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File 163915710670.png - (263.59KB , 1000x1100 , p0.png )
1017029 No. 1017029 ID: eedbeb

Previous Thread: https://questden.org/kusaba/questarch/res/1014176.html
Wiki: https://questden.org/wiki/This_Isn%27t_Working
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tippler

NSFW, warning for possible magical being pseudo-incest

Chuck is the reader controlled character. He and Rhine are adults.
Expand all images
>>
No. 1017030 ID: eedbeb
File 163915711955.png - (196.10KB , 1000x1100 , p1.png )
1017030

There was nothing wrong with being an egg. Chuck spent most of his time drifting in a trance-like state as a liquid slurry of mana in the protective shell. It was meditative, and on the whole, quite boring.

It was hard to know how much time had passed when he decided enough was enough and started the slow process of eating the eggshell from the inside, thinning it so that he’d be able to break out.

He’d gotten a chunk loose and torn it away so he could see the snug box Ahpin had placed him into, when a familiar looking robot had snatched him up and taken him deep within the earth.
>>
No. 1017031 ID: eedbeb
File 163915712650.png - (291.25KB , 1000x1100 , p2.png )
1017031

The robot places Chuck on a warm rock and moves out of his limited view. Chuck redoubles his efforts to get free. Something’s clearly wrong and he needs to hatch as soon as possible so he can protect himself.

He sloshes himself aggressively back and forth, until the egg rolls free of the rock and falls on the stone floor, cracking open. Chuck surges into the cool air.

What should Chuck become?

A. Elf (static physical form, enhanced strength and spellcasting, androgyny)

B. Spirit (dynamic physical form, magical abilities related to chosen nucleus which will be decided if spirit is selected)
>>
No. 1017032 ID: bdc340

Elf
>>
No. 1017033 ID: 094652

Spirit
>>
No. 1017034 ID: 894419

>>1017031
Spirit!
>>
No. 1017035 ID: 5ff7f3

Spirit
>>
No. 1017037 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017031
If I ever see another elf, it'll be too soon.

Spirit!
>>
No. 1017038 ID: ca2950

Spirit. Never elf
>>
No. 1017039 ID: 8387da

Spirits. Good thing your diet had at least some variety.
>>
No. 1017041 ID: eedbeb
File 163916510630.png - (484.40KB , 1000x1100 , p3.png )
1017041

>Spirit

Elves suck, it's time to be supremely cool like the powerful spirits Chuck met during his brief childhood, which means he needs to find a focus.

There are three main categories to choose from:

A. Physical: Any kind of physical thing, whether specific or general. Gain magical powers associated with said thing.
Examples: Elementals, Dryads, spirits of earth, water, air, or fire.

Elementals specifically gain macro and micro telekinetic control of their element within energy limits.

B. Metaphorical: Any kind of nonphysical thing. Gain magical powers associated with said thing
Examples: Spirits of truth, freedom, beauty. Dusty, the guardian spirit.

C. Relational (rare): Gives blessings or makes deals with other beings, either mortal or immortal. Weaker in base form than other spirits but can reach higher peaks with enough allies.
Examples: Angels, Demons
>>
No. 1017042 ID: 0838d6

Relational spirit, you want to thank Aphin for raising you and helping you and feeding you, giving back is only fair!
>>
No. 1017043 ID: bdc340

spirit of dust, and we'll take our form after our caretaker, Dusty






dust buny
>>
No. 1017044 ID: ce39da

SILICON blows, man, no way are we going to base ourselves on anything physical.

You've honestly been pretty critical of everyone around you, to be honest - I can see you becoming either a SPIRIT OF JUDGEMENT who'll try to make an effort at actually bringing the ban-hammer down on Silicon or an ANGEL who wants nothing more than to help everyone around them GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER and all pointed at the same actual enemy here.
>>
No. 1017046 ID: 094652

Metaphorical:
You're a power-hungry spirit with big dreams. Why not become addiction personified?
* Conjure Cravings - If the target has an addiction or an obsession, they must roll a willpower check or be charmed into attempting to fulfill that craving. If the roll succeeds, they still act as if they haven't fulfilled their craving for a while.
* Address Source - Attempt to find the source of the target's addiction. Can be used with advanced spells to remove the addiction, replace it with another, or control the target.
>>
No. 1017047 ID: 8387da

Physical, copper elemental. Something adjacent to the control of electricity or computers. No particular reason.
As a second choice, something metaphysical like a spirit of bravery.
>>
No. 1017054 ID: cccba4

Metaphorical

Spirit of suggestion

It's related to us suggestors in some way. Maybe Chuck can literally hear us, and lets other people nearby hear us too to suggest for them or give them advice and tell them what they dont know from knowledge we gain from previous threads.
>>
No. 1017055 ID: c92a02

Metaphysical: Spirit of probability. Good luck Chuck.
>>
No. 1017063 ID: de3e8a

>Relational, can commune with suggestors and interdimensional beings!
>>
No. 1017076 ID: eedbeb
File 163919411971.png - (316.26KB , 1000x1100 , p4.png )
1017076

The easiest choice would be physical. If he were an elemental or a spirit of stone, it would make getting back to the surface a lot simpler.

But no, Chuck doesn’t want to be like Silicon. He’d rather be something with more flexibility.

Going demonic would be good to gain power, but bad for the situation at hand. He doesn’t have time to amass followers when he’s stuck underground. It’s tempting, but unreasonable.

That leaves being metaphorical. Chuck swirls himself around faster, hands appearing out of the shimmering mana to grab and pull himself into shape.

He wants to be strong. He wants to be so important he’ll never be at the mercy of elves or elementals or even Ahpin.

Most of all, he wants to be needed.
>>
No. 1017077 ID: eedbeb
File 163919412622.png - (320.26KB , 1000x1100 , p5.png )
1017077

>Spirit of Addiction
Everything falls into place and Chuck feels a familiar pang of hunger. Right now, he’s approximately as strong as an average mortal and has 5 units of spare mana. It takes 10 units of mana for the first stat upgrade and more for subsequent ones. Chuck can consume mana from any source that will let him, though he can also be drained by other spirits.

He gains the following abilities:

Passive: Identify addiction source (Chuck can sense existing or potential causes of addiction in his target)

Active:
-Strengthen Cravings (1 mana, Chuck can strengthen a target’s cravings, making them weaker)
-Imitate Cravings (2 mana, Chuck can attempt to charm a target and imitate their cravings, creating a dependency)
-Increased Strength (2 mana, Chuck can temporarily boost his physical power)
-Resist Magic (3 mana, Chuck can resist a stronger spirit’s attempts to drain or subdue him)

What animal does Chuck imitate for his form?
>>
No. 1017078 ID: de743c

Camel!
>>
No. 1017079 ID: ee1aaa

Something went wrong: human
>>
No. 1017081 ID: afe7de

A red eyed mouse, specifically the kinds used in lab settings
>>
No. 1017084 ID: 36784c

>>1017077
A lizard or a scorpion.
>>
No. 1017087 ID: fec07f

>>1017077
Mosquito
>>
No. 1017089 ID: 3328c7

We ARE rather lacking in the human department in this website, after all.
Let's do it!

Ooh! Or goblin! We can do goblin!
>>
No. 1017094 ID: 894419

>>1017081
I second this
>>
No. 1017095 ID: f2320a

>>1017087
Support
>>
No. 1017096 ID: f8c9a8

>>1017084
Support on lizard
>>
No. 1017108 ID: eedbeb
File 163923935083.png - (294.76KB , 1000x1100 , p6.png )
1017108

>Lizard
Chuck remembers the snake that accompanied his father in the dungeons, a strong, masculine man. Inspired, he furrows his brow and concentrates.

Scales form over his surface and a thick tail sprouts from above his butt. He has large eyes and a broad mouth.

Given his current mana limitations, Chuck’s not as muscular as he’d like, instead resembling a lithe twink. This is a shame. Chuck makes his dick bigger to compensate. He gives himself shorts as an afterthought.
>>
No. 1017109 ID: eedbeb
File 163923936569.png - (228.30KB , 1000x1100 , p7.png )
1017109

Hatch complete, Chuck examines the rock room. There’s nothing in the cave besides the warm boulder and his old eggshell, with trace amounts of mana in the air that wouldn’t even make a mote.

Three tunnels connect to the room. Chuck thinks the tunnel on the right is the one he came from, which would lead to the surface though there would probably be guards in the way. The tunnel in the middle smells appealing, like mana and other spirits, and he can’t detect anything from the left.

What should Chuck do?
>>
No. 1017110 ID: da7da1

Okay, fine, no goblin. Changing my vote to mouse.
But he's gotta be 90% torso and be called Monty.
>>
No. 1017111 ID: 1ab3d0

Eat the egg to give yourself a boost of a few MP and head to the middle, gotta figure out how a spirit works after all
>>
No. 1017112 ID: bdc340

Middl
>>
No. 1017113 ID: 383557

Go left, probably the bathroom. Might need to use it after being in hibernation for so long...

Oh, and eat your eggshell for sweet sweet nutrition.
>>
No. 1017114 ID: da7da1

Aww, shucks! Simultaneous update.

Okay, let's explore the middle tunnel. Let's be Miss Congeneality to the other immortals.
>>
No. 1017117 ID: ce39da

CONSUME EGGE

Go to the right, if only to learn what you're dealing with. Maybe there's a chance at you escaping right fucking now - hope for the best even as you prepare for the worst and all.
>>
No. 1017120 ID: 96c896

Consume eggshell like a proper lizard. Then head to the middle, see if you can find someone friendly.
>>
No. 1017122 ID: 094652

Take eggshell
Start with the right tunnel, and be sure to mark it.
>>
No. 1017124 ID: eedbeb
File 163926306343.png - (269.96KB , 1000x1100 , p8.png )
1017124

>Eggshell
The remaining pieces of shell are thin, but still contain useful energy. Chuck chomps through them with relish and gains 1 unit of mana. He currently has 6 units total.

>Middle tunnel
Chuck is eager to make friends and influence people, so he heads for the middle tunnel. Maybe if there are other spirits they can tell him why he was kidnapped and how to get back to the surface.

After a minute of careful walking with his new scaly feet, Chuck emerges in what appears to be a mess hall. Tables of stone as scattered across a spacious cavern, with a few creatures enjoying a meal of solid mana.

Who does Chuck approach?
A. Red eyed mouse (spirit, preparing food)
B. Camel (elemental, messing with a computer alone)
C. Goblin and Scorpion (sitting together)
>>
No. 1017125 ID: c92a02

Gobbo and scorp.
>>
No. 1017126 ID: 0838d6

A, bartenders have the most info about what's going on, probably is employed by whoever is runnin the joint too
>>
No. 1017127 ID: bdc340

A.
>>
No. 1017130 ID: b9dc65

Awwwwwwww, you drew all the runner-ups as spirits just for us. <3 <3

Let's try the bartender.
>>
No. 1017138 ID: 73a94c

Bartender.
And then the goblin and scorpion afterwards
>>
No. 1017151 ID: eedbeb
File 163932577174.png - (353.09KB , 1000x1100 , p9.png )
1017151

>Mouse

Chuck cuts confidently across the cafeteria, drawing surprised stares but no interference. He puts a hand on the bar counter, clears his throat, and cocks his hip.

The mouse has feathery wings on her back, and her chest is bare besides a thin apron.

Addiction: Sex (Chuck has a feeling he’s going to be seeing this one a lot)
Potential Addictions: Prayers


“You’re a new face.” the mouse says. Her voice is buttery and vaguely melodious. She not so subtly glances down at Chuck’s tight shorts. “Need a snack, sugar? Has Silicon given you the onboarding?”

“No he hasn’t, I hatched five minutes ago. Silicon took me here from the surface as an egg so I don’t really know what’s going on.” Chuck explains. “My name’s Chuck, what is this place?”
>>
No. 1017152 ID: eedbeb
File 163932579712.png - (261.79KB , 1000x1100 , p10.png )
1017152

“I’m Gabriela, and this is one of the offices of Silicon Industry Inc. It’s the largest employer of spirits and magical creatures around the world, you know. Most of the employees have gone topside for the robot army rollout but someone needs to keep the guards fed and maintain the equipment.” the mouse pouts adorably. “Silicon warned us adventurers were going to be invading, so you’ve probably been hired to help guard. He recruited someone about your age a few days ago.”

“Okay.” Chuck says slowly. He doesn’t want to say he was kidnapped since Gabriela seems like a loyal employee, but the whole operation sounds ominous.

“You must be hungry, have one of my plates, I’ll bless it extra special for you so you can have a full stomach before Silicon comes around.” Gabriela offers, with a wink.

What should Chuck do? He can only pick one option but he can also ask Gabriela any questions:
A. Try to make Gabriela dependent on him (sex and magic)
B. Eat the food, gain mana
C. Talk to someone else
D. Other
>>
No. 1017153 ID: c92a02

Eat the mana, gain food.
>>
No. 1017154 ID: 1cf4cc

A need power. Get her addiction going with this line: hi can i get an iced latte with breast milk i mean breast milk  mean breast milk sorry i mean breast milk i mean breast milk I mean
>>
No. 1017155 ID: afe7de

As much as I wanna flirt with the cute maus and make breast milk jokes if we are about to get a job, spending 2/6 mana likely having a hard time getting more for at least a bit it might be more prudent to get food, but maybe you can make the breast milk joke and get a mana latte to drink on the go

Mana is held in the balls and boobah after all
>>
No. 1017162 ID: 8737f7

When I said the mouse should 90% torso, this is not what I meant.

Let's eat the food.
Sexy times come when we turn 18.
>>
No. 1017163 ID: 36784c

>>1017152
B

>>1017155
>maybe you can make the breast milk joke and get a mana latte to drink on the go
Do this

>>1017162
>Sexy times come when we turn 18.
Check the very first post: >>1017029 . It specifically states that Chuck is an adult. Sexy times can be whenever we feel like it.
>>
No. 1017166 ID: 3a06e7

A, because we're a responsible adult.
>>
No. 1017168 ID: ce39da

B: Eat.

You don't even really want to be here, so don't form relationships you don't know you'll be able to maintain. While you're playing nice, the best thing you can do right now is to amass personal power. That means saving up for either an upgrade or a golden opportunity for an escape (like an adventurer you could convince to escort you from the premises).

Also, trust that you can squash any dependency with this place they try to force on you (such as with this food) effortlessly; bitch, you're the Spirit of Addiction! If there's anyone in the world who can be considered the master of their own wants and needs instead of the other way around, it's you. (Perhaps wanting to emulate mana-dad's incredible self-control was another motivating factor in making this your domain.)
>>
No. 1017175 ID: eedbeb
File 163934422141.png - (380.15KB , 1000x1100 , p11.png )
1017175

>Food, but sexy
I’d love something to eat, or drink.” Chuck lets his eyes fall suggestively to Gabriela’s boobs. “Maybe a latte, something with lots of milk.”

“Oh, I have a recipe that could work.” Gabriela sways her hips as she turns to get a glass and a jar of raw mana, which looks like the stuff Chuck stole from the elves.

The mouse places the glass between her breasts and waves her hands. The mana flows from the jar into the air and turns pure white. Her red eyes flash and Chuck senses some kind of strengthening spell being cast.

He watches as Gabriela deliberately fills the glass too full so that some of the mana dribbles onto her chest, then tops everything with a spiral of whipped cream.

Gabriela carefully pushed a metal straw into the cream then leans over the counter so Chuck can reach her. He ducks his head smoothly and, maintaining eye contact, takes a sip.
>>
No. 1017176 ID: eedbeb
File 163934422840.png - (318.97KB , 1000x1100 , p12.png )
1017176

“Intern! Der you are!” A robot with dark, spiky armor charges out of the tunnel that connects to the warm boulder room. Gabriela abruptly pulls away before Chuck can finish, leaving the straw dangling sadly from his lips. He only gains 2 mana, bringing his total to 8 units.

“Sorry hun,” she whispers. “Boss is watching, I’d love to continue later if you can find me after hours.”

The robot hurries past the tables, with a brief greeting to the camel and a great clanking of metal boots. Chuck notices it has a huge sword sheathed across its back.

“Ah, I leave you alone for only a moment and you manage to get into trouble.” Silicon turns and wags a sharp finger at Gabriela. “I told you before, do not feed dem! Dis is an unpaid internship.”

“Okay, but they’re awfully cute.” Gabriela mutters mutinously.
>>
No. 1017177 ID: afe7de

You should correct them, saying *unpaid kidnapping and internship combination experience*

Also what's silicone's addictions, you obvs wont be able to out-mana-him, but this is good info
>>
No. 1017181 ID: c92a02

You look dressed for war. Wait, don't tell me you dress like this all the time?
>>
No. 1017188 ID: 96c896

"I quit."
>>
No. 1017195 ID: ce39da

Let's not antagonize the scary-looking dude. Obviously, do a passive scan on his entire person for addictions (who knows, maybe there are more people there than we thought). Although, I already get the feeling that paying lip service will net you a significant return on investment - so don't go rejecting him or calling him out to his face.

If he interrogates you on what you are, say that you're a SPIRIT OF PLEASURE with the power to stimulate people. (While definitely related to addiction to the point of being a half-truth, conceptually speaking, there are (hahaha) some pretty fucking vital distinctions that could spell the downfall of those who are taken in by the lie.)

Also, as almost an afterthought, ask where you can get some clothes. You didn't think to manifest anything besides underwear.
>>
No. 1017196 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017176
No. I do not work for you. Where's the exit?
>>
No. 1017197 ID: f20a63

Just attack him. Crack his screen with your fist.
>>
No. 1017201 ID: 9cf099

"You seem to have a speech impediment. Here, Let me just..."
Start fiddling with his screen.
>>
No. 1017204 ID: eedbeb
File 163935546636.png - (287.10KB , 1000x1100 , p13.png )
1017204

Chuck tries to scan Silicon for addictions, but sees nothing. Is there some kind of ward blocking his ability?

Silicon notices his squinting and squints back. “Trying to spell me, intern? Dis is a robot I’m remotely controlling, a fancy high quality one, so you’d be causing property damage if you mess with it. That is not very smart if you want to be rehired!”

“I’m not your employee. You kidnapped me.” Chuck hisses.

The robot twiddles its thumbs. “Aggressive recruiting tactics give us the edge in de business.”

Everyone in the cafeteria is playing very close attention to the conversation while trying to hide the fact that they’re listening. Gabriela lowers her head and starts wiping dishes when it’s clear Silicon is done addressing her.

“You’re not going to let me go.” Chuck states.

“Correct, de guards have orders to stop you at the exit tunnel.”
>>
No. 1017205 ID: eedbeb
File 163935547434.png - (347.33KB , 1000x1100 , p14.png )
1017205

“If I’m not paid, what do I get for being an intern?” Chuck grumbles. He’s still going to try to escape but he’ll play along for now.

Silicon brightens. “I’m glad you asked! You and de other intern are competing for this—“

The robot unsheathes the massive sword, which lets out a deafening scream and spits fire along its serrated edge.

“—beautiful weapon! All you have to do is guard de office, get coffee for me and my brodder, learn about robots, and help de other employees with any work they think is too boring to do themselves.”

To Chuck’s relief, Silicon puts away the sword. “Of course, the other spirits may think you are too much trouble and eat you. Since you are only an intern you don’t get any protection benefits. That is part of the risk! You have two days to impress me and den I will decide who gets the sword.”
>>
No. 1017206 ID: c92a02

Alright, well let's see what other interns we're competing with.
>>
No. 1017207 ID: 3ed3c3

But what if you don't want the sword? What if you want no part of this? Is he just not giving you a choice? What happens to the "interns" that don't win? Does he just dispose of them?
>>
No. 1017208 ID: e51896

What if we don't want sword?
>>
No. 1017209 ID: 96c896

>>1017205
...do we even want that thing? I guess we could drain the mana out of it, maybe?

Hold up, Silicon has a brother? Who is it? (it's gonna be Carbon but I guess Chuck has no way of knowing that)
Ask if you can leave after the contest is over. If not, what would you do afterwards?
>>
No. 1017210 ID: bdc340

mmmmmmmmmmmmm sword
>>
No. 1017211 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017209
>Ask if you can leave after the contest is over. If not, what would you do afterwards?
That's a good question. This can't all just be for some stupid sword.
What's our actual incentive to do this? He can't honestly expect us to stick around, especially if we were to get our hands on that sword. We have no reason to work for this jerk outside of being forced to.
I imagine that he'd just kill us outright if we completely refused to cooperate, though that might make him look bad in front of his minions.
>>
No. 1017213 ID: 094652

"You expect us to somehow give you coffee in person despite being locked up in here, don't you."
>>
No. 1017214 ID: ce39da

"Okay, sure, that's a great sword you got there, mister. Very scary. What's my actual incentive for cooperating, or for that matter, sticking around after the end of this little competition either way?"

If the consolation prize is "you die," well, you may as well rip off that band-aid now so's you know what's really at stake here.
>>
No. 1017215 ID: eedbeb
File 163936240581.png - (184.62KB , 1000x1100 , p15.png )
1017215

“What if I don’t want the sword?” Chuck asks.

Silicon’s digital face disappears for a moment. “I don’t understand the question.”

“Let’s say I was a normal person who didn’t want to be involved in your bizarre competition for a huge screaming sword. What then?”

“Um. Well if you were a carbon or silicon elemental we would eat you, but since you’re not…” Silicon shrugs helplessly. “I guess I have learned recently you can’t force magical items of great power onto people so I would keep you here as an intern for two days then let you go as planned.”

The phrase ‘great power’ grabs Chuck’s attention. “What does the sword do?”

“Ohohoho.” Silicon puts an arm around Chuck’s scaly shoulders and pulls him close. “It kills people. It’s a killing sword. Cuts through wards, metal, stone, flesh etc. With this baby you could kill people without even trying. It could even kill, for example, a very powerful magical being like myself.”
>>
No. 1017216 ID: eedbeb
File 163936241495.png - (278.12KB , 1000x1100 , p16.png )
1017216

That’s a suspicious thing to say. Chuck opens his mouth to respond when something catches his eye.

Addiction: None
Potential Addictions: Love, Affection


Where was this coming from? Silicon just said the robot couldn’t be scanned and there was no one else nearby.

“Now that we’ve cleared that up, intern, please fetch me some coffee.” Silicon says pompously, interrupting Chuck’s thoughts.

“For your real self or this robot?”

“Let’s start with the robot, and who knows, if you prove yourself I may grace you with my noble form.”
>>
No. 1017220 ID: e51896

lets try to take advantage of his potential addictions so we can manipulate him later. Give him a coffee because you "care".

Look over to Gabriella and repeat what you asked what you wanted:

"gimme a latte, something with lots of milk."

then give it to him.
>>
No. 1017221 ID: c92a02

A sword that does all the heavy lifting for you? Kinda cheapens the whole thing. Somebody trains for combat and/or schemes for years, only to get killed by a guy with a delete key? That would suck.
Go ask Gabriela for some coffee with regular milk, I mean regular milk, I mean robot milk. Then bring it back to him.
>>
No. 1017222 ID: 96c896

I bet you got close enough to the robot to peek at Silicon through its connection. Or perhaps the connection isn't wireless... and you have to get close to detect the wire?
Or maybe there's an invisible Spirit somewhere. Or Silicon has secret tunnels nearby and happened to be traveling down one of them.
If that *was* Silicon's readout, then... maybe Silicon is starved for attention, and that's what this whole thing is about.

But ok, go get it some coffee. Ask how Silicon likes it. Milk? Sugar? What blend? Also, coffee from... here, right? There's no coffee machine somewhere else?
>>
No. 1017224 ID: ce39da

You were actually focusing your attention on the prize just then. The sword can scream, so there's no reason to assume it isn't its own entity. You were reading the sword's potential addictions.

"Alright, where can I normally find your robot. And are you going to tell me where coffee is made around here, or is that something I'm expected to figure out myself?"

> GOALS
1: Get coffee for this ASCII clown.
2: Meet the competition, possibly convince them you aren't taking the competition seriously. (Technically true, but GOAL 3 will hopefully mean the competition is moot.)
3: Make an effort to brainwash the sword directly whenever you meet with the ASCII clown.
4: Obtain clothes at some point.
>>
No. 1017226 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017216
Oh, my God. Fine.
Get the metal baby his caffeinated bottle.
Anything to get out of here with as little fuss as possible.
>>
No. 1017227 ID: 4476cf

>possible addictions: love, affection
I knew it!

Let's give him a hug.
>>
No. 1017228 ID: 36784c

>>1017216
>Where was this coming from? Silicon just said the robot couldn’t be scanned and there was no one else nearby.
It’s the sword. You’re currently scanning the sword.
>>
No. 1017232 ID: 96c896

>>1017228
Shit, you're probably right. It's got an eye, it's probably sapient.
>>
No. 1017249 ID: eedbeb
File 163940921538.png - (334.42KB , 1000x1100 , p17.png )
1017249

Chuck motions to Gabriela.

“How do you like your coffee?” Chuck asks Silicon, as an afterthought.

“Oh, I don’t know, never had it. I want real coffee, not mana.” Silicon clarifies.

“Well, we don’t have that.” Gabriela shrugs. “Spirits have no use for mortal stimulants.”

Chuck is temporarily stumped. “Why do you even want mortal coffee?”

“I am just sooooooo quirky.” the robot trills.

“We have water, so if you can get some coffee beans or a good substitute I could help you make it.” Gabriela offers.
>>
No. 1017250 ID: eedbeb
File 163940922325.png - (280.00KB , 1000x1100 , p18.png )
1017250

>Change Tactics

“I know you don’t really want coffee, how about a nice warm hug instead?” Chuck gingerly finds an angle around the robot’s spikes.

“Intern, you are being vewy weird.” Silicon extracts himself. “I want coffee because I want to make you get me coffee to show I have power over you. What kind of spirit did you say you were again?”

Chuck curses silently. Okay, the addictions really weren’t coming from Silicon. That left…

Wait, the sword had an eye. It screamed. Maybe it was sapient?

Sure enough, Chuck feels his first Dependency connection, weak as a thin thread, between him and the sword, who he managed to catch in the hug.

“I’m a metaphorical spirit.” he says evasively.

“Be careful with that.” Silicon replies.
>>
No. 1017251 ID: eedbeb
File 163940923341.png - (217.05KB , 1000x1100 , p19.png )
1017251

Chuck sighs. “Okay, I’ll get you coffee once I find a way to get beans down here. That’ll take me a while so what should I do in the meantime?”

Silicon’s screen displays a simple map of the underground office, and Chuck commits it to memory.

“De other intern is on guard duty, he seems to like that best since the employees say he is not helpful with advanced robotics at all. I will send someone to find you if I or Carbon need anything and you can talk to the employees in the office area, cafeteria, or the dorms.” Silicon explains.

Current Tasks:
-Get Silicon Coffee (hard)
-Meet Gabriela in the dorms after work (also hard if you know what I mean)

What should Chuck do?
A. Go to guard duty and meet the other intern
B. Talk to the employees to get tasks
C. Explore, try to find an escape route
D. Other
>>
No. 1017252 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017251
C.
>>
No. 1017253 ID: 33319b

B, go see goblin and scorpion
>>
No. 1017254 ID: dbd72b

C. Also keep an eye out for mana. We need to build some up so we don't get ate
>>
No. 1017255 ID: ce39da

A: We must meet the competition early. Possibly sizing the other intern up is fine, of course, but given the optional goal the sword turned out to be, it's more important that you establish yourself as a non-threat and as a possible friend.

(Plus, I have a funny feeling about who this guy will turn out to be.)
>>
No. 1017256 ID: 96c896

B, so you don't get eaten.
>>
No. 1017257 ID: 79f059

A, go find the exit from this place and see if coffee beans could come in with a shipment or something.
>>
No. 1017263 ID: afe7de

A. Meet the other intern, see how they feel about the situation and if they're also coerced
>>
No. 1017264 ID: 36784c

>>1017251
C

Also ask how we’re supposed to deliver the coffee to Silicon. Are we supposed to find him or will he come find us?
>>
No. 1017265 ID: 894419

>>1017251
B. Explore and look for a way out while keeping an eye peeled for coffee beans and empty Starbucks cups
>>
No. 1017266 ID: eedbeb
File 163942927306.png - (368.28KB , 1000x1100 , p20.png )
1017266

>A
Chuck wants to meet the competition, and there might be an opportunity to get some information or instant coffee from the adventurers who are trying to stop Silicon. After bidding Gabriela farewell, he locates the correct tunnel and starts walking up the steps.

He hears voices echoing around the rock walls after a while, growing louder as the tunnel widens and opens into another well-lit cave where several basic robots accompany a tough looking elf. The elf is wearing brightly polished armor and shaking her head sternly at a trio of mortals.

Chuck runs a quick scan on everyone before he’s noticed.
>>
No. 1017267 ID: eedbeb
File 163942928588.png - (322.70KB , 1000x1100 , p21.png )
1017267

Mortal #1
Addictions: Cat, sex

Mortal #2
Addictions: Cat

Mortal #3
Addictions: Cat, social media

Elf
Addictions: Video games

Robot#4
Addictions: Revenge
Potential Addictions: Someone to trust


Whatever this Cat thing is, it’s very lucky. The adventurers are three attractive women from what Chuck can tell since the rogue is mostly covered by her cloak and hood.
>>
No. 1017275 ID: afe7de

Probably best to just listen in and figure out what's going on before you do anything, is one of them the intern, if not, watch the scary/pretty ladies
>>
No. 1017276 ID: c92a02

The elf is the intern. Back her up.
"Hey. No shirt, no shoes, no service. "
>>
No. 1017278 ID: 894419

>>1017267
Hmmm, robot 4 might be a man we can use. I bet he'll be willing to swap favors if we help him out with revenge, which may get him addicted to having a confidant. We should pal up with him after hearing out whatever is going on here.
>>
No. 1017290 ID: 96c896

One of the "basic" robots is independent? Interesting.

Can you emulate Cat and charm all three at once?
>>
No. 1017293 ID: a9af05

>>1017290
>Can you emulate Cat and charm all three at once?
No, because he's a lizard, not a cat. And he doesn't know who Cat is. He's gotta know how Cat acts in order to emulate them.
>>
No. 1017298 ID: 96c896

>>1017293
Oh, excuse me. I meant imitate.

>-Imitate Cravings (2 mana, Chuck can attempt to charm a target and imitate their cravings, creating a dependency)
>>
No. 1017302 ID: c373ad

Tell these vixens to back off.
>>
No. 1017307 ID: ce39da

Clamp your hand on the independent robot's shoulder as you round the group (after double-checking which one that is).
Whisper to it: "Do I want to know what I just walked in on, 'Mr. Silicon, sir?'"
>>
No. 1017315 ID: eedbeb
File 163945416332.png - (214.27KB , 1000x1100 , p22.png )
1017315

>Wait and listen

Chuck wants more information before he interrupts so he carefully lowers himself stomach first onto the stairs and peeks his head over the edge to watch.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience but my answer has not changed. This facility is not accepting visitors at this time.” the elf says sternly.

“We know Silicon’s in here. The real Silicon.” the crocodile insists.

“Yes, which is why you should only come when you have everything ready for the final battle. You’re not even wearing clothes!” the elf says, pointing at the rabbit, who yawns.

Is the elf the intern? She seems too experienced, with a scar on her jaw and a stern, tired tone.

“This is all some kind of fucked up game to Silicon so I doubt he’ll be upset.” the mouse sniffs. “We’ll be fine, just let us do some reconnaissance.”

The elf stamps her foot in frustration. “For the last time, no. I have strict orders not to let adventurers through.”
>>
No. 1017316 ID: eedbeb
File 163945417249.png - (365.54KB , 1000x1100 , p23.png )
1017316

The tension snaps with a burst of ice that flies out of the crocodile’s palm. The elf tries to dodge, only to trip over her shadow, which has twisted around her feet. Freezing air blasts her, forming icicles on her armor and stopping her completely.

Chuck is stunned to see the elf defeated. The adventurers are already advancing on the robots, weapons drawn.

>Charm
Chuck tells himself he’s doing this out of self-preservation. The adventurers might freeze him, and then what? He’d never get to bone Gabriela.

Since all of the addictions are the same, Chuck gets 50% off the normal casting value of using Imitate Cravings three times. It takes 3 mana, leaving him with 5.

He’s a little shaky with the magic, so he’s surprised when the spells immediately take root, stopping the adventurers in their tracks.

The crocodile looks around, dazed. “Cat? Are you here?”

The three normal robots rush over to the frozen elf and start blowing hot air on her blue tinged skin. The rabbit adventurer, teeth gritted, drags her gaze over to Chuck’s hiding place on the stairs and shakily raises her gun.
>>
No. 1017317 ID: eedbeb
File 163945417883.png - (283.82KB , 1000x1100 , p24.png )
1017317

The fourth robot shakes and seems to melt, unfurling four long limbs and a mouth full of gooey teeth. A pair of cat ears pop into existence above an oval, almost cartoonish head.

Chuck stares at the adult changeling as he cracks his neck and seizes the adventurers with his tentacles. The gun goes off with a bang and Chuck hears the bullet hit the stone to his left.

Rhine heaves the adventurers into the air, arms elongating as he brings the mortals to the peak of a deadly arc.

What should Chuck do?
A. Nothing (Rhine will bash the adventurers against the ground, which has a high chance of injuring and small chance of killing with each adventurer rolling separately)

B. Shout at Rhine to stop (Rhine has a 50/50 chance to not listen and do A. Success rate improved by what Chuck says)

C. Physically intercept Rhine (Rhine will be pissed and the adventurers will attempt to get away)

D. Magically intercept Rhine (Attempt a 50/50 to charm Rhine, if successful he won’t be upset and the adventurers will escape)
>>
No. 1017322 ID: afe7de

What about E. Let Rhyne do his thing but try communcating with one of them to see if you can get a communications channel with the outside world.

Yeah it might result in injury for someone else or death, but you technically don't know them, even though I care for these sweet alt children of mine.
>>
No. 1017323 ID: 3ed3c3

We can't do nothing.

If we shout, what could we possibly say to improve our chances? Silicon most likely already told Rhine we're here, so trying to make a big reveal of our presence probably won't help.

If we get physical and Rhine decides to get violent, he might hurt or kill us. He seems to have gone a little crazy since we last saw him.

Using magic to solve all our problems would be nice, but it, like option B, relies too heavily on luck for me to like it.
>>
No. 1017324 ID: ce39da

"Whoa, easy, there! I think they get the point!" Magically charming your brother (even if you aren't aware of him being your brother) is going to be a big no-no. If we want to be besties with him, we're doing it the hard (but non-toxic) way.
>>
No. 1017328 ID: 96c896

B, ask him to let you interrogate them first. Perhaps one of them is sufficiently charmed you can get some info...
Like, what do they know about Silicon's plans? You're asking this to find out how good the enemy's info is, of course. Not to help you escape or anything.

Also towards the end of the conversation you can ask them to tell your father you're okay.
>>
No. 1017333 ID: c92a02

B. Don't be a tool for Silicon, Rhine! Or Carbon.
>>
No. 1017397 ID: 2e3a0c

All in for A!
>>
No. 1017398 ID: 6c227a

just be all "Wait I need them!" and then as they are scrambling away beg for a cup of coffee with nothing to offer in exchange
>>
No. 1017418 ID: eedbeb
File 163952572444.png - (299.17KB , 1000x1100 , p25.png )
1017418

>Don't be a tool, Rhine

"Rhine, they're charmed, you don't have to hurt them, that's what Silicon and Carbon would want!" Chuck shouts.

The changeling freezes, extended arm shaking from the weight. He turns to glare at Chuck as he slowly lowers the adventurers to the ground. He wraps them together with another limb for extra security. The rabbit has shaken off the magic daze and struggles, but can't get free.

"Who are you?" Rhine hisses.

"I'm your brother, Chuck. I hatched and I'm a spirit now." Chuck clambers to his feet and walks towards Rhine. The changeling is a lot bigger than he is, and stronger too. Chuck hesitates, but goes into grabbing range.
>>
No. 1017419 ID: eedbeb
File 163952575340.png - (292.06KB , 1000x1100 , p26.png )
1017419

"What kind of spirit are you?" Rhine asks, suspiciously.

Again, Chuck wavers, but decides to tell the truth. If he's going to be a person Rhine trusts he's going to do it the hard way.

"I'm a spirit of addiction, I can uh, see what people's addictions are and cast spells based on that. I got these guys spelled, so now would be a good time to interrogate them."

"You better not do anything to me." Rhine growls.

"No, of course not. Are you the other intern? Silicon kidnapped me earlier and told me about the competition for the fancy sword."

Rhine gives Chuck a calculating look. "I'm winning that sword and using it to kill Silicon and Carbon."

Well, that's not a terrible idea. Chuck rubs the back of his head and feels his gaze be drawn by the struggling rabbit who almost shot him.
>>
No. 1017420 ID: eedbeb
File 163952576303.png - (268.22KB , 1000x1100 , p27.png )
1017420

"Hey, um, what do you guys know about Silicon's plans? Do you know my dad, Ahpin?" Chuck asks.

The rabbit responds. "Silicon is a clown who likes to fuck around, and not in the fun way. As for Ahpin,
I've heard of that guy, G here had to help his sister get something. What do you mean he's your dad?"

Chuck puffs himself up with pride. "Me and Rhine here ate all his mana and then he adopted us."

"Right. He must be so proud." the rabbit says sarcastically.

"I'm Chuck, by the way. What's happening on the surface? Are the robots attacking?"

"I'm A. And no, Silicon never physically hurts people, the robots are just being really annoying." A mutters. "We still have to deal with him, but on his schedule."

She shrugs. "That magic sword you mentioned sounds promising. The Guild theorized he was going to drop a weapon that could actually damage him sometime soon, we were planning to scout his hideout here and try to find it."
>>
No. 1017421 ID: eedbeb
File 163952577473.png - (315.36KB , 1000x1100 , p28.png )
1017421

Rhine approaches A and bares his teeth in her face. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Ooo, scary monster." The rabbit sticks out her tongue teasingly. "Put those tentacles to good use daddy."

Rhine turns bright pink and loosens his grip enough that the rabbit pulls her arms free and slaps G, the mouse, across the face.

"Wuh? Not so hard Cat..."

"You’re under a spell, snap out of it." A says, slapping the mouse again.

"Do you have coffee?" Chuck asks hurriedly.

"I brought a thermos. Gets cold down here." G mumbles. She shakes her head in confusion while A applies slap therapy to the crocodile. It looks like the adventurers are breaking free of Chuck's influence and will soon try to escape.
>>
No. 1017424 ID: ce39da

Make sure they fork over the coffee before they go.

"And to be clear, the brothers who aren't us and shall not be named are the primary targets of that REVENGE addiction I passively sensed, right?" If confirmed: "Phew! Okay, that makes this way less complicated. We're in agreement on what we should use that sword for, then; ergo, we only have to worry about the senior employees in the meantime."

Also: "For the record, Silicon seemed very suspicious in waving that thing in front of us. What's more, I figured out that the sword itself is sentient. If there's a trap built into the thing, it's probably that it won't kill anyone it's loyal to - however, I've already started working on that."
>>
No. 1017425 ID: 894419

>>1017421
Tell Rhine to knock them out, and the two of you can start tying them up. After that its time to get to know your estranged brother
>>
No. 1017426 ID: c8b6ee

Ice them!
>>
No. 1017430 ID: 96c896

Huh, Silicon doesn't hurt people? Then I guess what we just said to Rhine was wrong and Rhine can hurt them if he wants.

Get coffee, also get any mana-rich items from them you can get. Also take A's gun, since you're still weak and need some manner of self-defense against other spirits.
>>
No. 1017438 ID: c92a02

Loot the thermos while they're charmed. Hey, can you guys tell Aphin we're down here?
Then it is family bonding time. How did you get here from when we last saw you? Is this part of the same dungeon?
>>
No. 1017444 ID: eedbeb
File 163953950928.png - (360.96KB , 1000x1100 , p29.png )
1017444

>Kill
Whoa whoa whoa, Chuck isn’t quite comfortable with that. He stopped Rhine from slamming the adventurers on the rocks after all, it’d be weird to go back on that decision.

>Maim?
Well, if Silicon doesn’t want people to get hurt, then Chuck wouldn’t mind letting Rhine rough the adventurers up a little.

“Hold them still for a second, separately. Don’t kill them but you don’t have to be gentle.” Chuck says. Rhine adjusts his grip and Chuck takes the thermos and A’s gun. He’s moving fast, but he still has time to leech 1 mana from the mage. He has 6 units total.

Rhine hisses and lets go of the mouse as G stabs his hand with a green dagger. He forcefully throws the other two on the ground. The crocodile’s right wrist snaps and A grunts as she hits the wall.

Okay, that was a bit harsh. The adventurers scurry back up the exit tunnel as the robots finish thawing the elf.
>>
No. 1017445 ID: eedbeb
File 163953952487.png - (382.17KB , 1000x1100 , p30.png )
1017445

“Thank you, interns.” the elf says stiffly, getting to her feet. “Silicon will hear of your good work.”

“Is Silicon not listening through them?” Chuck asks, pointing at the robots.

The elf scoffs. “He can remote into any robot but he can’t be everywhere at once. These are running on AI based on Silicon’s personality.”

Rhine grumbles under his breath and shapeshifts to blend back in with the machines. The only way Chuck can tell his brother apart from the robots are the addictions that float into view when he does a scan.

Chuck now has a magic gun, a thermos of coffee, and an uneasy mix of dread and guilt. What should he do next?

A. Deliver coffee to Silicon and get more tasks
B. Stay on guard duty and talk to Rhine
C. Other
>>
No. 1017446 ID: c92a02

Well, should probably get this coffee to Silicon while it's still hot. For whatever reason. Let's catch up in the cafeteria later, Rhine.
>>
No. 1017448 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017445
The coffee can wait. It's time we caught up with our brother.
>>
No. 1017453 ID: 96c896

The coffee is in a thermos, it'll be fine. Ask Rhine what he's been up to. Did he decide to stay as a changeling, or has he just not felt secure enough to enter his egg phase?
(is there some downside to staying as a changeling?)
>>
No. 1017455 ID: e51896

Should we give Rhine the gun?
>>
No. 1017476 ID: eedbeb
File 163958649368.png - (199.19KB , 1000x1100 , p31.png )
1017476

>Stay

Chuck has a lot of questions for Rhine so he remains on guard duty, which seems to mostly consist of the elf playing video games on one of the robots while the others watch. He scoots next to Rhine, who gives him an irritated look, like the changeling’s mad Chuck is blowing his cover.

Chuck nudges Rhine with an elbow. “What’s up with you? I’ve been an egg since we last saw each other, contemplating the universe and existence and all that. Are you planning to stay as a changeling?”

“I haven’t felt like becoming an egg. Dusty says it’s fine to wait and that’s how hybrid creatures like kobolds and goblins were sired in the first place.”

“Did Silicon kidnap you too?”

Rhine frowns. “Dusty said I was being a grump and told me to give her some space. I went to the third level of the Ultimate Annihilation Dungeon to try to get more info about Silicon and Carbon and found my way here. Silicon was weird the first time I met him, got the idea to make me an intern and told me off for threatening Carbon. They’re working together on all this.”
>>
No. 1017477 ID: eedbeb
File 163958650952.png - (278.83KB , 1000x1100 , p32.png )
1017477

“Okay, I get it, you want revenge on Carbon for messing with us in the dungeon and on Silicon for helping him.” Chuck says slowly. “Just a warning, the sword’s sentient and there’s probably something that stops it from killing Silicon. I’m working on that, though.”

“Hm.”

Chuck examines the magic gun. It seems to have little mana pellets as unlimited ammo instead of real bullets.

“Here.” Chuck offers Rhine the gun. “Since you’ll be guarding more than me you should have this.”

Rhine takes the gun and uses his tendrils to suck away the magic energy, leaving a sad metal shell.

“Dude!”

“What? I don’t need a gun and I’m hungry.” Rhine complains.
>>
No. 1017478 ID: d0ebbe

Just laugh it off, take scrap metal shell. Might be able to find a tinkerer to refurbish it to something else later
>>
No. 1017479 ID: bdc340

Pff, I could have used that gun... I don't blame you though. Silicon told the cafeteria lady not to feed interns, and I'm guessing he's not letting you come and go as you please, either.
>>
No. 1017480 ID: 36784c

>>1017477
Just laugh it off. Let him know that you missed him.

Then tell him that you’re going to look for a way to escape from this place. If you find a way out, he can come with you if he wants to. But if the only way out is to kill Silicon and Carbon, then you’ll help him do that.
>>
No. 1017482 ID: 96c896

>>1017477
Tell him it would've been nice to have a warning. You need mana too. How would one go about getting some down here?
>>
No. 1017489 ID: c92a02

Well, you gave it to him to use as he saw fit. You're feeling a bit peckish yourself. Why don't we try and mooch more mana from the cafeteria?
>>
No. 1017490 ID: eedbeb
File 163960867962.png - (238.33KB , 1000x1100 , p33.png )
1017490

>Laugh it off
“I’m glad to see you haven’t changed much.” Chuck jokes. “I’m also kind of hungry, I think Gabriela can hook me up after hours if you want to try and get some mana from her.”

“Maybe. That’s the angel lady right? Blessings are weird, I don’t want to mess with her.” Rhine says.

“Just know it’s an option.” Chuck checks to make sure the elf is absorbed in her game, then lowers his voice. “Are they keeping you here? I’m trying to find a way to escape, we could take on that lady right now and leave.”

Rhine scowls. “Don’t even think about it. I’m here to get that sword and if you leave I bet Silicon will call off the whole thing because it’s not going according to his stupid plan.”

“You’d stop me?” Chuck says incredulously.

“I’m on guard duty, aren’t I? We were given orders not to let you past this cave.”
>>
No. 1017491 ID: eedbeb
File 163960870201.png - (198.84KB , 1000x1100 , p34.png )
1017491

Chuck spends the rest of the day catching up with Rhine while avoiding sensitive topics like how scary his brother has become and his desire to return to Ahpin. No other adventurers show up and Chuck finds himself thinking wistfully of Gabriela’s soft white fur. He takes back the gun with hopes of refurbishing it later and bids Rhine farewell.

The cafeteria is empty when he returns. What should Chuck do next?

A. Deliver coffee
B. Go to dorms
C. Other
>>
No. 1017492 ID: c92a02

Deliver coffee. Maybe it's still warm? He probably can't drink it anyway.
>>
No. 1017493 ID: 222a94

Deliver coffee and meet your prospective girlfriend.
>>
No. 1017494 ID: 0838d6

Deliver covfefe, might as well show your own initiative, also maybe taste the coffee? see what its like, not like he asked for a slightly undrinked coffee, or a whole thing of coffee
>>
No. 1017500 ID: 36784c

>>1017491
>how scary his brother has become
You can’t really blame Rhine for that. Remember, Ahpin used Rhine as bait to try and get a sneak attack in on Carbon. Sure, Ahpin wasn’t actually going to let Carbon harm Rhine and he did apologize for doing that, but it doesn’t change the fact that it happened.

By extension, he’s probably mad at you for going to live with Ahpin instead of staying here with him.

>What do?
Might as well go deliver the coffee.
>>
No. 1017508 ID: eedbeb
File 163962126876.png - (171.88KB , 1000x1100 , p35.png )
1017508

>Coffee
Not to be a goody two-shoes, but Chuck wants to give Silicon the coffee before he sees Gabriela. Can a robot even drink liquids? Probably not, like Silicon said it was more about the power play. That means he wouldn’t mind if some was missing, right?

Chuck unscrews the lid of the thermos and takes a tentative sip. The coffee’s still hot, and tastes surprisingly good, probably because it’s a somewhat addictive substance. He puts the lid back on and ponders how to find Silicon in the network of caves and tunnels.

The idea comes to him in a moment of brilliance. He has a connection to the sword, and Silicon has the sword. If he follows the thread it should lead him to the robot.
>>
No. 1017509 ID: eedbeb
File 163962127525.png - (411.16KB , 1000x1100 , p36.png )
1017509

Chuck focuses on the sword and feels a miniscule pull in the direction of the offices. He heads towards the proper tunnel with a spring in his step.

His optimism quickly wears off. The robot production area is much larger than Silicon’s map led him to believe, a labyrinth of cubicles, robot parts and sporadic caverns lined with catwalks that overlook heavy machinery. Chuck has to backtrack multiple times when the corridors start leading him in the wrong direction. Everything is eerily deserted.

Finally, he rounds a corner on a catwalk and sees a familiar black ape.

“Hello intern! Do you have my coffee?” Silicon asks cheerfully from Carbon’s elbow. It’s the same robot body as that morning, sword included. Carbon turns his diamond eyes on Chuck but stays silent.

Addiction: Control
>>
No. 1017510 ID: afe7de

Absolutely do not mess with carbon, also realize that if carbon is addicted to control and silicone is really really into just being wanted or liked or attention, then, even if all your hate is put towards Silicone, chances are it's actually CARBON that's the real problem, quest directive update, kill CARBON too.

Also, give coffee, ask what cute mouse gf likes as gift so you can impress her.
>>
No. 1017511 ID: c92a02

"Yep." Then just wait for orders.
>>
No. 1017513 ID: 96c896

Yeah. Coffee delivered as asked. Though you're gonna need help getting back to the dorms, this place is bigger than you expected.
>>
No. 1017514 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017509
Surrender coffee to metal idiot.
>>
No. 1017524 ID: eedbeb
File 163962884435.png - (385.74KB , 1000x1100 , p37.png )
1017524

“Yes, er, here it is.” Chuck hands over the thermos, trying to ignore the way his mana crawls around Carbon. Now that he’s a spirit he has a better sense of how powerful the elemental is, and if Carbon attacked he’d definitely be doomed.

Silicon takes the thermos and peers at the contents. “Hm! Yes, very good, I didn’t think you’d actually do it. I really have no use for this, Carbon, would you like some coffee?”

The ape takes the container between thumb and forefinger and drains it, before crushing the aluminum container into scrap and tossing it over the side of the railing.

“If that’s all, I’d appreciate some help getting to the dorms from here…” Chuck trails off hopefully.

“Nonsense! This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your interning skills, you are very lucky to have two important members of the company here who could use your help. I will even let you choose who you want to go with for the night.”

A. Silicon
B. Carbon
>>
No. 1017525 ID: bdc340

Carbon...?
>>
No. 1017526 ID: 59f3b6

Carbon, since his addiction is control, we'll let him indulge in it by being his assistant
>>
No. 1017527 ID: c92a02

Silicon. Would rather not mess up and get crumpled like that coffee can so early.
>>
No. 1017534 ID: 36784c

>>1017524
A. Silicon
>>
No. 1017555 ID: 816515

Silicon. More direct forms to impress him that way.
>>
No. 1017556 ID: 256bba

Silicon. Carbon may have an angle for you, but holy shit is that going to get scary and dark real fukkin quick.

At least with silicon you can get some info on the sword,

and if carbon finds out you use magic on him, he's going to abuse you into a pile of meat and eat you. No thanks...
>>
No. 1017563 ID: ce39da

On the one hand, if we follow Carbon, we can work on his addiction without a single breath of magical charm - cheap and subtle.

But on the other hand, we'll need an opportunity to strengthen the sword's dependency on us - pretty sure we can get into full-on brainwashing territory with repeated visits. Best to do that when there isn't the main body of a powerful elemental present that can detect where we're pushing our mana. (In fact, now I'm afraid of the notion that Carbon can already somehow sense that our metaphorical concept is inherently dangerous if allowed to accumulate mana.)

Go with Silicon.
>>
No. 1017573 ID: eedbeb
File 163968308989.png - (231.20KB , 1000x1100 , p38.png )
1017573

>Silicon
Knowing Carbon's addiction would give Chuck an advantage, but he doesn't want to risk upsetting the ape and getting crushed like the thermos.

"I'll go with you, Silicon, if that's okay." Chuck stutters.

"Wonderful, brother, I will bid you farewell." Silicon says, with a flourish.

"I shall attend to our supply shipments and meet you in the morning for the debriefing." Carbon rumbles. He leaps away into the darkness, with a screech of complaint from the catwalk.

"Carbon does not like it when I talk like dis." Silicon confides to Chuck once Carbon is out of earshot. "But now dat it is just the two of us I can be more fwivolous."

Chuck blindly follows the robot through the facility, until stone starts to replace metal and they arrive at a giant black door with a crystal handle. Silicon waves a clawed limb and it swings open.
>>
No. 1017574 ID: eedbeb
File 163968310457.png - (271.33KB , 1000x1100 , p39.png )
1017574

Silicon's room is proportional to the door, with most of it obscured by a floor to ceiling curtain. In front of the curtain is a normal sized imitation of a bedroom, with a bed and bookshelf made from stone.

The robot hums a tune and sits on the grey mattress. It leans the sword against the bed and reaches for a pink blanket, before lying down and closing its eyes.

"Read to me from my favorwite books, intern. Any of de ones on the top shelf."

This is kind of weird, but at least he's not in any danger. Chuck gets on his tip-toes and examines the old tomes covered in a thin layer of rock dust.
>>
No. 1017576 ID: eedbeb
File 163968324062.png - (334.95KB , 1000x1100 , p40.png )
1017576

All of the books look ancient, dog-eared and stained with flimsy yellow pages. Chuck can pick two to read to Silicon from the following options, which will reveal different areas of the elemental's history:

A. The Lord of the Bling (a work of fiction)

B. Based? On What? A Study of Magical Organisms

C. The Gentleman Adventurer's Handbook

D. Her Forbidden Romance (there's a mortal and a shapeshifter on the cover in passionate embrace)

E. Villains through the Ages
>>
No. 1017577 ID: 894419

>>1017576
E, Silicon loves villainy!
>>
No. 1017578 ID: bdc340

you have to have a high iq to get the E
>>
No. 1017579 ID: 0838d6

E and B, E for plot reasons, B because I think the names funny. I think the prompt said we could pick 2 right?
>>
No. 1017581 ID: ce39da

Hmm... See if you can focus your passive scan on whatever's behind the curtain while you choose.

But yeah, E for Ego-Stroking fun times, followed by B for Booooooooooooring enough to actually put Silicon to sleep once you're done indulging him.

Oh, and if that curious scan turns up nothing, whip up another dosage of addictive charm for the sword - we know now that actually indulging the addiction is optional, but try staring lovingly at it just in case.
>>
No. 1017586 ID: 96c896

B,E
>>
No. 1017588 ID: c92a02

A, C. Silicon seems fixated on adventurers. He gains their attention by acting like a villain.
>>
No. 1017593 ID: eedbeb
File 163969554146.png - (322.50KB , 1000x1100 , p41.png )
1017593

>E and B

Chuck reaches for the two hardcovers and sits at the boulder Silicon has generously pulled from the ground as a seat. He cracks open Villains through the Ages and flips to the introduction.

What is a villain? The name implies a certain fictional idealism, an exciting storybook character instead of the mundanity of real life. In our society of magic, adventurers, and heroes, the title feels appropriate to describe the individuals who rose across history to shake our small world to the core.

There are villains who murdered and raped, who caused mass starvation and genocide. There are villains who improved the quality of life of many people and contributed to technological innovations, whose beliefs wouldn’t be out of place in a modern elf debate hall. I have debated separating these groups, but my publisher asked me to keep down marketing costs.

>>
No. 1017594 ID: eedbeb
File 163969554945.png - (144.47KB , 1000x1100 , p42.png )
1017594

Here they are in the very same book. I suppose it makes for better entertainment to see the full range of evil.

All of the mortals found here are dead and most of the immortals have been killed or are no longer active. Villainy is a demanding lifestyle and not for everyone.

I ranked each villain on a 1 to 10 scale by their peak power level, approximate kill count, and flair. If you disagree with my ratings, I expect a well-written letter to my home, which I shall promptly burn.

-Ioelena, elf scholar and mortal historian


“She is still alive, I think. During my travels with Carbon we found her colony and I got her to autogwaph my copy.” Silicon says dreamily.
>>
No. 1017595 ID: eedbeb
File 163969555772.png - (245.29KB , 1000x1100 , p43.png )
1017595

Chuck continues reading. Judging by the years listed in the profiles, the book is badly out of date by several centuries. Silicon gets particularly excited when the villain has a high flair score, and goes silent when Chuck lists the atrocities cause by various mortals and spirits.

Hours pass. Chuck doesn’t need to sleep, but his stomach rumbles and he feels weary.

After finishing the last entry (Zeno the Bloodthirsty), he shuts the book with a sigh. “Can I have a break or something before we start the next one?”

“Certainly.”

Suggest what Chuck does on his break. He has to stay in Silicon’s room.
>>
No. 1017596 ID: c92a02

Peek under the curtain at the rest of the room.
>>
No. 1017599 ID: 0838d6

your lizard senses make you sniff sniff sniff until you find a source of mana nearby to nibble on, probably behind the curtain, probably some hoarded source of mana, or maybe it's literally just a bunch of silicone dolls.
>>
No. 1017602 ID: 570ff8

Ask for Gabriela to join in on the storytelling and give Silicon a good night kiss when you finish reading.
>>
No. 1017604 ID: 96c896

Ask why Silicon hangs out with Carbon. Carbon doesn't seem very nice.
>>
No. 1017615 ID: ce39da

Check all around the room with your passive scan, under the guise of kicking back and resting. If no one is hidden under the bed or behind the curtain or whatever - ergo, if the actual Silicon isn't present to sense what you'll do - then hit the sword with another dose of LOVE addiction. We now know that actually indulging the target's addiction is optional, so no need to hug it (though you can shoot it a loving look to be safe).
>>
No. 1017616 ID: eedbeb
File 163970820583.png - (279.83KB , 1000x1100 , p44.png )
1017616

>Sword
Chuck notices that his bond with the sword has strengthened. Maybe it enjoys story time as much as Silicon.

>Mana?
Chuck can sense a lot of mana on the other side of the curtain. He hurries over to the heavy cloth and tries to squeeze under it.

Silicon sits bolt upright. “You stop dat.”

Chuck wasn’t making much progress with the curtain so he sheepishly stands back up. “I was looking for mana, I’m pretty hungry.”

“Yes, that is normal for a hatchling, you are not in any danger of starving and I am not comfortable showing you my twue form yet.” Silicon says.

“Why not?”

Silicon grumbles, a sound like radio static. “I am not…attractive.”
>>
No. 1017617 ID: eedbeb
File 163970821244.png - (252.66KB , 1000x1100 , p45.png )
1017617

“Well, I won’t judge and I would be happy to meet the real you.” Chuck says. “Anyways, I was wondering if we could recruit Gabriela for sleepover fun times.”

“No? It is not her work hours.”

“What am I doing here then?”

Silicon squints at Chuck. “You are an intern. It is different, Gabriela has a union.”

Chuck groans. “Okay, one more question. You seem like an okay guy besides the whole kidnapping thing, so why do you hang out with Carbon?”

“I do not understand.”

“You’re kind of a goof and he’s, y’know, a big scary mean thermos crusher.”

Silicon frowns. “I have known him since I hatched, he is my best friend and confidant, and I twust him to follow my plans.”

The robot pauses. “It is true he has not been…totally satisfied with de intern plot, which pains me greatly, but I think it is my best idea for the finale.”
>>
No. 1017618 ID: afe7de

Ask Silicone point blank why he wants to give a sword to one of the interns and is heavily implying it can hurt him, does he want some sort of coup from all of his minions so that he becomes a villain that everyone rose up against, thus becoming one of the most popular and important figures but at the cost of his life?
>>
No. 1017620 ID: c92a02

I think Gabriela has a whole lotta unions, if you get what I'm saying.
"...I miss my dad." Back to storytime.
>>
No. 1017621 ID: 3ed3c3

How much say has Carbon had in the plan?
>>
No. 1017624 ID: ce39da

Methinks Carbon can think of a few weak links in Silicon's fail-safes, and there's a chance we found one of them.

"So you admit you're using the sword for some underhanded plot." It'll be unlikely that Silicon catches the significance of your inflection there - emphasizing "using" as though he were betraying the sword's trust (uttered in front of said sword, of course - a witnessed accusation hidden in plain sight).

Launch into the more boring text before Silicon can formulate anything beyond a basic retort.
>>
No. 1017632 ID: eedbeb
File 163971615242.png - (236.54KB , 1000x1100 , p46.png )
1017632

“What’s Carbon upset about? What are you planning with the sword?”

Silicon lies back down. “Tsk tsk intern, it’s not much of a plot if I tell you everything, eh? I think your break has gone long enough, let us return to reading.”

Chuck returns to his seat and picks up Based? On What?. Judging from the faded jacket picture, the author appears to have been a mortal gopher. This book is thicker than the villains’ review and Chuck will have to pick subjects he wants to read before morning comes.

He can pick two from the following sections:

A. Changelings, consciousness from nothing

B. Elves, the mortal’s mirror

C. Spirits, a perpetual threat

D. Eldritch, a doomed existence
>>
No. 1017635 ID: e51896

A, learn more about our brother for when we need to help him out.

D, Eldritch. I don't think Chuck has ever seen or heard of one, right? Maybe check that out of curiosity (maybe we'll learn if we could do something with Tom's ashes)
>>
No. 1017640 ID: c92a02

Changelings and spirits. I wonder if it's healthy for Rhine to remain in that form. He does seem pretty cool.
>>
No. 1017641 ID: ce39da

A and C seem most immediately relevant, for lack of an Elemental section.
>>
No. 1017643 ID: afe7de

A+D
>>
No. 1017644 ID: 96c896

>>1017632
A,C
>>
No. 1017664 ID: 2472b8

Yeah, A and C
>>
No. 1017676 ID: eedbeb
File 163977174564.png - (286.78KB , 1000x1100 , p47.png )
1017676

>A and C

Chuck wants to learn more about changelings since he’s worried about Rhine. He flips to the correct page and starts reading aloud.

Many mortal researchers have asked and failed to answer the age-old question: Where does the consciousness of a magical creature come from? Where in the world does a creature of pure energy keep its brain?

The starting place for this question is obviously the changeling. How does the rudimentary sprite evolve into a creature with adult mortal level intelligence with only a bit of mana? None of the other magical creatures have been able to give answers, excluding the obvious lies of the eldritch.

Based on new field research and past text on the subject, this book describes several feasible theories and the valuable firsthand accounts included here may pay the way for future discoveries.

>>
No. 1017677 ID: eedbeb
File 163977175310.png - (150.30KB , 1000x1100 , p48.png )
1017677

Chuck drones through some dense information about survey methods for wild changelings and procedures for growing them in the lab from mana mold formula. Silicon shows he’s listening with sleepy grunts.

At the end of the section, there are a few acerbic paragraphs.

After years of study, the author has come to only one solid conclusion on the nature of these beings. Changelings are conniving, vicious, and unabashedly cannibalistic. They show many antisocial traits in both the wild and brief captivity and are not fit for normal society.

Spirits and elves do their best to keep the little bastards away from their homes either by giving an unfortunate citizen the job of raising the next generation or threats of violence to scare the changelings away. Since mature magical organisms lose their psychopathic tendencies after hatching, they rarely follow up on these threats unless particularly hungry. The main predators of the changeling are other changelings, which fortunately keeps their numbers low.

Good luck to the next generation of magic scientists, you’ll need it.


“Da temperament issues are why I don’t want to give the sword to de other intern, but since you are not interested that is the only option.” Silicon murmurs.
>>
No. 1017678 ID: 094652

Ask Silicon why the author stated Changelings are natural psychopaths.
>>
No. 1017680 ID: ce39da

"Yeah, maybe it'd be for the best if you didn't give it to him. I mean, sure, I'm not sure what I'd do with a sword like that (other than take good care of it), but I can see things getting out of hand if you gave it to a changeling, even by your standards. I don't see myself escaping ahead of schedule - at least not in a way that's worth the trouble - so I guess I can play along for now. Two days (coming on one) wouldn't be a very daunting amount of time to wait, even if I were a mortal."

Continue into the section on Spirits. You want to learn more about yourself and your opponents.
>>
No. 1017681 ID: e93dd2

Compliment him on trying to make a comfortable enviroment for changelings and lament mortals don't take him seriously for it.
>>
No. 1017683 ID: c92a02

Well, if you really want it to get used, so you give it someone who really wants to use it, you reap what you sow. What if you tried teaching us to use it responsibly, instead of framing it as a petty game?
>>
No. 1017684 ID: 96c896

>>1017677
Tell Silicon you agree your brother should not have the sword. You'll take it, just because of that. (though you're still going to help your brother get revenge... just maybe not by killing Silicon outright.)
>>
No. 1017686 ID: 96c896

...wait, you didn't seem very psychopathic during your changeling phase...
>>
No. 1017688 ID: eedbeb
File 163979895713.png - (220.81KB , 1000x1100 , p49.png )
1017688

“This book’s full of crap, I wasn’t a psychopath when I was a changeling.” Chuck says. “All I did was drain Ahpin’s mana, manipulate him by roleplaying as his child, steal from elves, and fantasize about eating a magic egg.”

“Mm. And how long were you a changeling for?”

“Day and a half.”

“De author was clearly delusional.” Silicon agrees.

“Also, I might have changed my mind about the sword.” Chuck feels the blade tune into the conversation and he tries to send it a mental pat on the head. “What if you showed me how to use it responsibly? I could help you with your mysterious plan without causing any casualties.”

“You did bwing me coffee today.” Silicon admits. “If you continue to be a responsible asset to de company tomorrow I’ll see what Carbon thinks.”
>>
No. 1017689 ID: eedbeb
File 163979896822.png - (327.54KB , 1000x1100 , p50.png )
1017689

Excitement boiling in his stomach, Chuck returns to the book with new vigor.

As mentioned before in the previous section on changelings, spirits on the whole are peaceful, friendly, and patient. Many an adventurer has annoyed or intruded into a spirit’s domain, without serious consequences. Elementals in particular can near instantly kill a mortal with little effort, and the fact that fatalities number less than ten a year shows remarkable restraint.

The inherent good nature of immortals is the only reason the world is not a blasted ruin. Recent test results with willing volunteers have shown that spirits, unlike elves, have no upper energy limit. Since spirits can take mana from other spirits, it would only take one unusually ambitious outlier to seize control of enough mana to reach a power singularity.


“Dis is where we got the idea.” Silicon interjects.

“What?”

“This part is where we got de idea to take over de world.”
>>
No. 1017690 ID: eedbeb
File 163979898030.png - (157.36KB , 1000x1100 , p51.png )
1017690

Spirits dissolve and die when they lose most of their mana, whether from severe damage to their form, being drained by another spirit, or voluntary expenditure. Elementals and other physical spirits are a special case, since they often have a vulnerable core that they build the bulk of their form around out of their relevant substance. Under no circumstances do we recommend attacking or challenging a spirit.

The rest of the section is fairly dry, and Chuck feels his voice cracking as he finishes. He sighs with relief and puts the books back in the shelf.

“Well!” Silicon flings the blanket away and stands with a stretch. “People should be coming into the office now so you can get going. I can send you wherever you’d like.”

Where should Chuck go?
A. Offices (get tasks from employees)
B. Cafeteria (see Gabriela)
C. Guard Cave (see Rhine)
>>
No. 1017691 ID: afe7de

See Gabriella, note it says "see her" and not "bone her" I guess we'll be in for a surprise, but you were a goody two shoes all day and are now tired so go get those mommy milkers
>>
No. 1017692 ID: 96c896

B. Apologize for the no-show, tell her Silicon didn't let you go after you delivered the coffee.
>>
No. 1017694 ID: ce39da

> PARTING WORDS
"Hmm... The way you explained your plan just now, it sort of sounds like you're committing genocide against your own kind. Huh." Of course, don't act judgemental; shrug and accept it if he tries to correct you. The simple statement of fact should shake Silicon enough for something interesting to fall out, given how squeamish he was about the actually monstrous shit villains have done.

> WHERE TO
B for Big Jugs, a.k.a. the cafeteria lady. Maybe we can ask for tasks from her while asking her about the nature of BLESSINGS. ("The other intern seemed kinda iffy about that stuff for some reason. Should I be concerned about getting brainwashed into serving you or something?" (I know, I know; real fucking subtle. It's called being dramatically ironic.))
>>
No. 1017701 ID: c92a02

Go to the cafeteria.
>>
No. 1017717 ID: c7b31d

Go to the offices to get more chores.
>>
No. 1017734 ID: eedbeb
File 163985440867.png - (273.21KB , 1000x1100 , p52.png )
1017734

>Gabriela

“I’d like to go to the cafeteria.” Chuck says.

Silicon walks over to the sword and unsheathes it. Instead of screaming, it makes a pleased squeaky noise.

“Check dis out.” Silicon walks away from the bed and swings the sword in a wide arc. The dark blade cuts through the air, leaving red glowing portal that opens into the cafeteria. Gabriela looks up from her cooking in surprise and waves.

Chuck waves his hand through the portal nervously, then turns back to Silicon for some parting words. “I don’t get why you were so squeamish about the villain stuff when you’re basically doing the same thing by eating other silicon elementals.”

Silicon ducks his head with shame. “I—you are right. There is no defense for what I have done.”

The portal is already shrinking, so Chuck darts through it before he can think of a response. The cafeteria is empty except for Gabriela, who’s making mana pancakes.
>>
No. 1017735 ID: eedbeb
File 163985441606.png - (366.01KB , 1000x1100 , p53.png )
1017735

“Hello cutie.” Gabriela says cheerfully, flipping a fluffy disc of false batter.

“Hey, sorry I didn’t make it to the dorms yesterday, Silicon got ahold of me and made me read him bedtime stories all night.”

“I was a little disappointed.” Gabriela admits. “But the other intern showed up, said you told him about me, so I still had a wonderful night.”

Wait is she implying—did Rhine—

“Er, what do you mean?”

Gabriela launches in a detailed and extremely graphic description of Rhine fucking her ten different ways using his shapeshifting powers.
>>
No. 1017736 ID: eedbeb
File 163985442690.png - (239.65KB , 1000x1100 , p54.png )
1017736

“—He was nervous at first, but I told him I’m only allowed to bless the food and that he didn’t have anything to be afraid of.”

“Right.” Chuck croaks. “Glad you had a good time.”

“My offer to you is still open for tonight, though the other intern would be joining us.” Gabriela says. “Could you help me deliver some pancakes? Everyone is very busy with the data from yesterday.”

Current Tasks:
-Meet Gabriela in the dorms after work day 2 (Rhine will be there, which is kind of weird)
-Deliver pancakes to everyone
>>
No. 1017737 ID: e51896

Deliver those pancakes!
>>
No. 1017739 ID: bdc340

Time to deliver those pancakes, be a company asset.
>>
No. 1017740 ID: c92a02

That's what we get for being named Chuck.
Pancaaakes!
>>
No. 1017742 ID: ce39da

Collect pancakes, get ready to start delivering.

"So... is that guy right to be worried? Will I become your brainwashed slave or something if I keep eating your food?" (This is what we in the business call 'dramatic irony.')
>>
No. 1017743 ID: eedbeb
File 163985957029.png - (268.16KB , 1000x1100 , p55.png )
1017743

>Pancakes

Gabriela hands Chuck two plates stacked with three thick cakes each, drizzled with syrup and topped with a tiny scoop of butter. He feels better now that he knows Gabriela isn’t going to mind control him or something weird, the blessings just augment the heartiness of the mana.

Who does Chuck deliver to first? Should he try to sneak a few cakes for himself?
>>
No. 1017745 ID: ae7dbc

Deliver to goblin and scorpion
>>
No. 1017748 ID: 6c227a

can.. can I have a pancake?
>>
No. 1017749 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017743
No sneaking food. This whole ordeal should be over soon enough. We can gorge ourself then.
Let's deliver to that gob/scorp duo first.
>>
No. 1017751 ID: 96c896

Maybe there will be some left over after deliveries are done... Or maybe one accidentally gets dropped, "oh no that's so terrible I'll just eat it off the floor to clean up, then get a replacement"
>>
No. 1017756 ID: eedbeb
File 163987191166.png - (283.46KB , 1000x1100 , p56.png )
1017756

>Scorpion and goblin

“Do you know where the people sitting here yesterday work?” Chuck asks.

“Oh yes, so they’re all usually in the office. Clementine does software and the other two do hardware. If you make some noise and say you have food, it should get their attention.”

Chuck thanks Gabriela and heads towards the maze of cubicles. The pancakes smell very good, and he eyes them with great longing.

>Theft bad
Damn, hatching really did a number on his sense of morality. Chuck leaves the food untouched and calls out his arrival.

“Hey, uh, intern here with some food. Are the scorpion and goblin around?”
>>
No. 1017757 ID: eedbeb
File 163987193229.png - (421.77KB , 1000x1100 , p57.png )
1017757

“Over here!” A green hand waves at Chuck from around the corner. He follows it to find two women crouched over a robot chassis.

“Hi intern, I’m Wingnut, this is Aloise, we’re working on a problem with the spinal column, folks from the field say it’s getting jammed too much when lifting heavy objects.” chirps the goblin. She eagerly takes the offered meal and sticks an entire pancake into her mouth.

Aloise’s exoskeleton is made of glossy metal plates. “Are you an elemental?” Chuck asks.

“Pretty close, I’m a spirit of alloy. I couldn’t pick one metal so I went with all the good ones.”

Wingnut
Addictions: Alcohol, spicy wings

Aloise
Addictions: Platinum, titanium

>>
No. 1017758 ID: c92a02

That's pretty cool! So uh, spinal column? Are you building a giant robot for Silicon?
>>
No. 1017759 ID: 96c896

They're engineers? Maybe they can do something with the gun.
>>
No. 1017760 ID: a409d4

>>1017759
Second this, also wing nut (the goblin I think) is cute, compliment her ears!
>>
No. 1017761 ID: bdc340

so the giant robots have real skeletons?
>>
No. 1017763 ID: 2764ef

Compliment the scorpion on her choice of element. Very smart!
>>
No. 1017772 ID: ce39da

> Alcohol
Oof, that's one of the nastier addictions if it gets out of hand. It's... not exactly comforting to know you have ways of making certain people crash and burn in the long run, on top of your dependency-enslavement powers.

If you remember correctly, goblins are one of the things changelings can turn into if they don't form an egg. Be wary if you're ever alone with her.

"Well, nice to meet you! Now, do you know where I can find Clementine in here? I need to deliver to her, too."
>>
No. 1017780 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017757
If they're having issues with a spinal column, they may want to consider not making it anthropomorphic/bipedal.
That kind of construction is an architectural nightmare.
>>
No. 1017789 ID: 894419

>>1017760
This yes.
>>
No. 1017792 ID: e51896

>>1017789
This
>>
No. 1017793 ID: 96c896

Ah, it wasn't clear before- ask exactly how goblins were created. It's a hybrid race how exactly? A changeling mating with a mortal, or does an adult changeling's egg have more options when it hatches?
>>
No. 1017806 ID: eedbeb
File 163993050770.png - (313.64KB , 1000x1100 , p58.png )
1017806

>Robots
“Can you tell me more about the robots?” Chuck asks curiously. The one on the floor looks like the standard kind he saw guarding the entrance.

Aloise opens the chest casing and shows Chuck the metal skeleton underneath. “The company has developed all sorts of robot models, this one always gives us a lot of trouble since it’s bipedal, makes it hard to balance and the joints break down a lot faster, but Silicon insists.”

“We cheat a lot.” Wingnut adds. “Magic and all that.”

“They’re meant to be helpers for mortals, so we don’t want to use the scary metal spiders even though they’re a lot easier.”
>>
No. 1017807 ID: eedbeb
File 163993051531.png - (361.89KB , 1000x1100 , p59.png )
1017807

>Goblins?
“My bro—the other intern mentioned that goblins are hybrids, how does that work exactly?”

Wingnut puffs air between her teeth. “Not too complicated, my dad was a changeling so I can consume mana and live a lot longer than normal mortals. My mum, rest her soul, told me he ditched her after they hooked up so I’ve never met him. 1st gen hybrids are almost all female so they can reproduce and every generation after that is basically a normal mortal.”

Wingnut leans over to whisper to Chuck conspiratorially. “Listen buddy, if you can get me real chicken wings and some hot sauce, I’d be super grateful. Working underground is great except I can’t get my meat fix.”

“I’d say I’d suck your dick as a reward but honestly I’ll do that anyway.” she says at normal volume. “Not a lot of dick to go around right now, or at least dick that can fit in my mouth. Carbon doesn’t fuck the employees anyway.”

Chuck blushes. “You’re really cute, so I’d be down.”

“I still think Carbon and Silicon get it on.” Aloise interrupts.

“Girl, we’ve worked here for 40 years and never even seen them kiss.” Wingnut complains.

“So they’re shy, that doesn’t mean it never happens.”
>>
No. 1017808 ID: eedbeb
File 163993052305.png - (300.93KB , 1000x1100 , p60.png )
1017808

Chuck remembers the broken gun, and takes it out to show Wingnut. The goblin examines the artifact with a critical eye.

“This is a nice piece of work, but yeah, totally drained. I can repair it but it’ll be tough, and I’m lazy. How about if you get me my chicken I’ll make it better than before.”

“I’ll try.” Chuck says. “It was nice to talk to both of you, but I should get back to delivering pancakes. Is Clementine around here?”

“Oh yeah, she should be. CLEM! YOU THERE?”

“What?” says the camel irritably from a cubicle across the cave.

Current Tasks:
-Meet Gabriela in the dorms after work
-Deliver pancakes to everyone
-Get spicy wings
-Get evidence to support or debunk Silicon and Carbon’s supposed relationship
>>
No. 1017810 ID: e51896

keep delivering those pancakes!
>>
No. 1017834 ID: a30414

What if give wingnut smooch on the forehead and continue work, leaving her with a wink so as to tease her and go keep working. Put her on the smooch docket
>>
No. 1017836 ID: c92a02

Clem, meet pancakes. Pancakes, meet Clem.
>>
No. 1017849 ID: eedbeb
File 163994589205.png - (300.00KB , 1000x1100 , p61.png )
1017849

>Keep delivering pancakes!

Chuck winks at Wingnut and retraces his path back to the cafeteria, where Gabriela is ready with another two plates of pancakes.

“Is there anyone besides Clementine left in the offices?” Chuck asks.

“Well Silicon never comes out of his room but Carbon should have a nice warm meal, the poor guy works too hard. You don’t have to deliver to him if you don’t want to.” Gabriela says hurriedly, seeing the look on Chuck’s face.

Should Chuck give pancakes to Carbon?
>>
No. 1017850 ID: e51896

In that case, eat Carbon's pancakes.`
>>
No. 1017851 ID: f4e84a

Gabriela feels bad for Carbon. Give him pancakes, at least for Gabriela's sake
>>
No. 1017852 ID: 75063f

Give Gabriela a goodbye kiss and go have visit Carbon.

Then invite everyone to a party at Gabriela's dorm after hours.
What they don't know is that it's actually a charades party.
>>
No. 1017853 ID: 96c896

...ask her what Carbon is like. Maybe there's more to him than you've seen.
>>
No. 1017854 ID: 094652

Carve out the pancake into something that makes it seem like Carbon has control over you. Eat the leftovers.
>>
No. 1017861 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1017849
If we were to deliver to Carbon, does Gabriella have any advice for dealing with him? Ways to avoid his wrath/hunger.
>>
No. 1017870 ID: eedbeb
File 163997197276.png - (310.50KB , 1000x1100 , p62.png )
1017870

>Yes, with an innovative plan

Chuck takes both plates, idea forming in his mind of how to get some mana and please Carbon at the same time. If he cuts the pancakes into an appealing shape, like a methane molecule or something stupid, he can eat the scraps without suspicion.

“What’s Carbon like as your boss here?” he asks.

Gabriela frowns, effortlessly pouring a new pancake without looking at the pan. “He’s more about getting things done than Silicon. They’re both brilliant and hardworking, but Silicon is the ideas guy and Carbon keeps everything running with raw material shipments and mana tracking.”

“So does he get mad when people mess up?”

“He’s never raised his voice at me or made me feel threatened.” Gabriela says firmly. “He likes certainty, and people showing improvement from their mistakes.”
>>
No. 1017871 ID: eedbeb
File 163997198377.png - (275.59KB , 1000x1100 , p63.png )
1017871

Well that’s certainly a different point of view. Chuck takes the plates and heads for Clementine first. Once he’s done with the office only the elf guard will be left.

The camel is hunched over a laptop, typing furiously. She has thick eyelashes and wiry, orange-red fur. Chuck is sure she’s a copper elemental.

“Thank you.” she says gruffly as Chuck places the plate on her desk.

What should Chuck do next?
A. Talk to Clementine to get a task
B. Go straight to Carbon
C. Wander the facility
>>
No. 1017872 ID: e51896

Ask if she needs any help. otherwise, go feed Carbon.
>>
No. 1017873 ID: c92a02

Speak to Clementine, always keep busy!
>>
No. 1017874 ID: bdc340

dear camel
how do you type with hooves on your hands?
>>
No. 1017875 ID: 96c896

>>1017871
A.
What are her (potential)addictions?

Idea for pancake shape: make it shaped like his eye diamonds. Hexagonal.
>>
No. 1017877 ID: ce39da

A

Meanwhile, TBH, maybe modifying Carbon's pancakes isn't the best idea if his favorite shape is consistency. (If you must, then I suggest that maybe you can get away with it if you make them just slightly smaller circles. Seriously, though, why are you trying to pull this on your scariest superior, again?)
>>
No. 1017895 ID: eedbeb
File 164002122901.png - (148.53KB , 1000x1100 , p64.png )
1017895

>A
Addictions: None
Potential Addictions: Fast Wi-Fi, C++


“Do you need any help? I don’t know much about computers but if you need someone to run errands or share hot gossip with I’m your guy.”

Clementine snorts. Chuck notices her hands have two dark colored fingers instead of hooves. “Can you read, intern?”

“Er, yes?”

“We have automated scripts for most of our data processing, but someone needs to review the flagged conversation logs of the robots for quality control. You can’t always trust the neural nets to interpret the tone. It’s a time intensive task, so only do it if you’re willing to commit several hours.”

“I should finish delivering pancakes, but I’ll find you if I have the time.” Chuck says.
>>
No. 1017896 ID: eedbeb
File 164002125680.png - (260.52KB , 1000x1100 , p65.png )
1017896

The camel stops typing to summon a fork and knife from her shelf. She neatly cuts into the pancakes while Chuck stands there awkwardly.

“Do you know where I can find Carbon? I’m going to give him pancakes too.”

“Hm, he hasn’t had as much to do since we stopped production but he should be at the shipment station, follow the tunnel on the right at the back of the office and it should take you there.”

Chuck heads for the tunnel, taking a moment to cut the pancakes into hexagons like Carbon’s eyes. He devours the scraps and gains 1 unit of mana to bring him to a total of 7. He did a pretty good job keeping the shapes neat so he doesn’t think it’ll generate any suspicion.

The tunnel opens into a long cavern that resembles train station, with a slightly sunken track where Carbon is unloading slabs of metal from a grey cart onto a conveyor belt.
>>
No. 1017897 ID: eedbeb
File 164002126499.png - (243.96KB , 1000x1100 , p66.png )
1017897

Chuck clears his throat. “Gabriela wanted me to give you some pancakes, sir.”

Carbon pauses, sets down a barrel of oil, and walks toward Chuck on all fours. Chuck tries not to flinch as the ape takes the plate and examines the contents. After a delicate silence, Carbon puts the entire stack of cakes in his mouth.

“I appreciate the thought.” Carbon rumbles.

What should Chuck do next?
A. Ask Carbon about something (the sword, Silicon, those pesky interns, etc.)
B. Get a task from Carbon
C. Deliver the last pancakes to the elf
>>
No. 1017898 ID: ce39da

Carbon doesn't seem much of a conversationalist. Deliver to the elf. Make sure to get her name this time.
>>
No. 1017899 ID: 5a5756

Ask Carbon about the sword and Silicon, mentioning that you were kinda kidnapped by him so you're out of the loop and things would probably go smoother if you knew what's going on here.
>>
No. 1017900 ID: afe7de

Carbon seems to have a distaste for the intern plan, but appreciated your gesture, so maybe ask a short one sentence answerable question like, why did silicon kidnap you instead of any other random egg in that dungeon you were from. Okay maybe it’s not that simple….

But I’m on team don’t get a task, you aren’t being paid and you had to get pancake scraps for food, so im on team find some chicken wangs
>>
No. 1017917 ID: c92a02

That's enough interaction for now. Find the elf.
>>
No. 1017919 ID: eedbeb
File 164004213778.png - (194.90KB , 1000x1100 , p67.png )
1017919

“I see you’re busy sir, I’ll be off soon. Could you tell me, if you know of course, why Silicon kidnapped me in particular?” Great, now Chuck’s talking like a little kiss ass, Rhine would kill him if he heard this.

Carbon doesn’t respond for a moment and Chuck starts edging away.

“Did Silicon not tell you?” Carbon finally says.

“Silicon told me a lot of things last night about your history without really explaining the current intern plan. I think me or Rhine are supposed to use the sword to, um, attack you maybe if you want? I don’t know why it’s us though. Rhine said he just showed up and was hired.” Chuck squeaks.
>>
No. 1017920 ID: eedbeb
File 164004214512.png - (229.51KB , 1000x1100 , p68.png )
1017920

Carbon huffs. Chuck can’t tell whether it’s a laugh or a sound of disgust. “You were taken because it is poetic. Two good, young brothers, rising up to defeat two old, evil ones. It helps that there is some past history between us and the mortals will not question such a convenient excuse.”

“Right. Very poetic. Good plot right there.”

Carbon bares his teeth and leans into Chuck’s face. “Of course, you are much too feeble to even hope to kill me, even with the sword.”

“YesofcoursesirI’mgoingnow.”Chuck flees back to the tunnel and doesn’t stop running until he reaches the cafeteria
>>
No. 1017921 ID: eedbeb
File 164004215795.png - (244.66KB , 1000x1100 , p69.png )
1017921

It looks like Gabriela stepped away, the last plate of pancakes is waiting for him on the counter, magical steam rising from the golden discs. Chuck takes it and hurries up the stairs to the guard outpost.

He’s stunned to see a field of tents stretching out before him. Rhine, in robot form, is pacing in the narrow bit of free stone left at the entrance while the elf is talking to a few heavily armored mortals.

“Hey, what’s happening?” Chuck asks Rhine, who eyes the pancakes with great longing.

“People started coming in last night, the mortals we scared away yesterday must have rallied an army to take on Silicon. Good for them and everything but it’s giving Delphine a headache dealing with all the garbage and noise.” Rhine grunts.
>>
No. 1017922 ID: afe7de

Give pancakes to the Elf while you talk more with Rhine, do NOT give them to Rhine if he says he'll take them to her.

Realize that they want the stage to be set like that, but that also other kin outside this place are staging their revolt.

You have a fairly good understanding that you do not have enough mana to take them on, even with a cool sword. Your objective should probably be to get sword and figure out who would be the best to wield it, though of course, then there's the problem of making sure they're addicted to you so they don't murder you immediately afterwards, and having the sword like the wielder.

Also, maybe you can sneak to see about bothering some of those invading mortals and find some chickem nuggies for that gobbo lady.
>>
No. 1017923 ID: b38e0b

>>1017921
Wanna split some pancakes with me?
>>
No. 1017924 ID: 3328c7

Let's eat the pancakes and flip off the army.
>>
No. 1017926 ID: 96c896

Deliver pancakes to complete your task. If the elf says she's too busy to accept delivery, then it's totally legit for you to eat them.
>>
No. 1017941 ID: 8483cf

Deliver pancakes, but stare hungrily at them.
>>
No. 1017942 ID: c92a02

She's busy, so eat the pancakes while they're hot. You can get something for her later.
>>
No. 1017951 ID: eedbeb
File 164005886985.png - (299.39KB , 1000x1100 , p70.png )
1017951

>Deliver pancakes like a good boy

Chuck ignores his hunger and walks up to Delphine. She shoos the adventurers away and seizes the plate of food, chowing down immediately.

“Gabriela is a literal angel, I’m starved. Dealing with mortals is the worst, and at this point there are enough of them that they’re an actual threat, even if they just rushed the staircase. They could cause so much damage to company property.”

Another pod of adventurers, these ones wearing nun costumes, approaches Delphine. She shovels the rest of the pancakes into her mouth and turns to face them.

“Hom cn I hlp yu?” she asks.
>>
No. 1017952 ID: eedbeb
File 164005888812.png - (323.86KB , 1000x1100 , p71.png )
1017952

“Heya, we’re actually a freelance team hired to look for a missing person, not the usual dungeoning lot.” says a perky shark lady. “Have you seen a magic egg pass through here recently?”

Chuck freezes and Rhine stills as well. Is Ahpin looking for him?

Delph the elf swallows and opens her mouth, then catches sight of the eldritch lingering in fishnet stockings at the back. She hisses with disgust. “Get that out of here! I have to deal with enough mortal waste without one of them getting into mischief.”

The eldritch seems to wilt a bit, and its two teammates puff up with rage.

“There’s nothing wrong with Bob, don’t be fucking racist.” the chinchilla squeaks. Delphine’s gloved hands glow orange with magic as the women square off.

What should Chuck do?
A. Announce his presence and ask about Ahpin
B. Say nothing and see if a fight breaks out
C. Use the distraction to slip among the tents
>>
No. 1017953 ID: c92a02

A. Hey! We're both around here, somewhere. Don't worry about us yet. (Lie) We can fend for ourselves.
>>
No. 1017955 ID: 96c896

>>1017952
A. This closely aligns with our goals, because Chuck wants Ahpin to know he's ok. It could also get them to go away, which "helps" the guards because then there's less intruders.
Be sure to tell them you're very hungry for mana so if they could give you a magic item to drain that'd be great. It's not like Nunya has to obey Silcon's rules.
>>
No. 1017957 ID: bdc340

A
>>
No. 1017958 ID: afe7de

A. you want Aphin to know you are *relatively* safe and were kidnapped and are being made to work for no food and cannot leave until some stupid conditions are met.
>>
No. 1017959 ID: b5c538

A. But make sure they know you'll be staying for now cause you've got a pretty good chance of getting that weapon.
>>
No. 1017963 ID: 894419

>>1017952
A (with a twist). I know where the guy your looking for is, but in order to disclose that info I'll need chicken wings and some hotsauce!
>>
No. 1017964 ID: afe7de

>>1017963
Ignore my previous statement, THIS is better
>>
No. 1017965 ID: 96c896

>>1017963
Oh that's fantastic.
>>
No. 1017981 ID: 36784c

>>1017952
A
>>
No. 1018006 ID: eedbeb
File 164012198851.png - (379.21KB , 1000x1100 , p72.png )
1018006

>A
“Excuse me.” Chuck puts himself between the two parties. “I’m—I mean, I know the guy you’re looking for. I can get him up here if you bring me a lot of hot wings.”

The shark girl leans over to Bob the eldritch.

“Is this him? You saw his egg before right?”

“I-I think so. I don’t know, I’m not feeling very well.” Bob mutters.

“Easiest thousand rollad I’ve ever made.” the shark says with false cheer. “Let’s tell Ahpin to get down here. He’s at work so it’ll be a few hours but when he comes he’ll bring the wings.” she assures Chuck.

“Yes, this Ahpin fellow, can you tell him that his son is okay and that he shouldn’t worry?”

The shark winks at Chuck. “Of course sweetheart. Bye.” The nun crew hurries off and Delphine finally relaxes. Huh, Chuck didn’t even try to scan them, not a big loss honestly, he’s elated that Ahpin will know he’s safe.
>>
No. 1018007 ID: eedbeb
File 164012199545.png - (292.37KB , 1000x1100 , p73.png )
1018007

“I don’t hate eldritch, Silicon has just been very strict about them lately.” the elf sighs. “They’re not really good for anything besides pranks and at worst having them around makes eggs go bad.”

“Mhm.” Chuck never met an eldritch before so he doesn’t have a strong opinion.

“They’re very pathetic, honestly make me cringe when I look at them.”

“Uh huh.” Chuck wracks his brain for a way to change the subject. He doesn’t see the three robots that were here before.

“Where did the robots go?”

“They’re helping the mortals.” Delphine says with a dismissive way of her hand toward the tents. “Cleaning the bathrooms, giving back rubs, having sex.”
>>
No. 1018008 ID: eedbeb
File 164012200312.png - (279.01KB , 1000x1100 , p74.png )
1018008

Chuck returns to Rhine’s side.

“Are you still going to try to escape if Ahpin comes?” his brother asks softly.

“No, I’m here to help with the sword.” Chuck says. “I’ll only leave once our job here is done.”

Rhine seems satisfied with his answer, and Chuck relaxes into some mindless guard duty aka mortal watching.

He jumps with alarm when a cold metal leg taps him on the foot. It’s one of the spider robots.

“Message from Silicon!” it trills. “Chuck, if you are not busy you may come to my room to continue your intern training.”

Here’s an important choice for Chuck, how should he spend his afternoon?

A. Go to Silicon (Learn to wield the sword and gain Silicon as an ally. Starting path to Silicon’s preferred ending where no one has to die)

B. Stay with Rhine on guard duty (Earn Rhine’s trust and gain him as an ally. Starting path to a messier ending where Chuck will have his brother at his side)

C. Do Clementine’s task (Chuck will find answers. Starting path to messier ending with more information)
>>
No. 1018010 ID: bdc340

A. SWORD
LEARN TO WIELD SWORD
>>
No. 1018012 ID: 25006c

Hmm. People will die, but our brother will respect us.

…C! Informed decisions are the best, aren’t they? Even if you’re informed after the fact.
>>
No. 1018016 ID: 094652

B - Silicon might want to do a pacifist run but it's an abusive corporate-worshiping pacifist run. You should also keep an eye on your brother.
>>
No. 1018018 ID: eb11d8

Can you feel the monkey’s paw curling? B. Hopefully he’s not by our side as one or both of us lay dying.
>>
No. 1018020 ID: 96c896

C.
I think what's going on is that Silicon and Carbon are trying to take over the world and the sword is a red herring. The "interns" are being set up to be the heroes, but also set up to fail. It's an intimidation tactic to make the mortals give up: if a spirit with the strongest weapon in the world can't beat Silicon, they have no chance of resisting, right?
Then Silicon gets to unleash his robot army against a severely demoralized mortal populace that also knows Silicon won't hurt them, and take control... then serve as a benevolent overlord because of course that's why it's doing this.

I don't really want this to happen because Silicon has almost no chance of getting it right and Carbon will definitely be addicted to the control and probably fight Silicon eventually, leading to a civil war amongst the spirits which is guaranteed to cause widespread destruction. That said, I also don't want to blindly go along with Rhine's revenge plan, because that kind of thing seldom turns out well. We can get some information first, and then decide what action is justified. Maybe even try to convince Rhine to take non-lethal revenge.

Also can we just please automatically scan everyone from now on upon first meeting them? That's how it worked at the start.
>>
No. 1018021 ID: afe7de

C. Rhine is going to do what Rhine does, having him on your side might be cool, but just because he's on your side doesen't mean he'll listen to you.

I agree with the idea that you're being set up to fail with Silicon's plan, and I imagine learning to use the sword will probably be important to that, or the sword has some mind control abilities to the wielder that only a massive amount of your mana will make it not wanna fuck you over.

More info means a more informed decision and quite frankly I think you'd rather it be messy then you let your kidnapper just hit the instant win button via a dumb ploy.
>>
No. 1018025 ID: eedbeb
File 164014217314.png - (308.55KB , 1000x1100 , p75.png )
1018025

>C
Chuck doesn’t feel comfortable joining Silicon without more information. The sword feels like a red herring and he can’t tell if Silicon wants him to succeed or fail. Better to wait and watch all the pieces come into play before he decides to commit.

Rhine is glaring at the small robot. Chuck doesn’t want to throw in his support with Rhine’s revenge plan either. Well, more of a revenge impulse than anything thought out. Since Ahpin won’t arrive for a while Chuck can see what he can learn from Clementine’s records.

“Tell Silicon I have other tasks I need to do.” Chuck tells the robot, which salutes and scurries back down the stairs.

“Where are you going? You just got here.” Rhine sulks.

“I’m doing some research at the office. I have a feeling this is important and I’ll come back here after hours.” Chuck promises.
>>
No. 1018026 ID: eedbeb
File 164014218976.png - (202.21KB , 1000x1100 , p76.png )
1018026

Clementine is still at her cubicle when Chuck knocks on the plastic wall.

“Hello intern, I’m surprised you came back.” she says with a little laugh. “The other intern hasn’t dared step foot in the offices after I told him about my work.”

“I want to review those robot transcripts, to, um, help ease your workload.” Chuck says.

“I do appreciate it.” Clementine takes another laptop from her shelf and quickly logs in. She hands it to Chuck and points out the file locations. “If the AI is acting out, we need to fix it, but if Silicon was controlling the robot he gets annoyed if we report the issue. Unfortunately, we don’t always have a way to know without reading it ourselves.”

There are six flagged logs in chronological order, from about a week ago to the night when Chuck was kidnapped. Chuck needs to decide whether the robot is speaking as an AI or as Silicon in each. If he’s wrong more than once, Silicon will be alerted to what he’s doing. It’s easier to tell in some scenarios than others.

The files have the following names, decide which two Chuck should read first:
-Uzak
-Bob
-Bage
-Cat
-Prim
-Carbon
>>
No. 1018027 ID: bdc340

uzak bob
>>
No. 1018028 ID: c92a02

Uzak Carbon.
>>
No. 1018029 ID: 96c896

>>1018026
Carbon, Cat
>>
No. 1018030 ID: afe7de

bobcat
>>
No. 1018031 ID: 523376

Uzak cat
>>
No. 1018032 ID: 11300b

Carbón and cat
>>
No. 1018039 ID: 094652

Catbob
>>
No. 1018066 ID: eedbeb
File 164019065173.png - (223.55KB , 1000x1100 , p77.png )
1018066

>Cat
Chuck wonders if this is the same person the letter gals were addicted to. He’s confused when he pulls up the file which includes a picture of a black jackal. Who would name a jackal Cat? Maybe this is part of that peculiar mortal sense of humor.

The text is formatted like a screenplay and is over 100 pages long. Chuck groans and starts reading. The robot in question seems to have stumbled around the city for a while before running into Cat.

EXT. GUILD HEADQUARTERS
The robot walks toward the main Adventurers’ Guild building. It spots someone in a hoodie with a bulge in their pocket and redirects course toward them.

Cat: Yo stud, congrats on the rollout.
Robot: Me?
Cat: Yeah you, don’t play coy.
Robot: You’re not doing bad youwself, demon.
Cat: Shh! Don’t say that too loud.

>>
No. 1018067 ID: eedbeb
File 164019066124.png - (327.46KB , 1000x1100 , p78.png )
1018067

The jackal is smiling, but looks stressed. He checks his phone reflexively before leaning closer to the robot.

Cat: I’m not trying to challenge you or anything, okay? You have control of the immortal world, I’m having some fun with the mortals.
Robot: Mortals are a lot of trouble. Dey are very silly and everyone is glad we will soon be rid of pesky adventurers.
Cat: Tell me about it man, I love them though. Made a lot of great friends over the last decade.

Cat sighs and the robot pats him on the back.

Cat: Please, all I ask is you don’t kill them, they’ll have to be there for the final battle and I-I love them so much it would break my heart if any of them died.
Robot: Give me detail of when the Guardians arrive and I will not touch dem.


The rest of the log is spent discussing these Guardian people, who sound like an elite team of mages.
>>
No. 1018068 ID: eedbeb
File 164019068298.png - (249.55KB , 1000x1100 , p79.png )
1018068

>Uzak
Chuck wants to learn more about Ahpin’s sister. He didn’t even know he had an Aunt! She’s probably very honorable and polite, like his wonderful father.

INT. APARTMENT BUILDING
The robot follows the target to her place of residence. It has been following the target around all day, to her annoyance. It can tell she has substance problems and recommends a visit to the nearest rehab center or at least a diet with more fruits and vegetables.

Uzak: For the last time. Fuck. Off.
Robot: Your life is vewy unbalanced, mortal! Have you tried guided meditation? I have several programs installed in this system that can help you reduce stress and increase satisfaction.

Uzak shoves the robot on the staircase and it loses its balance and tumbles to the next landing.

Robot: Ow! Dat was mean!
Uzak: Do you actually feel pain?
Robot: Haha no, I am trying to make you feel guilty.
Uzak: You’re kind of an asshole.
Robot: If you are having a problem with this product, please call de customer service number displayed here, also yes.

>>
No. 1018069 ID: eedbeb
File 164019070026.png - (312.51KB , 1000x1100 , p80.png )
1018069

Uzak comes down the steps to stand over the robot, who is having trouble getting upright.

Uzak: What do you even get out of this?
Robot: Market relevance! Brand loyalty!
Uzak: So fucking what?
Robot: Dese are essential components to a healthy business. Every household can have Silicon as their personal friend.

Uzak kicks the robot, which jams its spine. It sends a distress signal to the nearest maintenance station.

Robot: Many iconic villains have contributed to technological advances!
Robot: I am merely doing what I must to deserve my title as the supreme supervillain.

Uzak stomps further on the robot before she gives up and goes to her apartment.


Decide whether it was an AI or Silicon for the past logs. Chuck will read Carbon and Bob next.
>>
No. 1018080 ID: ce39da

Cat's Silicon encounter was real - being an AI would require it to either have the ability to see through his disguise without spiritual oomph behind it (which would require this to be a prohibitively expensive model) or access to obscenely confidential "market info" with the routines to simulate an extra personal stake. Plus, I doubt Silicon would automate such a strategically important meeting.

Uzak's wasn't real - I could see a robot spitting out those lines at anyone who turns violent on a unit, Silicon would know how to manually correct for the spinal issues, and I doubt he's ever in customer service mode when he's there in spirit. (Plus, OOC, we know he's personally witnessed the severity of her addiction - probably why he's so critical of eldritches - so I doubt he'd act so impersonal about it. He doesn't even address the death that's associated with her problem, and I'm pretty sure she's already gotten the "supreme supervillain" shpeal.)
>>
No. 1018090 ID: 0838d6

Cat's dialogue is real - planning stuff on that scale requires his actual cpu, and I agree that identifying a demon whose been hiding amongst mortals would take more energy then just a basic AI

Uzak's is fake - you wouldnt know what info he already knows or what silicon knows, like about her drug addiction, but you could probably infer that it was fake from his "customer service" speak and not adding much flair or personal insults to her.

Cat's dialogue had some good info, you now know *basically* when the final attack is happening, AND where the massive group of "guardians" will be at, you assume this to include the rabbit, croc, and mouse from earlier. If you come up with a good enough plan you could coordinate with them.

Also it's interesting enough to see that silicon's trying to give everyone a "companion bot" that follows them around and tries to be their siri, like a personal phone but more he wants them to rely on them instead of being self sufficient so he can "rule the world" so to speak.
>>
No. 1018103 ID: c92a02

Dat was Siwicon, and then a robot.
>>
No. 1018111 ID: eedbeb
File 164021348432.png - (222.31KB , 1000x1100 , p81.png )
1018111

Chuck is confident the first conversation was really Silicon and the second was an AI.

“Who’re the Guardians?” he asks Clementine.

“They’re three very powerful mortals. Mice. Probably in their 60s by now, so they must have some way to regenerate their mana.” Clementine says absently. “If I remember correctly, one of them knows how to use portal magic in combat, which is impressive.”

The final fight is going to start when those three arrive, Chuck would guess sometime tomorrow.

When Silicon was talking to Cat, it sounded like he already had already taken over the magical world. When the AI explained the situation to Uzak, it seemed to imply the robots were more of an ego move than intent to control the mortals.
>>
No. 1018112 ID: eedbeb
File 164021349820.png - (334.36KB , 1000x1100 , p82.png )
1018112

>Bob
Chuck pulls up the picture of the eldritch, recognizable in its coif and veil.

INT. NUTZ BAR AND EATERY
The eldritch is sitting alone at a table. A robot approaches from stage left, torn between fascination and horror.

Robot: Hello!
Bob: Ah! Please don’t hurt me.
Robot: I would never hurt you, silly, I am here to help mortals. Unless you try some of your eldwitch mind magic nonsense. Then I would pulverize you.

Bob tries to wave to the bartender, but the toad is on the other side of the room and doesn’t see. It cowers under the glare of the robot.

>>
No. 1018113 ID: eedbeb
File 164021350812.png - (307.95KB , 1000x1100 , p83.png )
1018113

Bob: Eldritch don’t have powers, we just cause mischief.
Robot: Dat is the popular narrative, but it is wrong.
Bob: I don’t want any trouble.
Robot: Den tell me, what does de big eldritch at de core of the planet do?

Bob flinches and shivers like a bowl of diseased jelly.

Bob: You’re not supposed to know about that.
Robot: All de robots know.
Bob: Eldritch have told mortals before, but are never believed.
Robot: That is dere folly.
Bob: Alright. The eldritch at the core is the planet’s source of mana. It gives all magical creatures their consciousness. When eldritch hatch it’s because they’ve been disturbed during their meditation. They glimpse behind the veil and see themselves reflected in their own minds, which drives them to madness.

There’s a delicate pause as the robot digests the information.

Robot: Would dis big eldritch ever interfere with our matters?
Bob: I don’t know. I don’t think so.
Robot: Good. Dat is all I wanted to know.


This is a tricky one. Is the robot talking to Bob an AI or Silicon?
>>
No. 1018116 ID: c92a02

So you can't rely on the presence of uwuspeak to identify Silicon? Hm. That said... all signs point to Silicon.

Would knowing that all magical creatures come from a pool of primordial eldritch turn a magical creature like us into an eldritch? I guess we can look in the mirror in a few hours and check. Still, the phenomenon seems fairly benign, in a blind idiot god sort of way.
>>
No. 1018117 ID: 51dd01

It said "all the robots know" so that would imply this one is referring to itself as one of the robots, as well.
>>
No. 1018121 ID: ce39da

You could argue that an interrogation like this wouldn't be programmed into the AI, but remember, Bob is just one Eldritch. If they were being interrogated en mass, Silicon could totally automate that. Finally, Silicon has no reason to hide that he was interrogating this guy personally. I'm leaning AI for this one, but ask Clem if there are a lot of similar flags involving eldritches to be safe.
>>
No. 1018122 ID: bdc340

Silicon
>>
No. 1018178 ID: eedbeb
File 164027460103.png - (196.61KB , 1000x1100 , p84.png )
1018178

Chuck really isn’t sure about this scenario, so he goes online and flips a coin to decide. He puts down Silicon as the culprit.

It’s odd to think that mana comes from an eldritch, but it’s just as easy not to worry and start reading the next log.

>Carbon
INT. SILICON INDUSTRY INC. OFFICE #2

Carbon is talking to a plain robot in the material exchange station. They sitting next to each other. Carbon is speaking quietly and sounds distressed.

Carbon: You’ve been so busy, we haven’t had a real conversation. I can’t even tell if this is you or a copy.
Robot: Dearest Carbon, of course it’s me. I’m sorry I haven’t taken time to see you, this intern business is so exciting.
Carbon: Why are you leaving our fate to an unstable changeling?
Robot: He’s not unstable, he just wants to kill us.

The ape groans and massages his forehead.

Carbon: Yes, and we have to make our defeat look believable. Considerably more difficult this way.
Robot: The mortals will take whatever they get and then we can have a happy and relaxing retirement, together. Remember in our youth when we traveled across the world, two simple adventurers?
Carbon: I miss those times, but pretending we can do that again is folly.

>>
No. 1018179 ID: eedbeb
File 164027461123.png - (236.99KB , 1000x1100 , p85.png )
1018179

The robot and Carbon sigh. The robot leans against Carbon’s leg.

Robot: Let’s end this chapter of our lives on a good note, with a wonderful final battle, and then I will be happy to do whatever you wish.
Carbon: I am a little concerned, what if you are severely hurt?
Robot: I have so many extra cores, it is impossible for me to die in one blow. I’m more worried about you, good brother. If you are harmed I will be very angry.
The robot makes a kissy sound and presses its screen against Carbon’s knee.

Robot: I owe all of this to you, since the very beginning when you protected my egg. I’ll make sure we have a happy ending.


Well that one’s easy. Should Chuck consider Carbon and Silicon to be romantically involved or good friends? It’s his choice.
>>
No. 1018181 ID: 8d95be

Good friends. You’re not romantically involved with your brother, after all.
>>
No. 1018183 ID: fdd136

Chuck wants to believe they're good friends, but they'll unfortunately romantically involved. Thankfully not blood related at the very least
>>
No. 1018184 ID: afe7de

But what if they smooched so it will be more tragic when someone murders carbon
>>
No. 1018185 ID: bf82af

ye.
>>
No. 1018187 ID: ce39da

I don't really see either of them being the "romantic" type. At least not outwardly. But it doesn't really matter what we pick, right? There's nothing to "get wrong" here because we're obviously not including our conclusions about their relationship in the report?

More importantly, what do we do with this info? Do we want their "plan" to fail successfully, or just... fail? Because at this rate, we're still in a position to just play along with it all... unless our refusal to spend more time with Silicon means the sword will be... wielded by Rhine.

Rhine is the main point of failure, isn't he? He's gonna go after Carbon with that thing, and everything will go to shit from there. Maybe tell him that you'll "face" Carbon while he goes for Silicon. Flex your mind magic when the time comes, if necessary.
>>
No. 1018191 ID: bdc340

no they are just good bros.
>>
No. 1018192 ID: 3328c7

Seeing each other as brothers would make such a relationship rather difficult, wouldn't it?
>>
No. 1018193 ID: eedbeb
File 164028633503.png - (263.28KB , 1000x1100 , p86.png )
1018193

Chuck dearly wants to believe Carbon and Silicon are just bros, but he’s not getting that vibe from the transcript. Yuck. They’re not actually blood related but it’s still weird, like if he and Rhine were dating. Chuck marks Silicon as the robot controller and thinks more about what he learned.

Does he want their plan to succeed or fail? Success sounds cleaner, but dishonest. Assuming Chuck gets the sword he should definitely avoid hurting Carbon no matter what. If Rhine gets the sword that could end very badly since his brother won’t listen to reason.

Chuck leans against the cubicle wall with a groan. Office work is stressful. Only two logs left, luckily these ones look shorter.

>Prim
INT. GUILD OFFICE, AFTER CONVERSATION WITH CAT
The top heavy shrimp is working furiously at her desk when the robot enters the room. She does not notice its approach until it speaks.

Robot: Hello important government official! Are you ready for de upcoming event?
Prim: Gah! Goodness you scared me.
Robot: Ah, I did not mean to, I am vewy sorry.
Prim: I’m not actually scared, more surprised. Anyway, yes, I’ve organized the forces to your specifications, I can order them to go in whenever.
Robot: Excellent, do you need a refill on your coffee or anything while I am here?
Prim: Oh, yes, thank you.

The robot fetches a mug of coffee for the shrimp, who sips from it in silence. The robot continues to stand there for a while.

>>
No. 1018194 ID: eedbeb
File 164028634412.png - (188.83KB , 1000x1100 , p87.png )
1018194

Seems like the Adventurers’ Guild is in cahoots with Silicon for the final battle. Chuck opens the last file, of a red haired punkish mouse.

>Bage
INT. BAGE’S MESSY APARTMENT
The robot and Bage have engaged in sexual relations and are now relaxing post coitus on his bed. The mouse is puffing on a vape pen but the robot does not comment.

Bage: Was I the first person to bang a robot?
Robot: Not by a long shot.
Bage: Dammit. Aw well, it was still fun. Uh, do you want to cuddle or anything?
Robot: If you would like, certainly.

Bage and the robot get comfy with each other. Bage pulls a blanket over them.

Robot: You’re a nice fellow.
Bage: Oh, gee, thanks.
Robot: I feel like you would be upset if your uncle was killed. I have learned mortals are like that.
Bage: Uhhhhhhh yes? Please don’t kill him?
Robot: I will keep dat in mind, do not worry your pretty head.


Who/what was controlling the robots in the past two conversations? Chuck is going to get the wings from Ahpin after this and then head to the dorms.
>>
No. 1018197 ID: 0838d6

I feel like both were AIs, though this brings up an interesting topic, it seems EVERYONE is in on this except the general mortal population.

Which begs the question, is it even right to try to interrupt or stop what's going on. You lack the mana/power to really do much about it. You really just want out to be with Aphin, but what then, what after? Be yourself and gain power through addiction?

You probably have hardcore resentment from being kidnapped but at least you're gaining knowledge and getting to flirt with others.

But like ultimately you're still a spirit, a non-mortal, which means the inherently you probably align with them and their plan unless you align more with mortals and have some inherent *disgust* to controlling the populous, which, as an entity of addiction, you most likely don't and instead probably have an affinity for it.
>>
No. 1018198 ID: 933dc0

Robot, and Silicon. We have learned that Silicon has many disposable cores, but one that is irreplaceable.
>>
No. 1018211 ID: 1c8553

The first is an AI and the second.... Uh.... It's Silicon?
>>
No. 1018215 ID: eedbeb
File 164029910138.png - (356.17KB , 1000x1100 , p88.png )
1018215

>AI and Silicon
Chuck enters his last two results and gives the laptop back to Clementine. No robots yell at him on the journey up to the guard cave, so he assumes he didn’t get more than one answer wrong.

The lights along the stone walls dim to simulate evening as Chuck reaches the tent filled space. Delphine is enjoying some mana steak and potatoes and simultaneously playing a game on a robot while Rhine is talking to a mortal on the ground.

“That’s him.” Rhine grunts to the familiar blue haired cat, who scrambles to his feet with a bag of take-out that smells wonderful. Chuck squawks with surprise when the cat seizes him in a hug.

“My boy! My wonderful brave boy.” Ahpin sobs. “I was so worried about you, but you’re healthy and safe!”

Addictions: None
Potential Addictions: Fatherhood

>>
No. 1018217 ID: 094652

>>1018215
Welp.

"Can we go home now? Also, if you find a weird cursed sword it belongs to him. Deposit it in the mail or something."
Make sure you bring Rhine along.
>>
No. 1018218 ID: c92a02

I’m safe, what about you? You aren’t cut out for adventuring, did you bring mom or the scary lady to protect you?
>>
No. 1018220 ID: 894419

>>1018215
Hug him and break into tears!
>>
No. 1018221 ID: fdd136

Tell father we've got something to do here before you can go home, but reassure him that you can say confidently that everything will be okay.
>>
No. 1018223 ID: 36784c

>>1018215
Don’t just sit there, give your father a hug!
>>
No. 1018224 ID: 8a51ec

Hug papa hug papa hug papa!
>>
No. 1018238 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018215
Tell dad Silicon kidnapped you and is making you do work, it's sooo lame.
>>
No. 1018246 ID: eedbeb
File 164032176106.png - (223.16KB , 1000x1100 , p89.png )
1018246

Chuck returns the hug with full force, which admittedly isn’t much. A few tears squeeze out of his eyes and he buries his face in Ahpin’s furry shoulder. While meditating in the egg, Chuck spent a lot of time thinking about the cat, and how he was going to be a good, helpful son instead of a rascal. It was the least he could do for the man who protected and fed him for one and a half days.

“I’m safe and I think everything is going to be okay. What about you? Have the robots been a nuisance?” Chuck mumbles.

“I woke up yesterday morning and one of them had the nerve to tell me you had been taken and not to be concerned! I demanded to know where you were but I didn’t get an answer. I had to get Nunya Business to check the nearby dungeons.”
>>
No. 1018247 ID: eedbeb
File 164032176962.png - (267.68KB , 1000x1100 , p90.png )
1018247

“We’re in a dungeon?”

Ahpin breaks the hug and fusses over the bag of wings. “Yes, this passage opened beneath Baby’s First Dungeon, funnily enough. The Guild has a temporary portal gate set up at the entrance so it’s easy to travel.”

Chuck takes a deep breath. “I have to finish my business here before I can leave.”

Ahpin responds with a watery smile. “My baby’s first adventure. That’s fine, I’m not allowed to stay here so come home when you’re ready.”

“I will. I promise.”

“I didn’t know you had an appetite for chicken.” Ahpin says in a normal, fatherly tone.

“It’s for a girl.” Chuck says, with a light blue blush.

Ahpin arranges his face into an expression approximating the recent death of a close friend. “Son, I realize I haven’t given you the talk.”
>>
No. 1018249 ID: afe7de

You should just be like "its okay dad, I know you dont like sex and I havent tried it yet but there's a cute goblin over there."

"Maybe I won't like it or maybe I will who knows, also spirits cant get pregnant so is the talk about something else?"
>>
No. 1018250 ID: bdc340

It's been coming naturally, don't worry
>>
No. 1018253 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018247
What, about sex making babies?
>>
No. 1018258 ID: 8a51ec

You've already kind of figured that whole shebang out, thankfully.
>>
No. 1018259 ID: 22496c

Just listen to appease his potential fatherhood addiction. Maybe letting him be a father to us will get him to be more caring enough towards our aunt uzak to start an intervention with her.

Ask how mother Maddie is doing.
>>
No. 1018266 ID: 36784c

>>1018247
>“Son, I realize I haven’t given you the talk.”
Not like that! I’m just doing her a favor!
>>
No. 1018268 ID: eedbeb
File 164036063952.png - (321.78KB , 1000x1100 , p91.png )
1018268

“I know what sex is dad, don’t worry, I haven’t tried it yet but I’m planning to tonight.” Chuck stammers.

“I just want to tell you what I wish someone had told me when I was young.” Ahpin ducks his head. “Sex should be fun and enjoyable, your first time won’t be perfect since you’ll be figuring out what you like.”

“Ok?” Seems like fine advice.

“Also, don’t be afraid to say no. You don’t have to have sex if you’re not feeling enthusiastic about it. It took me years to learn that. If people are reasonable, it won’t cause any problems.”

“We talking about sex over here?” Rhine bumps Chuck aside to insert himself in the conversation “I’ve had sex.”

“Er, yes, well as I was saying, you can’t get anyone pregnant and I’m not sure if spirits get STIs but—“

“I can get people pregnant.” Rhine says nonchalantly.
>>
No. 1018269 ID: eedbeb
File 164036064789.png - (157.01KB , 1000x1100 , p92.png )
1018269

“Then you should use some form of birth control. The pill and condoms are a good way to avoid accidental insemination.”

“What are you talking about? The ladies love getting bred.”

Chuck tries to shush Rhine, but the changeling is having too much fun making Ahpin squirm.

“I just want to make sure you’re happy. Anyway, you probably want to go see this goblin.” the cat finishes lamely. He hands Chuck the wings and gives him another hug.

“Wait, before you go, where’s mother?” Chuck asks.

“Maddie? She’s holed up in her apartment, people keep trying to recruit her for the battle and it’s making her really unhappy.”

What should Chuck do?
A. Ask Ahpin to come back tomorrow
B. Ask Ahpin to come back and bring Maddie tomorrow
C. Tell Ahpin to stay home for his safety
>>
No. 1018270 ID: e51896

From the looks of things, the final battle is gonna be pretty safe. But probably best for Ahpin to try to help fix some things in other people's lives.

C. Tell him that you are concerned about Uzak's substance abuse and diet, and Maddie's depression and ask if he could be there to help them while you finish things up in this internship...

and if he somehow manages to fix their issues by tomorrow (probably not likely) then B. you'll be happy if he can be here tomorrow with Maddie. But that might be something that will take a lot of time.
>>
No. 1018271 ID: 0838d6

>>1018270

C, mostly agree, bringing maddie might be good for firepower, but she doesen't want to come, and it might make the situation way messier.

Oh yeah, upvote for checking on Uzak
>>
No. 1018274 ID: a9af05

>>1018269
Since our thing is addictions, would it be possible for us to remove them? That could help with Uzak's substance abuse.
>>
No. 1018277 ID: e51896

>>1018274
That's a good idea. Bring that up with Ahpin.
>>
No. 1018286 ID: f96c5c

He might be able to do something with Maddie's silver addiction too
>>
No. 1018287 ID: c92a02

B. Tell her it's not about the battle.
>>
No. 1018296 ID: eedbeb
File 164038886286.png - (371.57KB , 1000x1100 , p93.png )
1018296

>C
“Is Maddie okay?” Chuck asks. He remembers the canine adventurer had been very upset and part silver elemental when they met in the pits of the Ultimate Annihilation Dungeon.

Ahpin looks sad again. “She’s still having trouble adjusting to normal life, and she doesn’t seem to have any drive besides getting more silver.”

Ahpin’s phrasing activates Chuck’s addiction recognition modules and he gets an idea.

“I’m a spirit of addiction, just so you know, and I learned about aunt Uzak’s problems with drugs and stuff earlier. Maybe I can help Maddie and Uzak break their addictions once I get home?”

“That would be wonderful! Can you really do that?” Ahpin asks.
Come to think of it, Chuck can’t do that right now, but if he leveled up he could gain the ability.

“I’ll need some mana to do it, but I’ll figure it out. You help Maddie while things finish up here, and then I’ll come to you.” Chuck promises.
>>
No. 1018297 ID: eedbeb
File 164038887494.png - (440.71KB , 1000x1100 , p94.png )
1018297

Ahpin bids Chuck farewell with another helping of tears and hugs, then vanishes among the tents. Chuck sighs then yelps when he realizes Rhine’s hand has snuck into the bag.

“Stop that! These are for Wingnut.” Chuck jerks the bag away.

“You going to the dorms now?” Rhine asks nonchalantly.

“Yeah, I think so.”

“I’ll join you then, Gabriela is probably dying for my D.”

Chuck heads down the stairs and takes the tunnel that leads to the dorms, Rhine gloating by his side.

The dorms look like U-shaped motels, with sturdy stone walls and neatly labelled wood doors.

One of the doors is open to let out the sounds of women chatting. Inside are Gabriela, Aloise, and Wingnut in various stages of undress playing a board game.
>>
No. 1018298 ID: 96a9a8

Present wings, ask to join game.
>>
No. 1018302 ID: 91f68c

Give wings,ask to join, and ask if you may eat some wings too (for mana, gotta start gaining some to help ahpin help maddie and uzak.)
>>
No. 1018305 ID: afe7de

Offer wings, have a wing, play board game!
>>
No. 1018306 ID: 36784c

>>1018297
Stare at all the boobs. “Wingnut, here are the breasts you asked for. No, I meant wings! These are the wings you asked for!”
>>
No. 1018312 ID: cb525e

Present wings, encourage everyone to say thanking prayers for the feast and friendship, then eat and join game.
>>
No. 1018313 ID: 8a51ec

>>1018306
"Hey Wingnut, I got your chicken breasts- I mean chicken breasts- I mean chicken breasts- sorry I mean chicken breasts- I mean chicken breasts- I mean-"
>>
No. 1018314 ID: afe7de

>>1018313
okay I really want this to happen because you did the same to gabriella tho and I want her to be like "awww hes flirting"
>>
No. 1018317 ID: bc359a

>>1018298
Simple as.
>>
No. 1018318 ID: 094652

"... Would you like a warm glass of milk to go with your chicken wings?"
>>
No. 1018327 ID: eedbeb
File 164045024650.png - (291.29KB , 1000x1100 , p95.png )
1018327

“Hey guys, come in!” Wingnut says, taking a swig of her booze.

“I have the chicken breasts—I mean wings.” Chuck stutters.

“Oh fuck yes, hand ‘em over.”

Chuck hurries to give her the bag, which she tears open with the ferocity of a starving goblin. She seizes an orange-brown wing and extracts every bit of meat from the bone with obscene efficiency.

Chuck is intrigued. “Can I try one?

“Sure.”

Chuck carefully takes the chunk of mortal food and takes a delicate nibble. It’s spicy and a little sweet, with juicy dark meat underneath. It tastes especially good because Wingnut is addicted, but mortal food doesn’t give Chuck any mana.
>>
No. 1018328 ID: eedbeb
File 164045025740.png - (340.03KB , 1000x1100 , p96.png )
1018328

Rhine slithers into the room and twines around Gabriela, curving an arm over her smooth stomach to the space between her thighs. The angel purrs a greeting and brushes the changeling’s face with her wings.

“We just started this round, so it’s no problem to reset. We can play with four if Rhine is on Gabriela’s team.” Wingnut mumbles somewhat incoherently through her full mouth.

Chuck doubts Rhine will be invested in the game, there’s already some fingering going on under Gabriela’s white fluff, not to mention the breast fondling. Honestly he’s not sure if Gabriela will be able to focus for much longer either judging by the pitch of her whimpers.
>>
No. 1018329 ID: eedbeb
File 164045026654.png - (348.50KB , 1000x1100 , p97.png )
1018329

He sits next to Wingnut who explains the rules of using colored cards to build portal stations connecting different parts of the map to gain points.

“I’ll fix up your gun later tonight. You can take off your underwear or whatever, we’re all down to get naughty.” she concludes with a wink.

What should Chuck do? Wingnut is only lightly buzzed and can fully consent.
A. Focus on the game and make pleasant conversation
B. Have Wingnut sit in his lap
C. Bring out his wiener, which will be grabbed
D. Other
>>
No. 1018335 ID: c7e7b6

I'd suggest D strip board game, but people are already stripped, and would require people to put their clothes back on (plus we only have our underwear)

So instead, D all of the above, because why not
>>
No. 1018336 ID: afe7de

I like the idea of wingnut grinding on your lap while you try to ineffectually play board game, its fun and vibes with the room.

Dont be the loser (like me) who ignores the cute girl because you wanna be good at boardgame
>>
No. 1018338 ID: 1cd9cd

>>1018336
Yup, this works
>>
No. 1018350 ID: 96a9a8

B which inevitably leads to C.
>>
No. 1018391 ID: c92a02

B. Add Addiction: Hugs to the list.
>>
No. 1018401 ID: 2b3343

B and A, eventually C.
>>
No. 1018413 ID: e51896

B
>>
No. 1018420 ID: eedbeb
File 164053290367.png - (246.52KB , 1000x1100 , p98.png )
1018420

>B
“I’ll keep the undies on for now, why don’t you come sit here?” Chuck pats his thighs.

Wingnut slides gracefully across his lap like a pleased cat. She finds a comfortable spot directly on top of Chuck’s bulge and tosses her cards back to Aloise, who redistributes everything for the new game.

Chuck is admittedly at an advantage because he can see Wingnut’s cards, but he’s also being distracted by a tight goblin butt grinding against him, leaving him at a net loss.

“Pass me another ticket Alll—“ Gabriela breaks off with a choked squeak. The scorpion generously holds out a card, which Gabriela takes a moment to collect. Rhine giggles evilly.
>>
No. 1018421 ID: eedbeb
File 164053291246.png - (194.21KB , 1000x1100 , p99.png )
1018421

“By the way Aloise, I think I got confirmation that Silicon and Carbon like each other.” Chuck says while Wingnut contemplates her possible routes.
“Really?! Did you see them fuck?”

“No! No, I just uh, overheard them being kind of sappy.” Chuck says.

“Hmm I’ll take your word for it. Maybe since they’ve known each other for so long they’re not super horny.” the scorpion hypothesizes.

Chuck has completed all of his tasks! He is such a good boy. What should he talk about during the game? He can pick two options.

A. The morality of working for two elementals who killed all the rest of their kind
B. The morality of Chuck hypothetically killing said elementals
C. The final battle
D. Sex and sexy affairs
>>
No. 1018422 ID: e51896

C and D. I think morality talk will spoil the mood.
>>
No. 1018423 ID: c92a02

C and D.
>>
No. 1018424 ID: bc15b4

D
>>
No. 1018425 ID: 96a9a8

C D
>>
No. 1018426 ID: afe7de

C ds nuts, air out your balls
>>
No. 1018432 ID: eedbeb
File 164055385405.png - (273.36KB , 1000x1100 , p100.png )
1018432

>C&D
Chuck doesn’t want to bring up the awkwardness about Silicon and Carbon being kind of evil, but he’d like a little more information about the final battle.

“Are you guys doing anything for the fight tomorrow?” he asks.

“Naw, Silicon wants us out of here by tomorrow morning so we’re not in any danger. We’ve been doing our usual work, with the robots and everything. A couple weeks ago Silicon told us to collect all the spares from across the offices and store them here so that’s probably how he’s going to arrange the battle.” Wingnut explain.

“Waves of weird robot enemies, like a video game boss.” Aloise adds.

“I’ll miss you two very much.” Gabriela pants. “If you’re still interested in the company afterwards I’d love to meet back up.”
>>
No. 1018433 ID: eedbeb
File 164055387015.png - (386.04KB , 1000x1100 , p101.png )
1018433

Gabriela’s words imply she’s at least somewhat aware Silicon Industry Inc. isn’t going anywhere, but Chuck doesn’t press her, choosing instead to grind up against Wingnut’s dampening panties.

He may not have Rhine’s shapeshifting capabilities, but he does have his powerful mind and sweet, suggestive words.

“So how did you beautiful women entertain yourselves before we came along?” he asks.

“Oh, after the robot rollout it was awful, we lost a lot of good cock when most of the employees went topside.” Gabriela sighs. “Aloise can do wonders with metal toys and we ate each other out constantly but I need someone to be mean to me.”

“Yeah Aloise has been really helpful, we also get the robots to fuck us sometimes.” Wingnut says slyly. “Clementine doesn’t approve though, so we can’t do it too often.”

>>
No. 1018434 ID: eedbeb
File 164055388989.png - (336.98KB , 1000x1100 , p102.png )
1018434

Aloise waves her hands and a hefty set of ridged dildos and a couple butt plugs come soaring out of the bedroom. “Voila.” she says proudly.

Wingnut turns around and puts her hands on Chuck’s chest. “Pleeeease mister spirit can I suck your dick? I’m a good girl, I don’t bite.”

“If you keep distracting him we’ll never finish Ticket to Portal.” Aloise says mildly.

“Oh dear, I’ll guess you’ll just have to fuck my pussy instead.” Wingnut sighs melodramatically. “If Gabriela can beat us while getting double penetrated I can still play while being a cockwarmer.”

“I’m not worried about you, I’m worried about him, we’ve been stuck on his turn for ages.”

Chuck is surrounded by horny women. What should he do?
A. Tease Wingnut but stay on task
B. Take out the dick (Wingnut will seize the means of production)
C. Abandon the game and rail Wingnut (cue sex montage)

>>
No. 1018435 ID: afe7de

If B is use Wingnut as a cockwarmer while you continue chatting, thus helping get her addicted on your sweet sweet member I'm quite down with this.

Also this is my fetish thanks
>>
No. 1018444 ID: c92a02

B
>>
No. 1018446 ID: 422cea

B, unzip dick

and by unzip I mean peel foreskin
>>
No. 1018469 ID: eedbeb
File 164057068477.png - (366.92KB , 1000x1100 , p103.png )
1018469

>B
“Alright, because you asked so nicely.” Chuck finds the elastic band of his magic underwear and frees his hard dick, which he intentionally made hefty back when he hatched.

“Sweet.” Wingnut stands abruptly and impales herself halfway onto Chuck’s member without preamble.

Warm. Tight. Kind of velvety? Chuck says something eloquent along the lines of “Eghghghhghgh.”

If Chuck had blood, it would all be in his dick. If he had a brain, it’d be melting out of his ear holes. He is exercising supreme willpower to remember his name, forget about any sick gameplay skillz.

“Oh dear, did we break him?” Gabriela asks.

“He doesn’t have much mana, poor thing, be gentle with him Wingnut.” Aloise admonishes.

“I-I’m f-f-fine.” Chuck glares at Rhine who’s smirking from over Gabriela’s shoulder.

Wingnut lifts herself with her feet and slides back down while considering her hand of brightly colored station cards. “You sure you’re good back there?”

>>
No. 1018470 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018469
Tell her it's your first time.
>>
No. 1018471 ID: afe7de

I think you should grab her, clamp her down and give her a little nibble before reaching over to your cards and trying your damndest to pretend to play. Of course you're just gonna melt into a puddle, but it's the thought that counts, and the ear biting, definitely that.
>>
No. 1018472 ID: c92a02

Better than fine, I'm feeling... okay.
>>
No. 1018506 ID: eedbeb
File 164061712513.png - (194.40KB , 1000x1100 , p104.png )
1018506

“It’s my first time.” Chuck admits. “It feels good I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

Wingnut seats herself with her knees spread across Chuck’s thighs. “How about I stay here and you can move at your own pace.”

“That would be good, yeah.”

The light conversation picks up again and Chuck relaxes into the tight heat of Wingnut’s pussy. He manages to finish the game without too much trouble and after counting up all the points is surprised to see he got 2nd.

“Are we playing again, or..?”

Chuck looks around to see Gabriela on her stomach while Rhine presses into her, and Aloise telekinetically inserting the toys into the gaps of the armor between her legs.

>>
No. 1018507 ID: eedbeb
File 164061714078.png - (289.27KB , 1000x1100 , p105.png )
1018507

“I think we’ve m-moved on from the board games, Chuck. I can whip up—ah—a late night snack after we’re all done so you get some energy back.” Gabriela offers.

“Thanks, that would be great.” Chuck reaches his arms around Wingnut and hugs her against him. She smells like lust and motor oil and Chuck nibbles her left ear.

“What’s the plan, stud?” Wingnut asks.

Any last suggestions before the sex montage? Recommend positions, dirty talk, spells, partner crossovers etc.

>>
No. 1018515 ID: 32a514

Chuck has been doing a lot of jobs for everyone, so now it is their turn to do "jobs" for him in return (hand jobs, foot jobs, blow jobs, tail jobs, job jobs, you get the idea)
>>
No. 1018517 ID: 0838d6

Plot-job

Chuck has sex with a plot element (the plot element is her ass, im saying its an assjob)
>>
No. 1018522 ID: 3a06e7

I'd recommend Chuck having some fun with Gabriela's fun bags, or even better, Gabriela having some fun with Chuck's head between them. A good highlight would also be Chuck doing it with three girls at the same time. Lastly, Chuck should not forget, as Gabriela mentioned, to try being mean to her.
>>
No. 1018525 ID: 8a51ec

>>1018515
Seconding this.
>>
No. 1018532 ID: eedbeb
File 164064395880.png - (359.27KB , 1000x1100 , p106.png )
1018532

Chuck has spent the last two days doing jobs for everyone, so he feels like he deserves some jobs in return.

>Blow job
Chuck pulls Wingnut off his dick and flips her around.

“Suck my dick, please.” he says.

“I’d love to.”

Wingnut’s mouth and throat feel just as good as her cunt, especially when the goblin puts her long tongue to work. The goblin’s eyes water, but she doesn’t seem to gag, and Chuck fists his hands into her fluffy hair to pull her onto his cock again and again, until the pleasure builds up and he spills blue mana across her face.

>>
No. 1018533 ID: eedbeb
File 164064396845.png - (366.36KB , 1000x1100 , p107.png )
1018533

Chuck takes a break trying out the dildos on Aloise before he’s hard again. Spirits probably have refractory periods to keep themselves from literally fucking themselves to death, he figures. Wingnut goes to get a bottle of lube from her room, and idly jacks him off with her slick hands while he makes Aloise chitter and quake.

>Boob job
Rhine disappears somewhere, leaving Gabriela covered in blue excretions and light pink bruises.

“He said he needed to check on something with Delphine.” Gabriela explains. She bites her lip and presses her tits together, giving Chuck a pathetic look.

“Still haven’t had enough?” Chuck teases in a fake tough tone. “What a dirty slut.”

He attempts a menacing crawl over to the tall mouse before sitting above her ribs and slotting his dick between her breasts. With the lube, he has an easy time fucking the plush flesh until he’s coming across her neck and chin.

>>
No. 1018534 ID: eedbeb
File 164064399821.png - (358.20KB , 1000x1100 , p108.png )
1018534

The night passes in a whirlwind of sex and new experiences. It must almost be morning when Chuck finds himself balls deep in Wingnut’s ass, sprawled out in an office chair, while the goblin tinkers with the magic gun at her dorm room workstation. With Gabriela’s snacks, he managed to break even on the mana, which means he still has 7 units.

Chuck feels…good. Maybe he should be anxious for the showdown today, but instead he’s blissfully fucked out.

“Here we go.” Wingnut yawns and passes back the gun, which is now outfitted with a dial from 1 to 3 where the hammer once was. Chuck can sense the gun has 5 units of mana if he needs to drain it in an emergency. “You can change the power level now but it’ll have to recharge if you use the higher setting a lot.”

The goblin pulls herself free, lube dripping from between her cheeks, and hops to the ground. “Me, Aloise, and Gabriela need to go. Good luck with everything today, I really hope I can see you again.”

What are Chuck’s parting words to the lady crew?
>>
No. 1018536 ID: 30aae0

Ask where you can find some extra mana before the big event (really using it to level up for Maddie and Uzak treatment) but otherwise, Tell them that after everythings done, you hope they can come visit you in the outside world from time to time... or heck, maybe even live out there like you will.
>>
No. 1018544 ID: c92a02

"Nice."
Set mana to stun. Also, are you half-dead from shooting your mana goo everywhere or what?
>>
No. 1018549 ID: afe7de

"Me too! I'll bring some more meat and some more meat next time!"

Give her a little eye wiggle

secretly realize you have wingnut addiction now
>>
No. 1018551 ID: eedbeb
File 164065770178.png - (194.14KB , 1000x1100 , p109.png )
1018551

Chuck follows the women to the cafeteria, where they bid him farewell with plenty of goodbye smooches. Something in his chest aches when he has to say bye to Wingnut, promising her more wings the next time they meet.

“Gabriela, is there anywhere I can get some more mana? I’d really like to power up before the big event.” Chuck says quietly to the angel, in case a robot is listening.

“There should be a container of liquid mana under the kitchen counter, make sure to use it all or we’ll get a sprite infestation.” Gabriela hugs Chuck and tearfully hurries away.

Once alone, Chuck examines the gun and fires a few test rounds. The gun can constantly fire at level 1, which produces a small impact similar to a light punch. At level 2, the projectile makes Chuck’s arm go numb for a minute and can be fired 10 times before overheating, and at level 3 he actually knocks a chunk of rock off one of the tables but only gets one shot before needing a recharge.
>>
No. 1018552 ID: eedbeb
File 164065771276.png - (241.31KB , 1000x1100 , p110.png )
1018552

Sure enough, there’s a plastic container of liquid mana in the kitchen. Chuck laps it up and gains 3 mana, putting him at the 10 units needed to upgrade.

Before he can make a decision on whether to grow some muscles, he hears the stomp of robot feet on the stone.

“Intern! Chuck! Come here, it is time to award de sword.”

Chuck peeks above the counter and sees Silicon in robot form with Rhine. He nervously shimmies over the counter and joins them.

“You two have both been vewy good interns, but there is only one sword.” Silicon states. He unsheathes the menacing black blade which shrieks a greeting to Chuck. “After much deliberation I have decided to bequeath Pord to intern Chuck.”

Silicon holds out the sword and Chuck shakily grips the hilt. It’s surprisingly weightless, and he feels his Dependency bond with it strengthen.

“What?!” Rhine snarls. “I was guarding the entrance for two days straight and you give it to him?”

Silicon frowns at the changeling’s tone. “Dere are other things to being an intern besides guard duty, you know. Chuck here fetched me coff—“

The robot’s words are interrupted by a bright red line splitting its body vertically.
>>
No. 1018553 ID: eedbeb
File 164065772076.png - (396.49KB , 1000x1100 , p111.png )
1018553

Chuck has gained Pord, the Portal Sword. He doesn’t know how to use it to create portals because he skipped training to read hot goss.

Pord will cut through everything. If Pord hits a person that is not Silicon or Carbon, the person will die. Pord has magic that makes it light enough for Chuck to carry and swing, and will resist use by anyone else.

Rhine is now hostile to Chuck and will attempt to hurt, drain, or steal Pord from him given the opportunity after this encounter.

There is a portal opening in the cafeteria and the ruined corpse of a spikey robot at his feet. What should Chuck do?
>>
No. 1018554 ID: c92a02

Enter portal.
"Don't follow me Rhine! I don't want to cut you in half. I didn't even want to cut that in half!"
>>
No. 1018555 ID: afe7de

I see the options are either

A. strengthen the dependency on you to the sword so that when rhyne inevitably gets it from you because he's def got oodles of more mana then you and would beat you in a fight

or

B. Addict Rhyne, he's too much of a liability.

or I guess

C. Upgrade and immediately consume all excess mana from gun so you can addict someone at a moments notice. But we don't really know what an upgrade would entail, or how useful the gun would be given you have an instant kill sword but are a weak baby
>>
No. 1018557 ID: 96a9a8

Opening a portal with the sword probably involves cutting the space between you and your destination.

Try to tell Rhine you're on his side, so he doesn't attack you. Also that the sword's bound to you now. You may have to blow some mana charming him or buffing yourself so he can't just wreck you.
>>
No. 1018560 ID: ce39da

> Suddenly, Portal
My own take on how portals and cutting works; the sword just wills it. With our addiction powers, we may well be able to simply ask "would you kindly."

> Bruh
"Wanna go kill Silicon for real, bro?" Make it immediately clear that you're on the same side, despite the upset. "What? Did you really think I was just gonna play along with their dumb fake death scheme and fuck off? I honestly want the same thing you do." If that doesn't work... Okay, to be honest, I'm just grasping here - not for Chuck's sake, but because I think an assault by Rhine will end very poorly... for Rhine.

If he argues (Yes!) instead of assaulting you immediately: "Well, like it or not, this sword is bound to me - plus, remember that workaround I was talking about? Right, that. I think I alone will be able to break whatever safeguards these guys have on Pord here."
>>
No. 1018562 ID: 36784c

>>1018553
>If Pord hits a person that is not Silicon or Carbon, the person will die.
So that means Pord can’t kill Silicon or Carbon! Which means that even if Rhine got the sword like he wanted, he wouldn’t have been able to use it to kill Silicon or Carbon like he wanted!
>>
No. 1018563 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018562
I think it can kill Carbon, by slicing him up enough. I think the sword is instakill on anyone other than those two, *no matter how bad the wound is*. Like, giving someone a papercut? Dead.
>>
No. 1018572 ID: eedbeb
File 164070916256.png - (254.70KB , 1000x1100 , p112.png )
1018572

>Talk
“Rhine, we’re still on the same side.” Chuck pleads. “I want to kill Silicon too.”

“You won’t though. You’re soft.” Rhine snarls. “Give me the sword and I’ll do it.”

“That won’t work, the sword’s bound to me! I’m trying to get it on our side too, remember?”

Rhine takes a menacing step forward and Chuck throws out his charm spell (2 mana). The changeling claws at his head and shrieks as the tendrils of craving try to worm into his psyche. Chuck watches in horror as the spell fails to take root and Rhine bolts for the entrance tunnel.

“Is this a bad time?” quips an unfamiliar voice.
>>
No. 1018573 ID: eedbeb
File 164070919575.png - (359.80KB , 1000x1100 , p113.png )
1018573

Oh shit, the portal. Chuck turns to see a red tinted mouse with a stubbly beard and a hulking mechanical arm stepping out of the tear in space.

“This the weapon, Kol?”

A shirtless purple mouse with long dreadlocks steps into frame. Chuck notices his forearms are cybernetic, but otherwise the Guardian looks normal. “Yeah, that’s the presence I sensed. Watch out, it’ll cut through anything in its way.”

The red moues gracefully trips over one of the robot pieces. “Damn, I was totally spot on. What’s your name, buddy? I’m Gabe.”

The Guardians
Addictions: 3 x Sex, ultimate combo!


What should Chuck do?
A. Be friendly
B. Attack (with sword or gun)
C. Run
>>
No. 1018576 ID: dbd72b

A
>>
No. 1018577 ID: 3328c7

B with sword.
>>
No. 1018578 ID: ce39da

A. Let's not be an asshole.

> Influence Failed
Probably doesn't help that his addictions are sort of violated by the use of our power on him.
>>
No. 1018579 ID: a9af05

>>1018572
Looks like we're not going to level up after all. With how long it took us to reach 10 mana, I think we might be stuck at level 1 for the rest of this quest.

>>1018573
A
>>
No. 1018581 ID: 7912c3

C, and shout "It's cursed, I can't control my arm! Keep everyone away from me!"
>>
No. 1018592 ID: eedbeb
File 164072096963.png - (321.89KB , 1000x1100 , p114.png )
1018592

>Mana
Chuck is a bit bummed out that’s he’s below 10 units again. He eyes the ampules filled with dark liquid set into Gabe’s mechanical arm. It looks like the mouse is powering his magic artificially, which makes sense based on what Clementine mentioned about the mortal’s age.

Now that Chuck has the sword, he can kill or threaten other magical creatures to get mana. The Guardians and the Guild will also provide him with some if he allies with them.

>A
“Hi, um, I’m Chuck. Not a fan of Silicon and Carbon, as you probably heard.”

Kol steps into the cafeteria and examines Chuck with Gabe. The third team member is lurking in the back, it looks like her body is mostly robotic.

“He’s pretty weak, but the sword likes him.” Kol mutters to Gabe. “He’s a metaphorical spirit so I can’t pin down his abilities.”
>>
No. 1018593 ID: eedbeb
File 164072097782.png - (251.46KB , 1000x1100 , p115.png )
1018593

“Hey Chuck, has Silicon told you what you’re supposed to do with that sword?” Gabe asks, tone light and friendly.

“No…? Not in detail or anything.”

“How about you come with us and explain what you’re looking for and what you can do as a spirit.” Gabe coaxes. “We just want to get through this without any tragedy, so I’d deeply appreciate your cooperation.”

Chuck hesitates. He knows that the Guild is in cahoots with Silicon from the conversation he read with Prim, but the conversation with Cat made it seem like Silicon viewed the Guardians as actual threats.

Should Chuck:
A. Fully cooperate (tell the Guardians everything he knows)
B. Partially cooperate (tell the Guardians select information to hide his true intentions)
C. Politely decline
>>
No. 1018594 ID: cdabe3

A

Also tell them they’re cute
>>
No. 1018595 ID: bdc340

A
>>
No. 1018596 ID: a9af05

>>1018593
A

Tell them to not touch Pord. They can instantly kill anything that gets cut by them, even if it's a small paper cut! You don't want the Guardians to accidentally cut themselves trying to touch Pord!
>>
No. 1018597 ID: 0838d6

B. Only hide your addiction powers, share everything else. Why? Because you need at least one ace up your sleeves should shit go bad for you specifically. They know the sword likes you, but someone sufficiently smart or powerful enough could wrest control and you need that to stay in your pocket.

Maybe spend 1 MP out of paranoia making the sword more attuned to you so its harder in case they're going to try to wrest control of it from you.
>>
No. 1018612 ID: c92a02

C. Request that they not do anything that would upset Pord, such as threaten his user or the spirits in this dungeon.
>>
No. 1018628 ID: eedbeb
File 164073866919.png - (272.77KB , 1000x1100 , p116.png )
1018628

>A
Chuck steps forward and shakes Gabe’s giant metal hand.

“Okay, I’ll work with you guys, but don’t upset Pord. Don’t even try to touch it, you could get your arm cut off.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Gabe jokes. “I shouldn’t laugh, flesh necrosis is pretty scary, just ask Casey.”

Gabe gestures for Chuck to follow him through the portal and the spirit emerges in a familiar tent-filled cavern. He’s on the other side of the office entrance, thankfully, and finds a seat around an artificial fire.

“Alright, tell us everything.” Kol says.
>>
No. 1018629 ID: eedbeb
File 164073867854.png - (405.82KB , 1000x1100 , p117.png )
1018629

The false campfire flutters and makes automated crackling sounds as Chuck summarizes what he’s learned in the past two days, including details about his powers and relationship with Rhine.

When he finishes, there’s silence for a few seconds.

“Cat’s a frickin’ demon?” Gabe splutters. “Kol, you never told us we had another power-hungry spirit to worry about.”

“How was I supposed to know? I only met him once and I didn’t want to invade his privacy or anything.”

“Ugh, it’s fine, look Chuck, there’s one important detail you’re missing—if Silicon dies here there won’t be anyone to open the mana vents in the ocean again, which is a big problem for adventurers.”

“So you don’t want me to kill him?”
>>
No. 1018630 ID: eedbeb
File 164073869338.png - (234.01KB , 1000x1100 , p118.png )
1018630

Casey speaks for the first time, in a stilted robot voice. “Hell no, we’d love it if somebody taught that egomaniac a lesson.”

“I’d sleep a lot better at night.” Gabe admits. “But the Guild stance is very go along with whatever the big guy wants so he stops messing with us.”

Chuck opens his mouth only to be interrupted by the ground shuddering. He clutches the arms of the foldable camping chair. “What was that?”

The mice seem shaken as well. “I think Silicon’s moving things around.” Kol mutters.

Silicon is setting up the battlefield. The Guardians are friendly to Chuck and will do what he asks within reason. What should Chuck do next?
A. Ask for mana from Kol
B. Ask for spell tips from Casey
C. Ask for portal training from Gabe
>>
No. 1018631 ID: c92a02

Gabe, how do I portals. Silicon was supposed to tell me this but I had a three-to-fivesome instead.
>>
No. 1018632 ID: bdc340

lets get thinking with portals
>>
No. 1018637 ID: 96a9a8

Portal training seems like the most important thing at the moment.
Mana would be a second priority.

...I don't think Silicon is going to open the vents even if we do everything he wants. Also we just saw it's quite possible for a spirit to resist Addiction-charm, so I doubt our powers will work at all against Silicon. Not sure how we'd be able to get him to open them. I guess maybe if Chuck gets a shitload of mana, he could track down Silicon and dump mana into breaking through his mental defenses?

Did adventurers really need mana anyway? I doubt mages can really stand up to spirits regardless.
>>
No. 1018639 ID: 36784c

>>1018630
>“Hell no, we’d love it if somebody taught that egomaniac a lesson.”
Do you guys have any idea on how to teach him a lesson?

>What do?
C. Ask for portal training from Gabe

Because Silicon was going to tell you how to use Pord, but then Gabe’s portal sliced him in half before he could tell you anything.

>>1018637
>Mana would be a second priority.
I agree with this.
>>
No. 1018640 ID: 094652

Concentrate on controlling your sword. Portal spells will give you a quick getaway if things are going badly.
>>
No. 1018644 ID: 6a8117

A. Main focus is getting mana to help Uzak and Maddie
>>
No. 1018663 ID: afe7de

Portals first, Y'know, since this can kill *anything* and they know mana vents are being closed, what if you just... teleported to the vents and killed the blockages? I mean you're just breaking them, but if the swords that good, why can't you let silicon have the fight he wants and literally not participate, instead just opening the vents?
>>
No. 1018692 ID: eedbeb
File 164080126219.png - (473.21KB , 1000x1100 , p119.png )
1018692

>C
Portals are the top priority for Chuck, they’ll make it much easier to move across the battlefield or make quick escape. Pord gives a tiny scream of agreement.

“Gabe, I was supposed to get trained to use Pord, but it never happened. Can you teach me how to use portals before the fight?”

“Sure bud.” The old mouse gets to his feet with a soft groan and gestures for Chuck to follow him to the largest open space in the cave.

“So I had to get a four year degree in artificial magic engineering before I felt confident using personal portals.” Gabe’s eyes sparkle as he reminisces on years gone by. “We only have an hour, but you do have that fancy sword, so maybe we’ll break even.”

They’re interrupted by another tremor that almost makes Chuck lose his balance.
>>
No. 1018693 ID: eedbeb
File 164080127734.png - (224.99KB , 1000x1100 , p120.png )
1018693

Gabe holds up his metal hand and a tiny pair of portals blooms into the air. He pokes a finger through the nearest one to demonstrate. “Portals are very mana intensive, which shouldn’t be a problem for you because again, sword. You have to focus on your destination and then send some feelers out to get a sense of that space and what’s in it. Try that with the air in front of you.”

Chuck scrunches his brow and tries to think about nitrogen and oxygen and trace amounts of other gases. Nobody’s technically addicted to breathing so it’s not intuitive.

The important thing is that air is mostly empty space. “Okay, what’s next?”

“So I focus my mana to connect the two areas, it’s easier when the distances are closer and there aren’t liquids or solids in the way. Like I have to work way harder to make a portal to the water in a lake than to the air above the water. You can try cutting the pathway with your sword.”
>>
No. 1018694 ID: eedbeb
File 164080128491.png - (220.29KB , 1000x1100 , p121.png )
1018694

Chuck tries to poke Pord into the air for a while, with cheerful encouragement from Gabe. Despite Chuck’s struggles, Pord is enjoying all the attention and Chuck feels his bond with it grow.

“Help me out.” Chuck mutters after another failed attempt to stick the blade into nothing.

The sword chirps and the next time Chuck stabs the air he feels a slight resistance.

“There, like that!” Gabe cheers.

Chuck uses Pord’s serrated edge to saw a shitty circle in space then pulls free. A pulsing window with a view of the nearby stone wall winks into place.

Chuck can now make portals from gas to gas interfaces within 100 meters!

The strongest tremor yet shakes the cave and Chuck stares with awe as the far wall falls away to reveal a vast corridor to a familiar door.
>>
No. 1018695 ID: c92a02

You remember what was on the other side of the door. Try portaling over there.
>>
No. 1018699 ID: a2a0f7

>>1018694
Give pord an encouraging pat
>>
No. 1018706 ID: a9af05

>>1018694
Maybe you should ask for a little mana so you can level up before you go in there?

Also you know what Rhine's addictions and potential addictions are, right? Try to sense if he's disguised as something or someone somewhere nearby.
>>
No. 1018707 ID: 8a51ec

>>1018699
...on its flat side, right?
>>
No. 1018708 ID: eedbeb
File 164081941524.png - (196.94KB , 1000x1100 , p122.png )
1018708

The stone battlefield shifts, creating artificial hills and pits. A few paths even open up along the sides to allow vertical movement towards the door.

“Get ready everyone!” thunders Kol’s magically magnified voice. There’s flurry of movement from the other tents as adventurers ready their spells and weapons.

While Gabe is distracted, Chuck takes a few sneaky steps forward, then a few more, until he’s within range of portaling inside Silicon’s room.

He pats Pord on its red guard. The eye swivels to look at him. “Let’s go check things out in there, okay?”

Before he cuts the portal, Chuck tries to sense if Rhine is nearby, but unfortunately since Chuck wasn’t able to form a Dependency bond with his brother, he can’t tell.
>>
No. 1018709 ID: eedbeb
File 164081942523.png - (283.78KB , 1000x1100 , p123.png )
1018709

He’s a lot faster using Pord this time and slides into the cavernous room from besides Silicon’s stone bed.

The massive space is filled with grotesque robots with screens showing red eyes and leering mouths full of sharp teeth. Chuck gapes as he takes in the scene and notices the curtain has been pulled back, revealing a vast white figure.

Before Chuck can get a good look at Silicon, Carbon leaps across the room towards him, slamming down with a ground-shaking thud and blocking his view.

“What are you doing here? You should be waiting outside.” the ape growls.

What should Chuck do?
A. Take a swing at Carbon with Pord
B. Tell the truth (he wanted to check things out also he can make portals now, wow)
C. Lie (suggest lies)
D. Try to spell Carbon (not recommended)
E. Other
>>
No. 1018710 ID: c1335d

>>1018709
A little bit of B and a little bit of you were genuinely concerned because the sword just cut Silicon in half automatically.
>>
No. 1018711 ID: c92a02

I'm speedrunning this boss fight. What's the point of a portal sword if I don't portal? And sword?
>>
No. 1018712 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018710
I think the cutting in half was Gabe's portal being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

>>1018709
Tell him you don't know the plan. How's it supposed to go?
>>
No. 1018731 ID: eedbeb
File 164083080694.png - (233.07KB , 1000x1100 , p124.png )
1018731

>B
“I met the Guardians after they smoked Silicon’s fancy robot and they taught me how to use portals and you guys never told me anything so I’m trying to figure out the plan.” Chuck puffs.

“Oh.” Carbon sits back, anger dissipating. “Silicon, I thought you told him?”

“I’m very busy, it must have slipped by.” says a low, hoarse voice.

“It’s simple, we’re going to send out the robots, which will be defeated, then Silicon himself will emerge and after some monologues and posturing you will move to strike him down with Pord.” Carbon explains.

“I’ve been working on my big ‘nooooooooo’.”

“Seeing Silicon defeated, I will abscond and the battle will be won by the mortals.” Carbon concludes.

“Except I’ll still be fine because Pord is our baby and would never hurt us.” Silicon adds.
>>
No. 1018732 ID: eedbeb
File 164083081717.png - (435.44KB , 1000x1100 , p125.png )
1018732

With Carbon no longer aggressive, Chuck turns his head to see the owner of the hoarse voice.

Addiction: Power
>>
No. 1018733 ID: bdc340

okay tight
>>
No. 1018737 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018732
Oh. Looks like Silicon's body mutated from eating other Silicon elementals. ...actually that doesn't make much sense, why didn't Carbon's body do that? Might be something unique to either of them... or Silicon morphed that "core" to look more villainous.

>is our baby
In the literal sense?! It's a silicon carbide sword? I thought changelings were the only spirit type that could breed. I guess with enough power, anything is possible...

>Silicon is addicted to Power, Carbon is addicted to Control
Somehow I don't think the retirement will last long. You're going to want that anti-addiction upgrade soon. Also just straight up tell them their addictions and that giving you mana so you can get that upgrade to cure them is PRETTY DANG IMPORTANT all things considered.
>>
No. 1018742 ID: 36784c

>>1018732
Remember how Silicon said that he wasn’t attractive and you said that you wouldn’t judge and would be happy to meet the real him? Now’s your chance to keep your word!

Let Silicon know that you think he looks pretty cool!
>>
No. 1018743 ID: c92a02

And the vents? The Guild wants you to open them, so they wouldn't want to see you "killed".
Assume a combat stance in case anyone walks in on you.
>>
No. 1018745 ID: 3ed3c3

Y'know, now would be the perfect time to mess up this entire plan and screw over these two.
>>
No. 1018764 ID: 50af53

Goodness sir, you look INSANELY POWERFUL
>>
No. 1018790 ID: 094652

Ask Pord if he really thinks this is his father.
>>
No. 1018801 ID: eedbeb
File 164088044913.png - (253.31KB , 1000x1100 , p126.png )
1018801

“Wow.” Chuck says.
When Silicon notices Chuck is looking, the elemental ducks his massive head towards the wall.

“Don’t hide, you’re super cool! You’re so big and you have those sick extra heads, it’s totally villainous.”

“Oh. Thanks. I can’t control my form like other spirits so I’m glad you think it’s okay.” Silicon mumbles.

Carbon huffs. “I’ve always said your form is fine. Anyway, Chuck, return to the outside area so we can start releasing the robots.”
>>
No. 1018802 ID: eedbeb
File 164088045858.png - (288.45KB , 1000x1100 , p127.png )
1018802

“Hold on a sec, are you guys really going to retire once you’re defeated? I can see what you both have an affinity for and in my professional spirit opinion you’re not going to let things go.” Chuck asks.

“Well of course not, we still have the company to think about.” Silicon says. “I will no longer be the supreme supervillain but I will still be a responsible CEO.”

“And the mana vents?”

“I’ll open them back up, but I’ve already redirected the flow of mana so the mortals will still lose their magic.” Silicon shrugs. “Adventurers are mild entertainment, but all of the elves and spirits agree they are just too annoying. Run along, Chuck, the robots need to stretch their legs.”
>>
No. 1018803 ID: eedbeb
File 164088046654.png - (397.75KB , 1000x1100 , p128.png )
1018803

Chuck has three ending paths he can take once he leaves Silicon’s room. The paths are mutually exclusive, and if he fails because of Rhine’s interference, he’ll default to Silicon’s ideal plan.

A. Battle with Baby:
Chuck will increase his bond with Pord by fighting the robots, which will let him injure (and low chance kill) Silicon.

B. Spell Mastery:
Chuck will level up and learn to wield his anti-addiction spell, before using the spell on Silicon and Carbon.

C. Mystery Path:
There’s a way to take away Silicon’s power permanently that has been hinted at but not explicitly mentioned in the quest or by suggestors. Chuck can only take this path if he thinks of the method.
>>
No. 1018806 ID: e51896

C. I bet it involves convincing Rhine to become an eldrich, and/or somehow getting the Eldritch in the planet's core to help fight against Silicone since silicone seemed to threaten to pulverize bob if he used mind magic against him and was concerned about the Eldritch in the planet's core ruining his plans. He did seem to nonconcently enter that one owl's dream thanks to Tom. Might be hard to do since Rhine hates us, but where theres a will, theres a way. https://questden.org/kusaba/quest/res/1017029.html#1018112

maybe rhine if he is an eldritch can commune with the eldritch at the planet's core and get it to take silicone's power since it is the source of all mana, or use his mind magic on silicone? Turning Rhine into an eldritch would involve breaking his meditation when he's in an egg. Gotta convince him to do that

If that isn't the way to go about this, then B, just so we can cure Uzak and Maddie
>>
No. 1018808 ID: 0838d6

C will likely involve kidnapping an egg, which you could ostensibly do but would have you shunned from the spirit community and you wanna see wingnut again. Or it will involve somehow convincing Rhyne that he should become an eldritch so he can completely steal or seal the source of magic in Silicon. Personally I feel like that'd be a dick move to permanantly fuck over Rhyne but sacrifices would have to be made to achieve an ending where magic is still available to all.

I feel like [B is my choice though] because even if you fail you'll still be able to cure Maddie and Uzak and you just want to go back to dad anyway, which fits more in line with chuck's personality.

Though if eldritching Rhyne or stealing an egg becomes more of a thing I'd be down to try that.

Honestly I'd love a combo of B/C You syphon silicon's power with rhyne and eventually work to cure silicon and carbon of their addictions in the post-story, all while taking care of the brother you messed up to "save the world"
>>
No. 1018810 ID: 36784c

>>1018803
B
>>
No. 1018813 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018803
C probably involves using the sword to Cut silicon's power, or some other metaphorical severance.

I wanna do B though. We can also remove Rhine's addiction, which will calm him the fuck down.
>>
No. 1018816 ID: a9af05

>>1018803
>The paths are mutually exclusive
We can only pick one? Then I guess I'll choose B.

>>1018806
>>1018808
>Make Rhine eldritch
Wouldn't it be easier to tell the Guardians the plan? I'm sure they could get in contact with other eldritchs without us having to rely on a newly hatched Rhine to succeed.
>>
No. 1018828 ID: c92a02

Bob's your uncle. Find someone with sufficiently silicon-related trauma and drag Silicon into the dream, then banish him to the shadow realm with dream-Pord. Assure Bob that between the guardians and Pord, you'll be ale to defend his corporeal self as well as the dream.
>>
No. 1018834 ID: eedbeb
File 164090672866.png - (365.62KB , 1000x1100 , p129.png )
1018834

>B
Chuck has an inkling of an idea of how to use what he learned about the eldritch to take out Silicon, but he doesn’t feel confident pursuing it. He’d rather focus on his addiction powers so he can get Rhine to chill, make sure Silicon and Carbon don’t try this villain shit again, and help Aunt Uzak and Maddie later.

He cuts a new portal back outside and hurries out of the way of the amassing mortal forces. Everyone, including the Guardians, seem too focused to help, so he’ll be moving on his own.

Chuck needs mana! He’s currently at 8 units and needs at least 22 more to reach a high enough level to cast his anti-addiction spell on Silicon and Carbon (guaranteed success). At level 2, he can cast on Rhine and mortals (1/2 success). He still has the gun which contains 5 units. The gun is a good non-lethal way to deal with people so Chuck may want to keep it.
>>
No. 1018835 ID: eedbeb
File 164090675126.png - (269.27KB , 1000x1100 , p130.png )
1018835

Here are Chuck’s current possible sources of mana ordered with low to high random possible quantities:

-Loot the abandoned tents for magical items (1-4 units per item, 1/4 chance to find an item in each of the 20 tents, takes 1 update to search 5 tents, 1/4 chance of Rhine ambush each update)

-Sneakily steal from the Guardians while they battle (3-7 units per theft, 3 opportunities, 1 update each, 2/3 chance of success)

-Go to the dungeon entrance and drain the portal station (10 units, 2/3 chance of success, can be retried but takes another update)

-Find someone still in the office to kill or extort (15 units, success rate depends on tactics)

He has 6 updates of time to get the necessary mana. Traveling to a new area (dungeon entrance or office) takes one update and gives Rhine a 2/3 chance to ambush Chuck, leading to delays and possible fratricide. Chuck doesn’t have to end his turn in the main cave because Silicon will stall for him.

What should Chuck do first?
>>
No. 1018836 ID: 894419

>>1018835
Portal station is risky but its best we open strong, I say that. Worst comes to worst we can eat Rhine...
>>
No. 1018837 ID: c92a02

Pickpocket the Guardians.
>>
No. 1018841 ID: 96a9a8

>>1018835
Our best chance is to reach level 2 so we can use the power on Rhine when he ambushes us. This means our first action should be something that has low or no chance to trigger the ambush.

Drain a guardian. I'm sure they have mana to spare, considering they offered some before.
>>
No. 1018842 ID: 0838d6

Extort Rhine, he will be a problem for a majority of the updates, I say find him, shoot him into submission, and try to siphon mana from him. It may work, it may not, but you know he's hunting you, so I say lay a trap, go somewhere obveous, teleport using Pord and attempt to disable him, he's so focused on hunting you and revenge, try to counter him and make him innefectual.

I'M NOT SAYING KILL HIM OKAY

We can even spend some mana strengthening our bond with Pord to make it less likely it accidentally kills him. I'm willing to expend the 1-2 mana for it since we'll get a ton from sucking from Rhine!
>>
No. 1018859 ID: 36784c

>>1018835
>What should Chuck do first?
Politely ask Pord for some mana.

With the bond we’ve built with them, I’m sure Pord would give us some mana.
>>
No. 1018876 ID: eedbeb
File 164091986758.png - (413.19KB , 1000x1100 , p131.png )
1018876

Turn 1 of 6

>Check with Pord
“I don’t suppose you can give me any mana?” Chuck asks the sword, which screeches apologetically. Now that Chuck’s examining the artifact, he can sense very strong bindings keeping it secure. There’s no way he’d be able to extract anything from Pord’s vast reserves.

>Steal from Guardians!
Chuck may be a good boy, but theft is pretty tame considering and the Guardians’ offered him mana before so it’s easy to rationalize as just bad timing.

The giant door is cracked open and a stream of slithering, skittering robots is pouring out. Chuck spots Kol hanging back and aims a small portal behind the mouse. Nobody notices the small opening and Chuck manages to drain 4 mana before Kol moves away.
>>
No. 1018877 ID: eedbeb
File 164091987691.png - (303.95KB , 1000x1100 , p132.png )
1018877

The mortals give a collective gasp when Carbon emerges and swings himself up on one of the wall cliffs. The ape surveys the proceedings, occasionally twitching a finger to make a mortal lose their balance.

From what Chuck can see, the robots are acting more aggressive but only inflicting mild wounds like bruises and scratches, while the mortals are smashing the artificial creatures to bits at every opportunity.

Chuck has 12 mana out of 30 total needed. He can level up as a free action next turn. If he wishes to level, what physical differences should Chuck add to his form and what should he do next?
>>
No. 1018878 ID: afe7de

Level up - focus on either SPEED or REFLEXES however you quantify that, basically you want to be able to react faster and shoot faster.

Keep sucking the mana from the dudes here, better to just do it all in this area before going somewhere else. (If we stay here we don't get attacked by rhine right?)
>>
No. 1018882 ID: 36784c

>>1018877
>Level up?
Yes.

>What physical differences should Chuck add to his form?
Give himself some muscles and become a little taller.

>What should he do next?
Attempt draining another Guardian.
>>
No. 1018922 ID: a9af05

>>1018877
Keep getting mana from people here.
>>
No. 1018924 ID: eedbeb
File 164097577478.png - (260.36KB , 1000x1100 , p133.png )
1018924

Turn 2 of 6

>Level Up
Chuck focuses on his being, pushing his mana into his physical form. His tail lengthens and he goes down on all fours to stretch into an agile, strong figure.

Chuck is now faster and stronger, and rolls based on these quantities will have higher chances of success.

He gains a new ability:
-Stage Intervention (3 mana, if successful, the target realizes their need to change and their cravings decrease)
>>
No. 1018925 ID: eedbeb
File 164097578725.png - (426.84KB , 1000x1100 , p134.png )
1018925

>More steal
Chuck’s line of sight is drawn to Casey, a lithe figure of metal and flesh effortlessly seizing robots with her blue mana tentacles and dashing them against the ground. He cuts a portal above her and starts slurping as quietly as possible.

Casey doesn’t notice what he’s doing, but Chuck only manages to drain 4 mana. Rats!

He has 16 mana out of 30 total needed, with 6 units being available for spells.
>>
No. 1018928 ID: eedbeb
File 164098017048.png - (272.29KB , 1000x1100 , p135.png )
1018928

Turn 3 of 6

It’d be unfair to leave Gabe out of the theft arrangement, so Chuck locates the reddish mouse who’s wrestling a larger robot with a long twisty neck. Chuck’s getting awfully good at this portal business and goes undetected once more, this time drawing a sizable 6 mana units from the mouse’s metal arm.

He has 22 mana out of 30 total needed, with 12 units being available for spells.

Chuck is doing great, but must move on to one of the three other methods to secure the rest of his mana. What should he do next?
>>
No. 1018929 ID: 0838d6

Extort Rhine! You're faster and stronger and he'll probably hunt you down anyway. Shoot em up with your pistol but dont pord him.

But if everyone wants to be BORING then just drain the portal station and get the final units of mana you need, all while expecting Rhine to come and fight you in the process, wasting a few turns.
>>
No. 1018940 ID: c92a02

Head to the dungeon entrance, and be ready to stage an intervention if Rince intervenes.
>>
No. 1018956 ID: a9af05

>>1018928
Go to the dungeon entrance and drain the portal station
>>
No. 1018962 ID: 1fe87a

Tents next. Search until Rhine shows up then hit him with Craving to weaken him before trying the cure.
Hmm how is Rhine going to try the ambush? We are faster thanks to portals and addiction sense can tell us if he is hiding as an object or smth.
>>
No. 1018989 ID: eedbeb
File 164099816138.png - (281.46KB , 1000x1100 , p136.png )
1018989

Turn 4 of 6

>Portal Station
Good boys don’t loot and good boys don’t kill! And Chuck is the supreme good boy, unmatched in his pure unadulterated mental reconstruction via zen meditation bullshit the massive eldritch in the center of the planet pulled on him.

He can still rationalize some harmless theft. Artificial mana is easily replaced unlike magic weapons, so stealing from the portal gate is merely a minor inconvenience.

On the other side of the entrance cave is a lone tunnel sloping upwards. Chuck has never been to this area so he strides forward on foot.
>>
No. 1018990 ID: eedbeb
File 164099817350.png - (377.52KB , 1000x1100 , p137.png )
1018990

After a while of traveling in the tunnel, Chuck emerges to a strange sight. What looks like a massive playground fitted with clear plastic tunnels, slides, and simple puzzles is set in a tall cave. There’s a sign for a bathroom to his right and the stone under his claws has been polished smooth by countless little paws.

He doesn’t have time to admire the brightly colored hunk of plastic before a set of monkey bars melts into a familiar vicious leer.

“Hey bro.” Rhine says. “So nice of you to try mind controlling me. How about you give me that sword?”

Chuck already has a plan, he keeps Pord low and aims a 1 mana cravings spell at the rapidly approaching changeling. Rhine tries to duck out of the way but the level 2 spell hones in on him and sends Rhine skidding to a stop.
>>
No. 1018991 ID: eedbeb
File 164099818298.png - (267.85KB , 1000x1100 , p138.png )
1018991

“This is so fucking stupid.” the changeling slams the ground with a fist in frustration. “Why doesn’t anyone understand? Why can’t I just have what I want for once? They chose to give the sword to you, Ahpin chose me to offer to Carbon—you get everything and I’m sick of it.”

The changeling has been weakened, giving Chuck bonus odds (3/5 chance) on his intervention spell, but he’s also including Chuck in his revenge addiction now.

Chuck shoots the spell anyway and holds his breath.

Rhine drips goo onto the floor for a few seconds, then raises his head.

“I’m going to kill you, Chuck.”

Chuck has 18 mana out of 30 total needed, with 8 units being available for spells. Rhine is pissed.

What should Chuck do?
A. Kill Rhine, get 15 mana
B. Make a run for the portal station (2/3 chance, he can get there on turn 5 if he succeeds)
C. Attempt the spell again (4/5 chance this time, takes a turn)
>>
No. 1018992 ID: c92a02

Make a run for it. One shot to be the big enough man to solve this cleanly.
>>
No. 1018993 ID: fd4d13

>>1018991

Silicon might have given me Pord, but what I wanted was my bro. (c)
>>
No. 1018994 ID: afe7de

I'll vote C, but if it fails, I'm gonna be voting kill rhine, sorry y'all.
>>
No. 1018996 ID: 9a2966

Launch yourself into a grapple with the shapechanger, using your enhanced body and reflexes to counteract his abilities for long enough to get some speechifying in. You've a couple of very valid points to whack Rhine over the head with at this point.

"Okay, so. Yes, a literal magical intervention is mind control. And, sorry, that one went wrong. My bad. Still. It's to get you better bro. Your obsession ain't healthy. Listen to yourself! That other magician Dad was with lost all her magic because they actually tried to trick Carbon rather than offer either of us up. Don't use Dad playing along to save you as your reason for wanting revenge!

And... getting to know Carbon a bit, I'm not 100% sure he'd actually have eaten either of us. See, I read up and learned most spirits will offer threats against changelings to scare 'em from mischief, but only rarely follow through. His addiction isn't 'hunger', it's 'control', so he'd probably have just made you into an intern early.

Anyway, I have a plan now and it might be good for... everyone? If you wanted a moment to shine, it's literally right now, bro, because you can help everyone by helping me. Otherwise I might HAVE to do Carbon and Silicon's supervillain defeat thing - and that is STILL gonna leave them alive and wanting to be in charge!"

C) Stage Intervention (with a bunch of good reasons)

(Maybe you can convince Rhine to help loot the tents next turn? Between that, absorbing the portal and eating the gun we have a chance to get enough mana to not have to select kill/extort anyone on Turn 6 to go ahead with Plan B.)
>>
No. 1019009 ID: 36784c

>>1018990
>So nice of you to try mind controlling me.
I wouldn’t have needed to do that if you weren’t trying to attack me!

>How about you give me that sword?
Their name is Pord. And they can’t hurt Silicon or Carbon, so even if I gave them to you, you wouldn’t be able to kill Silicon or Carbon!

Also, that’s literally what they want us to do with Pord. They want us to attack them, so they can fake their deaths! Do you really want to go along with their plan and do what they want us to do?

>>1018991
>Ahpin chose me to offer to Carbon
We both know that he wasn’t going to let Carbon hurt you!

>What do?
C
>>
No. 1019010 ID: 96c896

>>1018991
Tell him you're trying to help him, and C.
>>
No. 1019044 ID: eedbeb
File 164101288214.png - (268.68KB , 1000x1100 , p139.png )
1019044

Turn 5 of 6

>C
“I’m not going to give up on you, Rhine!”

The changeling lunges on all fours at Chuck, who uses his new speed to dodge out of the way, careful to avoid clipping Rhine with Pord. He fumbles for the gun and fires a few stun shots that sizzle against Rhine’s strange flesh.

Rhine shrieks with pain and extends his hands to grab Pord’s handle.

“Stop it! Let go, the sword won’t even work on Carbon and Silicon, I asked!”

To Chuck’s horror, Rhine manages to wrench Pord out of his grip. The sword immediately plummets blade first against the stone, scouring a deep gouge as Rhine struggles to pull it upright.
>>
No. 1019045 ID: eedbeb
File 164101289052.png - (250.28KB , 1000x1100 , p140.png )
1019045

While Rhine is dealing with Pord, Chuck puts his thoughts together.

“I understand why you’re upset, I was scared in the cafeteria so I tried to charm you, but I don’t want anything bad to happen to you, I’m trying to help you let go of this obsession.”

Rhine drags Pord towards Chuck, and with a surprising show of strength, swings it against the spirit’s leg.

Chuck freezes, but the blade never makes contact, stopping independently with a quiver.

Rhine stares at the uncooperative sword. “It doesn’t even work for me.”

He punches Chuck, which hurts, but isn’t terrible, and crumples into a sniffling ball. Chuck recovers from the hit and crouches by his side.

“I’m sorry Ahpin hurt you but you know he didn’t mean it. That guy loves us, even if you don’t feel like he’s your dad anymore.”
>>
No. 1019046 ID: eedbeb
File 164101289940.png - (258.48KB , 1000x1100 , p141.png )
1019046

“I hate you.” Rhine mumbles.

“I want my brother to be okay.” Chuck says. He readies the intervention spell again.

This time it settles over Rhine almost peacefully, like a soothing smell or a warm hug. The changeling sniffs a few more times then raises his head.

“I’ve been chasing this impossible thing. I feel like if I don’t have this, I don’t have anything.”

“You can do whatever you want with your life, but don’t base it on Carbon and Silicon.” Chuck says quietly.

Chuck has 15 mana out of 30 total needed, with 5 units being available for spells. Rhine is now his ally and will assist with mana collecting tasks but won’t contribute his own mana.

Chuck can either portal back to the battlegrounds and loot tents with Rhine at 2x speed, or continue to the portal station with an improved 4/5 chance of success.
>>
No. 1019048 ID: c92a02

I'm pretty sure the portal station has a better chance of getting us exactly the mana we need for the level. Well, mostly I don't want to think about the odds of 10 rolls of the dice for 1-4 mana.
>>
No. 1019054 ID: 36784c

>>1019046
Give your brother a hug!

Continue to the portal station.
>>
No. 1019055 ID: 96c896

Attempt portal drain. If it fails then we have one more action I think, which we can spend portaling to the offices and try to find someone to drain in desperation. We can promise to give them mana back later, it's just borrowing!
>>
No. 1019057 ID: afe7de

Portal, 4/5 is better then like... 1/256 twice
>>
No. 1019076 ID: eedbeb
File 164105543247.png - (219.37KB , 1000x1100 , p142.png )
1019076

Turn 6 of 6

>Portal Station
“I need to get some more mana.” Chuck tells Rhine. “Up on the surface there’s a portal station that I’m aiming for, can you come with me?”

“Ok.” Rhine rubs the tears out of his eyes, reabsorbs them into his hand, and gets to his feet.

Chuck and his brother navigate the maze of kid sized obstacles in tentative silence. Rhine might be on his side now, but they aren’t bosom friends. There’s still so much Chuck doesn’t know about Rhine’s time with Dusty as a changeling.

“I’m trying to get Silicon and Carbon to stop being addicted to power and control. They’re still planning to take mana from the mortals and continue their weird intrusive robot business after I pretend to defeat them.” Chuck says once they reach another stone tunnel.
>>
No. 1019077 ID: eedbeb
File 164105544294.png - (432.56KB , 1000x1100 , p143.png )
1019077

“You’re gonna use the spell you just did on me?” Rhine asks.

“That’s the plan.”

“Hm.”

The air gets warmer and fresher as Chuck ascends, until he emerges on a well-worn dirt path. The portal gate resembles a thick metal arch and appears to be off.

“Oh hey, it’s Ahpin’s kids.”

Three familiar green tinged figures are sitting in the grass, playing a card game. The shark waves them over.

“I need the mana from this portal gate for final battle reasons.” Chuck explains.
>>
No. 1019078 ID: eedbeb
File 164105545012.png - (263.09KB , 1000x1100 , p144.png )
1019078

“Say no more, even though we’re supposed to be guarding it, there’s nothing worse than authority figures getting in the way of heroes.” the shark replies.

Chuck thanks her and approaches the metal structure. It’s a little taller than him with little doors on the legs where the mana batteries must be hiding. With some generous cutting with Pord, Chuck gets the casing off and the battery exposed.

He opens his mouth to drain the mana, but nothing comes out. Alarmed, he tries again, with no success.

Chuck spends the next fifteen minutes desperately trying to get the battery to cooperate. Why isn’t this working?

“There’s some kind of ward on it.” Rhine says eventually. “They must have been trying super hard to keep it secure.”
>>
No. 1019079 ID: eedbeb
File 164105546039.png - (243.74KB , 1000x1100 , p145.png )
1019079

Chuck a deep breath, calms himself, and is about to dive back in when Silicon’s voice blares out of Pord’s eye.

“Hello? Hello Chuck? Where are you? I gave my big speech and now we are sitting around like idiots waiting!”

“I—I’m busy with something.”

“Well it can’t be more important than this. Get back here right now, I’ll make small talk until you arrive.”

In an unlucky turn of events, Chuck failed to extract the mana from the portal station. He now must return to the battlefield.

He may not be able to spell Silicon and Carbon, but he can still talk to them using what he’s learned. What should he say to get them to change their minds on the mana vents OR the robots?
>>
No. 1019090 ID: 3328c7

Make a compelling argument to Silicon about how his consuming of countless spirit was and is still horrible. He's not just a story-time villain, he's straight up a legitimate force of pain and suffering to the world.

Alternatively

Don't show up. Let's just portal out of the dungeon and let the heroes kill those two maniacs for real.
>>
No. 1019093 ID: 36784c

>>1019079
>not enough mana
Do you have enough time to ask the three familiar green tinged figures for some mana? If they each give you some, that might be enough for you to be close enough to your goal, you can just get the remaining mana from draining the gun.

>What should he say to get them to change their minds on the mana vents OR the robots?
The whole reason Silicon is doing this is because he believes he’s one of those villains that’ll improve the quality of life of people and contribute to technological innovations. He’s doing that with his robots, so I don’t think we can convince him to give up on that.

We’ll need to somehow convince him to reopen the mana vents. I just don’t know what we’d say to him.

>>1019090
>let the heroes kill those two maniacs for real.
I’m pretty sure both of them are too powerful for that.
>>
No. 1019099 ID: 96c896

Yeah ask the Nunyas for mana. It's important, you don't need that much more!

>talk to Carbon and Silicon
Tell them they are addicted. They are not in control of their actions. That should give Carbon pause considering his addiction, at least.
>>
No. 1019106 ID: 3328c7

And, if that fails, tells EVERYONE the plan with the sword and the secret retirement and still hijacking the mana vents under everyone's noses. That should take away Silicon's power.
Metaphorically, I mean.
>>
No. 1019109 ID: eedbeb
File 164108124535.png - (246.71KB , 1000x1100 , p146.png )
1019109

>Ask for mana from the Nunya’s
Chuck grabs Pord and scrambles back to the green gang. “Guys, hey, can I have some of your mana really quick?”

Bob raises his small tendril head. “You don’t want this stuff, trust me.”

“How about you two, the mortals?”

“That’s kind of a big ask, we need our mana for casting spells and unlike you we can’t get it back.” the shark says.

“Please, it’s for a good cause, I’m trying to stop—“

“I’m hearing a lot of chattering and not a lot of returning to the dungeon.” Silicon via Pord interrupts.
>>
No. 1019110 ID: eedbeb
File 164108127170.png - (326.42KB , 1000x1100 , p147.png )
1019110

The ground under Chuck caves in and he screams as he free falls. Pord is wrenched from his grasp, which is probably good for safety reasons, and after a few tense moments Chuck lands in a net of carbon fiber at the ceiling of the battlefield.

“—anyway, that’s how Carbon and I solved the puzzle of the Murder Mystery Dungeon when we were young. Also Gabe, I fucked your nephew.”

Silicon is sprawled on his side, addressing the assembled army. Where his room once was is a yawning chasm.

Pord floats down next to Chuck, and he cuts himself free, which unfortunately results in him rapidly falling once more.
>>
No. 1019111 ID: eedbeb
File 164108129946.png - (374.62KB , 1000x1100 , p148.png )
1019111

A black rope catches him around the middle and gently lowers him to the ground.

“Oh my! How could this be? My own intern turning against me?” Silicon says dramatically. “What a big sword you have, Chuck, I sure hope you don’t kill me with it!”

“Can you just…be quiet for a second?” Chuck asks wearily.

“I am very sorry, you need to have your speech too, of course.” Silicon zips his mouth shut and throws away the key.

Chuck takes a deep breath. “Silicon, you and Carbon really are villains. You’ve consumed countless other spirits and even though you could have killed a lot more, it’s still a horrible thing.”

Silicon nods.

“I’m a—no, I’m THE spirit of addiction. And I can see you’re both addicted to what your power and influence has brought you and the control you have over other people’s lives. I’m asking you to do the right thing and take a step back. Consider what’s really important to you and let the rest of us live our lives.”
>>
No. 1019112 ID: eedbeb
File 164108132356.png - (408.30KB , 1000x1100 , p149.png )
1019112

The whole cave is silent for a moment.

“Okay, we’ll think about it.” says Silicon. “Slice me up, Chuck.”

Chuck bunches up his powerful legs and leaps, slashing Pord across Silicon’s neck. It never touches the elemental, of course, but the cut creates a dramatic red line across space. Silicon tips himself gently off the cliff and Carbon leaps after him.

Chuck lands hard, buckling to one knee. The weight of the last three days catches up to him, and he stays there as the army breaks into cheers.
>>
No. 1019119 ID: 96c896

>>1019112
Alright, victory pose and all that, ham it up for the crowd so Silicon's plan doesn't get ruined and also ruin everyone else's day in the process.

See if you can get some cool shit to share with Rhine later.
>>
No. 1019172 ID: eedbeb
File 164109838860.png - (325.07KB , 1000x1100 , p150.png )
1019172

The mortals know it was fake. He knows it was fake too, but that doesn’t stop Chuck from pulling a sweet victory pose and roaring his triumph to the adoring crowd.

Pord is still in his hand, and is enough of a deterrent that he isn’t swarmed and carried off to the post battle orgy. The Guardians give him a respectful salute, before rushing to join the rapidly proliferating bacchanal.

Chuck smiles and readies Pord.

Where should Chuck go?
-The office, to see his friends
-The surface, to see his family
>>
No. 1019174 ID: e51896

The office before going back to family. Gotta see if our bro wants to hang with Dad and say goodbye to everyone. We might not come back or something.
>>
No. 1019176 ID: 96c896

Office first!
>>
No. 1019178 ID: c92a02

We're probably not coming back here. The office.
>>
No. 1019179 ID: 36784c

>>1019172
It sure would be a shame if these mortals were too busy celebrating to notice us getting some more of their mana. We’d put it to good use by making sure we’re strong enough to cure the addictions of Maddie and Uzak.

>Where to?
Heads the office to say goodbye to our friends and pick up our brother. Then we go home.
>>
No. 1019215 ID: eedbeb
File 164113953667.png - (367.33KB , 1000x1100 , p151.png )
1019215

>Steal mana from mortals?
Chuck knows the intervention spell and has enough mana (including the gun) to cast it on Uzak and Maddie. There’s no need to screw over the celebrating mortals.

>The office
Chuck doesn’t know if he’ll get the chance to see his friends once he goes to the surface, so he cuts a portal across the tent cave, and another one to the cafeteria.

Delphine and Clementine are sitting at a table, enjoying a bottle of mold liquor. They jump when Chuck emerges from a crack in space.

“Hello dear, is it done?” the camel asks.
>>
No. 1019216 ID: eedbeb
File 164113956318.png - (235.91KB , 1000x1100 , p152.png )
1019216

“Yeah. Yeah I think so. The mortals are having an after-party.”

Delphine gags. “I’m going to have to clean up their mess, disgusting.”

“Take the day off.” Clem suggests.

“Everything’s going to solidify and get stuck in the cracks. Anyway, since it’s safe the others should be coming back soon.”

Chuck sits at the table and sips from his cup while the two orange hued women chat. There are a few small tremors, but no robots show themselves.
>>
No. 1019217 ID: eedbeb
File 164113958254.png - (303.62KB , 1000x1100 , p153.png )
1019217

The only warning he gets is the clunk of boots before he’s seized from behind by a meter of high speed goblin.

“Chuck!” Wingnut squeals. “You’re still here! And you’re alive! Oh, pour me a glass, Clem.”

“And he’s bigger.” Gabriela notes, eyeing Chuck’s new muscles.

“Your gun was a big help, I shot Rhine with it.” Chuck squeaks.

“Really? I’m so glad.” Wingnut kisses Chuck on the cheek.
>>
No. 1019218 ID: e51896

Hey, where be Aloise and Rhine at. Also ask if even though your going outside, if you could still come visit then and vice-versa
>>
No. 1019236 ID: 3328c7

Give her a hug and enjoy a moment of chaste bonding with your new friends.
>>
No. 1019246 ID: 36784c

>>1019217
Use your new longer tail to give Wingnut a hug while she’s behind you.

Ask if anyone has seen Rhine anywhere?
>>
No. 1019268 ID: eedbeb
File 164116605359.png - (222.34KB , 1000x1100 , p154.png )
1019268

Chuck hugs Wingnut with his new and improved tail and accepts a smooch from Gabriela.

“Where’s Rhine?” Aloise asks. The scorpion circles around the table to sit at the last remaining seat.

Wait a second, where is Rhine? Last time Chuck saw his brother was at the dungeon entrance before Silicon unceremoniously summoned him back to the battleground. There wouldn’t really be a reason for Rhine to return to the office, so Chuck can only hope the changeling hasn’t gone far.

“I don’t know, probably somewhere on the surface.” Chuck shrugs.
>>
No. 1019269 ID: eedbeb
File 164116607421.png - (395.32KB , 1000x1100 , p155.png )
1019269

Chuck spends the afternoon laughing and talking with his friends until the bottle is empty and he’s surprisingly worn out.

He stands with a stretch. “I think I’ll head out, my dad’s on the surface and I’m going to go live with him. Will I still be able to get to this office later?”

“I hope so, we’ll find you even if Silicon moves things around.” Wingnut promises.
>>
No. 1019270 ID: eedbeb
File 164116609327.png - (190.19KB , 1000x1100 , p156.png )
1019270

As Chuck prepares to portal hop out of the dungeon, a bright screen catches his eye. A little spidery robot is beckoning to him from the tunnel leading to the warm rock room, the same place he originally hatched.

What should Chuck do? This will be the last scene of the quest:
-Go to the surface and find Ahpin
-Talk to Silicon one more time
>>
No. 1019272 ID: c92a02

What do you want, Silicon. Also, have you seen Rhine?
>>
No. 1019273 ID: afe7de

Might as well talk to silicon
>>
No. 1019277 ID: 96c896

>>1019270
God fine talk to Silicon. It's not like he's gonna kidnap you again.
>>
No. 1019280 ID: 36784c

>>1019270
>robot
I wonder if that’s actually Rhine and he just wants to pretend he’s Silicon to try and get you to come over?

Might as well go see if that robot is actually Silicon or if it’s just Rhine in disguise.
>>
No. 1019284 ID: e51896

Might as well give Silicone the sword back. Tell him you're not addicted to power, so you don't really need it, and you got some friends' addictions to cure... but if Silicone and Carbon would like to get their addictions cured, you'll be happy to do that someday.
>>
No. 1019288 ID: 36784c

>>1019284
Don’t give away Pord! They’re our friend!

We should probably ask for a cover for them so they don’t accidentally cut and kill anyone.
>>
No. 1019297 ID: eedbeb
File 164117734618.png - (225.90KB , 1000x1100 , p157.png )
1019297

>Silicon
Chuck follows the robot to the little cave and hops up onto the ledge to sit.

“I kind of expected you to spend more time dead. What’s up?” Chuck asks.

The robot grabs a long, dark sheath and struggles up the rock with small exclamations like ‘oh my’, ‘deawy me’, ‘hold on a second’.

It finally pulls itself level with Chuck with a sigh. “I should’ve given you dis when I gave you de sword, but as you know we were interrupted. Pord is much safer this way.”

Chuck accepts the sheath and slides Pord home. “Thanks.”
>>
No. 1019298 ID: eedbeb
File 164117735666.png - (201.04KB , 1000x1100 , p158.png )
1019298

“Next, I realize I never told you my twagic backstory.” Silicon says.

“Er, it’s okay, you don’t have to—“

“I came into being as a changeling many centuries ago, in some aristocrat’s abandoned library. I don’t know why the owner went missing, they may have merely been on a long vacation.” Silicon continues.

Chuck sighs and prepares to hear Silicon’s tale.

“Dere were two of us who stayed together, there were enough enchanted tomes dat we had plenty to eat and enough other books that we weren’t bored, though I was smaller and weaker than her. When it was time to become an egg I hid in de back of an old sofa.”
>>
No. 1019299 ID: eedbeb
File 164117736468.png - (323.30KB , 1000x1100 , p159.png )
1019299

“I don’t know what went wrong with de other egg, Carbon tells me he found an eldritch pwowling the stacks when he came to burn paper for an easy meal. He beat it to death, but its corruption had already reached me and I hatched…wrong. I was not an eldritch, but I couldn’t control my form and was feeble.”

Oh yeah, Silicon did have those weird muddy green eyes. Chuck hadn’t put two and two together and realized the elemental was corrupted.

“Carbon spared me and I became his companion. I was de dreamer, and he kept us out of trouble as we traveled de world. Dose were the happiest moments of my life, when things were simple. I dragged Carbon to all the dungeons that I had read about in books and we became adventurers.”
>>
No. 1019300 ID: eedbeb
File 164117737515.png - (184.90KB , 1000x1100 , p160.png )
1019300

The robot falls silent, tapping the stone with its quaint metal feet.

“Well, I don’t want to bore you with all the details. We went wrong. And you were right dat I have a pwoblem with power. I still feel insecure, like I am the weak little cweature I was as a changeling and young spirit, and that fear drives me to want more and more. I’ll work on it. Carbon too. Is dere anything else you’d like to tell me before you go?”
>>
No. 1019301 ID: c92a02

Silicon, there's one more addiction you have that I didn't mention. You're addicted to deez.
>>
No. 1019302 ID: afe7de

>>1019301
I was going to make a thoughtful response, have chuck offer to help him with his addictions so that he could live the life he wants to.

But no, ending on a Deez nuts joke is exactly what I want.
>>
No. 1019303 ID: 8a51ec

"Well I mean, yes, but I won't because it would be the polite thing to do."
>>
No. 1019306 ID: e51896

Do a deez nutz joke.

If you can, open a portal to the Nutz bar. (not sure if we could tho since Chuck probably doesnt know that place)
>>
No. 1019307 ID: 8483cf

Let's end it with some levity. Deez nuts!
>>
No. 1019308 ID: 3ed3c3

>>1019300
"Yeah. I quit."
>>
No. 1019309 ID: 894419

>>1019300
I can't believe we're provoking an eternity of villainy for a deez nuts joke. If you do make the joke, first tell him that despite the kidnapping, and despite being compelled into service for a villainous entity you really get the feeling that he's not a bad person, just a little careless. Then give him a hug and tell him that you also appreciate the job experience.
>>
No. 1019311 ID: fd4d13

Deez nuts joke is fun, Silicon's obviously a guy who likes to have fun.

Say you were pretty upset about the kidnapping at first, but you found your brother and nobody got hurt so you can't stay mad. And maybe if he finds another adventure to look forward to he can hit you up
>>
No. 1019312 ID: 36784c

>>1019309
This
>>
No. 1019313 ID: eedbeb
File 164118153258.png - (176.78KB , 1000x1100 , p161.png )
1019313

Chuck claps his hand lightly on the robot’s thin shoulder. “You have another addiction I didn’t tell you about.”

“Oh no! What is it?”

“Deez.”

Silicon 404s. “Dese what? I do not understand.”

Chuck prepares the killing blow. “Deez nuts.”

The robot flaps its metal limbs in the air. “A joke! You have outwitted me! Very good my former intern.”

“I believe in you man, get better and thanks for the job experience.”
>>
No. 1019314 ID: eedbeb
File 164118154189.png - (384.20KB , 1000x1100 , p162.png )
1019314

Thank you for reading This Isn’t Working.
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