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>>43829030

Using your Unique Identifier, a small, virtual storage deck—reminiscent, almost, of an external SSD— tightly bound to your waist, you pull up a map of the area. A great distance behind your team, the Excavator, a small blip on the 2D interface, marches forward, slow but seemingly inexorable. You know its pilots, and the Technicians and Artificers servicing it, are highly skilled. Among those in its company are myriad members of Hecatelia's top guilds, numerous players seeking to journey to new areas, and a number of Nameless; you hope they are trustworthy, but if not, a group so large is bound to police itself when such important matters are concerned.

They're a hardy group, tempered by danger, but compared to you and your party, they are mere civilians. The five of you serve as a sort of mercenary vanguard, a group of powerful guildless hand-picked to scout the path ahead for potential dangers, whatever that may entail.

In the real world, you're an introverted student on break with a penchant for gaming and a variety of other somewhat unremarkable skills. Here, you are a part of the elite. You are a...

> Brawler.
> Gunner.
> Tech.
> Artificer.
> Explorer.

Just want to say that I'm really glad to see you run again, and that I really need to get to bed now so I can't read or play I'm afraid.

>>43829048
AAAHHH YOU TOOK MY SUGGESTION

>Explorer

>>43829048
>Explorer

>>43829048
> Artificer

>>43829048
> Explorer.

>>43829048
>Explorer

>>43829030
ALIVE! Wait when did you come back?

>broken sky is back
Is this real life?

>>43829048
not gonna be able to stay and play but good to see you back

>>43829048
Explorer!

>>43829048
>> Artificer.

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>>43829048

The class appealed to you immediately, when you first read about it. With maneuvers designed to avoid danger and chart paths through dangerous and unfamiliar territory, you can explore this new world in an a way no others can—while dishing out some pretty serious damage by account of your own skill as a player. In this world, you are an elite explorer, bearing few similarities to your real-life self. You are a measure taller and much more lean, skin a number of shades darker, hair somewhat longer.

“Sybil. Are you alright?” Troja asks, from over your shoulder. It's then you realize how debilitated you must look; it's a bit out-of-character for her to care. Your vision glazes down to the virtual frame cast in front of you by your Unique Identifier.

> [[ Primary Archetype: Explorer ]]
> [[ HP: 56 / 56 ]]
> [[ PP: 18 / 18 (28) ]]
> [[ Celestial Artifact(s) In Use – Total Committed PP: 10 ]]

“Yeah.” You respond instinctively. Your stats suggest you're just fine, but you feel otherwise. Perhaps it's just nerves, or perhaps you are a bit tired. Mounted on the back of an enormous aberrant Silverwing, Troja might be using less energy than you are walking—then again, you've never known walking to take much effort in this world, and the others seem to be doing fine as well.

“It -is- a tad uncomfortable down here.” Pandora says, adjusting his ponytail. Though there is no wind—the air is disconcertingly stagnant—his iridescent robe flutters regardless, leaving an ephemeral sparkling dust where it passes. “The darkness and that dreadful sound... not to mention the fact that something could attack at any moment!”

> [[ Continued ]]

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>>43829796

“Pan, there's a reason we're on this job.” Cecily sighs. She sounds a bit tense, as always. Her sylvan attire betrays the aesthetic of this branch of the underground; she stands always poised to move, never sheathing her jade saber. “Pull it together.”

“She's right. We'll be fine.” Vaine says, voice echoing through the tunnels, speaking up to be heard over the sound of the Excavator. He's imposing, if anything—you aren't sure if this team has a leader, but he seems to be a natural one. “Keep your eyes front, and remember what you're getting paid.”

Ahead, the tunnels open up. The Excavator's team is digging...

> Downward, to test the capacity of the new technology and see what lies concealed beneath the world
> Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

>>43829816
>Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

>>43829816
>> Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

>>43829816


> Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

I Want to meet some crazy animals!

>>43829816
>Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

Reminder: http://pastebin.com/pZv3XUPQ

>>43830023
from which play is this?

>>43830049
Main story

>>43829816
>> Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica

>>43829816
>Upward, to begin the journey towards the sky and uncover the mystery of primal Sylvetica
Didn't think I would see this again.

>>43830023
Were we playing as a dps or off-tank?

>>43830066
Is there a 'offical' universe in which these characters exist?
I mean, are there books about this theme or was everything made up in the last game played on /tg/?

>>43830127
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=broken+sky

>>43830127
>>43829030
This right here is the highest form of flattery, OP

>>43830123
Both, really.

>>43830188
Nah, the highest form of flattery is when people create spinoff tabletop campaigns based on your quest. That's what happened with Maverick Hunter Quest.

>>43830238
>Both, really.
I hope we continue on that path. I think combat regeneration would be very good as next skill.

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>>43830159
Oh man!
Nice! I read once a book from Sergej Lukianenko which aimed in this virtual reality- adventure direction, but so many threads.
And OP made all of them on his own? It was always BSO ?

>>43830123
yes, there wasn't exactly a consensus with regards to build

>>43830238
I suppose that's true, but that can't be done at a casual glance.

>>43830267
I think I voted for combat regen for the last 3 levelups

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>>43829816
“Isn't that just something else to worry about?” You ask, bracing yourself between stalagmites as you push over the rock face ahead. “Hecatel might only have staked so much on us because she didn't expect all of us to survive.”

“It's a good point.” Troja adds. “I'm sure her coffers are full to bursting, but I've no doubt she wouldn't mind shelling out only half as much as originally projected.”

“Not to mention that the Excavator hasn't even been endurance tested yet, and we're already heading for the surface. All of this just seems... too ambitious.” You suggest.

“Is no one here worried about Nephilim?” Pandora asks, pointing to a post on the Hecatelia message boards, projected in front of him by his UI. “Or did we all conveniently forget that they LITERALLY declared war on any efforts to reach the surface?”

“It's all talk.” Cecily shrugs. “Nephilim aren't shit.”

“Did you also forget that they match Queen's Guard level-for-level?” Pandora asks.

“I mean, Queen's Guard aren't shit.” Troja says. Beneath her, the enormous metallic insect chitters, as if laughing. “Just throwing that out there.”

> [[ Continued ]]

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“You can believe what you want, but the upper branches have been gank city since this thread went up.” Pandora continues, hurriedly scanning the message board. “Nameless, players, doesn't matter. It's a total madhouse. What if we run into them—or they attack the convoy from behind?”

“Well, technically, that's not in our job description. I would have negotiated higher pay if I was signing up to fight someone else's war.” Cecily says. “But if Nephilim does show up, I already know what I'll do... if it wasn't obvious enough.”

“Geez. Sounds like you're looking for a fight, now.” Vaine says. “Remember, girl—these guys aren't Nameless. Some of them might have Artifacts, and...”

“I know that. I'm merely making a statement, Vaine. Keep in mind we were hired as a team.” Cecily says. “If it comes to that, I need to know if I'll be running into battle alone. No one has any reservations about killing other players, correct? Sybil?”

It's an aspect that's always disturbed you, for there's cruelty at work in either case. The Nameless feel more pain, true—but with other Identified, there is a sense of solidarity, and an idea that either of you has so much to lose.

And little to gain... barring Celestial Gems. Your eyes widen, hands twitching, heat pulsing from within your chest.

> Succumb. “I'll kill anyone I need to.”
> Save face. “We can't make that kind of generalization. If something happens, we'll decide then and there.”
> Control it. “Nephilim stated terms, which means they can be reasoned with. We're all Players; they deserve that chance.”
> Other.

>>43830533
> Control it. “Nephilim stated terms, which means they can be reasoned with. We're all Players; they deserve that chance.”

>>43830533
>Save face. “We can't make that kind of generalization. If something happens, we'll decide then and there.”
We'll see how committed the Nephilim really are to sabotaging this excavation.

>>43830533
>> Succumb. “I'll kill anyone I need to.”
Nothing personnel

>>43830533
>Self Defense "We won't let them damage the convoy or Excavator, whatever that requires. If they want to reason, sure why not?"

>>43830619
I think that falls under "Save face."

>>43830533
>And little to gain... barring Celestial Gems. Your eyes widen, hands twitching, heat pulsing from within your chest.
Ourrr preciouussss

>>43830651
No, it's closer to Succumb, only we don't hunt them down for gems

>>43830675
>not killing them to get our fix

>>43830692
I counter addiction to shiny loot with addiction to MASSIVE DRILLS
>protect the OTHER preciousssss

>>43830533
>> Save face. “We can't make that kind of generalization. If something happens, we'll decide then and there.”
I unserstand just so little, because I did not read the threads before?

>>43830862
Yes.

>>43830902
Allright.

>>43830533
BSO do you have a twitter account or something where I can see when you start new threads?

>>43830933
https://twitter.com/BrokenSkyOnline

>>43830952
>https://twitter.com/BrokenSkyOnline

Thanks a lot!
Do you know if there are other imageboards or forums besides /tg/ in which there are games played like this?

>>43830619
Gotta go, but ill be back

>>43830862
One thing you need to know is that Celestial Gems corrupt you faster than The One Ring

>>43831005
>Celestial Gems
What is so bad about them?

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>>43830533

“We're here to protect the convoy, and warn them about dangers ahead.” You say, closing your eyes and taking a deep breath. “We can't let them or the Excavator be damaged—whatever it takes. If Nephilim shows up, we might have the opportunity to reason with them. Otherwise...”

“My sentiments exactly.” Troja nods.

The path ahead takes the shape of a stone terrace, overlooking a massive hole in the underground—one larger than you've ever seen before. Stone outcroppings protrude out at various distances, depths, and angles, giving the impression of an enormous circular maw. A lightning storm rages deep within the white fog filling the pit—you see numerous other caverns and holes lining the outside of the area, with lights shining out from carved openings affording the vague impression of homes or buildings carved into the crevice-face.

“Wouldn't want them to go tumbling down there.” Vaine says.

“By my map, we've got solid rock to tunnel upward through going westward from here.” You say, checking your UI. “I'm updating the team on any changes that'll have to be made on the route.”

“That is awfully lovely.” Pandora says, joining you at the edge. “Think there's anything to worry about down there?”

> Your abilities will allow you to make a once-around, and be back to update your map before you're needed.
> Take the party down to check one of the closer caverns.
> Start making your way further upward, and investigate potential dangers elsewhere.
> Other.

>>43831035
> Start making your way further upward, and investigate potential dangers elsewhere.

>>43831035
>> Start making your way further upward, and investigate potential dangers elsewhere.

Okay, would be nice to use our special abilitie but fuck it, straight to the sky I would say.

>>43831034
"If we've found one here, there might be more to follow, right?" Tatsumaki and Vision still stand transfixed, and seem upset with you when you reach to grab the Celestial Gem; they don't say anything, but their eyes widen in protest.
As the Celestial Gem vanishes into your inventory, your feeling of want and anxiety goes with it.

But, now, you want more, and you never want to let it go.

>>43831035
>> Your abilities will allow you to make a once-around, and be back to update your map before you're needed.

>>43831035
>Your abilities will allow you to make a once-around, and be back to update your map before you're needed.
Leave no stone unturned.

>>43831035
>Your abilities will allow you to make a once-around, and be back to update your map before you're needed.

>>43831210
>>43831140
>>43831132

“I'll find out. Keep an eye on the branch behind us. I won't be long.”

It's all you give before you're off, tumbling over the edge into the maw. You've a fair number of adventures under your belt now, but few things you've encountered so far come close to this feeling—even in spite of the unforgiving environment. In this world, you are much stronger, and the gravity seems lower, allowing players to perform incredible feats of agility; with an Explorer's unique abilities, though, even incredible feats are trivial to you, and you can run free in an unfamiliar environment while mapping it along the way.

First, a front flip, then you straighten out, hair flying upwards as you fall through dead air. Another moment, and you twist sideways, bracing your feet and one hand against the curved cavern wall behind you to slow your fall. Stones break free from the rock wall and skid downward alongside you; as the outcropping below draws closer, you jump towards it and turn again, running downhill for a few seconds before taking another leap across open space toward the next one. Like this, you travel the circumference of the maw, taking cursory glances into each nook and cranny in the daunting stone face, periodically illuminated by lightning from below.

You're almost back around when you stop—perched below one of the stone homes in the rock wall, you hear voices, and quietly climb upward to rest diagonally below the entrance, just out of sight.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>43831576

“Alright, it's been long enough.” A man says. “What's the word?”

“Faye says the convoy team leaders just got new intel. They're changing direction now.” Another man responds. “What do you want to do?”

“The guys below just got a Chthonic slaved with that Artifact.” The first man says. “They're having it circle the cavern right below us and take out anything that comes near. I'm thinking if Faye can get an updated map from the team leader, we can send it up from below once they pass over a hollow enough branch. It won't bring 'em down, but it should do enough damage to let them know that we mean business.”

“Did she get any info on the members of that scouting party?”

“Yeah, just some descriptions. Some of them are famous enough around town that I know who she's talking about. They seem pretty serious, but we shouldn't run into them.”

What will you do?
> “How serious?” Show yourself.
> Jump up and attack immediately.
> Make your way back and let the group know what you heard.
> Message back, and wait for the group to respond.

>>43831608
> Message back, and wait for the group to respond.

>>43831608
>> Message back, and wait for the group to respond.

And remember to put your messenger on silent mode!

>>43831608
>Message back, and wait for the group to respond.

>>43831608
Message and make way back.

>>43831608

You make sure your messenger notifications are disabled. Then...

> [[ UI Messenger – Group Chat ]]
> [[ Conversation Topic: Troja's Personal Army (set by Troja) ]]
> [[ Sybil ]]: Yo
> [[ Vaine ]]: What's going on? Where are you?
> [[ Troja ]]: Yeah, what happened to not being long?
> [[ Troja ]]: You're like, a light year right now.
> [[ Pandora ]]: Can we talk about how that makes no fucking sense?

“Sounds good.” The second man responds.

“I just got the map. Putting it through now. You ready to see how this goes down?”

“Hell yeah.”

> [[ Sybil ]]: I'm hiding under a thing
> [[ Sybil ]]: Nephilim (I think) dudes are here planning to shake up the convoy
> [[ Sybil ]]: They have a spy (probably) and are controlling a monster
> [[ Troja ]]: Ooh, what kind?
> [[ Sybil ]]: 'Thonic'?
> [[ Troja ]]: Never heard of it
> [[ Sybil ]]: Okay anyway, what do?
> [[ Cecily ]]: Send me an updated map.
> [[ Vaine ]]: I'll send word to the convoy leader that there's something shady going on.
> [[ Pandora ]]: Please be safe, Sybil!
> [[ Pandora ]]: You should return as soon as possible.

“They said it'll be a sec.” The first man says. “Apparently the Chthonic just aggroed something.”

“What? I didn't think there were any monsters in this branch.”

As you submit the updated map and begin shuffling back down the rock face, your eyes widen, and the stone beneath you trembles.

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>43832079

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>43832079

Rolled 12 (1d100)

>>43832079
nat 1

Rolled 40 (1d100)

>>43832079

>>43830023
>You're not sure how you'd go about activating this ability anyway. You focus, attempting to meditate on some purpose, but produce nothing. You think you feel something, a warmth, echo from inside you. You recall the feeling inherent in discovering a Celestial Gem, of breathlessness and utter need.
I think our secret snowflake skill is related to celestial gems.

>>43832079

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>>43832079

> [[ 91 ]]

It bursts from the rock face mere feet below you, and you fling yourself out of the way, watching the structure you supported yourself on crumble to bits as you tumble downward into the storm. You can feel pebbles and divots of earth buffeting your body as you fall, scanning the area around you as you search for your next foothold. High above, your attacker—enormous, coiling, gruesomely silhouetted in the light from above—breaches the surface fully, twisting its colossal body downward to plunge downward into the maw, engulfing you whole in the process.

You'll be having none of it.

Still tumbling backwards, you reach up and pull your hair back from your left eye, revealing the gilded plating that surrounds it, stretching across your temple to the bridge of your nose. A faint red glow from a crystalline iris, nested firmly in the center of metallic sclera—your Celestial Artifact. Time slows to a crawl as you reassess your environment, and a red filter clouds your vision.

Viewed this way, each stone and boulder surrounding you appears to you not as a physical object, but as information: size, shape, position, and velocity. Your possibilities unfold before you, and there are few in which you survive.

You're quick to select one, landing atop a falling stone spire and taking a powerful leap to another one adjacent, vaulting over it to land on the curved cavern wall and run along it for a short distance. The Chthonic adjusts its trajectory, fixated on you, and you speed up, leaping free of the wall as it collides, and landing feet-first on its segmented body with a flatulent squishing sound.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>43832676

Your head throbs as your vision suddenly returns to normal, and you struggle to maintain your balance on the monster's side as it burrows into the earth. Suspended around its midsection is a mysterious-looking ring, which projects a field vaguely reminiscent of some sort of artifice.

Sound assaults you as great swaths of the cavern structure begin to collapse, stalactites breaking free from the ceiling and quickly disappearing into the growing storm below. With the facade of the building around them beginning to give way, you see the saboteurs begin to flee into the caverns, making their way through the system of openings that runs along the inside of the maw.

It is difficult to focus. You'd like to do something about the monster you're standing on, but your weapons are looking comparatively fucking tiny.

> Go after the saboteurs.
> Try to escape toward the members of your party.
> Other.

>>43832711
> Try to escape toward the members of your party.

>>43832711
>> Try to escape toward the members of your party.

>>43832711
> Go after the saboteurs.

>>43832711
>never split the party

>>43832711
>Try to escape toward the members of your party.

>>43832739
>>43832751
>>43832810

This one won't be easy, you think. It's much larger than you; even if you cover a great distance while it's burrowing, the geometry of the whole thing works out such that it can still emerge from directly under you. You're not sure how much damage a “bite” from the thing would deal—but you can't imagine it would be a pretty outcome.

You jump free of the burrower's body and land on the curved stone wall, making your way upward. You have time to move freely while you can still see the back half of its body above ground, and you utilize it as best you can, scrambling up the side of the maw back toward the crumbling terrace, now high overhead. Stones fall past, and you make sure you're shielded; then, the Chthonic vanishes, but you can feel it moving underground.

You wait, monitoring its intensity intuitively, then leap back downward once you have the opportunity. As calculated, it bursts from the earth in the space you once occupied, and flies high across the maw, leaving a newly-formed chasm in its wake. Now's your chance. Another such set of jumps and vaults takes you to the top of the destroyed terrace. Against the edge, the rest of your party waits, overlooking the madness.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>43833113

“Sybil! We weren't going to leave without you!” Pandora says.

“He means we knew you'd make it back.” Cecily adds.

“Yeah, would have warned you about that if you'd spelled 'chthonic' correctly.” Troja folds her arms, still atop her mount. “Sorry, wasn't thinking.”

“It's alright. But it's probably going to come for another pass.” You nod.

“I've already warned the convoy.” Vaine says. “They're moving the Excavator back a few notches, under threat of collapse. I'd hate to be at the helm of such a setback, but there's no way out of this without collateral damage. Not sure if they've managed to root out the spy in their midst, either.”

“Any plans, Sybil?” Cecily asks. “Are the Nephilim members still down there?”

> Suggest evading the worm and following the tunnels downward in search of the saboteurs—stop the plan at the source.
> Suggest trying to take down the worm before it can get anywhere else; they can't attack the convoy without it.
> Suggest an alternate course of action. (Write-in)

>>43833136
>Suggest trying to take down the worm before it can get anywhere else; they can't attack the convoy without it.
Deal with the immediate problem.

>>43833136
> Suggest trying to take down the worm before it can get anywhere else; they can't attack the convoy without it.
Also, check inventory

>>43833136
> Suggest trying to take down the worm before it can get anywhere else; they can't attack the convoy without it.

>>43833246
> Inventory [[ Sybil ]]
Eternal Verity (worn, fixed, soulbound, 10 PP committed)
rose-adorned rapier, masterwork (wielded)
virescent mail (worn, chest)
steel gauntlets (worn, hands)
virescent faulds (worn, legs)
steel greaves (worn, feet)
lesser ring of free action (worn)
Unique Identifier: Sybil (worn, fixed, soulbound)
> Stored in [[ Unique Identifier: Sybil ]]
1512 credits
resonant bloodletter handcaster
resonant bloodletter handcaster
trail marker
exploring gear x2
healing potion x2
herbs and poultices
moonroot elixir
pterosaur scale x2
Key to the Rift
letter (written by: Medea)

>>43833169
>>43833246
>>43833281
> [[ Writing... ]]

>>43833500
Pterosaurs had pycnofibers, not scales. Totally immersion breaking. Remember to email the devs.

>>43833551
> [[ BROKEN SKY ONLINE ]]
> [[ Updating... ]]
> [[ Update complete. ]]

>>43833136
“Yeah, but there's no way we can go after them.” You say. “If anything, we should try and take that thing down right here. They won't be able to complete their plan that way, and it won't be able to wreak havoc on the convoy regardless.”

“I worry you might not have thought this through completely...” Pandora says.

“Haven't seen one quite that size before.” Troja says. Her mount spreads its wings, and carries her off the ground to hover in place a few feet overhead. “I'm down.”

“There's a lot at risk here.” Vaine says. “Fight as evasively as possible, and utilize the environment.”

“If everyone's ready?” Cecily asks. She points her blade toward the edge overlooking the maw; hundreds of feet away, you see the Chthonic burst from the earth, flying across the gap in your direction. That ring is still suspended around its midsection, undeterred by numerous trips through the earth.

> [[ Sybil is more skilled with a rapier than with firearms. ]]

> Try to stay as close as possible to deal damage with the rapier.
> Dual wield casters and lure it through the branches, taking shots whenever possible.

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>43833691
> Dual wield casters and lure it through the branches, taking shots whenever possible.

>>43833691
>Use character's greater knowledge of game mechanics to determine best course of action.

So use the sword unless it's a bad idea to do that to giant worm monsters in this game.

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>43833763
Oops

Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>43833763
This

>>43833836
>6
With friends like these, who needs enemies?

>>43833691
Do monsters have fight/flight instincts? I forgot. If they don't, we should destroy the ring as soon as possible before they can call it to retreat, otherwise we'd have to know how Cthonics naturally behave and whether they ever run away.

>>43833691
>> Dual wield casters and lure it through the branches, taking shots whenever possible.

>>43833691

> [[ 1d100 ]]

There's a brief lull, which shapes up into a moment of solidarity between the five of you, exchanging glances during the sudden silence. Sure, the guilds are strong. The Queen's Guard and Nephilim both, in addition to some of the smaller groups cropping up, all have some pretty tough customers in their ranks. But there isn't anyone in any of them—maybe discounting Hecatel herself—who could beat one of you.

You draw your sword, standing firm in utter defiance of danger. Troja hefts an oversized rifle, and you see Vaine going over his choice of weapons. The five of you wait for your opponent, looking tiny in comparison to it, as it draws closer across the chasm in slow-motion, waiting to seize an opportunity and swallow you whole.

Yeah, it's like that.

> [[ 84 ]]

Poised to strike, you transcend the threat as it comes crashing down, utterly annihilating the floor and stone pillars around you with waving tendrils. Then, you strike back from the side, a lightning-fast rapier strike piercing its body. You're greeted in response with a cloud of foul-smelling gas, tiny black flakes precipitating out of it as you duck aside.

> [[ Continued ]]

>>43834362

“Careful!” Troja shouts, her mount flying past you. Her words are accentuated with high-power rifle blasts, with each shot forming the epicenter of a fissure of splattering flesh, blood, and sickness. “It's poison!”

The enormous body coils around in the middle of the floor, threatening to splatter you against the cavern walls; with a dive-roll, you barely clear it, making your way towards Vaine and Cecily as they search for another angle of approach. It submerges, pulverizing the stone around it into a sedimentary pit—then, half of its body bursts upward from the center, tentacles extending far from its maw to strike at your allies.

The first salvo is deflected, as a previously-invisible barrier shatters into so many glass-like shards. Not too far away, Pandora smirks, and continues painting in the air; long brush strokes form razor arcs which lance forward and collide explosively with the roaring creature, the cavern surrounding seeming to cry out to match its volume.

Cecily is scarcely rivaled in swordsmanship, but her strikes are easily followed once they've landed; her weapon, if observed carefully, leaves a glimmering trail where it's swung. You echo her strikes, dancing in and out of reach behind her to follow up at each point of impact. Nearby, Vaine appears to have settled for an enormous greatsword, which he wields with tremendous strength and speed.

The pit of pulverized rock funnels inward, dragging the four of you on the ground closer to the beast. It seems as if you're in control, but on borrowed time. Not only are you being pulled in: what happens to you if this entire branch gives way?

> Use Eternal Verity to find a means of crushing the Chthonic via controlled cavern collapse.
> Give it a little more room—then aim everything you've got at that ring. Who knows what'll happen if it reverts to natural behavior?
> Retreat, and make it come to you. You'll fight on your own terms.
> Other.

>>43834393
> Retreat, and make it come to you. You'll fight on your own terms.

>>43834393
>Ask Troja "Do these things like to run away?"

if yes
>Give it a little more room—then aim everything you've got at that ring. Who knows what'll happen if it reverts to natural behavior?

if no
> Retreat, and make it come to you. You'll fight on your own terms.
Nephilim would have to be watching to realize that the Cthonic shouldn't attack, and if they're watching they're close enough to be taken down

>>43834469
err, switch the yes and no

>>43834393
> Give it a little more room—then aim everything you've got at that ring. Who knows what'll happen if it reverts to natural behavior?
Damn, all this really just makes me miss the real BSO even more

>>43834393
>> Retreat, and make it come to you. You'll fight on your own terms.

>>43834498
>Damn, all this really just makes me miss the real BSO even more
Me too mate. The fight against that pegasus was hype as fuck.

>>43834393
> Use Eternal Verity to find a means of crushing the Chthonic via controlled cavern collapse.

>>43834498
This isn't the real one?

I hope QM can run regularly now.

>>43834690
Nope it's a side story. Here's the main story.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=broken+sky

>>43834711
If he could he probably wouldn't be running a one-shot side story right now.

>>43834690
this is a sidestory. If you haven't noticed, this isn't Ascheritt.

>>43834711
this whole thing is a compromise since OP can't guarantee a regular schedule. I'm willing to bet that even if he did, we need something like this to get back into the groove again anyway.

>>43834393

“Troja!” You shout. “Will it run away if we can make it resume its natural behavior?”

“They don't usually attack unless they're provoked!” She shouts, slowing down as she passes you by. “They're probably lithovores, which me—”

She looks away as she levels her next shot, and is knocked from her mount by a flailing tendril and sent spinning toward the cavern wall. The silverwing panics in the air, and takes a wide circle around the Chthonic, spewing liquid fire from its mouthparts as a diversionary attack before beginning the search for its rider.

“That's enough! Back out!” Vaine shouts, dredging himself from the sand. “We're running out of room!”

“I'll not yield!” Pandora replies, and you see him hurriedly backstepping, pulling paint from a nonexistent palette to surround himself with orbs of many colors. “Move! I can buy you time!”

Then you, Vaine, and Cecily turn, all at once, sprinting back toward the outermost edge of the sand pit.

> [[ 1d100 ]]

Rolled 43 (1d100)

>>43834801

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>43834801
DICE GODS!

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>43834801

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>43834801

>>43834855
damn. do we only count the first three?

>>43834855
> [[ 100 ]]
Fuck it, I'll take a late one this time

Side by side, the three of you sprint forward to clear the pit—ahead, against the cracked cavern wall, Troja struggles to her feet, mount by her side. Looking in your direction, you hear her shout over the constant rumbling: “Look out!”

Three more tentacles reach overhead—veritable columns of sickened flesh, eclipsing each of you—and threatening to splatter you into the sand before you can clear the pit.

Hands settled on the hilts of each of your weapons, all it takes is for you to exchange glances. You collectively dive forward, twist in midair, and draw into powerful strikes, each severing the appendage meant for you. Recovering, you skid to a halt just at the edge of the pit, the rain of blood and sickness falling just short of your feet.

Then, Pandora's orbs find their targets, and a swath of explosions, each one colored uniquely and thickly like a smoke bomb, blooms up the side of the creature's body. It screams, and as it bursts upward from the pit, you can see more of Troja's rifle shots hitting home down its length. Halfway up, that control ring shows itself again, bursting free of the sand.

“There! We can break it out of their control!” You shout.

“Hold on!” Cecily replies. “I think we've earned this one!”

> Take out the ring.
> Finish it off yourselves.
> Other.

>>43835041
> Finish it off yourselves.

>>43835041
>Finish it off yourselves.
maaaay want to do our job as scout and watch out for any interruptions. The others can do the doubletapping.

then again, killing it ourselves means first pick at dismantling the ring for gems

>>43835041
>> Finish it off yourselves.

>>43835041
>> Finish it off yourselves.

>>43835041
>> Finish it off yourselves.

>>43835041

“She's right!” Vaine calls. “Take it down!”

Completely free of the earth, it threatens to encircle you. But you stay outside, maneuvering carefully between tentacled-head and tail as it thrashes and slams.

There's no weak point in sight, and your strikes are unpredictably countered by blasts of poisonous gas. But the five of you were conscripted for this job strictly because you would not fail.

The combat is drawn out over another couple of minutes—exhausting, as you continue this group circular maneuver until the front eighth of its body is little more than a mangled mass of bloody flesh, with Pandora and Troja continuing to deal damage from outside. Then, collectively sinking your blades beneath its skin, you deliver the decisive blow.

> [[ Chthonic was defeated. ]]

Its tail thrashes—body buckling as it dies—and crashes through a growth of crystals on the ceiling, sending a shower of sparkling stones over the edge toward the maw.

Wait, was that...?

You're already running before anyone can celebrate victory, and you hear someone ask you what you're doing—as you pass them by and throw yourself over the edge.

Fuck. As you fall, you can see the Celestial Gem just out of reach below you, with no outcropping to make a safe landing. Fuck! You haven't even SEEN one since you made your Artifact. You can't lose this one now... You could probably reach it if you committed to the fall, but you'd almost certainly fall to your death.

Unless...

> Use Eternal Verity to find a safe path.
> Give up and make your way back.

>>43835041

> Take out the ring.

>>43835468
>Use Eternal Verity to find a safe path.
duh, it's like you think we aren't horribly addicted

>>43835468
>> Use Eternal Verity to find a safe path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8ZPHUU-C4

>>43835468
> Use Eternal Verity to find a safe path.

>>43835499
>>43835523
>>43835525

You pull the hair that hides your Artifact back from your eye, and a familiar red flickering washes out from the heart of your gilded half-mask.

There. You see it.

The distance to the rock face below you, its curvature, the precise angle. Then, your exact velocity, the length of your arms, and your height, which you didn't think would ever matter at character creation. All at once, they become apparent, the details of your vision giving way to a field of raw physical information coming into focus. You can do this. The Celestial Gem is—

Oh, fuck.

You've seen them before, plenty of times. You've kept them in your inventory, or cradled them between virtual hands. But you've never seen... fuck. You can't... if you'd known there was so much more there... and... fuck...

Time slows to a crawl. Unfamiliar noise assaults your ears. You need to get a closer look. You can't let this distract you. You streamline your body to catch up, extending an arm to grab the Gem. You pull it close, holding it against your chest. The rock face is...

>>43835845

> [[ Sybil: 50 / 56 HP ]]

You collide, back-first, against the sharp stones against the wall. But the angle is soft, and you tumble and roll, Eternal Verity still active. There are as many possibilities as always—but you can't focus. You see only the one you're borne helplessly towards as you press the Gem against your eye in clasped hands, hoping to learn anything more.

> [[ Sybil: 24 / 56 HP ]]
> [[ Dazed ]]
> [[ Severe Bleeding ]]

Over the sound—no—music? It's so loud, now, you can barely hear bones breaking. The red that creeps in, eclipsing your field of vision in sights so familiar, does well to hide from view the blood that splatters across the wall of the maw as your curled body crashes into a stone outcropping hard enough to collapse it, sending you falling into the abyss amidst a rain of dust and broken earth.

> [[ Calibrating, please wait... ]]

Vertigo. The bottom drops out of your stomach, and not just because you're falling. You shake, and your muscles seize, as the world around you grows more distant, including the great, sweeping swath of information in front of you, and the Celestial Gem pressed against your very face.

> [[ Connection interrupted. ]]

…

> [[ Connection interrupted. ]]

> [[ Sybil: 18 / 56 HP ]]

...

Hello?

Why am I... crying?

> [[ Calibrating, please wait... ]]

There's a loud buzzing that sounds crudely sewn to a song you remember from your childhood.

Stunned, you reach weakly upward, and pull the headgear from over your head.

> [[ Severe Bleeding ]]
> [[ Sybil: 17 / 56 HP ]]

You roll out of your bed and collapse into a broken, bloody heap on the hot stone floor, curling up and retching at the sight of your own mangled body.

You're in a state that no human could possibly survive. Blood is welling up around you, and you feel sick. Tears are running down your face and choking your throat.

> [[ Sybil: 16 / 56 HP ]]

Your UI isn't on your waist. Your cell phone isn't on your night stand. The Celestial Gem is nowhere to be seen. Nothing seems to cast a shadow.

Your clothes are ill-fitting. Your skin is the wrong color. Over the edge to your right, you think you see a branch of Outer Hecatelia.

> [[ Sybil: 16 / 56 HP ]]

Static. A blast of noise, interspersed with screaming voices, pulls the air from your lungs. Your vision snaps upward to the familiar hallways of your family's home, half-formed around you, improperly lit.

> Crawl towards the voices.
> Crawl towards the music.
> Crawl into the abyss.
> Lie still and bleed to death.
> Play Broken Sky Online.

>>43836026
>> Crawl towards the voices.
This shit is getting spooky

>>43836026
> Crawl towards the music.
wat

>>43836026
>> Crawl into the abyss.

>>43836067
Celestial gem shenanigans apparently.

>>43836026
>Play
AHHHHHHH
No regrets

>one vote for everything
Let's keep it that way!

>>43836026
>Crawl towards the voices.

>>43836026

> [[ Sybil: 14 / 56 HP ]]

> [[ Connection interrupted. ]]

> [[ Incoming Call: null ]]

You crawl into the hallway, where the stone cavern floor gives way to wood, dragging your battered torso and broken legs behind you.

Along the walls, the picture frames are empty and all the clocks have stopped.

This encounter hasn't even been that bad so far. You can't believe you're going to die here.

> [[ Sybil: 13 / 56 HP ]]

You haven't stopped crying. The pain is worse than you've ever felt; you're all bloody and it feels like your ribcage is collapsed.

You round the corner into the other room, where you see the source of the screaming. It looks like your own body, similarly mangled and propped up in your sister's study chair. It won't shut up, and it's ruining the music.

> Find something to kill it with.
> Listen until it makes sense.
> Crawl back to the other room.
> Lie still and bleed to death.
> Log out of Broken Sky Online.

>>43836243
>> Listen until it makes sense.

>>43836243
Lie it down and try to treat it

Listen

>>43836243
> Find something to kill it with.

File: 1437861611689.jpg (103 KB, 694x488)

103 KB JPG

I was wondering when we were gonna get to the "game bleeds into real life and things start getting fucked up" bit.

>>43836289
It's happening too early on

>>43836311
Eh, it's a side-story that I assume will be a one-shot.
Might not happen for a while in the main.

>>43836338
I wonder how many BSO players know each other irl, and warn each other about the celestial mojo.

>>43836243

> [[ Alex: 12 / 56 HP ]]

You don't have anything to treat the pain with, as you can't access your inventory without your Identifier.

Instead, you drag it out of the chair and just listen, as it hisses static into the air.

No mere voice will stop the wheel from turning, it says. But speak too clearly, and you will be silenced.

You're sliding downward.

> [[ Sybil: 11 / 56 HP ]]

As the sun begins to sink over the horizon, green threads of light from the earth reach upward into the darkening sky. You hear a piercing howl, of some unknown creature; a many-mouthed silhouette rises in the distant sky, directing its cries toward you. You're engulfed, at once, in a column of blaring sound, an aggressive droning that fills your ears to the exclusion of everything else.

> [[ Sybil: 10 / 56 HP ]]

On the brink of sensory overload, you feel another uneasy sensation in your stomach as the ground beneath your feet is torn open, and you plummet through darkness.

> Play Broken Sky Online.
> Log out of Broken Sky Online.
> Play Broken Sky Online.
> Log out of Broken Sky Online.

>>43836392
> Play Broken Sky Online.

>>43836392
Play

File: 1402159896426.jpg (276 KB, 590x900)

276 KB JPG

>>43836392
> [[ Sybil: 18 / 56 HP ]]

You've stopped bleeding. The cavern around you is made of sparkling crystals like bismuth. You look up. You're half-sitting, half-lying on the floor, with Vaine sort-of awkwardly cradling your torso.

“Sybil's alright.” Cecily says, sitting nearby. Vaine merely breathes a sigh of relief, and you see Pandora rushing to your side.

“What happened?” From elsewhere, you hear Troja's voice.

“I'm not sure.” You say, coming to your senses, a bit shaken. “I disconnected, for sure. Dozed off, maybe? Had a weird dream.”

At that, you check your inventory. Sure enough, the Gem is there. With a relieved sigh of your own, you continue. “...Did I miss anything?”

“Not at all.” Pandora says. “We haven't divvied up the loot from the Chthonic yet. If you're still interested in material pleasures after a stunt like that, anyway...”

“Yeah, sure. I'm in.” You shake your head. “Thanks for the assist, guys.”

“Don't thank us, actually.” Cecily says.

“Yeah,” Troja adds. “Thank this guy.”

You look over, to see her sitting nearby a campfire, a black-robed gentleman—Identified—in her company. A chitinous sword sits across his back. Around his neck is an emerald mirror, which he wears as an amulet dangling loosely against his bare chest; when mentioned, he gives you a wave and a reserved smile.

“Who's he?” You ask.

> [[ Continued ]]

File: 1422324183059.jpg (387 KB, 679x1549)

387 KB JPG

>>43836593

“Oh, a traveler.” He responds. “I was making my way upward, when I found you convulsing on the cavern floor. Thankfully, I had some bandages spare from my last expedition. Once I stopped the bleeding, I elected to do the right thing, and guard you until you came to your senses.”

“Without him, you'd have been toast.” Cecily shrugs. “I guess not even you can take a fall like that, huh?”

“I was distracted. But thanks. I owe you.” A brief silence, as you go over your inventory again. Could this guy be with Nephilim? He doesn't look like anyone you've seen; and why would he save you, if he was? “You said you're a traveler? Where from?”

“To be quite honest, many locales. But most recently, the lands below. Through unfortunate circumstances, I found myself deep beneath the earth, far from my starting zone, and was borne upwards given the barest hints at civilization.” He smiles, pointing to his UI. “I barely managed to make it here, and now... well, my next destination is called Hecatelia. Do you know of it?"

“Yeah,” Troja says. “It's the nearest town.”

“I think we're pretty far along in the progression of things, too.” Vaine says. “Our top guilds are headed for the surface now.”

“Oh, that's good! It's near? Then I'm much closer than I imagined.” He stands, stretching a bit. “Tell me, then. How might I obtain an audience with your Queen?”

> Broken Sky Online returns eventually™.
> [[ Twitter ]]
https://twitter.com/BrokenSkyOnline
> [[ Archive ]]
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Broken%20Sky
> [[ Ask Page ]]
http://ask.fm/Sylvetican

>>43836610
Is this traveller red pilling everyone?

>>43836610
>eventually™
By which you mean never™, right?