Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/15810209/

Quick refresh of the factions involved:

The Cave Fangs, a gang who dresses in brown robes or other brown clothing. They shake down folks around town and had captured a number of your soldiers after they stormed in looking for Thera, the missing representative. They do not have Thera, as far as you know.

The H'runten, who are a tribe of deep kobold assassins. You know very little about them other than the information gained from your rescued allies that they are generally undeserving of their vicious reputation.

The Kerlan, a more organized crime family who call upon an oracle of Kurtulmak for a number of their schemes. They wanted your tech, predominantly the NAJA.

And a bump. I know, I started on time. How unusual.

If any potential new players want a synopsis, I'd be happy to oblige.

And bump again.

>>15895008
Late arrival, as always.
Now, we're still in the Crystal Caverns, right?
Talk with Yuun and Dalak about the idea of a fully-body prosthetic for use by extremely wounded persons and intelligent undead.
We live in interesting times, and we should never turn down a potential ally out of hand just because they're an abomination against all that lives.

Good thing I decided to check through the pages today.

>>15894005
>>15894188
Let's take a few select soldiers; maybe three or four. Having too many soldiers when in "discussions" will send the wrong message.

"Ghaon, perhaps Polk and another soldier or two will suffice. We don't want to appear too aggressive."

>>15895153

Why sure. I mean, you've already traded with the northern lich in this area to allow some friends of yours to revive one of their friends. Clearly, the public already knows that you give less than a fuck about the abominability of certain ex-dead persons. Aside from being fairly anti-social, the lich hasn't been altogether bad.

Yuune wouldn't know much about it. Aside from being a tinkerer, he actively opposed research into prosthetics on the grounds that they were unnecessary. After you came back to the caverns, he pushed a great deal more funds into it.

What will you say to Dalak?

(Slow update warning)

>>15895319
"Dalak, I've got an interesting puzzle for you: how can you make prosthetics that will work for an undead person? And can you make it a fully body, sans head?
"There's a certain person in the Alloyed Brotherhood that I incurred a little debt from, and he's willing to trade some stashes of dragonbone, if we can give him a body."

>>15895363
>>15895319
If he asks for "why", just tell him part of our success in dealing with the Cave Fangs relied on "some old bones."

>>15895363

You walk into Dalak's shop, where you catch him in a brief moment of rest. He leans forward in his chair and you hear a pop from his back. "Oh, magistrate! I suppose you returned early, then?"

"Dalak, I've got an interesting puzzle for you: how can you make prosthetics that will work for an undead person? And can you make it a fully body, sans head?" You ask him, putting your hand down on the table in-between you, which seems unusually clean.

"Hmm, let's see... I don't know a lot about the undead, but maybe." Dalak raises an eyebrow at you. "I can tell there has to be something interesting behind this."

"There's a certain person in the Alloyed Brotherhood that I incurred a little debt from, and he's willing to trade some stashes of dragonbone, if we can give him a body." You say to him.

"Dragonbone... Wait, give him a body?" Dalak starts, standing up quickly. "What kind of condition is this-" He stops, the gears clicking in his head. "What." He says, sitting down.

Felixhia walks in, cleaning a component. He looks over blinking a few times.

"Is the dragonbone all we'd be getting out of this? I think we might be spending more on research than we'd be getting out of this otherwise." Dalak says, before opening a drawer in his table and shuffling through some papers. "An artificial body, though..."

>>15895298

You have also sent this message via a trustworthy messenger:

"Ghaon, perhaps Polk and another soldier or two will suffice. We don't want to appear too aggressive."

A message returns a short while later.

"Do you need them for only negotiations? Infilitration? Assassination? -Ghaon"

>>15896807
"I'm not sure if there's anything else he could offer. He IS in a curious position, though. A large number of a single family's male line has become intelligent undead, which is interesting in itself because most of them were not magic-users themselves.
"Aside from that, with the impending war, full-body conversions or replacements for critically wounded soldiers might become a concern. Especially given our enemy's propensity for toxins and biological agents."

>>15896898
"Negotiations. Although, as you may have heard, the Kobold groups we are negotiating with are rather aggressive. Whoever you further enlist, make sure they are aware of the dangers that lurk in the shadows of politics."

>>15896898
"2 for negotiation, team of 3 for infiltration."

>>15896807

"Artificial pelvis and spinal connection, model 24a. Under experimental, subclass f." Felixhia suddenly rattles off, polishing the mechanical piece.

"Really? Ah, yes, I remember that patient now. Why didn't we assemble it?" Dalak asks as he searches for the plans, his voice quiet and calm.

"Patient had his lower body and spine crushed during an offensive mining operation. Was in coma for three weeks. Woke up, appeared stable. Three days after planning had finished, re-entered coma and succumbed to an intestinal infection." Felixhia mutters, looking almost embarrassed at you as he speaks.

"Oh. That's too bad. Well, that shouldn't be a problem with this patient." Dalak withdraws the document, squinting at it. "Actually, this is really good for your early drawings."

"Spinal transistor can be compressed, as there only needs to be one natural to artificial." Felixhia comments, his eyes blinking rapidly. "Estimate cost of 1200 gold in cost for creation. If successful."

"I think it looks perfectly feasible." Dalak says. "A chest, on the other hand. We've never done a chest before. Thank the ancestors we wouldn't have to do any internal organs."

>>15896902

You interject to finish your thought. "I'm not sure if there's anything else he could offer. He IS in a curious position, though. A large number of a single family's male line has become intelligent undead, which is interesting in itself because most of them were not magic-users themselves.

"Aside from that, with the impending war, full-body conversions or replacements for critically wounded soldiers might become a concern. Especially given our enemy's propensity for toxins and biological agents." You look over to where the strange scale is still sitting in the shop.

>>15897109
"What? As in replacing the entire body?" The softness leaves Dalak's voice, and he instantly seems more irritable. "Mynthar, I know we've had a great amount of success here, but I haven't made so much as an artificial lung! Let alone a whole skull, hell, a spinal cord!" He shakes his head. "There's a limit to the amount of research I can do here, especially since I'll have more people than ever coming in! We've not done an artificial rib cage, collar bones, shoulder blades- Hell, not even mentioning that, the person we're making is an undead- I don't see this as anything-"

"Feasible." Felixhia says suddenly, looking over at you.

>>15897118
"Well, perhaps it is too much to ask for. Maybe we don't have the means to begin the dawn of a new brand of technology...A shame, really. To think of all the history books that notate this...and all those awards...hmm..."

>>15897280

"Well, perhaps it is too much to ask for. Maybe we don't have the means to begin the dawn of a new brand of technology... A shame, really. To think of all the history books that would notate this... and all those awards... hmm..." You say to the two of them.

Felixhia seems to have his words catch in his throat, but he manages after a brief moment. "Feasible. It is feasible."

"What?" Dalak looks over at him in surprise.

>>15897361
"Good to hear! I'll fetch one of our 'clients' so you can begin research on one of my return trips. For now, gather your resources and sources. If you need anything outside of your normal means, send me a message and I'll see what I can do." If we have nothing left to discuss with R&D, let's leave with a skip in our step. We need to secure our guard retinue like these guys said:
>>15897030
>>15897033

>>15897030
>>15897033

You get the following reply back.

"Roger. They should be set to leave in at least two hours."

>>15897411
So we have our updated guard outfit prepping, the research guys aware of the next big project, and we've already briefed the council. What about the half-dragon's (forgot his name) rejuvenation scroll? Or was that something we had to get from the other city?

Is there anything that we still needs our attention?

>>15897394

"Good to hear! I'll fetch one of our 'clients' so you can begin research on one of my return trips. For now, gather your resources and sources. If you need anything outside of your normal means, send me a message and I'll see what I can do." You say to Felixhia.

He holds up a hand, and begins writing on a piece of parchment. He finishes after a few minutes, rolling it up and handing it to you. "Black ioun ore should be first priority." He says, looking down at your chest as he speaks. "Skeleton should work with a minimum of muscle area. Undead have an extraplanar musculature." He looks off to one corner of the room as you begin to walk out.

"Also." Felixhia says, before you make your way out. "I'm sorry I bit you."

You don't know what he's talking about for a moment, but then you remember first meeting the brothers near the alloyed brotherhood. He did bite you after you gave him a pat on the shoulder. And it hurt. That was back before he really talked to anyone.

"Don't worry about it." You say to him.

>>15897462

A scroll to regenerate Slam'lok would be something you'd have to get from the other city.

Other than that, nothing immediate, no.

>>15897559
Sweet; chill in our room until the troops are ready. Then, if nothing interesting happens, let's teleport back and tell the folks on the other side the plan.

>>15897580 here.

>>15897539
Oh, forgot something. Tell both Felixia and Dalak about the captured scientist.

"Oh, something of note before I go. On the prison escape, we managed to gain a very valuable prisoner. A scientist, to be more precise. His research was crude, by comparison to our working models, but his working models were....interesting." Tell them about the Kobolds who got infused with God-knows-what liquid (maybe dragon blood?).

"I thought you should know. If you desire, he'll be open for 'questioning' soon."

Maybe they'll work harder if they know they have competition so close on their tails.

>>15897580

You sit and read over the list in your room. Felixhia does note that he will need a few intact bodies to study the skeletal structure of the ribs, plus a height for the body. He says the necromantic energy from the undead should power the rest of the body after a time much like your body powering your prosthetic.

Polk and the other four enter into the room. Three of them seem to be from the Crystal Caverns military, and are in formal dress, like Polk's. The last is a deep kobold in the burgundy red reserved for special troops, usually supplemental with a small amount of formal military training, and he seems altogether uncomfortable in the clothing.

"Magistrate." Polk says. He looks a lot better than when you had last seen him.

"Good afternoon, lieutenant." You say to him, standing up and rolling up the scroll

"We didn't keep you waiting, did we?" He asks you.

"No, I had a few things to take care of." You gesture for them all to join hands. Seconds later, you are in the basement of the Dragon's Belly.

>>15897616

Ah derp.

"Oh, something of note before I go. On the prison escape, we managed to gain a very valuable prisoner. A scientist, to be more precise. His research was crude, by comparison to our working models, but his working models were... interesting." You tell them about the kobolds who were infused with what you believe could be dragon's blood.

"I thought you should know. If you desire, he'll be open for 'questioning' soon." You say to them.

"Wait, he was trying to replicate our technology?" Dalak says, shaking his head. "Those poor people. I'll push their fitting forwards."

"Send report, please." Felixhia says, looking over at you. "Can't talk to him. Not enough time."

"Felixhia doesn't like talking to most people, anyway." Dalak says, rubbing his temple. "I may talk to him, but he's the closest to a war criminal I can think of."

>>15897704
Things we need to do:
-Check on the innkeeper and undead company

"I've talked it over with the big-wigs, and it seems that some degree of artificial prosthetic will be possible. However, considering the nature of the research, it may take a while. Undead aren't something that you normal build replacement limbs for, let alone full bodies."

Then, speaking directly to the grizzled grand-daddy undead.

"So, on my next return trip tomorrow, I'm going to need someone from your brave and illustrious ranks to join me for research. It'll be fairly easy. They'll just take measurements, run a few tests, and you'll be in and out quicker than grease."

-To the other injured Kobolds
"You guys holding up?

Then, to the experimented Kobolds.

"I know it may be hard, but I need one of you to accompany me tomorrow back to Crystal Caverns for testing. I can understand if none of you ever want to see a metal tool, let alone hear the word test again, but...it's something that needs doing."

If they raise a fuss or show fear, try to calm them down.

"On my honor as a representative of my people, I'll make sure that all precautions and civilities are taken during testing. Nothing that you don't want done will be performed, you will be kept fed, clean, and fairly treated."

-To the half-Dragon Lizardman (forgot his name)
"If you do not mind accompanying me now, we're going to go get you your scroll."

-To our Polk and the guards
"We're going to run a few errands while scooping out the other areas of the city. Keep your eyes peeled."

>>15897758
Assume we stash that request with their request for the obsidian.

>>15897704
If there are any more test subjects that need to be taken back to the Crystal Caverns, have them gather together and get ready.

Introduce our spec-ops unit to Turen and Tayn.

Also, let's get the measurements for Ghurken's new body.
"Mr. Ghurken, our scientists said that we may be able to create a new body for you. But first, they want to know things like how tall you want to be, and how big, and such. You know, like how a tailor needs his client's measurements."
Not sure how we're going to get the rib cages that Felix wanted, though.

>>15897817
I'm derping as well.
>Nothing that you don't want done won't be performed

>>15897817

The undead, who Polk and the others look at hesitantly, are sitting around and on a table, respectively, and playing a tile-based game. They nod to you as you head over to them.

"I've talked it over with the big-wigs, and it seems that some degree of artificial prosthetic will be possible. However, considering the nature of the research, it may take a while. Undead aren't something that you normally build replacement limbs for, let alone full bodies." You say to them.

"Well, I suppose I've become a man of patience over these many years. Not by choice, mind you." Ghurken says, a few tiles propped up next to him.

"So, on my next return trip tomorrow, I'm going to need someone from your brave and illustrious ranks to join me for research. It'll be fairly easy. They'll just take measurements, run a few tests, and you'll be in and out quicker than grease." You say to them, looking over the lot.

"Measurements? No, I was nowhere near as wussy as any of these children of mine." Ghurken says to them.

"No, I remember, dad." One with green eyes, who you haven't seen before, speaks up. "You were always so proud of how you were an inch under three feet."

"You shut up, you spoiled fruit of my loins!" Ghurken snarls.

"Mr. Ghurken, our scientists said that we may be able to create a new body for you. But first, they want to know things like how tall you want to be, and how big, and such. You know, like how a tailor needs his client's measurements." You explain to him, quickly.

"Hah! See? I can choose the height I am!" Ghurken says, grinning.

"Pop, you'll look silly if you're too big." Ghurken's son says. "Besides, you always said, 'dragons can't bite you if you don't give 'em much to bite'."

Ghurken seems quiet for a moment, showing reverence for the only person he can: himself.

>>15897966
Family drama; best not to dwell on it.

"Well, whatever your decision, I'll look for you once we're ready to travel to the Crystal Caverns."

From there, try to calmly remove ourselves from the situation as possible to head over to the next group.

>>15898029

"Well, whatever your decision, I'll look for you once we're ready to travel to the Crystal Caverns." You say, extricating yourself from the situation.

"How do you even remember a thing like that?" Ghurken says to his son.

"Because on my 7th birthday you made me stand with a rock on my head to shrink me down five inches." Ghurken's son responds.

"I was just kidding." Ghurken grumbles.

His son draws a tile from the stack. "You made me do it for three hours, until mom came and-"

"ALRIGHT FINE! I WAS A GODS-DAMNED MIDGET COMPARED TO YOU, YOU FREAKISH DWARF-SIZED MONOLITH!" Ghurken shouts, rattling most of the table.

You make your way quickly across the room, to the other kobolds who had been experimented on. (You've already teleported the injured soldiers back)

You head over to the lot of them, the two red-skinned kobods, the white-skinned kobolds, and the larger kobold whose skin has been stitched together in places.

"I know it may be hard, but I need one of you to accompany me tomorrow back to Crystal Caverns for testing. I can understand if none of you ever want to see a metal tool, let alone hear the word test again, but... it's something that needs doing." You say to them.

They all look at each other. "Most of us weren't conscious for a long time." One white-skinned kobold says.

"How do I know you won't lock me up again?" The muscle-bound kobold says to you, his deep voice resonating through the air.

"On my honor as a representative of my people, I'll make sure that all precautions and civilities are taken during testing. Nothing that you don't want done will be performed, you will be kept fed, clean, and fairly treated." You say to him.

He looks over at the others. "Fine. I trust you. Same way you trust me. I will go."

The others seem hesitant, but they might go if you ask them to.

>>15898227
"I'm not here to force you. However, if you want some semblance of what you once were, this is /it/. I don't know of any other place that has the means, the resources, or the willingness to help. You don't need to make up your minds just now, but think about it."

>>15898278

"I'm not here to force you. However, if you want some semblance of what you once were, this is /it/. I don't know of any other place that has the means, the resources, or the willingness to help. You don't need to make up your minds just now, but think about it." You say to the lot of them, looking each over in turn.

The musclebound kobold furrows his considerable brow. "I can't. I don't expect much. But I can't even say I'm the same man I was when I went in that place." He runs a hand along his face. "Every scar is where he cut me open, put this new, glowing muscle in." His bicep flexes, and you can see a dim blue glow beneath one of the stitching scars. "I'm not anywhere near myself anymore. I can't even remember who I was. Not really." He points at your right arm. "Though I figure you might want to know if how what he put in me works is the same as what you have beneath your skin. You brought me back from beyond madness, stranger. As far as I can tell, I owe you a lot. A few tests might help me figure out what to do with myself at any rate."

>>15898336
"Thanks. We'll do everything we can."

With that, let's move onto the next group.

>>15898378

You nod to him. "Thanks. We'll do everything we can."

"Don't worry about it." The hulking kobold pats you on the shoulder with a hand as big as your head. "I don't figure you'd have a way to shrink me back down, nor do I think it's worth your bother. I might even like being me, someday."

You introduce the few guards you have brought along to Tayn and Turen.

"A pleasure." Polk says, shaking the hands of both.

"You were a teacher at the gunner's academy, right?" Turen asks Polk.

"Was being the operative term." Polk says to him, a bit of distaste evident in his tone. "But after a chat with the magistrate, I went where I could better serve."

"Polk-chief makes many good plan. Knows land, knows enemy." The deep kobold hisses over to you, scratching at his shirt. "Good chief."

"This is our head stealth operative, Jeklam." Polk gestures over to the deep kobold. "He was the heir to the shadow warriors of his own tribe."

Jeklam looks over to Turen, grinning. "During adulthood rite, you make good fight."

Turen seems a bit taken aback. "Why... Thank you."

Jeklam makes a short nod at him. "My son says you make good fight for arkna. You use magic making smartly." He raises up his hand, palm upwards. "Should not hand-touch, though. Could poison you without you telling." You notice a small needle in-between two of his fingers.

"Oh... Um, I suppose I might try to avoid doing it then." Turen says, clearly a bit sick.

"Is alright. Is foolish human-dwarven custom. Make both dead, we stay living." He grins, palming the needle once again.

>>15898483
Tell them about our plans for the day. Mainly, we need to do some reconnaissance on the next faction we plan on visiting, which is probably going to be H'runten.

"Tell me Jeklma. In your experience, have you ever encountered any of the H'runten. Their reputation makes them out to be fearsome and deadly opponents, so stepping into negotiations head-first would be fatal for us."

>>15898562

"Tell me Jeklma. In your experience, have you ever encountered any of the H'runten. Their reputation makes them out to be fearsome and deadly opponents, so stepping into negotiations head-first would be fatal for us." You ask the shadow warrior, whatever his title means.

He laughs, cracking his neck. "H'runten. They are good killers. H'runten have killed purple worms, beholders, even Radalki. Always quick witted, always careful. Fun to fight."

Tayn smirks. "But, what does that mean, exactly?"

The deep kobold points to himself. "I am of Radalki. We two peoples fought in previous times. Because of territory, because of food. But then, we migrated up. Became allies." He nods. "Should go well. May need kolak, but should go well."

>>15898697
"...kolak?"

>>15898717

"...kolak?" You ask Jeklam.

The deep kobold continues smiling. "Honor-combat. Can be to the death, can be to first blood. Used to gauge how much honor and skill the other clan has."

"Oh, no trouble at all." Tayn says. "We just have to fight them."

"Your people wear too warm clothing." Jeklam says.

>>15898762
Fight to the death; awesome.

"Well, prepare yourselves for recon. I have a few more things to do here, then we'll be heading out."

On a related note, how many uses of teleport do we have per day? We've already used four IIRC (2 in the prison, 2 here).

>>15898785

"Well, prepare yourselves for recon. I have a few more things to do here, then we'll be heading out." You say to them, heading over to check your things as the deep kobold tears loose his shirt.

"Better." He murmurs.

You have used four, but could use up to another six.

>>15898868
Ten teleports? Oh lordy.

Finally, let's check on our half-dragon friend and see how he's doing.

"Once we're done moving the others, we'll be back to go fetch that scroll for you."

>>15898923

"Once we're done moving the others, we'll be back to go fetch that scroll for you." You say to Slam'lok.

He nods, simply. "I thank you, and appreciate your efforts." He looks over towards the door to your room. "I believe Turen may have found a lead of some kind regarding that. Though, you, who has been without an arm for so long- Why not use such a thing for yourself?"

>>15899036
"To be honest, I've grown attached to what it means; It represents something for me. This arm isn't something gifted to me by the gods or by some powerful magics; it's something that is created through my people's hard work and ingenuity." Tap the metal. "Plus, I can't count how many times it saved my scales."

After that little monologue, let's gather Ghurken, the hulking Kobold (and however many of the other guinea pig Kobolds that are willing), and then teleport back to drop them off. Then, port back for a debriefing with whatever Turen found.

>>15899095

You take a look at your arm. For the first time, you notice every cut, every scrape across the metal frame. The damn thing's been god to you, that much is certain. "To be honest, I've grown attached to what it means; It represents something for me. This arm isn't something gifted to me by the gods or by some powerful magics; it's something that is created through my people's hard work and ingenuity." You tap the metal with your left pointer finger. "Plus, I can't count how many times it saved my scales."

"I see." Slam'lok says, a slight grin running across his features. "Then, I suppose I won't question it any further. I will gratefully accept this gift. I know how valuable it must be."

>>15899238
Shrug.

"I took your hands from you; it's the least I can do."

With that, let's warp back.

>>15899095

"I took your hands from you; it's the least I can do." You say to him.

You gather the larger kobold, Turen, and the others who can fit into your group, including one of the red-skinned kobolds. Ghurken's grandson comes with him.

"The next time I see the lot of you, I'll be a new man!" He says to his descendants.

The greatsword wielder you met first, the youngest, looks over at his ancestor and snorts. "Just remember, old man. It's not what's on the surface that counts, but what's inside."

"Yeah, I bet the ladies all went for that line." Ghurken sneers. "After they got up off the floor, and stopped laughing, that is."

The burly kobold looks down at him. "Hey, I gotta live by that corny bit now."

"Shaddup. You ain't got a thing to complain about." Ghurken sneers. "Let me tell you about how I lost my eye."

"Don't feel obliged." The burly kobold says as your concentration builds.

"If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it!" Ghurken sneers back. "It was just after I had bedded nine lusty kobold women-"

You fortunately don't have to hear much more as you disappear with a pop.

(And that's it for tonight)

>>15899431
Thanks for the thread, OP. :3

What's the schedule for your quests this week?

>>15899463

Gargoyle Quest Friday at 21:00.

And that's it because finals.