Part 1: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/28696329/Your two day float in your launch has left you weak, dried out from the elements. If you had to find a silver lining, it's that the storm filled your launch with rain water. The rain water kept the worst of your thirst at bay. After beaching your launch you stumble across the shore, your weary feet sinking in the sand as you make your way to where you last saw the Archaeologists camp. When you get there it's gone. After two weeks they must have moved to better terrain. It isn't hard to pick up their trail, bulky equipment tends to do that.You follow the roughly cut trail into the jungle, uphill. The oppressive silence looms. This time you don't even have the footsteps of your crew to help drown it out. Your ragged breath echoes in your ears. You burst into a clearing at the top of a hill, where three shelters have been built. It's empty, with a fire pit smouldering. You move in closer, intent on finding some supplies, and seeing if you can find out where they went. In your exhausted state, you never hear 'nor see it creep up behind you. All you hear is the sickening thwack as it knocks you on the back of the skull.
>>28738068"I'm really sorry about that." Kintae says, again. It's dark now. The two of you are sitting around his fire, eating some sort of stew made from local plants and smoked eel. Kintae heard your approach. Apparently things have been sneaking into the camp at night, keeping him on edge. Since there aren't many people on this island he assumed, well, he's sorry about that. The back of your head throbs dully as you sit, and sharp pains shoot through you whenever you touch it. A: Its alright Kintae.B: Fuck you Kintae"C: Otherand also1: You should focus on recovering2: You should focus on getting information3: You should focus on preparing for, well, anything.
>>28738117A: Its alright Kintae.2: You should focus on getting informationBecause honestly, we'd have done the same.So where are the others?
>>28738117B, but in a joking manner2: we need to know where everyone's gone
>>28738117>B: Fuck you Kintae"We are angry but we dont hold any grudges so>A: Its alright>Still fuck you tho..>2: You should focus on getting informationInfo always improtant.
>>28738117>A: Its alright Kintae.and>3: You should focus on preparing for, well, anything.
"Shut it Kintae." You growl. He looks down into his bowl, abashed. "Oy, no hard feelings though. Except my head, that still feels a bit hard." He grins back, his white teeth catching the light of the fire Cheshire style.""Where is everyone?" You ask. His grin wears away. "Two days ago, Frank and Cindy, they go to the temple. They don't come back. Yesterday, Toby went to find them. He don't come back too." He says gravely. His deep voice and heavy Congolese accent make his words sound even more ominous. As he talks to you you check over your inventory. You have your pistol, 7 bullets, a knife, a compass, and a few loose coins."You say somethings been coming into the camp?" You ask, wanting to get everything important."It's the Otu's." He proclaims. "I see their lights, at night. White and bright. In the morning, I see footprints. Those of barefoot men, no animal. "So you've seen the Otu's then?""Signs of them. And the others, they don't come back. I hope your ship comes soon Mr. Sean.""I do too." The two of you glance at the horizon from your hilltop perch. There's no light on the sea that might betray the approach of the SS Máirín.It's already dark, and the night is only getting later. What do you want to do?
>>28738516Wait till tomorrow. Then we go to that temple with Kintae
>>28738533This! Those adventure novels always have an ominous native that turns out to be right in the end! Err...Kintae fills the role at the very least.
>>28738516Prepare to camp for the night, ask Kintae what he's done to avoid the Otu.
"What have you been doing to stay safe Kintae?" Your spoon scrapes your bowl, looking for more stew. He didn't cook much tonight. Seeing that you're still hungry, he tosses you a hard biscuit to gnaw on. Famished from your time in the launch you work at it feverishly. "I set traps. Pits, snares. You missed them." He's surprised, and a bit embarrassed. "They don't get caught though. I also keep the fire bright. Dark things always fear fire." You have no reason to think that's wrong. "I guess we'll keep the midnight oil burning.""Whiskey?" He offers you a flask, the half empty vessel sloshing as he shakes it at you. You decline. Even though you're a Gailander you've never been fond of drink. "In the morning, I'm going to the temple. You're welcome to come with. He shakes his head. "The temple is a dark place. Nothing good there.""What's the temple like?""Made of bones, built on torture. You should stay here. We'll wait for your ship together." His voice is almost pleading with you to reconsider. Since there are two of you, it's possible to keep a watch. It turns out that Kintae was the night watchmen, and his work is mostly nocturnal. Because of this your turn at watch won't start until an hour before sunrise. Kintae sets you up in Franks tent. It reeks of cheap scotch and cheaper cigars. Before you go to sleep, do you take any special precautions?
>>28738747Set up some alarms around the camp in possible routes into the camp. To aware you of anything coming too close to camp.
>>28738747Gun under our mattress where we can reach it, and set up some twine attached to cans as alarms.
You set a few alarms around camp, just in case Kintae misses something. Cans on twine, an extra perimeter around your tent. You sleep with your gun under your pillow again.You hit the bedroll hard and sleep a dreamless slumber, for which you are thankful. You awake with a start, your hand fumbling under your pillow when Kintae shakes you. "Something rattled your cans, but when I checked there was nothing. There were the lights again, but they keep away." Outside your tent it's dimly lit outside, the start of the morning Kintae must have let you sleep in. When you fully wake up you join him at the fire for some coffee and salted fish. Still hungry from your ill-fated journey you eat the fish too quickly, and end up picking little bones out of your teeth. "You don't need to go to the temple Mr. Sean. Just wait for your ship. We can all look together." Kintae advises, worry written on his face.A: I was never one for waiting. I'll see you when I come back KintaeB: You should come with me Kintae. There's no reason why being here is safer then going there, and we need to know what happenedC: Maybe you're right. I think I'll explore the island, but give the temple a wide berth.D: Other.
>>28739051C: Maybe you're right. I think I'll explore the island, but give the temple a wide berth.
>>28739051>CI really want to save Cindy and get my bonering on, but this seems like it might be a bad idea
"Maybe you're right." You admit. Your head still had a lump, your shoulder is sore from when you wrenched it in the Hag Fight. Your body is sun burnt from your time adrift. If the temple is dangerous you aren't in the best state to deal with it right now. "I'll just do some exploring on the island." He lets out a relieved sigh, giving you a smile. "That would be wise."As the sun crawl up into the sky, casting its light on the island, Kintae pats your shoulder, drawing a wince from you, and heads off to bed. In Franks tent you find a map of the island. Besides the temple there's the remnants of a village, as well as some natural sights like a water fall, and the dormant volcano at the western end of the island. A: Let's see the village. Maybe it has some cluesB: Let's do some climbing, maybe the view will reveal something interestingC: He notes that the waterfall has medicinal properties. Maybe you should check that out?D: You told Kintae you'd avoid the temple to make him feel better. Of course you're going to the temple.E: Other/ Aimless wandering?Do you make any special preparations?Do you take his rifle? Your pistol only has seven bullets.
>>28739243>A Check the villageAlso take a rifle, and any sort of sharpened hand tools like a hatchet or axe? One of those too
>>28739243>C: He notes that the waterfall has medicinal properties. Maybe you should check that out?Take the pistol, leave the rifle.We're sunburnt; we need something to heal us.
>>28739243>C: He notes that the waterfall has medicinal properties. Maybe you should check that out?Do we have a canteen to fill?
You decide to go to the waterfall. You're in a sorry state right now, you could use some rejuvenation. Before you go you grab a few canteens. You leave Kintae his rifle, but you do grab the axe used to make firewood. He has enough lumber for days. The island is as dead as ever. As you leave camp a low fog rolls in, cool and damp. It's soothing on your burnt skin. It isn't hard to find the waterfall. Frank drew game trails on the map.You haven't seen an animal since you got on this island. While you've heard noises, they don't seem to be consistent. What sort of game is making these trails? You hear the waterfall before you see it. The water plunges down a sheer cliff face, pounding into the ground, creating a lagoon that trickles out towards the ocean. You see signs of life here. Animal tracks. Human tracks, probably from the archaeologists. You take the time to strip down and wash the salt and grime from your body, always keeping your clothes and your fire arm in sight. The water is of immense relief to your skin, and when you emerge you note that the peeing skin has fallen away, by replaced by soft tender flesh. The angry redness has washed off, leaving a bright pink. Your head still hurts, but the ache in your shoulder has mostly worn off. While you're there you fill your canteens. It's now noon, and you decide to eat your lunch by the waterfall. Even though you didn't get your clothes wet it's impossible to get dry in the sodden mist. Your raggedy clothes are damp.As you eat a small, furry little rodent slowly moves out of the underbrush. It stares at your biscuit from 10 feet away, and at the smattering of crumbs that have fallen into your lap.A: Throw it a morselB: Ignore itC: Shoo!D: Something else?
>>28739759>A: Throw it a morselEh. Why not.
>>28739759>AWe on magic island now, best to be friendly with the native critters
>>28739843That or we could eat it.
>>28739925AND GAIN ITS POWER?!
Just because you're hungry doesn't mean you can't make friends. Besides, these biscuits taste like ass. You break off a chunk and toss it to the... thing. It grab the hunk of flour with two tiny hands and gnaws at it, its cheeks puffing up like a chipmunk. Its eyes flick between the food and you. As soon as it finishes it scampers off, back into the overgrowth. There's still plenty of daylight left, so you decide to check out the village. The road is indistinguishable, but you find the route Frank and Cindy must have used.The village itself is gone. The only sign that people once lived here are the occasional shallow pit that looks too deliberate to have been made by nature, and several stones covered in greenery. You see marks of excavation left behind by the archaeologists. One of the pits has been dug up. It all looks fairly innocuous. A: Return to camp, the sun is starting to get low. B: Poke around the village a bit more.C: You see footprints leading off in one direction, barefoot. Do you want to investigate this?D: Something else?
>>28739958>B: Poke around the village a bit more.
>>28740070Secodning
>>28739958>C: You see footprints leading off in one direction, barefoot. Do you want to investigate this?Yes, yes I do.
You decide to investigate the village some more. There's got to be something of interest here. You walk over to the pit Cindy and Frank must have been excavating. On closer look it doesn't seem quite as innocuous. There are bones in the dirt. Human bones. As you sift through the site a submerged skull stares up at you. You find a carved piece of stone that looks like a key. You don't know why, but you decide to pocket it. Maybe it'll come in handy later. The sun that sifts through the fog is starting to dwindle, and you definitely don't want to be alone here after dark. A: Stop being chicen, investigate the footprints.B: Get back to campC: Something else?
>>28740360They could be close by, maybe we could yell out to see if anyone answers. It's not like there are zombies around here. We can total let down our guard.
>>28740398>B: Get back to campWe don't have a torch, and we don't want to be stumbling in the dark.
>>28740398Retreat to camp. Next time we go out, I want Kintae with us.
>>28740481>>28740490But if we keep looking we might find something else in the village.
You pull back to camp. As much as you want answers, it's not worth your life.As you process through the narrow game trails, brushing dripping leaves on low hanging branches out of your way, a low hooting starts to echo around you. You see spots of soft white light moving in the jungle. What do you do?(As before, in situations of crisis and peril I'd like to use dice. 3d6+ a mod depending on how good I think the action is. Best of the first three rolls will be paired with the most popular choice. In the event of a tie, QM chooses.)
>>28740558I dun wanna find that, anon
>>28740582Time to run back to camp, because, shit that's glowing at night is invariably bad news.
Rolled 1, 5, 1 = 7>>28740582
Rolled 4, 5, 3 = 12>>28740720well shit
Rolled 3, 6, 4 = 13>>28740582Draw gun attempt to fire weapon and hit area in between two of the floating balls of light, IE between the eyes.Then Run like the dickens.
Best roll: >>28740937Best plan: Pretty unanimous call to run for camp.You break into a run for your camp. Maybe the lights are Otu's, maybe they aren't. Whatever they are, they're bad news. You quickly leave the lights behind you. You nearly lose your footing on the tight muddy path, but you manage to catch yourself on a tree and get back to running. You crest the hill and break through the fog. In the distance the sun is setting, bathing the island in eerie reds, pinks and yellows. It almost looks like the mist is on fire. Kintae looks up at you as you gasp for breath and trot into camp. His rifle is already in his hands. "See something?" He asks as he rests his finger along the trigger guard. "Otu's, maybe. Lights at least, and hooting." You stand next to the fire, your clothes starting to steam as the heat dries them out. "We see if they follow." He says grimly as he casts a disparaging look at the jungle. The two of you settle in for dinner, both of you on edge, just waiting for something to break into camp. While you wait together you relate to him the effects of the waterfall, and show him the key you found in town. You offer to let him examine it, but he shrinks away. "Frank said he need a key. That could be it. May be. A dead man's key, you should have left it." He's not happy to have it in camp, but he's not kicking you out.The two of you huddle around the fire, talking in low tones. He reveals that over the last three weeks Cindy had grown increasingly withdrawn. Always a shy and modest girl, she stopped talking after the first week. She went to the excavation sites before anyone else woke up, and stayed hours after everyone else finished. He doesn't begin to guess why, except to suggest that 'maybe she find a thing she don't want to share."As the two of you sip coffee, and he smoke a hand rolled cigarette, he slowly stop, opening his mouth and cocking his head. You ask him what he's doing, but he holds up a hand for silence.
>>28741037After a minute he straightens up. "I hear your hooting." He whispers as he picks up his rifle. "They didn't do that before." He looks at you, almost as if he's accusing you. "They're coming closer."You're starting to hear it as well, the low calls, deep and resonant. At least they're coming from one direction this time, instead of all around. The soft lights begin to wink at you through the branches, then fan out, possibly to surround the camp. Nothing breaks out of the jungle. What do you do?
Rolled 6, 4, 4 = 14>>28741112We have plenty of firewood, right? Let's set up another fire just behind us.
Rolled 4, 4, 6 = 14>>28741112Snatch up stick that's burning at the end. Be prepared to whack things with it.
>Roll: 14>Ideas: CombinedYou stoke the fire up, letting it burn hot and bright. Maybe it'll help. You hold your pistol in one hand, and a burning branch in the other, ready for action. The lights settle around your camp, and then simply sit there. Staring. Hooting. For half an hour you and Kintae fret and wait. Eventually Kintae breaks and fire his rifle at a pair of orbs. A high keening noise sounds from where he shot, and the sound of rustling laves build as the lights rush you. Nightmarish depictions of mankind emerge. Hunchbacked, loathsome creatures with large mouths that glow, and eyes that burn. Their skin is falling off in large decaying strips as they lumber into your camp. Their gait is odd. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast. You and Kintae are surrounded, but the creatures halt 15' from your fire, staring, hooting and gibbering. One of them flings something at you with its unnaturally long arm. A rotting head with a fresh bullet wound bounces off your chest, the smell of carrion filling your nostrils. What do you do?
Rolled 5, 2, 3 = 10>>28741661Open fire with pistol, see if its effective. Aim for head. When they close, whack them with the burning stick. If need be, sacrifice Kintae to make good our escape.But i don't wanna do that last part, so leave it as an absolute last resort.
>>28741661Retreat into the temple.
Rolled 4, 4, 4 = 12>>28741661That's how they want to play it?Shoot the one that threw the head at us right between the eyes.
Rolled 4, 3, 5 = 12>>28741892We are surrounded, I wouldn't recommend leaving the fire light.
>>28741661Look at the head. Is it someone we know or one of them that was shot?
Top roll: 12Top plan: Head shot and meleeYou recoil as the head thuds wetly into the ground, then line up a shot between the offenders eyes. A throat-less howl escapes it's lips as the light in its head flashes and dissipates. Six shots left. You glance at the head in front of you. You don't recognize it. The Otu's start gibbering, the hooting rising, filling the night with a symphony of madness. They rush the two of you, though as they close in on the fire's heat they become cautious and nervous. Slow and wary. You swing your impromptu torch at them, driving them back. Where you hit skin sizzles and chars, the scent of burning flesh and the smoke of a corpses body washing over your body. Kintae curses loudly as his rifle jams. An Otu rushes him and he beats it down, swinging his rifle like an axe, crushing its skull with the stock. The ghouls retreat, hooting into the night. They aren't gone though. A few lights continue to observe you through the vegetation. Kintae eyes them warily as he sits down, clearing the jam from his gun. "This is your fault. Give them the key." He orders you, casting his gaze back at a pair of lights that's slowly circling the camp. A: If they want it it must be important. I'll be keeping it. B: We don't know why they attacked. This might be useful.C: Good ideaD: We need to go check on the temple, now. E: Something else?
Rolled 2, 5, 3 = 10>>28742213>B: We don't know why they attacked. This might be useful.
Rolled 2, 2, 6 = 10>>28742213>AFuck that bullshit. This thing is clearly important
Rolled 5, 1, 1 = 7>>28742213>D: We need to go check on the temple, now.
>>28742213>B: We don't know why they attacked. This might be useful.We're sure as hell not going for the temple tonight.
"Absolutely not." You shoot back. "This thing is clearly important. Besides, they could have attacked for any reason. I'm not about to toss this away just because of them." "You're going to get us killed." He growls, his eyes glistening dangerously in the fire light. "We just fought them off. They're not that bad. We'll just keep the fire hot." There's a tense silence, the two of you glaring at each other. He eventually backs down. (It's heavy snow here. I'll be back when I've got it cleared off.)
>>28742349Ya let's just walk away from the only thing stopping them from ripping us to bits. If we go to the temple it will be durring the day so that if we find anything unsavory in there we can run out without ghouls waiting for us outside.
(Left a 6 pack of Coors outside. It was covered in ice.Who's got the ice cold refreshment now Rocky Mountains?)"I'm going to the temple tomorrow. I want some answers out of this place." He stares back at you, pegging you for an idiot. "I've had answers enough." He declares. As much as you want to stay up through the night, you're exhausted. You still haven't recovered from your time at sea, and today hasn't exactly been restful. You need sleep if you want to function well tomorrow. Do you sleep, or keep a vigil with Kintae through the night?If you do sleep, do you take any precautions?
>>28742817Set up an alarm to tell you if Kintae tries to make a break from the camp while you rest. Other than that, we'll need our sleep if we're gonna pillage that temple
>>28742817Reload our pistol, and set up alarms inside our tent so that if Kintae tries to take the key we'll be alerted.
>>28742866>>28742894Something like this. Sleep with the key on our person. Make sure he doesn't see where on our person we put it.
You head for your tent, though you set up an alarm around your tent in case Kintae tries to break in .You sleep poorly, plagued by nightmares where ghastly ghouls rip you apart limb from limb. In your sleep you hear a rattling of cans. Your eyes fly open and you whip up your pistol, pointing it at the dark figure leaning in through your tent flap. In the darkness all you can see is the silhouette against the fire behind. There's a tense pause, before it pulls back. "You a fool Newell." Kintae reminds you as he tromps back to his post.You sleep uninterrupted for the rest of the night. Kintae wakes you up an hour before dawn, not in the mood to give out favors tonight.You sit by the fire and make yourself some breakfast, keeping the vigil until the sun rises. You intend to hunt for answers as soon as possible. As soon as you have light you do some investigation. Four deteriorating corpses ring your camp fire. Some of Kintae traps were set off, though nothing remains in them. Bare footprints litter your campsight. Where do you want to go?A: The templeB: The footprintsC: Somewhere else?And do you make any special preparations? Kintae is sleeping with the rifle, you doubt he'd hand it over to you. Although he does snore pretty loudly.
Rolled 80, 67 = 147>>28743037>>28742894>>28742866I think we should follow the tracks from the village first, since it could lead to a secret entrance or climb the mountain to get a lay of the land before going into the temple.
(I'm not going too fast right? Do you guys want more time to vote and discuss?)
>>28743124Part of me want to ask for more time, and part of me wants updates as soon as possible, I'm loving this.
>>28743099>B: The footprints>B: Let's do some climbing, maybe the view will reveal something interesting>>28743124No your good.
>>28743146sorry, forgot to turn off trip>>28743099>A
>>28743099>B: The footprintsDestroy more of the Otu during the day.
>>28743099>A: The temple
>>28743099>B: The footprints
>>28743099Is there a clear trail like they obviously all came from the same place?Tough choice but I'd have to go with:>A: The temple
>>28743411Not really. The tracks all lead into the jungle. The only definite trail is the on you took, and all the footprints on there wear shoes. >Tied at 3v3 for Temple and Footprints.
>>28743467just roll for it.
>>28743513'KayUsually I have to flip a physical coin.
Rolled 2Odds Village, evens temple.
You think about following the footprints, but how well could that end up, really? You decide to investigate the temple. You might have all day, but the days don't last long. It isn't hard to find the temple. Frank and Cindy went there every day for the last two weeks, their trail is well marked. You keep an eye out for barefooted Otu prints, but you don't see any. Today is bright and sunny, with no strange weather. It's as quiet as always, but you're filled with energy and the need to know to let it get you down. You have your pistol, 6 bullets, your knife, their axe, a canteen of the medicinal water, your coins, Franks map, their key, and a flare you filched from their emergency stores. Just in case. The temple sits atop a low rise. It's clear of vegetation. In fact, it looks like time hasn't touched it. As promised, it's made out of bones. The pearly bones gleam in the light of sun, refusing to tarnish with age. It's two stories high, and a path of cobblestone skulls runs from the jungle to its steps.You pause at the steps as a shiver runs down your spine. You pat your pistol for comfort. Before you enter, are there any actions you take, or precautions you make?
>>28743740Are we going to need a torch?
>>28743740Bring a torch and something to start a fire with.
>>28743740We should light a torch and get extra materials for more, just in case.
>>28743947backing up this one
Before you left camp you fashioned yourself a torch with a stick, one of Franks shirts, and some lamp oil. You light it at the entrance to the temple. Who know, maybe you'll need to hit something.You have extra rags with you, and a canister of oil, stuffed into a pack you knicked out of Tony's tent. You also have some hard biscuits and a piece of salted fish, wrapped in native leaves. The temple doesn't have a door, just an opening made out of bones carved to look like a gaping toothy mouth. You hold your torch aloft as you enter. There's no light inside except for the fire you bring with you. A few steps in your eyes catch a nest of rodents feasting on a black skinned hand. They squeak and chitter at you, but a wave of your torch scares them off, sending them scattering into holes in the wall, nestling their diseased bodies between the ancient bones. One of them remains, looking at you expectantly.
>>28744096>What do you do?
Rolled 1, 5, 1 = 7>>28744096>Give it some biscuit crumbs.>Keep going into the temple.
>>28744121>Keep going into the temple.Ignore the rat
Rolled 5, 3, 3 = 11>>28744096Give the rat a cookie. See if anything cool happens. If not get moving
>>28744121Give it half a biscuit."Look, I fed you; the least you can do is tell your friends not to come gnawing on my body until I'm well and truly dead, alright?"
>Top roll: 11You look back at the furry fuzzy little thing, then toss it another chunk of biscuit. It gnaws away at it. "Look, I fed you; the least you can do is tell your friends not to come gnawing on my body until I'm well and truly dead, alright?" It makes no promises.It stuffs the last half of the biscuit between its cheeks and dashes off down the hallway. As it goes it blunders through some debris blown through the wind. You brace, expecting for the debris to set off traps like in your adventure novels, but they don't. Maybe they keep those somewhere else. Just to be safe you follow in the rats wake, after all, it didn't set anything else. The passageway opens up to a broad area. A staircase leads up. Windows have been cut between the bones to allow light to filter through. There's an altar in the middle, with a sarcophagus on each side. Before the altar is a slab of stone, and on the stone is Toby, one hand short. You quietly approach, keeping an eye open for danger. Toby is dead, probably because of the slit that runs from his throat to his groin. There aren't any flies buzzing around, and he smells fresh. Not ripe. What do you do?(Freighter Quest will take an hour-ish long break for dinner.)
Rolled 6, 6, 6 = 18>>28744466Check those sarcophagi. I would hate for the Frank and Cindy to pop out of them.Also, see if you can't burn Toby's body or something. I would be afraid of him coming back as an Otu
Rolled 3, 3, 1 = 7>>28744466Check the sarcophagi, and better to douse Toby's body in oil so that we can set it aflame as necessary.
Rolled 4, 6, 1 = 11>>28744552I... I... I feel like I wasted something glorious
>>28744552>>28744627yes, yes you did.
>>28744552It's official those sarcophagi have bisexual vampires in them.
I thought this was going to be Spice and Wolf style sea merchants type stuff. At least the adventure is interesting too.
>>28745230That's what I was hoping it was going to be. The adventuring is still great, just not what I expected.
>>28744552You approach Toby's body and grab your oil, dousing him. You're afraid of him coming back as an Otu. You notice his body is missing a few organs, but you're not a doctor and you don't want to poke around enough to figure out what might be gone. You light his body, and thick acrid fumes waft away from the corpse, collecting on the cramped dark ceiling. You turn your attention to the sarcophagi. They're both empty, you're not sure if that's good or bad. As you step away from them, your eye catches a hole in the altar. Sliding in the key gets the altar to open like a lectern. Inside is a set of three rings, carved out of bone. You can guess what type of animal they came from. One is unadorned, one has islander catamarans carved into it, and one is carved to look like a serpent. What do you do?
>>28745545Check if they're trappedIf not, take them, but don't wear them. Keep them where we can see them or drop them in a hurry.If they are trapped, see if we can disarm the trap readily. Don't do it yet, just see how dangerous the trap is and if we can deactivate it.
Rolled 4, 6, 5 = 15>>28745545Wear the unadorned one. See if magic happens
>>28745545Oh,>>28745599here. Also, keep a look out in case our burning body attractted attention to where we are. Don't want things to know where we are and sneak up on us.
>>28745230Honestly, I would love to do that. However, something like that would have to be more then a one shot. The last thread had some mercantile business going on. If this was going to be a long term quest I'd emphasize that more, and the business side would take place as a more prominent backdrop. Since this is going to have be 'spaced out episodic' at best, I'm going to take the opportunities you guys do seize and render them into the 'between episodes' narrative. Wise trading will get good hooks, good contacts, and economic advancement that can be used in later episodes.
>>28745646Fair enough. In the mean time: ADVENTURE!
Rolled 8>>28745623history favors the bold!
>>28745623>>28745880Dudes, do you even Indy?
>>28745985Indy didn't roll three nat 6s
>>28745985Would you watch a two hour movie about an actual archaeologist? He would have spent the first half of the movie sketching the artwork at the entrance.
>>28746009>>28746067No, he didn't.He rolled plenty of triple ones instead.But guess what? He's still alive in spite of that.If we're gonna go bold, as least do it smartly.
>Top roll: 15You make a quick check for traps. Nothing obvious stands out. Not that you have much experience with this. You pick up the unadorned one and weigh it in your hand, turning it around. You slowly place it on your left ring finger, and wait for something to happen. Nothing does. The ring does feel strange though, as if charged with some strange energy that's radiating along your finger. You keep an eye out for anything threatening. As you stand at the lectern a ring on one finger, you hear footsteps above, then on the staircase. Slowly descending while your smoke pours up the ladder well. What do you do?
>>28746137Listen. They're walking into our smoke. Are they coughing and hacking, or just nothing?Move to a blind spot, preferably close to the exit, so that anyone entering from above can't see us first.Ready weapon.
>>28746137>Ready your pistol.
>>28746237Backing this one up, but with the addendum that we steal the other two rings too
>>28746237this, but first grab the other two rings.
>>28746137Rolling to listen, hide, and ready.
You snatch the rest of the rings and drop them into your pocket, shut the lid of the altar, then quickly slip off to a blind spot behind the staircase. The sound of feminine coughing start up as whoever's walking down the stairs gets hit with a thick plume. It keeps up intil she drops below the cloud, and walks into the room. It's Cindy, coughing into her fist, while looking at the burning table in shock. She looks slightly worse for the wear. It's clear she hasn't bathed in over a week, or eaten particularly well. Her clothes are dirty and frayed, her eyes are dark and sunken, as if she hasn't slept well in days. What do you do?
Rolled 6, 6, 4 = 16>>28746408frick
>>28746420watch quietly, try to listen if she says anything. We were warned she went a little mad before coming here. And, despite our wanting to dick her she might have killed Toby, something we as a good law abiding merchant can't abide.
>>28746431dayum gurl! Dat roll.Lets hide and listen, ready to jump rope.
Rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14>>28746420Watch carefully. We don;t know what's been happening here. If nothing much occurs, reveal selves to her, holding her at gunpoint. Initiate questioning
>>28746458It should be noted that you acquired your ship with a small arsenal of guns to run. Sean Newell may very well be moral, but he isn't necessarily law abiding.
>>28746508We are law-abiding enough to keep up the plausible deniability.
Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17>>28746458Now that I think about it, didn't the witch of this island die under mysterious circumstances?What if the witch is dead, but still hanging around?What if the witch wants to live again?
Rolled 1, 6, 5 = 12>>28746656>suddenly possession
>>28746656That was my fear man. Like possession, or Cindy knows about something on the island that will let her achieve dark and evil powers
>>28746656>dat roll
Rolled 5, 3, 6 = 14>>28746656Wait, you completely missed the observations on more than one occasion that Cindy's body temperature was significantly lower than normal?That she was the one who put together this entire expedition, using the lure of treasure to get it funded and getting crewed?That Cindy is, likely to be, the Witch in question?
>>28746762I totally did miss them. ANON WAI YOU SO SMERT?
>>28746762Okey, lets assume that Cindy is the Witch, not possessed by the Witch, what do we do?
Rolled 6, 1, 2 = 9>>28746762Simple. We ask ourselves this question:Do we profit more from her dead or alive?
Rolled 7>>28746137>Ready your pistol.>put the other rings in our pocket
>>28746865Well, we need to get out of this Island alive if we want to profit. Since the guy back in the camp has not been murdered, we should assume that she is not going Civilization Gandhi on us.
>>28746865This is a post-WW1 world with some magic. The horrors of the war have shown that as long as you play by the rules of international diplomacy, you can be as horrible as you want.So, we stand to profit greatly from being an exclusive supplier to a returning regional power.
>>28746865Considering that she's the leader of a zombie army that seems to hate the living, I'm gonna have to say dead.
Rolled 2, 6, 5 = 13>>28746762What if she's just related to the witch, rather than is the witch?We might be jumping at a shadow when she's innocent and actually has been possessed or driven mad.(aren't there stories about possession being stronger if the victim is related to the spirit somehow?)
You stand there waiting, watching, listening. Cindy slowly walks over to the table and traces a finger along the edge. The fire slowly gutters out until Toby's body is a smoldering pile of charred meat. "Did you come back?" She asks aloud, looking nowhere in particular. Her voice is sad, tinged with hope. Your pistol is in your hand, for comfort. You should probably name it that. She's starting to turn around, she'll almost certainly notice you. What do you do?"
>>28746942She came back from the dead once, what prevents her from doing that again? Making supernatural enemies is bad for business!Anyways, when is our ship coming to pick us up?
Rolled 4, 6, 2 = 12>>28746983"Did I ever leave?">shit eating grin"Loved the welcoming comittee out there."
>>28746865This man has the makings for a great ship captain>>28746983>"Hows it going. Weren't expecting you to go all evil queen on me."
>>28746983She's going to see us, so may as well say something, but keep the pistol's hammer cocked."I said I'd come back, didn't I? A little off-schedule due to some weather and animal attack problems, though. "And the welcoming committee outside was NOT friendly."
Rolled 5, 4, 4 = 13>>28747066Now that's just not subtle.>>28747022is just as boastful, but doesn't imply *whose* welcoming comittee it is out there.Let her fall for the bait and expose herself if she is, while not accusing her of anything.
>>28746983Retort with dry wit, try and be polite, but be ready to place a bullet in her head. Then our own just in case.
>>28747022>>28747066Combine these maybe?>Just stopped in to see how you were doing. Loved the welcoming committee out there. Weren't expecting you to go all evil queen on me.
changing my vote from>>28747122to>>28747089I always keep my word.
>>28746983I told you I was coming back. I thought your bouncers would've had me on the guest list.
Before she can turn around you cock the hammer of your pistol and slowly raise it. "I said I'd come back, didn't I?" You ask with a shit eating grin. She turns around faster and flinches back she sees you. "Sorry, I was a little off schedule. By the by, not very fond of the welcoming committee."She raises an eyelid as she stares down your pistol. You're not sure if she's mortal, but she's clearly not comfortable having a loaded gun in her face. "Oh, Sean. You're here, I didn't expect.." She trails off, fumbling for words. "You shouldn't be here." She decides, brushing matted hair out of her face. "You shouldn't have come. It's my fault, I know, I'm sorry. You should leave." The smoke clouding the ceiling slowly dissipated now that Toby has been extinguished. The smell persists.What do/ say?
>>28747312"I'd love to, and I will, I'm just waiting for my ship to arrive. Or do you mean about me being in this temple? I will, if you can tell me how to keep those Otu away."Look, I honestly don't have any quarrel with you, and you're a paying client, so I'd rather not fight. I just don't want my face gnawed away in my sleep; I've already had quite enough of that with the damn jellyfish and the eels."
Rolled 5, 6, 6 = 17>>28747312>"What happened? Start from when we dropped you off."Neutral. No blame. Just want to learn a bit more, not judge or jump to conclusions.
>>28747312"I didn't have much of a choice in the matter."Tell her how we got stranded from our ship.
>>28747312oh,>>28747391here. Just an addendum, don't raise our pistol, keep it low at our side pointed at her, not threatening, but definitely wary and ready if something goes wrong.And WHY AM I ROLLING SO WELL??? >taking dice out of mail just in case I fuck up the next one.
>>28747391>>dat rollSecond this.
>>28747391I like this. And that roll... Delicious
>>28747312>>28747380>"I'd love to, and I will, I'm just waiting for my ship to arrive. I just don't want my face gnawed away in my sleep; I've had quite enough of that already"shorter is better.
"I'd love to, and I will, I'm just waiting for my ship to arrive. I just don't want my face gnawed away in my sleep; I've had quite enough of that already." She stares at you, her mouth opening and closing, not sure what to say. "What happened?" You ask firmly, slowly lowering your pistol from her face, keeping it pointed in her direction. "Start when we dropped you off."She looks at your pistol, setting her mouth in a line. "It starts before that actually. This is my second time here actually." You nod, you knew it. "300 years ago, my father brought me here on a voyage of exploration. One of the places we landed was this island, where the Witch Queen held the souls of her subjects. We were foolish and superstitious. Instead of trying to negotiate with her my father declared her to be a monster, and led an attack against her." She stays stock still, not wanting to alarm you, or your gun . You notice that she only breaths before she speaks. Long pauses come and go without her chest rising once. "We defeated her, with substantial losses. She stole the souls of the survivors. I've lost contact with the rest of the crew, I assume some of them are still alive. For the last few centuries I've studied the dark arts, trying to figure out how to get my soul back. I don't want to die and end up, end up." Her throat catches, and she chokes a bit, before taking a deep breath, enough to fuel a few sobs. She doesn't shed any tears. "I don't know what will happen, but I need my soul. I could become an Otu, or worse. I can't let her have it!"You consider consoling her, it's hard to keep a pistol trained on a crying young woman. You steel your heart, which isn't hard, and keep your grip firm and your aim steady. "So you came back, then what happened?"
>>28747792"Well, we started excavating. Frank and the Boys just wanted to find treasure, it's why I recruited them. I was looking for clues, anything about her. It was difficult. They don't keep notes here, they didn't invent writing. Slowly I started to piece things together. She lived in the temple, it's where all her personal effects are, upstairs. I was trying to bring her back here, possibly back to life. I don't know if she's dead, or a demon or, or what. Frank kept getting in the way, I had to take care of him." You finger the gun, uncomfortable with the implications."Toby figured it out, he wanted me to stop. I had to kill him." Your eyes fall on the split charred corpse. Her follow along. "He threw the first blow." She says with a cringe, hoping it lessens her burden. "And I needed a sacrifice. I couldn't just waste him.""The Otu's?" "They aren't mine, they started appearing when we began to excavate the village. We must have disturbed something. I thought it was a good sign, that it means she's coming back. She must be! Look, she accepted my sacrifice!" She gestures at Toby's remains. "How else could he burst into flames like this? Did you see anything when you arrived? He wasn't burning long, you must have seen her!" She's hanging on hope. What do you do?
>>28747986>"What are you going to do if she does come back."
Rolled 7>>28747986"A voice came to me and told me to light him on fire, the voice also says to follow its instructions exactly to help bring her to our world" Fuck this crazy bitch, false profit mode online.
>>28747986"I lit him on fire so he wouldn't become undead."
>>28747986by the way i found a key that might help. (if we haven't already used it?)
>>28747986This>>28748225is not a good idea, because she's going to find out we manipulated her.For now, tell her the truth: that we haven't seen any witch. Then ask >>28748211Dodge the issue and keep the fact that we were the ones who lit Toby's remains on fire a secret. Just in case she's lying, and so not as to drive her to complete despair.
Rolled 5, 3, 4 = 12>>28747986"No, haven't seen the witch. And I was the one who set the body on fire, because I thought it was someone about to turn Toby into an Otu. Look, do you have a plan for what to do when she DOES appear before you? Because I found something that the Otu's want, and that I think can help you."
Rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7>>28747986>Logic>Use our mercantile experience and perspective"Let's say you do bring back the witch. What then?You can only bargain with someone if you're in an equal or better position than them. The witch has your soul. Do you have anything of value to the witch that she would trade for it?"
"I didn't see anything." She deflates a bit, then takes a breath so she can give a resigned sigh. "I've waited this long, I can wait longer. ""What are you going to do if she comes back?""If she's a spirit I'll bind her until she gives me my soul back. If she's not then I don't know. I have Franks rifle. I could try shooting her. She didn't like that the first time."There's another awkward pause. "You can stop pointing that stupid gun at me!" She snaps, no longer able to bear it. "I don't need another sacrifice. Besides, I already told you, he attacked me first!" I've set up base in her quarters. We can go sit there if you want to talk more."A: We can talk here just fine.B: Sure we can go there, doesn't mean the gun goes away.C: I guess you're rightD: Something else/ more specific?
>>28748455>C.Keep gun aimed at her form within pocket
Rolled 6, 2, 2 = 10>>28748455D:Ask if there is anything the witch really wanted or like in her lifetime, but never got.Do it as small talk (maybe in addition to another choice). Don't commit to helping her yet, just try to flesh out a hypothetical plan that *might* just leave you alive and richer for it.
>>28748455We should probably go get Kintae if the temple is safe.
Rolled 4, 1, 6 = 11>>28748455C."Alright, look. You've got to come up with a better plan than that. Did she take your soul with you when she died? Or did she just bind it somewhere? And if she's gone, why not look for it and break the bindings on it? Because if you can't break her bindings, what makes you think you can bind her?"
"Alright, look. You've got to come up with a better plan than that. Did she actually take your soul with you, or did she just bind it somewhere?"You stow your pistol inside your belt, but keep your hand on the stock, ready to quick draw if she tries anything funny. "I don't know." She admits. She leads you up the stairsIt's more bones up here. There's a couch of bones, where Cindy has put her bed roll. She sits on it, making space for you to join her. There's also the uncushioned chair across from her, though it looks much less comfortable. "You don't know, okay. Well, you should probably figure that out. Maybe you can cut a deal with her. Is there anything she liked or wanted?""She wanted to rule forever, but we stopped that.""Something else then." You say through tight lips. It's clear Cindy doesn't try to persuade people very often. "Well, there are some murals, they depict gems and treasures. I think those are just representations of power an ostentatious wealth though."The key in your pocket feels a bit warmer, as does the ring on your hand, which Cindy hasn't noticed. What do you do? In general More specifically, do you mention the key, and where do you sit?
We should consider revealing the rings, it might be hard to figure out what they do if we don't.
>>28749013One ring, one of the ones we aren't wearing. Gauge her reaction then proceed from there.
>>28748892>Show ring and key
>>28749040backing this up
>>28748892Lets sit next to her, to show her some trust.
Rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7>>28749040Don't tell her we extracted those rings from the tower, tell her that we went to the village and found some stuff.Showing the ring as fine, but we don't want to either a)crush her hopes, or b)drive them up to hysterical levels. Either mistake leads to her doing something desperate and possibly permanent.
>>28748892Tell her we found something that the Otu want, and show her the key, and tell her that it opened a small space that contained a ring. Show her the ring with the islander catamarans.
Rolled 2>>28749150Let's sit next to her, show her the tip of our dick
You sit next to her. She doesn't seem very threatening, and she told you all about what she's doing. She's probably not lying, there are a million better lies then what she's said. "Well, I did find this." You offer as you dig the catamaran ring out of your pocket and pass it to her. She holds it up, marveling at it. It glows between her finger tips. "This must be how she controlled it." She muses, sliding it onto her finger. "Her boat, while we were sailing she had a barge of bone that moved with no oars, no wind, and no current. " She explains. The bleached bone contrasts with her slightly tanned skin. The key in your pocket feels a bit warmer. What do you do?
>>28749405>>"This must be how she controlled it.>>and one is carved to look like a serpent.Gulp! There is a serpent too!
Rolled 5, 2, 6 = 13>>28749405"What other magic did you see the witch do?"Try to match up what Cindy remembers to what our own rings might do, or if the key might also have a magical property.What were the rings again? A plain one, a catamaran, a serpent one...?And the stone key was also plain?
Rolled 1, 6, 3 = 10>>28749405>key is now warmerThe Witch is probably coming back.And if so, and with our ship not yet here, Cindy seems to be our best bet in getting out of this alive.Show her the unmarked ring (which probably controls the souls) and the key. We'll keep the serpent ring as our own insurance."Cindy, I also found these, and the Otu's really, really, wanted them back. And they're getting warmer. I think your ritual worked, so I hope you have your plan ready to go."
>>28749506good enough. Get as much info as we can while keeping quiet about the key or other ring.yes. the rings were catamaran, serpent, and the one to rule them all.
"What else did you see her do?" You eagerly lean forward, getting closer to answers. You forgot how cold she is, and slowly pull back. "She had a snake, as long as a train." She recalls. "And she could rip the souls out of men just by touching them. Those ones turned into Otus. My soul was stolen by her staff, I don't know where she keeps it though. If I had that, then maybe I wouldn't need her."You're suddenly less enthusiastic about your new ring. "Have you tried looking for the staff?" "Yes! Of course! It's nowhere to be found. This temple has so many secrets, it'll probably take me a decade to find all of the little nooks and crannies. That's assuming it's still here!" She fumes. What do you do?
>>28749755>Show her the key.
Rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10>>28749755"You say you've looked around. Does that include hidden or locked locations?"If she says she's found other locked locations, then we show her the key.
Rolled 10>>28749755>show her the D
>>28749755>The key in your pocket feels a bit warmer. Look around. The key might be responding to the staff. ie. the warmer it is the closer we are.
Rolled 2>>28749976>the cock in your pocket feels warmerLel
>>28749940>>28750004/b/ pls go
"Did you find anything that was locked?" You ask, trying to sound light and innocent. "No, but that's part of the problem! Look at these bones. They have gaps, holes, there could be a lock anywhere." She sighs and rests against the couch, looking small and defeated. You grip the key in your pocket, wondering if the warmth might mean that the lock is nearby. "Well, I found a key in the village, do you think it could be useful?" You slowly pull it out and show it to her. "It could be." She leans over and tries to take it from you, her frigid finger tips brushing your warm ones. You keep your grip on it. "Oh, it's warm. That's a good sign!" She gives it another tug. A: Let her have itB: Let her help you find wherever it goesC: Something else?
>>28750080>B: Let her help you find wherever it goes
>>28750080>B
>>28750080>C.Ask how she's been alive this long. She said she was afraid of dieing earlier, but never explained how she's prolonged her life.
Rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8>>28750080>A: Let her have it
Rolled 1>>28750080>she gives it another tugapparently op is enjoying my penis jokes
You keep your grip on the key, slowly pulling it out from her grasp. "I'd like to find this staff." You explain. She gives you a wounded look, but doesn't argue. "Fine." She stand up, you rising with her. As you pace around the room the key gets warmer and colder, and occasionally starts tilting in your hand, defying gravity. "How are you still alive?" She mentioned that she was afraid of death, but here she is as young as ever. "I stopped aging when she took my soul. We all did. I'm not even alive, really. Just animate. I don't eat, I don't breathe, I don't heal. I learned a few spells though, enough to fix myself up when I get damaged."The two of you find a spot in the wall where the key points straight. A skull at the center of a motif stares at you. Careful inspection shows a lock in his nose cavity. You slip in the key and turn. There's a click, and then a hatch of bones creaks as it swings open. Behind the door is a staff . Cindy gasps and goes to grab it with startling speed.What do you do?
Rolled 3, 3, 5 = 11>>28750398Pull that gun on her, shoot in arm reaching for staff. She says she can fix herself, so its no big deal.
>>28750398Shout stop. Try and stop her, without touching the thing. For two reasons, we don't look like we want to steal this thing, and the second is it could be a cursed trap.
>>28750398Doesn't that mean she'll age 300 years and die when she gets her soul back?Also, let's see what she does with the staff.
>>28750398>>28750444Let her take it, shooting another person at this stage would be paranoia.
Rolled 2>>28750398>Tied between stop and permit. Evens: You let herOdds: You try to stop her
Her quick motion causes you to flinch and whip out your pistol, aiming it at her arm. Her hand closes around the shaft of the bone staff. As she pulls it out she looks at you, then at the pistol. "It still hurts you know." She explains nervously as she freezes up, clutching the staff to her chest. You slowly ease the hammer down and stow your pistol. "So, how are you going to use that to get your soul back?" You ask as the two of you work your way back to the couch. "I don't know. Like I said, there're no notes. I've got some rituals to try, but it could take me a few weeks."It's starting to get late in the afternoon, and the chances of a quick resolution are soon fading. A: Spend some time working with Cindy, helping her with the ritualsB: Go back to camp, tell Kintae he should stay with you in the templeC: Go back to camp, tell Cindy you'll see her tomorrow.D: Something else?
>>28750830>B: Go back to camp, tell Kintae he should stay with you in the temple
Rolled 2>>28750830Go bring Kintae, if she decided she needs another human sacrifice, there needs to be another less liked throat to be slit near by
>>28750907Seconding, only before we leave we need to discuss hiding and "enhancing the truth" about Toby and Frank.
Rolled 6, 5, 5 = 16>>28750830D: Ask her where she learned the rituals.Paranoia senses tingling. Black magic isn't something to be trifled with. How likely was it that she just learned one or two things, compared to diving too deep into the rabbit hole?
You head back to camp. It's safer in the temple, he deserves some safety. Your journey is quick an uneventful, probably because the sun is still up. The ring on your finger cools as soon as you leave the temple. Back at the camp Kintae is just starting to wake up. He looks at you with tired eyes as he pours his first cup of coffee. "Cindy's still in the temple Kintae. She says it's safe in there." You join him for a cup. "Eh? You saw Cindy? You see Frank? You see Toby?" He asks eagerly, hoping for good news. What do you say to him?
Rolled 2, 3, 3 = 8>>28751042"That's more complicated. There seems to be some general witchery going on, but Cindy has driven that particular problem off for now."
Rolled 3>>28751042"Cindy says the otu got to them before she found sanctuary in the temple, I hate to leave her alone there, we should leave at once"
Rolled 3, 5, 3 = 11>>28751042"Haven't seen Frank, and all I've found of Toby is just smoke and mirrors."Going to have to exact words him, unfortunately. We can't have him freaking out.
Rolled 5, 1, 3 = 9>>28751042"Didn't see Frank, but Toby...Cindy was the only who made it. They didn't."
"I haven't seen Frank, but Toby...Cindy was the only who made it. They didn't. She took shelter in the temple though, it's safe in there. Kintae's not fond of the idea of leaving his camp, especially if it involves going into a temple where his team mates might 'not have made it.'"I think I like my chances here." He states as he settles on his stump.A: Suit yourself, not my problemB: Argue with him some more, try to convince him peacefullyC: Then I'm sorry, but this is for your own good. [Try to knock him out, march him at gunpoint or otherwise force him to come]D: Something else
Rolled 6, 2, 6 = 14>>28751358>A: Suit yourself, not my problemHonestly, no, it's not our problem.And if we DO need to use him as a sacrifice, then it'll be easier during the day, when he can be more easily convinced that we need his help with something in the temple and he won't be as cautious.
Rolled 4, 3, 4 = 11>>28751358>B"C'mon Kintae. You really wanna be alone when those Otu freaks come crawling back?"
>>28751358A: Suit yourself, not my problem
>>28751358>A: Suit yourself, not my problemWe should probably stay out here with him then.
>>28751358>B.Mention that you will give him a free ride out of here the day that your boat arrives, and possibly hire him on. If he comes with you.
Rolled 4>>28751358"You can stay*pull out pistol, click back hammer* the rifle and all the goods come with me"
"C'mon Kintae. You really wanna be alone when those Otu freaks come crawling back?" You huff and puff, but it's no use. "I was alone before you came here, I can be alone after." He reminds you. "Fine, suit your bloody self." You say bitterly. You grab a few supplies for the Temple. "If I see the ship, I tell them you go to the temple." He offers. "Oh, yeah, that'd be great actually. Thanks." The two of you actually shake hands before you head off. Back at the temple, Cindy has scratched a pentagram around Toby's slab, but doesn't seem very enthusiastic about it. "Where did you learn dark magic from anyway?" You ask her as you set down the supplies and lean against the altar. "I had 300 years. I found books and I practiced. I should've known this one wouldn't be any good though. Pentagrams, on a Polynesian! Why would that work?" She manufactures a sigh, and settles on the floor, arms crossed over her chest. "All the native magic here revolves around remains and talismans. The staff is a good start, but I'm not getting any results out of it. The ring you gave me wasn't made by her though, she stole it off another witch." She glances up at you, dirty hair covering her angelic, almost porcelain face. "You didn't find anything else did you?"What do you do?
>>28751646>Show her the other rings.
Rolled 4, 2, 6 = 12>>28751646We got more rings woman
>>28751646>Don't say anythingWhy are we trusting the crazy witch lady?
Rolled 6>>28751646Give her the other 2 rings, honestly we are already in so deep we have nothing to lose. Then wander around with your hand on your key and see what happens.
>>28751742Hot witch pussy of course!
>>28751768But her pussy is cold
>>28751646Show her the unmarked ring. Because honestly, we don't even know if our steamer survived, and she may be our only way to get off the island with the magic bone ship.
>>28751781It'll be hot after we're done with it!
>>28751781>ColdAs if that good enough reason. I bet this anon doesn't even play with ice!
"I found some more rings actually." You hand her the serpent ring, then slide off the plain ring, dropping both into her hand. She looks at the plain one in shock, and it glows dimly in her hand. "This should do it!" She says excitedly, rising up and giving you a quick, frigid peck on the cheekShe takes the plain ring and sets it on Toby's forehead, then puts a hand on either shoulder, chanting in a low tone. As she chants the room begins to darken. The setting sun, surely? Her voice becomes resonant, echoing levelly around the room. You don't know if this will end badly, but can you really expect it to end well?What do you do?
Rolled 6, 2, 3 = 11>>28751879Draw pistol. Get ready to shoot first and ask questions never
>>28751879Cock the hammer on our pistol.Because the Witch sounds like bad news.
Rolled 7>>28751879Yeah, we are going to stay on her team.
Rolled 6, 3, 6 = 15>>28751879No pistol, just watch for now. Get ready to run if need be.
Rolled 4, 5, 1 = 10>>28751879Move so we can watch both Cindy and the door to the temple; the Otu might be drawn into the temple now.
>>28751879Get ready to bolt.
>>28751879Cock the hammer on our pistol, aim at her head. And get ready to run to Kintae.
You ready yourself, for anything. You draw your pistol, you edge toward the door, and you keep your eye on Cindy.The only thing you didn't expect to happen was nothing. Her voice slowly dwindles as she runs out of breath, and while the room remains dark, it really is just the sun. She sucks in a breath, then looks down at her sacrificial lamb in dismay. "Maybe I need to do something else." She says sadly as she takes a few steps back. It's getting dark now. Outside you can see the wandering lights of Otu's, but they never approach the temple. "You are staying, right?"What do you do?Also,A: I want this One-Shot Quest to have romanceB: I want this one-shot quest to not have romanceC: I want this one-shot to have smut [Not really an option.]
>>28752092B: I want this one-shot quest to not have romance.We're the poor man's gentleman, we can't fuck while we know a comrade could be eaten alive at any minute.
Rolled 6, 6, 4 = 16>>28752092Can we at least grab her tit 1 time? I mean come on I gave her 3 god damn rings
Rolled 2, 2, 6 = 10>>28752092>A: I want this One-Shot Quest to have romanceMay as well stay.
Rolled 4, 1, 2 = 7>>28752092>AWe are so close damn it!
Rolled 3, 4, 5 = 12>>28752156Don't mistake my previous vote for a. That roll was for 2 sentences of C. Then B.
>>28752092>A: I want this One-Shot Quest to have romanceBut I'm not sure this is the girl for it :(>C: I want this one-shot to have smut [Not really an option.]NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Rolled 1, 6, 4 = 11>>28752092A: I want this One-Shot Quest to have romanceGrab Cindy by waist and say "Not many girls look as good as you at three hundred."
"Ah, well, I may as well stay. Besides, Kintae refused to leave."The two of you settle upstairs. There's an empty hearth that you use to set up a fire, and then cook the random smattering of food you brought with you. You hadn't realized it, but you'd actually gotten used to the smell of charred man that had settled into the nooks and crannies of the temple. The smell of more 'proper' cooking chases it away. During dinner the two of you sit on the couch, talking about life. Her is long, very long, and she's never been very talkative. You mostly get casual references to things that happened long before you were born. You do most of the talking. You tell her about your family, about your 6 brothers. About how your parents always wanted a daughter, but after 7 kids they just got a cat. She warms up to you bit by bit, until her arm is resting on your shoulder. Her hair insulates her cool flesh, so that the chill doesn't penetrate you. You slowly snake your arm around Cindy's waist and give her a smile. "Not many girls look as good as you at three hundred." She raises an eyebrow. "You're not supposed to mention a ladies age." She rebukes you. Still, she ends up settling a bit tighter against you. It's getting pretty dark now, the only light in the temple is what's being made by your fire. Her body is still and unmoving. You have to prod her, or ask her questions, just to make sure she's still awake. What do you do?
>>28752442>Head is resting on your shoulderMy bad, the hair on her arm is not going to keep you insulated.
>>28752442"Hey, you said that the Witch here stole that ring from another Witch, right? Are there still any other Witches still alive that you can ask how to unlock your soul from the staff?"
Rolled 4, 4, 2 = 10>>28752442UHHHHMMM Go for da keeesssss
As the two of you cuddle in front of the fire, its warmth filling in for her lack of it, you slip your hand down to cup her perky tit, the heated shirt and the soft breast feeling almost alive. "You said that the witch stole her ring from another witch, right? Are there any other witches that you can ask to unlock your soul from the staff?"She shakes her head sadly. "No. Maybe. I tried asking around, but the shamans and priestesses I talked to weren't any help. Maybe now that I have the staff, but it's a longshot."The two of you settle back into silence, her brooding. You impulsively caress her cheek causing her to turn and look at you. You plant a kiss on her lips. She's resistant at first, but melts into it. You break it off after a few seconds, your tongue chilled. "It'll be alright. You'll get your soul." You reassure her. Eventually the two of you fall asleep in each others arms.
>>28752824You wake up to a dull, wet thumping sound from below. It takes you a second to get your full bearings. At some point you and Cindy had shed clothing, possibly done more. Her body is warm from you, your body is cold from her. You disentangle yourself and get dressed, grabbing your pistol. 6 bullets. The fire has burned low, a shouldering heap of coals.What do you do?
Rolled 5, 2, 1 = 8>>28752889Gun. and see what's happening
Rolled 6, 4, 3 = 13>>28752889Gently shake Cindy awake, and put a finger to her lips to keep her quiet.As quietly as we can, get that fire burning again, and get a torch ready. That thumping sound is probably trouble. Big trouble.
You gently shake Cindy awake, and keep a finger to her lips to shush her, then motion for her to listen. As she gets dressed you stoke the fire, then creep towards the stairs to investigate.You descend one step at a time, rolling your feet, feeling every sound your make. You slowly peek your head around the turn of the stairs.Two eyes, burning with fire stare at you from the foot of the steps. "Who might you be?" A feminine voice asks you as the dull thudding resumes, growing closer as the eyes approach. What do you do?
>>28752889Go check out the sound.
Rolled 1, 5, 6 = 12>>28753017>Run
Rolled 1, 1, 6 = 8>>28753017"I am a trader and businessman, trading in coconut oil and other sundry goods."And go back up the stairs, maybe with a shouted "Cindy! We've got company!"
Rolled 5, 6, 4 = 15>>28753017BACK UP THE STAIRS YO.
>>28753082this
"I'm a businessman, trading in coconut oil and other sundry good." You say dryly, before pulling your head back and trotting quickly up the stairs. "Company, Cindy." Your hand is trembling on your pistol. Looking around you grab the couch and pull it in front of you, using it as a brace for your forearm. The thudding continues, the sound of wet bare flesh slapping the ground. Toby's coprse teeters up the steps, then stumbles into the full light, still as charred and dismembered as it was before. It works the ring Cindy left on its head in its good hand. Its burnt face crackles as it smiles and takes another step. Entrails spill out of its open cavity, steaming as if they been freshly pulled out of the fire. "A businessman? I have a proposition then. Give me your soul. You could live forever you know." It, she? offers as she stands at the edge of the light. Its eyes are sunken coals, and its tongue is fire.Your response?
>>28753185>Shoot it.
>>28753185Decline. While we're not a drinkin' man, we are a god fearing morally good person. Soul tradin' is evil.Also, two bullets into its head.
Rolled 4, 1, 1 = 6>>28753185Pow Pow motherfucker.
Rolled 3, 1, 1 = 5>>28753185"Unfortunately, you have me at a disadvantage.""I am interested in living, at least past the current moment. Just...not forever.">could we use her own tools against her? Is it possible to seal her soul with the same staff that sealed Cindy's soul, and what are our chances?>Pretty poor? It is originally her item.
Rolled 3, 5, 3 = 11>>28753185"Cindy, looking back on it now, leaving that ring there was a bad idea."As for giving up my soul? What's the catch? I'm your thrall for eternity? I AM a businessman, and full and proper disclosure of offered goods and services, and payment for such, is a cornerstone of negotiations in good faith."
>>28753298Addendum, then get ready for one in our own, if it doesn't die from two bullets to the brain pan it'll be pissed, better to die a man than become a soulless abomination.
Rolled 4, 6, 5 = 15>>28753185>>28753207>>28753298>>28753304Do you guys really want to shoot this fast? Even if we destroy her again, it won't solve Cindy's soul problem.We gotta use some kind of guile first, before we resort to violence.
>>28753185I have a counter proposalThen >>28753207
Rolled 2, 6, 2 = 10>>28753185Kick him down the stairs, maybe try to snatch the ring off the finger
Rolled 6, 3, 5 = 14>>28753363I like the civilized responses, but I also really wanted to type>Pow Pow motherfucker.
>>28753363raises a valid point. Diplomacy first, then bullets. >>28753298>>28753344were me
>>28753363good point>>28753366change this to: "I have a counter proposal" Hold up gun but don't shoot right away
Rolled 3, 2, 1 = 6>>28753407Fine diplomacy, but ready the axe to chop off the zombies ring finger
Rolled 2, 1, 2 = 5>>28753363>Bluff. Pretend you're a hotshot from the lands."I may not be the heir, but I'm still the second son of a powerful father from Gaelisea.""I have a ship coming to pick me up soon. I wonder what he would do with his contacts in the navy if he discovered I came back...different.">offer to trade, starting high and bartering down to what we actually want. Start by threatening to annex the island with our influence, then grudgingly concede to asking merely for Cindy's soul and allowing us to leave, in return for keeping her island location a secret. And maaaayyybe giving back some of her goodies.
>>28753363I say shoot it, and hope we put manstopper rounds into our Webley.
"Cindy, try the staff." You whisper. She nods and moves for it. "My soul yeah? What's the catch? I *am* a businessman. I'd like to make these negotiations in good faith."The Husk frowns, possibly unable to follow your words, or just not fond of them. It steps fully into the light, and keeps coming. The ring in its hand starts to glow. 'I don't make deals." She informs you, before launching into a litany. A hodgepodge of vowel based syllables that echo from the cavity in its stomach. Cindy gasps weakly behind you, but do you dare look away from the Witch?What do you do?
>>28753497Shoot her in and/or around the mouth area.
>>28753497>Be thankful the third roll was an 11
Rolled 2, 6, 2 = 10>>28753497Shoot the husk in the face. Preferably in the mouth.
Rolled 3, 5, 1 = 9>>28753497You fool, >>28753522, >>28753532the vowels are coming from it's stomach.>one shot, at her stomach. Interrupt her spell if possible."Tsk tsk. At least try it once? Bargaining for something is so much more satisfying than merely seizing it yourself. Especially when you don't know you were actually at a disadvantage."
Rolled 5, 5, 2 = 12>>28753497Axe it's hand off. The ring hand.
>Top roll: 12"You're not even going to try it? Just once?" You ask dryly, before you left off. You shoot her in the mouth, then the stomach. It doesn't stop Her. You take a third shot at her hand, blowing it. A scream of rage and disbelief comes out of It, from somewhere. You don't even know anymore. Just as you're about to begin shooting again you get tackled from behind. The pistol clatters out of your hand, skidding a few feet away as you tip over the couch. Cindy is now on top of you, her cold hands locked on your wrists. You try to throw her, but she's unexpectedly strong, gripping you with strength from beyond the grave. "I'm sorry Sean! I'm so sorry! This isn't me, I'm not doing this!" The Husk stumbles closer. You can smell its smoky flesh now as it looms a few feet away. Things are looking bad for Sean Newell, how does he get out of this? The pistol is a few feet to you right. The staff a few feet to your left. The Husk is without ring, but every step it takes steams. You probably don't want to touch it.
>>28753627>Take the staff.
Rolled 3, 5, 6 = 14>>28753627I'm going to roll triple sixes on my Kung Foo check
Rolled 1, 5, 5 = 11>>28753679that would be a no
Rolled 3, 4, 2 = 9>>287536273xnat 1 inc?
Rolled 4, 4, 5 = 13>>28753627We can't grab anything if Cindy is holding onto us.Twist around and shove ourselves backwards with Cindy in between us at the Husk. Use the collision to free ourselves and then go for an item.
Rolled 5, 3, 6 = 14>>28753627Roll over to the staff. Break it.
Rolled 5, 5, 4 = 14>>28753737This anon may be onto something. Maybe the witch still lives because her items are preserved?
>Top roll: 14You twist yourself around, managing to shove yourselves backwards, driving Cindy into the Husk. She scream in pain as her skin sizzles and lets go of you. You take the opportunity to scramble across the floor and grab the first thing you find. The Staff As you pick it up you stare at it, then at the Husk. In a flash of desperation you jab the pointed bottom end of the staff into the husks open steaming cavity. Hot blood spurts out, hitting you in the face. The Husk stumbles back.You keep attacking it, stabbing it over and over again, destroying what organs are still inside. When it's reeling, disoriented, shrill reverberations echoing in the dark room, you lift the staff high and slam the bone down on Toby's Skull. The skull cracks, while the staff splinters. You raise the staff and drive it down on her again, snapping it in half. Ghostly apparitions fly out of the staff, vanishing through the ceiling while the Husk falls to it's knees. Black smoke pours out of its body as it begins to self immolate.Cindy is looking up at you, wanting to help. Her body twitches and convulses as she fights for control. What do you do?
Rolled 1, 2, 5 = 8>>28753827>Ask Cindy, quickly."Are the apparitions souls?">If yes, Cindy will get her soul back soon, we can safely destroy the remaining magic artefacts if we suspect them of sustaining the witch, or profit from them if we don't think so.>If no, we're back to square one, minus a body and the staff.
Rolled 1, 4, 2 = 7>>28753827Destroy the rings
Rolled 1, 4, 1 = 6>>28753892No, one of those rings operates the bone ship we need to get out of here
Rolled 4, 6, 5 = 15>>28753924Looks like we got ourselves a magic tugboat. A little creepy, but still useful. The trip wasn't a total writeoff.
Wordlessly, you walk around the burning husk and pick up your pistol. "Are those souls?" You ask Cindy as you line up your pistol. She manages to make a deliberate nod. "Good." You fire into the husk, watching it burn faster with the new hole. 2 bullets. It burns away to ash, and a high wind kicks up, gusting through the windows. Cindy rises to her feet and walks over to you, grabbing you around the waist, burying her head in your chest. She's warm for once. You open your mouth to say something clever and witty, but she stand on her toes, giving a warm, sweet kiss, swallowing your words. When she pulls back she's blushing and smiling. "Thank you Sean. The boat should be in the harbor, I'll guide it to your ship. Just wear the ring." She gives you another kiss, and your arms circle around her, holding her tight. She grows lighter, and you open your eyes to see she's turning into dust. You try to break the kiss and glance around, looking for something to keep her here. Before you can make a move she's gone on the wind. The artifacts that have been left behind feel dull and mundane, bereft of the mystical charge they once had. You gather them up. You leave the temple at the first light of dawn. Dusty skeletons surround the temple, the remnants of Otu's. On the hill you grab Kintae, and the two of you break camp. You fill him in on the full story as the two of you load a barge made of bones in the harbor with the supplies, and all the ancient artifacts you can find. On your final trip Frank stumbles out of the jungle onto the beach, bleary eyed and confused. He'd been trapped in a prison cell made of bones that refused to open for the last three days. Luckily a rodent brought him some water and crumbled biscuits every day.The treasure split three ways, will make a tidy sum for each of you. The Bone Barge steers itself, at a breathtaking speed. You find your ship in half a day. As soon as you finish unpacking it it sinks into the ocean.
>>28754163That night you dream. A pleasant dream, with Cindy in it, alive and warm. You make love, and you say your goodbyes. You're never sure if it was just a dream, or if it was something more. You'd like to think, in some way, Cindy experienced it too. >End
>>28754195Yay good ending
Rolled 5, 4, 6 = 15>>28754163>Before you can make a move she's gone on the wind>As soon as you finish unpacking it it sinks into the ocean.Goddamnit. Those two were the best treasures in this mini-quest
>>28754195Awwww damn. Is over.Good quest Kaptian.
Hey guys, this was a one shot designed to see if I could tell a decent story that wasn't based on smut (Which is what my normal stuff is.) Thanks for playing. I'll be around for another half hour or more to answer questions, and if this thread is still up in the morning I can answer more questions. I also lurk the Quest Thread Generals.While this is a stand alone episode, there is the chance that over the following months more stand alone Freighter Quest episodes will happen. This is my twitter. https://twitter.com/KithKunabi If I do anything clean I'll make a tweet about it before hand. Again, thanks for playing! You guys were a great audience, and I had a lot of fun emulating the types of stories I like to read. Thank you guys for making this possible.
Rolled 3, 1, 5 = 9>>28754285Alright, fine. Million-credit question.Was Cindy's conclusion forgone, or was it possible to avert it?
>>28754285Pretty good.
>>28754341If Cindy's soul was returned to her, then her destruction was inevitable. Since this was a one shot, it wouldn't have been feasible to do a Quest Line about finding a way to return her soul and keep her alive. It also makes it into more of a romantic ghost story instead of a romantic adventure. The feel I wanted for this episode was ghost story, which is why I planned her end that way. That said, I wasn't entirely sure that Cindy was what I wanted her to be until an hour into today's Quest. At one point I considered having her be the Witch's sister, among other things. Still, this was the first idea that came to my head, and I like it. I hope you guys did too.Archive Link http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/28738068/
Rolled 2, 6, 2 = 10>>28754461Thanks for the quest. It did make for a good ghost romance.I think the tension from the not-zombie threat made the attraction between protag and Cindy more plausible and natural instead of awkward and rushed.
>>28754550There was also a side of 'she hasn't gotten laid in a while' and 'she knows she's going to die soon.' She wanted this more then Sean did, and a Sean is a young man. I did have to avoid using the best worst come-on ever, because it's atrocious, and I wasn't here to write sex scenes. "I'm so cold. I'd like to feel warm inside again."
>>28754285>>28754461this was pretty damn good, and I'd love to see it continue sporadically which each thread or two being stand alone stories in Sean's adventurous life aboard the freighter.
Rolled 6, 4, 5 = 15>>28754619
>>28754285Wait you do other quests? I like smut
>>28754721I write Hoo/d/ Quest. It's on /d/, and it involves a lot of fetishes. It's about an Arabian Sex Wizard and his Harem. The archive for it can be found in this thread >>>/d/5142897Just Ctrl+F Mediafire
>>28754619>"I'm so cold. I'd like to feel warm inside again.""Baby it's cold inside" would have been an appropriate musical number for the seduction scene.
