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[Now where were we?

Ah, right. Your recently recruited engineer BOIL is having a stand off with these two ENEMY MOTHS on the endgame planet of FORTUNA.
Less of a stand off and more of a stick up, given how he's caught unarmed with a heavy pistol pointed at his horrible BALD HEAD. These bad bugges are pretty DAMNED PISSED at your crew captain for INANE BACKGROUND REASONS but he's not here on the screen yet. Also, the enemy chief moth is your captain's clone? It could be interesting story, but it's not so well developed thus far. You'll probably have to kill him before he gets a chance to speak.

You entered a few commands before, so all that's left is to see where things end up.

You unpause the game, sit back, and relax.]

MOTH TALK (RUINER OST - Sidewalks and Skeletons - Memory) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTgQSUrOPq0

>That small one doesn't seem to be the right type of moth.
>[NEMESIS] ...
>I understand you've made a mistake when creating this final encounter, but when dice are cast, it's downright shameful that you're changing the result in your excitement!
>[MOLD BREAKER] ...
>No! You don't get to give me that kind of look, not when you've showed up so suddenly and unannounced!
>...

[The little dice goddess FORTUNA and that newcomer are talking, it seems. How cute.]

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>MUTTER A PRAYER.

You find yourself uttering a prayer yet again.

PSYDON is silent...

Idle and without intent, as you've carried on before for all those wasted years...

[The (p)rayer menu pops up. A short primer on Boil's patron god, the !!GREAT PSYDON!! himself, appears.]

HAIL PSYDON! WITCH-TYRANT SUPREME! LORD OF DISSOLUTION! ARCHON OF ALL UNDER HEAVEN!
When the Really Bad Time hit, the eternal once and future Czar was the one to shepherd humanity into the underground shelters and deep caverns of Psydonia, reigning over his dark underempire for centuries. Decades after his betrayal and death, his blood still boils and his spirit rages on, crying out for vengeance across the earth. Followers of the Old Master may invoke his wrath against his inhuman foes as well as gain divine protection and courage in battle.

- PSYDON greatly appreciates the DEATH OF HIS ENEMIES and the DEMONIC.
- PSYDON appreciates when you destroy the NONLIVING and the UNDEAD, and kill the INHUMAN, the BEASTS OF THE NIGHT, and the UNHOLY.

Boil Lancer
PIETY: *.........

MIRACLES
REBUKE - Recite a verse from the Psychick Bible, condemning the INHUMEN, the NITE-BEEST, the UNDEAD, the UNHOLY, and the DEMONIC in all their wicked forms. Causes a variety of debilitating effects to those affected, from stunning to blinding to smiting to outright DISSOLUTION.
- REBUKE's success rate initially starts at 50% then increases with higher piety.
- REBUKE's effectiveness increases as the enemy degrades further from INHUMAN to DEMONIC.

DISSOLUTION - Declare this ability before undertaking any action. Call out to the Lord in praise and the hand of PSYDON will bless the follower's next action with supreme luck and energy, resulting in a GUARANTEED SUCCESS.
- Decrease the faithful's DISSOLUTION counter by 1. Something Really Bad happens when it reaches 0.
- DISSOLUTION cannot be raised by mortal means alone.

File: DSF Boil IRL.jpg (219 KB, 1511x2430)

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>Look towards the mad Moth. Maybe we can use it as a distraction. Depends if it's a catatonic mad or a schizo mad.

>BOIL EXAMINES MADMOTH
You do not have appropriate access to view this file.
>BOIL EXAMINES MADMOTH
You do not have appropriate access to view this file.

Your temples begins to throb...

[PSYKER] You feel a bizarre presence flitting through the corridors of your mind.

>MADMOTH EXAMINES BOIL
A DISGUSTING naked ape, wearing a SHABBY set of engineering robes.

He is wearing a station engineer's robes.
He is currently unarmed.
He has a "GRINDER" machined belt-fed shotgun holstered.

He looks severely wounded.
He looks much, much stronger than you.
He seems about as fast as you.

[PSYKER] You clutch at your head as the presence probes even deeper into yourself. Your head... it feels like it's about to split in half!

[MANLY PHYSIQUE] Gain one Mighty Deed dice. Add its result to the accuracy and damage of every attack you make in a round.
- Once per turn, declare a special combat maneuver (such as a power blow with a sledgehammer or a sniper shot to the eye). If the deed dice is a 3 or higher AND the attack lands, the Deed also succeeds.
DEED: 1d3

You breath heavily. You feel sweat pouring down your brow. The heavy sensation is suddenly gone, but the pain still lingers...

Your stress is increasing...

The diminutive madmoth glares at you with an air of almost incongruous arrogance and contempt. No words are needed to convey its alien disgust across this barrier. This horrible inhumen thing...

File: DSF MOTH HOME TEAM.jpg (487 KB, 2809x2416)

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>TALK: "Answer for an answer. What's up with the moth in the straitjacket? Tell me this and I'll tell you my alliance towards Captain Heath."

You open your mouth, but something gives you pause. "Alliance." You search in your heart for any sort of love for your Captain in the face of certain death...

[LONE SURVIVOR] And decide that you will live another day, instead.

[The willful nature of the game rears it's head.]

"Answer for an answer," you wheeze. "What's up with the moth in the straitjacket? Tell me this and I'll tell you where Captain Heath is."

The Chief stares down at you, looming with his eyes like pools of fragmented shadow.

"Do not lie to us, human. She will know." He motions to his aide, not taking his gun off you for a second. "Lucille, show him what you found, poking through the INTRANET."

"..."

"Let him EXAMINE you," he orders, his voice softening.

>BOIL EXAMINE::GET(MON.DESCRIPT)::(M;target(MON;MADMOTH))

>BOIL EXAMINES THE MADMOTH
A wretched and twitching insectoid bound in a restraining straightjacket. She has carved the symbol of the Dark Star into her forehead. With great expectations, the goddess INDRA-PHI calls out in the dreams of her most sensitive followers and blesses them with vision upon vision, resulting in the unfortunate manifestation of potent psychic abilities.

It moves at an average speed.
It attacks at an average speed.
It uses abilities at a fast speed.

This creature has one of the possible ability sets, affected by telekill:
1. TRAUMATIZE, DARK ECHOES, CORRUPTION
2. NERVE STAPLE, MINDBLAST, PSYSHIELD ALPHA
3. SHOCK COMA, SHOCK THERAPY, HIGH VOLTAGE
4. TORMENT, INVISIBILITY, PARALYZE, MASS BLINK

"The mind is quicker than the eye."
- Yuri, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 - Yuri's Revenge, 2001.

>To read a description, type in the name of the spell.

"PSY. KER." The moth turns that horrible probing force towards you once again, and you try to think about the most horrible thing as a shield-

Boil Lancer
>SAVE vs-

"Save your energy, Luc." The Chief beckons you with his free hand, then abruptly switches to pointing. "Now. Your turn."

You breath heavily, then proceed: "The Captain is nearby. He was following me when I entered through the gateway before..." Your head begins to pulse. The impression of black and pale and fierce is waiting there in the blackness when you close your eyes. Fear writhes under your skin. O dread goddess... "Before we were separated by that terrible FORCE. Yes. He is not far behind."

The Chief makes an odd rustling noise, emitting clicking noises, before he huffs. "Acceptable enough. We will be letting you go now."

"But if you so much as raise a finger or even concoct a conspiracy against us, you will die."

[PSYCHOPOMP] It's pretty clear that the both of them will make good on that threat.

"Go."

File: DSF fortuna combat1.png (5 KB, 328x187)

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The Chief begins to walk towards the gate, his gun at the ready.
[PARANOIA] [MOTH] He crouches down, his antenna raised like skinny fists up to Heaven.

"There."

[FRAGMASTER] Chief Serras equips a FRAGCEL grenade in his other hand. He squeezes once and there's a beep as the explosive is armed.
[PSYKER] Lucille just stares towards you, with that atrocious, empty, bug-eyed stare of hers.

Synchronizing...
>WALK AWAY FROM ALL THIS WHILE YOU STILL CAN. [Leave Crew. Please choose a crew member to play as next.]
>WRITE IN.

File: DSF advisorial adversary.jpg (225 KB, 1701x1539)

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[A few alerts for the METACOMMS menu have been appearing. The ghost in the machine wants to talk. You open the METACOMMS to talk to the strange PSYCHOPOMP unit on your crew.]

<P: Hey, pause the game, will ya Pal? I'll tell you our game plan.>
[You do so.]
<P: After you make your choice, the plan is I go in first, blast against this Chief Serras with everything I've got, and then we all go in to blast the two of them straight to HELL. Mind the radius on Boil, if you want. I've got a radius of 6x6 tiles on the map.>
<P: I'm a little worried that the enemy's [MOTH] trait is going to sense our ambush, but if we're fast enough we might just be able to waste this guy before he and his little pet psychic can react.>
<P: I've rolled badly on asking for the Captain's help. He's damn spooked about that whole killcode thing because of his [PARANOIA]. Everyone else is on board.>
<P: So! Ready when you are, Pal.>

[You tap the keyboard, then give voice to your distaste.]
<M: Jack, are you trying to play the game for me?>
<P: MORDRED, buddy, I just really hate these fucking moths. When I make up my mind, it's already good as done - these guys are fried.>
<P: You're right, though. In the end, it's your call, Pal. So what's it going to be then, eh?>

>WRITE IN?
>LET IT PLAY OUT.

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>>6121987
Amen. Sadly, this little game is a mad, mad, mad world without the blessing of the Christ.
"Man, I have spoken: Struggle and have faith."

>>6121997
>WALK AWAY FROM ALL THIS WHILE YOU STILL CAN. [Leave Crew. Please choose a crew member to play as next.]
HENRY
>LET IT PLAY OUT

>>6121997
[You hover over the map. Seems like each symbol has its corresponding name.

@ - YOU (Boil Lancer)
Bottom M - Authority Chief Serras
Top M - Madmoth Psyker
Black X - Matter Conversion Tower (Uncharged) (Heavy Cover, Impassable)
Black = - Wall (Heavy Cover, Impassable, Blocks LoS)
White - - Iron Gate (Closed)
Gray . - Floor

Huh. Earlier the full name of the standing spikes was hidden in the second person view, for some reason.]

>>6121997
>>6122003
backing >>6122047
we did all we could

Closing votes. Combat scenario begins soon. Let's move!

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Rolled 2 (1d4)

You've gotten this far already. You've done all you need to do. All that remains is to step aside and exit stage left.

Goodbye, Captain.

Boil Lancer has left the crew.

Loading...

You are Henry Petri, and the "devil machine" has a plan.

He was explaining how there is an incursion force from City Sector 5 on Fortuna and that it was *summoned* here to kill the Captain and his entire crew. He doesn't know how it happened, but they found you all nonetheless.

check {META} dissonance_level(light);(cognitive::trait_PARANOIA)...
FAILURE

For some reason, you just feel compelled to follow him.

[Heath's PARANOIA] The Captain has been strangely silent in response to this information...
[Henry's PARANOIA] The robot is hiding how he knows this information. You've lost your nerve to interrogate him. MAKE UP FOR THIS LATER. DO NOT FAIL US.

It's an extraordinarily simple plan. Jack goes first, scorches the earth, and everyone goes in to mob the Authority Chief and the Psyker.

*clack* The robot smacks a fist against his hand. "... you got that?"

You nod.
You nod.
Zhang nods.
The Captain stares.

[Henry's MOTH] It is extraordinarily difficult to crack the armor of an Authority Chief, if he is so armed. Thus, overwhelming firepower and violence are required.
[Henry's DESERTER] The plan is not as complex or as devious as the events that happened on that ill-fated day on that Orbital Station... You're really starting to doubt that this weird talking robot can be placed in the same category as a true malevolent AI.

The Psychopomp unit, or "Jack" as it calls itself, swivels its screen and stares at you in silence, as if responding to your inner monologue. You shudder.
<P: And fuck you too, Henry.>

"Let's go!" Jack half-shouts.
<P: Let's go to HELL!>
"Aye!" You raise your Miedo submachinegun and flick the safety off.
"Aye!" The other you, from the World Line C, follows suit.
Your Jian mercenary mutters to himself as he unsheathes his blade.
>Zhang recites the OKA!

MOTH BOSS (Ruiner OST - Duel 35 - Zamilska) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYZR5DOSMRc

[HELLSHOCK] Jack steps into the open archway with a finger raised and little flame apperas at the tip. His screen has gone dark with a few pinpricks of white and his entire body begins to emanate a lurid red light-

[CHIEF AND LUCILLE'S MOTH] "Contact!" You swear you hear the Captain's voice shouting from the other side of the wall, but he's clearly standing behind the crew. It seems that the ambush has failed.

Things happen very quickly.

>[MOTH] Lucille reacts!
>FORTUNA rolls 1d4 for LUCILLE'S ABILITY LIST.
<P: Oh FUCK! She's faster than me!>

1. TRAUMATIZE, DARK ECHOES, CORRUPTION
2. NERVE STAPLE, MINDBLAST, PSYSHIELD ALPHA
3. SHOCK COMA, SHOCK THERAPY, HIGH VOLTAGE
4. TORMENT, INVISIBILITY, PARALYZE, MASS BLINK

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 1 - MOTH RE(...).jpg (352 KB, 2855x2855)

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Rolled 19, 52 = 71 (2d100)

The robot suddenly freezes in place, without moving, and starts puking up a Godawful slurry of static, dialup and grinding noises, and a high-pitched whine from its synth cords.
>Jack is stunned! 2 TURNS

>Authority Chief Heath Serras reacts!

>FORTUNA rolls a 1d100 for COMBAT.
>Authority Chief Heath Serras (COMBAT Skill): 65%
>ATTACK: "FRAGCEL" grenade. Target: JACK. (Thrown, Radius 3x3, 2d20 to EVERY body part at the epicenter tile)
>SUCCESS: Hit the target tile.
>FAILURE: Miss and roll 2d10 to determine distance away from target tile. (d10 for angle, d10 for distance.)

>FORTUNA rolls a 1d100 for COMBAT.
>Authority Chief Heath Serras (COMBAT Skill): 45%
>AIMED ATTACK (HEAD): Heavy Pistol "COMISARIO" (Ranged, 1d12). Target: JACK.
>SUCCESS: Hit the target.
>FAILURE: Miss the target.
>MODIFIER: -40% from TARGET: HEAD, +20% from [FRAGMASTER]

Roll under system. Critical success on matches under the roll, natural 1s, and on 7. Critical failures on matches over the roll, natural 100s, and on 13.[/spoilers]

>>6122471
There's a horrific crack through the air as the enemy fires...

And misses! The bullet goes sailing right into the ground behind your crew, kicking up dust as it makes impact.

Something black and red and beeping lands squarely at Jack's feet.

In the horrible moment right before something really bad is about to happen, time slows to a crawl and two forms of thought appear:
>[Henry's ORDINATOR TRAINING] HOLY SHIT THROW IT BACK RIGHT THIS INSTANT.
>[Henry's ORDINATOR TRAINING] It's time to die, Ordinator. Throw yourself upon the grenade and self-sacrifice.
>WRITE IN.

>WHAT DO YOU WANT EACH CHARACTER TO DO?

Equipped:
"MIEDO" SMG (Ranged, 2d10 on burst, 1 magazine, 34 bullets)
Authority Knife (Melee, 1d6, Armor Piercing)

>USE (Scroll of charging, scroll of ABCABABAAABA, scroll of identify)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY
>COMMIT SUICIDE

METACOMMS (DISABLED)

[Uh oh.]

>>6122465
>>6122471
[You review the map once again.]

. and _ = Floor
- = Iron Gate (Open)
= = Wall (Heavy Cover, Impassable, Blocks LoS)
X = Matter Conversion Tower (Uncharged) (Heavy Cover, Impassable)

@ = YOU (Henry Petri)
1 to the right = Jumping Jack Flash (Friendly, *STUNNED, GRENADE)
m to the left = Henry Petri, World Line C (Friendly)
j to the right = Zhang Glanton (Friendly)
C to the left side = Captain Heath Serras (Friendly)

Bottom M - Authority Chief Serras (Hostile)
Top M - Madmoth Psyker (Hostile)

h = BOIL LANCER (Neutral, Fleeing)

The cool ASCII app doesn't actually save my data. So, until I get it fixed, grid paper will have to do.

>>6122488
>[Henry's ORDINATOR TRAINING] HOLY SHIT THROW IT BACK RIGHT THIS INSTANT.
>EVERYONE ELSE, SCRAMBLE FOR COVER
>ZHANG, DRAG JACK BEHIND COVER BEFORE HE FUCKING DIES.

>>6122515
+1

>>6122515
>>6122518
TURN 1 - CREW PHASE

"Zhang, secure the robot! Everyone, take cover NOW!" You shriek as you lunge for the grenade...
>Fortuna shows you a d100.
>Henry Petri (AGI Skill: 45%)
>THROW IT BACK!
>SUCCESS: Return to sender!
>FAILURE: [ORDINATOR TRAINING] BECOME AN HERO.
>CRITICAL FAILURE: It literally blows up in your face (and Jack's and Zhang's).

Zhang starts to manhandle the nerve-bitten robot away...
>Fortuna shows you a d100.
>Zhang Glanton (STRENGTH Skill: 55%)
>SUCCESS: Move Jack to cover with reduced movement (2 tiles).
>CRITICAL SUCCESS: Move as per normal speed (4 tiles).
>FAILURE: Dead weight (No movement).

>>6122534
>What I mean is that these are for you.
>Please roll 1d100 for Henry's fate and 1d100 for Zhang's and Jack's.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>6122534
>>6122537
rolling for my boy henri

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>6122537
ZHANG.
JACK SAMA.

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>Henry: THROW IT BACK!
>SUCCESS
>Hey, wait a minute!
>CRITICAL SUCCESS!
>There!

You can only react.

3 seconds.

[ORDINATOR TRAINING] Your training kicks in and your body acts on its own. The Miedo falls from your claws and hangs by the strap as you lunge forward and grasp the familiar bulb.

2 seconds!

You cock your arm back, swing your arm from one side to another, and throw the grenade back with all of your might!

1 second!!!

There's no time for him or the unseen psyker to react.

You hear a tremendous explosion from the north!
The FRAGCEL erupts into thousands of pieces of shrapnel..!

>Please roll 2d20 DAMAGE for the following target:
HEAD (13/13 HP)

>Please roll 2d20-10 for each of the following targets:
L. ARM, R. ARM, L. LEG, R. LEG (13/13 HP each)
TORSO (65/65 HP)
>MODIFIER: -10 from Authority Chief Greatcoat

>Or not, if he dies.
>I would appreciate it if you would roll anyway.

File: the bug shaker.gif (2.57 MB, 342x498)

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I remembered someone chewing me out for the weird numbers, which lead to me remembering that critical successes are on 1-5 AND 7, and critical failures are on 13 AND 95-100. HEHE.

Rolled 15, 6, 6, 17, 10, 3, 7, 6, 6, 18 = 94 (10d20)

>>6122653
Rolling for the non-head parts, other dude can roll for le head. (Pretend each one is minused by 10)

>>6122702
LEFT ARM: 5, 0
RIGHT ARM: 0, 7
LEFT LEG: 0, 0
RIGHT LEG: 0, 0
TORSO: 0, 8
yeah we're hoping for a head kill since he barely got scratched

Rolled 9, 7 = 16 (2d20)

>>6122702
Why 10d20? I think you just rolled wrong?

>>6122653
Rolling for damage to HEAD

Rolled 3, 11, 18, 10, 2, 7, 9, 10, 9, 18 - 10 = 87 (10d20 - 10)

>>6122653
Rolling for damage to other body parts
That's 2d20 for each body part for a total of 10d20

>>6122702
>>6122703
>>6122722
OK I am retarded, sorry

>>6122722
>16
Yeah he's dead. Popped like a grape. Nice.

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>>6122724
>Fortuna claps her hands together.
>Yay dice rolls :)
>...

You brace yourself for impact. The Authority Chief tries to raise his arm to desperately defend himself, and then the entire world goes white.

Your ears ring!
Your hearing returns!

"Ngh!" A few pieces of shrapnel hurtle through the air, slicing superficial wounds into your head and hands, but your own riot armor is enough to deflect most of the stray debris. A cloud of dust is thrown up into the air...

Authority Chief Serras is hit by the shrapnel, taking 36 damage.
The body part breaks!

And when it clears, you see the teetering, broken corpse wearing the Captain's face collapse to the arena floor without a sound.

Authority Chief Serras dies!

"No, no, nO ! !" You hear a horrific wail of moffic despair, her voice distorting with psychic turmoil.

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 2.jpg (287 KB, 2497x2465)

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TURN 2 - ENEMY PHASE
Jack is stunned! 1 turn left!

[Loading...]

TURN 2 - CREW PHASE

[Huh? The enemy phase was hidden?]

[ORDINATOR TRAINING] You stand up and take your Miedo back into your hands. It's good to be literally strapped up for this job.

"CS5 Agent destroyed, Captain. One more left!" you shout, attempting rallying the others.

Everyone seems emboldened by the act.

"Excellent." The Captain takes out his INSEGURO laser pistol.

Zhang laughs his mocking tittering laugh.

"KILL," he says ominously, before rushing right through the door way.

"Wait-" That bloodthirsty moron! You stomp into the archway after the Jian mercenary.

The Psyker hasn't moved a single tile, but now a wonderous sphere of light is shimmering over her entire body.

Far from being a quivering, cringing wreck of a moth, the Psyker seems lucid and focused. Her posture screams defiance, even as she's outnumbered.

>ERIS takes notice...

[NEMESIS] Something in the scenario shifts. A fell energy seems to run all along the barrier of light...

>WHAT DO YOU WANT EACH CHARACTER TO DO?
>Zhang cannot make any further actions.
>Jack is stunned! 1 turn left!

Equipped:
"MIEDO" SMG (Ranged, 2d10 on burst, 1 magazine, 34 bullets)
Authority Knife (Melee, 1d6, Armor Piercing)

>USE (Scroll of charging, scroll of ABCABABAAABA, scroll of identify)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY

METACOMMS (DISABLED)

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 2.jpg (238 KB, 2618x2686)

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>>6122796
[You review the map once again.]

. and _ = Floor
- = Iron Gate (Open)
= = Wall (Heavy Cover, Impassable, Blocks LoS)
X = Matter Conversion Tower (Uncharged) (Heavy Cover, Impassable)

@ = YOU (Henry Petri)
1 = Jumping Jack Flash (Friendly, *STUNNED)
m = Henry Petri, World Line C (Friendly)
j = Zhang Glanton (Friendly)
C = Captain Heath Serras (Friendly)

% - Corpse of Authority Chief Serras
Top M - Madmoth Psyker (Hostile, Pain Mirror - reflecting damage)

h = BOIL LANCER (Neutral, Fleeing)

Minor, but more clarifying edit.

>>6122796
>OKAY. FUCK IT. ZHANG CAN'T BE ORDERED SO IT'S TIME TO GO FUCK IT, WE'RE IN.
>TRY TO USE THE SCROLL OF ABCABABAAABA TO UNFUCK EVERYTHING
>IF POSSIBLE, TRY TO USE THE SCROLL OF IDENTIFY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUCK IT DOES
>CAPTAIN, TRY GETTING ZHANG'S ATTENTION. HE"S GOING TO KILL HIMSELF.

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>>6122791

>>6122798
+1
Zhang wants blood? Let's help him get it!

>>6122797
>Pain Mirror - reflecting damage
Wait fuck it's Tetrakarn. Uh... it'll wear off by the time we get in melee range, right?

>>6122798
The Captain moves up towards you at the gate, but there's no way for any of you to rein back Zhang's downright suicidal charge. The Psyker has her hands gently raised...

"Damn it!"

Time to step into the darkness, bravely.

No time to identify. You take out the unknown scroll and let the esoteric runes flow through your mind...
>Please roll 1d100 for FORTUNE. High is better.
>Xom snickers.

>Henry of World Line C has an unused action.

Top M - Madmoth Psyker (Hostile, Psyshield, reflecting damage)
Need to make the final distinction that she has two seperate effects on her. My apologies.

Rolled 64 (1d100)

>>6123036
rollan...

Rolled 17 (1d20)

The scroll of random uselessness does not crumble to dust.

"63." From behind your head, just on your shoulder, you hear the voice of a human female read aloud in a monotone. It kind of reminds you of the automated diagnostic systems back in the INTERSYSTEM - hopefully, all systems were nominal.

"62."

The Psyker turns her head in alarm. Even Zhang turns his head mid-stride to take a look.

"61."

But nothing else happens. You're left standing there with the talking scroll.

The Captain and the other you rush towards the gate with their weapons drawn and gather in a huddle...

TURN 3 - ENEMY PHASE

Jack gets his act together!
<P: OH YEAH, WE'RE BACK.>

"60."

"Shut up! Shut up!" The Psyker screeches and clouds of dust are kicked up from all across the arena.

[PARANOIA] The antennae of Lucille twitch in absolute agitation and you can feel the tremendous psychic potential in the air...

>FORTUNA rolls for PANIC. Roll over current STRESS to not panic.
>Lucille Petri: STRESS (15/20)
>Panic Results: PSYCHIC FALLOUT

Rolled 87 (1d100)

"59."

In an instant, you feel the malicious presence of an unbound mind brush past yours and bring its full intention to the scroll in your claws...

>SUCCESS
And just like that, the presence is gone. Lucille turns her head back to the Jian mercenary in front of her.

"58. -Phew-"

The silhouette of intent sharpens...

[PSYCHOPOMP] You have a terrible feeling, all too late, that this could be it for Zhang.
<P: MORDRED, I can't control that, but I have to agree with it and say that he's fucked.>

>FORTUNA rolls 1d100 for MAGIC RES-
>Well, they're the same save for him but...
>FORTUNA rolls 1d100 for WILLPOWER. Roll under to RESIST.
>Zhang Glanton (Base WILLPOWER: 20%)
>RESIST: MINDBLAST. Attacker: Lucille Petri. (Psychic Assault, 1d20.)

Rolled 7 (1d20)

[MOTH] In a kaleidoscopic flash, Lucille unleashes a shockwave of psychic annihilation against Zhang!

>Attack: MINDBLAST
>FORTUNA rolls 1d20 for the following target:
TINY BIRD HEAD (5/5 HP)

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 3.jpg (244 KB, 2398x2438)

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"57."

An explosion of sound and fractal light erupts forth from Zhang's head into cloud of flames! That a direct assault of the mind could work such results! Pilotless, the robotic body stumbles forward, then collapses into a heap at the feet of the enemy Psyker. The disgusting stench of cooked bird fills the air.

"56. Wow!"

>Zhang Glanton has been killed.

[ORDINATOR TRAINING] You don't panic at all, forcing yourself to maintain justice, but you still feel a sheer wave of distress at the entirely senseless death.

"55."

Henry's STRESS: 5/20 -> 7/20

TURN 3 - CREW PHASE

"54." You ask the INDRA-PHI to silence your beating pseudoheart. This is what happens when you act out of line!

[MOTH] "The situation is disincorporating." That voice! "53."

"Captain!" You look towards Heath and begin to relay the unfolding scenario. "Enemy Psyker just killed Zhang. ("52.") Psyshield is active. Unknown coloration. How should we proceed?"

"51."

[MOTH] "Psishields cannot withstand a combined assault. As long as the Psyker is active, she poses a threat no matter where we are." ("50.")

The Captain's voice goes cold as he continues: "Everyone. Get in there and open fire." Your other self nods.

"49."

The devil machine snaps his fingers and laughs.

>WHAT DO YOU WANT EACH CREW MEMBER TO DO?
>Jack, Henry-B (You), Henry-C, Captain Heath

Equipped:
"MIEDO" SMG (Ranged, 2d10 on burst, 1 magazine, 34 bullets)
Authority Knife (Melee, 1d6, Armor Piercing)

>USE (Scroll of charging, scroll of random uselessness, scroll of identify)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY

METACOMMS (TALK, BLOCK, REMOVE PATRON, ETC.)

[You pause the game just to put your hand to your face and sit there for a good moment. It certainly was not your fault, but still - what a fucking disappointment.]

. and _ = Floor
- = Iron Gate (Open)
= = Wall (Heavy Cover, Impassable, Blocks LoS)
X = Matter Conversion Tower (Uncharged) (Heavy Cover, Impassable)

@ = YOU (Henry Petri)
1 = Jumping Jack Flash (Friendly, *STUNNED)
m = Henry Petri, World Line C (Friendly)
Right % = Corpse of Zhang Glanton
C = Captain Heath Serras (Friendly)

Left % - Corpse of Authority Chief Serras
Top M - Madmoth Psyker (Hostile, Psyshield, reflecting damage)

>>6124314
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
Can cover or structures interfere with the psyker powers?
>EXAMINE
Those "Matter Conversion Towers", can they help us in any way here? Could we topple one to crush that buggy bug bitch?
>EXAMINE
Could we grab and drag both corpses behind the gate here? Maybe we can loot something from either Authority Chief Serras OR Zhang that can help us here?

I think we could try for a fake-out. Do or say something completely unexpected to the psyker moth to catch them off-guard, then all open fire? And is Jack STILL stunned?!

File: BLAME structure conversio(...).png (235 KB, 407x656)

235 KB PNG

>>6124340
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
[ORDINATOR TRAINING] [MOTH] Break line of sight. The Psyker cannot REALIZE what it cannot see.
[ORDINATOR TRAINING] [PARANOIA] But if it's a strong Psyker, then you all might as well be dead, regardless of cover.

However...

Zhang's dead, and you aren't.

[MOTH] The Psyker has not yet launched a mass summation assault and thus is "not strong." Cover can work.

>EXAMINE
[There's no response initially. You type in "EXAMINE X," then type in "EXAMINE THORNS."]

These obsidian towers...

These stones are covered with angular markings and incomprehensible runes. Vaguely, you suspect they are mechanical in nature...

[MOTH] The energy field emanating off each megalith makes the hairs of your fluff stand upright, your endochitin prickle, and your eyes hurt. Every few seconds, there's a distinct pulse of electricity (or something that feels like it) which runs throughout the entire structure and out to its entire field. It feels like some stones have a stronger energy than the others. You've never seen anything like them in the INTERSYSTEM.

<P: Hmm.>
<M: Not stunned anymore?>
<P: Nope, I'm very happy.>
<P: Looks like the examine notes aren't shared between characters. Boil's [INTERFACING] gave a little more insight about the name and charge status, while Henry's [MOTH] describes the sensation of being near one. Looks like the map agrees with Boil's description at least.>
<M: Then what's the deal with your [PSYCHOPOMP] appearing sometimes? Can you tell me about the towers?>
<P: We don't quite understand the nature of the game so far. Or maybe it's the TERMINAL who hasn't established the rules of it.>
<P: Simply put, both you and your characters are debugging this world. We learn something new every day, so they say.>
<M: So what's your answer?>
<P: Beats the HELL out of me, man.>

[MOTH] What's that robot doing to the air?

<P: It's a bad habit, pal. Sorry.>
<P: Oh.>
<P: Oh fuck me, it's noticing. MORDRED, quick, distract Henry!>

>QUERY: Could we grab and drag both corpses behind the gate here? Maybe we can loot something from either Authority Chief Serras OR Zhang that can help us here?

[SCAVENGING] If you're quick enough-
[PARANOIA] Don't think like that.
[SCAVENGING] You could still be able to get to the corpse and start looting if you move *right now.*
[PARANOIA] You would then be caught out in the open with your claws in their pockets the Psyker still slicing the threads of cognitocasuality with malice. Her fracturing the linear chains of noumena and existence definitely won't be good for your health.

[Guh?]

[SCAVENGING] His gun is very different from your Miedo, but maybe the Chief has another grenade. Zhang's... You're not sure what he *actually* has. Probably collects teeth or ears, the crazy bastard.

[PARANOIA] Why is it so damn quiet?

>WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>>6124432
>>6124582
There's TWO of Henry. One loots one corpse, the other loots the other. Captain can provide some suppressing fire to buy time. We use the thorns or the gate for cover as we do all this. Once the bodies are looted, we engage the madmoth. The two Henrys use their dual state to their advantage to distract the psyker pretending one of them has a grenade, plus talking shit and lying and being a nuisance. But the one with the REAL grenade is either Captain or Jack. Once the grenade is thrown high, we all open fire. If the moth tries to toss the grenade back at us like we did to the Authority Chief, we BLAST that grenade out of the air. The plan is to have so many attacks going that her psyker powers cannot stop them all and she WILL get hit and die from something

>>6124673
+1

File: DSF action scene 1.jpg (451 KB, 2601x2091)

451 KB JPG

>THE PLAN

[You unpause the game. Now let's see if this works...]
Synchronization is increasing...
"-8"

[MOTH] The three of you all turn to one another as the orders from up on high come in.

And at same time, you all nod:
"Grenade," you say.
"Grenade," you repeat.
"Suppressing," the Captain declares. "Go!"
"Huh. I'll just-"
"47."

[MOTH] Among all other values, it is unity that provides the foundation upon which the fulfillment of the Agenda is to be built. Nothing else will suffice. And with these orders, you begin to move as one.

Lucille shrieks as everyone storms in through the front gate.

"46." You and yourself rush for the corpses direct ahead, screaming insane gibberish all the while. ("FUCK YOUR CUNT YOU SHIT EATING-" "THROUGH MACHINIC OSCILLATIONS OF GLORY AND DESIRE-" "I HAVE THE BOMB, I HAVE THE BOMB-") There's no way to reach any sort of cover, but the Captain and the robot will follow through the plan. That is the truth!

"45." Captain Heath follows close behind you, then steps to your right and immediately unloads his entire magazine, turning the air red with murderous light! You slide right next to the corpses, and you slide right next to the corpses...

>FORTUNA rolls 1d100 for HANDGUNS.
>Captain Heath Serras (HANDGUN Skill): 75%
>ATTACK-

[PSKYER] Lucille reacts to the suppressing threat!
[MOTH] [PSKYER] In the split second, you feel the threads of the simulation being manipulated - the crackling ego of the psychic surges forward with deadly intent!

And in a single, terrifying realization, you see that every single shot of plasma hanging still in the air. "No!" "43."
In your periphery, you see the Captain seize up and fall to the floor, with all his limbs twitching and flailing at unnatural angles.
>Captain Heath is stunned! 3 TURNS!

[ORDINATOR TRAINING] You stand up from the corpse of the mercenary as if to rush over, but you cry out, "STICK TO THE PLAN!" You just need to hold on for a little longer! "42."

Henry STRESS: 7/20 -> 8/20 (PANIC Check imminent)
Henry (World Line C) STRESS: 7/20 -> 8/20 (PANIC Check imminent)

>Lucille tries a MINDBLAST!
TARGET:
1-2 Scroll of Random Uselessness
2-5 Jac-

[HELLSHOCK] "41." A horrific chorus of wails rends the air! Visions of inhuman hatred and endless torments dance in your mind's eye.

Jack hurls down damnation!
>Please stop inter-
>Hngh. Fine.

A seething ball of infernal flames flies up and above and then directly into the shimmering barrier covering the Pskyer, swallowing her entirely up in the hellish blast!

"Dead on!" "40."

>[HELLSHOCK] DAMNATION is UNDODGEABLE. Automatic hit.
>FORTUNA rolls 3d20 for the following target:
SHIELD (Lucille Petri) 30/30 HP

File: DSF_ERIS.jpg (401 KB, 1810x2272)

401 KB JPG

Rolled 18, 2, 5 = 25 (3d20)

>>6125557
>With a fierce look, ERIS strides forward, gently takes the dice, and rolls the 3d20.
>...
>Thanks?

TURN ??? - ???
>Hmm, we seem to be in-between rounds, can you also fix that?
>[MOLD BREAKER] ERIS breaks the mold.
Updating SYSTEM.COMBAT...

TURN 4

[NEMESIS] ERIS reflects part of the damage...
[HELLSHOCK] ... but Jack is entirely unscathed by DAMNATION.

"39." As the smoke clears-

[PSYCHOPOMP] "She's not dead! SHE'S NOT DEAD!" The robot shouts with an almost human anger creeping into the synthesized voice. "38." "BREAK THE FUCKING SHIELD!"

The Psyker's scintillating barrier is still up.
She looks like she's prepared for anything...
The dread aura surrounding her Psyshield is gone.


"37."

[SCAVENGING] You quickly finish looting the fallen combatants...
PICKED UP:
- [NEMESIS] 7 "FRAGCEL" grenades, Heavy Pistol "COMISARIO"
- Jian jian "GUT RIPPER"

Dark Star above, the Authority Chief must have been starving for the Captain's blood if he came here with this many explosives.

>WHAT DO YOU WANT EACH CREW MEMBER TO DO?
>Jack, Henry-B (You), Henry-C
>Captain Heath is STUNNED! 2 TURNS!

Equipped:
"MIEDO" SMG (Ranged, 2d10 on burst, 1 magazine, 34 bullets)
Authority Knife (Melee, 1d6, Armor Piercing)

>USE (Scroll of charging, scroll of random uselessness, scroll of identify)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY

METACOMMS (TALK, BLOCK, REMOVE PATRON, ETC.)

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 4.jpg (257 KB, 2119x2426)

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. and _ = Floor
- = Iron Gate (Open)
= = Wall (Heavy Cover, Impassable, Blocks LoS)
X = Matter Conversion Tower (Uncharged) (Heavy Cover, Impassable)

@ = YOU (Henry Petri) (on Corpse of Authority Chief Serras)
1 = Jumping Jack Flash (Friendly)
m = Henry Petri, World Line C (Friendly) (on corpse of Zhang Glanton)
C = Captain Heath Serras (Friendly, *STUNNED)

M - Madmoth Psyker (Hostile, Psyshield, close to PSYCHIC BREAKDOWN)

File: DSF sisters welcome.jpg (346 KB, 2490x1849)

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Gentlemen, I sincerely apologize for my lack of common sense and foresight. Tabletop-esque combat is NOT GOOD for /qst/ and the general play-by-post format. So, with this hard-earned lesson, I'll make adjustments for it to be a lot faster in the future.
Now, KILL BITCH.

>>6125573
>Give two grenades to Jack and other Henry.
>Equip 1 grenade to self.
>Throw them all at the psyker

>>6125654
+1

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>Give two grenades to Jack and other Henry.
>Equip 1 grenade to self.
>Throw them all at the psyker

"36." You throw the grenades to everyone present.

[ORDINATOR TRAINING] "Scatter! We can't let her get all of us at once," the other you says as he unlatches the safety. "36."

<P: Then just press the shiny red button, right?>

So if you die...
If at least one of these grenades hits, then that's fine!

"Go!" you shout.

>Lucille reacts!
Before anyone can move, another pulse of concentrated psychic energy sweeps over the field...

>Fortuna rolls a d10 for the TARGET:
1-2 Scroll of Random Uselessness
3-6 Jack
7-8 Henry, World Line B
9-10 Henry, World Line C

Rolled 18 (1d100)

You feel a terrible pressure surrounding the eggshell-thin walls of your mind...

>FORTUNA rolls 1d100 for WILLPOWER.
TARGET: Henry Petri (Base WILLPOWER: 45%)
RESIST: MINDBLAST. (Psychic Assault, 1d20.)
MODIFIERS: +5 RESOLVE Level
FINAL CHECK: 45%, roll under.

File: DSF G1C1 Turn 4 Movements.jpg (451 KB, 2705x2876)

451 KB JPG

>SUCCESS!
You focus inwards and think about doing your best and not failing the others, shutting out the malign influence!

You tumble to the side and arm the FRAGCEL, and its beeping is answered by another in unison, then another soon after.

Everyone throws grenades!

>Fortuna hands you a d100.
Henry Petri (AGI: 55%)
ATTACK: "FRAGCEL" grenade. (Thrown, Radius 3x3, 2d20 to EVERY body part at the epicenter tile.)
TARGET: Lucille Petri
MODIFIERS: +20% stationary target
>FINAL ROLL TO BEAT: 75%

>Fortuna hands you a d100.
Henry Petri, World Line C (AGI: 55%)
ATTACK: "FRAGCEL" grenade. (Thrown, Radius 3x3, 2d20 to EVERY body part at the epicenter tile.)
TARGET: Lucille Petri
MODIFIERS: +20% Stationary target
>FINAL ROLL TO BEAT: 75%

>Fortuna hands you a d100.
Jack(AGI: 65%)
ATTACK: "FRAGCEL" grenade. (Thrown, Radius 3x3, 2d20 to EVERY body part at the epicenter tile.)
TARGET: Lucille Petri
MODIFIERS: +20% Stationary target
>FINAL ROLL TO BEAT: 85%

Rolled 87, 8, 83 = 178 (3d100)

>>6126038

Rolled 4, 10 = 14 (2d10)

>Henry, FAILURE
Your head throbs with the exertion of resistance and sprinting. The world spins for a moment...

"34."

First D10 = angle (10 means HORRIFIC FAILURE), second D10 = distance from target.

You throw the grenade to your left, far far away from hurting anyone. That's all.

"33." Then there's a terrible explosion to the north, followed by another!

[ORDINTATOR TRAINING] You prepare another grenade.
[ORDINTATOR TRAINING] You prepare another grenade.

>Please roll 2d20 for the following target:
Lucille Petri:
SHIELD 5/30 HP

>Please roll 2d20 for the following targets:
Lucille Petri
HEAD, L. ARM, R. ARM, L. LEG, R. LEG (10/10 HP each)
TORSO (50/50 HP)

Rolled 8, 17 = 25 (2d20)

>>6126050
I'm rolling for the SHIELD HP

Rolled 3, 10, 8, 16, 14, 5, 14, 20, 20, 1, 15, 18 = 144 (12d20)

>>6126050
the rest

>>6126085
DESTROYED

File: DSF post battle.jpg (129 KB, 1688x1681)

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Lucille explodes!!!!!! (x5)

Out of nowhere, five more explosions rock the field! You stagger for a moment, then:

You very wisely retreat towards cover.
You sprint back towards the gate.

"Wo-ah!" Jack exclaims, looks at his hands, then turns to you. (The other you. Your vision or, more accurately, experience is a little mixed right now.) "Hah! What do you moths put in these things? I want that."

"32." You find yourself as befuddled as he does. Grenades aren't supposed to do that.

You call out to the others from behind the obsidian pillar. "Hey, I think it's over!"

[PSYCHOPOMP] Looking across the arena, you find nothing left of the Psyker but a slight puddle of blood and scattered shrapnel.

"It's over, buddy!" Jack chuckles. "31."

MOTH TRIUMPH (Underwater Sun by Sidewalks and Skeletons) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmd-EQotX70

"Where's the Captain?" The robot points.
"I put him back over there since he was stunned, smack dab in the middle of things. Not good if you want to keep breathing! Also, pass me that talking scroll, Henry."
You oblige. "Why?"
[PSYCHOPOMP] "30." "That's how long she's got to live. If anyone among us needs a wish from FORTUNA right now, it's probably her. Bye!"

Jack starts running towards the arches in the distance.

The Captain is stirring.

>WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>USE (Scroll of charging, scroll of identify)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY
>COMMIT SUICIDE

METACOMMS (TALK, BLOCK, REMOVE PATRON, ETC.)

<P: That turned out a lot better than I expected.>
<[PSYCHOPOMP] P: If it weren't for Henry's throw earlier, I think the entire crew would have been wiped out in that single attack.>
<[PSYCHOPOMP] P: This may come off as a little harsh, but Zhang's bullshit murder mentality led him to waste his life. Dumbasses like him only deserve death.>
<P: Thoughts, Pal?>

>>6126119
>METACOMMS
Agree with Jack. For all that RIP AND TEAR and MUH ULTRAVIOLENCE and other hyperviolent insanity is glorified, it more often than not gets the individual in question killed or makes things worse. There's a time and place for it, I guess? Even the universe can yawn at rule of cool and say no in response. The wisdom stat is often overlooked on the tabletop and elsewhere
>WRITE IN
Both Henrys do the time-honored legacy even insectoid races have adopted from humanity: the high-five. Then they both escort the stunned Captain along to the arches until the Captain recovers. Then we just head on over together
>PRAY
Silent thanks to INDRA-PHI for salvation in the critical moment
>RECOLLECT/NOTES
Boil is missing but there is no corpse. Did we notice him earlier? Perhaps he's decided to sit all this out after the Authority Chief apprehended and released him. Wherever he may be in the vicinity, hopefully he has a good view of what is to come...
>WRITE IN
Try to come down from the battle stress. You and your Captain and the other you are all still alive. Zhang died but he probably would have called that a valiant effort on his part. That robot helped save your lives, which is still amazing. Perhaps there is hope in the darkness after all!

WE'RE DOING IT
WE'RE MAKING IT TO THE END ALIVE

>>6126130
+1

File: DSF Game 1 End.jpg (277 KB, 2389x1907)

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>METACOMMS
<M: Definitely. It's on his own head.>
<M: Isn't anything like a wisdom stat?>
<P: Nope. It's all in the hands of men to be foolish or as wise as they want to be. A party of dudes and buffoons, ha ha!>
<P: Stupid birdbrain.>

>WRITE IN
>PRAY
You turn.
You turn.
You understand what needs to be done.
You understand what is required.

Up high!
Down low!

[You hear a really crispy slap as the claws connect. Hell yeah!]

You raise your arms and scream in excitement!
You scream in excitement!
You might be the first moth to ever high-five himself. Hell yeah!!!

STRESS
Henry: 8/20 -> 4/20
Henry (World Line C) -> 4/20

"Thank you," the Captain groans as you lift him to his feet.
"Are you alright, Captain?" you ask.
"Do you have brain damage?" you ask.
"I feel a little better. It was unpleasant but I yet live." He points. "Proceed."

And, well, you add in a little prayer to the hidden goddess for her guidance...

>RECOLLECT/NOTES
You look around. Apart from the new corpses, there's nothing else. You had lost track of the human earlier when the gate opened and...
>[NEMESIS] ...
Something too terrible to understand happened.

You caught a glimpse of him limping to the left side when you were fighting.

Still no sign of him right now. He might have just gone right on ahead.

And speaking of...

FORTUNA (Aphex Twin - Stone In Focus) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ET1vST_xKc

There's the robot right now. He's kneeling down in the shade of a nearby spike, tying a rope along the sides of a long narrow box.

You approach first. "Jack! How did it-"

"The rumors were all true." There's no trace of arrogance in his voice. He doesn't look at you as he couples the ropes together and tests the strength of the knot. He points to the larger stone chest further down the path. "Well go, on then. Have your wishes granted. That's what we're all here for, isn't it?"

"Then you've already gotten yours?" The Captain asks.

There's silence. A blacked out screen looks up.

[PSYCHOPOMP] "No. It wouldn't give it to me. She can't."

"I-I don't remember how long I've been waiting for a moment like this. I don't care about that. It was my fault for wanting it to be real."

You wouldn't have thought it possible for synth cords but his voice sounds lost and filled with bitterness, entirely without any hope for tomorrow.

"This is where we part ways. Goodbye Captain."

Your tour guide stands up and starts dragging the coffin, making a path through the dust and stones, marching to seemingly nowhere at all. Footprints in the silent earth.

"Nothing to be done." The Captain looks into the distance and begins to walk towards the chest.
You nod.
You nod.

You still watch him in your periphery. Jack keeps growing smaller and smaller as he walks further into the far horizon. His figure turns into nothing but a shadow, a smear of darkness under the soft gray sunlight, fading more and more with every step...

... And then he's gone.

Jack has left the crew.

File: DSF Game 1 End Screen.jpg (115 KB, 2395x938)

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Is this..?

An incredibly large chest is presented before you. It looks pristine despite how ancient its surroundings are.
Wow, that's a huge chest. Impressively so. If you curled up inside, you might just be able to fit.
The Captain just nods in approval.

>///.///

It takes the combined strength of every moth present to hoist open the stone lid...

>Your wishes are of the utmost importance here.

Captain Heath Serra
"Just a pawn in someone's game. Tell me then, how do I keep my people safe?"
>CHOOSE ONE (HOLLOW SOUL)
-Grand Grimoire, The Ars Obscura (DARKNESS)
-Blueprint, PLAN FOR A STAR DESTROYING WEAPON (GLORY)
-A little red book, "PHI-27: The Fifth Agenda" (AUTHORITY)
-WRITE IN.

Henry Petri
Henry Petri, World Line C
"Wouldn't you just love a cold beer right about now? I know I would."
"Finally!"
>A cold six-pack of beer. (MUNDANE SOUL)
>A long-overdue vacation. (MUNDANE SOUL)

Jack
"Can't you see I'm... I'm with my sister?"
>A coffin. (TORMENTED SOULCUBE)

Tally
"1. 0. Oh. Oh good. I'm not going anywhere just yet."
>A larger part in the script. (FATEFUL SOUL)

Your GLORY rises!
[*****]
+4 from [NEMESIS] Boss Triumph
+1 from Crew Member Death: Zhang Glanton

Please name the next ACT by choosing one or two of the following IMPRINTS. For example, ACT 1: GLORY and STRIFE; ACT 1: HOLLOW SILENCE; or ACT 1: SILENCE.
>HOLLOW (Greater fourth wall awareness. Active: SHADOW PUPPETRY or DOMINATE.)
>MUNDANE (No modifiers. No active ability.)
>TORMENT (Increased difficulty and frequency of demonic encounters. Active: MASS DAMNATION or CHAINS OF TORMENT.)
>FATE (Receive hints towards that improbable future. Active: SEAL FATE.)

>BLANK (Greater divine interest. No active ability.)

>SILENCE (Less encounters, less spellcasters. No active ability.)
>STRIFE (Vastly increased difficulty. No active ability.)
>GLORY and STRIFE (Increased GLORY and FATE gain, vastly increased difficulty. No active ability.)

>WRITE IN? (WIP: Risk of crashes and save corruption. Less so when the imprint is relevant to the previous game. I'll work out the kinks later. -P)

>>6127471
>-Grand Grimoire, The Ars Obscura (DARKNESS)
Fits the heartfelt ambition
>A long-overdue vacation. (MUNDANE SOUL)
Relax bro
>A coffin. (TORMENTED SOULCUBE)
"No repose awaits us." - Erlking Heathcliff
>A larger part in the script. (FATEFUL SOUL)
Who the fuck is "Tally"?
>BLANK
>SILENCE

File: DSF '' eyes.png (28 KB, 193x202)

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Writing. Vote now or forever hold your peace.
>>6127515
>Who the fuck is "Tally"?
[Tally, Tally. Tally. Counting numbers. Wait, that's the gucking talking scroll.]

[Huh.]

>>6127515
+1

File: The High Crusade Poul Anderson.png (643 KB, 473x697)

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>Ok then.
>Just give us a little time to change the set.
>See you tomorrow.
>Please click to exit to the main menu.
[You click.]

GAME 1 COMPLETE

[A loading screen shows. The computer fan starts up to a pretty good pace.]

I will command a great and terrible army, and we will sail to a billion worlds.
Onwards, then! To death and damnation among the stars!
~ The High Crusade, Declarations of the WITCH-TYRANT ~

GOOD! IT WAS MAN WHO WAS CREATED IN GOD'S IMAGE. WE ALONE SHALL INHERIT THE STARS.
~ Proclamation of ASTRUM DEUS, First Yil ~

File: DISFORTUNA menu.png (124 KB, 993x769)

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[There are several new options here. You almost select one, but you can't help but to rub your face and yawn.

Huh. "Tomorrow?"

You check your clock and feel the despair in your heart as you see that it's already one minute to midnite.

You grumble, suddenly feeling the dust of Noc upon your eyelids. Ah, the irresistible power of human weakness. You drink some more water, turn off your computer, crawl into bed, and sleep a dreamless sleep.]

File: DSF MYSTERY NIGGAS alt.png (34 KB, 1024x520)

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[You boot up DISFORTUNA.]

TITLE: (Sonny Music - Nocturne) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8yhBWig-Ck

[You take a moment to smell the flowers. The classic sound is soothing and appealing to your sense of esthetic. Quite fitting for the title image, even if the game itself is somewhat silly.

Mousing over some of the bizarre words on the menu seems to translate them into more explicit options.]

>NEW GAME

>KRITA (RACE/CULTURE/PATRON/GOD CREATOR)
>PATRONS
>NEMESIS (BESTIARY)
>PSYCHOPOMP (GRAVEYARD)
>SETTINGS

[You click your mouse idly. It looks like you have quite a few options for how to-

Two alerts appear on the top right, as if in response to your input. A rapidly shifting face on one and a bleeding eye on the other.
You click on the eye first.

Your computer speakers whine to life! (But you turned them down from earlier.) There's a sharp echoing scream followed by a series of horrific meat grinding noises, like the sounds of a machine for pigs. It's mildly concerning.]

>SAFEGUARD V1 is available as a Patron.

[You click on the face, now smiling.]

COME! JOIN ME, PLAYER, AND I SHALL GRANT YOU THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!
>XOM is willing to play God.
>XOM is offering his Patronage out of the generosity of his heart.

[And that's that.
Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.
Well, BESTIARY and GRAVEYARD would be rather straightforward - you don't care about dead things. How do you want to proceed?]
>NEW GAME, LET'S GO!
>WASN'T THE FUNNY ROBOT MAN ONE OF THESE? (Patrons.)
>YOU HAVE A FEW IDEAS COOKING IN THE WELL-STOCKED KITCHENS OF YOUR MIND. (Krita Creator.)
>WAIT, YOUR BUDDY MIGHT BE ONLINE AT THIS TIME. HE GAVE YOU THE GAME. (DM him!)
>WRITE IN.

>>6128260
>>WAIT, YOUR BUDDY MIGHT BE ONLINE AT THIS TIME. HE GAVE YOU THE GAME. (DM him!)
Let's not rush ourselves.

>>6128260
>WAIT, YOUR BUDDY MIGHT BE ONLINE AT THIS TIME. HE GAVE YOU THE GAME. (DM him!)

[You tab out, boot up the HERMES messaging system, and find your friend's contact...]
>BUG SOUP! (AKA Wayne AKA Chudde of Bugge AKA BUGMEAT)
>Vermis (AKA The W.O.R.M)
>Meep
>R.A.P.E M.A.C.H.I.N.E
>Jack
>WHO THE HELL ARE THESE OTHER MOTHERGUCKERS? YOUR FRIEND'S NAME IS... (WRITE IN)

[And you know him as...]
>A REALLY COOL GUY. ("Wazzup?")
>JUST A COWORKER, REALLY. ("Hey, you got a moment?")
>A BIT OF A FUCKING ASSHOLE. ("YOU.")
>WRITE IN.

Extremely minor, but I want to draw a portrait.

>>6128302
>BUG SOUP
>AN OBLIGATION TO TALK TO. ("ATTENTION.")

>>6128302
>BUG SOUP! (AKA Wayne AKA Chudde of Bugge AKA BUGMEAT)
>A BIT OF A FUCKING ASSHOLE. ("YOU.")

>>6128315
+1

File: DSF WAYNE.jpg (175 KB, 1628x2170)

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>BUG SOUP!
>OBLIGATION.

You let out a heavy sigh.

Wayne.

(Hylics OST - Sentimental Guitar) https://youtu.be/M4UjFJmAAmM

Wayne is your friend, and you might as well be his only friend what with him being out of town so often and for so long. His line of work is endless, unenviable, and always far away. It's not very surprising that you don't feel any sense of friendship towards him anymore. The fire is gone. Perhaps the only reason why you're still talking to him is out of a lingering nostalgia and attachment to that glorious past.

It's hard to let go of that.

In any case, Wayne did give you this game of DISFORTUNA. He messaged you a few days earlier, actually, asking you to tell him how it went afterwards.

So now you'll answer.

Malory: ATTENTION.
Malory: i beat the tutorial
Malory: mission success

He's online according to his status, but you don't know when he'll answer.
A few minutes pass...

BUGSOUP: Morded, my man!
BUGSOUP: How are you and Merri, my friend?
Malory: fine
BUGSOUP: Ha ha!
BUGSOUP: Surely you could spare a few more syllables?

No.

If you were Frank, you'd rather be playing more DISFORTUNA than talk.

You don't have too many words to fill the air with about yourself or your maid. Time has passed since Wayne was last in town but not much has happened. Well, you *did* yell at Merrick yesterday. But that's really not what you should mention to a guy like Wayne. To anyone actually. (Although you apologized to her... yeah, this should be fine.)

You just sit there for a minute. Maybe he'll go away.

BUGSOUP: Mordred? Are you there?

He isn't.

Hmmm.

>YOU FEEL A VERY BIG WAVE OF "I DON'T CARE" CRASHING OVER YOU. (Exit HERMES. Go to which part of the game?)
>WRITE IN..?

>>6128802
>WRITE IN..?
>"Yeah, I'm here. Things are fine, really. Merri...eh, you know how it is. I think she's doing well."
>"Question: Where did you get this? It's a really fucking weird game."
>"Not saying that's a bad thing."
>Even if we don't really care about him anymore, we can at least still ask him this much and we can put on an air of cordialness.

>>6128918
+1

File: merry band.jpg (52 KB, 450x592)

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Malory: i'm here
Malory: things are fine
Malory: you know how it is with Merri
Malory: she's doing well
BUGSOUP: Excellent!
BUGSOUP: Yea, what else would I expect from you, Mordred? I hold nothing but the fullest of trusts with her by your solemn side.

You really wish you had a glass of water right now. Merrick is doing fine, but that sounds a lot paler compared to his description.
Quickly, you change the subject.

Malory: question: where did you get DISFORTUNA? it's a really fucking weird game
Malory: not saying that's a bad thing
BUGSOUP: Hmmm.
BUGSOUP: Yea, 'twas a strange procurement.
BUGSOUP: Lo! If you so please, let me tell my latest adventure in fullness for your hungry ears. A story from my time in the places beyond, where silent tales must endlessly remember the brave feats; sure you must be starving to hear.
Malory: 20 words or less
BUGSOUP: Urghk!
Malory: 19
BUGSOUP: As you like it.
BUGSOUP: So sour...
Malory: 13

There's a pause.
Wayne must be thinking deeply about this little challenge.

BUGSOUP: My venture took me to
BUGSOUP: A secret laboratory!
BUGSOUP: In the ruins of empire!
BUGSOUP: And my strong arm rose against the countless foul and shameful foes, who dwelt in those high and wyrd places hiding from mine revanchist ire
Malory: so it was work got it
BUGSOUP: *heavy sigh*

If you let him, Wayne would gladly talk your head off about some raunchy story about "maidens in far away lands" and "the slaying of mighty beasties." It'd be wise to just cut him off now before he utters another word into his HERMES.

BUGSOUP: Listen Mordred, soon I will return home, sooner than soon! Within the week!
BUGSOUP: I will entreat you my stay at your palace for only a little while.
BUGSOUP: If you find the time, of course.
BUGSOUP: In all truth, the cooperative mode of DISFORTUNA is something I've been ‘itching’ to try out.
BUGSOUP: Yes! You and I, Mordred! Fighting brave against the evils of the world like we did in Halo 2! In the old times!
BUGSOUP: Ha ha ha!

Zamn it all, he'll probably crash at your place for his entire visit just like the last time.
Merrick loves the guy, she really does, but you dread trying to hang out with him.

More than just being unable to relate to his lifestyle...
>YOU'VE GROWN TO DISLIKE THE BOORISH MILITARY TYPE.
>HE *PERSONALLY* OFFENDED YOU, AND YOU REALLY CAN'T GET OVER IT.
>YOU OWE HIM FOR A LOT MORE THINGS THAN YOU'RE COMFORTABLE ADMITTING.
>YOU'RE AN AUTISTIC ASSHOLE, MORDRED. THAT'S IT.
>WRITE IN. (SPECIFY SOMETHING?)

You write...
>"LEMME TALK TO MERRICK ABOUT IT." BUY YOURSELF SOME TIME.
>"NO."
>"NO, FUCK OFF. YOU CAN CRASH ON THE MOON IF YOU WANT."

>WRITE IN.
>GO TO THE GAME. (Which part?)

>>6129297
>YOU'RE AN AUTISTIC ASSHOLE, MORDRED. THAT'S IT
>"LEMME TALK TO MERRICK ABOUT IT." BUY YOURSELF SOME TIME.

>>6129301
+1
also weird how there's Merrick singular but our protag Mordred has like 3 different Merricks as maids?

File: DSF MORDRED at his computer.jpg (626 KB, 2651x2433)

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Malory: lemme talk to merrick about it
Malory: ill let you know later
Malory: see ya wayne
BUGSOUP: *pleased humming*
BUGSOUP: Farewell, Mordred, my grand friend! Until then!
BUGSOUP: And be sure to inform mine little sister of mine arrival!
BUGSOUP: *click*

Wayne hangs up.

You close HERMES.

Man.

Something about that interaction makes you feel really tired, like you don't want anyone to come into your room ever again.

Augh, and you've made the terrible mistake of having to follow up with Merrick about his request for a visit...

You'll do that *later.*

File: DSF SAFEGUARD V1 by @mule(...).png (12 KB, 641x799)

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[You boot up DISFORTUNA.]

>NEW GAME

>KRITA (RACE/CULTURE/PATRON/GOD CREATOR)
>PATRONS
>NEMESIS (BESTIARY)
>PSYCHOPOMP (GRAVEYARD)
>SETTINGS

[You mull your options for a second then gravitate towards the Patron list. After all, there was an alert and you tend to click on those a lot.

It seems like Jack's here along with the two newcomers.]

PSYCHOPOMP V1
ORIGIN: Mundane/Demonic
OCCUPATION: TUTORIAL GUY, Tour Guide
ENGINE: "SIN EATER" Phantofusion Engine
POWERS:
[PSYCHOPOMP] Passive. Informs the Player about enemy instant death moves, and the cause of death of examined corpses. It'll be pretty obvious... except when it ain't. I hate that.
[BACKUP PLAN] Active - 1 FATE. Gives a crewmember one small generic object (ie. the size of your palm) of your choosing. Looking for this ration?
[PYROMANCY] Active - 1 FATE, 2 FATE on opponent. Instantly ignite any object or enemy currently on screen. Ignited enemies cannot take any other action except try to extinguish themselves, wasting their movement action. Burn.
[???] Swap the position of any two crew members instantly. ...

The one and only. -P

SAFEGUARD V1
ORIGIN: Demonic
OCCUPATION: Policewoman? Defective? Detective?
ENGINE: Hematic Core MK. ???
POWERS:
[AUTHORITY] OFFICER. Passive. The Captain gains +20% on Authority checks as well as easier morale checks for subordinates.
[MOTORICS] ARRIVING. Passive. Gain +20% on ANY roll during the pursuit of a target.
[ESPIRIT DE CORPS] ON THE SCENE. Passive, Run Mutation. Guarantees an authority figure in every area. (This is not always a good thing.)

[???] No justice is found without blood.
[???] A warden craving a jail.
[???] They. Must. Be. Punished.

"Defund cities, pay Me instead.
I will assure You, No letter of the laws or Morals will hinder Me from keeping You safe."
- SAFEGUARD V1

I had to beat her half to death when she tried to "arrest" me for "trespassing" into my own home. Hey, that was self defense, lady. -P

><0|V|
ORIGIN: From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.
OCCUPATION: CHAOS COUNT
ENGINE: DISFORTUNA
POWERS:
[CHAOS] Hotdog water.
[MAGNANIMITY] ><0|V|'s generous nature manifests itself. This Patron does not take up a slot and can be taken freely.


[There's a few options on the side as well.]

CURRENT GLORY: [*****]
PATRON SLOTS: 0/1
>BUY ADDITIONAL PATRON SLOT: [*] GLORY

>THE GREEN ROOM. WIP: Map for testing Patron interactions under normal game conditions. Unrestricted slots. Working on tools. -P

[Hmmm. Hmmm. You find that you can click on all three available Patrons for the Green Room mode...]

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
>WE BALL. TAKE THEM ALL, THEN ENTER THE GREEN ROOM.
>GO BACK TO THE MAIN MENU AND CHOOSE ANOTHER OPTION. (WRITE IN.)
>WRITE IN.

>>6129948
>WE BALL. TAKE THEM ALL, THEN ENTER THE GREEN ROOM.
That weird <0|V| guy interests me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGyu9EJbmE

>>6129958
+1

File: DSF First Green Room.jpg (430 KB, 2284x3063)

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>WELCOME TO THE GHOST HOUSE

PATRON TEST/dsf_green_room (killer7 - Multiple Personality) https://youtu.be/CDIXs4KOl_4

Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...

Bored.

"So..." Patty speaks up after a few more minutes had passed in unbearable silence. (An eternity in robot time.) "Your invisible friend's name is..."

"*Patty.*" Jack starts from his moment of peaceful reflection.

"But that's my name," she says plaintively.

The PSYCHOPOMP emits an utterly exasperated beep. Something about this in-between place, this little space carved into the NOTHINGNESS, makes him feel even more disoriented than after traveling between NOWHERE and the world above.

The headache he has is made all the more worse from having been forced by the TERMINAL to drag this "totally normal cop" around after her... recruitment.

"My friend's name is MORDRED." Jack chooses his words carefully. "He can hear and see everything we can. He is very much real and definitely not a ghost."

[PSYCHOPOMP] "And I know my ghosts. If there's anyone else who knows about ghosts better than I do, I sure as HELL haven't met him."

"So where is he??? We shouldn't just be forced out here on a false alarm!" Patty gnashes in mounting frustration. Her head starts twitching once again, scanning the stark and empty horizon as if someone new might just show up at that very moment.

[You hear a faint clicking as she brings her jaws together. You actually see a little man in the background when you squint.

How come they don't see him?]

"Patty, I'll be honest. I don't know where MORDRED is but the TERMINAL SYSTEM sent out the order to report here, so he's definitely on his way down."

Patty lets out a low sound halfway between a sigh and growl. "Right, right."

"Yeah."

"So while we're still waiting." She leans down right next to Jack's face. "You really need to know that assaulting an officer is a violent felony."

File: DSF GR Confront.jpg (219 KB, 2156x1802)

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The tour guide swivels his head to glare at the mannequin directly. Even after seeing those same teeth crack open bones, he just isn't intimidated in the slightest.

"Miss, we're on the same team now, so you can stuff it with the cop talk. And if you were a cop-"

"I am a cop." Half-indignant, she taps a metal claw on her visor.

"Then you would know that you need a warrant before entering someone's house." A pause. "My house."

"You gave consent. Which means it's entirely within my jurisdiction to enter the property!"

"Listen, lady, just because I left my fucking door open doesn't mean I let you in on purpose."

"It was a clear cut plain view case-"
"No."
"- the evidence was -"
"I don't have drugs in my house."
"- right THERE, so I went inside to secure it!"
"There's no law or order in the fucking NOWHERE, and there are no rules against owning heavy machinery!"

Patty is breathing very heavily. Her core seems to be shining a peculiar shade of red.

Jack looks at her directly, feeling the little flame of consternation burning him up inside, and states, in a dead serious voice, "You will never be a real cop."

>SAFEGUARD equips +0 claw hammer "TYRANNY."
[AUTHORITY] "Hnghgghh." Safeguard is smiling wide.

Jack doesn't say a word at first.

[HELLSHOCK] His suit bursts into purplish hellish flames, wreathing his entire body in DAMN-

File: DSF he stole the fucking (...).jpg (189 KB, 1830x1806)

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And then the sky opened up and letters came down.

*KERCRASH*

The entirety of the vast empty plane shakes with the tremendous impact!

"BWUHUH?" Patty jolts upright and raises her hammer for a swing.
Jack raises his fists to screen level and gets ready.

File: DSF ENTER XOM.jpg (158 KB, 1624x2580)

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XOM enters.

XOM:
Nothing beats coming back home. Back home, nothing beats nothing. Nothing comes from nothing. Home, aah~ home! [XOM chortles avuncularly.]

"What the fuck," Jack mutters.

XOM:
[Wagging his finger.] Language, my malnourished nephew!
Can you not see that our most esteemed PLAYER is in our presence? [He clicks his tongue once.]
It would not be acceptable for his puppets to be fighting like dogs or Mongolians before this Act has truly begun.
[Clapping with each word.] Thus! Order! Order! ORDER!

Jack and Patty stare at fox-headed man in increasing befuddlement and mild terror.

XOM [aside]
[A GODCHAT menu opens up.]
<With that said, how about a refreshing change of pace?>

XOM'S THEME? (7th Stand User OST - The Player) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLF7MeDVINw

"Yes, sir!" Patty salutes vigorously. "ORDER! ORDER!"

"Wait, MORDRED, you've been here?" Jack looks shocked at the sight of the SYSTEM interface. [He turns directly to face your screen.]

XOM: [Beckoning the PLAYER, ignoring everyone else.]
I'm not flipping you off.
C'mere kiddo...
Together we will do things that will stagger (You).
Now, before we return to our honest and- [Needless pause.]
- rewarding labours, back in the real world, the game world of DISFORTUNA...
I'd like to know if you might have a few choice words for your little dolls before you depart.
And vice versa.
Go on. Talk to the mortal, my children!

The PSYCHOPOMP puts his hand to his head, feeling quite overwhelmed. He has never seen this man in his entire life. <Such a shame, really. I'm sure we'd get along like peas and carrots if I were there earlier.>

Jack lets out a long synthesized sigh. He can do nothing else. After another moment, he regains composure and starts smiling again. "Hey Pal, long time no see. It's been a quiet year since I last saw you at the end of the first game. I gotta say, things have progressed somewhat, but not much has changed."

"Speech! Speech! Speech!" Patty claps her hands together. She looks around for a moment, then stares at the same spot where Jack and XOM are talking to.

[Man, this game is REALLY fucking weird.]

>WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>USE (NaN)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY

>EXIT THE GREEN ROOM.

>WRITE IN.

File: DSF XOM beckons.jpg (66 KB, 853x1480)

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1. The ass shot is now totally nonsensical because I drew panel 2 before panel 1.
2. I need a new tripcode.
>WRITE IN.

>>6130653
>TO JACK: "A year? Damn, time dilation must be weird in this game, huh?"
>TO SAFEGUARD: "Aren't cops supposed to use guns? Why do you only have a hammer?" + "How many criminals have you arrested? I wanna know how good you are."
>TO XOM: "So, are you supposed to be <0|V| or are they something else completely? I definitely didn't recall seeing an XOM on the list."

>>6130662
+1 but I have this too
>TO JACK: It's been about a day in real time out here, maybe a bit less. I'm glad to see you again, as much as anybody could be glad to see a fictional character they like make another appearance.
>TO SAFEGUARD: Are you versed in only police law and procedure, or do you dabble in other fields of law and procedure?
>EXAMINE: Patty's "form" and "structure" and "poise" :^)
>TO XOM: What is your opinion on magic?
>SWITCH CHARACTER: XOM (I want to see what this does)

>>6130655
I refuse to write-in one. Do yourself a favor and use a password generator online, set to 12 characters, and use whatever it gives you without posting it here like a retard, you retard

>>6130681
;_;
Was the losing the name meta joke amusing at least?

File: donsancho.jpg (30 KB, 225x365)

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>>6130756
Meta joke? Surely not.
Your stolen name has been rightfully reobtained by XOM, our GOLHAGIB FSTG@T!!!

>>6130756
Yes
Get your trip back soon
Get well soon

File: DSF PSYCHOPOMP.jpg (1.09 MB, 1681x2936)

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>TO JACK: "A year? Damn, time dilation must be weird in this game, huh?"
>TO JACK: It's been about a day in real time out here, maybe a bit less. I'm glad to see you again, as much as anybody could be glad to see a fictional character they like make another appearance.

"It's good to see you too, Pal," Jack says to the interface. "You know, it's still a little funny seeing myself within a game. It's hard to believe it at times."

[HELLSHOCK] "Sometimes it sounds too good to be true."

He lets out a canned chuckle a little too quickly. "'Fictional,' huh? Now do I have a starring role or just a one-bit cameo?" More laughter.

XOM: (heckling) Get on with it already.

"As for the time dilation," Jack explains without missing a beat. "The game engine of DISFORTUNA requires some downtime to process and present the consequences of each Fortuna wish. As the TERMINAL says, 'different choices lead to different results.'"

"Seems like your rig is strong enough to handle all that simulation." He lets out an almost patronizing ping. "Just imagine having to wait an entire year in real time to play the next game!"

"'Yil.' They call them Yils, Pompy," Patty chimes in helpfully.

"Don't call me that," Jack snaps at her. She winces. "Please. And it's Jack, just Jack."
"sorry"
"Mmm, sure, fine. One yil later."

He does the robot thing of remaining entirely motionless for a few seconds.

[PSYCHOPOMP] "Well, just for your information, Pal, I'll go over what I've learned while I was wandering down here."

"First, there have been a lot less newcomers to the NOWHERE over the last yil. A lot less deaths are happening, in other words. This may seem good, but this also means that the souls of the damned are leaving far faster than they're arriving. Even if I can close up the breaches, I can't move along with these souls when they're conjured up, so the culprits are hidden to me.

Second, it feels like there's more Psydonite Impures are being sent down here lately. Magic Users one and all, but most of them are of an utterly degenerate mutant bloodline. I haven't seen any strong souls like those of the Witch-Kings, so the 'silence' of the current Act means that everyone isn't keen on making waves.

Third, as you see, I met Patty in the middle of Nowhere."

"He killed me!" The cop(?) says with a little too much enthusiasm. "Now we're coworkers!"

Jack raises a finger, as if to explain or to tutorialize, but completely gives up and makes a vague gesture instead. "You know what, yeah. I *almost* killed you and then I hired you as a Patron. And stop smiling about it, it's seriously creepy."

>XOM yawns conspicuously.

File: DSF SAFEGUARD.jpg (234 KB, 1992x2684)

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Rolled 60 (1d100)

>TO SAFEGUARD: "Aren't cops supposed to use guns? Why do you only have a hammer?" + "How many criminals have you arrested? I wanna know how good you are."
>TO SAFEGUARD: Are you versed in only police law and procedure, or do you dabble in other fields of law and procedure?

The cop(?) immediately clutches her helmet, the metal screeching as she claws at it, and lets loose a reflexive shriek, before just as quickly returning to her previous posture.

SAFEGUARD TALKING (Maintenance OST - Secure Area) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HFreXlJ2c4

"HNghghGHNgh!!!! Hello MORDRED! Hi hi hi!" Patty waves wildly at the interface before twitching quietly to herself. "How're you doing?"

[You type in, "Fine."]

"Okay! Now, are you doing well physically? Mentally?? Have you thought about EATING BLOOD lately???"

"I'm sure the MORDRED doesn't need a welfare check, Patty," Jack gently says after a moment. "Just try to answer his questions as best as you can, okay?"

"Um. OK. It's because I like hammers. My hammer is my friend, she helps me relax. :)" She holds the head up to her cheek, cradling it with as much maternity that a 10 foot tall death machine can muster. Patty's entire body starts jittering with excitement. "But! You just said! You wanna, you wanna see my gun right?"

XOM: [suddenly approaching from behind Jack, curiously]
She has a gun?

"She has a gun," Jack confirms. "Please don't bring that out, Patty."

He looks at XOM, then at the distant letters, then at XOM again. "And how did you get here so-"

"I have a gun!" Patty repeats.

[With a grin, you type in, "Can I see it?"]

[AUTHORITY] "'All officers are required to carry her standard issue service pistol during regular patrols.'"

At that, Patty sticks a finger into her throat and starts audibly gagging.

>XOM double takes.

[You're really glad you told the staff not to come into the room today.]

"Damn it MORDRED, don't encourage her!" Jack's screen shows a well-worn expression of pain and vexation. There's no surprise at all to the events unfolding before him. "Fuck, I told her to get a holster or at least wear some pants but no, this is just how things are-"

[HEMATIC CORE] With a spew of bright red arterial blood, Patty retrieves a glistening pistol straight from her core and starts brandishing it recklessly. "Ta-da!"

XOM: [in mortal terror]
Hit the fucking deck! FEMALE COP WITH A GUN!

Jack immediately grabs XOM and goes to ground, dragging the old guy behind the couch. "Watch where you're pointing that, lady!"

"Ah, ah, sorry! But, see, the safety is on-"

>FORTUNA rolls-
>XOM lets out a muffled snicker.
>XOM rolls a CHAOS DIE.

*POW!*

And out of the barrel pops a flag with a "BANG!" written on it.

>XOM is smirking like a schoolboy.

Patty waves around the pistol and inspects it right up the barrel. "Huh! See? Perfectly safe!"

Jack strides up to her and snatches the pistol out of her claws. "Don't do that again, Patty, even if MORDRED asks nicely," he reprimands. He pockets the pistol and walks over to XOM on the ground.

"I don't know what you did either," he says as he picks the old man up. "But this goes for you-"

XOM: [with fingers crossed behind his back]
Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuure, sure.
Now would you kindly answer the PLAYER's last question, Miss Safeguard?

[AUTHORITY] "I know the laws of this world as true as the BLOOD that rushes under my skin. This place is the creation of Psydon! He has given this place no binding Laws or Governments, nor any Enforcers, but the GAME RULES are still intact here. I can't tell you Much More about Law and Order while we're inside *here.*"

"TYRANNY! AND! HONOR!" She adds.

[PSYCHOPOMP] "The Psydon she's talking about is the author of DISFORTUNA mod and the creator of this map," Jack adds on. "The other Psydon, the !!GREAT PSYDON!! pretty much every human being follows nowadays, hates us and wants us dead. So it looks really weird when you say stuff like that last bit, Patty."

Patty stops twitching so much, but the smile doesn't leave.

[AUTHORITY] "Well, I know that," she says coyly.

XOM: [kindly]
And how many arrests have you ever in totality Miss?

"HMMMmmmM." In a quiet voice, she says, "I only just completed my training at the academy, Mister."

XOM: [smacking his face]
A rookie then!
Good for nothing but sex appeal!

A long long pause.

File: DSF LEGS.jpg (28 KB, 508x1076)

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>EXAMINE: Patty's "form" and "structure" and "poise" :^)
>You EXAMINE Patty

>XOM EXAMINES Patty

"..."
>Jack EXAMINES Patty

dsf_green_room(EXAMINE.SUPERIOR::(PAT_SAFEGUARD);)

(1) SAFEGUARD V1
A horribly powerful and swift Mannequin frame wearing a stupid helmet.

Class: Demon
Tags: Demon/Metallic/Blood/Chaos/Law
Size: Large
Int: Human

Body Parts:
Frame: ~130/130 HP, AC: 10
HEMATIC CORE: 65/65 HP, AC: 0

Melee Combat: 50%
Unarmed Combat (Claws): 60%
Dodge: 50%

MR: ****.
WP: .....
rF: *..
rC: **.
rElec: **.
rPois: +
rNeg: ∞
rCorr: ...
rSlash: +
rBlunt: +
rPiece: .

It covers ground at a monstrously fast speed (6 tiles).
It attacks at a fast speed (2 attacks).

It drains health from the living with melee attacks.
It becomes enraged after gorging upon blood.
After the Core is broken, *%(!)

It is immune to torment.
It can see invisible.
It can open doors.

[INFORMATION: Huh, the Green Room is showing more information.
I'll be quick with it, most are pretty self-explanatory.
AC is a flat subtraction to all incoming damage. HP is pretty self-explanatory.
MR is Magic Resistance. WP is Willpower.
rF and rC are Fire and Cold resistances. There's also poison, electricity, negative energy, corrosion, and physical damage types.
Most high ranking demons or netspawn like her are immune to torment type spells.

[PSYCHOPOMP] She has the statline of a much more powerful Mannequin frame, huh.]

"Nhghghg, you can all stop staring now!"

File: DSF XOM the One and Only.jpg (125 KB, 976x2424)

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>TO XOM: "So, are you supposed to be <0|V| or are they something else completely? I definitely didn't recall seeing an XOM on the list."

XOM:
<0|V|... [Clicks his tongue] Ah, <0|V|, that old stallion has arrived. Step on the snake's head, horsie; and you know how much he kicks, HOWAH! [getting revved up] Cold water eel! Gormless fuck! That rat shit coward scum of the earth! How about I break your fuckin jaw with a tire iron you fuckin cocked up chopped up fuck. LEVEL 3 CROOK WHO DARES SHOW HIS FACE, I WIPE MY ASS WITH YOU, YOU COCKSUCKING TERRORIST MOTHERFUCKER! YOU-!

"What're you talking about, old man?" Jack interjects.

XOM: [completely deflated]
Toady, you've completely ruined the moment. [to the interface] Have you ever heard of L33tspeak, MORDRED? It really is the sign of the times that you too are unfamiliar with such basic parlance. Oh, how far has the public education fallen! How wretched! How horrid!

>TO XOM: What is your opinion on magic?

XOM:
Magic... Hee, hee, hee !! But what fun is destruction if no precious lives are lost! Though I may enjoy my small pleasures... What a pity that I am busy and can’t cackle away the time with them. [whispering] Did you know that 80% of women view magic tricks as an unattractive hobby in men? All this tells me is that women are boring. I dislike boring things.

>SWITCH CHARACTER: XOM (I want to see what this does)

[You're immediately flashbanged by your desktop wallpaper. The game crashed.

Oh guck, dude.

An error message pops up.]

Just Kidding!

Now don't do that again. :)

>OKAY

[You chuckle and press to agree.

You're right back where you left off in the Green Room.]

Jack and Patty are roiling on the floor, with the latter groaning her head off.

"Aw, get up, You big jerk." Recovering first, Patty flips over and starts shaking Jack. He has his arms and legs spread out like a rag doll suddenly eviscerated of stuffing. She shakes him again. "Get up!"

"no thanks" he says.

>XOM snickers.

XOM: [aside]
<But this diversion may warm my heart for only a little while.
I have played out my comedy. I amused you but not myself.
This strifeless and loveless doll-world
is but the backstage for
the only game in town.

Thus, tarry no longer, PLAYER.
Go forth! Lights on!
Open the curtains on this new Act!

[chuckling] And I do hope
you find some kind of life
that will meet my taste.>

>WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>USE (NaN)
>EXAMINE
>TALK
>SWITCH CHARACTER
>PRAY

>EXIT THE GREEN ROOM.

>WRITE IN.

File: DSF idiot reaction.jpg (361 KB, 2440x2000)

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Sorry about the delay. I worked out and fell asleep immediately yesterday.

Also,
>>6132146
>EXIT THE GREEN ROOM. (Go to KRITA or NEW GAME?)
>WRITE IN.

>>6132146
>TALK: "Nice legs, Patty."
>Immediately quit to NEW GAME after saying that.

>>6132148
+1 let's get rolling

File: DSF 10 foot tall murdercop.png (299 KB, 285x853)

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>TALK: "Nice legs, Patty."

"Thanks MORDRED, I grew them Myself!" Patty gives a thumbs-up.

[And one more for the road.]
>You EXAMINE Patty's legs.

[The screen zooms in for a better look.]
"... Biosynthetic muscles are composed of black, rubbery fibers complete with a complex vasculature system [...] As with most demons or constructs of demonic origin, it very closely resembles the human form in anatomy and morphology [...] The quality of female Mannequin legs are an important factor in attracting the most desirable mates..."

LEG STATUS: OK.

[Nice.]

Something is breathing extremely heavily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r03WHJPNEC4

[AUTHORITY] "Knowingly and intentionally harassing a police officer is a felony, an obstruction of Justice. Prepare for the rightful punishment, Sinner."

"Woah, woah, woah." Jack steps forward as the SAFEGUARD raises her hammer towards the interface screen-

>Immediately quit to NEW GAME after saying that.

[Fuck that noise. No one could remain unaffected after hearing *that.* You close out the Green Room and get back to work.]

Meant to post this fullbody for the first EXAMINE, but it's fine. Switch the two mentally.

GAMEMODES:

STANDARD
Gather your crew. Fuel the engines. Set out into the endless REACH and seek out legendary FORTUNA. Go forth in Glory and Strife!

DUNGEON
Delve deep into the perilous and roguish dungeons of PSYDONIA to gain your heart's desire. O Adventurer! O FORTUNA!
Tags: LONE_START

RIFT WALKER
Forged by the hands of !!GREAT PSYDON!! himself, the Chains of Worlds remain unbroken in the chaos of the BUGCHUD. Only the most daring souls are willing to brave whatever horrors may meet them on the other side of the portal... To Death and Damnation Among the Stars!
Tags: CHALLENGE, GAUNTLET

SPECIAL SCENARIOS:

THE DESOLATION OF SALT
You awaken to dust and damnation. There's a signal out there in the barren wastes. It isn't strong, but you have its vector. You need to get off of this rock...
Location: Crash Site, WS-26 "WHITE SANDS"; Ancient Cryopod, WS-26 "WHITE SANDS"
Destination: Unknown Signal
Patron Limit: 0 Slots
Racial Restriction: Human, Robot
Tags: CHALLENGE, LONE_START, STRANDED

ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE APOCALYPSE
4 Mooks. 1 Package. 1 Helluva Trip.
The world of Psydonia is a dangerous place, and you’re here to make it just a bit more dangerous yourself.
Location: Old Psydonia
Destination: Station 429
Patron Limit: 1 Slot
Racial Restrictions: Humen and Phenotypes, Psydonite Impure, Felid
Tags: CHALLENGE, GROUNDBOUND

>WRITE IN.

File: c32a05964a377757356a484b0(...).gif (5.09 MB, 400x320)

5.09 MB GIF

>>6132390
>ROAD TRIP THROUGH THE APOCALYPSE
We Death Road to Canada now!

>>6132400
+1

>>6132400
+1

File: DSF CHARACTER CREATION.jpg (244 KB, 1466x2598)

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RUNTIME::FINE::ANCHORING::ON::DISSONANCE::OK
Inserting...
Inserting...
Inserting...
Initialization... OK.

CHARACTER CREATION (Esselfortium - Waiting (MIDI)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGN2cFbtf2o

SQUAD CREATION

GLORY [*****]
5 Loadout Points (PTS) Available
Squad Size: Fits 4 Men

INFORMATION: Remaining PTS can be used to assign another role to a squad member at an additional cost of 1 PTS (Ex. A Captain (2 PTS) can also be trained as a Combat Engineer (1 PT) for a total of 3 PTS.)

Cost - Category

-1 PTS - "Greeners"/Cannon Fodder
Rookie
Scum
Conscript
Some guy we picked up on the road
Tourist
Scavenger (Child, Support)

0 PTS - "Mooks"/Grunts
Rifle Infantry
Combat Engineer
Medic (Support)
Squat

1 PTS - "Snobs"/Specialists
Flame Trooper
Chirurgeon-Practitioner (Support)
Machine Gun Gunner + Machine Gun Loader (2 PTS, 2 Men)
Artillery Team

2 PTS - "Toffs"/Squad Lead
Captain
Knight/Knight-Errant
Inquisitor (Psydonite)
Psydonite Impure (Magic User)
Felid (Magic User, Evil?)
Necromancer (Magic User, ZIZOID, EVIL)

TAGS:
Child - A small innocent(?) child.
Evil - Worst of a bad bunch. Hated by almost everyone else.
Magic User - Can cast magic spells. Wow!
Psydonite - Worshipper of !!GREAT PSYDON!! the Tyrant-Savior.
Support - Not a primary combatant, but trained in other fields.
ZIZOID - Worshipper of ZIZO! foul sorcerer and the ancient enemy of PSYDON.

>CUSTOM ROLE?

HUMEN PHENOTYPES:
Humen - Standard. You can find these guys everywhere.
Monmen - Starts with a random Major Mutation or one of your choice. Susceptible and adapted to further mutation.
Troglodytes - Robust albino cavefighters. Vulnerable to the sun and bright lights.
Squats - Stout, clannish fellows fond of drink and industry. All are named Urist, for some reason.

CHARACTER CREATION (OPTIONAL)
CALLSIGN:
ROLE:
SEX: Male (Locked)
PHENOTYPE:
DESCRIPTION: (1-5 lines preferably)
TRINKET:
HAT/HELMET DESIGN:
>WRITE OR DRAW-IN

Ex.
CALLSIGN: "WEREWOLF"
ROLE: Combat Engineer
SEX: Male
PHENOTYPE: Humen
DESCRIPTION: A dog bit him on the hand and he almost shit himself to death. No formal combat training, just excited about hurting people.
TRINKET: "Hair of the Dog" flask of fernet and coffee.
HAT/HELMET: Pickelhaube and gas mask.

>Please create your squad.
>Please select your starting member.
>Please name your vehicle:
Ex. "GRAVY TRAIN," "THE HOBO EXPRESS," "INTERESTING TIMES," "Z IS A FAGGOT," "OFFICE LADY"

>Please select your Patron(s).
PATRONS SLOT: 0/1
PSYCHOPOMP V1 - Generalist, various utility abilities. Generates FATE points by traveling.
SAFEGUARD V1 - Powerhouse, improves the overall robustness of the squad. Generates FATE points by enforcing the LAW. Abilities change with BLOOD level...
XOM - CHAOS! Does not take up a slot. Functions as a secondary God.

[So many options, huh? There seems to be an option for letting the game make a squad for you, but that seems... Eh.]
>AUTOGENERATE.
>WRITE IN.

>>6132917
>Chirurgeon-Practitioner
>Psydonite Impure
>Captain
>Combat Engineer

>START AS: CHIRURGEON
>VEHICLE: HARD TIMES
>PATRON: SAFEGUARD, XOM

>>6132963
+1

I asspulled this just now
>Chirurgeon-Practitioner
CALLSIGN: "LIMEY"
ROLE: Chirurgeon-Practitioner
SEX: Male
PHENOTYPE: Humen
DESCRIPTION: The scent of citrus hangs heavy on him. Something about his accent is annoyingly "noble" (read: British) but the man is anything but.
TRINKET: A small bottle of concentrated "C" ESSENCE. Doubles as both a smellingsalt reviver, and a daring yet delicious addition to any alcoholic drink in 1-2 drops.
HAT/HELMET: A bright green pair of goggles
Hope this is good

File: Soldier_of_the_NVA_wearin(...).png (900 KB, 900x1224)

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Should have made this clear earlier:
Character creation goes for all four of these semi-deranged maniacs in (gas) masks.
So go on and get wild with it!
Or not.

>>6132917
CALLSIGN: "NURSE"
ROLE: Medic
SEX: Female
PHENOTYPE: Monmen (rando)
DESCRIPTION: Made a name for herself patching up drunk bastards outside the pub she was abandoned in. Has low tolerance for chicanery, needs alcohol to get through the day. Handy with a syringe and 'homebrews' experimental remedies in her free time. No, she DOESN'T have a nurse outfit, stop asking.
TRINKET: Old-ass scalpel she yanked out of a corpse in the pub once. A memory of better times.
HAT/HELMET: Nurse hat and gas mask.

File: BUGCHUD TRPG early art.png (567 KB, 641x821)

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>>6133034
Hey, yo, I'm going to have to partially veto this - the male part is locked in. The callsign itself is fine for breaking balls.

>>6133038
Whoops, glazed over that part! Make it so

File: DSF Halloween.jpg (471 KB, 2713x2932)

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Happy Halloween, guys.
Have a sketch of someone fun to write and someone cool to draw.

>>6133029
>CAPTAIN
>CALLSIGN: "TAR LUNG"
>ROLE: Captain
>SEX: HAD IT, YES.
>PHENOTYPE: Monmen (Read description for mutation)
>DESCRIPTION: His tears, spittle, and blood is a dark black hue that reeks of ash and dust, his skin is peeling and cracking, and his eyes have long since gone grey. Some say his blackened fluids burn anyone else on contact. You're pretty sure his 'admiral uniform' isn't even real.
>TRINKET: An old pack of E's TRINITY TOBACCO. Very much banned in much of the world. Smells of wood ash and hate.
>HAT/HELMET: An admiral's hat that looks straight out of Moby Dick.

File: DSF ANOTHER CAPTAIN.jpg (599 KB, 2822x2297)

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[You type out your first members of the squad. Oh yes, now this is it. Here's an idea that fills your heart with the colors of imperial nostalgia.]

"IRON LUNG"
Captain, Monmen
[ACERBITY] The body has developed a wonderful defense mechanism. This character's flesh and blood are highly acidic, and creechers that attack him will receive a nasty surprise.

[Fun helmet but the hat can be a little larger. Seems what you wrote has been localized into his "Major Mutation."

As for NURSE and LIMEY, you enter them both in for now. Amusing designs but there can only be one...]

>NURSE
>LIMEY
>FLIP A COIN.
>SOMETHING ELSE?

>AUTOGENERATE THE ENGIE, THE IMPURE, OR BOTH?
>WRITE IN.

[You check off on the Patrons idly. The METACOMMS opens up almost immediately.]

<SAFEGUARD: Officer. Reporting. For duty.
XOM: Ahhhh, MORDRED. How long has it been?
SG: Eh? It's only been just a few minutes since we left, XOM.
XOM: [suddenly sniffing] Do you smell that, Miss?
SG: Smell what?
XOM: The tender fragrance of fruit.
SG: WHERE?
XOM: [narrowly ducking] Oh! Watch that hammer! I meant real fruit! Of the citrusy kind!
SG: Ah! Ah! Sorry.
SG: I just had a real big Meal this Morning.
SG: So I'm absolutely bursting with energy!
XOM: [aside, grimacing] So this is what Jack had meant by "another spicy tomboy."
[aloud again] MORDRED, that lad also asked me to ask you for any orders while he's "on the bench" in the UNDERWORLD.
What a nice young man. His parents must have raised him well.>

>LOOK FOR MORE FUNNY ROBOTS.
>LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT... (WRITE IN)
>JUST LET HIM DO AS HE PLEASES.
>TELL HIS SISTER I SAID HI.
>WRITE IN.

<[AUTHORITY] SG: Oh, he's a good-looking Captain.
XOM: Well, his helmet could be a little longer.>

Tiny update.

File: lammar vibri.png (54 KB, 605x554)

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>>6133528
My mind is all over the place, but I can probably crank out the start of Game 2 this evening if all goes well.

>>6133528
I'm for
>LIMEY
because I wrote him, but I'd rather wait for another vote too
>AUTOGENERATE THE ENGIE, THE IMPURE, OR BOTH?
BOTH
>LOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT... (WRITE IN)
Those moth people and those "new" races. Somebody might have some info down there. But otherwise
>JUST LET HIM DO AS HE PLEASES.
Take a load off, relax if possible. We got BLANK SILENCE this run

>>6133528
>LIMEY, but give him a Red Cross as well. I think it would be neat.
>AUTOGENERATE ENGINE AND IMPURE.
>LOOK FOR MORE INFO ABOUT MOTHS AND NEW RACES
>TELL HIS SISTER I SAID HI.

Rolled 97, 45 = 142 (2d100)

[Alright. No more dawdling. You type in your orders.]

>LOOK FOR MORE INFO ABOUT MOTHS AND NEW RACES
>AUTOGENERATE ENGINE AND IMPURE.

>FORTUNA rolls a d100 for FORTUNE.
>FORTUNA rol-
>XOM rolls his CHAOS DICE.
>Ah, it's *you.*
>Ah, but who else? If I were not XOM, I would also wish to be XOM.

<SG: Old Man, You are overstepping Your Jurisdiction. As per the dsf_random.c file and the KRITA, 9 P.S.Y. § 4 (2200), FORTUNA must be
XOM: [roaring] I do what I want!
[calmly] Because I was invited to do so.
The privilege of the "Player" is control the entire world just like a computer game. This too is on his honor and absolute power. Who else can resist?
SG: Mngh.
SG: Nnnghuuuhh.
SG: But the Law states
XOM: And who are you to judge *us* and our dealings with FATE? Indeed, you are the one to overstep - the fault lies with you, Officer.
[AUTHORITY] SG: You're right, Sir! I'm terribly sorry for this inconvenience.
XOM: Yes, yes, of course you are.
XOM: Now do a handstand!
SG: Yes, Sir!
XOM: Now go and tell Jack his new orders!
SG: Yes, Sir!>

File: DSF GAME II.png (325 KB, 600x600)

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ACT I - BLANK SILENCE
ROADTRIP THROUGH THE APOCALYPSE

File: DSF Crawler and Crew.jpg (769 KB, 2901x3246)

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ON THE ROAD AGAIN (War Tourist by Dan Wool) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0o0Nffz8Gk

Your Crawler emerges from the darkness under Psydonia to its surface with the blood-red skies alight and shining.

On the horizon, you hear the sharp reports of 7.77 and the sustained booms of mortar fire. Sure signs of a good neighborhood.

The Impure soul next to you barely reacts to the change in scenery and keeps quietly breathing. The Captain tilts his head upwards and takes in a deep breath. He hasn't let out a single hacking cough since the kerfuffle in the tunnel. The engie has nothing to report. Your mask doesn't even itch as much today. For a moment, everything in the BUGCHUD just seems dandy the way it is.

A quiet peace reigns.

Why, the only thing that you have to complain about is-

*stomach growling*

Hunger:
LIMEY -> Peckish
IRON LUNG -> Starving
NUMBERS -> Starving
MUNCH -> Starving

FAMINE!

"We need something to eat, Captain," Numbers mutters, more to himself than to the man behind him.

[ACERBITY] The Captain turns his helmet downwards and immediately starts hacking, tar-like spittle leaking from the holes in his face and coalescing to the tip of his "beak." "Now don't we all?" He coughs and splatters the back of the engie's coat with that hateful bile.

"We've had nothing but MONSTER MEAT and MAGGOTY BREAD for THREE STINKING DAYS," Munch gnashes, reviving from his apparent stupor. "We, we could, we could, you KNOW, DEVOUR his other leg. He could always grow it back later..."

Numbers turns back to face the wizard. "Another word about my leg and I swerve this bike into the next horde of deadites. How about you chew on that, motherfucker?"

As the Captain's personal doctor, you have some authority over these motley bunch. You think you do, at least. "Oi. Belay that cannibal prattle. We still need Numbers in one piece."

"We haven't seen a mutant for days much less a zad," MUNCH whines as he wrings his hands together. Is that saliva or tears staining his collar? "I'd give up all my mojo for even a single BITE of half-eaten mook!"

"Hold fast, you godless motherfuckers. We're not in dire straits just yet." The Captain pats down his pockets for a moment. "Who's got the map? The good one, not the one with the hexes."

"We don't got that map anymore," Dusty says dejectedly. "That 'dog' ate it, remember?"

The disappointment silences everyone.

File: DSF G2 Hex1.jpg (217 KB, 1669x1442)

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Squinting, you see...
- A bombed out building directly to the north.
- The rising peaks and summits of a city's skyline to the northeast. Not a safe dome city, but a much older one. Worrying.
- The tip of a perfectly geometric monument to the southeast. Huh.

GLORY [*****] -> FATE: 5 PTS
>LIMEY: *I've* got the map right here, you fockin' gits. [+MAP, -3 FATE]
>DUSTY: Captain, while you're up there, take a look through these. [+BINOCULARS, -2 FATE]

>MUNCH: [RED THOUGHTS] Park the bike. We're eating your other leg. [+FOOD, +PAIN, +2 FATE]
>What do you want to do?

>Verbs: EXAMINE, TOUCH, TALK, KICK
[Locked: FAITHLESS] PRAY

>Switch Character
>Metacomms
>Abandon Run

File: DSF Jack WHY.jpg (89 KB, 1094x1446)

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Sorry about the delay, I overestimated how fast I am and my sister's birthday took us out for way too long.

>>6134339
Minor errors, Goddamn it. Dusty = Numbers, since I forgot to replace it.

[You take a look at the map...]
@ - Your Squad

Shading - Unknown
Hump - Tunnel
Lines - Road

Triangles Cluster - Mountains (blocks scouting, impassable with Crawler)
Rectangles Cluster - Ruins
Rectangles Cluster with Black Flags - City/Settlement
BLACK THING - ???

>>6134342
>DUSTY: Captain, while you're up there, take a look through these. [+BINOCULARS, -2 FATE]
>TALK: "Hey, so, that black thing is pretty ominous. Any of you got a clue how worried we should be?"

>>6134363
Oh, and
>HEAD NORTH
If we're going somewhere as well

>>6134363
>>6134364
+1
The building might have some FOOD that survived whatever bombed it. After we check that place, I say we keep heading northeast along the road to the settlement up ahead. Somebody might know where STATION 429 is, and at the very least we should try to get some FOOD so we don't all fucking starve before we even get someplace cool

File: DSF MENACING EARTHWORKS.jpg (185 KB, 1200x1197)

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You feel a warm dry wind blowing from down the mountain side. The Captain hacks to himself quietly and the ambient sounds of distant warfare die down to almost nothing...

HUMAN EXPLORE (Fallout 1 Soundtrack - Desert Wind (The Wasteland)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaRiY7WkMhw

>NORTH
IRON LUNG raises a commanding finger in the direction of the ruins.
"We go north," he intones.
"Aye, aye, Captain," NUMBERS responds. He drives off the wreck-littered road and the sound of dust and gravel begins to crunch and grind under the Crawler's tracks.

>TALK: "Hey, so, that black thing is pretty ominous. Any of you got a clue how worried we should be?"
The helm of the Captain looks down on you. "Is it moving?"
"No..." You double check. "No."
"It it glowing?"
"No."
"Is it opening fire on us?"
"Not at all, sir."
"Then. Who cares?" He crosses his arms and looks to the road ahead.

"Reminds me of the spikes we used to raise around the X-Zones." NUMBERS catches your quizzical head tilt in the side-view mirror. "Those are the uh, you know, the places where you taste metal in your mouth and see white spots when you close your eyes. The nasty XOM radiation shit."
"Ah, so that's what they're called." You don't need to be a Practioner to know that radiation is bad for humens.
>NUMBERS looks into the distance.
"Though, that obelisk is pretty massive compared to what we've done. I've never seen anything quite like that."

"I think it looks COOL," MUNCH adds, quite unhelpfully.

File: DSF partial map recall (m(...).png (155 KB, 435x260)

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>NUMBERS: And Captain, while you're up there, take a look through these. [+BINOCULARS, -2 FATE]

FATE -> 3

The Captain takes the binoculars in hand with a grunt and looks north.

>IRON LUNG looks into the far distance.
>[SILENCE] FORTUNA withholds the WANDERING ENCOUNTER roll.
>XOM tuts.

"Anything to report, Sir?" you inquire.

[ACERBITY] He wheezes in that sickly manner which you have come to detest and fret over. "Fat load of fucking nothing. It's a building."

Then he looks to the northeast.

>IRON LUNG looks into the far distance.
>[SILENCE] FORTUNA withholds the WANDERING ENCOUNTER roll.

[ACERBITY] He starts, rubs the lenses, then curses. "A whole horde full of fuckin' ugly dead things is standing around the city over there."

"AMAZING. It's another Necropolis!" MUNCH throws his arms up into the air. "Just like the last two..."

"Oi, don't get your knickers in a twist just yet, MUNCH. What's the deadite temperament?"

"It's one group." The Captain looks once again. "Positively static, idle. Seems like an easy target."

"We could drive around them after we check out the building first. Deadites aren't too dangerous, relatively speaking..." NUMBERS yawns.

"Shite," you mutter. "Do you think Blackrock still stands?" That was the name of the next major town. You remember only a little bit of the map, your memory of it now crumbling as it was in your hand back then. The way things are shaping up now...

File: DSF GOONS.jpg (227 KB, 2404x1534)

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NUMBERS parks right in front of the ruins, the engine purring like a mechnical katze. It looks like an old official building, like a postal office perhaps, now crumbled away into only a few bottom floors. The binoculars didn't lie - hardly anything else remains beside.

[AUTHORITY] The Captain's steel helm is silent as it gazes down upon the entire party.

"Who's on first?" You begin with a smile under your mask. Taking initiative will keep you in the Captain's graces.
"Not it," NUMBERS says tiredly.
"Not it," you follow up immediately.
"Not- UGH. Fine." MUNCH grumbles something under his breath. "But LIMEY's coming with me as my BUDDY."

"Ridiculous, you clearly just lo-" Then the thought of leaving MUNCH alone and unsupervised crosses your mind. You stand up with a sudden full-robed certainty. "Right then. Up we go."

"ADVENTURE awaits!" MUNCH hops out and immediately takes to a light jog.

"Hey, just in case, you've got your HERMES, LIMEY?" NUMBERS takes out his transceiver. You nod and take out yours. "Good lad. Now get in there before that idiot wizard gets himself killed."

>Please roll for SEARCHING. Higher is better.
>MUNCH (3d6)
>LIMEY (2d6)

>Verbs: EXAMINE, TOUCH, TALK, KICK
[Locked: FAITHLESS] PRAY

>Switch Character
>Metacomms, Godchat
>Abandon Run

METACOMMS
<SG: Mission Success, Mister!
XOM: [off-handedly] Hmm? Ah yes, the Psychopomp's message. Good.
SG: And one more thing!
SG: Jack wanted you to have these so you can teach his invisible friend anything which he didn't cover in his "Tutorial."
XOM: Do I need to dress like some edgy pompous dandy too?
Don't answer that! A rhetorical question.
Very well then. If the Player asks me anything, I suppose I could oblige. Hehe.
SG: And XOM, what kind of Moths are you looking for?
XOM: [sigh] As you would already know from the opening Act, the playable moths are quite large in size compared to their mundane counterparts. While I admire their amusing screams, their horrid reliance on hierarchy and quite predictable "schizo" behavior leads me to believe that they are the most [nonexistent] race out there in the Outer Reach.
SG: Heuh? Opening Act..?
XOM: [smiling] Was there something I said?
SG: And why waste Jack's time looking for nothing? That's seriously dumb.
XOM: [reading the transcript] Well...
[grandfatherly] Don't you worry your little helmet off about such matters my precious child. These plans go above and beyond your mortal understanding.
[furiously rereading the transcript] What man can divine the inscrutable intentions of the divine?
SG: Mfph, okay then?>

GODCHAT
<XOM: [aside] HAHAHAHAHAHA, oh wow!
Now that's quality stuff! Ha ha ha!
I might just have to give them points for their little jape.
[pensively] Or maybe not.>

Rolled 2, 3, 4 = 9 (3d6)

>>6136402
ROLLING FOR MUNCH
>EXAMINE: SURROUNDINGS. TRY TO FIND ANY COOL BONES.
>TALK: MUNCH. "Remember anything about Blackrock? Head feels fuzzy."

Rolled 3, 6 = 9 (2d6)

>>6136402
ROLLING LIMEY

>>6136411
>TALK
>"I should have figured this place would be long cleared out with how close it is. Hopefully we're due for something neat soon."
>THINK
>Are deadites even edible? Most things are edible if you light them on fire long enough and strongly enough. Is there some impurity or similar bad juju to the deadites where cooking them isn't an option?

>EXAMINE: SURROUNDINGS. TRY TO FIND ANY COOL BONES.

As the manic carnemancer forges ahead, you cautiously survey the surroundings as you move across the uneven terrain. The building certainly seems abandoned with the blackened husk of a car in front of it. There are no recent tire marks, tracks of heavy vehicles, nor any recent foot prints in the dusty earth or on the crumbling road you arrived upon. There's not even any cool bones to pick through.

A cooler breeze blows. You can hardly smell a thing beyond the familiar stench of your sewn mask and Practitioner's apparel, and the faint smell of lovely limes. The bottom of your robes brush against the sprouts of foreign plant life as you walk. Come to think of it, these scruffy grasses and withering roses are as much children of the BUGCHUD as you are - a companionable thought.

Somehow, almost inexplicably, this all feels safe...

>THINK
>Are deadites even edible? Most things are edible if you light them on fire long enough and strongly enough. Is there some impurity or similar bad juju to the deadites where cooking them isn't an option?

[PRACTIONER'S TRAINING] "Don't be bloody stupid." It's an idea so bad you have to stop and mutter under your breath at the mere suggestion.

Every week in the camps, there's always some egghead who gets the bright idea to cook up piping hot deadite meat. And every time, you're always tempted to stay quiet and let him rot in the consequences of eating cold rotting flesh. (But then he'd really keel over and die and then someone else, probably you, would get yelled at for letting him cock up so hard. As always, it's up to you to be your brother's keeper...)

It would take proper wizard tools or outright miracles to purify the ZIZO tainted meat of the undead crawling under and between the stars.

MUNCH is busy rooting through a clearly empty garbage can when you arrive.

>TALK: "I should have figured this place would be long cleared out with how close it is. Hopefully we're due for something neat soon."

"Don't JINX it, blabbermouth." MUNCH hurls the tin to the side with a resounding clatter. "Blabberbeak? WHATEVER. Try being OPTIMISTIC for once."

You mull over the challenge in bemusement. "Perhaps there might be a raiding party who left their stash in there."

"Go on..."

"Or perhaps there's a dead bloke all shattered-like right around the corner."

"That's the spirit! Now help me out here, will ya?"

>TALK: MUNCH. "Remember anything about Blackrock? Head feels fuzzy."

"Nghh." The wizard points an accusatory finger. "YOU had the map. Not I!"

"Calm down, mate." You hold your hands up in mock surrender. "It's just a simple question."

"Augh! Too many STUPID QUESTIONS."

MUNCH walks towards another part of the remaining wall. Looks to be a classroom of sorts. "I can't even search when-"

>MUNCH: 9
>SOMETHING GOOD
>LIMEY: 9
>SOMETHING GOOD

A bullet whizzes right over his stupid wizard hat.

"LEG IT!" You shout.

You and MUNCH duck behind a nearby wall, tense and ready to explode into action. There's no further shots as you wait for those few horrible heartbeats.

"G-Get back! N-No more!" A thinning, almost piteous voice calls out from the other side.

[PRACTIONER'S TRAINING] You sense a certain desperation in his voice. The sense of looming death given voice by a man who doesn't want to die.

"Oi, cunt!" You call out. "Stow that gun away! You wouldn't shoot a Practitioner now would you?"

All you hear is a strange whimpering. MUNCH stares at you funny. You raise a gloved finger to your beak ("Shh.") before continuing.

"I'm coming out now! Think long and hard before you pull that trigger again!" You wait another moment. You slowly move your beak out of cover then step into full view.

DESOLATE ENCOUNTER A (Lisa the Wise - White Rose (Slowed & Reverbed)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ASqofnfFDY

You peer through the broken window. There's a lone soldier collapsed in a corner of the courtyard. He's propped himself up with a piece of rubble, but he barely has a proper grip on that shoddy pistole. Let's say, 9mm at best.

"JACKPOT," MUNCH whispers with delight as he peeks over the bend.

"Hey! You-You really are with the Practice! Come on Doc, y-you gotta help me out..." He lowers his gun, stifling his sobs. "Please..."

[ESPIRIT DE CORPS] Even now, separated from the rest of his unit and so hopelessly abandoned, he believes that someone has been sent out for him.

"Must be one of the locals," you mutter. You don't recognize his style of gas mask at all. The shiny brass buttons mark him of some interest, but his helmetless head marks him as the lowest form of grunt there is - a Greener.

"Looks LEAN. Couldn't be much older than you are, LIMEY." MUNCH licks his lips, before crawling below the windowsills, trying to get closer.

[AUTHORITY] "Wait." You hold up a gloved hand and MUNCH, for all his impetuousness, stops dead in his tracks. "He still has his gun."

"SO?"

[PRACTIONER TRAINING] You peer closer at the young lad and how he quietly clutches at his abdomen. "Tis but a flesh wound. If I patch him up now, he'll make it through the rest of the dae," you muse.

MUNCH waves you off. "FUHGEDDABOUDIT, Doc. How about this? You distract him, I'll step aside, and then I REND HIS BONES APART before he even knows I'm there."

The soldier isn't moving.

What first comes to mind is...
>Go with MUNCH's plan. From the looks of things, you very much doubt that this guy would have any DOSH on him. +[AVARICE]
>Ignore this Greener. The Crawler only has four seats, along with the Package, and you'd like to keep yours. +[CALLOUS]

>ASK SOMEONE ABOUT... (WRITE IN)
>WRITE IN?

>Verbs: EXAMINE, TOUCH, TALK, KICK
[Locked: FAITHLESS] PRAY

>Switch Character
>Metacomms, Godchat
>Abandon Run

Apologies for the delays. Sleep schedule is a little mixed and schoolwork is a little busy.

>>6137410
>Go with MUNCH's plan. From the looks of things, you very much doubt that this guy would have any DOSH on him. +[AVARICE]
>GODCHAT: "Poor kid, huh?"

File: DSF Desolate Encounter.jpg (205 KB, 2178x1620)

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>>6137410
Scenario image.

>>6137414
+1
At least we mercy kill him AND we get FOOD

File: DSF G2 Hex2.jpg (171 KB, 1507x1833)

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>[AVARICE]

You nod. His fate is sealed.

And so is yours. At the end of all this, when you complete this run and deliver the Package to the SCOM Station, you'll finally get your well-deserved bonus from the Captain. You're still not sure who pays *him* but he's well-off to afford your services in the first place - you won't stick your beak into such matters.

"How 'bout this? Follow me, MUNCH."

You clear the broken remains of the window with your doctor's bag and hop on through, making sure that the fallen soldier can see it in a show of goodwill. MUNCH follows in your footsteps in uncharacteristic silence.

The soldier looks up at your approach. No doubt he only sees the robes and the white mask symbolic of the profession. He coughs.

[A PRACTITIONER'S CALLING] From the depths of your bag, you carefully draw out a curved blade with one hand. This is the last blade of the Practice. When the hands of life falter and all other blades fail, the mercy must be carried out.

This is not what this blade will be used for.

You look him dead in the lenses as you kneel down. Still you sense in him that almost childish trust that you're here to help. With the gentle hands of a surgeon, you hold his head up and expose his neck.

Like a lamb to the slaughter.

[???] [RED THOUGHTS] You feel the body go limp as the man's head suddenly blossoms into a butcher's bouquet of gristle and gore. Blood soaks into your gloves, turning them red-wet. The death is instantaneous.

You turn over and see MUNCH lowering his outstretched finger.

"Quit screwing around already," he whispers, almost accusatory. The mad mage plucks out a fold of meat from the remains like some sort of Godawful charcuterie board and you hear some really gross sounds as it disappears under MUNCH's hat.

[???] You don't need to be a doctor to know that eating raw meat is bad for you, but MUNCH can do this anyway.

"Mind your own business LIMEY," MUNCH growls in a much more characteristic fashion. "I'm HUNGRY."

"Philistine..." you mutter. You give MUNCH a light punch on the shoulder before you kneel down and start rifling through this guy's pockets.

>And that's the end of that.

RUINS Search
Acquired:
+1 corpse of a Baronic Conscript
+1 MEAT ration (fresh)
+1 "MATTEL" Pistol (4/14)
+1 HERMES (Baronic Frequency)

You gain Brozouf.
+Ψ30

MUNCH: STARVING -> Hungry

[You click on the button and return to the overmap screen. Looks like the world's gotten a little larger...

Ah, aha! The increased view should be from the binoculars. How handy!]

You and MUNCH drag your meager loot back to the Crawler.

An arbitrary unit of time has passed. The moon hasn't risen yet so the dae is still young.

The Captain's helm turns towards you from behind the steering wheel then towards the corpse. NUMBERS is sleeping in YOUR seat...

[ACERBITY] "That's not food yet idiots," the Captain sneers.

[RED THOUGHTS] "I have to work my OTHER MAGIC on this HUNK OF FLESH when we MAKE CAMP. Don't RUSH me!"

>Travel Verbs: TRAVEL, MAKE CAMP
>Personal Verbs: EXAMINE, TOUCH, TALK, KICK
[Locked: FAITHLESS] PRAY

>Switch Character
>Metacomms, Godchat
>Abandon Run

>GODCHAT: "Poor kid, huh?"
XOM: [tsking]
It's just his misfortuna that he had to meet (You) out of all people.
But on the bright side, when they cook up what's left,
These happy four have enough to eat. :)
Remember, we always have a choice, but we don't always decide where we make them.
And as for this one, why, we're the ones to make them for him.
M: so what are you getting at
XOM: [with reproach]
Ah, MORDRED! You ought to think like a well-fed man.
Let these hungry dolls make some comedy to us.
After all, in this kind of story,
These characters exist to be shot, stabbed, burnt, and crushed.
All for fun. Just for fun.
What do you think of that?

>YOU REALLY ARE A DEVIL.
>HAHAHA!
>SO EVEN YOUR FELLOW PATRONS ARE THE SAME?
>WRITE IN.

>>6138062
[You take a look at the map...]
(BINOCULARS) +1 to hex sight on the overmap

@ - Your Squad

Shading - The Unknown
Hump - Tunnel
Lines - Road

Triangles Cluster - Mountains (blocks scouting, impassable with Crawler)
Rectangles Cluster - Ruins
Rectangles Cluster with Black Flags - City/Settlement
Single Rectangle with Black Flag on the Road - Outpost
BLACK THING - ???

>WRITE IN
>"Fair. Still feel bad. Probably shouldn't, it is just a game."

>TRAVEL: SE (THE PILLAR CALLS)

>>6138071
+1

File: DSF XOM thinking.jpg (465 KB, 2389x2422)

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>>6138064
>"Fair. Still feel bad. Probably shouldn't, it is just a game."
XOM: That's the spirit. You're starting to see things a little more clearly now.
[chuckling] But for being named after an evil wizard, you sure do have your soft side MORDRED.
M: hm
M: kill yourself XOM
XOM: Hah! HahaHAHAHA hah...
[Short pause.]
No apologies, just need to get with the flow. I'm glad you're finding the time to enjoy yourself. Cause that's all we got.
Enjoyment.
Now...

INFORMATION: As your Patron, I expect you to amuse me or else I'll find ways to amuse myself. Make mistakes! Make bad decisions! Take care, little puppet, and die like a dog. Then laugh it off. I'll be waiting for you with a grin as wide as the truth.

File: DSF THE CAPTAIN.jpg (368 KB, 1986x2345)

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>Xom almost notices you.
>Xom's attention almost turns to you for a moment.
>Xom's power almost touches on you for a moment.
>Xom's power touches on you for a moment.

"So where to now Captain?" You hop into the shotgun seat while MUNCH goes back to his own spot. NUMBERS snorts as if about to wake up, but coughs and just goes back to sleep.

[AVARICE] Bastard better enjoy it - that's the best seat of them all on this crummy bike.

Without a word, the Captain takes out the hex map then points to the obelisk on the horizon.

"Is there, is there any particular reason?" You kinda get the creeps from that thing...

>TRAVEL: SE (THE PILLAR CALLS)
[AUTHORITY] The Captain looms over you. "BECAUSE WE MUST." You swear you can see him grinning under the mask and all you can do is nod.

He turns forward and shifts gears. The Crawler hums to life and you're well on your way to the southeast.

...

"IRON LUNGS," MUNCH says like a bolt from the red.
"Munch," IRON LUNG says, casually inconsiderate.
"So WHERE are we supposed to be going anyway???"

The Captain fishes out a worn note from his breast pocket and stuffs it into your idle hands. You read it aloud.

"Ace,
Pretty please:
I - Acquire noobs
II - Destroy evil
III - Install the Package
IV - Proceed"

"Simple enough, isn't it?" the Big Man murmurs. "Isn't it?"

"Of course, my Lord," you say quietly. Are you kidding yourself? W-Why is it so short?

Who's signature is that at the bottom? Maybe that'll shed some light on this whole mess...
>It's one of the Southern Barons of Old Psydonia, locked in a perpetual power struggle against each other and the world after the collapse of Psydonia.
>The official seal of the House of the Volf, a powerful and influential noble house obsessed with maintaining order in what remains of the Psydonian Empire.
>The Duchess of the House von Flügel, a minor but very wealthy independent noble house infamous for their deadly robotic infantry and augmented soldiers.
>The Inquisition, the long-standing militant wing of the schismatic Church of !!PSYDON!! and the former not-so-secret police force at the TYRANT's beck and call.
>[CHAOS] XOM's. :)
>There's no fucking signature?!
>WRITE IN.

"So why are these ASSHOLES sending FOUR DUDES IN A BIKE to do this job?"
>[AUTHORITY] [SILENCE] The Captain says nothing...
>WRITE IN.

File: DSF G2 Hex2 Hazard Phase.jpg (274 KB, 1931x2261)

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"Captain, I think I hear something..."

Time: Mid-Dae
Travel: 3 hexes

>FORTUNA hands you 2d6 for RANDOM ENCOUNTERS. (Higher is worse.)
>FORTUNA hands you 1d6 for WANDERING MOVEMENTS. (Higher is closer to you.)
>XOM claps. "Finally!"

>>6138884
>The Inquisition, the long-standing militant wing of the schismatic Church of !!PSYDON!! and the former not-so-secret police force at the TYRANT's beck and call.
>[ACERBITY] "We're expendable in their eyes. Fuckin' kikes."

Rolled 4, 3 = 7 (2d6)

>>6138887
Ack. Posted too soon. Rolling 2d6.

Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>6138887
I will roll the wandering movement
also backing >>6138888
that Inquisition signature might get Munch hyped because he's the Psydonite Impure magic user of the group

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>6139027
>>6138889
>>6138887

>FORTUNA rolls for the WANDERER. (Higher is worse.)
1 - !!SPECIAL!!
2-25 HUMEN
26-75 DEADITE
75-99 DEMONIC
100 - SPECIAL!

File: STONEKEEP BY OUR CREED.png (323 KB, 1132x818)

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>The Inquisition, the long-standing militant wing of the schismatic Church of !!PSYDON!! and the former not-so-secret police force at the TYRANT's beck and call.
>[ACERBITY] "We're expendable in their eyes. Fuckin' kikes."

"Sending us as a cat's paw for their little errand." The Captain cracks his knuckles with a dull popping sound. (Hmm, so there's tar in his joints too.) "But the Inquisitor speaks and here we are. We can do nothing else."

"Bit of a tall order, innit?" you hem. Just you four blokes smack dab in the middle of the BUGCHUD. You can think of at least another dozen plonkers who're better suited for this kind of job.

[AUTHORITY] There's not a Psydonite alive who would dare defy the catholic authority of an Inquisitor.
[AVARICE] And you'd rather be damned if you don't see this through to the end. You *want* that payout.

Affecting a bit of bravado, you add, "Well, keep that stiff upper lip, lads, we've had worse."

The Captain grunts as he continues to drive.

You have to reread the note again. All doubts are vanquished as your hands touch the black seal of the Psycross; yes, these are bonafide holy orders. Your mind boggles at the thought. For all his presence, how did your lowly Captain become involved with- No, it's best to not pry in these matters.

[AVARICE] For now at least.

"The fuck, we're getting sponsored by THE VATICAN???" MUNCH laughs incredulously. "BWAHAHA! Now that's DELICIOUS! Imagine the Court when a 'FILTHY SORCERER' gets to shove this GRAND SEAL into their STUPID FACES!"

"Shut up MUNCH. Please. I feel like hell today," NUMBERS mutters.

"Stop DYING then, IMBECILE. You been out here too long."

[PRACTIONER'S TRAINING] You peer over and he does look somewhat ill, doubled over like that. You could hop down into the back but your robes are long and the Crawler is still crawling...

"Fix him up later, LIMEY," the Captain growls, confirming your inaction. "We don't got the time."

"Yes, my Captain."

File: DSF G2 Hex3.jpg (269 KB, 1760x2052)

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"There's that sound again," you mutter aloud. A mistake.

[ACERBITY] "Take a look then, instead of squawking like a headless cock." Ignoring your grumbling, the Captain tosses the binoculars to you. This toff is a piece of work sometimes...

>You peer into the far distance.

>IDENTITY: 44
>CRITICAL!
>RANDOM ENCOUNTER: 7 (NOTHING)
>WANDERING MOVEMENT: 4 (IDLE)

Oh. That's a shitton of zombies on the horizon.

"Deadites to the northeast, Captain." He nods and turns the wheel to the right.

"WHAT DID I SAY, HUH?" The wizard is absolutely grinning from ear to ear under his stupid hat.
"Oh shaddup, Munch." You search for something to cope with. "They could have just been chasing a rabbit or a stray katze. You know how easily deadites get distracted."
[CHAOS] "Look, TOTO! ZOMBIES!"

Well, it's a big horde alright, with several larger zombies mixed in among the mass, but with Psydon willing, most deadites aren't fast enough to catch up to any moving vehicle. They're not on top of you of course, but during the nite their hex movements get extremely erratic. You hate that sort of ambiguity.

OBELISK (Blue Star) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmQAzIw7c1U

Obelisk looms over you. The wastes grow cold as you pass under its titanic shadow. It looked to have been the size of a building when you saw it on the horizon, but as you approach, the more and more it seems to tower in size, reaching endlessly towards the starry heavens above. You crane your head as high as it can go and you still cannot see its summit.

The Captain parks the transport. Its stark surfaces are smooth and without flaw, reflecting no light - its color is that of the trackless depths of space. You hear a strange humming, then feel it in your flesh, your nerves, your very bones. The stench of ozone seeps through your mask.

No one speaks, no one makes a sound...

>XOM kindly asks you to touch the Obelisk. [+3 FATE]

>Travel Verbs: TRAVEL, MAKE CAMP
>Personal Verbs: EXAMINE, TOUCH, TALK, KICK
[Locked: FAITHLESS] PRAY

>Switch Character
>Metacomms, Godchat
>Abandon Run

>>6139288
>XOM kindly asks you to touch the Obelisk. [+3 FATE]
>TALK: "This might be the worst idea ever. But it calls to me."

>>6139292
+1 but also
>Pass the "C" EXTRACT VIAL to the CAPTAIN
>"I'll be needing this back afterward, yeah?"

File: DSF OBELISK.jpg (315 KB, 1686x2032)

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Rolled 54 (1d100)

>TALK: "This might be the worst idea ever. But it calls to me."
>Pass the "C" EXTRACT VIAL to the CAPTAIN
>"I'll be needing this back afterward, yeah?"

[A PRACTIONIER'S CALLING] "Remember, a drop every day keeps the scurvy away." After all, the distemper of the sea follows all men under all stars when the diet is ill-balanced. As expected in these strange times.

The Captain snatches the vial out of the air. His only reaction to that information is to let out a little hum and to wave you off.

You only make it a few feet away from the Crawler before you notice that someone's walking right behind you.

"Hmm?" You turn.

"What?" MUNCH gnashes. "You'd rather just leave me with the CRIPPLE and that OVERSIZED JUICEBOX? I'm coming with, EGGHEAD."

>MUNCH's Rapport aspect is revealed.
>RAPPORT: ****.
>[BACKUP - You can count on me.]

You let out a squawk of laughter. "Then fall in and follow me, cunt."

You take one more look upwards. The sheer scale of this thing is utterly beyond any landmark you've seen during your yils underground. It feels as though it might just crush you with its impending size.

In silence, you reach out a hand without any fear and
>TOUCH the Obelisk.

>FORTUNA rolls for FORTUNE. (Anything can happen!)
>XOM looks on with growing interest...

File: Terminal_innards.png (92 KB, 800x800)

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>54
>INDEX OUT OF BOUNDS

[You watch as LIMEY's sprite ascends straight up into the air in a matter of seconds.]

"LIMEY! WHAT THE FUCK!!!" MUNCH shrieks as you are horrifically repulsed by the very earth itself.

[LIMEY starts to clip directly into the side of the Obelisk. His hand is sinking deeper and deeper, until his arm is engulfed, then his beak, and then-

The screen cuts to black. A console menu opens up. Your fans start to hum at a mildly concerning speed. Here we go again...]

TRACKING LOST
DEMAND > DEBUG > SUPPORT
MACHINE(SAFEGUARD::DEBUG(RESTORE::COLLISION_DETECT););)
MACHINE(Witness::BACKUP(RETRIEVAL;);)
DISSONANCE spike detected. Contact your TERMINAL administrator for further assistance.
RUNCHK(10); STATUS: GOOD
RUNCHK(429); ERROR - SIGNAL LOST
>REFUTE
ACCESS DENIED
FCUK YOU.
DEMAND > DEBUG >>> SUPPORT
TALLY(sigh;thisone;idiot)
ANCHOR.PLAYER;(CONNECT::LIMEY)
Connection restarted. Have a nice day :)

Initialization... OK.

You rap against the side of the Obelisk. It's cold now, even more so than before, and the surface isn't shimmering any longer. After reaching in *through* the solid stone and receiving that sudden surge of insight, you must have depleted the very last bits of energy contained within the structure.

You're a little disappointed, but that's to be expected in these uncertain times.

You turn over to MUNCH, who's staring right into the air like some fresh Greener who had never seen the deep red sky before.

"Oi wanker, don't just stand there, we've got places to be, come on."

The Wizard boggles at you for some reason. He makes a weird choking noise as you start trudging back towards the Crawler.

As you do so, you examine the Memory Orb you've nabbed from the Obelisk...
>[CHAOS] [CASSANOVA] trait. How to hit on women with 100% success. Guaranteed to-hit against female opponents and additional dialogue options become available.
>Innate Spell: Silence. Eliminates all sound in a radius around the caster for d20 minutes. Prevents reading scrolls, casting spells, shouting, and other vocalizations impossible in the caster's vicinity.
>+10% to a skill of your choice.
>[1 FATE] Reroll selection?

METACOMMS
<XOM: That's it? Pssh, talk about overrated. But, as promised, your FATE.>

FATE: 3 -> 6

<XOM: [to Patty] And, oh honey, you're drooling again.
SG: Haah, haah, hgnh.
[AUTHORITY] SG: I am a policewoman. I maintain order. I must break this degeneracy. I am doing a good job. I need to be stopped.
XOM: Well, you seem oddly pleased. Did I miss something?>