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>>36610385
… so yeah. Not a huge fan of even the /possibility/ that a goddess could flip out for no reason and fuck everything over, especially when you’re currently standing in the same city as said goddess.

Ain’s studying you when you shake yourself free of your mild existential terror. The Warrior of Light is half-turned away from you, her hands still laced behind her, and she’s tilted her head in an uncomfortable-looking way to glance back over her shoulder at you. It’s a pretty neat pose, although you have the suspicion that it’s practiced. More to the point, you clear your throat and ask her if she’s exaggerating.

“A little,” Ain concedes immediately.

Oh, that smug little fucker-

“But only the part about Estelle achieving full immortality,” she adds, settling out of her pose to face you straight on. “That’s not strictly true; it would merely have been ascension, which is close enough. Maybe the part about CPU White Heart’s insanity was stretched as well. The rest of it, though…”

Oh. Good to know your terror won’t go to waste. Still, you can’t help but be curious about… about a lot of things, really.

[ ] [BLANC] Alright, Ain can’t just say shit like that and be stupidly vague. You seriously want details: why and how did Blanc flip her lid?
[ ] [ESTELLE] Okay, that entire explanation explained nothing about Ain and Estelle’s little sisterly tiff. What’s Ain to Estelle?
[ ] [IMMORTAL] Seriously, what’s this about ascension, and immortality, and how does it figure into Estelle’s history?
[ ] [NOPE] You don’t have time to play twenty questions. You have to look for Estelle. Sure, she could cool her head, but she could lose it just as easily.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>36610396
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Okay, that entire explanation explained nothing about Ain and Estelle’s little sisterly tiff. What’s Ain to Estelle?
From there, we try to persuade Ain to come with us and help calm Estelle down.

>>36610396
>[ ] [BLANC] Alright, Ain can’t just say shit like that and be stupidly vague. You seriously want details: why and how did Blanc flip her lid?

You know I hear Leanbox is nice this time of year.

>>36610396
>[x] [ESTELLE] Okay, that entire explanation explained nothing about Ain and Estelle’s little sisterly tiff. What’s Ain to Estelle?
Don't go forgetting why we had this conversation in the first place, this is important don't you know.

>>36610396
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Okay, that entire explanation explained nothing about Ain and Estelle’s little sisterly tiff. What’s Ain to Estelle?
now to get some food myself

>>36610396
>[ ] [BLANC] Alright, Ain can’t just say shit like that and be stupidly vague. You seriously want details: why and how did Blanc flip her lid?
I'd like to know how one of the most important and powerful people lost her head and why?

>>36610396
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Okay, that entire explanation explained nothing about Ain and Estelle’s little sisterly tiff. What’s Ain to Estelle?
Current issues first, setting fluff exposition later.

>>36610396
>[ ] [BLANC] Alright, Ain can’t just say shit like that and be stupidly vague. You seriously want details: why and how did Blanc flip her lid?

>>36610396
>[X] [IMMORTAL] Seriously, what’s this about ascension, and immortality, and how does it figure into Estelle’s history?

>>36610396
>[X] [IMMORTAL] Hey, look, we can finally get an answer to our first question!

Then we can go find Estelle and move on. The weight of all that history is a little more than it seems like Urist would actually want to deal with.

YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

>>36610396
....her outfit IS weird. I can sorta get the "cool" vibe, but why even bother with that if your centerpiece is a goddamn bunny?

>>36610840
>The weight of all that history is a little more than it seems like Urist would actually want to deal with.
And certainly not outside of engraving.

>[X] [ESTELLE]

Pretty much of their own accord, your hands come up to your temples and start massaging 'em. You know your brain's already been stretched and tortured far beyond its breaking point by everything that's nonsensical about Gamindustri (which is to say, absolutely everything), but you desperately need your thinkin' meats functional for just a little bit longer.

... Armok help you, it's not even noon yet and you're already starting to miss being in bed.

You look back up at Ain; she's already holding her arm with her other hand, an amazingly pensive pose, and it's only highlighted by how she's glancing away slightly. Like... the reluctant heroine on the cover of some gaming magazine for the year's next big dramatic JRPG and oh goddammit, Ain really IS practicing her poses.

She notices you staring and immediately drops it like nothing just happened. Her expression doesn't even twitch.

In a stunning bout of diplomacy, you don't ask the obvious question (is everyone in Gamindustri insane? Is there some mandated number of endearing quirks that everyone's supposed to have?) and instead point out the obvious: Ain has so far said absolutely nothing about her own experiences with Estelle.

You ask that because /that/ particular skelephant in the room's a little hard to ignore, especially since Estelle's face right before she ran from the room- horrified and on the verge of tears- is still fresh in your mind. Honestly, you liked it better when you thought she was just an annoyingly peppy swordswoman with absolutely no cares in the world.

Your question is met with a blank stare, but you're having none of that bullshit; you give her your best glare right back. Ain gives up after a moment, simply looking away. "Not much to say," she replies in her usual deadpan. "Estelle and I both started out in Lowee. We were like sisters back then, and I learned a lot from her. We were also rivals, but she was always the more experienced one. And then..."

(Cont.)

>>36611359
Ain furrows her brow, her eyes wandering to the ground. "We were forced to move to Lastation. What had just happened was an eye-opener for me, so I changed my ways. I had to, in order to adapt to our new home, but I was successful. Estelle... she didn't have it in her, after everything she'd been through. And she didn't like that I changed. So we separated."

Wait. Hold up, you're still trying to wrap your head around this. Sure, Estelle DOES seem pretty set in her ways, but she's always struck you as able to roll with the punches.

"The unforgiving flow of time imparts knowledge to all, even those who do not seek it out," Ain intones gravely, her hair ruffled by some breeze that either doesn't exist or is too high up for your short-ass head to feel. "Experience can raise fools to sages, just as age will make fools of sages."

You squint up at the Warrior of Light, ignoring her flowery dialogue. (And now that you're looking, Ain doesn't look so dissimilar from the Dragon Warrior, with those green eyes and shaggy hair). So what she's saying is that Estelle's changed? Then why doesn't Ain-

Ain clenches her hands into fists, her mouth tightening into a thin line. "Because she will never see me as an equal," she says- and you're struck by the quaver of emotion in her voice, and the fact that her voice can even emote in the first place. "Just a... a little sister who's lost her way and needs to be /forgiven/."

(Cont.)

>>36611377
In the awkward silence, Ain takes a breath and recovers her composure, running a hand through her hair. "... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have burdened you with that. It's... it's complicated."

As if that wasn't completely fucking obvious by now- although you don't say that out loud. See, you're capable of learning, too!

[ ] [APOLOGIZE] For... you know. Prying. You were surprised when Estelle almost broke down in the temple, but you could've figured that it's no walk in the park for Ain, either.
[ ] [PRESS] For just a bit more detail. You figured that two big names like the Dragon Warrior and the Warrior of Light could have so much history together, but not to this extent.
[ ] [THANK] her and move on. Ain probably needs a little time to cool off herself, just as Estelle does. You've got a few other things to take care of, for that matter.
[ ] [OTHER] Ask Ain about Blanc's little episode, and about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>36611401
>[X] [OTHER] Ask Ain about Blanc's little episode, and about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!
Seriously, that ascension crap is bugging me.

>>36611401
>[ x] [THANK] her and move on. Ain probably needs a little time to cool off herself, just as Estelle does. You've got a few other things to take care of, for that matter.

>>36611401
[>X] [OTHER] Ask Ain about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!

Well, might as well raise this stat. I guess. But I hope we can get to something besides exposition soon.

>>36611401
>OTHER] Ask Ain about Blanc's little episode, and about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!

>>36611423
Honestly, me too. I have the feeling it just isn't what most in Gamindustri think it is

>>36611401
>[ ] [APOLOGIZE] For... you know. Prying. You were surprised when Estelle almost broke down in the temple, but you could've figured that it's no walk in the park for Ain, either.

>>36611401
>[ ] [THANK] her and move on. Ain probably needs a little time to cool off herself, just as Estelle does. You've got a few other things to take care of, for that matter.
>[ ] [OTHER] Ask Ain about Blanc's little episode, and about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!
just the ascension thing

>>36611401
>[x] [OTHER] Ask Ain about Blanc's little episode, and about the whole ascension deal. See, it's both a diplomatic subject change and informative. You'll be an expert conversationalist in no time!

>>36611401
>[ ] [THANK] her and move on. Ain probably needs a little time to cool off herself, just as Estelle does. You've got a few other things to take care of, for that matter.
Time to go find Estelle

>>36611401
[X] [THANK] her and move on. Ain probably needs a little time to cool off herself, just as Estelle does. You've got a few other things to take care of, for that matter.

>>36611401
>[X] [THANK!]
>[X] [OTHER!]

You shake your head, and the thick mass making up your braids bob a little with the motion. Seriously, Ain's got nothing to apologize for. You're the one who asked, so you should be thanking /her/ for not, say, punching you in the fucking face for being an insensitive asshole who pries into others' histories like this.

... as she blinks at you in mild bewilderment, you shift a little and decline to mention that the face punching is something /you/ would've done. Eventually, Ain shrugs. "Been a while since she had anyone she seriously called a little sister. That's all. She doesn't have a lot of friends."

What? Really? But Estelle seems friendly enough. Hell, she mixes in with Gamindustri's... culture(?) better than you ever could, for one thing-

Ain stops you with a look. "Most of her oldest friends are dead," she says quietly, her voice uncharacteristically soft.

... oh. Yeah, for a girl with that much history behind her, who's been around since everyone wielded 8-bit tech... that would do it.

"If that's all, then I shall take my leave. Storm clouds gather in the horizon," Ain intones, turning on her heel and slipping back into her usual dense monologues with far too much ease for your comfort. "And only the hopeful dreamers shall be the ones to-"

Oof. You hate to cut her short and keep her here a little while longer, but you've really got to ask: what exactly happened with Blanc?

Ain doesn't turn back to look at you; her fists clench briefly, before falling open once more. "... that's not my story to tell," she eventually whispers, so softly that you almost don't hear it.

(Cont.)

>>36612383
Then can she at least tell you about this whole ascension business? Whatever the hell that is, it keeps popping up in your conversations in ominous ways, and you can't help but be morbidly curious about something that apparently completely removes adventurers from the world AND makes Estelle tenser and weepier than a goblin surrounded by masterwork weapon traps.

Ain DOES turn around at that, giving you a slightly flat stare. Is... is she annoyed that you cut off her dramatic exit? "Not much to say. It was an old practice that only the strongest adventurers could undertake, pledging themselves to their nation and goddess of choice." She breathes out, looking up at the sky. "Those Ascended can no longer interact directly with the mortal world, but they sharply boost their goddess's strength and her shares. They become legends in their own right; everyone has heard of them, and there is not one person in Gamindustri who does not know their titles."

You nod in wary understanding. You'd heard a number of their titles, even if you hadn't understood the implications at the time: the Plumber, the Link, and- of course- the Trainer, whose festival you're technically standing smack-dab in the middle of right now.

"Of course... " Ain shrugs again. "Ascension just doesn't happen anymore. We haven't had one in years, if not decades."

(Cont.)

>>36612433
A thought suddenly hits you, and your stomach sinks a little when you put two and two together. Then with what Ain said, Estelle-

"She doesn't like to think about it." The Warrior of Light takes her leave, then, but not before calling back over her shoulder. "Treat her well. Perhaps you'll be a better little sister then I ever could."

... goddamn. Ain loves her throwaway lines, doesn't she?

[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.
[ ] [AIN] Chase after Ain, and try to call her back. Maybe she can try to patch things up with Estelle, too (and/or pour fire onto the flames, which- shit, you hope that doesn't happen).
[ ] [FESTIVAL] ... Estelle needs time to cool down and, knowing her, compose herself. Burn a little time at the festival and the shops, because /you/ need time to sort through your thoughts as well.
[ ] [GUILD] There's some information you want to look up. Hell, you could even check your messages, or confirm some shit on your own.
[ ] [BLANC] You COULD talk to the goddess herself, and confirm some of the details of this story. And maybe ask her about her little episode.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>36612463
> [ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.

>>36612463
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.

>>36612463
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.

>>36612463
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.
Not that I don't want to look at the festival too

>>36612463

[ ] [AIN] Chase after Ain, and try to call her back. Maybe she can try to patch things up with Estelle, too (and/or pour fire onto the flames, which- shit, you hope that doesn't happen).

[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.

>>36612463
[X] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.
If we still have time after this go find Blanc.

>>36612463
>[ ] [GUILD] There's some information you want to look up. Hell, you could even check your messages, or confirm some shit on your own.
I don't know but we do have a PRESSING situation with another person.

>>36612463
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Look for your friend. Giving her enough time to cool her head is one thing, but this is another thing entirely.
As much as I'd like to patch up these two relationship, I don't believe today will/should be the day, what with emotions running wild

>>36612463

I know i'm pissing against the current here.
> [ ] [WRITE-IN] Do research on prospective location for our Fortress/Doomsday Device

All of this Talking and FEELINGS can't be good to our dorfiness.

>>36612463
>[X] [ESTELLE]
And once we find big sis, it's finally time for. . .
>[X] [FESTIVAL]
Seriously, though, we need someone to explain where the good contests/games are.

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Alright, it looks pretty unanimous, so-

>Urist Twelfthbay attempts to find Estelle!
ROLL d20! (dice+1d20 in the email field)
Taking the best of three!
DC: 15

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>36612818

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36612818

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>36612830
>>36612832
>>36612872
YOU'VE MET WITH A TERRIBLE- well, okay, not really. Writing!

>>36612463
>[X] [FIND ESTELLE!]
>Failed to meet the DC, but it's close!

You don't wait to watch Ain depart, which she probably does by jumping onto the rooftops and disappearing into the rows of buildings like the mysterious heroine of an epic ballad chronicling the scantily-clad belts-and-zippers war or some bullshit like that. Instead, you dump another flask of alcohol into your mouth (which is sort of a pity, since you really ought to take time to ENJOY this stuff more), and then you're off like a shot, running toward the direction you THINK Estelle fled.

... you at least remember to shout another "THANKS!" back over your shoulder. You weren't raised in a barn, you were raised in a godforsaken pit in the ground, and- okay, that's not really a happy mental image.

Once you're back in the more well-traveled parts of town, you slide right underneath the large crowds of people and make good time, just as you did before, ignoring the bright festive colors and the raucous noises of people enjoying themselves far too much. Problem is, you don't exactly have the Dragon Warrior in your sights this time, and you... you're not sure where to start.

The capital of Lowee is an old city, and its roads have a tendency to wind in odd and exciting ways (unless you're an outsider trying to find your way, in which case it's absolutely infuriating). On top of that, you never really had a bead on Estelle in the first place, and you spent some time talking to Ain- at this point, she could be goddamn anywhere in the city, or out of it, and you wouldn't even know it.

Belatedly, it occurs to you that it doesn't help that you're sliding UNDERNEATH people, and have no way of seeing over their heads. With a muttered curse, you find an empty spot and stand up, which... doesn't help matters much at all, even when you hop up and down, abandoning all pretenses of dignity to gain even the slightest increase in height.

(Cont.)

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>>36613627
All that bouncing pays off, and you're pretty sure you see a head of shaggy brown hair receding into the distance. You narrow your eyes and get another good bounce off of your legs, CLANKing loudly as you mark Estelle's heading. She... she might be heading back toward the inn of all places. Well, all that's left to do is to catch up to her, and-

"URIIIIIST!"

You turn around just in time to get tackled by a bawling, panicking, scantily-clad person who can't decide whether she's a cat or a girl. In other words, it's like something out of your absolute worst nightmares.

By some miracle, you remain on your feet rather than knocked flat on your back, where you'd probably end up prone and then trampled by the metric buttloads of revelers. After a moment, you realize that, by some OTHER miracle, the catgirl is just Moru again, thus forestalling a panic attack over the possibility that Gamindustri's catgirls are multiplying, ushering in a dark Age of Nothing But Goddamn FPS-Consuming Cats.

You try to pry Moru's arms away from your neck and shoulders, but give up because either the scrawny girl is packing some steely muscles, or you're a scrawny girl yourself. Alright, what's the deal NOW? Does Moru miss you this much?

(Cont.)

>>36613657
"N-No! I mean, yes? Gah, I mean-" Moru finally pulls back, and sheeeeeee's kind of a horrible mess right now, all snot-nosed and teary-eyed and your armor's going to rust right the fuck off- except there's a look of distress about her that stops you from tearing her a new one. "Have you seen a- a blue robot girl anywhere? PLEASE tell me you've seen one!" she wails, shaking you by the shoulders.

You... uh, no, you haven't. Is-

"Oh god," Moru sobs, finally letting you go to pull at her own hair, kitty ears flattened against her head. "Rokko's going to miss the ceremonies! And- oh god, what if she left town?? Lee-Fi's going to kill me! And Arturia's going to shake her head in /disappointment/!"

... that bad, huh?

"This is Rokko's first big thing in- in like, forever! At the very least, she HAS to be here before the festival ends! So please!!" The catgirl grabs your hands, her eyes wild like a beast with its back to the wall. "Urist, you have to help me!"

You risk a glance back over her shoulder. Estelle's almost completely gone, but- okay, there's no doubt about it, she's heading to the inn. Probably.

... and- wait, doesn't the festival end in like... a week?

[ ] [HELP] You... you've never seen Moru this absolutely frazzled before. If she's spazzing out this much, then it's got to be serious.
[ ] [INFO] You want to help, but you also need to know what you're getting yourself into, and what MORU got herself into.
[ ] [ESTELLE] Get her to help you find Estelle first. Then you'll help her. If she scratches your back, you'll scratch hers. (Just without claws, please.)
[ ] [NOPE] Sorry, you know shit about hiding places in Lowee and even less about blue robot girls. Moru's on her own.
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>36613683
>[ ] [HELP] You... you've never seen Moru this absolutely frazzled before. If she's spazzing out this much, then it's got to be serious.
>[ ] [INFO] You want to help, but you also need to know what you're getting yourself into, and what MORU got herself into.

[ ] [HELP] You... you've never seen Moru this absolutely frazzled before. If she's spazzing out this much, then it's got to be serious.

>>36613683
>[ ] [HELP] You... you've never seen Moru this absolutely frazzled before. If she's spazzing out this much, then it's got to be serious.
>[ ] [ESTELLE] Get her to help you find Estelle first. Then you'll help her. If she scratches your back, you'll scratch hers. (Just without claws, please.)

>>36613683
>[x] [INFO] You want to help, but you also need to know what you're getting yourself into, and what MORU got herself into.
>[x] [ESTELLE] Get her to help you find Estelle first. Then you'll help her. If she scratches your back, you'll scratch hers. (Just without claws, please.)

If it's a missing person search, it doesn't hurt to search for both our missing people.

>>36613683
>[X] [HELP] What and friends and adventuring buddies good for, if not helping you complete your personal story quests?
>[X] [INFO] That said, who are we looking for? And why do they need to be looked after? Having an idea of that might make it easier to find where she went. . .
>[X] [ESTELLE] Hey, you know who else would be willing to help? Estelle. And you can track her scent down, unlike the robots. Also, I think she went to the Inn? You take care of that, we'll slide under the thickest mobs, and meet up. . . uhm, over there at [landmark] every hour? After all, someone would have seen her leave town if she did, and dividing up would make it faster to search.

>>36613683
> [ ] [INFO] You want to help, but you also need to know what you're getting yourself into, and what MORU got herself into.
> [ ] [WRITE-IN]
We're missing two people, so let's just look for both at once, systematically, and not stop until we have them both found.

>>36613683
>[ ] [HELP] You... you've never seen Moru this absolutely frazzled before. If she's spazzing out this much, then it's got to be serious.
Her nose can help us find Estelle if we help her out. Perhaps ask her to also inform us if she finds Estelle during the search of her friend

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I was just wondering about Metroid, but Mega Man...
Why you makin me sad about video games, blorp??

>>36613986
Because sometimes, the reality's sadder than anything I could make up!

>>36614056
I come here so I don't have to think about reality!

>>36614072
I don't think at all!

>>36614088
You're on /tg/ you think a little bit! Otherwise you wouldn't even be here!

>>36613683

[ ] [ESTELLE] Get her to help you find Estelle first. Then you'll help her. If she scratches your back, you'll scratch hers. (Just without claws, please.)

>>36613986
Rokko is supposed to be Megaman and I assume Lee-Fi is Wii Fit but who is Arturia supposed to be?
And when will we meet Wonderful 101?

>>36614197
I wasn't sure about Lee-Fi, but I'd guess Arturia is Ghosts and Goblins.

>>36614197
Lee-Fi is Street Fighter, it's an established Hyperdimsension Neptunia character.

>>36614237
But if I had to guess, I'd say Lee-Fi is Street Fighter. And Actually typing has made me more confident in it.

>>36614197
They're probably all Capcom properties. If >>36614272 is accurate, that'd probably make Arturia Resident Evil.

>>36614297
Resident Evil is named Vio, for Bio, for Biohazard, it's original Japanese name.

Might I suggest opening a Hyperdimension Neptunia wilki to it's character list in another tab?

While we wait, I can say I want to see Urist take on a quest to help Ace Attorney-chan solve a case where one of Urist's friends is the accused/defendant

>>36614377
I can totally see this going just fine...

Urist would end up punching many many people.

>>36614377
Are there even any other attorney-based video games?

Because if not, Ace Attorney would probably be the only big lawyer in Gamindustri, and... god, her workload would be absolutely horrific.

Wouldn't lawyers be more like a Secret Service?
Following icons of the realms around to 'protect' their 'IP' ?

>>36614490
Yes. Mostly on the Gameboy and other handhelds.

>>36614490
If a town has one lawyer, he will starve. If a town has two lawyers, they will both be wealthy men.

>>36614404
>"Prosecution, do you have anything else to add?
>"Your Honor, the prosecution..."
>Prosecutor's eyes lock with Urist's, whom is also off handedly flexing her hand into a fist
>"...rests."

>>36614490
Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law.
And. . . Uhmmm, . . .Crime and Punishment (From the Commodore 64, the first, so happy for the help).
The Law & Order games?

>>36614490
There's this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izh2vBR2PUE

>>36613683
>[X] [HELP]
>[X] [INFO]
>[X] [ESTELLE]
>[X] [BASICALLY ALL OF THE ABOVE]

Jeez. Well, you know Moru thinks you smell bad and that you're crazy and violent, and YOU think Moru's a spastic slightly whiny catgirl who will eventually overrun the known world with her monstrously adorable progeny, but she's not so bad that you want to see her pulling her own hair out like she's doing now.

You're about to pat Moru on the head but stop yourself at the last minute, since you're still a little leery of bringing your liquid metal gauntlets anywhere near someone's head- you're not sure how they'd react to that sort of contact. So you pat her on the shoulder instead, because an exploded arm's a little easier to deal with than an exploded head.

... Moru's arm doesn't explode, but she looks at you in slight surprise anyway. More importantly, it gets her to stop crying, and you forge on ahead through her silence: yes, you'll help her find this friend of hers-

You quickly ward off Moru's extremely physical gratitude by intercepting her hug with the palms of your gauntlets. There's a loud CLANG and she stumbles back a pace, nursing her sore chest. "H-Hey!"

- but you're ALSO looking for someone! You're looking for Estelle, so if you both work together, you can kill two goblins (and three dwarves and four keas) with one ballista bolt-

"Alright! That's fine! Thank you so much!" Moru cuts you off, her face brightening up until it's almost painful to look at, and she latches on to your hands, shaking them hard enough to rattle your teeth. "Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou LET'S GO!"

Moru starts bodily dragging you off, and you can't really do a goddamn thing about it. It sort of makes sense, given the monstrous weapons you've seen her cart around. Okay, so wait, what exactly's happening and why is Rokko missing?

(Cont.)

>>36614842
"She... she's had it pretty rough these past couple of years." The Monster Hunter absentmindedly sidesteps a family, and you barely stop yourself from running them over. Jeez, Moru goes at a fast clip. "She gets a little forgetful, you know? But, um-"

The catgirl quickly pulls you toward her, yanking you out of the way of an entire crowd of Leanbox tourists (the shirts are sort of a giveaway). "She's worked so hard that it's pretty much to be expected, right?" Moru adds a bit nervously, and you notice her furtive glance.

... motherfucker. There's something more to this, isn't there. There's ALWAYS something more to this.

"N-NO! Nothing at all! Really!" she yelps, reeling you in and putting her hands on your shoulders, staring into your eyes from a few inches away. Her own eyes are a little frazzled, and you half expect to smell either catnip or alcohol on her breath (nope, just fish). "Rokko is perfectly okay and there's nothing wrong with her!"

Alright, alright, jeez! She doesn't have to be so defensive!

"Ah... s-sorry, Urist. It's just- sorry." Moru keeps on walking, but she doesn't let go of your gauntlet-clad hand, either.

... right. So. Let's get cracking, okay?

>Urist Twelfthbay cancels search for Estelle: Interrupted by catgirl!
>Urist Twelfthbay searches for Estelle and Rokko!
>Moru searches for Estelle and Rokko!
ROLL d20! (dice+1d20 in the email field)
Taking the best TWO of FIVE!
Estelle: DC 13, Rokko: DC 18

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36614869
rollin

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>36614869

Rolled 3 (1d20)

Rokko?

>>36614904
Does this mean we find Rokko or Estelle?

>>36614904
Hell yeah!
>>36614905
>>36614906
>>36614908
Holy shit!

>>36614896
>>36614903
>>36614904
>>36614905
>>36614906

So we find Rokko, but now Estelle is playing hard to get.

>>36614924
Rokko, I think

WELP it's my fault for not specifying. So yeah, we'll go with Rokko; writing!

>>36614970
And her modern life?

>>36615029
IF I COULD HAVE THOUGHT UP A BETTER NAME THAT DOESN'T INVOKE WALLABIES, I WOULD HAVE

>>36615029
Shush

>>36615066
Megan?

>>36614661
What about Detective and law enforcement games?
Sam&Max or Professor Layton come to mind

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Looking at the Map here. Who owns the mountain in the middle? It's a prime location for a fortress.
Or should we move to the Ultradimension instead?

>>36615139
Noire owns it. She put it in because Neptune kept coming over and eating all her pudding.

It doesn't work.

>>36615139
>pair of balls hanging off the SNES controller

What.

>>36615139
>>36615176
Also I think we should build on that controller island, as far to the left as possible.

No reason.

>>36615218
I think those are supposed to be the joystick thingies that got added to more modern controllers. I don't know why they are so close together though, or why they look like that.

>>36615131
I'd considered Meg, but that just didn't click for me!

>>36615139
Yes, that's about right!

>>36615309
But megaman get's called Megs all the time!

....wait, so are games in development like babies? Fetuses in vats?

>>36615806
.............. I'm going to quote Rumiko Takahashi when I say "I don't think about that, and neither should you." Nah, just babies and kids. Probably.

>>36615882
Man those poor kids stuck in development hell. Only a demo released and nothing else.

>>36615882
All male children are workers.
All female children are adventurers.

>>36615910
Nah, there are female NPCs too!

... I think I always just figured that adventurers sort of pop out from thin air as kids, because the alternative is some poor parents waking up one day and discovering that their daughter suddenly has a gigantic sword and battle bikini or something and goes "MOM! DAD! I'M ADVENTURER!" and them crying in horror.

>>36615910
Playing as a male in this universe sounds like it would be equivalent to setting difficulty to max level. Sounds kinda fun in that aspect

>>36615993
Female NPCs are just games in that genre.
So many sim games nowadays means a lot more female NPCs, but they're actually adventurers!

>>36615993
>publishers are orphanages

>>36615993
Wouldn't the Mom be proud they're following in her foiotsteps?

>>36615309
Nothing wrong with Rokko as a name
http://king-soukutu.com/flash/rokko.html

>>36614869
>18: Rokko found!

"Yes! C'mon, let's go, let's go, let's go-"

Moru none too gently hauls you down the road, but you dig your heels in and reel /her/ back instead. Come ON, hold on a motherfucking second, she's going to rip your arm off, AND this is probably the least helpful way of going about /anything/.

"Urist, c'mon! We have to hurry!" Moru complains, tugging at your own arm and nearly pulling you off your feet. "If she gets out of town-"

You stand your ground and meet her glare for glare; you've dealt with a few hundred cheeky little bastard dwarves, one cheeky little bastard catgirl isn't anything that's going to faze you one bit. IF Rokko gets out of town. Rushing around like this is won't help one goddamn bit, especially since this town's main entrance is that-a-way.

Moru follows your pointed finger and has the decency to look sheepish. "O... okay, then. Let's go, let's go, let's go!" And then she's dragging you away again, quickly enough that your arm might seriously get torn out of its socket, but at least you're going in the right direction this time.

Two pint-sized little girls with enough strength to heft ridiculous weapons generally don't have that many problems forging their way through thick crowds, and a combination of fleet-footed catgirl dodges and sheer dwarven stubbornness gets you through the worst of it. YOU, at least, remember to stop to ask if anyone's seen anyone suspicious walking around, and eventually, you get reports of a cloaked figure who just so happens to be a poorly-disguised blue robot girl wearing a strange helmet.

"... she's not that good with disguises," Moru chuckles, forgetting her terror for a moment.

(Cont.)

>>36616328
As you push on, all around you are brightly colored streamers and small stalls containing everything from games to food to merchants hawking their wares (mostly plushies and replica Trainer equipment). You even catch a glimpse of a few old-time entertainers scattered among the crowd; a dapper puppeteer puts on a cute little show involving cute little animals on one side of the main square, and some sort of rhythm competition going on at the other end.

All that flashes by quickly as you make your way toward Lowee's main gates, which don't hold a candle to true dwarven architecture. Why, they aren't even drawbridges! Just a pair of overly large doors with absolute shit scrawled on them by some fancy-pants elves who think that wood is proper building material, even when there's stone everywhere-

"Comment on the architecture later," Moru growls. She sniffs the air, her eyes widening even as she wrinkles her nose in clear distaste. "I've got it! I'm on the scent!" A yelp escapes you as the catgirl goes into a full-tilt spring, dragging you behind her like an armored, dwarfy banner who hasn't had a drink in far too long.

So what the hell does Rokko smell like, anyway? Motor oil? Synthetic skin? The hopes and dreams of nostalgic gamers?

Moru doesn't bother answering you; she just runs even faster.

(Cont.)

>>36610385
But is it worse than Holistic Detective going insane?

>>36616351
The scent trail actually takes her just outside Lowee's capital city, right at the beginning of the snowfields you'd explored just the other day. As before, the snow is pretty damn deep, so Moru's forced to bound through the snow (while you simply slog through it, cursing under your breath); the place's also filled to the brim with happy dogoo slimes, bouncing around and generally getting underfoot.

What's new is the cloaked blue robot girl getting her shit punched in by another cloaked figure, who's doing a much better job of 1) hiding her identity, and 2) not getting her shit punched in. She lifts a hand, intoning words of power, and a fireball detonates right where Rokko was standing a second ago; the Blue Bomber's landing is far from graceful, but her arm cannon's up, plinking a few ineffective shots toward her opponent.

The arm cannon shots don't even reach the mage, who actually has the nerve to /laugh/. "So this is what you've-"

But that's about all your friend can handle. "ROKKO!" Moru howls, letting go of your hand and bounding forward; in one step, she's pulled her gunlance out from who the fuck knows where, and in her second step, her cursed little cat familiar is running alongside her, bombs at the ready.

You're just about to join her- really, there's nothing for it- when you're suddenly blindsided by a horribly, horribly familiar buzzing shriek. "URIST!" the giant fly howls, divebombing you from above-

>Urist Twelfthbay attempts to dodge!
ROLL d20! (dice+1d20 in the email field)
Taking the best of three!
DC: 16 (+1 for armor!)

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>>36616354
No.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>36616421

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>36616421

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>36616421
nat 1 inc

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>36616421
Don't get hit

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>36616421

>>36616421
Does Rokko have robotic fur trim?

>>36616421

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>36616421

Welp, our dice are completely normal. FUBUR

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>>36616455

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>36616421

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>>36614377
>>36614490
Please let there be Ace Attorney somewhere. Even if its just a cameo like Recettear.

>>36616421
And then Urist got blindsided by bugs, to no one's surprise

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>>36616524
At least its not Carp.

>>36616551
Giant sponges are the new thing. http://dwarffortresswiki.org/index.php/v0.34:Giant_sponge

>>36616771
Actually killable in the newest release watch out for the angels

>>36616771
Giant Sponges are no longer the KoB ever since 40.16 added pulping of limbs.

Giant Dingos, Unicorns, and Giant Kea are the biggest non-evil threats now.

>>36616858
>>36616893
I realize, but Urist has a number of old bugs.

Imagine the !fun! of force-spawning a building destroying thralled giant sponge with forgotten beast status and able to swim through lava.

>>36616948
>Not infesting the local water supply with Legendary Attribute Carp
>Not spawning a Forgotten Beast Husk based off an Elephant with Deadly Dust
>Not spawning Holistic Detective

>>36616984
Why not do all those things? They'll be an excellent setpiece for the blood-powered fortress.

"Welcome to Dfarken GrimDust, the dwarven fortress. Warning: Undead, Legendary Carp, Sponges, Legendary Beasts, Angry Dwarves, Undead Carp, Thralled Sponges, Vampiric Tantrum Dwarves, Skelephants."

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>>36617046
welp

>>36617065
Hey look at the bright side, he didn't mention any cat problem.

>>36617065
Sounds like Fun!

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This must have been a fun time for Vert.

>>36617085
Well, with the exits all blocked off, food has to come from somewhere.

It's not a problem if it powers the fortress. All the waste blood being poured into lava or into the surrounding terrain seems to be making everything worse.

>>36616421
>N O P E

With consummate skill befitting your status as a dwarf, and as the one and only representative of Dwarf Fortress, you gawk up at the sky like a goddamn cave-adapted mud-grubber and get slammed into the ground by more hairy insect legs and ravening fly mandibles than you ever wanted to see up close.

The snow does absolutely nothing to cushion your fall- the impact slams the air right out of your lungs, and then you're assaulted by an unbelievably foul stench as the giant fly's cackles drown out the sound of Moru and Rokko fighting for their lives. "It always comes down to this, Urist! Urist Twelfthbay! Sport, champ, my little girl!" the monstrosity coos, nightmarish mouth parts wriggling right above your nose; its claws close in around your shoulders, the iron starting to bend.

With a growl, you try to bring your fists up to bear, try to bat the thing away- but the giant fly pushes you down, sudden rage contorting its alien features. "And this is how you repay me? By murdering me! By fighting me off! And I SAVED you, Urist! You owe me everything! Why can't you remember!?"

You don't even bother biting back a scream as the giant fly suddenly takes off, dragging you along the ground headfirst, the icy snow filling your vision- pain blooms goddamn everywhere as your head hits a rock or two along the way. When the fly finally lifts off, your head's swimming, and you can barely muster up the strength to grab at the fly's arms.

"You would have met my fate!" your opponent gibbers, spittle dotting your face. "The fate I forced you to forget! Oh, Urist, Urist, I will teach you everything I know, I will show you what you were truly meant for-"

There's a scream, and there's an impact and a series of staccato explosions; your stomach lurches as you're suddenly falling again, and you WOULD wonder how long it'll take before you splatter against the ground if you didn't belly-flop against the snow before you can think up to the word "take."

(Cont.)

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>>36617353
The giant fly spirals to the ground, oozing ichor, her burnt wings fluttering angrily. "WHO DARES!?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MuoUmwhrn8

Somewhere in the melee, Rokko lost her cloak, revealing all her pitted and scarred glory- and you can't help but stare for a moment. The Blue Bomber hasn't aged well, and she's clearly seen better days- her armor is dull and unpolished, even dented in some places, and her current battle wounds- scorch marks and partially-melted metal don't help her appearance one bit. Even her long blonde hair is matted and unkempt.

What scares you the most, though, is her completely blank, empty-eyed expression. Ain's got nothing on Rokko, who looks either terminally disinterested in the world in general or someone forgot to tell her that she died years ago. The only signs of life on that face are her eyes, which track the fly's movements like a machine set to autopilot.

But absolutely none of that matters to you right now, because your rescuer responds by lurching forward at a staggering limp, her arm cannon blazing. Like a beautiful goddamn avenging angel who just so happens to need a bit of fixing up.

(Cont.)

>>36617380
... you shake your head to clear it, staggering to your feet. Alright, enough waxing poetic, it's time to get back into the fight. Rokko's shooting up your giant fly nemesis (why the fuck do you have a giant fly nemesis?), but giant fly reinforcements are pouring over the giant fly treetops, and the Blue Bomber can't deal with so much shit at once-

No, wait, not giant fly trees. FUCK no, you're just really woozy. You actually have to double check to make sure that the trees are just trees.

Meanwhile, Moru can't even get close to the mysterious spellcaster, who's slinging everything from fireballs to lightning bolts at the catgirl, and any "hit" simply turned out to be an illusion. Thankfully, Moru's dodging each and every attack like the dodgemonkey she is, but she's bound to get worn down sometime soon.

... shit.

[ ] [MORU] Help the Monster Hunter fend off the spellcaster! Whoever she is, she's slinging around too much firepower to leave alone with Moru, who's getting tired.
[ ] [ROKKO] Help the Blue Bomber take on the giant flies! They're not strong monsters, but there are just too many of them, and Rokko's not looking too hot.
[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!
[ ] [CALL ESTELLE] Get out your phone because you need help NOW and this is no time for bullshit relationship drama oh my fucking GOD
[ ] [WRITE-IN]

>>36617400
>[ ] [MORU] Help the Monster Hunter fend off the spellcaster! Whoever she is, she's slinging around too much firepower to leave alone with Moru, who's getting tired.

I really want to pick [ ] [CALL ESTELLE] but even I can tell that's a bad idea.

>>36617400
>[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!

>>36617400
[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!

>>36617400
[ ] [MORU] Help the Monster Hunter fend off the spellcaster! Whoever she is, she's slinging around too much firepower to leave alone with Moru, who's getting tired.

I'm not sure that now is the time for invisibility lads...unless...WE USE IT TO SNEAK UP ON THAT SPELL GIT AND KRUMP 'ER GOOD!

[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!

>>36617380
Wonder if we can fix her.

>>36617400
[X] [MORU] Help the Monster Hunter fend off the spellcaster! Whoever she is, she's slinging around too much firepower to leave alone with Moru, who's getting tired.

Can't see any use for the Ghost Bomb, and Rokko can prolly survive long enough for us to help her afterwards.

>>36617400
[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!
>[ ] [CALL ESTELLE] Get out your phone because you need help NOW and this is no time for bullshit relationship drama oh my fucking GOD
Estelle, Urist needs your help, like five posts ago

>>36617400
>[X] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!
then
>[X] [ROKKO] Crossbow time!

>>36617400
>[X] [THIS THING]

When in doubt, do what XCOM would do. Sorry Vahlen, no corpses for you today.

>>36617400
>[X] [THIS THING]
>[X] [MORU]

Rokko has invulnerability frames, she'll be fine for a second under a swarm.

>>36617400
> [RUN] Lift Rokko to let her shoot while we run. Tell Moru to just leg it. There's a town full of adventurers who would totally be happy(nah they'd be pissed) to get rid of some flies.

>>36617400
>[ ] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!
>[ ] [CALL ESTELLE] Get out your phone because you need help NOW and this is no time for bullshit relationship drama oh my fucking GOD


Ask big sister for help.

Make sure you identify yourself as little sister.

>>36615882
>.............. I'm going to quote Rumiko Takahashi when I say "I don't think about that, and neither should you.
which is a filthy lie considering the entire dragon arc involves a magic ladle that perma locks a jusenkyo curse girl transformation so she could be bred, and the search for the magic tea kettle that undoes that.

>>36616351
>All that flashes by quickly as you make your way toward Lowee's main gates, which don't hold a candle to true dwarven architecture. Why, they aren't even drawbridges! Just a pair of overly large doors with absolute shit scrawled on them by some fancy-pants elves who think that wood is proper building material, even when there's stone everywhere-
>"Comment on the architecture later," Moru growls.
so, I have noticed that urist does not seem to have an "inside voice", is that another bug?

>>36617380
[ x] [THIS THING] Use the This Thing you picked up yesterday, that strange futuristic-looking grenade-like thing. If you need a boost, mother of god now's the time!

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Alright, it looks like THIS THING has won! It's getting kinda late, though, so I'm going to have to call the thread here.

We're going to pick up next time at (tentatively) Monday, 12/8, at 7-ish pm EST! As always, updates will be at https://twitter.com/BlorpQuest , and questions can either go here or http://ask.fm/BlorpQuest

Thanks a lot for participating, guys, and I hope you enjoyed the thread!

>>36617380
>Somewhere in the melee, Rokko lost her cloak, revealing all her pitted and scarred glory- and you can't help but stare for a moment. The Blue Bomber hasn't aged well, and she's clearly seen better days- her armor is dull and unpolished, even dented in some places, and her current battle wounds- scorch marks and partially-melted metal don't help her appearance one bit. Even her long blonde hair is matted and unkempt.
Man Rokko has been through some shit, did she at least get a check up for her Smash appearance?

>>36617716
At least Moru can see our builder nature

>>36617733
Thanks for the thread Boss, can't wait for the next one

>>36617733
Thanks for running, Blorp.

>>36617738
Maybe that has yet to happen? Could make for a sidequest.

>>36617716
Nah that one's a feature

>>36617733
Thanks for running, cant wait for this to continue.

>>36617650
Pretty sure the specific question that was answering was "what happens if girl!Ranma got pregnant and then turned back into boy!Ranma," which is kind of... well, I don't blame Takahashi for dodging that bullet.

>>36617716
It's not a bug, it's a fea- shit, >>36617810 beat me to it.

>>36617738
We'll see! I'd be more worried about something else, though.

>>36617733
>Next Time on Hyperdimension Dwarf Fortress Quest: Talking, Feelings, Inane Errands and Absofuckinglutely no Fortress.

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>>36617837
It's a work in progress!

'Sides, Hyperdimension Dwarf Quest just sounds weird.

>>36617922
We already have a name! And some fortress ideas!

And the unholy abominations that populate the area, thereby making it so no one wants to visit us. Ever.

>>36617827
>Pretty sure the specific question that was answering was "what happens if girl!Ranma got pregnant and then turned back into boy!Ranma,"
Yes, it was the question
But as I said, if rumiko really didn't think about it, why introduce the magic ladle of form sealing used by that one clan? the one where martial artists would defeat powerful monsters, then toss them into the spring of drowned girl, then splash them with form sealing to turn them permanently into girls. then marry them to bear strong children (their royalty are men who used their kung fu to defeat and claim dragons as wives).

... well ok, it could actually be because it would be a bit annoying if your wife could turn into a tiger by splashing herself with some hot water. But I think a good possibility was the whole explosive miscarriage thing.

>>36617827
>We'll see! I'd be more worried about something else, though.
Legends 3: Cancelled.
And nothing's been released since right?
No, releasing a fan made SF crossover for the anniversary doesn't count capcom!

>>36618068
I'm more worried about what Xover did to poor Rokko.

>>36618068
>Legends 3: Cancelled.
I hope she's okay

I mean she's not, but I hope she's not like, dying

>>36617380
muh feels

I'd like for Rokko to meet a young Mighty No 9.

>>36618280
Ehhh. That can't be anything good. It's like a Protoman situation. Your father has left and created a new You. You're in direct competition, if you are lucky enough to be rebuilt.

Lie down and die or fight against your father's new daughteru.

Yeah, yeah, there could be a friendlier relationship, but two similar games will always be fighting for... Shares.

>>36617985
>Unholy abominations that populate the area,
>No one wants to visit us. Ever.

The Economy of this world are fueled by Murderhobos anon. Our fort will be a hotspot for High-Level Adventurer.

>>36618424
I dunno, sounds like the wrong analogy. At the very least the little nine-chan would look up to Rokko.

>>36618834
>>36618424
I imagine Rokko would have very complicated feelings about nine-chan

>she's everything I was supposed to be
>if she succeeds, what does that make me?
>but if she fails...isn't that even worse?

Dammit, caught the thread too late.

>>36617922
waaaaaitaminute, Blorp. Are you going to have Rokko pull a Zero?

>>36619415
> nine-chan
Hmm, how about naming her Nina?

>>36618614
so, you want it to be a dungeon to raid instead of a home?
this means fewer friend visit and more murderhobos breaking down your door and stealing your shit.

Despite being an economy based on murderhoboism, towns are not deadly trap pits

>>36621856
i think he meant as an outpost for the murderhobo adventurers to stay at, and use as an inn, and gain experience by killing the unholy abominations

>>36619732
Where do you think her hair comes from?