Which room would you like to check?
-Closet
-Storeroom
-Office

>>1098602
>Seems like W3AV3R’s never been here before
Hasn't it? I mean, W3AV3R is the only one around and there doesn't seem to be any dust in here, it could've said it out loud just to throw us off.

>Which room would you like to check?
Office. Let's find out a bit more about this place.

>>1098602
Office is where the forms should be.

Office is best bet.

>>1098602
Office is where we would find forms, yeah. Either an employment form or a maintenance form for the robot. Can you even read?

Paperwork is usually kept in the office… unless they were an alcoholic, then that’s where you keep the booze.

W3AV3R may not have been here before, but he'll be looking for the office too since he knows what you're looking for. Meanwhile, hiding in the closet is a cliche, he'll definitely check...
But perhaps the storeroom could offer enough cover to evade and double back to the office...

>>1098603
What makes you think W3AV3R is the only one around? There could be another thing assigned to this building. Maybe they are territorial.

>>1098602
Office.
More chance of forms and unexpected boons.
Could even be lucky enough to find an authorised visitor badge.

1/2 Silv 2024/10/20(Sun)12:34 No. 1098800 ID: 1effd3
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>Overwhelming Office
Dust kicks up as Silv slowly closes the door behind her. Books and papers line the shelves, while a single window dimly lights the desk in the room. Several books and piles of papers have fallen over, edges falling apart.
”Fern? Feeeern?”
No sign of Fern.
You hear W3AV3R bumping into things downstairs.

>What makes you think W3AV3R is the only one around? There could be another thing assigned to this building. Maybe they are territorial.
>Seems like W3AV3R’s never been here before hasn't it? I mean, W3AV3R is the only one around and there doesn't seem to be any dust in here, it could've said it out loud just to throw us off.
“W3AV3R said it was made specifically for cloth stuff right? So wouldn’t it be where all the cloth for security make sense instead of here?”
Silv stifles a cough from the airborne dust, trying to be quiet.

2/2 Silv 2024/10/20(Sun)12:35 No. 1098801 ID: 1effd3
File 172945291047.png - (217.18KB , 900x750 , 102024_FromNothing172_SilvCannotRead.png )

>Can you even read?
”...Uhh…”
Silv heads over to the desk, where you see some old order forms, a newspaper article about a war, a manual for something, and an employee manifest. Silv picks up a random paper to her face.
”...Tetsi, I don’t think I know how to read.”
Well that’s unfortunate-

...Wait, how did you know what was on the table?

>>1098801
you're asking us? I mean we clearly have an ability to take in information about our environment, if nothing else.

Uhhh, look for "registration paperwork". Also possibly inspect "employee manifest".

Uhhh, look for "registration paperwork". Also possibly inspect "employee manifest".

uh, shove the paper in my face and I'll give it a try.

>>1098801
We can read! Point us at things.
Let's... examine all the papers scattered around. Also read the newspaper. Can we do that? I hope our vision isn't limited to general descriptions.

We're a multitudinous multidimensional intellect. It would be weird if we *couldn't* read.

*Points out the employee manifest*
Get me closer to that.

>>1098801
It seems we can read.

Direct Silv in adding her name to the employee manifest, then stow it. W3AV3R still might not listen, but it's something in our pocket to give blue more leverage for control in an emergency.

See if there is a nameplate on the desk so we can name drop the boss when we confront weaver.

>>1098809
Agreed entirely.
Even if its a form for bring your pet to work day, it serves its purpose.
A prop for a distraction and a mental purchase for blue to grab onto.

Keep an eye out for a little card with a face and words on it covered in a transparent membraine.
Even an incorrect id has to be checked first.
Itd buy seconds at most, but that can be what you need sometimes.

Oh, and we should look for anything like a security override password.