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>>5791812
You are now temporarily Craig Snorlison, neph- err, cousin of Rosa. Today has been a great day so far! Rosa bought you a book (she said she'd haggled hard for it), and you can't wait to read it! Two of your spirits, Magos and Scholar, express interest on your newly acquired tome.

Magos noted that the grimoire seem to teach Esoteric magic - you don't know what it means, but it's okay! Magos kind of explained that Esoteric magic is hard to learn, but quite powerful.

Scholar, on the other hand, seems curious about the contents - it seems like the book contains a story, which is sprinkled with ciphers and secret messages - which Scholar guessed is how the Esoteric magic would be learned from.

You were broken from your reverie by Rosa yelling at you.
"Craig, c'mon! What are you spacing out for? Do you want to sit on my lap?"

You blush at Rosa's teasings. True, you used to like sitting on her lap - but you were but a mere baby then.
"Er, coming!"

You board the speedy-looking autowagon as both Rosa and Ling, the chartered driver, look fondly towards you.
"Alright, all aboard! Thank you for choosing the Ling Express. We'll be skirting the eastern rim of the Wastes, maybe stopping at Kyo-Edo and/or Crypt to refuel, before arriving at our destination, Pinewatch. I hope you will enjoy the ride!" You wonder how she can breeze through that little speech with a smoking-pipe on her lips.

In any case, you are now back as Rosa Montagni. North, eh? You gotta remember the major dangers of the North, before those dangers find you.

>ROLL 1D20, BEST OF FIRST 3
> CHOOSE ONE

>□ It's the wildlife
>□ It's the weather
>□ It's the bandits
>□ It's the landscape
>□ It's getting lost

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5791832
>>□ It's getting lost

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape
its da bloodeh wastes

>>5791861
nice!

>>5791855
Smug gobbo...!

>>5791855
Ayy, there she is! Thanks for drawing her :B

Also if anyone's wondering why the non-title opener pic looks kinda vacuous in its lower right corner... it was supposed to be the end cap for last thread, if only the insidious servants of the Singularity hadn't spammed false quests that is.

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape
it's everywhere, man
it's everyday, bro

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5791832
>>□ It's the bandits

>>5791855
Nice!

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape
Shit! We're surrounded by... SURROUNDINGS!

>>5791861
Oughtta' be fine with a roll like that, tho.

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape
They're in the trees, man.

>>5791855
Very nice Rosa art.

>>5791832
>□ It's the landscape
Fat 20 up there is encouraging answer.
>>5791855
:3

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>>5791832
North, north... you've never actually been North, only heard about travelers who went there. While there is indeed rampant banditry and dangerous beasts there, they are not as numerous as you'd think they are - but those few ones are ferocious. But even the most bloodthirsty bandit or the most vicious beasts can fall prey to the most damgerous thing of the North - the landscape.

Despite some parts of it can indeed be declared beautiful, the landscape and geography of the North is quite deadly. Avalanches, both of snow or rocks, could fall anytime from higher elevations or even the ceiling; Snow-obscured crevasses often claim unwary travelers; In some passages a severe wave of cold could suddenly hit you with little warning; And then there's the Dammerlichts, places where the darkness of the soul could suddenly grip one in terror.

Considering the dangers, you'd best get a good map and some environmental gear when you get to Pinewatch. Good thing Nemo stocked up on Scrip in Wreck.

As the autowagon ride progresses, you see Craig intently reading the grimoire you bought him. Good that he did - you bought that book with your own money that you kept with you, not Nemo's. You wonder what kind of spells he'll learn from that tome.

You are briefly Craig Snorlison, and with Scholar's assistance, you are beginning to digest the Ouroboros Parable. There is a story here - albeit disjointed and cryptic - about a horse who relived the same day over and over again, sometimes jumping into a distant future in hallucinations, all to save a little girl and prevent the apocalypse. Strange things happen to him and others connected to him. Scholar helps you to see the inconsistencies in the writing, and how those follow some kind of pattern. Also, is it you, or does the characters kinda feel familiar, somehow?

A loud knock was heard, and you are back to being Rosa Montagni. The lull of autowagon travel interrupted, you notice that Ling is the one knocking on the carriage - it seems she's about to announce something.

"Sorry to bother you, passengers - but I'd like to announce that we've just passed Wreck."

"Wow, already? That's fast!" Indeed, it would've taken about a day or two if you walk. Also, it would mean that there was no encounters whatsoever - which is a rare occurrence.

"They didn't call me 'Lightning Ling' for nothing, ma'am! We still have enough fuel to reach Crypt, at this rate." You can imagine her grinning proudly, up on her driver seat.

>ROLL 1D20, BEST OF FIRST 3

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Stop at Kyo-Edo and refuel
>□ Pass Kyo-Edo, continue to Crypt (chance to run out of fuel)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Vodun knowledge
>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Singularity knowledge
>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Nowhere knowledge
>□ Craig gains knowledge on Millie
>□ Craig gains Other knowledge (fill in)

>>5794078
>□ Pass Kyo-Edo, continue to Crypt (chance to run out of fuel)
As the /v/ oregon trail threads taught me
SANIC SPEED
GABEN FEED
>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Singularity knowledge
And...
>□ Craig gains knowledge on Millie
"Go for the ear rubs. Monster girls love the ear rubs! She'll never see it coming." - Trickster

>>5794078
>□ Stop at Kyo-Edo and refuel
>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Nowhere knowledge

>>5794078
>□ Stop at Kyo-Edo and refuel
I wanna see the city.
>□ Craig gains Esoteric: Singularity knowledge
As much as gaining knowledge on Millie seems nice I feel like this is more important

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5794078
>□ Stop at Kyo-Edo and refuel
Going fast is tempting though.
>□ Craig gains knowledge on Millie
How can I not pick this?

>>5794078
>>5794084
+1

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5794078
>□ Stop at Kyo-Edo and refuel
>□ Craig gains knowledge on Millie

>he did it again
This is the second time this happens anon...you need to look before you post.

>>5794512
What?

Rolled 14 (1d20)

I BELIEVE IN YOU ROSA

>□ Pass Kyo-Edo, continue to Crypt (chance to run out of fuel)
>□ Craig gains Other knowledge (Ass Knowledge)

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>tie between Singularity and Millie
Let us consult the winds of fate.
>1: Singularity
>2: Millie Twelvetrees

>>5796372
>Twelvetrees
More like 12 kids by the time Craig's done with her lol

>>5796457
a rat posted this

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>>5796813

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>>5794078
As you pass two traveling clowns, you think it'd be best to refuel at Kyo-Edo.
"Hey Ling, I think we'd best refuel in Kyo-Edo - I don't want us risking running out midway."

Ling's voice, carried by the winds, sound nonchalant. "Will do, boss! Next stop, Kyo-Edo." You feel the autowagon speed up a bit.

Meanwhile, you are Craig again, reading deeper into Ouroboros Parable. There seemed to be gaps in the story - the main character is speaking to himself in a library, the little girl he's supposed to save isn't named, there's missing letters that you think was misprints, but once you mentally collected them, they become a message.

Piece together what was missing, and surprisingly, the name Millie Twelvetrees comes up. Again, by the missing pieces, you figured out that she is the little girl the horse is supposed to save - and yes, she is supposed to have mind-reading powers. But there are more extraordinary information about her here. Such as the fact that she might be an early victim of the Singularity, and how her father pursued both esoteric and technological means to find her back - and how the main character might be a prototype thoughtform that's tasked to find and evacuate her before the Singularity ate their world.

Honestly, this was just so much info to handle. True, the esoteric science details mentioned in the book could be applied to your own mana flow with unknown effects, or you could have Scholar log the details to pass on to Magos for better magical analysis. And there's the fact about deeper mysteries contained in the book.

>ROLL 1D20, AVERAGE OF FIRST 3

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Apply the tidbits about the various esoteric arts onto your mana flow (unknown effect, roll an additional 1d20 if you choose this, best of first 3)

>□ Hold off on its application, analyze further with Scholar and Magos - you could find a more actualized esoteric spell then

>□ What if you let Trickster analyze it? Maybe it'll just say something about Millie's ears... (random effect, roll an additional 1d20 if you choose this, best of 3)

>□ Other (fill in)

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>5797586
>Wait, why is Millie in this random esoteric magic book? Is the information true, or was it pulled from you the reader and then made fanciful? How true is any of this?
This is very suspect.

Rolled 1, 7 = 8 (2d20)

>>5797586
>>□ What if you let Trickster analyze it? Maybe it'll just say something about Millie's ears... (random effect, roll an additional 1d20 if you choose this, best of 3)

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>5797586
>□ Hold off on its application, analyze further with Scholar and Magos - you could find a more actualized esoteric spell then

>>5797963
Impressive nat 20

Rolled 18, 5 = 23 (2d20)

>>5797586
>□ What if you let Trickster analyze it? Maybe it'll just say something about Millie's ears... (random effect, roll an additional 1d20 if you choose this, best of 3)

Rolled 16, 19 = 35 (2d20)

>>5797586
>>□ What if you let Trickster analyze it? Maybe it'll just say something about Millie's ears... (random effect, roll an additional 1d20 if you choose this, best of 3)

>>5797963
>>5797818
>>5797634
Encounter roll
>4, 1, 20
>avg = 12
Result: something suspicious/alarming

>>5798690
>>5798173
>>5797818
Trickster roll
>7, 5, 19
>bo3 = 19
Result: something very good

Drawing, writing.

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>>5797586
Distracted by the possibility of the book actually messing with you by taking information from the reader, you unwittingly unleashed the Trickster - something you realized too late, as it startled you by suddenly speaking from behind.

"Aww, little Craigy misses his rodentine paramour, are we? Can't have enough of her round, lascivious ears, hmm??" Ack, there it goes, teasing you.

"Worried about tricks in a book? You should worry more about me! Ha ha haa! Studying strange magics as usual, hmm? Not sure what to learn? Then what about... ooh, this one SLAPS! C'mon Craigy boy, take this one, and this one too!" Already, you can feel two spells' mana signature getting pulled from the grimoire and sublimated within your own mana - uncontested, unconsented. You just hope these are good...

The autowagon slows down, suddenly. You are back as Rosa Montagni, and you've figured you've reached Kyo-Edo by now. Only... you haven't passed through the city gates. Why haven't you?

"Hey Ling, what's going on?"

"Uh oh, bad news, boss - Kyo-Edo's gates are closed. What now?"

Huh, closed? They rarely close their gates - something big might be happening. You do notice one of the gate guards is motioning for the autowagon to come closer. What do they want?

>CHOOSE TWO SPELLS

>□ Memoria: a spell that forces people to remember past memories, good or bad, by taking an item of theirs and turning it into a drink they can imbibe.

>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.

>□ Jack In: a magical cable visible and tangible only to you*, which allows you to connect your mind to someone else's stealthily. Doesn't stretch far.

>□ Cryptix: a spell that turns a target's speech into one with hidden messages, lasts about two or three lines. Watch those double entendres.

>□ Tulpa Double: materializes a psychic clone of yourself that must do a certain task, and disappears when that task is done.

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Persuade the gate guard to let you in
>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel
>□ Find another way to sneak into Kyo-Edo somehow
>□ Bypass Kyo-Edo and hope your fuel lasts to Crypt
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5799048
>>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.
>>□ Jack In: a magical cable visible and tangible only to you*, which allows you to connect your mind to someone else's stealthily. Doesn't stretch far.

>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel

>>5799048
>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.
>□ Tulpa Double: materializes a psychic clone of yourself that must do a certain task, and disappears when that task is done.

>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel
City's closed, dragons about.

>>5799048
>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.
>□ Tulpa Double: materializes a psychic clone of yourself that must do a certain task, and disappears when that task is done.
Like the tiny paper guy from Psychonauts.
>□ Persuade the gate guard to let you in

>>5799048
>□ Memoria: a spell that forces people to remember past memories, good or bad, by taking an item of theirs and turning it into a drink they can imbibe.
>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.
And
>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel
Just passing through

>>5799048
>□ Tulpa Double: materializes a psychic clone of yourself that must do a certain task, and disappears when that task is done.

>□ Sledgehammer: a metaphysical force that slams into mind and reality, allowing access to locked or hidden systems. Careful where you aim this thing.


>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel

>>5799048
>□ Jack In
>□ Tulpa Double

>□ Persuade the gate guard to give or sell you some fuel
>>Also ask what's going on

Does the clone double share our abilities and spells, or are they limited in what they can do?

>>5799712
Limited to 1 lower-frequency spell that isn't Tulpa Clone.

Currently, spells Craig knows:
>Hand (Goblin school)
>Fist (Goblin school)
>Boot (Goblin school)

>>5799860
>>5799712
Tulpa + Jack In is peak infiltration tactics.

>>5799864
>Implying Sledgehammer is not peak infiltration

>>5799916
Sledgehammer lets you brute-force something, Jack In lets you elarn how to infiktrate a location or system as of you were supposed to be there.

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>>5799048
They want us to get closer, eh? Well, let them come close, you got questions of your own.

"What's going on? Rare to see the gate closed." You probe.

"City's closed due to villainy, ma'am." Ah, the ever-ambiguous 'villainy' clause. It could be a crime spree, terror attack, or just public disturbance - their government does not want to tell details, that's for sure.

"Ah, then, could we just stop and refuel? Surely there's a way."

The guard looked as if he's heard this song and dance a thousand times today.

"Sorry ma'am, unless you're a resident of the city, or is part of the relief team... better try your luck at Crypt." Hmm, you smell a Conniving coming up.

You are momentarily Craig, absorbing the two spells Trickster chose for you; one of them allows you to create a spare body out of thought matter, and the other one just... rearranges reality when it hits something. The mana flows into you so fast, it causes you to feel fatigued - but suddenly, Nemo grips your hand.

"Craig, I want you to promise me something." His singular eye feels like it's staring through your soul.

"Promise me that you won't use them recklessly." Huh, sounds like a reasonable request...

>CONNIVING MECHANICS REFRESHER

>EACH OF THE OPTIONS IN A CONNIVING EVENT HAS HIDDEN BONUSES AND MALUSES DEPENDING ON CONTEXT AND TRAITS
>THE MORE THEY FIT THE MORE BONUSES THEY HAVE
>BONUSES OR MALUSES WILL BE ADDED TO A 1D20 ROLL, WHICH PLAYERS SUBMIT WITH THEIR CHOICE
>BEST ROLL OUT OF FIRST 3 MAJORITY CHOICE GETS CHOSEN

>CHOOSE ONE (ROLL 1D20, TO BEAT: 11)

>□ "Actually, we're residents here, we bought an apartment the other day"
>□ "We're actually with the relief team, have they arrived yet?"
>□ "We're not with the relief team, but we're qualified to help." Ask Nemo to show credentials
>□ "We're the backup team, Sierra sent us."
>□ Other (fill in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Promise
>□ No promise

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5801333
>□ "We're not with the relief team, but we're qualified to help." Ask Nemo to show credentials
>□ Promise

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>5801333
>□ "We're the backup team, Sierra sent us."
Now this one is interesting
>□ Promise
>(sudden flash of you and your fake clone "pounding" Millie, courtesy of Trickster)
Hehehehe. Imagine if Jack In won, and we could jack into Millie to then piggyback on her power to read the minds of others remotely like she does. That way she wouldn't be alone in reading minds, but it might also cause a feedback loop with Craig reading Millie's mind reading his mind reading her mind and...
Or maybe abusing Jack In with her in someplace private, hehe

>>5801333
>>□ "We're not with the relief team, but we're qualified to help." Ask Nemo to show credentials

>□ Promise

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5802116
Somehow dropped my dice

>>5801333
>□ "We're not with the relief team, but we're qualified to help." Ask Nemo to show credentials
>□ Promise
Sure we'll promise. Here's hoping this doesn't mean we can't use this for anything fun.

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>>5801333
"Okay, I promise I won't use them recklessly..." you say, and Nemo moves his hand that's gripping yours in a weird shake. Strangely, you feel your fatigue going away afterwards.

"Good, good. Remember, Craig, one of those spells is very powerful." Nemo lets go of your hand, satisfied.

>CONNIVING ROLL: 14
>HIDDEN BONUS (QUALIFIED TO HELP): +5
>HIGH SUCCESS

You're back as Rosa Montagni, and you're about to get yourself involved in something again.
"We're not with the relief team, but we're qualified to help. Nemo, show them your credentials, please?" Nemo's connected with the former Eternal Empress and Lucifer, isn't he?

Nemo shifted back on his seat from talking to something with Craig, and pulls out a shiny black card with a single visible logo out of his inventory. "Is this good enough?"

Despite you not knowing the logo on it, you can feel the authority radiating from the card. The guard tenses up as soon as he sees the obsidian rectangle.
"Aa, sumimasen! I didn't know... I shall notify the garrison commander! Please wait here, we'll open the gate for you soon!" With that, he rushes towards the gate, and picks up a receiver from within the wall. Then, several bursts of formal Hinomaru later, and you see the gate opening.

"Whoa, whatever he got there has got to be very important, eh boss?" Ling voiced out what you were thinking, as the autowagon rolls into Kyo-Edo proper.

Right, seems like you might need to do a little bit of work here on... whatever the 'villainy' is. And yes, you can't help but wonder, what is that card, and how did Nemo get it?

>WHAT'S THE VILLAINY THING HAPPENING? CHOOSE ONE

>□ A bunch of Singularity Cultists are holding hostages in a shrine
>□ A bunch of black-clad bandits are on the loose, robbing banks and causing mayhem
>□ A bunch of small monsters are... protesting on the streets?
>□ A bunch of bomb threats are spread around the city
>□ A bunch of art theft has left the lawmen exasperated
>□ Other (fill in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Ask Nemo about the card
>□ Ask Nemo and Craig about what they were talking about
>□ Ask Nemo about his origins
>□ Don't ask anything

>>5803691
>□ A bunch of Singularity Cultists are holding hostages in a shrine
The main baddies making moves. It means we're making progress and nearing what they don't want us to reach.
>□ Ask Nemo about the card
Curious

>>5803691
>□ A bunch of small monsters are... protesting on the streets?
Topical.
>□ Ask Nemo about his origins
Also topical. Feels good to post again.

>>5803691
>□ A bunch of Singularity Cultists are holding hostages in a shrine
>□ Ask Nemo about his origins

>>5803691
>>□ A bunch of small monsters are... protesting on the streets?
>□ Ask Nemo about the card

>>5803691
>□ A bunch of Singularity Cultists are holding hostages in a shrine
>□ Ask Nemo about his origins

>>5803691
>□ A bunch of small monsters are... protesting on the streets?

>□ Ask Nemo about the card

What if the monster protest is a smokescreen, and the real threat are the cultists raiding a shrine?

>>5804162
Sounds conspiratorial. I like it.

>>5804162
I can dig it.

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Sorry, no update today - massive headache. Hopefully have something Thursday.

>>5805175
Feel better, man! Thanks for running!

>>5805175
Get well soon!

Rolled 1 (1d2)

And while we're at it, let's see how the wind of fate turns.

>1: Nemo's origins
>2: Nemo's card

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>>5803691
Scratch that, nevermind the card - your interest now lay squarely with Nemo. He's well-connected, has considerable capital behind him, and he doesn't look as old as grandpa Gobson despite saying he knew him as a youth.
"Just who are you, Nemo?" The question makes itself known. Valencio and Craig also turn their head, curiosity beckoning them.

He looks you straight in the eyes with that piercing stare of his, and your perception shifts as he spoke.
"I was nothing. Then, I became something - I became Nemo. I love being Nemo. Then, being Nemo, I've come to love Gongalla in its entirety. I will not let it fade - not to the Singularity, or anything else."

You cannot believe your eyes - his form keeps shifting for a bit, then returned. He does this several times as he spoke, and you noticed his voice changed, too. You swear you see yourself reflected in one of the shifting moments, too flabbergasted to see Craig and Valencio's reaction.
He was speaking the truth from the core of his being.

"What the-"

The autowagon's sudden stop puts a halt on that expression of beguilement.
"Might wanna take a look outside, boss." Ling's voice shook you back to reality. You take a glance back to Nemo, and he's back to normal. Or whatever normal was, the first time you see him.

"Kobs! Marching in the streets!"
Indeed, just as Ling said, a horde of kobolds are waving banners around and hoisting placards, murmuring among themselves in that weird tounge of theirs. And strangely enough - they were peaceful. This is a peaceful protest. Kobs? Doing peaceful protests? Something's afoot.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Ask a nearby kob what are they protesting about
>□ Try to decipher their pictograms on the placards and banners
>□ Ask a local Kyo-Edo lawman what's the kob's deal is
>□ Look for anything out of place in the protests (roll 1d20, mid of 3)
>□ See if Craig's spirits can sense something, Kyo-Edo is home to spirits
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5807770
>□ Ask a local Kyo-Edo lawman what's the kob's deal is

>>5807770
>□ Ask a nearby kob why they're being peaceful

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>5807770
>>□ Look for anything out of place in the protests (roll 1d20, mid of 3)

>>5807770
>Fall madly in love with a certain glasses-wearing form of Nemo’s…

Joking, but instead
>□ Look for anything out of place in the protests (roll 1d20, mid of 3)

>>5807811
I’m rarted…

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5807812
GAHHHH LET ME ROLLL

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5807770
>□ Look for anything out of place in the protests (roll 1d20, mid of 3)

>>5807770
>□ See if Craig's spirits can sense something, Kyo-Edo is home to spirits

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Sorry for the incoming update's delay, lads n lasses - I've got a commission to finish and a gif to animate, and to make matters worse it's currently sweaty as balls heat in my locale. Shit's sapping creativity and motivation, so I apologize for this pause in Jail - I've got an idea of what to post, just the actual drawing part is what's been agonizing.
I apologize for the delay, once more. Have an 80s gym bunny Rosa to appease y'all.

>>5811804
It happens. And since we now have green girl supremacy to make up or it, no harm and no foul!

>>5811804
No problem at all, man! We'll be here when you're ready for more! Also 80's Gym Bunny Rosa definitely appeases

>>5811804
Take your time baby

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>>5807770
Intrigued, you poke your head out the window to see if there's anything fishy with these protesting kobolds. A quick glance and you see... nothing? Nothing out of the ordinary.
Sure, the kobolds were swarming the streets, but they follow a set route - and despite the presence of local lawmen guarding these routes, the kobolds do not look agitated - they look relaxed, even. Like this is a legitimate activity they do on holidays. Quickly skimming through the placards and banners, it seems like they're asking something about kobold healthcare.

As interesting as it is, though, you wonder if this warrants closing the entirety of Kyo-Edo for the day - but a shriek down the street breaks that train of thought. Quickly, you swivel to look at the source, only to see a machine man, shaped for aerial combat, flies out of the high floors of a local skyscraper - what has he got under his armpit?

The kobolds also see the escapade, and the mood turns from 'a picnic at the park' to 'chaotic panic' quickly. Meanwhile, you noticed the lawmen talking to their squeakboxes about spotting the 'karasutengu' and 'protocol K'. You reckon that if not calmed down, there could be collateral damage among the panicking kobolds - but then again, that aerial robot thief is getting away.

What action do you recommend?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Shoot that thief out of the sky
>□ Get Craig to slap that robot with his magic
>□ Maybe Valencio could grapple him mid-air, who knows
>□ Coordinate with local lawmen to herd the kobolds into safety
>□ Try to calm down the nearby kobolds enough so you can follow the thief unimpeded
>□ Maybe Nemo could use his shapeshifting powers to calm the kobolds
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5816391
>>□ Maybe Valencio could grapple him mid-air, who knows

>>5816391
>□ Get Craig to slap that robot with his magic

>>5816391
>□ Shoot that thief out of the sky
SHOOT HIM

>>5816391
>□ Get Craig to slap that robot with his magic
SMACK

>>5816391
>□ Shoot that thief out of the sky

got to keep in practice

>>5816391
>□ Shoot that thief out of the sky

>>5816391
>□ Shoot that thief out of the sky
I feel both rootin and tootin.

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>>5816391
As quickly as you can, you exit the autowagon and pull out your gun, aiming it as the flying menace.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" You yell as loud as you can towards the thief - but he only spared the briefest of glances as he continues on his trajectory. Sweat starts forming on your forehead.

You've got him on your sights - but moments pass, and soon enough the distance between you and him widen, and the machine man flew out of the city with his boxlike spoils. With slightly trembling breath, you lower your weapon.

As to why you didn't pull the trigger... it's because it's useless - you knew there's no bullet inside. There never was any bullet in that gun, from the day you got it from your con-artist friend and mentor - no, never again after that. The gun is more of an intimidation tactic, but in retrospect, actually firing it served no purpose - the metal-clad machine man would just shrug off a ricochet, and you risk starting a panic among the kobolds.

It seems that at least, your loud yell has garnered the attention of most of the protesting kobolds, which look to you with a degree of curiosity in their eyes. They're not panicking like before. As you take a deep breath and try not to remember your mentor, one of the local lawmen made their way towards you.

"Sumimasen... I was wondering why you did not fire your gun. I saw him fly right into your line of fire, why did you not take the shot?" His inquiry hits a bit close to heart. Hmm, how are you gonna explain?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ "I forgot I was out of ammo."
>□ "I'm trying not to agitate the kobolds further."
>□ "I'm afraid I'll hit the box he's stolen."
>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."
>□ "My boss told me to stand down."
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5820774
>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."
Somehow i feel like having a gun with no bullets whatsoever is not a good idea.

>>5820774
>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."

>>5820778
Tell that to the one guy in LISA the Pointless

>>5820774
>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."

>>5820774
>>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."

>>5820774
>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."

>>5820779
Joel is based.

>>5820774
>>□ "I just remembered that my ammo won't work against a machine man."

>>5820774
>□ "I'm afraid I'll hit the box he's stolen."

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>>5820774
Still kind of emotionally raw, the officer's question rattles you a bit off your game.
"I... just remembered, my bullets won't work against machine men... yeah..." Damn, if you can see yourself right now, you'll say you're skeezy as hell. Surely you can dredge up a better justification than this!

But suddenly, you realized Nemo's already in front of you, explaining something to the lawman.
"Yes, she's just afraid the ricochet would hit civilians. That's why she declined to shoot." Huh, yeah, in retrospect that makes sense. Not to mention if there really was a bullet there, the gunshot sound would have probably agitated the kobolds too.

Then something clicks. Nemo had just covered for you, quickly enough - which meant he's prepared for this. Did he already knew about your ammo situation? Let's find out, the lawman's just walked away.
"Wait - so you already knew about my gun?"

Nemo turns to look back at you, a genuine smile on his face.
"Of course. That is why I chose you to lead this team, after all."

Huh, interesting. So he does trust you, at least.

Nemo returns looking forward, as the other lawmen herds the kobolds off the streets - apparently, their time to protest is over. Then, an older man with a fancier uniform walks out towards Nemo.
"I am garrison commander Yamazaki. Apologies for imposing this task upon you, Nemo-san, but the thief has fled towards the North." Formal but urgent.

"It's fine. We were headed there anyways, and was about to refuel here when we see your gate's closed." Nemo looks like he knew this Yamazaki fellow before.

"I see, we will fill your autowagon's tank, and answer some questions for you, then."

Questions, eh?

>CHOOSE TWO

>□ Why was the gate closed, exactly?
>□ What was stolen by that machine man?
>□ Do you know if that thief might be connected to the Singularity Cult?
>□ Why didn't you fire your defensive cannons at him as he flew out?
>□ Why are the kobolds protesting right when this heist was about to occur?
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5824545
>□ What was stolen by that machine man?
>□ Do you know if that thief might be connected to the Singularity Cult?
Obviously they didn't fire their cannons because they don't want to damage the box.

>>5824547
+1

>>5824545
>>□ What was stolen by that machine man?
>□ Why are the kobolds protesting right when this heist was about to occur?

>>5824545
>□ What was stolen by that machine man?
>□ Do you know if that thief might be connected to the Singularity Cult?

>>5824561
+1

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>>5824545
You take a deep breath to re-center yourself, and formulate the most relevant questions to ask Yamazaki.
"Well, what did he steal that was so important that you won't shoot at him with your defensive guns?" True, the machine man flew not that rapidly, as if he knew that Kyo-Edo won't harm him.

"Ah, yes - it was a seed of our one and only Kamizakura tree. Very potent in mahou workings. Are you going to retrieve it?"

"Hopefully so. One more question - could the Singularity Cult be behind this heist?" You have a hunch as soon you heard it was a relic he stole.

"Mmm. I have heard of this cult before, we have busted their safehouses. Based on this Karasutengu's trajectory, they might have used the ceiling as a temporary base. It's... plausible for them to connect."

"I see. We'll look further north, then, and retrieve the seed if possible." You personally think that the thief might stash the seed somewhere - perhaps its potent magical content might be detected by Craig, if not Valencio.

"Arigato gozaimasu, Rosa-dono." Yamazaki then barked an order in Hinomori - a few moments later a lawman comes up with a jerrycan and fills up the tank of the autowagon.

"Save travels." Yamazaki salutes, and Nemo reciprocates. Lightning Ling then immediately vacates the city with all four of you inside.

A litle bit later, you are Craig Snorlison, currently sitting beside your aun- err cousin, Rosa - and she's been sighing since Kyo-Edo. There'a no mistaking it, she's kinda distressed. Perhaps you could comfort her? Or distract her from her current predicament? Anything that would cheer her up...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Go for a side hug
>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Ask her why she's feeling down
>□ Maybe a little kiss on the cheek, while she's distracted?
>□ Offer to massage her back
>□ Other (fill in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Stop at Crypt
>□ Go on until Pinewatch

>>5828336
>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Stop at Crypt
Less get some rosa backstory.

>>5828336
>>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Stop at Crypt

>>5828336
>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Stop at Crypt

>>5828336
>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Stop at Crypt
There may be more clues.

>>5828336
>□ Ask her to tell you a story about the past
>□ Stop at Crypt

>>5828336
>>□ Maybe a little kiss on the cheek, while she's distracted?
>>□ Stop at Crypt

>>5829262
There shall be no /ss/.

>>5829295
Weell, isn't Millie, like actually really old? I wouldn't be so sure...

>>5829298
Curses, fouled again by "actually, this loli is really a 1000-year-old dragon"... and cute ears.

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>>5828336
A dozen ideas flit through your mind, although you are sure that the more daring ones are being suggested by the Trickster. Nope, those sorts of stuff need more time! Stuff like k-k-kisses and, and...

Shaking off that train of thought, you arrive at a less conspicuous solution.

"So... Rosa, how did you start being a con artist?" Get her to tell stories! That should brighten her up.

Indeed, Rosa's face lightens up considerably, and she looks more relaxed.

"Heh, interested in con artistry, huh? If you ask me, being a mage's better." Her lips curl up into a smile.

"But well, since you asked nicely - it started one day when I was about your age... well, plus a couple years or so. I was going home from grandma Ko's gym lessons, lugging my gym bag and feeling all sad and stuff because I was very self-conscious about my height. When suddenly, I hear someone calling to me from behind - someone I've never seen before. A lost traveler, she said. She then asked me if I could help guide her where she's going. In retrospect, that was really suspicious, but I went with her because..."

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton
>□ I was really curious about her
>□ I smelled adventure from her
>□ I got nothing to lose
>□ I thought it'd piss my parents off
>□ I was charmed by her confidence
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5830114
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton
We established we didn't really like our hometown, right?

>>5830114
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton

>>5830114
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton
This place SUCKS

>>5830114
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton

>>5830114
Rosa was groomed...
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton
Kill goblins. Behead goblins. Roundhouse kick a goblininto the concrete. Slam dunk a goblin baby into the trashcan, etc.

>>5830164
Groomed by Carmen Sandiego, no less!

>>5830166
WHERE IN GONGALLA GAOL IS CARMEN SANDIEGO?

>>5830114
>>□ I was charmed by her confidence

>>5830114
>□ I wanted to get out of Goblinton

>>5830114
>□ I thought it'd piss my parents off

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>>5830114
"...I feel cooped up in Goblinton, to the point of boredom. My mentor promised me the world, and we went all over the place. Mostly the South, Central and East though. She taught me how to safely look at the Caged Sun using observation glass to avoid the melancholy and saudade, and there's also the time we swapped ammonite shells with fake ones so we can sell the real ones for a profit..." Rosa smiles as she starts reminiscing about the good old days.

She suddenly sits up, realizing something.
"Hey, wait a minute! Did you just con me out of my mood right now?!" Her chuckle reinvigorates you, as she musses your hat. You like that.

Some time later, Lightning Ling's voice cuts in.
"We're getting close to Crypt, boss - but I gotta ask, since we got a full tank and supplies are good - why are we stopping at Crypt?"

Well, you're back as Rosa Montagni again.
There's a good reason you're going to Crypt.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ The thief from Kyo-Edo might be hiding here, there's a lot of holes in the ceiling in Crypt
>□ There's a friend here that you need to check up on, and knows a thing or two about the North
>□ Crypt is a mausoleum - you intend to visit a particular grave before going North
>□ Millie and Clyde said they'd rendezvous here and head north together with you
>□ Other (fill in)

>>5833912
>□ Millie and Clyde said they'd rendezvous here and head north together with you

>>5833912
>□ Crypt is a mausoleum - you intend to visit a particular grave before going North
Surely mystery box ghost will end up being useful.

>>5833912
>□ Crypt is a mausoleum - you intend to visit a particular grave before going North

>>5833912
>□ Millie and Clyde said they'd rendezvous here and head north together with you

>>5833912
>□ The thief from Kyo-Edo might be hiding here, there's a lot of holes in the ceiling in Crypt

>>5833912
>>□ Crypt is a mausoleum - you intend to visit a particular grave before going North

>>5833912
>>□ Millie and Clyde said they'd rendezvous here and head north together with you

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>tie between Millie and a grave
Let us consult the winds of fate.
>1: Millie
>2: grave

Oh yeah btw, update's delayed for a bit, gotta fix my sleep schedule
Such is the danger of stealing ideas from the border of dreams.

>>5836182
The ears have it.

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Sorry about the updates getting real slow - I still need to wind my creative springs up from this bog of a slump.
Have a thanksgiving Rosa for now, next update's just around the corner.

>>5838018
NOOOO ROSA DON'T TAKE THE BLANKETS

>>5838018
Happy Thanksgiving!

>>5838018
Happy Thanksgiving IG. Very cool.

>>5838018
Happy Thanksgiving!

>>5838024
Kek.

>>5838018
Have a nice Thanksgiving!

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>>5833912
That good reason being Millie and Clyde. They said that they'll rendezvous with you in Crypt, back when you met them in Wreck.
"Yeah, we're having a couple allies joining us there - we could wait a day or two for them."

"I see. Any description of 'em, so I can tell you when I see them?" How considerate of Ling.

"Yeah, their name's Millie and Clyde. Millie's a cheery mouse girl, and Clyde's a big horse that doesn't talk much." Out of the corner of your eye, you see Craig straightening up and putting that book you bought him into his inventory. Could he be planning to show it off to Millie?

"I see, boss. Then, our next stop, Crypt!" Ling exclaims, as you see the titular monolith rising behind the hills.

Questions bubble into the surface of your mind as the necropolis comes into view.
Will you meet with Millie again?
Could the Karasutengu be hiding there? (Long shot, but still -)
What's up with Nemo's black card?
Will you manage to protect Gongalla from the Singularity?

Find out next thread, in Jail Quest!

>THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION
>NEXT THREAD WILL BE SOMETIME IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY
>APOLOGIES FOR THE DELAYS

Thanks for the run.

See you next time.

>>5839341
thx 4 running

>>5839341
This was fun, thank you QM!

>>5839341
Thanks for running!

>>5839341
Thanks for the heads up, QM! See you next time.