Why is there smoke coming from the log? I'm inclined to look a little further down the path, see if there are any better options.

I think the SHROOM TURTS are a more interesting pick to investigate than the smoke.

Why is the turt in the tree hollow shaking? Are they cold or scared? See if they need help.

Check the smoky log.

>>1088623
Ooh.
Good eye.

Soft of shell but potentially toxic.
Or psychadelic.

50stressballs 2024/04/13(Sat)11:21 No. 1088683 ID: d256d1
File 171303248052.png - (851.48KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_19.png )

You move closer to the fallen log beside the path, aiming to find the source of the smoke. As you approach, you begin to notice a foul, rotten stench emanating from within the wood. The smell grows stronger with each step. All the while, the smoke continues to rise.

50stressballs 2024/04/13(Sat)11:21 No. 1088684 ID: d256d1
File 171303251002.png - (0.97MB , 1669x1669 , TQ_20.png )

You’re close enough to lean your head over the hole and peek inside now, if you’d like. What do you do?

>>1088684
Hmm.
What if itbisnt smoke but some kind of spore cloud?
If you cant smell burning yet, but can smell rot...
Ahh.
Youve come too far not to look now.

I think the most prudent course of action here is to look in the log from the side. That way, we can see what's causing the plume without sticking our face directly in it.

Don't risk your face. Find a stick to poke in first.

Don't breathe that! You could try to look while holding your breath though.

looking in the log from the side is the most logical choice. we don't want to breathe that in

50stressballs 2024/04/16(Tue)14:08 No. 1088935 ID: d256d1
File 171330169064.png - (819.83KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_21.png )

You decide to look in the log through the side instead. You hold your breath as you crouch down, just in case the fumes start to come through this way as well.

50stressballs 2024/04/16(Tue)14:08 No. 1088936 ID: d256d1
File 171330173497.png - (1.01MB , 1669x1669 , TQ_22.png )

The inside the log is a turtle. It’s big—definitely bigger than Li’l Balboa—and has what look to be rough, white scales covering patches of its dark grey skin. The putrid smoke is pouring endlessly out of its nostrils and rising up through the hole in the top of the log. The TURT turns its head slightly, spotting you over its shoulder. It looks… angry. Angrier than you thought a turtle could look. The smoke swivels with its head, and a cloud of fumes blows into your face. You’re still holding your breath. You have only seconds before you run out of air and you’ll have to breathe in the smoke. What will you do?

Uh - depending on how this is culturally expected to go, either book it, or deploy Lil Balboa to defend you.

This turt looks too high level for a beginner, action roll away!

>>1088949
This! And if you cant roll away, roll the log away from you!
Kicking it downhill will buy you time to move.

>>1088936
Huh, poison element turtle? Very dangerous, get away from it. I don't see how you could use such a thing in your party anyway without getting sick.

If it chases you then you deploy your turtle to fight!

It must be very hungry for it to feel this upset. Deploy any apple slices you have left after catching Li'l Balboa.

50stressballs 2024/04/18(Thu)14:49 No. 1089135 ID: d256d1
File 171347698854.png - (0.97MB , 1669x1669 , TQ_23.png )

You turn and run away from the angry TURT, taking a deep breath as you leave the cloud of smoke behind. You hear an angry screech behind you and run faster, and faster, until—

50stressballs 2024/04/18(Thu)14:50 No. 1089136 ID: d256d1
File 171347701456.png - (802.92KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_24.png )

You run directly into a girl picking something off the bark of a nearby tree, sending both of you toppling backward.

50stressballs 2024/04/18(Thu)14:50 No. 1089138 ID: d256d1
File 171347705742.png - (810.64KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_25.png )

“Watch where you’re going, would you?!” She whispers angrily.

Watch out, this might be a Thespian Tortoise. A tortoise that can act the part of anything or anyone it encounters!

Offer her a piece of lettuce to make sure she's a person.

>>1089138
Oh my.

She's... perfect.
Every turt master needs that special someone, that private, emotional connection you can share only with one other person.

Proposition her!
Hold her hand, stare into her eyes and ask.
"Will you... be my rival?"

Apologize and offer an apple

No time to explain! You gotta get away from the turtle before it slowly catches up to you! Run run run!

Oh, it's Alia! You know her, don't you? If you don't, then a hasty apology is in order, followed by an explanation. Maybe she can help you catch the angry TURT.

50stressballs 2024/04/23(Tue)17:34 No. 1089529 ID: d256d1
File 171391889527.png - (381.05KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_26.png )

You’re torn between apologizing, introducing yourself, and running away as fast as you can. You start speaking faster than you can think, launching into a panicked explanation about the turtle in the log, and the odd smelling smoke, and how you’re so scared, and—

50stressballs 2024/04/23(Tue)17:35 No. 1089530 ID: d256d1
File 171391891401.png - (811.75KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_27.png )

“Dude, calm down,” she interrupts. “Sounds like you ran into a NIGHT TURTLE—they’re freaky, but they’re not exactly persistent. It’ll give up chasing you pretty soon, just keep your voice down and it won’t come looking for us. Alright?”

Take a break then. What was she doing with the bark?

Break time.

So, what's the deal with NIGHT TURTLES? Are they safe to fight, in order to train up your team?

She's not angry; that's good, you can relax. Maybe the NIGHT TURT is a bit above our level, but we're dreaming big. Alia seems to know about these TURTS, so ask her how to get one in your shell.

>>1089530
Aw.
She's not a jerk.
That's a shame.
She looked like prime rivalfu material too.

Do you think she'll let us pick her name?
No...
Probably not.
Sigh.

Better listen carefuly and quieten down.
She might have info to share.

>>1089592
Yeah, kinda miss the Turtle quest red/blue/yellow and Turtle quest Gold/Silver/Crystal version days when the rival was a jerk. But her being a friendo is nice. Might could even be a travel companion!

Plus, who's to say we might actually meet a jerk rival later down the road?

50stressballs 2024/04/27(Sat)14:47 No. 1089863 ID: d256d1
File 171425447137.png - (165.05KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_28.png )

You take a deep breath. While you try to calm down, the girl introduces herself as Alia.

You ask Alia about NIGHT TURTLES.

50stressballs 2024/04/27(Sat)14:48 No. 1089864 ID: d256d1
File 171425448956.png - (589.38KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_29.png )

“I’d stay away from NIGHT TURTLES if I were you,” she says. “That smoke they give off can knock you out cold if you breathe too much of it in. If you’re determined to fight one, some shopkeepers sell masks that can help you filter out the fumes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t think they’re even trainable—they’re just too NASTY. What were you doing messing with one in the first place?”

you saw smoke coming out from the top of the log, and decided to investigate the side of the log to see what was inside.

Now that I think about it, it seemed to be giving off smoke before you looked in and disturbed it. I wonder if it was agitated by something else that caused it to emit smoke before you looked in

>>1089864
You saw the smoke and thought it was some kind of fire turtle or something.

>>1089864
Okay.
We can tell her a convincing lie about our burning curiosity about turts that momentarily overwhelmed our sense of self preservation, so burning is the passion to be a turt master within us.
Or
Tell the truth that were hoping whatever was in there would let us share its lair, for the night is cold and scary. also we secretly hoped it would let us cuddle it.

you were looking for a place to spend the night and wondered what was making the smoke.

The truth is that we thought it might be a strong TURT that we were hoping to add to our team. She can see how that turned out. Thank her for the advice, and ask her what she's doing in the forest at night.

50stressballs 2024/05/01(Wed)14:13 No. 1090093 ID: d256d1
File 171459801273.png - (385.28KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_30.png )

You tell Alia that you’re looking to catch a powerful TURT for your team, and that you thought the smoke may lead you to one. She rolls her eyes, but says nothing.
You also confide in her that you were considering using the log as shelter for the night.

50stressballs 2024/05/01(Wed)14:13 No. 1090094 ID: d256d1
File 171459802775.png - (300.07KB , 1669x1669 , TQ_31.png )

Alia frowns. “You were going to sleep in a log? Don’t you have, like… a tent, or something? Maybe a sleeping bag?”
You shake your head. She sighs, then falls silent for a moment, seeming deep in thought.

50stressballs 2024/05/01(Wed)14:14 No. 1090095 ID: d256d1
File 171459804622.png - (110.31KB , 1669x1207 , Quest!HelpAliaForage.png )

“Well you really shouldn’t be out here in the first place,” she says, “but if you’re determined to stay the night… I’ll be here all weekend doing some foraging, and I’ve got a tent set up about a half a mile away. Help me gather some of the stuff on my list, and you can stay with me for the night—but ONLY if you pull your weight. Deal?”

Ugh... chores??? We became an adventurer to avoid chores at home

...

Ok, fiiiiiine, we'll help. Free place to sleep, and maybe smores?

>>1090095
Foraging?
Maybe we'll stumble on some turts while we're at it!
Yes, with great enthusiasm.

>>1090097

Not chores. A quest! A real TURTLE QUEST!

Well its not like you're doing anything else, so that would be great.
Try to learn what's good to forage for yourself.

Yes, accept!

A TURT MASTER doesn't do it alone, and you need the help. keep your eyes open while you forage; especially with the help of a knowledgeable friend, you could stand to learn much more about the TURTS that dwell here.