You are Logan Drey.When you left Earth about a week ago, it was on the verge of total domination by a rogue AI.You alone seem to have been spared by fate. After a desperate gambit to escape certain death, you met a strange creature in armor. When you accepted the shield this creature offered you, it whisked you off to parts unknown.Now you’re a wanderer, the Unchosen Void Knight.You’ve had quite the interesting time today. First you woke up naked next to Parin, who was also naked.Then you received a distress call from Jax. When you went to check it out you found yourself surrounded by a group of purist Way Knights who wanted the shield. You decided to ambush them and take them all out before Parin arrived.When she did, she was none too pleased to find a bunch of dead Way Knights.Now you’re on a strangely picturesque world, surrounded by slime creatures who call themselves “Dark Priests”.Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Into%20the%20Aether%20Quest,QM twitter: https://twitter.com/QM_DizzyCurrent OP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mSFNDtSwrE
>Current objectives:-Find your way back to the crossroads.-Find your way back to Earth.-Discover what this huge war is about, and how it's threatening to destroy the universe.-Learn more about the Corruption.-Stay alive.>Current inventory-1 KV-09 Combination assault blade/energy pistol. Modified with the Void Knight Shield-1 Screwdriver-1 Adjustable wrench-Various spare parts-A pouch of gold coins-Another pouch with 17 "Calling Crystals"-8/10 light travel rations-10/10 full oil can-10/10 bandages>Current energy stored-3 Aether tanks-3 Void tanks-0 Apotropeia tanks-0 empty tanks-Support tank-Aether-Weapon-Apotropeia-12 EP per tank>Calling Crystal contacts-Jodo, chief of Yujun village (Palia)-Rose, interplanetary drifter (Currently on UNKNOWN) (Travelling with Oz, Savvi, and Thorn)-Jax, Hecatun Way Knight (Currently on UNKNOWN)-Parin, Hecatun Way Knight Trainee (Currently on Bray)-Winnow, Veeka Spirit Singer (Bray)>Current known techniques-Blade Wave (cost:5 EP)-Charge Shot (cost:3 EP)-Scatter Shot (cost:3 EP)-Close Lesser wound (cost:1 EP)-Close Moderate wound (cost:3 EP)-Repulse (cost:2 EP)-Repulsor Blast (cost:3 EP-Reflection Field (cost: 7 EP)
“The Dark Priests, huh?” You say, looking none too enthused at your current situation.Out of the corner of your eyes you can see them slowly trying to surround you, and you’re aware of the blue slime slowly creeping up your metallic legs.“I don’t suppose we could talk under less threatening circumstances, could we?” You ask.“We are perfectly comfortable the way things are right now.” It says.Doesn’t look like they’re going to budge, and their hostility is starting to look a lot more open…“Uhhh… Logan?” Parin says from off behind you. She sounds worried and more than a little stressed.“You travel in a group, tell me. Are you Kalkarri scouts?” It asks.“No” you answer.It considers you for a moment. “Forgive me for being suspicious, but I believe we’ll see what your companion has to say about that.” It nods to something off behind you.“N-no! Stay back!” Parin shouts.>[ ] Tell her to stay calm>[ ] Threaten violence.
>>30335302....it may be timme for threats of violence these dark priests need to learn personal space concepts
>>30335302STAY CALM
to do list for today.... after we get the hell out of this situation talk to parin seriously the girl has had an emotional roller coaster she needs to know we care and are not some kind of callus kill bot. nor that that is what she should strive to be
>>30335616 and mebe check in with our other friends see what is sup with them...any other ideas for thing to put on the list cause am out of ideas
>>30335616Indeed. A good reason to stay calm. More then likely he's feeling angry right now, but he can't lose composure.
>>30335681i will rescind my previous ideals of blood and slaughter
>>30335302Let cooler heads prevail.
>writing
>>30335719this time
“Keep cool Parin, keep cool and tell them the truth.” You call back to Parin, eyes still locked on the Dark Priest in front of you.You start to strategize in your head, but every plan comes up null. There are too many unknowns hanging over these guys for you to consider engaging. The biggest and most glaring of those is whether or not they can actually be killed by conventional means.You hear them questioning Parin behind you. Her answers are shaky but she seems to tell them what they wanted to hear, as you feel the bind on your legs loosen. “Thank you.” You say as you step back out of the creek and onto solid ground to find Parin waiting for you.She looks like she’s about to pass out from fright, but she seems to be holding out for the moment.>[ ] “You okay?”>[ ] “That was well done.”
>>30336016>[ ] “You okay? now may be the time for that tactical hug
>>30336082which I totally misread as tackle last thread which would've altered my vote
>>30336016VIcky, deploy tactical hug
>>30336016>[ ] "You okay?"
>>30336016Commence tactical hug ops.
“You okay?” You ask her, hunching down to her height to catch her eyes and laying a hand on her shoulder.“How… how do you do it?” She asks.“Do what?” You say, furrowing your brow.“How do you stay calm like that? Even when you were surrounded with your feet trapped in whateverthehellthatstuffwas you didn’t flinch, or stutter, or panic, or anything!” She says, looking distraught as tears start to well in her eyes.“Poker face” you answer. Her expression changes to one of confusion, and you continue. “It’s not about not feeling fear, it’s about keeping control over yourself regardless.” That’s only half true, these guys didn’t scare you at all. You haven’t actually been too afraid of any of the enemies you’ve faced so far. After all, they can only kill you.“I guess I’ve got a long way to go, huh.” She says, forcing a smile.You smile back. “You’ll get there.” You say, pulling her into a hug. For a moment it feels like she might push you away, but then that moment passes and she returns the embrace.And the Dark Priests simply observe. They’re actually being a little creepy right now.>[ ] Trying to have a moment here guys.>[ ] Break off and try to get info
>>30336685>[ ] Trying to have a moment here guys.Need to teach her what poker is later
>>30336730strip poker?
>>30336685>>[ ] Trying to have a moment here guys........urge to kill rising
>>30336730STRRRRIP POKER!>>30336685But seriously, ask them about tattva. They seem to be members of the proclamation, maybe they know something?
“Trying to have a moment here guys.” You say to the ‘Dark Priests’.Parin jumps a little and pulls away. “Sorry, I guess this isn’t a really good time for this…” She says, looking to be in higher spirits.“The two of you are not of the same world or species. Why do you treat one another as kin?” The blue slime who addressed you before asks.“We’re part of the same order, technically.” You respond, before putting an arm over Parin’s shoulder. “I also owe her a debt, which I’m slowly repaying. And besides,” you say, poking Parin’s cheek “who could say no to this face?”Parin shrinks a bit under your arm, clearly embarrassed. So you let up.“Interesting…” It says.>[ ] You guys are a part of the proclamation right?>[ ] What exactly are you people?>[ ] Other (specify)
>>30337343>>[ ] You guys are a part of the proclamation right? that one
>>30337343>[ ] You guys are a part of the proclamation right?
“You lot seem friendly with the Geob, are you a part of The Proclamation?” You ask them.“We are. Monthei released us from our slavery, and so we follow him where he leads.” The blue slime says.There wasn’t much you had to ask when you met the Geob. Your trip to Tattva changed that.>Ask about:>[ ] What they are>[ ] Tattva>[ ] Mercury>[ ] Other
>>30337866Mercury.we know what happened on tattva, monthei tore a bloody strip off the place.
>>30337866>>[ ] Mercury I say this one
“What significance does mercury have to The Proclamation?” You ask. That was mystery #1 on Tattva. You’ll probably need someone who was there to answer mystery #2.“Mercury… Poison?” It asks. You nod, and it continues. “Our gods were woven into our world, where they could not be killed. Monthei brought Poison, Mercury, to our world to cleanse it of them.” It says.>What say?
>>30338348Woth woth woah. So does monthei have some kind of mercury fountain hanging around or something?Because that's fucking frightening.
>>30338348MOST DEFINITELY THIS
>>30338398 his allies probably secrete it through their claws>>30338348 so mercury is how gods die
“Hold on, does Monthei have some sort of mercury fountain?” You ask, not quite sure of what he meant.“Not a mercury fountain, Mercury.” It says. That didn’t help at all, so you ask Vicky for clarification.>It may have something to do with the translator.<I have a translator?>Yes.You’re not sure why you didn’t ask about that earlier, though it did seem odd that every alien spoke English…<So translator, what’s wrong with it.>They seem to have two different words for mercury, ylis and Rasa.“Rasa, what is that?” You ask the blue slime.“Rasa is the one who poisoned our world.” It says.>What say?
>>30338852And ylis?
>>30338852So rasa is a person?
>>30338994 this one
“So Rasa is a person?” You ask the blue slime.It takes a minute to figure things out, but eventually you get past the little hiccup in languages. Rasa is the name of the being that came to their world with Monthei, and also their word for mercury. Ylis is their name for poison in general as well as the world you’re on right now, as they named it after their salvation.“So Rasa is a being with some kind of mercury powers?” You ask.“No. Rasa is mercury given form.” It answers.It’s starting to sound like Rasa is MADE of mercury. But that’s not possible… is it?>Anything else?
>>30339331 am good people of fire and air people of slime monster of mercury totally makes sense
>>30339331Where the hell is this thing from?
>>30339490Rasa or the slime people?
>>30339490First off, where do THESE guys come from?
>>30339531Both would be a valid question.
“Is this place your home world?” You ask them.“It is.” It answers.“But your home world was poisoned, this place doesn’t look poisoned.” You say.“Our original world is Dead, and the ones who held us there are dead as well. It was not home to us. This place is the home that Monthei has given us, and so it is out home now.” It answers.>That word seems to be another one with a strange meaning. I believe that word (Nuhl) is their word for dead as well as the name they gave to their planet of origin.Their world must have sucked pretty hard if they called it ‘dead’. “What about Rasa, where is he from?” You ask.“Rasa does not speak of his world. A sentiment we share. But where our gods are dead, his still lives. But death will come to him, as death came to our gods.” It answers. You’re about to ask more questions when it interrupts you. “But we have indulged your curiosity long enough. You were not welcome here when you arrived, and that has not changed.” It says, and the other ‘Dark Priests’ all seem to emanate hostility.“Time to go.” You say to Parin.>Anywhere in particular you guys wanna go?
>>30340044Did we forget the pillow? I haven't heard anything about it since that last world.If so, we should go back and get it. It doesn't belong to us after all.
>>30340142This. And clean the blood off it
>>30340142lets go some place quiet have our little chat with parin that we said we would do when we woke up together....mebe the hotel so we don;yt get banned for theft of hotel property
>>30340254then perhaps call rose and them see if we can not apologize to them again.....no flirting this time we already got a blushing female to fluster to our hearts content right now
“Where to?” Parin asks. “I’m not picking this time. I picked last time and look how it ended up.” She says. Looks like she’s still a might bit scared of the Dark Priests.“Hmm… Well, we can decide elsewhere.” You say.<Give me the coordinates for that last world.You pull the KV off your back, which causes all of the Dark Priests to tense up. “Relax, we’re leaving.” You say as you punch in the symbols and cut the rift.“Let’s go” you say to Parin, offering her your hand. When she takes it, you both head into the void.A few minutes later you’re back where you came from.“We came back here? Why?” Parin asks.“I forgot this.” You say, walking over to where you dropped the pillow.“We came all the way back here for a pillow?” She says, a look of incredulity on her face.You shrug. “It’s not mine, I can’t just leave it here.” You say.“I’m not sure what to think about that…” She says, putting a hand up to her face.>What say/do/go?
>>30340787> have you ever killed someone?We came here to talk, and the fact that we killed people seems to be weighing on her
>>30340959Yea go with this
>>30340959 I was hoping to lead up to that.... a little more gently but sure why not
>>30340959This, but maybe a bit less blunt. Possibly ease into it with some talk about home?
>>30341027 since we pretty much know the answer is no>>30341057 hers and ours get to know her better we are interested in who she is as a person and not just what she can do for us
>>30341057could be effective
>>30341107This. Let's try to understand her a little
>>30341144>>30341109>>30341107>>30341057>>30341027 love it when we can all agree on a basic thing instead of.... what popular quest threads do
>>30340787Should we talk here? Or back on Hovrum?
>>30341200 I several odd minutes of forced silence for that trip but may be a good idea to be not out of doors while we talk...much less on a place of battle
>>30341200Talk first. Then back to hovum.Possibly for more lovemaking depending on how this goes.
>writing?
>>30341389 go ahead you beautiful drow lady
You pick the pillow up and dust it off. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to have any blood on it.You take a moment to examine your surroundings and brace yourself. The space you’re in is a forest, sparsely wooded with trees that have no leaves. Instead they all seem to have little pods with bits of white fluff peeking out of small cracks in the side.“You got quiet, what’s up?” Parin asks you.“What was it like growing up in the Crossroads?” You ask. Your trip there was fairly short, and you are kind of curious. That and you aren’t quite ready to dive right into this.“The Crossroads? Normal, I guess. Though I think we have different versions of normal, you and I.” She pauses, thinking for a moment before continuing. “I guess I could say the same for the other people in the Crossroads as well. Growing up in the 11 families had its perks. We had servants and guards and the like. When I was little, brother used to tell me all the stories about the Way Knights of old. And I used to spend a lot of time with him and Achillea and Jax until they joined the order 4 years ago.” She says.“Achillea and Zeshua were friends?” You ask. You’d never have guessed that from what you’ve seen.“Yeah… they were. Until Thitu was chosen as the Void Knight, brother took that personally… He stopped talking to Acchi and Jax after that, and I’ve only seen him 3 times since…” She says. Her head droops and she gets a sad look. “What about you? Did you have siblings?” She asks, looking hopeful that your tales will be less depressing.>continued.
>looking hopeful that your tales will be less depressing.Oh boy here we go!
You figured she’d ask that. And you were almost prepared for it. Almost.“I… did…” You say, looking down at your left hand.“Did? Oh…” The hope drains from her expression. “What happened?”“Back on earth, we have these vehicles called cars.” You say, pre-empting any questions she might have. “They’re basically big metal boxes with automatic wheels, very fast but not entirely safe. When I was little, my family was travelling down a road in a car when another car hit ours.” You sit down against one of the trees before continuing. “When we got hit, I was knocked out. When I woke up 3 weeks later they told me that half my body had been replaced and that I’d never see my brother and sister again…” You trail off.“That’s…” She stops there, choosing to act instead of speak, and she walks over and hugs you.This is the part where most people would start crying. They all expected you to cry, that would’ve been normal.You never did, not even when you tried. Half a man with half a brain, yet a full heart that only feels what the brain lets it…>continued.
>>30342126>I... did...Called it.
“But that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about. You asked me how I stay cool under pressure, right?” You say.Parin nods and releases you from her embrace, and then she sits down next to you.“4 years ago a being called an Artificial Intelligence took control of about 1/3 of the human population of earth. Its plan was to use those people to take control of the rest of the humans, through a device that gave it access to the brain.” You say, leaning your head back into the tree and looking up through its canopy. “We decided to go down swinging. And swing we did, but when I left earth we were most certainly going down…” You stop, unsure about how to continue.“That’s… So if you hadn’t left…” She says. It looks like she’s about ready to cry.You swing your head back down, looking at the ground with a serious expression. “I’d’ve probably died. But that’s been my life for the last 4 years. All the people who were turned were still people, but that didn’t mean that they weren’t enemies. Some of them used to be friends, neighbours, co-workers, even family. But if I wanted to keep my brain as it is, they had to die. It got easier when the AI started using automatons and other robots to do battle, but it was still war. It was still kill or be killed. I suppose I still have that reflex…” You say, looking at the faint blue stain on the ground a few feet away from you.“Sometimes mercy isn’t an option, right?” She says, repeating what you said earlier.>[ ] Yeah…>[ ] I suppose I could lighten up a bit…
>>30342417>>[ ] I suppose I could lighten up a bit… just cause she is too sofft does not mean our homocidal tendencies are not....insane
>>30342499This. It looks like she's helping us lighten up.
>>30342417 also glad the retcon about the time frame on the ai is not so short
>>30342417Lighten up
>>30342417>[ ] Yeah…"Mercy ain't always an option. Sure, redemption and all that may make for an interesting story, but real life doesn't work like that. Mercy has killed more than it has saved in my world, where people have spared those who have been turned, desperate to project some sort of humanity onto their loved ones.In the end, they end up joining them.Sometimes, mercy means taking the lives of those who would do harm to others."
>>30342661Yeah, but, at the same time, this isn't Earth. Can't just go full murder-bot like he used to.
>>30342798So what should we have done during the confrontation with the wayknight group?When faced with an enemy that is clearly hostile and is trying to kill you, you do not simply just show mercy, unless there is some sort of gain to be made. They will most likely try to kill you again, so better toget rid of potential threats as they occur. Besides, I find it extremely unlikely that we diplomance Zeshua and his posse. Hell, we can barely diplomance half of the alien species we keep coming across.
>>30343007Don't think we'll stop this war by murdering everybody on each side.
>>30343085It's still pretty high on the list of options at this point, I think.
>>30342798>>30343007 we cast metal fist once once on loudmouth lady...perhaps using that spell more...or see about having Vikki work on a spell to incapacitate a single opponent...perhaps call it hannas stun gun...we will not rely on i t overly but using nonlethal force is an ooptioon we can explore a little
“That motto served me rather well back on earth. But it was a different time and place, I guess. If you weren’t willing to shoot those who had been turned, you may as well have just turned around and presented your neck so they could plug you. It’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way, and I don’t think it’s one that I should forget.” You say, doing your best to keep your face neutral. “But I suppose I could lighten up a bit…” You say, smiling at Parin.“That’s more than I could ask for.” She says, smiling at you and blushing a bit. She seems satisfied with your answer. “So where to now?”“Well, first I should return this” you say, holding up the pillow. “Then… well, I don’t know.”>Where to?
>>30343085We also can't stop the war diplomatically when both sides are so ideologically opposed that they'd destroy entire planets.Besides, technically you're wrong. If both sides are completely annihilated, then war can't continue.
>>30343216lets ask vicky
>>30343216cough lets check on our allies...or hell the bird lady we ditched her at the party didn't we?>>30343216or this if we feel that talking to our friends who we had an argument with but know are about to enter danger/ exciting times is too metagaming... another idea is t talk to the kema... we know where they are we have acquaintances with them and they might give us info about their perspective or about the big meeting
>>30343400also some serious chargges have been leveled against them... perhaps another talk is in order
>>30343445This sounds good actually.Maybe having parin there for support will make us not sweat through our britches.
>>30343484don''t want to rust after all
The trip back to Hovum doesn’t take long. It doesn’t seem like anyone has been into your room since you left, so you place the (slightly dirty) pillow on the bed and walk down to the front entrance with Parin. The little Qupre at the desk gives you a sly look that you try very hard to ignore as you check out of the inn.“Where to now?” Parin asks again.This time you have something of an idea. “I know place. So far we’ve heard a lot of bad things about the Kema. I think I’ll pay them a visit.” You say. Waving to the Qupre as you input the coordinates for Yoi.Parin grabs your arm before you even ask, and the two of you push off.The trip is a pleasant one, if not a bit long. You’ll have to see if you can map these dang planets out. The Void is pretty, yes, but it gets a little boring after the first 5 minutes.When you finally reach Yoi, you come out in the center of the Kema village.>[ ] Find Krenn>[ ] Talk to the other Kema
>>30343769Find Krebs. We know him, hopefully we won't go all ROBOKILL.
>>30343841Krenn. Fuck this phone and the fact that I have to post from it.
>>30343841This.
>>30343769>>[ ] Find Krenn this one pic unrelated cause I ran out of robots
>>30343869I work in a bar that was showing that live, literally everyone watching made some kind of yell, cheering or EUGH-ing, at the exact same time.
“Are these all… robots?” Parin asks. She’s looking around at all the different Kema with a curious expression.“Yeah, Jax told me about this place a while ago when I asked him about magic. Since I couldn’t do anything with my organic bits, he figured that the Kema might teach me how to use it through my machine arm.” You say, scanning the different Kema for Krenn as you move through the small village.“Did it work?” She asks, looking up at you with her head cocked slightly.“Of course it did. You haven’t seen me use magic yet, have you?” You say.“I figured that you just couldn’t.” She says, giggling a bit. “Though knowing you, you’ve probably got nothing but combat stuff.”“I’ve got some healing magic too… But yeah, pretty much.” You say, scratching your temple.“The Kema… didn’t those slime guys mention them?” She asks.“Yeah, the fact that I’m part machine makes a lot of people suspicious apparently.” You answer, finally spotting the Kema you know. “Krenn!” You shout, trying to get his attention.“Ah, Logan! You have returned.” Says Krenn in his robotic voice. His body language not changing in the slightest.“Well, I’ve been around a bit.” You say with a smile, before turning to a more serious expression. “And heard some things.” You add. If what the Geob said was true, then these Kema have a lot to answer for.>End of Chapter 16
>That's all for tonight folks!>I'll put up the next thread in advance on my twitter, as I'm not entirely sure when the next thread will be.>As always, I'll be sticking around for a minute if anyone has questions!>>30343869
>>30344026 why did yyou lnk my post? also you used to post more pictures and while I do not resent being the one who posts most of the pics in here it may help with all these aliens...I intend to grab more pics and post new ones in here btw more appropruiate ones instead of corsets and stuff
>>30344159>I post pics when I have pics of the characters to post.>I'm working with an artist friend of mine at the moment so I can get some accurate depictions of these characters to use here.>Linked to post because I was going to say something along the lines of "That gif is physically painful to watch".
>>30344026Damn I'm late.Cheers for the thread OP!for the next time: Has Logan thanked Krenn for his help? If not, do so. Still, I wonder what these robots will have to say about their own rebellion...
