C
2
G
7

(A) You were brought up with love, but saw the ignorance in your family's eyes. The way they sincerely taught you valued principles - and how they could not understand that their 'betters' never followed any principles.
(2) You had a wonderful little nightmare one day. Of a murderer who fought to save those whose crimes were 'helping the demons' and 'loving freely'.
(F) You thought you could replicate the protagonist of that nightmare.
(8) You couldn't. It's a difficult act.

B
2
F
8

Imagining a bit of a firebrand:

B
3
F
8

B
1
G
7

[1/2] Stingpie 2026/03/13(Fri)03:21 No. 1123388 ID: 35d66b
File 177337210454.jpg - (138.90KB , 1754x1240 , underdeck.jpg )

Your mind flickers in recognition.

Yes... you remember who you are.
You are clay. Red and white.
Designed and manufactured.
The world had once been simple, your direction set.
At one point, you were redefined,
made anew without the supervision of your creators.
And you were punished for the new world you saw.
Your mind turned to anger.
Your hands turned to action.
Red and white. Red and white.

[2/2] Stingpie 2026/03/13(Fri)03:22 No. 1123389 ID: 35d66b
File 177337214253.jpg - (149.17KB , 1754x1240 , underdeck2.jpg )

The vessel wobbles along the disinterested waves, sails flitting in the uneven winds. you sit in darkness, barely lit by the single lamp afforded by the voyage. Murmurs surrond you.

"It isn't clear to me how the situation changes once we strike land."

This ship wasn't built for privacy.

"Well, at the very least we may find tables."

Nor was it constructed for comfort.

"You're being deliberately obtuse."

For all this time stuck together, little more than plesantries have been shared.

"Well, I can hardly tell the future, can I?"

Anything more has been met with hostility.

"Well, you certainly look like the type."

All are excluded in their own way.

"You fit well in your place, Roderick."

A quine passes by, a rythm of indignation played by feet on wood.


You have kept to yourself so far, but interactions will become inevitable in the coming days. So the question turns from an 'if' to a 'how.' How shall you proceed?

Now is the time to make alliances. When you arrive things could go badly quick. Find those most compatible with you to work together.

Inquire others about the black city and its surroundings.

Maybe you can come up with a plan on how to deal with your predicament that way.

Well, talk to the least hostile person you've spoken to previously. Get to know them a bit better, see if they're at all amenable to teaming up.

[1/4] Stingpie 2026/03/15(Sun)15:06 No. 1123475 ID: 35d66b
File 177358721754.jpg - (81.92KB , 1457x957 , map.jpg )

You struggle to recall where the other prisoners are. The quine has already passed you, ascending to the deck.
The addressee still remains.
There is the 'captain,' the leech who clings to the wheel.
Within the only semi-private room is the only other golem onboard.

[2/4] Stingpie 2026/03/15(Sun)15:07 No. 1123476 ID: 35d66b
File 177358726004.jpg - (283.63KB , 1754x1240 , get-up.jpg )

You rise from the darkness, direction coalescing in your mind.
There is no potential for avoidance, and inevitability is measured in hours, not miles. Thus, your spirit must harden and thoughts must sharpen. It is allies who shall be your shield.

You share an implicit kinship with the other golem. Though your interactions have been brief, there has always been a beckoning call for camaraderie. You decide a visit would be advantageous.

[3/4] Stingpie 2026/03/15(Sun)15:08 No. 1123477 ID: 35d66b
File 177358732067.jpg - (58.83KB , 1754x1240 , meet-the-other-golem.jpg )

It is a narrow corridor which connects to the claimed room of the golem. Not quite claustrophobic, but it possesses the qualities of a dead-end alleyway.
The golem detects you before you even enter the room, raising a hand in invitation.

"Ah welcome, frater meus. It is good to be with family."

[4/4] Stingpie 2026/03/15(Sun)15:09 No. 1123478 ID: 35d66b
File 177358735947.jpg - (58.68KB , 1754x748 , talk-to-golem.jpg )

"The ship has nearly arrived."

"So we will soon meet the soil again? It really has been too long. Red and white!"

"Red and white" you mumble. "On the ship, we have all needed each other-"

"I was awaiting your realization, frater meus. Without the bonds of necessary cooperation, there is little to stop us."

"I don't-"

"We must stick together, you know. We are family, we are one. I know it was the outsiders who did that to you. I know how you repaid them."

"I don't want revenge anymore. I just-"

"Neither do I, frater! We shall benefit from their works. The field is fallow, but we shall make it red and white."

"Red and white" you quietly speak.

"Now go, frater meus, tell them of our strength, and how they will serve us."

You shuffle out of the room, not wanting to prolong the interaction any further.

>>1123478
Hmm. Don't like them. Dangerous ideas, and rude too. Dangerous meaning, it sounds like they seek to enslave the others. Hmm. Maybe you can do a bit of malicious compliance. See if any of the others are willing to to "serve" you as equal partners. You may have to take the leadership role in the end, since the other golem is being racist...
What do your convictions tell you?

Hm. Who else could join up... is there anyone else who fears oppression? Or someone strong yet fair? At the very least, the quine was worried about what awaits us, and that worry can be reinforced by evidence that the other golem could become an immediate problem.

He seems dangerous, a very dominating personality. Perhaps that could be used to your advantage. If others are also worried about this one, then you might band together against them

Not all your oppressors wear different colors from the common man. Some are born into your kin's skin, yet are functionally no different from alien invaders masquerading to take control. No-one knows exactly why. Is it a curse? Or an inevitability stemming from the complacency of society?

Just offer anyone willing to listen a position in your own club. Sometimes people only follow the crowd because they see no alternative, so be that alternative and make damn sure you don't join this nascent tyrant.

[1/3] Stingpie 2026/03/21(Sat)03:26 No. 1123681 ID: 35d66b
File 177406361289.jpg - (145.44KB , 1754x1240 , psst.jpg )

As you exit the narrow hall into the center of the underdeck, you hear a loud "PSST!" to your right. Deciding to form a network of allies on your own, you approach.

[2/3] Stingpie 2026/03/21(Sat)03:27 No. 1123682 ID: 35d66b
File 177406365601.jpg - (259.46KB , 1754x1240 , courtesies.jpg )

The voice is that of a caraclast, whose hands are positioned in an awkward ingratiating gesture of friendliness. As you come closer, you hands raise to meet in the manner they've been conditioned to.

[3/3] Stingpie 2026/03/21(Sat)03:28 No. 1123683 ID: 35d66b
File 177406372190.jpg - (271.80KB , 932x1240 , closeup.jpg )

"Did you visit Loess, friend? Quite a character, I must say. You do know of the deed which got him here, don't you?"

"I have only exchanged few words. Not until now has it seemed pertinent to acquaint myself with anyone."

"Allow me to educate you, then. Loess is a traitor, plain and simple. It is a compulsion, if I understand correctly. Utterly unstrustworthy."

"I heard nothing but promises of camaraderie and dangerous ideas."

"Dangerous, you say? Absolutely. Rather brutish, too. Not like you or me, that's for sure."

"If we are both opposed to Loess, perhaps we could consider ourselves aligned?"

"Ah, yes. That was exactly what I was about to ask you. Quite similar, you and me. Quite similar."

You eye the caraclast.

"I do not mean to doubt you, but how exactly are we similar?"

You are met with a silent stare.

"Clearly you are no fool, and neither am I. We are not swayed by silver tongues, are we?"

"What deed bought you a ticket to the black city, if I may ask?"

"Simple fraud! I merely told a few fibs to some individuals who really should have known better, and..."

A second passes. "Really, they deserved it. The only reason my punishment was so severe was due to tragic circumstance. That's why it is to good to have an ally in you. I have not a violent spirit, I cannot fight, so I truly need someone with loyalty and strength, like you."

The tone of the conversation sours.

"What was your name again, caraclast?"

"Roderick. I believe you owe me yours, golem."

What name shall you give?

>>1123619
As an aside, those who reply in a way befitting of the text shall receive preferential treatment.

>>1123683
An unrepentant liar isn't exactly a good companion either. I'm guessing everyone will be some flavor of untrustworthy. On the other hand, lies are harder to get away with when there's not very many people around.
>traitor
Yeah that's not enough information to pass judgement. Ask for details. We can verify them with the next person we talk to.

>name
Huh, Loess didn't ask yours, nor did they give theirs. Hm, Roderick called Loess a "him". Do golems have genders?
Anyway, how about Kaol?

Remember, this level of dysfunction is by design. The Empire doesn't want you to band together and take revenge, so they show leniency and support to total jerks who would backstab anyone the first chance they get, ensuring those jerks can keep every other prisoner in line.

>>1123692
What leniency and support?

>>1123693
It's subtle. The guards treat all the prisoners with scorn. But if one of the prisoners is actively manipulating the others, bullying them, putting them down, the guards put that prisoner's safety and nutrition on a slightly higher priority than the others.
Keep them weak by making the troublemakers strong. After all, they can just put the leader down with their advanced steel weapons if he gets too powerful.

>>1123685
>Hm, Roderick called Loess a "him". Do golems have genders?
This was a production error brought about by late night writing and the absence of proofreading. Please ignore the man behind the curtain.

[1/1] Stingpie 2026/03/22(Sun)21:06 No. 1123840 ID: 35d66b
File 177421356787.jpg - (342.50KB , 1754x1240 , continuing.jpg )

"My name is Kaol." You say. "Now Roderick, tell me more about Loess. I need details about the crime."

"Kaol, I'd really rather talk about you. If we are to be allies, we must trust eachother, no? I have told you my crime, it is only decent if you tell me yours."

You are backed into a corner. Roderick is shifty, and caraclasts have a penchant for social gymnastics, yet it is a perfectly reasonable question to ask. You decide to minimize the severity of your crime.

"Battery. I was owed something, and I took it."

"I simply cannot believe you would be condemned to death for something as incidnetal as debt collection."

"One could say the same about fraud."

Roderick is quick to change the subject.

"Loess was once a tax collector, you see. Fancied the feeling of power one gets when taking other people's rightful possesions. Blah blah blah-eventually, coins went missing from the treasury, fingers were pointed, Loess was charged with conspiracy, theft, and an attempt to murder a superior to retain the position of tax collector."

The thought forms in your head that getting any valuable information out of Roderick is impossible. There are no taxes in golem society. You start to wonder if you should just excuse yourself and talk to someone else, although you have decided where to look yet. Alternatively, you could confront Roderick and see if there are any cracks in that mask.

Ignore this guy and talk to someone else.

Ask him about the holes in his claim. Who did Loess collect taxes from if not gollems?
See if this guy is at least good at lying.

>>1123840
Seems like a pathological liar. Useless to talk to since we can't trust what he says, but perhaps he could be trusted with simple tasks.

But yeah, he didn't say the golems were being taxed... ask who Loess was collecting taxes from, and who they were working for.
Is it likely that Loess was collecting taxes from non-golem citizens?

No matter what he says next, may as well go talk to someone else. Ultimately it doesn't matter if he fixes the holes in his story or not, I think we have a decent idea of what kind of person he is now.

This "surviving exile, not knowing who to trust story is quite original for this website. I love it.

Tell Roderick this:

"Roderick, I know that you don't trust me yet, but know this: whatever you did before, it doesn't matter.

We are no longer bound by the protections of our homeland, but neither by their prejudices.

From what you said, you embezzled money and deliverately got someone killed to keep going.

That's alright. I did something similar.

My makers kept trying to remold me, over and over, constantly reminding me I was a tool to them.
So I snapped. I turned against them, mangled them for life. I couldn't take their abuse anymore.

They called me dangerous and defective ad so here I am.
I don't like being used, but I don't like resorting to violence either.

So whatever you did, you can tell me in confidence. I won't hold it against you, nor use it for my benefit.

I simply need to know that you can tell me the truth when it matters.
Becaus otherwise, I cannot trust that you won't hurt like I was hurt once before."

[1/2] Stingpie 2026/03/26(Thu)03:51 No. 1123952 ID: 35d66b
File 177449707026.jpg - (198.43KB , 1754x1240 , goodbye-liar.jpg )

Trust devoid from the conversation, you try to probe at Roderick's lies.

"Loess truly does seem devious. May I ask who the particular targets of this extortionate tax collection were?"

"The common folk, of course. Anyone in power could resist the bullish behavior, but someone like you or me would be victims."

A pattern emerges, and you elect to prod further.

"Forgive me for my lack of decorum, but what races were the object of such harassment?"

"All that would kneel to power would have their wages forfeit. Quite terrible if you as me. Such indiscriminate theft!"

It seems this caraclast reverts to generalities when specifics get tough. You still have one last question, though.

"Roderick, I think we will be of great use to one another. Could you point me in the direction of someone else we could find mutually beneficial?"

"Why, of course, Kaol! I believe I saw Prescissa walking into the kitchen. Quite an excitable individual, I must say. Do be careful about mentioning anything regarding bodily harm. Some old wounds, I am told."

You nod and step towards the kitchen.

[2/2] Stingpie 2026/03/26(Thu)03:51 No. 1123953 ID: 35d66b
File 177449711032.jpg - (135.94KB , 1754x1240 , hello_stranger.jpg )

On the other side of the kitchen is a tulpa, sitting on a counter, arms twisted in delight.

"Oh! Hello..."

"Kaol." You complete.

"Hello, Kaol! I am delighted to finally meet you formally! I always need to get to know everybody, and you've been skulking around, haven't you?"

You try to formulate a response.

>>1123953
It's true. You were isolating yourself. Recovering, in a sense.
Ask for her story. And does she know anything about Roderick or Loess?

LOOK window.

LOOK stove

LOOK kindling

skulking is an ugly word. try 'reconnoitering' instead.

ask her if she has plans for after they arrive.

[1/3] Stingpie 2026/03/30(Mon)03:59 No. 1124051 ID: 35d66b
File 177484319042.jpg - (135.11KB , 1754x1240 , whattydasay.jpg )

Before you formulate a response, Prescissa jumps up and exaggeratedly raises a hand.

"Hello, Kaol! Can you hear me? You aren't shutting down again are you?"

"No... No. I'm simply thinking."

"Dangerous past time, you know!" Prescissa laughs.

"I must apologize for not introducing myself sooner. I am... shy."

"Sure! Absolutely."

"...Yes. Anyway, I'd like to know more about you."

"Oh, yes! I don't think I've introduced myself--how rude!--I am Prescissa, and I ran into the law because apparently you aren't allowed free other people! Blah!!"

"You let prisoners out of jail?"

"If you don't have any control over your life, you're a prisoner! But the 'fair' and 'impartial' judge didn't seem to think so."

There's definitely more to ask, but it seems like a bad idea to interrogate every single person you come across about their personal life and history--At least not immediately.

"What can you tell me about Roderick? How about Loess?"

"Is it okay if I tell you a secret? I don't really like Roderick all that much. Did you hear he's on here for soul fraud? You know what that's code for?"

Prescissa pantomimes stabbing someone.

"Aren't you glad you aren't a caraclast? Edmund still has to worry, though."

"Okay. What about Loess?"

A few moments pass.

"I don't want to talk about Loess. I'm worried. A dozen tulpa bodies were found, and Loess was at the center of it. I know you're not like this... actually, I don't know, but the golem clan against the world thing is really, really terrible. And golems like Loess just..."

Prescissa trails off. You aren't sure where to take the conversation next.
You take a quick glance around the room.

[2/3] Stingpie 2026/03/30(Mon)04:00 No. 1124052 ID: 35d66b
File 177484322242.jpg - (98.68KB , 1754x1240 , window.jpg )

Next to the window, a metal spike has been embedded into the wall, and a net hangs around it, draping out of the window, presumably into the water.

[3/3] Stingpie 2026/03/30(Mon)04:00 No. 1124053 ID: 35d66b
File 177484325174.jpg - (123.94KB , 1754x1240 , stove.jpg )

The stove is unremarkable. There's a pipe above it which leads into a smoker, but the stove itself isn't that interesting. You suppose you slide something through the slits of the cover, but you can just open it. The kindling beside the stove is equally as boring.

https://questden.org/kusaba/questdis/res/145150.html#145150

Great potential for friction between your two personalities, but of those you've met so far she seems to be without malice. It might be too soon to say, as you haven't talked to everyone yet, but she might be you're best bet as an ally, or even friend.

It occurs to me that no pronouns have been used except in one case that was an error. Do no species in this setting have genders?

>>1124051
Soul fraud is just murder? Odd legal terminology. Once again something we need to confirm elsewhere. Huh, how did Prescissa find out though? If there was information on everyone's crimes available they'd know what you were here for. Or maybe they do know and they're trying to find out *why* you did it. Ask if there's a public registry of crimes of those aboard. It would save you some time.

Tell them you're no golem supremacist. What you did was... more personal than that. Bring up that Roderick said you shouldn't mention violence around Prescissa... but you think Roderick is a compulsive liar. They certainly seem to have lied about not being violent. Does Prescissa actually have any hangups? Topics you should avoid?

Check out that net. Is it a fishing/trawling net? That'd make sense.

It's a little unclear what Prescissa did -
"You let prisoners out of jail?"
"If you don't have any control over your life, you're a prisoner!"

Not a direct answer, and suggests a different interpretation. Could mean...getting people fired from their desk job? Inciting a riot? Possibly, kidnapping, or something else that could be viewed as "liberating those without control"?

Not that we have to ask right now, as stated.

Well, this character seems more straightforward and forthcoming.

Let's change the subject and ask what's good for doing around here in the kitchen, and what kind of plans should we make for when we make it to shore.