>>16900708
"So why exactly are you searching for the people who've had contact with the edges of chaos, rather than the creatures themselves?
"Should we prepare quarantine protocols in case we come across such things?"

"Lhayim! Enough!" Kanutis growls, and the gremlin saunters off happily. The dark human lowers his head down nearer to yours, and whispers, "He takes apart whatever he can get his hands on. I suggest keeping things you need working out of his reach." He points, over at the large, mechanical lifts. "What are those? Are those NAJA?" He says, his mouth round when he makes the "AJ" sound. "Those might be good things to keep him away from. Him playing around with the gear and his leg isn't enough, it seems."

Ah yeah; Kobold time!

>>16900797
"Yes, well; thank you for the warning."

Then, tie in what >>16900745 said. While we're questioning him, get a good survey of how our party is doing.

>>16900864

"Yes, well; thank you for the warning." You say to him. "So why exactly are you searching for the people who've had contact with the edges of chaos, rather than the creatures themselves?"

"The placement of the creatures is random." The human says. "Each time we jump, they are different. Yet they all happen around a general time."

"Should we prepare quarantine protocols in case we come across such things?" You ask him.

He shrugs. "You could. I mean, not that it'd do much good." He snaps his fingers, making two glowing blue fields around his hands. "One moment, please."

>>16901039
Keep our eyes open for what he's doing next; extraplanar generally implies more advanced than us, but it might be something we can learn.

Your party is doing fine, they are pacing less frequently, and seeming to feel as though their situation has improved. The few hours spent in maddenning silence in the barn were soon forgotten, and they disperse to eat a quick meal.

You can see a magical containment team fussing over the leg and arm, a small makeshift medical tent that is being stripped away with one very stressed doctor.

>>16901105
Looks like they have everything under control. Let's return our full focus to the extraplanar adventurers.

>>16901126
Seconded.
Wonder what'll happen when he realizes WE are the ones who came into contact with the edges of chaos.
Should we break out the trollface?

>>16901084

A strange feeling passes through you as the light from his hands illuminates your scales in blue. Your arm glows with a strange, cracked, rock-like glow. You see a few red diamonds, infinitesimal and tiny, spread throughout like a small galaxy.

"Oh, yes. These are some of their eggs." He sighs, looking at you. "My description not enough, or do you just not trust me, just like all the other extraplanar beings?"

>>16901401
"The CCCP tries to deal peacefully with foreign entities, but that doesn't mean we tip our hands." Smile. "But I can't help that now, can I?"

Then, level with him.

"Yes, I have personally been in contact with this...chaotic edge. What of it?"

>>16901401
"Please, when have you ever met a successful politician that freely gave away his trust?
"So, you're saying that any contact with the edges of chaos results in the unfortunates becoming infected with the eggs. What is the incubation period? And I will need that spell explained so that our Mages Guild can replicate it and set up proper decontamination protocols."

>>16901444

"Please, when have you ever met a successful politician that freely gave away his trust?" You say, dryly. The Human grins, his dark eyes sparkling in the mystical light.
"True. You would be the first." He says smoothly.
"So, you're saying that any contact with the edges of chaos results in the unfortunates becoming infected with the eggs. What is the incubation period?" You ask, before continuing. "And I will need that spell explained so that our Mages Guild can replicate it and set up proper decontamination protocols."

"Oh." The human says, flatly. "It's not a spell." He makes the orb of light dart to some of the others, revealing te red diamonds. "Oh my. Good thing most of your friends have one of those prosthetics. They seem to be slowing the egg's progress. However, your meat body is still fading." He shakes his head, sniffing and wiping his nose.. "Gonna have to soap 'em off."

>>16901570
"Not..a spell? You'll have to explain.
"And you still haven't answered the question of their incubation period."

We'll need to try to get some egg samples in quarantine, see what they care, and how we can destroy them.

>>16901570
Clear our throat as well.

"...and I am very well groomed, thank you very much." Pick at our skin for the eggs.

>>16901637

"Not..a spell? You'll have to explain." You say to him.

The bluish light sparkles. "This is Guou, my other companion. He is a spirit of knowledge, and he serves to illuminate things to all of us."

The bluish light turns red for a moment.

"And you still haven't answered the question of their incubation period." You ask him.

"That's because we don't know." The man shrugs. "Sorry, But they could be anything by the time we get treatment. This is their determining state. If we can kill them now, you should get better." He said.

"I am very well groomed, thank you very much." You say, picking at a few rough spots on your arm and chest, and peeking under the plates of your prosthetic.

"They are barely visible in the magical spectrum." The man says to you. "I can assure you, no one has noticed. By that time, it is usually too late anyway."

>>16901771
"And you say simple soap and hot water is enough? Odd, then. Personal hygiene is a public policy that receives quite a bit of state-sponsored attention.
"Is there anything else we should know about these eggs? For example, how are they spread? I did not come into physical contact with these creatures; is an airborne parasitic infection?"

>>16901754
>>16901771
I think we should be a tad more paranoid at having chaos on our skin.

"Well, Mr. Human, what is the appropriate cleaning process? Is there some sort of wash? Perhaps intense meditation?"

Bump for OP to return.

Heading to bed, OP. See you tomorrow (hopefully).

>>16901830
>>16901869


"So regular soap and water are enough?" You ask. The human shakes his head.

"No. Shale soap." The human answers.

"Well, Mr. Human, what is the appropriate cleaning process?" You ask him, and he motions up and down.

"Scrubbing."

>>16903185
"...is that all?"

Breath a sigh of relief.

"You had me worried there for a second."

Think back to our apartment. We should have an adequate scrubbing item.

"Now that the chaotic seeds are slated for scrubbing, what is next on your agenda? Returning to your world in a flash of brilliance? Or would you care to stay here for a while longer? I assure you, our cuisine is most satisfying."

>>16903185
"Alright, that takes care of decontamination for a person; what about clothes, equipment, structures? How can we confirm that a person or thing has been completely sterilized of these eggs?
"And you implied that there is no outward way to tell if someone has become infested until they explode into a pile of white flesh and teeth, is that right? What other ways are there to see these eggs besides your little friend there?"

>>16905623

"...is that all?" You sigh at the human's nod. "You had me worried there for a second." You think back to the shale deposits back in the caverns. "Now that the chaotic seeds are slated for scrubbing, what is next on your agenda? Returning to your world in a flash of brilliance? Or would you care to stay here for a while longer? I assure you, our cuisine is most satisfying."

"Well, seeing as you haven't gotten to it yet, my friend and I are dedicated here until we've seen what we need to." Kantus says, decisively.

>>16905673

"Alright, that takes care of decontamination for a person; what about clothes, equipment, structures? How can we confirm that a person or thing has been completely sterilized of these eggs?" You ask him, continuing on for a moment. "And you implied that there is no outward way to tell if someone has become infested until they explode into a pile of white flesh and teeth, is that right? What other ways are there to see these eggs besides your little friend there?"

"Well," Kanutis says slowly, bridging his fingers. "Like many things about the edges of chaos, there's no way to be absolutely sure, but our small friend the lorelight has so far been able to reveal any." He pauses for a moment. "Some people have found other methods of detecting them, though with these small crystals I'm reminded of the stories of the gray dragon's breath." He grins. "Very bad way to go out. But if scrubbing works, and it has every time we've met someone in the same predicament, then you'll be set." The bluish light seems to shimmer by his face for a moment. "Guou expresses that he is very thorough in his duties." Kanutis chuckles for a moment. "But, as far as structures go, they tend to lay eggs like other non-parasitic life forms as well. Time varies on those eggs as much as any others. We've never seen them embed in stone or even wood before."

>>16906755
"Excellent." Tap our chin in mock contemplation. "Medical advice of this degree is worth free lodging, no? I would be happy to have you as a special dignitary back within the CCCP, at least until your work here is done."

We may owe him more for helping us detect this chaotic seed, but we have to keep the air of control.

Now, assuming we have no other things left to review (we spoke with our party, our new extraplanar travellers, and Hiraz), then let's pop back to the city and get to cleaning.

"Per chance I could borrow your Guou? I have need of him only for an hour or so."

If he lends him to us, then we'll clean ourselves and then try to humanely dissect it; we must know what makes it tick!

>>16906755
"Your help in detecting this problem is appreciated. We can begin decontamination and quarantine procedures now.
"Will the eggs remain viable once they are washed off? Can samples be collected?"

There's a whole slew of questions we need to ask these travelers before they go, the answers of which Yuune and the Mage Guild will need in order to create a spell that can detect these eggs.

>>16906920
True. Let's ask those, and then whisk everyone away.

>>16906816

"There was a lot of wood, though. Guou could have missed it." Lhayim calls from across the room, from where he is talking to a few of the mechanics. He seems to be going over their tools, while the mechanics watch furtively. The gremlin's greenish features are turned a bright blue suddenly. Lhayim smiles. "Hey! Good evenin', buddy." He contorts in an expression of discomfort. "Ah! Hey! Don't make my nose itch!"

"As you can see, we are hardly complete professionals." Kanutis sighs, still grinning to himself. "If we were, perhaps we would have recorded the ways to see the creatures besides Guou. But there was a spell, a mineral, and a seer who could also do it." He holds up a finger. "That was with a variety different from yours, though."

>>16906920

"Excellent." Tap our chin in mock contemplation. "Medical advice of this degree is worth free lodging, no? I would be happy to have you as a special dignitary back within the CCCP, at least until your work here is done."

"Certainly." Kanutis agrees. "It would beat the caves, no doubt."

"Per chance I could borrow your Guou? I have need of him only for an hour or so." You ask him.

"Well, that's up to Guou." Kanutis says, looking over to where the gremlin is hustling away from the bluish light and sneezing. "But he should be fine with it, provided you give him something to do."

>>16907108
Send Lhayim over to our medical facilities. That should serve as a good enough distraction. As long as we don't bother Dalak and Felix'hia...

"Alright Kobolds; are we ready to go?"

>>16907137
Vivisection is too dangerous to perform on a spirit, and that's what dissection would be.

The little spirit needs to be analyzed by the professionals of the Mage Guild, and by the mages specialized in summoning to see if similar spirits can be summoned and utilized.

We're a sorceror, but we're no scientist.

"Now, what do you normally do when you find a nest of these edges of chaos? How do you go about disposing of them without becoming infested by their eggs yourself?

>>16907137

"Alright Kobolds; are we ready to go?" You ask them.

Two of the robed specialists examining the leg and the arm place the limbs carefully into separate bags of holding. The doctors on the scene prep the wounded for teleportation.

You see Hiraz looking over at the place where the limbs- His limbs, you suppose- are being packed up and brought away. His expression seems almost blank, but the slight narrowing of the eyes indicates to you that he may be melancholy.

Regardless, the quick teleportation and your discharge of Lhayim to medical facilities goes off without a hitch. The wounded are off to the hospital, including the one with the crushed leg, who seems fully aware and conscious. He gives you a thumbs up from his ride.

>>16907182
I BURST FORTH FROM THE SEA SPUOTING FLAMING WATER FROM MA TRUDANT AND IT KEELLS DA GUIS

>>16907182
Nod slightly to the soldier. "Keep strong..."

Return our attention back to Lhayim. Start by sizing him up, and then giving our host persona.

"I have alerted the medical staff to your presence. Please, feel free to converse with our doctors, nurses, and medical students. However, don't touch anything I wouldn't..."

>>16907210
I CHALLENGE U 2 FOIGHT

>>16907380
I SNAKE UP ON U WITH MY BARD SKELS AND BACKSTABD U

U DIED ND I WON DA FIGHT THE END

>>16907210
>>16907167

"You guys... I know you're my friends, but...

"How come it's always gotta be at my place?!"

>>16907210
>>16907380
>>16907390
>>16907398
>>16907407

U FIND A MYSTRIOUS FACDE IN THE DESURT AS YOU LY DIEING HE GRANTS YOU FREE WISHES

>>16907425

lol. Fucking epic catch, gentlemen.

>>16907441
Stupid stuff aside, what's happening, OP?

AWWW YEAH!

I FINALLY CAUGHT UP WITH KOBOLD QUEST AND THE ONGOING THREAD!

Sweet.

Okay, we need to talk to that gremlin. He is mechanically savvy, and seeing how they travel many worlds, he probably has some great knowledge/insights. We should offfer him to look over our tech in return for knowledge. If he agrees, introduce him to Dalak.

>>16907441
U TRI TO SAVE YOUR FRIEND AS YUU C HIM DIEING IN DA FOREST OF WISDOM

>>16907517
[cont.]

Also, we need to gather EVERYONE who was with us on that mission that day and scan them for eggs.
That also includes that Drow (Seven, was it?)

>>16907537
BUT I AM 2 FAST TO YOU ND THROW A TRUDENT FROM DA SEA DAT IMPALES YOU INTO DA FLOOR

>>16907560
Though i am a grand warrior it seems that i have dabbled with powers that are too strong for even me. I run to the forest as quickly as i can, which is not that fast as i have no legs but only a fin, to gloat of my victories over the Kobold people of aezoroth. As i am running i feel a quaking in my trudent holding hand, i dismiss this simply as a side effect of my fin hobbling, but the closer i get to my victories it the less control over my tridunt i seem to have. As i approach the scene of my victory my own trudent turns on me impaling me straight through me 3 merman hearts.

>>16907540
>>16907377

"Keep strong..." You say to the solider.

"Not to worry, sir. After you said there was a dead king in the room I lost any sense of fear!" The soldier shouts as he is carried away. "The king's touch helped with the pain as well!"

You return your attention back to Lhayim. You start by sizing him up, and then giving him your "host" persona. You conjure an image of your head in front of him using a distant image spell, then look through it. "I have alerted the medical staff to your presence. Please, feel free to converse with our doctors, nurses, and medical students. However, don't touch anything I wouldn't..."

The gremlin laughs. "You're just a wizard! Wizards just want to put things together! Never want anything taken apart!" His pants leg on the right side suddenly shreds itself, as the bird-like prosthetic sheds light and heat from a number of ports on its sides. The gremlin tucks his normal leg up on a small platform projected out just below his own knee. His speed dramatically increases, but your image keeps up easily.

"Oh, this spell is weightless, did I mention that?" You say, in a somewhat mocking tone. "It wasn't so much a question as it was a demand. I will be watching."

You end the image.

>>16907709
We'll need to see if these eggs can be transmitted from person to person, as well as their initial transmission vector.

We need to speak with Yuune as soon as possible.

>>16907709
"Oh, in exchange for quenching your natural tinkering thirst, I am enlisting the use of Guou; we have no means of detecting the eggs otherwise."

"Well, enjoy your stay, Lhayim. And please, don't make my hospitality misplaced."

Then, head over to Yuune as >>16907738 said.

>>16907738
Yup.

Also, we need to check if the curse is lifted.
Go see the minister of finance in his house.

>>16907738

You put your crack homeopathic studies team on the case. Their leader, a real hard case, had his leg injured in the war. His sarcasm and dogged pursuit of cases have saved many of the strangely afflicted. On his team, a terminally ill kobold woman of 27 years, a deep kobold doctor, and one of the older, more classical physicians.

You head to Yuune, who is in the lab, for once. Yuune's lab is very tidy, populated by small off-white and and yellowed bits of parchment. He nods over at you as you enter, his spectacles bouncing on his thin nose.

"Oh, in exchange for quenching your comrade's natural tinkering thirst, I am enlisting the use of Guou; we have no means of detecting the eggs otherwise." You say to the taller human.

"As long as he agrees." Kanutis says. He turns to the small bluish light that comes over him. "Yes. Alright, he'll do it."

"Excellent. Tell him to follow our magicians." You say pointing a few out from the group. "Well, enjoy your stay, Kanutis."

(Occurs before seeing yuune)

>>16907773
Okay, tell Yuune about the predicament, show him Guou and ask him if he could find a way to replicate whatever it is doing.

>>16907813

You explain the recent happenings to Yuune. You call Guou in, and after a few tries he comes in.

"Need sample." Yuune says, simply. He straightens his glasses. "Unusual creature."

>>16907773
>Their leader, a real hard case, had his leg injured in the war. His sarcasm and dogged pursuit of cases have saved many of the strangely afflicted
Haha, I see what you did there.

"Yuune, we might have a problem.
"I need independent confirmation on several things. I met a trio of extra-planars who claim that those edges of chaos beast things are parasitic, and that me and several others have been infested with their eggs.
"I've got them in the city, under watch, for now, but I need confirmation on whether this could be a pandemic crisis or not."

rolled 28 = 28

>>16907898
"From another plane"

Give samples from our own body

>>16907898
"Guou, if you would, please illuminate the eggs on my body, so that Yuune can take some samples.
"I don't need to tell you how serious this could be, if these damn things are infectious."

>>16907923
>Haha, I see what you did there.

I don't.
WHAT DID HE DO?

>>16907943
A medical adventuring party.

>>16907985
Damn, how could I miss that?

>>16907934
>>16907929

"Guou, if you would, please illuminate the eggs on my body, so that Yuune can take some samples." You ask, and the light passes through you. It is a warm, solid feeling that starts to block out your body's senses, save that of your right arm. You smile for a moment, relieved at the sudden feeling as you realize something dire.

***

YOU WILL LOSE ANOTHER ARM.

The demon howled, flaying into your elbow, and hand. You felt yourself fall, back, away from the pain.

You ready to send yourself a message in the future.

"Hello. It is in lapses of insanity like this that I can send messages across time. Thus, we can avert catastrophes." You say, calmly.

"Tonight, I will give you a glimpse of the futures beyond, through connections. The trials you will face, aye, the troubles I'll be facing." He smiles. "They're like bright stars in space. Beautiful, but terrifying."

"I don't need to tell you how serious this could be, if these damn things are infectious." You say to Yuune, who nods.

The other you floats there, younger, and with a shattered arm in a splint. The mechanical arm was ripped to shards. You see the ghost of it, in an odd cobalt blue, floating nearby.

"You didn't know: These things are alive!" You say, pointing with your broken left hand at the image of the arm. "You must have felt it. Why else could you fall prey to mind control?"

>>16908373
...umm, what?

>>16908397

You are viewing an image of yourself, in the past, speaking to you in the future.

"Basically, I'm hijacking your subconscious mind and communicating through there via a memory circuit. It's complicated." You-from-the-past sighs. "You become a psychic in the future, by the way."

rolled 61 = 61

>>16908436
Oh, alright.

"Something very important must have happened for you to do this.... What is it?"

"And what do you mean those are alive?"

>>16908436
"You, I, mean the eggs? What are they, can they be stopped? How can they be stopped? How much time do I have left?"

>>16908454

"Something very important must have happened for you to do this.... What is it?" You ask the past you.

"All this pain unhinged us. You remember, right?" You answer. "It's that strong memory which allows the me in the future to send back information."

"And what do you mean those are alive?" You ask him.

"The ioun limbs!" You say, pointing over. "When he tore at it, you felt it give it up, right?" You shake hands with the ghostly hand, upside down. "That's because it was alive, and in that moment, it died."

The past you looks over, calmly. "So, you will lose that arm, but not for some time."

rolled 97 = 97

>>16908506
"Is it good or bad that the ioun limbs are alive?"

"Is there more useful information you can share?"

>>16908506
Clear our throat.

"It is unfortunate, but hopefully you'll be less dreading that moment..." Bite our lower lip. "Still, I wouldn't deter from the path laid out..." Smile. "Though I'm sure that you already know that."

"Must the limbs be cleansed in any way? Perhaps even destroyed, if need be?"

You feel pulled into the light, starting to see yourself not much older, with a nice, big slash through the paint in your right forearm. You are approving research on a blackish, spongy material. You see it stand up to shock, bullet, sword, and bludgeon, each time bracing itself against the impact.

"This material becomes artificial flesh, but is also subdermal armor." The other you says. "You must approve the artificial skin research, the yielded material has near perfect syncronicity with nerves. That's what leads to the discovery in the first place."

>>16908588
"Are there plans for artificial skin right now?"

>>16908588
"What else do I need to know? What about the threat from the Golgremet Empire? What of Magnerass and the secrets of the Old Ones that he wields?"

>>16908588
"Ingenious...any notable researchers? Dalak and Felix'hia, I assume. Perhaps snags in the research?"

>>16908552

"Is it good or bad that the ioun limbs are alive?" You ask him.

He laughs, as the ghost of your old arm raises its middle finger at you. "I think his opinion is obvious." He chuckles. "They can be troublesome, but with the new nerves, they'll be more capable, for good or for ill." He says. "And they can be targeted by spells as well." He shrugs, painfully. "But, they're dependable. They know where they fit in the world."

"Is there more useful information you can share?"

>>16908598
>>16908602
>>16908614

"Are there plans for artificial skin right now?" You ask.

"Oh yes. The first test subject will be that skeleton." You respond. "I think he might become popular. A sort of symbol for the caverns."

"Ingenious... any notable researchers? Dalak and Felix'hia, I assume. Perhaps snags in the research?" You inquire.

The past-you shakes his head. "No. Just the approval to test it in current gen limbs." You shrug. "Your call. But signs point to strong yes."

"What else do I need to know? What about the threat from the Golgremet Empire? What of Magnerass and the secrets of the Old Ones that he wields?" You ask.

"Send a scout, someone you can trust." You tell yourself. "There's more info than I can get all of. For now, primal magic and their bond with the root are their greatest strengths." You say, nodding. "Though anyone can use them, save the stench altering plants."

>>16908736
[do we have trusty scouts?]

"What about the Curse. I am not even sure we managed to beat it yet... If we haven't then what must be done?"

>>16908736
>For now, primal magic and their bond with the root are their greatest strengths

"Are there any ways to effective counter this?"

>>16908749

"What about the Curse. I am not even sure we managed to beat it yet... If we haven't then what must be done?" You ask.

"It's gone, for now, I think." You say, furrowing your brow. "Nothing can ever be easy, can it?"

>>16908780
>"Nothing can ever be easy, can it?"
"Yeah...."

"Have you managed to deal with.... umm... Anger issues? You know what I mean."

"Hey, how far from the future are you sending these messages anyway?"

>>16908770

"Are there any ways to effective counter this?" You ask yourself.

"Yes." You nod. "Proper tactical evaluation of the enemy. We have little info here."

You think to the GRU. This would be a big mission. You wonder if you could use them.

"The future us says that the primal magic is more flexible, but less precise." He relays. "So, I hope that's of more use to you than it is to me."

>>16908801
"What else? Any other dangers to the Caverns that I must aware of? What of the edges of chaos?"

>>16908793

"Yeah...."

"Have you managed to deal with.... umm... Anger issues? You know what I mean." You ask yourself.

You look defensive. "What? I am NOT an angry person. What, did YOU do something that now I'm going to have to do?"

You sigh at the standard deflection. "So, you don't know. Hey, how far from the future are you sending these messages from anyway?"

He pauses, smiling. "He says roughly 40 years."

>>16908816
>"What? I am NOT an angry person. What, did YOU do something that now I'm going to have to do?"

"You mean my actions right now will affect you in the future?
Man, that must suck.

I hope there isn't a little twerp me in the past affecting my present"

>>16908850
No, we're talking with our past self, who's getting messages from our future self.

You sound like you have no idea what's going on.

>>16908816
"Besides approving the synthetic skin project, what else will I need to do? What dangers will I need to prepare against?
"What training regimens or manuals will I need to ensure that I believe such a powerful psion in the future?"

>>16908816
"And what of Torvash? Can he truly be trusted, especially given the long-term possibilities of someone of his...skills."

>>16908850

"You mean my actions right now will affect you in the future?" You ask yourself, sighing. "I hope there isn't a little twerp me in the past affecting my present."

"Hey!" You shout, growling in anger. "You have a whole pair of arms to go back to! I have ONE arm with a broken elbow and an infection."

You grimace, remembering.

"Oh yeah, good to see I make it out with my hand, though." You say, more calmly.

Synthetic Skin. Would that be good to apply to golems or does it need a living host? Could we experiment with dead tissue?

>>16908905
"What happened to your arm, anyway?"

What was that troglodyte's name? the dragonblooded one?

>>16908924
Torvash; he's still under our custody.

>>16908905
"So, past-self, what does my future-self have to say about Tayn? What will his role in the future be?
"And Torvash. Is he to be of use to us, or will he turn on us?"

>>16908936
thanks

>>16908946
That's what I exactly wanted to ask about Torvash. Wanted to know if he keeps his word.

>>16908916

You don't know. It might have those abilities.

>>16908924

>>16908946

"What happened to your arm, anyway?" You ask him.

He laughs. "Oh, you don't remember? Well, our friend, the abyssal wormling put his tiny claws into it and flayed it out." You look over to your arm, sternly. "Little guy tore out his senses for me. To spare me the agony." He looks over at you. "I get to remember that." He looks over at you, shaking his head, and grinning in a sickeningly smug way. "Oh, and so do you, now." He says, pointing at you. You feel a powerful wave of nostalgia and sorrow wash over you. "Not to worry, it's something inside you." He says, "Nothing dangerous, I'm sure."

>>16909392
"Now that I know it, can I prevent it?"

>>16908954
>>16908946

"So, past-self, what does my future-self have to say about Tayn? What will his role in the future be?" You ask him.

"He..." He pauses. "He thinks he's on our side. About 90% sure."

"And Torvash. Is he to be of use to us, or will he turn on us?" You ask yourself.

"Wait..." 'You' pause for a moment. "Tor-who? Oh! You got a new drinking buddy!" He claps his hand on his thigh. "That's great!"

"No, it's not like that." You say firmly.

"Well, if he's not a friend, then-" 'You' start to retort.

"He's a trog prisoner." You say.

"What?" 'You' says, looking shocked. "Those dirty trogs! I knew they were up to no good!"

"No! He's with the empire." You say to yourself.

"What?" You ask. "Like the legend of Star-"

"Don't finish that sentence." You say to yourself. "That is a bad, unfunny joke."

"Oh, really?" The other you smirks. "Then pass a law banning it, you tyrant."

You glare at him. "I will. I will pass a law banning stupid references to material that could get me sued." You glare at yourself. "The punishment will be being spritzed with hot oil every quarter hour, and left to soak up the cold night air."

"Hey, look! I'm a dick in the future!" The other you laughs, pointing. "I'm Mynthar! I'm important and you're not!"

"It's not my fault you're too arrogant to see your faults!" You shout at yourself, inhaling sharply.

You sit for a while until the other your speaks up. "Are you done?"

1. "Yes. Sorry about that."

2. "I suppose I was overreacting.
2a. "I'll let you off of your punishment if you can do one thing for me, just one thing: cross your arms."
2b. "But as bad as you've got it, I'm bad off too!"

3. "Not in the slightest."
3a. *rant*

4. Write in!

>>16909496

>1. "Yes. Sorry about that."

"Arguing with myself is rather confusing. Lets not continue"

Anyway, it seems that he is projecting to us from alternative time-stream, meaning that we should be careful with what we say.

Perhaps we should get done with this discussion and get along with our other duties? Do they have anything else important to day?

>>16909545
>Anyway, it seems that he is projecting to us from alternative time-stream
>>16908436
>You are viewing an image of yourself, in the past, speaking to you in the future.

>>16909496
>1.
"Back to business: is there anything about this edges of chaos business that my future self says I need to be aware of? How bad is the infection, and will it undermine the defenses of the Cavern?"

>>16909545

"Arguing with myself is rather confusing. Lets not continue" You say to the past you.

"Agreed." He responds.

You nod. "I think we're done here."

"Yeah, sure. I'll just go back to horrifying existence, then." 'You' says, chuckling. "No sympathy for yourself?

"I should have known." You answer. You smirk. "That's why it's OK for me to suffer. The process of learning."

"You'd be a terrible father!" The past you shouts, becoming red in the face.

"Some things are more important than that." You say. "I thank you for the information on technology and I bid you adieu." You sign him off.

"Fun conversation." Yuune says. "Who with?"

>>16909590
Not everythingis what it seems

>>16909616
"Myself... yeah, that was weird.

Anyway, what about them Eggs?"

>>16909496

How do we know that this is us and not some bastard fucking with our head? Try asking 'past-self' something only we would know.

>>16909616
"A memory circuit placed into my subconscious by my future self.
"Now, let's move on to immediate matters: what are these eggs, and can you prepare a spell to detect them?"


Dammit, closing off communication like that was premature. We didn't get any of our questions concerning the edges of chaos answered.

>>16909628
One moment.

>>16909667
...I'm_sure_OP_will_deliver.jpg

>>16909642

"A memory circuit placed into my subconscious by my future self." You say shaking your head as you look down at your illuminated body. "Now, let's move on to immediate matters: what are these eggs, and can you prepare a spell to detect them?"

Yuune shrugs. "Seem semi-liquid. Can use detect poison to locate."

>>16910657
"Test it now; our friendly spirit is on lease, so we need to know before that expires."

>>16910657
"Test it now, if you would. Our little spirit friend here is only here on loan, and we can't have him scanning all of the people that need to be screened.

>>16910882
>>16910948

Yuune nods, inhaling an ether that causes him to close his eyes. He points to your body, blind, and points to all of the parts of the eggs. He then opens his eyes. "Diagnosis successful."

>>16911392
"Good to hear."

"The Human said that the eggs could be removed easily via shale scrubbing. I need you to check me once I'm done. In addition, I need to ask for you to research into the eggs themselves. According to the Human, the eggs are not contagious once embedded, but I want to be sure..."

>>16911460

"Good to hear." You say, dusting off your scales. "The Human said that the eggs could be removed easily via shale scrubbing. I need you to check me once I'm done. In addition, I need to ask for you to research into the eggs themselves. According to the Human, the eggs are not contagious once embedded, but I want to be sure."

Yuune nods, going back to his equipment.

What do?

>>16911522
Find a stall or something and get to scrubbing; be sure to bring a bucket or something. Then, bring them back to Yuune.

"I'll be back soon; I have some things to check up on..."

First, let's check up on our Elven "profiteer" and see if he's considered our offer.

Then, we should go see Torvash and let him know that we plan on sending him out on field assignment, effective immediately. We'll probably have a trial run, sending him to the local Drow or something to see how well he scouts.

Finally, I think we should consult the council and get that prosthetic and flesh research going. Consult Felix'hia and Dalak on the matter as well.

No need to rush through any of these; I'm just typing out loud for a plan of action.

>>16911522
Bump for OP to return.

>>16911522
Bump for the night; I'll try again tomorrow, OP.

"I'll be back soon; I have some things to check up on..." You say, and go to strip down and scrub in your apartment. You feel like just having gone through a new molting, you skin left a bit more sensitive. You check your notes, left by a network of busy kobold messengers.

You pull open Zeru's note.

"Hey Mynthar,
Sorry we didn't get to talk more! We can do whatever you need us to, just send a message with a message stone to the Alloyed Brotherhood with instructions. We are going to investigate some leads there. Hope things here go well for you!

-Z.W."

>>16913940
Holy shit you're alive, OP.

"Well, at least we have some outside eyes to assess the situation..."

Ready a message to Zeru reading basically:
-Here's a basic list of people you can rely on
-Here's what we know about the previous insurrections into the city
-Let me know if you need anything; disguises, pay, a back-rub, anything at all; he's a good friend and someone we wouldn't want to be slighted

Once we accumulate our bucket of chaotic eggs, deposit them off into Yuune's mailbox; he's probably busy and will get around to them when he needs to.

From there, go see Torvash.

"Well, at least we have some outside eyes to assess the situation..." You mutter to yourself, composing a message. You send him a message listing the following:

-Here's a basic list of people you can rely on.
-Here's what we know about the previous insurrections into the city.
-Letting you know if you need anything.

You drop off a pouch of the scrapings in your brother's mailbox. Even as kids, you'd mess with each other doing things like that.

You head into the prison, to see Torvash moving around on his new legs, more surely.

"Ah, Mynthar." He leans up against the bars. "I just figured out what my ailment was. Inhaled dust, from rocks." He sits down, his metal tail clunking against the chair as he pats on one armored thigh. "Doing well now that I have the breath to keep up with it. That's what I wouldn't mind replacing; These damn lungs of mine." He says, coughing. He is wearing his piston arm, a black loincloth, and not much else.

>>16915097
"Good to see that you're becoming well acclimated, but we have your first assignment."

Stroll past him, our hands behind our back.

"You see, we haven't heard from our Drow friends very recently, which is highly disconcerting." Begin listing off a few names of the royals. "These Drow must be observed; their documents, interactions, and behaviors must be noted so that we can discern if they have had involvement with the Empire. However, due to our relationship, you cannot be discovered. If you are, the CCCP will disavow any knowledge of our involvement, and you will be proverbially left to dry..." Smile to ourselves. "Of course, I can't imagine they could hold you for long...or at all."

All of this is purely fabricated, but we need to test how calm our rabid dog in a controlled environment. If Torvash does a good job, then we'll send him out on a real assignment to the empire.

"You will have your body affected with one covert spell of choice; let me know ahead of time so that I may prepare it. If need be, I will allow you up to three charges via a basic wand."

After that, stop and keep our back turned and wait for his choice. "Good decision, soldier. Once you depart, I expect a report within the week. After that, I expect you to return here to give your full report by the end of two weeks. Understood?"

Turn around and keep our air of status over him.

"Excellent. Now than, business aside, how goes your new library access. I've heard that you've recently take up the works of Kar Gustab Hung. One of our best psychologists; he even pioneered the current medical mental healing protocols for soldiers involving memories of their mother..." Laugh. "...very interesting, the mind is."

Making it up, but I guess that it makes sense,considering he likes to read. Also, more silly history jokes.

>>16915097
Bump.

Another bump. Probably the last one.

>>16918987

And the last one you'll need.

Pic related until 9 in the morning.

>>16919378
Ah; I see. Well, is that all for today? Or have you gotten your fix of Skyrim?

"Good to see that you're becoming well acclimated, but we have your first assignment." You say, opening his cell. He gets somewhat clumsily to his feet, the mechanical legs obviously still something he's getting used to. "You see, we haven't heard from our Drow friends very recently, which is highly disconcerting." You say to him, and he remains quiet. "Al'krotena, Gathaten, Corcolon. These Drow must be observed; their documents, interactions, and behaviors must be noted so that we can discern if they have had involvement with the Empire." You say, the trog answering you with a silent stare. "However, due to our relationship, you cannot be discovered. If you are, the CCCP will disavow any knowledge of our involvement, and you will be proverbially left out to dry..." You say, grinning. "Of course, I can't imagine they could hold you for long...or at all."

"Well, it's certainly been done before." Torvash says, his tail swaying to click the end along the bars of the room.

"You will have your body affected with one covert spell of choice; let me know ahead of time so that I may prepare it. If need be, I will allow you up to three charges via a basic wand." You say to him.

"Well, considering you don't want me to be caught, some sort of teleporting spell would be the best to take by wand." He pauses, looking over at you. "And any kind of blessing you'd have, any disguise spell. No reason to hide when they won't be looking, but with these," He taps one of his legs on the ground, "I'll stick out like a stuck fish." He pauses. "So, I'll need some light armor, some covert weaponry, and one more thing."

"Oh?" You ask him, turning back around.

"I'll need to know why I'm observing the royal house." He says, his eyes shining unquestioningly at you, as though he already knows what your game was.

Sweeeeeet.

>>16919477
"Just because we are paranoid doesn't mean that there aren't enemies out there; you follow?"

"These royals were a thorn in our side upon arrival. Their very structure is against the idea of the people! As such, it isn't hard to believe that they would look for another ally that shares their interests at heart. If they are allying themselves with the empire, then we must know. What is a duke, after all, but a king who serves a king, hm? We cannot afford a front so close to home..." Keep our face straight for any chances of scrutiny.

This is indeed true; we are paranoid of the royals. Granted, we can stomp them out easily, but we need something with teeth to test him.

"So, you are to see if they have been collaborating with the enemy."

"As for your covert spells, I can grant you a disguise spell. Teleportation spells will be available via wand, but I must know what form you wish to pass off as..." Ponder for a moment. "A Drow commoner? Perhaps a something else? Just a small invisibility spell, maybe?"

Then, think back to where we could acquire a fully charged wand. If we can't find one, then we'll try a blank wand and fill it up ourselves.

Damn it, OP; entertain me. :<

>>16919592

"Just because we are paranoid doesn't mean that there aren't enemies out there; you follow?" You ask him.

"I suppose." He responds.

"These royals were a thorn in our side upon arrival. Their very structure is against the idea of the people! As such, it isn't hard to believe that they would look for another ally that shares their interests at heart. If they are allying themselves with the empire, then we must know. What is a duke, after all, but a king who serves a king, hm? We cannot afford a front so close to home..." You say seriously. "So, you are to see if they have been collaborating with the enemy."

"Oh, those drow who moved near here?" Tovash says. "Aye, perhaps invisibility would suit my needs better. They hold no slaves, to my knowledge."

"As for your covert spells, I can grant you a disguise spell. Teleportation spells will be available via wand." You say to him.

"Alright, I suppose I can handle such a thing." Tovash says, calmly. "Provided I don't need to outrun anyone. I'm still a bit unsteady up here."

>>16920739
"I will grant you a temporary guise, just in case."

How long does our invisibility spell last for? Is it possible to make it last an extended amount of time for Torvash? Is it also possible for us to set up a sort of "on/off" switch to extend the duration of the spell even further?

As for the Teleportation wand, we'll head over to get one after we finish addressing Torvash. Find one with at least six charges on it.

Finally, can we do a similar thing for the disguise spell? Of course, the disguise will be rather weak (disguise person instead of polymorph), but it's meant to fool preliminary appearances.

"Suit up; I'll be back with your invisibility spell and Teleportation wand."

>>16920892

"I will grant you a temporary guise, just in case." You say to him.

"Alright." He nods.

You can extend your invisibilty spell, but only by so much. It should still run out after half an hour.

You can find a few low-charge wands with dimansion door in you repository of magic items. You cast a spell, disguising Tovash as a young adult drow.

"Suit up; I'll be back with your invisibility spell and Teleportation wand." You say to him.

Torvash nods, slowly putting on his armor.

>>16921013
Find the Teleportation wand and get him a minor Invisibility wand.

"Alright, you can will the disguise to end at anytime. However, should you do that, you're going to be very hard pressed to recast it. So, either take a quick dive and return here via your Teleportation wand, or quickly duck out of sight."

Raise a finger to him.

"Remember; this is a covert mission. Bloodshed might be necessary, but it is not desired."

Lower our finger.

"Is that understood, Torvash?"

>>16921074

"Alright, you can will the disguise to end at anytime. However, should you do that, you're going to be very hard pressed to recast it. So, either take a quick dive and return here via your Teleportation wand, or quickly duck out of sight." You raise a finger at him. "Remember; this is a covert mission. Bloodshed might be necessary, but it is not desired."

Torvash folds his arms, the heavy adamantine one atop the flesh one. "Indeed. I shall seek no bloodshed. My poor maneuverability will leave me at ill to defending myself." He adjusts his stance with his hips. "So, I will avoid it for now, rebuild my fighting skills another time."

You lower your finger. "I see you understand, Torvash. Then do as you have been ordered."

You see Torvash nod, his intensely colored eyes the same hue in his disguised form. "Yes, sir. I will do as commanded."

>>16921603
"Good."

Give him the details of the area and send him on his merry way.

With that done, let's convene the council on that research. It doesn't have to be today, but enough so that we can alert everyone about what it is we are funding, exactly. If we need to free up some capital, then propose we cut some of the immediate production for the oldest models. That should hopefully free up some money.

>>16921663

"Good." You send him on his way.

What is it you want to research?

>>16921996
We want to begin research on the synthetic skin that our future self told us about.

>>16922043

Yes.

You actually find the bill you wanted to write at your office, waiting for you to sign it.

Curious.

>>16922097
Hmm....curious indeed...

Well, I have an idea. It involves placating the spirits of our ancestors in the old city Hiraz was a part of. Of course, it is only through the struggles of the past that the glories of the present can be realized: the people! Therefore, we should wait until the next scheduled holiday and then form a sort of state-sponsered offering party, take a small trip to the ruins, let those who come give alms, and then leave. Hopefully, if we do that enough, both Hiraz and the spirits will be pleased.

>>16922160

You organize a trip, bringing the best and brightest along. You wait patiently for a reply from Zeru in the meantime.

>>16922309
Let us partake in whatever ritual is called for on this holiday; we are there as a head of state, of course. So, cut the red tape, hammer in the final nail, and kiss some babies.

Also, I assume Hiraz is still around?

"Do you think this is what they've been craving all this time? To finally be remembered? To be honored?"

Bump. :(

>>16922328

"Do you think this is what they've been craving all this time? To finally be remembered? To be honored?" You ask Hiraz, as the incenses are burned, and countless prayers are said after the long pilgrimage.

Hiraz looks on at the proceedings with a detached expression. "I don't know. I still think after all these years, there's no way I could have known what they wanted." He smiles. "This is your time now. Let's just hope the past stops interfering with the future with this."

Nothing seems to change the following day, but soon the magicians begin to detect the curse vanishing. Within the week, it should be gone.

Stop playing with my heart, OP.

>>16923113
Awesome; assuming nothing else is keeping us busy, we shall await for new from Zeru and Torvash.

>>16923145

You first hear back from Torvash.

"Drow observed, behavior documented. Going to exit point of commune."

His report yields little of interest; It appears no matter how far they go, they cannot be free of old world politics.

You hear from Zeru next. "Hey! We fought a big monster and found troglodyte money in its possession. Like from the Golgremet empire? Thought you might want to know!"

>>16923593
Torvash performed as expected; we should commend him on his return.

As for Zeru, we should inquire further into his finding. Return a message to him:

"Dear Zeru,

Your finding is most troubling to us. If you would, please return to us immediately to discuss in person the details of the battle. On the other hand, thank you for putting an enemy of the people to rest. You are, of course, entitled to most of the money and other perks obtained from your kill. I only ask a portion of the money in question as evidence. I hope your wounds were scarce, and your blood was riled with excitement. Please, remember to keep vigilant and be on your toes; the idle hand is often the one that is crushed. Finally, don't feel afraid asking me for more aide; I always look after my friends. I hope your investigations are going well, disguise or no, and that you are happy.

Sincerely,
Mynthar"

Your posts are becoming kind of short and sluggish, OP, so I'll let you get to bed...or Skyrim. Either/or.

Have a good night, OP. See you next week?

>>16923663

OK. I shall go then!