Muschio 2025/06/09(Mon)15:20 No. 1109375 ID: 5dd6e5
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What to make of it?
I witnessed the Miracle of Mudthrush Cave with what felt like my own eyes. I even felt the heat of the blast.
But the "miracle" was nothing like the legend. It's no wonder, at least, that none of the soldiers ever returned to Piacevole.

Did I dream it? Did I really see it? How? Through Dompag's eyes? Divine intervention?
This isn't the first dream like this. But there was... such clarity of presence.
What does it mean?

And where do I go from here?

We know one thing: it was a minor expenditure of power. It was a miracle, yes, but a very efficient one. We're dealing with a smart, but not particularly strong god.

Why don't you check in with Pendel? Also tell Dompag the truth of the matter. We could also talk to Ona, since she was seemingly rescued by the god in her youth, and maybe ask around to see if anyone else has encountered those blue hands.

The miracle was tiny, but it altered a single fundamental factor that took advantage of a massive military-industrial complex to force multiply its supernatural properties.
There's a lesson in that. Don't underestimate the power of people and their works, because one snowballing mistake is all it takes to turn overconfident lack of security and care into a roaring inferno.

Asking Dompag if he had any unusual dreams might be worth checking on.

>>1109375
As weird and unbelievable as all this is it would be a good idea to tell Pendle about all these dreams. Especially the part about ghostly versions of your own hands acting in them.
Because in that last dream that was definitely your hand doing that fire knack you know.

Ask Ona for more details about the big boy nightlight she put up on your wall. Then ask Erisol how a crazy magic amplifier like this mountain may make it act out.

Muschio 2025/06/10(Tue)13:00 No. 1109401 ID: 5dd6e5
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I make it a priority to speak to Pendle and Dompag.
It seems our resident Ogre is, conveniently, right here in the barracks.

Muschio 2025/06/10(Tue)13:02 No. 1109402 ID: 5dd6e5
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"Good morning, Dompag."
>"Ah, hey boss."
"This may be an invasive question, but indulge me: Did you have any odd dreams last night?"
>"Actually, now that you mention it, I'm just now remembering I had a dream that Lily Tee came back for another visit. Except this time, she was wearing this really silky--"
"Nevermind. Thank you, Dompag."

A pleasure to talk with you Dompag, as always.

Ask him if he'd be satisfied if he got to marry princess Vittima. I mean, it'd make her father squirm, doubly so if Dompag wins her heart honestly.

Also ask about his religious afflictions and stuff, because you've been thinking about what really happened to the crusade from Picavole. If they truly became holy men... or were simply executed and buried in unmarked graves. Or some other thing entirely. (Don't tell him about the mana-fueled gunpowder explosion yet.)

...Speaking of which... why aren't cannons more widespread, Muschio?

>>1109402
What are they up to on the blackboard?
Look's a bit more meaningful than the usual doodles.

Muschio 2025/06/11(Wed)13:53 No. 1109446 ID: 5dd6e5
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"What's all this on the chalkboard? Are you working on something?"
>"I'm teaching Dompag how to play Blind Cat!"
"Oh."
>"Yeah it's real hard but he's picking it up fast! Good for you, Dompag!"
>"Mhm."

"Do either of you know where I might find Pendle this morning?"
>"Oh yeah, he said he was going to be in the baths for a while."

I suppose I should check in with him. But it also occurs to me I have many avenues forward at this point. Lots of threads to pull, lots of ideas to pursue, lots of looming threats to ward and distant allies to solidify, not to mention all the work to be done here.

Where to even begin?

>>1109446
I still think theres some kinda subconcious bleed with the orb shards muschio.
Your subconcious is rummaging through a dispersed set of memories.
That said, dreams arent always pure memory, so perhaps theres a degree of control from... hm.
Are we doing it?
Well, if we are, my apologies.

Pendle.
He had a sudden inspiratikn this last night and surely youre curious as to what that may be...

Getting to Pendle and relaying info on this whole business with hands, gods and dreams should come first while it's still fresh in your memory.

Then afterwards we can go over today's agenda with Finesse.

>>1109449
Just memories? I dunno about that, we saw the hand ignite the fire last night. Dompag wasn't close enough to see that. Guess we can ask to make sure.

>>1109446
Wanna ask Mock Fang if he knows anything about the god? He was summoned using the god's idol, after all.

Does Mock Fang feel at home yet? He should be well-integrated into your merry company's ranks - he holds some form of a connection to the benefactor from beyond. It's good to pay him a visit at least.

Muschio 2025/06/12(Thu)14:38 No. 1109504 ID: 5dd6e5
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Very well. I follow Pendle, wishing to check in on his recently-spurred studies.

>"Ah. You're awake."
"I heard you were here, but I assumed you would be in the baths, soothing your wounds."
>"No. I... until other rooms are finished, this is one of the best indoor spots for peace and quiet. It's difficult to study elsewhere."
"Well. Hopefully we can ameliorate that soon. I can't imagine the books appreciate this atmosphere."
>"No, perhaps not."

"May I sit?"
>"Yes, I was hoping you'd join me. Is something on your mind?"

>>1109504
Well, tell him you noted he left with an urgency that could only be inspired by a profound revelation.
Or food poisoning.
And the food was delicious.

Plus, i guess you could mention your odd dreams should he inquire as to your state, prince.

Tell him about your dream. Ask if he's found anything yet.

Ask him if he has any theories as to what we are.

Yes, unfortunately it seems to be a guest

Let's first ask him about his current thoughts and theories before we pile on additional info that sends him off into another research frenzy

Muschio 2025/06/13(Fri)14:03 No. 1109596 ID: 5dd6e5
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I take a seat beside our resident scholar.
"Let's not beat around the bush, then. You ran off in a hurry, so you must be onto something. Tell me what you've found."
>"It's... still only a shaky theory. But..."
I notice now his hands are shaking. His knitted brows betray a haunted expression.
"Did you sleep?"
>"No."

>"Prince... the other day, we discussed totem gods.
>Great beings born of and empowered belief, withering in its absence.
>Powerful beyond understanding. Your encounter with the Seer, I believe, proved that well enough."
"Surely."

Muschio 2025/06/13(Fri)14:03 No. 1109597 ID: 5dd6e5
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>"We discussed, also, what happens to a totem god when it runs dry of belief.
>Does it vanish? Does it die? Can a god ever die? Is the death of a god even comparable to the death of a man?
>Does it simply go to sleep?
>We don't know. It's not something we can just test."
"Of course."
>"An ancient god, like this 'Gesturer', seems long forgotten, but still, traces remain."

Muschio 2025/06/13(Fri)14:04 No. 1109598 ID: 5dd6e5
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>"You asked if it was possible to... artificially create a totem god.
>If perhaps our great enemy, Czar Anolei Bomba of Tela Cruz, was obsessing over these religious relics to create his own god. To become powerful beyond opposition.
>I said it wouldn't be feasible. I stand by that. It would take generations."
"But...?"

>"...but.
>...What if you didn't have to create a god from whole cloth?
>What if you could just... find an old god, a very old god, who had died, or slept.
>What if you brought them back?"

Muschio 2025/06/13(Fri)14:05 No. 1109599 ID: 5dd6e5
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"You're saying that... to revive a totem god who already existed once, that could be done in our lifetime."

>"Muschio.

>What would happen if you rescued a god from the very precipice of nonexistence?
>What magnitude of favor would you be owed?

>What could a madman like the Czar do with a living god in his pocket?"

Depends on contrast between the favor requested and the nature of the god. Or perhaps the god will be an ingrate and just squish the Czar.

Plan's still as usual; defeat the Czar before he completes the ritual, or we're all screwed.

Oh, now that's a concerning thought that explains staying up all night. Still, Pendle needs to rest to help him recover.

>>1109599
Tell him the Gesturer protects the downtrodden. Thus, unlike the god of love, it has a restriction on who it can help. Does the Czar meet the requirements? Or his people?

From what we've seen it also has a sense of dramatic timing. It waits until the last possible moment to act. Also... twice now have supernatural entities referred to you as if they recognized you, so you think the Gesturer is somehow tied to you already, not the Czar.

Also, we can just... do what the Czar was planning on doing. How about we set up a ritual of worship? Or just inform everyone in the base of what we know of the Gesturer, and that it is now our patron diety? That should give it a boost.

>>1109599
Horrors beyond our worst imaginings would be the easy conclusion.
Id expect a more insiduous use of any divine gratitude.
If the czar knows how this works, and everything indicates he has such understanding, then he'll want to keep that power under his influence.

>>1109599
Oh... Doubly concerning, considering what the Seer told us about how their form, thoughts and abilities are shaped by the nature of their beliefs.

Come to think of it, The Czar might well have made one of his more puzzling moves; transforming and summoning Sprites en masse, for the explicit reason to pour a rather frightful mould for such a being to fit.

Think, if he were to mandate the Gesturer as the state religion, and if all the Sprites are as say 'Openminded' as Erisol, then whatever he deigned to preach would to them would be as if fact, and the patron deity of a such a potentially singularly-minded and magically-gifted people being guided by Czar Bomba's ambition is rather spooky.

Securing the Vault against impending invasion is a high priority, but I think we might need to start taking direct moves against The Czar sooner than later.

Maybe telling him about the dreams isn't a wise idea at this time. He's already strung out on existential fear and sleep deprivation. We should probably let him get some sleep first before we drop anymore heavy shit on him.
The guy still is recovering from his wounds after all, this doesn't seem to be helping.

Try to calm him down by assuring him the czar can do nothing so long as we have the amulet and tell him to get some sleep.

Judging from Czar's actions we have witnessed, he is trying desperately to get a hold on such "traces". Pendle is on to something.



No need to despair, it seems that you still have the upper hand there.

>>1109599
Calm yourself, Pendle.
It's probably not that straightforward to get on the good side of a god.
The Seer was benign enough but that was almost entirely because of the currently dominant face of the totem was a love god. The things He was previously sounded nowhere near as reasonable and amicable. And we still saw glimpses of His previous shapes bleed through.
The Gesturer would probably be exceedingly happy if it was brought back from the brink but to think it would automatically align with or benefit its saviour is a bit naïve.
Finesse might probably know more about the nature and history of the Gesturer, seeing as she spoke the dialect of its last known name.

No clue if we have discussed this before but it feel pertinent to mention, when happens if a Totem to one of these gods is put into the monster portal?

>>1109599

... oh, damn. That changes things. Not least the possibility of the manner of conflict which would make our dispatching of those slavers look like a merciful parlor-trick.