I'm betting that breaking the vial made the ice. Somebody threw it in the gears or something. Sweep it out of the way and see if you can get the gears to turn.

Does the gear look like it's connected to any system or does it lead anywhere else? Is there a lever to get them moving again?

There doesn't seem to be anything else of note; lets go back to the pier where you left your boat, and see if we can go anywhere else. Also rub your hands and blow into them, it must be freezing.

>>219233
Oh and let's check our pockets again while we're at it.

Deep 2010/08/17(Tue)18:51 No. 219275 ID: bf1e7e
File 128209630252.png - (191.81KB , 768x768 , dq293.png )

>>219161
>>219163

You still can't get the gears to turn. They seem to be part of some much larger mechanism, and while the rubble seems to be clear of it there is neither enough space for you to get through or enough light (or a good enough viewing angle) to determine what the mechanism is for.

Either the mechanism has some sort of lock holding it in place, or it is simply too large for you to force it to activate with your puny strength.

>>219236

You are currently carrying your strange gear, the vial of fire, a scrap of paper with mostly indecipherable writing and designs, and the clockwork finger. You also have the oar, but it will not fit in your pockets.

You head back toward the dock where you moored your boat. It is still quite cold here.

Can we get a map or something? I am extremely confused as to where we've been and where we have not explored yet.

>>219275
Try boating over to the waterway that was feeding the lake.

Deep 2010/08/17(Tue)19:24 No. 219304 ID: bf1e7e
File 128209828954.png - (178.86KB , 768x768 , dq294.png )

>>219278

You head out into the lake once again, and toward the back.

>>219276

Unfortunately, it's extremely difficult to navigate a three-dimensional cavernous environment with no central frame of reference!

This is the best mental image you are able to string together, and you aren't really sure about all of the distances and directions involved.

>>219304
Onwards into nearby unexplored waters, then.

Okay, so going where you're going is where we haven't been yet. Good. Let's go there.

Mneme!CRITTerXzI 2010/08/17(Tue)20:00 No. 219316 ID: 3234dd
File 128210040064.png - (173.65KB , 768x768 , map.png )

>>219276

Here ya go.

Onward! to the great expanses of the unkown, for are we not Ven the explorer-adventurer extraordinaire? We shall sail to the final frontiers- to boldly go where no Indahl has gone before.

Strike a pose!

>>219316
Nice one.

Onward, to Where we have not been, then!

Deep 2010/08/17(Tue)21:07 No. 219335 ID: bf1e7e
File 128210445624.png - (111.91KB , 768x768 , dq295.png )

You take your boat upstream

==>

Deep 2010/08/17(Tue)21:08 No. 219336 ID: bf1e7e
File 128210448048.png - (157.08KB , 768x768 , dq296.png )

>>219335

>==>

sing a sea shanty

OH JESUS FUCK THE SEA SHANTY

Look behind you.

Wave.

Sing a sea shanty to help you keep time with your strokes. Row your boat.

Oh, listen ye to
mine salty shanty
about the sweet lady
who once loved me

She looked fair and fine with
her eyes upon mine
Oh! Until she got ill:
seasick from brine

Here, take good note:
What moves old Kapp'n's boat
Be an iced, extra-nice
Cucumber Float

Fetch one for me young lad;
You won't be left sad!
Don't be slow or you'll know
I might get mad!

Ye think yer bad
Some kind o' wreslin' lad
Ye've got guts but yer nuts
Don't make me mad

With my turtle-tough shell
I'll ring yer bell
Black yer eye, make ye cry
And say farewell

>>219336
Panic, thereby failing to accomplish anything useful.

YO HO YO HO A PIRATE'S LIFE FOR ME
WE PILLAGE WE PLUNDER WE RIFLE AND LOOT
DRINK UP ME HEARTIES YO HO
WE KIDNAP AND RAVAGE AND DON'T GIVE A HOOT
DRINK UP ME HEARTIES YO HO

>>219344
No Goddamnit! Stay calm. See if Nessie can be reasoned with; maybe she just wants something, otherwise throw the fire vial at Nessie, aim for an eye. Then paddle away as fast as your scrawny arms can go! Paddle downstream toward the waterfall if you have to, that way we pick up speed.

Verbally express your desire to surrender while paddling faster.

Ñ 2010/08/18(Wed)00:07 No. 219377 ID: f202ec
File 128211524999.png - (11.74KB , 200x200 , zubat.png )

You have one chance!
Pacify the giant lake monster with a friend!

Hum a tune Ven, whatever comes naturally.

Plessie!

I suggest attempting to get away from it.

>>219381
I don't suppose you could make it sleepy with a tune at least?

Paddle. Paddle very very fast.

Sing it the song of your people?! Alternately, do you swim faster than the boat is going? If so, you might want to dive! dive!

Turn slowly, and start hoping that it's friendly... or another psychotic robot episode.

If it tries to eat you, try to prop the oar into its mouth, then leap out and start swimming... which is probably futile.

Try not to wet em.

>>219533
I doubt the rickety oar would hold. If there is no other way, throw the vial at something painful like an eye or nose, and if it tries to eat us, then throw it down it's throat!

Deep 2010/08/18(Wed)17:35 No. 219562 ID: bf1e7e
File 12821781574.png - (232.48KB , 768x768 , dq297.png )

You begin to sing a song, only you don't actually know any songs with words. So you just hum. While you're doing this, you try to discretely paddle away.

The creature does not appear to be placated by your lyrical enterprise. It opens its maw, and a strange dark fluid begins to leak out.

Throw the vial of liquid fire in its mouth.

If it's catching up with you, and you can't swim fast enough to get away, then throw the fire in its mouth.

>>219562
Okay well he doesn't look like a very nice guy, I guess you're gonna have to throw the vial of fire at his mouth so he doesn't eat you out

>>219562
Whelp that didn't work. It must be some really huge dreamworm and the dark fluid is more trippy LSD stuff so we definitely don't want to let that thing nip us. Paddle faster Ven, but put the vial at the ready. Don't throw it until there is no other way.

Do we still have the chain? Oh man, he's probably really pissed off since we stole his chain, must have been using it for laundry or something. I recommend giving it back to him then sheepishly paddling away.

>>219562
Toss the vial of fire in its mouth, then make your getaway.

Deep 2010/08/18(Wed)21:15 No. 219659 ID: bf1e7e
File 128219130388.png - (240.48KB , 768x768 , dq298.png )

The creature lunges forward, apparently not cowed by your musical prowess. You leap clear of the boat and toss your vial behind you.

==>

Deep 2010/08/18(Wed)21:30 No. 219666 ID: bf1e7e
File 128219223838.png - (155.38KB , 768x768 , dq299.png )

>>219659

>==>

The vial shatters against the corner of the beast's mouth, emitting a loud roar as the liquid quickly bursts into an enormous quantity of flame

gogogo! What can you see under there? Keep to the walls where it can't maneuver as much. Try to find a tight squeeze it can't fit into! Shit it probably can hold its breath longer than you. Make for the shore!

Deep 2010/08/18(Wed)21:37 No. 219668 ID: bf1e7e
File 128219263499.png - (175.13KB , 768x768 , dq300.png )

>>219666

>==>

The monster seems to echo the roar as it collapses into the water, its momentum carrying it forward.

Unfortunately, you fail to clear the area into which it collapses, and are driven beneath the water. Everything is dark.

==>

Deep 2010/08/18(Wed)21:42 No. 219670 ID: bf1e7e
File 128219297167.png - (54.62KB , 768x768 , DQp4end.png )

>>219668

>==>

Swim, Ven! Swim for your liiiiiiife!

Also post next part soon plz.

Oh shit oh shit

KICK YOUR LEGS

SWIM DAMMIT SWIM SWIIIIIIIIIM

Update soon Cockwork Seal. We love you <3

Woah a bunch of updates all at once.
SWIM, VEN, SWIM!