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/qst/ - Quests


Jail Quest: a text adventure occasionally illustrated.

A night of drinking and a failed attempt to cheat on cards had landed you the strangest job slash community service sentence you've ever had: ensuring Gongalla Gaol survives the reality storm called Singularity.

Now you travel around with your employer and a handpicked crew to survey the four Reality Anchors. Hey, beats being tarred and feathered, right?

Previous thread:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5880376/

Gongallaverse:
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Gongalla%20Gaol

You are Rosa Montagni, goblin con artist - and you are slightly panicked right now. Craig's gone missing! Wait, take a deep breath, calm down - retrace your steps so far. So, on the way North to check on the reality anchor there, you stopped by the mausoleum, Crypt, to rendezvous with Millie and Clyde - allies against the Singularity Cult, which could be making your job more difficult that it should. You've found a machine man thief that might have been manipulated by them in Crypt, lower torso blown out and left to die - but Valencio managed to save him, and the thief's off to get revenge. Then you met Millie and reached the 'gateway to the North', the town of Pinewatch. You were sure you left Craig with Nemo as they transported the excess Autowagon supplies to the general store - ugh, why did you have to leave him to gather intel?! Granted, you've found yourself a job that could reward you with a lead, but... Craig's gone missing!
>>
>>5934576
Right, Nemo was the last person to see Craig around! That's why you're currently grabbing him by the lapels and half-yell at him.

"Nemo! Where'd you last seen Craig?! Where is he??"

Nemo seem to be strangely calm, even as you're gently shaking him in panic.

"Rosa, last time I've seen him was at the general store, near the junction that leads to the rail station."

General store! Alright, you now have some clue-
Nemo interrupts, pointing at... thin air?

"Oh, one of his spirits just told me, he's at the brothel."

The jarring informational input throws your train of thought off into distress again. How?! The brothel's on the other side of town! But then again, it's his spirit, so it's accurate information, right?! But how can you be sure, isn't one of his spirits a trickster??

Calm down, Rosa! Think, think! You gotta come to a plan of action, go somewhere and check if Craig's there. But where to check first?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.

>□ Brothel. Maybe his spirit's right after all, but you're taking two grains of salt with this.

>□ Lumber yard? He might've gotten lost somehow, and you're going to head there yourself, might as well.

>□ General store. He might have stayed around, and maybe Valencio might've seen him there.

>□ Pine station? He might've wanted to take a look at the trains, who knows?

>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5934586
>Brothel
>>
>>5934586
>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.
I don't think Rosa would have been able to know given one of them's a trickster. And i want to see what'll happen.
>>
>>5934590
Well, she did witness him firsthand during the fight against Broken Anvils, and she might have put two and two together after she's heard that the victims were subject to some sort of gameshow. As far as tricksters go, that wasn't her first time encountering one.
>>
>>5934587
+1

>>5934590
Trickster wouldn't want to bring too much harm to Craig. There's always a right time for a joke
>>
>>5934649
Would Rosa know that?

Also, I want to see what happens. I mean, our driver is there. That oughta be interesting.
>>
>>5934586
>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.
Welcome back, QM!
>>
>>5934576
>artist draws the cold breath of the character too
You are too soulful for this pathetic board
>>
>>5934586
>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.
>>
>>5934576
IG, we've interacted a few times since /tg/ was new but I just wanted to say I love your art!
>>
>>5934590
Seconded

>>5934686
That's indeed a nice detail.
>>
>>5934720
>>5934686
>>5934829
IG is top-tier as QMs and the local art scene go.
>>
>>5934586
>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.
>>
>>5934586
>>□ Brothel. Maybe his spirit's right after all, but you're taking two grains of salt with this.
>>
>>5934686
>>5934720
>>5934829
>>5934842
Ay, thanks fellas!
>>
>>5934586
>□ Hotel. Craig could've headed there by himself, he does look a bit tired.

Maybe Craig can get some meanwhile?
>>
>>5934586
>□ Brothel. Maybe his spirit's right after all, but you're taking two grains of salt with this.
>>
I know people want to see Craig in danger of getting /ss/d (and im curious myself), but I really can't see how it'll happen...kinda wondering of how there could even be a chance. The "ladies" already know he's not a client.

Unless our dear driver is into that kind of thing, I don't know how it'll be. I don't think there's much danger at all.
>>
>>5935721
I don't want him to be molested by prostitutes. I just think it's funnier if he has to explain and extricate himself, and might get a scene alone with Millie.
No, not THAT kind of scene
>>
>>5935722
Craig needs to become A MAN to save the world.
>>
>>5935729
He can't. He's a goblin. Best he can do is become a tree. But maybe a boyfriend or husband? Father of a litter of adorable mouse-goblin-people? Well, maybe eventually.
>>
>>5935730
>eventually
Nothing gets done by waiting. Sierra helps those who help themselves.
>>
>>5935721
There's literally no danger, Craig having a true love means the universe won't allow him to be defiled
>>
>>5936080
plot twist: millie saw him getting charmed by that succubus and followed him into the brothel, and has decided to rent a room and claim him the moment he wakes up before some other hussie can take him.
>>
>>5936089
not optimal, but wholesome nonetheless
>>
>Brothel 4
>Hotel 6
Drawan, writan.
>>
>>5934586
Alright, deep breath now. Alright. You're still having a hard time trusting one of Craig's spirits (especially when one of them is a trickster), but perhaps they got a point. Then again, it's more likely that Craig got bored and headed to the hotel to rest - and the brothel's real close, so maaaybe the spirit got confused? So yeah, the hotel it is! Perhaps Craig's already sleeping in room... uh... wait a second.

"Nemo, have you booked a room yet?"

He shakes his head slightly.

"Nope, haven't done it yet - I've just about finished hauling when I saw you entering the guildhall."

Rats! Craig might not be there after all - but perhaps someone's seen him.

"Might as well book a room or two while we're there..."

You half-grumble to yourself, motioning for Nemo to follow you across the street to the hotel.

The hotel itself was quite something - built almost entirely out of pinewood, showcasing the main industry of the town. You notice that they have a kitchen that rivals the average restaurant in Gongalla, and even a jukebox! How luxurious. Even now, some patrons can be seen mingling in the common area.

Eventually, you spot the front desk, staffed by a morose clown girl reading a book.

"Ah, there's the concierge. Come on, let's ask if they saw Craig, and book us some rooms."

With any luck, someone here could have seen Craig around...

>ROLL 1D20 FOR CRAIG INFO
>THE NUMBER WITH MOST INSTANCES GETS PICKED (e.g. 11, 11, 2: 11 gets picked)

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Talk to the concierge for info (other than asking about Craig)
>□ Talk to the feline lady smoking by herself
>□ Talk to the hiver fella overlooking the room
>□ Talk to the excited gator lumberjack and his boogieman friend
>□ Have Nemo do a quick scan - he can see and talk with spirits, maybe there's some we can ask here?

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Rent one room
>□ Rent two rooms
>>
>>5937664
The mystery of what is happening to craig continues. No /ss/ in sight...yet.

>□ Talk to the feline lady smoking by herself
She's probably from around here, right? We might be able to ask what kind of person has been around.

I'm fine with renting whatever.
>>
>>5937664
>□ Talk to the excited gator lumberjack and his boogieman friend
People eager to talk are people eager to spill info
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5937664
>□ Talk to the hiver fella overlooking the room
Overlooking the room her probably seen a lot of things going on
>Rent two rooms
One for the goblins, one for Nemo and Valencio.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5937671
oh yeah i forgot to roll
>>
Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5937717
Rolling
>>
>>5937664
>□ Talk to the excited gator lumberjack and his boogieman friend

>□ Rent two rooms
>>
>>5937735
Nice! Though... Hm. I guess we need another 20 to lock it in as the chosen number?

>>5937664
>□ Talk to the excited gator lumberjack and his boogieman friend
>□ Rent two rooms
>>
Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5937799
>>5937664
And a roll! Woops.
>>
Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5937664
>>
Oh yeah btw, since the roll method is a bit special, a player can roll up to max 3 d20s. Get the dice rolling!
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5938251
If you insist!
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>5938251
>>5938300
>>5937801

Oof. And my third...
>>
Rolled 15, 11, 12 = 38 (3d20)

>>5938251
>>
Rolled 20, 11 = 31 (2d20)

>>5937720
Alright two more then!
>>
Rolled 17, 14 = 31 (2d20)

>>5937723
rolling the remaining dice to see if we can get another 20, otherwise it'll probably be an 11.
>>
Rolled 2, 5, 9 = 16 (3d20)

>>
Rolled 2, 10, 15 = 27 (3d20)

>>5937664
>□ Talk to the concierge for info (other than asking about Craig)
>□ Rent two rooms
>>
>Craig whips out his now hard cock and begins milking himself in front of the other hotel guests
>>
>>5938395
Actually, 6IIYWKIL rolled 4 dice in two separate posts, so I'll count only one 11 from them.

Counting...

>2 x2
>5
>6
>9 x3
>10
>11 x2
>12 x2
>14 x2
>15 x2
>17
>20 x2

Writan, drawan.
>>
>>5937664
Mustering up some confidence to shake off any lingering worries, you stride towards the hotel's front desk. Or side desk, based on the floor plan. Anyhow, it seems like she noticed you and out down the book she's reading.

"Two rooms, next to each other if possible. By the way, have you seen a goblin kid around the hotel?"

The clown girl slowly and nonchalantly grabs two room keys next to each other, and hands them to you while simultaneously pointing towards the common area.

"Dunno ma'am, my shift just started like, five minutes ago. Haven't seen any kids, goblin or otherwise. Try asking the other patrons, maybe? Like, those two have been here for a while."

You look to the direction her fingers are pointing, and you see the gator and the Tmavy Les near the window.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Good luck looking for your kid, ma'am."

Wait, did she think you're Craig's mother? You're not -that- old! C'mon, an auntie, at least.

Anyways, you find yourself walking towards the two fellows, whose discussion has hit a lull when they spot you.

"Excuse me, gentlemen - have you seen a goblin boy around here? About yea high, wears a hat, has a slightly curled bang that covers his eyes?"

The gator man nods, as the boogieman just stares at you and Nemo.

"Maybe I did saw him earlier - say, he got bangs, huh? Reminds me of that succubus girl at the burlesque theatre. Say, does he have succubus ancestry or what? Reckon he could charm any schoolmarm if he does! Speaking of which, kiddo should be in school - which is something this town sorely needs..."

Oh no, this gator's the kind of guy that will lead his topic all over the place, and won't stop talking because he loves talking so much. You contemplate trying to squeeze a con between his long monologue, but what exactly would you con him for?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Info. By the rate he's talking, there's bound to be interesting information - if only you could steer the conversation that way.

>□ Money. Can't go wrong with lining your pocket, Nemo can't just magically pull money out of thin air - even if he is supposedly loaded.

>□ Favor. Guy looks like he's a lumberjack, and gators are notoriously tough. Having him ready to help with physical things would be a boon, even if it's only in Pinewatch.

>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5940517
>□ Info. By the rate he's talking, there's bound to be interesting information - if only you could steer the conversation that way.
>>
>>5940517
>□ Info. By the rate he's talking, there's bound to be interesting information - if only you could steer the conversation that way
Simple enough
>>
>>5940517
>□ Info. By the rate he's talking, there's bound to be interesting information - if only you could steer the conversation that way.
I am down for this goth clown.
>>
>>5940561
>goth clown
Isn't that just a mi-
>>
>>5940572
no, that's different. a mime is a french clown. this is a goth clown. she's not french.
>>
>>5940517
>□ Favor. Guy looks like he's a lumberjack, and gators are notoriously tough. Having him ready to help with physical things would be a boon, even if it's only in Pinewatch.
>>
>>5940517
The suspense is killing me....
>>
>>5940517
>□ Info. By the rate he's talking, there's bound to be interesting information - if only you could steer the conversation that way.<
This is clearly an info guy!
>>
>>5940572
>>5940574
Also, she talks.
>>
>>5940517
You think if the gator's gonna talk, let him! Some interesting stuff's bound to slip his lips, right?

...twenty minutes later, and you're right. Oh so horribly right. Not only he's a locus of gossip, the way he talks leaves little room for you to interrupt. But what a haul of information!

Sitting through the gator's meandering monologue has netted these pieces of information:

- There's two missing kids cases in Pinewatch, both clowns.

- There's an unverified rumors of a cult further north, deep in the pines and beyond.

- The Raven bandits that have plagued the area had a recent change of leadership, after the kerfluffle near Goblinton.

- There's a simmering dispute over territory between the local lumber enterprises: the long-standing local Stuart Co., the predominantly clown-owned Funny Wood Products, and the new and cutting-edge corporation Chainsaw Inc.

- Apparently the mortician is also a tall goblin lady like you.

- There was supposed to be a famous actor and his troupe "Hammy & Lynn" performing in Pinewatch, but seems like the event is suddenly cancelled.

- The burlesque theatre and brothel used to be an actual theatre, until a 'pine rush' happened and the population swelled, which left the higher-class theatre sidelined in favor for burlesque shows.

Woah, that's quite a lot. Good thing the gator's finally stopped talking for now, seems like he's ordering a drink for his parched throat. It wasn't long after the gator's boogieman friend spoke up in stutters.
"S-suh-ree about t-tuh-is, he got r-ruh-eally t-tuh-alkateef today. He j-juh-st got his v-vuh-cayshun approved..."

Well, good thing is that this break has allowed you to think more clearly - some of the info could even inspire you into making a better connivery. Maybe even find Craig in the process!

Thing is, what kind of scam scheme should you plan for?

> CHOOSE ONE

>□ A scheme to make the Ravens look for the cult
>□ A scheme to defuse the lumber dispute by introducing an outside threat
>□ A scheme to masquerade as the famous troupe and stage a show
>□ A scheme to switch with the mortician to gain more intel
>□ Other (fill-in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via emotional appeal
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via intimidation
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via seduction
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5944009
>□ A scheme to switch with the mortician to gain more intel
Toll gobs...


>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via emotional appeal
With two other kids missing this is probably the best approach, right? He might have been snatched too!
>>
>>5944009
>□ A scheme to make the Ravens look for the cult
HEY BANDITS
THOSE EVIL ASSHOLES HAVE FREE LOOT
F R E E
L O O T
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him
Info dump him about other rumors and such Rosa knows from her travels, or about stuff surrounding Goblinton, eventually talking about Craig
>>
>>5944009
>□ A scheme to make the Ravens look for the cult
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him
let's go.
>>
>>5944009
>□ A scheme to make the Ravens look for the cult
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him

>>5944023
Supporting this approach.
>>
>>5944009
>>□ A scheme to switch with the mortician to gain more intel
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him
>>
>>5944009
>□ A scheme to switch with the mortician to gain more intel
And
>□ Steer him to the topic of Craig via using his own method against him
>>
Just a heads up fellas, update's gonna be slightly late, kinda hit a small writer's block. More like a writer's speedbump tho. Should be up in another day or so.

Sorry for the inconvenience!
>>
>>5946641
Thanks for the heads up, IG. Keep up the good work! Writer's block happens.
>>
>>5946641
I like your art
>>
>>5944009
A sketch of a plan coalesces in your mind regarding the Ravens. Weren't they usually bound by oaths? Then, what if you make them go after the Singularity Cult? Exactly how, you have no idea - yet. Eh, you can improvise later, because now you gotta get a word in before the gator starts monologuing again.

"Hmm, interesting stuff, but haven't you heard? Apparently, there's counterfeit artifacts being shipped from Ossuary to Pinewatch! Speaking of Ossuary, recently a sinister fella got caught running something illegal from an orphanage the fella took over. Concerning, I tell you! Just like the rumors of strange-masked people who appeared near Goblinton. They might be invaders! It's not just Goblinton that's having trouble though, Kyo-Edo had a relic stolen just a couple days ago. In these interesting times, I can't help but wonder about the Ravens - is Pinewatch protected by them? I mean, that goblin kid I talked about might be the third missing case, if you didn't see him around..."

The tactic works, since he crossed his arms and interrupts you.

"Now hold on there! I saw him, actually! He was going west, led by that succubus girl! Sandra's her name, if I'm not mistaken. They passed right outside this window! You saw them too, right, Tremble?"

"C-cuh-rekt!"

Finally, some leads you can analyze. A bead of cold sweat drips down your brow as it seems like Craig's been taken to the brothel, somehow.

"Now that's what I wanted to hear! Thanks, gentlemen."

Turning around in preparation to abscond, you are greeted by the hotel's main door opening - and in comes Millie and Clyde!

"Ah, Rosa! Done unloading? We've got news! Let's talk in our room. Have you checked in yet?"

"Yeah, my team's rooms are 203 and 204."

"What a coincidence! Ours is 202!"

Bless her heart, she's always this chipper. Should you break the news of Craig's suspected kidnapping then?

>CHOOSE TWO

>□ Ask her what news they got, is it from the local informant?

>□ Ask her about the strange men with the broken anvil, she did visit them in Goblinton.

>□ Break her the news about Craig, it might be an abduction! Maybe they could help with this?

>□ Ask her if she knows a way to get the Ravens to look for the Singularity Cult, divulge our plan to her.

>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5949156
>□ Break her the news about Craig, it might be an abduction! Maybe they could help with this?
But alas, is it too late?
>>
>>5949156
>□ Ask her what news they got, is it from the local informant?
>□ Break her the news about Craig, it might be an abduction! Maybe they could help with this?
>>
>>5949162
+1
>>
>>5949156
>>□ Break her the news about Craig, it might be an abduction! Maybe they could help with this?

I want really hard us SWATTING the brothel to find Craig between's busdriver's thigh while the brothel girl are making a man out of him - we won't let him live through the cringe.
>>
>>5950028
Craig's too good of a boy to get his virginity stolen by some dirty prostitute....have the driver be the one to do it instead.
>>
>>5950028
In what way would that make him cringe? The vibe of the quest seems to be that everyone is sort of into Craig, like he's a harem protag or something. I doubt it would hurt his chances with Rosa OR Millie if we voted for it.
>>
>>5949156

>□ Ask her about the strange men with the broken anvil, she did visit them in Goblinton.


>□ Ask her if she knows a way to get the Ravens to look for the Singularity Cult, divulge our plan to her.
>>
>>5949156
>□ Ask her what news they got, is it from the local informant?
And
>□ Ask her if she knows a way to get the Ravens to look for the Singularity Cult, divulge our plan to her.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

Seems like telling Millie about Craig is a definite yes - but there's a tie between local informant news and divulging our con plan of siccing the Ravens on the Singularity Cult.

Let's consult the winds of fate!
1: local informant
2: divulge plan
>>
>>5949156
You think about breaking the news about Craig, but already she's ushering you and Nemo upstairs, where all the rooms are. Seems like she's eager to share the news she got, so might as well listen to her first.

Her room, like the others, has only a single double bed - you hope Nemo's fine sharing a bed with Valencio. Other than that, there's also a couple seats in the form of bar stools somehow. Did the hotel used to have a bar, and reused the stools? You get comfy on one of them and prepare to listen to Millie.

"So, what's the news you got?"

"Well, thanks to intel supplied by a local informant, we've found a definite trail of cultist activity near Pinewatch. Child kidnappings, strange cashflow, and a possible location of a hideout somewhere north of here."

Ah, there it is again, north from here, huh? Millie continues regardless.

"There's a high chance that there's a cell operating from there. We just need to root them out, identify the members."

She finishes her report, and looks around the room.

"By the way, where's Craig? I want to play with him, if that's alright with you?"

Hoah boy - it's time, then.

"Look, Millie, he's... well, I think he's been kidnapped, and might be kept in the brothel."

Millie's cheerful countenance gives way to an emotion you've never seen on her face before: a disbelief tinged by anger.

"What?!"

"Yeah, look, it sounds like I'm pulling your leg but believe me, I was really worried about him! We just got an idea where he might be, now we just need to plan how we'll get him back."

And indeed, how would you approach this situation?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Diplomatic. Ask the working girls nicely and hope you don't have to negotiate a ransom or something.

>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.

>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.

>□ Seduction. That succubus girl might have the hots for you, that could be a way in. Although girl-on-girl romance isn't what you prefer... this is for Craig.

>□ Other (write-in)
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
SHOOT THEM

THERE IS NO TIME TO WASTE
>>
>>5951542
>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.
Peeping...
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
It's the funniest without being an entire lengthy subplot unto itself...

Though if that's what QM's going for, I'll switch to:
>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.
>>
>>5951542
>>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.

Funniest option.
>>
>>5951542
>>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
I choose violence.
>>
>>5951542
>□ Diplomatic. Ask the working girls nicely and hope you don't have to negotiate a ransom or something.

I mean, we're a con artist... we've gotta have a bit of the gift of the gab, no?
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
>>
>>5951542
>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.
C'mon guys Mission Craigpossible
>>
>>5951542
>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.
SNEAKY BEAKY TIME
>>
>>5951542
>□ Infiltration. Scout the building, find a sneaky way in, and extract Craig. With none the wiser, preferably.
Just seems the most Rosa option to me. Not a violent person, but careful and worried about Craig
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
I want fun!
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
And/or
>□ Diplomatic. Ask the working girls nicely and hope you don't have to negotiate a ransom or something.
Either is fine by me.
>>
>>5951542
>□ Intimidation. In the front door, threaten them with possible violence and/or legal action until you get Craig back.
Genuinely shocked no one has voted for seduction.
Well anyway this one sounds the most entertaining.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5951570
Flipping a coin for this... to see if we flip another coin later.
1: intimidate
2: infiltrate
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5952752
Rats, it seems we need that second breath of fate.
1: intimidate
2: infiltrate
>>
>>5952752
>>5952753
Infiltration it is
>>
>>5951542
The tempting thought of brandishing your gun and forcing entry into the brothel crossed your mind, but you pondered the ramifications and think a stealthier option would be preferred.

"I was thinking of sneaking into the brothel, find Craig, and haul him outta there. What do you think?"

"Hmm, how exactly would you sneak in?"

"I noticed that the hotel and brothel basically share a wall in one place. Now, this is a guess, but there's gotta be some secret passage between the two. Good way for hotel patrons to discreetly visit the brothel. If there's no secret passage, then there's always the roof access."

Millie thought about it for a while, until she came up with an idea.

"Or, we could make a distraction, and one of us can get in from the front door!"

So there's three options for the infiltration mission, but each comes with their own risk...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place

>□ Rooftop, there's a risk you'll be seen, but it's quick

>□ Distraction, easy enough to set up, but fail it and the attention's focused on you
>>
>>5953900
>□ Distraction, easy enough to set up, but fail it and the attention's focused on you
Plays to our con artist roots.
>>
>>5953900
>□ Rooftop, there's a risk you'll be seen, but it's quick
Distraction is fine and all but if we're the ones doing it that means someone else would have to rescue craig.
>>
>>5953900
>>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place
>>
>>5953902
+1
We can distract whilst Millie goes in for the save
>>
>>5953900
>>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place
>>
>>5953900
>□ Distraction, easy enough to set up, but fail it and the attention's focused on you
Secret passage is more goblin, but distraction is more Jail.
>>
>>5953900
>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place
>>
>>5953900
>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place
>>
>>5953900
>□ Distraction, easy enough to set up, but fail it and the attention's focused on you
Though I'd rather Rosa go in and someone else does the distracting
>>
>>5953900
>□ Secret passage, safest but you don't quite know where they are in the first place
Potentially spicy, I'm in
>>
3 Distraction
1 Rooftop
5 Secret passage

Calling, drawing, writing.
>>
>>5954653
Get hype!
>>
>>5953900
Going up to the roof could invite undue attention - and going with the distraction plan, even more so.

"Secret passage it is, the other two could get us noticed in a bad way."

Obviously, Millie sees a flaw in that plan.

"But how do we even find it, if it exists at all?"

"True... that's why we either ask the concierge discreetly, or have Nemo look into it."

You put emphasis on the 'look into it' part, hoping that Millie picks up the subtext that he's both loaded and very well-connected. He could wave around lots of money or that black card of his.

"Hello there. Millie, was it? I see that you've got the fascinating life. Well, I sincerely hope you'll find him, someday."

Huh, Nemo's being creepily cryptic - then again, who knows how a probably immortal shapeshifter actually thinks? Millie seems to think so, too, as you see she visibly recoiled a bit.

"Um, t-thanks?"

It was at this moment that Valencio entered the room, saving all of you from the recent air of cryptic awkwardness.

"Ah, so here you guys all are! All done with the resale of supplies, so I went to the hotel. Say, what's with all these talk of secret passages? Oh hey, where's Craig?"

Ah good, there's another option of using Valencio's tremorsense or whatever was that thing he did at the Goblinton warden outpost.

So, what do?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Ask the concierge on the down low
>□ Get Nemo to wave his money or authority on the concierge
>□ Millie says she could try talking to the concierge
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5956131
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
Quickest option, easily.
>>
>>5956131
>>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
>>
>>5956131
>□ Ask the concierge on the down low
I mean the purpose of it is for guests to discreetly move between these establishments, shouldn't be an unusual question
>>
>>5956131
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
This part is taking a real long time. Let's get through this and move on from the pine town already
>>
>>5956131
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
>>
>>5956131
>□ Use Valencio's tremorsense to find the passage
>>
>>5956131
Quickly, you update Valencio on the latest situation.

"...so that's why Craig might be taken to the brothel. There might be a hidden passage in this hotel that leads to the brothel, and that's why we need your tremorsense now!"

Valencio seemed a bit worried when you mentioned Craig was missing, but relaxed a bit when you mentioned the brothel. Huh, shouldn't a priest like him get riled up at the mere mention of such dens of depravity?

"Got it! Let me just attune myself to the walls here..."

Valencio touches the wall with both palms open, and a shiver runs through the world.

"Hoo, interesting - the entrance's on the first floor, inside the janitor's closet, behind a movable false shelf!"

Hmm, as you recall, it's kinda close to the cafetaria kitchen and the common room. If anyone's in the kitchen or the common room, they could've seen you - but since it's not close to dinnertime yet, all you have to do is wait until there's less patrons.

Which is how the five of you managed to sneak in the (surprisingly not that cramped) janitor's closet. Indeed, the false shelf moves with a solid push - and a darkened tunnel await behind.

"You ready for this, Millie?"

To her credit, she answers with tenacity.

"Of course! We're doing this for Craig, after all!"

You just hope this is a short tunnel - distances and rooms sometimes don't quite make sense in Gongalla. Who knows what you might find in the dark?

>ROLL 1D20
>ONE POSTER, ONE ROLL, AND DESCRIBE WHAT THEY MAY FIND
>FIRST FIVE ROLLS DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
>>
Testing
>>
File: skeleton.gif (1.07 MB, 320x330)
1.07 MB
1.07 MB GIF
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5958067
They find...

Skeleton.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5958067
Shared finance and records room for the hotel+brothel combo. File cabinets, envelopes, office supplies, lamps, whatever. Extremely mundane and boring and plain, but needed for these two places to stay running. Nobody's here right now, but this room is clearly used daily
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5958067
A bloodied knife alongside a corpse, and clutched in one of it's hands there's a small note bearing a cryptic message.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5958073
Oh boy...

>>5958067
Signs of cultic activity. TERRORIST activity!
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5958067
The janitor and a prostitute getting it on in secret!
>>
>>5958067
The tunnel beckons with its darkness, which made you realize you carry nothing that lights up the dark. But Millie pushes forward with an electric lantern, held high above her head.

"I'll lead the way - Clyde, you guard the rear."

With that settled, you and the rest of the crew trail right behind Millie, into the tunnel. The walls seem to be made of natural concrete - one of the signs that this tunnel might have a Gongallan oddity or quirk. Millie presses on, undaunted.

After a short while, your suspicion was confirmed - for what is supposedly a shortcut to the brothel, this took too long. While the tunnel is still going straight ahead, there's no signs of another door on the other end yet.

"This tunnel's kinda long..."

It was at this moment that your hand, absentmindedly using the wall as partial support, fell through the wall. Well, along with a panel of false wall, that is. As you stabilize yourself from the floor, you realize you're now inside a secret room. A concealed one with a lot of paper in it. Picking up some of them, you realized they're either bills, or letters. Personal ones, even...

'...for our sakes we should not meet in this way again, Pamela, lest they start to notice our disappearance together and terminate both our employment. It breaks my heart, but I will forever remember your flower's smell...'

Yeesh, what an overly saccharine excerpt. The other two you picked up are a bill from the hotel for a bed, and a page from a ledger, which from the codes would be from the brothel. Strange, why would these be here? Your sense of shenanigans itch something fierce. Or was that shiver something else?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Check the other scattered papers thoroughly
>□ Check those books on the desk
>□ Check the room itself, are there more concealed passages?
>□ Just continue towards the brothel, no time for this
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5960298
>Other (Tell someone to stay behind and check this while we go ahead)
This is interesting, but we're trying to save craig here.
>>
>>5960298
>□ Check the other scattered papers thoroughly
>>
>>5960298
>>5960346
+1
Seems the most sensible to me. Maybe Nemo? Finances are kinda his thing, so he'd be best for looking through bills
>>
>>5960346
+1 for this.
We're after Craig
>>
>>5960363
>>5960346
Supportin that
>>
>>5960346
+1, get Nemo on the finances
>>
>>5960298
Joining most of the other anons in leaving Nemo here to sift through the bills and books.
>>
>>5960363
>>5960346
+1

>>5960298
>Leave Nemo and Valencio to review the documents
Priests and administrators are pretty much the same, right? Clerics are clerical!

>Clyde can guard the way we came in
No surprises!

>Girls go on ahead
>>
>>5960346
+1
>>
Heads up - next update's gonna be a little bit late. Apologies. Just as the shenanigans are ramping up...
>>
>>5962197
Few excuses justify a delay as well as the promise of ENHANCED SHENANIGANS.
>>
>>5960298
Ugh, these letters and ledgers itch your curiosity bad, but you're more worried about Craig right now, what with the reports of missing kids around here. You're sure that Millie thinks that way too...

"Right then. Nemo, Valencio, you guys are good at letters and numbers, right?"

"Er, not really..."

Nemo, you handle our finances, are you for real?

"Letters, yes, but I haven't got business experience besides wine prices - how different can it be?"

At least Valencio can read well, that's way more reliable. Oh look, he even brought out a mana-lamp! Should be handy when Millie's carrying the electric lantern.

"I see what you're thinking... Clyde, you stay too - make sure there's nobody following behind us!"

Millie makes a snap decision, is she confident she'll be fine without Clyde?

"Alright."

"You boys check out this room, find out everything you can, alright? We'll meet here again, when we get back through the same tunnel!"

With that and a heavily curious heart, you and Millie continue down the dark corridor, eventually culminating in yet another false wall that opens up to a small storage room. Then, you cautiously open the other, unconcealed door - a cursory peek shows the coast's clear.

Huh, you thought a brothel of this size would have more people in the main area - did you arrive during off-hours? That said, this place also look kinda threadbare. Like it used to be more opulent in the past, as evidenced by the stage and the... woah, they have a bathing area!

Then again, the place might not be completely without signs of life. There's some residual steam wafting from the bath area's doorway, and a slow, repetitive thumping sound upstairs. Now, hold your horny in check, it's far from the usual sounds you'd expect in a brothel. Less wet slap and more machine-like. And oh! Is that a soft moan from behind the employees only door?

At this moment, Millie whispers to you.

"Where do we go, Rosa?"

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Check the VIP room upstairs
>□ Check the bathing area
>□ Check the employees only door
>□ Check the non-VIP rooms upstairs
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5964985
Millie can hear minds, right? Let`s just have her try to figure out where Craig is.
>>
>>5964995
Wait, no, Rosa doesn`t know about that. Uhh....let`s see....I doubt they're in the employees door. It could be either the bath or the VIP room upstairs.
>>
>>5964985
>□ Check the employees only door
Where else would they hid things not meant for the eyes of guests?
>>
>>5965024
Rosa would have recognized Craigs voice if he was in there.
>>
>>5964985
>□ Check the employees only door
That machine thumping upstairs, is that a washing machine?
>>
>>5964985

>□ Check the VIP room upstairs
>>
>>5964985
>>□ Check the VIP room upstairs
>>
>>5964985
>□ Check the employees only door
>>
>>5964985
>□ Check the employees only door
>>
>>5964985
>□ Check the VIP room upstairs
>>
>>5964985
While the mechanical sound upstairs pique your interest, you're looking for someone who might know where Craig is.

"The employee only room, that moan means there's someone there, and the fact that it's an employee only room makes it less likely it's a client."

Thus elucidated, Millie nods in agreement. Both of you approach the softly wailing door, Millie already storing her lantern in her inventory. As you come closer, the moans sound less and less seductive. Is someone in distress? Let's find out!

You thought you'd need some kind of lockpick, but the door opens easily with a solid push. The scene that greets you is a woman - one of the working girls, evidently, agonizing over a book she's writing in. With each scribble she does, an anguished moan escapes her lips.

"Is this a bad time?"

>THREAD END

>THANK YOU FOR PLAYING WITH US SO FAR
>JAIL QUEST WILL RETURN SOON

>PLEASE BE ASSURED FURTHER SHENANIGANS ARE ALREADY PLANNED
>ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT THE KING AND QUEEN OF QST TOURNAMENT:
>>5961634
>>
>>5967145
And archived - thread's getting deeper into page 10.
>>
Well, at least she might be able to let us find Craig.
>>
>>5967159
And like a proper buffoon, I forgot the link.
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2024/5934576
>>
>>5967145
>moaning over shitty finances
I feel that.
>>
>>5967145
Oh, and thanks for running!



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