>>24345691
Oh good it went through.

Tonight Clovis will be battling not only the daily stresses of her life, but my failing internet connection as well.

File: 1366420532932.gif-(1002 KB, 500x629, fired-up-akko.gif)

1002 KB GIF

Oh shit! This quest is back!

Right, Its been a while, don't we have a potential job lined up?

Also getting some food would be nice so to the market!

>>24345691
Well, besides attracting any more trouble, how about trying to get that part-time job? Or is that opportunity isn't available to us any more? I can't remember...

>>24345858
>>24345864

You sit up.That Kurush guy said he would have you help out at the store today. Plus, you'd had some thoughts about reinforcing your home so you didn't get robbed again.

Ghayth is sleeping in the corner opposite of yours. You have no idea when he got here or why he's here in the first place.

You have a small amount of food left over from the church the other day, but head over to the market anyway. Kurush's shop probably isn't open yet.

[ ]Butcher
[ ]Fishmonger
[ ]Cloth salesman
[ ]Kebabs

Fuck you too, internet. Been trying to post for over an hour now.

[ ]Butcher
we had kebabs earlier. he might notice if we frequent him too much

>>24347282
could be good

>>24347282
>>24347345

You head on over to the butcher, who has a wide variety of cuts on sale. Many of them are salted but there are a few fresh pieces as well. He notices your eye.

"I have goat and mutton today. Are you in the market for some?"

[ ]Yes
[ ]No

You're not confident you can steal something from him since he noticed you.

[ ]Yes
get the cheapest you can, we'll cook the hell outta it back at home.

>>24347666
"The cheapest cuts? Well, I suppose that'd be the tongue. Folks don't often buy them, so I suppose I can part with two of them for a copper..."

-1 copper (4 left)

You stuff the beef tongues in your increasingly crowded food pocket.

The town is starting to liven up, so you expect Kurush's shop to open soon, but is there anything you would like to do before then?

[ ]Input
[ ]Go to curio shop

>>24347989
You cannot think of anything else to do for now, so you head directly for Kurush's shop.

There's no sign on the door, which is unlocked, so you let yourself in.

At the counter sits a massive, misshapen form. It is not a single entity, but one with countless grotesque growths. They are not of human origin, coming in every shape and color you think of, all converging together into one moldy-smelling heap. They are, you believe, mushrooms.

The form rises with a wheezing sigh and you can see that it arrange in the semblance of a man but you can see no flesh. One fat white shroom on the thing's "head" sudden swells rapidly and explodes, spraying forth a blinding flurry of spores.

The man-thing shambles towards you with a low groan. Its gaze, dead and grey, burrows into your flesh.

[ ]Input

Rolled 34

>>24348869
"Please stay back!"
I assume this is someone who just gained magic. Maybe even the shopkeep.

Did everyone go to sleep? I just saw this.

>>24351287
You implore the creature to stay back but it lurches on without seeming to hear you.

You turn to flee. Something tangles around your ankles and you stumble, fall. You hit the ground and try to figure out what impeded you and find a heap of dark, tangling coils that have wrapped around your legs.

The mushroom-thing draws ever closer.

[ ]Input

Hopefully this doesn't jinx it, but my internet seems to be back in working order once again.

Rolled 19

>>24354225
Do we have something to cut the vines? If not, concentrate on getting free, maybe brute force will suffice or something near you might help. You might even try your own magic to counteract his on this small scale. Given how you don't really know anything about it at the moment this is unlikely to work though.

Continue talking to it. It's most likely the shopkeeper who was corrupted. Tell him to remember who he is and to calm down. If he doesn't show any reaction and comes dangerously close, scream as loud as you can.

>>24354557
You claw at the tangles desperately, but can't break through them. Curiously, they don't seem to be plant-like. Instead, it's more like... hair?

The only objects in reach are a couple pieces of heavy-looking furniture. You strain for one, but it's weighed down further by a stack of books.

"Mishter Kurush? You're him, right?"

Numbly it trudges on.

The man-thing draws closer

and s t e p s
over
you.

It locks the door.

A slavering pink gash opens in its face.

"Ssorry you had to see me like this."

Another white puffball erupts on his side, spewing out more spores. Even looking like this, it's definitely Kurush.

"Once you can get up, get to cleaning. We open in a half an hour."

You wriggle around in the tangling thing. He sighs deeply and fetches a pair of scissors and begins to cut you out of it.

"Not every day I run into another magic user, though I had my suspicions. You'll keep this to yourself, of course."

He finishes up with surprising haste and returns to his place at the counter. A much heavier, more wicked-looking pair of shears come out and he begins to cut the growths away from his flesh. Blood wells up at the points of severance and trickles across the counter, but he seems untroubled by it.

[ ]Sweep up
[ ]Inspect black thing
[ ]Talk to Kurush
[ ]Other

Rolled 19

>>24354783
Half an hour is not a lot of time. Get to cleaning. We can talk later. Maybe look at the black thing for a moment.

Rolled 22

This kind of confirms my previous suspicion. Given the unusual (by which I mean not pandering to certain conventions of quests) properties only about half a dozen people here try to participate in the quest. Of those only half at the most are active/awake at the same time. I wonder if those numbers could be increased somehow.

Sadly I don't really know a better medium so I just hope more readers will accumulate with time.

>>24354824
You look at the thing that had tripped you up. It appears to be hair not dissimilar to your own. But you don't have time for that. Kurush seems set on that opening time. You pick up the broom and start to clean frantically.

Every once in a while you look up to see the ever-growing mushroom pile sitting before the increasingly bloody Kurush.

When you're finally finished, you have a large heap of dust, sand, spores, and hair. Kurush points further back in the shop, where you can see a small door that you presume leads into an alley. The rubbish is deposited there and by the time you return, Kurush has bandaged himself up and is stocking his mushrooms in type-separated jars.

You hadn't previously noticed the tall shelf of preserved mushrooms tucked into the wall, but it would explain where he was getting them all from considering the otherwise poor environment for growing them.

He gives you the key and asks you to unlock the door, which you do.

The curio shop is now open.

[ ]Talk
[ ]Other

>>24354939
Unusual properties? I've only participated in a few quests, but do you mean by having Clovis start out so gimped in the power department?

I considered moving the quest to the dedicated Quest board since it would be focused more for people who were actively seeking a quest to play, but I'm still not sure about that.

Either way, I'll be here as long as there are people playing. Of course, further metadiscussion can be carried out in the QuestDis thread.

Rolled 34

>>24355093
>talk
How long ago was he touched by magic. His use of hair to constrict you seemed intentional, can he control his magic? Remember to look if someone comes in. Wouldn't want someone to come in just as you say something revealing.

The low power present in both the MC and the known setting are probably the most obvious differences to other quests. This does not only mean the MC herself is not that special herself but also that there are no noticeable avenues for the extreme growth usually found in quests. Other then that the characters so far all appear human, which is to say they don't follow one of the many stereotypes or other simplifications often found in literary works and almost exclusively used in quests. The apparent ugliness of Clovis which is so mundane (if extreme) differs from the often unworldly nature of disfigurations found in other quests as well. Mind you, your quest has not gone for long enough to actually judge either world or characters, but most quests throw those kind of things at you nigh immediately.

>>24355093
Talk to him, ask him how he had gotten his magic, then show your teeth and say it makes us even.

Also HOLY FUCKING SHIT YOU'RE BACK! Missed your quest big time, Rat.

>>24355093
What >>24356008 and>>24355592 said, plus we ask him if he can teach us to read and write. Let's plan to write a letter to Varya thanking her for being our friend, if only for a little while. Make her have the feels.

Also, Rat Dentist, what time does the temple have it's prayer time? I figure we should at least here one of her speeches. Might even be about us...

>>24355592
>>24356008

"You have magic."

"Yeah."

"But you're not dead."

"No."

"How long ago did you get your magic?"

Kurush doesn't look up, but responds, "Before you were born. Going on eighteen years or so, I think. I was still dogfighting then."

Eighteen years of magic is beyond your imagination. Living so long with magic seems near-impossible.

"Can you shtop it? Control it? Make it go away?" You have too many questions.

"No, yes, and no. But f that little hair trick of yours was any indication, you could stand to use a little control."

Your hair trick?

"But ish my teef!" You quickly expose your mangled mouth.

He laughs. Hard. So hard that he has to stop working. You don't get it.

[ ]Continue talk (Input)
[ ]Other

>>24356200
Devorite prayer occurs three times a day. The first session is going on now. There's a second shortly after noon and another in the early evening. Most people attend the morning or noon sessions.

Devorism is not the primary religion of Rawling, so its following is fairly small for now. It is, however, the common religion in many other areas.

>>24356223
HE'S LAUGHING AT OUT TEETH. THAT'S NOT FUNNY, YOU JERK.

After the mix-up has been solved, ask him to teach you how to read and write.

>>24356223
Crying fit on the floor of his store. Full bore "I never asked for this" angst compounded with a little girl crying over the hell that her life is like with magic...

>>24356251
You suppose laughter isn't any worse than getting shunned by people you thought were your friends, but it doesn't make it sting any less. "Ish not funny!"

Kurush settles down and scratches at his mauled cheek. "Not the teeth. You. You don't even realize what type of magic you have."

You still don't appreciate the laughter.

"Can you teach me how to read? And write?"

"I don't see why not. You won't be much good to me if you can't." He finishes up sorting the last few mushrooms. He snaps his finger a couple of times. "Before that, take Kali out for a walk."

From beneath the counter emerges a massive dog with vicious, heavy-set jaws. A rope collar hangs around her neck, but perhaps a yoke would be more fitting.

If he was comfortable keeping such company, it's easy to imagine him fighting dogs.

"Just a short walk is fine. Keep hold of her or else she'll run off on you. My daughter nearly got her arms torn out of the sockets when they tried to catch her once."

[ ]Walk Kali
[ ]Ask to do something else
[ ]Other

>>24356638
First a note. Since you laughed at my teeth, I want you to help me write a letter to a friend. I want to deliver it during Kali's walk.

Letter outside: To Varya. Letter inside: Thank you for being my friend, if only for a little while. Hope to reach out to Her Hand someday. I'll miss you. Goodbye.

Signature in our hand: Clovis

>>24356638
Well, not much else to do but follow instructions, really. We're not exactly in a position to be picky about work, and if the dog behaves this is pretty cushy as well.

"Uh...you're sure it won't just run off at earliest opportunity?"

Glad to see you back, enjoyed this quest quite a bit.

>>24356726
I like this. We should let her know that we are not an ungrateful brat as well as cursed. I would like to see if she has the ability to have major feels as well, as it might mean a little bit of bread might go missing from the kitchen due to guilt.

>>24356638
...is she... ...friendly... ...ish?

Is that quest similar to Prequel Adventure in that we're going to make that poor girl suffer always?

>>24356726
>Since you laughed at my apperance,

fixed it...

If he argues, say "I didn't laugh at you when I first saw you!" Make him feel bad about it. Plus, it's a short letter. Not that big of a deal when it comes down to it.

>>24356726
>>24356749
>>24356830

"Is she friendly?"

"Most of the time. Just don't put your hand in her face and you'll be fine."

That's not nearly as comforting a response as you were hoping for. "Can you write me a letter to give to a friend when I walk Kali?"

"Make it quick." Kurush lays out a scrap of paper before him and prepares a pencil.

"Varya, thank you for being my friend, even if it was only for a little while. Hope to reach out to Her hand some day. I'll mish you. Goodbye." You're not sure about the whole reaching out to Devorah thing since you don't think she wants to hold your tainted hand, but Varya might like the sentiment.

"Sign it here." Kurush points to a spot on the paper and gives you the pencil.

You draw a sort-of straight horizontal line. Good enough. Kurush hands you Kali's rope and the letter. You put the letter in your "not-food" pocket and head out the door.

[ ]Wear out Kali first
[ ]Go to the church
[ ]Other

[ ]Wear out Kali first
don't want the dog to pick up your nervousness while near the curch and get anxious while she is still eager to run around.

>>24356968
Definitely let the dog do dog things first, no reason not to, and trying to coerce it to go where we want would be an exercise in frustration at best, and a missing dog at worst.

>>24356968
Might as well put it on the steps while we walk Kali, or make Ghayth do it in the evening in exchange for a beef tongue to eat. For now, let's walk Kali.

>>24357014
I agree, although if Kali was a he, it would have been fun to let him pee on the church steps. We'll deliver it in the evening, after Prayer has finished.

>>24356983
>>24357014
>>24357016
>>24357038

You think it would be best to let Kali wear herself out a little before you do anything else. You head out for a stroll around town. Town seems somewhat busier than usual and you hear some chatter about an incoming caravan and performers, but you try to stay focused on your task.

Surprisingly, Kali is very well behaved and does her business without so much as a growl at another person.

A hand descends upon your head and you jump slightly, startled at the sudden contact.

It's just Ghayth, staring blankly at you as he pats your hair. You're still not sure what he wants.

"Soon?"

A low growl rumbles in Kali's throat.

[ ]Escape
[ ]Talk
[ ]Other

>>24356903
While I enjoy reading Prequel and do draw inspiration from it still butthurt about that whole necromancer thing, I'm not making an effort to have Clovis being in constant suffering.

Her level of "suffering" is naturally dependent upon the player's actions.

Also, work is a'calling and I won't be back until about 9PM so I'll try to wrap things up within the next five-ten minutes.

>>24357259
(quickly, before Kali bites him) Now. Kebabs OK? Follow me.

(walks to the kebab stand, then turns around)

Next time, come from the front. Kali bites.

>>24357259
Man this kid is annoying.

"What?"

>>24357259
[ ]Talk
You looking to lose a hand?

>>24357299
Aww, I waited so long, and now you leave? Phooey...

Any plans for continuing tonight? If so, what time?

>>24357326
>>24357338

"What?"

"Soon." He nods to himself and darts off before Kali can take a chomp out of him. You hope that he won't still be in your home when you return home.

You suppose you should head back now before Kurush gets to wondering where you are.

"Hey you, with the dog. You know about the caravan coming to town, right?" A tall woman dressed in an offensively colorful outfit beckons you. "They're doing a show today. Would you like to be in it?"

>>24357341
Check the discussion thread tonight.

>>24357419
No. We've got work to do. Plus being run out of town when everyone else sees our teeth won't help us AT ALL.

>>24357419
Remember to buy a second Kebab today for him...

>>24357419
Yeah, that's not suspicious at all, creepy lady.

"I'm busy."

>>24357461
Why waste cash on him? We already apologized and given he stole from us first we're definitely even. Beyond that all he does is be weird.

>>24357519
We DID promise him a kebab, and we might need him as a contact for Varya, as he can still go over to the Devorite temple to help them and to get food for us, as well as deliver the letter.

Although I am beginning to wonder if that rock we hit him with made him stupid or something...

>>24357419
The caravan sounds like a good time, but we've still got a letter to drop off and our new boss to keep happy. Don't want HIM throwing us out too, since he might be able to help us learn to deal with our condition.

Rolled 28

>>24357579
>Although I am beginning to wonder if that rock we hit him with made him stupid or something...
We would need to find out how bright he was before we hit him for comparison.
What I wonder about is the Woman he stole our stuff for. I doubt she is happy he is no longer under her sway (or is he?). Street urchins are not known for being good thievery targets anyway. If we was willing to try even that he must have been quite desperate or already somewhat dumb.