Start the journey to these distant lands of wondrous stones!

Work on learning to speak with metal.

And, if possible, with the glorious flow of electrons between the valence shells of said metal.

>>8554255

You gather your Circle of Friends, and decide to begin the trek to see these grand buildings. The journey will be long, but as you require neither food nor rest, you can make it in a third of the time it would take a meat-creature.

As you set off from the village of Podunk, the elder stone-man begins to speak of his time as a meat-man. He tells you much about some entity known as "magic", with which he apparently performed some feats of renown. While you don't wish to disrespect him, it's clear to you that this "magic" is about as unsolid as a thing can be, and so his feats do not entirely interest you.

>>8554320

For some reason, metal - or at least refined iron - remains silent to you. You think it might be ignoring you rather than not understanding you. However, should you wish to speak to metal, your ore-brothers are capable of acting as translators.

Can't wait to get this thread going :) Last night's was incredibly epic.

I think we decided on heading to the city, since we had pretty much exhausted our other options.

Some of the meat men escaped into the forest by the way.

>>8554365
>>The journey will be long, but as you require neither food nor rest

I smell a random encounter!

>>8554365

What about semiconductors?
Or... non-metals with metal-like phases. Like selenium!
Can we add a selenium translation module?

>>8554384

While some of the meat-folk did indeed flee your liberation, you are beginning to come to the conclusion that they did not, for some reason, want to be freed of their weak and watery meat. You don't understand their hesitation, but now feel that it might be wrong to force such liberation upon them.

>>8554436

Dammit Jim, you're a philosopher not a scientist!

>>8554431

While your sense of smell is rather nonexistent, being made of stone, you do see in the distance a band of travelers on the road towards the great city. These creatures appear to be much like the meat-folk of the mining town, though shorter and with more fur on their faces. They have not spotted you yet, as their meat-eyes are by far inferior to your own crystalline gaze.

WHAT DO?

>>8554436
The metaloids may be of interest too: we're likely made of silicates. We could remove some of the oxygen to make silicon metal.

>>8554384
we decided not to bother trying to improve the meatmen until further notice, due to us not being sure if they are working with the Great Devourer, Water, or if they are somehow hurt by us improving the stone underneath their meat.
So for now well just improve the stone that they return to the ground.

Ask Elder Stoneman about his time as a Meatman, how did the Stone, Water and meat function together in a singe entity?
What are his thoughts on life under meat?
etc...

>>8554507

Dwarves! They may or may not like us.
We'd probably be a curiosity for capture and study.

>>8554507
>Implying one can be a remotely useful philosopher without knowledge of the physical world.
LEARN SOME SCIENCE!

Then... make solar focusing lenses.
Mmmm, Laser-Crystal Golem.

>>8554507
hold and wait for them to come closer, greet them and ask them about their relation to glorious Stone
We must understand these meatlings and their culture in using Stone, Water and Air, perhaps even Fire

>>8554365
Ask the elder about words. Words carved in stone or steel are about as solid as something can get. And if spoken words have some form of "magic" power, then logically written words would have even greater power.

OOC: Yes, I'm talking about runes.

>>8554507

Avoid them! They are unimportant in our affairs.

>>8554523
We're going to shit bricks the first time we encounter Ice, aren't we?

>>8554600
ICE! the devourer tries to mimic our shape to put lull us into a false sense of security, only to grind us into sand and bring us out to the ocean...

Approach Dwarves. Learn their stone-loving ways

>>8554626

Probably best to approach them.
They'll probably like us, if they like stone.

Unless... they need to drink water to live.
Betrayal?!

i forge a pact with the dorfs to destroy opera houses

Dwarves drink water? They don't need water they live and breathe stone.

>>8554703

They can but don't like to drink water. Instead they love delicious alcohol.

>>8554767

Water is water, regardless of its impurities. It is still the eternal enemy of stone.

>>8554732
>>8554767
>>8554781
STOP BEING SO BLATANTLY OUT OF CHARACTER

our dude doesn't even know what "dwarf" is yet

>>8554703
You'd think that, but, well, just look at the experience of Discworld Trolls.

You see, what dwarves really love about rocks is to break them open and harvest interesting minerals. We're a walking pile of rocks that's chock-full of interesting minerals. I sense a potential for conflict here.

>>8554781

The elemental rivalries aren't that entrenched.

>>8554800

Says you. You try spending time as a shore outcropping, then you come tell me of the harmlessness of water.

I, The grand Crystal Golem attack 13 Golbems for trying to lead on the human race to attack me.

>>8554781
What of magma then? Made of stone, but flows like water. Where does it fit into our worldview?

>>8554846
It flows like Water, but it does not destroy the Stonespirit
As Ice is Waterstone, magma is Stonefire, it is the equalizer that maintains the foundation of the Stone

Let me guess, Ice Golem is the BBEG.

>>8554846

And far more dangerous to us than water.

Face it, fluids = BADWRONG. Let the solidity of stone be your watchword, brothers.

Just how translucent are we?

Enough thinking my fellow formations!

We must see what these strange furred creatures are, and see if they wish to join the glory of the Stone!

>>8554887
>As Ice is Waterstone, magma is Stonefire

Poetic. We should muse on this further, when we have more time to sit and think.

>>8554997
but Rockbrother, magma is beneath the Stone, it keeps us up and maintains the Stone so that in it does not in hubris destroy the world. Surely it is to be revered even if it does harm those that touch it?

>>8555013
Poetry, brother? My, such esoteric pursuits you have adopted! The Cave-Mother would be proud.

As a geologist, I know deep within my soul I will inevitable hate this quest.

Waiting for the OP.

Drifting slow and strong
Upon a sea of magma
The Stone never stops

>>8555054

As a Theoretical Physicist and a Science Fiction fan I find the idea of stones gaining intelligence unrealistic but very fun.

Brothers....

Nothing is eternal. Even the stone, in its solidity and perfection, is invariably worn down by the Devourer to naught but dust and sky. This is not evil, this is the nature of things, and it must proceed as it always has, as does the turn of the Cave Mother beneath us. The swirling stonefire of her heart is part of this, too, and shall birth our brothers anew, all of us soaring through the Naught.

Assuming that we are eternal, that we are forever right, is the mark of the short-sighted meat things. We must allow ourselves to be shaped by the world, as we have been shaped by the Cave Mother.

How can anyone prefer the chaos of both water and air over the beautiful geometrical forms of the crystalline structures?

>>8555063

Look, brothers! A stone man!

>>8555116
This is true, but the Stonefire births again those that it takes, the Devourer only consumes
Stonefire brings balance, Water brings only death

It is with the patience of stone I await knobgoblin.

>>8555181

But even in that death, the Water, the Devourer, does not truly destroy the Stone. It's form is broken and altered, warped and changed. But does not change come to all Stone?

Is Sandstone not the victims of the Water, gathered together for eons uncounted, until they remember what they once were, and become once again as stone.

Is Limestone not the cast of inner and outer stone of creatures who drifted in the embrace of the Water, pressed together until they became as one?

Water is the destroyer, yes, it is chaos, yes, but reality can not exist with just order. Everything would become stagnat, and never change. Was out awakening not a flicker of chaos amongst the Stone? A random chance that sparked our minds to awareness?

Do not hate the Water, know it has it's place in the cycle of things. Some Stones could not exist without Water to carry the Stone.

>crystal philosophy thread

I am okay with this

>>8555270
I'll DM until Knobgoblin returns.

The entire circle of Golems lower their rocky heads in ponderance of this statement.

Suddenly, a great ripple in the earth jostles you all out of your stupor of thought. Your golem sense of hearing picks up a roaring in the distance, in the direction of the short, hairy meatlings.

WAT DO???

But what school of philosophy does he follow? Maybe logico-positivist?

>>8555270
You speak with wisdom, Brother. It seems we found peace with Water aeons ago without even noticing.
I am humbled by your insight

>>8555336
I think that, given we are stone, our little stupor probable lasted for a few decades. Those tiny meat creatures are probably the offspring of the original ones.

>>8555343

We seem to have calmed down a bit since last thread but it was stated in part 1 that we are mineral supremacists if you can believe that.

occ ok this is waaaayyyy to much fun i have never stopped in to one of these and now i think i found another little time waster on 4chan CHEERS!

>>8555336
should we like... help them?

you guys?

are any of you listening? no? contemplating philosophy? don't wanna help?

>>8555372
Perhaps so, because as you all look in the direction of the meatlings you notice that a camp has been made using some of the trees that used to surround you. Short, hairy meat-men are busying themselves in the same "mine" that the taller meat-men once occupied.

see what is going on brothers! look in to the distance

>>8555439
Attempt communication.

>>8555456
As you all stand up, the masses of meat-men jump, apparently startled by the sudden movement of stones that had been lying peacefully for several years.

They look to you, their fleshy head-portals slightly agape, stunned.

Let's meander over there and see what the haps are. Our latest sojourn into contemplation seems to have left us more well-disposed towards most things, so if it's something we can help with we should offer, sans meatpeeling if possible.

Also, one of these days we're gonna start pondering the implications of molecular structure and when we come to there'll be a city built around us or something.

>>8555366

Not peace, but knowing that all four elements exist and must co-exist to prosper. Without Fire, our form would never change, locked eternally in unfathomable cold. Without Air, our form would never be recycled. The mighty mountains would grow and grow, never decaying, never returning to the Earth. Sand, our scattered brothers, would never travel and explore the land. Without Water, the glorious caverns of the Earth, strikingly beautiful even the most dim witted of flesh sacks, would not be. The land would be barren, and no life would walk along it. No trees would hold the Stone in place with their tangled mass of roots. I imagine we would be willing to offer some of our essence so we did not become nothing.

But I ramble my brothers. Let us return to the matter at hand.

>>8555509
Use the rocky peace sign: strike the earth!

>>8555509
Forcibly metamorphose part of our body.
Determine exact process of metamorphosis.
Sell knowledge to stoneworkers for vast mineral wealth.
Create unstoppable golem army.

>>8555512
>Also, one of these days we're gonna start pondering the implications of molecular structure and when we come to some rich guy will be using us as a lawn jockey.

Fix'd.

As it seems knobgoblin's gone AWOL: yes, let's attempt communication. "Hello, meat-creatures."

>>8555533
You, as the chrystaline leader, heartily smash your fist into the ground, an ancient greeting signifying your unity with the World.

All of the meatlings flee in terror, dropping tools and tipping over strange vessels filled with rocks.

To your relief, a particularly wisend (old. Sorry, my spelling is on the fritz today) looking meat man approaches slowly, supporting his weak meat frame with a shaft of Yew wood. He beard is particullarly long and well kept. It is filled with worked gold and other metals and gems.

He stops several paces from you and raises his rod up. He quickly and forcefully (by meat-man standards) strikes the earth with the end of his rod.

"Greetings, beings of Terra," he says to you.

>>8555638
Crush him. Use staff as a toothpick.

>>8555638

"Greeting, being of the Four Elements."

>>8555638
Ask him who they are and what for what purpose the vessels serve.

>>8555638
>"Greetings, beings of Terra," he says to you.

Finally, a meat-being who actually KNOWS something. I was beginning to think that they used the air bladders in their abdomen for thought.

"Greetings! It is good to find one who knows of our kind."

>>8555657

That'd waste the valuable stone within, and we don't have teeth anyway. The hell would we use them for?

Anyway, I think it's time we started getting inquisitive. Aeos of contemplation have been our lot so far, but now we are a more active part of the world; an agent of change to allow new and stronger form for the Cave Mother, not unlike the stonefire. So let's learn some things.

Ask the meat about itself and the other meatthings that have fled.

>>8555664
The old meat man chuckles.

He begins to speak:

"I reminded my working men not to disturb standing stones. I had a feeling that the Earth-mother placed such peculiar formations here for a reason.

I am Dvorak Ghules, son of Dvo'jak. I am of a race known as dwarves. We are among the oldest of the living creatures of Terra.

If you are surprised at my manner, I should explain. I am a practitioner of an ancient art known as Geomancy. I utilize the intrinsic magic in the stones to commune with them, sometimes imploring them to do my will. That is how I knew what you were, and knew not to disturb you.

I and my kin have come here to mine this mountain and harvest these trees so that we may use them in our works.

Might I ask how such exquisite beings of stone have come to rest here?"

>>8555800
We awoke within the Cave-Mother and came fourth to seek knowledge of the Airland. We came upon a rather puzzling conundrum and once we awoke again we saw you and your kin. How long was it since you started working the Mountatin-Father?

>>8555800
"You enslave my kin?'

>>8555800

Explain we were having a very involved discussion about whether tiny bags of mostly water are or are not inherently evil. We are undecided.

>>8554192
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>>8555800

He said implores them. I believe he requests their aid. If he is quite skilled at it, he knows the right way to ask.

>>8555800

I like this one already.

"We stopped to ponder the nature of water, and its relation to the stone. No conclusion was reached, but a lively debate was had. Might I ask, for what works do you employ the use of stone?"

>>8555800

That's a pretty good question, actually. Guess we'll have to wing it.

Inform the pleasant little meat-being that there is no "why" for the stones; we are, and shall always be. That said, we have been given leave by the Cave Mother to shape this small patch of her surface as the Spin wills us, and to do so we find ourseves in need of knowledge about that which dwells upon Her skin.

>>8555800
((shit, i missed the start)) We were merely in ponderance. how have you "Dwarves" come to be here? this was once a place of tall meat-men of metal skin. ((what ever did our elder stone brother think of things?))

Last time we killed a bunch of goblins and humans and turned their skeletons into our minions. I guess we chilled out in the intervening years?

>>8555931

We're torn as to whether or not we are doing a disservice to the meat by denying them the presence of stone. So for the moment, we're letting the natural order take care of itself, and utilizing the stone that the meat-men discard after the cessation of sentience.

>>8555931

We were new to this whole "movement" gig. Thinking in the short term is still a bit of a challenge for us.

>>8555931
our revelation as to the nature of meat-men have confused our actions. we seek understanding before we proceed with our liberation.

>>8555931

I believe we are learning that not all wish to have their inner stones removed. It seems to be a permanent change, we have not been able to reassemble a fleshling after freeing their inner stones.

And these ones are of the stone, more then they are of the other three Elements, but still contain all four.

And I wish to say again, Water is not evil. It is an agent of change, which is not a bad thing in all regards. Please refer to my musings here >>8555270

I think knobgoblin is dead.

>>8555931
we were trying to improve the Stone beneath the meat but in doing so, we destroyed the meatmen. We have since learned that we should not look down upon beings not of Stone but rather help them in what way we can. Stone is glorious but should not lord it over the others, we should endeavour to live in balance with all things, even the Water has its uses and we do not know all things

>>8555974

We, ourselves, have become a force of change, of a sort. Without change to shape the stone, its might has no context.

>>8555862
We have been here for 7 years, although that must seem like mere moments to those of your kind.
>>8555868
No, earth-being, not enslavement, coexistence.
>>8555875
Yes, the nature of all life is one of the most perplexing mysteries of the Earth Mother. All we can conclude is that we do and are intended to live in equalibrium with the elements. We creatures of flesh contain all of the elements within, all working in tandem to create life that possesses characteristics of each of the elements. While stone and water are opposite, they are not incompatible. After so many eons on this Great Terra, you will undoubtedly discover the balance that is created by the unbalance.
>>8555897
That is the quest that the Great Spirits have given to all of us, brothers. We dwarves believe that our purpose on this World is to delve the mysteries of the Mountains.

We utilize the riches of the Earth for many things: to ease the toils of our lives, to build great works so that we temporary creatures may leave a lasting legacy, and to increase our capacity for knowledge so that we can better understand the Cosmos.

>>8555982
Do you suppose that we should have left that squishy gray thing inside his cranial cavity instead of swabbing it out to prevent damage to his mindstone?

>>8556022
You meat-beings seem to put much effort into achieving the longevity and grandiose of the stone. why does your kind resist becoming entirely such? what do these other elements provide that you value so?

Dammit! don't stop now! I just got here!

>>8554192
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>>8556121
Each element holds mysteries unto themselves, and each is as grand as the next. It just so happens that dwarves hold the greatest affinity for stone, hence our penchant for stoneworks, and for our solid frames.

I notice that some bone golems accompany you. I can only guess that they have been..."recovered" from once living beings. In that act, you removed the essence of the other elements from the beings that contained the skeletons. We flesh creatures prize all of the elements.

Bump.

Did everyone lose interest??? :(

>>8556219
Just as we emerged from the Cave-Mother we met upon a group of meatlings, they were much like you, but taller. We saw them working the stone and doing honour unto it by giving it purpose, and so wanted to aid help them. We did not know that the stone was not the essence of their beings and foolishly broke their meat trying to aid them

We have since contemplated this and now wish to observe and understand this world of yours before meddling to this degree again. We decided to only help the meatstone after the meat had left it and it was returned to the earth

What became of your kin, smaller meatman? I hope they did not think that we would break their meat.

>>8556219

As we thought.

"We noticed the distress at the separation of stone from flesh, and have renounced it accordingly as poor manners. We now only utilize the cast off stone stored in inanimate flesh repositories."

>>8556188
http://sourceforge.net/projects/loic/files/loic/loic-1.0.2/

MULTILAZERS!

>>8556351
>>8556333
I should warn thee that some beings would be greatly distressed by your use of the remains of their ancestors. It has to do with our concept of Gods, and a thing unique to flesh creatures called the "afterlife." I myself however, have no objection.

>>8556333
Yes, it appears that the younger dwarves were shocked by your presence, they are also unaware of the majority of the ancient ways. Dwarves may be brash and headstrong, but we are rarely foolish. They should be far more comfortable with your presence now that they know you don't intend to mangle them.

You mentioned that you believe that your given purpose is to change the world outside the shelter of the Cave-mother. Have your ponderances or observations given you any other wisdom regarding this purpose?

>>8556315
>>8556219

((We seem to have accelerated to peaceful thinking a bit too soon. What the hell are we supposed to do now?)) I see no sense in your ways. you work towards the stone but prize the other elements, yet provide no reasoning as to their value. is purity not perfection? you fumble and falter in your chaotic flesh. you are strange to us. we seek to converse with the stones. maybe they can clarify your natures to us. we once knew of stone homes in these lands, are they still here?

>>8556466

"Hmm. We shall have to be more careful in our future use of discarded man-stone. Perhaps asking their kind before utilizing it would be more polite. I thank you for calling this to my attention.

We are of a sedentary nature, so our knowledge of the world outside the Earth-Mother is sparse. For the moment, we seek to garner this knowledge, that we might further enrich ourselves. For how can one know what must change if one knows not what is?"

(Damn guys, I apologize for the extended afk. My laptop has quite literally fried. If you want to keep DM'ing Rabble, go ahead.)

>>8556503
((sorry, man, but I generally let the Players lead themselves to a great degree))

Patience is your virtue, stonebrothers. The wisdom will come to you in time.

Yes, the houses remain. I myself live in one. Follow, if you wish."

The dwarf turns and begins hobbling towards the mining camp. As he said, the dwarves have resumed their work, only with minor degrees of apprehension at your presence.

As you approach the stone cottages, you feel the harmony in their stone forms. You also feel the rumblings coming from the "mine" and the drarves working within it.

>>8556545
>My laptop has quite literally fried.

((Well that sucks. On the plus side, you can take pleasure from the fact that your kernel of an idea is enough to keep us wanking about in your absence.))

>>8556545
Nope, I'll return the reins to you. You seem to have more initiative as an active DM than I :P

>>8556545
(I say you should come back to DMing, or start a new quest-branch.))

>>8556583
((On the plus side, all we have to do is contemplate why the addition of stonefire to waterstone creates waterair and BAM! Timeline reset.))

(Okay then, let's keep this stone rolling)

The wizened dwarf leads you through the camp to his abode. To lesser meat-things it would no doubt appear unremarkable, but as you speak to the stone you feel its great sense of duty and pride. This stone knows its purpose well, and has been tenderly worked by a true master.

Your respect for this meat-dwarf is increased by the craftsdwarfship of his house and the way in which it is committed to sheltering him.

Were you not now aware that it would probably be wrong, you would flay off his meat to embrace him as a true stone-brother.

>>8556630
((Lol, well that was what you wanted, right? lol))

>>8556630
((it also creates Stone though...))
The great crystalline being comes to a halt, puzzling the smaller meatmen in the vicinity
((Waterstone + Stonefire -> Waterair + Stone.
Fire -> Air? Stonestone?))

>>8556668
>craftsdwarfship

((FUCK YES))

"Your dwelling speaks highly of you, dwarf-creature. Truly you are a brother to the stones. Might we also visit the mines? Surely your quarrying techniques must far surpass those of the metal-men and the goblin-creatures."

>>8556668

The old dwarf tells you that you and your Friends are welcome to stay here if you should like, and that while the younger meat-dwarves may be frightened of your glorious forms, they will not cause you any harm.

Of course, the idea that they could harm your glorious self even if they wanted to makes you chuckle, but you appreciate the sentiment.
Off towards the mine, you feel a deep and powerful vibration.

>>8556675

((Yeah, like I'm going to bitch that the quest thread didn't trainwreck.))

>>8556691

We're mid-conversation. This ponderance may be better contemplated at a later time, as the creature with which we're conversing may have ceased existing by the time we finish.

>>8556719

The dwarf looks briefly troubled by the recent vibration, but informs you that such mighty and respected guests such as yourself would be treated as kings in the high dwarven mountainhomes.

The rumbling from the mine peaks, then stops altogether.

>>8556668
Our brothers here are pleased with your presence. perhaps we were wrong about you. though we still seek the purpose these stones have attained. you are old like the stone. you seem to know of more like us. can you tell us of them?

((Sorry, hunger over came me. The pantry will need a few days to recover from my raiding.))

Truly, these dwarfs are kin to us, even if they are of flesh and we of stone. As for the vibration. seek it out! Whatever rests within these mines, we can feel it's glory! Let us awaken it!

>>8556787

The old dwarf's eyes flash the emotion you have come to recognize as fear. He quickly regains his rock-like solidity, however, and rushes outside to the mouth of the mine. Your interest piqued, you and your Circle of Friends follow.

Through the ground you feel the stout footsteps of the dwarven miners, as they come rushing out from the mine. Between every two dwarves is carried a third, and as they approach you can see that all are scarred and burnt. The ones carried are worse off by far, and your recent studies in meat biology tells you they are likely dead or close to it.

The old dwarf runs forward to speak with them, asking if they struck a vein of molten stone or deadly vapors, but the miners are too shaken to answer with anything more than stuttered words about a great beast in the depths of the mine.

>>8556854
>a great beast in the depths of the mine.

A great beast that preys upon our new friends is a very stupid great beast.

Offer the elder dwarf our assistance in rectifying this particular problem as a show of friendship.

>>8556767
The mountain stirs... does this happen often, meatling?
I do not remember this from my time in the Mother-Cave

>>8556854
((online RP = awesome. At least when it's taken seriously and actually played out :P))

Great beast??? What is the demeanor of this 'great beast?'

>>8556854
great beast? INVESTIGATE. perhaps it is some kind of goblin. they do seem to enjoy these mines

A beast that dwells within the Earth, has harmed our new fleshling friends.

Our course of action is clear. Find out where this beast is, and we will end it's sentient existence with much glee. We will not ask for anything for this, as we have no need for anything.

Gather our comrades of stone. We hunt.

>>8556917
The goblins we encountered were not able to produce such vibrations.

We should ask the Golblems if they remember such creatures. Or just make haste into the mine with the dwarf elder.

>>8556917
>>8556895
>>8556873

The old dwarf is shaken by the sight of his now-less-solid brethren, but thanks you for your aid and offers you the blessing of the oldest of his mountain-gods.

He warns you, however, as his people have a long history of awakening fiery beasts in the depths of the earth, and know them to be powerful and dangerous foes, even to one of solid form such as yourself.

Unshaken in your resolve, you and your friends head forth into the entrance of the mine. The Elder Stoneman asks you to move slowly and carefully - he too claims to have had experience with the deep creatures of the earth.

Of course, you yourself are a deep creature of the earth, so your stoney confidence is untouched.

>>8556932
Let's *shades* Rock.

*tamed collosus* punches *magma demon*

the magma demon explodes from the force of the impact!

>>8556936

The golblems have no memories of any such creature in the mines, nor do the stone-men. Your ore-brothers know of the earth's heat down near the World-heart, and the metal now fused to them tells them of the forge's cleansing flames, but neither of these are much in the way of a great beast.

>>8556936
>We should ask the Golblems if they remember such creatures.

That. And ask the elder stone-man to expound further on his knowledge of these creatures.

We should also be on the lookout for other stones that would seek to join our kinship of the mobile. We may have need of them in the near future.

>>8556940
Maybe it is a being like us, but born of fire. maybe it attempts to release to inner fire of these meat-dwarves. quickly! we must show it the error of its ways!

>>8556982

This is also a possibility. We should attempt reason first, if the being shows some capacity for it.

>>8556982
This stone thinks correctly. We have taken to harmony with living things, and must attempt peaceful resolution with this. Destruction can occur if it proves uncooperative in our glory.

>>8556978

The Elder Stoneman claims to have once done battle with such a beast, what he calls a demon of fire, in the depths of a dwarven mountainhome. He warns you that such heat as these creatures wield could prove dangerous even to beings of stone such as yourself, and even more so to your weaker stone-friends.

>>8557019
>skeleton is gandalf

holy shit

>>8556995
>>8556982
This idea seems most wise.

>>8557019
hmm. the goblems may be better suited to escorting our meat-dwarf friends out of harms way. leave them to help the wounded. let us go into the depths with our ore friends

>>8557019
Inquire further of this 'demon'
is it a being of the stonefire? these meat creatures seem to be to inconsequential to incur any action from the great worldheart

>>8557062
also, with a few stone-men, especially elder stone-man

>>8557062

This might prove a prudent course of action. Is there sufficient unused metal about that might be put to further reinforcing the elder stone-man? His counsel may prove wise, and I'd hate to see him destroyed by whatever's down there.

>>8557043
>>8556995
>>8556982

You and your circle of friends agree to attempt to speak with the beast of fire down in the mine. After all, you yourselves just recently learned of the frailty of meat-things, and how they take offense to being stripped of their meat without permission.

As you venture further into the depths of the earth, you begin to hear the stones of the mine screaming out in pain. Just beyond the next corner you see a bright orange light illuminating the cavern, and you can feel the weight of something BIG on the mine floor.

The golblems now remember fear, but like true men of stone remain steadfast.

>>8557062
>>8557096

Sensing their fear, and not wanting to put them directly in harm's way, you tell the golblems to hurry back and assist the meat-dwarves in whatever way possible. You send two of the stone-men with them as well, though they leave their swords with you.

The elder stoneman picks up one of the metal blades, and shows some degree of familiarity with it. The other is puny in your crystal hand, but if worse comes to worse you want every advantage you can get.

The stone in the next room screams louder.

>>8557153
>you begin to hear the stones of the mine screaming out in pain.

Okay, that "attempt reason" plan just got scrapped. Attempt to glance around the corner to take full measure of the beast, and if direct frontal assault seems to be the only course of action, do so.

>>8557153
this beast harms stone...what manner of monstrosity is this? is there something truly more terrifying than the great devourer?

>>8557153
Ask for sense from our brother stone, can we gain more of an impression of our enemy's intention as we advance than the screams may first lend? Perhaps peaceful discourse is not appropriate for one so inimical to our brother stone. Does water rend so painfully?

>>8557153
The crystal is most resilient to heat. The Crystal should lead the charge.

>>8557197
>>8557207

Pure fire is the only substance I know of that harms stone so. Even the greatest torrents of water take time to work their harm.

>>8557207
water destroys slowly and subtly,
stonefire gives its warm embrace with promise of return
what kind of beast would make stone scream in pain?
this creature must be stopped

>>8557195
>>8557197
>>8557207

Your ore-brothers are enraged by this disrespect of their mother mine, and cry out for vengeance!

The remaining stone-men are angered as well, though they suggest caution - if such a beast devours stone as well as meat, then you ought to be careful.

The elder stoneman says that it is not too late to turn back, that you can still escape without the beast noticing you. But whether by your righteous words or your mighty fist, you know that this creature must be stopped.

You will still attempt to speak, but you and your friends are ready to attack the moment the beast shows hostility. You've yet to give up on reasoning with him, but you accept that some things cannot be reasoned with.

(For reference, our current forces in the mine:
Our Glorious Self
5 armed Stone-men
The Elder Stoneman
3 smaller ore-golems, with some metal covering
2 large, full-plated ore golems
)

>>8557237
>>8557250
Pure fire?! The dwarf mentioned "geomancy." Perhaps such arcanities can be of use?

>>8557294

The elder dwarf is applying his small knowledge of the healing arts to try and save as many of his brothers as possible. While he would no doubt love to join you in battle, he must first see to the needs of his kinsmen.

>>8557288

If we are committed to reason first, it follows that we must place our glorious self in such a way that attacks leveled at us should not harm the rest of our retinue. Do we approach alone, and have the remainder prepared to charge if summoned, or if hostilities commence?

>>8557316
Then let us attempt to reason with this being of fire. If he will not cease his harm of flesh and stone, then we will be forced to repel him by virtue of our might!

>>8557316
How did the elder stone-man combat these beasts? it is odd how he speaks of retreat if he has combated one. is it truly so fearsome?

>>8557376
Perhaps he fought for the ability to retreat. How effective would turning our brother stone into our weapon be? Few things can withstand the weight of stone if we can simply collapse the tunnel. Perhaps a dramatic version of our normally peaceful greeting would suffice.

>>8557376
>is it truly so fearsome?

It. Harms. Stone. And it does so with far more alacrity than water, or even stonefire. I believe that constitutes "fearsome".

>>8557347
>>8557342

While you don't want to deny your ore-brothers their righteous vengeance, you feel as though you must take responsibility and venture out first. Besides, while you have not yet been to the deepest places of the earth, you're fairly certain that your crystalline form is more resilient than theirs, and especially more than the stone-men.

You step around the corner, see before you a bright and boiling pool of liquid stonefire. The rock at the edges of the pool screams out as it is slowly melted away. The molten stonefire in the pool cries out with terrible fury. The charred meat-bodies of several dwarves are thrown about the room.

Upon a pedestal of hardened stonefire in the center of the pool rests a large creature, bigger by far than your own form. Its skin is molten and dripping, and you feel from within it a great and horrible anger. This beast is neither stone nor fire, but something terrible inbetween.

>>8557461
"...greetings, creature of stonefire..."

>>8557461
What are you creature? What birthed you, and what brings you harm stone and flesh? What is the root of your fury?

>>8557461

You believe the beast to be slumbering for now, and do not think it has noticed you. You could attack it now while it's vulnerable, likely saving you a lot of time, but first you must find a way over.

Or, you could continue with your plan to reason with it, hoping that it proves agreeable to discussion.

WHAT DO?

>>8557461
>This beast is neither stone nor fire, but something terrible inbetween.

So not stone + fire... Stone + fire + EVIL?

"Greetings, creature of stonefire. I must inquire, why do you do such harm to peaceful stone and industrious dwarf-creatures?"

>>8557501
>>8557517

((STONEFIREMIND))

>>8557509
This creature has harmed stone. it is mighty but malicious. greet it with our customary ground-pound, but do it with enough force to destabilize the surrounding area, possibly causing a cave-in if further agitated

>>8557545
((WE ARE AS ONE))


So this creature doesn't appear to be directly controlling the fire?

>>8557587
>>8557517
>>8557504
>>8557501

You shake the cave with your might, and shout out a greeting, deciding to be as cordial as possible, "Greetings, great and mighty beast of stonefire! I have come on behalf of the meat-dwarves of the surface lands, whom you have liberated from their meat with your furious flames. I ask you please, to cease your mighty fires in this mine and upon these meatlings, as neither are amenable to your heat."

The great beast rouses from his slumber, and as he raises the walls begin to glow brighter with his terrible heat. The beast turns a bright glowing eye in your direction, and you feel his furious voice throughout your entire form.

"EAT... CONSUME... DEVOUR..."

>>8557660
I believe we have found the source of this fire beast's concern.

We should explain to it that there are plenty of things to eat that aren't intelligent, like water. and trees, trees aint good for nothin'.

>>8557660
"We ask you again, cease your destruction and explain your nature."

Prepare our troops, and prepare to bring down the cave if need be...

>>8557660
"...perhaps his intention isn't to liberate. Perhaps he wishes to erode and devour even more than water does."

>>8557660

Well, at least we made an effort.

Simply smashing this one doesn't seem like a viable course of action. Would it be possible to collapse this chamber?

>>8557691
Perhaps we should bring it some.

>>8557691
this as well

>>8557691
>>8557709
>>8557723

This being embodies entropy. Our words are wasted on it, and the stone suffers as we tarry.

>>8557716
seems much like the sinister trees. related, perhaps?

>>8557749

The trees were enthusiastic. This creature is unreasoning.

>>8557741
I agree. Haste is the most logical course. I raise my fists in the air!! CRYSTAL SMASH!!!!

>>8557741
We are stone. It is well that we worry about harm to our current form, but it is not for us to simply cut and run when a course of action seems too difficult.

>>8557792
At these words I hesitate...

>>8557792

It is not harm to our current form that I fear, brother; the very concept is laughable. It is the continued harm that is visited upon the stone surrounding this beast. I am the first to advise patience in all things, but this situation calls for timeliness.

our crystal is capable of animating stone, yes?
perhaps we could animate the walls and have them collapse the roof. might not kill it but i would give us some time to find a more permanent solution.

>>8557780
were are patient. this creature may simply be naive as we once were. until it shows direct aggression, i suggest we fortify and wait for a sensible response

>>8557780
>>8557767
>>8557749

You see that discourse with a being such as this is a waste of time. You feel within him his great and terrible hunger, and know that he will not be sated with devouring a few meat-lings or a single chamber in a mine. This beast must be stopped.

You call out to your friends, and tell them to be ready to charge in and attack. You then speak to the cavern itself, asking if it could aid you in slaying this monstrosity. While the mine's mind is currently engulfed in pain, it manages to loosen much of the stone in the ceiling of the chamber. A good punch should bring it down.

The stonefire beast feels the shifting mine, however, and lets out an angry roar. Cracks form along your mighty skin as the heat in the chamber becomes unbearable.

>>8557824
We don't reanimate stone, we just ask it if it wants to move.
Then again, it might listen out of self-preservation instincts.

>>8557853
Well, there's our direct aggression. WE TARRY NO LONGER!!!

>>8557853
!!!
It sullies our perfection with a simple roar! BRING THE CAVE DOWN!

>>8557853
>A good punch should bring it down.

Then let's give it a good punch, before any more harm is done to our glorious form.

*grumble* The dwarf-creatures will owe us a good polishing after this.

>>8557888
Agreed. I have a stone roughly 10 inches long that needs a good waxing.

>>8557878
>>8557888
>>8557873

In all things a man of stone can be patient, but when faced with imminent destruction you call forth all your speed.

Feeling the quickly softening stone around you, you search for the most solid spot to land your blow and bring down the cavern. As you race towards it, your feet begin to sag in the melting floor, and start cracking in the heat.

The stonefire beast moves as if to block your path, but is knocked aside as a mighty stone is hurled into its flank. Your ore-brothers stand upon the molten lake's shore, with a pile of stones brave enough to be hurled at the beast.

Though this assault is little more than a distraction to the mighty stonefire beast, it buys you the time you need. Through the lancing pain of the molten floor, you pull yourself to the solid wall on the back, and land a mighty blow upon it with your glorious, if somewhat cracked, fist.

The mine screams out as it fractures, and you scream out in turn as your glorious fist does the same. The cavern ceiling comes crashing down around you and the stonefire beast, and your mind is knocked about.

(Aaaaaaaand that's where we're gonna stop tonight. Again, sorry for going AWOL, and thanks Rabble for keeping it going in my absence. We'll pick up again either on the weekend or Monday night. See you next time, my stone brothers.)

>>8558037
this is delicious. keep it up.

>>8558037
>>8558037
And may slumber bring you pleasant ponderances, stonebrothers all!

>>8558037

Thread archived?

>>8558037
also, 20 bucks on us reforming as a giant cave golem from the rubble.

>>8558075
http://archive.easymodo.net/cgi-board.pl/tg/thread/8554194

Doesn't seem to be on suptg yet though.

>>8558075

Done and done:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/8554194/

>>8558116
>>8558123

Capital! Until next time, brothers.