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Jail Quest: a text adventure occasionally illustrated.

A pounding headache throbs gently as you rise, a tell-tale sign that you've drank too much last night. The manacles and the jail cell, though... that's new. Wait - memories start to bubble up...

Your name is Rosa Montagni. This town you've arrived in yesterday is called Far Avalon. And, drunk in the local pub, you've...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Started a barfight (+Violent trait)
>□ Slapped the wrong butt (+Pervert trait)
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ Got caught pickpocketing (+Klepto trait)
>□ Shittalked the wrong guy (+Rebel trait)

But you swear, you had good intentions at the time...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ You did it because you want to (+Honest trait)
>□ You did it because someone bet you can't do it (+Stubborn trait)
>□ You did it because it seemed to be the local custom (+Polite trait)
>□ You did it to kill time (+Patient trait)
>□ You did it because you thought it'll get you some friends (+Friendly trait)
>>
>>5676561
>>□ Slapped the wrong butt (+Pervert trait)
>>□ You did it because it seemed to be the local custom (+Polite trait)
How could we know she was the mayor's favorite lover.
>>
>>5676563
I second this
>>
>>5676561
Oh shiiiiiiit he's back!
>+Deceiver
>+Stubborn
>>
>>5676561
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
□ You did it because someone bet you can't do it (+Stubborn trait)
I'm sick of milktoast protagonists and perverts, I want that sigma grindset.
Also you know goal and jail are pronunced the same right QM?
>>
>>5676561
>□ Started a barfight (+Violent trait)
>□ You did it because you want to (+Honest trait)
>>
>>5676592
Yes, and? :B
>>
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it because someone bet you can't do it (+Stubborn trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Started a barfight (+Violent trait)
>□ You did it because you thought it'll get you some friends (+Friendly trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Shittalked the wrong guy (+Rebel trait)
>□ You did it to kill time (+Patient trait)

It's paradoxical but relatable at the same time!
>>
>>5676561
>□ Started a barfight (+Violent trait)
>□ You did it because you want to (+Honest trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it to kill time (+Patient trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it because you thought it'll get you some friends (+Friendly trait)

Remember folks he threw Petunia at us last quest to see if we'd just get with the first character we met. Let's not have Rosa play the same game yeah?
>>
>>5676561
>>□ Got caught pickpocketing (+Klepto trait)
>□ You did it because someone bet you can't do it (+Stubborn trait)
>>
>>5676561
Well i'd definitely prefer an male protagonist, but...
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it because someone bet you can't do it (+Stubborn trait)
We already had a violent rebel last time.
>>
>>5676561
>Slapped the wrong butt (+Pervert trait)
>You did it because you thought it'll get you some friends (+Friendly trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it because it seemed to be the local custom (+Polite trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Cheated in a game of cards (+Deceiver trait)
>□ You did it because you thought it'll get you some friends (+Friendly trait)
>>
>>5676561
>□ Got caught pickpocketing (+Klepto trait)
>□ You did it because you want to (+Honest trait)
>>
Just woke up, tallying...
>>
>>5676561
>Deceiver
>Stubborn

Well, to be honest, you usually would've finessed that card game better, but the combination of being goaded that you can't win and the aquavit in your system made you brash, bold and sloppy. How should you know that he had another ace of coins and ace of crooks on his hand? Should've counted the cards better, Rosa!

Anyways, now that we're stuck here for the time being, what should we do?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Examine manacles
>□ Examine jail cell
>□ Try to escape
>□ Try to look outside
>□ Call out to someone
>□ Wait for your backup to arrive
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5676841
>□ Examine manacles
>>
>>5676841
>>□ Examine jail cell
Do a bunch of examining.
>>
>>5676841
>□ Examine manacles
>>
>>5676841
>□ Try to look outside
>>
>>5676841
>>□ Try to look outside
>□ Try to look outside
>>
>>5676841
>□ Examine manacles
>>
>>5676841
>□ Examine manacles

Never know when we might suddenly need our hands again
>>
>>5676841
>□ Examine jail cell
>>
>>5676841
>Examine manacles

Might as well look at this heaviness on your hands, then. Well, what do we have here? Seems like a stockade-type manacle - one imbued with some kind of suppressor... for both magic AND other abilities? And of course the manual lock's on the same side as your dominant hand. Bummer. Which means you can't...

>CHOOSE ONE ABILITY

>□ Use charm spells to beguile people (Witch)
>□ See and talk to spirits - or things like them, especially trickster ones (Shaman)
>□ Turn briefly invisible in the shadows (Glitcher)
>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ See others' feelings and hidden truths (Seer)
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities)

You're starting to regret coming to this town; you wouldn't have stopped here if you didn't...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Run out of packed food while passing by
>□ Take a detour because of bandits
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
>□ Get curious about a rumored anomaly nearby
>□ Try to collect debts from an ex-lover
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
Rolled 163 (1d1488)

>>5677174
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities).
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
Fuck it, we going HARD MODE, we ball bitches
>>
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>>5677174
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
>>
>>5677174
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities).
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
We’re just a cowboy
>>
>>5677174
>[ ] Move arms freely
>[ ] Check on Aunt
We don't NEED no stinkin' powers!
>>
>>5677174
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
>>
>>5677174
>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
I'd say witch but I'll keep my dick in my pants for now.
>>
>>5676698
I agree, but it is also unwise to say 'no' to a character that is good because it's the first. Rosa deserves a nice human man to keep her company
>>
>>5677174
>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ Run out of packed food while passing by
>>
>>5677174
>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
>>
>>5677193
+1
Magician sounds funny, but nothing at all sounds even funnier
>>
>>5677174
>>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
>>
We can see you samefagging you magical nigger. I put my dick in your ass.
>>
>>5677290

>>5677259 is me, as is >>5676815. Not sure if someone else is rigging the vote, but it would be very odd to do so before we even hit a controversial crossroads point. Sure isn't me - I have cast one vote on this matter. I am merely on mobile.
>>
>>5677290
if anything, I'd say that the samefagging comes from the no-powers voters
(>>5677176 and >>5677178)
Well would you look at that, your ID is there

How curious!
>>
>>5677312
Very interesting that these posts all seem to have no comments or additions whatsoever
>>
>>5677176
I know there's a debate going on but I'll still just slide in to vote for this one
>>
>>5677174
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here

I'm abstaining from the ability vote because I think Null and Magician are the best options anyhow, and I'm happy with either winning.
>>
>>5677174
>>□ Pull out something useful from behind something, like onstage (Magician)
>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
Sounds like the sort of powers a deceiver would have.
>>
>>5677174
>>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities)
Why, we're just a simple wanderer, with none of them hokey mystical thingamies - as if ancient hoodoo were worth the weight of a good shooter at your hip.

>□ Have to visit and check up on your aunt here
But it just so happens we have contacts in this here town...
>>
>>5677174
>□ Move your arms freely (Null - no abilities)
>□ Take a detour because of bandits
Now sure we might have decieved said bandits, but it's not like they didn't have it coming.
>>
>>5677315
What's there to discuss? people either want no powers or think Magician suits a card shark.
>>
Tallying...
>>
>>5677174

>Null
>Check up on aunt

Seriously, if you weren't called to check on aunt Gina, you wouldn't have come here. Why didn't she stay in Goblinton and moved here? Oh, and for the record, she's doing fine. Well enough to pepper you with a lot of questions... frustrating questions only family would ask. They're partly why you decided to wander as soon as you're old enough to. And they're definitely why you decided to down some aquavit at the bar after visiting her.

Anyways, back to the present situation. While these manacles are impressive in suppressing abilities and magic, they're kinda wasted on you since, well, you're a Null. Just someone without powers. But, you think, their cumbersomeness would have to be temporary - this is a small town jail, and no righteous lawman would subject their prisoners to this prolonged discomfort, especially just because you cheated at cards.

"Well, as you asked, here she is."
Oh snap! Speak of the devil. Well, he's kinda handsome if you do say so yourself. Quick, what's the plan?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
>□ Act sultry so you can deceive him via seduction
>□ Act as if you're asleep so you can catch him by surprise
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5677494
>Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
Come on man, we've been stuck in here for a while now and these cuffs aren't getting lighter!
>>
>>5677494
>>□ Act as if you're asleep so you can catch him by surprise
>>
>>5677494
>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
But not city slicker annoyed, more... sympathetic.
>>
>>5677494
>>□ Act as if you're asleep so you can catch him by surprise
>>
>>5677494
>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
"Isn't this a bit much for cheating at cards? I was expecting to get thrown out or banned from the bar, not shackled and locked up like i'm some violent hooligan."
>>
>>5677494
>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness

Supporting >>5677518
>>
>>5677518
+1
>>
>>5677518
+1
changing from>>5677500
>>
>>5677547
wrong tag whoops>>5677506
>>
Rosa is cute!
>>5677494
>Act sultry so you can deceive him via seduction
>Do it poorly but with high confidence
>>
>>5677494
>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness

I mean, we probably ARE annoyed. It's not going to be much of an act.
>>
>>5677494
>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
>>
>>5677494
>>□ Act annoyed so you can leverage his good guyness
>>
>>5677518
supporting
>>
>>5677518
+1

>>5677553
Now as much as that sounds cute and all, we shouldn't go trying to seduce the first guy we see. I'd rather not pull a petunia again.
>>
>>5677677
Wasn't Petunia a quite popular character? She even got in the waifu tourney!
>>
>>5677736
Yeeeeeah but she also did some pretty fucked up stuff that is only even forgivable because it's an fictional world where people don't act normal
>>
>>5677494
>Act annoyed

Let's appeal to his sense of human decency, then. Act annoyed. Easier now because you're actually kinda annoyed by this.

"Finally, about time!" You jangle the manacles to make a point. "Isn't this too much just for a game of cards?"

The lawman took notice. "Well, that's not my call to make, ma'am - I'm just following orders." Wait, orders from who?

As if on cue, another figure came into view. One whose ethereal face rings a bell from last night. The exact same one who sat on the other side of the card table.

"Good news and bad news," says the lawman. "Good news is, you might walk free after this. Bad news is, that's up to Mr. Nemo here."

"Hello, miss Rosa." Nemo spoke, his voice tinted with a strangeness unfamiliar to you. "Do you remember last night? Well, in any case, let us discuss your potential employment."

You opened your mouth, only to close it again. Is this guy serious? Trying to recruit someone who tricked him over cards?

You open your mouth again. "I assume I'm not walking away scot-free if I refuse?"

This time, the lawman speaks. "I suggest not, local custom is for you to get tarred and feathered." Eugh, you're not a fan of feathers. Nor tar, for that matter.

"To make it fair, I'm sure you have questions about this job of mine. First things first: you'll be traveling, you'll be working in a team, and you'll be paid. Now, ask away, then."

>CHOOSE TWO

>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ What do you mean, work in a team?
>□ What kind of payment, and how much?
>□ How can you be sure that I won't desert or betray you?
>□ Skip the questions and just accept
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>What exactly will we doing?
>What Kind of pay and how much?
>>
>>5677814
>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ What do you mean, work in a team?
>>
>>5677814
>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ How can you be sure that I won't desert or betray you?
>>
>>5677814
>What exactly will we be doing?
And the fill in because I can't resist honestly
>...You single?
>>
>>5677855
Damn, chill bro, we didn't take the [pevert] trait
>>
>>5677863
pervert*
>>
>>5677855
I agree with >>5677863-- we also turned down the chance to be flirty last update. This feels random and OOC.
>>
>>5677814
>□ What do you mean, work in a team?
>□ What kind of payment, and how much?
>>
>>5677814
>What exactly will we doing?
>What kind of pay and how much?
>>
>>5677865
>>5677863
Too early to say what's OOC. Asking a dude out isn't being a compulsive groper.
>>
>>5677874
Randomly asking out some dude who we just met and is literally our jailor about whether he's single is kinda weird, dude.
>>
>>5677814
>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ How cam I trust you won't end up screwing us over at the end of this job?
>>
>>5677863
>>5677865
You're very right and it is OOC but also hot guy
>>
>>5677880
he has shrek ears
>>
SOMEBODY ONCE TOLD ME
>>
>>5677881
Is this an argument for or against hitting on him?
>>
>>5677814
>>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>>□ What do you mean, work in a team?
>>
>>5677875
We met him last night, we share an interest in cards and bars, and he has layers
>>
>>5677923
>we share an interest in cards and bars,
us and basically every single grown person in a pre-internet world
>>
>>5677950
Yes, but not all of them are all-stars
>>
>>5677975
That doesn't really change what i said
>>
>>5677981
Hey now, somebody once told me he's not the sharpest tool in the shed
>>
>>5677816
+1 these seem like the pertinent questions.
We may have just been deputized... Is this the west? I'm sure it's west of somewhere...
>>
>>5677814
what are our official colors, qm
>>
>>5678029
Definitely pea green skin. Maybe a dark color for the hat and light color for the poncho. The shorts are jean blue.

Also I got a commission, so updates will be daily from now on!
>>
>>5677814
>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ What kind of payment, and how much?
>>
>>5677814
>□ What kind of payment, and how much?
>□ How can you be sure that I won't desert or betray you?
>>
>>5677814
>□ What exactly will we be doing?
>□ What kind of payment, and how much?
>>
Tallying and drawing...
>>
>>5677814
>What exactly will we be doing?
>What kind of payment, and how much?

"Well, some more details about the job would be nice. You were being very vague about it. Then, details about my payment would be excellent." No way you're going to work for free, right?

"Apologies, I wasn't being clear, was I?" Nemo looks sincere. "Before we go into detail about the job proper... do you know what's the cause of the Imperial Exodus into Gongalla?"

Wait, wasn't that around the time of your grandma? You seem to recall something from her stories. "The, uh, Singularity or something?"

"Correct, it was some sort of reality storm that hit the Heartland, the Eternal Empire's home universe, and shattered the Empire." Nemo continues. "Well, basically, our job is to make sure that sort of thing doesn't happen to Gongalla."

You blink. Did this guy just say his job is to save the world? "And how are we going to do that? Reality storm-proof Gongalla?"

A slight glint of a smile occurs on Nemo's face. "Hopefully. We'll first be checking on all four of the Reality Anchors. Each we will survey, repair if needed, and strengthen so that they'll withstand any kind of reality storms, or reality quakes, or any stuff of the sort." He turns his attention towards you. "We'll talk more about it as we go."

You were about to open your mouth to protest about your pay, when Nemo spoke again. "Regarding pay, rest assured. I am backed by both the former Empress Elena's estate, and Lucifer himself. Name your price, and you shall be compensated." A grin blossomed on Nemo, one with too many teeth.

>NAME YOUR PRICE

>□ Riches to last a lifetime
>□ Freedom to wander anywhere you want
>□ A lasting legacy
>□ A seat of power
>□ Booze and companionship
>□ Safety for your family, friends, and loved ones
>□ A quiet life, unbothered
>□ Slaking the thirst for knowledge
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5678438
>□ Riches to last a lifetime
While this seems basic, it just feels like the kind of reward someone like Rosa would want.
>>
Wow. So you're telling me they just happen to offer some random ass prisoner like us a free job, no resume asked, to work on some "Reality Anchors" for any price we want.
This is a ploy to expand convict lives on some dangerous job no one would work.
>□ Riches to last a lifetime
>>
>>5678438
>Riches to last a lifetime
Riches enough for my coinpurse to need five horses. Riches enough to give each of those horses a coinpurse. Riches enough to make Lucifer envy the envy that Mammon will feel for us. All the gold. All the silver too. Or whatever will be their equivalent if we so happen to end up with only one anchor left. This is either -the- lucky break or -the- dumb mistake and we should not be too modest.
>>
>>5678444
This, it feels like some suicide squad type of deal.

Also, also, if the empire's exodus to gongalla happened 'during my grandma's time', this means that it's been like two generations since the time of Gaol quest
>>
>>5678438
Wow, not super suspicious at all.

>□ Riches to last a lifetime
>□ Freedom to wander anywhere you want
>□ A quiet life, unbothered
>>
>>5678438
>□ Riches to last for generations.
Money, obviously, but also properties. Companies. Money pipe in. Advisor and counselors to make us money-smart, not some new-rich blow it all.
>>
>>5678438
>[ ] Riches
>[ ] A fancier hat. One that screams 'I'm important, damn it, and I want you to know it!'
>>
>>5678492
We already have a pretty cool hat.
>>
>>5678493
Yes, hence why I wrote fanci'er'
>>
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>>5678438
>□ A quiet life, unbothered
>>
>>5678438
>[ ] Riches
>[ ] A fancier hat. One that screams 'I'm important, damn it, and I want you to know it!'
>>
>>5678438
>□ Riches to last a lifetime
>□ Other (fill in): the secret ingredient for the perfect card cheating trick
>>
>>5678438
>□ Riches to last a lifetime
MONEY.
>>
>>5678438
>□ Freedom to wander anywhere you want
>□ A quiet life, unbothered
>>
>>5678438
>□ Booze and companionship
>>
>>5678438
>□ A seat of power
Let's actually get shit done in the world
>>
>>5678438
>Riches

Of course, you went for the one thing that matters here. "I want money. Not just a lot, I want R I C H E S. Enough to last a lifetime, maybe even two. Can you do it?"

Nemo replied confidently. "Of course! If we finish our mission, we'll be able to provide you with the riches you want."

You grab his outstretched hand. "Deal! Now, could you get these shackles off me?"

"Well, if you please, lawman." With a nod from Nemo, the lawman goes over and unlocks the stockade-like shackles. Your hand never felt this free since, well, last night.

"You know, I never really got why you chose me. You know I have no powers or magic, don't you?"

Nemo smiles. "Oh, I know. But I can see something in you that makes this mission possible." He then motions to the door out of the cell.
"Speaking of which - I did tell you that you'll be working in a team, right? Well, I'd like you to choose yours. Two more people should be enough. But, if you don't want to choose, I have my own list of candidates as well. So, got anybody in mind?"
>>
>>5679527
>CHOOSE TWO

>□ Grigori "Grins" Yasnikov: an excellent marksman who owes you some gambling debt. Kinda creepy, but that's because he's from Tmavy Les.

>□ Liv Bratilda: one of those people you consider a true friend, thick and thin. Has a talent for tracking almost nigh anything.

>□ Brother Valencio: a monk of the Bone Order you once met (and drunk under a table), he was very entertained by your antics. Apparently very good in hand-to-hand combat and diplomacy.

>□ Kawagoe Yoshinari: one of the rare Metal Men, veteran under the former Eternal Empire, whom your father knew and is a family friend. Well-trained in the arts of the blade.

>□ Craig Snorlinson: your auntie's son, which makes him your nephew. Kinda quiet, but you remember that he seems eager to listen to tales of your journeys. Also seems to have a knack at magic.

>□ Go with Nemo's choice (can choose this twice)
>>
>>5679544
>□ Liv Bratilda
>□ Craig Snorlinson
>>
>>5679544
>□ Craig Snorlinson: your auntie's son, which makes him your nephew. Kinda quiet, but you remember that he seems eager to listen to tales of your journeys. Also seems to have a knack at magic.
>□ Go with Nemo's choice (can choose this twice)
>>
>>5679544
By Nemo's choice do you mean one amongst these characters or someone else Nemo would choose?
>>
>>5679544
>□ Grigori "Grins" Yasnikov: an excellent marksman who owes you some gambling debt. Kinda creepy, but that's because he's from Tmavy Les.
>□ Brother Valencio: a monk of the Bone Order you once met (and drunk under a table), he was very entertained by your antics. Apparently very good in hand-to-hand combat and diplomacy.
These seem to cover all our bases, except magic.
>>
>>5679570
Someone else Nemo has in mind, you don't know who.
>>
>>5679551
+1 then, this sounds fun
>>
>>5679572
+1 to this
I just really like their designs honestly
>>
>>5679551
>>5679582
>>5679572
>>5679602
How about a compromise between Brother Valencio and Nemo's choice? So we don't bring a kid into what looks to be some suicide squad sort of mission?
>>
>>5679605
No. I'd rather have Craig+Valencio than Valencio+Nemo's Choice.
>>
>>5679605
No reason not to bring in a kid when that kid's a magic gob. Getting rich or dying trying is a family affair!
>>
>>5679605
Grigori is my favorite design though
>>
>>5679628
Agreed, he's super cool-looking.
>>
>>5679544
>Craig
>Grins
Both seem pretty cool to me!
>>
>>5679572
+1
>>
>>5679546
+1
shooting and fighting is something we can do yourself, but a magic user we can trust is my choice.
>>
>>5679544
>>□ Brother Valencio
>□ Go with Nemo's choice
>>
>>5679544

>□ Liv Bratilda
>□ Brother Valencio

Whilst I like the idea of Grins' abilities, I kind of want our Girl Rosa to become the Markswoman of our group...
>>
>>5679932
it's the hat and poncho. Even without us having specified or her having demonstrated any rootin' tootin' cowboy shootin', she just LOOKS like a Gob With No Name type.

She's even doing this job for A Fistful of Dollars, kek
>>
Tallying, drawing.
>>
>>5680096
Is it time to rewatch The Good The Bad and The Ugly again?
>>
>>5679544
>□ Brother Valencio: a monk of the Bone Order you once met (and drunk under a table), he was very entertained by your antics. Apparently very good in hand-to-hand combat and diplomacy.

>□ Go with Nemo's choice (can choose this twice)
Mystery box!
>>
>>5679544
You mull over the options. While you'd like to call on Liv, she's currently away on a job, or so you've heard. You haven't heard from Kawagoe in a hot minute, and Grins told you a some time ago that he gotta lay low for a while.

"Well, there's this monk I know that would be up for saving the world - you know Valencio?"

Nemo nods. "I have met him before, yes. Interesting man."

"Good, he's one of my choice. The other would be my nephew, Craig - wait, did I say nephew? I meant cousin!" True, the age gap makes you think of him more like a nephew than a cousin.

"Hmmm, interesting. Why would you recommend him?" Nemo tilts his head.

"He's really good at magic stuff. Not only casting spells and such, he can also see spirits as well. And besides, he's close by." True, sometimes he talks to things that aren't there.

"I see! We should visit him first, then we go to Valencio's chapel. Valencio's a day away, right?" Nemo motions you to follow him as he exits the town jail.

"Yeah, Craig lives with an aunt in a nearby farm - it's just out of town." Not Aunt Gina Hewlett, this is a separate aunt, Aunt Jemima Hillox. Craig's been in her care since his mother, Aunt Franny Snorlinson, has a job that takes her far away at times. Goblin families, y'know?

Some time later, but not that long, you've arrived at the farm. But what's this?

"...and stay away from him! Stay away from this farm too, while you're at it. Now scram!" Aunt Jemima's voice is easily recognizable. It seems like a big cyborg is harassing the two of them.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Rush over there and beat the robot up!
>□ Stay back and observe first
>□ Mediate between the two
>□ Bamboozle the big lug
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5680343
>□ Mediate between the two
We should learn what's happening before beating him up.a
>>
>>5680343
>□ Bamboozle the big lug
~Deceptive~
>>
>>5680356
+1, play to our character's strengths. This big nigger is harassing our old auntie and our not-nephew cousin, and that shit won't fly.
>>
>>5680343
>>□ Bamboozle the big lug
>>
>>5680343
>□ Bamboozle the big lug
>>
>>5680343
>□ Bamboozle the big lug
>>
>>5680343
>Bamboozle

Intervention is inevitable, they're your family after all. "Right, right - what's going on here? What seems to be the problem?" You took on an air of someone who is qualified to meddle in people's affairs - like a lawman, for example. Aunt Jemima and Craig noticed you - for her part, Aunt Jemima knows when to play along. She's seen your shenanigans before.

The hulking cyborg turns to you, ocular iris motors whirring for a bit. "It seems you are qualified authority - query received. Argument: Unit Craig is classified as 'child'. Children must be supervised. Unsupervised children must be deposited to orphanage. Ergo, I must deposit Craig to orphanage."

Aha, one of those overly logical cyborgs! From the looks of things, he may even be affiliated with said orphanage. You start to see several possibilities of conning. Question is, what fib will you weave, and from what angle?

>CONNIVING MECHANICS

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

>CHOOSE ONE (ROLL 1D20, TO BEAT: 8)

>□ Craig is not a child! He just looks like one, goblin genetics, you know? Why, he's even engaged to me!
>□ Unsupervised? Well good thing I am one of his legal guardians, I'm taking him into my supervision!
>□ Orphanage? His skills would be wasted there! He'll be going to a mage academy, and we'll be escorting him there promptly!
>□ Orphanage? Why, me and my husband were headed there to adopt a child! So why don't we directly adopt him here?
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5680848
>□ Unsupervised? Well good thing I am one of his legal guardians, I'm taking him into my supervision!

he may ask for documentation, but hopefully the corroboration of our new gubmint boss will do the trick.

Faking adulthood and engagement is just an extra lie to have to keep up. A mage academy may be a better place for a young prodigy but that's a subjective assessment this cyborg won't accept if he' very by the book. If we try to adopt him here, the cyborg (being by-the-book and maybe employed by the orphanage) will still want us to follow him there to fill out paperwork. The easiest fix is to solve the "unattended part of the equation is such a way that he fucks off or has to define and prove what "attended" means and that we aren't fit to count.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5680848
>□ Craig is not a child! He just looks like one, goblin genetics, you know? Why, he's even engaged to me!
Damn looks like we have to have graphic incestuous relations to convince this guy our cousin is our adult husband. Damn, I really didn't want to do this. Oh well though, that's a shame you have to draw that Indo... Not that I wanted to see that, but it would be convincing!
>>
>>5680861
Support!
>>
File: skeptical.png (541 KB, 560x514)
541 KB
541 KB PNG
>>5680864
>>
>>5680856
Supporting this one because I don't want to see that other one
>>
>>5680856
+1 because the other option is incest bait also i *really* don't want us to go down the road of romancing nemo, that guy is an immortal monster from the Nth dimension.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>5680848
>"Aunt Jemima's right here and supervising him right now. Exactly what is your problem, here?"
>>
>>5680864
>>5680867
>>5680868
Don't forget to roll, fellas!
>>
>>5680873
That anon already got a 19, didn't he though? Well, i suppose there's the chance of getting a 20, but we could also get a critfail.
>>
Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5680873
Oh right sorry, rolling to support >>5680856
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5680856
+1
>>
Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5680856
Supporting
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5680848
>>□ Unsupervised? Well good thing I am one of his legal guardians, I'm taking him into my supervision!
>>
>>5680874
The choosing criteria for Conniving events is based on how many votes a choice gets - thus, a nat 20 might lose to a lower roll, if the lower roll gets more votes.

Anyways, seems like it's almost unanimous. Drawing and writing.
>>
Haha! Not today, /ss/atan, not today!
>>
>>5681518
This ain't akun, so i was hardly worried
>>
>>5680848
>19, exceeded expectations
>+1 stubborn bonus

They say the most believable lies are the ones closest to truth. "Unsupervised? But isn't he under the care of Aunt Jemima here?"

"Observation: Unit Jemima often seen in town without Unit Craig. Ergo, during those times, Unit Craig is unsupervised by legal guardian." Huh, what are you doing in town often, Aunt Jemima?

"Well, good thing that I, as Craig's other legal guardian, am here to supervise him now!" You do declare, setting aside some questions of your own.

The robot nods, servos whirring noisily. "Acknowledged. Hereby, you shall not neglect your charge."

"Well I don't intend to! He'll be going with me on a trip, so I can always supervise him." True, but for a slightly different reason.

Satisfied, the lughead returned to Far Avalon proper. You, on the other hand, turned to Aunt Jemima. "So, what's this I hear about neglect?"

"I can explain..." Aunt Jemima was about to explain when a tug on your poncho caught your attention.

Craig, sweet little Craig, came to her defense. "Um, Rosa? She's just been very busy... she says she's working gigs in town to save money. She wants me to get in Hexbourne Academy..." ah, so that's what it is.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Ask Nemo if he can help, he's got loadsamoney, right?
>□ Ask Jemima if you could help around the farm for a bit
>□ Take Craig and look for Valencio immediately
>□ Stay at the farm for the night
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5681795
>□ Ask Nemo if he can help, he's got loadsamoney, right?
>□ Take Craig and look for Valencio immediately
less go

damn, that's a cute kid. in the fatherly sense, that is.
>>
>>5681795
>□ Take Craig and look for Valencio immediately
We'll give him a job. Child labor doesnt count if its for your cousin.
>>
>>5681798
+1
When we become staggeringly rich, we can *buy* Hexbourne Academy. It can't hurt to ask, though.
>>
>>5681798
Supporting.

>>5681795
>>
>>5681795
>□ Ask Nemo if he can help, he's got loadsamoney, right?
>□ Take Craig and look for Valencio immediately
Maybe, if he's willing to help Craig, some of that money can go to help Jemima as well.
>>
>>5681798
+1
>>
>>5681798
+1
>>
Virtually unanimous. Drawing and writing.
>>
>>5681795
"Hey, Nemo, you've seen how Craig's been - any chance you could help him and Aunt Jemima out, here? Monetarily would be nice." You figured he can pay you riches, so why not help them, too?

Nemo shrugs. "Sure, why not? I only have some Scrip for now, though. That alright?" He pulls out a stack of Scrip and hands it to Aunt Jemima.

"As for Craig, I'll see what I can do to get him to the entrance tests - but later, after we're done. The rest's up to him though."

Craig pipes up. "T-that's fine with me. Are you fine with it, Rosa?"

"Yeah, seems all good for now. Anyways, I'm gonna borrow Craig a bit. Gonna take him adventuring." Craig's face brightened considerably.

"Well, alright, I trust you'll keep him safe. I would've taken him adventuring myself, but these bones aren't what they used to be." Aunt Jemima seems to be surprisingly lax about all this.

"In that case, wanna go on an adventure, Craig? We'll need your magic and your spirit stuff."

His cheeks greened hard. "Me, on an adventure with you?! Wowee!"

Nemo turns to you and Craig. "Then, let's be off. We still need to go to find Brother Valencio."

A short goodbye and a not-that-long walk later, the three of you find yourselves at the entrance of the Dawn Chapel, where Valencio is supposed to reside in. And yet, nobody came to greet you - which is weird. Valencio would usually come out to greet anyone, parishioner or not.

"Huh, it seems eerily quiet. Is he meditating or something?" You muse. Indeed, you haven't heard the bell ring as you approach.

"I can try and ask the spirits if you want?" Craig meekly asks.

"Perhaps we should knock on the door, first." Nemo pondered.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Knock
>□ Check back door
>□ Ask spirits
>□ Wait for a while, listen
>□ Come back another time
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5682787
>□ Knock
YOOOOOOOOOOOO WHAT IT DO BITCHES WHOS UP IN THIS MOTHER FUCKER AYOO?
>>
>>5682787
>□ Wait for a while, listen
Summoning spirits seems like a bad idea at a chapel, and RPGs have taught me that trying to get into temples through their back door always goes wrong.
>>
>>5682787
>□ Knock
Knock knock, open up the door, its real!
>>
>>5682787
>>□ Wait for a while, listen
>>
>>5682787
>□ Ask spirits
Let's see how good this kid really is, eh?
>>
>>5682787

> Knock

The gentleman's option
>>
>>5682787
>>□ Knock
Always a polite first option before you begin rattling windows... Maybe he's just out.
>>
>>5682787
>□ Check back door
Sneaky sneaky.
>>
>>5682787
>□ Knock
>>
>>5682787
>□ Knock
open da door
>>
>>5682787
>□ Knock
>□ Wait for a while, listen

Polite to knock, and having knocked, we get a good excuse to just wait and listen with our large Goblin ears.
>>
>>5682787

Huh, he's got a point. "...You know what? Let's try that. Knocking, I mean." You raise your balled hand and let it swing onto the carapace-like door... and to your surprise, the door creaked open.

"Huh, strange. Usually he locks the door when he's meditating." Once the creaking stops, though, you can hear something muffled in the distance...

"Rosa, I hear something!" Craig exclaims. Sounds like he heard the hollow murmuring too. "It came from there." Craig points to the center of the room, where a massive bronze bell appeared to have fallen and cracked the bone floor. That explains why the belltower's so quiet.

"What the hell - good catch, Craig." Is that Valencio under that bell? Just how are you going to rescue him?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Craig, got any magic that can lift that bell?
>□ Or something that can crack the bell?
>□ Maybe we can tip it over?
>□ Nemo, you go on one end, I'm taking on the other, maybe we can lift it together?
>□ Perhaps we can dig below?
>□ Anyone find a spare rope? Might be able to winch the bell back up the tower
>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5683186
>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
>>
>>5683186
>>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
Measure twice, cut once.
>>
>>5683186
>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
>>
>>5683186
>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
I turned myself into a bell, Rosa!
>>
>>5683186
>□ Why don't we contact the guy inside the bell?
>>
>>5683186
>>□ Anyone find a spare rope? Might be able to winch the bell back up the tower
>>
>>5683186
>□ Anyone find a spare rope? Might be able to winch the bell back up the tower
>>
>>5683186

You guess you gotta make sure whoever inside's alright, first of all. Two knocks on the bronze bell, and then you get your ear close. "Hey, is this Valencio inside?" you half yell, unsure if the thickness of the metal impedes hearing.

Good thing you didn't press your ears on the bell, because the reply could very well be deafening if you did so. "Oh, Rosa! I know that voice anywhere! Praise the bones, I've been stuck under here for a day!"

"Whoa there Valencio, I can hear you fine. We're here to help!" You start to try and push the bell off.

"Careful when you handle the bell - I could've gotten out myself if not for the fact that I don't want to damage the bell, and that the cellar's right underneath us. I don't want to end up making a huge bell-shaped hole on the floor." Valencio warns, just in time.

"Well isn't that just dand-" a sudden rumbling interrupts you, echoing inside the chapel. "What was that?!"

"Rosaaa, I'm scared..." Craig whimpers.

"It seems like the entire structure is rumbling..." Nemo makes an observation.

"It is as I feared, the bell's initial fall resonated badly with the chapel - get out, quick! Before it all falls down on you!" Valencio, again with his ominous warning. Then again, you can't just abandon him under that bell, can't you?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ GTFO as Valencio suggested
>□ Push the bell, free Valencio, then leave
>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
>□ Screw the bell, Valencio! Punch through it!
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5683836
>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
Putting pressure on children in a crises never goes badly.
>>
>>5683836
>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
And if it doesn't work, we'll be all dead, so it's all good
>>
>>5683836
>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
>>
>>5683836
>□ GTFO as Valencio suggested

Valencio is safe inside a big bronze bell. We are not.
>>
>>5683836
>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
Do or die time, kid!
>>
>>5683869
>>
>>5683836
>□ GTFO as Valencio suggested

He knows the situation better then we do. Take his advice. We're here to recruit him, so trusting him on this is a good start.
>>
>>5683836
>>□ We need magical help, Craig! Whatchu got?
>>
>>5683836
No, you won't abandon him - at least without trying something first.

"We need some magical help, Craig!" You call to him. "Show me what you got!"

It seems that phrase of yours spurred something in Craig, because he no longer looks like he's afraid. He took on a stance, possibly pooling together his magical energy - and soon enough, green wisps of magic start to weft around him. You also realized he's humming in concentration.

"Mmmmmm... HANDS!" He struck his hand forward, and out comes a spout of magic which forms a gigantic transparent green hand. It easily pulls up the bell, freeing a baeely startled Valencio from his acoustic brass prison. With another wave of his hand, he sweeps you off your feet - and apparently Nemo's and Valencio's too, as his magical palms spirits the group right out the crumbling chapel, forcing the doors open as you went.

As you land gently outside, the chapel itself shook again, turning itself into a pile of vaguely chapel-shaped rubble.

"I... I did it, Rosa..." Craig stumbles into your arms, and promptly snored himself asleep. It seems like the show of hands had fatigued him.

Valencio looks back to the ruined chapel. "Oh well, that's that, then." He turns to you and Craig, you assume with gratitude behind his mask.
"Thank you for rescuing me. Shame about the chapel, but I'll manage."

"How did you end up inside the bell?" Nemo pipes up.

"Oh, I was meditating as usual when some people I didn't know entered the chapel and started looking for something. I asked them what are they looking for, when one of them started swinging at me. I fought them for a while, but apparently they know I can't harm the bell and cut the rope, and that's how I ended up trapped."

"Fascinating... and why can't you harm the bell?" Nemo inquires further.

"An old oath, from an old friend." Valencio explained. "I'm sorry, I haven't got your name?" Valencio extends his hand.

"It's Nemo." Hands shook, Nemo continues. "I am currently about to run an expedition with Rosa and Craig here, which may help save Gongalla."

"Oh? That so? Well, any friend of Rosa is also a friend of mine." He turns to Craig. "That was some superb spellcasting. He related to you, Rosa?"

"Yeah, he's my neph- err, cousin. I keep forgetting."

"I offer condolences about your chapel - but if my hunch about your assailants is right, we need to move." Nemo musters the group.

You sling the soundly sleeping Craig to your back. "Move where, exactly? You haven't elaborated on that."

"Well, we need to get to places where we can get to the anchors - one of them is near your hometown, Goblinton. Have you heard of The Crack? There's also another place up north, somewhere in the Pale Yonder. One to the east, in the middle of the Circle of Fire territory. And lastly, to the west, somewhere near The Fingers - although I hear that's a conflict zone right now. Why don't you choose?"

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ The Crack
>□ Pale Yonder
>□ Circle of Fire
>□ The Fingers
>>
>>5685246
>□ The Crack
you aight goblin wizard
Now,,.we heading straight for the money
>>
>>5685246
>□ The Crack
>>
>>5685246
>□ Circle of Fire
Sounds badass.
>>
>>5685246
>The Crack
>>
>>5685246
>□ Circle of Fire
>>
>>5685246
>□ The Crack
If it's near home we probably have some allies/family to help with that one. Might be good learning the ropes of the world saving business.
>>
>>5685246
>□ Circle of Fire
Johnny Cash Ogre here we come.
>>
Called, drawing and writing.
>>
>>5685246
As much as you'd like to explore the Circle of Fire, you remember your relatives over in Goblinton. Some duty still yet remain.

"We'll go to the Crack first, then. I got some family matters to do over in Goblinton."

"The Crack and Goblinton? Why, they're close to The Ossuary! I'd like to stop by to report the destruction of my chapel, and of the mysterious ransackers I encountered." Valencio adds.

"Very well, both Goblinton and the Ossuary are on the way to The Crack, we can visit them on the way. From Far Avalon, we go to the Ossuary, then Goblinton - afterwards we could either head to Wreck to resupply, or go straight to The Crack." Nemo lays out the plan.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Stop by Wreck
>□ Go directly to The Crack

The four of you start traveling towards the first destination, the Ossuary. From what you've heard, it's the epicenter of all Bone Denominations, the religious sects that venerates bones. From Valencio's Bone Order, to the Church of Eternal End, to the Worldspiners, and the Fossil Sages. Plenty of pilgrims, paladins, and padres abound.

As you walk with Craig dozing on your back, Nemo suddenly asks you a question. "By the way, Rosa - what was Goblinton to you?" His eye sparkles with curiosity. "Also, if you have any more questions about the job, ask away."

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ I have many fond memories in Goblinton
>□ It is a hometown I regard fondly, but don't remember much
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ How can you be sure I won't betray you?
>□ What are these Reality Anchors, really?
>□ How are we supposed to survey and strengthen them?
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck, I guess
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
>□ Wait, what's Wreck again? Sorry.
>>
>>5685824
>□ Go directly to The Crack
>□ It is a hometown I regard fondly, but don't remember much
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it
We're a lone wanderer.
>□ How can you be sure I won't betray you?
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck, I guess
What?
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it
Wouldn't be a wanderer otherwise
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
Nemo got spooked? When was that?
>□ Wait, what's Wreck again? Sorry.
Yeah, what?
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck
>□ I have many fond memories in Goblinton
>□ What are these Reality Anchors, really?
Gimme that lore, indonesian gentleman. I know you wanna drop it
>>
>>5685824
>□ It is a hometown I regard fondly, but don't remember much
>□ What are these Reality Anchors, really?
>□ How are we supposed to survey and strengthen them?
>>
>>5685824
>>□ It is a hometown I regard fondly, but don't remember much
>>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck
Better to be well supplied
>□ I may come from there, but there's no love for it
Wouldn't be a wanderer otherwise.
>□ What do you think about Valencio's attackers? Why did you get spooked then?
Think we can ask the others elsewhen.
>>
>>5685824
>□ Stop by Wreck
>□ It is a hometown I regard fondly, but don't remember much
>□ What are these Reality Anchors, really?
>>
Tallying, drawing, writing.
>>
>>5685824
Goblinton, eh... "I may come from there, but I don't like it there. I stood out from other kids my age because I'm taller than them, and I don't like that. Then there's my grandma, who urged me to work out - she was very intimidating. As soon as I can get out of my house, I did so." Yeah, there's still family there, but you don't really want to visit Goblinton if it weren't for them.

"I see. I apologize if I brought up bad memories." Nemo looked sympathetic, maybe he even knew someone in Goblinton?

"Anyways, that's something I don't want to think about for now. I've got two questions for you, though." Somehow, Craig's light snoring assures you.

"Alright, ask away." Nemo looks receptive.

"First - what's Wreck?"

"What, you've never been to Wreck? That's close to Goblinton."

"Nope." You traveled directly west when you struck out for the first time.

"Well, Wreck is a thriving town, built around the abandoned remnants of the Eternal Empire's ships. Some say they were the Empire's first experimental exploratory fleet that went missing, some say it's more like a graveyard of unwanted ships. Anyways, it's a bustling trading town now, I hear." Nemo shrugs.

"A city eh? Well, we'll resupply there then. Now, for the other question - what do you think of Valencio's attackers? You seem spooked for a bit back there."

A slight doubt creeps into Nemo's face, as Valencio looks towards him, interested in what he's saying. "Well, not outright afraid, but cautious. I had thought it might be the Singularity Cult, a secret society that wanted to call the Singularity storm here to Gongalla so everything is comoletely erased. But after thinking further, the attackers doesn't quite match what the Cultists would do."

Ah, so there's a secret society that directly opposes what you're doing. Great.

"Oh hey, what's that there?" Valencio suddenly calls out, directing our attention to three boxlike shapes jutting from the ground.

"...are those crates?" Like the kind used to transport cargo, or perhaps valuables...

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Carefully check them out
>□ Look for possible ambushes
>□ Finders keepers!
>□ Pass on by
>□ Avoid them by a wide margin
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5686633
>□ Look for possible ambushes
Seems a little TOO convenient... and things are weird around here. For all we know those could be horrible hermit crab things or something.

Oh snap, Rosa is Ko and Gobson's kid!
>>
>>5686633
>□ Finders keepers!
>>
>>5686633

> □ Look for possible ambushes

Paranoia is a survival trait
>>
File: bait.gif (2.96 MB, 498x280)
2.96 MB
2.96 MB GIF
>>5686633
>>□ Avoid them by a wide margin
Sus. Maybe if we had a signal jammer. Or a really long stick.
>>
>>5686633
>□ Look for possible ambushes

Gotta keep our wits about us
>>
>>5686633
>□ Look for possible ambushes
>□ Prepare to fight if ambushed
We've been on the road long enough, we know how this goes.

>>5686638
>spoiler
Nah, granddaughter. Reread
>>
>>5686633
>□ Look for possible ambushes
>>
Called, drawing and writing.

>>5686778
Ding ding ding
>>
Still waiting for the inevitable calaca grandkid
>>
>>5686633
Yep, those are crates alright... but you knew better than to trust in free loot. If things are too good to be true, there's likely shenanigans afoot. The area surrounding the crates is featureless plains - which means only two directions left to check.

"This might be an ambush. Valencio, you look down, while I'll look up." You expect to fight, but with Craig on your back, that's harder than usual.

"Very well! One ground scan, coming up." Valencio knelt on one knee, his right hand lightly touching the ground. But you knew, Valencio is using his inner magic to detect enemies down under.
"Hmm... nothing underground." He conclusively noted.

You immediately looked up, a method designed to catch your would-be ambushers by surprise. Immediately you've noticed one of the ceiling tiles being moved - and a knotted rope stuck mid-way between being let down and pulled up. Something glints in the dark - glasses of the ambushers?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Move on, you'll be gone before they can rappel down
>□ Threaten the would-be ambusher
>□ Take advantage of their shock to loot the boxes
>□ Say that you want to talk to them
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5686979
>other
Draw our good ol' revolver and shoot em up.

Who need ability when power word : bullet to the head is an option?
>>
>>5686979
SHOOT them
>>
>>5686979
>□ Threaten the would-be ambusher
What kind of obvious and piss poor ambush is this? Berate those fuckers!
>>
>>5686979
>□ Threaten the would-be ambusher
>>
>>5686979
>□ Threaten the would-be ambusher
>>
>>5686979
>Shoot first, questions later
>>
>>5686979
>□ Threaten the would-be ambusher
>>
>>5686979
Out of all the ambushes you've seen, this one was quite disappointing. You're in the mood to put some fear in them for wasting your time, so you reached behind your poncho and brandish your revolver.

"What kinda lackluster ambush is this?? Get down from there, now!" You yell, which might have disturbed Craig because he squirmed a bit.

"Oh shit, she's got a gun! What should we do?" One of the ambushers exclaimed, loud enough for you to hear.

"I don't wanna get shot!" The other said to their comrade, before speaking to your direction. "Okay, okay! We're coming down!"

A short time later, the two would-be ambushers had descended from their rope and showing signs of surrender.

"We're sorry! Please don't shoot us!"
Why, they're just kids! Kids around Craig's age! One seem to be an insectoid boy, and the other a reptilian girl. Orphans, perhaps? You keep your gun trained on both.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Interrogate them
>□ Let them go
>□ Loot their crates' contents
>□ Take them with you until The Ossuary, there's gotta be an orphanage there
>□ Punish them as you see fit
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them
The fuck they think they are doing? And where are their parents?
>>
>>5687824
>>□ Interrogate them
These rug rats are lucky they ran into us and not some other bloodthirsty freak
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them
Maybe some good cop bad(read: /ss/) cop?
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them

>>5687848
>spoiler
goddamn indo the longer you go without giving us an actual adult male that isn't an demon/monk/inhuman creature the longer the /ss/ stuff is going to continue
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them
What >>5687837 said.

>>5687848
Contain your coomerism, faggot
>>
>>5687824
>□ Interrogate them
They better have a good reason for pulling this stunt.

>□ Loot their crates' contents
Ambush tax.
>>
>>5687837
+1
>>
Fell asleep. Drawing, writing.
>>
Update when i get off work tomorrow at like 4pm
>>
>>5688961
Bluh?

>>5688841
Sorry, I got real tired today, hopefully update's done in about 6 to 15 hours.
>>
>>5689058
No worries -- don't overdo it!
>>
>>5687824
"Alright then, you better tell me what's going on here, or my gun will do the talking." A bit harsh, but then again these kids tried to ambush you.

"Yeah right! We ain't telling!" Bug boy here has guts. But by the way his hand's trembling, he's still scared of you.

"Wait, Kett! Maybe they can help us!" The round reptile girl interjects. She's not as trembly as the bug boy.

"Hrmhrmmm... if you say so, Sadie..." Bug boy Kett relents.

Now this gets interesting. "Alright, who are you, where'd you come from, and what's in those crates?"

Sadie answers. "I'm Sadie Mae and this is Kettikilete, or Kett for short. We're from the Patella Orphanage near Ossuary..."

Brother Valencio pipes up. "Oh, the one in the Lumbar Quarter? I might know someone there."

Sadie nods quickly before continuing. "Anyways, about a month ago the director, Sister Lucretia, suddenly disappeared, and the new director, Father Jacquard, forces us to sell these crates before we can return to the orphanage."

You blink. "Wait, sell?"

Sadie nods again. "Yea, but he forbids us to open it, or we'll get punished."

You look back at the crates, half-sunken on the ground. And then at the ceiling hole these kids came from. So their crates fell here, then?

This time, it was Kett that continues. "So yeah, you want to buy these crates or not? We got a quota..."

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Promise to talk to Jacquard
>□ Move on without promising anything
>□ Buy their mystery crates
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5689213
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do
Seems like his area of expertise.
>>
>>5689213
>□ Other (fill in)
We can't buy the crates until we see what's in them, can we? This father Jerkward forbid the kids from opening the crates, not prospective clients.
>>
>>5689213
>□ Other (fill in)
OPEN ZEE BOX
>>
>>5689232
+1
>>
>>5689213
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do
He knows more about that bone cult stuff.
>>
>>5689232
That.
>>
>>5689232
>>5689238
Supprting.

>>5689213
>>
>>5689232
+1
>>
>>5689232
>supporting
>>
>>5689213
Aha, you think you've found a loophole.

"Wel, you can't open them, but that doesn't mean I can't open the crates, can't I?" You feel Craig yawning and waking up back there.

"Where are we, Rosa?" Craig asks, groggily.

"Halfway to the Ossuary, Craig. Now go make some new friends." You let Craig off to make acquaintances with Sadie and Kett.
"Now then - what's in these crates?" You saunter over to them. The lid is secured only with some crude latches; it doesn't take you too long to unsecure one of the boxes.

Inside lay one of the most boney pile you've ever seen. "Bones? Valencio, what do you make of this?"

He took one of the bones, appraises it, and returns it back into the crate with a cautious reverence. He then repeats the process a couple more times before coming to a conclusion. "Oh my, these are relics!"

"Ah, counterfeit ones?"

"Based on the amount, it would seem so - but I've sensed the holiness of each one. They're all legitimate relics - aside from the fact that there shouldn't be three thighbones of St. Femur, let alone a dozen." Valencio noted, with a dash of confusion.

"So... we're dealing with dupes? Exact duplicates?"

"Maybe, but I cannot fathom why anyone would need these en masse, or why Father Jacquard would push them to unsuspecting people via, uh, guerilla orphan marketing."

While there's a lot of questions you'd like someone to answer here, one came to mind: what do you do with three crates' worth of holy bones?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Leave them alone with the orphans
>□ Take some of them
>□ Buy some of them - Nemo's got money, right?
>□ Bury them
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5690199
Y'know, I still can't figure out how old Valencio actually is.
>>
>>5690199
>Take some of them
Keep them as evidence, and as a possible clue to some of the weirdness we'll encounter later. If someone's up to such dodgy schemes near a reality anchor, and we KNOW the Singularity Cult is out there... Who knows if these fake relics are how they're getting funded, if they're worth money? Or if discredited other faiths with fake relics that priests can't detect as forgeries strengthens their cause?
>>
>>5690199
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do
I'm doubling down on asking.
>>
>>5690199
>□ Other (fill in)
Yeah, this time let's ask Valencio.
>>
>>5690199
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do
>>
>>5690199
Supporting
>>5690235
>>5690252
>>5690258
Let's ask Valentino
>>
>>5690235
+1
>>
>>5690235
>□ Ask Valencio what he'd do

He's the guy for dealing with he Holy, not us.
>>
>>5690199
No update tonight folks, but do keep the votes coming in.
In the meantime, feel free to speculate what's going on, reminisce on Gaol, maybe even put up a cork board and ample amounts of red threads.
>>
>>5690635
Thanks for the heads up, QM!
I never played Gaol, sorry
>>
>>5690635
>eminisce on Gaol
Y'know, there was a part in Gaol where one option (that was, of course, untaken) made me really wonder what exactly were you thinking when you wrote it.
>>
>>5690694
Which one was that? Now I'm curious, too.
>>
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>>5690813
During the second time james got lucky with petunia, you put this option there. No one voted for it thankfully, but it's the kind option that makes me wonder what the hell you were thinking about. I mean, what was the plan?? It's not something you can just go back from.

I mean yeah, obviously you know what the option was proposing, but it's the kind of option where you're just bewildered it's even there. It's not the kind of stuff that just happens normally outside of Akun.
>>
>>5690820
freaky foursome option, but I'd play it out as being too awkward and just calls the whole thing off with both couples
>>
>>5691142
>too awkward
What, did petunia go fujoshi mode and weird everyone out trying to convince James go dick the robot?

Good thing we didnt choose that, james wouldnt have gotten the superpower eye he got from banging petunia otherwise.
>>
>>5690199
Good thing you have a qualified priest handy for such a situation.

"Well, Valencio, you're the expert on these relic thing - what do you suggest we do?" You say, as Craig starts talking with Sadie and Kett.

Valencio looks into the rich pile of holy calcium and starts picking some up into their inventory. "Forgery or not, these relics still has their blessings. Take some - they might turn out to be useful later on. And oh, take Sadie and Kett with us to Ossuary, I smell something afoot with this Father Jacquard."

>CHOOSE UP TO TWO

>□ Wishbone of Divining (limited clairvoyance for two choices)
>□ Glib Mandible (makes your speech more understandable)
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)
>□ Fingerbone of St. Digit (makes your fingers very flexible and dextrous, not applicable to toes)

And thus, with some divine support, your crew continues onwards to the Ossuary. Nothing else interrupts your progress right up to a hill that gives you a good view of the Ossuary and its surroundings - it seems to be surrounded by buildings. But, like the Cubicle Fields near Goblinton, you knew that these are 'naturally' occuring. At least in Gongalla. Valencio is estatic to visit the main cathedral and report to his superior about the collapse of his chapel.
What would you do?

>CHOOSE ONE
>□ Visit Patella Orphanage
>□ Accompany Valencio
>□ Take soup at the local soup kitchen
>□ Explore the Building Forest
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5691542
>>□ Wishbone of Divining (limited clairvoyance for two choices)
Sounds pretty damn useful!
>□ Visit Patella Orphanage
Might as well follow up a bit, Val can probably handle the reporting himself.
>>
>>5691542
>□ Wishbone of Divining (limited clairvoyance for two choices)
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)
These sound the most fun!

>□ Take soup at the local soup kitchen
We've been traveling for a while and who knows when the kids last had something. Our treat.
Besides we should probably wait until Valencio is done with his thing before we face Jerkwad.
>>
>>5691548
+1
>>
>>5691542
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)
>□ Fingerbone of St. Digit (makes your fingers very flexible and dextrous, not applicable to toes)

>□ Take soup at the local soup kitchen
>>
>>5691542
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)

>□ Visit Patella Orphanage
>>
>>5691542
>□ Wishbone of Divining
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus
>□ Visit Patella Orphanage
>>
>>5691542
>□ Wishbone of Divining (limited clairvoyance for two choices)
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)
Sounds better.
I would not reccomend going to the orphanage without our full crew, we should wait for valencio.
>□ Take soup at the local soup kitchen
>>
>>5691583
+1
>>
>>5691542
>□ Wishbone of Divining (limited clairvoyance for two choices)
>□ Beat-the-Sins Humerus (literally beat the sins out of someone so they can fight it)

>□ Take soup at the local soup kitchen

Solid options.
>>
>>5691542
You re-inspect your new curiosities before you set foot in The Ossuary - Valencio said the wishbone can help you in difficult decisions while choosing between two options, while the clublike relic can literally wallop someone's sins outside their body. You store both in your inventory, just in case.

Craig returns to your side from playing with Sadie and Kett. "Rosa, can I get something to eat? I'm hungry."

Good timing, because you don't know how many clerical red tape awaits Valencio in the cathedral - and you hate that kind of thing. "Sure thing, Craig! Let's hit that soup store."
Then you turn towards Nemo. "How about you? What's your plan?"

"Maybe I'll accompany Valencio with the two orphans to the cathedral. I'd like to ask Church higher-ups about possible interference by the Singularity Cult."

"Right, I'll be at the soup kitchen then. Rendezvous there after your business is done." Your reply, taking Craig off to the local soup kitchen.

Soon, you find yourself outside a big building named 'Bone Meal'. Heh. There's quite a few people here, some using the building as a landmark to meet up, some others are just plain loitering around. Inside is a little bit more crowded, but you can see ample room for you and Craig.

"Next!" Already, the sister in charge of handing out soup had finished with a customer. Where will you and Craig sit after getting your portion of soup?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
>□ Right next to the horse man who is calmly enjoying his soup
>□ Join the fox lady's table, she seemed to have immediately noticed you as you enter
>□ Wherever the tall boogieman with the wizard hat and cloak sits
>□ Sit alone with Craig, find an empty table or something
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5692328
>□ Join the fox lady's table, she seemed to have immediately noticed you as you enter
>>
>>5692328
>□ Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
Assertively mog & gob the table to make sure she is as uncomfortable as possible. Bitch ass will learn,
>>
>>5692328
Huh, that nun looks like petunia.
>□ Wherever the tall boogieman with the wizard hat and cloak sits
Seems interesting.
>>
>>5692328
>□ Right next to the horse man who is calmly enjoying his soup
If there's a tie or something I'll probably change my vote.
>>
>>5692328
>□ Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
Might learn more about the fake relics.
>>
>>5692328
>□ Wherever the tall boogieman with the wizard hat and cloak sits
Mystery box?
>>
>>5692328
> Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
>>
>>5692328
>>□ Right next to the horse man who is calmly enjoying his soup
Calm soup enjoyment sounds great.
>>
>>5692328
>□ Right next to the horse man who is calmly enjoying his soup
>>
>>5692328
>>□ Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
There is a nun. She looks like a NERD. We got fake relics. We are a deceptive Gob. The math says this is the correct option.
>>
>>5692328
>>□ Wherever the tall boogieman with the wizard hat and cloak sits
>>
>>5692538
The relics are being sold by inside the order, anon
>>
>>5692328
>□ Right across the bespectacled, freckled nun with a nervous air to her
>>
>>5692328
>>□ Join the fox lady's table, she seemed to have immediately noticed you as you enter
>>
>>5692328
Perhaps it's your conning instinct, but you can't help but see the nun as an easy mark. You quickly take two portions of soup, and slide in right across her, Craig taking a seat beside you.

"I hope you don't mind us sitting here?" You casually ask the nun, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Oh, no, not at all! I'd love the company." The nun spoke, a hint of a drawl heard.

You nod, and take a spoonful of soup. Hmm, not bad - you can taste hints of marrow there. "Now that hits the spot." You comment to yourself. "It's tasty, isn't it, Craig?"

"Yep, Rosa." Craig meekly replied.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot. I'm Rosa Montagni, and this here's my neph- cousin! I mean cousin, Craig Snorlison."

The nun's face brightened. "Ah, I see! Well, my name is Sister Beatriz, but you can call me Bea for short."

"So, Bea - did you make the soup?"

"Aw, no! I don't work here. I'm just having my daily lunch right now."

"Oh. So where'd you work?" Another spoonful of soup - you can get hooked on this.

"Oh, just the local orphanage by the name of Patella. I'll be going back right after my soup's finished. Ah, too bad it's closed to visitors lately! I would've liked to show you around." Sister Bea sighs wistfully.

Wait, really? You immediately sense a conning opportunity. She can be your ticket into the orphanage, or at least an info source! Oho, what's this? It seems you've noticed Bea's glances towards Craig.

"Ah, what a lovely child you are, Craig! So quiet and polite, unlike the kids at the orphanage."

Craig blushes green. "T-thank you!"

Hmmm, a plan formulates in your head.

>CONNIVING TIME
>REMEMBER, THERE ARE HIDDEN CONTEXT MODIFIERS, MOST POPULAR CHOICE GETS CHOSEN, HIGHEST OF FIRST THREE ROLLS FOR THAT CHOICE HAS TO BEAT TARGET

>CHOOSE ONE (Roll 1d20, target 9)

>□ "Show us around anyway, yeah? We'll be discreet, I promise."
>□ "Well, I'd like to sign up for a temp work, money's running low. Can you sign me up at your orphanage?"
>□ "Tell you what, Bea - Craig here can get you real relaxed. I can get you and Craig alone together for an hour, if you can get me inside the orphanage."
>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5693038
>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
We're supposed to roll now, if I'm getting this correctly.
>>
>>5693038
>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
We need to pull a mog & gob action
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5693038
>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
Seems like the path of least resistance, and he had fun with the kids from the orphanage we picked up earlier.
>>
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>>5693038
>that third action
>>
Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>5693042
Same.
>>
>>5693091
Just call me Freddie Nanda Dekker-Oversteegen, 'cause I'm here to kill /ss/.

>>5693038
>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>5693038
>□ "Tell you what, Bea - Craig here can get you real relaxed. I can get you and Craig alone together for an hour, if you can get me inside the orphanage."
Just to not have a landslide and this one is the most opposite of the one most picked so far
doubt it will win but anti-/ss/ anons will get upset kek
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5693038
>>5693184
Sure why not
+1
>>
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>>5693184
>>5693217
we already had one petunia we don't need another
>>
>>5693038
>>□ "We've been on the road for some time, but Craig's still a kid - and I'm sure he'll love playing with the other kids at the orphanage."
>>
>>5693038
"You know, we've been on the road for a while, but Craig's still a kid. It would be good to let him play with the other kids his age at the orphanage, yeah?" You nod at Craig, which is still busy finishing his soup.

Sister Beatriz smiles, free of ulterior motives by your reckoning. "Oh yes, definitely! He would look cute playing with the other kids!" She seems to have realized her outburst.
"Ah, uh! Sorry, it's just that my heart goes 'squee' whenever I see children. Oh, I wish I can become an orphanage director myself and become like a mother to them all..."

Oh ho, so that's how she sees it. "I know, right? They just bring out the protective side of you." You finish your soup, and waited for Craig to finish his. It's true, you feel kinda protective of him. What with his absent mother and all.

Soon after Craig finishes his bowl of soup, both of you followed Bea to Patella Orphanage - which is basically next door from the soup kitchen. Already you can see some kids playing on the courtyard, and hear more running inside.

"Here we are, Patella Orphanage! I think as long as you don't enter any of the buildings, it'll be alright with the director. To the left is the main building, and to the right is the new dormitories - there's still some rooms inside that's being built, that's why the director closed the orphanage for visitors."

As you let Craig socialize with his peers, you wonder what to do next.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Try to pry info about relics/new director from Bea
>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
>□ The door to the new dorms is slightly ajar! Find a way to sneak in
>□ The door to the new dorms is slightly ajar! Inspect it with Bea
>□ Ask for a tour of the place
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5693890
>□ The door to the new dorms is slightly ajar! Inspect it with Bea
>>
>>5693890
>□ The door to the new dorms is slightly ajar! Inspect it with Bea
>>
>>5693890
>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
>>
>>5693890
>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
I really doubt trying to investigate it with her is a good idea. She's a nun herself after all.
>>
>>5693890
>>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
>□ Ask for a tour of the place
Far from incompatible
>>
>>5693890
>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
>□ Ask for a tour of the place
If possible.

That said, since you said choose one, prioritize the tour as my first choice.
>>
>>5693890
>□ Get Craig to ask the orphans about the new director
>□ Ask for a tour of the place

>>5693943
Agree with this, both sound compatible enough to do.
>>
>>5693890
Where there's lots of kids, they're bound to see or hear something about the new director, Jacquard. Conveniently, Craig here's also a kid - he can ask around. "Go ahead and play, Craig! Who knows, you might learn something from these kids." A wink seals the deal, as you see Craig blushes green.

-----

You are now the one and only Craig Snorlison! Oh boy did your heart skip a beat when your aun- er, cousin Rosa winked at you. She's just the coolest, and you think you have a crush on her. Anyways, she's given you another mission! She likes to give you these missions sometimes, which is cool since she might be some kind of spy! Or secret agent! But what is the mission now? You kinda blanked out for a second, there.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Get in the orphanage!
>□ Make some friends!
>□ Find the leader!
>□ Other (fill in)!

Oh right. But to do that, you got to start talking to the right kid! And there's plenty of kids here. Who do you approach first?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ The two girls who keeps taking looks at you and giggling together
>□ The goblin boy and robot kid running around the place
>□ The quiet kid from Tmavy Les seemingly sitting in deep thought, or just not thinking at all
>□ The snooty nerdy kid reading a book
>□ The big girl who's standing against a wall, and just mean mugs everybody
>□ Wait, consult a spirit first, perhaps there's something hidden
>>
>>5694631
>□ Make some friends!
Find some friends, and earn their trust.
>□ The quiet kid from Tmavy Les seemingly sitting in deep thought, or just not thinking at all
Pinhead boy.
>>
>>5694631
>Gather information!
The name's Snorlison. Craig Snorlison. We take our info shaken, not stirred.

>□ The two girls who keeps taking looks at you and giggling together
A spy always go for the dames giving him pretty eyes first.
>>
>>5694641
Supporting.

>>5694631
>>
>>5694641
Foolish choice. They'll just transmit him cooties and giggle.
>>
>>5694631
>>□ The big girl who's standing against a wall, and just mean mugs everybody
Bigger girl are cooties free - auntie have no cootie, right?
>>
>>5694661
Yeah but she's not a goblin, is she?
>>
>>5694631
>Make some friends!
>The big girl who's standing against a wall, and just mean mugs everybody
We need to endear ourselves to the tough people first-it's just like prison! Or...

JAIL!
>>
>>5694631
>□ Make some friends!
>□ The quiet kid from Tmavy Les seemingly sitting in deep thought, or just not thinking at all
'The quiet kid' is one of my favorite tropes. But then again cooties sound funny.
>>
>>5694641
+1 spy time

>>5694631
>>
>>5694631
>□ The goblin boy and robot kid running around the place
>>
>>5694631
>□ Make some friends!
>□ The quiet kid from Tmavy Les seemingly sitting in deep thought, or just not thinking at all
What's with him?
>>
>>5694631
>>□ The big girl who's standing against a wall, and just mean mugs everybody
>>
Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>5694631
Hoo boy, a three-way tie. Let us consult the winds of fate.

1: Quiet kid
2: Giggle squad
3: Big gal
>>
>>5695385
Fate says we're a ladies' man.
>>
>>5694631
You remember something from the spy stories you read - that a spy's most important thing is their own network of people. In other words, friends! Which is kinda something you have done with spirits, but not so much with real people. Anyways, you also remember how both your aunts in Far Avalon like to gossip among each other, so you definitely gonna hafta get the attention of those two giggling girls.

How does it go in the novels, again? First, the fingerguns, then The Look, then -
"Hello, ladies!" you utter with solid confidence.

You don't know if it worked or not, but it definitely did something to the girls, because now they're shrieking. Hopefully in joy.

"Didja see that?! So cool!" The frizzy-haired one energetically commented.
"No waaay! Omigawd reeeally?" The catlike one says, with awe in her voice.

Uhh now what? Should you just - oh gob, they've stopped shrieking and started approaching rapidly. "Hey hey! Wotchername, cool boi? Mine's Tanner!" The frizzy-haired one said.
"And I'm, um, Nyatsume. Say, who was that with you just now?"

"She's - "

"Whatcha doing here in Oss-oo-ary?"

"I'm - "

"What's your favourite color?" "Where'd you come from?" "When did you arrive?"
Oh no, they're starting to ask too many questions! You haven't even got the time to answer them, let alone ask a question of your own! The commotion also drew some spectators - the big girl left the wall, and the Tmavy Les kid's scooched over to your side.

"H-hold on, one at a time! One at a time! I'm Craig Snorlison, by the way! Oh, a-and I gotta ask you a question for each time you asked one! Souds good?" They nod. Good thing they've also stopped the rapid-fire questions. You were starting to get overwhelmed!

>CHOOSE ONE TO ANSWER

>□ Who was that with you?
>□ Where did you come from?
>□ What are you doing here?
>□ Can you see spirits like me?

>CHOOSE ONE TO ASK

>□ What do you think of the new director?
>□ Do you know a kid named Sadie and another named Kett?
>□ What's in the new building over there?
>□ How did you all ended up here?
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5695461
>□ Who was that with you?
Aun- er, Cousin Rosa is the coolest! Everyone needs to know!

>□ Do you know a kid named Sadie and another named Kett?
Spies always confirm their info first. Could be those two lied...
>>
>>5695461
>□ Who was that with you?
Of course we'll tell who best girl aunt is :)
>□ Do you know a kid named Sadie and another named Kett?
>>
>>5695461
>□ Who was that with you?
>□ What's in the new building over there?
>>
>>5695461
>□ Where did you come from?
We don't want to have Cousin Rosa's name all over this secret agent infiltration mission, right?

>□ What's in the new building over there?
>>
>>5695461
>□ What are you doing here?
>□ What do you think of the new director?
>>
>>5695461
>□ Who was that with you?
Aunt thief gob time.
>□ What do you think of the new director?
>>
>>5695461
>□ Who was that with you?
Our fiancé ;)

>□ Do you know a kid named Sadie and another named Kett?
>>
>>5695522
The fiance gag is a good one, so I can support it.

>>5695480 is me

>>5695461
>>
Update a bit delayed, sorry for the inconvenience!
>>
>>5695465
+1
>>
>>5696367
No worries, IG.
>>
>>5696367
Wheres my update you stupid mother fucker
>>
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>>5696741
>>
>>5696741
Low effort bait, but 4/10 for managing to trick someone.
>>
>>5695461
It was Tanner that asked first. "Sooo, as Nyatsume was sayin - who's that lady that came with you?"

"Oh, that's my aun- cousin, Rosa! She travels a lot, goes on adventures, and she's the coolest! You should see her in action..." Oh no, you've caught yourself being really enthusiastic about your cousin - and it seems the girls noticed.

"Hee, your cousin, eh? You travel together, hmm?" Tanner grins conspiratorially at you.

"Ooh, looks like someone might have a crush, uwu!" Nyatsume adds fuel to the fire.

"Alright, alright already - my turn to ask!" You try your hardest not to turn even greener. Now, what was it you were about to ask? Oh yeah!
"Say, you guys know a kid named Sadie, and another kid named Kett? Sadie's a chubby lizard girl, and Kett's an insectoid."

"Huh, they sound familiar. Might be the ones who are supposed to be in the new dorms." Tanner answers as truthfully as she can.

"I met them while traveling, they said that they can't return until they sell three crates which they can't look inside of."

"Huh, the crate thing, yeah. We were told just to sell a crate each, but nothing about not returning before it's sold..." Nyatsume recalls.

Suddenly you feel an oppressive aura behind you - you turn back just in time for the mean girl to get right on your face.
"Sadie and Kett - where did you see them?!"

"Hey, it's still our turn asking questions, Brandy!" Tanner protests, which was replied to with a mean side glance.

You almost fell backwards from the intimidation, anyways - but you manage. Wait, does this mean you can ask her a question?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Answer her truthfully
>□ Lie
>□ Decline to answer

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE TO ASK

>□ What do you think of the new director?
>□ Do you guys know what's in the crates?
>□ What, or who, are in the new dorms?
>□ How did you all end up here?
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5696770
>□ Answer her truthfully
I think telling her where we saw them is fine. They aren't out there anymore.

Either
>□ Do you guys know what's in the crates?
or
>□ (Other) Why do you want to know?
>>
>>5696770
>□ Answer her truthfully
And
>□ What, or who, are in the new dorms?
>>
>>5696770
>□ Answer her truthfully
>□ What, or who, are in the new dorms?
>>
>>5696770
>□Tell the truth, also use the finger guns and charm offensive

>□ (Other) Why do you want to know?
>>
>>5696770
>□ Answer her truthfully
>□ What, or who, are in the new dorms?
>>
>>5696770
>□ Decline to answer
>□ What, or who, are in the new dorms?
>>
>>5696819
+1

>>5696770
>>
>>5696770
Being face-to-face with Brandy's mean look makes you decide to tell the truth, otherwise you feel you'd suffer unknown consequences.
"Look, I met them somewhere east of here, they were holed up in the ceiling. Then my group went here."

Upon hearing this, Brandy seem to have dialed down her meaniness. "Oh thank goodness they're safe. The ceiling can be too much for them. There's things up there, in the dark..."

Wait, this means it's your turn to ask, right? "So, you said something about the new dorms - who's supposed to stay there?"

Brandy was silent for a while before speaking. "Oh right, you're doing that question trade thing. It was supposed to be me, Sadie, Kett, and three others, but right now there's still some construction going on, so we have to be all cramped up in the old building due to nobody being allowed there."

Nyatsume interjects. "Huh, so who are the guys that brought the crates in? I saw some of them, last time.

Hmm, interesting. Suspicious men entering an off-limits area. You wonder, what is actually going on in that dorm?

Suddenly, a hand grabs you from behind. "Good question! Why don't we explore it together, then?" A mouse girl around your age was the one who startled you.

"Oh, you're back, Millie! Didja sell your crate?" Tanner interjects excitedly.

"Yeah, just got back. You didn't tell me there's going to be a new face!" Millie's hand is still draped over your shoulders.

"Nah, he's just a guest. Went here with his cousin."

This mission suddenly just got a lot more interesting.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Find out more about this Millie
>□ Signal Rosa for help
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
>□ Wait a bit, then explore alone
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
Making friends and maybe more than friends
>>
>>5697509
>□ Find out more about this Millie
Hmmm i wouldn't trust her yet.
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
Look at that thrustworthy face!
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
Watch the teeth haha
>>
>>5697549
Ear rubbing
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
What could possibly go wrong?
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
It will be ok if something else than the dorms is explorated
>>
>>5697509
>□ Take up the offer of joint exploration
Hehehehe
>>
>>5697509
>□ Find out more about this Millie
>>
>>5697509
Mulling it over in your head, this seems like a good opportunity to gain a friend and gather intel at the same time! You look back at Rosa, which is currently enjoying telling tales to the nun, Bea. This would be the kind of cool thing she'd do. Ah, how she makes your heart beat... then again, Millie seems to be a cool girl too. That settles it!
"Yeah alright, let's explore together!" You whisper to Millie.

To this, she lightly elbowed you. "Attaboy, you lil' Casanova, you. Let's sneak in now, while Rosa's distracted."

Wait, who's Casanova? Millie just smiles at you, while you return a sheepish smile back. "Right, coast's clear - let's get inside." You sneak in, followed closely by Millie. Inside, it is quite dark - you'd feel better if you could contact your personal spirits.

>TURN ON SPIRIT ADVISORS?

>□ Yes
>□ No

Past the massive doors lie a big room, and several large crates can be seen dominating the floorspace. Some of them has the picture of a dog biting on a bone, the words 'Dog Bone Factory' accompanying them. Near you is a table, with what seemed like blueprints, pamphlets or files. Towards the back, behind more crates, you can hear a mechanical, repetitive sound. There's also a staircase going down, and a staircase going up.

"Upstairs is where the beds are. I don't know about the basement - that's new." Millie helpfully comments.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Investigate the sound
>□ Look at the papers
>□ Go up
>□ Go down
>□ Check what's inside the crates
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5698336
>TURN ON SPIRIT ADVISORS?
>□ Yes

>□ Look at the papers
If the sound's some kinda machine it ain't running away, let's check the papers first and maybe stash them.
>>
>>5698336
>If Spirit Advisors are visible, no. If they aren't then yes.

Where the BEDS are, eh? No time for slumber parties, Millie! We're secretly a spy, and it's spying time!

>Chekc papers
>Chexk sound
>Maybe go down
>>
>>5698336
>□ Yes
>□ Look at the papers
The papers are always important.
>>
>>5698340
Oops, got excited and missed the "choose one".

>>5698336
>Look at papers
>>
>>5698336
>□ Yes
>□ Look at the papers
>>
>>5698340
>>5698342
If we're about to get caught, THEN we can escape upstairs to the beds
>>
>>5698336
>□ Yes
Psychic detective episode.

>□ Go down
>>
Why do you guys always lean towards degenerate shit. Can this kid just like a girl that isn't related to him.
>>
>>5698632
Its a degenerate world out there, kid
>>
>>5698632
>Can this kid just like a girl that isn't related to him
Look I'm all for having one one the mouse but you're gonna have to vote that way if you want it to happen.
>>
>>5698336
>Spirit advisors only if not visible/noisy
>Papers
>>
>>5698632
personally i'd prefer to give rosa a love interest, but we've yet to be introduced to a human male that isn't a monk.
>>
>>5698336
In the espionage novels, there's plenty of secret documents that hold important information - perhaps these papers are, too? They look complicated, so you summon three spirits in your mind.

The first one is Scholar, an academic spirit. It immediately identifies the papers as a delivery receipt from the Dog Bone Factory, a pamphlet from a 'V&E manufacturing', and a blueprint for a machine of some sort. With a cool, clinical tone, it informs you that it finds them all quite fascinating.

The second spirit you summoned, Magos, does not share Scholar's enthusiasm. From what it reads, it doubts the usefulness of 'extra-purified bone' as an alchemic reagent, as well as pointing out the obvious con of the so-called 'holy elixir'. It then adds with a harrumph, that the blueprint has no magical significance at all.

"Weird, what's all this doing in my orphanage's dorm? This doesn't make sense." Millie commented in a low whisper.

"It seems like someone's been using the place for an experiment..." You muse in whispers, but before you could add more to the sentence - you hear the closing of a door from the basement. Soon after, the steps of someone, in between the mechanical sounds from the back.

Your third spirit, Watchdog, warns you sternly that there's an intruder in the area, and that you should escape or hide.

Silently, Millie put her finger to her lips, and tossed the papers back on the table - but she stopped, as if trying to listen to something. Oh, this can't be good!

What's worse is that a fourth spirit of yours summoned itself - the Trickster. It comments that you are one lucky sod to be alone together with a pretty girl, and that you should grab her to hide with you - surely she'll give you a kiss for saving her, haha! Perhaps even... something more? Haha!

Either way, you gotta grab her and make a decision, Craig!

>CHOOSE ONE
>□ Hide underneath the table
>□ Hide behind the boxes
>□ Hide in the back, where the mechanical sounds are from
>□ Hide upstairs
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5699024
>table
Plainly visible unless its a big enough table the width hides the central part from view, and if the table is right in fron of the passage exit behind. Otherwise its a trap and the kids will easily be seen
>boxes
Good, but the intruders might be here to pick up the boxes to carry out as a shipment. And when they lift them, the kids will be exposed. Not very good
>mechanical sounds
Better, but most likely no windows there. No windows means a dead end machine room, which means cornered like a rat (not mouse). But if the machine is so important, that gives leverage. "Let us go or we'll sabotage your machine! And if you kill or imprison us, people who know we're around here will come looking!" sort of leverage. An interesting option
>upstairs
The mystery guys will have to take the stairs or fly to reach there, and the kids will have the high ground. A dorm bedroom also most likely means windows, which mean egress points. A safer option, but it'll be harder to snoop from up there.

Its either
>machine sound room
Or
>upstairs dorm room
>>
>>5699024
>Dog Bone Factory
That sure is a 'Good Boy' on the logo...
>□ Hide in the back, where the mechanical sounds are from
I figure the mechanical sounds might mask our movements should we have to skedaddle.
>>
>>5699036
>upstairs dorm room
Safer AND we'll be alone in a bedroom woth Millie. Win-win!
>>
>>5699048
Oh, and this my vote, QM!

>>5699024
>□ Hide upstairs
>>
>>5699024
>□ Hide upstairs
Seems logical
>>
>>5699024
>□ Hide upstairs
>>
>>5699042
You almost had me with your reasonning...
But >>5699048 convinced me with his second argument.

>>upstairs dorm room
>>
>>5699048
+1
>>
>>5699024
>□ Hide upstairs
Mouse job! Mouse job!
>>
>>5699140
Mutual ear rubbing
>>
>>5699024
>□ Hide upstairs
>>
>>5699024
,> Hide in the back, where the mechanical sounds are from

Gents! The noise of the machines will cover up any excited squeaks from our lady friend.
>>
>>5699439
A strong counterargument, but the die is cast. The mousefans have already thrown in their lot.
>>
>>5699024
It might be kinda risky considering you'd have to cross in front of the basement stairs, but without thinking, you grab Millie's hand and bolt upstairs as silently as you can.

"Quick!" you whisper to her, startling her out of whatever it is that made her freeze like that.

As you reach the second floor, you became momentarily confused by the six rooms. Scholar says they're most likely to be identical, Magos says he'll ready some spells just in case, Watchdog says the intruder's still following you, most likely at the first floor by now - and Trickster just laughs at your confusion.

It seems like it's Millie's returning the favor, as she whispers right in your ear. "Just pick one!"

Quickly you chose a room and closed the door. Inside is a modest room, with a pile of cardboard boxes stacked on one end, a sizeable wardrobe cabinet, and a bed.
Now, where should you hide?

>CHOOSE ONE AND ROLL 1D6

>□ Cardboard Pile
>□ Spacious Wardrobe
>□ Under the covers
>□ Under the bed
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
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Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>5699804
>□ Other (Under the Matress)
Do it gappy style

Anywhere else is too obvious, since they're children they can hide under the matress without making a giant bump.
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5699804
>□ Under the bed
Classic
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>5699804
STAND STILL. THEY WON'T SEE YOU.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5699804
>Write-In: QUICK! Into the SECRET HOLE BEHIND THE POSTER!
>>
>>5699804

> Other: Behind the door as it opens!
>>
>>5699804
>□ Spacious Wardrobe
>>
You know, if they're about to find us out, we could try playing innocent by acting like a couple who sneaked in here to make out.
>>
>>5700021
>sneaked in here to make out
It'll be more than that at this rate
>>
>>5699881
>>5700006
>>5700021
Need more rolls, guys! 1d6!
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>5700193
It doesn't really matter, what matters is that "kid sneaks out to make out with girlfriend" is believable enough to fall into that area where they might just tell us to sod off instead of thinking we came to spy on them.

Of course, if we have to kiss ratgirl just before they find us to 'get caught redhanded' and make it seem more real, that's just a bonus.

>>5700195
Does it need to be a voter's 1d6?
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5700195
You get a 1d6! And you get a 1d6!
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5700195
Here goes
>>
>>5700197
I support this line of reasoning.

>>5699804
>Under the Cover
>Kiss Millie as a cover story
>>
Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>5700239
>>5699804
Oh, and im case you still need rolls
>>
Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>5700195
>>
>>5700195
FINE, I'LL CHANGE MY VOTE
Ignore >>5700006
New vote backing >>5700239
>>
>>5700239
Y'know the wardrobe woulld probably work better for this.
>>
>>5700448
Agreed. Covers is a terrible idea

>>5699804
Ignore >>5699813
New vote is:
>□ Spacious Wardrobe
>>
Rolled 4 (1d6)

>>5699804
>□ Spacious Wardrobe
7 minutes in Heaven, go!
>>
Rolled 5 (1d6)

Tallying, drawing, writing.

>room 1
>>
>>5700633
Nice, that must mean the pursuers went into room 5 instead. Once they don't find Craig and Millie, they'll go back - leaving the two all alone in a dorm room. With the entire floor presumably empty. And nobody else knowing where exactly they are, except the kids outside knowing they're in the building.
What a nice scenario. I seriously hope nothing further nice happens or anything! :^)
The way I see it, is there's a time and place for such things in a quest. Going off of how GAOL was like, I know you do that sort of thing tastefully and in a fitting way for your quest. I expect similar here if/when it ever happens. Also a very good thing that it doesn't taint your quest as much as one would expect, given the setting and moment-to-moment scenarios and decisions (outside the lewd stuff) still carries weight and plot-relevance and matters to the reader/player.
>>
>>5700727
They've just met my good sir, and Craig is no manfloozy. They can kiss, but any further and Rosa is going to beat Millie so hard it'll look like a tom and jerry episode.
>>
>>5699804
Quickly you opened up the wardrobe, and whisper to Millie. "In here!"

In a flurry of dampened activity, you both squeeze into the wardrobe, as fast as both of you can. Shoulders rub together and knees knock to each other as you hear your pursuer's footsteps ascend the stairs.
Seconds feel like minutes as you held your breath, dreading when the unknown chaser opens up the door to your wardrobe. And indeed, there is a creak of an opening door - only that it belongs to another nearby room.

Magos breathes a sigh of relief as Watchdog reports that the perimeter has not been breached. Scholar remarks that this wardrobe is pine - ponderosa pine, to be exact. Meanwhile Trickster's suggesting some 'accidental groping' to spice things up - an advice you readily discarded.

As you two sat in silence, it was Millie that broke it. "Y'know, that was some quick and fine thinking." She leans close to you, causing Trickster to get reeal excited about it.

"Oh, y-yeah. Sure." You get the shivers, as your hand brushes against theirs. Such softness. Magos remarks it might be comparable to touching a leyline, electric was the touch.

"No mistake, you look like a trustworthy guy, Craig." She laid her head to rest on your shoulder. Watchdog gets a bit wary because of this.
"So I should tell you a secret..." something soft touches your elbow.
"Truth is, I can read minds."

Trickster laughed and laughed, in your head.

"You know, I've never had anyone with five different voices in their minds. I know you have questions, Casanova... ask away!"

>CHOOSE UP TO TWO

>□ Are you kidding me right now? Where did you come up with this?
>□ So you read all my mind fantasies? Even the embarassing ones?
>□ How did you get your mind-reading? What's your history?
>□ Why tell me this? What's your objective?
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5700739
>□ Why tell me this? What's your objective?
Kinda weird, innit. She just came up with this. Ol' james could read minds, but that was because he had a magic eye.
>>
>>5700739
>□ How did you get your mind-reading? What's your history?
>□ Why tell me this? What's your objective?
>>
>>5700751
+1
>>
>>5700739
>>5700751
+1
>>
>>5700739
>>□ So you read all my mind fantasies? Even the embarassing ones?
>Intrusive thought about said fantasies
>>
>>5700739
>>5700751
+1
Good choices
>>
>>5700739
>□ So you read all my mind fantasies? Even the embarassing ones?
>□ Any interest in helping fulfill one of them? Haha
>>
>>5700776
>>5700801
Consider how she's still sane with this sort of power.
Consider how this probably isn't the first time she's been exposed to people thinking this way around her.

I wouldn't be too careful here, at least not until we learn more and assess the situation
>>
>>5700739
>□ How did you get your mind-reading? What's your history?
Oh, wait, oh no... That means...
>□ So you read all my mind fantasies? Even the embarassing ones?
>>
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>>5700739
>>□ Why tell me this? What's your objective?
>□ So you read all my mind fantasies? Even the embarassing ones?
>>5700741
>Ol' james could read minds
What? I did not read that far into Gaol apparently. How did he get that?
>>5700801
Picrel
>>
>>5701280
>How did he get that?
By fucking petunia really, really hard. That's actually it. He fucked her so hard he got a magic eye that allowed him to read people's minds.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>5700741
>>5701280
>>5701305
James didn't get mind reading though - he got an eye for truth

Tallying, drawing, writing!
>>
>>5701429
What's the difference? He could basically see what peopel were thinking.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5701429
Turns out we got a tie for the second question. Let the winds of fate blow.
>>
>>5701430
Truth sight can only see the truth
Mind reading can only read minds

Thus, mind reading could read lies inside minds and be misled
While truth sight could only discern the truth and disregard what people think
>>
>>5701305
>Magical STD gives you super powers.
Mazin'.
>>
>>5701470
It's more like "if you bust extremely hard, you gain magical abilities"
>>
>>5700739
Wait, if she can read minds... then she could've read your deepest, darkest, ...lewdest, fantasies! Like maybe seeing Rosa in a bikini and offering you cake and GaolFighter trading cards on your birthday? Or you kissing Millie on the lips?! Perhaps she could look into your memories, like the time you tried to measure your-

You were interrupted from the runaway train of thought by a giggling Millie. "Hihihi, relax, Craig! I've read a lot of minds, and yours is not the worst by far."
She added, in a lower whisper volume, "nor is it the smallest I've seen."

Scholar wonders just what knowledge she had gleaned. Magos looks horrified, and wonders how she stayed sane after all that. Watchdog is hearing sounds of another room's door opening, and Trickster is pouting because you hadn't even gone to the best bits.

Now calmed down, you wonder and whisper. "So... why tell me that you're a mind-reader? What's your goal?" Scholar and Magos agrees this is a good question.

"Well, you're cute, for one." Oh stop it, you can't turn any more greener.
"And second, my goals are the same as you and Rosa, actually." You don't mean-
"Yes, to save Gongalla from the Singularity. I read your cousin's mind outside. And oh, I'm older than I look."

Watchdog warns you that there might be a window of opportunity to escape soon.

What do you do now?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Ask Millie how she's saving Gongalla, isn't she but a child?
>□ Ask Millie how is she older than she looks?
>□ Ask Millie for a kiss
>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
>□ Use magic to sneak out
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5701883
>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
We can ask the questions later and stuff, this seems more urgent. A shame the vote to get exposition on her backstory didn't win.
>>
>>5701883
>>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
>>
>>5701883
>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
OK not that bad. There'll be time and opportunity later. Let's move
>>
>>5701887
More time for character development later when its safe and we aren't being pursued
>>
>>5701883
>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
>>
>>5701883
>□ Use magic to sneak out
A kiss would be kino, but we gotta' get gone, and in the surest and safest way possible.
we can THINK about asking for a kiss while we do so, and any questions we have like her real age, and see where that leads when we're in the clear
That said... What have we actually deduced from this mission, besides that Millie is a useful ally? They're clearly making their fake relics here, but to what end, besides getting rich? Are they using this money to fund tge Singularity Cult, or the relics to undermine other faiths? Or are they just a dodgy orphanage run by greedy grifters?
>>
>>5701883
>□ Sneak out while the coast's clear
>>
>>5701997
>The first one is Scholar, an academic spirit. It immediately identifies the papers as a delivery receipt from the Dog Bone Factory, a pamphlet from a 'V&E manufacturing', and a blueprint for a machine of some sort. With a cool, clinical tone, it informs you that it finds them all quite fascinating.
>The second spirit you summoned, Magos, does not share Scholar's enthusiasm. From what it reads, it doubts the usefulness of 'extra-purified bone' as an alchemic reagent, as well as pointing out the obvious con of the so-called 'holy elixir'. It then adds with a harrumph, that the blueprint has no magical significance at all.

With a bit of luck Scholar have eidetic memory and we can photocopy the patterns on new paper to show aunty
>>
>>5701883
>□ Use magic to sneak out
>>
>>5701883
>□ Ask Millie how she's saving Gongalla, isn't she but a child?
>>
>>5701883
"I think whoever's chasing us is currently in another room - we can sneak out." You carefully exit the wardrobe, Millie close behind. A cursory peek sees the hall vacant, but Watchdog is uneasy.

Then, a motion in your periphery, and Watchdog growls. The door to room 5 opens, a fox-faced fellow emerged from within. A moment was all you needed to see that he's seen you.

Millie whispered quickly in your ear, confirming your fear: "That's Father Jacquard! The new director of the orphanage!"

This is bad - he moved quickly, cutting off the way to the staircase and leaving you and Millie exposed in the middle of the hall.

"My, my... Children." His voice is sing-song, but drags like veil across a dagger.
"What are you sneaking around here for? A secret rendezvous? A clandestine tryst? Perhaps... you've been..." the glint of a teethy grin.
"...Naughty??" His words drip like poison-laced honey. Watchdog is fixated on his grin; Magos, on the strange magical energy swirling behind him; and Trickster recognizing the smell of treachery.

You and Millie must not get caught, is what your senses and spirits tell you.

>CHOOSE ONE, ROLL 1D20

>□ Ask Millie what Jacquard's thinking
>□ Make a run around his sides
>□ Make a run straight through under his legs
>□ Use magic hand to plow through
>□ Summon a magical smoke bomb
>□ Use magic to send a SOS to Rosa
>□ Confess that you were just exploring
>□ Confess that you were on a date
>□ Analyze that strange magic of his
>□ Confront him about the machine
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5701883
damn boy thats your aunt
>>
>>5703143
*cousin
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5703137
>□ Confess that you were on a date
Haha sorry we sneaked in here to have a date and stuff haha no espionage, just kissing, haha
>>
Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>5703158
+1
>>
Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>5703137
>□ Confess that you were on a date
Probably easily believable... I'd like to analyze the magic or SOS Rosa but we probably should take some edge off him first, right?
>>
>>5703171
SOMEBODY PLEASE ROLL HIGHER

>>5703172
THANK YOU
>>
>>5703137
>Use magic to send a SOS to Rosa
>>
Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>5703219
I knew I'd fuck up the roll, please forgive a newfag
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>□ Analyze that strange magic of his
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5703137
>□ Confess that you were on a date
>>
Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>5703137
>□ Summon a magical smoke bomb
Whatever magic he has could tell the difference between us lying and not, let's just book it.
>>
>>5703137
>□ Confess that you were on a date
>>
>>5703137
Hopefully this strange magic of his does not involve reading minds. Here goes.
"Ahh, you got us! We, uh, we're on a date..." Hopefully Millie got the message.

Millie's eyes glint - did she understand? Apparently so. "Yeah, I was showing him where the bedrooms are..." She gulps.

Watchdog growls, and then whimpers. Magos monitors Jacquard's mana flow closely.

"A... date, hmmmmm? Interesting. How far have you... went?" That sing-song voice again. Scholar thinks he's underestimating you and Millie.

You answer truthfully. "I dunno, about a decalong, maybe?" It's true, you haven't went far with Millie.

Jacquard puts a palm on his face. "Ahah! Quite silly of me, presuming you had... progressed, considerably. I hope you had... fun." Trickster notes that there's no way he'll let you free that easy. Magos detects a change in mana flow - a spell is imminent. Watchdog tenses up.

"I am glad I work with orphans, because no one will miss naughty children! Now disappear, like Sister Lucretia!" With a wicked laugh, the mana collects into his hands and turns into long nets of cobwebs. Magos recognizes the spell, it's some sort of entrapment field! It will contain you if you hit it - but. Trickster figures that he's not going to let you guys get away.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Sling a counterspell to dispel the nets
>□ Try to teleport or blink out of the way
>□ Cast an illusion on him
>□ Target the floor underneath him with slipperiness
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
>>5704092
>□ Other (fill in)
Throw him over the stair. Into the bottom floor.

Do it. Throw him over the . Use a magic spell. He`s not acutally that far. Just throw him over the stairwell.
>>
>>5704092
>□ Other (fill in)
Do some magic shit to tangle him in his own webs. He's right there between them, an easy target to sandwich.
Also why the fuck is he doing this? He's being very stupid evil right here. Wouldn't people notice orphan kids being killed or disappeared?
>Now disappear, like Sister Lucretia!
Ok this guy's a total bitch. Zero sympathy.
>>
>>5704092
>□ Cast an illusion on him
Make it seem like whatever he was trying to do worked. And then we and Millie book it.

Also I just realized
>fox man
I'm thinking he's related to that fox lady that was looking at us in the soup kitchen.
>>
>>5704099
+ 1. So long gay Ratburn
>>
>>5704099
Support.
Power word : Spartan Kick
>>
>>5704099
>>5704125
>Unnecessary adjective considering Ratburn is gay lmfaooo
>>5704133

Support! +1 to Spartan Kick, Oppa Goblin Style
>>
>>5704099
>>5704122
Tangle him in his own webs and Sparta Kick him over the stairwell.

>>5704092
>>
>>5704092
>Tangle him in his own webs and Sparta Kick him over the stairwell.
Do this >>5704099 and this >>5704122
>>
>>5704147
>>5704295
+1
Or if onely one's possible kick the bitch with magic

>>5704092
>>
>>5704092
Fuck it, I'll change my vote to support >>5704099 and >>5704122
>>
>>5704147
+1
>>
>>5704122
NO ONE will miss naughty children. Also how many orphanages near you have you double checked for child inventory lately hm? There could be orphans missing and you wouldn't know.
>>5704099
>Yeet
>>
>>5704092
Good thing Magos had you prepare a spell, because the next thing you know, Jacquard throws his cobwebs at Millie! Quickly you stand between the magical assault and Millie, shielding her. Your accumulated mana is still not up to full power after what happened at Dawn Chapel, but it's enough to cast four Fingers and yank Jacquard's web attack apart. With Magos helping you recycle mana from the attack, you manage to turn back the spell to a flabbergasted Jacquard - he thought you were easy prey. Within an instant he is paralyzed in his own web.

Taking advantage of his lapse in concentration, you had Magos gain more ambient mana, and recycle the mana for the four Fingers into a new projection: Boot! It slams into Jacquard, and smashes through the rail bannisters beside the stairs, Jacquard squarely hitting the first floor with a resounding crack. Trickster whistles and remarks that it's a good hit.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Confirm the hit
>□ Make sure Millie's safe
>□ Just run to the exit
>□ Use magic to call for reinforcements
>□ Rest a bit, you're almost drained of mana
>□ Other (fill in)
>>
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>>5704926
FINISH HIM!
>>
>>5704926
>Grab Millie and run to the exit
>>
>>5704926
>Grab Millie and run to the exit
Grab your asses and run!
>>
>>5704926
>Grab Millie and run to the exit

>>5704934
Maybe not her ass, though. Kek.
>>
>>5704926
>□ Confirm the hit

I would like to explore the room he just came out of
>>
>>5704937
>didn't get the reference
Mr. Bun is sad
>>
>>5704926
>Grab Millie and run to the exit
AUNTIE-COUSIN HALP!!!
>>
>>5704926
>□ Make sure Millie's safe
>>
>>5704926
>Grab Millie and run to the exit
>>
>>5704934
+1
>>
Feeling mighty tired tonight - update postponed to tomorrow. Apologies!
>>
>>5705726
Feel better soon, QM!
>>
>>5705726
I want to PET Craig!
>>
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485 KB JPG
>>5706090
>t.
>>
>>5704926
"Come on, Millie!"
Now that there's no Jacquard to block your escape, you grab Millie and head downstairs. On the way down, you see a glimpse of Jacquard - unconscious in a shallow crater on the floor. But there's no time to stop and check - Scholar notes that scoundrels may feign unconsciousness to set a trap. Magos notes that as usual, you've exerted enough of your mana, and you should be feeling drowsy soon. Indeed, the feeling of fatigue quickly catches up with you, but the door's just a few more steps away...

What greets you outside shocks you. Not only Rosa and Sister Beatriz, but also Nemo, Valencio, and even that horse guy from the soup kitchen. Not to mention a whole host of Bone Order militia, led by a scary-looking devil.

As you start to succumb to exhaustion, you wonder just what exactly is happening...

>THREAD END
>THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE FIRST THREAD OF JAIL QUEST
>SEE YOU IN A COUPLE DAYS IN THE NEXT THREAD

>FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS STUFF UNTIL THREAD DEATH
>>
>>5706447
Oh shit, I guess Rosa's investigation bore fruit as well? From the look on her face, though, I wonder if there's more going on than we realized...?

Thanks or running, IG! I look forward to the next chapter.
>>
>>5706447
Well, nice thread. We didn't get to kiss the ratgirl, but c'est la vie.


Still hoping out we can find a man for rosa/spoiler]
>>
>>5706447
Huh, interesting. Honestly I'd be more surprised if Rosa was idle while we were snooping around.
And thank you for running!
>>
This thread's up on suptg now!

https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2023/5676561
>>
NEW THREAD
>>5709159



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