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>>38202767

“Mm, you were talking to Liza back there, I heard. The Guardians, right?” She sticks her tongue out, screwing up her face for a second at the notion. “Bleh.”

“I'm sure they're not all bad.” You raise an eyebrow, looking back at the magnificent guild hall behind you. You're not disinterested: rather, you're still conflicted. Liza's "deception" has left your thoughts of the Alliance a bit fuzzy.

“Mhm. I dunno, I guess I'm just not as hardcore as them. It doesn't sound so appealing to me.” Aelriss shrugs. “I actually wanted to see if the Writ Keepers would take me.”

“Really?” You grin.

“Yeah,” She responds. “Don't get me wrong. I'm not much of a roleplayer. It just sounds fun, y'know?”

“It's alright. You'd like it.” You respond, making your way to the bottom of the stairs to lean against the nearby pillar. Dressing in weapons and armor is still just tiring enough to feel real. You should get back to hunting Celestial Gems soon. “Ayla's really cool.”

“She seemed like it. God, the top guild officers must feel like celebrities.” Aelriss says. “You think you could have done what the Alliance leaders did, if you'd gotten to Averron first?”

“Maybe.” You respond. “I doubt it's completely luck, if that's what you're asking. I'm not saying I couldn't, but some of them are pretty good. I'm sure Liza is, anyway, and Ayla treats this game like it's rocket science. It's crazy.”

Aelriss nods, looking a bit despondent.

“Really?” You ask. “That upsets you? You know you've got one of the only Celestial Artifacts in the game, right? And a fucking strong one, to boot. Go wave that around and see how many people stick to you.”

“Oh, please.” She chuckles. “Go on.”

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>38202832

"I see. Just fishing for compliments, then?" You roll your eyes and wave her off, looking toward Tatsumaki, who's standing awkwardly to the side as usual. “Tatsumaki, what about you? Interested in joining a guild?”

She looks up at you briefly, then tilts her head to one side.

“I mean, if you had to.” You add.

There's a contracted pause, and she points to the Guardians' hall.

“Mhm.” You nod. “Ael, looks like we've got you beat two to one.”

“Ugh, it's not a vote.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, Ashe. How long are you gonna be online?”

“Iunno.” You respond. “I was thinking about going to a thing in a little while, but I've basically got all day otherwise. Why's that?”

“Not sure. Tatsumaki and I want to do something, but we're not sure what.” She says. “Ah, nice breastplate, by the way.”

> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”
> “I actually have some more things to do around town.”
> “I was planning on taking a break in a couple of minutes.”
> Other

>>38202880
> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”

>>38202880
>> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”

>>38202880
> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”

>>38202880
>> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”

>>38202880
>Either of you figure out what kind of equipment you want? We could farm low-level mobs for materials.

>>38202880
>“Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum?
> "Though I think we should wait for Nel to come online”

>>38202880
>> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”
>If you do we can farm mobs for materials and loot.

>>38202880
>“Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”
Role play fags, are gonna be fun to mess with.

>>38202880
>“Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”

>>38202880
> “Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”
> “I was planning on taking a break in a couple of minutes.”

>>38202832
>You should get back to hunting Celestial Gems soon

Teehee.

>>38202880
>“Thanks. Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”
> “What about the Sanctum? Do you want to wait for Nel to come online?”

>>38203186
quiet, you

>>38203186
I agree, actually. I want us an artifact!

>>38202880

“Thanks.” You respond. “Looks like you two did some shopping yourselves.”

“Most definitely.” Aelriss tugs on the collar of her chain-mail. “I'm wearing actual armor now, which is cool. Tatsumaki burned her cash on some new gauntlets, and gave me an earth focus to power 'em up with. I just re-committed my PP for Eunoia, so I'm ready for whatever.”

“Alright, then. How about the Inner Sanctum?” You ask. “Do you guys want to wait for Nel to come online?”

Tatsumaki nods.

“Ah, you guys were doing that dungeon in the ruins, right? The cathedral.” Aelriss says. “If your friend was there with you, then it's really only fair to wait for him. Unless you don't want to. I'd want to wait for Donnel myself, but it's fine if that's not alright with you.”

“No, no.” You shake your head. “I was just getting your opinions. I'm sure there's stuff we can do until then. Anyone feel like farming?”

“Sounds fine with me.” Aelriss responds. “Let's see, there's always Crawlers. Then the stone guys are pretty easy to blow up. I'm sure there's plenty of stuff in the branch with that cathedral that we haven't seen yet. Though... Nameless could attack again. And that Anaximander...”

“They could attack anywhere.” You sigh, shaking your head. “Hell, Anaximander can apparently teleport long distances. I'm not sure where he's hiding, or how accurate his ability is. But presumably, all it takes is a spy.”

Nel, Donnel, and Vision are offline.

Aelriss, Ayla, Smith, and Tatsumaki are online.

> Suggest farming crawlers nearby the city.
> Suggest returning to the same branch as before and exploring further.
> Suggest seeking out a different branch.
> Suggest something else. (Write-in)
> Message someone.

>>38203412
>> Suggest seeking out a different branch.

>>38203412
>> Suggest seeking out a different branch.

>>38203412

> Message someone.

holy shit Smith you ok? also, we've got your money. didn't spend it or anything.

>>38203412
>> Suggest seeking out a different branch.

>>38203412
Log out for a bit and grab something to eat.

>>38203412
>Suggest seeking out a different branch.

>>38203412
>Suggest seeking out a different branch.
>Message someone.
Ask Smith if he wants his shit.

>>38203474
This

>>38203412
Message Smith. Tell him that when we saw his place was abandoned, we took his money to make sure any Nameless wouldn't steal it. Ask him if he wants to meet up so we can return it to him, or if he'd just like us to leave it somewhere?

>>38203412
>> Suggest returning to the same branch as before and exploring further.

>>38203604
seconded

>>38203604
I am Ok with that.

>>38203412
>Message Smith about the money and possible player killing

Also, since our party of friends is unaligned and indecisive, why not found our own guild, with blackjack, and hookers?

>>38203723
Because founding a guild is a bigger commitment that our impromptu cadre is likely not up for. Remember, we just started playing and came out of chargen a few hours ago.

>>38203723
See I wanted that. But everyone said too much work or that we should learn the ropes from the big guilds then steal their people. Which is unlikely.

>>38203723

we should. but not yet. I'd rather spend our celestial gems on making the city better, like giving it NPC guards that punish PKing and stuff.

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>>38203412

> [[ UI Messenger – Smith ]]
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Hey, Smith.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: You there? I stopped by your workshop earlier, but you weren't there. The place was open, so I took a couple of the credchips you left on the counter so they wouldn't get stolen by Nameless.
> [[ Smith ]]: Hello, Ascheritte.
> [[ Smith ]]: …Oh. That was quite considerate of you.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Do you want to meet up somewhere so you can get this stuff back?
> [[ Smith ]]: I would appreciate that.
> [[ Smith ]]: How long were you in my workshop, again?

> Write-in

>>38203766
Just have Nel lead it.

>>38203849
"Long enough to have a drone of yours attack me, and see those bodies. What was up with that?"

>>38203849
Not long. We heard fighting and since you weren't there we left in a hurry. I was pretty low on hp at the time. We were looking for a place no hole up and yours was obviously not it.

>>38203849
Seconding>>38203868

>>38203849
>"Long enough to be pounced by a drone, sorry that it's now in pieces."
>"Oh, nice collection of broken UI's by the way."

>>38203902
>>38203868
Do you want the PKer to suspect us?

>>38203902
>>38203868
Seconded
Having a friend who is shady is always good in an online games, just have to make sure no one knows you are his freind.

>>38203902

okay, do NOT mention that because it'd be like asking someone why he has a dead preserved rat under his bed. don't ask, don't tell, just suppress the memories.

>>38203926
We don't know shit about anything, anon. The only way to find out is to be direct with him.

>>38203902
We definitely shouldn't mention the UIs. There's a good chance that it's evidence of him killing named players

>>38203849
seconding >>38203902, although maybe phrasing it as "got all those UIs from nameless hunting?"

>>38203926
He's going to know we know either way, better if he thinks we're cool with it.

>>38203849
No trying to blackmail the PKer.

Just say "Just to catch our breath, though I had to break one of your drones unfortunately,"

>>38203965
Then we should word it as great UI collection you got. Give me some tips on how to build my own.

>>38203965
No he isn't, not if we say we barely stayed there.

Also we should be sure to give him his money back in a public place.

>>38203926
>>38203939
>>38203943
>>38203945
So, to clarify my intent behind: "Oh, nice collection of broken UI's by the way."

I'm thinking we leave that hanging statement to gauge his reaction. His evasiveness about asking how long we were in his place implies that he's probably not kept his PKing limited to nameless since he's upfront about that.

However, depending on his reaction we may well just be able to buddy it up with someone not afraid to get their hands dirty. Or we may have someone on our ass. Hell, if he's careful he might even pretend nothing's wrong til we return his creds.

But hopefully his reply will be telling of his position.

>>38204007
>we barely stayed there.
>looked through his counter and found credits
>which was the same place where the UIs were found

>>38203965
>He's going to know we know either way

[citation needed]

what hurts me the most is that we could've known for sure if we'd thought to look at the names of the former owners of the UI and then asked around about them, but didn't think to, and now it's just an ambiguously creepy thing that doesn't prove anything.

>>38204012
I think we all realized the intent, but don't want his potential reaction to be, "I'm going to kill you and keep my secret."

>>38204032
The UIs were in a separate drawer if I remember correctly

>>38204050
I thought they were just lying there on his desk, out in the open?

>>38204067
Nah, they were in a drawer.

>>38204050
and if we were checking his drawer for credits, what would have stopped us from checking there?

>>38204046

that wouldn't keep anything secret, though. we'll respawn, know a few people nice enough to listen to us despite having been killed.

>>38204050

there were entire crates of them, filled to the brim, anon. that's what makes it scary. and the crates were closed when we arrived. one is open, but he doesn't know we opened it.

>>38204067
They were in a separate desk.

> Send an accusatory response.
> Let him know you know, but are okay with it.
> Feign ignorance.

>>38204099
>Let him know you know, but are okay with it.
As long as he doesn't do it to anyone we know.

>>38204099
> Feign ignorance.

where the fuck did I get the crates from? I could've sworn there were some.

>>38204099
>> Let him know you know, but are okay with it.
Got it from fighting Nameless right?

>>38204099
>Let him know you know, but are okay with it.

>>38204099
> Let him know you know, but are okay with it.

>>38204094
Quit exaggerating, faggot. It was literally only a drawer.

>>38204099
>Let him know you know, but are okay with it.
Only if they're Nameless UIs.

>>38204147
Or better yet, assume that he traded for them from other players because he's one of the guys trying to figure out what to do with them.

>>38204099
> Feign ignorance.

>>38204099
seconding >>38204147 and >>38204217. We could just assume that he's pioneering their uses as parts. Might be something needed to make advanced AI drones or those slave collars.

>>38204099
> Feign ignorance.
Still would kind of like to do this.

>>38204317
Yeah we should ask him if he's figured out anything neat to do with them beyond being offered at the celestial alter?

>>38204099
> Feign ignorance.
Why the hell would you inform somebody you went snooping in their place.

>>38204342
>>38204317
Funnny enough he can easily get that many UI's through nameless hunting, if the numbers are as large as we heard, and they have been shown to be weaker.

>>38204099

> [[ UI Messenger – Smith ]]
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: For a little while. I needed a place to lay low, but found out yours wasn't a good choice.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I, uhm, had to break one of your drones.
> [[ Smith ]]: I apologize on the proximity sensor's behalf. I'm glad you're unhurt.
> [[ Smith ]]: Needless to say, I was not expecting friends. Don't worry about the drone.
> [[ Smith ]]: Viscerators are cheap, if that eases your mind any. The sensor is actually the most expensive part.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: ...They're called viscerators?
> [[ Smith ]]: Endearing, isn't it?
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Something like that.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I, uhm, saw your trophy case, though.
> [[ Smith ]]: Did you, now?
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: From killing Nameless, right?
> [[ Smith ]]: Ah, yes.
> [[ Smith ]]: Most certainly.
> [[ Smith ]]: Yes, I've amassed quite a collection. The technology they operate with exceeds anything we players have access to so far, barring the message board server.
> [[ Smith ]]: But I've yet to find any useful application for them. Nothing I've yet tried has allowed me to disassemble one, much less restore a broken one to function.
> [[ Smith ]]: I have theories. Interesting theories, but that's a discussion topic for another time.
> [[ Smith ]]: All that said, I was just about to return to my workshop, albeit briefly.
> [[ Smith ]]: Do you think you could meet me by one of the gates, or perhaps the warehouse district?

> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
> Suggest meeting elsewhere. (Write-in)
> Ask about something else. (Write-in)

>>38204387
Because he looked through his desk, and right above/below the credits is where the UI's were.
It would be obvious we know.

>>38204414
>“We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
Mention what we did at the altar.

>>38204414
>> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”

>>38204414
>> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
I did figure out you can give them to the altar by the way maybe that'll help your research?

>>38204414
>“We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
Gates have guards, just in case he's planning to off us.

>>38204414
>“We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”

>>38204414
>“We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
Ask him why he was attacked by disposable heroes, and also mention the altar thing, it might giver him an idea.

>>38204414
> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”
Mention what happened when we gave the UIs to the altar

>>38204414
>> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”

>>38204414
> “We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.”

and show up with the entire party

it's not paranoia if they're really out to get us

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>>38204414

> [[ Ascheritte ]]: We're about to head out. The gate sounds fine.
> [[ Smith ]]: Excellent. I'll meet you there.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: By the by, you should try offering some of the Identifiers to the Celestial Altar.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I'm not sure if it helps, but it gave me a good feeling. Seems like as good a start as any.
> [[ Smith ]]: Yes, I've heard the rumors.

“What's up, Ashe?” Aelriss looks up from her own UI menu, then goes back to finishing a message of her own.

“Talking to my friend.” You respond. “The guy who's warehouse we were in. I'm gonna return his money.”

“The guy with the flying homicidal blender?” She glares. “Yeah, that's on you.”

There's an intrusive ping.

> [[ UI Messenger – Ayla ]]
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Alright, I've had enough of this. I'm on my way back to my hall if you still need me. ))

> “One sec. Gotta run an errand.”
> “Change in plans. Going to go farm. Want to come with?”
> Write-in

>>38204647
>> “One sec. Gotta run an errand.”

>>38204647
> “One sec. Gotta run an errand.”

>>38204647
>> “Change in plans. Going to go farm. Want to come with?”
Nel is offline and we need him to find the really out of the way stuff.

>>38204647
>“Change in plans. Going to go farm. Want to come with?”
We can discuss what it was we wanted with her whilst we're travelling to the field

>>38204647
>> “One sec. Gotta run an errand.”

>>38204647
>“One sec.Gotta run an errand. Want to come with?”

>>38204647
> “Change in plans. Going to go farm. Want to come with?”

>>38204647
>"One sec. Gotta run an errand."

>"We're planning to go to Sanctum once Nel gets back. Wanna come along and see if Kjorikos has any more fancy tech hidden away?"

>>38204647
>“One sec. Gotta run an errand.”

weren't we gonna scope out the CG hall

I vote for not having the attention span of a fruit fly

>>38204783
Yeah, hopefully we can at least stick to the farming we just decided to do

>>38204647
>> “One sec. Gotta run an errand.”

>>38204783
>>38204877
Shit, man, we are getting LOREs. Even better, we are getting LORES that can save our ass.

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>>38204647

You walk and talk, communicating with Ayla as you head toward the warehouse gates.

> [[ UI Messenger – Ayla ]]
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Alright, I've had enough of this. I'm on my way back to my hall if you still need me. ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Maybe in a minute. I've got an errand to run, and I'm probably going to go farm afterward.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: But we're planning to go to the Sanctum when Nel comes back online.
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Want to come along, and see if Kjorikos has any more fancy tech hidden away?
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Oh, fuck yes. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( How many are in your group now? ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: It's me, Aelriss, and Tats right now.
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Pfft. Tell me you're not calling her that. ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: I don't think she'd understand me even if I did.
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Lol. She's my favorite. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( So it'd be five with me? ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Mhm
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Damn. I'll have to think about it. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( I've sort of got some responsibilities. I wanted to bring Dorian. At least then I could pretend I was doing something for the Keepers, rather than for just me. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Plus I kind of wanted to stay here and RP, maybe take a quick break. ))
> [[ Ayla ]]: (( Let me know when you're going down and I'll see. At the very least, we should chat sometime. ))
> [[ Ascheritte ]]: Alright, will do.

The city gate comes into view. It looks like the guardsmen are still on a bit of an alert, with a few more stationed here than the last time you came through. You see Smith standing a little ways out, and further beyond, there's some players in starter gear trading blows with little purple crawlers.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>38205222

“Smith.” You wave as you pass through the gates. Aelriss and Tatsumaki shrink behind you.

“Good to see you again, Ascheritte.” Smith smiles, formal as always. You don't see any drones with him, but he can probably store them in his UI, which seems convenient. “You've got my chips?”

“Mhm.” You produce the luminescent diskettes and hand them over. “Didn't spend a cent of it.”

“I thank you.” He says. “What are you and your friends up to?”

“Not much. Maybe about to do some farming, maybe not.” You shrug. “You?”

“The usual.” Smith says. “And a bit of exploring. Looking for altars, and nice places. Haven't found much of anything exciting yet, though, and the message boards are down, which means maps of the furthest branches aren't being spread. You should carry exploring gear, though. The terrain gets quite nasty once you stray too far away from Averron.”

“Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.” You say. He nods and waves you off, making a cautious exit towards the far caves, periodically looking over his shoulder.

What will you do?
> Get to farming, starting with these stupid crawlers.
> Go find a better farming spot; like where you lost Rhett.
> Start exploring a different branch below.
> Other

>>38205222
I am pretty sure that is not what we meant by I need to run an errand.

We meant we will go talk to her about the portrait. Take a leave of this current party to run that errand.

>>38205254
> Go find a better farming spot; like where you lost Rhett.

>>38205254
>Start exploring a different branch below.

>>38205254
>Go find a better farming spot; like where you lost Rhett.
So who do we want to hand when we go return to that sanctum?
Aelriss, Tastu, Nel, Ayla are a definite for me, which makes a full party. Ayla wanted to bring Dorian, and it might be an idea to have Donnel tag along too. Do we know if partying confers any particular bonuses or is it just what determines how the exp is shared? Presumably if we killed a boss only the members of the party of the guy who dealt the finishing blow get exp then?

>>38205254
>> Go find a better farming spot; like where you lost Rhett.

>>38205254
>Get to farming, starting with these stupid crawlers.

>>38205327
Maybe we can go with 2 parties? If Ayla needs an excuse, this could be a "joint expedition party" to "procure resources for the message board", then invite 1 guy from CG and DH. Ayla comes along because this is her specialty and she knows us, the lead.

>Ash
>Aelriss
>Tatsu
>Nel
>Donnel

>Ayla
>Dorian
>CG guy
>DH guy

>>38205394
I am up for that.

>>38205254
>> Get to farming, starting with these stupid crawlers.

>>38205394
My thoughts on the matter is that we get less reputation if we get assistance from guilds than if it were more of a personal party and that we also risk having to share the loot, not to mention the fact that more people means less exp per person if it's a flat amount split between those present.

I think sticking with just Donnel and Dorian as potential extras is best

>>38205569
>less reputation
why do we want that again? Is this just for raising our market value as a player?

>loot
I hear ya, but we haven't really gotten much stronger, at least not enough to take down the next boss without risking our lives by a large margin.

>>38205254

“Alright, this way...”

You lead the party around the city's wall toward one of the outer bridges, passing far below where you spawned when you first started, where you were immediately tested by a fight to the death. Stone caves spiral down into the white abyss beneath Averron, until you find yourself on a familiar lower strata, an enormous suspended stone platform like Averron City sans buildings.

You've fought here before.

You draw your longsword. It's heavier than expected, but looks like it'll be a lot easier to swing or thrust than some of the weapons you've been stuck with thus far. You needed something dependable anyway. Seems like you could wield it in either one or two hands, depending on what you fancy.

“Is this the place?” Aelriss asks. The ribbon on her finger uncoils, blooming brightly into the shape of a bird that comes to rest on her shoulder. Tatsumaki taps her and nods in confirmation.

“Mhm. Last time we were here, we lost someone to a surprise boss fight.” You suggest. It's quiet, though. “We're a fair bit stronger now, though, even if it is just us three. Last time, they attacked from underground.”

“Hm...” Aelriss wields her wrought-iron staff. It's just short of her height, and you hear wind faintly whistling, even when she moves it minutely. “I don't see anything.”

> Suggest doing something to draw them out from underground.
> Suggest trying to aggro them off distant cave walls.
> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>>>38205569
This seems like a raid. more might be warranted
>>38205693
.> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>38205693
>Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

I want to explore. Not farm.

>>38205693
>> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>38205693
>> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.
Caves=treasure

>>38205693
> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>38205628
Yeah, simply to improve our status so that we can wrangle the other major players better. Would also look good on our CV if we try to get into CG, though that's clearly not everyone's concern.

And as for taking the boss... I personally reckon we'll be fine, if for no other reason than that we were capable of unlocking the path to it. In a game where death is such a big thing having a boss that's far beyond the capabilities of players that cleared the way to it is silly.

>>38205722
True, but I figure the game would give more warning if it was a raid boss. Like, at the very least a chance to escape if we go in and find it's far beyond us.

>>38205693
> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>38205786
>True, but I figure the game would give more warning if it was a raid boss. Like, at the very least a chance to escape if we go in and find it's far beyond us.
I think that was the Pegasus, after all this game has no given us much in the way of railroading. Seems like it's pretty much you delve too deep you die.

>>38205394
Can we add Smith to that?

>>38205693
>> Suggest looking in one of the caves nearby.

>>38205884
That's either a fantastic or terrible idea depending on whether the lure of loot prompts him to backstab everyone.

I reckon he'd make a great support if he could be trusted.

>>38205693
>Suggest doing something to draw them out from underground.
We need levels, not gems.

>>38205884
maybe? I am INCREDIBLY hesitant on that.

>>38205993
We need gems to get a celestial artifact which is worth way more than leveling up

>>38205693

Far ahead, you see a couple of isolated groups of players moving either direction along the bridges; probably down here for the same reason you are. You make your way into one of the caves, ducking off the main path. Through the distant fog, you can hear the skittering of Crawlers.

Inside, it's quiet. The air is a bit dry, and the cave walls wash from blue to brown. The light dies from outside quickly. There isn't much luminescence here, neither the glowing quartzite slabs above the Ancient Cathedral, nor the mysterious ubiquitous light that renders Averron City and the surrounding caves visible.

A distance ahead, you can see the cave drops off a cliff, but the abyss below is black, rather than white. There's cracks in the stone on the edge where it looks like climbing harnesses might have been set up some time in the past. It's quiet below.

There's a dead player lying off to the side. His body looks freshly scorched; the three of you collectively wince. Nearby, there's a pretty looking bird, similar to Eunoia but with a trimmed plume, sitting on top of a faintly glowing plant.

> Check out the body.
> See if you can climb down.
> Attack the bird.
> Other.

>>38206074
>> Check out the body.
Leave that fucking bird in peace!

>>38206074
>anybody have bird food?

>if not, check the body

>>38206074
>Check out the body.
If I recall correctly Aelriss said they didn't attack unless provoked..?

>>38206074
[x] See if the bird will follow us. Feed the bird.

>>38206074

check out the body, but in battle formation because of the imminent ambush.

they're out there. plotting our demise. I can feel them.

by the way, can the pet bird interact with the wild bird in a nonhostile manner?

>>38206074
>Befriend the bird
>Light a torch

Yippee, a thread I'm early enough to that I can actually particpate!

>>38206117
>>38206131
Bird food is celestial gems guys, and we only have one.

>>38206074
Feed bird

>>38206170
I think it only use a gem when you bind it.

>>38206224
No you need multiple gems to make the ribbon to bind it.

>>38206224
Maybe. Can we at least confer with Aelriss before we start flinging bread at the bird though? I'd really rather we didn't get killed by one.

>>38206247
Does /tg/ want the bird? It will use up our PP. And we are not PP heavy.

>>38206247
>>38206224
Maybe we can fuse with it.

>>38206074
> Check out the body.
Watch out for that bird. It might have been the one who burnt that dude

>>38206261
I don't I just want to leave it be.

>>38206262
No indication of it being a thing anon. It'd just blast us.

>>38206261
I don't, for that very reason.

>>38206257
Imagine being a bird. I rest somewhere, and fuckers keep on throwing bread at me.

>>38206262
Be the birdman.

>>38206280
>>38206278
Can we come up with a use other than fusing with it? Perhaps have it follow us around into zones and blasting enemies with it?

>>38206293
Gatchaman!

>>38206262
What makes you think that's even remotely possible? I don't want to be a bird guy anyway

>>38206278
Celestial gems can do pretty much anything man.

>>38206311
Yeah but we'd need a celestial artifact for that. Meaning more gems. and it'd eat all our PP.


>>38206322
We'd need more than one surely.

>>38206283
BUT THAT SHIT'S DELICIOUS
AND THEY'RE JUST GIVING IT TO YOU
FOR FREE, NIGGA
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW TIGHT THAT SHIT IS?

>>38206262
>>38206278
A celestial artifact that lets you use spirit/druid totems might be a thing...

>>38206293
Phoenix Fire!

>>38206261
I want to make friends with it so it doesn't suddenly start burning us. We aren't equipped to fight a small flying creature.

>>38206074
Ignore the fuck out of that bird.

>>38206352
How about we leave it alone?

So it won't murder us. We lack Cgs for any artifact right now.

>>38206074
>Feed the bird
>Light a torch

>>38206415
I can support this.

Also searching the corpse.

Drop the torch down the shaft, to see how deep it goes.

>>38206489
I don't know about searching the player, last time we defiled a corpse bad shit happened.

>>38206074

“These things are dangerous, right?” You ask. “Anyone have bird food?”

“I think it's just random, whether they follow you or not. If you wanted to capture one, you'd have to make an Artifact for it.” Aelriss says. Eunoia hops off her shoulder, fluttering over to join the other bird on the plant. The two stand on separate leaves, looking at one another inquisitively. “Aww, look at 'em.”

“I'm gonna check out that body, then...” You shrug.

> [[ Inventory – Kazamari, brawler ]]
wooden buckler (unidentified)
wooden buckler (unidentified)
lesser healing potion
moonroot herb
fluorescent torch
lamellar leggings (damaged)
tabard “Let's Get Weird – Guild Leader”
Unique Identifier: Kazamari (broken)

“Mm... anything good?” Aelriss says, sounding a bit morose. “What kind of weapon?”

“Uh, looks like he was using two shields.” You shrug.

“Glad it worked out for him.” She responds.

What will you do?
> Light a torch and look over.
> Throw something down. (Write-in)
> See if you can climb down using exploring gear.
> Other.

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>>38206522

>>38206522
>> Light a torch and look over.
> Throw something down. (Write-in)
Take Ui to be altar'd and loot the other stuff. If anoyne wants a shield give it to em. We should keep one Just in case.

>>38206522
>two shields
oh god my sides. shieldfags btfo
> See if you can climb down using exploring gear.

>>38206522
>(Loot everything)
>Throw something down. (Write-in)
Toss the newly looted fluorescent torch down

>>38206522
>> Light a torch and look over.
>> Throw down a rock.
>> See if you can climb down using exploring gear.

>>38206522
>Light a torch and look over.
>Throw something down.
Either a torch or one of those faintly luminescent trail-marker stones.

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>>38206522
>Dual wielding shields
I hope we run into him as a Nameless.
> Throw something down. (Write-in)
A lit torch.

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>>38206522
>Light a torch and look over.

>Shieldfags BTFO

>>38206522
>> Light a torch and look over.
>> Throw something down. (Write-in)
a torch
>>38206522
>“Glad it worked out for him.” She responds.
Ah cmon you know it would have been fun.

>>38206522
take the potion, herb, torch and UI
> See if you can climb down using exploring gear.

>>38206522
> See if you can climb down using exploring gear.
Well this is what happens when you form your own guild. When we return to town we should ask around to see if there are more members.

>>38206522
Take the potion, herb, torch, UI and a buckler.

Ask if anyone wants the leggings. If not then take those too.

>>38206522
>tabard “Let's Get Weird – Guild Leader”
That sounds like a guild i would join.

>>38206606
He has our weird naming sense though.
He sounds like a fun guy.

>>38206522
>two shields
>the shields don't even reach the floor
scrub

>throw torch
>keep tabard

>>38206522

equip a buckler because leaving your offhand slot empty is for non-brawlers.

>>38206606
I don't think this has anything to do with forming his own guild, I think it's more because someone who is retarded enough to use two shields is also retarded enough to fuck with the birds

>>38206802
The sword we have is heavy as fuck, i'd prefer to just use two hands for it

>>38206802
Support.

>>38206904
reread the post, we are using the long sword.

>>38206945
It's the steel bastard sword we bought last thread. You can use it with one or two hands.

>>38206945
It's a hand and a half sword actually.

>>38206802
Yeah, bucklers are small enough that we should still be able to use that hand for assistance in bing swings too...which are the only swings we'd want to use two hands on anyway.

>>38206945
I don't need to reread it, I already know it says that the sword was heavy and we could use it with one or both hands

>>38206522

“Ah, come on.” You start stashing the stuff in your own inventory. “You know it would have been fun. Imagine living every moment like that, never knowing if you're going to survive the next battle. Looking at the world from behind two shields.”

“You really think that appeals to someone?” Aelriss groans.

“I'm not gonna lie, I really want to meet him as a Nameless.” You say.

“Oh, don't even.” She sighs.

“Look, he was even in a guild!” You say, holding up his tabard.

“What was it called?” Aelriss asks.

“'Let's Get Weird'.” You say, holding it up to your own chest to judge the fit before stashing it in your Identifier.

“Wow.” She looks awestruck. “It's like you two were made for each other.”

“Yeaaah. Either of you want his pants?” You continue rifling through his belongings, taking everything else. The two bucklers are made of sturdy-looking wood, supported by a round steel frame. Since you've no way to tell, you pick the one that looks better, or less damaged, and set it aside. It could be of use, if you decide to wield your bastard sword in one hand.

“I'll pass, they're absolutely ruined. Like the rest of his armor.” Aelriss says. “Look, it's just scraps! It's like he was incinerated.”

You'd bring up when she incinerated Kalim, the Nameless, with her own bird, but you don't think that'd make her happy. Tatsumaki's busy watching the two birds play; they seem to be getting along well. She seems mesmerized.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>38207014

> [[ Herbs can be used as crafting ingredients. Some might have elemental properties. ]]
> [[ Beware: all plants might be poisonous to eat. ]]
> [[ Consume raw moonroot to restore some PP. ]]

You finish looting.

“Eunoia, c'mon.” Aelriss says. “You can see her again later.”

Eunoia returns to Aelriss's shoulder, and the other bird flutters up and out of the cave, whistling a grave sounding melody and leaving a sparkling trail in its wake.

You light the dead player's torch and throw it over the side. It's a good drop. You'd wager about thirty feet, before what looks like an uneven stone surface dotted with the bones of unknown creatures. You think you see something scatter into the darkness below.

> Nope!
> Cannonball!
> Use exploring gear to make a way down.
> Other

>>38207075
> Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207075
>> Nope!
shouldn't we be doing this with a full party? Or at least someone with ranged support?

>>38207075
>> Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207075
>Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207075
>> Nope!
Not doing this with our current party.

>>38207075
> Cannonball!

YOLO

>>38207075
> Use exploring gear to make a way down.
Only if we can reuse it to get back up

>>38207075
> Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207075
>Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207075
>Use exploring gear to make a way down.

>>38207147
We have two, and last thread the QM siad what is inside of them.

>>38207075
>other

Send the bird down there to look, then call it back

>>38207075

You consume your exploring gear, setting up ropes that you can use to climb down and back up the cliff face. You're not really sure how, but the game seems to help you with getting them in place, and they seem pretty sturdy. You were also never much of a climber, but seeing as you can jump close to your own height in this game, it makes sense that it's also easier to climb.

“Get Eunoia ready. I saw something move down there, and I'd hate for us to get jumped.” You say, mounting the ropes.

“That beam attack uses about half the duration.” Aelriss says. “I'll be ready, but Eunoia's more of a support. Blow it all at once and I'm down to my staff for quite a while.”

“Can you use it to scout ahead?” You ask.

“I can't see through it.” She responds. “That sounds like a hell of an upgrade, though...”

[[ 1 ]]
> Equip the buckler.
> Go two-handed.

[[ 2 ]]
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.
> Slide down and put your back on the wall.
> Other.

>>38207381
> Go two-handed.
Bucks for schmucks.
> Slide down and put your back on the wall.
Let's get down and hold the fort whilst the others join us, then we can move in.

>>38207381
>> Go two-handed.
>> Slide down and put your back on the wall.

>>38207381
>Equip the buckler
> Slide down and put your back on the wall.
There is still a torch on the ground.

>>38207381
>> Equip the buckler
>> Slide down and put your back on the wall.

>>38207381
oh god why

>Two-handed
We might need that hand for a torch anyway.

>Back to the wall
and ready to kick-off into a charge

>>38207381
> Equip the buckler.
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
> Equip the buckler.
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
>Equip the buckler.
>Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
>> Equip the buckler.
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
> Go two-handed.
> Slide down and put your back on the wall.

>>38207381
>>> Equip the buckler
>>> Slide down and put your back on the wall.
Sword and board fo lyfe

>>38207381
> Equip the buckler.
>[[ 2 ]]
> Slide down and put your back on the wall.

>>38207381
>two handed
We can control more ground in that pit, a shield isn't gonna help for long if we're swarmed while cornered.
>Grab torch, move defensively
Until we see enemies, then dash and smash

>>38207381
> Go two-handed.
Shields are for pussies who can't dodge
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
> Equip the buckler.
> Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381
>Equip the buckler.
>Slide down and grab the torch, moving ahead defensively.

>>38207381

You ready your buckler, sliding down the ropes to the bottom of the chasm with Tatsumaki at your side and Aelriss following after. You hit the stone floor below you, crunching on bones, and immediately dart forward, sweeping the torch up into your shield hand, preparing to swing at whatever emerges from the darkness.

> [[ Underground: Vos's Lair // Neutral Territory // PVP Enabled ]]

You notice it's wet below you, the bones and rocks sitting atop an inch-deep layer of stagnant water and ancient mud.

“Bug!” You hear Tatsumaki's voice. There's a hideous buzzing from your right, in the darkness, and you cast your light over something moving toward you, just in time.

“Oh, shit! What are these?!” Aelriss shouts from behind you.

> Step back, buckler up.
> Dodge.
> Thrust to intercept.

>>38207861
>Dodge.

Problem is, ground is wet, so it is slippery. Dodging may be much harder now.

>>38207861
>Step back, buckler up.

>>38207861
> Dodge.

>>38207861
>> Step back, buckler up.

>>38207861
>> Thrust to intercept.

>>38207861
> Thrust to intercept.
FUCK BUGS
FUCKIN GROSS

>>38207861
> Thrust to intercept.

>>38207861
> Thrust to intercept.

>>38207885
advanced reflexes shouls help, its also why i think we should upgrade it, before the boss fight.

>>38207861
> Thrust to intercept.

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>38207978

>>38207861
>Thrust to intercept.
aggro

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>38207978

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>38207978

>>38207993
Anon...

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>38207978

>>38207978
>> [[ A true critical failure occurs when a 1-3 is rolled, and all rolls are below the target number before modifiers. ]]
>> [[ A true critical failure occurs when a 1-3 is rolled, and all rolls are above the target number after modifiers. ]]
Is there a bit missing in one of these?

Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>38207978
rolling
>>38207993
>>38208001
Hot fucking damn!

>>38207978

>>38207993
>>38208001
Patch seems broken. Better abuse it while we still can.

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>>38208001
>>38207993

>>38207993
>>38208001
a-anons . . .

>>38207993
>>38208001
These two better count.

>>38207993
Ashe fuckin hates bugs

>>38207993
>>38208001
We hit the bug so hard all bugs died in the entire world.

> [[ BROKEN SKY ONLINE ]]
> [[ PATCH 1.0.2 RELEASE NOTES ]]

> [[ An emergency hotfix has been issued, as some features were not working as intended. ]]

> [[ Conflict resolution is decided by the highest of three 1d100 rolls. ]]
> [[ Rolls of 1-3 or 98-100 will have enhanced effect. ]]
> [[ These two outcomes offset eachother when occuring simultaneously, yielding a normal outcome. ]]
> [[ A true critical failure occurs when a 1-3 is rolled, and all rolls are below the target number before modifiers. ]]
> [[ A true critical success occurs when a 98-100 is rolled, and all rolls are above the target number after modifiers. ]]
> [[ Ascheritte's skills and passive abilities provide bonuses and modifiers to rolls. ]]
> [[ Modifiers and target numbers remain hidden currently, but a skill's degree of effect should be evident through its description. ]]
> [[ Active abilities can be used freely, but some are reactionary, and will be prompted during combat. ]]

>>38207993

> [[ 100 ]]
> [[ Writing, please wait. ]]

>>38208038
We killed these bugs so hard the game's devs paid us a bounty for it.

>>38208058
We evaded so well an alter sprang out of the ground with a celestial gem just to record that epic evade.

>>38208041
>Not stacking
Pfffsh, lame.

>>38208088
> [[ Enable stacking? ]]
> [[ If enabled, multiple rolls of 98 or greater will also yield a critical hit, unless the third roll is 3 or less, which will yield enhanced effect. ]]
> [[ However, the same will apply to critical failures. ]]

> Y
> N

>>38208141
> Y

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>>38208141
>Y

>>38208141
> Y
Makes things more entertaining

>>38208141
Y

What could possibly go wrong? Especially when /tg/ rolls 1s together usually?

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>>38208141
>Y
Surely this won't fuck us over later

>>38208141
>> N

>>38208141
>Y
Hello nameless life.

>>38208141
> Y

we must accept our fate.

>>38208041
>> [[ A true critical success occurs when a 98-100 is rolled, and all rolls are above the target number after modifiers. ]]
This is kind of a shame, since it means even in spite of two criticals, the 11 means it's almost guaranteed not to be a "true" critical success, which seems like a weird technicality that this ruleset doesn't seem to handle in the way you'd expect.

>>38208141
Which I suppose this handles.
>> Y

Does "unless the third roll is 3 or less, which will yield enhanced effect" mean that two crits and a crit-fail will yield a super extra-bad crit fail in some sort of horrifying crit-table malfunction singularity (and presumable two crit fails plus a crit success would do the opposte)? Or that unless the third roll is 3 or less, two crits will yield an enhanced effect? Wording's a little ambiguous.

>>38208141
> Y

>>38208141
N
No
Nope
No thanks
Nah
No sir
God No
Please no

When we become a nameless, we can bring both side to peace again!

>>38208234
Meaning that 99, 99, and anything above 3 is a critical hit, while in the case of something like 99, 99, 1, the 1 cancels one of the 99s.

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>>38207861

> [[ Critical Success ]]

You hate bugs.

There's a mound of red compound-eyes staring at you. It's skittering forward, scythe-like legs covered in chitinous armor. It's got enormous wings, and its abdomen resembles a bioluminescent, bulbous sac, webbed in bony armor plating.

You stride backwards, water and mud splashing from underfoot as you ready your bastard sword against the charge. It rears up, mouthparts clicking, hoping to impale you on one of its razor-sharp forelimbs, but makes the mistake of exposing the underbelly.

You stab it from beneath, and carry through, watching your sword emerge from its back as it towers over you, and cutting clean between the wings from head to tail.

> Ascheritte defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Aelriss, Tatsumaki ]]

You cut through that sac, and something pours out, causing you to rear back. It looks like blood at first, but it glows a bright orange and sizzles on contact with the ground below. Red rings swirl around your body: Haste.

Another one of them is coming at you from the front, and you hold it at bay with your sword, dodging left and right as the forelimbs bury themselves in the mud. There's an incessant buzzing from all around; it's like they're moving in formation, as two of them are engaged with both Tatsumaki and Aelriss.

Boom: the sound of earth breaking from Tatsumaki's direction. A reverberation echoes through the cave, and bits of rock fall from above.

> Tatsumaki defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Aelriss, Ascheritte ]]

A jet of orange liquid sails over your shoulder, barely missing you. The air is filled with an acrid stench, and you'd swear from the heat it was combusting on contact with oxygen. Aelriss is yelling loudly and incoherently.

> [[ Haste: Ascheritte is attacking and moving faster. ]]
> Clear yourself of targets.
> Pair up with Tatsumaki to finish these two.
> Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
>> Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
[x] Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
>> Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
>Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
> Pair up with Tatsumaki to finish these two.

>>38208483
>Pair up with Tatsumaki to finish these two.
Ael can handle herself if we're dealing with the immediate threat surely?

>>38208483
>Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
> Back up Aelriss.

>>38208483
> Back up Aelriss.

>Aelriss is yelling loudly and incoherently.
...are you scared of bugs? Or maybe you just don't like being doused in delicious, combustible Sunny D, I dunno.

>>38208483

You whirl around to face Aelriss and start moving in her direction. There's splashing and wingbeats from behind you, as the sliverwing gives chase. Their wings have a discomforting feathery texture, and leave something in the air like moth dust that stings your eyes.

Aelriss is ducking left and right, prodding with her staff, and Eunoia can't find an approach on either of the targets surrounding her. There's a faintly-glowing orange streak leading across the ground to her, and you can see the side of her face is burned pretty badly.

Well, at least she's good at dodging. You move forward rapidly, swinging wildly, and take the attention from one of them to make things easier. It's risky, but you dodge close to keep it in place so Eunoia can land on its back where its wings meet. The bird whistles merrily, and the silverwing seizes before rolling to one side, the glow in its eyes growing dim. Paralysis.

You take the opportunity, and put your blade through its head. Aelriss jumps around the other, knocking it into the dirt with a barreling swing of her staff that kicks up a small gust of wind. Artifice is no joke, it seems.

> Ascheritte defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Aelriss, Tatsumaki ]]
> Aelriss defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Tatsumaki, Ascheritte ]]

You're not glowing red anymore—wait, there's still one behind you!

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>38208723

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>38208723

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>38208723

>>38208723
new system pls no bully

>>38208735
Reasonable!

>>38208723
So that is why the other bird did not go down.

>>38208735

> [[ 85 ]]

An instinctive leap to the side. Normally, you'd dive-roll, but you don't want to roll around in this, even in a video game. A jet of visibly-burning liquid passes through the space you occupied a moment ago, and puddles at Aelriss's feet; she freezes for a second before stumbling backward, bumping into the cave wall.

“Aelriss, move!” You shout, whirling back around. You move back into range, dodging on the spot as forelimbs pass overhead. The sliverwing doubles back and crashes down, and you raise your blade to parry, stopping them a foot away from your face and forcing the thing back, spilling burning blood to the cave floor.

There's a sound, familiar though alien, a loud metallic screaming as a beam of searing golden light blasts into the sliverwing's side and sweeps across, dividing it in half horizontally and cauterizing the wound.

> Aelriss defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Tatsumaki, Ascheritte ]]

At just the right height, the beam carries through, flash-fusing the other one's carapace to its body. You don't waste time, charging forward by torchlight and finishing it off with a wide slash.

> Ascheritte defeated sliverwing. [[ Party: Aelriss, Tatsumaki ]]

No more buzzing. You wave the torch around. There's a hole in the cave wall a distance away that looks like it leads down a narrow tunnel. This cavern, though, is quite spacious already. You hope there's no more sliverwings.

> Other

>>38208974
>"Everyone alright? How's your hp doing?"
>Once everyone affirms their alrightness warily make tracks towards that tunnel

>>38208974
So Aries hates bugs and will burn her mana to kill them.

>>38208974
See if any of the bugs had anything worth looting. Make sure that Aelriss and Tatsumaki can continue. Then go check out the hole in the wall

>>38209029
This

>>38209029
This

>>38208974
Ok, seems like she's a little shellshocked over her acid spit experience; address her burns first, and see if the burns are a status effect in addition to just HP damage. Otherwise it's just about mind over matter, and there's not much you can do about a psychological aversion to pain.

Also props to Tatsumaki for somehow managing not to rupture bug juice all over herself despite being melee-focused.

>>38209029
>See if any of the bugs had anything worth looting.
Can items be damaged within your UI? If not, we should probably try and pick up one of the intact acid sacs for later reagent/weaponizing purposes. If so, I'd rather not have us being one bad jostle away from incinerate-dissolving our whole inventory.

Check how tall the hole in the wall is, and see if it looks like it's silverwing-made; carved out by scythe claws or acid burns. If so, we probably don't want to walk down them before sweeping them out with some serious ranged firepower.

>>38209156
Also, on the reagent front
>Their wings have a discomforting feathery texture, and leave something in the air like moth dust that stings your eyes.
This dust seems like something worth harvesting as well, if it's something that requires deliberate action rather than just being a mob drop.

>>38208974

> [[ Inventory – sliverwings ]]
sliverwing feathers x12
sliverwing chitin x6
burning insect heart

“Three-way split?” You ask. The group nods, and you continue. “What about the heart? Ael, can you—”

“Keep it.” She responds in a hurry, rummaging through her UI menu. Her voice sounds a little off, and you realize how bad that burn is; you can see teeth through the left side of her face. Otherwise intact, though. You wonder how much HP she's lost. Eunoia perches on her shoulder, and she begins applying bandages.

“That didn't hurt, did it?”

“It doesn't hurt.” She snaps.

“Alright, then.” You say. “Tatsumaki, are you alright with that?”

She nods, and presents her gauntleted hand, stirring the haze rising off of it with her other index finger. She looks a little scuffed up, probably from hitting the ground, but otherwise alright. You squint a bit, as there's still dust lingering in the air.

Loot distributed, you quietly make your way up to the opening, half-crawling up a mound of gravel and old bones. The cavern is dark, and appears to spiral a short ways downward. You hear faint snoring when you stick your head in.

Closer to the walls, you raise and wave your torch wide. There's a lot of holes in the wall that look like sliverwing hives; the tunnels have a black, gooey appearance, carved with scythe-like claws and shaped with burning spittle. You think you see egg sacs.

> Other

>>38209297
>"I think we should leave."

>>38209297
Is our torch actually on fire? If so, set egg sacks on fire.
If not, walk quickly but carefully past them.

>>38209297
Uh, loot the egg sacs? Or smash them, or burn them or something

>>38209297
Ask if the girls are up for a boss fight. If so, proceed

>>38209297
pocket some eggs, and set the hive on fire, time to fight the queen.

>>38209297
Should clarify that the main cavern you saw before is natural, different from the sliverwing tunnels, and not full of eggs.

>>38209297
Ask everyone if they want to go to another cave without moth.

>>38209297
Ask the girls if they want a boss fight, if so light the eggs on fire.
If not leave.
Also loot the eggs before anything else.

>>38209320
>>38209329
>>38209345
Why are you trying to piss of the boss? We should just sneak up on it while it's asleep

>>38209382
tight tunnels with something that has a mist and spits acid doesn't sound like a good idea, but an open space, while also causing damage to the boss sounds better.

>>38209297
eggs meet fire.
Reminder
Power Charge [[ Granted by: pegasus gilded cuirass ]]: Charging attacks will resist interruption and behave as if you are heavier.

I still think that attacking now is a foolish plan that will only end in tears and acid burns.

>>38209479
Speaking of which we should give the girl the moon root so that she has PP.
Also we just have to cripple the queens wings.

>>38209505
i say we give her a healing potion too if she doesn't have any

>>38209526
She restocked at the place, plus her bird heals.
She might need PP recovery since she was spamming it lasers earlier.

>>38209297

“There might be a boss down there, but I'm alright with continuing so long as it's not down the bug tunnels. What about you guys? Good to go?” You ask.

“We can at least look. Eunoia can distract or paralyze it if we need to escape.” Aelriss says, then takes a deep breath.

“Alright.” You take a cautious look down the adjacent sliverwing hives before making your way into the tunnel. You're almost certain that there's an entire network of hives surrounding this place. The tunnel is cramped, growing gradually narrower as it spirals downward, eventually opening into a large, circular room with periodic stalagmites reaching floor to ceiling. The snoring is louder here.

“Boss?” Tatsumaki asks, and points ahead. You level your torch.

It looks like... a horned toad. It's asleep, snoring loudly. It's about the size of a mobile home, and it's making quiet crunching sounds. There's a big, feathery bug wing sticking halfway out of its mouth.

You hear movement on the ceiling.

> Other

>>38209657
>Check out what the fuck is crawling on the ceiling.

>>38209657
Let the toad eat the bugs. Wake it up but hide after it is awoken.

>>38209657
...Look up while backing away slowly?

If there wasn't already a boss monster right here, I'd say we're about to get Gohma'd.

>>38209680
>>38209687
These

>>38209657
>Run the fuck away, come back with a raid party, and while we're at it, a can of actual Raid.

>>38209657
I'm a little worried that a constant diet of acid-bugs is going to make this thing an acid-frog given how other amphibians like poison dart frogs work.

That, or he's just got a cast-iron stomach.

Make damn sure Aelriss' bird doesn't decide to take flight in this room; if the toad seems capable of locating and eating stuff even while asleep, I don't think it's wise to risk that reflex with other delicious airborne treats.

>>38209657
Examine roof

>>38209687
>>38209680
seconded.
>>38209657
We didn't loot any eggs?

>>38209657

The roof is covered almost completely in faint, pulsing orange lights, skittering carefully between the stalactites.

“...I think we're a little bit too deep.” Aelriss says, backing away from the sleeping toad.

It's still sleep-eating, and has just about finished its bug.

> Other

>>38209839
>Nah man fuck dis
>Leave

>>38209861
>Observe. Protect bird so it does not get eaten.

>>38209839
Message ayla, and tell her about a possible raid monster, and her opinion.

I almost want to try waking the toad and all the bugs at the same time and then run and hope they deal with each other.
But it also sounds like a great way to get fucking rekt.

>>38209839
I guess we should leave. Kinda anticlimactic though

>>38209839
>Leave, loot everything you can on the way out, keep an eye peeled for celestial gems embedded in the walls.

I reckon we get Ayla to slap a bomb on a bug and wait for froggy to eat it when we come back here

>>38209839
Let's say we come back later; maybe we can pick up another bomb like the one from the Pegasus raid and we can slap it and a pair of looted bug wings onto a cheap remote drone and make him give himself the Dodongo treatment.

>>38209839
Start a small fire in the tunnels.
Than leave, also pocket a few eggs, they could be useful.