Wizzz (GM):ey keith
to get started rolling up a character, roll 3d6 6 times and that's yer stats in order
you can roll dice by either typing [ [3d6] ] with no spaces, or /roll 3d6
Keith:rolling 3d6
(
5
+
2
+
5
)
=12
rolling 3d6
(
6
+
3
+
2
)
=11
rolling 3d6
(
1
+
3
+
2
)
=6
rolling 3d6
(
4
+
3
+
2
)
=9
rolling 3d6
(
2
+
2
+
2
)
=6
rolling 3d6
(
3
+
4
+
6
)
=13
Wizzz (GM):now if you like you can reroll one stat, or swap two
Keith:swap two with what?
Wizzz (GM):so your current stats would be 12 str, 11 int, 6 wis, 9 dex, 6 con, and 13 cha
if you wanted more hp it might be good to swap your str score with yuor con score
that's what 'swap two' means
Keith:guess I'll reroll my con
rolling 3d6
(
1
+
3
+
1
)
=5
aaa
Wizzz (GM):what a terrible night to have a curse...
alright, now you should think about what character class you'd like to be, and roll 3d6 two more times- from that I'll determine your character's social status and starting equipment.
Ritehere:https://basicfantasy.org/downloads/Basic-Fantasy-RPG-Rules-r107.pdf
Wizzz (GM):There's also a big tl;dr post about extra class details in the roll20 forums, but you don't actually need to read them ye
*yet
Ritehere:https://basicfantasy.org/downloads/BF-Assassins-Supplement-r5.pdf
https://app.roll20.net/forum/post/7936221/oroboro-campaign-primer-rules-and-classes
Keith:Think I'm just gonna be a thief
rolling 3d6
(
2
+
2
+
2
)
=6
rolling 3d6
(
3
+
4
+
5
)
=12
Wizzz (GM):alrighty...
With that roll your family were a poor freemen (fishermen are a likely option for this seaside city), or perhaps a well-off servant to a family of greater rank.
ou have a backpack, a club or dagger, 2 weeks worth of rations, and 2 of the following:
• an animal trap
;• a compass;
• a leather jerkin (leather armour, AC 13)• a pack of marked cards;• a pole arm;• a shield.
Wizzz (GM):Additionally, being a thief will net you...
an extra close combat weapon of your choice.
You should be able to click around in the tabs of the character sheet to mark equipment and stats down- can you see/edit it?
Keith:ye
All that should be filled in now
Wizzz (GM):k, you're ready to play
some character art will make you look cooler than the blue and white silhouette placeholder, and you could come up with as much or as little backstory/personality traits as you want
Keith:Am I starting out at level 1 or a higher level?
Wizzz (GM):you can start out at level 1 or three depending on your preferences
HP is maximum (4) for the first level
and each level thereafter will give you 1d6-2 HP (minimum of +1 per level)
Keith:So if I start out at 3rd level do I just roll my 3d4 like on the chart?
Wizzz (GM):I buffed thieves to have d6 hp, so with your con penalty, it would be 3d6-6, with a minimum score of 6
Keith:mmkay
rolling 3d6-6
(
5
+
2
+
6
)
-6
=7
Ritehere:3
[[
Keith:2
neato
Wizzz (GM):That about does it- you can fill in saving throws and thief skills whenever, though the character sheet can be buggy and manually rolling is just as good, if not better
anything else you wanna know?
Keith:Not for now at least, thanks!
Blix (ambnz):Hihi
Charles P.:What do you feel like doing, ambnz? I want to deep strike into the tidal dungeon, but ritehere seems interested in visiting Ebeth, so you're the tie breaker.
Blix (ambnz):I'd like to get the eel-bone corpse to ebeth asap to see what Shrimp-Legs next vow is or whatever
Ritehere:the fee for the trip to ebeth is already paid mind you charles, and that ^ ^
Charles P.:Then I am woefully out voted (ToT)
Blix (ambnz):"In and out, one session adventure"
;)
Wizzz (GM):this is three so I suppose we can start whenevs
Charles P.:But the event of the week! All encounters are two encounters fighting each other. It'll be so easy to avoid monsters.
At least the Ningen and undead whales will be too busy fighting each other to sink us.
Blix (ambnz):Haha bonus
Wizzz (GM):Mind you it's 'conflict of two' so they could just be arguing over who gets to eat you first with rock paper scissors and it turns into a double encounter
Charles P.:It at least seems to protect against suprise.
Blix:""Thanks for advancing the fee, Erhard"
Wizzz (GM):You can also always just.. not advance a week remember
A shipment of mundane essentials, partially paid for by Erhard and other investors, is set up, the nasty coffin of Eel-Bone loaded onto the ship after the dock authorities contacted a crown priest to make sure you weren't smuggling undead.
Thirbaek Merrymace loads up onto the boat for Ebeth, grumbling about trees, water and elves.
Blix:"Sorry bout the smell, fellows....it don't apparently stink as bad for the insectfolk. What business are we attending with you all in Ebeth, if you don't mind me asking?"
(guessing Shrimp-leg is coming with?)
Erhard De Vend :"No problems Bilx, my journey here was of paramount importance, the fee was of little concern to me to be honest. But if you're famliar with the island maybe you can be my guide for the duration we're here"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Hello, Shrimp Leg."
The journey is not long, and the ship embarks on the island, which is a small but jagged place. The skull of some titan dragon makes for a huge sea-cave, and bone spires and towering trees make for an extremely vertical and overgrown landscape.
The beetle-man is indeed coming along, and is serving as a rower, paddling the long oars of the ship when the wind dies.
Erhard De Vend :"never seen anything quite like this that's for sure"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Y'know. If the spine has holes in it, and most spines do, there's probably a path that leads straight to where the heart used to be..."
Thirbaek Merrymace gets a greedy look in his eyes
Blix is awestruck at the sight and seems to mostly ignore the comment
The port town is a small and ramshackle village, but the people do not seem bothered by their poverty, and seem unrelentingly cheerful and generous, offering you travelers snacks of fruits and clams. "Praise the charity of Ebetheron!" is a common phrase, and they are happy to give you directions.
Wizzz (GM):Their payment for the ships good is in the form of sacks of glittering gold dust and the occasional strange lump of meat and bone that has no smell or sign of corruption or decay.
Blix:½
"Would Eel-bone have preferred a particular resting place, Shrimp-leg?"
Wizzz (GM):Shrimp-Leg hoists the coffin onto his broad shell and nods. "The forest of the eldest maggot."
Erhard De Vend :"sounds dubious"
Wizzz (GM):Oy Durk- you wanna come along on various Ebeth adventures?
Durk:Maybe
I might just spect8
OR
ORRRRRRRRR
Charles P.:"Well, let's go then. Maybe we can meet the eldest maggot."
Thirbaek Merrymace:*
Wizzz (GM):(i'm waiting in some suspense for the orrrr)
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Who's you PC these days, Durk?)
Ratty McRattson has returned
Ratty McRattson:Nah, jk
I don't know.
Wizzz (GM):(well if you wanna copy the stats over go for it lol)
Thirbaek Merrymace:Ratty's great (x10) grandson
Wizzz (GM):(but yeh any crownless or nowhere PC is fair game)
Ratty McRattson:I would like to play some sort of rat folk thief, I think that'd be a cool character concept. We can introduce new DEEP LORE with a new race
If that's ok
Thirbaek Merrymace:Skaven
Wizzz (GM):Not even that deep, you'd just be a (non-cursed) were-rat from the fault
Ratty McRattson:Cool.
How does chargen work these days?
I feel like it's been months
Wizzz (GM):p much same as usual but you can start at level 3 if you like
while you roll 'em up I'll continue with the island descriptions
Ratty McRattson:15 9 8 5 11 15
Wizzz (GM):Stolen Ratling rules from Coins & Scrolls
Rat-ling
Can crawl through narrow spaces
Save vs Fear when alone
Ratty McRattson:Swapping dex vs str
Err, dex with str
As you follow Shrimp-Leg, you pass a tree with some smoke billowing from it, and the sound of blacksmithing from within,
Wizzz (GM):The tree seems to have adapted to becoming a chimney without much issue, and seems plenty alive.
Blix:Magic eye it?
The entire island glows with a warm old-orange light, but this part seems no more magical than anywhere else.
Wizzz (GM):In Blix-o-Vision
Bamboo grows in huge thickets to the north, and great arcs of ribs stretch through the sky, impossibly huge bridges from which moss and vines dangle.
Blix:low whistle "Whole dang island is more magic than a wizard tea-party"
Wizzz (GM):Bribges
Erhard De Vend :"I can only imagine when the whole thing is practically bones"
Thirbaek Merrymace and Bubu are loaded up on Ironstride, and Thirbeak at least is excited to run into some monsters.
Blix:"Welcome along, Bubu. You ever been out to these parts before?"
Quicksword Bubu:I don't like the ocean...
Quicksword Bubu spent the whole trip below decks
Erhard De Vend :most unfortunate
As you advance towards the ribs, you come to what looks like a mining camp in the shade of the titanic bones. The camp is currently inactive, though not in disarray, but there are two entities within...
Redd:Can I just be peniless with a cane and backpack to simplify chargen?
Wizzz (GM):Sure
Redd:1d6 dam for cane?
Wizzz (GM):yup
Redd:Cool
Erhard De Vend :"you know the way right shrimp-leg"
Wizzz (GM):He chuffs "yes"
Blix:Blix motions for quiet as they try to listen to the entities ajeay
Ahead*
Erhard De Vend stays silent
A heavily armored fellow with a black wasp on their shoulders, a sword out, is barrign the path of what looks like a mantis-person, much like how shrimp-leg is a beetle-person.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Yesss...."
Armored Wasp-Bearer: How many times do I have to tell you this old-man? The mines are ours, and the humans. You cannot enter.
Swys pokes his way through the brush into the camp near the party.
Thirbaek Merrymace looks at Shrimp leg, hoping he'll interfere.
Mantis: I am but a humble priest, and the golden shrines of Ebeth are within. Surely an exception can be made?
Shrimp-Leg carefully sets down the coffin, and points northeast. "Follow the road, to the forest."
Erhard De Vend :"golden shrines ? who are the shrines for shrimp-leg?"
Blix:Blix nods "As you wish, Shrimp-leg. Is everything...is everything alright? You wish us to proceed without you?"
Swys butts in
Swys:"What'cha got in the box?"
Blix lets out a surprised *Eep!"
Shrimp Leg: Ebetheron...The beetleman reaches out to crack a bamboo tree into a long staff and advances towards the mantis and armored wasp-human. I will make an exception for you, priest.
Swys:"Ebetheron is in the box? How does he fit in there?"
Swys looks puzzled
Swys prods the coffin with his cane
It seems Shrimp-Leg is preparing to lay the smack down for the sake of the mantis man. What will you lot do, after initial meetings with Swys are concluded?
Thirbaek Merrymace grabs one of his new nets, in case the wasp gets involved
Swys:"Nice net"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Get off the goat, Bubu. Looks like we're taking sides."
Blix:Blix will call out "Excuse me! SIRES, is...is there issue, here? I don't understand"
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Hey! There's Ottosberg.)
(Why is it on Ebeth?)
Wizzz (GM):s' a layer issue, oroboro is underneath this image
Thirbaek Merrymace:Oooooooh.
Armored Figure: Attempted tresspa-
The wasp frantically taps its antennae on the helmet.
Erhard De Vend :"oh I don't like the look of what he's doing"
Armored Figure: Hrmm. The queen wishes to speak with you. They sound quite surprised. If you help me with these fools I'm sure it will be too your benefit.
Wizzz (GM):*to
Erhard De Vend :"I'm looking for a shrine to Arrkohn, maybe you can tell me where I might find one?"
Shrimp-Leg spins his staff experimentally, waiting. It hums.
Blix:"With us? I would surely like to speak with royalty as well, but I admit I still don't quite understand the.. disagreement here. Why can't this holy man enter the mines?"
Swys sniffs the coffin
Armored Figure: There's one in the queen's mines.
Mantis Priest: Though, I am quite knowledgeable as to Ebetheron's dark shadow as well...
Wizzz (GM):Smells like horrid rot, Swys.
I mean sure you got a ratty face but you have some standards of eating, and this is long past.
Erhard De Vend :"hmmmmmmmmm... so can we go into the queens mine?"
Swys:brb, gonna reboot my computer.
Armored Figure: You may. Those two, no,
Erhard De Vend :"Shrimp-leg you're our guide right? do we need to go through here as a group ?"
Shrimp-Leg: On that matter/we shall see.
Wizzz (GM):(THis in response to the armored one, not you.)
Blix:"Well, I believe in diplomatic arrangements. Perhaps we can petition this Queen on your behalf, Sir Priest? Would it be alright to delay your rites a little bit longer? I would prefer to bury a friend and fulfill my promise before meeting this...Queen"
Swys:(I have my character at least, but my computer is acting up so I guess I'm gonna step out. cya)
Swys scurries off into the brush
Wizzz (GM):cya
Thirbaek Merrymace:(RIP rat guy.)
Erhard De Vend :rip
Mantis Priest: The queen of hollow skulls will have no parley with our kind, I fear. Any delay is but a masked refusal.
Armored Figure: You lot seem new around here, so lemme just say that the queen has been much nicer to we humans than these bugs ever were. Raised by humans, she was, and helped them regain control of the mines from these bugs who'd hoard the whole island's riches ya know...
Thirbaek Merrymace:(I think she's a lawful evil type, as opposed to the lawful neutral bugs.)
Blix:"I see...now I'd like to meet her even more, but I have a prior arrangement with this beetlefolk here who seems quite intent on aiding this Mantis man. And while I don't wholly comprehend the delicacies of this situation, I am even less inclined to take a particular side for the time. Thirbaek, you are of........Noble priesthood as well. What do you think?"
Insect Priest: Charity is a case of need, not want. It is true that on this, you humans have much to learn...
Wizzz (GM):(Again as a response to armored figure, not blix)
Blix:(figured)
Erhard De Vend :"well it's been all well and fun, meeting you island folk, but I think we best get a move on unless someone plans on dying in the next ten minutes"
Blix:(and Blix does find this situation taxing or even... exasperating? 2)
Wizzz (GM):something in yer pocketses
Thirbaek Merrymace:"The priest wants to visit a shrine. I don't see a problem with that."
Armored Figure: Well, my queen does, and that's that.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Why have you sworn to a Wasp?"
"I heard she bewitches people. Are you bewitched?"
Blix:(some chalk?)
Wizzz (GM):kk
Armored Figure: Yeah, that's right. Bedazzled by the spell of good pay and no bullshit.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Oh yeah? What's the pay? "
Shrimp-Leg: Enough talk. Balanced on the edge of a blade/all things fall to one side, or another.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Do you take oaths for a year?"
Shrimp Leg steps forward, the staff swinging springily through the air towards the figure, who attempts to block with their greatsword which was planted in the ground before them a moment ago.
Wizzz (GM):21
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Can I sic my dog on the wasp? Jumping seems like a thing.)
Wizzz (GM):Sure
Erhard De Vend :"aye guess we'll do it your way shrimp-leg"
The figure is driven a few inches into the force of the earth, but the sword slices the staff in half. "Hah, teach you to go up against steel with a stick!"
Shrimp-Leg: Stick-style is unmatched/break my stick/now I have two
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Also, can a net be used in melee? Like, I'll swing it around, but just not throw it.)
Wizzz (GM):Yep
Erhard De Vend tries to take a swing at the figure
Erhard De Vend :
Erhard De Vend attacks with Silver Sword
Attack
hits AC 6
Damage
3
(sad!)
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Stay out of it, Errhard. It's a duel."
Wizzz (GM):Erhard fumbles a bit unsheathing the long braodsword before THirbaek stops him...
Erhard De Vend :"I mean no offense, but the concept of a duel is kind of trivial to me"
Blix:Blix nods in general agreement to the duel sentiment
Thirbaek Merrymace places a calming hand on Errhards shoulder, but keeps his other on a net, and a watchful eye on the wasp.
Blix:Thirbaeks, not srhards
The wasp has taken flight and is hovering nearby, so you will have to set the dog on it now, if ever
Blix:"Duels are important, and far better than open combat. I won't stop either of you but as outsiders with imperfect information...I would recommend we simply observe"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Well, apparently the wasp is in telepathic communication with the Queen, so there's no point in capturing it to prevent reinforcments, really. "
"She already knows what's going on."
Wizzz (GM):Alright, if there's no further interference I'll conclude the duel- sound good?
Erhard De Vend :ye
Thirbaek Merrymace:Yep.
Wizzz (GM):7 6
Blix:Yup
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Just watching the monster fight."
Erhard De Vend grumbles in dissapointment
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Y'know they're fighting like this in Oroboro too, and probably leaving scads of gold unguarded."
The duel is fast and furious, both fighters obviously skilled. Eventually, Shrimp-Leg sweeps the leg with his masterful dual-stick and towers over the armored figure... only to be jabbed through the belly by a perfectly executed Rat-Gnaws-The-Grain strike.
Wizzz (GM):The armored warrior cries out twice, once in triumph, then 'Oh Fu-" as the beetle comes crashing down atop them, a thousand pounds of beetle-corpse crushing their foe beneath them.
Blix:"Surprisingly, that's the first duel I've seen end in a tie." Eye up for lifesigns, they dead?
The wasp flies to the north, and the mantis priest makes a sinuous sign. "From the flesh of Ebeth we come, to the flesh we return."
Erhard De Vend :"well that's a way to go that's for sure"
Thirbaek Merrymace:Net for the wasp 8
"Hmph."
Wizzz (GM):The armored figure cannot be accessed without moving shrimp-leg's considerable bulk, but you're pretty sure they are both dead.
Thirbaek Merrymace goes to retrieve his net.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Now we've two corpses to bury."
Erhard De Vend :"I'm not, nor do I think we can, carry shrimp leg
Thirbaek Merrymace:"My goat can drag him. I can drag the coffin."
Wizzz (GM):He's mostly round and thirbaek is real buff
You cannot carry him, but you could roll him
Blix:" Id rather you didn't do that, Merrymace. Queen could still be n ally. Priest, I don't think anyones stopping you now. And I concur about the corpse count doubling, eel-bone did request being buried next to shrimp-leg. Glad you came with"
Thirbaek Merrymace rolls the beetle over.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"We should ask around about this fellow."
Erhard De Vend :"in any case priest man mind telling my ears off about Arrkohn while we move these bodies"
Thirbaek Merrymace retrieves the human corpse to toss atop the goat, and begins securing the coffin to be dragged.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Will you still visit your shrine? They'll kill you, you know."
Wizzz (GM):The priest fixes one of the strange green eyes on Erhard. "Do come to us if you have any questions on Ebetheron or Arrkohn. But for now, I have business in the flesh below."
Insect Priest: Whether in the Eldest Maggot's forest, or the Insect College in Oroboro.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Well, I guess you don't plan to die, then. Good luck."
(Once all three corpses are secured we should move along.)
Wizzz (GM):3
Erhard De Vend :"aye thanks for the info fellow."
looking over to bilx "guess now you're the guide."
Wizzz (GM):Alright, the priest heads into the mine entrance at the far end of the rib-shrouded camp.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Shrimp Leg was an alright beetle. I'm sad to see him die."
Thirbaek Merrymace pulls the knights helmet off, to have a look at his face
Erhard De Vend :"I'm indifferent about it, considering I'm holding the sword that nearly killed him and us"
Blix:"Indeed. North it is. And I feel the same way, but also I can't really picture a death he'd prefer. He lived and trained chasing all sorts of combat, and his death paved the way for a Insect Priest to perform a rite he believed in. "
(same way as Thirbaek, sad)
Wizzz (GM):Short cropped blonde hair and a wide mouth from which blood has come after their torso was flattened.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"The pay must be damn good."
Blix:"Which is weird, compared to the poverty at the docks. "
(helping however I can, then following the late beetlefolks instructions)
Erhard De Vend :"the common folk must not be aligned with her then"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I haven't heard anything about the townfolk taking sides."
Thirbaek Merrymace rolls the beetle laboriously
After some hauling, you find a grave-tree from which you could take a dose of Greve-root, and leave the corpses in the hollow trunk.. or at least, that's the human way, and an easier out than burying these big lunks.
The forest ahead has shifted from bamboo, to huge trees with vast expanses of branches, far wider than they are tall, and they are very tall.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Nah, we have to bury them. For all I know you can't enter Ebetheron's afterlife unless you get buried here."
Blix:Blix has a shovel and would indeed prefer burying the insectfolk pair
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Was this guy headed anywhere in particular? Just any old place will do?"
"Let's find a big ole root to put him under."
Thirbaek Merrymace heads for the nearest mega tree
Blix:"Forest of maggots. Looks first enough for me. The spirit that spoke simply requested burial next to Shrimp-leg or on this island so I don't know bout specifics"
Erhard De Vend :"sounds good enough for me ol guide of the maggot forrest"
Thirbaek Merrymace breaks out his own shovel
Thirbaek Merrymace:"You wizard folk can keep a watch."
Erhard De Vend :"and watch I will friend"
The island is tiny so the trip here did not take long at all, but burying the huge corpses together certainly does. But you are finished by night-time.
Thirbaek Merrymace will lecture Errhard on the subject of honor the entire time
Blix:Blix will disagree annoyingly at several points and nod along at others
Thirbaek Merrymace:(You're still the dwarfyest human Thirbeak is ever met, but he's very concerned about you.)
Alright, lunch of beetle meat?
Erhard De Vend :"does it taste good ?"
Thirbaek Merrymace:JK
"We should leave the human in the grave tree. If the wasp is all that rich, she'll pay to ressurect him."
Wizzz (GM):Getting back to town shouldn't take more than an hour if you don't wanna camp here
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I feel like Shrimp Leg wouldn't mind, but it would still be doing him a disservice."
(Then a trip back to town sounds great!)
Erhard De Vend :aye
Thirbaek Merrymace:(We even have time left over to hit the tidal dungeons.)
Oh hey!
Blix:When they are finally done, Blix gives a eulogy. "Ebetheron...I am not a servant of yours, but I believe these two were. Many times their ways were strange to my sensibilities, but they were honorable and loyal to the very end. I hope that you know that. Eel-bone, I didn't know you well, but I promised I'd bury you here, and I've kept it. Shrimp-leg, you were a good travelling companion. May your souls both find rest, peace, or glory, wherever they are. Thank you."
Thirbaek Merrymace:Actually. Let's spend the night.
Blix:Yea blix wants to talk to queen lady
Thirbaek Merrymace:I have speak with dead as a spell :)
Erhard De Vend :"I've got a tent for two if you don't mind"
Wizzz (GM):Prepping it for tomorrow then...
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Looks like I get three questions. Any suggestions?)
You hear strange sounds rolling across the nearby ocean in the night- a ship besieged and cannons ablaze? There is the occasional pirate in these waters... but not much to be done at the moment, you expect.
Wizzz (GM):So unless that changes the plan, next morning dawns.
Blix:(for the unnamed waspman? Where is queen is one I'd like)
Thirbaek Merrymace:Alright.
Thirbaek Merrymace casts speak with dead in the morning.
Blix:(not sure if it's worth a question but if they have any preferable burial rites post burial would be nice j guess?)
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Good morning, dead man. How do we meet the Queen who offered us an audience?"
Erhard De Vend :"hah, he's starting to sound like me when I talk to... myself."
Blix:"..."
The corpse is partially animated by a balding (wing-feather-wise) raven feathered cherub of mokkhus, who relays the question from the spirit in the netherworld.
Thirbaek Merrymace offers the raven the feeble light of his hammer to warm it up
The wide mouth twitches and responds "The Sump of Ebeth, highest bone spire, papered with nest and mortared with petrified bone.
And an arm flops to point northwest. You can see a spire in the morning sun, one of many.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Alright. Now. Ask the man, to the best of his knowledge, if he was, in fact, bewitched."
Dead Man: The wasp queen's methods are many, but I served willingly enough.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Last question. Who did you care about that still lives?"
Dead Man: Shantefeire, my unrequited love, a fellow servant, the priestess advising the wasp queen. There are others but they matter not, now.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Welp, that's that."
"We'll dump him in the grave tree and offer his gear to Shanty-whatsit."
Erhard De Vend :"ayup, sounds good for now. Lets head to the eldest maggot forrest."
Thirbaek Merrymace strips the dead man of his gear, and staps it to his goat.
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Let's go!)
straps*
Blix:Off to see a queen
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I wonder who the priestess worships."
Wizzz (GM):Alright, you head northwest. The terrain quickly grows impossibly jagged and swampy.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"This is not good terrain for me. I may have to turn back."
Wizzz (GM):You hop from outcropping to outcropping as deep pools of green water that sparkle in the sunlight glitter here and there. The mechanical goat isn't totally helpless, retaining some mysterious goat-balance powers, but leaving i and any heavy armor behind would probably be easier
Thirbaek Merrymace:Helllllll no. I'll turn around and go home before I leave my magnificent armor.
Blix:"Would your goat come along with that trumpet thing that summons armaments?"
You hear chattering from around a corner- loud enough to be heard over a waterfall.
Wizzz (GM):It would not, alas
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Nope. Hella good point though. I forgot all about that."
Thirbaek Merrymace strips his armor off and sets it somewhere dry
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Let's go."
Erhard De Vend :"strange seeing you without your plate that's for sure"
The deep basso voice reminds you of a giant, or perhaps that ningen singer, and it seems to be imploring someone to 'forsake winged friendship for the finned embrace of the deep.' It sounds very flowery and romantic.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Let's check that out."
Blix:"Sure"
Thirbaek Merrymace rounds the corner
Wading a bit through the shallow outskirts of the waterfall, you stumble across a huge, heavily scarred giant fish-man, rippling muscles shining beneath sleek shark-skin. He is beseeching some manner of spirit, who sits within the waterfall and whose hair is its spray and foam, and is beautiful like moving water, not like a person is. Various jungle critters, including one of the cat-sized black wasps, squirm, leap, twitter, and fly around this being.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"A water spirit! Neat. "
Wizzz (GM):This close, you can hear a bit of the spirit's response, a burbling melody of pity and kindness- "I do not reach the sea, Jani'kosathus... will you dig a channel through the bones of a god, just to take me from my other friends? No, this shall not be..."
Erhard hears loud gagging sounds from his sword, like a cat hacking up a hairball
Blix:"Huh. Are they like fairies?"
Erhard De Vend :"kind of memorizing to watch"
Erhard De Vend taps his sword gently
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Well. If we ever want to ask someone for the location of some untouched treasures, we could talk to her."
The fish-man flexes impressively. "I shall dig through a hundred gods if it means-" One of his big black eyes catches your presence. "Oi you barnacles, swim off, this ain't a play."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"We should give them some privacy."
Erhard De Vend :"aye, we can come back another time."
Blix hands go up nonthreateningly "Apologies, we meant not to intrude. The beauty of your voice, Sire, and your Spirit, Madam, are enticingly hypnotic. Adeu"
Water-Spirit: Jealousy is unbecoming, Jani...
Wizzz (GM):But, off to the sump?
Thirbaek Merrymace:(yup)
Blix:Blix will wink at the spirit of the Ningen can't see and wave flirtatiously before leaving
If the*
Thirbaek Merrymace:(You absolute prostitute)
Wizzz (GM):Blix's Backpack, morphing back into hespy: I SEE HOW IT BE
Thirbaek Merrymace:(I'm still pissed beyond words that the Alf wasn't dtf, btw.)
Wizzz (GM):anyway
You'd have better luck seducing a pool of water than an Alf tbh
The wasp-queen's domain has been visible for a while now- a towering spire of bone, crowned with a tower of a darker material crowned with a huge, bulbous grey thing, like a wasp nest
Blix:Blix will actually try to mentally note the location in case they wanna swing back later, but for now their eyes go ride at the giant nest
Wizzz (GM):Flying dots circle the place like buzzards, and it emerges from a deep swamp of water.
"Unassailable" is a word that comes to mind, at least for those unable to fly.
There is a gong at the edge of the water.
Blix:"I kinda miss Silfie...." Blix will inspect the gong with magic eye and ring it if nothing is amiss
Erhard De Vend :"who be that bilx?"
Wizzz (GM):Satisfied, the gong rings, and a few minutes later, a wasp practically dive-bombs your location. It wears a seal of paper on its head, and as it nears you, a buzzing, inhuman voice comes from the talisman-
Thirbaek Merrymace:"That's cool"
Buzzing Magic Voice: Greetingzzz Moonlanderz. It iz known to me you have a very zpecial goozzzze from the moonlandzzzz. Very much I wizshh to exzamine them, and purchazzze that one if the scent iz true. Ring gong if you require audience.
Thirbaek Merrymace:whispered "A suitor for your child."
(What's the wasp's name?)
Blix:"Special...ooze?.....OH GOOSE! Yes, Striker would love to meet you all"
Erhard De Vend :"I'm actually looking to bind my sword and possibly self to Arrkhon, I'm seeking knowledge and aid in this respect, it's why I came to this island."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I doubt this wasp is the one actually talking."
The wasp cleans its head and antennae with its front legs and indeed, no response emerges.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"It's probably a magical message."
Erhard De Vend :"dah, such a shame."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Ring the gong again."
Blix:"Should I come back with Striker then? He's always been pretty uh...quiet, comparitively. I don't wanna sell em but I imagine they'd enjoy more waspy friends. Yes let's hammer out the details..."
Rings gong
Erhard De Vend chuckles at bilx's pun
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Typically, suitors are allowed to meet the child after a proper bride's price has been worked out. I wouldn;t use the word sell, though."
There is a longer wait, then a different flying figure emerges- two figures in well-appointed and stylized armor and masks, descending to you via what appears to be a flying carpet. One has the mask of a leering, horned demon with a shattered face, and one that of a two-faced entity, one face golden and stern, the other bloody and ravening. They carry no weapons that you see, and speak once their magical mount has descended...
Blix:Blix bows at their approach
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Adherents of Isfrix and Janus."
Garishly Masked Figure: Leave your weapons behind if you wish audience with the queen.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Is one of you Shanty-fear?"
Garishly Masked Figure: You know our armor, but not our minds. We serve the queen.
The Janus-masked one nods.
Blix:Blix leaves various weapons someplace dry, giving a knowing nod to Thirbaek
Thirbaek Merrymace:"We met a man who professed to love you. Short blond hair, commoner's face. He's dead."
Erhard De Vend :"does that mean I have to leave her ?"
Garishly Masked Figure: Grandy, then. Where is the body?
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I've his belongings here, if you care for them. I couldn't say where the corpse might be."
Quicksword Bubu:I''ll guard your sword and stay behind...
Quicksword Bubu looks positively nauseous at the thought of flying through thin air...
Erhard De Vend :"aye so be it."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Well? Do you want them?"
Garishly Masked Figure: We'll collect them later, the carpet is burdened enough.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Alright."
Blix:"As you wish"
Wizzz (GM):Alright, once the weapons are dropped, you may ride with them up the carpet.
Thirbaek Merrymace leaves his sword,Hammer, pick, hireling, and dog with the goat.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Oh. I forgot I have a dagger on me."
Thirbaek Merrymace offers Shanty-fare the blade
Wizzz (GM):It is tossed to a tuft of grass.
Thirbaek Merrymace:Oh, I thought we were airborn already.
Wizzz (GM):18
Thirbaek Merrymace goes to pick it up and place it with his gear
Wizzz (GM):It is STILL tossed to a tuft of rass with accuracy, then
Thirbaek Merrymace:Durn. I didn't get to ascertain her combat viability.
before we go...
"Hey, Bubu. Check these guys out, see if they're bewitched, or some such."
Quicksword Bubu:"Uh..."
He eyeballs the pair uneasily. As for them, they make no response to the idea.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Cast speak with magic and see if a spell wisp is puppeting them."
"Come on man!"
Quicksword Bubu:"A-alright..."
A short time later, he replies. "I just see one soul, boss."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Alright, let's go."
The ascent through the clouds of buzzing wasps is unnerving, though the two seem unfazed by the journey.
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Hey, Quicksword came along after all?)
Wizzz (GM):No, if that was a response to what you saw typing I just didn't waap charatter
The carpet flies through a maze of tunnels of bone and grey paper, until you come to a spherical throne room. Not seated on, but perched on one side, is a massive black wasp, the size of an adult man, not counting the wings. Holes in the walls gleam with the ocassional shine of a black wasp-carapace.
Wizzz (GM):Not as big as your goose-wasp, then...
The two masked figures step off the carpet to stand next to the throne and wasp.
Blix kneels
Big Wasp: Greetingzzzz, and rize. I care not for human formalitiezzzz. You may refer to me azzz Queen, or Happy.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Happy. I like that name."
Erhard De Vend :"Happy? Well Happy, I'm pleased to meet you. I've got a couple questions I'd like to ask you."
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I'm Dwarf, or Thirbeak, if you care."
Blix:Blix nods and puts on a best smile. "A pleasure, Happy. I am Blix"
Erhard De Vend explains the deal with the sword and wanting to bind himself and the sword to Arrkhon
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Happy is confirmed as immortal. Or maybe she bought some anti aging potion from that alchemist in the fault...)
Big Wasp: I could arrange for a szzzhrine to be retrieved from the mines and brought to Oroboro, azzz repeated tripzzz are expenszzzzive. Derbren, you are familiar with thiszzz god- see to the arrangementzzzz.
Erhard De Vend :"aye, paid 100 gold just to come here, it's greatly appreciated if you'd do so."
The not-shantefeire masked one nods and makes to leavesthe room.
Thirbaek Merrymace:"Wow. That's very accomadating. Do you follow Arrkhon?"
Happy: The godzzzz of men are not mine.
Erhard De Vend :"Much appreciated none the less."
Blix:"Of course. Now for Striker...the..goose, that was mentioned. He is...not a possession of mine to simply trade, but if you wished for him to join your court or otherwise, inspect..him? I would be happy to accommodate a meeting, and I'm sure he'd wish to meet you all"
Happy: ISzzz that so? I aszumed he was like my droneszzz.
Shantefeire: Intended tone of voice: Thoughtful
Blix:"I admit that he is quite different from the other geese, but from what I can tell he is a...goose. I'm not sure what sort of relationships you have with drones, but my geese are much closer to..children, to me, I suppose"
Happy: I had not antizzipated independent thought, azz my chilldren have none. I will szzend a drone with you. Introduzzce it to Szztriker and bring it back after szzzzome time. If thingzzz go well, perhapzzz a full ezcort and meeting.
Have you other requezzts? I wizsh for goodwill and cooperatzzion in this matter and would not wiszzh you to feel cheated.
Erhard De Vend :"I suppose we could be interested in future work and pay, we've heard your jobs pay well"
Blix:"Sounds wonderful! I have none, as I simply wish the best for Striker and the others. If things go well I might humbly request a small plot to house the other geese. I do wonder though about this island, you have been extremely accommodating and I am thankful. So how is your relationship with the other insectfolk of the island? I saw a rather intriguing standoff between that guard and a Mantis priest- what causes this conflict?"
Thirbaek Merrymace:"I'm sure Striker woll provide, once he's a king. Heheh."
(This is the exact moment when the insects won and sentenced humanoids to the dustbin of history.)
Happy: I came to this iszland for anszers, and found reziztanze. There are two prophezy szcrolls, one with the Elder Maggot, one with an Inzect Szhaman on th mainland, that I believe engenderz this reziztanze. If you could deztroy these szcrolls, that would be a fine job for which you would be rewarded.
Shantefeire: Intended tone of voice: Confused, frustrated.
Erhard De Vend :"I'll consider it, though if we do ever manage or intend to destroy a scroll I'm sure you'll be made aware eventually."
Thirbaek Merrymace:(Welp, as fun as this has been. I've gotta go. I'll see y'all next time.)
Wizzz (GM):was probs gon b session end anyway
If you don't want the week to advance you can skip downtime
Thirbaek Merrymace:Sounds good to me. Maybe we can hit the tidal dungeon tomorrow. I'll be around.
Blix:Ye I'm fine with heading back w/ drone, no dt needed but curious how this will go
Thirbaek Merrymace:Those prophecy scrolls will probably tell us exactly how things are going to turn out.
Erhard De Vend :heh
yeah
guess we'll not advance the week
so no need for DT
away to discord I go ~