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File 133841239702.png - (779.68KB , 900x900 , s4-1.png )
417423 No. 417423 ID: c811c4

Everyone ends up on the same platform. There are four teleporters, but none are active. A keyhole in each is the only distinctive mark.

Alison can also tell that this is a safe zone; no one can attack while here.

There are four light trails heading off of this platform. Each one has a sign in front, labeled as Fight Key, Puzzle Key, Scavenger Key, and the Freeroam Key.
Expand all images
>>
No. 417427 ID: 132b99

okay. everyone should split into teams based on what they are best at. we should go puzzle.
>>
No. 417430 ID: b9e291

wtf is Freeroam
>>
No. 417435 ID: 0006f5

-really- ? after all of you thought your chances were completely shot save for the miracle that someone with far far superior stats to you would be bested by a puzzle-heavy challenge where stats dont matter, the tables turn and you want to indulge in the very potential weakness you identified ?? ok sure
>>
No. 417438 ID: 886a4d

Leader groups:

Allison, Guardsman, Duelist, Healer. Fight key
Math, Engy, Friendgy and Cube to puzzle.
Bandit, Twirl, Sword and Shield to Scavenger.
Recluse, Strongarm, Spear and Succubus to Freeroam.

The others remaining should pick a group to follow depending on which stage they feel most comfortable pursuing.

Reasoning. Every option should have one high tier (2k plus), One level 10 aborb, and one range. They should also have someone we trust and someone from Chiefs old group to show we trust them. The only exception would be for Allison's group since they will most likely defer to her anyway.
>>
No. 417441 ID: 886a4d

Also remind everoyne to prioritize our group absorbtions if people die so they can be resurrected later.
>>
No. 417481 ID: b85f8c

>>417438
Suggest this allocation and ask if anyone's got any suggestions to modify it.
>>
No. 417500 ID: a8e26e

>>417481
Stick together.

We only need one key, hopefully. If one of the split groups don't manage to find a key, then their stuck there. They won't be able to jump back and look for Alison, most likely.
>>
No. 417505 ID: fdad59

Oh, and don't forget to try and resurrect Shopkeep, just in case he was removed with the rest area. It'll see if he is transported to, or reconstructed, when he shows up in a rest area.
>>
No. 417510 ID: e3aff6

Remember to extend out offer of working together to the people who are here now that went through the portal before we gave our speech.
>>
No. 417513 ID: c811c4
File 133842997177.png - (11.76KB , 700x700 , s4-2.png )
417513

>Resurrect Shopkeep
Alison requires 27,500 CU to resurrect the shopkeep.

Alison doesn't know what Freeroam means in this case. When asking around, no one else has any improvements or suggestions to change a lineup, and Engineer notes it is a good idea to have at least one person with 10 absorb in each area. Iso will follow Alison if that is okay with her.
>>
No. 417514 ID: c811c4
File 133843006732.png - (12.72KB , 700x700 , s4-3.png )
417514

>Extend offer of working together
Catblob rejoins the party. The Gambler asks what Alison is going to do if these portals only allow one person through, a distinct possibility considering the exit mechanic. Even if she plans on resurrecting, she can only resurrect 10 people if the Gambler heard correctly. He wants some kind of guarantee for living on to the next stage, should he decide to join her group.
>>
No. 417515 ID: 132b99

for a gambling man, he doesn't seem to want to take risks.
>>
No. 417516 ID: 431fa8

>>417514
We can only guarantee that we'll do our best to ensure everyone with us lives. Anything more than that would be dishonest; after all, who knows what the future holds?
>>
No. 417518 ID: 886a4d

Tell him it's 10 people in the rest area then a person every 5 turns during stages. To resurrect everyone for the next stage she only needs to make sure a stage lasts for 50-60 turns. Which should easily be possible considering how strong their group is becoming. If he wishes she could promise to make him one of the fourteen that that are around for the rest area. Him being one of the stage entering people wouldn't hurt as as he is very strong.
>>
No. 417519 ID: e3f578

I don't trust this asshole
He gotta plan
>>
No. 417520 ID: 132b99

"and why would the group need you?"
>>
No. 417522 ID: e3aff6

Ten people was the limit for that safe zone, but all such limits are due to a recharge rate rather than a hard cap. Given enough time we can resurrect any number of people times, and we can get time by controlling the exit of the final stage of a level with multiple exits.
>>
No. 417523 ID: 0b7fa2

He's got ulterior motives, somebody shoot that mofo!
>>
No. 417526 ID: 886a4d

Wow I just looked at how many turns the last stage was and it was 139. We could have resurrected 27 people.

Didn't we learn of the limit in a room? Shouldn't that be confidential?

I agree that he might be up to something but he also is like Shield was at first asking for a way to garuntee he will live past this point. We can't distrust someone because of the way they smile can we? At least not at first. We'll give him a try and if he betrays us then that's that.
>>
No. 417578 ID: c811c4
File 133843825379.png - (9.59KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-1.png )
417578

Alison expresses some concern over the trustworthyness of the Gambler, but still explains that she can raise a lot more in a stage normally. The Gambler says he will join after all, but will head into the Freeroam section. At the very least, everyone else says they'll stay out of her way. They don't stick around to discuss it, as there are only four keys total.

Alison heads in too, and she gets split up from everyone she went in with and ends up alone.

There is a sign by her first tile.
>>
No. 417579 ID: c811c4
File 133843828997.png - (24.05KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-1(2).png )
417579

Alison has one extra temporary inventory slot for a stage item. Once a turn, after moving, she may pick up, drop, or swap an item on the board. Only one item may be on one platform at a time.

It looks as though she can pick up the tokens with numbers, as well as the small dots and big dots.
>>
No. 417585 ID: 04b86a

>>417579
Each counter adds from left to right along it's row. If a dot, big or small, is encountered, numbers to the right of it are subtracted instead, and if another dot is encountered numbers to the right of it are added again.
>>
No. 417589 ID: 431fa8

>>417585
This seems accurate.

Which leaves us with the question of what our objective is here. To zero out all the rows, perhaps? To start on that, we would move forward to the fourth platform from the left ahead of us and pick up the 2 currently sitting there.
>>
No. 417591 ID: 09e5bf

>>417589
I think this is just a tutorial level.
>>
No. 417596 ID: b85f8c

>>417589
Let's try that.
>>
No. 417604 ID: 132b99

>>417589
no, i think we need to make the right number. notice some are green. some are red.
>>
No. 417606 ID: 0b7fa2

pick something up?
>>
No. 417607 ID: 04b86a

>>417604
That's a good observation. So... the greens are too high and the reds are too low, then? I suggest picking up the small dot in that case.
>>
No. 417611 ID: 886a4d

From the green indicators the thrid and fifth rows are green so apparently we need to make row 1 equal to 1, row 2 equal to 2 and row 4 equal to 4.

Speculation: We need to have every single dot and number placed.

First row column 3 take the 3, Place it in the row 4 column 1. Take the 2 from R 4 C 3 and place it at R4 C6. Take the 4 from R4 C4 and replace the 1 in R2 C1. Move the 1 up to R4 C3 and finally exchange the 2 from R2 C3 with the 4 in R2 C5.

I think I just confused myself... someone should check this over hah.

((slight error... now fixed))
>>
No. 417628 ID: c811c4
File 133844354954.png - (24.42KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-2.png )
417628

Alison moves forward and picks up the 3. The number on the right changes to a 1, and the colors change to green.
>>
No. 417629 ID: 04b86a

>>417611
Can we throw stage items? That would speed things up whenever we need to move several times to just place something. I recommend trying to throw the 3 to R4C1 once we get to R2C3, and then revising things further if that works.
>>
No. 417631 ID: 886a4d

Good idea, that will speed things up a bit.
>>
No. 417632 ID: 04b86a

>>417628
In line with my throwing suggestion:

1) Move to R2C3 and throw the 3 to R4C1
2) Move to R2C1 and pick up the 1
3) Move to R4C4 and swap the 1 with the 4
4) Move to R5C4 and throw the 4 to R4C6
5) If no chest appears, leave

If throwing isn't allowed:
1) Move to R2C3 and find out we can't throw them
2) Move to R4C1 and drop the 3
3) Move to R2C1 and pick up the 1
4) Move to R4C4 and swap the 4 with the 1
5) Move to R4C6 and drop the 4
6) If no chest appears, leave
>>
No. 417641 ID: 886a4d

>>417632

Looks good to me
>>
No. 417649 ID: c811c4
File 133844612142.png - (24.46KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-3.png )
417649

>Move to R2C3 and throw the 3 to R4C1
>>
No. 417650 ID: c811c4
File 133844613074.png - (24.30KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-5.png )
417650

>Move to R2C1 and pick up the 1
>>
No. 417651 ID: c811c4
File 133844613706.png - (24.36KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-10.png )
417651

>Move to R4C4 and swap the 1 with the 4
>>
No. 417654 ID: c811c4
File 133844620415.png - (24.42KB , 700x852 , s4(2)-11.png )
417654

>Move to R5C4 and throw the 4 to R4C6
No chest appears, but the light trails go on, so Alison jumps onward.
>>
No. 417655 ID: c811c4
File 133844623001.png - (10.29KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-12.png )
417655

The engineer is already there, and a pedestal with nothing on it. The engineer says he took the key just in case, noting that this went unusually quickly. He was going to leap back to the safe zone, but he just arrived last turn.
>>
No. 417657 ID: 0b7fa2

dafuq just happened...what was the pattern of that puzzle?
>>
No. 417658 ID: 886a4d

Let's head to the safe zone. We can head to the fight zone next. Have Engineer stay in the safe zone with the key to tell the others where we are as they head back.
>>
No. 417662 ID: c6ec33

>>417655
It looks like there are a number of light trails that lead up here, and the fact that 'neer got the key suggests you're the first 2 here.

Can you see how many trails lead to this point? And do you get a feeling whether or not you could go back down one?

Talk to 'neer about the risk of leaving now and potentially leaving an ally behind.

Do we know who went into the same zone with us? Didn't ISO follow us?
>>
No. 417675 ID: 001168

>>417655
.. oh damn. everyone gets their own instance for puzzle-land. Iso got split up from you.
>>
No. 417682 ID: f2cd76

well, we have engineers and myserious devices... you do the math.
>>
No. 417697 ID: c811c4
File 133848020106.png - (12.96KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-13.png )
417697

The puzzle mechanics can be found at
>>/questdis/55576

Alison and Engineer headed down a thin light trail, and Engineer figures the distinctly thicker trail is the one that heads back to the portal area. He says there was only his light trail and Alison's, then a third one appeared, so it seems likely that they appear as people finish the puzzle.

Alison knows that besides herself and Engineer, Iso, Friendgy, Frills, Mathematician, Dress and the Small Lizard came to the puzzle area.

The Engineer doesn't want to stay here with the key. This spot isn't a safe zone and he could get attacked, as unlikely as it is to get attacked by someone that could kill him. He can either give the key to Alison, or wait in the safe area while Alison goes wherever.
>>
No. 417699 ID: 132b99

hmm.. yeah i suppose.
>>
No. 417705 ID: 886a4d

Have Engineer wait in the safe zone for the others. We'll go on to the fight area since thats where our stats shine right now.
>>
No. 417724 ID: c811c4
File 133848980071.png - (15.75KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-14.png )
417724

Engineer waits for everyone at the safe zone while Alison heads to the fight key.
>>
No. 417726 ID: c811c4
File 133848982545.png - (16.68KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-15.png )
417726

It is already underway. Duelist has the key, with Healer, Twirl and Big in their group. Duelist says there were a couple fights, but nothing compared to if everyone was working alone. It's all going swimmingly.
>>
No. 417727 ID: 886a4d

Well with two keys in our posession we can risk one. Ask everyone to proceed back to the safe zone. Have someone insert the key while several are touching him and another couple touching the key as well. Let see if we can't get multiple people out.

Perhaps Clarice with the key and the rest of the gang holding on to her / the key. Hold back Duelist and Healer in case we need to fight.
>>
No. 417728 ID: bdb3f8

Was there a designated exit path from the key, like there was from the puzzle zone? It would probably be better for them to exit that direction and get the completion prize, if there is one.
>>
No. 417733 ID: c811c4
File 133849246799.png - (9.78KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-15(2).png )
417733

>Was there a designated exit path from the key?
The Duelist answers no, once the key was gained, he had to turn around to go back to the same tiles where people came in from. It would be possible for a newcomer to wait by and intercept whoever gained the key, but it's unlikely to happen.
>>
No. 417734 ID: c811c4
File 133849252065.png - (7.19KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-18.png )
417734

Alison gathers everyone who is around to test out a key at the safe zone. Currently, Iso, Alison, Clarence, Duelist, Healer, Big Lizard, Twirl, Mathematician and Friendgy are back. A couple others from the puzzle section come by and ran off to the scavenger key section.

Alison can now decide who will test a key on a portal, and who will attempt to go in at the same time, or perhaps rather, who won't go in and stay behind.
>>
No. 417737 ID: 886a4d

Alison, Duelist and the level 10 absorbs should stay behind... everyone else can go.
>>
No. 417738 ID: bdb3f8

It may be worth sending some fight people through the puzzle section first. It wasn't that tough, and without lots of killing, the fight path won't have netted much CU. We can even explain the mechanics to them and let them decide if they are up to it.

Trying really hard not to just say do all the paths for CU prizes to make up for loss in zone completion prizes, but I can't see why it wouldn't work.
>>
No. 417742 ID: 886a4d

>>417738


Good idea, we can explore Freeroam while the others do the puzzle zone. Engineer can hold onto both keys while we wait.

Oh hey ask if they got a CU prize for reaching the fight key pedastal. If they did we can head to the pedastal for some additional CU.
>>
No. 417759 ID: c811c4
File 133850998423.png - (12.40KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-16.png )
417759

>Was there a fight chest?
Duelist says no. Alison also realizes that on leaving the puzzle section without an item in tow, she gained a 120 CU bonus. Engineer didn't get one, as he had an item when he jumped for the key.

Alison explains to others how to do the puzzle and gain CU in the process. Engineer and Iso explain what they remember of their instance, and it is all identical. Most of everyone agrees, and heads through to try it out.
>>
No. 417760 ID: c811c4
File 133850999388.png - (10.30KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-17.png )
417760

Alison goes to the freeroam section. While she leaps, her surroundings inexplicably change into a room. There are no platforms, and turns feel as though they change based more on how much actual time has passed rather than when people jump.
>>
No. 417761 ID: 886a4d

Check out the chests / drawers. Look under the rug, if theres anything on the walls check beneath them. Then use your incredible snake length to open the vent above you. Go through that instead of the door. If you still have the flashlight use that, if need be take a candle to see by instead.
>>
No. 417765 ID: 132b99

>>417761
uhh, yeah pretty much. but if the vent can't open or is too small. then try the door.
>>
No. 417766 ID: e3f578

>>417760
There is something oddly familiar about this room. I can't pin my name on it. Doesn't have to be from this quest, in fact, I think it has nothing to do with this quest, it's just so familiar.

Maybe it's the perspective.
Try and grab a candle or whipping your tail at the chain part and get a portable candelabra.
>>
No. 417768 ID: c811c4
File 133851207298.png - (10.70KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-20.png )
417768

Alison rechecks her inventory of novelty items, and has a bucket, screwdriver, flashlight and one photo album.

There is a floor hatch underneath the rug. The chest from across the door has a few things, namely a crowbar, wrench, a pipe and one broken half of a key. The chest by the table appears sealed and Alison can't open it on her own. The walls are bare aside from the door. The door is locked, but there is a panel that Alison sees that reveals a keyhole.

Alison goes up to the chandelier, and the top part of each candle handle comes off easily and can be carried, so she moves over to the vent. It is bolted shut, but not extensively so.
>>
No. 417770 ID: 04b86a

>>417768
Pry open the chest with the crowbar. If that doesn't work, try breaking it open with the pipe.
>>
No. 417771 ID: 132b99

use crowbar on chest. put it a ton of hair in the crack and pull every other strand up and the others down. just force it open.
>>
No. 417772 ID: b9e291

Oh no the freeroam zone I get it!

Escape the facility. T_T
>>
No. 417773 ID: 886a4d

Use your hair as a wrench, at level 13 it should more then be up to the task.
>>
No. 417774 ID: 132b99

>>417773
there is a real wrench right there.
>>
No. 417775 ID: fdad59

>>417773
Or she can use the wrench she found in the chest across from the door on the vent, just to be boring.
>>
No. 417776 ID: 886a4d

I think she should use her hair as she is out of inventory space at the moment. She would have to carry everything on her though with her hair it shouldn't be too dificult.

Though I suppose replacing the bucket with the crowbar would work. She has a screwdriver and a flashlight... she just needs something to pry things open. Everything else can probably be replaced by her hair.

Oh well store the smaller items in the bucket then put the crowbar into inventory space. Eventually we can give all these tools to Engineer for his toolbox.
>>
No. 417789 ID: e3aff6

Take the key half.
>>
No. 417793 ID: c811c4
File 133851797720.png - (11.71KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-22.png )
417793

>Use Hair
>Use Wrench

She grabs the wrench with her hair and uses the wrench that way to undo the grate. With that done, she puts the wrench, flashlight and screwdriver in the bucket for normal holding, while putting a crowbar and half of the key in her inventory space. Along with the candle for reasons of not knowing where else to put it if not back on the chandelier.

At least after using the crowbar and her hair to open the chest. It isn't until she tries that she realizes how strong she is - her hair or crowbar each alone are enough to open it. In fact, she wonders if her earlier assessment that she wouldn't be able to open it normally was accurate.

There is the other half of a key, a superglue gun, and a keycard labeled S. 7.
>>
No. 417794 ID: 132b99

superglue key together and use on door.
>>
No. 417796 ID: 886a4d

Open the trap door as well, then head through the vent. Might as well use ALL the exits.
>>
No. 417808 ID: c811c4
File 133852180893.png - (193.86KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-23.png )
417808

Alison first opens the floor hatch to look at what's inside.

There is a person that she is certain wasn't one of the contenders. It speaks after a brief moment.

>"Hello. This is an escape route from the stage, and you're free to jump down here if you would like."
>>
No. 417810 ID: 132b99

i don't trust it. use vent or door.
>>
No. 417811 ID: b85f8c

>>417808
Say nah, we're good. Close up the trap door and superglue the key together.
>>
No. 417813 ID: 886a4d

Vents next. Lets save the obvious for last.
>>
No. 417814 ID: 886a4d

Pity we don't have scan... otherwise I'd say attack him!
>>
No. 417815 ID: 04b86a

>>417808
Escape from the stage? Not just the area.

Politely decline.
>>
No. 417820 ID: c811c4
File 133852351290.png - (13.02KB , 1000x700 , s4(2)-24.png )
417820

Alison goes ahead and shuts the hatch door again with a polite declining.

Given she has already worked on removing the vents, she climbs up into them before working on the key.

There isn't much in here. It is a vent with no surprises, and with the flashlight, she can see for about 50 feet as best as she can tell before the light dims. With her body, she'll be able to slither forward easily enough if she decides not to go back and glue the key together.
>>
No. 417823 ID: b85f8c

>>417820
Well we can go almost as fast like this as we could in a hallway, so sure.
>>
No. 417825 ID: 886a4d

Lets explore.
>>
No. 417835 ID: b9e291

Oh my god you can fit in the vent perfect this is the best body ever
>>
No. 417851 ID: c811c4
File 133852990753.png - (10.65KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-25.png )
417851

Heading into the vent for several meters doesn't yield much, until Alison hear's a snap, and her angle of orientation quickly begins running into the negatives.
>>
No. 417852 ID: c811c4
File 133852992185.png - (6.24KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-26.png )
417852

She topples harmlessly out into the hall, where she can see the door behind her, and an opening into a larger room further ahead where she hears voices.
>>
No. 417853 ID: 886a4d

Eavesdrop.
>>
No. 417854 ID: b85f8c

Sneakily sneak over there.
>>
No. 417862 ID: b9e291
417862

>>417852

Damn Alison, you sure have a large weight.
>>
No. 417868 ID: 886a4d

Well she is over three meters long. Thats about 10 feet long. I have no idea how much she weighs but she is probably quite heavy. My guess would be 500-800 pounds.
>>
No. 417873 ID: d79664

eavesdrop
>>
No. 417930 ID: 5c94e7

>>417852
Look up alison, see if the vent continues or if that was a scripted event.
maybe your length can get into the rest of the vents.
>>
No. 417932 ID: 04b86a

>>417852
Tsk tsk tsk. They just don't make ceiling ducts like they used to.

I don't really think we should eavesdrop, but do listen to figure out who's in there before entering.
>>
No. 417947 ID: bdb3f8

man, if you can still sneak up on them after knocking the big metal echo chamber onto the floor, it is because they don't have ears. The voices you hear are probably saying "What the fuck was that? Is the building falling down?"
>>
No. 417949 ID: 7a2594

Alison should go back to the room and try to open it from the outside. that escape route should definitely be easyer to access. If she goes back, leave the hatch and the door open (if its even unlocked)
>>
No. 417953 ID: 71d68e

>>417949
Take a closer look at that 'escape route'. Note what one can't see. Note where you can see the same color in this stage so far.

Hint: what one can't see is the floor and what's the same color is the misty void outside the stage.
>>
No. 417954 ID: c811c4
File 133856696247.png - (5.56KB , 900x600 , s4(2)-27.png )
417954

Ignoring what may or may not be an unflattering weight scenario, she gets herself up.
Looking up, she can see that if she wanted to, she could enter the vent again, although it appears to continue forward at the top of the hall anyway.
Looking back, the door does have a latch on the outside, so she wouldn't need to climb back up through the vent to get into the room.

She scoots forward to try and focus on the voices without getting too much closer, but someone is already coming. Before she could get more than a few feet in any direction, Scanner arrives, with the Guardsman in his usual position, asking what Alison is doing over here.
>>
No. 417959 ID: 886a4d

Tell them our group has retrieved two of the four keys and we were curious of what Freeroam meant. Ask what they've been up to and if they have found the this areas key yet.

I also realize Gaurdsman is small enough to go into the vents... and light enough not to bring them down.

If they've explored everywhere else perhaps Alison can give a boost up.
>>
No. 417967 ID: 886a4d

I wonder could the broken key actually be the stage key? .... glue it together.
>>
No. 417988 ID: c811c4
File 133857932145.png - (11.70KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-31.png )
417988

Alison gives the guardsman a boost into the upper vent to look around while she goes back into her room.

The scanner says that the key has already been taken by the Recluse, who must have headed back shortly after Alison may have arrived. A few people are still hanging out in the key room, and Scanner stayed back out of interest. It's not as though she's never failed a stage before anyway. She's happy to know that Alison has a key, at the least.

During this, Alison glues the key together. It does appear to fit into the lock, so the vent must have just been an alternate way out.
>>
No. 417989 ID: c811c4
File 133857935165.png - (5.41KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-32.png )
417989

>Take a closer look at the escape route
..it's different. The Scanner says that's just a third way, and it leads to a hidden floor panel in the same hallway as the door and the vent.
>>
No. 417990 ID: 132b99

"not entirely, there was someone obscured by green smoke here before. they claimed it was an escape way"
>>
No. 417993 ID: 886a4d

I wonder... lock the door and then look at the 'escape route' a third time. Also ask Scanner if Recluse got a CU reward for finding the key location.
>>
No. 417995 ID: 04b86a

"The last time I looked there was no ladder, green smoke, and a head sticking out of the smoke that said it was an escape route from the stage."
>>
No. 417996 ID: c811c4
File 133858154361.png - (12.23KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-33.png )
417996

On telling her about the green mist and person below, the Scanner says not just did she not see it, but no one else saw anything like that either. Scanner says she didn't get any CU reward or chest or anything during this.

Alison shuts the door again, but there is no change when she goes back to open the floor hatch. The Scanner would like to know if there is anything else that seemed out of place, or if Alison would mind if she could take a look around.
>>
No. 417997 ID: e3d099

Yeah, because secret escape routes are still there after you pass them up. It's too bad he didn't stick around though; haven't seen him before. Would've been good to scan him.
>>
No. 417998 ID: 886a4d

.... break the key. The only other thing I can think of is that it only shows itself to a single person at a time. If breakign the key doesn't work exit the room and have Scanner look down the trapdoor after locking it behind you.
>>
No. 418000 ID: e3d099

>>417996

As for out of place, the candles have color which is odd. Alison would love it if she took a look around, but don't get sidetracked too long.
>>
No. 418002 ID: 886a4d

>>418000

I wonder, we're we holding the candle when we looked down there or was it in our inventory space. Take the candle out and shine it down the hole.
>>
No. 418004 ID: bdb3f8

there was a keycard? still don't really know what that was for. It says S7.
>>
No. 418006 ID: c811c4
File 133858242431.png - (17.82KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-34.png )
418006

Alison could try breaking the key just before leaving this area, but trying to get that escape route to show up again seems like a long shot. She wasn't holding the candle when she looked down initially, either.

She tells scanner that she's free to look around, and mentions the candles appear to have color. Scanner says that that is an oddity, but it was like that in all of the other rooms as well. Then Alison mentions the keycard in the chest, and Scanner looks at it. She says that this is new, and asks Alison if it was here already.

Before an answer can be given, the shopkeep pops in, floating nearby. He would also like to know where that came from.
>>
No. 418007 ID: 132b99

it was in the chest. the system put it there. no take backsies, shopkeep.
>>
No. 418008 ID: 886a4d

Try to resurrect Shopkeep right now. Then if he is the same one answer his question that we don't know but we'd like to keep it if possible.

Afterwords we should ask if he would mind if Scanner can scan him. If he does mind don't.
>>
No. 418009 ID: 61e7f9

"Finders keepers, losers weepers."

"It was in the chest. It's ours now. Why do you want to know?"
>>
No. 418015 ID: c811c4
File 133858415679.png - (21.71KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-35.png )
418015

Alison mentions that the system already put it in the chest, and she found it, but she also asks him if he would mind if he was scanned. He says to go for it, and the Scanner is able to.

>Why does he want to know?
As usual, he doesn't care about it so much, but he's under higher up orders again. He mentions that she can keep it for now, until those higher ups make a decision. He adds that although he'd like to stay cordial, he'll take the card from her if he's ordered to. If it comes to that.
>>
No. 418021 ID: 886a4d

... holy crap



I do notice however he no longer has merchant or persistance. So the only way to get those would be to White Glove him during a rest area. Thank him for allowing us to know his stats and ask him about the Fortified stats and Split Damage. The rest are pretty obvious. Also ask about the Stage Skip person we saw... perhaps thats related to the keycard.

In any case take the keycard and give Scanner the candle. Then we should see if Gaurdsman found anything.

Afterwords I suggest we exit Free Roam... check on everyone in the safe zone then afterwords head to the Scavenger Zone if the key hasn't been found yet.
>>
No. 418023 ID: 04b86a

>>418015
Wow. If he's ever ordered to fight us, our first course of action should be to convince him to go rogue.

Ask him about the obvious deathtrap that had originally been beneath the trapdoor.
>>
No. 418049 ID: b85f8c

>>418015
Ask him what the Fortified X stuff does. And Overcharge Heal? Whoa wait, DOUBLE ATTACK!?

Ask him what would happen if you actually resurrected him. We were given the option earlier.
>>
No. 418076 ID: fdad59

>>418049
Actually, see what your resurrection ability says when you try to resurrect Shopkeep right now. It might be that the System uses resurrection on him when he's needed in a stage. Possibly a modified resurrection that alters stats and implants orders.
>>
No. 418077 ID: c811c4
File 133859355073.png - (13.57KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-36.png )
418077

>See what your resurrection ability says when you try to resurrect Shopkeep right now
She has tried, hence why she knows that she needs 27,500 CU to resurrect him. The shopkeep doesn't know what would happen if she were able to do so.

Scanner asks about the fortifications. The shopkeep says that they're tier 2 things, and can be thought of as multipliers. Rank 2 fortify health would give her two additional large boxes, each with 20 additional HP inside. Likewise, each rank in fortify weapon deals an additional 20 HP.

Splitting damage lets him split his damage against multiple people, each rank letting him split it among one more person. It stacks with knockback.

Alison then mentions the person she saw under the floorhatch before it returned to a normal state.

The shopkeeper says that isn't supposed to happen either. Not by a longshot. He's going to have to go now, and tells Alison not to worry about it, and that it's probably best to keep on ignoring that one. He reminds her that he doesn't know anything about it, just following more orders.
>>
No. 418078 ID: 886a4d

If we're still being prompted with resurrection failure due to high amount of CU I don't think this is our ShopKeep... at all. Ask him how he is dealing with being only one ShopKeep among billions? He was really upset last time we talked and we're still worried about it.
>>
No. 418080 ID: 04b86a

>>418078
The Shopkeep already said he has different stats in stages.

So then, first we get a keycard and then are presented with an obvious deathtrap, and then it turns out that at least some of the people in charge of the system didn't know how the keycard got there. That suggests that our behavior is drawing attention from the higher ups, but they're are having trouble agreeing whether it's good or bad, and some are taking matters into their own hands by throwing little things at us.

Does the keycard have any writing or images on it?
>>
No. 418081 ID: 886a4d

If he was alive it would be telling us we can't resurrect him for that reason like it did during the rest area when we tried then.... instead its saying he is dead but its too expensive which means this Shop Keep isn't the one we befriended!
>>
No. 418100 ID: c811c4
File 133859738052.png - (7.46KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-37.png )
418100

>Ask him how he is dealing with being only one ShopKeep among billions? He was really upset last time
He remembers his existential crisis, but also remembers coming to terms with it. Or at least getting his composure at the least.

With that, he says he must be off, and dissipates.

The keycard doesn't have anything special written on it other than 'S. 7'.

Scanner says she's looked around enough, and is good to leave now. Alison can either leave as well, or spend some time to attempt to find the escape route again.
>>
No. 418105 ID: 04b86a

>>418100
The "escape" route was clearly meant for us, so if it's going to appear again it'll be when no one's watching. I say we stop worrying about it and move on.

S. 7... Stage 7? Which stage are we on now again? Let's see... Catatonic, Scanner, Chief... This is stage 4, so we'll be able to use it three stages from now. Store it and don't mention it again. In fact, don't mention any possibly beneficial items that come up but probably shouldn't be there that we find in the future.
>>
No. 418108 ID: 886a4d

Alright ya lets head back to the safe area after checking with Gaurdsman. Maybe he found something in the vents.

If the Scavenger team still hasn't returned we can go there next otherwise its time to test out the keys.

I wonder if stage 7 is where the average CU is 5k... and that 'escape' was meant to put us with people in a similiar CU bracket.
>>
No. 418109 ID: 082302

>>418105
Agreed, let's keep keep this and anything else suspicious on the down low. Play em off as nothing.
>>
No. 418113 ID: 04b86a

>>418108
What makes you think "escape" meant we'd be moved on to a future stage? That was obviously one of those challenges Shopkeep mentioned, which means it was trying to kill us.
>>
No. 418116 ID: 886a4d

I don't see how it must be a death trap. It could simply be a way to bypass the stage key exit so more then four can pass. Or it could be a exit to another group of contestents entirely, leaving our allies behind (our biggest asset)... or it leads to Stage 7; because of the S7 on the keycard. There is no way to tell unless we actually take the 'stage escape.'
>>
No. 418120 ID: 71d68e

I just found the lack of a visible floor entirely too suspicious, what with the mist being the same color as the mist outside the stage. In other words, no floor = death trap.
>>
No. 418123 ID: 71d68e

>>418120
Oh, huh, wait, I was a few updates behind. Yeah, that 'stage exit' just got even weirder if it's not even supposed to be in the system. Someone trying to hack in from outside?
>>
No. 418141 ID: e3d099

OK this is important. Your gift of speech and/or comprehension is being monitored, but other forms of communication are not. Here's proof. The card evoked no reaction to taking it, nor to putting it in your inventory, or to showing it to Scanner physically. Only when you actually told her what you found did Shopkeep pop in. This indicates that whoever administrates this thing can only detect what you actually say, not what you see.

Teach everyone sign language. Bring your first right finger to your mouth and your other hand held in a blade in front of it, then sweep both hands outward to either side. That means "be quiet". Curl your right palm and stick your thumb up. Tap your lip with it. That means "secret". Put your left arm braced across your chest and pretend to stab yourself with the right hand, blocking it with the left arm. That means "danger". With both first fingers on each hand, point up, then point forward. That means "go". Both palms up off to your left side, wiggle the fingers, that means "wait".

You can teach Scanner the word "secret" right now by indicating the card then making the sign for "secret". It's probably safe to say out loud using your ability what each sign means, but I can't guarantee that.

Any other silent communication you might need to convey?
>>
No. 418142 ID: 132b99

>>418141
woah
>>
No. 418147 ID: 886a4d

Best save that for the next rest area.
>>
No. 418216 ID: b85f8c

>>418120
>mist outside the stage

...we're dealing with an Outsider. A hacker? Something is changing things in ways that those in charge did not intend. If we see that person again, we should be very careful. At the same time, they might have... interesting information.
>>
No. 418217 ID: b85f8c

WAIT A SECOND IT SPOKE NOTHING ACTUALLY SPEAKS IN THIS PLACE! Everyone else just 'says' things, without quotes. Ever.

I am now extremely unnerved.
>>
No. 418219 ID: 132b99

>>418217
OH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
>>
No. 418224 ID: c811c4
File 133862359831.png - (13.04KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-38.png )
418224

>Your gift of speech and/or comprehension is being monitored, but other forms of communication are not.
Alison will remember this, and taps her lip to the Scanner as Alison puts the card away in a novelty slot. Scanner looks around, but gathers what Alison is attempting to say. She makes a motion as to zip her lips, and they head out.

>The Outsider's manner of speaking
Now that Alison thinks about it, his form of communication was jarring, for the lack of a better word.
>>
No. 418225 ID: c811c4
File 133862361479.png - (229.05KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-45.png )
418225

The Guardsman didn't find anything interesting, other than that the vent simply ended abruptly without going anywhere.

When Alison gets back to the main lobby of the stage, most people have gathered. The Bandit was able to find the scavenger key already, and the Recluse is there waiting with the freeroam key.

Alison is also still carrying her bucket around. She'll need to lose some items while people attempt to overload the stage exit. She has the keycard, bucket, wrench, flashlight, screwdriver, crowbar and photo album with 4 slots available. She can have others carry extra baggage, but she'll have to decide what she wants for herself.
>>
No. 418226 ID: 132b99

keep the keycard, SOMETHING wanted you to have it.
>>
No. 418227 ID: b85f8c

>>418224
Note: Reading/writing is probably monitored too. Speaking like the Outsider might not be, but are you capable of doing so?

Keep the bucket, keycard, flashlight, and perhaps the photo album. I think we can use hairpower for a universal tool.

The next weapon or armor we get should create light on its own, for utility purposes. Armor if we can turn it off. Also perhaps our next weapon should be utilitarian as well. A source of fire or electricity, perhaps? Preferably without needing ammo or fuel.
>>
No. 418228 ID: 09e5bf

Keep the keycard, flashlight, photo album, and bucket
>>
No. 418238 ID: e3d099

Well, you have all four keys then. Anyone new coming along? I have an idea for speaking like the Outsider, but it'll have to wait until you reach the end of this stage.
>>
No. 418248 ID: 61e7f9

keeep the keycard
>>
No. 418249 ID: b0d466

Keycard, Bucket, Wrench, Photo Album; give the rest to any ally with open spaces
>>
No. 418252 ID: 886a4d

See if Engineer can keep the tools in his toolbox... otherwise simply give them to people who have empty misc space.

I think we should keep the crowbar, the photobook, the keycard and the bucket.. Our hair is wonderfully diverse.

Now it is key testing time. Take the Freeroam key and have Gambler place it in while at least 3 people are holding on to him and another two are touching the key while he places and turns it. At this moment it doesn't matter who does so though we should hold the absorb 10s back in case we have to go by plan resurect.
>>
No. 418266 ID: c811c4
File 133866403955.png - (61.33KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-46.png )
418266

Alison will keep the bucket, flashlight, keycard and album.

She'll give the other things to Iso for now.

>Anyone new coming along?
It doesn't appear that way, but Alison isn't in a hurry.

>Have Gambler place a key in
Alison, Duelist, Recluse and Bandit currently have the keys, and Alison has to think twice about if having the gambler be the main subject for testing the portal is appropriate.
>>
No. 418275 ID: 886a4d

Alright, Bandit test then.
>>
No. 418283 ID: c811c4
File 133867080043.png - (97.20KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-47.png )
418283

The Bandit puts in the key while others hold on to him and the key, but the portal turns on without teleporting the bandit right off the bat. The others hang onto the Bandit as he enters, but they get left behind as the Bandit is teleported out alone.

The Shield attempts to go through after the Bandit, but it doesn't work.
>>
No. 418284 ID: 132b99

we still have 2 tries before drastic measures will need to be taken. the portal is still there? try turning the key off and then back on. next is timing and everyone touches the portal together.
>>
No. 418286 ID: 886a4d

Its time to kill. We should take this to the Fight Zone. 5 people dying a turn will allow us to make use of all our level 10 absorbers. To remove temption to attack Alison Engineer should wait in the safe zone with all the remaining keys.

Allison should be the one absorbing anyone outside her group so she gets their ghost. This includes Catblob and Gambler. With luck we will get all 40 out.

Once it is down to the five absorbers and Engineer the remaining keys will be divied up to Alison, Twirl, and Recluse. Those left will return to Fight zone and kill the other three then exit the stage.
>>
No. 418289 ID: 04b86a

>>418283
Okay, so we have what, at least 28 people in the group? Bandit's already gone on and Alison has to go on, so that leaves at least 26 people to sort through for the resurrection queue.

1) Everyone with Rank 10 Absorption should be alive before the stage starts, to maximize absorption gains.
2) We have four people with extra lives and two gates left for them. (We should have thought of that before sending Bandit through) I'm partial to Healer and Succubus myself due to their skills, but if the other two have objections we're willing to listen.
3) Anyone that doesn't mind missing out on the safe zone should speak up now. We'll hold onto their CU and resurrect them in the stage.
4) Anyone with Rank 10 Absorption that doesn't mind missing most of the Safe Zone should ask Alison to put them at the end of that queue, so that other people can enjoy more of it.

I think that covers all of the important priorities. After that we should at least try to let everyone else come to a consensus on a basic resurrection queue, bearing in mind that our in-stage resurrection order will depend a bit on what's most beneficial to us at the time.

Also, anyone who hasn't already gone through the puzzle should go get the CU bonus.
>>
No. 418294 ID: e3aff6

It probably won't work, but we might as well try someone putting the key in, standing there, and having someone else trying to enter.
>>
No. 418301 ID: e3d099

Yeah uh

Just use the same key 28 times.
>>
No. 418305 ID: b85f8c

>>418283
The key looks like it's still in the portal.

Reuse the key?
>>
No. 418311 ID: c811c4
File 133868295854.png - (174.20KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-48.png )
418311

The key is taken out and the portal fizzles out, and it doesn't turn back on when the key is reinserted. It doesn't matter who uses it, and if they put it in their inventory before using it, no one seems to be able to get it to work. She'll have to decide who goes through. Given that she's in no hurry, saving extra lives by having Healer, Succubus, or possibly Gambler or the Big Lizard go through has merit. Either way, she'll be sure to absorb as many as she personally can to make sure that she has a ghost imprint of all, Catblob and Gambit included.

She will also make sure a trusted individual such as the Engineer remains in the safe zone with the keys, at least until the last moment to make sure the keys are safe.

As people realize what it's coming down to, Alison asks if anyone would mind skipping out on the safezone, or at least much of it. The Gambler, Succubus and Engineer says they would like to spend as much time as possible, the Succubus adding that she doesn't want to intrude and not to worry about it if it isn't convenient in her case. No one else speaks up, either not caring or not wanting to overstep any boundaries.
>>
No. 418315 ID: 886a4d

Well for those who don't get to use their extra lives we can at least increase their CU for them. Speaking of which, shouldn`t Allison have an extra life?

Anyway I say Healer and Succubus are the ones who can use the key to preserve their extra lives while using the extra lives of the others to boost CU so this stage isn't a complete loss. Have them wait to enter until we are done with absorbing everyone else however.
>>
No. 418318 ID: 04b86a

Okay, so we have Healer go in now and Succubus after we're done absorbing. Just to confirm, everyone got the CU bonus, correct? Not just the people that were in the safe area when we brought it up?

For the next safe zone, I'm recommending this for the Resurrection order:
1)Gambler
2)Engineer
3)Iso
4)Duelist
5)Big Lizard
6)Mathematician
7)Recluse
8)Twirl
9)Horned Flopear
10)Cube

I think that avoids showing too much favoritism. If we can't overfill the next exits, we'll have to give the people who didn't get a chance this time higher priority. Hopefully next stage will have some chests to give someone a shot at Resurrection and us another chance at Ghost.
>>
No. 418319 ID: 886a4d

... ability absorb...
>>
No. 418367 ID: e3d099

>>418318

I can't help but notice Alison is not on that list.
>>
No. 418368 ID: 132b99

>>418367
how would she res herself?
>>
No. 418395 ID: c811c4
File 133874366748.png - (229.98KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-49.png )
418395

Healer and Succubus will be the ones to go through. There are enough people with good faith in her that with their assistance, it isn't difficult to convince even the more outlying group members of the logic involved. The healer goes ahead and goes through.
>>
No. 418396 ID: c811c4
File 133874368268.png - (152.03KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-50.png )
418396

The absorptions are made, and no hitches occur. In the end, she's able to absorb everyone but a couple stragglers that apparently weren't seen again.

Alison gains 50604 CU when everyone gives her the remaining CU, plus another 2520 for puzzle CU prizes given directly to her.
>>
No. 418397 ID: c811c4
File 133874369578.png - (95.23KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-51.png )
418397

In the end, she has 54100 CU by the time everyone is gone and the Succubus heads through.

She turns her portal on, and almost heads through herself before hearing that same voice again from the outsider.

>"Hey. Wait a minute."

She doesn't see anyone else around.
>>
No. 418399 ID: 886a4d

Use the same language and greet him, ask his name and what he wants.
>>
No. 418400 ID: 42491f

Oh dear. Wait long enough to hear what it has to say, but be ready to jump through the portal if anything funny happens.
>>
No. 418401 ID: 132b99

keep your hand near the portal so you can poke it with just a twitch. then wait for the thing.
>>
No. 418404 ID: bdb3f8

One minute. Minimize your own communication in case >>418141 is right. Listen to what it has to say, but be ready to bolt if you need to.
>>
No. 418406 ID: 431fa8

>>418397
If you say anything, the world... or whoever it is that gives Shopkeep orders... will probably hear you. Any statements need to be ambiguous or otherwise something that you might conceivably say to yourself for that reason.
>>
No. 418408 ID: b85f8c

>>418397
Say okay.
>>
No. 418409 ID: c811c4
File 133874578661.png - (126.39KB , 900x400 , s4(2)-52.png )
418409

The Outsider approaches, and the stage dissolves around him. She gestures to him to keep talking as best as she can, as trying to speak like him is beyond her.

>"Don't worry. I'll stay back if the mist unnerves you. Was I mistaken, thinking that you may want to escape?"
>>
No. 418411 ID: 132b99

try holding your mouth open and letting this come out
"can't leave friends"
>>
No. 418412 ID: b85f8c

>>418409
Shake your head no.
>>
No. 418413 ID: 431fa8

>>418409
"I want so badly to keep everyone alive. If I stop trying for that, how could I forgive myself?"

Hopefully this will sound enough like something that you might say to yourself in an introspective moment alone that it won't set off any alarms.
>>
No. 418414 ID: b85f8c

>>418411
But if we leave, we take all our friends with us. We absorbed them, remember? Even those that are alive now we are still 'carrying' via Absorb.
>>
No. 418415 ID: 886a4d

Ask him if she went with him would she still be able to resurrect her friends. And what about everyone else who goes through this hell? Those uncountable billions who make up the stars in the sky... No his escape isn't worth it just yet. It's the escape of one against many. It's too selfish.

Alison wants to save everyone, not just herself.
>>
No. 418416 ID: 42491f

>>418414

However, we have no guarantee that this ability would still function if we escaped the system - if this even is a real "escape" and not some sort of trap.
>>
No. 418419 ID: c811c4
File 133874774015.png - (248.63KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-53.png )
418419

Alison mutters quickly, as though to herself, that she has friends and won't stop trying to save them. She almost mentions the resurrection, but that may be pushing a trigger from the shopkeep.

>"That's why you've gotten our attention, you have lots of individuals. Even better if you wish to bring more out of here. But leave your friends out of the equation for a minute, and pretend for a moment that you were completely alone as you are now. If this were the case, would you be interested in escaping, or would you continue playing as the system intended?"
>>
No. 418421 ID: b85f8c

>>418419
If we were alone we'd have no attachment to the system.

I think we can phrase that as thinking to ourselves 'but if we found a way out, we'd take it.'
>>
No. 418422 ID: b85f8c

Oh, can we try to ask if the system is listening in? Like gesture to your ear and point... up, or something.
>>
No. 418423 ID: f7ae22

>>418419
Tell him that your friends are never out of the equation, so what you would do without them doesn't matter.
>>
No. 418430 ID: c811c4
File 133874948387.png - (98.90KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-54.png )
418430

Alison is finding a difficult time asking the questions she would like to under these circumstances, and he isn't asking simple yes or no's. She points to her ear and points up.

>"Forget the system, they won't send anyone that can hurt us in these circumstances. Just talk."
>>
No. 418432 ID: 508026

>>418430
Fine.

Explain that you have no idea what the end-goal of this existence is, and that your primary motivation to keep going is that you have met a number of amazing people that you want to survive. And you can potentially meet more, and save more as you keep going.

If it were you alone, then, you'd have to ask - what's the difference between an existence living in the system and outside it? She's can't very well answer the "do you want to escape?" question without knowing what she's escaping FROM and what she's escaping TO.

So, what does the Outsider know about the purpose of all this competition? Why are you continually forced to fight each other? And what does it mean to "escape" the system, in the way that he/she talks about? And, most importantly, do your current strengths or abilities have any effect once you've escaped? If you leave now, you are carrying many, many of your best friends with you with the ability to resurrect them at will. Will that connection be severed if you leave? Or will you still be able to save them?
>>
No. 418433 ID: b85f8c

>>418430
Ah alright.

Well first off answer his question- if we were a loner and had no friends somehow, then yes we'd want to escape. We don't owe the system anything and don't even know what we'd get if we won this 'game', so why stay? Second, ask who the heck this guy IS. And... what he is.

Third, ask what it means by 'escape'. If we leave, would we still be able to do the whole shared dream thing with people who are still in the game? Like say if we resurrected someone who has absorbed someone we also absorbed, would we be able to use that person who exists in two dreams as a line of communication with... wherever we escape to?
>>
No. 418434 ID: b85f8c

Oh yeah also ask what the deal is with the keycard.
>>
No. 418436 ID: e3aff6

First we should ask whether we have any way of knowing that he isn't a part of the system designed as a trap for people who try to escape or subvert it.
>>
No. 418437 ID: 04b86a

>>418430
Alright, that's good to know. In that case, we'd need to know what we'd be escaping to. And the fact that being the linchpin for the survival of a large group is why we were selected for the offer isn't easing our suspicions that this is a trap set up by the system.
>>
No. 418438 ID: 431fa8

>>418430
That seems rash, but fine.

"I'm never alone. There are so many people... so many stars in the sky. How many of them won't make it, even as absorbed ghosts?

"The system will probably kill me eventually, but what's outside it? For all I know it's even more lethal out there. What is this all for? What comes after?"
>>
No. 418444 ID: c569f6

If this thing really is somehow outside the system, ask it what the system is. What's it for? What, exactly, are all the people inside it?
>>
No. 418446 ID: bdb3f8

You could have just said "I hate this system" and "there has to be another way" Still could I suppose.
>>
No. 418447 ID: 35037c

"wut" is the only appropriate response.
>>
No. 418451 ID: c811c4
File 133875300249.png - (182.44KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-55.png )
418451

Alison tells him that her friends are always part of the equation, so it doesn't matter what she would do if alone. There are too many ifs and buts of if she can still resurrect, what the difference is between living outside and inside the system is, things like that. If it were all satisfactory, then she doesn't owe the system anything. She does hate it, in fact. She wants to know what the point of all of this is, all the killing and fighting repeatedly. What exactly the people are inside, what the system is for, and everything. He stops her before she can get too far.

>"I can't answer much. This is where I admit that I don't know a lot more than you, but the system is not invincible. They work the same at us, only at a higher level. We want to get to that level and fight back. We're trying to recruit people, and I think you hating the system is enough. We don't know what will happen if we beat the system, but we don't know what happens if we win either. I apologize for our meeting before, as I intended to get straight to the point, but must have sounded overly cryptic for you to outright shut the door on me."

She then mentions that she has no way to tell if he's just part of the system as a trap. He responds by saying he's in the wrong bracket. That gets the shopkeep's attention, who promptly asks how the Outsider got to this bracket. And for that matter, why he is dissolving the stage.

>"Does the shopkeep look like he's on my side?"
>>
No. 418456 ID: 132b99

he wishes he was but is compelled to do whatever the guys in charge say.
>>
No. 418458 ID: e3aff6

>"Does the shopkeep look like he's on my side?"
Fair enough. I suppose conspiracy theories won't get us anywhere without solid evidence for them.
>>
No. 418459 ID: 886a4d

He is one of those we want to help escape the system. So to answer your question... the Shop Keep can be on our side. He just has to decide on whether he wants to be his own person or forever going from stage to stage... task to task.

Furthermore he is our friend. He has to listen to the higher ups but that doesn't mean he can't decide to help us as much as possible. After all he already allowed us to absorb him so he can continue on if we do escape.
>>
No. 418465 ID: fdad59

Ask Outsider if he knows how far you, or he, can push things before the System, or its architects, directly intervene. You don't want to cause so much trouble that you get targeted and removed, or erased, from the world.

Say that a few of your friends have already passed through the gate, and that you don't want to leave them behind. Will the Outsider appear later, or has he drawn enough attention that he can't appear to you again?
>>
No. 418482 ID: c811c4
File 133875746224.png - (157.21KB , 900x600 , s4(2)-56.png )
418482

The Shopkeep could be on Alison's side, she notes. That he merely takes orders from up above.

>"He certainly follows orders too admirably."

When asked if he knows how far he can push things before the systemdirectly intervenes. The Outsider says that that has already happened.

Shopkeep confirms this. He, in fact, has already attempted to kill the Outsider before, although his current actions are new. The Outsider is definitely not a part of the system, and if Alison joins, there won't be any turning back. It would be the same as if she abused the workarounds with her resurrection.

>"You have to choose now. Before long the system will, in fact, intervene with things I can't stop. Join me and my crew, and you'll be given the power to fight the system, which you may then return to your normal safe zone and fight with your friends. If you don't, then I'll have to return with bad news, and we will be at ends when our paths converge. If you make it that far. And if you play along with the system, you won't be able to win. I don't intend this as a threat, but I know that it can come off as one. Regardless, take the portal for the familiar unknown, or take my hand for a new unknown that isn't underneath the thumb of whoever leads this."

The Shopkeep doesn't intervene, and just watches what Alison will do.
>>
No. 418490 ID: a00410

Rabbit Hole. The system has never be your friend. You can keep moving forward but entropy will get you eventually. This is your last chance. Leave. Fight for the Users. We love you. Leave the stage and fight the system.
>>
No. 418495 ID: 04b86a

>>418482
This is a tough one. If we were alone I'd accept it in a heartbeat. But we have friends that we'll be endangering through this, and I'm not entirely certain that he is our only chance at going against the system.

Of particular note is that keycard, which I sincerely doubt was placed by him. That suggests there's another entity out there that wants to help us, one that's possibly even a rogue part of the system. But then again, if the system decides it wants it before Stage 7, we'll have no choice but to hand it over or die, assuming they don't/can't just zap it out of our inventory.

Yeah, join him. If he took on the Shopkeep and lived, then they're obviously capable of helping us offset the increased danger. Everyone else will understand why we did it.
>>
No. 418497 ID: 886a4d

Hug Shopkeep before you go, and tell him he will always sbe your friend.
>>
No. 418500 ID: 082302

If we do take the red pill, let's resurrect some one real quick for both their opinion and to carry the message of what happened to those who already went through. We should vote on who we leave behind.

We're gambling with our friends here. It could be a betrayal to risk them unwillingly, but it could also be a betrayal to deny them the chance of escaping.

Alright. Heaven or hell, I'm voting for the rabbit hole.
>>
No. 418501 ID: 6a4b78

Stay the course, you have too many people depending on you to leave them like this.
>>
No. 418503 ID: 4bdd79

Let's go with the Outsider.

>>418490
>>418500
>going down the rabbit hole
>Alison
how the fuck...
>>
No. 418507 ID: c811c4
File 133876241021.png - (11.27KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-57.png )
418507

Alison hugs the shopkeep, saying he'll always be a friend. The Shopkeep, in return, gives an uncomfortable laugh. It's like she's saying goodbye, and if she returns to the safe zone, or any safe zone for that matter, then he'll be around.

She can resurrect someone before she goes to pass on a message, although if the Outsider's word is true, she'll be able to deliver the message herself. And if she does resurrect, she'll need to decide on who. Catatonic and Chief are the more significant ones that she both has absorbed and are currently dead, unless she goes with near-strangers.
>>
No. 418509 ID: 6a4b78

Resurrect Chief.
>>
No. 418511 ID: 431fa8

>>418507
I'd trust Catatonic with this job more, I think. Chief... well, he's too emotionally loaded to be a good choice.
>>
No. 418515 ID: 082302

>>418507
Did we absorb gambler? we may want to send him, as our deal involved going to the next stage. Ask him what he would do, while your at it.
>>
No. 418517 ID: fdad59

Resurrect Catatonic, tell him you're sorry to have to bring him back when he didn't want it, and give him the message to pass on, along with enough of the extra CU to bring him up to par, if he wants to continue on. He can share it with the others if he doesn't. Oh, and tell him to tell Healer you're sorry for taking Duelist away with you.

Then it's time to take Outsider's hand, and fight the System.
>>
No. 418520 ID: 309301

well, it's a "good bye" in some kind of way...
When it's clear for the system that Alison doesn't only have more power than allowed, a forbidden key-card and a great fellowship but also is part of the resistance I would be surprised when Shopkeeper won't get instructions to kill us...
By the way... We might be the first one that have an absorb for him... When the resistance is able to defeat him and we will be able to resurrect him before the system does (what will probably happen), wouldn't he be free?
>>
No. 418530 ID: 886a4d

It is more an assurance that if he does attack us after this then we will still be his friend.
>>
No. 418533 ID: e3aff6

Whoever have as a messenger, we should tell them to keep the CU until the end of the stage so we can resurrect people if we get back by then.
>>
No. 418536 ID: c811c4
File 133877038623.png - (9.91KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-58.png )
418536

>Resurrect Catatonic
Alison explains everything to him to pass on, while apologizing about resurrecting him if he didn't want to. He says it's okay, and will pass it on. He does ask why Alison trusted him, after all, everyone else besides healer, succubus and bandit was around.

Oh yeah. Nearly everyone is dead. Alison had a braindead moment. It isn't a big deal however, and Catatonic does receive 1,500 CU to catch up to most others, as he doesn't wish his chance at life, however free it might come now, to go to waste. Alison does give him all of her unspent CU as well for safekeeping. Outsider says that's fine.

Another hug is given, before Catatonic take's Alison's place, and Alison goes to the Outsider.
>>
No. 418537 ID: c811c4
File 133877039990.png - (150.53KB , 700x537 , s4(2)-59.png )
418537

She begins moving. It feels less controlled than a light trail to a safe zone, and the Outsider's touch feels uncomfortable. Not painful, or damaging, simply off. He assures her that it's a feeling she'll get used to.
>>
No. 418539 ID: c811c4
File 133877043715.png - (184.34KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-60.png )
418539

Her landing spot is a balcony of the keep. It appears to be the stage 3 safe zone, if it had a different layout.

>"You may look around later, but for now, our boss is waiting. If you wish, though, you may resurrect and leave any of your friends you would like, here. Time doesn't move here, so there is no limit."

Although she can't see anyone, she does hear activity from many people off in the distance.
>>
No. 418547 ID: e3aff6

If time does not move here than at some point we can sleep to explain things to the others and ask who wants to stay here rather than continuing in the levels.
>>
No. 418549 ID: 886a4d

Resurrect Engineer, Math, Recluse, Duelist and Iso. They are those who shaped you the most and they deserve the greatest say in your new path.
>>
No. 418550 ID: 431fa8

>>418539
Let's talk to the boss before resurrecting anyone. If things go well, we can resurrect others here, perhaps; if things go poorly, then we don't want resurrected friends that we need to worry about leaving behind.
>>
No. 418551 ID: 309301

A place beyond system-rules?
Maybe no resurrection-costs?
>>
No. 418565 ID: b85f8c

>>418539
erm.

>Alison does give him all of her unspent CU as well for safekeeping. Outsider says that's fine.

If we gave all our unspent CU to Catatonic, we can't resurrect ANYONE, as we have 0 CU. Why would we do that!?
>>
No. 418573 ID: c811c4
File 133877630217.png - (12.94KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-61.png )
418573

Alison will be sure to take a rest here, since it sounds as though that won't be an issue.

When she gets downstairs, she does hear commotion.
>>
No. 418574 ID: c811c4
File 133877632549.png - (18.64KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-62.png )
418574

She's relatively certain that is a bigger body than what is allowed, but it isn't coming as much of a surprise to her now.

>"Ah, the Snake Queen made it after all. I'll get straight to the point. Stage 5's safe zone has entryway into tier 2 upgrades, namely, fortifications. I will give you enough CU to reach the current hard limit of 100,000 CU for you and 3 of your closest allies, along with whatever CU you require to resurrect everyone you care to. You'll require those to withstand the system's interventions. Otherwise, continue what you are doing. Absorbing as many as you possibly can. That is all that I ask of you for the time being. Questions?"
>>
No. 418580 ID: 886a4d

Ask about the keycard, has anyone here gained persistance and what would happen if she resurrected ShopKeep here.

Also ask what cracks in the system has been observed.
>>
No. 418582 ID: b85f8c

Where does he get all that CU? Also I gotta ask at this point, what does C.U. even stand for?

Did we show him the S7 card yet? Might want to do that now.

Hrm. If he has that much CU, and this area has no time limit, what's preventing us from resurrecting absolutely everyone? They don't even have to continue playing. They can just stay here.

Hell, ask him what's keeping everyone here from just staying and living out their lives in this place, as there's no time limit.
>>
No. 418585 ID: 886a4d

He probably farms stages for CU... tricking the system into thinking he hasn't completed one and doing it over and over again.
>>
No. 418587 ID: 04b86a

>>418574
Huh. He knows our old nickname. That's inter-

>>418396
>a couple stragglers that apparently weren't seen again.

Ooohhhh. Now that is interesting. I wonder if he knows anything about us other than rumors.

Well, the most important question I can think of is if he knows anything about our keycard, or has a way to duplicate it.
>>
No. 418591 ID: fdad59

Ask what his, or her, or its, name is, and share your name. Also ask how he/she/it got such a body.

Ask how they got outside the System in the first place, and what kind of things to look for to find weak spots.

Hold up the keycard and ask if one of them planted it in the chest in the freeroam area of your stage 4 tier. Ask what they think it's for.

Also ask for a clarification on how time moves here. Is it just that there's no area timer, and time continues in the rest of the world, or does time outside this place not keep moving?
>>
No. 418594 ID: 431fa8

>>418574
Questions...

Who is he, and what is the System? What's it for? If all he can do is give Alison CU, then why do this at all and make the system intervene instead of only sending a message? She was already extremely well-off in CU terms.

This seems almost like a scheme to put her in additional danger so that she won't have any choice but to side with them completely and obey in exchange for the CU advantage. And this guy is all business... Ugh.
>>
No. 418599 ID: 886a4d

A few more questions to ask, how will she return here, how high do the stages go. Has anyone else befriended a system entity like Shop Keep and has anyone looked into the neumino Likol.

If he gives us 300k for upgrades, 50k for resurections and we have 55k already we can safely upgrade our own group though not to the same extent as the top three.

For our personal guard I have to say Duelist, Recluse and Scanner. We can ask everyone else whether they would want to stay here safe or continue on battling with us...

I bet Iso will want to stay b/c he has long said he doesn't want to compete and he'd probably be happier here. As long as we can visit him regularily of course... It will also give us a constant eye here we can trust absolutely so he can discover whether these people are on the up and up.
>>
No. 418600 ID: e3aff6

Do these guys have people with resurrect? If they do, it might be worth considering 'checkpointing' here by bringing back Recluse (who has absorbed us) to transfer our absorb via duel without using up our extra life.
>>
No. 418625 ID: c811c4
File 133878395599.png - (8.52KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-63.png )
418625

Alison shares her name, asking if he has one himself.
>"They call me, for better or worse, the Corruptor. Mostly named by my enemies, I should add!"

>What does CU stand for?
>What is the system for?
He laments that he does not know the answer to these.

>How did they get out of the system in the first place?
>"Luck, plain and simpe. I am not that special, I simply have had luck topple in my lap. If I may flatter, then you would fare no worse than I if that luck had gone to you."

>What other cracks in the system have been observed?
>"Where aren't there cracks, I've come to ask myself. Bugs and glitches sure, but I see entire failings everywhere. If the higher ups are as organized as the system they run, then my mission will be all too easy.

>Things to look for to exploit the system
>"Hard to say, there are an immense amounts of cracks, but there is nothing particular other than vague concepts as 'anything out of the ordinary.'

>Does anyone here have resurrect
>"An exceedingly rare talent, but yes, you are not the only one."

>Do they have persistence, and what happens if the shopkeep is resurrected.
>"No, as we don't seem to get imprints of the shopkeep from fighting him in stage, and no one has gotten to try absorbing him in the safe zone to see if there is any difference. It is just as well, this is a camoflauged region, and getting a member of the system here could be disasterous."
Alison will keep her mouth shut about her imprint of the shopkeep unless she can think of a reason to.
>>
No. 418627 ID: c811c4
File 133878434885.png - (14.91KB , 700x700 , s4(2)-64.png )
418627

>What's preventing us from resurrecting absolutely everyone"
>"Nothing at all. Room is finite here, however, so I do ask you keep things within reason, perhaps a couple dozen or so, and they can help construct more buildings for more individuals."

>What's keeping everyone here from just staying and living out their lives in this place?
>"Drive to be, and do, something more. Otherwise, if the stages are hell, then this is purgatory."

>How will she return?
>"I will give you a specific item, as I believe you may merit this finite resource. Simply bring it out of regular inventory space, and you and anyone touching you will be brought here. Keep in mind that this is made for only safe zones. Using it in non-safe zones is possible, but it triggers all sorts of unwanted system flags."

>If all he can do is give CU, then why make the system intervene when she was doing well on CU?
>"This is a guess, but they have a finite number of resources to fight us with. The more people they have to fight, the more thin they are spread. From what I can see, they attempt to fight everyone at once."

>Show the keycard
>"Interesting, yes. I have found an S 6 card, or rather one of my allied members have. I would ask of you to leave it here, for safekeeping. You may have your own quarters, of course. I can't replicate the instance rooms of prior safe zones, but I still give everyone their own physical room, as space allows. And with timeless space, we have plenty of time to build. Speaking of which, around here, you would be known as the Snake Queen. Is this a problem? It is unusual to name oneself with, quote, orthodox names."
>>
No. 418629 ID: 6e44d2

Guess we shoulda' done that infinite CU trick. Ah well.

We need Engineer and the Mathematician resurrected. Their skills will be very valuable here.

As for our imprint of the shopkeeper... How do we get persistence from that?
>>
No. 418630 ID: 6e44d2

Oh, also, who else thinks that the "cracks" in the system were intentional, and the people who built this program intended for the players to exploit them?
>>
No. 418634 ID: 886a4d

Say that the Snake Queen is fine as her moniker. Code names are needed I guess. As for the key card you'll leave it here with one of the ones you leave behind here, preferably Iso. Its a gamble but a system enforcer built specifically to destroy them could appear at any time and losing it might be disasterious.

If we have no more questions we should get the CU, go to our room and sleep to and consult with our dead. We need to explain to our group what is happening and ask who is willing to stay and who is willing to go on.

To get persistance all we need to do is get ability absorbance and ask to duel him again in a safe zone.
>>
No. 418635 ID: 04b86a

If having an imprint of Shopkeep could cause problems, we should let him know about ours now. It's a shame we don't have ability absorb, but Resurrection generally has greater benefits so I don't regret not taking it.

I'm fine with being called the Snake Queen. Ask him if it would be acceptable to use the item in a stage should we encounter a place to use a keycard. Anything the system doesn't want used most likely leads to something very useful.
>>
No. 418636 ID: 886a4d

I say keep our Shop Keep secret for now, we don't know enough about this group to fully trust them.
>>
No. 418637 ID: 09e5bf

>Code names are needed I guess

Alison is more of a secret name than Snake Queen. Only her close friends know her as Alison. Pretty much everyone knows her as Snake Queen.
>>
No. 418659 ID: c811c4
File 133879165690.png - (45.51KB , 700x700 , sSPC-6.png )
418659

Alison says that Snake Queen is alright.

>Is using the teleport item alright in a stage, if a place to use the keycard is encountered?"
>"Yes, the risk is more to yourself than anyone, so just consider that a warning."

Alison almost forgot to ask about the neumono photographer as well, but the Corruptor hasn't taken much of an interest in those things, not until they provide evidence they could help.

After excusing herself, Alison is led to her quarters inside of the keep by the Outsider before he bids goodbye. It's a very nice room, but she isn't in the mood to appreciate the gesture. She is told she has been granted full access to anywhere except other private chambers, should that not go without saying. She is given 440,000 CU as though it were nothing.

Now would be a good time to go to sleep to talk it over with her allies.
>>
No. 418660 ID: c811c4
File 133879166582.png - (157.82KB , 700x700 , sSPC-7.png )
418660

It doesn't take long for her to fall asleep, although this time she doesn't start off next to anyone. She may speak with anyone aside from the Bandit, Healer, Succubus and Catatonic.

She starts with the Engineer and Mathematician, whom she knows may enjoy this supposed lifestyle.

They both admit their apprehensive about this rather sudden turn of events, especially the Engineer. Nevertheless, it does have its appeal, and they would enjoy that they believe.
>>
No. 418661 ID: 132b99

...is that city closer?
>>
No. 418664 ID: e3d099

Speak with the shopkeep.
>>
No. 418667 ID: b85f8c

>>418664
If he is actually here that would be quite interesting.

Hrm. I think Chief would be VERY interested in this group. Let's talk to him next.
>>
No. 418669 ID: 886a4d

Agree that everything might not be on the up and up however this is their best chance to work a awy to save them all instead of trusting the system and vagaries of fate to let them be. Part of the reason she wants people who she trusts here is to listen and learn just what these people do. With Math and Engineer's intelligence they should be able to figure things out.

She is willing to go along with the Corruptor for now at least.

I agree we should talk to our Shop Keep here if possible. Ask him if he's still recieving System Information despite being dead and how he feels about Alison joining the rebellion.

... then approach Iso, Duelist, Recluse, Scanner and ask their opinions and for the last three if they are willing to be targets of the system and support us in our rebellion by accepting the 100k CU. I think Iso will be better off staying here as well but its really up to him.

Afterwords go to each of your allies and ask whether they want to stay or continue to fight on despite the risk.
>>
No. 418674 ID: c811c4
File 133879476656.png - (10.15KB , 700x700 , sSPC-8.png )
418674

It's agreed that Alison isn't fully trusting of the corruptor's plans, but it isn't hard to convince the Mathematician and Engineer to go.

Alison goes to the shopkeep, next, walking alongside until she gets to the Chief. The city does appear closer after all.

Shopkeep says he's definitely not supposed to be here. He didn't think about it at the time, but he broke a huge rule about not engaging in duels before. He merely didn't care, given Alison put him in an existential bind. The Chief notes how the system can't care that much if they allowed such a measure to be taken in the first place. The shopkeep also explains that he isn't getting any communication from any higher ups anymore, he's completely disconnected.

The Chief doesn't have much to say about the new group. He did say to break the rules if she got a chance, and it's getting handed to her on a silver platter. He adds that he would be very appreciative if she resurrected him, as he would like to learn more firsthand.
>>
No. 418675 ID: 132b99

yeah we can res chief, but he's staying here, don't really trust him with an assload of power.
>>
No. 418676 ID: 886a4d

Agree to resurrect Chief. Let's continue to walk with Shop Keep as we talk to the others we put him in this position and its the least we can do is be by him while he deals with it. Ask him if he would consider choosing a name for himself besides Shop Keep...
>>
No. 418677 ID: 09e5bf

Definitely bring chief back, this is a great spot for him, and he might be able to get influence and CU of his own. I trust him, but unless Duelist, Scanner and Recluse wouldn't want to be in on our 4 man max level group, he doesn't need to be. Later mention our separated shopkeep to Corruptor.
>>
No. 418678 ID: 886a4d

I still don't trust the Corrupter yet with a rebellious Shop Keep... maybe once we've learned more about him and his operation
>>
No. 418679 ID: b85f8c

>>418673
Tell Chief that it's very hard to trust him since he kindof tried his hardest to kill us when he was alive, not to mention broke deals and backstabbed his allies. With his wishy-washy opinion on the Outsider's group, I'm not even sure we can trust him to work with them in anything but a selfish manner. Tell him that we will still come to him for advice but resurrection is just not on the table.

Ask Shopkeeper what's the last thing he can remember happening. Also note that it looks like this proves they are all individuals, but share information, and possibly personalities. Ask him if he is truly loyal to the system, or just seems compelled to follow orders. Does he think he would remain disconnected if we resurrected him? Regardless, we won't resurrect him in the location where we are- it's too big a risk. Maybe in a stage?
>>
No. 418684 ID: c811c4
File 133879908828.png - (17.91KB , 700x700 , sSPC-9.png )
418684

Alison explains that she doesn't entirely trust the chief, but she will resurrect him. He thanks her. The Shopkeep also mentions that he is fine being known as the shopkeep, at least for now, he doesn't care to lose that. He adds that he would rather his existence not be known to the corruptor.

Heading to the next group, she gathers Iso, Duelist, Recluse and Scanner. Explaining the deal, she asks of everyone but Iso if they would like to go alongside her. Duelist says he doesn't think he is speaking for himself when he says that that isn't even a question worth asking, the answer is a definite yes. The other two nod their affirmation.

Iso says that he'll be okay in the permanent safe zone, but he did enjoy the time in stages with her more than time in safe zones alone.
>>
No. 418685 ID: e3d099

Ask the shopkeep what it is you found in the last stage, in which he almost had to intervene. If he really is the same shopkeep everywhere, he'll know about the keycard. If not then he's just been made to think he's the same shopkeep everywhere, and his existential crisis is justified.
>>
No. 418687 ID: b85f8c

>>418684
Iso being in the field makes me nervous, but... I guess the worst thing that can happen (as far as we know) is for him to die without being absorbed by one of our allies, costing us CU.

Also ask him if he's got a nickname. In the place we've found, everyone uses nicknames.
>>
No. 418689 ID: dcd48d

>>418684
Aw... why can't we take Iso? We could always get another person with reserect to absorb us real quick so that we don't have to worry about us dieing and losing him. After that he should be safe to bring with us and he is by far the most loyal friend we have.
>>
No. 418692 ID: 09e5bf

I think it would be fair to take Iso along, and work on building him up.
>>
No. 418693 ID: b85f8c

Oh, and one thing that hasn't been made clear yet- the dream here, is it a safe zone?
>>
No. 418694 ID: 04b86a

I think we should at least give Iso the choice to keep going through the stages, although it should be noted that we spend hardly any time together in the actual stages. What kind of moniker is he going to be given, anyway? The Snake Queen's Consort? Maybe he can get away with Iso, since he probably hasn't attracted enough attention to earn a nickname yet.

>>418693
Yeah, it's a safe zone. See >>/questarch/1004060
>>
No. 418716 ID: 886a4d

If he wants to come with us we'll take him. Lets go ask everyone else what they want to do... I imagine Friendgy will be joining Engineer at the very least and since Chief is being resurrected Big Lizard might stay as well...

If he does stay one of you should take that first strike he has, in fact everyone staying should give up the battle items they have stored.
>>
No. 418717 ID: 09e5bf

Can dream shopkeep sell things?
>>
No. 418718 ID: 886a4d

Well Scan wasn't able to be used so I imagine not... still its a good thing to ask.
>>
No. 418724 ID: 35037c

Awwwww we should take iso along!
>>
No. 418732 ID: 886a4d

It was really up to him and he said he'd rather be in danger then alone so he is coming.
>>
No. 418734 ID: b0d466

Iso should be allowed to come with us on stages. If he does, I propose that the allies we get up to the hard limit of 100,000 C.U. be Iso, Duelist, and Recluse. We should also ask the people who AREN'T our allies but have been absorbed or retro-absorbed if they would like to stay in this safe zone and help build--allow up to 24 to rez for that purpose at the moment due to space restraints, and extend this offer to the people we absorbed last stage first--since we promised to rez them anyway, it only seems fair to offer WHERE they wish to be resurrected.
>>
No. 418747 ID: 886a4d

I prefer Scanner honestly.. just so we aren't the only female in the upper tier hah! Plus honestly Iso isn't so much as a warrior as Scanner is and we need that if we're going against the system. As long as we can resurrect Iso him dying isn't such a big deal.
>>
No. 418757 ID: 6fe4ee

What about duelist? I vote for him, bandit and Iso.
>>
No. 418759 ID: c811c4
File 133884118987.png - (7.48KB , 700x700 , sSPC-10.png )
418759

>Can the shopkeep sell things?
He says he can't. If he can, it would only be from being resurrected.

>Iso's nickname
He says he hasn't heard anything other than Iso.

Iso will still be ahead CU wise even without more CU assistance, but she doesn't have to decide on the three she will max immediately. She'll decide before she leaves this area.
>>
No. 418760 ID: c811c4
File 133884120334.png - (17.02KB , 700x700 , sSPC-11.png )
418760

When she comes back, she begins resurrecting her main party. The first thing that's noticed is how there's no cooldown. She's able to resurrect a dozen people immediately, and the battle items are left out for Alison. Chief and some of his old cohorts catch up with one another, a conversation that doesn't last terribly long.

There's an awkward silence that settles between Chief, Alison and some of the old members of Chief, before Chief breaks it saying that Alison legitimately, if luckily, beat Chief. They may as well continue going with Alison, not as though there may be much to do around here that has to do with loyalty.

Chief asks if there's much Alison would like him to do while here in particular, as a token of his thanks.
>>
No. 418762 ID: 886a4d

The only thing I can think of is he should keep an eye on Corruptor, we're going in blind here. And though we know he is using us to attract the system enforcers we don't know anything beyond that about him.
>>
No. 418763 ID: b85f8c

>>418760
Well, right now we're lacking in information on the Corruptor's group. We'll probably try to talk to people ourselves and look around a bit, but the more eyes we have out there the better.

Also uh, we should ask how the Corruptor learned how to talk the way he does.
>>
No. 418765 ID: b85f8c

Oh, and as for the other three members of our max team, I'd like to point out that everyone will be buying everything. The only difference between all four of us will be Boons and unique abilities.

Duelist is an obvious choice, as he has some Protect boons. Who else has boons though? Who else would have an extra edge? Find out.
>>
No. 418767 ID: b0d466

Ask him to hold on to the keycard for you.
>>
No. 418771 ID: 886a4d

>>418767
Math / Engineer is a better choice for that.
>>
No. 418777 ID: 886a4d

Scanner has Scan and all those boons. Duelist has protect. The only other 'unique' ability is Bandit and he might not think to well of getting 100k CU to spend. Recluse however will support this methinks. We can decide on plans to upgrade when we actually see the list available.

Oh and ask Chief about if he is willing to give unspent CU... every little bit helps.
>>
No. 418798 ID: c811c4
File 133885388096.png - (12.63KB , 700x700 , sSPC-12.png )
418798

The Chief gives Alison his remaining unspent CU, while she requests that he simply find out information. She leaves the keycard with Engineer, not fully trusting of Chief just yet.

For people with bonuses, Duelist and Scanner have the most, with protection and scanning boons.

She heads down to corruptor to speak with him again.

>"One of my newest allies. Come closer, tell me what you need."

She explains the costs of resurrections, a figure he immediately compensates her for. Afterward, she makes sure to ask how him how he speaks like he does.

>"My namesake, a series of events that led to where I am. With help from my glitcher, I can imbue you to be a corruptive entity on the system. The one you called the Outsider was imbued, and you saw how he dissolved the stage. It is as dangerous as it is useful. You will be a red beacon to the system as you destroy it, yet with it you can even destroy the safety mechanism in safe zones, or system-sanctioned individuals such as shopkeeps or barkeeps. Not a choice to be taken lightly, which is why I have not mentioned it so soon."
>>
No. 418799 ID: 132b99

well we are still trying to sneak. so no.
>>
No. 418805 ID: 082302

Save that shit for when we're in open war with the system.
>>
No. 418810 ID: 886a4d

We'll avoid that for now. Ask if there is a library or someone who has been collecting books around. Thank him for the information. ... I think we should have one of the people staying look for any mention of of the Neumino Likol. Afterwords ask everyone whether they have anyone they want to be resurrected outside our normal group since its so easy here.

Once everyone has made their decision whether to stay or come with us I think its time to head to the stage 5 rest area.
>>
No. 418819 ID: c811c4
File 133886115227.png - (14.47KB , 700x700 , sSPC-13.png )
418819

Alison declines, a choice nodded to by the Corruptor. Asking of a library, the Corruptor says that there is one. It's not so much a library as it is a pile of collected books, but she and her friends are welcome to it, but must leave the books in the safe zone.

She heads upstairs, and there isn't anyone that is particularly interested in going back to the safe zone. At least not yet.

Once she gets her CU back from catatonic, she'll have just shy of 500,000 CU. Supposedly it took more than 400k to get 4 people to a hundred K cap for reasons she hasn't been told, but even still, she will be able to bring an extra person at least near the cap.

Or she can just split everything evenly and have 5 people including herself near but not at the cap. Either way, now will be as good of a time as any to decide who will go back to the safe zone. Chief also mentions that, if possible, he would like Alison to bring the succubus back here.
>>
No. 418820 ID: 886a4d

He's probably angry at her. Still if the both want to talk... I say we leave it up to Succubus whether she and the Chief converse. Say that to him.

As for what line up we should take with us... as long as they are willing to continue fighting we'll take them. But they should be aware that fighting for continued life is no longer necessary. This is a permanent safe place for them.
>>
No. 418824 ID: 57f548

Can people get hurt here?
>>
No. 418842 ID: 886a4d

Since we're being urged to pick a smaller group I suggest this:

The 100k's :Alison, Duelist, Scanner, Recluse. These people battle whatever the System throws at them.

The fighers: Iso, Bandit, Clarence, Succubus, Shield, Sword, Twirl, Gaurdsman, Big Lizard, Healer. They support Alison hunting for absorbees and bugs / cracks and ways out from within the stages. They should avoid all conflict with the system however.

The research team: Should stay and help build, and gather information. Something Strongarm and Spear have proved good at. The more cerebral people should browse the library looking for anything like the System being mentioned. They should pay in paticular attention to AI, simulated enviroments and any mention of Likol.
>>
No. 418849 ID: c811c4
File 133887298139.png - (9.83KB , 700x700 , sSPC-14.png )
418849

>Can people be hurt here?
An indian rug burn test is brought to the point of discomfort, but no actual damage can be incurred, nor any unbearable amounts of pain.
>>
No. 418850 ID: c811c4
File 133887299402.png - (349.59KB , 900x542 , sSPC-15.png )
418850

Healer would like to come see Duelist, and Iso will come as well. Duelist, Recluse and Scanner will join in for max levels, while Guardsman wishes to come as well. Clarence says that oddly enough, she doesn't mind the stages when there isn't much risk for permanent death. Frills, Catblob, Strongarm and Twirl also would like to come along, if either for the same reason as clarence, or not feeling comfortable in a place like this.

Others would like to stay here, and Alison won't ask otherwise of them.
>>
No. 418851 ID: c811c4
File 133887300202.png - (24.75KB , 700x700 , sSPC-16.png )
418851

With that, she uses the corruptor's item to bring herself and everyone back to the safe zone, where the other four await. They ask how Alison was able to bring in so many people at once. Apparently, absolutely no time has passed in their eyes.
>>
No. 418857 ID: bdb3f8

"By breaking the rules. I think I probably have more enemies now. Enemies that can probably monitor what I say about them. But they probably can't kill me for the moment. On the plus side, a lot of the others are probably safe-ish for now. Probably."
>>
No. 418862 ID: b0d466

Use the key to teleport them to the perma-safe zone and explain the situation there
>>
No. 418868 ID: c6ec33

>>418851
Apologize, and promise them that you'll explain things after you do some shopping. Hug everyone.

Don't want to alert the system before you get what you came for. :V

Afterwards, head over to the shops and see what's on sale.
>>
No. 418878 ID: 886a4d

>>418868
Yup this...
>>
No. 418880 ID: c811c4
File 133888753628.png - (14.52KB , 700x700 , ssf5-2.png )
418880

She says she'll explain shortly, but more on that later. Hugs are given, and she heads to the shopkeep inside a nearby hut, who promptly raises his hands defensively. He says he can't sell anything to Alison, and anyone who buys anything for Alison will be blacklisted as well.

Which may be okay, because the tier 2 items are normal upgrades.
>>/questdis/55810

Alison currently has 495,204 CU to spend, and it doesn't appear that she'll be able to purchase any boons, if they're available, or other shopkeep items.
>>
No. 418882 ID: 09e5bf

If we want to hit the 100,000 CU limit exactly, these configuration of tier 2 abilities will do it:

Fortification (any) 15
Fortification (any) 13
Fortification (any) 9
First Strike 5
Scatter Damage 5

For a balanced approach, if you got all Fortifications at 14, and no first strike or Scatter Damage you'd be just short of the limit

For a focused approach, if you get one fortification 20, and two fortification 10s, with no F.S. or S.D., you'd be at the limit exactly.

For a top quality tank, get fort 20 health, and fort 15 armor. That also hits the limit exactly.

For a top level striker, Fort 20 Weapon, Fort 8 Body, and Fort 7 Armor, with first strike 4, and Scatter Damage 5.

Since after buying into tier two, tier one abilities don't count, even if we buy new ones, this can be done whenever.
>>
No. 418888 ID: 886a4d

I wonder why Corrupter didn't give enough CU to max tier 1 as well as tier 2.

Smile at the Shop Keep and nod your acceptance. Exchange pleasantries and begin CU purchase.

No more boons :( oh well for those who don't get blacklisted they should browse the wares and report back what is available, they won't be asked to buy things for us but we will give recommendations.

The four high tier should immediately get 20 armor/weapon/body, and level 10 absorb, level 5 first strike, level 5 scatter and level 10 enforcement for everything. That will leave ~20k left over for additional skill lines and specilization.

Then they should max out their available skill lines, which probably won't add more then 5k total which should be saved for any further skill lines aqquired later. If possible Scanner, Duelist and Recluse should buy Healer and Scan + boons. That will be another 3k for them at least.

For the non high tier everyone should get level 15 body / armor / weapons, and level 10 absorb. They will have to wait for tier 2 though probably not for long. They should also get their current skill lines as high as possible with the budget of 4600 CU - whatever already spent. If there is any left over they should buy boons and skill line access to whatever they want.

After shopping / spending CU is done we should take the others to a private room, then from there to our room in Sanctuary to tell them what we have learned and our decision to Rebel. Once those four have made their decisions whether to stay with Allison or help the research / investigation team is up to them.
>>
No. 418891 ID: 09e5bf

>>418888
>The four high tier should immediately get 20 armor/weapon/body, and level 10 absorb, level 5 first strike, level 5 scatter and level 10 enforcement for everything. That will leave ~20k left over for additional skill lines and specilization.

I disagree. Taking all level 10 reinforcements, combined with full ranks in first strike and scatter make it so they can't hit the 100,000 CU limit.
>>
No. 418894 ID: 09e5bf

>>418891
To further elaborate, it means the highest they can reinforce any one thing is 16, if they leave the other two at 10, or they could have a 13 and two 12s if they went for a balanced approach.

I feel this is a suboptimal point allocation to the other builds.

Alison should go
Fortification (Weapon) 15
Fortification (Armor) 13
Fortification (Body) 9
First Strike 5
Scatter Damage 5

Duelist should go
Fortification (Body) 15
Fortification (Armor) 14
Fortification (Weapon) 13

Recluse should go
Fortification (Body) 11
Fortification (Armor) 15
Fortification (Weapon) 15
Scatter Damage 3

Scanner Should go
Fortification (Armor) 14
Fortification (Weapon) 12
Fortification (Body) 14
First Strike 3
Scatter Damage 2

They should be able to buy range and what not for themselves, since it wouldn't be for Alison.
>>
No. 418895 ID: b85f8c

I would like to point out here that only the fortify X, first strike, and split damage upgrades count towards the 100k hard limit once you're in tier 2.

I'd also like to point out that getting Fortify Weapon or Fortify Armor rank 1 is cheaper than raising it to 20 in tier 1. Getting fortify health is not worth even considering unless you already have max tier 1 health, since buying 20 ranks in tier 1 health costs less than rank 1 fortify health.

This may be a system error- EXPLOIT IT.

Also it strikes me as somewhat frustrating that after tier 2, Healing is absolutely pointless due to the healing done being so low compared to health and weapon scores.

Who designed the tier 2 code? It's totally broken.
>>
No. 418896 ID: 886a4d

You do realize there are probably tier 2 skill lines so optimizing with just whats shown to us isn't all that important. In fact it probably would be foolish to leave no room for expansion if that is the case, we already know of one from ShopKeep's stats, double attack.

With level 10 enforcement and level 5 first strike any two of us will be able to one-shot a shopkeeper. Scatter isn't as important I suppose as we're aiming for max absorbtions anyway, still it will be useful when we're facing groups of people as the System realizes that pitting us against other cheaters is more beneficial then facing it with its very beatable minions.

Besides I have a plan to get around Shop Keep's ban and we need to save CU for that. It all depends on our copy of Shop Keep and whether or not he remains servered from the System.
>>
No. 418898 ID: 886a4d

>>418895
Your forgetting the entry fee, which adds 10k to that price.
>>
No. 418899 ID: 04b86a

I don't think Body/Armor/Weapon will matter as much, so let's not worry about those for the four tier two people. If nothing else, they can level those later.

For those four, I recommend the following:
Tier 1 skills:
Rank 10 Absorb
Rank 5 Range
Rank 3 Knockback and Disarm
Rank 1 Double Jump
Any boons they don't have but look useful.

Since Alison was the only one specified to have been blacklisted, the Duelist, Scanner, and Recluse should be able to buy things as needed. Alison will have to make do without Disarm. Duelist should probably buy Scan access as well, although he doesn't need to level it right now. Double Jump is a must-have. No amount of Body or Armor ranks will matter if a disappearing platform can kill you.

>>418894
This looks pretty good for the Tier 2 skills, but I think everyone should get First Strike Rank 5.

Split the rest of the CU among the other 11 to spend as they see fit.
>>
No. 418900 ID: 09e5bf

>>418896
Why don't we just ask our dream shopkeep if stuff like double attack and whatnot are actually tier two skills, and who much their ranks cost? We could also ask if he wants to join up with us.
>>
No. 418901 ID: 886a4d

Lets save on maxing out until we do confirm there is other tier two skill lines in any case... since 9 is the minimum reinforcement so get as close to 100k as possible lets at least set everyone there.

In fact while we are at the Sanctuary telling our remaining friends the deal we can ask the Corrupter for enough CU for maxing out tier 1, and if there are tier 2 skill lines.
>>
No. 418902 ID: 09e5bf

>>418899
>This looks pretty good for the Tier 2 skills, but I think everyone should get First Strike Rank 5.

Unless they also get scatter or double attack, first strike is only helpful for rank 1.
>>
No. 418903 ID: 886a4d

I imagine a rank 2 first strink beats a rank 1 first strike in priority...
>>
No. 418915 ID: b85f8c

If you ask me Scatter Damage is only useful when you're using Knockback.

...with Knockback and Scatter Damage and First Strike, is it even possible for people to hit you? I wonder if Scatter Damage works with Disarm.

I think it goes without saying that everyone should get Double Jump, Range 5, Knockback 1, and Absorb 10.
>>
No. 418918 ID: b0d466

Max your tier one stats before entering tier two
>>
No. 418940 ID: 886a4d

Alright working on a budget of 440k exactly, assuming we max out tier 1 heres what the high tier can afford:

Rank 20 Body / Weapon / Armor
Rank 10 Absorbtion
Complete Communication

Specilizations:

Alison: Rank 5 Range, Rank 3 Knockback, Double Jump

10979 Tier One Total Spent
Of the 400k 5884 Spent

Duelist: Rank 5 Range, Double Jump, Protector 6, Disarm 3, Scan 10

13659 Tier One Total Spent
Of the 400k 11628 Spent

Scanner: Rank 5 Range, Double Jump, Disarm 3, Scan 10, Heal 5


13509 Tier One Total Spent
Of the 440k 11876 Spent

Recluse: Rank 5 Range, Double Jump, Knockback 3, Scan 10


11909 Tier One Total Spent
Of the 400k 8830 Spent

TOTAL TIER 1 SPENT (Not including boons): 38 218

Assuming boons for everyone will cost ~5k in total: 43218

This leaves 396,782 for tier 2. 10k each for tier 2 access drops it down the 356k. Assuming we max out Allison at 100k the remaining 3 can spend ~85k. If we spread it evenly its ~89k each. I am going to assume we want even spread among the high tier.

Alison (88k CU):
Fortification (Body) 9
Fortification (Armor) 13
Fortification (Weapon) 12
First Strike 5
Scatter Damage 5

Duelist (89500 CU) :
Fortification (Body) 15
Fortification (Armor) 14
Fortification (Weapon) 5
First Strike 5

Recluse (88750):
Fortification (Body) 11
Fortification (Armor) 15
Fortification (Weapon) 9
First Strink 5
Scatter Damage 3

Scanner (89500 CU):
Fortification (Body) 14
Fortification (Armor) 14
Fortification (Weapon) 7
First Strike 5

TOTAL TIER 2 SPENT: 395 750

1032 CU left over.

This leaves 56K to be spread amongst the Fighers who will accompany us... though we should ask the four if they want to fight or stay first.
>>
No. 418944 ID: c811c4
File 133892178105.png - (13.32KB , 700x700 , ssf5-3.png )
418944

>Ask shopkeep about double attack
A quick nap after changing to her other costume answers that he doesn't know anything about tier 2, it's never counted as as-needed information before he was disconnected, and he can't find out while dead. Alison thanks him, and wakes back up to spend CU.

40,000 is spent to get Alison, Duelist, Recluse and Scanner up to Tier 2, followed by splitting 400,000 among them.

>>418894
Most of this is followed, however, the Recluse decides to reduce one level of armor so that he may get a couple ranks in first strike, and the Duelist does the same, but lowers his weapon rank by 1 in order to do so.
>>/questdis/55822

27926 CU is spent to get various tier 1 lines maximized, including double jump and knockback for others. Only the Duelist has disarm 3 and less than maximum ranges, but the Scanner mentions that with this amount, Alison will be left with with 27,598. That's just enough to try out resurrecting the shopkeeper before she keeps on spending, if she'd like to. All followed by dropping off a couple of people off in what she'll call the corrupted sanctuary.
>>
No. 418945 ID: 886a4d

... lets resurrect Shop Keep.
>>
No. 418946 ID: 09e5bf

resurrect dreamkeep.
>>
No. 418949 ID: 04b86a

Thirding resurrecting the Shopkeep, but doesn't the Shopkeep have different stats in safe zones? Because unless his safe zone stats have changed it shouldn't cost anything to resurrect him right now.
>>
No. 418950 ID: 09e5bf

Oh, if Alison got another weapon, could that weapon be fire magic? That would give her a light source and utility that can't be mimicked with hair.
>>
No. 418951 ID: 082302

well get his consent first before we do that.
>>
No. 418952 ID: 886a4d

Yes definately get his consent first.
>>
No. 418956 ID: 55c4cf

Okay, like. What is the PURPOSE of reviving the shopkeep? I have no idea what good this serves. If he has been disconnected from the system reviving him may get him red-flagged immediately and lose all his stuff. Or he'll just be an overpowered ally. If it works out it would be good, but I am concerned about the consequences of doing it.

Secondly, you should talk to Recluse a little bit. He hasn't said anything for the entire process, and we're bringing him in as an MVP. We might want to know how he is, and how well he fits in our cleavage. These are important things.
>>
No. 418959 ID: 886a4d

there are three reasons to resurrect Shop Keep, one so we actually have someone to buy stuff from again and two to test the limits of the system by doing something that has never been done before. The third is rather simple, we prefer our friends to be alive.
>>
No. 418966 ID: c811c4
File 133893602673.png - (19.88KB , 700x700 , ssf5-4.png )
418966

>Talk to Recluse
Alison mentions that he's been quiet. Even for him. He says he's fine, it's just been an odd change of events. Normally Alison seemed to be on top of things and more in control, while in recent events, she's had little choice but to react to conditions that were placed to her. It also seems odd to him seeing her, in a way, being a subject of the corruptor. That isn't a criticism to her actions, he believes that she's been doing fine. That's all.

>Doesn't the shopkeep only take 0 CU to resurrect?
As a matter of fact... that should be correct. She'll resurrect shopkeep next given his consent, unless she has anything to say back to Recluse first.

>New weapon
Alison does have a new weapon available after the piano, if she wishes for a fire spell.
>>
No. 418968 ID: 886a4d

Say it is strange that she is now acting under orders. However it makes sense to combine their efforts to break the system. That doesn't mean she will trust him completely or leave the decision making up to him entirely. She will continue to forge her own path if need be.
>>
No. 418971 ID: 431fa8

>>418966
Admit that the situation is far from comfortable- by putting her in this situation the Corruptor made her life much more difficult and potentially put her and all her friends in greater danger, and what she got in return seems dubious at best- it seems clear that he primarily meant to induct her into his war against the system as one of his minions, rather than acting in her best interests. But at this point there's nothing for it but to move forward, try to gather more information, and do the best we can.

If he has any other thoughts or advice they would be much appreciated, though.
>>
No. 418972 ID: 04b86a

It is indeed an odd change of events, such an odd change in fact that we really have little idea of what we're dealing with and how to respond. Once we get some more information on the situation we may be able to start actively making decisions, but until then it's simply best to listen to the Corruptor's suggestions. Hopefully Chief and the others will have learned something useful by the time we've finished the next stage.
>>
No. 418978 ID: e3f578

>>418966
Ask engineer to make a speaker system
Make a night club
Get funky, get down tonight
>>
No. 418979 ID: 55c4cf

Explain to him that things are not much different right now as they were before. Without the corrupter's interference you were headed blindly through these games as a group with no clue how many more are left or if there is even a reward. It may be a disadvantage to be following orders of a third party, but the Corrupter has not made any tedious burdens on her and has given her access to her friends, resources, and the ability to fight against the system.

I think it is fair to say Alison has more control now than she did before, and Recluse's views are still accurate from a different perspective. He has good insight and tactics, so it is good to have him watching out for us.

Tell him to keep his eyes open wide and hug him (into your tits, he is kind of staring at them and he is too polite to ask. It is basically the polite thing to do).

Also let him know he is the best.
>>
No. 418981 ID: 6e44d2

Obviously, we're going to end up running the show ourselves soon enough. Not that we need to tell anyone that.
>>
No. 418983 ID: e3aff6

Do you still have the telescope? I want to check whether all the stars appear to be instances of this area, or whether the safe zones of other stages are visible from here.
>>
No. 418988 ID: c811c4
File 133894088636.png - (11.98KB , 700x700 , ssf5-5.png )
418988

Alison admits that her situation isn't comfortable, but it mostly just seems different. She doesn't trust the Corruptor much, she knows it's dangerous, and that he may very well consider her a minion. Yet it makes sense to combine efforts, and while some of her rewards have been dubious, she hasn't been tasked with tedious burdens or the like. All she can do is to move forward, try to gather information and do her best while hoping Chief is able to find out something useful. She'll make her own path if need be. She asks if he has any other thoughts or advice.

He says it's okay if she looks down the corruptor's path, so long as she keeps her peripherals open. The important thing, he things, is that her alias 'Snake Queen' should never turn into 'Snake Girl.' Furthermore, he doesn't know of the Corruptor's motives. If he just considers people to further his own goals, then Recluse is concerned for how far the Corruptor is willing to go to bring the system down.
>>
No. 418989 ID: c811c4
File 133894089430.png - (20.92KB , 700x700 , ssf5-6.png )
418989

Although she isn't one to play favorites, she lets him know that he is very appreciated for everything he's done while picking him up into a hug. And that she caught him glancing at her chest. He says no, he's just short. He quickly insists he's not an ogler.

Thankfully Alison doesn't think he's annoyed at the tease, so at the very least, it's nice to get the mood's focal point away from corruptor's and dangers. Nevertheless, after a respectful period of Recluse hug time has passed, he says he'll be in his room if he's needed, and thanks Alison for something or another.
>>
No. 418990 ID: c811c4
File 133894090395.png - (11.68KB , 700x700 , ssf5-7.png )
418990

Alison let's him go.

>Does Alison still have the telescope?
Currently, Engineer, Alison presumes, has it. She'll be able to get it from him if desired after dropping off succubus and anyone else.

Another quick nap gets the shopkeep's consent for resurrection, and Alison does so for 0 CU. He still feels disconnected, and he must be different from the other shopkeepers now. He feels detached rather than connected even with the other shopkeeps. Yet, he has to apologize for being wishy washy about this. A few rules of the merchant ability become clear to him, and he's become a little bit scared. He knows he's not supposed to sell Alison items, even if he is disconnected.

He needs to think about this, and apologizes again. He'll come to a decision before the stage starts.
>>
No. 418995 ID: 886a4d

He makes his own decisions, and whatever they are he has her support. If he wishes he may stay in the rest area when time is up or advance with them no matter what his decision is regarding selling items. As she told the other Shop Keep outside her dreams this doesn't change the fact that she is still his friend.

We should save 5k for boon / item and skill line buying in case he decides he will sell us items then give the rest to our Fighters spread equally amongst themselves to buy whatever they wish. That should be about 2-3k each. ((An updated stat list would be nice))

Afterwords its time to scope out the other competitors and explore the stage. We haven't really looked around. Scanner should scan of course and the otheres simply rumors and talk to people. I don't imagine too many high rollers but there will be a few.
>>
No. 419022 ID: c811c4
File 133894557024.png - (17.23KB , 700x700 , ssf5-8.png )
419022

Alison says it's okay, his decisions are his, and he has her support and friendsh-

There has been a lot of hugging, this one is very tight.

She keeps going, saying that he can stay in the rest area or advance. He isn't sure if he can, but he may try it. Alison still has his imprint, after all.
>>
No. 419023 ID: c811c4
File 133894558269.png - (10.32KB , 700x700 , ssf5-9.png )
419023

Shopkeep lets Alison go, and she can scout out the safe zone now, or carry the succubus over to the corrupted sanctuary. Catatonic also says he would like to go to the sanctuary as well.

The Bandit is silent, obviously thinking something silently. Alison looks his way, silently asking back. His values, he starts, have been compromised by the system itself. The system itself is practically asking for people to abuse it. In that sense, he would be more than willing to fight it, yet he doesn't like his opponents being so nebulous.

If she does go first, the Scanner can look around while she's gone. If not, then the corrupted sanctuary can always wait.
>>
No. 419027 ID: 082302

>>419023
Tell bandit this: "I'll need your cunning to know who is and isn't a friend. Please keep your ears sharp."
>>
No. 419041 ID: 2eac65

When you killed the shopkeep, another one immediately reappeared, right? Is it possible to resurrect him again, since he's non-unique?
>>
No. 419042 ID: 0b7fa2

What does this safe area look like, (I.E. it's theme).
>>
No. 419043 ID: b0d466

Let Succubi know about chief
>>
No. 419049 ID: e3d099

Tell Bandit the important thing is that his heart is in the right place. If he follows the system or if he does not, he can make the best choices since he knows what he wants, and he knows what is right. You're definitely not confident that this glitcher has any intention of evening the odds. It's an unknown, versus a definite known to be uneven system.

>>419041

Oh shi
>>
No. 419053 ID: c811c4
File 133895077050.png - (19.24KB , 700x700 , ssf5-10.png )
419053

Bandit is told that Alison needs to know who is and isn't a friend, and a similar speech that she gave the shopkeep, that he's free to decide on his own. He figures he wouldn't mind sitting out a stage or two, but not to forget about him if Alison needs assistance in a stage. Till then, he'll see what he can find out in the sanctuary.

>Let Succubus know about the Chief
She worries that he may have sore feelings, but at the same time, she knows he can be more forgiving than he lets on.

>When you killed the shopkeep, another one immediately reappeared, right?
It's hard to confirm whether it was a different shopkeep or the same one that respawned after Alison killed him, but whatever the mechanic, she is unable to resurrect him again.

>What the safe area looks like
There are a couple of straw huts, very low tech overall. It isn't anything special, but nearby there is a light trail and a sign saying 'Communal Area.'
>>
No. 419054 ID: e3f578

>>419053
"Awww girl you stole me outfit! It's just less glisteny!"
>>
No. 419063 ID: b0d466

Make a regal entrance to the communal area
>>
No. 419066 ID: 04b86a

>>419053
>different shopkeep or the same one that respawned after Alison killed him
I think every instance of the Shopkeep is considered "unique" despite being connected to other instances and is destroyed when the Safe Zone/Stage ends, and that the absorption got us an imprint of that particular instance. The connection, in turn, can only be created if they're spawned through the instancing system instead of through resurrection. If we had access to the code, we'd probably be able to confirm this by checking the different Shopkeeps' PIDs.

tl;dr, this Shopkeep, the one we absorbed, and the one that respawned after the absorption are all the same individual.

>Communal Area
That sounds interesting. We'll have to make time to go there before entering the stage. Speaking of which, how many Entrants and Exits are there this time?

>>419054
I noticed that when we first met her. Since we picked the outfit before she even had a chance to see us, it's probably just coincidental.
>>
No. 419075 ID: 886a4d

Yes lets visit the Communal Area before we take those wishing to stay in the Corrupted Sanctuary.
>>
No. 419087 ID: c811c4
File 133895673160.png - (13.65KB , 700x700 , ssf5-11.png )
419087

>>419054
The Succubus says her clothes were always black!
Sometimes the black just doesn't appear.
Like Alison's armbands. It's a mystery.
>>
No. 419089 ID: c811c4
File 133895681068.png - (174.54KB , 700x700 , ssf5-12.png )
419089

The communal area appears to be just that. The entrance, via another hut, to a stage. There are only 20 entrants this time, but the number of exits are the same, 4. The plaque next to the entrance also says that people who were in the last stage together may start in the next stage together as a team, though that is optional.

One of the other entrants in a nearby group of four turns slightly and freezes. The scanner whispers to Alison that he just scanned a few of them.
>>
No. 419091 ID: 431fa8

>>419089
Give him a friendly wink and make a small gesture that he should come over. If he's being freaked out about our power level, there's no way he'll refuse. Have Scanner get his stats before he arrives.
>>
No. 419093 ID: 886a4d

Greet them all politely. Smile at the one who knows we're a bit more then what we should be. Have your group spread out and begin to feel out the other contenders.

Mr. Scanner will probably tell his group at the very least of what he discovered. So you should deal with him personally. Talk to them, explain that you have resurrection and have been gathering people together who want to survive more then just stage to stage... who want out of the Game hence how you have more then four people with you. Unfortuantely there are limits and you can't resurrect everyone at the same time and the way the last few exits have worked have seriously limited the amount of people you can bring back to life...

Make it seem like you've been absorbing every single person for the last 4 stages and have spread the wealth as it were to your most loyal followers.
>>
No. 419097 ID: b0d466

>>419093
This approach is a bit too forward for me. Let's wait for them to ASK before we start spewing answers.

For now, polite greetings.
>>
No. 419098 ID: 09e5bf

At one point, We should probably dream talk to some of the people who weren't our direct allies in the last stage, to see what they'd like to do. If they'd like to join us, be revived here and continue on their own, or stay at the sanctuary (which we would do after room is built for them).
>>
No. 419100 ID: 09e5bf

Also, get the fire spell.
>>
No. 419121 ID: b85f8c

I am unsure about how we should deal with the knowledge of our groups' stats, or about how we've decided to fight the system.

Let's not be a blabbermouth about it though. If they ask how we're so strong, we can tell them we have to be to fight the system itself.
>>
No. 419130 ID: 082302

Walk up to the guy and just say "Im not here to hurt you."
>>
No. 419184 ID: c811c4
File 133897268355.png - (20.62KB , 900x700 , ssf5-13.png )
419184

A generic fireball spell is gained as an additional weapon. Scanner quickly whispers a generic rundown of their spent CU levels, saying they're nothing special. They've likely absorbed those they come across, but nothing more.

Alison moves forward to give greetings to them. Their scanner is whispering to them, and they shoot glances back to Alison.

They return greetings in kind, and introductions are given. Yet, Smoke says there isn't much point in talking, given they're likely at ends with one another. He's confident, especially so considering the power gap.
>>
No. 419188 ID: b85f8c

>>419184
Ask why they think you'd be enemies. There's no reason for you to fight that we know of.
>>
No. 419190 ID: 886a4d

They probably think they can take us due to puzzle dickery, or have encountered other cheaters the system has cracked down on. Wish them luck and lets see who else is around, just in case however have Scanner look at items and special abilities... maybe there is an assasinate skill line.
>>
No. 419191 ID: 431fa8

>>419184
Laugh and tell him there's always a point in talking; we have yet to meet someone who wasn't worth knowing. Life is too short to pass up potential friendships, no matter how the stages turn out. Besides, even lost friends can stay with you.
>>
No. 419192 ID: 09e5bf

>>419184
Explain that you don't have to be at odds with each other. That you have a way to get more people through a stage than it technically allows through resurrection.

If they want to work with you, you can extend to them the same courtesy you do others. If they don't want to, then wish them luck, and head off.

Also, revive Gambler.
>>
No. 419197 ID: 6e44d2

Have they maybe upgraded to tier 2? Doesn't that reset spent CU?
>>
No. 419199 ID: 09e5bf

>>419197
it does, but none of them have spent cu totals that are possible in tier 2.

Therefor, they are all tier one.
>>
No. 419209 ID: 55c4cf

Ask the Corrupter for body modification money to acquire genitalia, I think this is basically what everyone wants.
>>
No. 419213 ID: b85f8c

>>419192
Oh shit, we do need to do that if we haven't yet already. We agreed to.
>>
No. 419215 ID: b85f8c

>>419209
Let's not.
>>
No. 419217 ID: 886a4d

>>419215
Agree with this
>>
No. 419233 ID: 35037c

A lot of people don't even have sex drives, so we need to wait on acquiring genitalia for when we are ready to raise the bar with Iso.
>>
No. 419275 ID: c811c4
File 133901480890.png - (10.54KB , 700x700 , ssf5-14.png )
419275

Alison tells Smoke that there's always reason to talk, as she has yet to meet anyone who wasn't worth knowing. She has resurrection as well, allowing for more people to get through a stage. Although Relayer does vouch for this, Alison proves it anyway by resurrecting Gambler.

Between Gambler's resurrection and the confirmation that all of Alison's friends were in fact in the last stage together, Smoke's group does hesistantly warm up to Alison. Smoke asks what Alison would ask of them, if they were to play nice.
>>
No. 419277 ID: b85f8c

Just non-aggression will do. The less conflict we have with other players during what's to come, the better.
>>
No. 419278 ID: b0d466

That everyone wait at the end of the stage so that no one is left behind/unabsorbed/unable to be resurrected in the next safe zone, and to do their best to absorb everyone who falls for the same reason.

Oh, that reminds me- if absorb is available from the shop and someone doesn't have it (on our team or otherwise) give them the funds to purchase it, and bring up some more of our allies absorb levels / give them funds for any cool boons or items they want in the shop
>>
No. 419283 ID: 09e5bf

Non-agression is good enough. If we are both on a stage, we can work towards the goal together.

Note that many of Alison's friends have rank 10 absorption, and she has recursive absorptions of all of them, so being absorbed by her friends will let people get resurrected just as well as if she had done it herself.

Priority for exits, at least when the exits can't go over capacity, goes to people with extra lives and Alison.
>>
No. 419286 ID: b0d466

>>419278
Oh, but don't give away /too/ much right now, you have to keep enough to revive the people you promised to revive. Once the ability cool-down time has passed, get on that.
>>
No. 419288 ID: 09e5bf

>>419286
I think we should dream talk to everyone we have absorbed about the situation with us, the system, and the corruptor.

Find out what their stance on things is.
>>
No. 419302 ID: 886a4d

Later, after we explored a bit and finished with everything to do here.
>>
No. 419305 ID: c811c4
File 133902141798.png - (16.62KB , 700x700 , ssf5-15.png )
419305

Simply non-aggression, Alison says. Smoke sounds skeptical that that is honestly the only thing that Alison is asking for, but nevertheless, he is fine with it. It's hard to tell what the stage will entail anyways.

Alison says she'll keep in contact as she can, and goes on to others. She finds 7 of the other 12 contenders that must be around; the remaining 5 must be on seperate islands such as the one Alison arrived on. Scanner feeds the data to Alison, and no one seems to stand out. It's all tier 1 with plain abilities and generic shop-given boons.

The ones with scan range from heavy concern to outright fear, but Alison is able to talk them down. More people appear to be peaceable, but whether that's because that's the kind of people who survive, because of Alison's levels, because of raw chance or a mix of such things, Alison can't say. Either way, she gets everyone to at least say they'll agree for non-aggression.

>Talk to everyone Alison has absorbed
With recursion, that would be literally hundreds, possibly more. She'll have to be more specific unless she spends far too long talking with people that, frankly, she barely knows.
>>
No. 419307 ID: bdb3f8

man, it's supposed to be non-aggression AND make sure nobody dies without getting absorbed. It's probably an academic point at this stage, but you should still mention it to people, if nothing else so you can explain your intent to save as many as you can.
>>
No. 419310 ID: 886a4d

What we need to do is hold a press conference in our Dream. Recruit the dead to gather everyone together then tell them everything once gathered... they can ask questions afterwords in an orderly fashion via hand raising.

Alright we can do that in the Corrupted Sanctuary... leave Scanner behind to keep an eye on the commons and take those who wish to to it. Once there we can escort Succubus to the Cheif and offer to stand by her while they talk.
>>
No. 419359 ID: c811c4
File 133902781745.png - (267.97KB , 700x700 , ssf5-16.png )
419359

>On getting absorbed on death
Oh, yes. Alison has ran through everyone, and there is absolutely no one who is going through this stage who does not have at least level 1 absorption. Hence, chances are, the only deaths that occur without getting absorbed are likely unavoidable, but she does make it a point to tell the ones she's come across so far.

With that, she takes the Succubus, Catatonic and the Bandit to the corrupted sanctuary.
>>
No. 419360 ID: c811c4
File 133902782935.png - (16.59KB , 700x700 , sCS-1.png )
419360

She arrives in a different spot this time, and it appears to be a place where many people are gathering. Engineer calls out to Alison, and he was wondering if she was going to show up this hour. When asked what he means, the Engineer explains how time works here, since it's impossible to freeze time permanently and not have issues come up with people who leave to go to places in normal time.
>>
No. 419363 ID: c811c4
File 133902794349.png - (8.49KB , 700x700 , sCS-2.png )
419363

For 499 hours, beginning at the point when the last stage ended, time in the sanctuary became frozen, or close enough to frozen from a practical standpoint. So, while the equivalent of over 16 safe zone timers passed in Engineer's eyes, only a negligible moment passed in Alison's sense of time. During this, people who leave would go to the standard timer would not be able to come back until the corrupted sanctuary is unpaused and time continues as normal.

So, after those 499 hours have passed, the Corruptor gives the order to the glitcher to unpause the sanctuary for usually one hour. During this hour is when people arrive, a special event in the corrupted sanctuary even though in the normal perspective, they may have only spent 30 minutes before coming back here.

In about 14 minutes, according to the clocktower here, the sanctuary will be paused again for another 499 hours. During this, anyone may leave, but no one will appear to return until everything is unpaused again. Hence why over 499 hours, the population here dwindles, but quickly resurges over the next hour. This is how enough time has been made to construct such building using hard labor alone.

Engineer notes that someone could have left here and joined Alison to explain this, but things are going well enough here, so there was little point. In any case, he hopes he explained it well enough.
>>
No. 419364 ID: 886a4d

Thank him, you had wondered how exactly that worked. Looks like after the Chief / Succubus meeting you will be seeing if anyone has anything to report. Tell Engineer to spread the word that your back and wondering if they have learned anything new. You'll handle Chief and whomever is with him.
>>
No. 419376 ID: fdad59

Ask Engineer where they're getting the construction materials from. Do they have to bring everything in from outside the Sanctuary, or do they have a glitcher that can create materials?
>>
No. 419378 ID: 04b86a

I wondered how quickly they could build things without advanced tools for a moment, but it's actually pretty easy for them if they're doing it right. A high rank in Body will make them really strong, and having a versatile weapon form like Alison's hair will make moving things a lot easier and significantly improve their reach. Of course, most people probably don't have those kinds of weapon forms...

Ask him where they're getting the building materials, how many people are using weapon forms as tools, and what kinds of forms are being used. We might need to have the Corruptor get everyone's weapon ranks up enough to get a new form if not many are taking advantage of them already.
>>
No. 419391 ID: 35037c

Yeah totally got it, physics is now our whore...
>>
No. 419396 ID: e3d099

It's pretty obvious that the Corruptor's area is special, accelerated or something. It's sort of like a glove duel in a stage, but permanent and with combat turned off. Well, hopefully we don't get far out of the loop hanging around the other safe zone for 30 hours / 2 years. Tell the Engineer that if anything big starts going down, he should try to reach Alison so at least we'll have a few seconds to prepare where she is.
>>
No. 419398 ID: 886a4d

The very first stage we encountered something similiar... if you entire a stage early you freeze in time until everyone else enters. This is simply treating everything else like it was a stage vs rest area deal.
>>
No. 419399 ID: c811c4
File 133903399899.png - (7.91KB , 700x700 , sCS-3.png )
419399

Thanking the Engineer and mentioning she had wondered how it worked, Alison says to spread the word while she brings the Succubus to Chief. Engineer says he'll do that, although right now most of Alison's group is in the keep together.

Alison asks just where the supplies come from. Engineer answers that the safe zone core regenerates quickly enough that the same rocks can be mined out repeatedly, so long as nothing is placed to block the hole.

>How many are using weapon as tools?
Most everyone, the Engineer explains. The cost was paltry enough that the Corruptor allowed enough CU to get everyone to 20 body and enough to get the next weapon rank, although most had not even used their 2nd weapon form. Even with the stats, interestingly enough, some appeared more apt to construction than others, aside from body structure or body and weapon stat. Mentality being the obvious suspect.

Before Alison gets too far, Engineer says that she may want to bring more people here. The Corruptor told the Engineer to say that she will get a tract of land in which to build a house herself, to make more residential room for more people. Hence, she may wish to stay here for some degree of time, in which she may as well have her main group around during that time.
>>
No. 419400 ID: 886a4d

We might as well.
>>
No. 419401 ID: b0d466

Quick hop back to the safe zone and bring everyone over before the next time freeze happens
>>
No. 419407 ID: 04b86a

A thought occurs to me. If this place is similar to the Stage 3 safe zone, does it also have the moat cave? Maybe this one has an actual entrance instead of a wall, or we could use our high Body to break through the wall and see if there's anything behind it.
>>
No. 419412 ID: c811c4
File 133903617743.png - (18.35KB , 700x700 , sCS-4.png )
419412

10 minutes is more than enough time, given everyone was still in the vicinity, and certainly within shouting distance. For the time being, she keeps herself out of sight from the other contenders. Everyone else is brought, and Engineer leads them back into the keep.

>Moat cave
Engineer says it might, but there's been so much construction on top of the moat that it may be difficult to just find out where the cave at. In any case, the stage entrance was only a hollow tube, so there probably won't be anything special about the moat cave.
>>
No. 419413 ID: c811c4
File 133903632904.png - (13.57KB , 700x700 , sCS-5.png )
419413

A welcome is given when Alison returns, and the Succubus waves to Chief, asking what it was he wanted, and hopes he's not mad about her turncoating quickly. Chief says he's not happy about it, but it's in the past. He simply wanted her help in finding information, since she can act friendly to people she doesn't like, something Chief hates to do. It was nothing big.

Speaking of which, Chief tells Alison that he hasn't found out much that the Corruptor doesn't freely share. On the surface, he runs a loose ship. Yet perhaps he can afford to, as he can kick anyone out of the sanctuary at will, regardless of stats. Some theorize that he can even kill anyone while here, but that isn't something that can be easily asked about on a whim.
>>
No. 419417 ID: b0d466

Meet back up with everyone--it's been almost 500 hours, you are WAY behind on your time passed to hug ratio!
>>
No. 419418 ID: 886a4d

Yes mandatory hugs to the people who haven't seen you for 3 weeks... thats almost longer then you've existed. Talk to each individually and ask their impressions on both the Corruptor and those who seem closest to him as well as how they've been doing here. We have the time apparently.
>>
No. 419420 ID: fdad59

Task Succubus and Chief with finding out the earliest actions of Corrupter. We're looking for people who knew him, of him, or saw him before he became what he is. Failing that, talk to those who have been here the longest, and ask them about how they met Corrupter, what'd they do in those early days, and if there were any falling outs and expulsions from the Sanctuary. There's a nagging suspicion that Corrupter was never a player; That he was created as a challenge to the System, and that the real battle of this world is the Corrupter verses the System.

Meet up with Engi and Math and ask them to start a detailed, sector by sector telescope survey of the sky in this realm. You know it looks like there are no "stars," and therefor no other zones like this one, but they might just not be lit.
>>
No. 419447 ID: c811c4
File 133904518431.png - (37.69KB , 700x700 , sCS-6.png )
419447

>Hugs
Check.

Alison tells the Chief and Succubus to focus some on the earliest actions of the corruptor and how he came to be. The Chief has a few details, but will focus on getting a thorough story. After all, they have a great deal of time now, and none of what he's found out requires any urgency.

>Use telescope
Engineer actually had already done that during an idle period. There is absolutely nothing in space out there that he's found aside from those odd stemlike veins in the sky, and the telescope doesn't yield any details. The Corruptor has said they've always been there, and doesn't know what they are. Could be something or nothing.
>>
No. 419448 ID: c811c4
File 133904531641.png - (12.23KB , 700x700 , sCS-7.png )
419448

>Talk to people
She'll speak with those who are currently here.

Friendgy has helped Engineer make designs on buildings, and she does like it here. Mathematician is the same way, as he's had a lot more time to learn through what library there is.

Shield and Swordswoman have gotten to know each other by the sounds of it. Both of them are somewhat uncomfortable around here, but it's better than the stages. They simply noted that there are cliques within the corrupted sanctuary, and an odd amount of internal competition for small things, such as who works hardest.
>>
No. 419449 ID: c811c4
File 133904533923.png - (20.07KB , 700x700 , sCS-8.png )
419449

Mouse, Big Lizard and Small Lizard have taken well to this area. They do get along well with Chief and are glad Alison resurrected him. They have probably worked the hardest for the construction they've been tasked with over the last cycle, at least for the manual labor. They do like it aside from having a few misgivings, although it appears that the Corruptor does allow there to be some discontent with him, at least among the individuals that were brought in indirectly. Tolerance would likely be low if Alison complained much.

Horned Flopear, Dress, Cube and Sock Slime have also had a few misgivings being part of what feels like an aggressive resistance group, but nothing worth complaining about. They make sure to thank Alison for bringing them to this area nonetheless.
>>
No. 419450 ID: c811c4
File 133904534860.png - (13.02KB , 700x700 , sCS-9.png )
419450

Engineer does remind Alison that the Corruptor wanted to see her, so she heads down. Regardless of time, he's in the same place.

>"Welcome back. I'm sure your allies have told you what they know. They are good workers, and have merited you more room within this space. I give my most valuable members with many allies territory where they may build what they like, as to give more room for their allies who stay here. We aren't able to summon construction materials out of nowhere, and so I trade those materials for CU and work hours spent making more communal buildings, such as the main keep and recreational buildings. Details will be sorted out, but as I understand it, you have a few technical-minded individuals who are suited for such micromanagement. For now, do you have any questions, or shall I show you to your lot?
>>
No. 419451 ID: 299ed3

"How did you find this place?"
>>
No. 419452 ID: 886a4d

Ask if there is a tier 3... or tier 2 skill lines. Otherwise I can't think of anything to ask.
>>
No. 419453 ID: 132b99

>>419451
already explained dude.
>>
No. 419456 ID: b0d466

How does he obtain/generate(?) such immense quantities of C.U., is the first thing that comes to mind.
>>
No. 419462 ID: fdad59

Ask if he has anybody monitoring the size and position of those black veins in the sky, just in case they mean something. If he doesn't, say you'll ask Engineer or Math to record measurements on them occasionally.

Say that Engineer said they mine the regenerative safe zone core for construction materials, but you're wondering where they get things like furniture from; Do they carry or glitch it in from other safe zones? Also, have they tried bringing in more materials by glitch-'porting large chunks of empty safe zones here? Oh, and has anybody actually observed a new safe zone or other system structure being made?

Finally, ask what's the highest level in the system that anybody they know of has reached.
>>
No. 419467 ID: c811c4
File 133904905855.png - (11.53KB , 900x700 , sCS-10.png )
419467

>How did the corruptor find or make this place?
>"Aside from the luck involved, that, Miss, is a trade secret. The only ones who need to know about that are the ones who want to make one for themselves."

>Tier 2 skill lines
>"Of course. Split damage and First Strike are considered free entry skills for instance. I will have a list of known skills delivered to your residence later."

>Tier 3, or the highest level
>"Tier 3 likely exists, but I have found no such thing, and the highest level I have seen is us at 100k.

>Monitoring the size and position of those black veins in the sky
>"I have kept an exceedingly focused look on their patterns, as even I will admit such a thing is a constant discomfort I would be glad to be rid of. They haven't done anything more alarming than what you've already seen, however."

>Where they get things like furniture from
"Unlike normal teleportation, a glitch teleportation back to here will also carry items that you are holding normally, so long as it is not touching anything except for either you, or other people who also are touching you. With this, we're able to carry in furniture, wood and other items in relatively small quantities."

>Is there a contingency plan if the system gets in there?
>"No. We are working on one, but other than 'get out', there is not one.

>How does he obtain such an amount of CU?
>"There is the way you're familiar with, using one ups, absorb 10, resurrection and giving CU from one person to the next. But think of if you had more than 20 people on board, and instead had thousands. A similar effect can be done with banditry. Thus far, that has been the most effective strategy, but it is also possible to visit old stages for CU rewards. However, there are a few pitfalls that can make it dangerous. I do not recommend it overall, although it is a steady source of CU for those willing to take part. Now. Anything else?"
>>
No. 419470 ID: 886a4d

Actually yes one last question, would revisiting stages renew chest rewards?
>>
No. 419471 ID: 35037c

> "How far has the system intruded?"
>>
No. 419472 ID: b0d466

>The only ones who need to know about that are the ones who want to make one for themselves.

You mean a space like this, like the safe zones and the stages? From what you've heard it seems to be keyed to the Corrupter specifically--does anything contradict the possibility that the normal stages may be similarly keyed to a specific individual?
>>
No. 419474 ID: fdad59

Suggest that if the System does get in here, Corrupter could get out undetected by deliberately losing a white glove duel with someone that has absorption level 10 and resurrection, who then glitch teleports out. That person then sleeps and meets him in the dreamworld. He imparts his knowledge of how to make a new Sanctuary, that person creates one, then resurrects Corrupter there. It would require sharing his "trade secret," but that's better than being destroyed by the System. Add that whoever it is would best be unknown to the System, or very nearly so.

>>419470
Yes, this is a good question. If you could re-run level 3, the one where you got the resurrection boon, you might be able to take an additional absorption boon as well. Of course, this will probably draw system attention.
>>
No. 419475 ID: b0d466

>>419474
Not to mention you might be able to get more people the resurrection boon
>>
No. 419477 ID: c811c4
File 133905143450.png - (15.13KB , 700x700 , sCS-11.png )
419477

>Would revisiting a stage regenerate chest rewards?
>"Yes, absolutely, but I should mention that if you have any interest in doing such an act, know that the chests often trigger Judges to arrive. Strong ones from the system, those. I do have other people to talk to, Snake Queen, so please talk to the Arbiter if you would like to know more. One of your allies should know where he can be found by now."

>How far has the system intruded?
>"Enough to make things difficult, but not unbearably so."

>>419474
>Whoever it is would be best unknown to the System, or very nearly so.
>"And there-in lies the problem, who to trust who is not flagged by the system? It has merits, though, but it is not without flaw. I won't dwell on it, because, no offense, but you are new. If I enacted such a plan, you would not be involved."

>You mean a space like this, like the safe zones and the stages? From what you've heard it seems to be keyed to the Corrupter specifically--does anything contradict the possibility that the normal stages may be similarly keyed to a specific individual?
>"That is an interesting thought, but not one I have seen evidence towards. Nevertheless, I would not say that this safe zone is only tied to just me. Now, you are new, so you have reason to not know, so I will tell you."
>>
No. 419478 ID: c811c4
File 133905145431.png - (10.47KB , 700x700 , sCS-12.png )
419478

>"How this safe zone works does not have a place in polite conversation, if you do catch my drift."
>>
No. 419480 ID: 886a4d

Err, ya back off for now. Our curiousity can be our undoing in this case. Lets see those lands shall we?

Afterwords to the Arbiter, then see what tier 2 skills we've missed out on b/c we maxed out our levels aready. Then time to have a press conference of the dead!
>>
No. 419482 ID: b0d466

Apologies for any offense; your curiosity got the better of you.
>>
No. 419483 ID: 886a4d

Don't mention this to him but Engineer mentioned the Core, perhaps creating a place like this involves travelling to a blanked Rest Areac that was wiped previously with a Rest Area Core and using the Glitcher to 'grow' a new Rest Area. Since the Rest Area already can manipulate Time and Space all you would need is something to tweak the settings... the Glitcher in this case.

I think one of the things Engineer should show us is the Core so we can recognize it later.
>>
No. 419484 ID: 09e5bf

Say you did not mean to offend him.

Head off to work on a house for Alison. It'll need to be big enough for her and her friends.
>>
No. 419486 ID: fdad59

Apologize for prying, and say you'll ask the Arbiter any other questions you have later on. Now, lets go have a look at that lot.

>>419483
Yes, that would be good to check, but not right away. It'd be very suspicious to do so right after blatantly bringing it up with the Corrupter. Alison could safely ask Engineer about it beforehand, though.
>>
No. 419488 ID: 04b86a

Er, yeah. Sorry. We'd feel the same way if someone we didn't fully trust was asking about us that sort of thing; the idea of a rival inter-bracket group forming would be something of concern.

I can't think of any more questions that the Arbiter can't answer, so... he said he wanted to show us to our lot?
>>
No. 419494 ID: b85f8c

Okay, so, this isn't really a safe zone, but anyone who starts shit gets their shit wrecked?

Well he's said his time is limited, so let's go find the Arbiter.
>>
No. 419519 ID: c811c4
File 133905844951.png - (597.61KB , 900x900 , sCS-13.png )
419519

Alison apologizes for her curiosity.
>"No need. Curiosity is good, and you couldn't have known. Just know to suppress that curiosity now that you know."

She excuses herself, and the corruptor gives a cordial goodbye. He sends Alison a guide to show her the way as she gathers everyone. He generally keeps quiet as Alison gets everyone and is led to the lot.

The locale is the end of a peninsula. The Big Lizard, who may be in need of a better name along with 'small lizard', says they filled in this area, but didn't know what its purpose was. Only just now did a basic sign get hammered in labeled 'House of the Snake Queen'. Her guide says that she may build behind the gate. He notes that there is no gate on the back region - she is welcome to pile up dirt for more room or build alongside the side of the cliff, but given the manual labor involved, she should worry about the given land initially.
>>
No. 419520 ID: c811c4
File 133905850293.png - (22.53KB , 700x700 , sCS-14.png )
419520

>Safe zone core
Engineer says that the 'core' was just a reference to the inner portion of the safe zone's mass. Up to about 10 feet deep into the safe zone's default won't regenerate unless it's actually thrown off the side of a cliff, but remove any mass deeper than that, and the mass will be regenerated if allowed.

The highest dimensions are 100 meters long and wide. The Engineer says he would be happy to design the details and blueprints, but given that this is her place, she should tell him what she would like to see, if not outright make a blue sketch. Multiple floors are an option, of course.
>>
No. 419526 ID: e3d099

Eeeeee building gaem

Too bad it's late. :/
>>
No. 419543 ID: 886a4d

We need living quarters, a workshop / laboratory, a library, a kitchen and an observatory with the largest telescope one can build. Oh and a ballroom so we may host the most lavish parties.

Those dark spots don't look like cracks to me... they look like plants.
>>
No. 419544 ID: 09e5bf

We need a mansion. Possibly with a pool.

There should be a music room, kitchen, library, living quarters, ballroom, observatory, and a main hall which can be used for parties.

I think a generally three story mansion, with the observatory being a fourth floor would be good.
>>
No. 419545 ID: 886a4d

I think it would be better if the observatory would be in a tower of so sorts so it can get an unobstructed view 360 degrees around. Perferable on the far edge of the peninsula.


... Hmmm I wonder if at level 20 our fire spell is strong enough to melt stone and metals. Might be an idea to set up a forge / smelter as well.
>>
No. 419564 ID: b0d466

Ok, before we plan too much we should gather everyone and ask if they have any requests in terms of layout or features--it'll be their house as much as ours, after all.

Things we should get: Entrance hall, Ballroom+stage (opening to patio/garden), banquet hall + outdoor seating (opening to patio/garden), pavillion (in garden), pond (in garden), forge, workshops + studios (for recreational arting, individuals who intend to spend a lot of time in these buildings/rooms should have a say in their layout; individual areas for those who would like them), Music room (for practice + small performances), library(Account for future growth/lots of shelf space), individual bedrooms (plan with individuals for specifics, lounge rooms, kitchen(s),observatory....am I forgetting anything?

Three story house with outlying buildings sounds good, Observatory can get its own tower, for example...

on the map 4 pixels = 1 meter, for those who want to be precise
>>
No. 419566 ID: 09e5bf

>on the map 4 pixels = 1 meter, for those who want to be precise

assuming all the things that say its a 100x100m area are correct (and not the 25m note), that means 5 pixels = 1 meter.
>>
No. 419570 ID: b0d466
File 133908995547.png - (116.84KB , 2100x700 , RoughBlueprintsProposal.png )
419570

How's this for general placement of things? Sorry for the illegible handwriting.
>>
No. 419578 ID: b4798d
File 133909398193.png - (34.96KB , 699x700 , House design & floor plan (basic).png )
419578

General layout - corners have an extra floor above the main compound (except for area 1, which has two extra levels), central area is open.

Areas 1 and 4 are manufacturing and construction, heavier stuff on floor 1. Give Engineer a personal workshop for stuff on the third floor of area 1, and put the observatory on the top floor.

Area 7 is primarily planning and organization - offices and etc.

Area 8 is split between the first and second floors - first floor is the entrance hall (be sure to include an impressive staircase), sitting rooms, a lounge, a social hall, and such. The second floor is the library and records.

Area 2 is the kitchen and storage areas for material and foodstuffs. Such as there is.

Areas 3, 6, and 9 are living areas - first floor area 3 is a dining hall, and the first floor of area 9 has recreation areas. Area 6 and the upper levels are all bedrooms - area 9 bedrooms are reserved for organizers/planners/etc (for easy access to the offices in area 7).

Area 5 is the inner courtyard - a patio, fishpond/swimming pool on the east end, flower garde, whatever else people want to see in there.

Area 10 is a staging/testing area for projects and large construction. Be sure to include a decent-sized gate in the fence (or remove part of it entirely) to get stuff out to supply to the rest of the zone.

Area 11 is a garden plot for foodstuffs, such as we have the ability to grow. When we can. *shrug*

Possible project suggestions for once the main house construction is finished: any devices that would make other construction (elsewhere in the zone) easier - digging and earthmoving equipment especially.
>>
No. 419581 ID: 35037c

We need a castle in the theme of either russian or european
>>
No. 419582 ID: c811c4

>>419520
25 * 5 = 100 apparently.

Kindly pretend I wrote 20 m, not 25 m. 5 pixels does equal 1 meter.
>>
No. 419584 ID: 4bdd79

>>419578
Perfect.

>>419581
Let's see if we can work this aesthetic into the above.
>>
No. 419602 ID: fdad59

Actually, on the subject of mining and construction equipment, ask Engineer if he's seen others with advanced tools as weapons, or possibly armor. Stuff like mining drills, mining lasers, powered construction suits, which are like power armor, but without the armor and with multiple attached power tools and manipulators. If not, maybe some of our group could choose such as weapon and armor forms.
>>
No. 419605 ID: 1444d5

>Up to about 10 feet deep into the safe zone's default won't regenerate unless it's actually thrown off the side of a cliff, but remove any mass deeper than that, and the mass will be regenerated if allowed.
First task is to excavate down 10 feet throughout the plot. That should give plenty of initial working material, and allow easy access to more.
>>
No. 419614 ID: fdad59

>>419605
Except that was 10 feet deep in the initial area of the safe zone, not what has been added on.
>>
No. 419652 ID: e3aff6

I am kind of wondering how expanding this zone works. Is there a 'foundation' that the Corrupter is expanding, or is all this expansion gradually moving outwards from a single zone of structural support? We should ask Engineer whether structural soundness is actually an issue here.
And can you drop a rock or something over the edge and see it fall continuously?
>>
No. 419692 ID: 886a4d

Alright I think we have a couple good designs here... now I think we should participate in at the very least laying the foundation, but preferably we can assist in finishing it.

During breaks we can continue to talk to our friends, for stuff like discovering what names Big Lizard/ Small Lizard would prefer. Then talk the to the Arbiter about Judges and possibly getting the third stage chest again. (We'd need at least three people to provide keys for that door, as well as cornering Blue) If it is viable I suggest at the 300 hour mark we go redo that level at least once for ability absorbtion. We should take Recluse, Scanner and Duelist with us for a Judge throwdown.
>>
No. 419702 ID: c811c4
File 133912245883.png - (183.49KB , 700x700 , sCS-15.png )
419702

While the Engineer helps Alison lay down more precise plans, Alison will go ahead and ask a few questions.

>Advanced tools as weapons such as mining lasers, powered construction suits, etc
Engineer says that he has, but more than anything else it's the weapon stat that counts. A level 20 chisel, oddly enough, can do more than a level 15 power anything.

>Excavate 10 feet down
As thought of, that only applies to the normal safe zone defaults. Alison's lot is entirely artificial.

>Structural soundness
Engineer says that's not an issue. They can just pile on dirt horizontally, but are sure to make it deep enough to make sure it's safe.

>Drop a rock over
It falls far enough that it can't be seen anymore.
>>
No. 419703 ID: c811c4
File 133912246657.png - (10.82KB , 700x700 , sCS-16.png )
419703

>Ask Big/Small Lizard about a new name.
They say they aren't picky, and it's entirely up to Alison to give them a name if she likes.
>>
No. 419706 ID: 886a4d

What have they proved themselves adept at / what do they like to do the most? They can have that as a face name... their group name shall be Alfred for the big lizard and Marley for the small one.

Everyone in our group should consider picking a 'conventional' name as well to distinguish themselves from the Corrupter's main group who seems to dislike them. To that effect we should ask Duelist if he is willing to share his name with us yet.
>>
No. 419707 ID: 35037c

Big Lizard > Menfaro Wisperwind
Small Lizard > Windsor Manafesto
>>
No. 419711 ID: e3f578

>>419703
Dick Justice
Charles Manfred
>>
No. 419712 ID: fdad59

Call Big Lizard "Atlas," and Small Lizard "Charles."

...Did Big Lizard get even bigger and more muscle-y while he was here, or is it just the close-up shot?
>>
No. 419728 ID: c811c4
File 133913064838.png - (9.04KB , 700x700 , sCS-17.png )
419728

>>419712
Most likely the close up shot, but they have been doing constant construction for 500 hours.

She will keep things simply by renaming Big Lizard 'Atlas' and Small Lizard 'Charles.'

>Ask Duelist about his old name
He mentions that those events on stage 2 seem like ages ago. He was called Mako, that long ago.

While Engineer still considers suggestions for her house, Alison does have some tasks on the backlog.

>Visit the Arbiter
>Gather everyone she can in her dream
>Explore the Corrupted Sanctuary to get a better idea of its layout and landmarks
>Forget the above and finalize Alison's House.
>>
No. 419754 ID: c6ec33

>>419728
Do ALL of the things, and in that order!

We probably shouldn't finalize a house until we know exactly how many people will be there. :V
>>
No. 419760 ID: 886a4d

>Visit the Arbiter
What we want to know from this guy... how does redoing Stages work exactly, what pitfalls are there, how much time does it take to do a stage, Can we do this and be finished in time to do stage 5, and what can we expect from Judges.

>Gather everyone she can in her dream
What we need from these people is resurrection priority. The people who are curious, who can work well with others and are willing to support Alison in her endeavors are all people we want to resurrect first. As we expand the Snake Queen's desmesne more and more people will be resurrected.

>Explore the Corrupted Sanctuary to get a better idea of its layout and landmarks
Definately get a good idea of just how large this place is and all the notable places. There probably is already workshops, libraries etc, what haven't we thought of and what seems to be missing; as it will tell us more of the Corruptors mindset. We should also note where people are NOT allowed to go...
>>
No. 419762 ID: 09e5bf

>>419760
>What we want to know from this guy...

And what tier 2 skills are and how they work.
>>
No. 419766 ID: e3d099
File 133914449358.png - (124.15KB , 700x700 , buildingplan.png )
419766

As for building, just a small cottage in the center, nothing too labor intensive. You can plant stuff on either side of it, leave it open for wandering through. Wait... are there plants?
>>
No. 419773 ID: 09e5bf

>>419570
I generally support this design.

And think it should have a relatively modern mansion look to it.
>>
No. 419787 ID: c811c4
File 133915838914.png - (89.62KB , 700x700 , sCS-18.png )
419787

>Castle/Mansion look
The engineer says that nearly all of the construction material will be wood and stone. Getting things like paint, plaster and plants are much rarer to come by. Plants can be grown, however.

Alison asks, and is pointed in the right direction to the Arbiter's place. A doorman initially blocks her route, informing her that she needs to have the seal of the Arbiter to prove that she's one of his. On mentioning who she is, however, the doorman apologizes and allows Alison inside, telling her that the Arbiter will be in a straight line through the doors.
>>
No. 419789 ID: c811c4
File 133915847190.png - (13.40KB , 700x700 , sCS-19.png )
419789

She walks in, and straight ahead is another door labeled Arbiter's Chambers. It's a simple building, looking more for practicality than anything else. A knock on the door later, she is told to come in. He, presumably the Arbiter, is sitting down and playing a game of chess apparently with himself. The Arbiter smiles, telling her that she is welcome, saying that he saw her briefly during her first visit. Aside from that, he asks what bring Alison to his portion of land.
>>
No. 419790 ID: b85f8c

>>419789
Well first off the Corruptor mentioned Judges when we asked about revisiting a Stage to get to a chest that had something interesting in it. We should ask more about that to find out if that route is viable.

Second, we should ask how law enforcement works here in this... unconventionally safe zone. What do we do if someone attacks us? What happens if someone dies?
>>
No. 419791 ID: 886a4d

>>419760
>>419762
These
>>
No. 419803 ID: c811c4
File 133916479897.png - (19.58KB , 700x700 , sCS-20.png )
419803

>On Judges and Stages
Arbiter nods. When a chest is opened, there is somewhere between a 40 to 70 chance that four to six Judges will spawn, with a party of 4 contenders. In one experience, 9 judges spawned with a party of 6 of some of the Arbiter's acquantances. Judges are in the 70-100k range, with various boons. The most dangerous part of them, is simply that oftentimes their boons involve messing with ones absorptions. Stealing ghosts, blocking resurrections, all sorts of surprises. Not to mention that it makes it very troublesome for the rest of everyone who has no access to shops to purchase boons.

In any case, the stages are a subset of this safe zone, and time passes the same. It is simply tedious to do, but with enough resurrections and people on the job, it can safely be done to rake in the CU. There aren't any other particular pitfalls outside of the chests, as luck would have it.

>Law enforcement
Upstarts are kicked out into a random bracket. Unconventional or not, this safe zone is, in fact, a safe zone, so the most anyone can do is harass.

>Tier 2 skills
The Arbiter says that the corruptor supplies known information on things like that. Since the Corruptor already said one would be delivered soon, she won't need to press the issue.
>>
No. 419805 ID: b85f8c

Oh and ask what's up about the seal thing.
>>
No. 419807 ID: 886a4d

Thank the Arbiter for telling us that.

Knowing our luck we'll get 6 judges hah. I think we'll hold off on trying to take a chest back until we have a few more 100k's. I wonder if Disarm and Scatter stack. Still taking out a group of judges would give us alot of CU to work with.

Alright I think we should do the tour next... then sleep for a conference with our dead.
>>
No. 419809 ID: 09e5bf

>>419807
It sounds like the judges come out proportionally to how many people are going after the chest.

Ask that specifically to confirm if it's true or not.
>>
No. 419811 ID: 55c4cf

Stroke his horn decorations.
>>
No. 419812 ID: 886a4d

Offer to play a game of chess with him... We're always interested in puzzles.
>>
No. 419822 ID: 4710f7

ask him about the system staff, shop keeps, bar tenders, judges. Are there any cases of rouge ones or sympathetic ones? Ask him if, given a case where we had somehow won over say a judge or shopkeeper, how might we be able to utilize that advantage.
>>
No. 419829 ID: a5c529

Play chess with him. I love chess.
>>
No. 419831 ID: c811c4
File 133917793336.png - (10.89KB , 700x700 , sCS-21.png )
419831

>Arbiter's Seal
A way for the Arbiter's doormen and other patrols to know whether or not an individual is part of the Arbiter's alliance. Otherwise, just anyone could come in and take residence inside of the Arbiter's house, with no way to tell without the Arbiter's presence. Most houses with hundreds of individuals use at least a similar system.

>Do judges come out proportionally?
Data samples are fewer than anyone would like, but what evidence there is points to yes, to varying degrees.

>System staff, shopkeeps, bartenders etc. Are there any rogue/sympathetic?
The Arbiter says that the bartenders tend to be sympathic, but very rigid and evasive to the topic of the system. The shopkeep can be the same way, but has still beel loyal to the system. Alison asks about a case where a judge or shopkeep was won over, though the Arbiter mentions that a judge would likely be the last one to be won over. A shopkeep could be good, but no one can say until someone manages to talk a shopkeep out of it.

>Stroke his decorations
Alison needs significantly more Arbiter Relation Points before such acts are unlocked.

>Offer to play a game of chess.
He would be more than willing, but even in a friendly match, he would be even more interested if there were stakes involved. It is possible to carry chests out of a stage. A high stakes game could involve the loser having to go fetch a chest for the winner.
>>
No. 419838 ID: b85f8c

Hang on a second. If the chest is carried out before it's opened, do Judges spawn? Does it only ever contain one item when opened, or does it refresh its stock?
>>
No. 419850 ID: a5c529

>>419838
Don't chests open automatically though?
>>
No. 419861 ID: e3f578

>>419831
How about if you lose, he gets to motorboat these sweet ass titties?
Or is Iso the only one to do that?
Actually, agree, but mess around with him and ask that to bake him blush.
>>
No. 419879 ID: c811c4
File 133918866154.png - (10.49KB , 700x700 , sCS-22.png )
419879

Alison asks about chests opening automatically. A handwave is given, saying that while the stages work the same at the foundation, there are some oddities. Including that instead of opening a chest, Alison can place it in her inventory and open it later. That will trigger judges with the same rate as if it was opened though, but opening it after that initial test is safe. Game of high stakes, he repeats.

A chest from an old stage can be given away and opened by the recepient, and it will be as though they opened the chest themselves in the stage.

>>419861
Even more Arbiter Relation Points are required before anything of the sort would be considered.
>>
No. 419883 ID: fb69eb

When judges die, can the be absorbed for their ghosts?
>>
No. 419887 ID: b85f8c

Those are... really high stakes. A fight against a pack of Judges is almost certain death, from how they were described. Close stats to ours, tend to outnumber us, and have extra boons? It's madness.

I don't wish to play a chess match where the loser has a >50% chance to die. Not unless... there are others here with Resurrect, I heard. Can't we get some insurance by losing to a white glove duel so that they can resurrect us if we die? Same for Arbiter. Heck, that should be standard procedure for anyone going out into the stages when there's an ally with Resurrect and Absorb 10 available.
>>
No. 419889 ID: b0d466

>>419887
Arbiter has probably already taken such precautions himself, we're the ones who don't have a safety net yet xD
>>
No. 419896 ID: e3d099

>>419887

The fact that we've resurrected without being resurrected makes me amazed that we're not already massively targeted to take out a ton of players in one shot. It's time to start trusting our friends.
>>
No. 419901 ID: 5c53e7

Well... politely decline.
Maybe later when we have less to do or have at least made some precautions...
At this point the best case of outcome is some kind of boon that we don't need at this point, but the worst case is death...
I don't see much reason to do something like that at the moment.

How would that even work? Would we actually playing chess with someone or is this more like a dice-roll with disadvantage for us as alison doesen't have experience?
>>
No. 419907 ID: 886a4d

I say we do it.

We have a few things we can do in preperation if we do lose, resurrect EVERYONE so they can't steal their ghosts, and ask around for a second resurector willing to resurrect the four people going in. Finally we could ask around for battle items like double interrupt stationary defence that Gaurdsman once used.
>>
No. 419910 ID: c811c4
File 133919316306.png - (14.82KB , 700x700 , sCS-23.png )
419910

>When judges die, can the be absorbed for their ghosts?
They appear to have a system member exclusive boon to prevent themselves from becoming ghosts on getting absorbed - however, they do give CU regardless.

Alison asks about who else has resurrections. The Arbiter, for one, has it.

She could ask of him to make a safety net for herself, if she trusts him so soon.
>>
No. 419912 ID: 886a4d

I say we trust him with it, ask if he has recursive so we know to not have to bother with all four of us dying. Though we could have Recluse die in our stead since he also has our imprint.
>>
No. 419914 ID: fb69eb

For now we still have that extra life. If he has retroactive, we are in the rez line via Recluse and Chief. If not, we might want to wait until we use that life.
>>
No. 419916 ID: b85f8c

That boon sounds like a curse. Doesn't it mean they die for good? Or are Judges a mass-produced, near-hivemind being like the Bartender and Shopkeep are? ...that's still pretty bad.

I feel as though the system's reliance on hivemind beings could lead to its downfall. If you have some method of giving knowledge to one that leads to them rebelling, all of them would rebel at once. And then we have an absolutely massive army.

Personally I don't think it would be a good idea to play a high-stakes game against someone who plays chess against themselves. That suggests he's an expert, and we've never played. Maybe after we get some practice in. As for the safety net thing, I do think we should wait. We've got over two weeks to spend getting to know this guy, after all.
>>
No. 419923 ID: c811c4
File 133919582353.png - (11.88KB , 700x700 , sCS-24.png )
419923

>About recursive boon
Alison asks, and the Arbiter has it. Catching on to what Alison is thinking, he mentions that with both parties having recursion, the act of trust in dueling each other twice to absorb and resurrect each other, and in the process gaining all of each other's allies, is effectively an alliance pact.

He also elaborates, saying that backstabbing and attempting to steal another House's members are not against any laws. It is frowned on greatly, and a good way to make enemies nevertheless.

If she doesn't do such a thing now, or play chess, then she'll have to excuse herself if there is nothing else to ask or nothing she's forgetting.
>>
No. 419925 ID: 886a4d

I say we do the resurrection exchange even if we don't go ahead with chess. We do need allies who are already part of Corrupter's group.

I still say we do chess though.
>>
No. 419927 ID: 7acb8e

Yeah, I'd avoid entering any sort of deal slash agreement right now.
Lets go explore the corrupted sanctuary and get some of those layouts.
>>
No. 419932 ID: 09e5bf

>>419925
this
>>
No. 419933 ID: 132b99

>>419925
sure
>>
No. 419951 ID: c811c4
File 133920286282.png - (20.16KB , 700x700 , sCS-25.png )
419951

>Make an alliance
The Arbiter considers himself to be a good judge of character, and thinks Alison is trustworthy. As a gesture of faith, he'll use one of his spare white gloves first to put himself in the hands of Alison.

And Alison has been true to her word to this point, and has little reason not to. She resurrects Arbiter with her gained CU. Another duel is made and Arbiter is true to his word, resurrecting Alison.

The pact gets him to flip from being cordial to being plain chummy. Obviously pleased, the Arbiter there aren't many higher ups that aren't just in it for themselves, trying to use the corruptor as springboards for survival or power.

He asks if there's anything Alison would ask of him before she goes about her business.
>>
No. 419953 ID: f7ae22

With your new influx of Arbiter Relation Points, ask if you can stroke his decorations.
>>
No. 419954 ID: 7acb8e

>>419953

YES, THIS.
>>
No. 419974 ID: 082302

Man we just got those, we'll never get to anything good if we keep spending all our relation points on touching jewelry.
>>
No. 419983 ID: 886a4d

now... Chess! It might be a way to get ability absorbtion, and hes probably better prepared to face Judges
>>
No. 419986 ID: b0d466

>>419953
Save those relation points for something more important, man~

NOW let's play highstakes chess :D
>>
No. 420007 ID: a5c529

I want a game of chess man, My family doesn't play chess and I only get to play with my best friend, I want to chess darn it!
>>
No. 420025 ID: c811c4
File 133921486882.png - (18.88KB , 700x700 , sCS-26.png )
420025

>Investigate his horn decorations.

Given they were nearly draped around her already, she can spend ARPs at a discount to feel the decorations.

They are decorations. He says they don't have any significance. Decoration and nothing more.

Perhaps Alison will play a chess game after all.

But I'm unsure of what would be preferable - an in-quest chess game, or real time games over the internet, perhaps best of 3 with 3 different people, if there are that many who would want to play a game of chess.
>>
No. 420027 ID: b0d466

In-quest, die roll the outcome, would be easiest~
>>
No. 420028 ID: a5c529

UUUUU Where would we do the internet chess lago? An in quest chess game might be easier than actual play over the interwebz.
>>
No. 420030 ID: f7ae22

Quit while you're ahead, you got to fondle his decorations. Don't risk permanent death of your allies over a game of chess !!
>>
No. 420031 ID: c811c4

>>420028
If I play chess with individuals, then there are various sites that do online chess, although most of them I think require signing up.

2nd choice being to do it in quest, and 3rd choice being to just roll a dice and get on with it.

Either way, this update will be a very meta voting session about how it'll be done.
>>
No. 420034 ID: 886a4d

I say dice-roll it.
>>
No. 420038 ID: c891d3

>>420025
Nah, no chess yet.
>>
No. 420045 ID: 886a4d

Its not perma death anymore... we just did a resurrection exchange so we would be rezzed in case we die.
>>
No. 420047 ID: b4798d

>>420031

I've had good luck with chess.com. Accounts are free, and games can be played so that other people can observe (and chat if they have accounts) during the game (if they want). If we decide to go with it, you could post your account name here and let a few people challenge you. I'd be up for a game, certainly.

Also, upvoting chess.
>>
No. 420048 ID: a9298b

>>420031
Having quest play chess against an opponent hasn't worked terribly well as far as I remember. Online chess sounds like a novel idea if you can get the people for it, otherwise just roll a die.
>>
No. 420064 ID: c811c4
File 133922520688.png - (11.17KB , 700x700 , sCS-27.png )
420064

Alison is paralyzed by indecision!

She stands staring into space for a moment before she says that she'll think about a chess match. For now, she'll go off to look around.

The Arbiter asks if she would like him to come along to show her the landmarks rather than wander aimlessly alone.
>>
No. 420065 ID: 886a4d

Accept.
>>
No. 420066 ID: a5c529

Have him accompany you, with luck you will score more points.
>>
No. 420067 ID: b0d466

>>420064
That would be lovely, thank you~
>>
No. 420071 ID: c811c4
File 133922636211.png - (17.22KB , 700x700 , sCS-28.png )
420071

Alison says that would be lovely, and the Arbiter takes her hand to lead her back out.
>>
No. 420072 ID: c811c4
File 133922638154.png - (1.03MB , 1200x1200 , sCS-overlay.png )
420072

The streets themselves tend to look convoluted and windy as she walks through, but when the big picture is shown to her, it isn't terribly complex. The Arbiter tells her what is what, and asks if there is any place she would like to know more about.
>>
No. 420073 ID: 299ed3

Why is there farmland and what do they sell at the market?
>>
No. 420075 ID: e3d099

Huh. I wonder why we didn't get put in the To-Be-Filled section.
>>
No. 420076 ID: b0d466

Oh, yes, tell us about the market~

And the other houses!

What goes on in the town square? Where can we set up jam sessions while we're still building our house~?
>>
No. 420077 ID: 04b86a

I just remembered a problem with having someone here absorb us: the Arbiter has the Shopkeep's imprint now. We should let him know about that, that we can confirm having just the imprint isn't enough for the System to locate the Corrupted Sanctuary due to his only remaining connection to the System being through the Merchant ability, and ask that he not mention it to the Corruptor.
>>
No. 420079 ID: b0d466

>>420077
Shopkeep's not dead yet, though. We revived him, so he won't show up in dreams for a while. Let's drop that bombshell later.
>>
No. 420081 ID: b85f8c

>>420072
The Obliterator? Ask who that guy is. With such an intimidating name you'd think he's one of those who joined the Corruptor mostly for power...
>>
No. 420082 ID: 57f548

>>420075
At first I thought this was a sexual comment.
>>
No. 420094 ID: 886a4d

The Collective also sounds interesting as well... ask about them.
>>
No. 420096 ID: 082302

Wait did we leave a revived shopkeep clone in the legal safezone?
>>
No. 420097 ID: c811c4
File 133923309384.png - (22.02KB , 700x700 , sCS-29.png )
420097

>The shopkeep
Alison didn't think of that! While he won't be able to talk or resurrect the shopkeep currently, he does hold an imprint of the shopkeep mixed in with hundreds and hundreds of others.

>Wait did Alison leave a revived shopkeep clone in the legal safezone?
Yes.

As Alison asks all of this, she finds herself getting led to a restaurant. Lots of people give them a wide berth aside from the Arbiter's own who exchanges nods. Regardless, lots of attention is placed on Arbiter and Alison, especially when Alison is introduced as the Snake Queen to a waiteress. Alison figures that is why they're led to a secluded table near the back, out of the public eye.

>What do they sell at the market?
Practically speaking, leftovers, the Arbiter says. Since not everyone in the corrupted sanctuary is blacklisted by shopkeeps, there's a market for buying items from the shopkeep and reselling them here to those who are fully flagged. Otherwise, more novelty things are had. Food, furniture, building supplies and such things are bartered and sold.

>What is the farmland for?
Every plant that can be grown is reproduced along that plot of land, and it goes straight to the corruptor for distribution, selling in the market, process and, go figure, restaurants. There is also a quarry that takes place on the cliffside right underneath the Corruptor's Castle, as that is where the default safe zone core is.

>The Obliterator
The second newest addition behind Alison, so the Arbiter doesn't know much about him. This one has also fought judges and come out on top. In fact, so has Bones and Swordbane. Arbiter doesn't know why Corruptor referred Alison directly to him, but he isn't complaining in the least.
>>
No. 420098 ID: 886a4d

Get his recomendation on what to order for dinner.

Ask why other's seem wary of the Arbiter, he was cordial enough when Alison first approached him as a stranger. This obviously has to do with his reputation but its better to hear from him then from rumors... Ask about what the other houses are famous / infamous for... and include your own.

We should mention we're going to talk to our dead soon and if there is anyone we inherited from him he wants us to not resurrect / interact with.

I still say we should go for a Chess match before finishing up with him.
>>
No. 420100 ID: b0d466

Over dinner, ask about the Arbiter. Get to know him better. What's his story? How did he wind up joining this group? etc. Share some of your story as well, should he ask.
>>
No. 420132 ID: 6e44d2

After all this business is done, we should go to the market and buy some luxury combat upgrades.
>>
No. 420133 ID: bdb3f8

If we are still not ready to tell the resistance about Shopkeep, we should probably tell him to keep a low profile while we are out in the world. There is nothing we can do about him being in Arbiter's head except have hundreds and hundreds of other people to hide behind. Unless Arbiter makes an concerted effort to go through and inventory every single person during the time period that he is not rezed somewhere, he should be able to avoid notice for a while.
>>
No. 420144 ID: b0d466

>>420133
I think we should keep the Shopkeep secret until HE says he is ok with being discussed. However, if it seems appropriate in a future conversation with Shopkeeper, we should offer to bring him with us to the corrupted sanctuary--naturally, we would defend him and his right to make his own decisions while there. We won't have anyone forcing him to do anything he doesn't want to, not even the Corrupter himself.

Still voting for a chess game later.
>>
No. 420165 ID: c811c4
File 133927559865.png - (12.68KB , 700x700 , sCS-30.png )
420165

>Ask for eating recommendation
The Arbiter says the mushroom soup is very good, and Alison orders that. It seems that the amount of vegetables and fruit are limited, but meat based meals are in good supply.

Alison mentions how others seem wary of him, but he waves it off. It's more simple avoidance of him, and also Alison. People try to avoid the house lords that aren't their own.

>His story
The Arbiter was one of the first that the corruptor met. He was mostly along for the ride, but helped settle internal disputes when some key events made the corruptor what he is, creating some strife among those who didn't wish to fight the system. Hence his name. He does ask for Alison's, and she does give a summary while he keeps silent and listens.

>To the market
Alison asks if they have some combat upgrades, but the Arbiter explains that boons are not tradeable, hence, they would only have regular, consumeable items.

Since Alison will talk to her dead soon, she asks if the Arbiter had anyone that he doesn't want her talking to. At this point, the Arbiter has resurrected just about everyone he cares to, so Alison may talk to the rest. Which leads to the Arbiter asking if Alison had anyone of note that the Arbiter should pay mind to or avoid. She'll have to lie by omission to keep the shopkeep a secret, now that he's asked that.
>>
No. 420169 ID: 09e5bf

By the same vein, shopkeep is still alive.

We could simply say we had befriended and absorbed a system character, and while he is still alive at the moment, we don't want to bring him into all this until he chooses to.
>>
No. 420171 ID: 082302

He seems like a person we can trust. Tell him the story about the shopkeep, and how you would like his advice keeping in mind the shopkeep is your friend and not simply a resource.
>>
No. 420172 ID: b85f8c

>>420165
>meat based meals
Uh... where are they getting meat? I haven't seen any livestock anywhere in the stages.

Tell him that the only person you'd like for him to avoid talking to is currently alive.
>>
No. 420175 ID: 886a4d

>>420172
This.

If he asks for clarification tell him its not your policy to betray your friends... hes asked to be kept from the Corruptor's gaze for now.
>>
No. 420178 ID: bdb3f8

Well this doesn't seem hard to avoid at all. no need to panic about it. Just echo what he said, and smoothly change the subject.
"The same really, I don't think there is anybody there now I particularly care if you talk to either. Most of the truly noteworthy individuals in my tree are currently alive, either here or back in the stage safe zone. Even the ones I am not sure how far I can trust. Loyalty was sort of a big deal a couple stages ago, and I am still finding out if bringing back people who once fought me was a good idea. If things had gone just a little differently, it might be the gentleman they call the Chief talking to you now and not me."
>>
No. 420189 ID: c811c4
File 133927975525.png - (13.32KB , 700x700 , sCS-31.png )
420189

>Where are they getting meat from?
Arbiter pauses, obviously trying to find good words for it. He doesn't know how the mechanics work, but a corrupted individual can break a safe zone in a region, and here, it'll work like a freeroam without a safe zone. Then an executioner kills a very weak individual, and in a freeroam section, it's still possible to absorb them, but it also leaves a corpse instead of the usual disintegration. He quickly runs to the next sentence, saying that the executioner makes the process very painless and quick, and the slain individuals are all volunteers, as it does pay well, so he must stress that there is no dark, gruesome secret that goes on in the back.
>>
No. 420190 ID: c811c4
File 133927976179.png - (12.96KB , 700x700 , sCS-32.png )
420190

>Shopkeep is still alive
Hopefully it will stay that way when the stage ends, but for the moment, he is very much alive. Alison tells him the only person worth avoiding is currently alive. If asked if that is an enemy, Alison gives a negative, saying it's someone that wishes to avoid the corruptor. Arbiter says that's perfectly understandable then. It's mentioned that everyone else worth note are also alive, even the ones she's not sure how far she can trust. If things had gone slightly differently, it may be the Chief that was talking to the Arbiter now.

The Arbiter was wanting to ask about him. He asks if it was the same Chief with a tuft at the top of his head. It's confirmed, and the Arbiter chuckles, saying he probably wouldn't be talking to the Chief regardless, as the Chief already declined the Corruptor's invitation. Perhaps it was Alison's conquest of him, though, that got her attention from the Corruptor.
>>
No. 420192 ID: b85f8c

>>420189
Eeegh. Let's avoid meat dishes. I do not like the idea of eating something that was once a person, even if they were paid to do it and 'respawned'. It's not like we actually need to eat, anyway.

>>420190
We were told that it was sheer numbers of absorptions under our belt that caught the Corruptor's eye. It makes sense that he would be following Chief's progress and would approach whoever eventually beat him though. Ask if Arbiter knows why Chief turned Corruptor down.
>>
No. 420193 ID: 09e5bf

>Ask if Arbiter knows why Chief turned Corruptor down.

I think we should ask Chief this, not the Arbiter.
>>
No. 420195 ID: 886a4d

So basically, all meat is from resurrected people, at least they aren't killing people unknowingly.... but eeergh I think we'll recommend our people grow their own food. Underline the garden section for our mansion.

I had been wondering how the Corrupter chooses his leaders. It does seem odd that he would a position of so much power to a newcomer like Alison. It looks like group leaders like Alison must be much rarer then I thought.
>>
No. 420197 ID: b85f8c

Oh, one thing I was curious about- what happens if someone's ghost is shared by two people, one in here where time is 'frozen', and one outside? The 500 hours are squeezed into less than a second, but surely if someone is asleep on the outside during that second, there would be a sort of... time differential for the shared ghost if the other person were to be asleep as well.
>>
No. 420204 ID: e3aff6

At some point we should ask more about these ghost-stealing and resurrect-blocking abilities that Judges have.

>>420195
I think having resurrect has a lot to do with it.
>>
No. 420207 ID: c811c4
File 133928587497.png - (9.14KB , 700x700 , sCS-33.png )
420207

Alison does look visibly perturbed, and the Arbiter apologizes. Most people don't mind it. Alison's meal is replaced quickly enough with a vegetarian dish, although the dinner passes by with a stronger silence.

She does ask how the corruptor chooses leaders, thinking it may have to do with resurrection. The Arbiter agrees, but a lot of his decision making process goes unexplained.

>>420197
The Arbiter hasn't tested that, so Alison won't know.

Another few moments of silence pass before Arbiter asks if there's any place in particular she'd like to go to.
>>
No. 420214 ID: 886a4d

Apoligize for putting a downer on the meal, it is a bit hypocritical to advocate eating peoples souls but eschewing the flesh. But the meat was once a living, thinking being. blegh. As for where else to go how about asking for his favorite place to visit besides his manor.

After that its either time to say our goodbyes and talk to the dead or have that chess match afterall.

I say we have the Chess match since there is no risk of perma-death.
>>
No. 420215 ID: e3d099

>>420207

You probably don't want to go to visit the Obliterator. But with a name like that uh...

Oh ask if he as any gardening tips. As long as you're going to be a snake that doesn't eat meat you may as well grow a lot of plants to compensate. There's clearly a need for them. Plus you're totally on what will become the farming ring.
>>
No. 420218 ID: b85f8c

>>420215
Well technically we don't need to eat. Heh, we'd be a garden snake.

Maybe we could check out the farmland. Or the market. I imagine there's some homemade goods there, not just shop items.
>>
No. 420219 ID: fdad59

>>420215
You could talk to whoever does the farming here about growing plants that can be used to make paper, rope, or other non-edible uses.
>>
No. 420233 ID: b0d466

Hm, let's go see the stage entrances, perhaps? We could use some information on how that process works. Then seeing the farmland would be nice~

You should make a note to pay a visit to the other houses at some point--or perhaps host a party to meet the others.

Once you learn about stages and farming, you should probably consult with your team; invite Arbiter to meet them.
>>
No. 420251 ID: c811c4
File 133929416768.png - (192.63KB , 700x700 , sCS-34.png )
420251

Not meaning to put a downer on the meal, Alison apologizes for it and asks to see the farm.

The gate is kept by one of the corruptor's individuals, while the Arbiter explains it's off limits to the public. As usual, though, they have free reign as long as they don't hurt anything.
>>
No. 420252 ID: c811c4
File 133929417636.png - (12.37KB , 700x700 , sCS-35.png )
420252

The Arbiter explains the basics of farming for her. She can buy seeds in the market. Wood, a few different kinds of food, and rope are the main choices. There isn't anything complex about it, just put it in the ground and wait, but he does tell Alison the information of each seed of how deep it should go, and how far away from other plants it should be.

In the end, the Arbiter buys a bag of seeds of each kind for Alison. They were 700 each, but the Arbiter insists.
>>
No. 420253 ID: c811c4
File 133929419507.png - (64.27KB , 700x700 , sCS-36.png )
420253

The Market is next. Nearby, at the edge of the public area closest to the market along the way, were the public forges, smelters and such things. They are always busy, and it's recommended that if possible, Alison still builds those things herself.

Along the market are the shopkeep items, and other things that the Arbiter mentioned. There are also labor shops for premade or custom furniture, rock carving, blacksmithing and so on. In stark contrast to the restaurant, a lot of merchants are aggressive to try and sell Alison and Arbiter things, knowing that house lords would have the most spending CU. The Arbiter effectively shoos them off when Alison is offered things she isn't interested in. He explains that usually he sends others to the market to buy things because of how the merchants, unlike near everyone else, latch onto the higher ups.
>>
No. 420254 ID: 886a4d

Thank him... now for Chess!
>>
No. 420260 ID: b85f8c

Consider asking Engineer if he can make a more powerful telescope with the resources available here.

Also, something just came to mind. Mongrel had that boon that let him gain extra CU when he killed someone personally. Wanna see if it stacks with Absorb 10, resulting in an infinite CU exploit combined with resurrect? Might be something to bring up with Arbiter and/or Corruptor.

Only problem I can see with that is that Mongrel was not a very nice person. There'd have to be some way to ensure he cooperated. Banditry would make sure that he couldn't just keep the CU, but there are other issues...
>>
No. 420266 ID: 6e44d2

>>420260
Clever!

Anyway, chess, and then we really should stop intruding on his hospitality.
>>
No. 420267 ID: b0d466

Or we could redo the stage where we got resurrection, and take the boon that lets us get access to an absorbee's ability.
>>
No. 420270 ID: fdad59

>>420267
That grants access to the ability lines of the absorbed, not their levels in the ability, and not boons for that ability.
>>
No. 420272 ID: 886a4d

And I doubt we'll ever see a boon of boon absorb hah.
>>
No. 420279 ID: b0d466

>>420260
If we don't feel like dealing with Mongrel we can just tell Arbiter about him. He might think the ability worth the hassle.
>>
No. 420317 ID: c811c4
File 133930880323.png - (251.13KB , 700x700 , sCS-37.png )
420317

Alison hadn't thought of the Mongrel.

She mentions him to the Arbiter, that he may be very difficult to work with, but that his boon allowed for double the CU amounts from a target he alone killed.

The Arbiter shrugs, saying it would be a nice ability to have, but that he doesn't have anyone who can absorb boons in case the mongrel doesn't cooperate. He doubts that Absorb Abilities would count for bonuses, though he could expect there would be an Absorb Boon somewhere.

There's a pause before his eyes light up. He realizes as well the way that it could effectively be used for infinite CU. He tells Alison to keep it a secret from everyone else, but that would obviously be a huge thing to have, however much it may throw out what little structure their economy currently has.

There is more time however, and Alison says that after all that, she will play a game of chess after all. Arbiter gladly accepts.
>>
No. 420318 ID: c811c4
File 133930886425.png - (9.49KB , 700x700 , sCS-38.png )
420318

The Arbiter brings her back to his place, and begins setting up the board.
>>
No. 420320 ID: c811c4

For this, I think I will do live chess, if anyone would be interested at this time of night. I'll be using chess.com (user: Lagotrope) unless there are other better options, and will be on irc if there are any questions. And if there isn't anyone, then I'll do a simple dice roll.
>>
No. 420334 ID: 9202a9

>>420320
I'm Interested are you still on?
>>
No. 420339 ID: c811c4
File 133931622401.png - (13.21KB , 700x700 , sCS-39.png )
420339

They begin, and the game progresses steadily. The Arbiter doesn't make a great deal of outright mistakes, but the ones that he does are significant. He appears visibly perturbed, and although only a few pieces on each side have been taken, the Arbiter stalls for a few minutes at the end to think thoroughly. He says he hasn't played against others that much, and only from his own house, and he can never be sure if they throw the match for his ego.

He excuses his excuses, and despite thinking it over, he sees nothing but a checkmate for Alison's win. He resigns. At least with this, he says, he won't have to worry about Alison's well being.

He does, however, say that he will want a rematch some other time. For now, he'll gather his best and proceed into a stage.
>>
No. 420341 ID: 886a4d

Ask him if either of these are viable plans to help defeat judges:

The Stage 3 part 1 has those movable blocks that you can push at people and it does body / 2 damage. If we can pick one of those up and bring them to a chest area and use our rather prodigious body stat to throw them during our move phase we can do 180 damage just for Allison alone at our move phase and then attack normally.

The second idea depends on if they aren`t knockback immune. Knock them down to the puzzle area and pull the switch or simply scatter them so the puzzle rules come in effect and they have to group up in order to exit. We can run from the puzzle then.


Also offer him Duelist's help if he doesn't have someone who has protect. Alison should't volunteer since she is resurrection support but she should express the wish to. In any case we should wait by the exit for him.
>>
No. 420345 ID: 132b99

the one with the ability steal in it.
>>
No. 420346 ID: e75a2f

Compromise and ask to accompany him. It would be good to learn how these things work first-hand.
>>
No. 420347 ID: 04b86a

>>420341
I was going to suggest he bring Duelist along, but the Judges probably all have Rank 10 Immunity like the shopkeeper does. We can still offer to let him bring one of our three tier two people along, but Protector alone isn't a reason to pick him.

I do have an idea on how we can get Mongrel's help with minimal cooperation, though. If we bring someone powerful with Rank 10 Banditry along with us they can simply steal the CU from him when we're done farming. The only question is what we could offer him to get him to at least pretend to go along with it. He probably doesn't have scan, so as long as we have a good enough reason to "trust" him he shouldn't expect Banditry. Of course, if he turns out to be reasonable and actually joins us then that'll be all the better for us.
>>
No. 420352 ID: 09e5bf

>>420346
I think while we should go on a chest hunt, maybe even working with a different group, but we should not do it with Arbiter for the chess game prize.

It would take away from the stakes of the game.
>>
No. 420359 ID: 886a4d

>>420352
I agree.
>>
No. 420361 ID: c811c4
File 133932056495.png - (7.08KB , 700x700 , sCS-40.png )
420361

>Use fireblocks to throw
Arbiter says that an attack has to be made as an attack action. If it's thrown any other way, it won't do any damage.

>Knock them back down to the puzzle area
The judges create a new arena. It is like a group-dueling red glove.

Alison asks if he's like someone with protector, but he says he already has one. Besides, the bet is on him.

She can wait for his return, or go ahead and with the next thing on the list and talk to her dead.
>>
No. 420364 ID: 886a4d

Ask him how long it typically takes, If its more then a couple hours we can hold a meeting for our dead. If not we'll wait for him. It will take time to organize the meeting between us and our dead... we have alot of them.

Oh and before we sleep we should ask our followers if theres anyone in paticular they want to resurrect. I imagine both Recluse and Chief might have people they want alive.
>>
No. 420365 ID: 09e5bf

>Ask him how long it typically takes, If its more then a couple hours we can hold a meeting for our dead.

I'm going to bet that it doesn't take too long, but that it happens in realtime, so he won't be back for about 500 hours.
>>
No. 420368 ID: 6e44d2

>>420365
No, he already said that previously visited stages are a subset of this domain. It happens in frozen time.

Anyway, go talk to your dead while he's away. Try to recruit Mongrel.
>>
No. 420460 ID: c811c4
File 133936005217.png - (14.36KB , 700x700 , sCS-41.png )
420460

Alison asks if he'll be long, and he says awhile, to go do what she'd like to do. He'll find her when he's back.

>Talk to Recluse and Chief if there is anyone they'd like to resurrect
They both can create a rather long list, in fact. Chief's main targets would be ones such as gnoll, ones that Alison killed herself.

Recluse says that he isn't sure if anyone he has absorbed that is worth anything would want to be resurrected. He has killed his friends in an attempt to save them, but it was against their will at the time. Iso mentions that may he should have done the same for the Musician.

If she wants to talk to recluse's old partners, they were known as Copper, Silver, the Jumper and the Archer.
>>
No. 420461 ID: c811c4
File 133936007297.png - (10.18KB , 700x700 , sCS-42.png )
420461

Alison goes to sleep to gather everyone, and starts with the Mongrel.

He stares at Alison as she approaches, not saying a word.
>>
No. 420467 ID: 886a4d

Greet him, tell him your name and explain the situation you've found yourself in. Follow up that your first gathering everyone together to explain this to people so you may decide on who to resurrect right away... eventually you hope to include everyone but right now you need the cleverest, the brightest and the most fierce to help you succeed. You don't know about the rest but he definately qualifies for the last.

If he agrees to listen to what she says, and doesn't betray her she'll do her best to ensure he stays alive, can fight with her or stay in the sanctuary if he wishes and furthermore she will be his friend. It must have been lonely by himself, fighting for just himself.
>>
No. 420482 ID: 04b86a

Tell him that we're willing to bring him back to life and release him into the stages in exchange for a favor. If his boon allows him to get 200% returns from absorptions once he's at Rank 10, that release will be accompanied by a large amount of CU. Any further relation with us beyond that point will depend on his answer to these questions: first, why did he absorb almost everyone he came across rather than team up with them (he obviously had to let at least four people live to escape stage two), and second, is he willing to work for us and follow our instructions if it means he no longer needs to worry about being permanently killed? If we find his answers unfavorable, then he shall be released to a random bracket so that he doesn't have to worry about us being an enemy in the upcoming stage.

(I should note that with his boon and Rank 10 absorb, he'll probably be getting at least 1k CU per absorb in the stages. A "large" amount of CU could be as little as 8k and still both let him tear through the normal contestants and let him rise through the ranks quickly. If we give him as little as 16k, the only ones he'll have to worry about this stage will probably be whatever the system sends at him.)
>>
No. 420520 ID: b0d466

>>420482
Let's NOT release him back into the stages, or promise to do so. Asking about his motivations is good, though.
>>
No. 420529 ID: c811c4
File 133936776040.png - (11.18KB , 700x700 , sCS-43.png )
420529

Alison properly introduces herself, telling him she would like his help, and doesn't even need to fight. He'll have company as well, as it must have been lonely before. She is curious about his motivations, and asks why he absorbed people rather than team up. And if he is willing to help, she starts explaining, before the Mongrel interrupts and says that Alison can go fuck herself.
>>
No. 420531 ID: 9e3c3d

Smile, tell him to enjoy staying dead forever and leave without another word or glance back..
>>
No. 420534 ID: e3f578

>>420529
Why?
What did he want?
Was it the thrill of it all?
>>
No. 420535 ID: 09e5bf

>>420529
"Alright, bye."

Go find Recluse's friends.
>>
No. 420542 ID: b0d466

Pause and remember your last encounter with Mongrel. >>411264 How you suggested everyone team up against him. How he used his red glove on you and you STILL CAME BACK AND GOT HIM KILLED. Now put yourself in his position; I think you wouldn't appreciate what you just said to him, if your roles were reversed.

You deserved that.
Apologize.
>>
No. 420549 ID: 04b86a

>>420529
Yeah... that's why my suggestion was all business and didn't involve going into Let's Be Friends mode.

I'm assuming his reason was that he's a jerk and that he has no interest in working for us, so no need to ask those questions. It's not too late to make the offer, though. Just make your tone and body language indicate you're doing business, and keep in mind that letting him into our stage isn't an option now. If he refuses to listen to even that, or turns you down, then just write him off as a lost cause and go find the other dead.
>>
No. 420554 ID: b0d466

We don't know if he WAS a jerk--we never talked with him, just heard rumors and then decided to gang up on him when we met him.

You know.

Like chief did to us.
>>
No. 420563 ID: 886a4d

Nod, say alright I have a business propisition for you instead. You let me exploit your double gain absorb boon for five million CU and I let you live in another bracket where hopefully you will never see us again. If you don't cooperate you can stay dead. I'll even let you keep five thousand of that.
>>
No. 420596 ID: c811c4
File 133937408808.png - (14.29KB , 700x700 , sCS-44.png )
420596

She does recall. There was never really a chance given to him, she just assumed that the rumors were true. Maybe she was wrong. She does try to find out before she apologizes, and says that if he cooperates during the exploit, he'll set him off into another stage, even giving him 5,000 CU. He says to shove it where it hurts, he's no one's tool. He'd only let himself get resurrected if it meant he could punch her as much as he wanted.

Alison may or may not not have prematurely decided he was a jerk, but the assessment was correct in the end. She says goodbye, she can't manage to be sardonic or force smiles for this. He doesn't have any change of heart.

She'll go off to others. She was hoping that there would be some kind of magic Summon-Everyone ability that came with absorb, but she can only chase down individuals.
>>
No. 420597 ID: c811c4
File 133937410143.png - (13.67KB , 900x477 , sCS-45.png )
420597

She can't tell who is who by name, either, she can only sense what they're like. At the very least, she can pinpoint the ones that were directly absorbed by Recluse, which does help narrow it down to.. 28. She's going to be at this for awhile, but with time, she ends up finding 4 complete strangers, and then someone that introduces himself as Copper.
>>
No. 420603 ID: e3aff6

Our judgement on Mongrel was also based on how he asked some random guy to join him against us, then promptly betrayed and ate the other guy. I was actually somewhat worried with this meeting that Mongrel would attempt to join the exploit, spend the CU on himself, and attempt to go on a rampage.
>>
No. 420605 ID: b0d466

Introduce yourself, say you have something to talk about with him and three others who were Recluse's partners.
>>
No. 420610 ID: 886a4d

Greet him, tell him and the strangers your name and explain the situation you've found yourself in. Say that Recluse has agreed to follow you as you have resurrect and have been somewhat better at gathering ghosts to you. He went as far as to give his life to ensure you beat the Chief. Follow up that your first gathering everyone together to explain this to people as well as so you may decide on who to resurrect right away, he is included at Recluse's request of course... but you'd appreciate the help doing so. There are just so many people.

The five you gathered should split up and start approaching other people. The meeting spot should be some sort of landmark.... maybe where the plain meets the trees? They should avoid Mongrel of course. Since Alison can detect what people are like she should approach the Engineers, the Chiefs, the Bandits and the Duelists.
>>
No. 420614 ID: b85f8c

I suspect Recluse has spoken with everyone about you already. He seems like the type to keep his friends in the loop. So just say hi, and ask if Recluse told them about you already- if so, then we won't have to explain things. Mainly I suppose we were just interested in meeting them.
>>
No. 420616 ID: b0d466

>>420614
And seeing if they wanted to be revived, if they would be ok with working with recluse, I think?
>>
No. 420618 ID: fa9f7e

>>420614
>guy named Recluse
>keep friends in loop

Besides, the guy absorbed everyone he could. Didn't his name used to be Collector? I doubt he has many friends.
>>
No. 420641 ID: c811c4
File 133938024154.png - (14.35KB , 700x700 , sCS-46.png )
420641

Alison introduces herself once again. It turns out that the 4 strangers barely knew the recluse, they were simply defeated by him. However, the Recluse did make himself available frequently.

Copper, however, makes a display of shutting his eyes when Alison mentions the Recluse. He says that he was backstabbed. Alison says that he is just trying to get ghosts, and is even following her now. Copper replies saying that he just doesn't know anymore if he can trust anyone, but Alison mentions that the Recluse specifically mentioned Copper to see about resurrection.

It's decided that those five are able to sense others as well, if not as strongly as Alison, but strong enough to find people. They will split up.

She hasn't gotten Scanner to find out how many absorptions she has, but in what must be at least a couple hours later, she's gathered about 600. Silver, Jumper and Archer are there are well as Gnoll, Scruffy and others of Chief's bunch.

Silver and Archer both have talked to the Recluse lots while he slept, and don't need much summation to get up to speed.
>>
No. 420643 ID: c811c4
File 133938026799.png - (13.98KB , 700x700 , sCS-47.png )
420643

And now there's a crowd.
>>
No. 420668 ID: 927efa

Sweet rave party!
>>
No. 420670 ID: 886a4d

Rise up on your tail so everyone can see you.

Tell them your situation, about the Corrupted Sanctuary and how your now in the position to resurrect people to live without the fear of permanent death. It won't be everyone right away as space is limited but she hopes eventually everyone willing to work with her WILL be resurrected.

After talking have a small question and answer session by raise of hands. She should try to answer them as truthfully as possible.

To decide on who to resurrect right away she will interview each of them asking some basic questions.

What were their interests besides battle?
What did they do to pursue those interests?
Did they ever look for people to work together with? Were they the leader? the follower? was it more of a common group?
What glitches, bugs, and cracks in the Game did they notice?
The most memorable moment of their time alive.
Do they wish to be resurrected and continue fighting or do they wish for peace?
>>
No. 420683 ID: b0d466

>>420670
Let's start with resurrecting chief's crew, recluse's friends, and maybe some people who are good with engineering/planning; hold the interviews for next time, probably. Don't wanna take forever, right?
>>
No. 420684 ID: c811c4
File 133938525332.png - (14.01KB , 700x700 , sCS-48.png )
420684

She gets up on her tail, yelling out to everyone that she is going to begin resurrecting en masse, although not everyone right away.

Interviewing everyone on an individual basis is doable, if extensively time consuming. She'll likely do it periodically, but a lot of the trouble is simply gathering everyone in the first place. Now that she has a house lot, she likely has room for everyone, even if it will be crowded until a building is made. She offers answers to questions, and most of them are more technical sided rather than questions of ethics and goals.

She estimates there are about 800 in total after all. She can likely trust 20% with no issues. 40% and she may need to get some more sketchy players, but it should be okay. 60% and 80% each increase the chances that there may be trouble under her name. There aren't many people who seem uninterested in being resurrected. She'll begin with the small batch of Chief and Recluse's mentions for sure.
>>
No. 420685 ID: b0d466

>>420684
Do the 20% that are trustworthy for now. You don't need any trouble, especially since you're new here. Also offer the option of being resurrected and NOT belonging to your house, so that no one feels they are being resurrected only as servants, for example?
>>
No. 420686 ID: 886a4d

Do the 20% right away, as the house gets build and as you get more room due to your mansion being built / expanded slowly interview the rest to gain their trust, judge their character and thin out those who aren't trustworthy at all.
>>
No. 420694 ID: b85f8c

Keep in mind that space is limited so resurrecting people who won't be staying with us should not be done much.
>>
No. 420699 ID: b0d466

>>420694
At least until we've gone through everyone and have a place to put the people we don't trust to be part of our house~
We're resurrecting EVERYONE who wants to be--eventually, anyway.
>>
No. 420703 ID: c811c4
File 133938926157.png - (31.41KB , 700x700 , sCS-49.png )
420703

Alison will stick to the first 20%. She spends some time getting to know them before waking up, and making sure to let them know that they don't need to serve her on resurrection. She'll resurrect them in short time, but sticks to Recluse and Chief's mentions first. She leaves them alone for their reunion, while she goes to the Engineer.

He says he is proposing this plan, with a couple of things switched out, namely that the lower right be reserved for construction of larger projects. For everything else, he will make sure that everything has a good foundation for building additional floors, most of which will likely be bedrooms, but overall sticking to
>>419570
for the upper floors. Is this acceptable?
>>
No. 420704 ID: 886a4d

Looks good to me.
>>
No. 420713 ID: b0d466

>>420703
Yes, excellent work!

We have some seeds for plants, and it was a good move to have the garden in the upper corner, there, since we'll probably want to expand it eventually.

For now, is there anything he'll need that will be hard to come by?
>>
No. 420731 ID: c811c4
File 133939333728.png - (402.76KB , 700x700 , sCS-50.png )
420731

The Engineer isn't even sure a good foundation is necessary, but doesn't want any bad surprises. He spends some hours measuring the gardens to get plants going, then the bedrooms so that those can be built first so people can rest. Which, it turns out, fatigue is possible under extended periods of hard labor.

>Anything hard to come by
Engineer says nothing significantly harder than the next.
>>
No. 420732 ID: c811c4
File 133939335974.png - (363.90KB , 700x700 , sCS-51.png )
420732

After all that time sleeping, it isn't long before the Arbiter's return. He tells Alison that he has her chest.

Alison can open it herself, or let someone else have it.
>>
No. 420735 ID: 13f847

1. Open chest.

2. Next time you see the shopkeep (Alive or in a dream) warn him about the Arbiter.

3. Rename our lair "the Serpent's Nest"
>>
No. 420737 ID: b85f8c

>>420732
First off, express relief that he made it back, and ask him how it went. Give our condolences if he lost any ghosts or lost CU from a blocked absorption.

As for the chest... hmm. Would Ability Absorb actually be useful at this point? If it lets us go past the 100k limit, it's great. If not, it's kindof meh. If it lets us absorb boons it is INCREDIBLE. Ghost Form is pretty cool; it'll let us essentially resurrect people to live here for free, so long as we remain here. We could even reabsorb people to regain CU if they were expensive resurrections.
>>
No. 420741 ID: c811c4
File 133939636637.png - (310.27KB , 700x700 , sCS-52.png )
420741

Alison also, for the record, had to spend 19,241 on resurrections.

She tells him that she's happy that he's back safely, asking how it went. The Arbiter says that he lucked out, the chest didn't spawn any judges so it was a clean in and out. He decided not to press his luck by getting anyone elses chest either.

Alison promptly opens it.

Alison may choose...
Absorb: Ability: On absorption, the absorber may gain one (1) ability that the absorbed has at least one rank in. Does not include boons.
Absorb: Priority II: Gives an additional priority rank against competitors also using absorption. (Will include Priority I)
Absorb: Steal Ghost: If the user has higher absorb priority, then they may replace an attack with this ability to steal one ghost from their attack target.
Inventory Space II: +1 to standard and novelty item storage.

>>
No. 420742 ID: b85f8c

I think we should get Priority II so we don't have to worry about losing ghosts.
>>
No. 420743 ID: b0d466

Since we're blacklisted from buying access to new ability lines, I think we should go Ability Absorb
>>
No. 420744 ID: 04b86a

Hmm, Steal Ghost isn't very good, and the extra Item Slot isn't very valuable either. Priority might keep our ghosts from being stolen, but on the other hand Ability Absorb will let Allison quickly gain access to new skill lines.

I think we should get her Ability Absorb and then get her those five tier one skills she's still missing, since Shopkeep might decide not to violate the blacklist.
>>
No. 420746 ID: 082302

Ability absorb
>>
No. 420753 ID: c6ec33

Ability Absorb.

We need to see whether or not we can gain persistence and merchant from our friendly shopkeep. If nothing else, we should talk to him about whether or not that'd be a good idea.

We can also fill out any missing skills via killing friends, absorbing them, and resurrecting them.

I wonder if we might be able to use this ability to go over the 100k cap? Say, by maxing out, and then gaining a couple hundred points in absorbed abilities?
>>
No. 420756 ID: c811c4
File 133939952965.png - (13.62KB , 700x700 , sCS-53.png )
420756

Alison has gained Ability Absorb.

The Arbiter says he hopes her selection does her well.

She doesn't have any other immediate tasks on her agenda in the Sanctuary for now, unless she can think of anything to do over the next few hundreds hours besides from helping with construction.
>>
No. 420760 ID: 927efa

Thank Arbiter for going out of his way, even if you did win the chess match. Tell him you will try to put your new ability to good use for all.

Even though it's totally to protect yourself from blacklists and doesn't help anyone else.
>>
No. 420762 ID: c811c4
File 133940220562.png - (288.42KB , 700x700 , sCS-54.png )
420762

Alison most certainly thanks Arbiter again, and will put her ability to use.

Construction is slow but steady as the hours pass a dozen at a time. Work is done on her own place as well as public areas to earn more materials for her own use, and everyone works their best, including the 20%. Most stick with Alison, and only a few decide to go it alone. She doesn't know them very well, but they end up sticking to what little they do know and do what they're told. The Chief seems to enjoy taking care of that managerial job.

The Arbiter lets Alison borrow some old tents that he no longer uses for Alison's bunch to sleep in for privacy until she gets her bedroom quarters up. He is sure to mention that the tents are made out of plant fabric, not leather.
>>
No. 420763 ID: c811c4
File 133940221643.png - (11.38KB , 700x700 , sCS-55.png )
420763

Before she knows it, a cycle is up. The tents are still in use, but the bedrooms are nearly completed, at least enough to live in. The Scanner pops into Alison's tent, saying that she made a quick visit topside. The Shopkeeper asked to see Alison. He says he's made a decision.
>>
No. 420764 ID: b0d466

If your maxed C.U. buddies are ok with it, a quick way to get C.U. to buy materials with would be to actually go open chests for the purpose of summoning judges to fight.

After all, they have 70k-100k C.U. each!
>>
No. 420765 ID: b0d466

Go see him, hear what he decided!
>>
No. 420766 ID: c6ec33

>>420763
Assemble your MAX CU buddies, and anyone else who wants to go to the safe zone, then get there!
>>
No. 420767 ID: b85f8c

>>420763
Zoom dash move it move it move it (don't forget to put clothes on)
>>
No. 420768 ID: c811c4
File 133940362053.png - (16.10KB , 700x700 , sCS-56.png )
420768

Assembling her MAX CU friends to zoom-dash to the topside after putting clothes on, no others are found before the shopkeep Alison, Recluse, Duelist and Scanner. Alison does tell him about the Arbiter, and the Shopkeep just says he'll try to avoid him for as long as he can if he has to.

Before any questions about persistence, merchant, or how Duelist and Shopkeeper actually do look alike are able to be asked, he says he's made a decision. He'll do it. He doesn't want to go to the corrupted sanctuary or anything, but he'll use his merchant ability to sell Alison things.

Alison asks what he has for sale. The shopkeep explains that when he was disconnected and then resurrected,he realized that his merchant ability's power was not granted by the system. Rather, the system limited the merchant ability. In other words, to answer Alison's question... everything.

Yet at the moment, Alison has what is now a rather paltry 9,357 CU.
>>
No. 420773 ID: c811c4
File theShop(fix).swf - (222.34KB , 850x800 )
420773

He has everything for sale. He notes that he is somewhat of an anamaly, as usual, and Alison can only have 10 Tier 1 boons and 10 Tier 2 boons at one time. Also, entries labeled UNAVAILABLE are known, but not available for purchase. The shopkeep apologizes for any dashed hopes.

Let me know about any bugs/typos. There are a few kinks in the GUI that I may fix in future versions, but nothing that should break anything as far as I can tell.
>>
No. 420774 ID: b85f8c

Tell Shopkeeper that he should consider buying a Major body mod, so he isn't recognizable as a shopkeep anymore. A new alias might also be wise.
>>
No. 420775 ID: c811c4

While a character can have 10 tier 1 boons and 10 tier 2 boons, a character can also have an extra tier 1 boon in the place of a tier 2 boon. Therefore, it is possible to have 13 tier 1 boons, and 7 tier 2 boons, but not vice versa.
>>
No. 420776 ID: 09e5bf

>>420774
I like this plan. Don't force him to, but at least suggest it.

Otherwise get Duelist Attack Interruption
>>
No. 420777 ID: b85f8c

Oh, and now that we know the name of the double-CU absorb boon, we should ask around with our new acquaintances here if they know anyone that has it. Heck, Scanner should probably devote time to investigating everyone she can to find this thing.

If we can get infinite CU we can get to tier 3, and after that, Judges are no issue. Heck, even getting delimiter would make Judges much easier.

For now we should just buy some ranks in Absorb Priority so nobody can steal Shopkeeper from us.
>>
No. 420778 ID: 8f5660

>>420772
Give Shopkeep a Big Damn Hug.

Unfortunately, I'm not entirely sure what to buy. My only suggestion is purchasing Absorb: Priority I-VI or VII to prevent people from dicking us out of absorbing friends. That could hurt us real, real bad.
>>
No. 420780 ID: 09e5bf

>>420778
If we got priority 7, that would pretty much guarantee that we have priority over almost everyone, and our ghosts would be just about unstealable.

I'll actually change my vote to that. Unquestionable absorption priority for Alison.
>>
No. 420781 ID: c811c4

Immunity boons will only take up a boon slot for every odd number immunity. So, Scan immunity I would take a slot, scan immunity II would not, scan immunity III wouldn't, and in total, scan immunity IX and X would take 5 slots total.

There is a version in the works to display how many boon slots are occupied.
>>
No. 420783 ID: b85f8c

I think 7 ranks in it is a bit much.

Ask why Shopkeeper can't just give us the CU back after we give it to him to buy things.
>>
No. 420785 ID: 8f5660

>>420783
6 is minimum to beat someone who has Absorb 10 + 5 for the Block Absorption boon. 7 just covers our bases in case someone has priority 1.
>>
No. 420786 ID: b85f8c

When we get back we should confer with Arbiter about how dangerous farming regular CU rewards in previous stages is.

We need CU. We need a LOT of CU. If we can safely farm that puzzle reward from the last stage, we're set. We just resurrected like 100 people, right? We can use them to speed things up.

Also we should take anyone who has decided to stay in the sanctuary permanently, and have them resell all their stats and boons. They won't be using them, after all.
>>
No. 420789 ID: b85f8c

...I wonder if Succubus would be any help with Mongrel? She is apparently really good at talking to people.

Alternatively we could get Corrupted and use that to form a sort of trap for Mongrel where we'd force him to do the exploit for us.

But I guess, actually, on the subject of the infinite CU exploit, we should talk to Bandit again. He is our go-to guy to discuss CU morality. Ask him what we should do if we ever find a way to get infinite CU.
>>
No. 420790 ID: c811c4
File theShop(fix2).swf - (222.58KB , 850x800 )
420790

Immunity boons will only take up a boon slot for every odd number immunity. (Alternatively stated, 1/2 the rank rounded up is how many slots are occupied. Hence IX and X would take 5 slots total.

This hastily updated version should reflect this without any horrible consequences.
>>
No. 420794 ID: 886a4d

I agree every single high tier needs at least 1 rank in priority boons. However the rest of the CU needs to be saved until we have a way to gain more of it our fighters do need to upgrade as well.

Allison should get First Strike Priority 1 (300) and Absorb Priority 1 (500)

Duelist should get First Strike Priority 1 (300) Protection Fort 1 (1000)

Scanner should get First Strike Priority 1 (300) Scan Strengthen 1 (500)

Recluse should get First Strike Priority 1 (300) and Absorb Priority 1 (500)


For a total of 3700 CU.

... The quickest way to get more CU would to do a judge run after all that avoidance. It is a good thing we have backup now thanks to the Arbiter.

Anyway give the Shop Keep a Big Damn Hug. Tell him you were fine with him deciding not to sell items but this will really, really help their chances. So thank you. Tell him about the time in the Sanctuary as well the fact that you now have ability absorb. If he wants she can not absorb any of his abilities for now.

Since we rushed off we're going to be going back to the next time skip period so the mansion will probably be done hah. Still give Shop Keep enough CU to mod his body in a way so hes no longer instantly recognizable, or he can pass it off as coincidence like Duelist does. Maybe soemthing simple like removing his whiskers, or hell give him enough to upgrade his armor to 5 so he can pick a different outfit then that sack. Offer to take him with us once he is so disguised and he can blend in with the others we resurrect.
>>
No. 420801 ID: 927efa

We want to acquire infinite CU eventually, not because we'll get infinite CU, but because it allows us to test the limits of the system, to find out just exactly what CU is. As more is acquired, whatever effects that has on the system can be noted and accounted for. I don't think we should try to get infinite CU except as such an experiment though. If we do it just on the assumption it'll be to our own benefit, that's just asking to crash badly.

Limitless, fine. Being able to acquire it out of nowhere to confuse scanners would be awesome. Bend the rules don't break them, because if you go too far either you'll attract the attention of someone more powerful than you like a system administrator, or worse there won't be a system administrator and you'll just crash yourself game over. We don't want to emerge unscathed from impossible situations. We want the mysterious ability never to get in those situations in the first place.

I dunno about what to buy. A lot of those things seem kind of reactionary oneupmanship. Steal Ghost is scary. Unless it applies only if you actually summon a ghost to the battlefield via Ghost Talk?
>>
No. 420803 ID: 886a4d

I wonder why the Shop Keep isn't selling 1-ups with his limiters gone. Maybe it truly was a 1 stage deal.

Speaking of 1-ups would re-doing the final preliminary stage give people that free 1-up? If it doesn't where does the Corrupter get his for his CU runs?
>>
No. 420805 ID: b4798d

Agreeing with putting a bunch of points into Absorb priority right away. Not just to avoid Steal Ghost and similar, but also in case somebody (especially !Shopkeep) gets jumped by a judge with Block Resurrection.

!shopkeep is probably at the greatest risk for that, but anyone who isn't powered up should be careful in system-run areas.
>>
No. 420806 ID: 71d68e

It might be wise to plan for the worst: those judges having maxed Absorb Priority. If we max ours out as well, then we can block all attempts to steal our ghosts, though it looks like we still won't be able to overwrite resurrection blocks done with max priority. It looks like maxing out Absorb Priority will take up all of our Tier 2 boon slots. For that reason, I don't recommend picking First Strike priority or other similar abilities on Allison. We don't have to max out Absorb Priority immediately, but picking up even one level of First Strike priority will prevent us from doing that eventually (unless we can overwrite boons, and then we would've been just wasting CU on the boons we overwrote).
>>
No. 420807 ID: 71d68e

Also, it looks like Lagotrope forgot to give Allison Retrospective Absorption in her preset setup. Which takes her to 10 tier 1 boons.
>>
No. 420809 ID: 886a4d

Might be an idea to use boon refund for her immunities since they are most likely obsolete... I wonder if you can use boon refund to sell prerequsite boons to free up space since you only need the previous one to get the next. Might be a glitch we can exploit. Try using the boon refund on Alison's immunities 1-3 but keep the fourth level.
>>
No. 420812 ID: 71d68e

A thought just occurred to me: we could have Duelist get the Ability Protection boon and use that to block attempts to ghost-steal.

Also another thought that occurred to me: while I suspect Persistence will only apply in safe areas, that opens up a potential infinite CU exploit via white glove dueling if we can acquire it. It's too bad that Shopkeep's worth 0 CU in safe areas.

Also, whoops, for some reason I previously couldn't get the Item and Other categories to show up. Some very interesting things in that, including the Extra Boon purchases which invalidates what I said about max boons (but still requires a bunch of CU).
>>
No. 420840 ID: c6ec33

Ask Shoppie what the risk of buying things is. Why was he so afraid before? Is there a chance that the system will detect this usage and send people after them? If so, we should try to figure out what spending patterns would be most likely to trigger an intervention.

Also, ask about the possibility of absorbing him again to gain persistence and merchant.

Also, ask about the ability to purchase 1-ups. Is there a place where that might still be possible?

Also, ask if he knows anything about the abilities that we don't have a lot of info on: Shapeshift, teleportation, swap position, fortified heal.

----

For all the people planning CU spending (which I don't have time for right now): Keep in mind that having a number of specialists is probably better than trying to make everyone a jack of all trades. At least for the moment, Alison, Scanner, Duelist and Recluse should all have their own roles.

Also, keep in mind that to save money, we can buy ABILITIES that we want both Alison and someone else to have by buying the other person the ability and white-gloving it using absorb.
>>
No. 420841 ID: b0d466

I think pushing shopkeep for persistence might be a bit much right now, after he just made this big decision.
>>
No. 420843 ID: bdb3f8

Alison should keep a Tier 1 slot open at all times in case she runs across a box containing either Absorb: Combat or Absorb: Ghost talk. People have already pointed out how Combat would break everything ever. Ghost talk allows dead individuals to function in a safe zone as though they were not dead, for free. That was not so useful before, but the corrupted sanctuary makes it huge.

Also: scanner should probably sell Quadruple scan to free up a space, since scan all is strictly better and has the same prereqs. Unless that is a typo.
>>
No. 420847 ID: 6e44d2

I think we shouldn't buy anything until we have enough CU to buy everything we want in one go. The system might discover an unauthorized transaction, and I'd rather we not get cut off until we can get everything we want.

Also, we should get the stuff that gives us more boon slots. Might as well.
>>
No. 420850 ID: 4bdd79

At least two people need to get both Absorb: Combat and Delimiter. They'll generate the CU we need for Rank 3.
>>
No. 420854 ID: b85f8c

>>420850
We can't buy Absorb: Combat. It's unavailable- we only know it exists.

Granted, Persistence isn't listed at all, which is weird.
>>
No. 420858 ID: 09e5bf

>Granted, Persistence isn't listed at all, which is weird.
not if it is tier 3.
>>
No. 420866 ID: 886a4d

Shop Keep probably wasn't sure he wanted to obviously support someone who was already blacklisted by the system. It was enough that he wasn't really supposed to exist to him. Luckily he decided to throw his lot completely in with Alison.
>>
No. 420888 ID: 431fa8

>>420883
There are two different versions of Absorb:Retroactive listed on the Tier 1 Boons list. Is this an error, or...?
>>
No. 420901 ID: c811c4
File theShop(fix4).swf - (222.80KB , 850x800 )
420901

Another patch - Retroactive is added to Alison's preset, the max number of boons are kept track of (it still allows to go over the max), Scan: All's prereq is Quad Scan, and a couple scrolling issues should be fixed.

>>420888
Yes, I misread the post saying Alison was missing Retroactive - I thought the whole boon was missing altogether. Fixed again.
>>
No. 420922 ID: c811c4
File 133946118229.png - (13.96KB , 700x700 , ssf5-17.png )
420922

>A Big Damn Hug

A BDH is applied.

>Persistence/Merchant
They are now listed in the shop, and they are boons, therefore Absorb: Ability can't get those. They aren't as strong as someone might think anyway.

Since Alison doesn't have a great deal of CU, she will keep purchases light for now. Eventually she would like Absorb: Priority VII, but she will get I. All of her main four will get First Strike Priority I, Duelist will get Protection Fortification I, Scanner with Scan Strnegth I, Recluse with Absorb Priority I. The transactions don't appear to trigger anything from the system, thankfully.

Alison recommends that the shopkeep perhaps get a body modification, possibly a new handle, and a new set of clothes. He says he isn't sure how much it'll help if he triggers the system, but it won't hurt. At the very least, it will help differentiate himself.
>>
No. 420923 ID: c811c4
File 133946119636.png - (9.61KB , 700x700 , shopkeepPD.png )
420923

Paperdoll: Extreme Mode!

A paperdoll is supplied, but the body itself can be modified as well. Also, a new name may be given to the Shopkeep.
>>
No. 420937 ID: b4798d

Name suggestion: Smuggler
>>
No. 420960 ID: e3f578
File 133946531938.png - (12.81KB , 700x700 , Smuggler.png )
420960

>>420923
That's cool, I'm down with it, and got a shitty drawn design to match!
>>
No. 420963 ID: b85f8c

Actually, Persistence can grant infinite CU as well... so long as the person is worth more than the cost of a white glove, anyway. Can we get a CU reading off of Shopkeeper again to see if he's still worth 0 CU?

Also I suggested the body mod and alias because then we won't have to worry about Arbiter as much- he won't be immediately recognizable as a Shopkeeper. Arbiter would have to scan him to tell, and Shopkeeper can gain scan immunity ranks to prevent that.

I say he should go more towards a mouse/rat. He's got whiskers already and big ears, so it wouldn't be a big change, but it would make him different enough to go unnoticed. I'm not quite up to doing the drawing myself though.
>>
No. 420973 ID: 927efa

>>420960

OMG yessssss
>>
No. 420975 ID: e3f578
File 133946832055.png - (17.54KB , 700x700 , SmugglerMouse.png )
420975

>>420963
Like so?
Do you have an idea for a name?
PS, trenchcoat and fedora is just another outfit idea, mix and match either one from either picture

I'm wary about changing him to a rat, we do have an ally called mouse, but hey, it could work for him.
>>
No. 420999 ID: 886a4d

I like the raccoon look, maybe a trenchcoat instead of the classic burgler / prison escapee outfit?
>>
No. 421004 ID: b0d466
File 133947176793.png - (12.14KB , 700x800 , Shopken.png )
421004

The not-very-tiny-deer
>>
No. 421005 ID: c811c4
File 133947178421.png - (445.01KB , 700x700 , ssf5-18.png )
421005

The Shopkeep is now the Smuggler.

He says it feels wrong but he will get used to it.

Alison hurried this process up, so if she goes back, she shouldn't miss out on the next cycle. Construction will definitely go by faster if she had more CU. A couple options jump to the top of her head, but there can be more.

>Get Chests, Fight Judges
>Get Succubus to try to talk Mongrel into working with Alison
>>
No. 421008 ID: c811c4
File 133947214862.png - (452.75KB , 700x700 , ssf5-19.png )
421008

Shopkeep forgot his natural mask. And whiskers.

And feels like a trenchcoat would be better for not being a billboard that says that he is a criminal.
>>
No. 421009 ID: e3f578

>>421005
Like wrong as in he doesn't like it? Or just different, like stepping into a new pair of shoes? Getting used to it implies all sorts of things. I mean, the Smuggler thng is mainly an alias, if he does prefer Shopkeep than in private we can call him that if he prefers.

We may as well see what we're going to be in for with the judges. I don't really have faith in turning Mongrel around.
>>
No. 421010 ID: e3f578

>>421008
Tell him the Mask looks real good on him.
So did the striped turtleneck and handkerchief, but s'cool, trenchcoat is stylish.
>>
No. 421012 ID: b85f8c

>>421005
For just getting CU we could also just farm the puzzle reward from the last stage. We have a large number of people to do it with, too. I guess it depends on if we want to slow down construction to do that.

Personally I think Mongrel's a dead end. (not like lago would let us have infinite CU anyway) Also I am pretty sure Judges are a death sentence. If absolutely anyone dies without us being able to absorb them, there goes 100k as well!
>>
No. 421013 ID: 886a4d

We should tell Shop Keep that that it is just his new Corrupted Sanctuary name however he will always be our Shop Keep. We can continue to refer to him as that when not in the presence of those from there.

If we do the judges we should confer with the Arbiter on the common stats the judges pop up with so we can better prepare ourselves. We should also ask about extra lives and the policies / etiquite on asking the Corrupter for CU for resurrections and giving people level 20 body enhancements.

As for CU there is few very easy ways Shop can help us out... one by being true to his new alias and giving someone a constant supply of ill-gotten gains for say double the amount listed. He would have to have someone fronting for him though to prevent people from putting 2 and 2 together. The other is exploiting his 0 rest area self and his 27k fighter self and kill him in a stage, rez in safe zone and repeat.

With about 100 followers around having them go through stages for the CU rewards over and over can give us a steady though slight amount of income. At first we can ask them to give us 3/4 to pay off resurrections then 1/2 - 1/4 would be much more reasonable and let them upgrade themselves or buy things as well.
>>
No. 421016 ID: b0d466

>>421013
He's not going to the corrupted sanctuary, though! He said so himself.
>>
No. 421021 ID: 886a4d

Well smuggling will still work though it would have to go around the 500-1 time difference. Maybe once we get enough CU buying some people extra large inventories and letting them stock up during that 1 hour.
>>
No. 421024 ID: b85f8c

OH and we should make sure Shopler has Absorption if he's going into the next stage, so he doesn't inadvertently kill someone permanent-like. Just a few ranks would do.
>>
No. 421026 ID: e3f578

>>421016
Shame, he could make a lot of cash. Well, still, the name'll raise less questions in regular safezones. The system is going to go weird though, as soon as he enters a stage. Well might and another Shopkeeper asks him a question.

If the system cares at all, that is. And with those boons that got revealed, he has to be careful, he might end up with his ghost getting deleted if the system does care. Unless the No Ghost boon actually only works for THAT specific life and if someone's absorbed him in the past, it doesn't matter, he can still be revived.

At least until the ghost gets stolen. But Arbiter should have a copy of Shopkeeps ghost, so maybe all is good.
>>
No. 421049 ID: 09e5bf

I'm kind of surprised we named him Smuggler. Usually when we explicitly name someone, it's with a real name. So he'd be like Jacques or Toma (I'm partial to Toma).

We should try a chest run.
>>
No. 421051 ID: 886a4d

You know if we do a chest run lets try out the first stage again... we could try out the race or the arena.
>>
No. 421057 ID: dcd48d

>>421008
I like it, tell him he looks all kinds of cool now!
>>
No. 421060 ID: c811c4
File 133948215378.png - (17.56KB , 700x700 , sCS-57.png )
421060

Alison heads back, leaving the shopkeeper again, letting him know he looks nice. He thanks her, and looks forward to when she comes back.

She decides instead of playing things risky, she'll get 80 of her people to run through stages. The Arbiter assists with setting that up, saying that stage 4 is being worked on by the glitcher, but at the moment only stage 3 and prior is available. On average, people make about 200 to 250 CU per hour, as while stages can go smoothly, each turn still passes more Sanctuary time than it may feel. Nevertheless, a few hundred hours and some pass with 80 stage runners making their rounds. Alison gains 802,800 CU to her name. The Scanner and Mathematician keep a close eye on this, to make sure everything is going into the pile. With their watch and the stage runner's gratitude to being resurrected, this is easy enough. Alison can let them keep a percentage as well, as may be nice, considering they have voiced their want of some kind of a share.

Arbiter also explains that Alison gets freebies for an initial resurrection batch and getting body to 20, but everything now will rely on herself, which given the current CU, shouldn't be an issue.

The Bedrooms are near completed, as is the garden with pools and the layout for the rest of the building by the time the end of the second cycle arrives.

She could keep going as it is, or try to change the scheme. To this point, around one hundred individuals have worked on public buildings to help pay for materials for Alison's place, and the Arbiter estimates that, with inflation, it will take approximately 50 million CU worth of supplies to build and furnish her house, more if she wants the snazziest craftsmanship. He notes that estimate has an incredibly wide margin of error.
>>
No. 421071 ID: dcd48d

so smuggler has persistence... can we farm him for loads-o-CU then? cause if so I say have at it and load up on stuff yo.
>>
No. 421079 ID: 886a4d

Welp that is quite a bit of dosh. While the house is being built we should probably keep 3/4s of that. The rest defianately should go towards our workers. That leaves around 600k for Shop Keep Shenannigans. We can start going on chest runs fairly safely now.

Delimiters here we come!

Anyway spending thoughts. Delimiters are fairly expensive, perhaps only 1-2 people should get it until we get more money. My suggestion would be for Alison and Duelist to unlock it, leaving 300k for spending on boons and upgrading stats.

~160k of that should be spent on pure stat upgrades. I suggest 20 body / armor, 18 weapon for Duelist and 18 body / armor , 20 weapon for Alison.

For Alison I suggest double attack and level 7 absorb priority, and scatter: leftovers. She'll be able to one-shot any single tier 2.

Duelist should buy Ability protection, protection: split damage, attack interruption, and 3 levels of protector fortification. I'm actually surprised these are boons and not a skill line in itself, they look exactly like an extension of the Protect skill line and it seems a bit silly to have them take up boon space, the same for the other strengthen boon sets.

The rest of the dosh should be for maxing out tier 1 stats like range.

Perhaps we should also set aside 30k for Succubus to get Shapeshift for her spying career. Teleportation would suit Alison as well but that maybe can wait until the mansion is finished.
>>
No. 421080 ID: c811c4
File 133948534085.png - (18.05KB , 700x700 , sCS-58.png )
421080

200700 CU is divvied amongst everyone aside from the main four, a sum considered fair enough considering that is over 1,100 per person including the construction workers, as Alison currently has 183 total population. Although it sounds small considering the numbers everyone has seen thrown around, there are a lot more cycles before the next stage.

She has 602100 that she will begin spending on stats and boons as she visits the shopkeep again.

As monumental as these sums are, Alison feels like she could have all she'd ever need if just one more thing came together.

If Mongrel would just work with her, if she could just a chest with Absorb: Combat, if Shopkeep was willing to use his persistence by coming to the Corrupted Sanctuary... she just needs one of those things to happen.

Then again, she's used to being in more of a rush. Again, she can just wait out the cycles and let the CU flow in with everyone's hard work.
>>
No. 421081 ID: 09e5bf

Give those things a try, but it's fine to just go slow and steady.

Just having Smuggler by itself is a fantastic edge.
>>
No. 421083 ID: 04b86a

Let's avoid buying any new skill lines ourself. Instead, let's just let other people buy those and then absorb them after they get a rank in it.

On the subject of infinite CU... it'd have consequences, but the Corruptor might be able to use his glitcher to alter your Absorb: Ability Absorb boon to absorb boons instead. The price for that might be as bad as being glitched like Outsider is, though, so even if he can do it it may not be a good idea.
>>
No. 421084 ID: 886a4d

I think we should definately do chest runs, if nothing else it will give us a chance to discover Combat Absorb. With 4 high tier running chest runs we could be pulling 280k - 600k in a single run with 4-6 judges. We can also sell off chests since we have access to most boons / skill lines already. As we get more high tiers delimited and added to our posse (Healer, and Gaurdsman perhaps?) we can increase that to about 800k a run.

Anyway I've already outline my spending thoughts here >>421079
>>
No. 421100 ID: c811c4
File 133948885449.png - (30.57KB , 700x700 , sCS-59.png )
421100

At the end of the cycle, Alison gets:
-1 Delimiter!
18 F. Body
18 F. Armor
20 F. Weapon
Absorb priority II to VII, Scatter: Leftovers, Double Attack (All boon slots filled)

Duelist gets:
-1 Delimiter!
20 F. Body
20 F. Armor
18 F. Weapon
Up to Protection Fortification IV, Protection: Attack interuption, Split Damage

Rank 5 Range for all main 4.

Ultimately, it costs 565350 CU, leaving Alison's funds at 36750.

Thinking while inside what is now her finished room, she decides to try a chest run, and must decide which stage to enter. The Arbiter, always checking in on Alison, says that the stage may influence what the chests give.
>>
No. 421101 ID: 132b99

hmmm... our first stage gave us absorb. not sure WHAT it would give us now.
>>
No. 421104 ID: b0d466

Ask for details! What stages give what~!
>>
No. 421110 ID: 886a4d

My guess is thus:

Preliminaries: Skill lines and items
First stage: Skill lines and tier 1-2 boons
Second stage: Skill lines and tier 3 boons
Third Stage: Skill Lines and tier 4+ boons
>>
No. 421111 ID: fdad59

Yes, do ask him what trends have been observed with chest contents. Is it equally based on a person's abilities, boons, and power level, and the stage it came from, or does it tip more to one of them, and by how much? For that matter, is there someone recording chest runs and their outcomes, for analysis? You want to know so you know who to report yours to afterwards.

>>421101
Probably a load of Judges, since Alison and crew would be seriously out of line compared to who should be running through the stage.

Do the chests persist after they're opened? If so, they could be used as trophies to mark successful runs, as well as storage; Engrave the outside with those who ran it, when and where, who opened it, and what it contained.
>>
No. 421113 ID: c811c4
File 133949065351.png - (13.64KB , 700x700 , sCS-60.png )
421113

>Do chests persist after opened, similar to a trophy?
No, the Arbiter answer. A better trophy is simply to keep an unopened chest, as though to say that not just was there a successful run, but it's not even that important to open.

>Are chest runs recorded
Yes, but there are not many. There is a special secretary at the stage portal building for special events like that.

Alison asks what the differences are, but the Arbiter admit's that it's hard to pinpoint. Most of his information is gained, but a lot of boons come up during the stages when they first become available, to an extent. For instance, Resurrection, Ghost talk and ability absorb would most likely come from a chest in stage 3 as opposed to others. Yet given everyone doing chest runs is far more powerful, the randomness of all of it is highly increased.

He starts trailing off as he spoke, taking another look at Alison that lasts a bit too long. He pushes at the door, making sure it's shut.

Turning back around to Alison, he asks where she got all of those boons.
>>
No. 421114 ID: 886a4d

Our friend. We've asked him to consider coming here but thus far he's refused... however he has given us access to the merchant ability he somehow aquired. Still be cagey sicne Shop Keep doesn't want to be known yet.
>>
No. 421115 ID: 04b86a

We have a... supplier. Someone who's managed to acquire the Merchant boon, despite it apparently being tier 2. If it wasn't a bug, then at the very least it must have been something the System didn't anticipate. However, at the moment he's only willing to piss of the system by helping Allison and those working immediately under her, and as stated earlier wants nothing more to do with the Sanctuary than his association with her requires.
>>
No. 421116 ID: 927efa

In a chest, where else? You're very good at chess.
>>
No. 421118 ID: 886a4d

I think we should be mostly truthful with the Arbiter since he is a friend / ally. He could be asked by the Corrupter to keep an eye on us but by approaching us directly it seems like he has grown fond of Alison enough to override that.
>>
No. 421120 ID: 09e5bf

>I think we should be mostly truthful with the Arbiter since he is a friend / ally.

I agree.
>>
No. 421123 ID: 886a4d

We should ask everyone what stage they got their boons in and what boons did they see but didn't take.
>>
No. 421124 ID: b0d466

>>421120
I agree.

How does "From a friend with the Merchant ability." sound?
>>
No. 421130 ID: fdad59

>>421124
Say this, but it's actually a boon, not an ability.
>>
No. 421131 ID: c811c4
File 133949333575.png - (17.34KB , 700x700 , sCS-61.png )
421131

Alison says she's got a friend on the outside, that while he doesn't want much to do with the Sanctuary, he does have the Merchant boon.

The distance between Arbiter and Alison is closed, and he says what's more important than how Alison got such a friend with such an ability, is that the Corruptor doesn't know. And the corruptor will be unhappy to hear that Alison is holding out on a solution to one of the biggest bottlenecks the Sanctuary has right now. No easy boons, and no Delimiter, which he guesses removes the hard cap.

He asks if anyone else has a delimiter, Alison keeps to her honesty and says one other. The Arbiter pauses a moment, still holding Alison, before saying they have to tell the Corruptor about this.
>>
No. 421132 ID: b0d466

>>421131
It's /because/ she fears he might see her friend as just a "solution" that she hasn't wanted to tell the Corrupter about him.
>>
No. 421134 ID: 09e5bf

Alison should tell the Corruptor that she does have a way to bypass the limit, but that her friend is very wary about using it, and only did so for Alison because he is her close friend.

She hopes that she can stay here at the sanctuary, and that he would warm up to the idea of coming here himself, but Alison does not want to betray his trust. Doing so would not only lose her this valuable resource, but also a good friend.
>>
No. 421135 ID: 927efa

You have to assert to the Arbiter that this is Duelist. You trust him with your life, and honestly he's more reliable and frankly less likely to rat anyone out than you are. The problem is not so much in trusting Duelist. The problem is that as much as you'd like to protect your secrets, all it took was a cursory scan to reveal them, and Arbiter isn't the only one who can do that.

The rest of your group knows that something is up but they haven't met Smuggler directly yet. At least I hope so. You aren't that green, are you?
>>
No. 421138 ID: 886a4d

Ask him to be honest with her... what will the Corrupter do with this information? Will he force her to betray her friend? Or eject them from the Sanctuary when Alison refuses to pressure her friend to join them? Or even kill her?

She just doesn't know the Corrupter well enough yet. She is learning to trust him but not with the freedom of a friend who could do so much,

She won't do it. She'll try to convince her friend to join the Rebellion but ultimately it is Smuggler's decision, its enough to her that he help her out so far and is willing to continue being her friend. She will never betray someone like that, otherwise how can she expect them to stay loyal to her?
>>
No. 421139 ID: 927efa

Basically what I'm saying is shitshitshitget Scan Immunity 10 rightnowaaaaa
>>
No. 421140 ID: 04b86a

>>421131
He doesn't want to come here. Yet. We are working on that, and we have not told the Corruptor partly because our friend, who we've taken to calling Smuggler, has asked not to be mentioned if possible, and partly because he isn't particularly valuable to the Corruptor until he comes here. Willingly. Now then, since, being a group leader, someone else is bound to be interested enough in us scan us, we are willing to let him know that we're working on a solution to the boon bottleneck, but that it relies on someone that doesn't yet wish to come here but likes Allison. The Corruptor will likely be a bit upset that we didn't inform him sooner, but he has always been reasonable in our experience and will understand that we are doing what we can.

What he can do in the meantime is work on the CU bottleneck we'll be faced with once we get Smuggler to come here. We need the Absorption boon Combat. Stage 3's chest has been tending toward Absorption boons for us, so there's that. Alternatively, we can simply farm chests and give them to someone without tier 2 access, which bar a bug means they'll only get tier 1 items, boons, and skills.

Now let's go discuss things with the Corruptor, since this apparently can't be put off for very long due to nosy scanners.
>>
No. 421141 ID: 132b99

>>421139
yes yes yes.
>>
No. 421143 ID: 886a4d

>>421140
Your probably right, I was hoping for a few judge runs so we could hand wave everything off with chest get, but thats pointless. Time to see if we have a future here.

>>421139
We can't, no room in our boon inventory.
>>
No. 421144 ID: fdad59

On top of Smuggler not wanting to come here, and Alison not pressuring him to come here because he's a friend, there's also the matter of him originally being a Shopkeep; An agent of the System. Even resurrected and supposedly disconnected, bringing him to the Sanctuary could very well leave a trail the System could follow back. Even if it doesn't, him using his merchant boon to buy loads of things that no one should have access to yet could also draw unwanted attention.
>>
No. 421145 ID: 09e5bf

>>421143
>We can't, no room in our boon inventory.

We could get the boon expansions eventually, and get a full scan protection tree with the tier two platform block.
>>
No. 421147 ID: 886a4d

>>421145
There's also expermenting with Refund Boon to see if dropping obsolete ranks will be viable. so a rank 10 Absorb Priority doesn't have to actually take 10 boon slots.
>>
No. 421148 ID: 927efa

>>421145

I think by that time, the cat will be well and truly out of the bag...

Might be a good idea to kill Smuggler now, so he can hide in your backup space until we get this worked out. :c
>>
No. 421149 ID: 886a4d

He's not with us though, hes in the rest area of stage 5. If we run now we'd have to abandon everything in the Sanctuary. I'd... rather not do that quite yet.
>>
No. 421150 ID: 09e5bf

Don't do anything to Smuggler. Killing him explicitly opens him up to MORE people since he's recursively absorbed by Arbiter and everyone who is connected to arbiter through absorption chains.
>>
No. 421151 ID: c811c4
File 133949602630.png - (19.88KB , 700x700 , sCS-62.png )
421151

It's because the Corruptor may see Alison's friend as just a solution that she hasn't told the Corruptor. She asks the Arbiter to tell her what would happen if the Corruptor found out.

He says he'll definitely want that. He'll try to get Alison to do it, but he's perfectly capable of teleporting where that friend would be, given he should be in the same bracket as Alison. And if Alison doesn't somehow at least try to get that merchant ability down here, then the Corruptor may kick her out, or worse, depending on how things go. She has to tell the Corruptor for her own sake, not to mention that the Arbiter may have become an accomplice in this.

Alison says she won't betray her friend's trust. The Arbiter's grip on her tightens, and he pauses for a very long time before blurting out words, entire sentences at a time. If she tells the Corruptor, he repeats, he'll go after her friend whether Alison cooperates or not.

If she stays here, someone is going to notice Alison's current stats and boons and tell the corruptor. If she stays in the safe zone, the Corruptor will think it bad that Alison just lets the time skip on by while all of her friends work and live here.

Even if she abandons a great deal of her boons to become impervious to scans, it may look suspicious, but that sounds like the best option. Time is still unfrozen, so she could do it right now without losing any time. Though the Arbiter doesn't know it, she can get more boon expensions, or resell some other boons that aren't critical.

He asks Alison if her 'friend' is actually a befriended shopkeeper.
>>
No. 421154 ID: 886a4d

Say again you won't betray a friend... but you will give him a chance to talk to your friend himself.

Take the Arbiter to see Smuggler right now. Ask the Arbiter not to Scan the Shop Keep and give them some privacy to talk. Explain whats happened to Shop Keep and that the Arbiter is quickly becoming a loyal friend as well, leave it up to the Shop Keep whether he passes on as person who was offered the merchent boon in a chest due to a glitch or he IS a shop keeper.
>>
No. 421156 ID: 09e5bf

>He asks Alison if her 'friend' is actually a befriended shopkeeper.

Tell Arbiter the truth. That yes, he is a befriended shopkeep who has been separated from the system.



While I think it would be fine to tell the Corruptor, we should tell Smuggler that while we respect his privacy, and will do what we can to keep him secret, it will be difficult, we have already had to tell one person, and many more will likely find out over time, especially since there's so much of it over there.

If he wishes to think on it, and stay secret, we should shift our boons and abilities to being unscannable. Let him know this is not an inconvenience to us. We should have thought more about the social risks of these upgrades before we got them. But keep in mind that even being unscannable is a sign of how many boons we've gotten.
>>
No. 421157 ID: e3f578

>>421151
"I kinda absorbed him in a duel when I shocked him into an existential crisis. He forgot he wasn't allowed to do that. I revived him after returning from here to the safe zone. He's pretty much an entirely separate person now from the system, aside from the merchant ability letting him access everything."
>>
No. 421158 ID: b0d466

Don't lie.

"He was a shopkeeper, yes, but he seems to have become disconnected from the system."

Teleport yourself and Arbiter to the safezooooooooone
>>
No. 421159 ID: 04b86a

... I have one argument for why the Smuggler should come here before the Stage starts. Allison is currently the strongest contestant, will get stronger by the time the Stage begins, and has access to someone with their Merchant boon. She is, therefore, a threat, and they will be focusing a significant number of resources on her and Smuggler in the Stage to eliminate them. We can absolutely expect an intervention by someone with as high of an Absorption priority as they can manage to use Block Absorption on Shopkeep. He'll be safe here, though.

Tell him yes, he used to be a Shopkeeper. He's completely separated from the System and the other Shopkeepers now, though, so he doesn't exactly qualify as one anymore. Also say that we have one argument that we can try to use to get him to come here before the Stage starts. He'll probably need some time to think on it, though, so don't expect an immediate answer.
>>
No. 421160 ID: 927efa

Ask why it would be so important if he were a shopkeep or not. Whether a shopkeep befriended us because of a glitchy system, or a player got the Merchant ability because of a glitchy system, it's the same situation right?
>>
No. 421161 ID: 886a4d

The answer would be persistance... With persistance you can also get infinite CU.
>>
No. 421162 ID: 04b86a

You know, it would be in line with drama conventions for the System to simply be suppressing their link with the Smuggler in the hope that he'd eventually be brought here, whether by choice or by force.

How about this: if the Corruptor suspects that the above is the case, then we'll refrain from using my argument to bring Smuggler here, and Corruptor can keep an eye on us during the stage. If the System sends someone who's capable of blocking Smuggler's resurrection, then he's clearly outside of the System's control and Corruptor should have him evacuated to Allison's estate. Once we're done with the stage, we'll apologize and explain that the System would try to eliminate him with a high priority resurrection block, but were at the same time worried that the System was just suppressing his link to it in the hopes that he'd lead them here, and so we arranged with the Corruptor to have him evacuated here if the attack happened. He'll no doubt be mad at us, but he'll at least understand that we did it for him. We'll then give him a choice to stay here or return to the stages, with no more chances of evacuation should he be attacked again - and the Corruptor won't force him to stay here regardless of his choice, since if he chooses a likely perma-death over staying here and turning completely against the System, there's not much the Corruptor could do aside from torture him into using the boon.

If he implies, or even outright states, that he doesn't mind that, then we can start insinuating that he's no different from the System, that he's willing to hurt or kill anyone if it furthers his own desires. I expect that to infuriate him, but someone has to call him out if he gets to that point.

In addition to all of this talk of getting a Merchant here, we do still have a CU bottleneck, and I'd really prefer a way around it that didn't involve killing a single person thousands of times: even if it isn't painful, it's bound to be at least a little traumatic.
>>
No. 421163 ID: c811c4
File 133950096572.png - (17.48KB , 700x700 , ssf5-20.png )
421163

>Why it would be important if he was a shopkeep or not
Alison was about to mention Persistence, but Arbiter beat her to it. Nevertheless, that is the main differentiation, otherwise it wouldn't matter. Alison does say that it is, in fact, a shopkeeper, but disconnected from the system, telling him the events that led to that.

Alison does bring him to the safe zone, where the Arbiter finally lets go, and apologizes. It is just a very sudden change of events.

The Smuggler and the Arbiter greet each other. Alison apologizes, explaining that the Arbiter was the one who knew about him, and that it will be very hard to keep secret. The Arbiter continues, explaining the conversation that he and Alison just had, namely the danger that he's in.

Looking down, the Smuggler says that he's already neckdeep in this business, and trying to hide sounds like a good way to make enemies with the system and the enemies with the enemies of the system.

Yet, the Arbiter says that it would only be safe to bring him back if everyone was absolutely certain that this shopkeep is disconnected. If he weren't, and triggered a flag in the corrupted sanctuary that gave away its location, it could be disasterous. The system is unpredictable, so it's impossible to say. It should be enough to tell the Corruptor about this, and the corruptor can bring the higher ups to the shopkeep, rather than have the shopkeep come to Alison's place.
>>
No. 421166 ID: 09e5bf

>Eh we haven't exposed him to the Corrupter yet, and with the Arbiter's support we might not have to... still it might be a good idea to plan a bugout.

I think we should reveal him to the corruptor, but leave him out here until we have a way to verify he is unconnected to the system. At least until we have a sanctuary of our own to risk.

Also, hug Smuggler, and let him know you understand how big of a decision this was for him to make.
>>
No. 421167 ID: 886a4d

If the Shop Keep doesn't want to join with the Corruptor there is another option. Bugout, leave the Sanctuary and the Corrupter behind... leave this bracket and hope to stay low. They would need time to prepare however.
>>
No. 421169 ID: 04b86a

We could have someone the Corruptor trusts establish a second Sanctuary. Sure, we'd have to build more stuff there and give people a chance to relocate, but then we could have the Smuggler a step removed from our main city while still safe from the System.
>>
No. 421170 ID: 886a4d

Mmm honestly I don't think its the wisest to completely trust the Corrupter yet. He did threaten us when we were asking about the beginnings of Sanctuary and the Arbiter outright stated that he would ignore Smuggler's wishes. I think we should prepare for at least another cycle before going to him... get Alison up to tier 3 at the very least.
>>
No. 421171 ID: f7ae22

Hug Smuggler and change his name to Snuggler.
>>
No. 421172 ID: 09e5bf

>>421169
I agree, but don't think we should explicitly say "make a second sanctuary" Just that you would like to bring bandit to a sanctuary, but don't want to bring him to the Corruptor's sanctuary until you can be sure that Smuggler is separate from the system.
>>
No. 421173 ID: b85f8c

>>421163
Ask if Smuggler can 'resell' Persistence or Merchant to get rid of it and avoid this issue entirely.
>>
No. 421175 ID: 886a4d

>>421173
Wow... that would be a very valid threat. He has access to Refund Boon!

If we did do that we should get as much outta Smuggler as possible White Glove duels with the persistance instead of 1-ups will quickly give us enough CU to get Tier 3.
>>
No. 421176 ID: b85f8c

I have this nagging suspicion in the back of my head that says Corruptor always knew you befriended Smuggler, due to people in the safe zone witnessing the existential crisis thing, and that's why you were approached. Further paranoia is that Arbiter was given the task of monitoring you via Scan to find out if Smuggler ever decided to let you buy stuff from him.

Ask why Arbiter scanned you.
>>
No. 421194 ID: a7adbc

>>421176

Probably this. Makes sense, way to paranoia!
>>
No. 421196 ID: 09e5bf

>>421176
We could have also been approached because we beat and absorbed the chief, who they previously tried recruiting.

Lets take that fun paranoia and turn it around. From the Corruptor's point of view, assuming he knew that Alison absorbed the Shopkeep; Alison would be a very dangerous person to recruit, because she befriended a system character, and could bring the system in with her, whether she means to or not.

If perhaps, you think this is the case because the Arbiter guessed that we have been trying to hide the Smuggler, it could be because we never stop dropping hints about it. Alison is like a child trying to hide a puppy, who keeps asking puppy related questions.
>>
No. 421200 ID: c6ec33

>>421163
You need to have a chat with Arbiter about the Corrupter.

Ask him to tell you as much about him as possible. What his motives are, what his past actions against the system have been, etc. See if you can get him to tell you about how his outside safe zones are created. If he asks why, point out that it might be a good idea to create a very small, separate safe zone for the Smuggler in order to at lest have a "getaway zone" for him separate to the corrupter's realm, in case we need to hide him from anyone from the system coming after him in the system safe zones.

Also, point out that the system probably won't let us use him forever, and there are probably some things that are red flags.

Also, see if you can have a private chat with Smuggler at some point, and ask him if it's possible for him to hide certain items from being purchased. I don't think we want to give the Corrupter access to Tier 3 without getting more of a feel for what he'd do with that power.
>>
No. 421201 ID: bdb3f8

Working with Corrupter has always been a matter of working together as long as our goals don't conflict. If they conflict, I don't have a problem with bailing. If he wants to run things like Chief, he gets to deal with the same dangers.

Apologize to Smuggler for giving him another hard decision so close on the heels of the last, but your loyalty is to your friends, and you will support him whatever. It's the least he deserves.

Tell Arbiter that his abilities are disconnected, but there is no way to know he isn't being monitored like the chests or something. At the very least he knows he shouldn't be selling to people who are flagged.

Also, all evidence suggests that when the safe zone timer ends all persistent entities have their experiences merged down for the next zone. I would rather not find out if that mechanism requires an active connection to the system.

>>420803
The one 1-up per person rule might be what was preventing them from showing up in the store. We should probably have one of our hundreds of underlings who never got a chance to buy one give it a look when we get a moment.
>>
No. 421215 ID: 886a4d

I;m also a bit surprised there are no banditry boons. You'd think it'd at least have an item steal and range boons. Even Heal has range!
>>
No. 421217 ID: b0d466

>>421201
When we joined the Corruptor, we let it be known that our friends were always part of the equation. That has not changed.

If the Corruptor intends to use our friends as pawns, with no consideration for their own decisions, we are afraid we will become unable to call him an ally.
>>
No. 421219 ID: 927efa

We're assuming a lot about the Corruptor. But on another subject, that Persistence thing kind of worries me. What happens if we duel again and absorb Smuggler? He won't just go back into (semi) secure storage, but will also Persist right? Wouldn't that end up with two copies of Smuggler?

How many times could we resurrect the guy?
>>
No. 421220 ID: c811c4
File 133953129894.png - (17.61KB , 700x700 , ssf5-21.png )
421220

>Hug Smuggler/Shopkeep/Snuggler
Done. She thanks him a dozen times for all of these decisions he has to make.

>Ask if he can resell Persistence/Merchant to avoid this
He can, and he says that a boon can always be bought back at regular price, even if it's not normally in the shop. For instance, Alison could resell resurrection and get it back later.

Except for Merchant, because he would be blacklisted from himself, so he couldn't repurchase Merchant. From himself. He doesn't want to revive the existential crisis thinking about it.
>>
No. 421221 ID: c811c4
File 133953131121.png - (8.87KB , 700x700 , ssf5-22.png )
421221

Alison asks why the Arbiter scanned her after telling him that he may be monitored similar to the chests.

He says he didn't mean much by it, but she was talking about going after chests for boons, so he wanted to know what ones she already had. He felt it simplest to just scan her, but apologizes if she considered it intrusive.

Alison moves on to the corruptor himself, asking about his motives and past actions against the system. She's informed that proactive actions have simply been spent on preparation, trying to get strong enough, as even if it was found how where all of these shopkeeps and judges come from, no one would likely be able to do anything about it. As for motivation the corroptor simply feels that the system is a tyrant that has to be overthrown. Arbiter can agree, but also just consider the Corruptor to be a good friend.

>Creating a new safe zone to test
Arbiter says that if Alison gives initiative to telling the corruptor about this and lets him buy from the shopkeep, then she may just be able to talk him into making a new zone for this. It's a very delicate subject, however. The Corruptor has seen everyone ask him to make other safe zones, and it's worn on his patience. He doesn't mean to rush her, but there isn't much time before a new cycle starts.

A plan to bail would also be nice, but Alison isn't sure if bringing the Arbiter into that is a good idea.
>>
No. 421224 ID: 886a4d

Alright we should ask that the Shop Keep holds back on selling three things, the Boon / Skill Refunds, the extra boon slots and Tier 3, Unfortunately we can't ask him to withhold delimeters since thats one of the things. He should also ask for a modest fee so he too can earn CU (50%?) for his own use. If we decide to completely trust Corrupter the Shop Keep can say those things became available later.

I think its time to appraoch the Corrupter with this so we can get to Judge hunting. Jeesh.
>>
No. 421225 ID: 09e5bf

>He says he didn't mean much by it, but she was talking about going after chests for boons, so he wanted to know what ones she already had. He felt it simplest to just scan her, but apologizes if she considered it intrusive.

I find this to be reasonable. Scanners gonna scan.

We should leave to talk to the Corruptor, and tell him about Smuggler.

>Arbiter says that if Alison gives initiative to telling the corruptor about this and lets him buy from the shopkeep, then she may just be able to talk him into making a new zone for this. It's a very delicate subject, however. The Corruptor has seen everyone ask him to make other safe zones, and it's worn on his patience.

We should leave this until the end. Bring it up by saying we would like to bring the Smuggler to the sanctuary, but are not sure of any tricks the system may still have. We don't want to put the sanctuary at risk with any potential tricks the system may have, but neither do we want to leave Smuggler all on his lonesome. Creating a second sanctuary is the only solution we can think of, but if the Corruptor has one of his own, or can undoubtedly verify that Smuggler is wholly separate from the system, and not, say, that the system is leaving him alone as a trick, we would be glad to hear it. It;s not a case of us not trusting Smuggler, but us not trusting the system, and not wanting to put the sanctuary at possible risk
>>
No. 421228 ID: b0d466

>>421225
Ficus says it best
>>
No. 421229 ID: b85f8c

>>421221
The Arbiter trusts Corruptor, then? Hmm. Alright.

Personally I think that if Shopkeep is disconnected now (and he likely is) we don't know if the system can reconnect him later. That would fuck up everything. I think the opportunity for unlimited CU and complete merchant access is worth making a second sanctuary. With Smuggler's permission, we can go talk to Corruptor about it, and come back with the higher-ups that he'll be sending.

I don't want Smuggler to get lonely though...
>>
No. 421231 ID: 04b86a

Someone with the Merchant boon that isn't under the System's control is likely to be a high priority target for both a Ghost Steal and as high of a Resurrection Block as the System can manage. No matter how annoyed he may be by the questions, protecting someone with the Merchant boon from the System is a very valid reason to bring it up.

It might help if we present the Corruptor with the problem and then offer the solution after he's had a moment to give a response of some sort.

Let's get to the Corruptor rather than talk about this with the Arbiter, though. There's no sense in waste time that could be spent chest hunting.
>>
No. 421241 ID: 1444d5

Might it be an idea to absorb Smuggler before approaching the Corruptor? It would prevent him dispatching a agent to apprehend him behind our backs (we've got nowhere to hide him without risking bringing him to the safezone), and might dissuade the Corrupter from eliminating us in a fit of rage/to protect his power base. It would, however, also risk Arbiter resurrecting Smuggler before we can.
>>
No. 421244 ID: c811c4
File 133953449653.png - (14.57KB , 700x700 , sCS-63.png )
421244

Alison bids farewell to the smuggler, and heads off with the Arbiter to talk to the Corruptor.

They greet each other, and the Corruptor is very happy to see the Arbiter and Alison getting along. Despite being on the same team, there are very few house lords that want anything to do with one another.

At the first mention of having befriended a Shopkeep, the Corruptor is absolutely elated. When Alison asks if the Shopkeep could have an additional cut, the Corruptor says of course. CU is no object to him, the Smuggler can sell at double the price for all he cares. He immediately says that he won't allow the Smuggler into the sanctuary, but appears pleased with Alison that she didn't bring him herself.

Alison looks to Arbiter about the second sanctuary. He nods, gesturing to go for it. It's mentioned that a solution could be to make a second Sanctuary where the shopkeep could be. The Corruptor falls silent, thinking. He's gone a long time without having to worry about the logistics of having a second sanctuary. But for this, he says, he'll make an exception. If the Smuggler is made available at least for a reasonable amount of time to anyone that wishes to do business, then Alison can have an auxillary Sanctuary, and Smuggler can sell for up to 200% of the normal costs.
>>
No. 421247 ID: 886a4d

Good, We should help build him a house with guest rooms as well as a kiosk for business. It won't have to be much but we can have Alison or some of her friends stay with him most of the time so he won't be completely alone except for customers. It won't be as grand as our mansion but it will allow him privacy and a place he can call home when he isn't selling things. As for his profits it will be entirely up to him whether to help Alison out or not.

Anyway since a time freeze probably just started we should do a couple judge run while the Corrupter sets up the Smuggler's Sanctuary. Then we can build him a house.
>>
No. 421249 ID: 09e5bf

As soon as the second sanctuary is ready, we should move on over to it, and begin setting up a keep over there. The second sanctuary should be our main keep, since it would be mean to not stay where we and the smuggler can be together.

In the mean time. We should ask Arbiter about how most lords don't get along, and then go judge hunting to pass time until the next cycle, and hopefully find some of the unbuyable boons.
>>
No. 421252 ID: e3aff6

While we are here, and the next round is going to start soon, I think we should ask if we can get information on the general layout of the next stage from someone in a higher bracket.
>>
No. 421253 ID: b85f8c

...huh. That went well. Now I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Let's go tell Smuggler the good news while the hour is still open.
>>
No. 421255 ID: 09e5bf

>>421252
It has been like, 1 real time hour.

>>421253
We also just made corruptor so happy that we could probably attempt to obtain one of the rare corruptor hug points.
>>
No. 421256 ID: b0d466

You've been intending to hold a party once the house was finished to get to know the other house lords, but that might be a while longer now~
>>
No. 421260 ID: 886a4d

3 hours actually, first skip we spent in the Rest Area, second skip we worked on our house and the third skip just started.

Since we're planning on building our main domicle in the Smuggler's Sanctuary we might want to cancel any further building plans for now and simply stockpile building resources.
>>
No. 421264 ID: 09e5bf

>>421260
I think the first skip took place in the period between the elimination rounds ending, and the safe zone beginning.
>>
No. 421267 ID: e3f578

>>421244
Look at how happy that motherfucker is.
He's fucking estatic.
Like a child with a new toy.
Maybe we figured him wrong. No way somebody that gets that hyped is a bad guy.
>>
No. 421275 ID: c811c4
File 133953946717.png - (20.93KB , 700x700 , sCS-64.png )
421275

>Corruptor Hug Points
Alison now has one (1) corruptor hug points, but she feels hesitant to redeem this point to something that looks like it could crush her. Even though that isn't how it works.

Shopkeep is told of the news with a quick hop back to the regular safe zone, and Alison returns to the Sanctuary just in time for a new cycle.

>Ask why the lords don't get along
Arbiter explains that although none of them like the system, they otherwise come from very different mentalities.

>Layout of the next stage
The Arbiter says that there is no manner of travel to upper brackets, as not even stage 4 is available for running.

Speaking of running, Alison says that she is going to go on a judge run. Arbiter wishes her the best of luck, and he'll be here to resurrect her if things go sour.

In the meanwhile, Alison will also slow down progression of the construction to a degree by having more people do safe stage runs for CU.

Alison's party consists of Alison, Duelist, Recluse and Scanner. Is this okay?
>>
No. 421277 ID: 886a4d

Yup, with Alison double attack that garuntees one judge will die the first round no matter what, if we do it nice we can get 3 judges dead.
>>
No. 421278 ID: 09e5bf

>Arbiter explains that although none of them like the system, they otherwise come from very different mentalities.
Then it is all the better that Arbiter and Alison can be friends.

>Alison's party consists of Alison, Duelist, Recluse and Scanner. Is this okay?
Yes

Try stage 1.
>>
No. 421279 ID: 04b86a

Does entering and leaving the Stage take any time? Because if not they should be doing the first Prelim. if they aren't already.

>>421277
We should only use Double Attack if none of them are immune to Duelist's Protector ability.
>>
No. 421286 ID: 886a4d

I agree, stage 1 sounds the most interesting... we should ask Chief and Guardsman about what to expect from the Arena / Race first though.
>>
No. 421288 ID: 34b761

>>421286
agreed.
>>
No. 421290 ID: c811c4
File 133954278089.png - (11.07KB , 700x700 , sCS-65.png )
421290

>Ask about stage 1 Arena / Race
Guardsman says that there's only a chest that spawns when a person kills enough contenders.

The chief says he chose the wits section, and didn't care to ask much about the race section. Iso, though, says he chose the race. There's only one chest, and it was designed so that the first person out of the race got the chest.
>>
No. 421293 ID: b0d466

>>421292
Let's just stick with the race
>>
No. 421294 ID: 886a4d

I say we do Arena, have Alison kill people until the chest appears then resurrect.
>>
No. 421295 ID: 04b86a

>>421290
>The chief says he chose the wits section, and didn't care to ask much about the race section.
What? No he didn't. He specifically told us he did the Platform Race. >>/questdis/55020

The arena sounds best, though. Does Guardsman remember how many he had to kill?
>>
No. 421297 ID: 886a4d

I have an evil idea, resurrect Mongrel over and over to kill him to get the chest to appear.
>>
No. 421298 ID: c811c4
File 133954335871.png - (7.06KB , 700x700 , sCS-66.png )
421298

>Chief did the platform race.

The Chief can't seem to get his memory right. It felt like a race of wits. Better go with Iso's analysis.

>Resurrect mongrel
Resurrection requires consent, unfortunately for potentially heinous plans.
>>
No. 421302 ID: 09e5bf

I think race is the way to go.
>>
No. 421305 ID: 886a4d

Combat Absorb is most likely an arena chest.
>>
No. 421313 ID: c811c4
File 133954723108.png - (13.23KB , 700x700 , sCS-67.png )
421313

>Head into Stage 1 Race

It was a series of platforms that had light trails seemingly led around to various other platforms like a trivial maze, but complicated by the matter of opponents colliding on similar platforms.

Or at least that's how it was supposed to be. As it is, Alison and everyone just hops from one platform to the next with all of the leisure.
>>
No. 421314 ID: c811c4
File 133954725647.png - (13.54KB , 700x700 , sCS-68.png )
421314

And there's the chest. Only one chest, and she's full of boons already. She could put it in her inventory as well if she doesn't wish to open it now. Either choice will have a chance of spawning Judges.
>>
No. 421316 ID: 886a4d

Might as well pick it up, we can store chests or give them to followers... or even sell them.
>>
No. 421318 ID: 132b99

stare at it really hard and wish you had x-ray vision.
>>
No. 421319 ID: b85f8c

>>421314
We're full on boons, so why open it? Just make sure you've got your buds when you trigger the judge check.
>>
No. 421320 ID: b85f8c

>>421318
x-ray vision... I don't suppose Scanner could Scan the chest?
>>
No. 421321 ID: 04b86a

Doesn't the boon limit only apply to the Smuggler's ability to sell you stuff? I say open it. The more boons we have, the more likely we'll find Combat.
>>
No. 421323 ID: 886a4d

>>421321
You should be correct.
>>
No. 421325 ID: c811c4
File 133954817456.png - (271.46KB , 700x700 , sCS-69.png )
421325

rolled 48 = 48

Alison stares at it very hard, but her wish that she had x-ray vision does not come true. Scanner tries to scan the chest but it does not work. She isn't sure how the boon maximum works, so she picks it up for now and will ask if the maximum boon only applies to what the shopkeeper can sell. Or having one of her allies open it, but either way, she can wait.

Dice Roll: Under 60 will spawn judges, 60 or above will go cleanly.
>>
No. 421329 ID: 04b86a

>>421325
Have Scanner scan them all right away.
>>
No. 421331 ID: 082302

Take it unopened. We can do science to it in the sanctuary.

On a different note, we should post companions/guards in the shopkeep's sanctuary in case of a raid. And while we're at it, let's set it up in a speak-easy style restaurant.
>>
No. 421332 ID: 082302

oh tits. Do we have to fight, or can we run like piss?
>>
No. 421334 ID: 886a4d

Why would we run? The entire point of this is to get CU from killing Judges.
>>
No. 421339 ID: b0d466

>>421331
Doing SCIENCE is always the best option.

Also maybe we could get one chest for each house, and give them out as party favors when we have our first get-together.
>>
No. 421441 ID: c811c4
File 133956754929.png - (38.49KB , 900x900 , sCS-70.png )
421441

Judges are spawning!
>>
No. 421442 ID: c811c4
File 133956756428.png - (39.39KB , 900x900 , sCS-70(2).png )
421442

The stage is rather small, considering the range everyone has now. Combat will likely be quick, Duelist says.
>>
No. 421443 ID: c811c4
File 133956757709.png - (17.77KB , 1000x776 , sCS-70(3).png )
421443

Scanner scans.
>>
No. 421445 ID: e3f578

Well, I shat my pants

1 and 4 are priority in my opinion. Try your best to keep Duelist alive.
>>
No. 421447 ID: 082302

Number 4 is priority damnit! Focus fire on 4,fire all guns!
>>
No. 421448 ID: 132b99

use red glove on 4
>>
No. 421452 ID: 04b86a

Tch, this will be easy. Allison double attacks 3, then tries to pass on the other 220 damage to 1. Recluse and Scanner attack 4, and Duelist attacks 2 and Protects people as needed, only taking partial damage if he'll die otherwise. Note that Allison's armor will be worthless this turn, so she'll take direct HP damage if she's unprotected. We'll hopefully have two die this turn, so Allison will use double absorb to get both of them and we'll finish it up next turn.
>>
No. 421453 ID: 886a4d

Alison should Double Attack Judge 3, use Scatter : Leftovers to do the remaining to Judge 1. That will be 840 damage, leaving Judge 1 with 180 health Scanner should finish him off. Duelist and Recluse should target Judge 4.

Since we have first strike priority that will leave only 1 judge alive and unable to kill anyone.

Recluse will target Judge 1, Allison will double absorb the remaining Judges... we forgot to get everyone up to level 10 absorb.
>>
No. 421454 ID: 8f5660

>>421443
Offer them a chance to leave without incident. If they're not gone by the beginning of attack phase:
Alison and Duelist focus attacks (Double attack on Alison's part) on Judge 4.
Scanner and Recluse attack Judge 1.
Absorbs: Alison Judge 4, Recluse Judge 1, the others split as necessary.
>>
No. 421456 ID: 8f5660

>>421453
Rescinding mine in favor of this.
>>
No. 421458 ID: 04b86a

>>421453
You're assuming 3's Protector won't let it protect anyone else despite technically dying first. Come to think of it, we can actually just use the Red Glove on it to prevent that, they're only 200 CU right now.

Changing my suggestion to Allison Red Gloving 3, then Double Attacking 4 with Scatter: Leftovers moving the excess to 1. Then Scanner attacks 1, and Duelist and Recluse attack 2.

Allison absorbs 3, then Double Absorbs 1 and 4, and Recluse absorbs 2.
>>
No. 421459 ID: 886a4d

>>421458
Sounds good.
>>
No. 421462 ID: c811c4
File 133956997434.png - (8.59KB , 700x700 , sCS-70(4).png )
421462

Rule update! Alison will be able to use a red glove without any issue, but it will take her attack action.
>>
No. 421463 ID: 886a4d

Welp, changing back to this >>421453
>>
No. 421465 ID: 04b86a

>>421462
Alright, can you tell us how Protector works with things like First Strike and Scatter: Leftovers, then? Or do we have to find that out first hand?

I'm changing my vote back to >>421452 unless we know he won't be able to Protect 4 from Allison's attack, with a minor revision that Duelist is to attack 1 instead of 2.
>>
No. 421469 ID: 886a4d

The only way things can go south is if the Judge 3 doesn't envoke his protect boon and takes all the damage this round then everyone remaining targets Duelist. Of course they'd all die the next round regardless but there it is. If they do target Duelist Alison should Double Absorb Duelist and the Judge then resurrect immediately Duelist the next turn (I believe it was a move action, and her absorb priority overrides the steal ghost and rez block.)
>>
No. 421470 ID: 04b86a

>>421469
I just realized there's no real practical difference between my plan and your plan. I guess I misread it and thought you had Allison's leftovers and Scanner attacking 4? Anyway, the only quibble I have is that Allison should absorb 1 and 3, since they each have a skill line that Allison doesn't have access to yet.
>>
No. 421471 ID: 886a4d

>>421470
I can agree with that.
>>
No. 421472 ID: 927efa

Ooh no faces. Classy.
>>
No. 421476 ID: c811c4
File 133957483773.png - (42.45KB , 900x900 , sCS-71.png )
421476

Protection will still protect selected targets, regardless of if those targets were it with any rank of First Strike. Alison isn't certain of how it may work with Scatter: Leftovers though, but she gives an attack a shot.

Judge 3 uses protect on Judge 1, 2 and 4!

Alison Double attacks Judge 3 for 840!
Duelist attacks J. 4 for 380! Judge 3 intercepts damage!
Recluse attacks J. 4 for 320! Judge 3 intercepts damage!
Scanner attacks J. 1 for 260! Judge 3 intercepts damage!

Judge 1 attacks Duelist for 240!
Judge 2 attacks Duelist for 280!
Judge 3 attacks Alison for 120!
Judge 4 attacks Alison for 320!

Duelist takes 520 damage and absorbs all of Alison's damage and receives half for an additional 220 damage!

Duelist is slain! Judge 3 is slain!

Alison's protection scatter moves to judge 1, dealing 220 damage!

Alison uses absorb on Duelist for his CU, and Recluse uses absorb on Judge 3 for +77,000 CU.


It looks like scatter damage: leftovers actually deals damage after regular attacks, so judge 3 couldn't intercept that. He did intercept all regular damage, though.
>>
No. 421479 ID: c811c4
File 133957529434.png - (10.59KB , 700x700 , sCS-72.png )
421479

A shopkeep pops in with an immediate explanation of Oh no a glitch how could this have happened!

Duelist lived after all, with a remaining 200 HP.

The shopkeep realizes that he is fixing a glitch in favor of people fighting the system that...

He is having another minor existential crisis.
>>
No. 421481 ID: c811c4
File 133957556929.png - (7.36KB , 700x700 , sCS-72(2).png )
421481

100 HP.

The Duelist has 100 HP.
>>
No. 421482 ID: 886a4d

Hug the Shop Keep, apoligize for giving him so much trouble. Regardless its nice to see him.
>>
No. 421483 ID: 8f5660

>>421479
Tell the shopkeep to stick around throughout the battle; you'll offer hugs and chances to free himself from the system.

As for the next round of battle, I have no clue.
>>
No. 421485 ID: 886a4d

Can we change the absorb so Alison can get access to Protect? Since Duelist didn't actually die.
>>
No. 421486 ID: 04b86a

>>421479
If Duelist didn't die, then Allison gets to have absorbed 3 instead of Recluse and gets Protection access. It's only fair.

Allison Double Attacks 2, Scatter: Leftovers moving the rest over to 4. Recluse uses Scatter to split his attack between 1 and 4, and Scanner finishes off 1. Allison Double Absorbs 1 and 4, Recluse absorbs 2.
>>
No. 421487 ID: 927efa

Awww poor Shopkeep. We've got to fix this system, if for no other reason to put a smile on his face. Faces. Personalities?
>>
No. 421488 ID: 886a4d

Allison should attack Judge 4 with Double Attack and use Scatter: Leftovers to Judge 2. Recluse Should target Judge 2, Scanner should target Judge 1. That should finish them off.

If Duelist can attack he should attack Judge 1.

Absorb targets should be Alison Double Absorb 1-2 and Recluse 4.
>>
No. 421489 ID: 04b86a

>>421481
Actually, he has 160. Judge 3 was already dead because of Allison's First Strike.
>>
No. 421491 ID: 04b86a

>>421488
Allison needs to attack Judge 2 herself so that he won't be able to attack anyone.
>>
No. 421492 ID: 886a4d

>>421491

All of them have frist strike priority see here >>420922
>>
No. 421493 ID: c811c4
File 133957634031.png - (8.42KB , 700x700 , sCS-72(3).png )
421493

>First strike
160. He has 160 Hp.

Duelist feels nauseous.

>Absorb judge 3 instead of Duelist

Shopkeep says yeah, that's cool. Alison can change the absorb around to have absorbed Judge 3 instead of Duelist. Alison now has protection access.

Even though if it were all taken back and a correct analysis was made from the beginning, then all of the judges would have attacked Duelist.

The shopkeep says he won't stick around but he would love to redeem those hugs later.

Unless there are more revelations, the shopkeep will leave Alison to have at it.
>>
No. 421495 ID: 886a4d

We gotta remember to hug the Shop Keep Collective... we owe him hugs. Anyway to battle!
>>
No. 421496 ID: c811c4
File 133957717247.png - (42.89KB , 900x900 , sCS-72(4).png )
421496

Alison attacks Judge 4 with Double attack for 540 damage (300 leftover)!
Recluse attacks Judge 2 for 320 damage!
Duelist attacks Judge 1 for 380 damage!
Scanner attacks Judge 1 for 260 damage!

Alison's Leftovers go to Judge 2 for 300 damage!

All attacks from Alison's side have first strike. No retaliation is possible.


Alison uses double absorb on Judge 1 and 2, while recluse uses absorb on judge 4. 255,500 CU is gained in total for this turn.
>>
No. 421498 ID: c811c4
File 133957727848.png - (24.17KB , 900x900 , sCS-73.png )
421498

Alison's surroundings change back to the end of the race area with a flawless victory.
>>
No. 421499 ID: 8f5660

>>421497
What was in the chest? What was in the chest?!

The item isn't replaced by judges, is it? Oh nooooo!
>>
No. 421502 ID: 886a4d

To the exit... we probably should mention the Shop Keep popping into the battle to the Arbiter at the very least.

Spending plans:

Scanner and Duelist should max out absorb. Recluse should max out scan. Alison and Duelist should max out their tier 2 skill lines (20 body / armor / weapon) and for Duelist getting max scatter and first strike.

Alison should check out the Fortified Heal line she got by absorbing Judge 1

The remaining ~150-200k should be saved for when we have access to Shop Keep. For this Time Skip we should mainly be working on gathering extra CU and raw materials for Smuggler's Rest. Judge runs will help immensely with that but we should donate 1/4 to our house members so they know even Alison is contributing to their welfare beyond simply leading them.
>>
No. 421503 ID: c811c4
File 133957812514.png - (14.46KB , 700x700 , sCS-74.png )
421503

>What's in the chest?!
She hasn't decided entirely what to do with it yet! It's safe with her, and she can decide what to do with it after figuring out if she can hold more boons gained from chests.

Assuming she doesn't want to keep on getting more chests after spending some of that new CU.
>>
No. 421505 ID: 09e5bf

I think this chest should be a trophy chest. To celebrate Alison's first successful judge run.
>>
No. 421506 ID: 8f5660

>>421503
Oh, yeah. Sorry for overreacting.

If you can get Duelist to heal to full before the next chest, you may as well farm for more!
>>
No. 421507 ID: 886a4d

Save it until we can ask the Arbiter about more then ten boons. I say we should do at least 10 more judge runs during this period. That will put us at 2-3 million CU. Which will allow Alison to acquire Tier 3 and have 9 max tier 2 followers. Plus it will give us about 14-16 more chests. Enough for gifts to our followers and the head of houses for our party.
>>
No. 421508 ID: 09e5bf

I think Alison should do more chest runs after spending this CU. See how much time has passed as well.
>>
No. 421509 ID: 04b86a

Let's save the chest until we're sure we can hold more boons. That fight was easy, though, and would have been easier had we used the glove. Maybe we should do another chest run after getting an estimate on how long it will take for the new Sanctuary to be ready?

>>421492
The way the boon's written, it only applies if the two people are attacking each other. Since Recluse attacked Judge 2 and not Duelist, Judge 2 could have killed Duelist. That's really the only way the boons make sense if they aren't just First Strike ranks in boon form, because if they apply on all attacks then the first boon effectively gives you Rank 6 as long as you have at least one rank in the skill line.
>>
No. 421510 ID: 886a4d

Mmm, heres how combat goes with first strike priority levels,

first strike priority Rank 5 attacks first,
first strike priority Rank 4 attacks second,
first strike priority Rank 3 attacks third,
first strike priority Rank 2 attacks fourth,
first strike priority Rank 1 attacks fifth,
First Strike 1-5 attacks sixth,
normal attacks seventh.

If you die to a higher first strike you don't get to attack. Alison and the high tiers can target anyone without first strike priority and come out on top. What the First Strike skill line does is set how many targets are struck with the first blow. Alison can target five people with double attack and scatter with her first strike priority taking effect.
>>
No. 421518 ID: c811c4
File 133958547881.png - (10.16KB , 700x700 , sCS-75.png )
421518

For now, Alison heads back to the Corrupted Sanctuary. No one has had the access to boons that she has had, so there is little knowledge on the matter of if opening chests increases the maximum boons. She'll have to ask the Smuggler.

Returning the the Secretary to the portals, she records what Alison remembers of the judges and the battle. The shopkeep has shown up a couple times before, but it was a clean fixup and exit, nothing more. She was also gone for about 30 minutes.
>>
No. 421519 ID: c811c4
File 133958549240.png - (117.17KB , 700x700 , sCS-76.png )
421519

Alison starts heading to the corruptor to find out how long it'll take to make a new sanctuary, but the Arbiter is waiting outside at the building's stairs, with the other foot traffic, as usual, keeping a respectful distance and then some from the two of them. He congratulates Alison, and has his arms at a funny, hovering angle.
>>
No. 421520 ID: 09e5bf

perhaps he wishes to initiate a hug, but either does not want to do so in public, or lacks the proper hug proficiencies.
>>
No. 421521 ID: 740853

You may want to ask him what he is so nervous about, in a less crowded area of course...
>>
No. 421527 ID: c811c4
File 133958824355.png - (18.96KB , 900x600 , sCS-77.png )
421527

Alison offers to ask him what he's nervous about in a more private area. He looks taken aback, but says to lead the way.

She continues into the Corruptor's Castle, where there is little traffic along the way to the Corruptor's chambers.

She asks what he's so nervous about. He says nothing, not to worry about it.

She asks if he was trying to initiate a hug. He says no. Maybe. No. Don't worry about it.
>>
No. 421528 ID: 09e5bf

Demonstrate proper hugging procedure.
>>
No. 421529 ID: 04b86a

Wait. There's a tier 2 skill line called Shapeshift, remember? Maybe this isn't the Arbiter.
>>
No. 421531 ID: b85f8c

>>421529
We should confirm what shapeshift actually does before getting paranoid.
>>
No. 421533 ID: c811c4
File 133959028486.png - (14.39KB , 700x700 , sCS-78.png )
421533

Alison wonders aloud if he's a shapeshifter, considering how strange he's acting. He says he isn't, there aren't many fools out there that would prank anyone in the image of a lord. He should try finding out what limitations there are to that ability though.

Which is good enough in Alison's eyes to show him proper hugging procedure.
>>
No. 421534 ID: c811c4
File 133959031292.png - (12.42KB , 700x700 , sCS-79.png )
421534

He mumbles a thank you, and apologizes for being weird. He isn't used to this sort of thing.
>>
No. 421537 ID: 09e5bf

>He isn't used to this sort of thing.
Proximity to Alison will fix this.

For now, buy upgrades, and get Iso caught up in CU.

Then do another run.
>>
No. 421540 ID: c811c4
File 133959302218.png - (9.04KB , 700x700 , sCS-80.png )
421540

>Iso
Lately, Iso has felt rather distant, and it may be nice to get him back in the front of things. He would certainly be willing to do stages with Alison, after all.

The corruptor says that the new safe zone's eta is the beginning of next cycle. This is in part, he explains, that just for her, the glitcher will also be working on a way to transport Alison's house, when it is finished, to the smuggler's safe zone if she wishes to.
>>
No. 421541 ID: c811c4
File theShop2_0.swf - (231.21KB , 850x900 )
421541

Prior to another chest run, Alison may spend points.

She currently has 385507 CU.

The shop has been upgraded. The top tab now brings down the statistics calculator. Again, while quirky, it should be relatively self explanatory with some experimentation, but do tell of any bugs and issues. The presets from before should also work with the statistics.
>>
No. 421542 ID: b85f8c

Note: We shouldn't go buying boons yet, as we're 'between hours'. Upgrade stats only.
>>
No. 421545 ID: 431fa8

>>421541
It doesn't look like buying the Extra Boons ability line increases the listed maximum boons for the appropriate tiers.

While Extra Boons are on the mind, do those stack or overlap? That is, with Extra Boons I and Extra Boons II, is the boon cap 13 or 15?

Also, Access:Absorb is listed twice on the Tier 1 Other list.
>>
No. 421546 ID: 09e5bf

Shame we can't buy boons and whatnot until the next cycle.

Spend 7731 maxing out Iso's tier 1 stuff, including absorption and range, 10,000 to get him tier 2 access, and 99750 getting him FBody 15, FArmor 10, Fweapon 16, and standard first strike 1. Costing a total of 117481.

We should probably do upgrade Guardsman and Healer as well.
>>
No. 421547 ID: 09e5bf

>This is in part, he explains, that just for her, the glitcher will also be working on a way to transport Alison's house, when it is finished, to the smuggler's safe zone if she wishes to.

Thank him for this, and say you would like this.
>>
No. 421558 ID: c811c4
File theShopisoadd.swf - (231.36KB , 850x900 )
421558

Alison will spend 117,481 CU on getting Iso up to the 100k limit.

She will have 268,026 CU remaining.

Quick fix - Getting the additional boon slot purchases now reflects the max in the UI. The total CU spent no longer disappears when it gets too long, couple misc fixes, and Scan: Block platform now takes the appropriate amount of boon slots for an immunity.

Also, Iso is now in the preset listings.
>>
No. 421559 ID: b85f8c

>>421546
Guardsman and healer? Sounds like a good idea, considering they've paired up. It's nice to have bffs together in the battlefield.

Hmm. I think Iso should open the chest. Maybe he can get something unique.
>>
No. 421565 ID: 09e5bf

We should max out Mako's weapon for 10750, and Alison's Body and Armor for 21500.

That leaves us with 235,812

>Guardsman and healer? Sounds like a good idea, considering they've paired up.
It's guardsman and scanner who are BFFs. I think healer was friends with Duelist.

>Hmm. I think Iso should open the chest. Maybe he can get something unique.
I still think the first chest should be left as a trophy.

My proposal for upgrading guardsman. I'm choosing him because he has range.

Spend 116987 to max out his tier 1 stuff, including range and absorption, then get him FBody 11, FArmor 13, FWeapon 17, and First strike 1.

We should wait with healer until we can get her range or Fortified healing, but in the mean time, Chief, Bandit, or anyone else with range would be a good choice to bring up to tier two.
>>
No. 421566 ID: b85f8c

>>421565
I know they're not paired with eachother- I meant they were paired with people we were already using.

I don't think we should give Chief any more power. He needs to stay in his non-combat administrative position. Bandit is good though.
>>
No. 421571 ID: b0d466

Save some of that C.U. for materials for the house!
>>
No. 421592 ID: 34b761

>>421566
I agree with cheif staying non-combat
>>421559
I also think that Iso should get the chest. He should have a bigger role in this. he wants to fight, then we should enable him to fight.
>>
No. 421601 ID: 09e5bf

I think we should try to get a second judge hunting team up before the next cycle.

>I also think that Iso should get the chest

We can get more chests. We should be getting hundreds of them before the next cycle. We will never again have the chance to make our first chest into a trophy.

No normal person would do that. No regular person would take their first chest from their first judge fight. It is a huge statement to make, that we can never make again. It is a prize, singularly important, that once passed up, can never be reattained.
>>
No. 421602 ID: 886a4d

>>421565 Agreed, Bandit is a good choice since he`s fairly unique with Banditry. Maybe we can get him some boons on these chest runs.


Do not forget to upgrade everyones high tier to max absorb... Alison should not use double absorb unless its an emergency or she is overpowering someone with a high absorb priority.
>>
No. 421608 ID: b85f8c

>>421601
You make a compelling argument. I'll switch my vote to keeping it.
>>
No. 421621 ID: b0d466

>>421601
Ok, we are making it a trophy.

Also, give the corruptor a hug! He is being so nice, moving your house so you can stay with your friends~!

We got access to the protector line, right? We should buy that up.

Alison> full ranks in protector, fort armor, fort body
Buy everyone full ranks in their tier 1 unlocked skills
Bandit seems a good choice to bring up to 100k
>>
No. 421628 ID: 886a4d

I don`t know how useful protector would be without the accompanying boons, perhaps we should hold off on that. However yes, max out absorb and banditry. Is Fort Heal just a straight addition to heal or does it function like the rest of the fort skill lines (multiplying effect.) If it multiplies Alison should acquire heal from healer or trihorn so we can heal tier 2s.


I like how the most important thing Alison brings is not her battle acuity, nor her leadership skills but her willingness to show physical affection to people. If you think about it, it does make sense... these creatures have never known positive touch and then here comes someone who is willing to hug them, to show them that they are cared for.
>>
No. 421629 ID: 04b86a

I just came up with a Judge Hunting team that we should suggest to the Corruptor, so that he can implement it next cycle if he has the CU needed.

>>/questdis/56033
>>
No. 421632 ID: 886a4d

>>421629
We could do this with our own teams, Strongarm, Dagger, Sword and Shield would be good candidates. Another set would be Atlas, Charles, Twirl and Trihorn...

Remember if we do Judge runs once every 2 hours we`ll be raking in an absolute minimum of 70 million CU... and thats if we only get 4 judges at 70k each. Arbiter said we`d need ~50 million for our house. We can easily afford two teams who's sole purpose is run through Judge killing.

Anyway after uprading Bandit as well we should set the rest aside as Household funds for our followers.
>>
No. 421636 ID: 09e5bf

>>421629
I don't think we need to suggest anything to him. He likely has plenty of CU of his own, and can take his own initiative. In the same vein, we will have more than enough CU to do it ourselves.

By the time the next cycle starts, we should have enough to fund a mansion, create at least two more teams of judge hunters, and elevate all of the core team to tier 3.
>>
No. 421662 ID: c811c4
File 133963111664.png - (10.23KB , 700x700 , sCS-81.png )
421662

Alison will keep the first chest as a trophy.

Alison's, Duelist's main fortified stats are bumped up to 20 for now, as well as getting everyone's absorb up to 10. Bandit is also given 10 banditry, and it comes out to 38340 CU, leaving her with 229686.

Next run she should be able to get a second judge running team up.

Also she hugs the corruptor, thanking him and letting him now it would be nice to move her house. He looks somewhat perplexed.
>>
No. 421663 ID: c811c4
File 133963112403.png - (16.00KB , 700x700 , sCS-82.png )
421663

But hugs are given back. Awkward, but genuine.
>>
No. 421664 ID: c811c4
File 133963113941.png - (10.13KB , 700x700 , sCS-83.png )
421664

After leaving the chest in her house, the Arbiter letting her know that she can, on removing it from inventory, lock it to herself, she's ready to do another judge run. the Arbiter also warns her, that she got a rather weak bunch of judges. Not the weakest ever, but normally they have more boons.

She could get more people such as bandit, healer and guardsman up to 100k, but the Arbiter does remind her that bringing in more people may bring in a disproportionally high amount of judges.

Furthermore, she could use those funds to speed up construction instead of having people do normal stage runs, and public construction.
>>
No. 421670 ID: 886a4d

I think we should stick to the four of us for now... Maybe rotate Bandit / Recluse / Healer / Iso as right Duelist and Scanner are rather needed. We can switch out Recluse right now for Iso so he can have a chance to battle.

Alright heres what we should do with the rest of the CU, 100k should go towards paying our followers (1/4 of the original 380k). The other 100k should go towards building supplies.

As for what stage we should do... lets take stage 1 again and do the Arena. Perhaps we should ask for 10 volunteers to be killed then revived later. If we do we should pay them say 1k each.
>>
No. 421671 ID: 04b86a

I think we should hold off on the judge runs until we can get a team that's designed to deal with them. If we don't have the CU needed by the next cycle Smuggler's price mark-ups should be able to cover us regardless.
>>
No. 421673 ID: 09e5bf

I think we shoudl still do judge runs. With Duelist and Alison, our team is better suited to the task than pretty much everyone else.
>>
No. 421675 ID: 886a4d

>>421670
Why? Even if these judges were below average they were taken out in two turns with no casualties, and we have resurrect with a very high absorb priority.

What we can do to prepare is buy Alison and Duelist each 3 Red Gloves to take out troublesome Judges like the protectors, since they have double the CU of any single Judge they will be able to take them out fairly easily, sure it would cost them an attack phase but that will merely prolong the battle one turn.
>>
No. 421676 ID: 04b86a

>>421675
Yeah, I'm probably just being overly paranoid. Judge runs it is.

We should have Duelist use his glove before Allison, though. Maybe even one of our other two party members use one instead of her, if we know they can survive it. Don't underestimate the effectiveness of Double Attack while she's being Protected.
>>
No. 421681 ID: b85f8c

>>421664
It sounds like the optimal judge-killing party is 4, then.

Did Arbiter just suggest donating to public construction funding? I wouldn't mind doing that. How about 100k? iirc we've already paid our followers.

Red gloves to instakill judges sounds like a good idea. One issue though- won't that take up Duelist's turn so he can't use Protect? He could do that when Protect isn't needed, I suppose.
>>
No. 421682 ID: 09e5bf

>Did Arbiter just suggest donating to public construction funding?

I think he was suggesting we use the money to speed up construction on Alison's mansion, so we don't have to have people grind for CU or work on public construction as much.
>>
No. 421683 ID: c811c4
File 133963603595.png - (308.09KB , 700x700 , sCS-84.png )
421683

>Did Arbiter just suggest donating to public construction funding?
It was in reference to her own building, although the Arbiter is sure the corruptor would appreciate the gesture, even though he uses his own section of quarry for such things.

>Red gloves
There are a few on the market, Alison is able to purchase 3 red gloves for 1,200 CU. Each of her main party has a red glove, now.

Info on shapeshift, fortify heal, teleportation and swap position:
>>/questdis/56043

Alison will swap Recluse for Iso this time.

Asking around, she learns that stage 1 arena creates a chest for anyone who killed more than 3 individuals. Therefore, Alison is able to bring in 12 volunteers to be killed and resurrected later.
>>
No. 421684 ID: c811c4
File 133963605004.png - (125.72KB , 700x700 , sCS-85.png )
421684

Each Alison, Duelist, Scanner and Iso gets a chest that spawns on the final tile.
>>
No. 421692 ID: 04b86a

>>421687
This is the obvious option, given that we took the time to get more than two to spawn, but there's this voice in my head that says this is a horrible, horrible idea.

I say we just pick them up one at a time until Judges spawn.
>>
No. 421693 ID: 886a4d

Pick them all up at once?

More seriously lets do them one at a time, leave it up to the others whether they open theres or not. We're keeping ours again. Order should be Iso, Scanner, Duelist, Alison until someone spawns a Judge.
>>
No. 421694 ID: 09e5bf

Open (or grab) them one at a time. Let Iso go first.



>>421683
Truly, piano throwing was the best weapon choice.
>>
No. 421695 ID: 886a4d

I wonder how it looks to see a Piano do Scatter:Leftovers amongst 4-5 people... the amazing bouncing Piano.
>>
No. 421696 ID: e75a2f

>>421695
Shrapnel.
>>
No. 421698 ID: c811c4

rolled 39 = 39

Iso goes first, putting his into inventory.

60 or above will not spawn judges.
>>
No. 421711 ID: 886a4d

It's a good thing we are looking to spawn judges.
>>
No. 421727 ID: c811c4
File 133964050009.png - (38.23KB , 900x900 , sCS-87.png )
421727

Judges have spawned! This time, they appear to be out of range at the beginning, as range only follows light trails. They do appear stronger this time as well.
>>
No. 421728 ID: c811c4
File 133964052692.png - (17.88KB , 1000x538 , sCS-88.png )
421728

At least by Scanner's results.
>>
No. 421730 ID: 431fa8

>>421728
Huh. Does Judge 4 have a bunch of Protection boons... but no actual ranks in Protection?
>>
No. 421731 ID: 886a4d

Red glove Judge two and four. everyone move up towards Judge 3.
>>
No. 421737 ID: 04b86a

>>421730
I was about to ask the same thing.

We need to duel 2 regardless, so move left.
>>
No. 421738 ID: c811c4
File 133964095048.png - (9.33KB , 700x700 , sCS-89.png )
421738

Scanner realizes her mistake, she forgot to say that Judge 4 does, in fact, have protection 6.
>>
No. 421741 ID: c811c4
File 133964140767.png - (37.47KB , 900x900 , sCS-91.png )
421741

Red gloves also have a range of 5, so she will move closer through the left side, twice, and the judges gather.
>>
No. 421744 ID: 04b86a

Okay, two questions about Absorb and duels: First, if Alison absorbs someone who died in a duel, can she still absorb people who die in the attack round? Second, if someone dies in a duel, will they still be able to absorb people who die in the attack round, or are they already too dead by that point to absorb?
>>
No. 421747 ID: b0d466

Move forward, Iso Red-Gloves judge 4, and everyone gangs up on judge 3
>>
No. 421748 ID: 886a4d

If someone dies in a move phase it can be counted as seperate from the attack phase.

After the duels Scanner should Scatter attack both judges and use Knockback (they aren't immune) towards us by 3, that way no matter what Knockback they use we'll all be in range. Iso should attack Judge 3.
>>
No. 421750 ID: c811c4

>>421744
Duels are still resolved instantly, just prior to any attacks that are made.

Both the winner will be able to absorb after the normal attacck round, but the loser will not be able to.
>>
No. 421756 ID: 04b86a

>>421750
Alright, cool. Have Mako duel Judge 2, then. After that, Allison double attacks Judge 3, and Iso and Scanner attack Judge 4. Send Leftovers to Judge 4, then send any left to Judge 1.

Allison absorbs Judge 2, then any other Judges that also died, using Double Absorb if necessary. Mako tries to protect, and if one of us dies someone here absorbs them and gives the CU to Allison.
>>
No. 421757 ID: b85f8c

Red glove duels are free kills. Alison and Duelist should use theirs on Judge 2 and 3 respectively. Iso should use his on Judge 4. These are guaranteed kills, and all three will survive. Alison should use Double Attack on her first round of the duel to make sure Judge 2 can't act at all, to deny him any chance of using Steal Ghost.

Scanner attacks Judge 1, pushing him away. He'll still hit someone due to having first strike 3, but that's okay, he can't oneshot anyone.

Judge 1 will just get focus-fired down after that, and whoever he hit can stand back out of range.

This is a foolproof plan.
>>
No. 421758 ID: 04b86a

Wait, does Iso have any ghosts? If not, we should have him duel Judge 2. I change my plan to have Mako attack Judge 3 in his stead.
>>
No. 421766 ID: c811c4
File 133964566474.png - (132.96KB , 700x700 , sCS-92.png )
421766

Everyone moves forward. Comparatively, red gloves are easy and cheap to come by, so Alison has 3 duels.

Alison duels Judge 2!
Duelist duels Judge 3!
Iso duels Judge 4!

Because of the Steal Ghost threat and that she isn't aware of how it works in specifics, she will double attack.

Alison deals 840 damage to Judge 2! First strike wins, and no retaliation is made.
Alison absorbs for 86,250 CU.

>>
No. 421768 ID: c811c4
File 133964568489.png - (35.42KB , 900x900 , sCS-92(2).png )
421768

With the duels ended, normal attacks start.

Scanner deals 260 to judge 1!
Judge 1 deals 280 to Alison! (Armor bypassed)


Judge 1 is knocked back 3 tiles.
>>
No. 421769 ID: b85f8c

>>421768
Mwahaha.

Alright, everyone just advance. Since we've got a couple turns of no action, why not try talking to the Judge? Ask them why they all wear masks. Are they players who are hired by the system? Do they die forever when they die here, or did someone get their ghost before they purchased the Absorb: No Ghost perk?
>>
No. 421770 ID: 132b99

how about, instead of attacking him, attack his mask.
>>
No. 421771 ID: 04b86a

Oh, so the absorption happens inside the duel. Neat. By the way, since the Judge doesn't have any First Strike Priority boons and Scanner has one, she went first. It doesn't matter, though.

Have Mako move toward the Judge, then have Allison deal 0 damage to him and knock him another 3 spaces toward him. Then Mako finishes him off and absorbs him.
>>
No. 421775 ID: 04b86a

>>421771
Actually, do point that out to Shopkeep. We still have a glove left, so if we're at full HP we can probably beat a second group of Judges.
>>
No. 421779 ID: b85f8c

>>421771
Actually, Judge 1 has First Strike 3.

Attacking the mask? Interesting idea. We can draw him towards us with low-damage knockback (I think we have to do at least 1 damage though), and Duelist can use Protect to keep him from doing much damage to us. Then when he's close enough we can yank off the mask to see what's under it. Or can we do that at-range? Considering that Alison can use her hair to manipulate objects as well as attack, shouldn't we be able to manipulate objects from 5 tiles away?
>>
No. 421787 ID: c811c4
File 133964715232.png - (11.48KB , 700x700 , sCS-94.png )
421787

Alison can't target specific parts like a mask. She asks the judge why they have masks, but there's no response. Finish him off is without trouble, and she returns by the 3 remaining chests.

In the end, Alison gets 355250 CU.

Yet, while she has access to tier 1 heal, she would have to spend a lot of time returning to full. She can do that and spend time then open a chest, open a chest immediately, or go back to the sanctuary and redo this part.
>>
No. 421790 ID: 886a4d

She should have access to fort heal from the previous set of judges >>421443 when she killed and absorbed Judge 1 >>421496 . Up that to max.
>>
No. 421792 ID: 04b86a

>>421787
Scanner has the First Strike Priority I boon. The Judge only had Rank 3 in the skill line. That means she had priority over him and he should have been knocked away before he could attack.
>>
No. 421793 ID: b0d466

Back to the sanctuary, put this C.U. towards the house
>>
No. 421796 ID: b85f8c

We still have more hp than most judges. Deal with it.

May as well open some chests. Iso can go ahead and open his right now, then Scanner, then you, then Duelist.
>>
No. 421799 ID: c811c4
File 133964845131.png - (11.44KB , 700x700 , sCS-95.png )
421799

rolled 7 = 7

First strike only comes into play for direct retaliation - knockback does not get applied until all attacks are made.

>Fort. Heal has access
Right, Alison did absorb a guard with one! She will spend 50k on maxing it, immediately bringing herself up to maximum HP.

Scanner comes next.
>>
No. 421800 ID: b85f8c

>>421790
Sweet.

While we're healing with that, ask everyone what they think of the Judges. Spooky, huh?
>>
No. 421801 ID: 886a4d

Oh god we're going to get 6 judges aren't we?
>>
No. 421803 ID: 04b86a

>>421799
>knockback stuff
Okay, that's reasonable. Annoying, but reasonable.

>7
The RNG hates us.
>>
No. 421804 ID: c811c4
File 133964871891.png - (29.14KB , 900x900 , sCS-96.png )
421804

Judges have... judges did not spawn, even though a new layout came, and Alison is sure that scanner's chest triggered.
>>
No. 421805 ID: c811c4
File 133964872757.png - (25.17KB , 900x900 , sCS-97.png )
421805

They return to the normal arena space. Scanner still has her chest, and there are 2 remaining.
>>
No. 421807 ID: 04b86a

They're... out of Judges? Okay then... Next chest!
>>
No. 421808 ID: 886a4d

What... the.... hell?

Ask out loud... "Shop Keep is this a new bug?"
>>
No. 421809 ID: b85f8c

>>421805
What...? Well, let's find out what that was about. Duelist next.
>>
No. 421810 ID: c811c4
File 133964912475.png - (8.68KB , 700x700 , sCS-98.png )
421810

rolled 64 = 64

Duelist comes next.

Iso expresses concern over this.
>>
No. 421814 ID: 886a4d

A couple theories:
1) Judges only spawn once per stage.
2) Judges can wait to spawn till the next chest is opened that would spawn them... meaning we might be facing up to 12 judges.
3) Rolling a seven is lucky.
>>
No. 421815 ID: c811c4
File 133964940047.png - (10.36KB , 700x700 , sCS-99.png )
421815

Duelist didn't trigger anything this time, and even though they may not be in any true danger, Alison and Iso give a sigh of relief. Alison can grab her chest now, if she'd like.
>>
No. 421817 ID: 04b86a

Okay, so far 75% of our chests have triggered. Statistically speaking, that means the next one probably won't trigger either. I say go for it.
>>
No. 421818 ID: 886a4d

Sure lets grab that chest...

looks at Alison.. *shrugs* either chest is fine by me.
>>
No. 421819 ID: bdb3f8

>>421817
good ol' gambler's fallacy. You have never steered anyone wrong.
>>
No. 421824 ID: b85f8c

>>421817
That is not how statistics works. Each roll of the dice is independent, so it doesn't matter what you rolled previously.

Personally I think that they might be holding back judges to overwhelm us with sheer numbers. I am okay with this. Confirming that theory would be more useful than the CU it costs to resurrect everyone after we get wiped.

Besides, all we have to do is make sure to kill any enemies that have Steal Ghost or Block Resurrection, and we lose nothing but CU by dying. We even keep the chests!

Alternatively we could just leave, and take it as given that if you see no judges spawn they will just spawn next trigger.

Explain this outlook, then ask what the others want to do. We'll go by majority vote.
>>
No. 421825 ID: f7ae22

After Alison is done grabbing her chest she should also grab her chest.
>>
No. 421827 ID: b0d466

Grab that chest
>>
No. 421829 ID: 04b86a

>>421824
That was a joke. I was joking. Of course, I'd probably have corrected me, too, so it's cool.

Does anyone know of some good boss music for this kind of situation?
>>
No. 421832 ID: b0d466

Leave it, I am expecting not-good things to happen if we take the last one
>>
No. 421833 ID: c811c4
File 133965027470.png - (11.38KB , 700x700 , sCS-100.png )
421833

rolled 76 = 76

>Grab her chest
Alison will have to be more careful about using certain words while doing judge runs.

The inanimate chest is grabbed/attained/stocked/acquired.
>>
No. 421836 ID: 886a4d

Huh, one judge set for four chests... that was interesting... To the exit! We should ask teh Arbiter about that, or maybe Secretary.
>>
No. 421837 ID: fa9f7e

>>421833
...Well, technically your breasts are inanimate.


Seriously though, given the small sample size, we can't really draw any statistical conclusions- RNG is random, after all. How many judge runs have been done ever?
>>
No. 421838 ID: 8f5660

>>421833
Just a word of warning.

As delicious a thought as infinite CU is, keep in mind that if you start hoarding power and wealth, you'll lose sight of what makes you the awesome person your followers respect.

Make sure their work is made worthwhile, even if it's simply with a 10% CU kickback from your judge runs.
>>
No. 421841 ID: 886a4d

>>421838
Yup, a quarter of all Judge earning should go to the house's other members.
>>
No. 421843 ID: c811c4
File 133965101132.png - (8.57KB , 700x700 , sCS-101.png )
421843

And it's clear. Alison now has 4 more chests, and she starts making her way back to the sanctuary.
>>
No. 421844 ID: c811c4
File 133965102541.png - (14.67KB , 700x700 , sCS-102.png )
421844

Reporting it to the Secretary, it doesn't appear that anything like that has happened. There was once a run with 2 judges encounter in the same same run, but it went as expected. There was never a glitched spawn.

Unless she finds a compelling reason not to, she will give 1/4 of that run's CU to her current house members.
>>
No. 421845 ID: b0d466

Take a break! Do some interviews of the dead, put most of your winnings towards the house, with a cut for your house-members
>>
No. 421848 ID: b85f8c

>>421844
It sounds like they either held back the judges for the next trigger or simply prevented judges from arriving because they couldn't kill you and didn't want to give you more CU.

Everyone OPEN their chests. These aren't trophies!
>>
No. 421849 ID: 431fa8

>>421848
Before opening those chests make sure that everyone has spare boon slots. That's kind of important.
>>
No. 421852 ID: 04b86a

If they wanted to keep us from getting more CU they would have given all of the judges No Absorb. I'm filing this under "strange occurrences we don't know enough about", right next to the keycards.
>>
No. 421856 ID: c4e8ee

Wait a second guys. What if the judges are hiding IN the chest?
>>
No. 421863 ID: 886a4d

Duelist, Scanner and Iso should open their chests while Alison stores hers.


Remember to give your volunteers a bonus as well, 1k should be plenty... and resurrect them of course. I say we up Bandit to tier 2 now and switch out Iso. He should get max Range, Absorb, Knockback and Scan as well as his other stats. For tier 2 he should get First Strike rank 1 and Body 16, Armor 10, Weapon 15.

Right, time to restock on Red Gloves then do another run.

I say we do the 3rd Preliminary stage next (The one with the Chest Unlock puzzle.)
>>
No. 421878 ID: c811c4
File 133965374449.png - (18.77KB , 700x700 , sCS-103.png )
421878

Duelist has gained Double attack.
Scanner has gained Scan strength III (included II)
Iso has gained Access: Teleportation

Alison's chest is kept in storage, as she doesn't have boon slots.

Alison gives about 75k to each of her house members not in the main party, plus an additional 500 for each of the 12 volunteers. Her current house CU is now out 453,856.

She takes a break first, spending some time with Iso, while she sends a few people out to fetch more red gloves.

Arbiter walks into Alison's room, and takes a quick step back. He says he hopes he isn't interrupting anything.
>>
No. 421880 ID: b85f8c

>>421878
Well, sortof, but we've still got our clothes on so it's not so bad. Was there something he needed?
>>
No. 421882 ID: 886a4d

Answer truthfully, that your just keeping each other company, but we always have time for our other friends. Ask if he needed anything otherwise he is welcome to join you in just relaxing.
>>
No. 421884 ID: c811c4
File 133965407469.png - (885B , 100x100 , sCS-103correction.png )
421884

That is, the current house CU is now at 453,856 left.
>>
No. 421886 ID: b0d466

>>421878
Nope! Introduce them. Arbiter, Iso; Iso, Arbiter.
>>
No. 421894 ID: c811c4
File 133965471953.png - (11.21KB , 700x700 , sCS-104.png )
421894

Alison says that they were just keeping each other company, and introduces the two. Asking why he came by, he says he just wanted to congratulate her on the four chest run.

He was late in coming to the portal, but saw Alison's report. He would like to know if she plans on doing more, which Alison replies that she is. He notes that most other house lords are too paranoid without many trustworthy people to back up their ghost, so they don't like to do chest runs in case things go bad. As a result, he's forgotten to mention that chests can be auctioned for likely at least several hundred thousand CU.
>>
No. 421896 ID: b85f8c

>>421894
Holee sheeit that is a lot. Go for it!
>>
No. 421902 ID: 886a4d

I thought as much, we should keep the first couple runs for ourselves however... it means more Boons for us, we also shouldn't flood the market as it will bring the price down.
>>
No. 421904 ID: b0d466

My eyes just turned to dollar signs.

It could really speed up the process...but then again, we will regret it if there's the infinite moneh boon in there.
>>
No. 421905 ID: 04b86a

>>421902
Actually, we need to flood the market before people find out the boon shortage is about to vanish. I say we sell the chest.
>>
No. 421906 ID: 8f5660

>>421894
How much would Alison's chest go for?
*eyebrow wiggle*

Also, it may be worth asking if there are other resources you could be harvesting from stages while you're out and about.
>>
No. 421911 ID: c811c4
File 133965564654.png - (9.24KB , 700x700 , sCS-105.png )
421911

Alison says she would like to do that. He adds that this should happen soon, before the other lords find out that there is going to be a shopkeep available to get, most likely, what's already given in the chest. He'll organize it soon.

Alison also asks about the preliminary stage 3 for a chest. The Arbiter doesn't recommend this, as that chest area was designed to only hold 2 people at a time. Everyone that goes in at the same time ends up in the same stage instance, but from there, it behaves as normal.

>Other resources from stage
To the Arbiter's knowledge, there are only chests, stage rewards and judges.
>>
No. 421914 ID: b0d466

We should give Arbiter a turn to go chest-hunting; we could send our 100ks on a run while he goes. It'd give us time for interviews
>>
No. 421916 ID: 886a4d

Give the Arbiter a hug in thanks for arranging the auction... he seems to like them. Maybe one of the next couple chests could be for him.

Well Alison and Duelist can easily handle the two judges that would spawn... still I guess it is a bit too much of a risk. Stage 2 instead? We would need some sacrifices again (4 more people I think for the elimination round) Same bonus for them as before.
>>
No. 421931 ID: c811c4
File 133965717361.png - (13.13KB , 700x700 , sCS-106.png )
421931

Hugs are given.

She mentions stage 2, but that has a similar issue, that only two out of four can continue on past the elimination stage. A chest appears before those two can converge with anyone else. There's nothing stopping her from going back to the same area, as well.

Regardless, he will be busy with the auctions for a bit of time, and shouldn't do any Judge runs himself while Alison is also in a stage.

There's no hurry, so if Alison wanted to do more interviews, she could, or just hang around.
>>
No. 421946 ID: 886a4d

Interview while we wait... it is something we need to do.

Well the chests we found were on Stage 0-2, Stage 0-3, 1, 2, and 3... and 4 had no chest (odd) 0-3, and 2 are out the window since you can only group up with two people...

0-2 seems like an interesting choice but it would require sacrificies again. I say we do Stage 3 since that will spawn 4 chests.
>>
No. 421966 ID: c811c4
File 133966030090.png - (12.38KB , 700x700 , sCS-107.png )
421966

>Interview

After the Arbiter leaves, Alison goes with iso to sleep in her bed and begin interviews after spending the initial bit of time gathering everyone

There are some hits and misses. She does think that she can raise another 20% without any issue, but some of them are sketchier. The ones that do have empathy and understanding, but start looking out more for themselves than much else.
>>
No. 421968 ID: b0d466

What about 10%? Would there be issues with that many?
>>
No. 421971 ID: 886a4d

Can't expect more then that. Again explain they don't have to follow you as you revive them... for those who do stay perhaps having older members of your house do mentorships to ease them into the idea of working together for each other's welfare as well as there own.

The fact that we have been letting our members have CU should mitigate some of the self serving nature as they will be earning much much more then they ever did in stages, especially once we get our house built.
>>
No. 421972 ID: b0d466

>>421971
Oo, a mentorship program is a good idea. We'll need volunteers from the living-side~
>>
No. 421977 ID: b85f8c

Let's keep to the cream. No need to get a full 20%. After this we're probably done. Anyone else we resurrect would be in the regular safe zone or in a stage, not the sanctuary.
>>
No. 421991 ID: c811c4
File 133966331675.png - (10.72KB , 700x700 , sCS-108.png )
421991

Alison decides to keep her resurrection numbers low and only resurrect 80 more, letting them know they can be independent. Although very few from the last batch did, out of the 160 she resurrected, only around 5 did not stick around.

Chief is there to be a manager to keep track of where people are and what many of them do while Alison is away.

He jokes, saying that some of the other Lords that aren't Arbiter are thinking Alison is soft, and making their sterner ways look bad. Which actually isn't a joke, he adds, they really are.
>>
No. 421992 ID: 886a4d

>>421977

I disagree, they'd just end up in our dreamscape again as they die off, a better idea is to try and convince them to work with us and do things our way via applications of hugs, telling them of our success and wealth and outright bribery (more hugs).
>>
No. 421993 ID: b85f8c

>>421991
Hrm. That could be an issue. Ask him what he proposes to smooth things over. May as well get Arbiter's advice on this too.
>>
No. 421994 ID: 886a4d

Good, let them think us soft... it will make us more appealing to those under the harder ones. Softness is not a weakness... in fact it can be a strength.

Lets give Chief a hug, hes been surprisingly helpful despite our history and we should find a way to thank him for it, ask him if theres anything he wants.
>>
No. 421995 ID: b0d466

>>421993
Yeah, we need to reconcile with these other leaders.

I'm guessing a party wouldn't convince them we're not a softy...? *sigh* :<
>>
No. 421996 ID: b0d466

>>421994
Hugs have a place and they are not in strategy meetings (usually)
Also no offering him stuff right now, that's just overkill and it will probably have the opposite of the intended effect at this juncture
>>
No. 421997 ID: b85f8c

We're starting to overdo it on the hugs anyway.
>>
No. 421998 ID: 886a4d

This is the first real interaction we've had since we talked to him 500 hours ago with Succubus... he deserves a hug!
>>
No. 421999 ID: 132b99

you and iso should buy body mods an get crotches, so next time arbiter walks in he WILL be interrupting something.
>>
No. 422000 ID: 886a4d

>>421999
veto
>>
No. 422003 ID: b0d466

>>421999
veto

Ask for info on the different houses and their leaders
>>
No. 422006 ID: 8042f4

Hugs should be given when they are warranted. This is not a hug time. Since Chief is in charge of staff, he is the one who gives the orders and rules, ask him for suggestions. (ask about salaries of the other Lords)
>>
No. 422014 ID: c811c4
File 133966690890.png - (9.98KB , 700x700 , sCS-109.png )
422014

Alison mentally gives Chief an I.O.U. of one hug to be redeemed most likely when he doesn't expect it.

For now, she asks what each of them are like, in case she wants to reconcile.

Chief says, as follows... Swordbane is a tyrannical slavemaster, Bones is a cryptic jerkwad, Obliterator is of a kill or be killed mentality, and the collective is a democracy who doesn't have a central leader, but rather is made up of a council.

He doesn't advise trying to reconcile anything, as far as he's concerned there is nothing to reconcile. With the way they act, it's no wonder the corruptor has let Alison go around hugging everyone unattended.
>>
No. 422015 ID: e3f578

>>422013
The democracy is afraid you're making them look bad or that you're too soft? What? Really? Weird.

>>421999
Maaaaaaan, we haven't even gotten to the motorboat phase of the relationship yet, slow down! Only reason I suggested the one for arbiter was too make the bet interesting because taking a chance with judges freaked me out a little.
Really it's just to tease Iso with occasionally now.
>>
No. 422018 ID: b85f8c

>>422014
>hugging everyone unattended.
It's so true. Have a giggle about that, you hug monster.

It sounds like Corruptor doesn't choose his allies very carefully, and just grabs whoever has power and wants to bring the system down. This could turn out badly.

Meeting the Collective could be interesting, I think.
>>
No. 422021 ID: 8042f4

We should meet the collective, (with chief or a close friend so we don't appear to be speaking as the only person in charge so they don't see us as dictator [even a nice one]) we should also go see Bones, (cryptic is sometimes helpful) and hate Swordbane. Frankly Obliterator shouldn't even be part of a "group" with that mentality. (maybe beat him in a duel and revive him, so he has insurance and knows someone has his back)
>>
No. 422025 ID: 09e5bf

>>422021
Let's not do the super trust alliance with Obliterator.

I am curious about the collective. but lets investigate by having people under us find out about them, not by walking up to their front door.

But we should probably get back to judge hunts. Reload on red gloves, and get back to farming CU and chests.
>>
No. 422030 ID: 09e5bf

Also,

>He jokes, saying that some of the other Lords that aren't Arbiter are thinking Alison is soft, and making their sterner ways look bad. Which actually isn't a joke, he adds, they really are.

Is not even something that needs to be reconciled. They are not nice to their subjects, and we are making them look bad because we are nice.

How do you reconcile that? "Hey, maybe you should try being nice too"? Stop being nice yourself so they don't look as bad in comparison? Apologize for being so nice that you undermine their entire way of leadership?
>>
No. 422031 ID: a0747b

Yeah, we have made more hugs than in hugquest^^

Is the collective really a democracy like replacing leading members at will of the mayority of all members?
>>
No. 422049 ID: b85f8c

>>422021
Bones is a "cryptic jerkwad", not just cryptic. I GUESS we could at least go see what's up with him but I don't think we'll get anywhere with it.
>>
No. 422063 ID: c811c4
File 133969639382.png - (13.50KB , 700x700 , sCS-110.png )
422063

Alison decides to go to the collective. Chief asks if she is joking, but she is not, and she is bringing Chief.

There is another gate guard for this one, and he asks for Alison to state the purpose of her visit.
>>
No. 422065 ID: b85f8c

>>422063
Say you were just curious about how they run things here.
>>
No. 422066 ID: b0d466

Improving inter-house relations! (social call)
>>
No. 422074 ID: 7c31d2

Hugs. Hugs is the purpose for this visit.
>>
No. 422076 ID: 09e5bf

>>422074
We should not be here for hugs. You are hug crazy.

Since we're here, we might as well be trying to learn about the collective from the source, as to filter out false rumors. But that's really something we should have sent someone else to do.
>>
No. 422077 ID: 132b99

explain you have been hearing your methods seem off. and we are here to see how they do things.
>>
No. 422100 ID: e3f578

Oh I'm just a house-lord on a political mission, set the score, see how friendly other houses are, build more inter-house relations and all that. SO I think it's a Political visit.
>>
No. 422103 ID: 55c4cf

This is a bad idea anyway, go out on a date with Recluse instead.

And maybe get body mods for more intimate dating.
>>
No. 422114 ID: c811c4
File 133970768155.png - (9.55KB , 700x700 , sCS-111.png )
422114

The gatekeeper is told that Alison just wants to see how they do things around here, and see about interhouse relations. In other words, a political visit.

The gatekeeper is dumbstruck.

No visitors, he finally says.
>>
No. 422115 ID: 09e5bf

Accept this. Prepare for more judge hunts. More red duel gloves and whatnot.

Find out when the auction would be. We can see the other big names then.
>>
No. 422116 ID: b85f8c

>>422114
Oh well, ask him if he can just explain how things work instead.
>>
No. 422123 ID: e3f578

"Can I set up an appointment then? As more houses grow and start, inter-house relations are going to be necessary to establish in the Corrupter sanctuary. Houses may need to band together to fight what the system throws at us as well in case it decides to go old school and do sieges and fight like a traditional war, if that's possible. It's kinda inevitable."
>>
No. 422127 ID: c811c4
File 133971065120.png - (9.93KB , 700x700 , sCS-112.png )
422127

Alison asks him how thinks around here work, then. He just says he isn't the best one to explain.

She does ask for an appointment, then, while explaining the need for inter-house relations. The gatekeeper's eyes glaze over, not that they weren't staring at everywhere but Alison to begin with.

When Alison is done talking, he says he'll mention that she came by.

Chief says that this is a good time to give it up. Though Alison doesn't know when exactly the auction is, it was heavily implied that she had time to get red gloves and go into another judge run, so she will.

Choose 1 to all party members: Alison, Duelist, Recluse, Scanner, Iso.
>>
No. 422133 ID: 09e5bf

Check on recluse. If he is still sleeping to visit people, he should tell us who so we can revive them when the chest run is done.

But the party should be Alison, Iso, Mako, and Scanner.
>>
No. 422141 ID: c811c4
File 133971258159.png - (413.91KB , 700x700 , sCS-113.png )
422141

While she hasn't decided yet on who to bring, she does give a visit to Recluse. He is planting seeds at the edge of the island.

He says he is satisfied with the current resurrections. It's simply important to him to have copies of ghosts of everyone, but as for resurrections for company, he is fine with the current situation.
>>
No. 422142 ID: b85f8c

Good to hear it. Hmm. Where did the seeds originate from? Are those normally sold or stockpiled in the safe areas?

>>422133
I agree with that party. Iso likes coming with us, and Duelist and Scanner have special boons. Hmm, why did we choose Recluse over Iso initially anyway? Were people concerned about his safety?
>>
No. 422145 ID: 09e5bf

The party should be Alison, Iso, Mako, and Scanner.

Iso so he can do more things with Alison

Mako and Scanner because they have key skills we need.

Also, I just noticed recluse doesn't have retroactive absorb. We need to get him that asap.
>>
No. 422149 ID: c811c4
File 133971497078.png - (23.73KB , 950x950 , sCS-114.png )
422149

Alison, Iso, Mako and Scanner head on through to stage 3 key area, where they can just walk forward.
>>
No. 422151 ID: c811c4
File 133971501140.png - (23.91KB , 617x865 , sCS-115.png )
422151

This would be harder without double jump and knockback.
>>
No. 422152 ID: c811c4
File 133971502849.png - (162.40KB , 700x700 , sCS-116.png )
422152

And now they are at the chests.
>>
No. 422153 ID: b85f8c

>>422152
Let's just collect them. Maybe we can auction ALL of them for mad stacks of cash.

Alison can grab one first.
>>
No. 422154 ID: b0d466

Open'em right to left!
>>
No. 422155 ID: 09e5bf

Order doesn't really matter, but let go Iso first, then Scanner.

Alison should save her chest for recluse. If anyone is likely to get resurrect access, it'll likely be him or chief.
>>
No. 422157 ID: c811c4
File 133971547319.png - (8.97KB , 700x700 , sCS-117.png )
422157

rolled 13 = 13

>Where did the seeds originate from?
She'll have to ask Arbiter when he's available again, but she doesn't want to interrupt.

For now, she'll get one to save for scanner.
>>
No. 422160 ID: 04b86a

>>422157
>13

>>421814
>3) Rolling a seven is lucky.
I sincerely hope this isn't true.
>>
No. 422161 ID: c811c4
File 133971690730.png - (166.71KB , 700x700 , sCS-118.png )
422161

She said save a chest for Scanner but she meant Recluse. She'll save her chest for Recluse.

Judges have spawned! A judge. One judge has spawned.

Scanner says that her scan is blocked.
>>
No. 422162 ID: 132b99

oh god oh god oh god. everyone hit him at the same time and pray it's enough. duelist block as hard as you can.
>>
No. 422163 ID: b85f8c

That's not a judge. No mask. Ask who they are.

Without enough scan priority we don't really have much choice aside from just attack with everyone. Red gloves won't work here, sadly- this guy is most likely way stronger than us. He could be Tier 3.
>>
No. 422164 ID: 09e5bf

Alison, try to disarm him. Everyone else, attack.
>>
No. 422165 ID: 04b86a

>>422161
I'm pretty sure this guy is bigger than the size rules allow. And he's glowing.

Maybe he's friendly?
>>
No. 422167 ID: e3f578

>>422161
Is... is it shining with divine light?
Is it the deliverance of JUSTICE!?
If Judges can repeat, I suggest we name this one Deliverance.
>>
No. 422168 ID: 09e5bf

oh, give talking a try.
>>
No. 422172 ID: c811c4
File 133971943475.png - (147.14KB , 700x700 , sCS-119.png )
422172

The glow stops when he finishes spawning, and the fighting starts.

Alison asks who he is. He informs Alison that Judges are the ones that decide on minor decisions and pass on little things to the shopkeep for instance, and will fight if they wish to.

He, however, is an actual entity made for fighting against foul players when a target is unanimously out of a judges reach.

The Enforcer moves forward one tile.
>>
No. 422173 ID: 09e5bf

>He, however, is an actual entity made for fighting to enforce foul play when a target is unanimously out of a judges reach.

Ask him what this limit is. Like is it the 100,000 CU per person? Because sticking to that may be in our best interest in the future.
>>
No. 422174 ID: c811c4
File 133971944535.png - (178.38KB , 700x700 , sCS-120.png )
422174

Alison attempts to disarm! Enforcer is immune!
Scanner, Iso, Duelist attacks! Enforcer cancels all 3 ranged attacks!

>>
No. 422175 ID: 132b99

double jump to his tile and quad melee!
>>
No. 422176 ID: 09e5bf

Also, might as well head up to actually attack him in melee.
>>
No. 422177 ID: b85f8c

>>422171
I don't think we can beat this guy, BUT! He's a talkative system member. Ask him what the purpose of the competition is. If he won't answer that, ask what he means by 'made'. Is he not like you and the other players? Who are the judges, anyway?

Since I thought this guy might be out of our reach, I came up with a backup plan to make sure he can't mess with our ghosts. The red gloves can be used to fight and kill our own team members instantly, allowing us to absorb eachother and be revived in the sanctuary. We can even repay Arbiter for the resurrection. All we'd lose is the chance to grab the other chests.

We have a choice here- use the red glove option immediately or wait until we try to engage this guy in melee despite not being in tier 3 yet.
>>
No. 422179 ID: a2fa74

>>422170
"You can talk? That's new.
Would you be amenable to talking this out, or is fighting the only way?"
>>
No. 422180 ID: b85f8c

>>422177
By 'who are the judges', I mean, were they players at one point from a previous competition, or were they created like Enforcer? Why do they wear masks, and do they die permanently if killed due to the No Absorb or do they have some method of being resurrected?
>>
No. 422181 ID: 431fa8

>>422174
Well, this guy apparently knows things and is willing to talk. That counts for a hell of a lot. It's a perfect opportunity to ask all those questions that have been plaguing us since the beginning about what the system is, why so many people have to die, why they even care if you're bending the rules, and who "they" are anyway.
>>
No. 422182 ID: 886a4d

I'm guessing he has tier 3 stats... at tier 2 Alison can kill 5 tier ones, 10 if she double attacks.

We are going to die.

Ask him what the charges are.

Move up.

Most likely his range cancellation cancels HIS weapon range as well. I suggest if we meet up we simply attack all at once, Alison should NOT use double attack. He most likely has max bypass as well.
>>
No. 422183 ID: 09e5bf

>Ask him what the charges are.

He basically said what it is. We are untouchable to the judges. Normally the judges are the ones who go after people who try to go around the system and get old chests. They can't stop Alison's group, largely because of how much she uses red gloves, combined with how she now heals between fights, so Enforcer came out.
>>
No. 422188 ID: c811c4
File 133972104885.png - (149.96KB , 700x700 , sCS-121.png )
422188

Alison asks questions, but the Enforcer says that he has nothing more to say to Alison.

Alison deals 420 damage!
Duelist deals 420 damage!
Scanner deals 260 damage!
Iso deals 340 damage!

Enforcer attacks Alison for 420 damage! Duelist is unable to protect!

Damage reduced! Enforcer takes 360 damage!

>>
No. 422189 ID: a0747b

So... is this one of the guys who are actually knowing more than shopkeepers about the great idea behind all this strange system?
Why would someone need some kind of to this living optimized life-forms? Or is there just a bored AI playing a game...
>>
No. 422190 ID: a2fa74

>>422188
Alison: Heal to full.
Everybody else: Attack! Double if you can!
>>
No. 422193 ID: 55c4cf

Commission lagotrope to make porn of enforcer, use weapon stat internally.
>>
No. 422194 ID: b85f8c

Alison should move up. If Enforcer follows she should use Double Attack since she'll get killed anyway.

It looks like this guy is just maxed tier 2 but decked to the gills with unique boons and immunities. He has 480 hp left. Without Alison attacking, he will have 225 next turn.
>>
No. 422195 ID: b85f8c

>>422190
Duelist has double attack; I don't think he should use it, since the Enforcer likely knows he's the second strongest and thus will attack him next. We'll get more mileage out of Duelist if he attacks normally this round.
>>
No. 422196 ID: 431fa8

>>422188
Out of curiosity, what is Enforcer's weapon?
>>
No. 422199 ID: 04b86a

>>422188
Ffff- he can cut out 75% of the damage!

Okay, safe assumptions, then. He only has max Weapon and F. Weapon, so he can two-hit anyone in the group. If he's limited to tier 2, then he has 420HP and 60 armor left, so we have to deal another 1920 damage, not counting healing.

I say we have everyone attack him, with Allison and Mako doing Double Attacks. Sure, Allison will no doubt die, but Arbiter will be able to Resurrect her later.
>>
No. 422201 ID: 09e5bf

>>422199
I'm actually going to guess that tier three doesn't come with a significant boost in raw numbers, but rather becomes heavily boon and ability based.
>>
No. 422202 ID: 04b86a

>>422201
That's possible, or he could just have some unbuyable boons that we don't know about. I doubt he can just negate the extra damage from Double Attack at least, since that already comes with a penalty.

We could just tell everyone to scatter, I suppose. The only person he can one-hit right now is Allison, so he'll only have a 1/5 chance of being able to attack her. After that she'll have 1 armor if she survives the turn, at which point we'll regroup on this platform and attempt to resume the fight.
>>
No. 422206 ID: c811c4
File 133972327534.png - (74.19KB , 700x700 , sCS-121.png )
422206

Alison moves up, but her HP is still full, so she does not heal. The Enforcer's weapon is a simple sword.

Duelist double attacks - Enforcer is immune to double attacks, Duelist deals 420!
Scanner attacks for 260!
Iso attacks for 340!

Enforcer deals 420 damage to Duelist!

Damage reduction, Enforcer takes 255 damage!

>>
No. 422207 ID: c811c4
File 133972328585.png - (150.41KB , 700x700 , sCS-121(2).png )
422207

Alison's armor replenishes by 20.
>>
No. 422211 ID: 132b99

trade places with duelist. attack again.
>>
No. 422212 ID: 55c4cf

I guess like keep laying into him?
Talk dirty to him, see if he blushes.
>>
No. 422213 ID: e3f578

So full of shit
So full of shit
You need an army to defeat this guy
Please don't have anti-absorb bullshit

Is He immune to First Strikes?
>>
No. 422215 ID: b85f8c

Let's have Duelist move down, in case Enforcer chases Alison. Alison should move down to rejoin the fight, of course. Keep the pressure on.
>>
No. 422216 ID: 886a4d

Alison should move down to join the rest of the party. He will either chase Alsion or stay still. Duelist should move down.
>>
No. 422217 ID: bdb3f8

Alison, come back to attack. Duelist back off for a turn to regen an armor point.
>>
No. 422218 ID: 886a4d

Alison should move down to join the rest of the party. He will either chase Alison or stay still. Duelist should move down. One more full attack and he should die.
>>
No. 422219 ID: 04b86a

>>422206
Oh, come on! What else is he immune to, immunity boons?

What was the attack order? Does he have any Priority boons? I can't see an immunity for that existing because that's what priority is for. It's not going to matter this turn, but it'll be nice to know all the same.

Have Duelist Jump away and Alison rejoin the fight. I wouldn't be surprised if he has all of the healing boons, so we probably won't kill him this turn. I won't be surprised if he runs away next turn to heal up a bit, either. We can't let up on him too much, though.
>>
No. 422222 ID: c811c4
File 133972442023.png - (148.93KB , 700x700 , sCS-122.png )
422222

Alison can't tell what order attacks usually go in - even in differences of priority, they appear to happen at the same time. Lower priority isn't apparent until one person's attack doesn't go through.

Duelist goes down, and Alison rejoins - but Enforcer leaps right, and no attacks are possible.
>>
No. 422226 ID: 886a4d

Alison east, Duelist east, Iso and Scanner north-east. Also every turn we're not on the same spot as him we should be range attacking... he might decide to turn it off and use his own range in a surpise attack.
>>
No. 422227 ID: 09e5bf

>>422226
this plan works for me.
>>
No. 422228 ID: 04b86a

>>422222
Hmm. He didn't heal, so he can't restore his own HP. He's probably also immune to us healing ourselves.

>>422226
This looks like our best option.
>>
No. 422235 ID: e3aff6

Alison should stay back and at least try healing. And I don't think it is a good idea to have Alison being in the same square as the Enforcer, because she has been hit once and is the only one who can rez.
>>
No. 422241 ID: 04b86a

>>422235
Allison can take one hit as she is now, and will never be able to take two consecutive hits. As long as she stays off of the top-most platform, she'll be no more likely to die now than she is while at full armor.

The Enforcer's armor, on the other hand, is effectively worth four times as much as hers is. So last turn he regenerated an effective 80 points of armor. He'll regenerate the same amount next turn, then regain an effective 160 points, and just keep increasing until he's back up to full armor, which will be worth an effective 1,680 points. In other words, we need everyone to do their best to keep on him and not let him recover. His HP, fortunately, seems stuck at 225 (effectively 900).

It's too bad we don't have any trustworthy dead people left to resurrect. Then if all else failed, we could just take some time to raise an army and zerg rush him.
>>
No. 422246 ID: c811c4
File 133972951538.png - (149.18KB , 700x700 , sCS-123.png )
422246

Positions are moved, and ranged attacks are still disallowed.
>>
No. 422247 ID: b85f8c

Everyone move up one space. I suspect he'll go into that top square.
>>
No. 422249 ID: e3aff6

We now have enough people to fill every space he could jump to normally. We should do so.

>>422241
Unless he has some sort of super-armor-regen ability armor only regenerates when you are not taking damage, so the amount of damage does not matter for countering regen.
>>
No. 422251 ID: 04b86a

>>422249
I'm not counting the amount needed to stop the regen, I'm counting the amount of extra damage we'll have to deal if we allow the Regen to continue.

Have Scanner jump right and everyone else jump up.
>>
No. 422252 ID: b0d466

Revive Shopkeeper in here

He has different stats in stage and out of stage, right? Let's see if that's confusing enough to the system to get it to work.
>>
No. 422253 ID: 09e5bf

Scanner move up
Mako move up
Iso stay still
alison move right.

Now no matter where he goes, barring teleportation, we can attack him.
>>
No. 422259 ID: c811c4
File 133973098242.png - (152.14KB , 700x700 , sCS-124.png )
422259

Alison can't revive shopkeep, as he is already alive.

After everyone has jumped again, but before the attack phase, the Enforcer disables a light trail!
Alison deals 420 damage!
Enforcer deals 420 damage to Alison!

Enforcer reduces damage and takes 105.

>>
No. 422260 ID: 886a4d

Alison north and heal, Duelist North, Iso and Scanner move to the Enforcer and attack.


Time for a bit of pschological trickery. say something like:
"All you were made for is to fight and die? How familiar and sad. We're trying to escape it... and yet you gladly accept it."
>>
No. 422264 ID: 04b86a

>>422259
>After everyone has jumped again, but before the attack phase, the Enforcer disables a light trail!
Really? Thank him for that.

Allison jumps left to where Iso is and restores 50 Hp, unless the Enforcer jumps to there, too, in which case she attacks him.
Mako jumps up.
Iso jumps right.
Scanner stays where she is.
>>
No. 422266 ID: b0d466

>>422264
Betcha he re-enables that light trail right after everyone moves.
>>
No. 422267 ID: b4798d

He probably knows that Duelist is the strongest of the other three, so moving to join him (where Iso currently is) would be the logical route that he would expect Alison to take. Tell everyone to gather where Iso is then Alison jumps north (to where Scanner currently is). Hopefully the Enforcer will fall for the bluff and join them (in the hopes of killing you), at which point the other three can drop him.
>>
No. 422268 ID: 886a4d

If Scanner and Iso both attack at once they will do enough damage (150 after reduction) to make it so no matter who hits him next turn he will die (hes at 240-220 health)...
>>
No. 422272 ID: b85f8c

>>422259
Duelist go up, scanner stay put, iso stay put, Alison go up. Alison should heal if she doesn't get attacked.

...he can predict where Duelist will go. He's going to attack Duelist next round. If Iso and Duelist hit him though, he's dead.

I think he might stand still.
>>
No. 422277 ID: 886a4d

We should keep the pressure on him at all times... which means someone has to take Alison`s place.
>>
No. 422279 ID: 04b86a

>>422267
I see two problems with this:
1) If he thinks everyone's going there, then he's just going to wait and recover some armor.
2) If he goes to that platform while Mako and Allison are there, he'll die. Therefore, he'll avoid that platform like the plague.
>>
No. 422280 ID: b0d466

Or have everyone stand their ground.
>>
No. 422283 ID: b85f8c

>>422279
If that's the case then he'll want to go up or stay put. So Alison should go left.
>>
No. 422313 ID: b0d466

Alison> Play a stirring harp solo, something that would make even a stone weep. And then chuck the harp at the enforcer (attack).
>>
No. 422341 ID: c811c4
File 133973842109.png - (151.07KB , 700x700 , sCS-125.png )
422341

Movements are made, and afterwards, the light trail reappears. Enforcer stays where he is.
>>
No. 422349 ID: 886a4d

Alison down, Duelist down, Scanner and Iso move to him to attack! We really can`t let him recover armor.
>>
No. 422350 ID: b85f8c

Alison should heal and bandaid. Though it's not gonna help too much. We'd need to do that for what, 4 more rounds to get back one hit, with armor regen? We need Double Heal and maybe Mini Heal.

Alison should move left. Keep her away. Duelist can stay put, Iso can move right, Scanner can stay put.

If he moves down, that's to our advantage- there are less exits there so it's easier to corner him. So he probably won't do that. This means we have all panels covered.
>>
No. 422352 ID: b85f8c

>>422341
Wait, when did Scanner take damage?
>>
No. 422355 ID: 04b86a

>>422341
In that case Allison needs to use F. Heal on herself during that attack phase. And why did Scanner suddenly lose HP and Armor?

Anyway, Allison fall back and keep healing. Tell Scanner to stay where she is, then quietly say to move in and attack him. Iso should move down, and Mako should stay where he is.
>>
No. 422366 ID: 886a4d

We do have all those codes we setup
>>
No. 422392 ID: c811c4
File 133974416269.png - (151.06KB , 700x700 , sCS-126.png )
422392

>Scanner losing armor/HP
It fixes itself. Alison also intended to heal last turn, so with that and this round, she gains 2 heals worth.

Alison tells the enforcer that he is gladly fighting for a system that makes him fight and die, while they try and escape.

The Enforcer appears to have completely tuned out Alison, both words and false directions alike, while staying still as Iso moves forward.

Iso attacks! Enforcer takes 85 damage!
Enforcer attacks Iso for 420 damage!

>>
No. 422393 ID: e894c0

did someone say 420
>>
No. 422395 ID: 886a4d

Alison back to where Scanner is, Scanner and Duelist attack Enforcer. Iso retreat to Scanner. (105 HP left on Enforcer)
>>
No. 422396 ID: b85f8c

>>422392
Scanner and Iso swap places. Alison, stay put and heal yet again.
>>
No. 422397 ID: a2fa74

>>422392
Iso fall back; everybody rush him.
>>
No. 422400 ID: 04b86a

Tell Iso to move up to where Scanner is, then whisper to Scanner to move forward to attack him and whisper to Mako to move down.
>>
No. 422406 ID: c811c4
File 133974486070.png - (150.61KB , 700x700 , sCS-127.png )
422406

Positions are swapped, but the Enforcer moves as well - no one is able to attack.
>>
No. 422408 ID: 886a4d

Alison should use her tonic to speed up healing. Alison move down, Iso down right, Duelist to the center, Scanner south.
>>
No. 422413 ID: b85f8c

Argh, this is why I wanted Duelist to stay put.

Duelist should move left, Scanner downleft, Alison upright, Iso stay put.
>>
No. 422416 ID: 04b86a

>>422408
The tonic only heals 10 HP. Unless it's being multiplied like the armor regen is, it's not going to help. I guess it might be worth trying to see if it multiplies, though.

Mako moves left, everyone else stays where they are. I want to try to force him down into the bottom platforms.
>>
No. 422423 ID: 886a4d

Wow he has item cancellation as well?


Double Attack! This is our chance to finish him off.

(We can resurrect if he dies)
>>
No. 422424 ID: 04b86a

>>422422
Isn't he immune to double attack? Besides, he should only need another 380 damage to take down. Have him just attack.
>>
No. 422425 ID: 8f5660

>>422422
But Enforcer is immune to double attacks! Still probably worth attacking him normally, though.
>>
No. 422429 ID: c811c4
File 133974661440.png - (151.05KB , 700x700 , sCS-128.png )
422429

>Everyone move everywhere
Things happen.

Alison uses Tonic! Usage cancelled by Enforcer! Alison heals instead.

Duelist attacks, enforcer takes 105 damage!
Enforcer attacks, Duelist takes 420 damage!

>>
No. 422430 ID: 04b86a

>>422424
Eh, scratch that. He needs 460 damage. I didn't note that last armor recovery.
>>
No. 422431 ID: b85f8c

>>422422
No, he'd die- this guy most likely has first strike. Regular attack. That will get him down to like 20 hp. We're almost done!

Alison, heal thyself yet again, bringing yourself to 440 total hp by my calculations. Also move right. Iso, move down-right. Duelist and Scanner, switch spots.
>>
No. 422432 ID: 886a4d

Wow he has item cancellation as well?

Alright, movement: Alison move south, everyone else stay put... one more attack will finish him. Hopefully he won't move again but really we need six people to cover everything. If he does attack Alison we better hope to Lago we have priority.
>>
No. 422435 ID: 04b86a

>>422429
Allison now has enough HP to take a hit without dying.

Have Scanner move back to the up-right, everyone else stay where they are. If we can't kill him this turn, then I'll settle for forcing him downward where he'll eventually have less options for movement.
>>
No. 422440 ID: 886a4d

>>422435
Changing my support to this.
>>
No. 422451 ID: c811c4
File 133974886103.png - (150.94KB , 700x700 , sCS-129.png )
422451

Movements are made, and the Duelist and Enforcer end up on the same tile.
>>
No. 422453 ID: c811c4
File 133974890666.png - (243.93KB , 700x700 , sCS-129(3).png )
422453

The Duelist attacks Enforcer!
Enforcer attacks Duelist!

Both are slain!

>>
No. 422455 ID: 04b86a

>>422453
Double Absorb. Have Iso try Absorbing Mako and Scanner try absorbing the Enforcer just in case there's a boon to block even that.
>>
No. 422458 ID: 886a4d

Iso absorb Duelist, Alison absorb Enforcer... Scanner move up to the Enforcer Spawn point in case of shenannigans.
>>
No. 422459 ID: b85f8c

>>422453
Okay, Alison absorb Duelist. Iso also attempt to. Scanner can absorb the Enforcer.
>>
No. 422460 ID: 8f5660

>>422455
Alison =(double absorb)=> Duelist, Enforcer
Iso =(absorb)=> Duelist
Scanner =(absorb)=> Enforcer
Duelist =(absorb)=> Enforcer
>>
No. 422461 ID: 886a4d

We want ability absorb to kick in so Alison should absorb Enforcer no matter what... we do have several backups of him around.
>>
No. 422463 ID: 04b86a

>>422453
Since we couldn't scan him, ask the Shopkeep if the Enforcer had First Strike Priority I. If not, then that was a bug Mako won that without dying.
>>
No. 422467 ID: c811c4
File 133975002917.png - (188.20KB , 700x700 , sCS-129(4).png )
422467

>First strike
A shopkeep does not appear, so it appears that there was no mistake about that.

Alison uses double absorb!

Iso absorbs Duelist! Alison absorbs Duelist! Enforcer uses Unknown Ability on Duelist! Enforcer has absorbed Duelist!

Alison, Scanner, Duelist absorbs Enforcer! Alison gains 5 million (single absorption capped) CU!

>>
No. 422469 ID: b85f8c

Resurrect Duelist immediately.
>>
No. 422470 ID: 886a4d

Everyone move up the spawn point... Resurrect Duelist... Alison should check what ability absorb gave her.
>>
No. 422471 ID: 8f5660

>>422469
I'd suggest dream-talking to him before resurrecting him. For all we know, Enforcer possessed him.
>>
No. 422472 ID: b85f8c

>>422469
Wait no, don't. Go to the regular safe zone first. That might be a tracking beacon or something. Do not compromise the sanctuary.
>>
No. 422475 ID: 886a4d

Not resurrecting him wouldn't be wise either... they might brainwash him.
>>
No. 422476 ID: 04b86a

>>422467
>Enforcer uses Unknown Ability on Duelist! Enforcer has absorbed Duelist!
Resurrect him immediately. Hopefully that was just Block Absorption.
>>
No. 422477 ID: a2fa74

>>422476
Agreed. We need him back before they can do anything to him.
>>
No. 422481 ID: c811c4
File 133975126687.png - (193.57KB , 700x700 , sCS-130.png )
422481

>Resurrect Duelist
... she can't. She still has his ghost, but it feels like he isn't able to be resurrected.
>>
No. 422483 ID: dcd48d

>>422477
I guess I agree, If they get to mess with him in dream land who knows what they might do/get out of him.
>>
No. 422484 ID: 8f5660

>>422481
Well crap.

Abandon the extra chests for now and head to the safe zone. Dreamtalk with Mako and Enforcer and see if Enforcer's willing to say what happened and/or how it could be resolved.
>>
No. 422485 ID: b85f8c

Well. Shit.

Get back to the sanctuary and sleep to visit him. No more chests.
>>
No. 422486 ID: a2fa74

>>422481
Ok. You have one chest. Get back to the sanctuary and talk to duelist.
>>
No. 422487 ID: 886a4d

Well... Crap. There goes the idea of farming enforcers. We really need Ghost Talk now. Did the Enforcer give us any abilities... I don't see how he can absorb when dying either unless he has a form of battle persistance or a 1-up.
>>
No. 422494 ID: 04b86a

Why do I get the feeling that we just found out where Judges come from?

>>422487
Dagger used absorb on Spear back in Stage 2 despite not having a 1-up. I say there's no reason to think you need an extra life to absorb, especially when there are other ways to come back.
>>
No. 422495 ID: dcd48d

>>422487
This, also, no more judge runs for us.
>>
No. 422499 ID: 886a4d

Anyway I think Judges are people who died permanently in stages... notice how this blob looks kinda familiar? >>421727 >>/questarch/1003585
>>
No. 422509 ID: e3f578

>>422481
Duelist might have a good ghost copy from Arbiter. Maybe it's just your copy that got fucked up.
Or If he just was made into a judge, well, now we have to glitch the system again to save him. Or have his judge self killed.

We'll get him back.
>>
No. 422530 ID: 09e5bf

>>422495
Judge runs should be fine as long as we don't send Alison.

Keep it at a level where the judges feel they can handle it. Like if we send people without delimiters.
>>
No. 422576 ID: 09e5bf

If we're going to try hard getting Duelist back, we should hold on to enough CU to get Alison well into Tier three.

Like if need be, spend it all on her, if that's what it takes to get whatever boons there are associated with absorption and resurrecting.
>>
No. 422578 ID: 886a4d

We NEED to get Alison's Absorb Priority up to 10, so we can resurrect Duelist, block resurrection will continue to take effect untill we overpwer Enforcer's absorb prioity.

As for Judge hunting teams there is a warning sign... DO NOT open any chests after Judges do not spawn when they should.

Money thoughts: We keep all 5 million to upgrade Alison and three others to tier 3, we might be facing multiple enforcers in stage 5. That leaves 1 million plus the chest auction and the time skips between now and then for the mansion and getting a couple judge teams up. For right now we can spare the 130k per person to up Bandit, Healer, Gaurdsman, and the two Judge hunting teams (my Suggestions would be Sword, Shield, Strongarm, Dagger, Twirl, Trihorn, Atlas and Charles)

>>422573

Well if needed Alison can return to the Shop Keep right after the auction and take every single CU they have, get her absorb priority up to 10 (Boon slots) and if that doesn't work she can get Tier 3 and see what is available as well. She just has to remember to keep ~200k for actually resurrecting Duelist.

((Maybe I should move that huge post to the discussion board, yes I think I will))
>>
No. 422586 ID: c811c4
File 133979218483.png - (12.50KB , 700x700 , sCS-131.png )
422586

Alison hurries back to the sanctuary, reporting her encounter with the Secretary and running off to bed.

Although she can sleep fine even when she's not tired, getting stressed makes it hard.
>>
No. 422587 ID: c811c4
File 133979219777.png - (17.99KB , 700x700 , sCS-132.png )
422587

She ends up spending a lot of time before being calm enough to sleep, and moves over to find Duelist.

He's frozen in that pose when Enforcer used that ability. He isn't responding.
>>
No. 422588 ID: e3f578
 

Mako no...
It's happening all over again
>>
No. 422589 ID: b0d466

Inform the Corruptor, see if he knows anything about it--if not, it'll be good to inform him.
>>
No. 422595 ID: 886a4d

I... think we should return to Smuggler now... who knows how it feels to constantly die.

Hug Duelist, vow to fix this.

Wake up, explain to Chief that you are going to have to leave the rest of the Time Skip in his hands, he should work on finishing the mansion plus a nice Shop for Smuggler, CU is a secondary priority. Go to the Arbiter and explain what has happened and that you will be seeing if tier 3 can't help him, take with you Healer, Iso, and Scanner ... Healer so she won't have to sit and worry, better bad news then no news. Leave word that the two hunter teams and Bandit, Recluse, Gaurdsman should join you with the CU take of that turn + auction (-25% for our house members pay)
>>
No. 422596 ID: b85f8c

>>422587
He got time-frozen. Corruptor can manipulate time too, in a way; why don't we ask him for advice?
>>
No. 422598 ID: a2fa74

>>422587
Is Enforcer there? Go on a thorough hunt to find out.
>>
No. 422599 ID: ba1062

>>422598
This. We need to know what exactly happened to Duelist
>>
No. 422601 ID: 02d1a1

Consult about duelist from the arbiter and corrupter, and if they don't suggest it first the glitcher himself.
>>
No. 422602 ID: 04b86a

>>422587
That- that isn't Block Resurrection. Is that even an actual ability? I mean, being able to just freeze a ghost in their moment of death like that...

We need to see the Smuggler about this. If that is a legitimate ability, then since we know of it his Merchant boon should be able to tell us more if we ask. I think this cycle still has a bit over 20 days left, though, so we'd be wasting a lot of time if we leave now.

Let's inform the Corruptor, then spend the rest of the time doing construction work. Have some people doing CU runs, some doing public, but most working on our home, including us. We can at least try to get Mako a home to come back to.
>>
No. 422603 ID: fb69eb

We should also check Arbiter's copy of Duelist's ghost.
>>
No. 422611 ID: e3f578

Hmm, that reminds me, maybe go around and ask some of Arbiter's ghosts if they know what's up before waking up and asking anyone in the waking world.

Just show 'em, hey dude you know what this is?
>>
No. 422627 ID: c811c4
File 133979790363.png - (13.62KB , 700x700 , sCS-133.png )
422627

None of the Arbiter's ghosts would know anything, and Enforcer did not leave a ghos behind. So she wakes up.

Healer hugs are given as she breaks the news. Healer says that she would like to help to get Duelist back in any way, and Alison says she first has to get advice.
>>
No. 422629 ID: c811c4
File 133979791684.png - (9.12KB , 700x700 , sCS-134.png )
422629

The Arbiter has set up the auction and is merely waiting for the house lords to show up at the scheduled time shortly, so he has time for a quick nap.

A nap that reveals that the Duelist is also frozen in his dream, as well. Alison excuses herself.
>>
No. 422631 ID: c811c4
File 133979792613.png - (14.41KB , 700x700 , sCS-135.png )
422631

The Corruptor is next. He appears to be in the middle of something, but informs Alison that he may not be of much help, but that she has permission now to see the Glitcher if it is terribly important. He tells her directions upwards to the glitcher's work station.
>>
No. 422632 ID: c811c4
File 133979793602.png - (12.94KB , 700x700 , sCS-136.png )
422632

She knocks on the door, to which the glitcher inside tells Alison to come in. She only moves a couple of feet before the Glitcher tells her to stop, and to not touch anything.
>>
No. 422633 ID: b85f8c

Follow his orders, and explain what happened, both the encounter with Enforcer and what he did to Duelist.
>>
No. 422635 ID: 09e5bf

Don't touch anything, just tell him that after fighting (what you think to be) a tier 3 system character called the enforcer, they killed Duelist and used a mystery ability that has left his ghost frozen in a dying state, and unrevivable.

That you asked around to see if anyone knew a way to help, and were directed here.
>>
No. 422638 ID: e3f578

>>422632
"Should I float?"

One of our top fighters just got absorbed in a weird way by the enforcer with some unknown ability, freezing him middeath in our dreams and making him unrevivable. What do?
>>
No. 422649 ID: 09e5bf

I think we should consider letting him know we may get access to tier 3 abilities next cycle, so if he would suggest waiting for that, we can.
>>
No. 422657 ID: c811c4
File 133980063121.png - (9.35KB , 700x700 , sCS-137.png )
422657

Alison explains that what was most likely a Tier 3 character did something to her friend that froze his ghost, and is unreviveable.

On the Glitcher's request, Alison explains everything in detail as well.

Glitcher says that if she can, she should go Tier 3. Apparently he already knew about the shopkeep. As much as he'd love to wave his magic wand around to solve it, he doesn't think that Alison realizes just how dangerous his work is. In fact, he would feel a lot better if she stood behind the door, come to think.
>>
No. 422659 ID: 132b99

back out of room while thanking him for advice.
>>
No. 422665 ID: b0d466

Ok, no more chest runs. Or, at least, no more sending ALISON on chest runs, as it might be that delimited people provoke the enforcers. Give the chest we just got to Healer, and then resume getting C.U. the slow way--safe no-chest stage runs and helping with public buildings.
>>
No. 422667 ID: 927efa

Oh god get out of there. Even looking at that shit could corrupt your data. How is glitcher immune to this? Maybe anyone can glitch but has a special ability of glitch immunity? D-damn

Tell him you intend to go to Tier 3 ASAP. You just want to warn important people about this new threat, in case you don't come back from the next one.
>>
No. 422670 ID: 886a4d

Ask why he think our presence will effect things. Anyway thank him for the advice and lets go to Smuggler.
>>
No. 422671 ID: b85f8c

>>422657
Ask him what, exactly, he's doing, anyway.
>>
No. 422672 ID: 02d1a1

Ask just exactly what does his work entail? Does he decipher the programming code by staring real hard, or does he just fuck with stuff until it does something? Since we already are on the systems hot/shit list, we may want to commit to being glitches like corrupter first offered. Tell glitcher you're willing to put yourself to revive duelist and fight the system from doing any such thing again.
>>
No. 422676 ID: b33427

Before speaking any more to the Glitcher, move back and close the door most of the way, just so you two can converse without risking whatever he's doing.

>>422671
Glitcher is probably working on what will become Smuggler's Sanctuary.
>>
No. 422677 ID: 886a4d

I think we should avoid getting glitched just yet.
>>
No. 422679 ID: 68d1df

>>422672
Err to become glitched
And to "put yourself at risk to revive"
>>
No. 422682 ID: 09e5bf

We shouldn't suggest being glitched until we know whether we can do the job by going tier 3 or not.

When we don't even know if an option we have access to that doesn't hurt us will help, we shouldn't try skipping to doing the horribly dangerous option.
>>
No. 422685 ID: c811c4
File 133980365779.png - (49.21KB , 700x700 , sCS-139.png )
422685

Getting behind the door, Alison thanks him for the advice, while the glitcher adds that if tier 3 doesn't work, becoming corrupted is still an option. She will wait on that, though. Alison is also wondering what exactly he is doing, and how.

He says that he is building a teleporter between this sanctuary and the auxillary sanctuary, more difficult than normal since if anything goes wrong in one sanctuary, this teleporter should automatically turn off so that both aren't screwed. He says he just finished testing it by tossing in this coffee mug on a string and pulling it back here.

As for how he is doing it, he doesn't think Alison actually wants to know.
>>
No. 422688 ID: 886a4d

Ask anyway, admit that curiousity has always been a fault of ours.
>>
No. 422689 ID: b85f8c

Well we can tell him we've pretty much figured out that the competition takes place inside some sort of simulated world and that he's probably accessing the fabric of it through whatever methods were used to make the place.
>>
No. 422691 ID: e3f578

>>422685
Ask if he does know anything about the ability used, at least it's name.

And if he's ever tried to Glitch into the sleeping world while awake.
>>
No. 422696 ID: c811c4
File 133980522158.png - (50.79KB , 700x700 , sCS-138.png )
422696

>Ask about getting into the sleeping world while awake
That's not something he wants to mess with. He can't even get this teleporter right, something he's done before except under slightly different circumstances.

Alison mentions she suspects that this world may be simulated, and he's messing with the however this place is made. Curiosity is somewhat of a fault for her, and she would still like to know how he's doing it.

He says, again, even if he wanted to share it, he's not allowed to.
>>
No. 422697 ID: b85f8c

Oh, okay, nevermind. Wish him luck. Let's go back to base and I suppose spend some time doing construction. Also toss 300k towards making things go faster.

This must be how Corruptor feels, having more CU than he knows what to do with. ...what DOES CU stand for anyway?!
>>
No. 422698 ID: 886a4d

Well ask if he would like to come to the party we have planned when the mansion is finished. We wouldn't mind getting to know him.

Then lets go to Smuggler. We should bring Healer, Iso and Scanner with us.
>>
No. 422699 ID: b85f8c

Uh, also, warn him that he looks like something bad's happening to his body.
>>
No. 422700 ID: 132b99

>>422699
it's probably normal, for him at least. stare into the abyss and it stares back sort or deal.
>>
No. 422702 ID: 09e5bf

>>422698
Do this when there's a hour left before the cycle.

Until then, have followers farm safe CU, all of which will go towards the mansion, and continue building.
>>
No. 422703 ID: c811c4
File 133980591572.png - (16.31KB , 700x700 , sCS-140.png )
422703

Alison begins to leave, thanking him again, saying that he's invited to a party when she finishes her mansion. He passes. She also asks him if he knows what CU stands for, but he doesn't. She mentions the weird part of what's going on with his body, he says it's normal.

She can go visit the smuggler immediately, or try to be patient and wait around.

There is also an option to spend a few hundred thousand to make a normal judge running team without delimiters.
>>
No. 422704 ID: 886a4d

We really need boons for that to work properly... but we can do the prep work. I say we go immediately however but I'm a tad worried about Duelist.
>>
No. 422706 ID: 09e5bf

Hold off on the judge running team until meeting with smuggler.

Not because it's not viable, but because I don't want to risk more people ending up like duelist until we can figure out how to fix or at least avoid that fate.
>>
No. 422714 ID: b85f8c

>>422703
I don't think there is any reason to go to Smuggler early. Healer will still have to wait before seeing results from our inquiries. Everyone will have to wait, except for us.

Let Healer know that getting to Tier 3 is the best chance you have of finding out what Enforcer did to Duelist and how to fix it, so she'll have to wait until the next hour.

I suppose making a normal judge-running team would be a good idea. Having them stock up on red gloves would provide a low-risk method of making a shit-ton of CU.
>>
No. 422723 ID: 886a4d

Healer could always come with us...
>>
No. 422739 ID: b0d466

Stick with the slow methods for now--we want to be able to reverse this before taking any chances
>>
No. 422762 ID: c811c4
File 133981266337.png - (168.44KB , 700x700 , sCS-141.png )
422762

She'll wait, and go at it slowly. Right now just over half of her members are running stages.

Construction moves slowly, but by the time the cycle will end, she'll have around another 1.4 million or so, minus whatever she gives back to the house members, plus whatever she gets from the auction. She can speed it up, but Engineer says that she would have to pour hundreds of thousands of CU in to get any real noticeable change.

As for her chest, she can put it up for auction as well, or keep it, but healer says she'll only want to use it up if she knows for a fact she's going to fight.
>>
No. 422763 ID: 886a4d

Keep it, for now. there are still boons out there that we can't get from Shop Keep.
>>
No. 422765 ID: b85f8c

Hmm. Ask Mathematician what the 'sweet spot' is for giving extra funding compared to sending people out to get funds instead of construct. It sounds like right now we'd finish fastest by having everyone construct rather than spending 1.4 million to speed up construction. In other words, the time spent on physical labor is worth more than they'd get gathering funds.

I'd also like the construction to be complete at least by the end of this cycle.
>>
No. 422767 ID: 886a4d

We have 5.5 million CU currently. Of the 1.4m and the auction benefits 25% should go towards our house members again. That will proably be around 500k CU (around 2.5k each person). 1 million CU should be poured into construction. Afterwords we should have around 6 million CU for getting Alison up to Tier 3.

We never did see if we absorbed any skill lines from the Enforcer that we can pour CU into. Maybe they will only activate once getting Tier 3.
>>
No. 422778 ID: c811c4
File 133981427779.png - (344.18KB , 700x700 , sCS-142.png )
422778

>Construction finished by the end of this cycle

No way, Engineer says.

The mathematician is summoned, who says that at the current rate of 80 people constructing at a time, they go through around 40k CU worth of supplies per hour. For a full cycle of almost 500 hours, that would be 20 million CU per cycle. That's if she keeps on only having 80 people working on it.

In fact, something is wrong. Stage runners get around 220 per hour. There are about 140 runners at the moment, so Alison should get 30,800 CU per hour. Times a bit less than 500 hours, and she should end up with around 15 million CU this cycle.

Which, he goes back to the previous run cycle. It was about the same hourly, with only 80 people running. There was a late start, but considering that, she should have gained 8 million CU. There was a 0 missing, and now Alison is missing 7.2 million CU

Mathematician is starting to freak out that he hadn't noticed this before.
>>
No. 422780 ID: 927efa

Tell Math to calm down. The important thing is that we have the people, not that we have the CU. Too much CU can in fact be a bad thing (attracts judges enforcers etc). Try to interview your members alone in private, to find out if they're losing CU for some reason they couldn't bring to your attention. The only way this could be utterly disastrous is ksshh shhhsh ksssh
>>
No. 422788 ID: 735f4f

Is someone embezzling from the company funds? Quick equip a detective hat and magnifying glass and get on the case.
>>
No. 422789 ID: b85f8c

Scanner can see carried CU as well as spent CU. Have her check around to see who's embezzling.
>>
No. 422790 ID: b0d466

Did he calculate the hourly earning correctly the first time? How easy is C.U. to steal, anyway? Did Guardsman see anything? He's always hanging onto Scanner, who was helping collect the C.U.
>>
No. 422797 ID: 886a4d

Hug Math. He's getting way to stressed about this.

>>422780


The only thing Judges / Enforcers seem to care about is Chests... the Corrupter has been raking in billions of CU considering we are a new house with only a couple hundred members.
>>
No. 422800 ID: c811c4
File 133981657004.png - (356.06KB , 700x700 , sCS-143.png )
422800

Alison tries to get mathematician to calm down, that the CU isn't that important. Hugs are given, but he's clearly depressed about this, saying that it's still a lot, and moreso an incredibly easily seen mistake given that he was supposed to keep track of this.
>>
No. 422805 ID: c811c4
File 133981667677.png - (9.71KB , 700x700 , sCS-144.png )
422805

She gets the attention of a few of her stage runners one at a time. Each of them say that every couple of runs or so, they would hand off their CU to one of the collectors, and the collectors would hand off all that CU to the Chief.

During this time, Alison has scanner scan everyone to see if someone is embezzling. She also says that her focus was on all of the individuals coming out of the stages, so she can confirm that, at least, all of the CU made its way from individuals to about 5 or 6 different collectors.

... which, she adds, all of that CU was supposed to go to Chief, who was supposed to hand it off to Mathematician for counting.
>>
No. 422807 ID: 132b99

check out a collector. under the pretense of seeing how everyone is doing.
>>
No. 422808 ID: 886a4d

... Try buying that second helping of Understand Speech the system bugged out on you with way back during the prelimanaries.

Hmm, check in with the Chief. I hope he hasn't been the one embezzling. He's been such a good administrator. Ask him for the names of his collectors and have Scanner check him out.
>>
No. 422809 ID: b0d466

Go see the Chief [facepalm]
>>
No. 422810 ID: b85f8c

>>422805
I told you guys we shouldn't have resurrected him.

We should talk to Succubus and ask if Chief has been meeting the leaders of the other houses. Also, is Bandit around? He's pretty sneaky, so maybe he can help us gather intel. Get him to tail Chief to see where he goes each day.

The most important thing is to find out where the money went.
>>
No. 422812 ID: 886a4d

>>422810
Yes we do need to talk to our infiltrators.
>>
No. 422813 ID: 132b99

>>422808
lol yes.
>>
No. 422814 ID: b0d466

Understand Speech x2 is GO
>>
No. 422815 ID: b85f8c

>>422808
It is completely impossible for anyone but Chief or Mathematician to have set aside the money, unless ALL of our collectors are embezzling. 90% of our income went missing, but we have 5-6 collectors. If only 10% of the money went missing, then I could understand it being one of the collectors keeping half of what he got.

Actually, this is a really dumb way to embezzle. A smart way to do it would be to inflate expenses or take off small amounts that could be explained by random variables. Yanking almost all of the money and expecting it to go unnoticed due to a clerical error is just dumb.
>>
No. 422817 ID: c811c4
File 133981798346.png - (36.44KB , 700x700 , sCS-145.png )
422817

>Speech x2
She can't seem to do that.

She isn't sure that she wants to go the route of getting Bandit to tail Chief around even if he can, but Alison may do that and talk to Succubus if Chief proves to be evasive.

Alison heads into Chief's room. Scanner gives Alison a discreet thumbs up, and Alison goes ahead and asks about who the collectors were. He says Gnoll, Succubus, Small Lizard/Charles, Scruff and Mouse.

Although he doesn't say anything more, he does keep looking at Alison as though expecting an explanation.
>>
No. 422822 ID: b0d466

According to Math's calculations, we seem to be missing 7.2 million C.U.
>>
No. 422825 ID: 886a4d

Might as well say it straight out yes. Return his expentant look. Watch him closely for lies... he has said before he isn't very good at it.
>>
No. 422827 ID: b85f8c

Tell him you'd like to supervise how the money is exchanged.

We haven't received any money yet this cycle, which means we have a chance to catch Chief red handed, simply by how much money he receives.
>>
No. 422828 ID: b0d466

>>422827
Unless, of course, someone or something else is responsible for the discrepancy.
>>
No. 422830 ID: c811c4
File 133981878155.png - (6.73KB , 700x700 , sCS-146.png )
422830

Alison tells him that she's missing 7.2 million CU from last cycle's stage runs, and would like to supervise the income this cycle.

He pauses.

Chief says that he knows what this looks like, then. He has nothing but his word that he didn't steal it.

If he has to defend himself in more detail, he'd ask what the point was. Back then, he wasn't even aware it was possible to go past 100k, so there was little point he was aware of to have 7.2 million personally. Even if it was just to afford some luxury food, living quarters and space, he's sure that Alison would have given it to him if he had just asked nicely.
>>
No. 422831 ID: 09e5bf

Mostly that it has Mathematician very stressed out.
>>
No. 422832 ID: b85f8c

Bribes, to get in good with the other houses. But hey, if he didn't do it we'll know when the first collection happens.

Ask offhand how much money he actually received last cycle.
>>
No. 422833 ID: b0d466

>>422830
We believe him.

We're just trying to figure this out.
>>
No. 422835 ID: e3aff6

For one thing there is the matter of construction and how wages are a portion of CU gained. But really, the core of the matter is that we need to be able to depend on each other, and we were depending on Chief to keep track of this and keep us informed.
>>
No. 422837 ID: b33427

Say that you believe him. It's not like there's anything to spend that much CU on anyway; Other than construction materials, that is. You actually wanted him to round up the collectors for interviews, since Alison would draw attention. Keep them separate, in case they're colluding. Bring in everyone who's stage-running right now, and put them on construction, as a cover. Oh, and ask how much Chief remembers he did collect back then.

Now, whoever took it would almost certainly not be carrying around 7.2 million CU for every two-bit scanner to see, so it's likely its been stashed somewhere; Very likely multiple somewheres. All the construction would give ample chance to bury a bag of CU here and there, or stick a bag under the floorboards, in a wall, or behind a cabinet or fixture, to be pulled out later.

There's also a problem with scanning for spent CU clues; It only counts CU spent by using the merchant boon, or CU spent on abilities. Trading it to another, like the way the Market works here, isn't registered. Now, they might have slipped up and maxed out their Tier 1 ability lines, but that's doubtful.

...Oh, man... Just had a thought; What if this screwup was due to a glitch in CU transfer? There's not going to be a Shopkeep descending from the heavens to fix it. We'd just have to be chalk it up as a downside to being in the Sanctuary.
>>
No. 422842 ID: 886a4d

I say believe him... he has a point, we would gladly give him access to luxuries he deserves for being loyal and doing such a good job.. truthfully people like Math, Engineer, Succubus and the other non-frontliners do deserve more then standard pay. We're just so busy getting Alison and the fighers up to snuff that they've been getting pushed to the side.
>>
No. 422843 ID: a6ab09

>>422837
could be an unseen tax placed by the corruptor to help upkeep the sanctuary. Like a rent
>>
No. 422850 ID: e3f578

>>422830
So, if you're not lying then, the collectors may know who's embezzling then?
Tell Chief that not only they are disrespecting her by stealing, but him and Mathematician and the entire house. This is an economy we're talking about here, nice homes and shit.
When we were running stages, we couldn't have this stuff, we just pushed forward and were barely even able to enjoy the short lives we were given. Now we have the ability to enjoy this shit. With Chief's reasoning to not steal that much cash, that means some people are jacking all that cash to play a stupid game they don't even know what they'd get if they win! It might be something fundamentally worse that what we have here. Here we have a home, pleasure, and culture. Life has meaning here.
You can't even USE that much CU to overpower yourself this early in the game. The system would get suspicious and probably blacklist them. The only use of that much cash is FOR Building!
>>
No. 422861 ID: 927efa

>>422850

Well yeah, building and currying favors from those who are building.
>>
No. 422866 ID: a2fa74

>>422830
Tell him we believe him. Then track down who the sixth collector was.
People said they handed it in to five or six collectors, remember, and impersonating a collector is a good way to make people chase their tail looking for an embezzler instead of a spy.
>>
No. 422868 ID: 132b99

>>422866
oh shit... we need a sting operation.
>>
No. 422870 ID: b85f8c

>>422866
>spy

Oh. Shapeshift, of course. Institute a poke check whenever money changes hands.
>>
No. 422871 ID: b85f8c

May as well poke Chief now to make sure.
>>
No. 422873 ID: a2fa74

>>422866
Addendum: Have everybody hug everybody else on sight, and bring anybody they don't recognize to you. If somebody resists going to you then we have our thief.
You, of course, will lock the gate and wait there with Iso and Scanner while teams of two guard the rest of the perimeter. Repeated physical contact.
>>
No. 422874 ID: b85f8c

We need to find out if restraint is possible here, and if stealing is a crime that is punishable by anything. Ask... well, anyone, really.
>>
No. 422884 ID: c811c4
File 133982415236.png - (13.49KB , 700x700 , sCS-147.png )
422884

Alison will believe Chief.

>Shapeshift
It's possible, but Chief says improbable if the amount lost was 90%. It would require that 90% were given to imposters, and he doesn't know how such a thing could be pulled off.

He adds that he won't hold it against Alison if she keeps him away from CU handling.

>5 or 6 collectors
Chief says that while he listed the main five, there were a couple others, Trihorn, himself and Clarence that would substiture when one of the main five would take a break so they wouldn't have to stand around for 500 hours straight.

Other then poking and hugging people to make sure they're not shapeshifters and generally keeping a more attentive eye on things, Alison can't think of much more to do if Chief isn't the culprit. Which, a poke does confirm that the Chief is real.

>Test restraint
And she doesn't know how to go about this. If someone were to volunteer, it may not count as restraining against their will.
>>
No. 422889 ID: a2fa74

>>422884
Scan Scanner, then have scanner start scanning people.
>>
No. 422892 ID: b85f8c

>>422881
I know how a shapeshifter could steal 90% of it.

Shapeshift as Mathematician, intercept Chief to receive it, then shapeshift as Chief to give it to Mathematician.
>>
No. 422894 ID: 04b86a

>>422884
So, in other words, they would have had to impersonate Chief every now and then and collect CU from the collectors.
>>
No. 422932 ID: 886a4d

We should approach Arbiter next and ask him if there is a tax of some sort that Corrupter imposes on CU earnings. Just to eliminate another possibility. It's just one thing after another jeesh.

Next we should introduce a mandatory Shapeshift check for whenever CU is exchanged however in case there is a shapeshifter running around. Just clasping shoulders should do it especially given the wildly different builds everyone has, maybe even have everyone buy a couple levels or scan since stats aren't included and can't be changed on the fly.

((One of the things I suggested Shop Keeper keep to himself is the Refund Skill / Boons and this will help with that))

Also this would be a very unexpoected time to hug Chief.... so do so.
>>
No. 422965 ID: c811c4
File 133982802359.png - (19.56KB , 700x700 , sCS-148.png )
422965

+1 Chief Hug.

>>422892
It sounds like that's a possibility, but Alison don't know what can be done about it aside from, again, shapeshift precautions.
>>
No. 422966 ID: c811c4
File 133982803670.png - (134.56KB , 700x700 , sCS-149.png )
422966

Scanner is scanned, and scanner continues scanning while she makes her way to the Arbiter to ask if he knows anything, such as an invisible tax.

He says no, there isn't. It's very strange, and it will be mentioned to the corruptor.

The auction is about to start, if she wishes to view, but it isn't necessary.
>>
No. 422968 ID: 132b99

slap his back "naw it's fine i'd love to"
>>
No. 422969 ID: b85f8c

>>422968
I dunno about that action.

But yes, let's watch the auction. High bidders are people to be watched for the possibility of being the one who stole from us.
>>
No. 422971 ID: 886a4d

Maybe instead of hitting him on the back we can offer our arm to him, we are in an evening dress about to join in a high-roller event.
>>
No. 422974 ID: 04b86a

Of course we'll go.

Besides, anyone who has Shapeshift must be either important enough or rich enough to get a chest to even acquire the skill line, so they're likely to be at the auction.
>>
No. 422976 ID: b0d466

>>422971
Good idea!
>>
No. 423004 ID: c811c4
File 133983193004.png - (9.75KB , 700x700 , sCS-150.png )
423004

Alison holds out her hand for Arbiter, who takes her to an upstairs booth where the Auctioneer stage currently is. This place also doubles as a theatre of sorts, hence the upstairs booth. He says that only the other house lords have shown up, no others are willing to part with the CU. From here, she can see the 4 other lords in the main area.
>>
No. 423005 ID: c811c4
File 133983195145.png - (19.40KB , 920x600 , sCS-151.png )
423005

From left to right is the Obliterator, Swordbane, Bones and one of the inner councilmembers of the collective.
>>
No. 423006 ID: c811c4
File 133983197499.png - (9.62KB , 700x700 , sCS-152.png )
423006

The auction goes by smoothly enough, a bidding war happens and in the end, it looks like it will be sold for 950,000 to Bones.
>>
No. 423010 ID: 886a4d

Lets go introduce ourselves, congragulate the winner and hand him his chest.
>>
No. 423011 ID: b85f8c

Nice chunk of cash. Bones might have our CU... We should have him followed.

And personally I think that Chief might be allied with him. His knowledge about the other leaders was anecdotal and factual, but he referred to Bones in a personal manner. As if he knew him.

Just to confirm- we have our members set to check for shapeshifters by touch, but no other changes to our CU collection scheme, right?

I think it would be best if we kept the changes unnoticeable so that the shapeshifter (if there is one) won't be spooked.
>>
No. 423012 ID: b0d466

>>421060
So, waaaaaaay back when there was this guy up here

Near Math

Math, who was counting the money.

Does Math have Banditry immunity?
>>
No. 423013 ID: a2fa74

>>423006
Ok, lets go make the exchange. I'm kinda curious what was inside it, too.
Talk to the council member after that.
>>
No. 423014 ID: b85f8c

>>423012
This is a safe zone. Surely banditry isn't possible to use in a safe zone.

...we should probably verify that.
>>
No. 423015 ID: a2fa74

>>423012
The sanctuary has banditry immunity, but I would still like to know who that was.
>>
No. 423017 ID: b0d466

Have everyone switch to building instead of running stages until we get this sorted out
>>
No. 423018 ID: 04b86a

Ask Arbiter to get a quick scan of them all, I want to know if any of them have Shapeshift.

>>423012
>>423014
It shouldn't be usable here unless a corrupted breaks the "safe" part. If it was usable in safe zones, then Bandit would have been using it back in Safe Zone 3.
>>
No. 423019 ID: 927efa
File 133983327785.gif - (108.34KB , 200x160 , fffffuuuu fuck.gif )
423019

>>423012
>>
No. 423021 ID: 04b86a

>>423012
>lost about 90%
On second thought, someone with Rank 9 Banditry somehow managing to steal from him does sound reasonable. It also explains why they didn't walk away with all of it. I don't know why Math didn't notice how it had changed from millions to simply hundreds of thousands, though. Or how the thief managed use Banditry in the Sanctuary in the first place.
>>
No. 423028 ID: 886a4d

I wonder... could there be a boon that allows Bandits to steal in safe zones? We haven't seen any boons for that skill line yet and it would make sense, there might even be a 'silent' boon so the target doesn't know about it.
>>
No. 423030 ID: b33427

After working out this situation, better accounting for CU should be put in place. Things like receipt books for stage-runners, collectors, and anybody else in the house that is handling and exchanging large sums of CU; Possibly in duplicate, if we can get carbon paper made. Everything should be signed for, and time stamped against the portal clock. There should also be a house master ledger that only Math holds in his inventory, only brings out to work on in the presence of two other higher ups in the house, and never leaves alone.

>>423020
The 7.2 million was almost certainly intercepted before reaching Math, since he only entered 800,000 CU in the ledger. Math only caught on when calculating how much stage-runners are pulling in, comparing to the previous time block, and realized that value was way too low.
>>
No. 423035 ID: c811c4
File 133983511335.png - (14.15KB , 700x700 , sCS-153.png )
423035

>Bandit immunity
Banditry counts as an attack, and can't be used in a safe zone. Arbiter confirms that the sanctuary isn't any different.

>Boon for bandit
The arbiter says that if there was a boon that allowed the stealing in a safe zone, then the person must have it in for Alison and Alison alone, as someone could have gone wild in a place like this. It would have been public by now.

>The person near math.
That's spikefinger. He's one of Alison's, and he seemed as trustworthy as the next 230 or so people that aren't in Alison's closer circle.

Alison moves to Bones, congratulating him. She doesn't have the chest to give, as she gave it to the auctioneer, but introduces herself. He says he knows who she is.
>>
No. 423038 ID: 132b99

and i knew you knew but it is still polite to offer your name the first time you meet face to face.
>>
No. 423040 ID: b85f8c

Really, ask if he's been watching you from afar, then.
>>
No. 423041 ID: b0d466

Wish him luck on the contents, and then be off and awaaay~
>>
No. 423043 ID: b0d466

>>423040
Don't be so hostile/accusatory towards other people without evidence of any kind!
>>
No. 423044 ID: b85f8c

>>423043
It was meant to be teasing/flirty.
>>
No. 423052 ID: 886a4d

Reply that you knew who he was but wanted to introduce yourself regardless... you've both found yourselves as leaders under the Corruptor and it isn't good to not know anything but rumors and speculation about one another.

As for our ongoing problem ledgers are a good idea, as are people doubling up. We should recruit some others to help the Collectors gather as well as have Alison occasionally replacing Chief and Math as the primary gatherers... this should be done completely randomly though. We also need some sort of official seal or mark that our most trusted carry around with them.. something that is hard to duplicate. We definately need to identify exactly what step the money is being lost at.


... I can't believe we are trying to create a paper trail, as well as procedures to follow... in other words a bureaucracy.
>>
No. 423055 ID: c811c4
File 133983753470.png - (14.00KB , 700x700 , sCS-154.png )
423055

Alison explains that she knew who he was, but still wanted to properly introduce herself, as she's only heard rumors and would rather get to personally know him.

He says it's a useless gesture, as he doesn't care to personally know Alison.
>>
No. 423056 ID: b85f8c

Ask him why.
>>
No. 423060 ID: 927efa

You'll be the judge of whether it's useless or not! Wait, no that would be a terrible thing to say.
>>
No. 423070 ID: dcd48d

>>423056
Pretty much this, why wouldn't you? shouldn't we all be working together against the system?
>>
No. 423127 ID: fed066

>>423055

He's negging you.
>>
No. 423135 ID: b0d466

"What a shame, I hope you'll change your mind sometime. See you around!" Then go meet 'n greet the others.
>>
No. 423169 ID: 450b8d

>>423135

Yeah this, let's not dawdle with him.
>>
No. 423171 ID: 886a4d

>>423056
>>423070
These
>>
No. 423202 ID: c811c4
File 133988369098.png - (12.22KB , 700x700 , sCS-155.png )
423202

She asks why that would be, since they should be working together. He says he has little regard for her help, and Bones begins leaving. The rest of the lords have also begun going on their way.
>>
No. 423205 ID: a2fa74

>>423202
Can you talk with the councilor, or have they already left?
>>
No. 423206 ID: b0d466

>>423204
DETECTIVE ALISON IS ON THE CASE
>>
No. 423207 ID: b85f8c

>>423202
What, is that it? They feel that they're strong enough to stand on their own and thus have no need to even speak to their allies?

Announce that you have a second chest to sell.
>>
No. 423209 ID: 132b99

looks like even though they have more then enough power for like anything, they still rule over the others with fear. when we beat chief with allies that work not out of fear he learned it was a failed approach that only works as long as you are stronger then them. these guys are probably afraid themselves since the powergap is steadily closing in on them. the only thing keeping them above the others are the boons they can get out of these chests. once the shop opens and power stops being something one can have simply by luck, they will be in trouble.
>>
No. 423210 ID: 886a4d

Looks like we won't be making any more Alliances this time around... pity. Onto the mystery. Maybe we should ask the Arbiter his impression / opinion on the other lords and their ways... see how the match or differ from Chiefs. We are kinda going in blind when talking to them and its obviously not working.
>>
No. 423235 ID: c811c4
File 133988969199.png - (17.74KB , 700x700 , sCS-156.png )
423235

Alison announces that she has a second chest to sell, the one that healer declined.

Another, unofficiated, auction war happens, and she sells the one that healer didn't take for 900,000 CU, to Swordbane. He'll give her the CU at her place, where he can see that she does have a chest to give.

Asking Arbiter on his opinion on the other lords, while no others are around, he says that many of them are like that. They're too concerned about the inner workings of their own system to worry about alliances. Also, if he may say, the 7.2 million lost may not be insignificant, but it could easily be an isolated incident. While he may not suggest forgetting about it altogether, Alison may not want to stress too heavily about this, and just keep a closer eye while personally collecting the CU as it comes in every once in awhile. In the grand scheme of things, 7.2 probably won't mean much in the end, and he doesn't want her to get paranoid about every little thing because of this.
>>
No. 423238 ID: b85f8c

>>423235
Who says we're being paranoid? We haven't even really done anything yet. We're still in the inquiry and information gathering stage.

Mostly I want to eliminate suspects right now. How much money comes in for the first collection can clear Chief's name if it's 10% of what it should be, because then we know it's already stolen by the time it gets to Chief. If it's 100% then we can't eliminate Chief but that doesn't prove he did it either.

Actually... come to think of it, it's very unlikely if not impossible that the CU was stolen before Chief got it, as Chief did some collection himself. That would've skewed the numbers, no longer resulting in a clean 90%.

So either Chief, Mathematician, or a shapeshifter stole it. Ask Arbiter if he would describe Bones as a "cryptic jerkwad" via information available to the public. I want to figure out if Chief met Bones personally.

I also want to have some eyes on Chief. Perhaps Bandit can help with that.
>>
No. 423239 ID: b0d466

>>423235
Good advice.
Let's not go around interrogating everyone and alienating allies, but try keeping a closer eye on things to see if it happens again.
>>
No. 423254 ID: c811c4
File 133989504117.png - (15.02KB , 700x700 , sCS-157.png )
423254

Alison asks if Bones could be described as a 'cryptic jerkwad.' Arbiter might sooner use the words 'closed-minded sociopath', but cryptic jerkwad isn't terribly far off from the mark.

After the chest is given to Swordbane for the CU, Alison lets the time pass, paying closer mind, with more bureacracy involved in gaining the CU. She collects the entire amount every once in awhile, and it looks like she's getting all of it, so far 597,960 CU, after 20 hours in. Although, with collection seals and touch tests and hugs and other verifications, it does have some slight slowdown, but nothing terribly significant.
>>
No. 423259 ID: b0d466

Ok, so the numbers are doing well so far? Have the got this routine down?

Spend the rest of the time helping with construction stuff
>>
No. 423261 ID: 71d68e

We need to break into tier 3 and see what abilities and boons Smuggler lists. See if we can understand what exactly happened to Duelist.
>>
No. 423264 ID: 886a4d

Good, Math should do periodic checks every 24 /48 hours or so to make sure there is no sudden deviation like that again and we should chalk it up to some outside influence for now. Maybe some system lord decided to enforce that error Math made and it became reality.
>>
No. 423362 ID: b85f8c

>>423254
So either the thief knows we're checking, or they stopped for other reasons.

>>423264
>System turning clerical errors into reality
That is distressingly probable. Unfortunately the only way to check that is to make a clerical error in the other direction, but if done on purpose it might invalidate the 'trick'.

Hmm. Maybe the fact that Mathematician truly believed he had 1/10th the CU he actually did made him truly carry that much, due to how this world works. I wonder if we can try fooling him into believing that he's carrying MORE. This would be another way to get infinite CU, if it weren't for the fact that it would only work once.
>>
No. 423418 ID: c811c4
File 133993413184.png - (137.37KB , 700x700 , sCS-158.png )
423418

CU gain continues as normal, and she's able to receive enough constantly that in the end, including the first 20 hours of stage running, she's gotten 15,320,360 CU this cycle from stage running. Her house is somewhat less than half complete, but if she focuses more on it next cycle, she may be able to have it finished in another 500 hours. As for now, the pools, entry hall and bedroom are mostly complete, if rather unfurnished.

During this time, the Glitcher says that the new area, bare at the moment, will be ready for the Smuggler. She should, at the wishes of the Corruptor, think of how much of a markup the Smuggler should sell at for a profit.

Furthermore, as usual, how much of the 15 million + she should split amongst her house members. She has, in total, 22,624,216 CU.
>>
No. 423422 ID: 886a4d

25% of stage running and both chest auctions should be given to her people. That probably will end up being around 15k per person. If they are spending it on stats instead of luxuries her people will start getting into tier 2.

The five million she earned from killing the Enforcer and the rest should go towards getting Alison to tier 3 as well as setting up the rest of her primary fighting team and her two judge hunting teams up to snuff. It is time to visit the Smuggler. We should do the tier 3 and team setups BEFORE we take him to his new home in case the system does react.

As for profits I suggest he takes the full 200% increase. Not for us but to get himself up to tier 3. Just in case. This would be for the other houses except for us and the Arbiter's since he is a very good friend.
>>
No. 423425 ID: c811c4
File 133993754685.png - (15.82KB , 700x700 , sCS-159.png )
423425

The Glitcher did mention he will stop by to give her the item to teleport to the new stage, and to bring Smuggler there. She'll do so after buying her own things, but not before handing out 25% to her house members, an amount to 15,320 per person. She calls everyone to gather in a line.

Atlas happens to be first in line. He says he won't accept the CU. Asking why he won't, he explains that even if it's a little bit all things considered, Alison is better off using all the CU she can get to rescue the Duelist.

Healer, Twirl, Clarence, Bandit and several others say that they, too, want to bypass their share.
>>
No. 423427 ID: 886a4d

Hmm honestly we have enough to get two people to tier 3 no problem and even have enough to get Alison to the ten million CU cap. Still its a really touching offer.... hmmm

Accept their offer, give each a hug in thanks. We can give it to them later saying that thankfully their sacrifice wasn't needed. I hope it won't take two tier 3s to resurrect him however...
>>
No. 423450 ID: f7ae22

Alison, what happens when someone strips you of your clothes and takes them? Are you able to just summon another copy of your clothes?
If you are able to duplicate your clothing, this could be potentially used to create infinite building materials or even infinite food. We could have Alison use one of her outfits as a brick house.
Maybe Alison could even have Duelist as an outfit.
>>
No. 423455 ID: 132b99

>>423450
hahaha
>>
No. 423458 ID: c811c4
File 133994316010.png - (15.19KB , 700x700 , sCS-160.png )
423458

Alison proceeds to give Atlas a hug, as well as the remaining bunch that volunteered. She'll let them know she'll pay them back if it turns out it wasn't needed, along with many thanks.

And she ends up hugging a lot of people. she ends up returning less than one million CU in total.
>>
No. 423459 ID: c811c4
File 133994317619.png - (9.41KB , 700x700 , sCS-161.png )
423459

>What happens when someone strips you of your clothes and takes them?
Having Iso do the deed as a test, he takes her clothes.
>>
No. 423460 ID: c811c4
File 133994319349.png - (16.88KB , 700x700 , sCS-162.png )
423460

She is able to summon her copy of clothes again, and it disappears from Iso's hands, so she will not be able to get a brick outfit and build out of that. She would need to bug the glitcher to see if anything could be done about this.
>>
No. 423461 ID: c811c4
File 133994330962.png - (318.45KB , 700x700 , sCS-163.png )
423461

With time spent messing around with her clothes, and hugging almost every single one of her house members, she has to run up to do business with the shopkeep.

On purchasing Tier 3, the shopkeep will be able to see the inventory for it. He reminds Alison that even then, it may not be the entire stock. Just about everyone should still be on Tier 1, after all.
>>
No. 423478 ID: c811c4
File theShopVer2-1-1.swf - (232.79KB , 850x900 )
423478

Tier 3 Access Warning: Not intended for normal player use. All Tier 1 and 2 Abilities and Boons aside from (Fortified) Body/Armor/Weapon, all Communication and Absorb will be lost and not able to be regained. However, all lost abilities and boons are refunded in full.

Some can be bought again in tier 3 counterparts with bigger limitations, and in some ways, Tier 3 is not as strong ability-wise. However, with enough CU to burn to get anywhere near the 10 mil cap, it is significantly stronger nevertheless, though not proportionally to the CU costs.

Also to note, at the moment the maximum Tier 3 boon count is 3. And again, only Tier 3 Ability points count to the character's CU level.

More detailed information of Tier 3 Ability ranks:
>>/questdis/56171
>>
No. 423481 ID: 886a4d

In order to permanently kill someone we need Alison to have max absorb priority, block resurrection, rend ghost and the ability to kill him.

Alison should purchase both tier 2 boon slots and buy every absorb boon she can.


For tier 3 ranks heres my suggestion. Immunity 2, Damage reduction 3, damage increase 1, range 1. Boons should be float, throw, block, double offence, and Rend Ghost. That will give her a slight battle edge over the Enforcer.

As this will cost around 14 million we cannot afford right now to get a second person up to tier 3 right away. However what we can do is get our fighter tier 2s maxed out.

For fighting against the Enforcer we should bring 6 people in case he brings judges with him. Healer, Bandit, Recluse, Iso, Scanner, and Gaurdsman. I'll suggest stats for them in the discussion thread. If we still have enough leftover we can spend the 900k to get our two judge hunting teams up as well.
>>
No. 423482 ID: d40eee

say... what did the glitcher mean when he said we may be able to resurrect our friend when updating to tier3? Would that mean, that we need a tier3 in resurrection?
>>
No. 423498 ID: 886a4d

Suggested stats for Alison's battle group here >>/questdis/56172
>>
No. 423512 ID: c811c4
File 133995438909.png - (261.00KB , 700x700 , sCS-164.png )
423512

With the millions she had prior to the last cycle's stage run, she has 21,874,216 CU.

The Glitcher had mentioned Tier 3 as the first option, but he didn't seem that confident that it would definitely be a clear cut way to resurrect Duelist.

It appears that the Enforcer used Rend ghost, as the shopkeep clarifies that 'perma death', in this case, means dying without a way to respawn without outside help.

Furthermore, the rules on Create Platform were incorrect: Instead, the ability is used at the same point, during movement but after everyone has already done their regular movement, but the platform is removed at the same point next turn, after people have been able to move again.
>>
No. 423513 ID: 09e5bf

>>423512
So it looks like one of two things will be needed to get back duelist.

Rending the Enforcer, or using Glitcher to lock him in the stage before killing him.
>>
No. 423523 ID: b85f8c

Okay, first, some fundamentals.

Rank 2 in Immunity is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Without that, we stand the risk of being knocked around and outranged by tier 2 players.

Second, range is still a game-changer. Any offensive-built tier 3 player should have it. Range 2 preferably.

Third, knockback completely shuts down anyone you outrange. Optional, but if we got it and any ranks in range, we could solo the Enforcer we fought.

Fourth, we have enough CU to bring one other player up to tier 3, but not max. I strongly encourage this.

And lastly we obviously need to Rend the enforcer we fought. I would suggest we get Double Offense and Throw. Throw is very very useful for maneuvering, especially for getting injured players out of the danger zone.

I suggest this build for Alison:

Immunity 2
Damage (reduction) 1
T3 Range 2
T3 Knockback

Throw
Double Offense
Rend Ghost
This spends 11,300,000, leaving us with a little over 10 million in addition to refunds from all of Alison's tier 2 boons. Note: we get the CU we spent on Delimiter back.

Our second team member, who can be Iso I suppose... I like the idea of having someone who can manipulate platforms.
Immunity 2
T3 Range 2
Block Light 2
Create Light 1
Create Platform 2

That costs another 10.3 million. We definitely have 600k to spend after that, but I'm not sure how to spend it.
>>
No. 423524 ID: 927efa

Uh, wait getting Tier 3 access removes Communication, without an option to regain it? That's... uh... how's our alternative form of communication progressing? It should be easier to teach people signs when out of reach in the Corruptor's zone.

AND absorb? That would pretty much screw us over totally, wouldn't it?
>>
No. 423525 ID: b85f8c

>>423524
Communication and Absorb are included in the things that DON'T get removed.

Basically we get to keep all our hp/armor, all absorb ranks, and all communication. Everything else gets removed and refunded.
>>
No. 423526 ID: 09e5bf

We should head to the new safe zone, and try using the Smuggler's persistence to get tons of CU. That is, if he consents to doing so (upgrade him, duel him, absorb his C.U., and let persistence bring him back)

Even if he doesn't want to do that, as soon as people start buying from him, we'll probably have enough to get an optimal team of tier 3s, designed to work together.

Like a protector with full immunity, full damage reduction, full protector, and item cancelation 1.

And a pure striker with max damage, max range, block light trail 1, remove platform 1, and the double offense boon.

Then a healer with max heal, max create platform, max create path, item cancelation 1, the throw boon and the heal range boon.

Then a scanner/utility would probably be useful, but this could work well as either a tier two or as a tier 3, since tier two has some decent utility stuff, like teleport and swap position.

I'm not sure about how to build Alison, she should get the rend ghost boon, so we should probably make her the striker.
>>
No. 423528 ID: 09e5bf

>Rank 2 in Immunity is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL. Without that, we stand the risk of being knocked around and outranged by tier 2 players.

All the knockback and range stuff is tier 1. We can bypass that with immunity 1.
>>
No. 423539 ID: b85f8c

>>423528
Oh, that's true. Alison should still get Immunity 2 though, since that ALSO includes max priority for everything. That's needed to block Steal Ghost etc.

Also in IRC we figured out that Rended ghosts are unfrozen whenever the render dies and doesn't revive THEMSELVES. This means that Enforcer respawned on his own somehow. We have to Rend him, as we thought, but other more normal players using rend would merely have to die without a 1up.

Also note that Rend doesn't freeze the render's copy of the ghost. This means that Enforcer has an unfrozen copy of Duelist, and the render can freely resurrect or dream-talk to the rended player.

This likely means Duelist is being interrogated.
>>
No. 423541 ID: b85f8c

I'd also like to note that T3 players with Immunity should never engage in making CU off of Smuggler's Persistence. T3 Immunity most likely blocks Persistence. Alison would still be able to resurrect him, but it's a pain in the ass.
>>
No. 423544 ID: b0d466

Tier 1 immunity protects from everything we need protecting from

I suggest Alison buys
Tier 1 Immunity
Damage Reduction Rank 2
Increased Damage Rank 1
Item Cancellation Rank 1 (protects from duels)
Tier 3 Range Rank 2
Tier 3 Heal Rank 1
and the T3 Boons Rend Ghost, Selective Item Cancellation, and Double Offense
>>
No. 423545 ID: b0d466

>>423539
>Oh, that's true. Alison should still get Immunity 2 though, since that ALSO includes max priority for everything. That's needed to block Steal Ghost etc.
No, it doesn't
It gives IMMUNITY BOONS, but not PRIORITY boons
>>
No. 423548 ID: 09e5bf

We should suggest and try farming smuggler before doing any tier three stuff. Since if he becomes tier 3, he looses persistence, and if we become tier 3 with immunity, we might cancel it. We'd be getting him as high on tier two as possible, then farm him for CU. Unless something officially says he wouldn't lose merchant, he should never be made into a tier 3.


>>423539
It also just straight up cancels every aggressive absorption boon except rend ghost.

And lets her win absorption contests against everyone except other immunity 2 absorbers.

So yeah, I can see her needing immunity 2, and everyone needing at least immunity 1.

How about immunity 2, range 2, increased damage 2, and knockback. With the rend ghost and double offense boons. and all absorption boons, of course. This makes her a decent striker with some enemy control, and the best absorber she can be.

She shouldn't need damage reduction, that's what the protector and healer would be for.

Like a protector with full immunity, full damage reduction, full protector, and block light trail. That gives us a strong defender who can stop attacks, and keep attackers from getting too close.

And a healer with immunity 1, full platform creation, full path creation, and max heal, with the throw and heal range boons. That gives us a strong support who opens up a lot of mobility.

Then maybe a secondary striker/utility character. Like immunity 1, increased damage 2, range 1, block trail 1, remove platform 1, and full scanning.

Or just make them a max tier 2, so they can do all the tier two shenanigans, like being thrown, teleporting, then switching places with someone else in the party, to do huge movement quickly.
>>
No. 423551 ID: 09e5bf

>>423548

Lagotrope is dodgy about if persistence is affected by immunity, but says that Smuggler would keep persistence and merchant if he went tier three, so he can be safely raised up to tier three.
>>
No. 423553 ID: b85f8c

>>423545
This is based on the fact that he both beat Alison's absorb AND ignored our first strike ranks. I suppose he could have rank 8 or higher in Absorb Priority but the first strike issue is proof.

Unless I guess Immunity makes you immune to absorb in general?
>>
No. 423554 ID: b85f8c

>>423553
Wait no that's dumb it didn't make him immune to absorb.
>>
No. 423557 ID: c811c4

I'm just forgetting to specify all sorts of important details.

Ranks in immunity does only grant basic immunity for everything tier 1/2 (including range), but in terms of priority, a tier 3 character automatically beats out a tier 2 character in every manner of priority boons (though not priority given by ability ranks themselves). In attacks, absorptions, all of that. Given this, Alison will also receive refunds for any priorities in absorb she had, as although they are under the exemption list, there is no point in having them. This does mean that every Tier 3 person attacks at the same time, and has equal absorption priority (assuming they did in fact get rank 10 absorb), a situation that hasn't been encountered as of yet.

Apologies around, I should have waited until I got some sleep before going additional rules everywhere.
>>
No. 423561 ID: b85f8c

>>423557
Okay, then Immunity 2 protects against First Strike, Scatter Damage, and regular Double Attack. Not worth a million CU, no way! Immunity 1 is worthwhile though.

I would suggest Alison use the following build instead of the one I suggested here >>423523
Immunity 1
Increased (damage) 4
T3 Range 2

With that, we oneshot anyone that isn't Protected, Blocking, or has damage reduction. That spends an extra 900k though.
>>
No. 423564 ID: 886a4d

The thing is Enforcer DOES have damage reduction 3. And he is the one we need to kill. And Immunity 2 also covers double attack... which can one shot someone without damage reduction. An uncapped tier 2 can use teleport and switch position to easily outmaneuver a tier 3 as well.
>>
No. 423565 ID: 09e5bf

>An uncapped tier 2 can use teleport and switch position to easily outmaneuver a tier 3 as well.

though neither of these target enemies, so there's nothing you can really do about it other than have your own tier two, or make use of throw and platform/path creation/blocking for tier three field control.
>>
No. 423567 ID: 886a4d

I'm more worried about teleporting swarm with a tier 2 double attack since most are recommending no damage reduction for Alison, we're headed back to the era of 1-shot kills now.
>>
No. 423569 ID: 09e5bf

>>423567
I think Alison should be built assuming she'll be in a party. There should be at least a protector and a healer in the group with her.

As the enforcer showed, a tier three can lose to tier 2s. I doubt there's a build that could fix that.

That teleporting swarm could still teleport, since that doesn't affect Alison. But if she has a protector, that swarm blows all their attacks on a guy who reduces damage by 75%, and he gets healed immediately afterward.
>>
No. 423581 ID: b85f8c

>>423564
The fight with Enforcer will go like this:
Alison gets within range and attacks. He loses half his armor.
Alison stays put and he'll likely move towards us. This is when we use Double Offense, resulting in him getting knocked down to 1/4th hp.
Alison then moves towards him. It doesn't matter what he does, he's dead and he can't oneshot any of us.

After we get Duelist back, we should bring him up to Tier 3 and get him T3 Protect 2, Block, and Damage (reduction) 3. This will cost about 10 million.
>>
No. 423604 ID: 886a4d

If we are going to do full specilization I support:
Immunity 1
Damage Increase 4
Range 2

With the boons Float, Double Offence and Rend Ghost.

However right now we can really only afford to get Alison up to t3 at the moment. While we could squeeze in one more person it would begger us and leave us with no uncapped tier 2s. My biggest concern is that the Enforcer will not be alone next time he spawns since we did defeat him with only one death. Either we exploit the Smuggler or we use the remaining 10 million to uncap 6 people for support. If they are judges all 6 should have 2 red gloves each to eliminate them quickly so they can't take advantage of Alison's lack of first strike / double strike immunity.
>>
No. 423610 ID: 09e5bf

>However right now we can really only afford to get Alison up to t3 at the moment.

That is, unless we can use smuggler's persistence to farm CU, or account for the fact that he can charge double for upgrades, which we can turn to using to upgrade Alison's party.
>>
No. 423645 ID: 886a4d

I don't really want to take too much more time before getting Duelist back... its bad enough we waited the entire time skip.
>>
No. 423647 ID: b85f8c

Corruptor said 200% was fine for Smuggler's prices, but keep in mind we're looking at our budget from the perspective of paying 100%. We should discuss Smuggler's cut before we buy anything, to stay honest.

Also I'd like to bring up that fact that the other lords are mostly bad people so maaaaaybe we should restrict Rend Ghost? That's a power that I do NOT want in the hands of Obliterator, for example.
>>
No. 423650 ID: b0d466

>>423647
Yah, pay him the full 200%
>>
No. 423651 ID: 09e5bf

>We should discuss Smuggler's cut before we buy anything, to stay honest.

I thought we'd just treat smuggler like any of Alison's other friends. Right now we prioritize getting Mako back, but we should have Smuggler eventually fully upgraded just like we will for the rest of Alison's. Otherwise his profits go into the group pool for now, and he can generally get whatever he asks for.
>>
No. 423654 ID: c811c4
File 133998471848.png - (20.21KB , 700x700 , sCS-165.png )
423654

Smuggler realizes there's a difference! Immunity 2 costs 500,000 instead of a million. However, that still puts her over her decided build, so she gets immunity 1, Increased Damage 4 and Tier 3 Range 2. This costs her 1 million to get to tier 3, 9.7 on stats, and another 1.5 million for getting Rend Ghost, Double Offense and Float. Her refunded boons come out to refund for 119,380, making the total costs 12,080,620.

Alison has 9,793596 CU remaining, and decides that's all she should get for now before offering her hand to the Smuggler to bring him to the safe zone, after bringing the rest of her friends back to the corrupted sanctuary.

Alison talks about his share, and he says he doesn't need CU, but it's a nice gesture. He's willing to put his gains in the pool, and couldn't imagine keeping all of it.

Also, at Alison's request, the Smuggler will keep Rend Ghost a secret.
>>
No. 423658 ID: c811c4
File 133998519856.png - (267.62KB , 700x700 , sCS-166.png )
423658

At first she wonders if the item worked, but it turns out the new sanctuary is a copy of stage 5's safe zone.

There doesn't appear to be a huge disaster or anything, so perhaps it is time to open the smuggler to the public unless there is something she's forgetting, or if she wishes to bring some people to tier 2. However, Smuggler says if there's that many people that want to enter tier 3 and get charged 200%, those tier 2 allies of Alison may end up going straight to Tier 3 anyway.
>>
No. 423659 ID: c811c4
File theShopVer2-1-2.swf - (232.86KB , 850x900 )
423659

Shop Update
>>
No. 423660 ID: b85f8c

Ask Smuggler what he thinks of the black veins. Do NOT tell him that the sanctuary has them too. Keep a tight lip about the sanctuary- he'll understand why you're doing that. You can tell him they aren't unexpected, but don't say why.
>>
No. 423661 ID: b85f8c

Oh! You might request that he keeps Access: Shapeshift under wraps too, to keep paranoia in check amongst the houses.
>>
No. 423670 ID: 09e5bf

>if there's that many people that want to enter tier 3

We should probably bet on this being the case.

Hold off on offering Rend Ghost until Corruptor or Arbitrator have a say on it. That's a pretty serious boon.
>>
No. 423671 ID: b0d466

I don't think shapeshift will be a big deal, given its limitations.

If you let people get to tier two and pump up their body stats, their work will be easier for them. Charles and Atlas should be first~
>>
No. 423675 ID: a2fa74

>>423658
Don't let Rend Ghost be available at all. There's too much enmity and mistrust here to let that genie out of the bottle.
>>
No. 423692 ID: 1e6d70

>>423675
I second this, remember what happened to Mako?
>>
No. 423694 ID: 09e5bf

>>423692
In the same vein, it could be a powerful tool to combat the system with, so we should be telling arbiter, and corruptor about it at least.
>>
No. 423697 ID: b85f8c

>>423694
We should tell Corruptor about it, and that to save a player who is Rended by an Enforcer, you have to Rend the Enforcer. So, SOME people should have it, just so we can rescue folks without relying on just Alison.
>>
No. 423698 ID: 886a4d

We should say that anyone who we do not personally introduce should be restricted from Rend Ghost... and since we've already introduced Arbiter that solves that... perhaps we should ask Arbiter to take our concerns about it to the Corrupter as well so people spying on us won't listen in when we bring it up.
>>
No. 423703 ID: c7dc56

We should talk to arbiter and corrupter about forming our enforcer-hunting team. Remember, the chest-runs had a limited judge run based on the systems lack of focus on any single team. If we start actively seeking out enforcers with a single team built to fight back, the system will be able to prioritize that team and send in like 20 enforcers. I think we need many many many teams actively hunting to disperse the enemies power. In fact, if we can start stirring up minor acts of disobedience in the open brackets, we can really thin out their efforts. We should talk to corrupter and arbiter about forming enforcer hunting teams.
>>
No. 423707 ID: c811c4
File 133999349286.png - (12.53KB , 700x700 , sCS-167.png )
423707

Alison heads back, getting Arbiter's opinion about hiding Rend Ghost. He says she should definitely tell the corruptor, but she likely holds enough weight to hold it from the others.

>Shapeshift
Arbiter says that the existence of it is public knowledge, but it hasn't been a widespread problem, though perhaps Alison's missing CU may have been because of that.

Sure enough, the Corruptor is sympathetic to her reasons. Again, he admits the other lords are not as cooperative as he would like, and understand why she would want to hide such a thing. He suggests it be kept between the Smuggler, Alison, himself and Arbiter, and for Alison not to tell anyone she brings to Tier 3 to keep it down low as well. Rumors spread easy and fast, after all.
>>
No. 423708 ID: b4798d

I'm thinking we should cut Arbiter and his followers some slack on the price markup - maybe 125% or so for them. Possibly the same for Corrupter and those who work directly for him.
>>
No. 423717 ID: c811c4
File 133999435117.png - (9.98KB , 700x700 , sCS-168.png )
423717

>Enforcer hunting teams

The corruptor says that he does have a trust for some directly under himself, and believes he can make a hunting team for that. Arbiter does as well, and the Corruptor mentions that Alison need not worry about the forming of teams outside her own members.

>Price markdown for Corruptor/Arbiter
Alison was planning on charging no extra for Corruptor/Arbiter, both of which greatly appreciate the gesture.

She will have plenty of room from the other four houses. For every one person that each of them brings to 10 million, Alison will be able to bring one of her own to 10 million, with a 100% markup.

Corruptor asks if there is anything Alison would like to discuss prior making the new sanctuary public.
>>
No. 423720 ID: 886a4d

I think that is it... well besides extending an invitation to our party once the Mansion is finally finished. Looks like we won't be seeing much outside house attendance. Once alone with the Arbiter we should do the same for him.
>>
No. 423730 ID: c811c4
File 133999699887.png - (10.56KB , 700x700 , sCS-169.png )
423730

>100% shopkeep returns yields enough CU to max one of Alison's party members for every time someone else does it.
Alison corrects herself, as ability ranks are spent directly, not bought.

She remembers that she has yet to formally invite the Corruptor to her party once her mansion is done.

He looks flabberghasted, if happy. He says he'll make a point to try and attend, provided no urgent business comes up.

Arbiter is most certainly welcome, and he says he'll most certainly come.

With that, the Corruptor will make the sanctuary public.
>>
No. 423733 ID: c811c4
File 133999713569.png - (15.28KB , 700x700 , sCS-170.png )
423733

The two sanctuary's appear to be synced on the same timeline, so the Shopkeep can be visited at any time. Alison heads over and waits until Shopkeep is alone before speaking to him.

Within 2 hours, the shopkeep gives Alison 42,898,500 CU before business subsides. She now has 52,692,096 CU total.

Alison also mentions those vinelike things in the background, noting that she doesn't know what they are.

He says they're gigantic, moving light trails. He isn't sure why he knows that, but he doesn't know anything more.
>>
No. 423735 ID: 132b99

we are rich mofo's dump a chunk of that into the house fund so it will finish this cycle.

that would be a good thing to tell corrupter. an actual bit of info on the vines. but they must be MASSIVE and REEEEEEEEEEEALLY far away of the telescope doesn't help much. need a much larger one. add an observatory to the house.
>>
No. 423737 ID: f3ac2a

House is done when house is done. Lets max out some of our people.
>>
No. 423740 ID: b0d466

Let's get everyone to tier 2 and as much body as possible
>>
No. 423741 ID: 886a4d

Light trails, as to move around Rest Areas and Stages perhaps?

We need to get our Enforcer killers up to stat first before anything else

Suggested Stat allocations,
Scanner:
Immunity 2
Damage Reduction 1
Damage Increase 2
Item Cancel 3
Scan 2

Float, Block, Selective Item Cancel


Healer:
Immunity 2
Damage Reduction 1
Inc. Damage 1
Range 1
Healer 5

Float, Block, Heal Range


Iso:
Immunity 2
Block Light Trail 3
Create Light Trail 3
Remove Platform 3
Create Platform 3

Float, Block, Throw

Gaurdsman:
Immunity 2
Damage Reduction 3
Inc. Damage 1
Protector 2

Float, Block, Double Offence

If Alison was typical four more should cost us 48 million CU. To complete the team I suggest later we add Recluse and Duelist as another Protector / Striker to round us off. The rest of the money should go towards Judge hunting teams and maybe getting Bandit and Succubus shapeshift.

Once we kill Enforcer permanently we can definately pay back our house memebers, preferable with interest.
>>
No. 423742 ID: 09e5bf

Lets make our enforcer hunting team before anything else, and try taking him down.
>>
No. 423753 ID: 6e44d2

This is so freakin' cool.

Let's hunt some enforcers. Also, do we pay 25% of our earnings to our members?
>>
No. 423756 ID: 6e44d2

>>423735
Also, this. We need a bloody observatory.
>>
No. 423764 ID: 886a4d

>>423756
It is on the mansion plans

I just remembered we never asked Smuggler about going over the boon limit with chests. Especially since you can only get 3 boons for t3.
>>
No. 423770 ID: e3aff6

Hmm, light trails.
This makes it more likely that we could get results from drop-explorers (explained in >>/questdis/56088 ).
>>
No. 423773 ID: 886a4d

A better idea would be to create an armor / weapon form that goes fast and flies.
>>
No. 423788 ID: c811c4
File 134002977613.png - (237.74KB , 700x700 , sCS-171.png )
423788

>Make an observatory/construction
Alison will pour in a good chunk to speed up construction, especially the observatory. This would likely be necessary anyway, as the Engineer says that making a lens of a huge magnitide is no easy task.

>Going over the boon limit on chests
Shopkeep says it's impossible, but if you're full on boons and get one you'd prefer in a chest, you're given an option to swap out between the new and the old.

>Dark light trails
Shopkeep doesn't know, perhaps they aren't active? They would be dead ends anyway.

>Test the safe zone falling
Atlas and Charles volunteer. They get equipped, and jump off.
>>
No. 423789 ID: c811c4
File 134002980044.png - (265.32KB , 700x700 , sCS-172.png )
423789

Within a few seconds of falling, they teleport back. Atlas by a split second came first, as he says he was farther down, so it appeared that they teleport back up after they fall down a certain distance. He teleported right out of the rope, as did Charles, so it appears that inanimate objects continually fall. There is no sign of the rope anymore.
>>
No. 423790 ID: c811c4
File 134002987915.png - (11.35KB , 700x700 , sCS-173.png )
423790

Alison will wait for a short time longer to see if any more money comes in, before spending most of her funds. That way, she'll get a few Tier 3 friends, and some way or another, find an enforcer.

With any luck, with any assistance from the glitcher, she'll be able to rescue Mako.
>>
No. 423802 ID: 6e44d2

Good thread! See y'all next time.
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