Yes, we believe in Lisel's abilities and the promise of her technology, so we 'd be glad to have her along on the day's mission; but she's been getting more and more touchy-feely since yesterday, which is concerning. We should show her her space, as tactfully as we can; we're on a mission for our home, and can't afford to get tangled up in any messy relationships.

I am against her tagging along with us all the time, I get that she is a field researcher but we don't have time for her to reach a breakthrough. I suggest you go with somebody much more capable in a fight or just go alone.

1/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)15:58 No. 1105164 ID: 6c233e
File 174259790794.jpg - (533.71KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 07 contrition.jpg )

"That would be most agreeable." you say, "Despite the accident your assistance was appreciated. And too, you have more experience in house raiding than I, which is to say, any at all. You would know better than I what materials are worth taking."

Lisel shrugs on her heavy coat, preening at the praise. She sobers up as you continue "However, you've been rather forward haven't you? I heard the mice that live out of the woods can be rather informal, but aren't you moving a bit too fast?"

"Ah, no no. You-" she sighs "I apologize. I've been on the road so long, and you're the first real gentleman I've met in some time. I'm afraid I have overstepped."

Now it is your turn to be flustered by praise, no one has ever called you a gentleman before. "Ahem, well yes, er, it's just I have to focus on my mission. My family is counting on me."

"I understand." Lisel looks up at you "Perhaps, come the spring, we'll see where we stand." strapping on her bulky acid tank she moves to the tent flap. "For now, lets get to work."

2/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)15:58 No. 1105165 ID: 6c233e
File 174259793579.jpg - (552.72KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 08 uninvited guests.jpg )

The two of you are met at the flap of the larger tent by Surrep. "Did one of you go telling about what we're planning?" she hisses. At your confused expressions she shakes her head "We have several uninvited guests. If Afton finds out what we intend, well I don't know what he'll do. Bar us from the shed most like. That can't happen, we need the shrew's forge." She runs a paw over her face irritably. "Come in, everyone else is ready."

Inside the tent it is rather crowded. Every rat is here arranged around the tent wall, seven in total. As if on trial, the center is occupied by a variety of animals. There is the sorrowful bat, who has armed herself with a simple needle spear. Jasper is here, knifes strapped to his waist and a cocky grin on his face. He is accompanied by a pair of equally rough looking mice. Surprisingly the three beetles are also here, along with a strange insect swathed in silks.

Pestuous nods to acknowledge your entrance, then turns back to the assembled. "So we are all here, and then some. Now I know what my family intends. We are going to search the basement for coal, and any material for weapons, that we may vanquish the rot in this house. Do you all intend the same?"

3/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)16:00 No. 1105176 ID: 6c233e
File 174259801609.jpg - (634.71KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 09 sneaky mice.jpg )

Jasper steps forward. "Me n' the lads, well we've been mighty curious what might be down there ourselves. It's just, safer in numbers and all that. So iffen ye let us accompany you, all the safer for everyone. We won't slow ye down, we've all survived many a year o' house raidin. Right boys?"

"Aye" says the gruff one. "Hrmm" says the tuff one.

4/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)16:00 No. 1105177 ID: 6c233e
File 174259805877.jpg - (597.12KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 10 vengeful bat.jpg )

The bat steps forward next. She looks fiercely around the room "Those monsters took my family. My mother. None of you have put her body to rest. I will." As the words leave her she seems to slump "Yet my sister needs me. My best bet of coming back alive is with you. So I beg you let me accompany. You know a bat's ears are keen. I can help."

5/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)16:01 No. 1105178 ID: 6c233e
File 174259808687.jpg - (627.84KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 11 tough bugs.jpg )

A silken robed insect steps forward from between her beetle guards, moth wings flashing as she raises a hand dramatically. "Chi chi" she squeaks "I have seen, chi chi. What you do here today will lead us to lady Icktechi, chi chi. My guard will accompany you. They do not speak, but they will follow, chi chi. Together we will return the lady, and restore this blessed wood, chi chi."

6/6 Nalthar 2025/03/21(Fri)16:01 No. 1105179 ID: 6c233e
File 174259811622.jpg - (634.69KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 12 odd fellows.jpg )

"So we're all on the same page, more or less." Pestuous says "The plan remains the same; form teams of three to scout the underfloor. Find a way into the basement, look around, then return to the library to report. Stealth is our best defense on this mission, only fight if necessary."

"There is an uneven number of folk here, one group will need to be four." Surrep mutters.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Who will you bring with you and Lisel, Tem'rty? (up to two)

A) Jasper
A2) one of his associates

B) the bat

C) a beetle

D) Surrep
D2) a rat you don't know very well
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

surrep and the bat!!!

Bat and a beetle

B,C

We haven't seen any bats yet but the thralls. This will be a good opportunity to learn more about them and their position in the house.

And I'm kind of curious about the silk moth, too. The beetle won't be able to tell us anything while we're working, but it could be an in with the moth later.

So far, only Tem'rty, Lisel, and the Shale Ledge mice are part of the conspiracy, right? So the if there's been a leak, one of them would have to be the suspect. People knew we'd be going for coal, right? The shrews need it. It's probably not related to a leak, but we'd best stay frosty.

Is it possible to have a beetle and another beetle? I just find the idea of Tem'rty trying to have small talk with not one but two silent beetles hilarious.
Wishes aside, the bat and the beetle would be my vote.
We gotta take at least one beetle.

D2 If we don't know them well this mission will be a perfect option to change that. We need to learn what others can do, the bat is most likely a capable fighter and the beetle, honestly I don't know what the fuck is up with that bug. So my suggestion is to go with those you know nothing about so no bat and no beetle.

1/3 Nalthar 2025/04/09(Wed)18:07 No. 1106041 ID: 6c233e
File 174424726005.jpg - (646.59KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 13 for family.jpg )

It would be nice to have someone with good hearing in the dark tunnels. "The bat?" you ask Lisel "She sounds a bit young, but she's got spirit." The chemist nods. "I'll follow your lead." The two of you approach the willowy bat.

"Excuse me, but would you care to join us miss..." "Sorrel" the bat says, her voice hoarse. "Yes I, know I haven't been pulling my weight, but I assure you, I am a hunter. I'll do whatever it takes to help you bring that monster down."

"Can you keep that fire in check?" you ask "We aren't going after him directly, yet." She looks you in the eye, her stare unnerving. "I still have family to protect. That will stay my hand until the time is ripe."

You nod "I have kin depending on me too. We will do this deed and make it back, for them. For family!" you offer your hand. Sorrel grasps it, surprising strength in her thin arms. "For family."

2/3 Nalthar 2025/04/09(Wed)18:08 No. 1106042 ID: 6c233e
File 174424732807.jpg - (579.75KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 14 big bug.jpg )

The other rats are milling about, forming their teams. You are about to go ask Surrep if she would also join you, when that creepy moth intercepts you.

"I have seen you, Temerity of Gravel PIt. Darkness below you and light above, but you will find the way, chi chi." She sweeps a hand behind her to indicate one of the hulking beetles "Kh'khechil will ward your path." Without waiting for a reply she sweeps off to accost some other poor soul.

Left with the silent beetle, you consider him. Though his blank-eyed stare unnerves you, you cannot deny it would be good to have some muscle on this expedition. "So you don't speak?" you ask. Kh'khechil nods. "But you won't get in the way? You'll follow our lead?" Another nod. "Well alright then."

3/3 Nalthar 2025/04/09(Wed)18:09 No. 1106043 ID: 6c233e
File 174424735358.jpg - (642.11KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 15 places of interest.jpg )

Pestuous has everyone gather around, and sets a sketch of the house on the floor. "Now we have much ground to cover, so you'll each investigate different areas."

"The obvious ways down, the stairs in the servant's quarters and the kitchen dumbwaiter, are guarded and exposed. If you look there be sure you avoid notice."

"There might be some holes under the dining room, as that room seems to be abandoned and infested with fungal beasts."

"Lastly, I have heard from one of the mice that there is a large hole somewhere under the entrance hall. Unfortunately they cannot say where exactly, as their friend fell into it, and let out such terrified screams that they fled in blind panic. Said friend was never seen again, so exercise caution."

"As for the rest of the rooms, there could be holes beneath them, we don't know. That is what we will find out. Call out where you intend to search, so that there is no overlap."

>>1106043
Our bat helper can use sonar, right? What about flying? She might be able to get an idea of what's down there without exposing herself to much risk, which will then allow us to plan a full scouting run down there, if it's not suicidal. ...we need some way of getting out again, at the least. Presumably Sorrel can't carry a passenger, so we'll need a rope and some way of anchoring it.

I think this is a good plan. We can look in the grand lobby with Sorrel for the known hole. Maybe we'll be able to identify how to make it useful for raiders in the future.

Maybe we should try the kitchen now that we have a bat who can see in the dark and use sonar.

Search for the known hole in the lobby.

>>1106045
Oh I forgot to say that this was a vote for the entrance hall hole.

1/2 Nalthar 2025/04/20(Sun)20:07 No. 1106599 ID: 6c233e
File 174520485686.jpg - (472.33KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 16 heck kate delivers.jpg )

The hole in the foyer sounds promising, if dangerous. "Sorrel, bats can see in pitch dark right?" you ask.
"Not quite." she replies "We can hear the shapes of things, though roughly. You're thinking we should investigate that hole?" You nod, "If there are no objections?"

"I've heard the other mice talk, they say you can hear moaning coming from below." Lisel interjects "Now none of them will go to that end of the house. I'm eager to see what it could be."

Kh'khechil doesn't say anything, but you suppose he doesn't object.

Some of the other rats and mice are bickering about where to look, so you slip around to Pestuous and tell him where you'll be heading. "Good luck" He says, "Go on ahead while I sort this lot out. Just make sure to meet up in the lounge by noon, we can't send anyone to look for you."

The lower camp is quiet as you make your way to the shrews' cart. As you get close something large shoots out and thunks into the boards at your feet. "Ha ha! Feast yer eyes on this!" A grinning Heck Kate emerges from the cart's flaps. A silvery chain is wrapped around her hand, leading over to the scissor blade stuck in front of you. "See how it flies! Had to shave it down a fair bit but the weighting is just right now. Good human steel that is. Here give it a go!"

You accept the chain and tug out the blade with only a bit of grumbling about how close it is to your toes. Holding it with short chain you whirl it around a few times and launch it at a log by the fire. The blade flies true and bites deep into the wood. With a sharp yank of the chain you pull it free again. "Fine work." you admit.

"Of course tis!" Kate passes you a bundle "We do no less. And here are yer sparkers. They're wrapped so's they won't go off in yer pocket, but don't catch on fire or ye'll blow up. Hee hee hee!" Inside the bundle is one flash bang and two flares, which you stow under your cloak.

Mice are starting to move about camp, and a certain one-eyed hedgehog is headed your way. "Good hunting lads." the shrew titters as she scampers back into the cart, calling in a stage whisper "Find us some good coal already!"

2/2 Nalthar 2025/04/20(Sun)20:08 No. 1106600 ID: 6c233e
File 174520489585.jpg - (620.50KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 17 afton butts in.jpg )

Afton lumbers over, still rubbing sleep from his good eye. "Setting out early eh? Good to see yeh feeling up to it Sorrel. Not so sure we should be hunting today though. Can't be riling up the house ye'know, and yeh had a bit of a scrap just yesterday didn yeh?"

>>1106600
True. We can try to avoid combat a bit more today... not like you weren't before, but you can try harder.

But the rewards are huge! HUUUUUUUUGE!

The stealth approach is the best approach, until you get spotted. Go stealth expecting to be seen.

Can't afford to, can't afford not to. The scrape yesterday cost us a bit of time hunting, and we need to make sure we get a good take, in a season this hard. And with the guards in the mansion constantly shifting, it's important that we stay abreast of the situation and prepared for what it takes to keep the food supply secure.

1/2 Nalthar 2025/05/03(Sat)17:48 No. 1107471 ID: 6c233e
File 174631972309.jpg - (514.85KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 18 the cold light of morning.jpg )

You clap Afton on the shoulder. "I recognize the danger, but we must keep our stores high. If my nest had gathered more last year well, I wouldn't even be here right now. I won't let that happen to us."

Afton seems somewhat mollified "Alright, suppose it can't be helped." He turns to Sorrel "And yer sure yeh want to go considern... what yeh may find?"

She shudders, but tightens her grip on her spear and takes a steadying breath. "It has to be done."

Afton looks away "Aye. Suppose it does." the hedgehog scratches his arm "Well, I'll see yeh when yeh return. Good luck."


Climbing the makeshift ladder to the gap in the shed door, you push through the night's snow to get outside. You sink into the light powder layer, glinting like diamonds in the clear morning light. Wordlessly, Kh'khechil takes the lead, trundling a trench through the snow.

A cry rings out as you make your way around the house. From the roof a pair of crows launch, one carrying a cage. They wing away into the wood, drawing your eye to the sky where a sheet of gray is swift approaching.

By the time your party has climbed up to the library window's sill the sun is guttering out behind another storm. You peer into the wood where the crows went, and though you'd swear you hear a distant scream you see no sign of them. You duck inside as the first heavy flakes begin to fall.

2/2 Nalthar 2025/05/03(Sat)17:49 No. 1107472 ID: 6c233e
File 174631976119.jpg - (410.17KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 19 silence of the library.jpg )

Inside the library is as dark and silent as before. Far across the room you can see the door to the entry hall is slightly ajar. Glowing eyes pick their way across the floor, another rat patrol following the periphery.

Lisel follows your gaze and frowns. "Hm. That door would save us some time if we could reach it unseen. Or we could slip behind the curtain to the underfloors. Your call."

I think we'd better make for the door. The crows spotted us which means the alarm is raised somewhat. Getting away from our current location is a priority.

clarification: the crows are after something else out in the woods. but if you left the shadow of the house, that something could be you.

I agree we should make for the door. The underfloors are where the dark servants creep, and it would be nice to do without a run-in with them. If other patrols are in the area, then it's probably not too dangerous.

The crows are a bad sign, but a mid-long-term problem. The master is probably sending a missive somewhere; if they're carrying a cage, then it's probably a sample of some kind. If we can gain access to more correspondence, then we might be able to figure out what his aim is. We might be up against something of a timer, if his research proceeds more quickly than we can adapt to it.

>>1107483
Ah, I see.
Well... I'm not sure where to go now. Both routes are pretty dangerous. Main question is, how good is Kh'khechil at stealth and can they fit in the underfloors?
If they're not good at stealth then we can't take the door. Conversely if they have problems fitting in the underfloors we can't take that path. Bat sonar would be pretty good in the darkened underfloors though. We could even go without light!

Just hope that the crows aren't moving in the direction where your family lives.

haste is the enemy of good stealth. we took an early start to hunt and if the door is a shortcut we can afford to be patient. hide more out of sight of the eyes and wait a few moments to see if the patrol gets more out of the way. once they seem far enough, slowly make your way to the door while maintaining distance, guiding your party one step at a time. if it looks like they're heading too close, then keep to the wall and escape thru the curtain

could also have sorrel listen in on the rat patrol as an extra warning for their movements if they're getting too close or if there's others nearby that you didn't spot originally. maybe she could tap your shoulder a certain way to indicate this. actually, having agreed upon nonverbal communication would be great for this dark ass stealth hunting.

1/2 Nalthar 2025/05/06(Tue)23:18 No. 1107641 ID: 6c233e
File 174659868592.jpg - (468.03KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 20 discretion.jpg )

"Yes, let's see if we can slip past them." You crouch behind the curtain to watch the patrol's distant progress.

The library is deathly silent while you wait, save for the hiss of snow against the window. Kh'khechil peers through the frosty panes, and Sorrel moves to join him. "You fellows are certainly large. How do you handle the underfloors?" she asks. The beetle responds by hunkering down, seeming to almost shrink. "Oh, I see." the bat's swivels an ear and turns to look out at the forest. A pair of dark shapes wing through the storm, the cage clutched below one shakes with something inside. "Oh dear." Sorrel murmurs.

The patrol follows the wall and has passed you after a few more minutes. Taking the opportunity, you signal the others and climb down the curtain. Scampering to the door, the dusty carpet keeps your steps quiet, until you are able to slip into the entry hall.

2/2 Nalthar 2025/05/06(Tue)23:19 No. 1107642 ID: 6c233e
File 174659875995.jpg - (556.16KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 21 enter the labyrinth.jpg )

The entry hall is oppressively dark, the tall windows barely ghosts in the cavernous space. Lisel lights her lamp, and the squeak of the knob echoes, to which thankfully there is no answer. "I believe there is a hole right about- ah, here it is." Lisel points to where a chunk of floorboard by the wall has fallen, forming a ramp down.

Sorrel motions you all to hang back, and she goes prone by the hole to stick her head in. At the very edge of your hearing you perceive a cry, short and sharp like metal scraping stone. A beat, two more cries, and Sorrel pulls her head out "All clear for this passage."

Bellow the floor your party finds an empty room. Dust and grit coats the floor. Here and there the tips of nails jut from the walls, but otherwise there is nothing. A sweep of the lantern reveals some rough holes in the walls, sizable enough to allow passage. One on the east end, the direction of the library, is linked to another to the west by a path through the dust. A third, smaller hole to the north looks like it has a scrap of fur stuck to it.

>>1107642
So the north passage is where the unfortunate explorer was dragged? I wonder if we can save them. Probably not, we don't even know how long ago that was and I feel like whatever's down here isn't likely to leave its victims alive for long.
...hold on, it goes north? That heads towards the front door. Must be a short passage. Unless the map from earlier doesn't have north pointing up?

Anyway, the library is where we're going last. Check the passage opposite it.

>>1107647
Oh dear, I got east and west backwards. yes north is the front of the house. west is the library and east is towards the dining hall.

let's examine the fur to see if it's the explorer if possible. then head for the dusty path

1/2 Nalthar 2025/05/10(Sat)17:10 No. 1107822 ID: 6c233e
File 174692222917.jpg - (435.00KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 22 poor martin.jpg )

Crawling through the north hole is a tight fit. Immediately you are struck by the scent of old, dried blood. When Lisel follows with the lantern you can see why. A muddy red trail leads across the small room, where a mouse slumps in the corner. His face is frozen in a surprisingly peaceful expression, considering the nasty gut wound that clearly killed him.

"Oh, its Martin" Lisel sighs "He didn't come back two weeks ago." You step a little closer, but it doesn't look like the dead mouse had anything with him. "Is there... anything we should do with him?" you ask.

Lisel shakes her head "Even if we had the time, he'll be safer here than if we tried to take him back. Although..." The white mouse pulls a stick of charcoal from her sleeve and steps lightly over to the corpse. On the wall by his head she writes 'Martin - 1856'. "May he get a proper grave someday. We should keep moving." The two of you crawl back through the hole, leaving Martin in his dusty tomb.

2/2 Nalthar 2025/05/10(Sat)17:12 No. 1107823 ID: 6c233e
File 174692233127.jpg - (449.97KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 23 the ducts.jpg )

You climb through the roughly rotten hole in the east wall into a long tunnel. Each step echoes and you scrape your toe claws against the unfamiliar material. It's metal, more metal than you've ever seen in one place. Lisel emerges from the rusted out hole behind you and sweeps her lantern around.

The squared tunnel vanishes into darkness to the north and south. The segment you stand on is crumbling into rust, leaving holes to the east and west. slightly warmer air wafts past you from the south.

The beetle squeezes through the hole to join you in an impressive display of contortion, followed by the bat. Sorrel immediately turns to the south. "Something's moving down there." she whispers.

>>1107823
Let's avoid that movement and head east again.

Maybe we should check what is moving, we don't want it to be attacked from behind by an unknown enemy.

Nalthar 2025/05/14(Wed)23:57 No. 1108062 ID: 6c233e
File 174729226383.jpg - (527.87KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 24 route so far.jpg )

"Can you tell if its a threat?" you ask the bat. She swivels her head back and forth, barking out a few barely audible screes and listening. After a beat she stiffens and hurriedly pushes the rest of you towards the east hole.

When you are all safely out she answers you. "Couldn't speak there, the sound was carrying too easily. I only heard a few spiders, but they have a bat too. He echoed my scree, but I don't know if he heard where we were."

"Best keep moving then." you lead on. Dusty chamber leads to dusty chamber, with nothing of note within. "This is the path many take to the dinning room" Lisel explains "So its been picked clean."

Coming to a chamber with several exits, you call for a break to reorient. Lisel sets her lantern down, pulling a sheaf of paper and charcoal from her sleeve. She starts sketching some squares then stops, sighing. "Are any of you good with maps?" Kh'kechil holds out his lower hands and she passes them to him. He rapidly scribbles away, and shows you decent map of your route.

The room you are in has crumbling wood, leaving a number of sizable holes. One to the south that you entered through. One to the north east, which Lisel says leads to the dining room. One to the north west, which Sorrel hears some distant scratching through. There is even one in the ceiling, which someone has scrapped handholds up to.

>>1108062
Let's peek into the ceiling hole.

could be someone up there... take a peek. if you have to put your head thru, shove the butt of your weapon through the ceiling hole first. if nothing happens, shove your head in.

>>1108063
I agree with this suggestion.

Nalthar 2025/05/17(Sat)17:01 No. 1108194 ID: fd169b
File 174752650847.jpg - (526.14KB , 800x600 , cadvere2 25 the darkened hall.jpg )

You climb up and take a look out of the hole. The entry hall is just as empty as before. Shrill wind leaks through cracks in the high windows, bringing flakes that dance to the floor. Far, far above, almost imperceptible in the gloom, the menagerie of puppets emit gentle creaks as they twist in the breeze.

With a rustling Sorrel climbs up your back, surprisingly light for her size. "Hey, we looking to bypass the next bit? I can hear a few moving around, but with how many chambers are down here I can't get a fix on direction. If there's another hole in the floor we might avoid them."

Nah, we're looking for an underground route, not a mixed route. We should fully map the passages and fulfill the mission requirements.

Since we know where the northeast passage goes, let's check out the northwest.