File: Kantrel map 9.png (2.12 MB, 1283x929)

2.12 MB PNG

>>1697708
>>1697625
You steer the vehicle to the right, finding yourself in a vast room. Sunlight streams in from a hole above the center, which appears to be a glass window under the river above. It must be morning now.

The light shines down on a city that fills the chamber. There are four large structures that support the rest of the chamber, and a monument sits in the center. You can make out the remains of people in the center, it looks like some sort of protest occurred. Most of the buildings are intact, but a few appear to be broken into and looted.

A shopping complex (not as impressive as the ones in your homeland) dominates the quarter on your immediate left after entering.

The road seems to rise in the north, as well as straight across.

You would need an army of people to loot this place, as well as a whole bunch of transport vehicles.

There are no military installations, just upper-class homes, schools , and entertainment buildings. This was a city for the rich. Ollam had let its labor and workers burn in the city above while the wealthy elite lived below...

...Only to starve to death and riot it seems.

The girl flickers into being above the monument. Speakers crackle.
"It's... coming... civilians... behind... barricades... All... defense... beach..."

You can hear a clamor as you see several war machines leave the streets and charge up the northern road.

It seems this place is protected from... whatever is happening to the north.

What do you do?
>Explore (and loot) the city
>Go back
>Go straight ahead
>Follow the war machines to the left
>Go down to the right.

>>1697817
>>Explore (and loot) the city

>>1697817
Follow the killbots. I want to know what exactly is trying to get out.

File: v2 suspicious.png (12 KB, 148x145)

12 KB PNG

[Will do the next bit after work. Be back in 5 hours]

>>1697817
>>Explore (and loot) the city

File: v2 wat.png (11 KB, 119x129)

11 KB PNG

[Turns out I don't work today.]

>>1697844
>>1698105
Your team uses the car to move quickly about the city. Regrettably most of the stuff you find is too large to pick up. You get the feeling that the Archivum would probably pay top dollar to take these ruins and these artifacts though. You have Pisteia record how much they must be worth.

You and Almeda secure about a dozen guns, 50 more batteries, and packages of Ollamic cream-filled mini cakes which seem to be incapable of rot and entirely intact in their little plastic wrappers. Freaky.

The shopping mall contains a lot of vvery nice clothing which your companions do not hesitate to grab. You manage to find a handheld gaming system that still starts up.

You recall a friend of yours growing up had one of these. You'd forgotten how much you wanted one until now. It goes in your pocket with a few little games.

The real prize is the jewelry store in the mall. A lot of magical crystals that are extremely rare were kept in the vault there, and for two Alainn scouts, such an obstacle might as well not exist. You manage to secure enough rare gems and gold from the vault that you could have probably bought the services of the Otharthurians that once ran Outpost Charlie.

The wealthy homes of the elite provide even more riches, but one item stands out.

One of these bastards had managed to obtain one of the Grand General's weapons. To be fair, the weapon was mostly ceremonial, but you recognize it. It was a scandal when it went missing, so much blame shifted around. Many rightly believed that Ollam had stolen the entire shipment of war supplies meant for the training skirmish, but no evidence was found. The Grand General's white and gold rifle was one of the objects lost in that event.

And now you held it in your hands. Almeda was in awe of the mere sight of it. Such a weapon was supposed to be under armed guard. It is vital this weapon be returned to your country.

Other items retrieved include comfortable bedrolls, lanterns, and some gold dishes.

Your car's trunk is almost stuffed.
>go straight ahead (east)
>follow war robots north
>go south
>go west

>>1698182
>>go west
the west is best

>>1697817
>Go south
Also can we scan what's going on in the north?

>>1698307
[You would need to travel there]

>>1698182
>Follow killbots
The time for dicking around is over

>>1698439
Seconded.

>>1698439
>>1698708
Going north brings you to an armored door. It slwly opens, and you behold what you wish you hadn't. The war machines of Ollam are pouring gunfire into a an eyeless creature lurching out of the water. It gives a bone-chilling screech before it tears apart a heavier robot.

You are positioned on the cliff you saw earlier, looking down at the shore. Another one of these pale monstrosities pulls itself onto shore. The guns of the war machines seem to do nothing, not even the anti-tank cannons of the heavier ones. The battle is being lost. More war machines pour in from the lower entrances.

You can't do anything here. Pisteia is agape in horror.

No wonder the shoreline had no evidence of anyone using it...

>go back
>go to other upper entrance

>>1698728
>FUCK THIS SHIT I'M OUT

>>1698728
>>go back
Let's let the war machines and lovecraftian horrors kill eachother without out interference.

>>1698756
second

>>1698728
Do we have any explosives? Can we destroy the tunnels linking the beach with the rest of the complex?

>>1698793
[your grenades are woefully underpowered. Fortunately there are a lot of robots.]
>>1698746
>>1698756
>>1698779
You slam the wheel to one side and spin about, making haste from the beach. The door rumbles shut behind you as you return to the underground city.

Almeda looks at you, "If we see any large underground body of water, I want to go nowhere near it."

Where to?
>South of city
>west of city
>east of city
>north of city (where you just ran from)

>>1698943
>>west of city

>>1698943
>West

>>1698943
Also add reply
"I'm not going anywhere near water without a tactical nuke."

>>1698943
>west
This new development makes me wonder if turning on the power a while back would have aided the robots in fighting the monsters

>>1699005
We can always do it now...but it seems like they're losing, so it may just make our job harder.

>>1699005
[you can still turn the power back on]
>>1698957
>>1698965
"Yeah, unless I have a nuclear weapon, I won't either." You reply, driving the car to the west. You are once more at the intersection. To the north is the power plant, to the west and south are the unknown.
>Go to the west
>go to the south
>Go north
>Go east to city

>>1699042
>Go turn on the robots

>>1699042
>>go to the south

>>1699061
Hmm, you know, this may not be a bad idea. Those monsters were giving them a beating, so at the very least, we can get shittons of good scrap out of the deal once everything moving has cleared out.

Seconding.

>>1699061
Supporting this as well.

Return to the power plant.

>>1699174
>>1699359
A risky gambit, but I too support
>turn on power plant
Hopefully it doesn't lead to us fighting a war on two fronts

>>1699498
>>1699359
>>1699061
>>1699174
You speed your car to the power plant, not bothering to park (not like anyone else is driving) and dash into the ley-station.

You weren't ever skilled in the Ollamic language, but it's similar to the Alainn one. You hover over the controls before finally releasing the stored power and activate all systems.

There is a shuddering groan throughout the city as all the dark tunnels light up. You hear a rumbling as many war machines start up, whirring to life after ages of neglect. They stomp past the car of the city they are meant to protect as they rush towards the beach.

Through the closing door you can see another creature has appeared, and the machines are blocking the entrance with the destroyed rubble when they fall.

The power now activated, you return to the intersection. The traffic lights are now working, and the road signs now flicker.

>with the power online, Kantrel now has directional signs and road lights reactivated.

Looking back, you note that a scrolling warning sign declares the beach closed.

Where to?
>Go East (Lower Kantrel City)
>Go west (Authorized Personnel Only)
>Go south(Lower Kantrel Academy, Lower Kantrel suburb)

File: v2 explaining.png (18 KB, 182x189)

18 KB PNG

[soon more map photos if we go new directions!]

>>1699608

>Go West. The terminal is likely here. I'm not too keen on staying here much longer, activating the power may have just unleashed or go the attention of something that may be in the lower parts of the city.

>>1699608
>South!

>>1699608
>East

>>1699608
West.

>Go West

>>1699608
>Go west!

File: The terminal core.png (849 KB, 805x597)

849 KB PNG

>>1699657
>>1699659
>>1699689
>>1699723
>>1699840
You reach a great cube of a building. Two obelisks stand in shallow water with circuits running under it. From the gaps in the cube, a bright blue glow shines, illuminating the chamber.

You park before the cube.

This seems to be the most important building in the city of Kantrel, given how far back it is.

>Enter building
>go back.

>>1699873
>>Enter building

>>1699873
>Enter building

>>1699873
>Enter building

>>1699876
>>1700076
>>1700243
You enter the structure. potted plastic plants mark the lobby and soft music plays. Faux leather seats line the walls as you enter deeper.

You finally reach it. Terminal core.

You don't find a server or computer like you would back home... no...

You find a pod. You almost don't believe what you see. A frosted glass front keeps you from seeing inside, but it's meant for a human.

It makes sense, but, to think the rumors were true. How did Ollam have computer systems when they used magic to move their robots and have them target things? How could they have a network of data storage?

...What else could store information more than a human brain? Inside this pod was an Ollamic terminal...

...And every city had one.

What do you do?
>Release the occupant from the pod
>Leave the terminal core

>>1700351
>Release the occupant from the pod
Have our weapons ready though - who knows what state this...'human' is in after such a long time alone.

>>1700351
Uhh, acquire companion?

>>1700351
>Leave the terminal core
Try and warm up a bit of the glass with body heat to see through the frost.

>>1700351
Are there any handy terminals or written texts around here that might better explain what we're looking at? If not,
>Release the occupant from the pod

File: Terminal 2.png (1.89 MB, 1125x891)

1.89 MB PNG

>>1700372
>>1700376
>>1700558
You look for information but only find readouts on vital signs. Eventually, you give up and release the occupant. Almeda and Pisteia ready their weapons.

The pod hisses open as air from millenia past escapes. Icy mist rolls out as all the readouts on the pod shut off. The shields slide to the side and the glass opens, revealing a young woman.

Her eyes open, though they have no real glint of life to them. She slowly, cautiously steps out of the pod and looks at you.

"Checking registry. Alainn personnel. Cathal Rathais of the 13th Legion. Ally of Alainn. Parameters for removal of Terminal 48 from Kantrel: All citizens able to remove terminal not present: cleared. Emergency retrieval from Ollamic source unavailable: Cleared." She stares at you impassively, magic flickering around her body as she radiates power.

"Uh, I thought your name was Ace Locke?" Pisteia asks hesitantly,"W-well, I wasn't expecting a person to be here."

The girl is a cyborg. You can tell by the way metal connection points are grafted into her. And to think the data system they were so proud of used people. Horrifying.

"Soldier, I am Terminal 48 of the Ollamic Data network. As you are an agent of our ally, I am entrusted to your care. You have permission to utilize my abilities as seen fit until you turn me in to a safe location." Even though she speaks emotionlessly, you can see tears run down her face.

One of the projections of datalines has Alainn text! You manage to read it, "I thought I was going to die trapped in there. Everyone is dead. I can't speak. It hurts."

You look back to your group, "So... the 14th wanted her. We need to keep her out of enemy hands."

>Terminal 48 has joined the party. This party member can exert magical control over Ollamic and Zerican systems, and to some degree current ones. She has a great pool of magical power, but needs to be ordered to do actions. Interacting with her might cause her programming to break down, allowing the human she once was to regain control.

"By turning on the power, many inactive war machines are dealing with the pale horrors of the underground sea. The city section's doors will prevent them from entering this area. There are no doors for the entrance, but the sunlight will kill them." Terminal explains.

You look around the room. There is nothing left to loot.
>Return to intersection to explore more
>Get out of this city

>>1700617
>Return to intersection to explore more
Check out the areas which we haven't explored yet.

I'm not sure what we tell Pisteia... Our true nature cannot be revealed as it might place the homeland in danger.

OP, was the Ollamic nation actually allied to us, or is that a faulty memory?

>>1700617
>>Return to intersection to explore more
We're not done looting yet!

Also, can we interview terminal 48 while we search the city? Ask her what happened to the Ollamic culture here, when did those pale horrors show up first, and if she has any idea what that damned spooky apparation is.

>>1700628
[Your nation destroyed all the other nations in the Grand war. Terminal thinks you are allies. More will come in the next entry.]

>>1700617
Well, I think we have the key to walking around here unmolested by the guards, so now we can take our time looting.

>Return to intersection to explore more

>>1700685

Why don't we ask the terminal where the fucking best loot is? Its the goddamn AI of the town, its gonna know where the nukes are.

>>1700617
Ask for her name, her real name and only use that when speaking to her. Also history and loot check as the other anons suggested.
I'm thinking if we keep calling up the human then eventually the computer is going to fuck off.

>>1700628
>>1700642
>>1700685
>>1700701
>>1700769
You reach the intersection. Almeda speaks up, quietly, so Terminal 48 and Pisteia can't hear.

"I suppose we're lucky. We must have struck too quickly for Ollam to update their stance on us." She glances back.

"I agree, but they had that coming after what they did." You whisper in response. A country without any sense of honor didn't deserve to exist. Zerica, Otharthur, and Ollam should have heeded the warnings of Alainn.

You look back to Terminal 48, "Do you happen to have a name?"

"Terminal 48."

"Before you had that one?"

"It was irrelevant data and did not need to be stored." Terminal replies coldly. It looks like getting her old name is not an option. Then again, she was lucid for over 4000 years.

You frown. Well, at least you have a full crew for the tank. Although it'd be best to inquire things when Pisteia isn't around.

"Would there be any sort of weapons or valuable items in this place?"

The girl pauses, "You already have the Terminal. You already have the Alainn Grand General's rifle. There are not any other things more valuable. As for weapons, the pale horrors are destroying the warbots. Sub-Kantrel is not a military installation. Perhaps the topside skyship yards would be more useful?"

"...There aren't any, they've been destroyed long ago." Almeda explains.

"Ah. I will update that entry." Terminal nods as a magical projection distorts and reforms.

"Sooooo... about that ghost... thing. What was that?" Pisteia asked.

"Well, unregistered barbarian, My projection capabilities have been greatly damaged." Terminal's description of Pisteia doesn't fail to catch her attention.

"I'm sorry, what did you just call me?"

"You have been sitting at this intersection for three green lights, soldier Cathal. Are you in distress?" Terminal turns her attention to you, imploring you to move your car, "If you continue to sit in one place, I will divert emergency services for your aid from defense."

"No need. I am more in need of information. Such as what happened here?"

"Food shortage, lack of willingness to work, political fragmentation. Political bloc was attacked by the mercantile bloc. There were no workers from the surface after the great explosion above. I still do not know the cause. Any camera footage just shows the city getting brighter before static." Terminal said, describing Alainn's superweapon in effect. "Early food stores were fine, but when citizens went to the underground sea, lifeforms began approaching from the water. The region was evacuated and sealed off. After the creatures were gone, the beach was reopened, but nobody was willing to enter the lower level. The city overall has been in lockdown for 20 years. All population depleted. in that timeframe."

She paused, "Please move your vehicle."

>Leave city
>go north (Power plant, beach)
>Go west (Terminal Core)
>Go south (School and suburbs)
>Go East (City)

>>1701235

> Leave City

Seriously, if we start exploring, we're going to run into those things. They're going to get through the war bots, and they're going to either block our way out, or we're going to find more in the lower levels.

That is a fight we cannot win.

We leave the city. We don't have room for anymore loot, the terminal just said we got the best loot anyway.

>>1701235
Looks like we're done, let's get outta here. We're also going to need to find T48 a nickname.

>>1701312

I submit the following:

Trinnie
Terri
Trixie
B.A. Baracus

>>1701235
Well, I'd suggest heading to the school for any potential teaching manuals/materials, which would be worth a mint alone to the Archivum, but I seem to be outnumbered.

As for a name, I suggest Artoria.

>>1701338
I'll support heading to a school / library.

>>1701338
>>1701326
Name T48
>Trinnie
>Terri
>Artoria

[Trixie is another character's name.]

>>1701499
>Since we are here, school.
>Trinnie

>>1701499
Another vote for trinnie

>>1701235
>>Go south (School and suburbs)
Let's get away from the beaches. Although I do wonder what prompted the pale horrors to start attacking now, specifically. Sounds like they've been lurking down there for a while now.

>>1701499
>Artoria

>>1701499
>>Artoria

File: Kantrel map completed.png (1.32 MB, 1013x721)

1.32 MB PNG

>>1701732
>>1701680
>>1701671
>>1701342
>>1701338
[Artoria at 2, Trinnie at 2]
You turn the machine towards the sout, driving to a school campus. It looks strange seeing trees and grass under a concrete ceiling. It looks like they had a bunch of everlights above to keep the appearance of outside. This was meant for the children of the most elite.

You stepped out, and your party follows. you motion to split up, Almeda and pisteia go one route, you take T48 the other.

You search through classes, gathering books on technomagical engineering and studies on magic. You can't find any decent teaching materials, but you hope the Archivum has people versed in Ollamic.

You eventually take time to speak with T48.

"So... What attracted those things?" You ask.

"Usually movement that persists or moves a good distance. If an entrance is used then retreated back into, it doesn't attract them. If they sense warm bodies on the shore long enough, they will come up to hunt. I attempted to warn you when you arrived. Since the power was out, there were none of the warning signs for the beach. Apologies."

"So.. They are attacking because we went from one entrance to the other?"

"As well as picked up items. Though the city defenses react automatically when they get in close, due to the past incident."

You meet up with the other two. They collected a few more books in decent condition.

T48 displays a map of Sub-Kantrel for you to navigate.

Where to?
>East (suburbs)
>North (intersection)

>>1701732
>>1701785
>>1701338
[Artoria at 3 votes wins]

>>1701810
>>East (suburbs)

>>1701810
See if Artoria knows the houses of any prominent people in the suburbs. If they sound promising, go, otherwise, I'm for leaving.

>>1701810
>>North (intersection)
Let's see if Terminal 48 can digitally LOOT that data center.

>>1701844
Supporting this.

Grab anything useful from the burbs and then let's GTFO.

Should we place a warning sign on the entrance or something? 'Monsters lurk within'

Also, ask Artoria if she has more info about the sea beasts.

>>1697785
>>Looted swimsuits, towels, guns, everlights, and batteries.
Say Irate, did we wind up looting enough swimsuits for our entire 4 man squad, plus maybe enough for hunter's guild clerk or two? I'm still holding out for a beach party at a shoreline that isn't overrun by eldritch waters from deep beneath the waves where the sun's light never reaches.

We haven't had much luck finding one so far, but I'm sure there's one out there somewhere. Or if there isn't maybe it could be a combined beach party and eldritch skeet shoot. Fun.

>>1702275
[you took everything you could, since you weren't trying them on for size. A few dozen are in your car]
>>1701849
[Terminal IS the data center. That location is just the building that encased her. You already looted it.]

>>1702699
That is some impressive data storage capacity.

>>1702703
[With her arcane buffers, it's measured in yattabytes.]

>>1702824
Fucking magitech man. Also gonna support this>>1701844

>>1701817
>>1701844
>>1702138
>>1702917
"Alright, I'm going to call you Artoria now, since Terminal 48 is a mouthful." You say to T48. She nods.

"I will be designated Artoria then. I have logged it."

"Would you happen to know who lived in the suburbs?" You ask her. You need to determine if it's worth going to.

"It was the top .1% of the Kantrel populace in terms of wealth."

It comes to mind that these homes are liable to have private security that isn't beholding to Artoria. Looting the suburb might be dangerous. You drive through the suburb, which also has simulated sunlight. finging nothing wothwhile, not even another vehicle, you quickly leave the city of Kantrel. You stop outside, next to your outrider.

Two things are of note. One, it seems the war machines up top are gone.

Next, there is a plume of smoke rising in the east. Not where Koroton is, but north of it.

You recall the map showing a town there in your bunker.

Almeda offers to drive the outrider behind the floatcar.

Where to?
>Koroton, to sell loot and investigate the smoke
>Lethbridge, to get the ship and give Hendrick what he needs.
>Outpost Charlie, to repair the tank and switch to it.
>The Bunker, to have Artoria input your report and information gained.

>>1703274
>>The Bunker, to have Artoria input your report and information gained.

>>1703274
> Bunker

>>1703274
>The Bunker, to have Artoria input your report and information gained.

Afterwards
>Lethbridge, to get the ship and give Hendrick what he needs.

>>1703274
>Koroton, to sell loot and investigate the smoke

>>1703274
>tank
We might as well pick up some new wheels (treads)

>>1703274
>The bunker
>Korton
Stash the more useful loot and after that go check that smoke

>>1703274
>>The Bunker, to have Artoria input your report and information gained.
Also, can we have Artoria ride shotgun with us alone in the buggy, so we can fill her in on our cover and tell her to refer to us as Ace Locke in front of our barabarian comrade? When we get out we can tell the knight that she mixed us up with one of our ancestors and that we have fixed her.

>>1703357
That's actually something I was gonna suggest with Artoria. Great minds think alike.

>>1703357
Seconding this.

>>1703294
>>1703298
>>1703307
>>1703321
>>1703357
>>1703377
You split your team, Pisteia goes into the outrider with Almeda. You tell her to head to Koroton. Giving you a nod, she fires up the outrider and speeds off towards the town.

You drive the vehicle back to the bunker. On the way, you speak with Artoria.

"I am currently infiltrating the barbarians. I ask that you refer to me as Ace Locke."

"Understood. Is the 13th legion soldier Almeda Irnan also acting the same?"

"She is going by Adriana Hammer."

"Very well. I will refer to her as such."

You stop before the bunker, stepping out with Artoria behind. It opens slowly, and you walk to your terminal. Artoria closes her eyes as she connects to it. You dictate what happened and instruct her to record the fate of Kantrel.

After you finish, you have her send the update out. Hopefully other scouts will read it and know of the 14th's betrayal.

You seal your bunker and drive to Koroton with Artoria, loot in tow.

There are massive crowds. Almeda has yet to get the outrider in. You manage to work your car into the city, and the outrider follows after. Parking in front of the Archivum building, you bring your loot in.

Pisteia admits she never has seen as much money in one place before. Almeda takes a portion of it. She did a lot of the work after all.

Pisteia warns you that such an amount of money will be taxed if anyone finds out. She states you could probably hire a force of Salarcul Knights... a force of elite mercenaries that she is a member of. Unfortunately, you'd need to travel to Muir Nin to do that.

You ask around what the smoke is about. One of the hnters replies it's the dragon. It's expanded its territory, and is destroying the town of Glys.

"...I think the dragon should be slain..." Pisteia states.

"Well... We do have an Otharthurian tank, but we'll need to take the vehicles to Outpost Charlie." You reply.

Almeda nods.

Next action:
>Go to Lethbridge and turn in Captain Hendrick's items.
>Go into guild and get the dragon slaying quest.
>Outpost Charlie to retrieve the tank.

>>1704283
Can we hire some cannon fodder to fight the dragon while we do the MVP stuff?

>>1704329
[You could, I suppose hire hunters at the guild]

>>1704283
>Go to Lethbridge and turn in Captain Hendrick's items.
Don't want to get the stuff ruined or stolen. Then we go off dragon slaying.

Also everyone is so casual with a dragon terrorizing them.

>>1704343
[There is a massive crowd trying to get into Koroton... That's why the outrider was still outside. The duke's city naturally has a lot more defenses than Glys, so they can afford to be arrogant.]

>>1704343
Seconding this.

Use some of our money (maybe 10%) to add to the bounty on the dragon at the hunters lodge.

>>1704372
Lets not offer any money bonuses yet. If we do, maybe we can offer it to people who get grievous wounds or killed for next of kin.

>>1704386
Eh, it's not like we're using it for anything. Also, after we sell all of that loot we'll be rolling in moolah.

Getting rid of this dragon would safeguard our bunker and make the whole area safer.

File: 1365206291700.jpg (57 KB, 1008x619)

57 KB JPG

>>1704283
Supporting this>>1704343

>>1704329
Between Pisteia and our goddamn magical tank, I don't think we'd even need cannon fodder. Just shoot the bastard from a range while our knight goes up to it and hacks it to pieces.

>>1704397
Is the Tank magical? I thought it was Alainn

>>1704656
Naw man, it was Otharthurian make, a hybrid mashup of sufficiently advanced technology and actual magic. Or at least I assume it had some magical components, because that railgun in the turret would have some absurdly high power requirements.

File: Patrol Tank.png (440 KB, 613x600)

440 KB PNG

>>1704768
[Alainn and Otharthur are technological in nature. Ollamic is hybrid. Zerican is pure magic.]

File: current map.png (5.39 MB, 1935x1535)

5.39 MB PNG

>>1704343
>>1704372
>>1704397
You decide to take the group to lethbridge. After pushing through the surging throngs of displaced residents of Glys at the gate begging for the aid of hunters, you shoot across the countryside in your two vehicles. When you arrive at Lethbridge, the gate seems sparse in comparison.

Right now it's of the utmost priority to help Captain Hendrick, you decide. You enter into the gloomy town, and even the harsh summery midday sun seems gloomy and the air cold. You drive to the docks where Hendrick awaits.

"Hrm? You're back so soon? Well, there's no shame if you were fought off, Kantrel's been untouched for millenia, and I've plenty of lamp oil."

He pauses when you present the everlights.

"Oh! I only needed about three of these... Theses are worth a great deal! Sure they are fragile, but that's why they sell for so much!"

He takes three of the everlights and carefully sets them into his riverboat. They flicker on, shining over the deck and interior. He kicks the vessel off the dock as the crane lowers it into the water.

"Very well, the ship is yours! Make good use of her!" He gives you a big grin and a firm handshake before leaving you with a tiny bauble. The key to the vessel you now own, you suppose.

"If we meet again, it'll probably be in Korlanis! Best of luck!"

>You have obtained the cargo ship. This is an oceangoing craft of Delothian make. It is capable of transporting several vehicles at once. It also contains rooms you can sleep in, making it effectively a mobile base. It is capable of landing on a good deal of shorelines, due to a sturdy ramp. This vehicle requires a magically inclined pilot, such as Artoria.

The riverboat steams off south.

Almeda stores your outrider in the ship. Your next action?
>Take the everlights to the Lethbridge Archivum building.
>Obtain dragon bounty from Lethbridge Hunter Hall.
>Drive ship upriver to Koroton's lake
>Drive ship south and retrieve the tank and buggy.

>>1705147
How about blowing up dragons with the power of technomagic
>Obtain dragon bounty + tank

>>1705147

>Go retrieve the tank and buggy, have tank wait outside city while we retrieve the dragon bounty. Then take tank and buggy and go dragon hunting.

>>1705161
>>1705168
You stow your vehicles inside the ship's hold. Artoria, on your orders, mans the bridge. With a rumble, your ship starts up. It pushes away from Lethbridge as you steam south.

Once a good deal from the town, you deploy the ramp onto the river's beach. With the ship under guard by Pistiea, you take the rest of the group and walk to Outpost Charlie.

You fix up the elevator and descend. Almeda repairs the tank, and then your group takes both the raider buggy and the tank upwards. The buggy is placed in the hold, next to the outrider, while you leave the tank on the deck.

Artoria slowly turns the ship about, and you steam up the river to Koroton. The dragon briefly buzzes your ship when you enter its territory, but otherwise does nothing.

You pull your ship into the Koroton docks. It feels so much more convenient to enter through the port!

You then stroll into the guild and hit up the guild secretary.

"Heya, I'm back. Would you have a bounty on a dragon, cutie?" You ask as you approach the desk. Most of the hunters are gearing up for a big fight.

"I do, but you are the eleventh person to take it." She replies, looking at you with a bit of pity.

"So there's competition?"

"No, they all failed." She replies, "We recovered most of their remains."

You look st the bounty. It's from the duke, and must be turned in the castle. Perhaps you can get his signet this way?

You thank the receptionist and leave for your ship. Time to plan.
>Have Pisteia attack the dragon on foot, the rest of the group will use the tank. (Risky for Pisteia, but she is willing.)
>Harass the dragon with the buggy and use tank (for this to be effective you need 5 people)
> use ship as platform for tank (limited speed, risk sinking boat.)
>Drive your ship to Lethbridge and let Koroton deal with it.

Supporting the tank and dragon thing.

>>1705301

>Use the tank to hit the dragon from afar, trying to ground it. Under the cover of our fire, Pisteia can advance to the point where, when the dragon is grounded, she can move to an advantageous position. We probably want the Dragon's head, so we'll use the tank to put rounds on target into the Dragon's belly and/or flanks, and Pisteia can move in for the kill if needed, or to cut off the head. We've got range on the Dragon, so we need to use it.

>>1705301
>Harass! That! Dragon!
We need an extra member tho. Any chance we can recruit someone?

>>1705301
Run back in and ask for someone that can drive a buggy (Payment on the spot or % of bounty).
Afterwards find some good cover and/or concealment for the tank and bait the dragon to it with the buggy.

>>1705350
Agreed.

Let's search Koroton for any of our fellow brothers in arms. The 14th can't have killed all of the Scouts.

>>1705347
This

File: Archaeologist Cyer.png (80 KB, 203x340)

80 KB PNG

>>1705350
>>1705379
>>1705485
It's unlikely that another member of the 14th was assigned to the same locale, but you can always try.

Eventually you run into a man with a motorcycle. He's locked it up in front of the Archivum building.

"Hrm, pre-war vechicles. Interesting. And what appears to be an Ollamic terminal. You're either Delothians... or..." He glances at your pin briefly and smirks, "heh." This man might know too much.

"So, is there something I can help you with? I have a bit of time before I meet up with my team."

You start, "We're planning to slay the dragon."

"Ah, I'll pass. Not worth it." He shrugs. "I'm in the business of artifacts, not adventure. I'm Cyer Hallis, archaeologist... But you should know that, right? I mean, the Archivum only has a few famous ones."

Cyer would probably be able to use the buggy, given his knowledge, but he might also be a security risk.

What do you do?
>Look for someone else, this one is too dangerous.
>Bribe him with an Ollamic gun.
>Bribe him with an Everlight.

>>1705567

>Look for someone else. Not only is this guy a security risk, but I doubt he's good in a fight.

>>1705567
>Ask him if he knows where we could find people willing and able to fight the dragon with us in exchange for money and secret impressive amazing old technology that we totally have with us

>>1705569
Does he know too much? Should we act to remove him from the board?

>>1705567
>Bribe him with an Ollamic gun.
I say we keep the security risk within firing range until after we "negotiate" with him to keep quiet about our origins, also question him about how much he knows.

>>1705569
Seconding

>>1705756
I'd like to learn more about this mysterious joker before we deep six him. Maybe we could hold him at gunpoint and demand he tell us what he knows about us...but nah, he'd probably just tell us believable lies if he wanted to hide stuff from us.

>>1705877
Seconding this.

Let's keep him close till we know he isn't a threat.

File: tana phitus.jpg (166 KB, 482x699)

166 KB JPG

>>1705569
>>1705756
>>1706328
You decide to look for someone else, but this man is a bit unnerving.

"What did you mean when you were looking us over?" You ask. It's a good thing you have the pistol. He notices it as you make it easier to reach for.

Cyer smirks, "Now, now. Do you realize who you are talking to? I am one of the most vital members of the Archivum. I was simply drawing an assessment based on your appearances... and my knowledge." He smiles, "Also, I happen to be the Archivum's most prolific archaeologist. You might not imagine a group of scholars to be dangerous, but their backers can be. Just in case you were thinking of killing me."

Artoria frowns, "He has no magical ability, But the signals bvehind show Zerican patterns. Zericans can track attackers from wounds."

"Yeah, you heard the girl. Walk away now." Cyer says as her pushes into the building, "Oh, and as I said, I judged what you were by appearance. Just some theories, nothing concrete." With that, the door shuts.

He never had confirmation on what you were, but he's troublesome for certain. You look around the region and stumble upon someone else in an alleyway. You'd miss her if it wasn't for the rifle(not recognizable make) and armband. She regards you with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, those aren't gunpowder weapons. Um, hello, can I help you?" She seems familiar with technology to a degree, though it looks like she wasn't trying to be seen.

What do you do?
>Invite her to slay the dragon for compensation
>Ask for information about her
>Go find someone else.

>>1707585
>Ask for information about her

>>1707585
>>Ask for information about her
How do you feel about dragons?

>>1707607
>>1707706
"We're a group off to hunt a dragon. What are your feelings on them?" You ask.

The elf grips her rifle, "Same thought any Delothian has for those overgrown lizards." Looks like she hates them. This is the first Delothian you have actually encountered, albeit an elf.

"Who are you, exactly?" You ask.

"Tana, huntress. Came for the bounty." She says, trying to get a good look at your gun, "Is that an artifact weapon? Where'd you get it? I'd kill for one."
>Offer her an Ollamic rifle if she forfeits the bounty and helps. (current ollamic rifle amount: 32)
>Offer to pay her money for her to work for you instead.
>Find someone else

>>1707768
>Offer her an Ollamic rifle if she forfeits the bounty and helps. (current ollamic rifle amount: 32)
>Ask her more about her homeland

>>1707768
>Offer her an Ollamic rifle
We got a ton of them anyway so might as well.

>>1707768
>>Find someone else
We've already got a pair of riflemen in our group let's find a different sort of fighter.

>>1707768
>Offer her an Ollamic rifle if she forfeits the bounty and helps. (current ollamic rifle amount: 32)
We got shittons.

>>1707842
>>1707903
>>1708404
"Can you use a mounted weapon on a vehicle?" You ask, since a majority of the plan requires a fast vehicle to harass the dragon.

"Yes? You're using vehicles? That's a relief..." She relaxes a bit.

"If we offer you an artifact weapon, will you rescind your claim on the bounty?"

"For an artifact weapon? Yeah, easily." Her eyes glint at the sound of your offer.

"So it's a deal then. One thing first, though... what can you tell me about Deloth?" You decide now is as good a time as any.

"What do you need to know, the current state of affairs? The empress is still has the dragon hunting restriction up, so if we want to do our job we have to go abroad. It's really frustrating..." She looks up at the docked airship on the tower, "I want to be back home in the mountains, riding a ship through the clouds as we chase down our prey..."

She pauses, "Nelola is launching a new offensive on the country, and the Dragon Rangers keep getting in the way of any advantage we take... but they also do the same for Nelola. There was talk of hiring Serhunic mercenaries, or even Salarculian ones. That's the latest news." Like most, she seems to believe you are a Delothian. As such, any information is updates on the current state of her country.

>You've recruited Tana the Delothian Huntress. This temporary party member will remain in the group until the dragon is slain.(You have 31 Ollamic rifles.)

You've managed to secure another member.

What to do next?
>Execute the plan against the dragon
>Write-in

>>1708546
>Execute the plan
Time see what a dragon tastes like. I wonder if it has a treasure horde

>>1708546
>>Execute the plan against the dragon
WE RIDE

File: v2 explain.png (48 KB, 134x146)

48 KB PNG

[I will need to make the next thread soon. The next action will be posted there.]

>>1709083
Thread continues here.