The first thing you notice as you're roused from your sleep is the culprit, the sun. Through a tiny porthole near your face, it peeks out over the horizon ever so slightly. The darkness of the ocean giving way to shimmering sunlight reflected off the waves. This sight, combined with the swaying that you've been subjected to since you awoke instantly reminds you that you are on a ship. As you regain your bearings, you feel the ship slowing down. You must be closing in on your destination. You get up from your rack in your tiny room, and step out onto the deck. You can see that some of the ship's other passengers have also entertained their curiosity, braving the brisk morning air to watch as they pull into the dock. They, and you, all have their eyes trained on one thing. The landmass sticking right up out of the ocean in front of you, hiding the very reason any of you would bother coming all the way out here. You can't see it quite yet, but you know it's there. The Abyss. The last unexplored area in the world. You in particular have come here for one reason, and one reason only. To get rich. Everyone knows of the great treasures of the Abyss, and the incredible prices they are sold off for. There's no better place in the world for your fortune to be made than in the Abyss. Not that you had a whole lot of options. After all...


>A. Your father was a simple laborer, up until he fell ill, that is. You were forced to work in his stead to support the both of you, and work you did until he eventually passed. Now you take the money you had left and head for the Abyss, where you hope your hard work will pay off better. Your work has made you quite strong and hardy, able to carry much and for a long time without tiring. However, you are very clumsy with both your hands and your words.
STR+
CON+
DEX-
CHA-

>B. You were a mere street urchin, with no friends or family to speak of. After years of saving up, you finally got enough money together to make the trip to the legendary Abyss, where you hope to leave poverty behind you forever. Having had to survive on the streets, both your hands and your wits are quick. However, you had no education whatsoever, and your constant trial to procure any food you could has made you less hardy than others, and more prone to fatigue.
DEX+
WIS+
CON-
INT-

>C. You were once the heir of a noble house, but several other noble houses conspired against your parents, depriving them of all their wealth, and eventually their lives. With nothing left for you at home, you took what money you could scrounge up and got on a boat for the Abyss, where you hoped another fortune would await you. Due to your upbringing you are highly educated, and very good at interacting with people. However, you were on the sheltered side, and are a bit naive to the ways of the world outside. You also are weaker than usual, having grown up away from hard work.
INT+
CHA+
STR-
WIS-

>>2223926
>>C. You were once the heir of a noble house, but several other noble houses conspired against your parents, depriving them of all their wealth, and eventually their lives. With nothing left for you at home, you took what money you could scrounge up and got on a boat for the Abyss, where you hoped another fortune would await you. Due to your upbringing you are highly educated, and very good at interacting with people. However, you were on the sheltered side, and are a bit naive to the ways of the world outside. You also are weaker than usual, having grown up away from hard work.

>>2223936
>>C. You were once the heir of a noble house, but several other noble houses conspired against your parents, depriving them of all their wealth, and eventually their lives. With nothing left for you at home, you took what money you could scrounge up and got on a boat for the Abyss, where you hoped another fortune would await you. Due to your upbringing you are highly educated, and very good at interacting with people. However, you were on the sheltered side, and are a bit naive to the ways of the world outside. You also are weaker than usual, having grown up away from hard work.

>>2223936
>B

>>2223936
>>C. You were once the heir of a noble house, but several other noble houses conspired against your parents, depriving them of all their wealth, and eventually their lives. With nothing left for you at home, you took what money you could scrounge up and got on a boat for the Abyss, where you hoped another fortune would await you. Due to your upbringing you are highly educated, and very good at interacting with people. However, you were on the sheltered side, and are a bit naive to the ways of the world outside. You also are weaker than usual, having grown up away from hard work.

Knowledge is power. Also, welcome back Laze.

which option gives us Ninshu laze?

>>2223926
>>C. You were once the heir of a noble house, but several other noble houses conspired against your parents, depriving them of all their wealth, and eventually their lives. With nothing left for you at home, you took what money you could scrounge up and got on a boat for the Abyss, where you hoped another fortune would await you. Due to your upbringing you are highly educated, and very good at interacting with people. However, you were on the sheltered side, and are a bit naive to the ways of the world outside. You also are weaker than usual, having grown up away from hard work.
I have no idea what this setting is but it seems interesting enough

>>2223936
C, glad there are more fanfiction quests using interesting settings recently

>>2223936
>>A. Your father was a simple laborer, up until he fell ill, that is. You were forced to work in his stead to support the both of you, and work you did until he eventually passed. Now you take the money you had left and head for the Abyss, where you hope your hard work will pay off better. Your work has made you quite strong and hardy, able to carry much and for a long time without tiring. However, you are very clumsy with both your hands and your words.
>STR+
>CON+
LAZE LIVES AGAIN

Oh fuck I almost forgot about this.

>>2223926
>Also made a discord
You used to be cool man.

>>2223936
>A. Your father was a simple laborer, up until he fell ill, that is. You were forced to work in his stead to support the both of you, and work you did until he eventually passed. Now you take the money you had left and head for the Abyss, where you hope your hard work will pay off better. Your work has made you quite strong and hardy, able to carry much and for a long time without tiring. However, you are very clumsy with both your hands and your words.


>>2223975
There is no ninshu in MiA, only Adventure! And getting tentacle fucked by monsters.

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>>2223979
>I have no idea what this setting is

File: Orth.png (2.31 MB, 1920x1080)

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>>2223955
>>2223962
>>2223967
>>2223979
>>2223985

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoNlr5zEZFw&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=9

That's right, you were destined to inherit your parent's fortune, but it was ripped right from under you. All the time they put into preparing you, wasted. You had no delusions of revenge, no, you're barely more than a child. You'd likely just end up dead yourself. And if you've got nothing to lose, you might as well go to a place where you have everything to gain.

As you stew over the path that led you to this point, the ship makes port. The crew ties it to the dock, then sets the board across the gap. Some passengers head back to their rooms to grab their things, but you head straight to disembark. Everything you own is already on your person. Looking at your destination, you see that there are no structures besides the dock on the ocean side. The only thing of note is the long, winding, uphill path that leads to the ridge overlooking the Abyss. You groan at the mere sight of it. It could take you an hour or more to crest. But you aren't going to stop now after coming this far, so you put one foot in front of the other and begin your climb.

As you make your way up the path, you glance at your fellow passengers. Most of them are older, but some are as or maybe even younger than you. One of them, a girl in a bandanna, is practically drooling as she flips through a book. She's mumbling to herself.

"Hoo, I reckon the Ottobasu in the Abyss are even better eatin' than out..." you can hear. "Need to catch myself one o' them."

In front of you, you can see a young man about your age with some kind of pole strapped to his back, with a cloth wrapped around the end. He seems to be having a good time, laughing with some older guys he's talking to.

"Damn shame, if it's true." the boy responds to one of them. "Went on her last dive. What I would've given to meet the Annihilator."

As that statement is made, their group crests the ridge, with you right behind. You get a full view of the Abyss and the town that surrounds it, Orth. Packed tightly around the edge, thousands of buildings clinging on. And of course the Abyss itself. You can only see a bit of a ways down it now, but it already inspires awe. As you all get a good look, the group in front of you speaks up again.

"Still just as beautiful every time I see it. You come here to be a delver, boy?" the old man continues their conversation. "You better have some kind of skill. Seen too many times cocky young lads like yourself come just to lose their lives real quick to that Abyss right there."

"Of course I've got skill!" the boy replies. "Who would come to delve the Abyss without any skill?"

No one would, that's right. You happen to have a certain skill yourself. One that's sure to help you get your fortune out from that giant pit.

>>2224110

>Medicine
You were studying to become a doctor, and have the ability to treat various wounds and diseases, as well as some knowledge of herbs with medicinal purposes.

>Relic Knowledge
You were studying the nature of relics, the wondrous products of the abyss. You can recognize all recorded relics, and have memorized a good number of their uses.

>Nether Glyph Reading
You were studying nether gylphs, the runes used in the abyss. You can read any messages written in nether glyphs, of which there are sure to be many in the depths.

>>2224116
>>Medicine

>>2224116
>Nether Glyph Reading

>>2224116
>Nether Glyph Reading
Relic Knowledge isn't totally necessary and while Medicine would be nice, if you get really fucked there's no saving you, short of chugging loli juice and ascending from the Sixth Layer.

>>2224116
>>Nether Glyph Reading

>>2224110
>>Relic Knowledge

>>2224116
>>Nether Glyph Reading

>>2224116
>Nether Glyph Reading
I would accept an MiA quest having char gen simply because of the sheer number of MCs we're expected to run through as we die again and again.

>>2224166
>This character falls off a cliff
>Next character gets eaten by monsters
>Third one gets Bonedaddy'd
>Fourth one gets Seventh Layered
>Fifth one gets to the end of the story
Gets bad end

>>2224176
>bad end triggers arc 2 that has the first 4 MCs as your party at the bottom of the abyss

>>2224116
>>Medicine
I'd rather have a higher chance of survival. Dangerous Fauna, layer sicknesses, and terrain make medicine a godsend down there.
Possibility of bad-ass self surgery?

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>>2224126
>>2224128
>>2224129
>>2224152
>>2224166

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjVF_J4hJ1M&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=29

You studied the letters of the Abyss, the Nether Glyphs. Whatever ancient secrets they reveal, you'll be able to find out. Very few people outside of Orth can read Nether Glyphs, and even most of the people of this city probably aren't as proficient as you are. There's no doubt it's a trait to envy.

As all the passengers make their way into Orth, they disperse and go about their own business. A good number of them however take the same route you do. Following the signs, you all make your way to the Guild Hall. You see delvers all about, speaking with guild officials. You note the officials by the five pointed flower symbol on their purple clothes. This is where the delvers all come to do business, so you'll probably be seeing this place a lot, too. The group that's travelling in the same direction as you comes to a desk at the same time you do, and an official comes out. He waits for any chatter to die down before speaking.

"Welcome to Orth, and to our Guild Hall." he begins, his voice betraying his complete lack of interest in his potential future associates. "You are all probably here to register to become delvers, so line up single file and come fill out some forms here at the desk. While we're processing all of it, I'll give a bit of an orientation."

You line up along with everyone else, managing to get a spot near the front. You're right behind the girl with the bandanna, who smiles as she signs off on all the papers. It's your turn next, and you take the forms the official hands you.

You take note of all the signature slots, and sign them with your name...

>Write-in

>>2224207
Loli-chan Mc Kawaii.

>>2224207
Sullivan "Sully" Harrison

>>2224207
You're just asking for troll answers, you know that right?
>Oswald Whisperwill

>>2224207
Fuck I'm terrible at names, I want to make it a non-obvious and not on the nose pun that doesn't come off as a joke but I'm not sure it won't come off as a joke. I'll try something more real.
Atsu maybe? I took it from Japanese but it isn't /all/ Japanese.

>>2224235
>>2224239
MiA isn't really a setting with real people names.

>>2224245
that primarily applies to orphans. MC here is a noble from a different country, so technically we can pick whatever.

>>2224257
Mitty, Nanachi, all the kids who got cartridged with them, and Jirou's caravan friend who's name escapes me all have not really name names. I suppose Mitty can be a surname.

>>2224283
>Mitty
>nanachi
>all the children from not!russia
those are all still orphans.

Jirou is an orphan too, he was trained by the head mistress.

The doctor, Mia i think? She's the only one who probably isn't an orphan, and Mia is a fairly normal name.

>>2224293
It's Mio, turns out. I forgot that one kind was named Shiggy.

Sasuga, Tsukushi.

Either way I don't want to be running around with an European name.

>>2224307
Well I don't mind not having a european name, I just want this whole naming vote to be over and done with.

>>2224207
HINT HINT

>>2224313
Well, to make it go forward,

>>2224207
>Atsu

>>2224313
I also want this vote to be over, it's a shame that us voters cannot come to a consensus, I wish there were someone here who could end it with fiat >>2224207

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You sign your given name, Atsu, in the blanks. You decide to omit your family name. It was once a sign of your status, but that time is over. It's not like it would have meant anything here, anyway.

After you finish filling out all the forms, you take a seat along with everyone else. After all of the applicants are done, the official begins speaking to the group again.

"Welcome to the Orth Guild of Delvers, everyone." he goes on in his bored tone. "Now, our delvers that are trained from childhood are automatically made Blue Whistles at age 15. All of you here are likely older than that, but you will be made Red Whistles anyway due to your lack of experience. You will be promoted in accordance to your worth to the Guild. And by worth, I do mean monetarily. If you had the funds, you could even buy your way as far as Black Whistle, though there's only ever been one time that didn't end horribly. I would recommend working your way up the normal way and gaining experience, if you want to survive the lower layers. Anyway, you will be responsible for equipping yourselves. If you need to exchange money, we have a counter for that."

The official then goes around and hands all of the applicants red whistles. You take yours and look at it. Hardly impressive. But it's a first step.

"These give you permission to enter the first layer of the Abyss." the official explains. "If you go down to the second layer as a Red Whistle, no one will come to save you. You'll be considered dead. So if I were you, I'd just work in the first layer and get acclimated like you're supposed to. Find relics, and bring them back here to the Guild Hall to receive payment. Do not keep relics that you find. If you read your contract, you'll know that's against the rules. You will however get the opportunity to buy relics you retrieve before anyone else, unless you manage to find a special grade relic. That's all. Good luck in the Abyss."

With no fanfare, the official disappears into a room behind the desk. Most of the new delvers head to get their money exchanged, you among them. You get everything you had left traded in for 500 Resil, the currency they use in Orth. You now have a few each of gold, silver, and copper coins. All of them have the same flower marking on them as the guild uniforms. With money in hand, you think about what to do next.

>A. Head straight to the market to stock up

>B. Try to make friendly with some other new delvers and go together

>C. See if you can find a veteran delver around to give you some pointers

>D. Write-in

>>2224502
>>A. Head straight to the market to stock up

>>2224502
>A. Head straight to the market to stock up
This sounds like a fun job!

>>2224502
Fuck my thing won and it means two things.

>B. Try to make friendly with some other new delvers and go together
Waifu time :^)

We're ten years before the canon story, right?

>>2224502
>>A. Head straight to the market to stock up

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>>2223926
>Binge read Abyss after randomly discovering it
>Huh, better check /qst, lets see black company...
........
>HOLD THE FUCK UP

I love you /qst, i don't even need the other boards anymore

>>2224526
Roughly, yes

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>>2224515
>>2224523
>>2224527

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLwJmeatv7w&index=11&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

More concerned with yourself right now than anything else, you head out of the Guild Hall and to the market, again following the signs to get there. It's still morning, and the townspeople are going about their daily business as the sun finishes creeping over the edge of the ridge surrounding the city.

You eventually reach the market and find all sorts of stalls and shops about. Most of them are geared towards delvers, as you'd expect from the town that exists to facilitate their adventures. You check around and find all the standard equipment. Rucksacks, ropes, gloves, helmets with headlamps on them, knives, cooking equipment, and just about anything else you can imagine bringing on an adventure down into the Abyss. You consider your physique. You probably can't pack too much while still having room to bring up the relics you find. You'll have to be careful. Then again, you don't have a lot of money anyway. A rucksack alone is going to take nearly a quarter of your budget.

>What will you buy?

We'll get all the things that people agree as essential. They can be things I listed, or otherwise

>>2224612
Essentials only here people.

>Rutsack, gloves, helmet, knives, shovel, and cooking equipment.

>>2224612
>>2224631
This sounds good, also a shitload of rope. Can't have too much rope.

How long do you anticipate this to be Laze?

>>2224662
I wouldn't be surprised for it to be around the same length as FMAQ. Nothing too long

>>2224662
>>2224675
Not too much rope. Remember that we can probably requisition vines down there to make rope.

>>2224631
>>2224612
Seconding this including a light. Never know when shit can get dark.

>>2224695
Rope is a lot more trustworthy than vines.

>>2224675
Cool, I can't wait to see what the win state is. Even if it's being a trap maid under Ozen's giant thumb.

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>>2224701
Having a light on your helmet is standard Delver gear even for orphaned red whistle scrubs.

Hey QM, do we need to buy attire at all? Are we not gonna be wearing the standard delver stuff?

>>2224734
You're a foreigner, and you're wearing whatever you were wearing when you got here. The orphanage provides that gear to the orphans, and the guild explicitly said you're responsible for equipping yourselves

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>>2224753
Fair enough. I guess.

>>2224612
>Rope lots of it
>Gloves, hardy one
>steel toed boots
> a helmet
>Lantern or a buttload of torches with oil and flint
>Skillet for cooking and self defense (cast iron bb)
>Knives
>Pack to carry it in and a few sacks for looting.
>Waterskins for water

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-yD-nXmVQ4&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=8

You make sure you look around so you're getting the best deals, and make sure to only get the essentials. The rucksack digs into your budget quite a bit, but it is a nice piece of equipment. Sturdy, can hold a lot stuff, high quality all around. It can be considered the most important part of a delver's equipment, so it makes sense. You also pick up some nice gloves to protect your hands, a helmet with built-in headlamp that's powered by a low grade artifact, and a good amount of rope. You get a shovel, a waterskin, a knife, and some basic cooking equipment. You stop there. This is already far more stuff than you've ever packed around at once. It'll probably take you some time just to get used to this, let alone including relics you may find. You can think of a few other things you'd grab, but you look at your remaining money. 100 Resils. You don't have a really good sense of its worth yet, but from this bit of shopping around, you guess it'd be enough for a couple of nights at an inn with accompanying meals. You'll have to get right to work making money if you want consistent food and shelter.

You pack up or start wearing everything you bought, then start walking with it. As expected, it's heavy. For you, anyway. Nothing you can't move with, but you won't be moving fast. You make your way down to the entrance of the Abyss. There's an arch over the pathway that has a guard posted on it. He glances at your Red Whistle and moves his gaze along.

You emerge to quite a sight. Your first real look into the Abyss. The bottom is just as unseeable as it was higher up, but inside the Abyss, you really start to get a sense of scale. Of how huge this pit really is. As you head down the path, you think about just how far down you feel like trying to go on your first time down here.

>A. You'll stick around real close to the entrance. Finding relics will not be as much of a priority as just getting used to moving around in the Abyss with all this stuff

>B. Try to find a nice spot that's not too far down, and maybe has some relics to find

>C. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. See how far down in the first layer you can reach before getting tired, then search there

>D. Rather than any particular depth, try to find some other delvers to hitch up with and search together

>E. Write-in

>>2224834
>>B. Try to find a nice spot that's not too far down, and maybe has some relics to find

>>2224834
>>B. Try to find a nice spot that's not too far down, and maybe has some relics to find

>>2224834
>C. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. See how far down in the first layer you can reach before getting tired, then search there

>>2224834
>B. Try to find a nice spot that's not too far down, and maybe has some relics to find

>>2224834
>>D. Rather than any particular depth, try to find some other delvers to hitch up with and search together

>All these anons picking B like they don't realize there's barely anything there because that's the safest area to send kids to learn.
We do not yet have the experience or knowledge to actually manage to find the good stuff in such a picked out spot.

We should see if we can find other delvers: safety in numbers and they might be willing to give us tips and teach us some stuff.

>>2224909
Yup, we're looking for hidey holes and shortcuts

>>2224834
>D. Rather than any particular depth, try to find some other delvers to hitch up with and search together

Reminder that it's totally legal to ice delvers who aren't in your guild. Sometimes even delvers that are in it.

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>>2224913
No it's not.
Just illegal foreign delvers that sneak into the Abyss for that purpose and to take relics back to their countries.
I mean, yeah you could off someone from Orth and it's your word against a dead man and everyone knows how brutal the Abyss can get, but why would you do this? It just lowers your chances of survival and the amount that you can carry back up.

Alright, we're going with B. Roll me 1d100

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>2224923

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>2224923
>>2224922
That's how Lyza operated and look how successful she was.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>2224923

Rolled 99 (1d100)

>>2223926
JESUS CHRIST YOU CAME BACK!

>>2223975
Just shows we will never forget MUTHA FUCKIN NINSHU!

>>2224923
I have no idea what this setting is outside it being an anime but i shall roll.

>>2224999
Nice digits. Made in Abyss is a series about adventure but really children suffering in which delvers, which are explorers of this really big hole, explore this really big hole to uncover supernatural artifacts, but the big hole is very dangerous and if you fuck up on any layer above the seventh your death is slow and painful.

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>>2224936

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxe7-Az-1Hs&index=37&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

You decide to head a little ways down, but not overreach. It's only your first day, and while you'd like to make a good haul, you aren't totally sure you could handle more. You wind your way down a series of well-trodden paths, then veer off to the side before going down too far. You come to a bunch of rock formations that look like giant trees with stairs and doors carved into them. You see a group of three kids digging around in one of the structures. They're probably a year or two younger than you are, and are wearing Red Whistles just like your own.

"The Tree Houses are one of the best places in the first layer to still find relics." one of the kids says, a boy with some kind of device strapped to the side of his helmet. It looks like some kind of magnifying glass he can flip out in front of his eye. "If we're gonna make a big score, it's gonna be here."

"I'm sure our friend appreciates the tip." you hear, this time from a girl glancing at you from out of the door. "Why don't we just give him all our relics while we're at it?"

"There are enough relics for everybody." a second girl's voice says. She's a bit farther inside, so you can't get a good look at her. "We're all delvers from the same guild, there's no need to fight."

You leave the kids to their digging, internally acknowledging that you do appreciate the tip. You chose a Tree House and head inside, unpacking your shovel.

After a couple of hours of digging, you hit a hollow spot. Some old rock gives way, and you take a look at your find. At first you're startled, and even let out a small yelp. There's a skeleton with his hands folded in prayer. But you shortly regain your composure. You remember hearing about this, the praying skeletons. Looking else where in the room, you find a couple of orbs. They seem to release light, very similarly to the ones in your helmet. You pack them away in your rucksack. You also find something else. A knife of some kind. You carefully test the edge with your finger. It's about as sharp as a spoon. You can't imagine it's worth a whole lot. But maybe it and the orbs will be a decent haul.

"Hey, you okay over here?" a voice calls to you from the door. It's the boy from before. "Did something happen?"

>A. Wave the kids away, you're fine

>B. Tell them you're fine and ask if they know anything about the stuff you found

>C. Tell them you're fine and try to befriend the kids, maybe ask some stuff about delving

>D. Tell them you're fine and ask if the kids want to team up to find even more relics

>E. Write-in

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>>2224999
>999
>rolled 99

>>2225031
>>C. Tell them you're fine and try to befriend the kids, maybe ask some stuff about delving

Found some praying skeletons and a dull as crap knife and some other stuff. How do you ID relics as being any good?

>>2225031
>A. Wave the kids away, you're fine
Too shallow and early to be chucking them off of cliffs.

But one day we'll surpass Lyza in body count.

>>2225031
>>C. Tell them you're fine and try to befriend the kids, maybe ask some stuff about delving

>>2225031
>C. Tell them you're fine and try to befriend the kids, maybe ask some stuff about delving
>We're not being too loud, are we?

Rolled 54, 1, 21 = 76 (3d100)

>>2225053
>>2225059
>>2225067

Alright, trying to befriend the kiddos. This is a CHA roll, so you get a bonus. Roll me 1d100+10

Rolled 50 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2225085

Rolled 11 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2225085

Rolled 71 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2225085

Rolled 2 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2225085
Nice roll Laze.

Good stuff. I'm calling it here for the night, will pick up again tomorrow morning, want to fit in a few posts before my tabletop group gets together

I'll still be hanging around for a while before I head to bed though

>>2225102
Thanks for running and welcome back.

Ah shit, MiA quest, fucking sweet.

For anyone new to Made In Abyss you need to know that the worst thing about delving in the abyss is the curse. Deeper you go, stronger it gets and what it does is fucks you up for trying to climb back out.

>>2225057
Pretty sure Lyza only went after foreigners and traitors who sold to foreigners.

I'm being overloaded with errands this morning, so I don't think I'll get time to post before my game time. I will have a few hours afterward though, so expect me to start running again a couple of hours later than yesterday

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>>2226161
>errands

Going to be starting up again in like half an hour

>>2225095

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpOe-qYS_4&index=5&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

These kids may be younger than you, but they've probably been delving for quite some time. Rather than entertain some useless vestige of pride and go it alone, maybe you could get something out of associating with them. Some tricks of the trade, as it were. And you're sure you could do it. You've won over adults with a well placed series of words in your time, these kids should be putty in your hands. You crawl out from the small room and get ready to turn on the charm.

"Don't worry about me, I was just a bit startled." you begin, turning to face the young group. "Even though I knew about the praying skeletons, it's still something else to see one in person for the first time."

Where before your view of them was a bit impeded, you now get a clear look at the three children. The one you saw the clearest, the boy, is pretty much as you thought. He's a bit short and scrawny, probably considered a weakling by his peers, if you had to guess. That may play into why he's hanging out with two girls, but again, that's conjecture. He has an eyebrow raised as he watches you emerge. One of the girls, the one you saw from the side in the door, is even shorter than the boy. She seems to have something in her mouth, she might be chewing on something. Her annoyed expression seems to lighten slightly as she catches a better view of you. The last girl, who you didn't see well before, is significantly taller than the other two kids. Her arms and legs are bandaged at various points, in addition to having a couple of spots on her face bandaged. Either she gets hurt a lot, or is trying to make some kind of strange fashion statement. She looked genuinely worried, and shifted to a big smile as you assured you were alright.

"I may have taken to my new task with a bit too much gusto, if I'm honest. It's only my first day, you see." you go on. "Rather than go on to be surprised by the next unexpected encounter, I was beginning to think that I could ask you all for your advice. You've all surely been delving for a long time, and I'd love to hear from you. As you said, we are after all fellow delvers from the same guild. In the hopes that we can work well together in the future, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Atsu. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

You put on your best smile, and give a slight bow as you give your introduction. You've done this a thousand times before, making a good impression is your forte. Kids in particular love to hear praise, and beginning with telling them you want to learn from their experience should do wonders for their egos.

"Well, if the others are okay with it." the boy replies. "My name is Tredan."

"Of course we're okay with it!" the bandaged girl speaks up. "Helping each other out is the best way to get ahead in the Abyss! My name is Jiele. Nice to meet you!"

>>2227585

You notice the other girl hasn't spoken yet, and look to find her behind the door, leaning over and just barely peeking her face out. What you can see of it is beet red. She flinches a bit when she sees you looking at her expecting an introduction, then takes a deep breath.

"H-hey. My name's Kathil." she stammers awkwardly, her mouth still concealed by the edge of the doorway. "I-if you really want some help, then we can, I guess."

You're a handsome young man, you've seen this happen a couple of times before. Barely a word out of your mouth, and she's completely taken with you. You expect that will make interactions with her either very easy, or very, very difficult.

You gather your things and exit the Tree House, finding a place to sit nearby with the others. They start by going over a bit of delving basics.

"You've surely heard about it, but the greatest obstacle here in the Abyss is the Curse." Tredan tells you. "As soon as you try to travel back up, it'll hit you. Here on the first layer it's only dizziness and nausea, but it gets worse the farther you go down. Plus you've gotta remember, to get all the way back out, you're going to be suffering the curse constantly as long as you keep climbing. It takes a long time to get used to it, and it can't be mitigated. You just get better at dealing with the effects."

The explanation is interrupted by a low rumbling. From your stomach, that is. You had been keeping yourself busy, but you now realize that you haven't eaten all day. You reach for your pack, but then stop. You don't have any food. You didn't buy any.

The kids take note of your pause, and guess at the situation.

"Forgot to pack some lunch?" Tredan chuckles. "Well you could try to hunt for some down here, but I don't know if you could pull it off. Much less while hungry."

In contrast to Tredan's smugness, Jiele looks a bit worried for you. You see her almost do something that you assume is offer you some food, but she's beaten to the punch. Kathil has already made her way over to where you're sitting, and is shoving a box into your hands.

"I-I made a lot today." she says, while looking away from you. "You're a newbie, so I'm willing to help you out. Just don't it all, okay? I need some too."

>A. Thank her and eat your share

>B. Jiele was about to offer, if you say you don't want to take too much, she'll probably pitch a bit in for you

>C. Insist that you can manage without eating

>D. Go try and catch something to eat instead

>E. Write-in

>>2227604
>C. Insist that you can manage without eating
You should probably tweet or Discord or something.

>>2227772
I did

>>2227604
>c

>>2227604
>>C. Insist that you can manage without eating

>>2227604
>C. Insist that you can manage without eating

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>>2227772
>>2227995
>>2228031
>>2228110

You're not about to eat at this girl's expense because you forgot to buy lunch. You've at least got to put up a stronger front than that.

"No thanks." you say, pushing the box back. "I'll manage without lunch for a day. I'm not going to eat some of your food to cover my own mistake, I'll own up to it."

Kathil pouts a bit, but lets the matter go and heads back to her spot. The three kids begin eating lunch now that you've reminded them, and you steel yourself to last the rest of the day. you can't imagine you'll enjoy it, but you can last.

"Anyway, the curse gets so bad that the Seventh Layer is said to cause immediate death if you ascend." Tredan goes on, explaining as he eats. "The Sixth Layer is also likely to kill you on ascent, so going past the fifth is for White Whistles and their companions only. If you're searching for relics, it's not something you have to worry about. Relics don't come back up from that far, just very rarely there will be a letter balloon that makes it. The only things we know about those layers come from letters like that. Going down there means never coming back, just so you can get the chance to send a bit more information up to the surface. You can see why so few people actually go through with it. White Whistles are really something else. For everyone else, the Fifth Layer is as far as you go. But even down that far is a huge challenge to explore. Black Whistles are pretty amazing to do that regularly, too. But they have the chance of bringing back up rare artifacts. That's what I'm really interested in. There's probably all kinds of amazing stuff down there."

There's a lull in the conversation. They're all close to done eating by now, so now would be the time to ask more questions before they get back to work for the afternoon.

>A. Ask something about the kids (Write-in)

>B. Ask something about the Abyss (Write-in)

>C. Ask something about delving (Write-in)

>D. Don't ask anything

>E. Write-in

Good quest so far, but how often are we going to piss ourselves? Gotta be true to the source material.

>>2228472
>>C. Ask something about delving (Write-in)
How can you tell a good find from a bad one? Like say you got something super great, but it's not obvious at a first glance?
Also what are the whistle ranks? and why a whistle?

>>2228472
>How long can we just talk like this? Isn't it dangerous here?
>What do you guys do when a big monster comes? It looks pretty hard to run away with loaded packs.
>Tell them tales of how the plants and animals are different in our homeland.

>>2228472
>>A. Ask something about the kids (Write-in)
Let's get to know our new friends. how long have they been doing this? Why are kids like them doing something so dangerous? If they challenge us on that for being just as young just say we had no where else to go.

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You've got a whole host of questions, so you get right to it.

"You've mentioned a few different kinds of whistles." you start. "Mind telling me the whole rank structure? And while we're on the subject, why whistles?"

"We don't really know why they use whistles in particular." Jiele says, taking over the explaining for a while. "But the ranks go Red Whistle, Blue Whistle, Moon Whistle, Black Whistle, White Whistle. Reds are us, just apprentices that can only explore the first layer. Blues can go down to the second layer, and they make up most delvers. Like all the people that go hunting in the Abyss to provide meat for Orth are Blue Whistles. Moon Whistles are allowed to go down to the Fourth Layer, and they are usually responsible for training Red and Blue Whistles. At the orphanage we're led by a Moon Whistle. Black Whistles are allowed to go down to the Fifth Layer, and they're delving experts. Black is as far as most delvers can usually aim for. But sometimes we get delvers that are even greater, those are the White Whistles. Like Tredan said, they can go as far down as they want. There are only five of them right now, that's how rare they are."

As Jiele finishes talking and goes to eat the last of her lunch, you hear a loud call from some kind of bird nearby. It doesn't seem like it's approaching you, but it is slightly unnerving.

"Is it dangerous to stick around here for too long? What if some kind of monster comes to attack?" you ask. You haven't actually seen any dangerous looking Abyss creatures yet, but you can't be too careful. "How do you escape with loaded packs?"

"We've been coming down here for years now, you know." Kathil speaks up in response to your concern. "If we weren't safe here, we'd tell you. We're only a few hundred meters down right now, there are very few dangerous creatures at this level. But on the off chance we met one, the only real thing to do is hide. We can't fight anything really dangerous. Ditch your pack and just squeeze into a tight space they can't follow you. You life is worth more than some relics."

Seems sensible enough. While you hope it doesn't happen any time soon, you can't see yourself doing otherwise. Though speaking of relics...

"How do you know if you've got a good find?" you ask. "I can hardly make heads or tails of some of these relics."

"The only real way to know is to either bring it to the guild, or study up on relics yourself." Tredan replies. "Or if you get lucky and find out a relic's value firsthand. But a lot of relics have kind of obscure uses that you wouldn't think of. Nothing doing in that case."

The three kids finish eating, then start to head to another Tree House to keep searching for relics.

>A. Join them where they're going

>B. Find a new spot for yourself

>C. You don't think you'll last all afternoon at this rate. Start heading back up

>D. Write-in

So the rate of replies is not really high enough for the usual session format to work, so I'll have to switch over to a different style. From this point, I'm just going to constantly update whenever I get to it instead of trying to post a bunch in a period of a few hours

I'll post on twitter whenever there's a new update, or if it's easier for you, you can join the discord: https://discord.gg/veMt2H where I'll also post when an update happens

>>2229734
>>C. You don't think you'll last all afternoon at this rate. Start heading back up

Go hand in what we found and buy some food.Hopefully someone will pick us up when the curse knocks us out.

>>2229734
>A. Join them where they're going

>>2229734
>>C. You don't think you'll last all afternoon at this rate. Start heading back up

>>2229746
It's because of the late start, most people are in the Central/Eastern timezones or earlier.

Alright, gonna try ascending for the first time. Roll me 1d100-10

>>2229734
>But a lot of relics have kind of obscure uses that you wouldn't think of.
Sounds like the boob rocks are an example.

Rolled 90 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2230605
Rolling to see how hard we cry.

Rolled 81 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>2230605
We already got artificial crit, but who knows what I might get.

>>2230637
>>2230622
Oh, just saw that it's -10, well then the first two rolls are:
>>2230622
90 - 10 = 80
>>2230637
81 - 10 = 71

Rolled 89 - 10 (1d100 - 10)

>>2230605

>>2230639
Woops, you're right. We did good though all three rolls were pretty high.

Maybe we didn't piss ourselves on the way up.

>>2230667
Don't worry anon, we'll piss ourselves in due time.

Or die trying.

>>2230699
>tfw we die because of constipation

>>2230699
>tfw 90% of checks are to see if we piss ourselves

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>>2230622

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_6uywnu5k4&index=6&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

You gather up your things, then wave farewell to the kids. They wave back, probably understanding of your hesitance to stay down here all afternoon on an empty stomach.

You begin walking back up the path you came down, immediately acknowledging how much harder it will be to lug this pack up than down. Then, after climbing a scant few meters, it hits you.

You feel dizzy. You stomach starts churning. You stop and stand still for a bit. The feeling eventually goes away. You start climbing again. It comes back. There's no doubt about it. It's the Curse of the Abyss.

At first you take it easy, climbing a bit and stopping when the feeling becomes too uncomfortable. But the day begins to drag on. You decide to suck it up and push through. You make the entire rest of the trek queasy, you're sure you'd have thrown up a couple of times if you had anything in your stomach. Climbing up over ridges with your huge pack and a tempestuous stomach is particularly daunting. The going is slow, but you eventually make it. You pass through the archway and under the guild official, and feel your head and stomach clear up. With a sigh of relief, you find a spot nearby to sit down and relax. You've never felt so relieved. If the First Layer is this bad, you can't imagine climbing up from the lower layers all the time.

After a few minutes of rest, you see three more people coming up from the Abyss. It's the very same kids from before. Did they not stay very long after you? You take a quick look at the sun. It's pretty late in the afternoon. You actually took several hours to make that climb. You really hope you can manage to acclimate soon, since losing this much time each day is an awful prospect.

"How was your first ascent?" Jiele asks. "Feeling okay?"

"We decided to cut our excavation a bit short today." Kathil tells you, poking out from behind the other girl. "Figured we could drag you up if you passed out. But it looks like you can handle yourself."

"Well, it should come easier to you now that you've experienced it once." Tredan goes on. "We all had a rough time of it on our first trip, too."

Feeling rested enough, you get back to your feet.

>A. Join the kids and make for the Guild Hall to turn in your finds

>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

>C. You still have no idea where you're staying, you need to get that sorted out before anything else

>D. Write-in

>>2230875
>>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

Something light to recuperate with. Also, I have a theory about the knife but I'll hold off because it's pretty out there.

Damn it laze I've been meaning to watch this show and now I'll have to go so it sooner rather than later. Hopefully I can be in one of these threads within a week!

>>2230875
>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

>>2230939
You're in for a treat.And a couple gut punches.

>>2230875
>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

>>2230939
I hope you like piss and vomit.

>>2230875
>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

>>2230875
>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment
Food is nice

>>2230939
I don't think spoilers are going to turn up yet, we are just in the first layer at the moment.
>>2230875
>B. You can run to the Guild Hall later, you are too hungry to do anything but get food at the moment

>>2231167
>Dragged to the third layer by Grandma Bad-Touch in the next descent.

>>2230897
>>2230965
>>2231010
>>2231064
>>2231118
>>2231167

You're supposed to go to the Guild Hall and turn in the relics you found, but all the abuse your stomach has been put through can't be ignored any longer.

"It was good to meet you all." you tell the kids. "I'd come with you to the Guild Hall, but I can't seem to endure my hunger any longer."

"Guess this is goodbye, then." Tredan says, waving as he sets off. "Good luck delving, Atsu."

"It was nice to meet you." Jiele gives a slight bow, mimicking the one you gave before. "I hope we can see each other again."

"We go delving again in three days." Kathil says, staying slightly behind as her two companions walk off. "Y-you should come with us then. You'll get way better at delving if you stick with us. So just stay safe until then, alright? Bye."

Kathil turns and runs off after the other two without waiting to hear if you have a response. You give them all a wave and start walking. Following your nose, you luckily find a food stall close by. The fare is pedestrian, but by now you've gotten over it. You won't be eating fine cuisine for a long time.

You get some fried hammerbeak, with a side of vegetable dumplings and some iced tea. You actually order quite a bit, you're about as hungry as you've ever been. The meal costs you a whole 10 Resils, probably enough to feed you for a whole day if you were frugal. You must look quite uncouth, gorging yourself like this, but after today, you just don't care.

As you eat, a girl takes the seat next to you and orders the same thing. A side glance tells you you've seen her before. It's the girl with the bandanna from earlier today.

"Howdy!" she greets you. "Your meal was looking mighty fine, so I fig'rd I'd get the same thing. So how is it? Them Abyss creatures sure are tasty, ain't they?"

>A. They're nothing compared to what you used to eat

>B. You have to admit, they are pretty good

>C. Ask the girl about herself

>D. Avoid associating with this girl and leave

>E. Write-in

>>2231206
>B. You have to admit, they are pretty good

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>>2231206
>>B. You have to admit, they are pretty good
There's no food like this hungry boys food.

>>2231180
We're not exactly in her strike zone.

>>2231206
>B. You have to admit, they are pretty good
>C. Ask the girl about herself
She does seem the type to enjoy talking... so just let her do as much as she can.

Also, what a nice bunch of kids. Good thing they'll stay red whistles for a long, long while.

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>>2231222
Oh, they'll be red whistles for a while.they'll never go any higher.

>>2231212
>>2231214
>>2231222

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxy2NWEsds&index=41&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

"I have to admit, they are pretty good." you tell the girl, as you much on your hammerbeak. This is the first Abyss creature you've eaten, and while the preparation is anything but gourmet, the meat itself is marvelous. It's far denser than any poultry you can compare, while not being too gamy, like you expected. Each bite you take feels like a burst of energy flowing into your veins. If all the Abyss creatures are like this, you can start to see where delvers get the energy to explore in the depths.

"Ain't they? And this is just what ya can find on the First Layer." the girl replies, digging into her own meal as it arrives. "I bet there's all kinds of good eats down below."

"I have to wonder why exactly you're so sure of that." you inquire, unable to restrain yourself. "I've heard a good number of them down there are deathly poison."

"Well sure, but not all of em. And I plan on eatin' every one I can survive eatin'." she tells you, as she inhales her meal. "My pa was a rare game hunter, ya see. He dragged me along when I was a youngin', and I've ate bout near every animal on this Earth you can survive eatin', 'cept o' course those in the Abyss. It's the reason I came here, ya see."

Despite getting her meal several minutes after you, she finishes at roughly the same time. You're about to head out to the Guild Hall, and as both you and the girl get up, she flashes a huge smile.

"The name's Caryl." she tells you. "Since we're both Red Whistles now, let's get along, hey?"

>A. Introduce yourself

>B. Return the sentiment

>C. Play it off and be on your way

>D. Write-in

>>2231518
>A. Introduce yourself

>>2231518
>A. Introduce yourself

>>2231518
>A. Introduce yourself

>>2231518
>A. Introduce yourself

>>2231518
>A. Introduce yourself

>>2231549
>>2231586
>>2231600
>>2231624
>>2231686

At the very least, it wouldn't do to leave her hanging after introducing herself, so you do the same.

"It's good to meet you, Caryl." you smile back at her. "My name is Atsu."

The two of you take off, and since you both seem to be heading in the direction of the Guild Hall, Caryl takes this time to talk your ear off. She tells you all about her own day exploring the First Layer of the Abyss, with a particular focus on the creatures she ate. You wonder how she could possibly have eaten as much as she claims to have.

"I think I saw a Silkfang nest too, so I plan on checkin' it out tomorrow." Caryl tells you, as the two of you pull up to the Guild Hall. "Not sure if I can take it down by m'self in one go, but I really want a taste. Never done had a bug that big before."

You both come up to the relic counter, and you let her go first. She takes a few strange squishy orbs out of her pack, and get a few coins for her trouble. She then takes off with a wave.

"See ya around, Atsu." she says. "Good luck."

You step up next, placing the two orbs and the knife. The official takes the orbs first.

"Light Stones. A fourth grade relic, but the greenhorn delver's bread and butter." he muses. "They're everywhere, but always in demand. these are the small ones, so they'll get you 20 Resil apiece. Together that's 40 Resil. That's food and shelter for another day, right there."

He takes the orbs and places 40 Resil on the counter for you to take, then moves on to the knife. He looks at it very curiously, then flips through a nearby book for a minute.

"Here we are." he says, pulling out a bowl and a canteen. He holds the knife and the canteen over the bowl and pours water over the knife. Then, he pulls out an apple and slices through it like butter. "This is a pretty good find for the First Layer. It's called a Water Edged Knife. It dulls real quick, but just run it under some water and it gets super sharp again even quicker. A pretty decent third grade relic. This'll get you 300 Resils alone."

The official passes you the coins. You didn't expect to pull in that much just from that knife. You've almost recouped all the money you used to stock up with equipment, and it's only been one day. Hopefully your luck will manage to keep up.

You leave the Guild Hall with your payment, and think about what to do.

>A. Find a decent inn to stay at for the night, get rested up

>B. Before you do that, you should swing by the market now that you have some money again

>C. You actually have a decent amount of money, you could probably look into renting a nicer place. As long as you're still making day trips into the Abyss, it could be worth it

>D. Write-in

>>2231757
>B. Before you do that, you should swing by the market now that you have some money again.
Rest is a necessity but lets fix ourselves some more supplies, I noticed we have all the basics except proper climbing gear in the form of pitons and a harness. That's the stuff that gets you to areas that you can't get to with regular effort alone, and hopefully more pricey artifacts.

Oh, and maybe some non-perishable food so we don't starve halfway through tomorrow.

>>2231757
Also, apparently this girl is scary efficient at hunting and cooking? We bought cooking gear but were in no shape to hunt. Maybe we should suggest a team-up in that way to ease our burden. Though probably later.

>>2231757
>A. Find a decent inn to stay at for the night, get rested up

>>2231757
>A. Find a decent inn to stay at for the night, get rested up

>>2231757
>>B. Before you do that, you should swing by the market now that you have some money again
We should buy a small crossbow, like the one that Riko used against Bondrewd, and a shield/umbrella.

>>2231757
>>B. Before you do that, you should swing by the market now that you have some money again
>get traveler's rations and a pic for mining and melee

>>2232072
Ooohh, second. Somehow didn't even think of a pickaxe.

>>2231757
>>B. Before you do that, you should swing by the market now that you have some money again
Sweet I just finished the anime for this last night

>>2231776
>>2231992
>>2232072
>>2232233

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yABKaxuuPQ&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=13

With some fresh new funds, you decide to rectify your earlier mistake and get anything you forgot on your first trip to the market.

You make your way to the market again, then find some rations that you can keep around in case you really need them. Jerky and such, the kind of stuff that will keep a long time. You also pick up some more specialized climbing gear, as you learned the hard way today that rope alone is not an easy way up and down the Abyss. Lastly, you think of the creatures. While you're sure you'd rather run away like was suggested to you, you may be forced to fight sooner or later. You look around at some weapons, but most of them are a hefty investment. Particularly for something that may just end up being dead weight. You've never used a weapon in your life, so you aren't sure you could use any of these effectively. Your eyes then fall to a pickaxe. You had been using a shovel, but this could serve as a useful tool and a makeshift weapon if need be. It's also cheaper. You decide to go with that, and count up your remaining funds. 330 Resils. Not too bad, well over half of what you started with, even with all the stuff you bought.

You pack everything up, then head off to find a decent inn. Immediately the weight of your pack hits you again. With this new stuff, it's even harder for you to haul. And you don't even have any relics right now. At the very least, if you keep this up you shouldn't stay this weak for long.

As the sun sets, you manage to find a cozy little place about halfway up the ridge. They charge you ten Resil for a room tonight, which isn't too bad at all. You saw much higher prices closer to the edge, anyway. You make your way up to your room, and set all your things down beside your bed. You lay out on the bed and immediately feel very tired. It's been a long day. You don't even take the time to think about all the luxuries you miss from your old life before falling asleep.

In the morning you jerry-rig some basic hygiene, but make a note that you'll have to put some proper investment into it later when you get the chance. You pay a few Resil for a decent breakfast, and eat it as you plan out your day.

>A. Head back down into the Abyss the same as yesterday

>B. Try to find someone to team up with and head down into the Abyss together

>C. Head to the Guild Hall to see if you can get some help from a veteran delver, or maybe do some studying

>D. Write-in

>>2232298
>B. Try to find someone to team up with and head down into the Abyss together
C is just asking to be molested.

>>2232298
>Curse Training. Go to the abyss without gear, and just keep going up and down the stairs, striking conversations with all the delvers that pass by.
I think we could manage 3 laps, but the more important thing is to look interesting to the veteran delvers so they give some advice.

>>2232298
>B. Try to find someone to team up with and head down into the Abyss together

>>2232298
>>B. Try to find someone to team up with and head down into the Abyss together

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>>2232325
>>2232347
>>2232348

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJP4HvvYRjc&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=27

Instead of going it alone like yesterday, you figure it'd be better to be part of a group from the beginning this time. You make your way over to the arch leading down into the Abyss with all your gear, then wait around for a while. A scant few minutes after arriving, you see a familiar face, Caryl, approaching. You see her with another guy you recognize, the young man who was walking in front of you on the way up to Orth yesterday morning.

"Atsu, hey!" Caryl waves at you. "Yer probably waitin' for somebody to partner up with, right? Well the two of us could use a third! We're headin' a bit further down than yesterday, Gunna be fightin' a silkfang! You look a mite scrawny, but a 'nother set of eyes alone'll help. It's sure better than digging around at 400 meters, let's go!"

Caryl pulls on you by your sleeve, and you all head down into the Abyss. Seems like it's too late too change course now. Hopefully you'll at least be safe with these two, Caryl seemed competent enough from how many Abyss creatures she talked about killing and eating yesterday. Though you don't know anything about this other guy. As you look at him, he catches you eyeballing.

"Should probably introduce myself, huh? I'm Herik." he explains. "Nice to meet you. Atsu, right? Caryl told me she met you yesterday. Yeah, the two of decided to team up, since our goals kind of align. I'm interested in fighting all these super powerful Abyss creatures, and Caryl is interested in eating them!"

Herik laughs. You didn't think the dangerous creatures of the Abyss were something that you could take so lightly. You'd think this guy was crazy, but he mentioned he's skilled when that old man asked him yesterday. Maybe there's just something special about him you're not seeing. Still, you can't help but think coming to the Abyss to fight the fauna is an incredibly shortsighted goal.

The three of you head way down, past where you searched for relics yesterday. The terrain does get way tougher, and you're glad you got the climbing gear. You are however wary about making the trip all the way back up.

"Alright, I think this is about where we saw the nest." Herik tells you. "Keep your eye out for the dome of silk."

You'll look for it, but most likely so that you can stay far away. You have no intention of fighting some giant bug.

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>2232652
WEW
rolling but I gotta go to work thanks for running!

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>2232652

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>2232652

File: rainbow frog dance.gif (53 KB, 129x111)

53 KB GIF

>>2232731

>>2232731
I hope this was a BO3 roll

>>2232731
God damn. Well, that is something

Well, I'm going to be heading to bed, will get the next post out in the morning. Congratulations anon

>>2232759
Well that's likely to be my one amazing contribution to this quest

Happy first thread! It's the first time I've ever gotten in so early on a Laze quest.

>>2232731
Charming, smart and with sharp senses. Atsu is gonna be the best damn scout this abyss ever seen.

File: Silkfang.jpg (119 KB, 740x416)

119 KB JPG

>>2232731

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXcaBJJEGFA&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky&index=3

You stay alert as you move, and take notice of how the terrain changes from well-trodden to more dense forest. It seems even in the First Layer, man has only made his mark so far.

Eventually, you catch a glimpse of something white that sticks out at you. Peering a little closer, you see that it looks like a dome made of silk, exactly as Herik described it. You wave your companions over, and they commend you.

"Nice work, Atsu!" Herik says, as he slaps you on the back a little too hard. "Time to squash this bug."

"Ya'll better be careful, now." Caryl speaks up. "The silkfang's mighty powerful inside the dome. It uses strands of silk to move around real quick-like. It'll be a better idea to lure it out this way, see?"

The two of them keep talking strategy, while you step a bit to the side to get a better look. You see the creature itself, the silkfang, hanging upside down at the top of the dome, likely waiting for prey to enter its domain. It's then that you see something else. A ridge from up a bit higher, with a perfect vantage point on the beast. You imagine even you could jump from there to the silkfang itself, not that you ever would. And if this bug is like any others you can think of, that underside that it's so graciously exposing is a huge weak point. Perhaps it could even be taken out in one stroke. Though you'll leave that up to someone else to find out. You get the attention of your two comrades, then tell them about the ledge. Caryl seems more cautious, taking some time to think about it, while Herik immediately lights up. He wraps his arm around your head and squeezes it, which you find more than a bit uncomfortable, slipping out of it as soon as you can.

"Nice job, Atsu! That'll be just what we need!" Herik praises you. "You just stand back now and let me take care of this. Caryl, if you can get in a shot or two go ahead, but I think Atsu here just saved us a lot of trouble, we may not need it."

Herik starts climbing up to the place you pointed out, waving off Caryl's request to be careful. He must take a few minutes to rest off the effect of the curse, because it's a while before you see him standing up on the ridge. He left his pack down with you two, but he brought up something else. A spear. It seems to be that pole you saw him carrying around. It's quite an impressive looking one as well, you imagine it's probably got something special about it. Caryl pulls out a crossbow and stands ready, while you stand back. You aren't taking part in this, no sir.

Herik grabs his spear and points it downwards before taking a leap for the silkfang. The beast didn't know what hit it, as it gets skewered right through the torso. It and and Herik fall from the top of the dome all the way to the ground, with Herik stomping on the creature's eyes with his huge boots. The silkfang's limbs flail ineffectually a bit, but it soon stops.

>>2233674

"Hell yeah!" Herik exclaims, as he pulls his spear from the beast. "This is supposed to be one of the most dangerous creatures on the First Layer, and we took it out just like that! Thanks in no small part to our spotter, of course!"

You haven't really done any fighting in your time, but you could have sworn it'd but up a better fight than that, even after getting stabbed. It strikes you as odd that a single wound could kill it so fast. But it's not really your area of expertise, so you decide to put the matter out of your mind.

"Oh boy! I just can't wait to get my teeth in this here bug, let me tell ya." Caryl says, as she starts to cut the silkfang up. "Ya know, apparently it's not confirmed if these here things are edible. So we get to find out!"

You are more than a little unnerved at someone being so excited over eating something that isn't known to be edible.

>A. Tell her thanks, but you'll pass

>B. Wait for her to finish cooking it up, then try some

>C. Ask if you guys should search for some relics or something while you're down here so you make some profit today

>D. Write-in

Also
>Bonus: WIS UP

>>2233676
>B. Wait for her to finish cooking it up, then try some

>>2233676
>>C. Ask if you guys should search for some relics or something while you're down here so you make some profit today
Yeah, that was cool and all but let's make some dosh.
>Bonus: WIS UP
We know they can be killed, that they bleed like any other.

>>2233676
>D. Learn from her about preparing food and more importantly venomous organ extraction.

Don't want to split the party this far down but don't want to achieve nothing.

>>2233676
>C. Ask if you guys should search for some relics or something while you're down here so you make some profit today

I just found out about this anime last night. Is it worth the watch would you say?

>>2233846
I enjoyed it

>>2233846
I liked it. Good worldbuilding. Don't set ridiculous expectations tho.

>>2233846
It's good as long as you aren't squeamish.

>>2233851
>>2233855
>>2233857
Well, the cat-rabbit whatever it is looks cute at least.

>>2233676
>B. Wait for her to finish cooking it up, then try some
>C. Ask if you guys should search for some relics or something while you're down here so you make some profit today

>>2233868
If you think that then you're gay as well as EViL, because that's a boy.

This is a really cozy quest so far, I'm enjoying it.

>>2234135
Oh boy.

>>2234038
You lie, it's left intentionally ambiguous.

>>2234159
Yeah, and they don't outright state Marulk's gender either.

>>2234186
Comes across as pretty female to me.

>>2234217
Ozen!

>>2233676
>Don't let her eat the silk. It could be useful, but really there's no way that silk won't give her a stomach ache.
>Try to figure out what the Silkfang was here for. If more are nearby, attracting attention with smoke might not be a good idea.

>>2233689
>>2233786
>>2233945

While watching a guy with a spear kill a giant spider was neat and all, you're more concerned about what you came here for. Money. If you don't make any today, it might as well have been a waste of time.

"Hey, I don't mean to downplay this achievement..." you begin, getting both of their attention. "But shouldn't we try to search for some relic while we're down here? We do want to try and make some profit today, don't we?"

"Oh, don't you worry about profit." Herik says, as he pulls down a bunch of the silk hanging up. "We've got plenty of it right here. Even after splitting this silk three ways, it'll still fetch a nice price. Plus, there's another thing."

You look to Caryl, and she's pulled out some strange organ from the silkfang. She brings out three jars, and fills them up with some kind of fluid she squeezes out of the organ.

"This here's the venom." she explains. "Might be some trouble to find the right place to sell it, but darn if it won't be a haul when we do! This is a rarity, ya see."

"It's not exactly easy to find a silkfang nest, ignoring that it's usually tougher to take them out than this time." Herik adds. "Plus even if you could, you don't want to damage the food chain too much. Better to keep it in moderation. So even though you should make triple what you do on a regular good haul, try not to be too tempted."

Herik hands you one third of the silk, and you stuff it in your pack, along with one of the venom jars. If they're right, this alone would make today's trip worth it.

Caryl finishes cooking up the silkfang's meat, and cautiously nibbles at it. After a bit she must be satisfied that it's safe, since she abandons restraint and digs right in. Herik takes a bit for himself, and seems to enjoy it. Since it's already past lunch, and the two of them seem to have suffered no adverse effects, you decide to chance a bit yourself.

You find that it's... not awful. The taste makes you think of some kind of strange, tangy crab meat. Not exactly something you'd go out of your way to eat, but it's not an offense to your palate.

After eating, everything gets packed up and the three of your head on your way, ascending back in Orth's direction.

>A. You still want to try and find some relics while you can

>B. Chat a bit with your companions

>C. The ascent alone will be hard enough. Just focus on it

>D. Write-in

>>2234821
>B. Chat a bit with your companions
So Laze is Nanachi a boy or a girl?

>>2234862
I'd say probably a girl. There's not really any reason to think she's actually a boy, in my opinion. But you can believe what you want

>>2234868
Tbh I'm still not sure but the fact Nanachi didn't have any sort of chest as a human and makes no effort to cover up is what's made me the most unsure. Also the reaction to Reg's touch.

>>2234821
>A. You still want to try and find some relics while you can

>>2234821
>B. Chat a bit with your companions
Gotta be the life of the party

>>2234821
>B. Chat a bit with your companions

>>2234862
>>2234897
>>2234899

Alright, talking with the others while you climb. Now, eventually you'll get used to ascending in the First Layer and won't have to roll, but for now it's still day 2. At least this time there's no -10

Give me 1d100

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>2235027
May we not pault our lunch.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>2235027

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>2235027
Alright dice here we go again

Time to eat dirt I guess..

>>2235032
>>2235050
>>2235059
Oh boy, we're finally doing it, we're pissing ourselves. Or probably just vomiting.

>>2235086
I hope spider tastes just as good going out as it did going in...

>>2235032
>>2235050
>>2235059
Fug. It was only a matter of time until we embarrassed ourselves I guess.

>>2235131
It's really more embarrassing to not pee yourself in the Abyss.

File: First Layer Path.png (280 KB, 1095x616)

280 KB PNG

>>2235050

The three of you start the long and uncomfortable process of ascending back to Orth. To ignore the awful dizziness, you decide to try and distract yourself with conversation.

"So Herik, what exactly s your story?" you ask. "I can't imagine the Abyss wildlife draws many challengers like yourself."

"Heh. Yeah, I suppose that's right. But my goal is anything but to be normal." he replies. You can tell from his face that he's at least as queasy as you. "My dad was a prizefighter back home, pretty famous even."

As he walks, Herik raises his fists and does some sort of shadowboxing thing as a demonstration. "He made some money, too. Enough to buy a nice artifact, you see. That's that spear of mine. It was always a fascinating thing for me, but then I heard about the White Whistles. Superhumans that have surpassed their limitations. All using artifacts like this one. Well when I was a kid, someone being stronger than my dad was a crazy thought. But hearing stories about the White Whistles, I just couldn't help my curiosity I suppose. I wanted to come here and see what it meant to push your limits. See if I had it in me to be one of those superhumans. When my dad went, I figured I had nothing to lose. Might as well chase my dream, right?"

As he says this, Herik tries to puff out his chest and presumably look as strong as possible, but his attempt is thwarted when he doubles over and loses his lunch. You were just barely distracted enough yourself to hold it in, and at the sight you immediately follow suit. Caryl seems to be composed enough not to, though she has turned away to avoid looking.

"Phew." Herik lets out a deep breath, wiping his face. "I feel like I'm really starting to understand exactly what they mean when they say the White Whistles are more than human when they can do this kind of stuff like it's nothing."

The rest of the way up is marked with only light conversation, as you all mainly focus on retaining your composure. The sun is setting by the time you finally reach the arch and set foot out of the Abyss.

"That is some hike to be footin' every day." Caryl groans, rubbing her shoulders. You think to yourself that it seems to be only now that she's actually shown any sign of fatigue, while you and Herik have been huffing and puffing all the way up. "It'll be a mite hard to find a place to sell our loot, so we better get to it while we can."

You're keen on getting paid, so you have no objections. After an hour or so of looking around the city, you find a shop that's interested in the wares. A bit of a shady place if you were asked, but if you get paid you don't care too much. You all get 500 Resil each for your jars of venom, and 300 Resil each for the silk. It's a pretty nice payday. You're only disappointed that not all your days in the Abyss can be this profitable. You and your companions find a place to eat dinner, and you recoup your stomach's losses.

>>2235180

"Well Atsu, I think today went pretty well!" Herik tells you excitedly, as he chows on his meal. "Think you wanna team up again tomorrow? We could make it a thing. Maybe even split a room at the inn to save some money."

"I don't think it's a bad idea, m'self." Caryl adds. "Got a good head on those shoulders, nice to have 'round down there."

You consider the idea. They haven't been bad partners by any means, considering the profit you made today.

>A. Sure, I'll join you

>B. Sorry, I think I'll fly solo for a bit longer

>C. I have other plans tomorrow

>D. Write-in

>>2235182
>A. Sure, I'll join you
Just like Riko, Reg, and Nanachi. A girl, a boy, and probably another boy.

>>2235182
>>A. Sure, I'll join you
We'll have to keep an eye out for the other group, though. Maybe set up a group dive with them later on.

>>2235182
>A. Sure, I'll join you

File: 6720938417378934029814312689.jpg (153 KB, 694x1024)

153 KB JPG

>>2235182
>A. Sure, I'll join you
Lets have some comfy adventures.

>>2235182
>>A. Sure, I'll join you

>>2235182
>>A. Sure, I'll join you
We have a pretty well rounded team going here and they're good people.

>>2235182
>A. Sure, I'll join you

>>2235182
>A. Sure, I'll join you

Was going to post again last night, but I fell asleep. Give me a bit and I'll get this next one out

>>2235596
Yay!

>>2235596
yussss

>>2235184
>>2235202
>>2235203
>>2235215
>>2235260
>>2235372
>>2235479
>>2235483

You consider the idea. Not only was today particularly profitable thanks to your combined efforts, but considering what the two of them have shown, you all probably do a pretty good job covering each other's bases. They both certainly seem like they could use someone to act as the brains of this outfit, anyway. A role you are sure you could manage. At least with Herik around, you wouldn't be on the front lines against any Abyss creatures anytime soon, and that alone is plenty reason to take up the offer.

"Sure, I'll join you." you reply. "I think the three of us can make a pretty good team."

"All right!" Herik pumps his fist. "The Abyss won't know what hit it!"

You all chat a bit more as you finish eating, then make your way to an inn. You and Herik split one two-bed room this time, which saves you a couple of Resil. You then immediately use them to secure your hygiene that you neglected yesterday. Washing off two day's worth of sweat and dirt in the bath, from your clothes, and your teeth. Though it will only last until tomorrow, it's nice to feel clean.

You expect Herik to keep you up late into the night chatting, but you come back to the room to find him conked out on the bed already. It seems he supports sleeping hard in addition to working hard.

In the morning, the three of you prepare your things and get breakfast before setting out to the Abyss once more.

"So seein' as yer fancin' yerself the brains, why don't you tell us where we're headed today, boss?" Caryl asks you slyly. The girl's sharper than you gave her credit for to pick up on what you'd consider a passing thought. Maybe you need a bit more work on your poker face. "I can't imagine huntin' would give us as good a haul as yesterday, but we sure could try."

"If you've got a place in mind to search for relics, we could do that too." Herik adds. "Or, if we've got nothing, we can just head on down and keep an eye out for anything that seems promising."

>A. Hunting got us a bunch of money yesterday, and you guys seem suited for it

>B. There's this place that seems to be really good for finding relics we could go to

>C. Let's meander our way down and see what we come across

>D. Write-in

>>2235697
>A. Hunting got us a bunch of money yesterday, and you guys seem suited for it

>>2235697
>B. There's this place that seems to be really good for finding relics we could go to

Say, how many dives should we do before we try going even further? 1, 2, 5? General question.

>>2235697
>B. There's this place that seems to be really good for finding relics we could go to

>>2235697
>A. Hunting got us a bunch of money yesterday, and you guys seem suited for it

>>2235697
>>C. Let's meander our way down and see what we come across
take it easy, and build some new shortcuts that noone else will know for a while

>>2235697
>>C. Let's meander our way down and see what we come across
See if any interesting opportunities present themselves, or at least find good target for tomorrow.

>three way tie
help

>>2235764
Switching to C then, wouldn't push our luck with hunting yet, not everytime we come across a vulnerable bug.

>>2235697
>>C. Let's meander our way down and see what we come across

>>2235753
>>2235757
>>2235773
>>2235783
Alright, we're seeing where the Abyss takes us

Roll me 1d100

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>2235965

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2235965

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>2235965
Tine for SCOUT

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>2235984
We a cool gal who doesn't afraid of no abyss slaughter monsters

>>2236001
*boi
Stupid head of mine.

>>2235984
Niiiiiice

File: Gondola.png (3.87 MB, 1920x1080)

3.87 MB PNG

>>2235984

The three of you hike down the same path you started on yesterday, keeping an eye out just for anything that catches your attention. You notice the gondola heading down from Orth, and Herik catches you looking.

"Yeah, they're headed down to 600 meters." he explains. "They've got a little base set up there so you can skip most of this part we're doing."

"What exactly are the circumstances for being able to take it?" you ask. "Do you need to be a higher ranked whistle or something?"

"Huh? No, nothing like that. Any whistle can take it." Herik waves nonchalantly. "You just have to wait in line for your turn."

"What?" you stop walking for a moment. "Then why aren't we taking the gondola?"

"Come on, it'll build character!" Herik laughs as he walks further away from where you've stopped in your tracks.

With a resigned sigh you move on, but the intention of getting the group to use the gondola in the future solidifies in your mind.

On your way down you see very few Abyss creatures, only a few birds. It's enough for a nice lunch after Caryl shoots them down, but it's nothing you can turn a profit off of like yesterday.

As you get to about the same depth as yesterday, you catch sight of a ridge that looks like it'd be hard to get to. It's not directly above or below any paths, And would take some finagling to reach. Which is why you get a good feeling about it. You point it out to the others and they agree.

After a bit of an arduous process involving a lot of alternating rappelling and climbing, you make it to the ridge. The three of you pull out your pickaxes and get to work. Soon enough, you find an open chamber in the cliff face and your hunch pays off. It seems like this must have been some kind of storeroom, since there are tons of relics here. Most of them resemble some kind of simple tools, though you can't really guess their purposes. There's also a good amount of light stones. Even if all of these are low grade relics, the sheer quantity means you'll make a good amount. Each of you stuffs dozens of relics into your pack before making the painful journey back to the path.

It's getting to be later in the afternoon now, and you don't want to climb all the way back up if you can help it, so you convince the others to take the gondola this time. It'll also make carrying this absurdly heavy pack easier on you. You're having trouble just staying upright as you haul the thing.

The three of you surprisingly forgo conversation for the moment, all seemingly focused on the ascent at hand. But you think about some things that concern you for your immediate future.

>A. How long exactly is it until you'll be able to get promoted?

>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. Maybe you all could delve as one group

>C. There's too much about delving and the Abyss you don't know. You'd like to ask someone who really knows his stuff

>D. Write-in

Sorry about the delay, had more going on today than I expected

>>2237282

>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. You should join them for now and learn what you can.
Caryl and Herik should do something else. Either go back to that cache of relics we just found, or work on some ranged weapon that even Atsu can use. I doubt they'd be willing to read up on abyss creatures or apprenticing at a pharmacy/clinic.

>>2237282
>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. Maybe you all could delve as one group

>>2237282
>>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. Maybe you all could delve as one group
Might as well. Strength in numbers right? Although profits might start getting a little thin.

>>2237282
>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. Maybe you all could delve as one group

>>2237282
>>B. Those kids you met the other day said they'd be delving again tomorrow. Maybe you all could delve as one group

Lets take the gondola and go as low as we can.

Do want to try and knock out a couple of updates tonight if I can

>>2237326
>>2237329
>>2237518
>>2237623
>>2237708
Okay, suggesting one big ol' team up. You will be ascending again, so let's see if you can keep it together this time

Roll 1d100+5 for being a bit more used to it by now

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>2239098
JUST
IN
TIME

Rolled 55 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2239098

Rolled 90 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2239098
>>2239109
Too bad it's formatted wrong, catch my single digit.

Rolled 95 + 5 (1d100 + 5)

>>2239098

>>2239164
>95+5=100
Not as nice as that nat 100 earlier
But still surprising

>>2239150
>>2239164
Both nice, question though:

>>2239098
How many rolls do you take? Where do you cut it off?

File: Belchero Orphanage.jpg (118 KB, 1000x563)

118 KB JPG

>>2239150

The hike up to the gondola is a lot easier than yesterday, despite being much more weighed down. You still get dizzy and your stomach still turns, but you're getting used to it. You're starting to feel like a real delver now. You see Herik still struggling to hold it in, but he's doing better than yesterday. Caryl on the other hand gives you the impression that she's only slightly bothered by the dizziness and is fine otherwise.

You all come to the gondola station, where you're in line behind a few other delvers looking to head up. While you're waiting, you breach the topic that was on your mind.

"I was thinking about our next expedition tomorrow." you tell the others."On our first day here, I met with a group of three younger kids that were delving. They told me that tomorrow is their next time in the Abyss, and wanted to team up with me again. Now that we're working together, I figured we might all be able to delve as a group."

"I don't well see why not." Caryl replies. "But we best be careful roundin' up too many partners, or ain't none of us gunna make any money."

"Kids, huh?" Herik muses for a moment before going on. "You're probably talking about the delving apprentices from Belchero orphanage. Sure, it could be cool to hang out with them. Apparently a good number of White Whistles were raised and trained in orphanages just like it."

With that bit of planning out of the way, your turn for the gondola comes in short order. The three of you all manage to squeeze yourselves and your packs on, and watch the scenery go by as you ride on up. After a few short queasy minutes, you arrive at the edge of Orth and step off. You were getting used to the First Layer's curse, but it's still a huge relief when you finally exit the Abyss. You imagine even seasoned delvers may feel this way.

The three of you head to the Guild Hall, and turn over your dozens of relics each. As you expected, there's nothing particularly valuable, but the sheer amount gets each of you over 700 Resils. You hope your luck can keep up this good streak.

Afterwards, you all go out to eat again, and catch the same inn situation as before. Herik is a bit more talkative this evening, presumably owing to managing not to vomit today.

In the morning you get breakfast, then pack up you gear and begin to head out. However, instead of going to the Abyss' entrance, Herik drags you across town to some other building. The three of you stand off to the side as a bunch of kids funnel out wearing all their delving gear. Most of them are younger than the three you know from the other day.

"This is the Belchero Orphanage, then?" you ask. "Why did you know where this is?"

"Well, I told you I was interested in the White Whistles before. I've just done my research." he replies, as he gives a slightly nervous tap to his face. "I mean, the Lord of Annihilation grew up here. There's no way I could come to Orth and not check it out."

>>2239518

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jij237sjjE&index=33&list=PL-0Nayk1C_AXs14nt__6zHKbXIhP0zuky

Among the last to exit the building are the three kids you were waiting for. They notice you standing off to the side, and you can see Kathil's face light up for a moment before she composes herself. The three of them come over to your group, looking curiously at the others.

"Are these new friends of yours, Atsu?" Jiele asks, with a tone that seems a bit less elated than her huge smile would suggest. "It's nice to meet you both. I'm Jiele."

The rest of the group all introduces themselves to each other, some more reluctantly than others. You can see Kathil eyeing the two new arrivals warily.

"So did you want to go delving again, but with all of us?" Tredan guesses. "I mean, I don't have a problem with it, but six people might be a bit much..."

"Come on Traden, it'll be fun!" Jiele insists. "And having more friends can't be a bad thing, right?"

Jiele also takes a turn to look at Kathil, who is just as compelled even without any words. Now that everyone is in agreement, you all head for the Abyss. The atmosphere around the orphans remains a concern to you though, it seems somewhat melancholic.

You all stand in line for the gondola, which is taking a while. It seems it's always somewhat busy in the morning.

>A. Ask one of the kids about the mood (Who?)

>B. Suggest how to spend your day in the Abyss (Write-in)

>C. Talk to someone about something else (Write-in)

>D. Wait in silence

>>2239433
It's best of three

>>2239521
>A. Ask one of the kids about the mood
Let's ask Kathil about (just to see if things are gonna be "very easy, or very, very difficult.")

>>2239521
>A. Ask one of the kids about the mood (Who?)
Kathil

>>2239521
>>A. Ask one of the kids about the mood (Who?)
Kathil seems like the best choice, she wouldn't be able to lie well to us.

>>2239521
>A. Ask one of the kids about the mood (Who?)
Kathil

>>2239616
>>2239646
>>2239963
>>2241203

You decide to ask about the dour mood among the kids, and sidle up next to Kathil. It should be fairly easy for you to get her to tell you about it if you try.

"You've been a bit quiet this morning Kathil." you start. "I thought you'd be happy that we're going delving together again."

"W-well yeah, it's pretty nice I guess..." Kathil stumbles a bit starting to get her response out. She's red again, but attentive now instead of turning away. You have her completely disarmed, so this should be easy.

"The mood from you guys in general has been on the somber side." you note. "Is there something wrong?"

"Well, I guess there's no reason not to tell you." Kathil remarks, as she twiddles her fingers. "This is our last trip into the Abyss together as Red Whistles. Tomorrow is Jiele's birthday, and she's turning fifteen. She'll be made a Blue Whistle, and move out of the orphanage. We won't even be able to see her for a while, since she'll be off for training in the Second Layer. Tredan and I have been down about it, but Jiele is still trying to stay as smiley as ever to keep our spirits up. It's kind of just reminding me how she won't be around to keep the mood light. I'm gonna have to delve alone with Traden for like four months and by myself for another two before our birthdays when we'll become Blue Whistles."

"I see. Well, we'll try to make this a good trip then." you try to reassure Kathil, before you think more about what she said. A thought crosses your mind, and you can't restrain yourself from voicing it. "Wait, you'll be a Blue Whistle in six months? So you're fourteen?"

'Yes!" Kathil says, as she stomps on the ground for emphasis. You can barely make out the indignance she managed to muster through her embarrassment. "Sorry for being so small!"

While you internally think it was worth saying just to see her reaction, you apologize anyway. Plus it probably took her mind off of her concern, at least for a bit.

Eventually your group's turn on the gondola comes, and you all get on. From what you can tell, everyone seems to be getting along well enough. You all stop at the 600 meter station and get off, then head down a nearby path. No one has suggested checking out any place in particular, so you all just chat and keep your eyes out for anything interesting. You get the feeling that the kids are taking it easier today anyway.

>Roll 1d100

Also, feel free to write in some conversation for me to include, if you have any

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>2241294
Ask Kathil and the others what the neatest Artifact they have found is

>>2241342
If this was another roll to find loot we have the eyes of a hawk

>>2241359
You really do, god damn

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>2241294
It's amazing how we never fail rolls. I fucking love this quest.

Let's ask the kids what kind of superiorly neat relics they've found, or if they'd be willing to let us read any they find that have writing on them. It'd be nice to put the nether glyph skills to use.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>2241294

>>2241342

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dePqGlt_gqc&index=1&

While you stay as alert as ever, you try to get the kids talking in the hopes that it'll lighten their mood. It'd be a shame for them to spend their entire time down here today so dejected.

"So, Kathil." you say, getting the girl's attention. "You three have been delving together for a long time, right? I'm sure you must have come across some notable relic, even here on the First Layer."

"Well... there was that one." Kathil thinks to herself aloud, before turning to Tredan. "What exactly was it again? The triangular one."

"It was a pyramid. Yeah, It was something else." Tredan can't help but smirk as he begins his recount of it. "It was a couple of years back. We found some tunnel way out of the way and squeezed through it to find a chamber that no one else had. It was the best score we ever had. There was a bunch of other stuff that we came back for later, but the center of the room had one relic on a pedestal that we knew we had to haul up no matter what. It was this big hollow pyramid with an open top, and when you placed it over something, it would project a three dimensional image of the object above it. We actually had to dig the tunnel we came through wider to get it out, then come up with this rope system so we could all help carry it since it was too much for any of us alone."

"Everyone at the orphanage was so impressed, too!" Jiele adds. "We got a lot of praise, and we were even pretty popular for a while, there."

The three of them reminisce for a bit, while you look around. You've found that you're pretty good at this spotting thing, you have a good idea of places where not a lot of people have probably gone to. This time you pick out another spot. There's a fairly obvious cave that you bet has been picked dry, but there's an alcove a ways above it that seems to have nothing. Herik rappels down and digs in with his pickaxe for a bit, then confirms that the rock has given way to a tunnel. You all head down after him and go inside, though the three oldest of you need to duck your heads a bit.

After winding through a few passages, it empties into a wide room. You all can see a few relics scattered here and there.

"What a find!" Herik exclaims. "Atsu here is like some kind of good luck charm or something for finding relic stashes."

All of you split off, going to separate parts of the room to pick up relics. You find yourself next to Traden, as you pick up some strange tubes, each with switch on the side. Turning them around, you find one side has nether gylphs written on it, though only a single word.

"Blue." you say aloud. "That's what it says. Any idea what this is, Traden?"

"I think I might..." the boy examines the relic more closely as he tries to jog his memory. "I'm pretty sure this relic lets out a bunch of streams of light when you flip the switch. I saw it used at a party or something once. Blue must be the color of the light."