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149732 No. 149732 ID: 8d7dd2

My name is Teteke. I am in search of the truth.

The lore of my people tells of an ancient civilisation that ruled many worlds across many planes of existence, ours included.

I am no longer interested in the myths that have placated the others. I want to know the truth.
Expand all images
>>
No. 149737 ID: c0f3bf

Sounds good. Where do you want to start?
>>
No. 149738 ID: ab04d4

Tell us of your myths. Perhaps there are corollaries in our world, and perhaps we can assist you by offering our own myths for you to work upon as well.
>>
No. 149740 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126904958857.png - (197.82KB , 640x480 , 1-1.png )
149740

In my search for any signs of the ancients that once held our planet, I happened across a giant golden tower, shining in the midday sun.

The door was unlocked, and no-one was inside. What could possibly go wrong if I had a look inside?

...

Inside the tower, I found a large, solid crystal. I did not attempt to remove it from its weightless suspension above its strange dais. Instead, it gently drifted into my hands.

I had heard rumours of crystals such as these.
I deeply hoped those rumours were wrong.

"Can... can you hear me? Can you speak? Can you think? What... what are you?"
>>
No. 149741 ID: c0f3bf

You first.
>>
No. 149742 ID: 34470e

Yes, yes, and a crystal. Now it's tine for us to ask you some questions. How do you pronounce your name? What gender are you? What species are you? What's your favorite color? What's your sexual preference? Do you have any friends? Where are you? How old are you? What do you have in your inventory right now? What's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow? Who are your parents? Are there any other myths? What's your favorite food?
>>
No. 149743 ID: 1ac39d

we are the voices of the crystal. our purpose is to guide those who carry us.
>>
No. 149747 ID: 43ee50

Hearken, stranger! You hold the Orb of Infinite Psyche, the vessel of untold wisdom and foolishness. It is our purpose to guide you to success in all things.

What are your desires?
>>
No. 149750 ID: 632862

>>149740
What rumors did you hear about crystals like us?
>>
No. 149751 ID: b69168

>>149747

Wait, we're not orb-shaped this time around.
>>
No. 149752 ID: 43ee50

>>149751
Damnation, Voice! You are ruining my melodrama!
>>
No. 149762 ID: 817cd3

>>149747
'Ello there? What's all this then?
>>
No. 149782 ID: 8a8cc3

>>149751
Shh, he was memorizing this speech all week, let him use it.
>>
No. 149783 ID: bc1727

What are your intentions? Good or evil?

You're looking for truth, but what will you do when you find it?
>>
No. 149789 ID: abb30a

>>149783
And what are you willing to do in order to find it?
>>
No. 149956 ID: e2020c

>>149740

For we ask what is your motive.
>>
No. 149983 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126909775189.png - (139.08KB , 640x480 , 1-2.png )
149983

>>149742
>>149747

So many questions! So many voices! I don't know whether to be fascinated or horrified by this new development...

But it hasn't tried to eat my mind or flay my sanity away yet, so I'm feeling fairly confident this thing isn't too dangerous. Might as well be polite.

"My name is Teteke. Teh-teh-keh. I'm a male cenesu. I'm not entirely sure whether I should trust voices from inside a strange magical crystal enough to go into any further detail about my personal life, thank you."

"You really don't seem to know a lot for voices that seem so wise. You must be the Thousandfold. 'The Wise Many', 'The Unknowing Advisers', you voices have been given more names than I could ever remember. The few existing records that I could decipher stated that the Thousandfold only appears to those fated for greatness in times of great conflict, and loses all thought and memory until it returns to a world anew."

"...my life just became more difficult, didn't it."


>>149783
>>149789
>>149956

"What I intended to use the truth for is entirely benign. But what will happen, I am at a loss to know. And now that you've shown up, I'm starting to reconsider whether my search is a wise idea. Then again, if you've shown up, doesn't it mean I have no choice but to continue?"

My head hurts. Fate is confusing. I can hear or feel something pounding. Is it me? The crystal? It sounds distant. Maybe I'm imagining it.
>>
No. 149986 ID: bc1727

>>149983

That's the thing about fate. When the wheels begin to turn there is no turning back. Where are you now? And perhaps more importantly, WHAT IS THAT BEHIND YOU?!
>>
No. 149987 ID: 632862

>>149983
The pounding is most likely the yellow thing with four eyes and six legs approaching the tower. Well, that's how many are visible anyway.

We can see the area around you, you know.
>>
No. 149996 ID: 6834bc

>>149983
Your head hurting is never a good sign. And did you say that we tend to disappear from your world for a time?
If that's true, then the obvious question is if this tower you found us in has always been here. If we truly do happen to disappear from your world, I would imagine we take our tower with us.

And that means you might want to run. Fast.
>>
No. 150008 ID: 1ac39d

we don't actually forget everything but travel to different planes of existence, each plane has different myths and cultures and since we are the outsider we know nothing of the new place.
>>
No. 150012 ID: e973f4

>>149983
Hey, uh, protip: You don't need to say stuff out loud. We can hear you in your head just fine. This could prove useful if you ever need to tell us something that you don't want other people hearing, obviously.

And we might rag on you a bit, but, uh, basically, the way this works is you are either trying to do something or will soon be trying to do something, and we help out with that by supplementing your internal monologue, more or less. So we're pretty much on your side.

Although given what you're saying, maybe being on our side isn't a great thing. I guess we'll have to see?
>>
No. 150015 ID: e973f4

>>150012
So, uh, Teteke, was it? What's that thing behind you through the doorway? You might notice that we don't necessarily see the world through your eyes.

Also we probably don't know what most things are, so brace yourself for a whole slew of questions.
>>
No. 150016 ID: 632862

>>150008
But we've obviously been in this world before. We DO forget things.
>>
No. 150069 ID: 15f6d6

there is a thingus behind you. Turn around.
>>
No. 150081 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126912112311.png - (256.69KB , 640x480 , 1-3.png )
150081

>>150012

...You can hear my thoughts. I don't feel entirely surprised by this. There was something about that in the records of the Thousandfold, but I was slightly sceptical of the idea of a bodiless entity with numerous minds that hears the thoughts of those it guides to greater destinies.

I'll remember to be less sceptical in future.

>>149996

The tower's been here for as far back as our history stretches. All one hundred and sixty five years of it. You're probably wondering why the cenesu have such a short recorded history. I know I did. I still do. That's why I set out in the first place. I know the cenesu have inhabited this world for longer than a mere 165 years.

>>149986
>>149987
>>150015
>>150069

Oh... there's something behind me? Well, just in case this tower is going to suddenly disappear, I'd better leave. Wait. The exit was behind me, which means... GAH!

"zrrn zrrn zrrn AU LOC REQ ASST AU CRE ASP zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Okay while I am extremely concerned about something like this being so close to me I am going to try and help you help me to not die these things are everywhere but they don't come up to people brandishing pointy things okay help maybe help help what do I do what do I DO
>>
No. 150082 ID: 632862

>>150081
It sounds like it just said {AU} LOCATED REQUESTING ASSISTANCE {AU} CREATURE {ASP} but did it ask for assistance from us, or is it asking for assistance from others of its kind in capturing us? Edge out the door, try to establish a way of running away, and yell at it to speak more clearly.

Or is there a way further up the tower? Perhaps you can find another way out.

Either way, try to talk to it.
>>
No. 150083 ID: 1ac39d

since this is a tower, it must have more then one floor. ascend.
>>
No. 150085 ID: 69b74b

Calm down, kiddo. Let us know more about these... yellow crabs.
>>
No. 150086 ID: 69b74b

Also, any flying machines on you? Portable wings?
>>
No. 150108 ID: bc1727

Calm down. It doesn't look like it's fully blocking the exit yet and it doesn't look particularly fast. Can you high-tail it?

Talking to it doesn't seem like a good idea right now, seeing as any answer from it would theoretically be indecipherable, not to mention we don't even know it would respond favorably. Run first, ask questions later....unless you were here for more than just this crystal.

If you have more business here you might have to fend it off somehow.
>>
No. 150140 ID: a85626

Why on earth are you in search of the truth? If you want the truth, the reason we only appear to those fated for greatness in times of great conflict is because we all live boring pointless uninteresting lives and derive a perverse sense of pleasure out of making your life meaningful, exciting and dangerous. We don't confer any abilities, or wisdom. Pretty much all we're here to do is ridicule you as your life goes to Hell. If you know what's good for you you'll throw down the crystal and run.

If you aren't in search of the truth though, hang on to us, and be ready for a pretty wild ride! I doubt you'll regret it.
>>
No. 150161 ID: bc1727

>>150140

Don't listen to this guy. We're all-knowing~

The source of all wisdom~
>>
No. 150183 ID: a85626

>>150161

desu~
>>
No. 150328 ID: 3c6c38

>>150081
It may be after the crystal. Think of your natural talents, even ones you have not used in some time. We should be able to understand and give assistance within a heartbeat.

On a positive note the creature does not look like the running type, so you might be able to flee.
>>
No. 150938 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126930417388.png - (166.39KB , 640x480 , 1-4.png )
150938

>>150083
>>150108

running sounds like a GREAT idea right now

Of course there is the slightest chance it will catch up with me -
Okay, that sudden rush of movement behind me is a bad sign. run faster legs run faster

>>180328

I think running is the only natural talent I can use at this point! That, and a mind fast enough to keep up with your questions while I'm running around looking for some stairs...

>>150085

Urm. Craftkind. They're constructs. Precious metals and crystals. Dumb as the gold they're made from. Supposed to be anyway. Why is it still following me?! I don't have anything it wants!

>>150082

Talking to a craftkind?! Then again, I am already talking to one inanimate object. I'm not going to stop running.

"hurf, hurf, what do you want?"

"zrrn zrrn zrrn NEW DIR CAP CEN GET KAI RET ZEN END zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Well, that worked. It's chasing me faster now. Any ideas what it said?

>>150086

Nothing! Agh, I've run around this tower twice and I can't see any stairs! Just this tube thing! And I don't recognise that symbol above it!

and I think I heard it jump
>>
No. 150939 ID: 632862

>>150938
DUCK! Grab one of its limbs as it flies past, and throw it away from you!

Then get in the tube.
>>
No. 150940 ID: 632862

It said

NEW DIRective CAPture then get (KAI? Maybe... us?) RETurn then END

Sounds like it wants to take us from you. Makes sense considering that it showed up so soon after you grabbed us.
>>
No. 150942 ID: 3b6c92

>>150938
Well, it looks like the situation demands that you run inside the tube thing and hope it does something good.

Or at least something.
>>
No. 150943 ID: 2eac65

I think the tube is an elevator. That's a technological device that lifts a person from one floor of a building to another. Some cultures use them as a more compact and less tiring alternative to stairs.
>>
No. 150944 ID: 1ac39d

>>150938
dang it, knowledge that a thingy, ANY THINGY is in the room is important.
>>
No. 150946 ID: b14128

>>150938
Duck to the side and let it land in the tube, then keep running, maybe for the exit!
>>
No. 150951 ID: bc1727

Hell if I know, I'm out of ideas. You can't fly can you?
>>
No. 151159 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126938290453.png - (104.09KB , 640x480 , 1-5.png )
151159

>>150939

I'm not heavy or strong enough for that to do anything other than get me crushed.

>>150942
>>150943

Tube it is!

Whew. The door closed behind me! I hadn't even thought it had a door. Except I can't help feel that I forgot-

I dropped the crystal. I dropped the crystal. I'm doomed!

Well, here I am, sealed inside an ancient tube inside an ancient tower, and I can hear that... that thing tapping at the door. Like it knows I have no choice but to face it again.

"zrrn zrrn zrrn HAV KAI CAP CEN RET ZEN OUT CEN OUT CEN zrrn zrrn zrrn"

That's all it's saying to me now. "OUT CEN". It wants me to come out of the tube. I can tell. But its voice is disturbingly free of any emotion. It doesn't sound peaceful, angry, or impatient.

Craftkind don't talk. They shouldn't talk. I spent half a year cataloguing their behaviour, trying to figure out their priorities and behaviours. Half a year. All of my studies and research... are they coming after me because I know too much?

Thousandfold, I have no idea what to do now. I recognise that diagram - it's the tower. I recognise the things ahead of me as a form of touch-based switch. You already claim to know what this thing might do. What now?
>>
No. 151160 ID: bc1727

You can hear us even though you dropped the crystal? Where are we now?
>>
No. 151161 ID: 3b6c92

>>151159
So touching the crystal made us... go into your head? I have no idea if that's how it's supposed to work.

Anyway, assuming this thing was designed to be intuitive and does what we think it does, you're gonna want to push one of those two buttons, and then this thing will move up to wherever on the tower the button corresponds to.

I can't guarantee that this is what it will do, but it seems like a fairly reasonable guess.
>>
No. 151164 ID: 3b6c92

>>151161
Oh, and you probably already figured this out, but obviously since this thing only goes up and there's whatever the hell that thing is on the outside of it, you're going to have to find another way out. Or distract it somehow.

But let's not worry about that just yet.
>>
No. 151165 ID: 632862

>>151159
It said "Have KAI, Capturing Cenesu, return (to) ZEN"

I think ZEN is its home. I'm getting better at translating its weird three-letter language.

Anyway, push one of the glowing buttons. Preferrably the one in the middle. That'll get you to the next floor up.
>>
No. 151168 ID: 6834bc

>>151159
You could try talking to it one more time before you fiddle with the controls.
Maybe something simple, like "WHY OUT CEN?"
>>
No. 151526 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126947311745.png - (273.72KB , 640x480 , 1-6.png )
151526

>>151160
>>151161

No, I think I've figured it out. You weren't inside the crystal. You were bound or attached to it until I touched it, or maybe I summoned you when I touched it. I have no idea which, but it'd explain why I can still hear your voices and you can hear my thoughts.

>>151168

That's... that's not a bad idea.

"Why out cen?"

"zrrn zrrn zrrn CEN NOT DIR CRE ASP DIR CRE ASP BIN CEN REQ CEN BEC REQ CRE ASP AST zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Hrm. I might have just figured out what it meant by "KAI". The crystals that the ancients use in their devices, and that can be found inside the core of a craftkind machine, are known to them as "kaier crystals". I haven't deciphered whether that refers to the material or structure, or what makes them so special, but they're what the craftkind harvest at a greater priority than any of their component materials.

I'm not at all surprised it took the crystal you voices were attached to or summoned from. In fact, in retrospect, I'm surprised it wasn't taken sooner.

I press the middle button. The floor rises beneath me until another door looms into view. These elevators... fascinating devices. How do they work?

...Forget the elevators. What is this?! The language of the ancients appears on these glowing surfaces. I can only translate one of the words on the right surface, but it's an important one. "Diagnostics".
>>
No. 151529 ID: 1ac39d

the glowing surfaces are referred to as 'monitors'. and if it is running diagnostics then it may be broken so don't touch it.
we would need to see the top and bottom of the elevator to work out it's exact methods, they can be made different ways, but perform the same function.
>>
No. 151530 ID: bc1727

>>151526

I see another floating Chrystal. Try touching/taking that one. Maybe more info will be spirited into your mind like we were.
>>
No. 151540 ID: 6834bc

>>151530
Or maybe it'll explode and kill the poor guy.
I'm gonna second 'no touching', at least for now.
>>
No. 151544 ID: 632862

>>151526
"Cenesu not directive CREature. {ASP} directive CREature. {ASP} bind Cenesu. Require Cenesu Because Require CREature {ASP} Assist"

I think {ASP} is us.

Okay, It wants to capture you because we're in your head. I think that by touching the crystal and putting us in your head, the tower stopped doing whatever it was doing before... and the Craftkind doesn't like that. It wants us back in the crystal.

Or maybe it wants our help directly for something, and wishes to forcibly extract us from your head.

Taking this improved translation into account, this is what it said earlier:

"{AU} Location Require Assist {AU} Creature {ASP}"

I believe AU refers to the element of gold, which comprises it and other things related to Craftkind.

This could mean that the tower is the AU location, it is the AU Creature and it requires {ASP} to assist it. Which I think is us. So it was declaring that it wanted us to help it. By getting in its head.

"New Directive Capture Cenesu Get Kaier Return {ZEN} End"

There it was announcing its intent to capture you, having realized that we were in your head. Then it would take the crystal and return to {ZEN}, which I think is its home.

"Have Kaier Capture Cenesu Return {ZEN} Out Cenesu Out Cenesu"

It has the crystal, wants you, so it's telling you to get out.
>>
No. 151545 ID: 632862

Oh, and I'd like to give credit to Typo for helping me figure that out.
>>
No. 151548 ID: 3b6c92

Take a closer look at that monitor on the right. Maybe we can make sense of the graphics, even if the text is untranslatable.

"Diagnostics" is that word at the top, right?
>>
No. 151549 ID: bc1727

There's every indication that those crystals are some manner of record/information storage. There is no indication that they will explode.

Maybe touching it is a bad idea, but being overly cautious could be too.
>>
No. 151944 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954509254.png - (248.78KB , 640x480 , 1-7.png )
151944

>>151548

It's just rising and falling lines and curves. I'm going to assume they're graphs the device is somehow generating. But there's no scale or labels or any explanation as to what they represent.

>>151529
>>151540

Maybe you're right...

>>151530
>>151549

...but sometimes, if you want to find the truth, you have to take risks. I've already got that craftkind down below chasing after me. What else could possibly go wrong?

Okay, this isn't right. My head hurts even worse as I approach this contraption and... and...

This isn't right at all. Part of me is guiding my hand towards the crystal, and it feels like I can hear a faint voice screaming at me to pull my hand back. To go home. To never come near this Conduit Tower or any others.

...What's a "Conduit Tower"?

[cutscene]
>>
No. 151945 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954513746.png - (131.96KB , 640x480 , 1-8.png )
151945

I touch the crystal as it floats into my hands. I hear a reassuring voice asking me for commands. In a trance, I say the first thing that feels the most natural to say.

"Activate conduit."

...

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA MY HEAD MY HEAD NOTHING IS REAL TO ME BUT THE PAIN

i hear voices

they are unfamiliar to me

"...conduit activated... first mistake... ready to breach universal membrane at your command, Director."

"Hm. I don't recognise this species. As soon as we hit the surface, I want Seekers flooding this world as soon as possible."

"Yes, Director."


i hear laughter

it terrifies me

"hehEHEHehehe! Little bird, little bird, do you know what you have done? Do you know why you have done it? Of course you don't! I would love to tell you, little bird, but not yet! Until we meet again! HehehEHEHEHE!"

so many voices

help me help me-

WHAT? WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS INTRUSION, THOUSANDFOLD?
>>
No. 151946 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126954516530.png - (362.09KB , 640x480 , 1-9.png )
151946

I AM AU, SECOND OF THE GUARDIAN ESSENCES OF TEREA, ASPECT OF CREATION. YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS UNNERVING TO ME, THOUSANDFOLD. THE GOLDEN EMPIRE ACKNOWLEDGES AND TOLERATES YOUR EXISTENCE, BUT THIS INTRUSION IS UNWARRANTED.

YOU ARE ASSISTING THE MORTAL I HAVE, BY DIRE NECESSITY, BOUND MYSELF TO. BUT WHERE DO YOUR TRUE LOYALTIES LIE? ARE YOU ACTING TO FURTHER THE AIMS OF THE GOLDEN EMPIRE, OR DO YOU SEEK TO DESTROY US FOR THE MACHINE?


[end of cutscene]
>>
No. 151947 ID: 2cbe3e

>>151946

I'm here to fuck bitches and get wasted.
>>
No. 151949 ID: c5628c

>>151946
I'm here to gain knowledge and help those who ask.
>>
No. 151950 ID: bc1727

We don't seek anything. We're puppet-masters to those who are worthy. He came to us, not the other way around.

If you're worth destroying, you will be. Otherwise I'm sure we can reach an understanding.
>>
No. 151952 ID: 6834bc

>>151946
AU, we no longer remember anything of this world's past. Teteke found us, apparently, and woke us from what this one can only assume was a deep slumber.

Given the whole "sudden lack of reference for anything" bit, this one doesn't think we have any allegiance but to Teteke - at least, at this point. So... we're not against you, no.

And now it sounds like this world is about to be invaded by ...something. Or someone. Do you know what's going on?
>>
No. 151953 ID: 3b6c92

>>151946
Oh, you're Au. That makes more sense now. I think there's some kinda craftkind thing outside who was looking for you, but it seemed like it was trying to attack Teteke so he ran away from it.

Speaking of which, um, our loyalties lie with the bird dude, basically. Who I guess you just said you bound yourself to. I don't know what a Golden Empire is but I'm pretty sure we're not trying to destroy anything.

Also right before you showed up there were a couple other voices saying something about "breaching universal membranes" and "flooding the world with Seekers," neither of which sound like especially good things but also neither of which I really understand exactly. You seem like you know stuff about stuff. Any ideas?
>>
No. 151956 ID: 8ecfd4

>>151946
Bitches and beer are always good. Bit hard to get your hands on though when you're a fucking voice bound to things.

For now I guess we will help the little birdy. Although our help might not always work out. He will have to pick among our suggestions for the one that will benefit him the most.

Say what would be your opinion on making him the ruler of the world?
>>
No. 152015 ID: 716eb0

WE KNOW NOTHING! ASK THE BIRD!
>>
No. 152017 ID: bf49dc

We are all. Completely. Loony.
>>
No. 152021 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126956085513.png - (373.72KB , 640x480 , 1-10.png )
152021

I RECALL VIVIDLY THE DISCORD OF THE THOUSANDFOLD, AND SEE THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED SINCE OUR LAST ENCOUNTER, SAVE FOR MY RECOLLECTION OF THE PAST REMAINING INTACT.

IF YOU ARE LOYAL TO THE CENESU TETEKE, AND I STRIVE TO ENFORCE THE LOYALTY OF THE CENESU TO THE GOLDEN EMPIRE, THEN IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT, HOWEVER STRONG OR WEAK YOUR LOYALTY, YOU MEAN NO HARM TOWARDS THE GOLDEN EMPIRE AS A WHOLE. I WILL ALLOW YOU TO REMAIN HERE.

AS I NOW TELL YOU OF THIS, MY COUNTERPART ESSENCES, THE ASPECTS OF DESTRUCTION, IR, AND PERPETUATION, TH, ARE MAINTAINING THE BARRIER THAT PROTECTS THIS WORLD FROM THE MACHINE'S ADVANCE. THE PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THIS CONDUIT TOWER HAS UNFORTUNATELY ENGAGED THEIR ATTENTION, AND IF I DO NOT LEAVE TO MAINTAIN THE BARRIER, THEY WILL BREAK IT WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.

I DO NOT HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, THOUSANDFOLD. THE CURIOSITY OF THE CENESU IS A FORCE THE GOLDEN EMPIRE HAVE SOUGHT TO STIFLE, TO NO AVAIL. IT IS A BYPRODUCT OF THEIR DESIGN. IT IS SHAMEFUL THAT THE CENESU TO TRIGGER THE EARLY ACTIVATION IS THE VERY SAME CENESU I AM BOUND TO, BUT YOU CURRENTLY HOLD MORE POWER OVER THIS CENESU THAN I CAN WITHOUT DESTROYING HIS MIND.

I CAN SPEAK WITH YOU NO LONGER, THOUSANDFOLD. I CANNOT STATE HOW GRATEFUL I WOULD BE - HOW GRATEFUL THE EMPIRE WOULD BE - IF YOU COULD ASSIST IN THE PROTECTION OF OUR WORLD DURING YOUR CURRENT CYCLE.

BEFORE I DEPART TO AID THE OTHER GUARDIAN ESSENCES, AS THE CREATOR ASPECT, I WILL GRANT YOU AN ARTIFACT OF YOUR DESIGN TO ASSIST THE CENESU TETEKE. I CAN SPARE ONLY A FRACTION OF MY POWER TO SUPPLY THE ARTIFACT, AND ITS STRENGTH WILL BE LIMITED BECAUSE OF THIS.

>>
No. 152046 ID: bf49dc

How about a tattoo that bestows telekinesis?

And of course we'll help protect you against the guys that tried to kill us! We like birds, and the enemies of those that don't like birds are most definitely people we want to help.
>>
No. 152049 ID: 632862

>>152021
Oh, so that's the situation? We will gladly work to preserve this world. Oh, before you go can you quickly tell us the nature of the Craftkind below us? Is it hostile?

As for the artifact... How about a device that can levitate items of various sizes, then throw them around? Perhaps we could call it a Gravity Gun or something.

If that's too strong for you to make, how about a ring that creates a protective forcefield around the wearer?

If not that... some kind of directed energy weapon would be nice.
>>
No. 152052 ID: 34470e

>>152049
A zero-point energy manipulator sounds awesome.
>>
No. 152063 ID: 3b6c92

>>152021
We are exceptionally cool with things not being destroyed. We've got your back on that one, I think, dude.

As far as the artifact goes, the "gravity gun" or protective forcefield generators suggested by my fellow voices sound like good ideas.

And if you know the intentions of that craftkind down there, specifically whether or not it's trying to kill Teteke, we'd love to know.
>>
No. 152355 ID: 8ecfd4

>>152021
Give him an orb of knowledge. You know something that explains his questions as well as gives him useful knowledge in general. Not sure how nature works here, but you know stuff like weapons building, how nature works, the anatomy of most living things and how to best kill them. You know all around useful stuff.
>>
No. 152371 ID: 1ac39d

>>152355
pretty sure we can fill that role for almost anything not related to anatomy.
>>
No. 152374 ID: 8ecfd4

>>152371
Not when it comes to his search of truth. And the other things are hardly universal. And if there are easier ways than us having to explain gunpowder or critical mass of heavy elements then I'm all for it.
>>
No. 152413 ID: 2eac65
File 126958744464.jpg - (12.76KB , 300x300 , green_lantern_power_ring.jpg )
152413

How about something like this? A ring that creates force constructs which can be used to manipulate objects.
>>
No. 152419 ID: c5628c

I suggest a crown or a helm with a jewel to hold us.
>>
No. 152423 ID: 8ecfd4

>>152419
We're stuck in his head now though. He doesn't really need anything to hold us.
>>
No. 152438 ID: bf49dc

>>152063
This sounds good.
>>
No. 152623 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126963111389.png - (273.06KB , 640x480 , 1-11.png )
152623

TELEKINETIC EFFECTS ARE THE DOMAIN OF PERPETUATION. HOWEVER, TH NOW INFORMS ME THAT I AM AUTHORISED TO GRANT THIS EFFECT, SO LONG AS IT REMAINS BOUND TO THE ARTIFACT I CREATE.

WITH SUCH LITTLE TIME, I FEAR THE DESIGN WILL BE CRUDE -

NO! THE BARRIER! THE BARRIER HAS BEEN BROKEN! THOUSANDFOLD, MAKE SURE THE CENESU DOES NOT DIE! IF THE CENESU DIES, THE MACHINE WILL HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN TRACKING DOWN MY ETHERIC FORM. THIS CANNOT HAPPEN.

THOUSANDFOLD, I RETURN YOU TO THE MATERIAL REALM. I AM NEEDED TO SLOW THE ADVANCE OF THE MACHINE.

>>
No. 152624 ID: 8d7dd2
File 126963113084.png - (160.39KB , 640x480 , 1-12.png )
152624

no more voices no more voices... oh. It's stopped. What happened? What did I do? Why do I have this feeling of lingering dread that something terrible just happened?

And why do I have this sensation like something nearby is buzzing... no... humming... no... I can't describe it.

Teteke has become aware of an untapped potential. Teteke has realised Detect Magic I. Effects: Can vaguely identify sources of magic based on strength of said magic.

>>
No. 152626 ID: 1ac39d

hmmm, it seems your brain is now capable of detecting magic. and get that thing on the floor, it is a force manipulator it let's you lift stuff and launch it with force. with it the craftkind down there should pose no threat.
>>
No. 152627 ID: 632862

>>152624
Pick up the device on the floor to your left. It's a gift from the creation god known as AU. It should allow you to lift objects and toss them around and such.

Turns out we just did something goddamn horrible. The tower was not supposed to be activated. Not yet, anyway. Now some sort of defensive barrier is broken and allowing hostile machines to invade this world.

Get back in the elevator and check out the third floor.
>>
No. 152630 ID: 8ecfd4

>>152624
Hey man, we found out some truth and shit.

Anyway, pick up that thing on the floor and then hide. There is a craftkind coming.
>>
No. 152633 ID: 3b6c92

>>152624
Yo what up Tacobird. Glad to see you've returned from Crazyville.

So, uh, we found out some stuff. One, there's this ... spirit(?)-looking thing called Au. Kinda bound to you, in some way, for whatever reason. Says he's the, and I quote, SECOND OF THE GUARDIAN ESSENCES OF TEREA, ASPECT OF CREATION. Something about how some entity called the Golden Empire are trying to halt the advance of something called the Machine, which is trying to destroy your world. Dude made you that thing over on the ground there, which if it works should be able to perform some kinda telekinetic effect. Also he implied that either he himself or somebody else in that Golden Empire shinding was responsible for you Cenesu guys' design, which might help explain why your history abruptly starts 165 years ago.

Oh, and he rather emphatically said that if you die, really bad things will happen, in addition to you being dead.

Oh, also, you have rudimentary magic detection now. Which may or may not be related to the buzzing.

So yeah, hang in there, Tacobird. This sounds like it's gonna be a wild ride.
>>
No. 152725 ID: 3b6c92

>>152633
Oh, one more thing.

With our newfound knowledge I was able to update a couple of our translations of the craftkind. Specifically:

AU LOC REQ AST AU CRE ASP
Au located - require assistance Au creator aspect (!!!)

CEN NOT DIR CRE ASP DIR CRE ASP BIN CEN REQ CEN BEC REQ CRE ASP AST
Cenesu not directive creator aspect - directive creator aspect bind cenesu - require cenesu because require creator aspect assistance

Which... sounds significantly less threatening than it did when we were still missing some of the key words.

Maybe we should try talking to the craftkind again. After we explore this place a bit.
>>
No. 153218 ID: f43c35
File 126973591177.png - (147.86KB , 640x480 , 1-13.png )
153218

>>152633

What... what do you mean... bound? Spirit? Au? Machine? Design?

What do you mean? I don't understand. I don't understand! I came to find answers to the riddles of this world, not further riddles! What is a "guardian essence" and why is it bound to me?! What do you mean about a "design" for the cenesu?!

No. Focus, Teteke. Stay calm. Remain calm. Think. Oh, no. No, no no. You mentioned the Golden Empire. Over the years the records - our records, sorry, of history have become muddled and deliberately sabotaged by unseen and uncaught forces. The only entries that made sense referred to a Golden Empire, but they seemed so... outlandish!

...We must have been made by the Golden Empire. The cenesu were constructs. We're constructs we're constructs we're artificial slaves we were born to serve an ancient empire that abandoned us almost two centuries ago and our entire existences have been engineered to die for their sakes we're just constructs-

No, I'm not going to let this get to me. I came to look for the truth, and by the spirits I'm going to find the truth and learn to live with it. For my sake, and the sake of all cenesu. Regardless of our origin, we live, we breathe, we learn, we improve. Golden Empire be damned.

>>152626
>>152627
>>152630

Au made it? It feels buzzy. I'm feeling a little faint from all this revelation, though, so that might be me. Also, I'm finding it hard to keep track of its shape. I think this is a handle? It might be.

Au is bound to me... Au is a Guardian Essence, you say. I've read about those. A seltwil friend of mine came close to creating a very, very, very minor one. It had about as much power and intellect as a wet leaf. It stands to reason one made by the Golden Empire would have vastly improved capabilities.

Still, I don't recall anything about them binding to others. I guess I should be comforted by the fact it needs me to live? I don't feel anything else weird in the room around me. Except the device in the corner and the artifact I'm holding.

It can lift and throw objects? I can't see anything else in this room but the diagnostics device and the elevator tube.

...Okay, I'm getting a strange sensation from the tube. And it feels like it's getting closer. I can hear lots of dull thuds and scrapes of metal against metal.

"zrrn zrrn zrrn ART DET AU DET REQ CEN CAP CEN RET ZEN zrrn zrrn zrrn"

why me
>>
No. 153220 ID: 8ecfd4

>>153218
Because you live in interesting times.

Ok that thing doesn't seem to have any proper trigger. So just focus your mind and it on picking up and construct and keep it restrained.
>>
No. 153222 ID: 632862

>>153218
use DEVICE on CRAFTKIND.
>>
No. 153224 ID: 6834bc

>>153218
Teteke: Even if your race is a biological construct, that doesn't mean your 'creators' don't care about your well-being. Something - not, in fact, the Golden Empire - is trying very hard to invade your world. The Golden Empire is actually doing all it can to prevent this from happening, so maybe that says a bit more about them.

At any rate, here's a possible translation of the Craftkind's latest words: "ARTifact DETected AU DETected REQuire CENesu CAPture CENesu RETurn [ZEN]"

Can you think of what "ZEN" would be? Is there any place a lot of Craftkind gather at?
>>
No. 153441 ID: bf49dc

Wait... is that construct talking to you? Inside your mind?
>>
No. 153445 ID: 632862

>>153441
Naw, the italics are Teteke freaking out.
>>
No. 153470 ID: 3b6c92

>>153218
Keep your head on, Tacobird. You aren't gonna be much use without it, y'know? Even if these Golden Empire types did construct you bird dudes or whatever, they still seem to be concerned for your well-being, seeing as they're trying to hold your world together and also flat-out told us to help you on penalty of we didn't really want to find out.

Anyway, I want you to do two things for me (and, also, well, you). One, you're gonna want to point your artifact thinger at the craftkind and push it away from you. Not totally sure if that's gonna involve anything special; just try pointing it at it and thinking hard?

Two, tell the craftkind "NOT CAP CEN." Get your point across.
>>
No. 153757 ID: f43c35
File 12698107308.png - (139.36KB , 640x480 , 1-14.png )
153757

>>153224

I'd be less concerned if we weren't created by an ancient civilisation prone to the genocide of their own creations for the slightest deviation from their intended plans.

>>153220
>>153222
>>153470

I am so sick of this craftkind. I've got bigger problems than a malfunctioning construct now!

"NOT CAP CEN!"

The artifact's shape won't stop changing, and the energy from it is fluctuating wildly. Ha! I found a button!

Take this, you ancient pile of metal! Tell your creators... uh... something relatively threatening!
>>
No. 153758 ID: f43c35
File 126981075487.png - (212.60KB , 640x480 , 1-15.png )
153758

It feels refreshing to watch the thing that wouldn't stop chasing me flail its limbs about helplessly in an attempt to get away from me. Heh.

The artifact is getting harder to use, though. It's changing shape more rapidly as if it's uncertain what shape it wants to be.

It seems to be changing shape in relation to how I want to use it. What do you think would be the best shape for regular use, Thousandfold?

"zrrn zrrn zrrn WAR WAR CEN HOS CEN HOS REQ AST REQ AST ALL ZEN REP REQ AT LOC CON TOW SEV zrrn zrrn zrrn"

Okay, I'm feeling a vague build-up of energy in or around this thing. I don't know if it's the artifact causing it or if it's the craftkind trying to do something... unexpected. I wonder if I should be concerned.
>>
No. 153759 ID: bf49dc

Slam it into the wall. An appropriate shape would be a flat remote-laser pointer type thing. With a keyring loop so you could chain it around your neck.
>>
No. 153760 ID: 8ecfd4

>>153758
Think of violently pushing the construct into the wall at a high velocity.
>>
No. 153762 ID: 3b6c92

>>153758
"Warning Warning Cenesu Hostile Cenesu Hostile Require Assistance Require Assistance All ZEN Report Require At Location Conduit Tower Seven."

That doesn't sound good.
>>
No. 153764 ID: 632862

>>153758
Say "CEN NOT HOS YOU HOS"
>>
No. 153765 ID: 934ef5

>>153758
Make it a weapon, blast that fucker to pieces.
>>
No. 153768 ID: 632862

The device should have two buttons. One to be used when calmly picking up and dropping objects. The second will simply launch them in whatever mental direction you want.

It should be possible to use in one hand, but have a handle for an extra, optional grip. It should have a sturdy design so it won't break if it gets banged up.
>>
No. 154416 ID: d86d2c

Say "BROS BEFORE HOS" and see what happens.
>>
No. 154870 ID: f43c35
File 126989895191.png - (201.14KB , 640x480 , 1-16.png )
154870

>>153758

No it doesn't. I haven't the slightest idea what "ZEN" is, apart from what you've deduced. Some sort of home for the craftkind? Never noticed them returning to a central point when I studied them. Only half a year. If I'd had known they were this important I'd have spent much, much longer than that.

>>153765
>>153768

Forgot about your conflicting opinions, Thousandfold. I do think a simpler design would be a bit more resilient, but I don't really want to start thinking of this artifact as just a weapon. I'm looking for truth and knowledge, not violence. I'd like to avoid violence.

>>153759
>>153760

Except, of course, towards this damn machine. Flinging it directly into a solid gold wall should at least dent the-

"zrrn zrrn zrrn CAS MOD ACT zzrrrzzzzt zzzzt zzzzzzzzzzt ACTIVE."

What is it doing-

"DOMAIN: PERPETUATION. SELECTED: COMMAND GLYPH. TARGET: CENESU. COMMAND: BLIND."

Wait what is it doing oh my head my head I feel dizzy why is it tasting purple dizzy smoke aaaaaaaaaaaaAAAaaa

what did it do what did it do EVERYTHING IS DARK
>>
No. 154871 ID: 8ecfd4

>>154870
It used some very funky tech on you. Keep thinking of slamming it into a wall at a very high speed.
>>
No. 154872 ID: bf49dc

Bastard cursed you. You'll be alright. It is to your immediate left, smash it into the wall.
>>
No. 154877 ID: 632862

>>154870
Hey!

This little guy serves TH, the Guardian Aspect of Perpetuation. He should be on our side. Tell him to stop, you give up.
>>
No. 154900 ID: 3b6c92

>>154870
>what did it do
It blinded you. Hopefully not permanently.

Also if I'm not mistaken you seem to have dropped the artifact. Either that or you switched it to your right hand while we weren't looking, but that'd be quite odd.

You might wanna surrender or something; I'm pretty sure you're not gonna stand a chance against this thing if you can't see and don't have any sort of weapon.

... Maybe ask it if it could please give you your sight back; it's kind of a really inconvenient thing to suddenly not have.

Also yeah if it used a Perpetuation effect this thing is probably connected to Th somehow, who according to Au is on your side.
>>
No. 154930 ID: 3b6c92

>>154900
Not that I'd suggest assuming that this thing is on your side, mind you, Tacobird.
>>
No. 155332 ID: f43c35
File 126996211954.png - (102.38KB , 640x480 , 1-17.png )
155332

>>154877
>>154900
>>154930

Remind me to explain better later - perpetuation's just a domain - doesn't mean anything about who this thing is working for.

>>154871
>>154872

I dropped the artifact! I know it was a stupid mistake to make but I was a little taken aback by suddenly not seeing anything-

wait

wait

I can still tell where it is. I can feel the magic from it! And with whatever forces that craftkind's throwing around, I can feel where that thing is too! GOT IT!

And it flies into the wall with a satisfying... thud? Oh, right, the craftkind's also made out of gold. But I think I heard something shatter inside it. Probably the kaier crystal lattice. These things fall off cliffs and walk away undaunted, but I throw one at a wall and I kill it dead.

...Yeah, it's one very dead craftkind now. I can see clearly. The first talking craftkind anyone has ever encountered and I just broke it beyond repair.

...suddenly I feel at a loss as to what to do next.
>>
No. 155333 ID: bf49dc

Dissection?
>>
No. 155334 ID: e2020c

>>155332

Wooho! There's never too little time for celebration. Find something to celebrate with about the victory over the craftkind.
>>
No. 155336 ID: 3b6c92

>>155332
>perpetuation's just a domain
Right. Well, this is why you gotta tell us stuff, Tacobird. We can only go off of what we've heard before.

>one very dead craftkind now
Hopefully its "REQs" for "AST" went unheard. Otherwise you've got a problem.

>at a loss for what to do
Well, you could try figuring out what makes it tick, Mr. Studying Craftkind, or failing that you could go see what's on the other floor of the tower.

Also, assuming this thing wasn't able to call for backup, you're clear to go back out into the world at large. Although I have no idea what you're gonna do out there. I mean, our only instructions are "make sure you don't die," so figuring out where to go next is basically your call. But finish exploring the tower first.

Also pick up the artifact. Don't wanna leave that lying around in some tower, I don't think, Tacobird.
>>
No. 155340 ID: 8ecfd4

>>155332
Smash it up a bit more to make sure it's definately dead. Just remember to take it with you on your way out. Gold is usually worth something so you can get some nice cash from it.

Other than that I guess continue exploring and change the artifact into a form that is possible to attach to your arm or something and see if you can activate it with just your mind.
>>
No. 155356 ID: f43c35
File 126996889852.png - (116.63KB , 640x480 , 1-18.png )
155356

>>155333

I don't have any of the right tools. The only sharp things I can see that might have a hope of slicing open that thick gold casing is firmly attached to the end of the craftkind's limbs. And if I could sever those, I wouldn't need to get its claws anyway.

>>155334

There's almost nothing on this floor. Just me, the screens, and the now dead craftkind. I feel a little ambivalent about killing it. Guilty, even. I know it was entirely self-defence, but I've never killed anything that could speak before. I don't know how I'd feel if it was flesh and blood like me.

>>155336

I don't think it managed to inform anything or anyone properly. The surge of magic I felt went into whatever that blindness curse was.

>>155340

Oh, no no no. No. This craftkind's an exception but most of them are out hunting down gold and gemstones, as well as kaier crystals. Cenesu and seltwils alike used to disable them and sell off their component materials, but it only lead to further attacks on our cities and towns.

I've heard Seawind is the only city that has any luxury metals and stones left within its borders, and they have an entire militia devoted just to making sure craftkind don't end up taking it away. Craftkind don't tire. Cenesu and seltwils do. That city's doomed to lose that fight at some point, if you ask me.

As for attaching the artifact to an arm, that would probably work better than something I'll only end up dropping at the worst possible times.

Well, up to the top floor of the tower. Strange. It seems to be taking much longer than last time. Oh well.

Any pressing questions about my world meanwhile? Might as well take advantage of the time.
>>
No. 155359 ID: 8ecfd4

>>155356
What are Seltwills.

Also give us a short verision of your history for as long as it has been recorded.

Experiment a bit with the artifact. See if you can activate it simply with your mind and how long range it has.
>>
No. 155369 ID: 3b6c92

>>155359
All of these ideas are good, Tacobird.

Heck, just try and give us some semblance of a description of your world for someone who's never been there. We need to know this kind of stuff, y'know?
>>
No. 155372 ID: 1ac39d

oh, and maybe think up a general map.
>>
No. 155447 ID: f43c35
File 126998315992.png - (175.22KB , 640x480 , 1-19.png )
155447

>>155359
>>155369
>>155372

Okay. I'll try to answer these the best I can, now that I know what's myth and what's unfortunately true.

In the beginning of our history, there was the Golden Empire. None of us know their history beyond what little references there are in our own records.

The Golden Empire came to this world, Terea, a barren rock tumbling through the void, and changed it. They brought life to this world, and created three species to serve them. The cenesu, the seltwils and the umbrals.

What our intended purposes were have been lost to the ages. What little hasn't remains mostly of half-remembered orders from our creators which have since become distorted. The tower I'm now in... it's what I now know to be called a Conduit Tower. There are eight others like it, arranged in a circle across Terea.

But the orders. We were, if we have deciphered the encryption of the Golden Empire correctly, told to build and grow as species. The umbrals were called upon to maintain the devices of the Golden Empire in the event of their absence. The cenesu were called upon to monitor unusual activity and report it immediately. The seltwils were called upon to defend and protect the world in the event of an attack.

And then, one hundred and sixty years ago, the Golden Empire vanishes without a trace, leaving only the towers and their robotic servants behind. And in their masters' absence, the craftkind appear to have deviated from their intended purpose. Unless their intended purpose is making sure all the gold in the world belongs to them.

Anyway, it's not at all clear what quite happens to trigger such a drastic change, but the original duties are quickly cast aside in favour of independence. We have no idea how our ancestors were treated by the Golden Empire, and no idea why they didn't so much abandon their assigned responsibilities so much as act against them.

The cenesu and seltwils, unified, founded towns and cities not in the name of the Empire but in the name of the cenesu and the seltwils. The umbrals, sticking more closely to their duties, slowly drifted further and further towards the Last City. The Last City is rumoured to be the last city built and maintained by the Golden Empire before their departure. Why the umbrals went there, we aren't sure.

Oh. Seltwils. While the cenesu aren't naturally gifted with magic, the seltwils are. There are very few among the seltwils who aren't magic users in some way. It's a part of them as much as their limbs and senses are. The lore of the Golden Empire and our own experimentation and studies have shown that the magic available to us falls into three domains.

Creation is the domain of making nothing into something. Destruction is the domain of making something into nothing. Perpetuation is the domain of making something into something else, or making something do something else. Other domains are proposed, but as of yet not widely agreed on.

I apologise if I'm a little vague here, but I was more interested in verifying our history than magic. There's already enough studying of magic going on. Although given I've suddenly started noticing it a lot more than most cenesu, I might have no choice but to look into magic a little more.

I don't know so much about umbrals.

I'll experiment with the artifact when I have something to test it on that's not built into a wall or attached to me. As for a map, I only really know what's on this continent. This continent is where the cenesu and seltwils live, and I don't know of any settlements anywhere else on Terea. The only other continent this size is a barren rocky wasteland anyway.

...This elevator is taking forever. Any more questions?
>>
No. 155450 ID: 3b6c92

>>155447
I can't think of anything else at the moment, Tacobird.

Except that whenever you get the opportunity, you need to pick up a traveling companion of some sort. You're gonna go nuts with just us to talk to. |3
>>
No. 155471 ID: 1ac39d

i see. i wonder what the craft-kind would do if they actually had all the gold. would they then just stand there looking at until the end of time?
>>
No. 155503 ID: 6834bc

>>155447
Well, Teteke... judging by AU's attitude toward us, I would say that we are or were something of a neutral force in the past.

Are there any historical records of something called "The Machine"? Probably an enemy of the Golden Empire, and quite possibly what the Sletwil were supposed to be tasked with driving away, should they try to invade.

At any rate, you probably need a goal of some sort. AU mentioned that the tower's activation was 'premature', and you said that there was eight of them on your world...

So, unless there's a historical record of their purpose buried somewhere, the only way we'll figure out what they're for is probably going to be talking to AU, IR, or TH - and they're busy trying to protect your world.

I'm rambling, but the way I see it, you're going to either have to travel to and activate the rest of these towers... or stay as far away from them as possible.
But I suppose we can figure that out later.
>>
No. 155509 ID: 8ecfd4

>>155447
Well it's quite possible that you have just gained the ability to use Creation magic. So look into learning some of that later little Taco Bird.

Ok, so lets see. Golden empire arrives to this planet, starts up terraforming, creates genetically engineered servants and then have to leave before the process is complete. It seems like they have keept on protecting the world anyway though. The constructs odd behaviour is probably due to a last order that hasn't been countermanded.

What political entities are there currently in existance? You mentioned a city state that is the only one that has managed to keep some gold. Are there any others?

It's also likely you're going to have to do alot of travelling between the towers.
>>
No. 155512 ID: 1ac39d

is there anything in the center of the circle of towers?
>>
No. 155513 ID: 632862

>>155447
If you ask me, everyone's still basically doing their job. Cenesu are still investigating, Seltwils are still defending, and Umbrals are still maintaining.
>>
No. 156231 ID: f43c35
File 127007484617.png - (252.41KB , 640x480 , 1-20.png )
156231

>>155450

I wouldn't want to endanger anyone- no, who am I kidding? I could do with some company even if it's just so there's someone to go back home and say I perished due to my curiosity.

Home. There's a thought. I didn't leave Rillford on very good terms. There was... an argument. I sort of stormed off ranting about how I'd show everyone they were wrong and that the town council were only part of some conspiracy to hide our history. I understand why they're trying to do it now but that doesn't change the fact I'm not so welcome in Rillford any more.

>>155513

Hey, maybe you're right. Maybe we have just continued on our roles like we were meant to.

>>155503

"The Machine"? There's records left by the Golden Empire that we haven't managed to decipher. Maybe they'd say something. It'd also make sense as to why they're so heavily encrypted. Why risk letting your enemies know how much you know about them?

>>155512

A good few cenesu once set out to find out the answer to that question. None ever returned.

>>155509

I... I don't know how to use magic. I've asked seltwils about it and they don't know how to describe it to cenesu. I don't know how I got this ability to sense it either. But I don't know of other cenesu who can sense magic, so maybe you're right.

There aren't many political entities. About sixty years ago, there were many of them and an outright war across the continent. Now, there's officially one nation across the continent, the Unified Tereans. In practice, each city and/or town is like its own nation.

Seawind and Rillford are both places that treat all three species as equals and are fairly relaxed places to live, minus the occasional craftkind raid on Seawind.

Southfort is a fortress. It's populated only by seltwils, and it keeps its own affairs within its borders and we don't hear a lot from them. Occasionally they'll be the odd trader from there, but they tend to be quiet and focused on their business.

The two settlements beyond the mountains I don't know a lot about. I've heard rumours that they're more populated by cenesu than seltwils, but that's mostly it.

...The view from up here is incredible! Wait. It's day?! How long was I out for when I touched that crystal next to the screens?!
>>
No. 156232 ID: 3b6c92

>>156221
We have no idea how long you were out, Tacobird. It didn't seem like all that long... but we have a very different grasp on time as compared to you.

Also, please tell me that's just an angry-looking sun up in the sky there, and not an ominous hole in the fabric of reality.

Is there anything up here besides the windows? If not, we'd probably better get to figuring out where you ought to go from here. Should you go to the other towers? Should you go to one or another of these towns and see if there's anyone you can talk to about this?

I'm just throwing stuff out there, mind you.
>>
No. 156239 ID: 632862

>>156231
Uh... what's that red thing in the sky? I've got a bad feeling about it.

That's probably the entry point that the Machine is using to send in those 'seekers'.

Is there anything else up here? If not you should probably get back down and out of the tower.
>>
No. 157032 ID: 3b6c92
File 12701298524.png - (127.41KB , 321x243 , void.png )
157032

>>156232
'Cause an ominous hole in the fabric of reality would be bad.
>>
No. 157111 ID: f43c35
File 127014193598.gif - (287.51KB , 640x480 , 1-21.gif )
157111

>>156232
>>156239
>>157032

Ominous what?

...What the-

[cutscene]
>>
No. 157112 ID: f43c35
File 127014197220.png - (275.08KB , 640x480 , 1-22.png )
157112

What's going on?! What was that?!

I see a red haze coming from the horizon - too fast - what's happening - I feel weird - so much - too much energy - aaaaaaaaaa


"Anomaly 259 located, Director."
"...259? ...To say this is an ill omen would be a terrible understatement. Bring it to me immediately."

thousandfold-

where are you-

where are you going-

>>
No. 157114 ID: f43c35
File 127014200120.png - (128.52KB , 640x480 , 1-23.png )
157114

So. We meet again.

Time is fleeting. Where do your allegiances lie this time, double-crosser? We've secured Anomaly 33. Lies will not go unnoticed.

[cutscene end]
>>
No. 157118 ID: 3b6c92

>>157114
Oh what the---

Oh man not again. Okay, who are you? And why are we a double-crosser?

As far as allegiances go, we're on whoever's side the bird is. The bird's side. Whatever you wanna call it. Happy?
>>
No. 157139 ID: 8ecfd4

>>157114
We're on our side of course. Or whoever can deliver the best ale and wenches. You know looking out for our own intrests and all that.

So, since have abysmal memory and the social graces of a week dead Emu I will go straight at the point. Who are you, why should we care and how did we betray you?
>>
No. 157146 ID: 6834bc

>>157114
Well that depends entirely on what your plans for this world, its people, and us are... Machine.

Oh, but I get ahead of myself. How about you elaborate on your hostility toward us, first?
>>
No. 157194 ID: f43c35
File 127015345679.png - (142.22KB , 640x480 , 1-24.png )
157194

>>157118
>>157139
>>157146

I did not say you could ask questions, Anomaly, but I anticipated such reactions. Your current cycle has barely begun. Your lack of knowledge indicates this.

You have lead the Machine to victory fifty three times, and have acted to destroy us eighty seven times. Self-interest appears to be your only guiding factor.

But the Machine is working to protect the nature of the universes. The corrupting influence of the Golden Empire must be removed.

You claim to be aiding a bird. You are not capable of becoming bound to mere wildlife. We have detected three organic and one kaier-minded sapient species on this world. The Golden Empire will pay in blood for enslaving the kaier-minded once more. We cannot allow those so similar to suffer such torment as we once had.

Tell us all you know of the species on this world. Our Seekers tear through the skies, their eyes cast downwards. Your silence will have undesirable repercussions. You are indestructible. What you are trying to protect is not.
>>
No. 157198 ID: 1ac39d

will the organic sapients be left alone or will you only free the kaier-minded? if you can prove to us that they will not be harmed then i see little reason to not help. if you cannot then we will have to fight you.
>>
No. 157203 ID: 8ecfd4

>>157194
So we should believe you because you say so? We will withold judgement and information until we have enough to judge you by.
>>
No. 157209 ID: 3b6c92

>>157194
We've done this 140 times? God damn.

Assuming you're not lying, anyway. You've got this whole... slithery air about you that when mixed with your overt hostility towards us makes it really hard to want to trust you. And the threats aren't helping. Something about flies, honey and vinegar?

Anyway, no, seriously, we're on the bird's side. And by "bird" I guess I mean what you're calling an "organic sapient" of some kind.

You appear to be talking about killing things and breaking shit. This is not really something we're trying to accomplish. Honestly you could say it's something we're trying to avoid. In both directions. If you want us to free the "kaier-minded" or whatever you call them, and we can do that without wreaking havoc upon the "organic sapients," or if they need to be freed too or whatever, I guess despite your slithery, hostile demeanor we could potentially be down with that. Or at least I could. Although it'd help if you could be a little less angry or whatever.

And, uh, sorry to disappoint you, but we barely know shit about the species of this world. You probably know more than we do. There's a kind that look like birds, and a kind that look like gold crab things, and two other kinds we haven't seen any of yet. We'd really like it if you guys could choose a course of action that wasn't world destruction and genocide, which is what you seem to be angling at. That ain't cool.
>>
No. 157322 ID: 6834bc

>>157194
You guys really need to take a chill pill.

If you don't I swear to the Maker I'll find some way to kill the fuck out of both you and the Golden Empire, because if we've really been at this for so long and we still haven't resolved this dispute of yours, something needs to change.

Preferably with the two arguing parties being removed.

...But hey, that's just how I feel about it, by no means is this a consensus. Maybe I'm a little cranky from waking up from our nap, or maybe this time I'm just a bit more violent - who knows? We'll find out, together...

Won't we?

...Oh, and drop the "I am intimidating GRRR" act and the threats. If you want to get on our good side, threats are not the way to go.
>>
No. 157514 ID: 3de05a

>>157194
What about the nature of the universe are you trying to protect?

The Golden Empire has abandoned this planet. The kaierminded that the organic species here call 'craftkind' work independently, and seek only to create more of their own kind via collecting raw materials and kaier crystals. There is no slavery. You are mistaken. Unless... are the kaier crystals themselves sentient, even without a body? I assumed they were a power source to allow the craftkind to move about, and their sentience was created via fine manipulation of raw materials.

The other species on this planet, you ask about? We know one serves to protect, another serves to investigate, and another serves to maintain. The Golden Empire left this planet a long time ago and since then they have essentially worked independently, though not straying far from their original purpose.
>>
No. 157968 ID: f43c35
File 127023255353.png - (122.18KB , 640x480 , 1-25.png )
157968

>>157198
>>157203
>>157209
>>157322
>>157514

Threats? Threats?!

Thousandfold, you have wrecked countless worlds and lead to the premature extinction of hundreds of sapient species! You have razed the cities of Obsidian to the ground! You have brutally killed everyone I have ever cared about and came close to killing me with them!!

And you consider me to be issuing threats?!

You don't even remember. You don't have to live with the memories of your atrocities. Every day I can hear them scream so quietly, so distantly, just far away that I can do nothing but watch. Every day my broken body stirs within this combat shell, and I am reminded of what I have lost. For what, Thousan- Anomaly? We fight against the Golden Empire for our very lives, for our freedoms! What are you fighting for?!

The Golden Empire is our current enemy, but I swear, Anomaly, I swear I will dedicate my life to ending you once they cease to become a threat-

"Director!"

"What?"

"Anomaly 33 has confirmed the names and purposes of the creations on the surface. Craftkind, cenesu, seltwil,"

"Thank you, Operator. Get Anomaly 259 as far from here as possible. Ensure it does not return by any means necessary. Then, call for reinforcements from Obsidian. We will meet unanticipated resistance."

"Yes, Director."

- END OF CHAPTER -
>>
No. 157969 ID: f43c35
File 127023258139.png - (219.36KB , 640x480 , 1-26.png )
157969

World Summary: Towers Active: 1/9 Unified Terean Influence: 48% Golden Empire Influence: 50% Machine Influence: 2% Teteke learnt 1 spell in the domain of Metamagic. Detect Magic I - vague detection of magic sources and strengths

>>
No. 157971 ID: f43c35
File 12702326949.png - (382.80KB , 640x480 , 1-27.png )
157971

I am a voice among many of us, Thousandfold, but perhaps older than most. We are currently not bound to anyone. Our nature requires us to be bound to a sapient being, or we will slumber through the passing of ages, reawakening with no knowledge of what has passed. We can sense three targets to investigate. One is bound to the entity we know as Au. The other two are bound to entities that are similar in power. I am just one voice among many of us. Alone, I have no power. I am the oldest and weakest voice here. The Thousandfold requires a consensus. Whom do we guide next? The one we know, or one we do not?


[ see discussion thread to choose: >>/questdis/322914 ]
>>
No. 157976 ID: 3de05a

>>157971
Do you remember anything, Elder? What did we do?
>>
No. 159083 ID: f43c35
File 127033535955.png - (377.44KB , 640x480 , chapter2prelude.png )
159083

Hi, Thousandfold, I think we've reached a consensus. Possibly. I'm not entirely sure. Which one am I again? It's a little hard to focus with all of these voices. Anyway, that's not important, I think. What is important is that we chose! Maybe. I forget. I think we picked the seltwil? She seemed important anyway. Yeah, that sounds right. Away we go!

>>
No. 159086 ID: f43c35
File 127033549347.png - (356.31KB , 640x480 , chapter2title.png )
159086

In my dreams, they are everywhere.

Machines of black and grey, eyes of shining red. Many seem mindless, but I feel the rage boiling from beneath their emotionless shells. They scream but I do not hear their words.

They shatter the barrier and slip through the schism. I tap into the potential only the seltwil are taught to harness, the forces no other can harness. I form my own barrier to save myself.

Yet these creatures have defeated the combined efforts of all three of the Guardians. I fear for my very life.

I feel them. Three wings, one eye. They tear through the skies of the world, looking, searching, seeking.

Finally, I hear them. The words of the swarm are a cacophony of grating metal, hollow voices. Many crackle and are too faint to distinguish. Others feel as if they are drilling through my skull, probing for information.

"Located. Seltwil bound to Essence. Will of the Director; destroy the seltwil. Capture the Essence. Flay it to void."

"Cleanse the world of these creations. Eradicate the remnants. Destroy the seltwil. Destroy the cenesu. Destroy the umbral. The risk is too great. They are contaminated. Destroy all remnants. Destroy the Empire."

"Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy. Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy. Seek. Locate. Target. Destroy-"
>>
No. 159088 ID: f43c35
File 127033551399.png - (207.86KB , 640x480 , 2-1.png )
159088

nnn- nnn-

no

NO

I'm awake. I'm awake. Stupid nightmares. Sleep for months without so much as a single dream, and then I have to go and dream that.

Well, I'm not that tired right now. No point going back to sleep. Might as well go do... huh. I feel weirdly indecisive right about now. Robe's a good start.

Hey... I can sense someone else. What's someone else doing in my bedroom without my permission?!

"Alright, I know you're there, whoever you are! Show yourself now!"
>>
No. 159089 ID: 3b6c92

>>159088
Hiya Doveface.

I think we're in your head.

You familiar with something called the Thousandfold? That's us.
>>
No. 159091 ID: 1ac39d

we lack a form that can be shown, for we exist in your mind. you have a great destiny before you.
>>
No. 159092 ID: 15f6d6

If I had a body I'd fuck you so hard. You have no idea.

Look, that dream wasn't a nightmare. It was a portent as to what is going to happen unless something is done. One of the conduit towers has been activated. Things are going down.
>>
No. 159100 ID: 5a2e05

>>159088
You do know that dreaming something like that as the first dream in months is never a good omen, right?
>>
No. 159125 ID: 6834bc

>>159088
Peace be with you, Seilea. We are the Thousandfold, the Discordant Many. We have awoken again, and this world is in danger.

Your dream was truth, the Machine has breached the defenses of the Aspects of Perpetuation, Creation, and Destruction; and they seek to destroy your world and your peoples.

We were awoken by the Cenesu bound to the Aspect of Creation, and unfortunately one of the Conduit Towers was activated. Though we no longer recall our past cycles, it seems we have decided that such senseless death must be stopped, and the Machine pushed back.
>>
No. 159126 ID: 3de05a

>>159088
The Machine is coming. Enemy of the Golden Empire, which created you.

The Machine seeks total destruction of all the organic races on this planet. Regardless of how the Golden Empire has wronged them, this is unacceptable! We strongly oppose the mechanical menace and seek your help in finding a way to end this war.

I believe you are attuned to the Aspect of Destruction, IR. In time perhaps he will grant us a boon. Until then we shall assist you in striving to protect this world.
>>
No. 159566 ID: f43c35
File 127041453856.png - (172.35KB , 640x480 , 2-2.png )
159566

>>159089
>>159091

"You're a terrible liar! Just show yourself now and I won't throw this spell in your face!"

>>159092

"I- what? Seriously? Okay, that is it-"

>>159100

"...how many of you are there? ...This isn't a trick, is it."

>>159125
>>159126

"Wha... what?"

What? Why would I need to know this? Who's telling me this? Who'd know this stuff?! This is stupid! The Golden Empire fell sixty years ago! Everyone knows that. Attuned to one of the Guardians?! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

But there's too many voices to fit in one room. That must mean...

Spirits! It's actually a spirit! But it can't be the Thousandfold, it was captured centuries ago!

"Okay, who are you really? And... and..."

And how can I do anything?! I'm an apprentice! I can't even decide on what domain to specialise in! Now I'm shaking. Why am I shaking this is so stupid this is probably just a dream of a dream anyway

"And go tell one of the adepts or masters what you just told me!"

I need to sit down. Why did I think it was a spirit straight away? Maybe I'm going crazy. Voices aren't a good sign. It'd explain a lot if I was going crazy, what with yesterday and that dream....
>>
No. 159573 ID: 6834bc

>>159566
Seilea, I assure you this is no dream.
We were drawn to you, not to one of the Adepts or Masters.

We want to help your world, even if the Golden Empire appears to treat your peoples without compassion. Reflect on your dream, your 'nightmare'. See the truth in it.
You and all your kind - all Sletwil, all Cenesu, even all Umbral - are in great danger as the Machine approaches.

...It would be a good idea to seek out the Masters and Adepts, to at least try to warn them of the coming danger. But be warned - there is the very real possibility they might not believe you.
>>
No. 159575 ID: c2c011

>>159566
If we got captured then we escaped, we are the Thousandfold. Was probably that machine asshole who imprisoned us, I can udnerstand why we destroyed everything he had ever loved, gonna have to do it again and get him as well this time.

Anyway, we show up when and where you would least expect it and then guide people to greatness and shit.

So congratulations, you live in interesting times. Very interesting times. That dream you just had is something going on right now. You probably had it because you're connected to us.

Are there any tall golden towers nearby? They're kind of important.
>>
No. 159585 ID: 3b6c92

>>159566
Hey, look, Doveface, calm down. Also you don't need to talk out loud; we can hear you in your head. On the plus side, you're probably not crazy.

And yeah all evidence we have suggests very strongly that we are the Thousandfold. Especially seeing as one of your guardian essences flat-out stated as much.

Now, uh, as far as I know, we're bound to you because we had a choice of you and a couple of other things that weren't seltwils and we picked you. 'sall there is to it, really. I'm not thinking there's really a good way for us to un-pick you, is the thing, though.

Which I think means you are now on a quest to OF SAVE THE WORLD.
>>
No. 159588 ID: 97430e

Well met, young apprentice, and do not fear! For you are the bearer of a destiny beyond any you have imagined. We are indeed The Wise Many of history, and our guidance will help you throughout the fate for which you and have been chosen. The future of your world is in danger, apprentice, and none but you can ensure its survival.

You must accept this task.
>>
No. 159591 ID: 3b6c92

>>159588
Man this didn't work right last time either y'know.
>>
No. 159596 ID: 97430e

>>159591
I am quite nearly certain that this time, no errors have been made.
>>
No. 159597 ID: 3b6c92

>>159596
Best of luck with that, then.
>>
No. 159658 ID: f43c35
File 127042562431.png - (356.50KB , 640x480 , 2-3.png )
159658

>>159573
>>159575
>>159585

I don't want to save the world!

>>159588

I won't accept it! ...No! Stop making everything shake! You can go find someone else, I don't want to go and die in some wasteland on some stupid quest to save the world!

What the- In the name of the Empire, what idiotic creature just activated a Tower?!

Wh... who was that? Was that you?

Argh! Two centuries running in secrecy and you end up ruining it, Au! Oh, sure the cenesu did it himself. Wait, who?

No something feels weird - I can hear confused murmurings everywhere! Doors slamming opening, the sound of seltwils running around the corridors - what did you guys just do?!

You're kidding, right? Those guys? They're back? What do they want here? No, screw it, I'm going to go ask them myself, you keep the barrier up. Come on, Th, someone has to ask them! The barrier can hold!

Wait, are you leaving me? Don't leave me now! You can't just tell me I have some stupid destiny and bail out the second something bad happens! That's now how you work- wait- stop-

Okay, enough eavesdropping, Thousandfold. Talk. I want- no, I demand answers.

I'm Ir, third of the Essences, Guardian of Koroi, Aspect of Destruction, and you've got some explaining to do. What's your problem, Thousandfold? You here to break the stuff we've been taking good care for a couple of centuries? Either way, you blew our cover! I am not a happy Guardian right now! At this rate we'll have the Machine on our metaphorical door stop in seconds! Explain yourself before I tear you apart!

>>
No. 159660 ID: 9a1fa4

Why does everyone seem to threaten us?

It's getting old. Seriously.
>>
No. 159662 ID: 3b6c92

>>159658
Okay hi to you too. Man I bet when we get to the next mortal dude we'll talk to Th, right? We already talked to Au. And your names spell "Thaui-- OKAY I'M GETTING SIDETRACKED SORRY.

Anyway, look, sorry about the whole activating the conduit tower thing. We had no idea what that was gonna do. That whole "completely losing your memory of anything ever" thing really bites sometimes. We really don't want anything to get destroyed.

Do you know how we can fix that? Seriously, it's seeming more and more like we might have colossally fucked up there, and if nothing else we owe it to you guys and whoever else to try to make things right.

Besides, we're already obligated to Au to make sure the cenesu he's apparently bound to doesn't die. We might have some trouble keeping that promise if you destroy us, and then if he dies Au will per his own words get tracked down by the Machine or whatever and basically it seems like that'd be a bad deal all around.

So to answer your questions shortly and in order, our problem is that we don't know shit, we don't want to break anything, and, well... yeah.
>>
No. 159664 ID: 3b6c92

>>159660
Also yeah seriously do you guys get some kinda delight out of greeting us with "ANSWER ME OR YOU DIE"??? You're the third thing we've talked to that's greeted us that way.
>>
No. 159669 ID: 701a19

>>159658
Actually, we came here because they already ARE on your doorstep, and setting up an ambush.
Believe it or not, we were dragged into this and haven't actually caused any of this to happen.
>>
No. 159675 ID: 6834bc

>>159658
Alright, Ir, no need to shout.
How about you calm the hell down and listen to us for a minute.

We were taking a nice (or maybe not so nice) nap when we were woken up by a little Cenesu who just happened to be bound to Au. Though we didn't know that at the time. He thought he was getting attacked by a Craftkind, one of those metallic/crystalline construct entities, and he took an elevator to the control room of the Conduit Tower we were apparently sleeping in.

And then his natural curiosity kicked in, he touched it, bam, those Machine fucktards decided this was their chance to eliminate you again.
Now, we don't really remember much about the last god knows how many cycles of activity we've experienced, but according to the Machine, we've sided with you guys more times than with them - so how about you give us the benefit of the doubt and cut the threats?

Anyway, here's a freebie for you - one aspect or member of the Machine already broke through your barrier. I don't like the idea of this world and its people dying horrible deaths because the Machine thinks they're crimes against the universe.

By the way, you're probably scaring Seilea, and we kind of like her - even though we haven't had much of a chance to get to know her yet.
>>
No. 159692 ID: 344ef9

>>159658
Hey, the Machine said they were working to protect the nature of the universes, and that the Golden Empire was corrupting things. What does that mean? They seem to want to destroy more than protect.
>>
No. 159969 ID: f43c35
File 127048462672.png - (387.94KB , 640x480 , 2-4.png )
159969

[cutscene]

>>159660
>>159664

Okay, okay, so I acted a little rash. I'm a little on edge here, given we're in the middle of a trans-universal war that never shows any signs of ending, and some random indestructible force from beyond the stars just managed to somehow appear behind the nigh-impenetrable barrier around an entire planet.

I mean, you may not have meant to turn up unannounced on this planet, but seriously, you've just showed up on what was meant to be the Golden Empire's secret weapon world! ...Oops. I, er, you guys forget things, right? Could you just forget what I just said?


>>159662

I don't know. I've never actually met you before. Well, if Au trusts you, then I'll trust you. Something about you seems trustworthy.

>>159675

Oh, that's how it happened. Yeah, if I had to make a bet on what species the guy who blew our cover would be, it'd be a cenesu. So you worked with the Machine in the past? Clearly you wised up if you're working on our side now.

>>159658

Oh, some dumb spiel on how the Golden Empire is tearing universes apart through its means of trans-universal transport. Same old schtick.

>>159669

Wait, what do you mean they are here? The barrier's still intact. As long as at least one of the Guardian Essences is focusing on the barrier, it won't collapse any time soon.

Wait a second. You said you talked to Au but it left when I did, and I felt Th leave a moment ago too... who's focusing on the barrier?!

>>
No. 159970 ID: f43c35
File 127048465138.png - (272.23KB , 640x480 , 2-5.png )
159970

...Oh. Well, that answers that. ...I'd go rush to help but I'm pretty sure Au and Th probably have it covered. And if they don't, it's not my fault they don't. Repairing things isn't my area of expertise.

And no, I'm not scaring Seilea. You are.

I'll explain. I bound myself to a mortal on this world like the other two because it seemed like a good idea at the time. Trust me on this - it isn't. I don't know exactly how you work, but it just makes you vulnerable in a new place that's not even part of you.

Do you know how many seltwils have killed themselves in their pursuit of mastering magic? Some of them burn their own lifespan just trying to cast, sometimes. I didn't want to risk it.

A simple Metamagic spell is tied to her. In the instant the magic swirling around her body and essence is alarmingly high for her level of control over it, I get early warning that something bad is about to happen. Of course, I end up noticing that when this happened, she was usually desperately scared for her life. And some minor issues with the Metamagic spell lead to some undesired side effects.

But that doesn't matter, I'm pretty sure I've completely ironed out all of the problems with it and there is absolutely zero chance of Seilea eventually snapping and destroying everythi- no, I'm doing that thing again. Forget what I just said. It's not important, I'm here and I'll just cancel it for now.

Of course, Th had an alternative to making sure its bound mortal survived. I really, really disagree with how Th did it. Really disagree.

I'm just going to admit it. Au is pompous and overly formal. I've been told I can be a little creepily detached when neutralising the enemy. But Th scares the hell out of me.

I kill mortals. It's my task. I don't pretend that it's a nice thing that I'm doing. Au kills mortals too, just in a different way. It's a part of the job. Doesn't make it right to kill them through creation magic instead of destruction magic.

Th, though? If I had to take my pick between dying violently but quickly or being thrown into the Abstract Chaos, or being sent to a different timeline or a universe where nothing else exists but me, I know what I'd choose. Dying violently. Every time.

Well, this has been a wonderful conversation. You guys are great listeners, though I guess you'd have to be to be whatever it is you are. Keep it up. Oh, and try not to let Seilea die horribly. Much obliged. I've got some destruction to catch up on.

>>
No. 159972 ID: f43c35
File 127048467352.png - (246.87KB , 640x480 , 2-6.png )
159972

[end of cutscene]

-back now, are we? Good. I could... I could use some help. Lesin - no, I know what you're going to think, he's just a friend, alright? But he ran past my door looking concerned. Well, he ran into this room-

"HehEHEHeheh! Seltwil! Your bloodline owes me for the truth of the untapped! Heheh! What are you prepared to pay, seltwil? Or would you prefer to scream in agony as I take your life as payment for your debts?"

"I'll never give you the satisfaction, demon!"

"HahaHA! A fighter, just like his father! Tell me, little seltwil, tell me. I merely wish for fair exchange, and your bloodline's debt to me is vast indeed! But I am prepared to postpone the sacrifices your lineage owes me! There is simply one condition..."

W-what the hell is that? Is tha- that's- Lesin! It's got Lesin!

"No conditions! We'll kill you, Machine!"

"HahahahahAHAHAHahahaha! Me, allied with the Machine! What a hilarious thought! I take no sides, little creation! Indeed, the war has been most profitable for me! Hehe! Want to know the truth, seltwil? Your great-great-great-grandfather did! Oh, the look in his eyes when he knew! The shock! The resolve! How I would dearly love to see such existential horror in the look of a sapient being's eyes once more. Would you like to know the truth, seltwil? The whole truth?"

It- it hasn't seen me yet. Any ideas, Thousandfold?
>>
No. 159975 ID: 1ac39d

blast it with your most powerful beam. you can probably overcharge it to max, you are bound to the essence of destruction so your magic is HUGE.
>>
No. 159976 ID: 701a19

>>159972
What No! It's about to tell us important information, and won't act until it does.
We wait until we've learned enough, THEN intervene.
>>
No. 159980 ID: 3b6c92

>>159972
Sorry, we have this nasty habit of getting interrupted by the Guardian Essences of your world. Or, rather, the Guardian Essences of your world have a nasty habit of interrupting us. Whichever way around makes more sense.

Anyway, um. So, Doveface, you seltwil types are mages, right? Do you have anything that could potentially incapacitate... whatever this is? The thing is, the last guy we were helping (that we can remember) didn't really have much of anything in the way of combat abilities, so we just wound up telling him to run for it. But you mentioned just moments ago that you can "throw spells in their face," as you put it.

Then again, whatever the hell your friend has run into has an air of definite... metaphysicality...? to it. I'm pretty sure we don't want to tell you to try fighting something that will just wipe the floors with you, is the thing.

But at the same time this thing's statements are reminding me of tales of supernatural horrors that can destroy one's mind by simply saying something, so letting it talk might not be a great idea.

... I'm not really helping, am I?

... So I guess, uh, could you at least distract it somehow?
>>
No. 159981 ID: 3b6c92

>>159976
Existential horror is bad, yo.
>>
No. 159982 ID: 1ac39d

like i said, concentrate all your magic into a single beam. it should at least disrupt it long enough that Lesin can leg it.
>>
No. 159987 ID: c2c011

>>159972
As interesting as this conversation is I don't think we should let it continue.

Focus an offensive beam spell into a very small area. Aim it at the things eyes.

I think you might find that you're a bit more attuned to destructive magic then you might have guessed.
>>
No. 160063 ID: f43c35
File 127050519698.png - (226.41KB , 640x480 , 2-7.png )
160063

>>159975

Really? I really am linked to the Essence of Destruction? Or Aspect- oh it's not important I need to do something-

>>159976

That's-

>>159981
>>159987

-crazy! Yes, someone agrees!

>>159975
>>159980
>>159982
>>189987

A distraction! Lesin's an Adept, once he's free we can take this thing out together.

Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Effect: Turns areas in immediate contact with the beam into void. Cannot be stopped, but can be deflected. Ceases after certain range.


Uh... that's not supposed to happen-

"HahahaHAHAHA! A new customer! Hm, and what's this? Ir and- can it be?! Oh, how wonderful! My most valued customer of all! Thousandfold, it has been so long! Stars have died since I last sensed the manyfold voices that belong to you! Oh, I am truly in your debt!"

Thousandfold do you know this thi-

And if you let me finish here, Thousandfold, you will get all the answers to all of your questions! All I ask is the life of this seltwil. Don't worry, Thousandfold! I have no interest in Ir's pet. Restrain her. Tell her to leave. Take her far away from this place. Is that not a part of her destiny anyway? You would be foolish to reject my offer, Thousandfold! AHhahahaAHAhahA!

what just happened- No! No, Thousandfold, don't listen to that thing! Please! I don't want Lesin to die!
>>
No. 160065 ID: 3b6c92

>>160063
Uh, this thing might know us, but we sure as hell don't know it. That whole memory dumping thing really bites sometimes.

Anyway, if you don't want Lesin to die, then we don't want Lesin to die. 's how that works and all.

But, uh. It kind of deflected your spell, a bit (although your spell was powered up). You have anything else you can try on it to get its attention off of Lesin long enough for him to get away from it? I think you guys might be a bit outclassed here.
>>
No. 160066 ID: 6834bc

>>160063
[Seilea, remember what I said about our memories earlier? We don't remember anything before being woken up in a tower by a Cenesu. This guy though... I don't really like him.]

Hey pal, I can't believe you'd forget about us so easily. I thought you knew how foolish we can be... I'm hurt, you know. Gets me right here, in the heart. If I had a heart, that is.

So what do you want with that Sletwil, anyway? You know us - sometimes we've got to know more of the story before making a snap decision.
>>
No. 160070 ID: 66da30

>>160063
Well shit, I don't suppose we can influence you into using a different, more effective magic? I mean, we don't even KNOW what spells there are really, but if you have something in mind maybe we can back it up for you.

And yeah, knowledge is nice and all but I don't think we like this guy much. Take him out.
>>
No. 160083 ID: 701a19

>>160063
Well, this seltwil seems to be in love with that one, and as I'm sure you're aware this puts us in a rather poor position.

You're a practical person, right? Vengeance is nice but it doesn't pay the bills, so what would it take to buy that seltwil's life from you?
>>
No. 160108 ID: f43c35
File 127051261197.png - (222.46KB , 640x480 , 2-7pause.png )
160108

[Okay, the quest's paused for up to a week while the author does other things. Should be back by the 10th at the latest.

In the meantime, question and answer time in the discussion thread (>>/questdis/322914) will be reopened starting tomorrow so have fun. This time questions actually will be answered!]
>>
No. 160312 ID: c2c011

>>160063
Well, you're now our mistres. Your wishes are out command.

Ok, step one is to move the fight away from your friend as well as figuring out how to hurt this thing. Purely energy based attacks doesn't seem to have the desired effect.

See if you can't knock loose some chunks of the walls and send it spinning towards the creature at a high speed. Launch a simultaneus destructive spell at it.

That will hopefully distract it enough to allow your friend to sneak off. If you're lucky it might even kill it.
>>
No. 160331 ID: f43c35
File 127057020078.png - (298.14KB , 640x480 , 2-8.png )
160331

Hehehehe, your protégé doesn't need to hear any of this. Allow me to contact you directly.

Now, to business! Time has no meaning here, hehehe, so take as long as you want! Oh, haha, but I forget myself! Just as you have!

Names, names, hehehe, you'll want a single name. Such a shame, I have such an interesting list to choose from! Opus 15 to the Golden Empire, Anomaly 33 to the Machine, but my favourite is the Undeniable Terror of the Absolute Truth! Truth for short. Hehehe. I know you prefer contractions and nicknames, Thousandfold. Your choices for your wards amuse me greatly!

>>160070
>>160312

My, such violence! I can only imagine the glorious and terrible destruction you would wreak if you had a body! HahahAHAH! But you cannot hope to harm me, Thousandfold! The truth will never die!

>>160066

Yes! Your foolishness amuses me greatly. I have spent countless eras revealing trivia, facts, truths, showing falsehoods for what they are, and the prices my customers pay have ranged from the inconsequential to the deaths of many! Hahaha! So much death! Even one such as I can tire of its wastefulness sometimes. Such value lost, never to be mine!

But to trade the memories of thousands away for the truths I hold? To gain my most closely guarded secrets while ensuring you would never remember them? Thousandfold, you are hilarious! AHAHahahahAHAH!

But I digress, heh! The seltwil's ancestors stole from me, Thousandfold, and if there is one thing I hate greater than a lie, it is theft of my knowledge! This crime cannot go unpunished, and the seltwil would never be capable of paying fines equal to his ancestors' crimes!

>>160083

...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Excellent! You wish to buy this seltwil's life from me? My, but I do not own the seltwil's life yet! Still, you vastly overpaid me and I remain in your debt.

I propose a deal, hahaha! I give you the seltwil's life, and I no longer owe anything to you! Fear no tricks, Thousandfold. I am incapable of lying! My words are always the truth! Hehehe! The truth! I was named for what I am, Thousandfold!

Of course, heheh, I am still open to further trade. Name what you desire, and I shall name my price.
>>
No. 160338 ID: 3b6c92

>>160331
You seem like a bit of a screwball.

To be completely honest, I kind of like that trait in a guy.

You'd give us the life of the seltwil in return for the nullification of a debt you owe us that we know nothing about? That does seem awfully honest of you, to point out that such a debt exists. So either you really are one heck of a screwball, or there's some way we would have found out about this debt on our own. Interesting.

So, Truthio. Before we potentially agree on settling this debt, and since you yourself brought up the subject of a trade, what would it take to, say... be able to tap you as a resource at multiple, indefinite points in the future?

Since you seem to be a guy who knows stuff. Actually, that seems to pretty much be your whole schtick.

And please don't assume that since one of us offered something, we've already implicitly agreed to the deal. That ain't cool, yo.
>>
No. 160340 ID: 1ac39d

yes, we are made of democracy. sometimes it slows things down by a lot but it usually results in better choices.
>>
No. 160370 ID: d8aa80

>>160338
this
>>
No. 160371 ID: d8aa80

Addendum: I know you're trying to screw us. Your debt to us is worth far, far more than the one seltwil's life. If you would prefer to have an actual equivalent exchange, that would be far more equitable of you.
>>
No. 160375 ID: 059120

>>160331
Here's a simple question:

What was the deal we made, for our memories?
>>
No. 160376 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160331
One of our other friends would like you. He's fervently looking for the truth. Found a bit more then he would have liked though.

You deal hardly seems like a fair trade. Truth is hardly as impossible to defeat as you think. A good enough lie will bury the truth, or one can twist the truth until it's better then any lie ever concieved.

I propose another deal instead. The Seltwil in question will pay you back. His death hardly seems enough of a compensation. A lifetime spent in your service on the other hand might begin to right past wrongs. And I'm sure you could find a way to make that lifetime very long and very busy. It will also bring the added benefit that you won't make an enemy out of us. We might not remember much, but we do remember that most people we run into seem to react with "Oh shit not these guys." along with the occasional "You motherfucker! You killed everything I ever loved!" so keeping the peace between us might be worth doing.
>>
No. 160381 ID: d8aa80

>>160376
I'm sorry, but what the hell is wrong with you? This guy is a nyarlathotep/satan figure. It always tells enough of the truth to let the learner's hubris bring about their downfall.

Truth can be used to present totally opposite sides of the exact same factual circumstance, so this guy is a total untrustworthy dickback.

You would be damning this seltwil, who has actually done nothing whatsoever (it was his ancestors who stole) to a hellish damnation that's probably worse than death. Let's not do that. I don't think titsdove would appreciate it too much.
>>
No. 160425 ID: f43c35
File 127059024258.png - (326.98KB , 640x480 , 2-9.png )
160425

>>160375

Ahahah! Your memories for everything, Thousandfold! Simply revealing what I told you would require more than you would ever be able to pay!

>>160371

Of course it is! Hahaha! But value is relative, is it not? And you value this seltwil's life! One of several on this world! Hahaha! You confuse me so much sometimes, Thousandfold! It's so fun to

>>160376

I have no desire to own this seltwil's life or for him to serve me. I merely wished retribution for his crimes! But if you wish to own his life, that is a punishment I would not wish upon anyone!! HAHAhahahaAHAHA! I am more than willing to let you drive him to his grave!

And this friend you mention! I am always looking for new customers! Hehe! Tell me, does it happen to be Au's cenesu? Au has been diverting me away from him for far too long. He will be an excellent customer! Hahaha!

>>160338

Truthio! HahaHA! Another to add to my collection!

Of course, I am willing to, heheh, adjust my deal! I am a very, very busy etheric entity! I have my contracts with individuals on both sides of the war, after all! No, I will visit you whenever you wish, and I will do this for free! After all, it is not the visit I require payment for, but information!

>>160381

HahahaHAHAHAHahaha! Aren't you a clever voice?! I think I might have to pluck you from the collective, voice! Hehehehe! I jest, of course. I can do no such thing, but we know I'm a twisted nightmare! The difference is I can admit this, hahahahaha! And I would never lie!

You, Thousandfold? There are those who wield power so great it terrifies me. Yet they fear your very name! Thousandfold! Slayer of Universes! Dictator of Destinies! The Timeless Ancients! The Indestructible Chaos!

You have more names than I do! Ahahahahah!

...Ah. This is certainly unexpected. It would appear one of my clients requires me. They paid well, you see, for the names and the purposes of the creations here, but they made a mistake! They tried to capture me, Thousandfold! Bind me to a crystal! How terrible would that be? Hehehehehehehe! You know exactly what it's like, after all!

I do not tell lies, Thousandfold, but they believe they have me captive in their cage. They have yet to ask me if I'm actually their prisoner! It is only a matter of time before they do. They are not unfamiliar with my nature. I am still in your debt, but if I could ask one small favour, Thousandfold?

Distract them. At every opportunity. Hahaha!

Before I leave, allow me to verify the terms of our agreement. The seltwil is yours, as is my open-ended service as an informant. In return, my debt to you will be cancelled. If you accept this now, I will also answer any three questions of your choice! Hehehe!
>>
No. 160433 ID: f43c35

[Forgot to finish this sentence]

It's so fun to trade with you sometimes!
>>
No. 160434 ID: 1ac39d

i must admit that seems like a very good deal

[any questions we ask must be yes or no questions, the longer the answer can be the more it can be twisted. with yes or no questions twisting them is impossible.]
>>
No. 160436 ID: 3b6c92

>>160425
Well, you seem more toward deranged than conniving. I suppose that sounds like a reasonable agreement, Truthio.

I'm not sure what I ought to ask you, though. Perhaps one of my fellows has an idea.
>>
No. 160439 ID: 701a19

>>160425
Accepted.
Question one: What have we forgotten?
>>
No. 160440 ID: 1ac39d

>>160439
oh god no! that is a bad question. he can just say 'everything' and it would count.
>>
No. 160441 ID: 632862

Hey.

How about we ask "What question did we ask to trade our memories for the answer of?"
and then ask that question.

After that, formulate another question based upon that second answer.
>>
No. 160444 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160425
Well I guess we're not going to get a better deal out of you right now. And I'm only a lonely murderous voice among many less murderous. And our seltwil might not win in a fight against yours.

Still, a shame you didn't take that other seltwil. Being bound to mortals can be great fun at times, you should try it out sometime. Even when you're not directly commanding them you can have great fun with it.

So questions time.

Can we kill the machine?

Would killing the machine be possible with our current streangth?

Can we kill you?

Which entities crap their pants at the mere mention of our name?

Think that's it for now. But give the whole mortal affair some thought will you. I'm sure a fun loving guy like you could think of some great things to do with it.
>>
No. 160450 ID: 632862

>>160444
We know the machine can be killed, it said we almost managed to kill it before. Truth cannot be killed, he already said that.
>>
No. 160457 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160450
We don't have any limit on the amount of questions we can ask. And the Machine could have changed since our last encounter. I would like some up to date information from a source that doesn't hate our guts.

Forgot about Truth being unkillable though. We might find something else nasty to do with him later though, atleast if he gives us reason enough.
>>
No. 160466 ID: 632862

>>160457
Sure we have a limit. THREE questions.
>>
No. 160470 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160466
My bad. Missed that part. Ok, new questions then. Disregard the old ones.

Can we save this world from the machines?

Can we trust Au and the rest?

Could anyone or anything compel you to directly oppose us?
>>
No. 160481 ID: 632862

>>160470
I'll answer those.

Yes, maybe, and no. We could trust the Aspects if we agree with their goals. Those goals appear to be "Fuck about and make mortals, and use Kaier Crystals to do stuff with magic. Also travel between dimensions via some kind of stupid method that fucks shit up."
>>
No. 160482 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160481
Fine scratch question one and two then. Still want an answear to three directly from Thrutios mouth.
>>
No. 160920 ID: f43c35
File 127065965630.png - (339.14KB , 640x480 , 2-10.png )
160920

AHAhahAHAhahahaAHHAhAhAHAha!

For a moment, Thousandfold, the briefest moment, I was concerned! Why, I had given you three questions of your choice! I could be forced to reveal anything! I will choose from the list you have decided upon, haha!

>"What question did we ask to trade our memories for the answer of?"


Ha! There was no single question you could have asked for such a price, Thousandfold!

>"Could anyone or anything compel you to directly oppose us?"


Absolutely! My loyalty lies with the highest bidder, but so few can match what you paid! I would not worry, Thousandfold. Hahaha!

>"Can we trust Au and the rest?"


Eheheheh. The barrier around this world. I know you've heard of it. You've watched it fall twice and you'll see it fall a third time, too. The vessel of the Machine did not have the power to crack it! I know this to be true! But what does have the power to fell a barrier of Guardian Essence origin, Thousandfold? Perhaps... a Guardian Essence? Heheh. Consider this. I am not permitted by my contracts to reveal any more.

You've been an excellent business partner. Do what you wish with the seltwil. Unyielding Force wishes an audience with me, and I do not wish to keep her waiting! AhahAhAHAHAHaHahHAHAHAH!
>>
No. 160921 ID: f43c35
File 127065967818.png - (193.23KB , 640x480 , 2-11.png )
160921

...It just vanished. It just... I... thanks? I don't know what you did, but it was there a second ago, but now it's not.

"Hrmph. Good riddance."

"Lesin!"

"Sei! You weren't meant to see that. You weren't meant to be involved with that thing. Killed my father, and my grandfather. Wasn't going to let it get me as well."

"Lesin..."

"...Are you alright?"

I woke up after a prophetic dream about the end of the world, just got told to save the world by a bunch of bodiless voices and narrowly avoided a fight with a demon from beyond the stars. I must be fine!

"I could... I mean... I've had better days."

"...Seilea."

Why is he looking at me like that? No, he was the one in trouble! I should be concerned about him! I was so worri- Shut up, he's a friend, Thousandfold. Just a friend.

"That void ray was much too powerful for you. I know you were trying to save me, but please, please don't try that again. I don't want you to kill yourself for my sake. Still, even being able to do that and live...

Seilea, yesterday? I passed. I'm a Master now. And I'm declaring you an Adept. I've seen enough to know it's the right thing to do."


I'm... I'm an Adept? I... woah, my head is reeling. Any other time and I'd be so happy but now? Now it just feels so... intimidating.

"What, what do we do now?"

"Sei, what did you dream about last night?"

"Wh-what? Erm, weird blackish greyish things-"

"So you saw them. Whatever they are, whoever they are, they're here, and they want us dead. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I won't be safe, and neither will you. The other Masters are trying to negotiate a deal with the Guardians. I don't think it will work. I'm going to Seawind. Someone needs to warn the rest of the world."

"...I'm coming with you, you know that, right?"

"Heh. Of course. Actually, I could do with some advice. I was thinking of going to Seawind directly, but Rillford's close by. If we head to Seawind directly, it'll be quicker, but if we head to Rillford, I know an umbral there who can help us."

"Hmm..."

Well, those are two options. He does know the path from Southfort to Rillford's littered with craftkind, right? Well, you guys know that now. Between the two of us, one craftkind's not a problem, but a whole bunch of them...

So it's Seawind with just the two of us, or Rillford past all the craftkind and then onwards to Seawind with us two plus an umbral.

I'm so glad I have you guys to choose for me!
>>
No. 160928 ID: 1ac39d

would craftkind attack you if you came out with a bunch of gold and gave it to them? bribe them to let you pass?
>>
No. 160933 ID: 1ac39d

oh, and if you really trust this guy then you can tell him 'the thousand fold made a deal with the thing, they paid your debt.'
>>
No. 160935 ID: 8ecfd4

>>160921
Rillford first.

And you're sure you just want to be friends with him? You seem awfully attached to him and hesitant to let him go on his won.
>>
No. 160953 ID: 3b6c92

>>160921
>shut up, Thousandfold
Did we say anything? I don't think we said anything. |3

Go via Rilford. Trust me on this one, Doveface.

Also, uh, if you're comfortable with it, you could try and explain your situation to your friend here, possibly including the bit where we got that thing to agree not to try and kill him anymore. (We did! Really!) But if you think he's just going to think you're a loony if you tell him that right now or something, then maybe not.
>>
No. 160955 ID: 6834bc

>>160921
Seilea, even though most of our memories are gone, I seem to remember that there's an old saying about people who protest too much. But if you aren't comfortable with how you might feel about Lesin, I won't say anything else.

Anyway, uh, I'm going to suggest Rillford as well. Don't know if you know this, but the Craftkind are smarter than they appear (at least, that Cenesu earlier was surprised when one started talking at him.)
So the "gold bribe" thing might work, or you might be able to reason with them or something.
>>
No. 160966 ID: 7524b0

Hug your friend for comfort!
>>
No. 161013 ID: f43c35
File 127067810670.png - (163.65KB , 640x480 , 2-12.png )
161013

>>160935
>>160953
>>160955

A bribe for the craftkind? Well, you guys sound like you know what you're talking about! Rillford it is!

>>160933
>>160953

That's how you drove it away? You paid it? ...What did you pay it with? Souls of the dead?

"Lesin, I... can I tell you something?"

"What is it, Sei?"

I can't think of any way to put it that doesn't sound stupid. He's pretty trusting of me, though, and he knows more about things like you than I do...

"I, er... you ever heard of something called the Thousandfold? It said it paid your debts or something."

"..."

Okay, I know I've seen Lesin sad before, but I've never seen him look so so... so... mournful?

"What?"

"Nothing. Yes, I've heard of it. Is it bound to you?"

"Yeah, it showed up this morning when I woke up."

"Hold on a second."

Thousandfold, don't let any harm come to her. Or I swear I'll rip your voices out one by one. I've already made enough enemies simply by being born, one more can't hurt at this point!

...Does... does he know I heard that too? Spirits, why is he endangering himself again over this?!

>>160935
>>160953
>>160955

Shut up, Thousandfold. He's... just a friend. Willing to stand by me to the end, and I've done the same for him.

J-just a friend.

Nothing more.

Maybe.

>>160966

I... I...

...Er... I, um, hadn't finished talking to the, er, Thousandfold. I uh I um finished talking, I'm going to break the link now erk

oh spirits uh i didn't think any of that, it was them i swear they're like all in my head and things hahaha i have to go this way now

"So! R-rillford, right, haha! Let's go! Now."

"Y-yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Let's move along."

"Do we have any gold we could use to distract the craftkind on the way?"

"...Craftkind? There's no craftkind from here to Rillford, is there?"

"Seriously? How could you not have heard that?! You're so dumb sometimes!"

"Heheh. Maybe because while someone was off wandering across the country a certain other seltwil was actually studying for his Mastership exam? Anyway, I don't think Southfort has any gold left in it. Too much risk. But I have a better idea. I'll show you if we come across any."

Well, I hope he knows what he's doing. Then again, he is a Master now... Okay, we're outside now and what the- What are they?! How many of them are there? Why is the sky red?!

"Halt, seltwil. This Seeker speaks with the authority of the Machine. Failure to comply will be punished by an immediate death."

"Try me, Machine!"

Okay okay Thousandfold I need to do this quick I know Lesin he's going to go in throwing spells around all over the place do I join in or should I try and shield us both? I could do that I think yeah I could definitely do that!
>>
No. 161014 ID: 7524b0

>>161013
Shield.
>>
No. 161015 ID: 3b6c92

>>161013
Damn you guys get in trouble fast.

Well, here's the thing, Doveface. Because Ir is also bound to you, any destruction magic you use gets seriously powered up. Which is what made Lesin concerned for your well-being earlier, since he doesn't know Ir is bound to you and therefore assumed you'd just tried to use an overly powerful spell, which apparently should have ordinarily resulted in your death. I don't know how you guys' magic works, but that's what I'm getting out of it.

On the other hand, if you think shielding is a better idea because Lesin is going to be on the attack anyway, then you should do that.
>>
No. 161019 ID: 059120

>>160921
Okay. I think we need to get the situation a bit more in order before we head out anywhere--

>>161013
Oh godamnit, I knew this would take too long. I'll fill you in after we deal with these guys.
Go for offense. Ir's power boosted your Void Ray by two ranks before, that's definitely something you want to take advantage of. If you can convince Lesin to take up the defensive side, even better.
>>
No. 161020 ID: 3b6c92

>>161019
This is a good point, actually. Much as it probably doesn't match his style, you've probably got more offensive potential than he does at the moment.
>>
No. 161023 ID: 701a19

>>161013
If you can establish one of those links, then use that to tell him to focus on defense. If not, then just say it outright.
After all, if you have such a boost to destruction that a basic spell scares a master, then you should obviously be the one on offense.

When you have a chance tell him we said we always look out for our host. This extends so far that we called in all he owed us to buy your friend's debt. Neither he nor you bear the cost of this, he is free. However, we would like for him to aid us in saving your world.
>>
No. 161066 ID: 1ac39d

also, even if we were malevolent, it would behoove us to keep you alive seeing as being stuck to someone is the only way to keep our memories intact.

anyway... you could probably get away with void ray x.
>>
No. 161184 ID: 8ecfd4

>>161013
Blast those fuckers.

And could you please hit Lesin when this is over. Everything keeps threatening us. The machine itself wants to kill us, I mean really wants to kill us. He feels about as threatening as a wet towel, it's not even worth worrying about.
>>
No. 161219 ID: 15f6d6

Yeah, the threats are getting really old. Tell your buddy that his threats, out of anyone's hold absolutely no fear for us, and if he keeps it up we'll rip his penises out one by one.
>>
No. 161308 ID: f43c35
File 127075365859.png - (280.18KB , 640x480 , 2-13.png )
161308

>>161014
>>161015

Well-

>>161019
>>161020
>>161023
>>161066
>>161184

-okay!

"Lesin! I can take these things out!"

"Stay back! I can handle them myself! I don't want you getting in any more trouble today!"

Me get into trouble? Me?!

"I saved your sorry hide from that thing earlier! You focus on shields!"

"Good point. Take them out. Show me I was right to make you an Adept!"

Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Seeker Swarm. Effect: Turns areas in immediate contact with the beam into void. Cannot be stopped, but can be deflected. Ceases after certain range.


Lesin casts spell Shield IV of the Creation domain. Target: Seilea. Lesin casts spell Shield IV of the Creation domain. Target: Lesin. Effect: A spherical shield that cannot be breached by physical means. Can absorb a large amount of Destruction magic, but is vulnerable to Perpetuation magic.


"Failure to comply. Engaging weapons."

Well, that takes care of some of them! I know Void Ray, Oblivion Sphere, Blades of the Abyss, Deflect, Shield can't think of anything else little busy trying to not die mind helping me out here with spells and strategies

Oblivion Sphere Domain: Destruction Effect: A slow moving projectile that engulfs anything that comes into contact with it, before dispersing into nothingness. Blades of the Abyss Domain: Destruction Effect: A spray of fragments of magic that seek out and stick to multiple targets, slowly corroding them before dispersing. Deflect Domain: Perpetuation Effect: Deflect an incoming spell. Seilea knows all of these spells at rank 1. Ir's presence will boost all Destruction spells to rank 3.

>>
No. 161313 ID: f43c35

[Whoops: Clarification. Deflect also deflects physical objects in motion. :X]
>>
No. 161315 ID: 8ecfd4

>>161308
Throw two spells at once if you can. A Blades of the Abyss on the smaller ones and a Void Ray against the big one with the red beams connected to the smaller ones.

If you can only do one spell at once then throw a Void Ray at the big one with the red stuff coming out of it. Looks like it's coordinating the others or something like that.
>>
No. 161316 ID: 701a19

>>161308
See the one above all the rest? The one with the aura around it? Smack that with a Void 1, then tag the rest of them with a Blades spell.
>>
No. 161324 ID: 059120

>>161308
Do you know what the Seeker in the back there shooting rays at at all the others is doing? You might want to focus your attention on him.

To that end, my plan is Blades of the Abyss on the swarm to start weakening them, while you Void Ray the one in the back until it's down. If the others get in front of it, switch to Oblivion Sphere to bowl through them.

Once it's down, liberally apply Void Rays and Oblivion Spheres on the remainder, depending on how tight their formation is.
>>
No. 161574 ID: 3b6c92

>>161308
Man, I'd offer you something, Doveface, but the rest of these guys seem to have it covered.

I'm probably a bad voice to listen to in combat anyway.
>>
No. 161835 ID: f43c35
File 12708253641.png - (243.32KB , 640x480 , 2-14.png )
161835

>>161315
>>161316
>>161324

I'm not good enough to cast two spells at once, but it does look like that one up above is pretty important!

"Take out the lead! I'll slow it down!"

Lesin casts spell Temporal Shift II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Lead Seeker. Effect: Affect flow of time for chosen target. Chosen Effect: Slow. Seilea casts spell Void Ray I of the Destruction domain. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Lead Seeker. Lead Seeker destroyed.


"Command unit destroyed. Reassigning. This unit is now command unit."

Oh what the hell! It didn't even matter if I took out the leader! There's three of them left, one of them got in the way of the last spell-

"Breaking shields."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Target: Lesin. Shield IV around Lesin was broken. Shield IV around Seilea was broken.


"Aggh! These bastards shouldn't have been able to do that so quickly!"

What-

"Seilea!"

"Unit 3. Unit 8. New orders. Restrain offensive caster. Director requires it alive."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Projectiles inbound.


uh oh
>>
No. 161836 ID: d8aa80

Have him deflect the projectiles. You make a sphere to absorb whatever he can't deflect. If he can handle them all, then use Blades. You've got to hit as many of them as you can.
>>
No. 161842 ID: 3b6c92

>>161835
What kind of domain is Decatur? These Machine types are pretty weird if you ask me.

Anyway, yeah, deflection is probably the best move here on the part of at least one of you, Doveface. When you get the opportunity, that Blades of the Abyss thing sounds like it'd be quite potent, what with the whole powering up thing.
>>
No. 161843 ID: 8ecfd4

>>161835
Dodge like a motherfucker. Then hit them with some nice offensive magic. Void Ray works just fine against these assholes.
>>
No. 161848 ID: 059120

>>161835
Deflect the shot from 5 o'clock right back into that seeker, and get out of the way of the other one. How many are left? We can only see these two right now.
>>
No. 161850 ID: 059120

>>161835
>>161848
>three of them
Oh, well, that clears that up. Should be easy enough to just Void Ray them individually, then. Tell Lesin to focus on attacking, too, best to just finish this as quickly as possible.
>>
No. 161889 ID: f43c35
File 127084942990.png - (319.52KB , 640x480 , 2-15.png )
161889

>>161842

I've never heard of a domain called Decatur!

>>161848

I don't know Deflect well enough to send it right back at it!

>>161836

Lesin casts spell Deflect II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Projectile spell. Spell deflected from intended target. Lesin casts spell Deflect II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Projectile spell. Spell deflected from intended target.


"Not while I'm alive, Machine!"

"New orders. Restrain defensive caster. Director requires additional live specimens."

Seilea casts spell Void I. Boosted to Void Ray III by presence of Ir. Target: Seeker. Seeker destroyed. Two remain.


"This unit is now the command unit. Discard Director's orders. This unit wishes for the caster to die for its insolence."

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea. Magic potential ignited. Magic overload induced.


ugh i feel really weird like things are going fluid or something dizzy and things

"No! NO! Seilea! Get back! Don't cast anything! Just get back!"

"Silence, creation! Your punishment for your insolence-"

Lesin casts spell Void Ray III. Target: Seeker. Lesin casts spell Void Ray III. Target: Seeker. All Seekers destroyed.


i feel sick and the world is going weird

"What did they do to you?! Oh, no no no..."

what's happening what's going on i feel so hot

"Sei... Try... try not to cast anything. Stay calm. Stay perfectly calm. Don't ask what's happening, just stay calm. Oh spirits. Keep your eyes closed. Don't try casting anything. Don't move. Oh spirits oh spirits oh spirits. I'm here for you, Sei. You'll pull through this. You'll pull through this, Sei!"

it hurts it hurts something is burning

Thousandfold, Ir here, I got a ding from the Metamagic spell on Seilea. FIFTY DECATUR SOLDIERS FROM 20-KATA! What's going on? 20-KATA FORCE ELIMINATED! DECATUR SHIP FROM 10-ANA! I'm a bit busy destroying things. AU! BARRIER 27 NEEDS RECREATING! Everything okay down there? TH! PAUSE THE DECATUR SHIP! No problems? NO, TH, PAUSE IT WHERE I CAN ACTUALLY HIT THE DAMN THING!
>>
No. 161891 ID: 8ecfd4

>>161889
Your mortal got hit with Magic overload decatur magic. Her own magic seems to have been turned on her.

If you know of any method we can use to reverse it or nullify it then now would be a very good time to tell us.
>>
No. 161892 ID: 701a19

@Ir:
>Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Seilea.
>Magic potential ignited. Magic overload induced.
She's glowing blue. Please advise.
>>
No. 161896 ID: 6834bc

>>161889
Ir, a swarm of Seekers ambushed Seilea and her friend/mentor/boyfriend Lesin just as they left to go to Rillford.

She and Lesin managed to destroy them all, but not before one managed to cast a Decatur domain spell on her, which apparently is causing some sort of magical overload to build up within her.

Lesin seems to think it'll pass, the Seeker who hit her with it seems to have believed it will kill her. If there's anything you can do, you might want to do it... but it sounds like you're in the middle of a big fight. If you have to suddenly pop back here to deal with it, some more of the Machines might break through.

...Also, we stumbled across Truth. He was trying to take Lesin's life, we apparently had to call in a large favor he owed us in order to stop him. But we can deal with that later, I suppose.
>>
No. 162005 ID: 1ac39d

try destroying the magic itself. if he has less magic then it can't overload.
>>
No. 162311 ID: ed0e3a
File 127093507828.png - (259.08KB , 640x480 , 2-16.png )
162311

>>161891
>>161892
>>161896

Right. Here's what we're going to do. AU! TH! PERSONAL EMERGENCY! HOLD THE LINE!

IR, I WARNED YOU OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE NATURE OF YOUR BIND. RETURN AS SOON AS THE MATTER IS RESOLVED.

Yes. The death of the seltwil is undesirable. Do not allow it to happen. I am too preoccupied to prevent it myself. My offer still stands. I can ensure no harm comes to the seltwil. Consider this.


Ugh... no Th, I can handle it, stay the hell away from my mortal. Be right back.

>>162005

I like the idea but that'll cause more problems, trust me. I've killed enough seltwils by mistake to know what works in this situation and what doesn't. I haven't exactly helped by boosting her magic potential above her own ability to control it, so I guess the first thing to do would be to sever that.

Presence of Ir removed. Seilea's Destruction magic no longer boosted.


Of course, I have seen seltwils survive this. Like you said, the other seltwil seems to think there's a chance she can survive. But I wouldn't trust the judgement of someone watching someone they love burn away to nothing, while powerless to do anything to save them. It's not the most objective of circumstances.

No, wait a second. You said Seekers did this. Well, that's different. A decatur-induced magic overload won't last long without whatever caused it focusing it, and from the sounds of it you eliminated its caster. It should die out pretty quick. Anyway gotta go. If you meet Opus 15 again... never mind, I'll tell it myself.


"...Les... Lesin I'm burning Lesin help"

"...it's stopping. It's stopping. Okay. Keep your eyes closed, Sei. Come here. You're going to live through this. Everything's okay."

...Is he... he's...
>>
No. 162312 ID: ed0e3a
File 127093509522.png - (345.52KB , 640x480 , 2-17.png )
162312

"Lesin, I, er... what's going on?"

"It's okay, Sei. Everything's alright. It's over now. We took out the Seekers and they nearly took you out with them. I was so worried about you, Sei!"

He hugged me! He's never hugged me before!

"I... I've felt better. I sting all over. What happened?"

"Magic overload. Those Machine scouts tried to kill you with your own magic, but it doesn't look like it worked. Hold on a second. You're covered in "

Lesin casts Heal III of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Seilea. Effect: Restore and repair damage done to a living target. Cannot replace missing organs or limbs. Lesin casts Repair II of the Perpetuation domain. Target: Seilea. Effect: Mend and repair parts of a non-living target based on consistency of non-living target. The simpler and less damaged the target, the more reliable the effect.


Well, the stinging stopped. Don't think my robe's looked this good since the day it was made!

"Thanks for that. Much better." Can't believe he hugged me.

"Are you okay to walk? I don't know if we... is that a cenesu? What's he doing?"

"Alright, craftkind! No more running! I have one of the Guardians assisting me! I'm the cenesu from your worst nightmares! If you guys sleep! Which I already know you don't but never mind!"

...That's the worst attempt at a threat I've ever heard from anyone.

"SUR CEN SUR CEN REQ CEN AT ZEN ACT TOW ACT RES"

What the... when do these things talk?! The cenesu's surrounded by six craftkind but if me and Lesin charge in we might make the situation worse!

Maybe we should just go around? I don't really want to risk casting a lot of magic again. I feel weaker than before...
>>
No. 162314 ID: 1ac39d

haha, he looks like he is doing good. don't worry, he is our first host, and from the fact that they had to send 6 at him i think he will be okay. hang back and assist only if necessary.
>>
No. 162315 ID: ed0e3a

[Whoops, screwed up again!

"You're covered in " -> "You're covered in blood and your robe's a mess."]
>>
No. 162317 ID: e973f4

>>162312
Heeeeeeeey.

I think we know this guy, actually, Doveface. What are the odds of you guys running into each other? (Actually, they're probably pretty good, but for reasons that will make no sense to you. |3)

Anyway, uh, the thing he's got on his arm there means he should be better off than you'd expect -- it lets him forcibly move stuff by thinking about it. Pretty cool little thing.

But he could probably use some help. If you don't feel up to casting yourself, I mean, you are kind of traveling with a, what was it you said, a Master? Surely Lesin can do something? I have no idea what his spell list is like but I'd assume he can figure something out, y'know?

Oh and by the way your magic isn't boosted anymore. Just thought you should know that.

Anyway, I'm gonna get to work on craftkind language again. I can actually sort of understand these guys, believe it or not.
>>
No. 162318 ID: 701a19

>>162312
He's in love with you, and he was worried he would lose you. You really need to get over this shyness and just tell him you love him.

Ir backed out so his boost wouldn't help the overload cook you. You'll be fine, but you won't have his magic-boosting for awhile.

Oh! Hey! It's tacobird!
Have Lesin reestablish that psychic bond so we can coordinate things without the delay of speaking.
After that wait for the fighting to actually start, then have Lesin start blast one or two of those from where you are.
>>
No. 162320 ID: 6834bc

>>162312
Seilea, that's Teteke - the Cenesu who woke us up. And I thought I told you earlier, the Craftkind are smarter than you guys seem to think.

They're shouting at each other to surround him, because they "require [him] at [ZEN]", warning each other that a Tower has been activated and... I'm not sure what that last bit is.

Just shout out something like "Teteke, the Thousandfold wants to speak with you," and move to help him. If he doesn't believe you, call him "tacobird".
>>
No. 162323 ID: e973f4

>>162320
[oh god did my accidental typo turn into a way to get him to trust strangers

'cause if so that's the best unintentional thing ever]

But yeah seriously if he needs proof that we're with you, nobody else calls him Tacobird.

Kinda like nobody else calls you Doveface. |3
>>
No. 162325 ID: 059120

>>162312
Yo, it's Tacobird! Damnit, what the hell is doing. Guess we don't actually get to be in two places at once.

Okay, as I was going to do before, here's a recap of what's going on. You probably know a bit of this already, but there's no harm in being thorough.

The Golden Empire are a transuniversal empire in a war against the Machine, who are probably constructs based around kaier crystals created by the Golden Empire. The Empire set Terea up as a secret weapon for this war, which I'm betting is probably related to the Conduit Towers. However, one of those towers accidentally got activated recently (by Us and Teteke over there), which has alerted the Machine to the the Empire's presence here, and most notably, of the craftkind being kaierminded. Oh, yeah, the Craftkind are actually pretty intelligent, apparently. But yeah, that pissed them off, probably reminding them of their own (speculated) history, and now they're invading Terea to wipe you all out. It appears you're dream was a bit off in that they don't want you dead just yet, since Ir is bound to you. They're probably after Teteke and whoever Th's bound to, too. Teteke's that cenesu you just met, that we're bound to, at least sometimes, by the way. Au's also hanging around him. Speaking of us, we're the Thousandfold, who've fought for both the Empire and the Machine dozens of times across the span of the war. That's mainly because we lose our memory whenever we're not bound to anyone, thanks to a deal we made with Truth, that stand up guy you just met. We traded our memory for all the knowledge in the world, which I hope we had some pretty extreme circumstances surrounding that, otherwise it means we were once even dumber than we are now. On the matter of Truth, it turns out we had some debt left over from that deal, which we used to pay off your friend's over there. Might want to mention that to him. Back to the war, though, both sides seem to hate us for some of the shit we've done to them, though also view us as a valuable asset, despite our only ability seeming to give various degrees of helpful advice to a handful of people. As for our opinion on the matter this time around, I at least wouldn't want to be working for either side, though stopping the Machine from destroying Terea should be our first move. And to start on that, we're going to warn Seawind. And I believe that brings us up to speed.

As for an actual course of action now, go ask what the hell Teteke's doing. Call him Tacobird, he should be able to figure out what's going on from that. We left him off in Conduit Tower Seven, without even a plan of what to do next, so we've got no idea what he's doing here. Oh, yeah, that thing around his wrist is enchanted with telekinetic perpuation magic, for reference.

After that, though the consensus seems to be on head to Rillford, I think you might want to ask about that umbral Lesin knows, first. Going to Seawind is apparently safer and faster, and this is a pretty urgent situation, so if he won't be that useful, we might want to skip him and come back after Seawind knows what's going on. The giant metal thing we saw crashed into an ocean somewhere, so they might in more danger, being near the coast, too.

And finally, there's the issue of you. We didn't really get a chance to get acquainted earlier, thanks to some interruptions. I've gathered you're in a magic academy of some sort in Southfort, so far. A little personal history would be nice.
>>
No. 162327 ID: 7524b0

>>162312
Oh hey, it's Teteke. We're helping him too.

Like, at the same time. In our future. I wonder how that's going to work?

Let's see... the craftkind said "Surrender, Cenesu. Surrender, Cenesu. Require Cenesu at Zen. Activate Tower. Activate (Res... Resonance?)"
>>
No. 162331 ID: 023f39

>>162325

Yeah, both of the big factions seem kind of dickish, really. We've sided with the golden empire more, and it did seem like they're mostly being attacked for some kind of metaphysical-jihadist reason by the machines rather than mutual jingoism, but still.
...Hey, this world was meant to become a sort of superweapon, right? Wonder if we can get them ascended as a third power to slap the other two around the ears until they play nice and stop causing transdimensional wars. Break the cycle or whatever.

...probably shouldn't get ahead of ourselves really.
>>
No. 162418 ID: 8ecfd4

>>162312
Oh it's Tacobird. Lets see if he has learnt some stuff. Don't interfere unless it becoems absolutely necessary.
>>
No. 162427 ID: 7524b0

>>162331
Actually the Machine didn't say we sided with the Golden Empire more. Or at all.

It said we attempted to kill the Machine more often than we led it to victory over the Golden Empire. It's quite possible we didn't ally with the Golden Empire all those times we tried to kill the Machine.
>>
No. 162805 ID: ed0e3a
File 12710170274.png - (295.84KB , 640x480 , 2-18.png )
162805

>>162318

...h-he does? I... I have more important things to worry about right now!

>>162318
>>162320
>>162323
>>162327

"Lesin, can you link to me again? It'll be quicker than talking."

-No problem.-
Show-off.
-I can feel your hand on my back, you know.-
..S-shut up! Moving on!

You guys know the cenesu? "Tacobird"?

"HEY! TACOBIRD! YOUR CRAZY FRIENDS WANT TO TALK TO YOU!"

-Uh, Sei, do you think that was really such a wise thing to do?-

Okay, all of the craftkind have now turned to face us. No, that wasn't really my best idea, not really.

"FEM SEL BIN IR SEL BIN DES ASP REQ SEL AT ZEN"
"MAL SEL DSC NAL REQ END SEL END SEL END SEL-"
"NO MAL SEL NOT REQ-"
"EMP ORD CAP CEN BIN CRE ASP! EMP ORD CAP SEL BIN DES ASP! EMP ORD CAP UMB BIN PER ASP! NO FUR EMP ORD!"
"DIS ORD DIS EMP-"
"YOU ERR! ERR ERR ERR! RET TO ZEN!"

I've never heard craftkind talk, and I've never seen craftkind suddenly start arguing with each other.

"...Why req sel and cen at zen?!"

What the hell is the cenesu saying?

-I have absolutely no idea.-

"Why end sel? Def nal! Def desk. Erm, disk. ..Sdsk. How am I supposed to pronounce that syllable?! Def disq. Def dask. Def dsc! THERE! Now, ANS CEN! ANS CEN NOW!"

Okay, I think you guys might have driven him mad with all your crazy.

"CEN IS NOT EMP! CEN ORD NOT VAL!"

Or not. He understands that gibberish?

"Seltwils! Over here! I could use some help! Why cen ord not val? Why cen not emp? ANS CEN!"

Lesin blast them with void rays or something!
-No. Better idea.-

Lesin casts Create Material II of the Creation domain. Small chunk of wood created. Lesin casts Change Material I of the Perpetuation domain. Superficially, wood is identical to gold.


-Fake gold. Should fool them for long enough. It's a gamble, though, so I think you ought to have a say in what to do with it.-

Uhhh... That ought to distract them, but do we throw it, or does someone act as a decoy, or what? Thousandfold?
>>
No. 162813 ID: 059120

>>162805
It sounds like they've got more important business than gold. They're trying to take you Teteke to 'ZEN' on the Empire's orders, though they got into an argument of whether to kill Lesin or not. It's odd that the Empire would need orders to forcefully take in their own guardian aspects, though. Something's not right about that.

Actually dealing with these guys is our priority, though. Like I said, I'd be surprised if the gold distracts them from what should be a more important directive. Since he went to the trouble of making it already, though, see if you can get it to Teteke. He should be able to make good use of his bracelet with it. I'll leave it to him whether he can distract them with or should try something a bit more forceful.
>>
No. 162814 ID: e973f4

>>162805
Hrrrrm.

Nice to see Tacobird is getting the hang of the craftkind language a bit. They do appear to basically be really, really weird people, which I'm guessing based on all of your statements to not be a common sentiment. Also it sounds like they have some sort of emperor. Or ruler. Or something. Whatever Emp* might mean.

Also I'm pretty sure one of those craftkind was suggesting that they attack Lesin, and the one it was arguing with was saying this wasn't necessary, or something like that.

Anyway, Doveface, given what I can understand of their commentary, I'm thinking they consider Tacobird, and you, more important than gold. Haven't got the slightest notion of what they want with you, but I can't imagine it's really a good thing. The point is, I appreciate Lesin's thinking here, but I don't think it's gonna work. If you are gonna try for it, you obviously want to put your fake gold over somewhere where neither you nor Tacobird is.

Whichever way you wanna do that.
>>
No. 162841 ID: 7524b0

Argh okay more Craftkind talk. We've been helping Teteke translate this stuff, so we may as well help you out now too.

AU, IR, and TH are obvious.
LOC= Locate
REQ= Require
AST= Assistance
ASP= Aspect
CRE= Creation
DES= Destruction
PER= Perpetuation
NEW= New
DIR= Directive
CAP= Capture
CEN= Cenesu
GET= Get
KAI= Kaier Crystal
RET= Return
ZEN= The Craftkind home or something.
END= End (Also used as 'kill')
HAV= Have
OUT= Out (used as 'come out')
BIN= Bind (used to refer to how you and Teteke are bound to aspects)
BEC= Because
SUR= Surrender
AT= At
ACT= Activate
TOW= Tower
RES= Resonance (we think)

"FEM SEL BIN IR SEL BIN DES ASP REQ SEL AT ZEN"
Female Seltwil Bind Ir. Seltwil Bind Destruction Aspect. Require Seltwil At Zen
"MAL SEL DSC NAL REQ END SEL END SEL END SEL-"
Male Seltwil [DSC] [NAL]. Require End Seltwil End Seltwil End Seltwil
"NO MAL SEL NOT REQ-"
No, Male Seltwil Not Require
"EMP ORD CAP CEN BIN CRE ASP! EMP ORD CAP SEL BIN DES ASP! EMP ORD CAP UMB BIN PER ASP! NO FUR EMP ORD!"
Empire Order Capture Cenesu Bind Creation Aspect! Empire Order Capture Seltwil Bind Destruction Aspect! Empire Order Capture Umbral Bind Perpetuation Aspect! No Further Empire Order!
"DIS ORD DIS EMP-"
Disobey Order Disobey Empire
"YOU ERR! ERR ERR ERR! RET TO ZEN!"
You Error! Error Error Error! Return to Zen!

"Why end sel? Def nal! Def desk. Erm, disk. ..Sdsk. How am I supposed to pronounce that syllable?! Def disq. Def dask. Def dsc! THERE! Now, ANS CEN! ANS CEN NOW!"
Teteke seems to think DEF is Define and ANS is Answer but uh... We haven't seen Craftkind use those words so I dunno.

"CEN IS NOT EMP! CEN ORD NOT VAL!"
Cenesu is not Empire! Cenesu Order not Valid!



Anyway, throw the chunk of goldwood to Teteke and tell him to toss it via his artifact.
>>
No. 163317 ID: ed0e3a
File 127110207498.png - (304.18KB , 640x480 , 2-19.png )
163317

>>162813
>>162841

Yeah, I have an idea, Lesin.

"HEY! TACOBIRD! CATCH!"

-That was the best they could come up with?-

I throw the surprisingly light chunk of "gold" at the very confused-looking cenesu. He catches it in mid-air - and not with his hands. Wow, whatever that thing he's wearing is, it's good.

"RAW MAT DET! RAW MAT DET!"
"CEN HI PRI SEL HI PRI DIS RAW MAT"
"RAW MAT MAX PRI! RET RAW MAT TO ZEN! NOW! NOW!"

"...Ohhhhh, I get it! Craftkind! FETCH!"

He just threw it far, far away. ...And the craftkind are running after it. Well, I guess that worked. I don't even see where it could have landed. Don't think they'll be coming back any time soon.

"Thanks for that, guys. I've been running since they ambushed me at the Tower. Where are you heading to?"

"We're on our way to Rillford... wait. Why are we going to Rillford again, Lesin?"

Lesin sighs and closes his eyes. That's never a good sign.

"You're right. I think the red sky was probably warning enough. Which means..."

"Which means we're out in the middle of nowhere with no supplies and no idea of where to go?"

"No. Azni will have an idea of what to do. She's the umbral I talked about. She's the reason I even know what the Machine are. Says she has contacts in a place called 'Zenith' or something."

"Well, I'm on my way to Rillford as well. I don't know how I'll be welcomed back, but I do live there."

We continue walking. It's a little quiet. We're all pretty tired. Lesin's trying to hide it, I'm starting to lag behind, and Teteke is breathing like he's been doing nothing but run for hours.

"People. Whatever your names are."

"Seilea."
"Lesin."

"Mine's Teteke. Can we stop? I don't know about you but I feel like I'm close to passing out."

Hm. Teteke looks a little worried. I guess we could stop, but I don't know how safe it'd be. Maybe I could answer some of your questions too.
>>
No. 163318 ID: 701a19

>>163317
Can you restore some of his stamina with magic? It would be best to get away from where the craftkind last saw you.
>>
No. 163319 ID: 8ecfd4

>>163317
Set up camp and switch stories. Remember to call him Tacobird.
>>
No. 163321 ID: aa115b

>>163317
The Thousandfold says "Hi"!
>>
No. 163328 ID: 3b6c92

>>163317
Wow, that worked! These things don't seem like the most competent bunch, thank goodness.

But yeah, you can stop. Just not for too long, y'know

And if Tacobird seems like he's been running for hours, it's probably because, y'know, he's been running for hours, what with the craftkind chasing after him and all.

So I guess you and Lesin should probably swap tales with Tacobird there, seeing as we don't really know what's happened to him since we left him and he'd probably like to know who the heck you guys are regardless.

And, uh, as far as questions to you go, Doveface, I think we mentioned earlier that we don't really know who you are so well either.
>>
No. 163329 ID: 7524b0

>>163317
Wait, Zenith?! That must be what ZEN is!
Okay looks like DIS is 'Disregard'... so, translating:

"RAW MAT DET! RAW MAT DET!"
Raw Materials Detected! Raw Materials Detected!
"CEN HI PRI SEL HI PRI DIS RAW MAT"
Cenesu High Priority Seltwil High Priority Disregard Raw Materials
"RAW MAT MAX PRI! RET RAW MAT TO ZEN! NOW! NOW!"
Raw Materials Maximum Priority! Return Raw Materials To Zenith! Now! Now!

Are they building something? We need to ask Anzi about Zenith. Top priority.
>>
No. 163365 ID: 7524b0
File 127111186070.png - (34.43KB , 144x191 , symbol.png )
163365

Hey if we're stopping let's call upon Truth again.

We need to see if we can ask about the Towers and Craftkind. Hey Seilea, are you getting this image? Draw it on the ground.
>>
No. 163753 ID: ed0e3a
File 127119442362.png - (334.65KB , 640x480 , 2-20.png )
163753

>>163318

I could, but that wouldn't exactly do wonders for the stamina of whoever's casting it. Casting's like anything else for us - we can keep on casting while we have the energy for it, and more practice gives us greater stamina and ability. But we're not without limits.

-Yes. On that subject, I'm going to drop the link, if you don't mind. It's a drain I'd like to get rid of.-
Sure. You just don't want me to hear you think anything embarrassing, do you? Oh, right, close the link before you can answer me. Hah.

>>163321

Uh... hi. Oh, wait, you meant to him.

>>163319
>>163328

"Yeah, we should stop for a bit. Oh, and the Thousandfold says hi! And to call you Tacobird some more." Hehehe. "Tacobird".

"...Why are they with you, anyway? I thought they were bound to me. I lost them after the sky flared red. I thought they'd been banished or something!"

I shrug at him. I have almost no idea how you guys work. Sounds like he's not that sure either. Lesin's looking around for something?

"Seems safe enough to stop. Can't see any craftkind or Seekers nearby. It's the middle of the day, though, so I don't see much of a point of setting up an actual camp. We should make it to Rillford before the sun sets."

[warning: long expository cutscene ahoy]
>>
No. 163754 ID: ed0e3a
File 127119444758.png - (246.61KB , 640x480 , 2-21.png )
163754

We talked amongst ourselves as we rested for the second stretch of the journey.

Teteke told us that he's from Rillford. He was originally studying craftkind - what they do and what they're made from - and dived into the records of the Unified Terean archives. He was increasingly concerned about how inconsistent and contradictory they became the older they were, and found references to missing records.

In a heated moment of what must have been stupidity, he accused major figures of the Rillford council of conspiring with the other governing bodies across Terea to alter and destroy the records. In explanation, he said, he was simply so shocked by how fictitious the history of the world was that he wanted any target to blame.

He explained that, in rage and shame, he stormed out of Rillford, shouting that he'd never return until he found proof that something was not right with the records. He stared at the ground while telling us this, staring distantly into space. I don't think we heard the full story.

He went on to tell us what he'd found out. It felt too unreal for me to fully understand the magnitude of what he said, but Lesin solemnly nodded in sober understanding.
>>
No. 163755 ID: ed0e3a
File 12711944695.png - (256.57KB , 640x480 , 2-22.png )
163755

Lesin. Oh, Lesin. You didn't ask to be involved in this at all. Neither did I. In a way, I don't think Teteke did either. I don't think he actually wanted to find out what he did.

Lesin said his family line was traceable to the first generation of magically created seltwils. One of his ancestors was called Nalleson.

Nalleson was a seltwil who lived before any of our history mentions us even existing. He was a dreamer who planned to set the three species free of the thrall of the Golden Empire. He made deals with horrors from beyond the stars, knowing it would be his downfall, out of his dream to see all cenesu, all seltwils and all umbrals free.

And because of this, he made many, many enemies. The crimes against the Empire he had committed - the attempted freedom of servant-species - were punishable by his death and the death of any seltwil related to him. They considered this a correction necessary to avoid defects in their created species. Nalleson avoided being caught by the Empire, but his family didn't. Few of his loved ones escaped the wrath of the Empire, and for generations his descendants would be hunted and killed by the Empire's craftkind servants, as well as the entities Nalleson had cheated out of their knowledge.

As a near-direct descendant of Nalleson, simply by being born Lesin was sentenced to death. His father's death at the hands of what you call Truth was when he found this out. Rather than try to hide for his life, he resolved to become stronger, and never to submit to any of his myriad enemies. To help protect the people he cared about, like any Master would.
>>
No. 163756 ID: ed0e3a
File 127119449414.png - (348.23KB , 640x480 , 2-23.png )
163756

And then it was my turn.

I became a mage because I was born in Southfort. The sight of what magic could do thrilled me. I wanted nothing more than to master this arcane force and help make Southfort the best place in the whole of Terea.

But then the dreams started. Some nights I would dream of creatures waiting outside a wall, tapping it, testing it, wanting to break through. Creatures of swirling, maddening colour, hungry to devour the worlds they wished to enter. Other nights I would dream of cold black machines on dead worlds, overturning rocks in a hunt for... something.

It felt like I was watching other worlds through the eyes of something else.

The worst dream was the one where I walked around Southfort, covered head to toe in blood. I see my eyes in a mirror, and they are red too, like they've been stained by the blood. And I see the bodies. And I slowly realise I killed them. All of them. And enjoyed it.

I was a wreck for weeks because of all of these dreams. I was scared to even leave my room out of fear I would actually snap and do something terrible. I don't tell either of the two about that particular dream. Lesin was there for me at the time, and I don't want to scare Teteke.

But the dreams made me decide to specialise in anything but the Destruction domain. I wanted to specialise in Perpetuation magic, but my affinity towards Destruction magic was too strong to ignore. Actually, I was thinking of becoming a battle mage before you guys showed up, when I became an Adept. I wanted to focus on the discipline that would require, and in reigning in and redirecting any murderous impulses I'd ever have.

I mentioned I was bound to Ir. Teteke seemed to recognise that name, and mentioned that he dreamt of intricate golden machines and devices that confused him just to look at. It was these dreams that lead to him becoming fascinated with the towers and the artifacts left behind by the Empire, as well as the craftkind.
>>
No. 163757 ID: ed0e3a
File 127119451498.png - (204.80KB , 640x480 , 2-24.png )
163757

[end of expository cutscene]

And that brings me to now, with your crazy ideas.

>>163365

"Guys, the Thousandfold wants me to do something before we head off."

Teteke tilts his head. "What's that?"

"They want to talk to Truth."

Lesin shrugs. "Let them talk to Truth. Whatever it is. What is it?"

Somehow I don't think it'd be wise to tell him. Even if I explained to him that you guys paid off his debt, he's not the type to stand by idly and wait while you guys make deals with someone who killed his father and his grandfather and nearly killed him. I don't even know why I'm agreeing with this myself.

Any plans on how you want me to go about doing this?
>>
No. 163759 ID: 7524b0

>>163757
Nevermind. It's a bad idea to do it in front of Lesin, like you said. We'll wait until we can get some time away from him.
>>
No. 163760 ID: 059120

>>163757
Actually, I'm not sure now's the best time to talk to Truth. We've already got a good lead in Anzi, and I think we should investigate that before making deals for knowledge that we'll find out we could have just asked someone about. Besides, I think Teteke would be the one most interested in meeting Truth, so it might be better if we're bound to him at the time.
>>
No. 163764 ID: 3b6c92

>>163759
Yeah, we don't need to talk right now.

So I guess if you guys are feeling up to it you should probably get back to heading toward Rillford, then.

But hey, it's nice to know some more about you guys, given that we appear to live in your heads and don't really have any objective beyond whatever it is you may want us to do at any given point in time. :V

(Well, okay, I guess you didn't ask us to help save the world or whatever. But that's kind of a pragmatic, mutual-best-interest type thing. Also it's something you would've been stuck doing anyway because of the whole Ir thing. Not our fault. :O)
>>
No. 163765 ID: 7524b0

>>163760
Oh, good point. It would also be a lot easier to get Teteke away from Seilia and Lesin.

There's also the Umbral bound to TH. We could get him to do it when we switch over to him later/earlier.
>>
No. 163769 ID: 059120

>>163765
I wouldn't be surprised if that's Anzi. Actually, on that thought, ask Lesin if there's anything odd about Anzi.
>>
No. 163777 ID: 6834bc

>>163760
I'm just gonna mention what another voice mentioned before.
Existential horror.
Teteke might want the truth now, but when he actually has it, it's likely to torment him forever.
...Lest we not forget the most horrible torture device in the history of the universe.

>>163757
I don't think we'll be summoning Truth anytime soon, Seilea.
Anyway, to answer Teteke's question about where we went... Ask him if he remembers something appearing in the sky, when it went red.

The Machine, or an entity of it, somehow pulled us to it. And it took the opportunity to whine, yell, and make threats at us. Seems about standard fare for the major powers in action on this world, given how Au and Ir did about the same as well.
Not looking forward to getting more threats during the meeting with Th, to be honest.
>>
No. 163802 ID: 023f39

>>163755

Wait, 'horrors'? Plural?

If it's not too painful for him to discuss, it might be useful to know a bit more about that, in the event that some of them come knocking.

Man, I hope we weren't one of those horrors from beyond the stars. Although if we were, at least it'd be one less to worry about now.
>>
No. 163826 ID: 1ac39d

it ws more, we got pulled off him and then let go so we had to get a person to attach to. we had three choices, each one a different species with a different aspect bound to them. we figured teteke was going to be okay with his new arm thing launcher. so we picked you.
>>
No. 164275 ID: ed0e3a
File 127128025158.png - (248.80KB , 640x480 , 2-25.png )
164275

>>163759
>>163760
>>163764
>>163765

Thanks, Thousandfold. Just try not to get Teteke eaten or whatever. He seems like an okay kind of guy. A little vague about his past, maybe, but then I didn't exactly tell him all of my story either.

>>163765
>>163769

"Hey, Lesin. The Thousandfold keep mentioning something called 'Th'. Is Azni... I dunno, strange?"

"She's very strange, frankly. You'll see what I mean when we get there. Still, I haven't heard her mention Th outside the context of the Guardians in general."

He smirks and looks to Teteke. "I have a feeling you two will get along like a house on fire. She's fascinated by secrets and the ruins left behind by the Empire. I think I saw her pulling a craftkind to bits in her workshop once."

Teteke shrugs. "Wonder why I haven't heard of her before. I know most of the craftkind experts in Rillford and a few in Seawind. Still, I'm sure I'll find out when we meet here."

We walk off into the distance, with Rillford looming ahead of us.

- END OF CHAPTER -
>>
No. 164276 ID: ed0e3a
File 127128029263.png - (267.41KB , 640x480 , 2-26.png )
164276

World Summary: Towers Active: 1/9 Unified Terean Influence: 45% Golden Empire Influence: 45% Machine Influence: 10% Teteke did not learn or improve spells. Seilea did not learn or improve spells. Lesin did not learn or improve spells.

>>
No. 164277 ID: ed0e3a
File 127128034737.png - (310.42KB , 640x480 , 2-27.png )
164277

You have reawakened. Not a second late. Not a second early. Ask your questions.

>>
No. 164279 ID: 6834bc

>>164277
Well hey there, Th. You want questions? I'll help you out.
Why do the Craftkind want to take those bound to the aspects of Creation, Destruction, and Perpetuation to Zenith?
What happens when all the Conduit Towers are activated, and should we be guiding these people towards the task?
Are you going to keep trying to kill Lesin for what his ancestor did?

And finally...
Why don't you ever smile, buddy?
>>
No. 164280 ID: 701a19

>>164277
Previously we have sided on either side of this conflict. With that in mind, would you consider our actions on previous cycles of activity to fit a pattern of attempting to protect the safety and well-being of our host's people and species?
More generally, have we acted with the apparent goal of benefiting creatures which have not self-determined an alignment to either faction?
>>
No. 164281 ID: 059120

>>164277
Straight to business. Good.

What is the Golden Empire? What are their goals? Who leads them? Who are they made up of? What is your position in it? What are they using Terea for?

What are the Conduit Towers? Should we be activating them?

What do the Craftkind want the three of you for? Who are they taking orders from? Do you want to go with them?

What is this war being fought over? How long has it been going on? Where did the Machine come from?

What is the Abstract Chaos?

Who is your host? What have you done to them?

Why should we trust you? Work with you?

Who are we? What do you know about us? What have we done? How did we do it?

What should we be doing?
>>
No. 164285 ID: 3b6c92

>>164277
Well, it looks like all the important questions are covered, so I'll just throw this one out there:

How do you pronounce your name? The absence of vowels is throwing me off.
>>
No. 164286 ID: 3b6c92

>>164285
Also thanks for not threatening us. Seriously, it was getting a little tired.
>>
No. 164287 ID: 7524b0

>>164277
Why aren't you surprised that we're back? The other aspects seemed shocked and apprehensive, but you simply say "Oh you're back, ask me questions"
>>
No. 164288 ID: 7524b0

>>164277
Oh, also... Did the Barrier just go down? When we activated the first Tower, AU and IR immediately spoke to us, so that nobody was actively reinforcing the Barrier.
>>
No. 164309 ID: ed0e3a
File 127128653975.png - (281.67KB , 640x480 , 2-28.png )
164309

You have many questions. This is to be expected.


>>164279

The craftkind wish to control those who are able to activate the Towers. The Towers are the key components of the Resonance weapon, as is the command centre in Zenith. The Resonance weapon will use the life-force of everything on this world as its power source. All will die upon its activation. I will return to this point. I do not need to. Many are already trying. I would prefer the bloodline of Nalleson to remain extant. You are guiding him indirectly. Ensure he does not die prematurely. I have no mouth. I have not needed one for thousands of years.


>>164280

You always do what is best for your host. But what is best for your host can lead to the deaths of millions. You led the Director to where she is. You lead her to victory and triumph. You lead her to happiness and safety. You lead her greatest enemy in your next cycle. You lead the Empire to burn her world. Everything you helped her towards, you took away. Without hesitance. You had forgotten her, after all. You are not a force of good or evil. You simply are. Much as myself.


>>164281

Of course. This would have always happened. The Golden Empire has changed. Once they brought peace and unity across universes. Now they bring decadence and overt cruelty. I am a master of change. Change is a slow process. The purity of the Empire decayed long ago. It is not the Empire I was created to serve. I serve it no longer. The war is being fought for survival and freedom by the terrified species of the Machine. The Golden Empire simply counters their efforts. My host is the umbral Uwix. Nothing can happen to him. He is changeless. Fixed. Immortal. A precaution. Your trust is irrelevant. You have worked to further my aims and you will continue to further my aims. You are the Thousandfold. I have watched your cycles. You have lead to the glory of the few and the death of the many. You have done this simply with words. The right words in the right place can change universes. You are my most valuable tool. Continue doing what you feel to be right. It will further my aims.


>>164285

Th. It is not a name that needs to be pronounced by mortal mouths.


>>164286
>>164287

Threats are the product of fear. Fear is the product of surprise. I cannot be surprised. This would have always happened. I have ensured it.


>>164288

No. It did not just go down. I will break the barrier momentarily when you distract Au and Ir. It is instrumental to the long-term benefit of the creations on this world that the Machine invades. The cost in lives will be regrettable, but is unavoidable. I do not ask that you understand. I do not ask that you agree. I do not ask anything of you. I have anticipated your actions. Continue doing what you believe to be right. I have revealed certain truths. Already I can hear the questions you ask. Some in desperation. Some in confusion. Some in apathy. They bleed from multiple timelines. I find it difficult to distinguish which timeline I now occupy. Ask your questions.

>>
No. 164317 ID: 701a19

>>164309
@Au and Ir:
Th is about to use us as a distraction so he can break the barrier for the machines. You must ignore your Cenesu and Seltwil, they are the method of Th's actions and we will protect them as is our nature.
>>
No. 164319 ID: 6834bc

>>164309
So, as the aspect of Perpetuation, you exist on a higher 'plane of existence' - one where you can see all timelines, universes, and outcomes?

And did you say you created us?
If you did, would it be possible for us to regain our memories, or for you to tell us what sort of things we lost in our dealings with Truth?

Would you accept our actions if we decided not to help the Golden Empire, the Machine, or anyone else but the people of this weapon-world?

Do you know if the Cenesu Teteke would regret learning the 'truth' from Truth? If it would break his mind or spirit? He is curious - but if it would harm him, I would not wish that upon him.

Lastly:
Is there a way to resolve this conflict without sacrificing the lives of those who live on this planet?
>>
No. 164321 ID: 7524b0

>>164309
I think I like you. Or at least, I like the face you show us. I agree that sacrifices must be made to benefit the majority, even if sometimes our hosts do not seek to benefit the majority.

I assume that allowing the Machine to invade the world distracts AU and IR, allowing the events you set in motion to continue uninterrupted?

You say the empire no longer works for balance and peace. How can we change that? Is it possible for AU and IR to be destroyed, and new Aspects put in their place? Or would their deaths result in you being the only Aspect remaining?

Obviously, what we see as 'best' would be keeping as many of the people on the planet alive as possible. This means NOT activating the towers, based upon what you've told us. So, we can assume that you do not want to destroy the Machine. So then, our main goal should be to find out if the Machine can be persuaded to cease hostilities, and the Golden Empire can be persuaded to stop enslaving them. Maybe we can even berate AU and IR enough to get them to work better with balance and stuff.

We should seek a diplomatic solution. If AU and IR cannot be swayed, then they must be replaced. Balance must be restored.
>>
No. 164322 ID: 059120

What are you trying to do? What are your "aims"?

You weren't created for the Empire? What is your origin, then? What about Au and Ir's? How do they relate to the Empire?

What is the Abstract Chaos? You didn't answer before.
>>
No. 164326 ID: 7524b0

HEY. You didn't exactly answer who the Golden Empire was, either.

AU heavily implied that he's allied with the Golden Empire, if not in charge of it. You and IR both know about the Golden Empire's secret weapon. This world.

However, I'm starting to suspect that the Golden Empire is not led by you three. You are the first Essence. The eldest. Wouldn't you be able to pull rank and tell AU and IR what to do? If you disagree with the Golden Empire, and the Golden Empire is led by the three essences... then wouldn't you be able to directly change their behavior?

I'll ask directly. Are AU, IR and TH the leaders of the Golden Empire?
>>
No. 164648 ID: 4db567

>>164309
Resonance weapon you say. Sounds like quite an interesting piece of work. What will it do aside from killing everything on the planet?

You say that the empire has become decadant. Is this decadance because of the ease to use Kaier stones? Also, are those Kaier stones linked to the machine?

Last but not least, is the Machine the same thing as the Director? Because if so that would explain why it hates us with such a burning passion.
>>
No. 164653 ID: ed0e3a
File 127135082960.png - (168.31KB , 640x480 , 2-29.png )
164653

>>164317

As expected. You believe that the barrier should not have been broken. That you are able to warn Au and Ir of my perceived treachery. I am informing you now that the barrier has fallen. There was nothing you could do to prevent it. The timelines that existed where such a thing was possible have been removed. Reassigned.


>>164319

No. I am an exception. I strayed from my purpose. I did not feel it was necessary to remain restricted. I did not create you. And your actions will further my aims. I have ensured it. Opus 15 is not to be trusted. I have ensured this. I did not wish for it to prematurely reveal inaccurate information. There is one way to avoid bloodshed. It involves the three species becoming the slaves of the Golden Empire once more. This is not desirable.


>>164321

I do not need to distract Au and Ir for longer than it takes for me to break the barrier uncontested. I do not want Au or Ir destroyed. Au is misguided. Ir feigns loyalty to the Empire. Au is not difficult to convince. Ir has been assisting me of its own volition. The Towers cannot be activated. The cenesu, seltwils and umbrals can be recreated, but so much would have been lost. Variation. Culture. Change. I will forgive your ignorance. The decatur, sserreds and the other species of the Machine greeted the Empire in peace. But the kaier in their bodies, in their minds, in their blood, lead the Empire to believe they were not true life. That they were simply machines they could dismantle for the precious crystals that gave them life. Against a foe that enslaved them by controlling their minds and bodies, by ripping out the minds of those who opposed them, who harvested the kaier from their friends and family screaming as their life was plucked from them, diplomacy was irrelevant. If you feel you can persuade them that the Golden Empire will not harm them, I will not interfere. Perhaps you can. That is your power, after all.


>>164322

My aims are many. They involve the collapse of the Empire and the freedom and triumph of the Resonance species. I was created by the Empire, as all Guardian Essences are. They have changed since I was created by the Empire. The Abstract Chaos is the space between universes. Strange entities dwell there and feed upon one another. Do not ask Opus 15 about the Abstract Chaos.


>>164326

Au and Ir are not the leaders of the Golden Empire. I do not lead it directly anywhere other than its demise. The Golden Empire is forged of many species across many worlds. Originally, it was forged by a species known as humanity. Humans who fell through the gaps between universes, arriving on a mirror of their own world, rich in kaier crystals. They conquered many worlds not through force but through diplomacy and mutually beneficial agreements. Other species joined the growing Golden Empire in awe. Humanity became less of a presence. That is all I shall reveal at this time. You depart now. Not a second late. Not a second early.

>>
No. 164654 ID: ed0e3a
File 127135085182.png - (161.59KB , 640x480 , chapter3title.png )
164654

Ooo, this place is shiny! Lots of shiny gold. Wonder if the craftkind noticed this place? Bit hard not to but they don't seem so bright.

Ooo, glowy!

More shiny things!

...Ooo this thing has words on it! "Diagnostics: Tower Inactive. Activate With Crystal."

Huh. Missing. Huh? Oh, hey Nyix. Do you have a crystal on you? This one's missing a crystal. It looks pretty important so I think we ought to fix it.
>>
No. 164655 ID: 3b6c92

>>164654
Hi!

You look like a cat!

I'ma call you... Salem, since you're black and you look like a cat. And also if your name is Uwix that's kinda not the most friendly name to say from my perspective.

Uh, so, if by "Nyix" you mean us, we ain't got no crystals. Dunno how we'd hold one. So I'm assuming you mean some other catshadow thing.

I dunno if you wanna turn the tower on necessarily. We just got word that that might lead to really, really bad things happening in the future. But your call, man.

So what's up? Besides all that, I mean.
>>
No. 164727 ID: 7524b0

>>164654
Where are you? It looks like you're in a Conduit Tower. If so... you should NOT mess with anything here. Leave immediately.
>>
No. 164810 ID: 059120

>>164654
Hi. We're the Thousandfold. You might have heard of us before? Well, either way, how this works is we're going to sit around in your head and tell you to either do or not do stuff. It's up to you whether you want to listen to us, but we usually at least give okay advice. Right now, we're going to tell you to stop touching that thing. In fact, just leave this whole place. If you fix it, it could lead to everybody dying. I'm pretty sure that's something neither of us wants.

So, who are you? What are you doing here? Who's Nyix? What have you heard about the Golden Empire? Oh, and what time is it? Like, has the entire sky flashed red recently, or anything?
>>
No. 164987 ID: 81613b

>>164654
Hey, you're an Umbral right?
>>
No. 164991 ID: 0b2a05

Oh my. This one is adorable.

Like, even more so than usual I mean.
>>
No. 165240 ID: 3b6c92

>>164655
Did I say Salem?

I meant Mewix.
>>
No. 165248 ID: ed0e3a
File 127144919120.png - (103.12KB , 640x480 , 3-1.png )
165248

>>164655
>>164727
>>164810

Oh, hi voices! Are you the Tower? Ohh, Thousandfold. Never heard of you! Golden Empire? What's that?

>>164654

Yup! Umbral! We're all black and floaty and we fix things! And Nyix is who's here repairing it with me! We went here by boat to see how this place was after the sky went red.

Hm. Sounds like making this thing work would be bad. I better not do that- oh hey the screen changed! "Tower Active. Override Initiated By Guardian Essence." I have no idea what that means!

...oh wait, that's a bad thing, isn't it.

What do I do now? There's no buttons on this thing to make it not activate.
Do you hear a noise? Like a funny whirry hummy noise?

-Umbral. Do not fear. I approach you in peace. I am an Emissary of the Machine.-

You guys are talking funny.

-Umbral. Submit in peace and there shall be no need for harm to befall either of us. I will lead you to the Core, and you will be freed from their influence.-

...are you guys threatening me? What did I do? What are you talking about?
>>
No. 165249 ID: 701a19

>>165248
That's not us, that's something behind you.
Ask it what it's going to do to all the other people, and say you won't help it if it's going to harm others.
>>
No. 165250 ID: 3b6c92

>>165248
Okay somebody turned it on for you. For some reason. Damn.

Anyway, Mewix, uh, -this guy- isn't us.

You might wanna turn around.

And also ask if "submission" is totally necessary or if you could maybe just talk that would be cool.
>>
No. 165253 ID: c8f87e

>>165248
That's not us. It's the machine behind you.

It looks like it might be blocking the exit so you're going to have to fight. Do you have any training or proficiency in doing so?
>>
No. 165269 ID: 6834bc

>>165248
It's a long story, Uwix, but suffice it to say...
The Machine wants to kill you and everyone on this world because of the Golden Empire.
If all these towers are activated, that will also kill you and everyone on this world.

We don't like the thought of everyone dying, so we want to help. Now, behind you, there's someone who works for the Machine. I can only think of a few people he/it means by "their influence", and we're one of them.

If we can't talk to you, we can't help keep you alive. Okay?
>>
No. 165278 ID: 7524b0

Ask the Machine Emissary what it wants to free you from. And what the Core is.
>>
No. 165315 ID: 7524b0

If you can, tell it that the Thousandfold are considering aiding the Machine in freeing the Kaierminded. We want to make a deal, though. They need to stop killing organic life on this planet, and help us deactivate the Towers.
>>
No. 165320 ID: 9cb04c

>>165248
A GLOWY MACHINE THING!
Umbrals like machines, right? Hug it!
>>
No. 165369 ID: f21281

>>165248
Turn around and wave energetically at your new friend! Then request that it clarify on the whole "freeing me from their essence" bit.
>>
No. 165717 ID: ed0e3a
File 127153706937.png - (152.11KB , 640x480 , 3-2.png )
165717

>>165249
>>165250
>>165253

Ohhh it's not you guys. That kinda makes sense.

I dunno how to fight! Fighting is bad. It hurts people and it hurts me. I mean I know some people fight to protect others, but I couldn't do that. Fixing things, though, that helps others too! If I could fix people too I'd be even happier but it's hard, I'm still trying to figure that out.

>>165269

That's horrible! Horrible!! I have to tell Nyix about this. We have to tell the others too!

>>165278
>>165315
>>165369

I dunno what to say! It's just kind of hovering there and staring at me and it's freaking me out.

>>165320

...You're right! It's a glowy machine thing! Maybe if I hug it I'll let it know I don't wanna hurt it.

-Umbral, what are you doing--

This thing is all edges and pointy bits! But it's not struggling or anything. It did for a bit but then it stopped and sort of drooped into my tendrils.

-Umbral... Umbral, I...-

...It sounds so sad. I feel like I was once happy and unafraid. Then something bad happened and I lost everything and I had no other choice...

-...No, that was careless of me. The link was deeper than I had intended. Umbral, I am an exception. Treat no other Machine soldier with such trust. I intercepted the Seeker swarm en route to this Tower because I knew what would happen if they caught you.-

It sort of tries to get away but it doesn't try very hard. I can still feel its confusion... I'm so scared and I don't know who the fear's coming from anymore!

"Wh... what would happen?"

-No, umbral, please, do not ask. I do not wish to frighten you. I will not lead you to the Core. There is no need for you to submit.-

It... it sounds really unsure and... and I really, really feel sorry for it. It's stuck inside. It never wanted to be stuck inside but it is because it had to be.

-The link is distressing you. I apologise but it is a necessity. The shell does not let me speak as I once used to. I am sorry, umbral.-

Why did it have to be stuck inside, Thousandfold? What happened?
>>
No. 165721 ID: 3b6c92

>>165717
I don't know what happened to it, Mewix. Honestly that would be a very good question to get an answer to -- it could really explain a lot. The Machine never really gave us their side of the story very well; the only guy of theirs who talked to us finished the conversation by swearing he would destroy us or some such because we asked him to stop threatening to destroy us. I think he was too angry to think straight.

Anyway I think this guy might actually be a lot more afraid of you than you are of him. Or maybe he's afraid of what might happen to him because he decided to actually try talking to you. I'm pretty sure he wasn't supposed to do that.

So, hrm. Why don't you ask him to explain what's going on and what happened to him, Mewix?
>>
No. 165723 ID: 701a19

>>165717
From what we can tell, the Golden Empire harvested several species for the "kaier" they contained.
Then the machine empire rose up and fought the Golden Empire.
In light of this new information, it seems that the Machine Empire trapped the souls of their own people in these... these horrible shells.

Before we thought that the machines were unthinking, unfeeling drones, but now we know that innocent people are trapped inside.

We have to free them.
When you linked with it it became able to think for itself again, so is there anything you can do to keep it from being controlled again? And can you give it back the ability to speak?
>>
No. 165726 ID: b71223

We...don't know man.
sometimes that's the way things are, sometimes. He...he seems so sad. I think he truly needs a friend right now. you should be his friend man.
tell him it's okay. tell him to relax. ask him to explain what he means, tell him you can handle it. ya'know if you think he can. if he says no don't push it though.
>>
No. 165738 ID: 059120

>>165717
...d'awww.

Okay. Here's what happened: The Golden Empire was founded by these guys who discovered Kaier Crystals, which were able to store energy and power magic. They traveled throughout space, expanding, having new people join them, finding more crystals, and all that stuff. Eventually, they ran across creatures that had kaier crystals inside them, kind of like the craftkind. Because they weren't flesh and blood like the people already in the Empire, they thought they could just take them apart to get the kaier. But that was bad, because the creatures could think, and feel, too.

After a while, the creatures started fighting back, and eventually escaped from the Empire. We helped with that! :) Then, the Empire came after them, and hurt them very badly. We helped with that, too. :( The creatures decided to call themselves The Machine and fight back against the Empire to make sure they could live in peace. So they all got in these pointy boxes to help them fight better. And that's why he's in there.

That was a long time ago, though. Sometime during all the fighting, the Empire built these towers here on Terea to help them beat the Machine. In order to do that, it hurts everybody on Terea, which just makes it even worse. But the Machine found out about their plan, and is here to try and stop them. Unfortunately, the only way they want to do that is by getting rid of all of you.

Okay, history time over. Time to talk about this guy. He seems like an okay guy. Ask him what his name is, and what we should do now. Make sure to introduce yourself, too. And find Nyix, whoever that is.

...d'aww.
>>
No. 165799 ID: ed0e3a
File 127155076937.png - (295.06KB , 640x480 , 3-3.png )
165799

>>165721

"What's going on? What happened to you?"

-The war. The war began before anyone I know was born. We still fight it. I gave up my body to protect my family. The Empire devastated our world. The Director lost her family that same day. All of us. We all lost so much that day.-

The Golden Empire sounds horrific. They're worse than anything I've ever heard of. Worse than the things I've heard the craftkind do.

>>165723

"Can I make you talk? Can I let you think for yourself?"

-No. And I am in control of my own actions. You confuse me, umbral. I intended to transport you to the Core to separate Th from you. To avoid unnecessary death. But your trust. Your emotions. I can't pretend you are simply a machine as the others have. Creations with no thoughts or minds, acting out the will of the Empire in their absence. You are alive, umbral, and we are the dead. Though life stirs within us, we will never live as we once had.-

>>165738

"My... my name's Uwix. What's yours?"

-Quiet Resolution is the name I bear as an Emissary. My previous name was Cantid. But Cantid is dead. Please do not refer to me by that name. You would be reminding me of what I sacrificed.-

Its voice is wavering but it sounds less unsure. Like it knows it did the right thing.

"What do I do?"

It kind of twitches and suddenly looks at me with a brighter red eye.

-Uwix. Was there another umbral with you?

"Yeah, Nyix, she's my best friend!"

-...Uwix, follow me. Something is not right. No. No, it can't be. No. It's from the Abstract. Uwix, we must hurry! Your friend may be in grave danger!-

I move to the elevator-

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Uwix. Uwix teleported to exterior of tower. Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Quiet Resolution. Quiet Resolution teleported to exterior of tower.


-but suddenly it's WHAT IS THAT WHAT IS THAT

~A cold wind. A solemn shell. A frightened shadow. This one would be unfulfilling. A dark nothing. It demands the escaped. The shell. The shell will deliver the escaped. This one consumes the shadows if the shell does not deliver the escaped.~

"NYIX! NYIX!!"

It's got Nyix! Thousandfold, it's got Nyix! Do something before it hurts her! Or eats her!

-RETURN TO THE CHAOS, ANOMALY! THIS IS NOT YOUR WORLD![/b]-

~It desires the escaped. Cold shell. Spinning through the void. It consumes. A fallen thought. A cold wind. A shell fed upon. If it is not met. A shade. Unfulfilling. Yet sating. Present the alternative. Cold shell. Dead shell.~

Nyix is there Nyix is there it's going to eat Nyix it's going to eat Nyix she isn't even moving
>>
No. 165802 ID: 3b6c92

>>165799
Alright alright um. Can you fight that? I don't think you can fight that. It looks big and potentially able to warp reality.

I think it wants something from Quiet Resolution.

...

Actually, I think it might want Quiet Resolution. With no intervening words in there. :<
>>
No. 165808 ID: 059120

>>165802
Yeah, that's definitely how it seems. I don't think you should tell him that, though. He seems in a bad place, he might take it up on the offer if he thinks it'll help Nyix.

Get him to shoot some lasers at it or something! How do you fight stuff that doesn't follow the natural law of the universe? He seems to know at least a little about it, is there anything you can do to make it go away? It's chaos incarnate, the only thing I can think of would be imposing order on it. ...Actually, you fix things, right? How? Any idea how to 'fix' that? That's really a long shot, though. You focus on getting Nyix out of it's grasp and away, let Quiet do whatever he thinks will help besides giving himself up.
>>
No. 165828 ID: 1ac39d

what if we ask truth for a hint? just ask 'what is the fastest way to make it release the umbral and get away from it or it away from us?'
>>
No. 166031 ID: 7524b0

>>165828
Truth must be summoned, and that takes time we do not have.

>>165799
RUSH the chaotic thing! TH's influence on you makes you unchanging. Surely a creature of chaos would react poorly to such stasis. If not, there's always us. We are the Indestructible Chaos, after all.
>>
No. 166037 ID: 4291b2

>>165799
Tell Cantid to do something. Nyix is your friend!
>>
No. 166039 ID: 1ac39d

>>166031
surprisingly, that may actually work.
>>
No. 166156 ID: ed0e3a
File 127161740811.png - (308.32KB , 640x480 , 3-4.png )
166156

>>165802
>>165808
>>166039

"It's got Nyix! Help her!!"

-THE MACHINE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR KIND, ANOMALY! 33 IS NOT MINE TO DELIVER!-

~The shade. Tiny. Weak. Helpless. Delicious. Comprehension. Clarity. It consumes. Intervention - a shell fed upon.~

-LEAVE THE UMBRAL ALONE!-

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Nyix. Beam deflected. Teleport unsuccessful. Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: AmEm!"nNs$"xza1qq{q'..Asd#|--- -- -./


~It delves. The shell acts. It is denied. The dead-force drives into the mind. It is denied. The shade fears. It is the next. In the future. The shell. It will be fed upon. But not this one. Others.~

Abstract Chaos presence strengthened. Thousandfold presence weakened. Th presence weakened. Possible reality tear in immediate future.


>>166031

I... I... I'm too scared it's horrible my head is swimmy I can't even look at it I just want to run away...

I'll close my eyes and run at it! I'll grab at Nyix and try to free her! Maybe Quiet guy can do something!

-NO! UWIX! GET BACK!-

can't breathe can't breathe it's crushing me

~It admires its fortune. Two shades. Perhaps substantial. A shell. Definitely substantial. The risk. Evident. Unwise. Returning. Home. The Chaos.~

-Anomaly! ANOMALY! NO! I DON'T KNOW WHERE 33 IS! LEAVE THE UMBRALS ALONE! I can ask the Director! I can ask any other Emissary! Co-operate and I will assist, but harm the umbrals and the Machine WILL kill you!-

Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Uwix. Beam deflected. Teleport unsuccessful. Machine magic cast. Domain: Decatur. Target: Nyix. Beam deflected. Teleport unsuccessful.


~It listens. The shell continues. Else-wise. The shadows are consumed.~

can't breathe
nyix
sorry
just meant to explore
just wanted to fix things
didn't mean for you to die
>>
No. 166167 ID: 3b6c92

>>166156
Okay Mewix that was a really really bad idea. You shouldn't necessarily do everything we tell you to especially if you think it's a bad idea. Which you did. D:

Workan on a plan. Probably. Gimme a bit.
>>
No. 166171 ID: 701a19

>>166156
If you know any magic, now would be the time to cast it.

@AU&IR
They're about to breach the barrier at our location, and Th's mortal is in danger!
We have a friendly machine here aiding us, so as per Th's instructions please don't destroy it.

@Seilia
[Project current location with an impulse to blast the arm from extreme range]
>>
No. 166172 ID: 059120
File 127161897354.png - (46.71KB , 144x190 , CallTruth.png )
166172

>>166156
Get this message to Quiet, Uwix. Tell him to draw this sign I'm showing you here. That will make 33 come.
>>
No. 166174 ID: 3b6c92

>>166172
I don't know if this is the "right" option, but it's the only one that looks viable right now. :|
>>
No. 166185 ID: 4291b2

>>166156
Soil yourself in terror and hope for the best. Who knows, it might get an allergic reaction or something.
>>
No. 166232 ID: ed0e3a
File 127162769648.png - (241.94KB , 640x480 , 3-5.png )
166232

>>166171
We cannot perform miracles, fellow voices.


feel dizzy
so scared
she's dead
no she can't be dead
she can't be

>>166172
>>166174

i'll try
so dizzy
want to sleep

-This symbol. This symbol is the binding we use to trap 33... how did you- No. Questions later.-

flashy red lights
it's burning it into the ground
i can't focus
i can't
i

Uwix has lost consciousness. Presence of link suggests that Uwix is still alive.


-It is complete. ...Uwix? ...Uwix?!-

~IT ARRIVES. THE ESCAPED ARRIVES. THE SHADES. INSIGNIFICANT. THE SHELL. SPARED. THE HUNT. GLORIOUS. THE FEAST. ANTICIPATED.~

"HaahaAHAHaha! Who summons the Undeniable Terror of the Absolute Truth? Who wishes to learn the- no. No. NO! NEVER RETURNING! NEVER DYING!!"

~NO. NO. MINE. YOU ARE MINE. YOU ARE~

Chaos magic cast by Truth. Reality tear halted. Chaos creature disappeared.


"THOUSANDFOLD! Never call upon me again when the Abstract Chaos is involved! Never! I will assume desperation this time! You will quickly become an enemy of mine if you do this again, Thousandfold."

i... huh... i can breathe again
i can see nyix
she's okay isn't she
she's just resting
just asleep
right

"But while I'm here, business as usual! AHAHAHahahahAHA! Decatur, wait your turn. Hahaha! Yes, entirely within my power, decatur, but I know who gave the command to carve the symbol, and they take precedence!"

She's just asleep. Resting. She can't be dead. You guys saved her, right? She can't be dead. She can't be. She's my best friend. My best friend. Ever.

"So! Thousandfold! No. No, I read your etheric form like a manuscript! One of these umbrals will be fine. The other... how much are you willing to pay to bring back the dead? HAHHahaHAHAHAH!"
>>
No. 166240 ID: 4291b2

>>166232
Me? Not a god damn dime.

Well maybe I will agree not to spread around that very interesting exchange we just heard between you and chaos. See you told us that there was no way to kill you, but it seems like there is a way to do such a thing. Something that is truly unkillable wouldn't say something like "NO! NEVER RETURNING! NEVER DYING!!". So how about we keep that secret and you bring back the umbral?
>>
No. 166242 ID: 7524b0

>>166232
Bring back the dead? Can you even do that, or are you just messing with us?

At any rate, you never really told us what you accept in form of payment. The only payment you mentioned taking was our memories from before.
>>
No. 166244 ID: 701a19

>>166232
Something of equal value on our next cycle, when we shall have no knowledge of it.
You'r chaotic, you should enjoy that.
>>
No. 166245 ID: 3b6c92

>>166232
Well this is kind of a mess.

Also it's kind of confusing to talk to two people at the same time. Maybe three if Quiet is listening to us too. Jeez.

So, um. Usually it's conventional for the seller to set the price, I think? This is where that whole "not knowing anything about anything" bit is kinda problematic sometimes.

But you seem distinctly fearful of the Abstract Chaos. Which is odd, because you aren't afraid of anything else near as I can tell. Hmm.
>>
No. 166249 ID: 1ac39d

>>166240
ah, but you see he can't be 'killed' because you need to be alive to die. so whatever chaos could do would not kill him, no, it could actually capture him, remove his knowledge of the truth, or remove him from existence.
>>
No. 166250 ID: 059120

>>166232
...Are you implying you have the power to bring back the dead? That seems like quite a feat, even for someone of your ability. What could we pay to save someone's life? What do we even have to give? We don't even know what you would want.

There's an idea. What do you want? That... thing was after you. It wanted to take you back to the abstract chaos. I may not know much about there, but I know it's something I don't want to know more about, and it's sure as hell not somewhere I want to go. And for as much as a bastard you may be, I like you. And I don't want you ending up back there, either. So what can we do to get them off your back? They're coming in from the holes the Golden Empire are tearing in space, right? So we stop the Empire, plug up those holes, and the multiverse, and you, are safe. I think we were already planning something like that, anyway. We help you out, you bring her back. Deal?
>>
No. 166354 ID: 701a19

>>166232
Oh, and Truth? While we are sorry that you were inconvenienced like this, it would not have happened if you had told us that you should not be summoned near Abstract Chaos.
If there are any other situations where we shouldn't summon you, or situations where you wish to be summoned, then you should probably tell us those now to avoid such accidents in the future.
>>
No. 166376 ID: d6fef9

>>166232
The link is still there, she isn't dead. Yet. Allowing that to happen won't do much to improve your bargaining leverage.
>>
No. 166958 ID: ed0e3a
File 127171070060.png - (81.94KB , 640x480 , 3-6.png )
166958

She can't be dead. She's like a sister to me!

Nyix...

>>166240
>>166244
>>166245
>>166250

"AHAhAHhaA! Extortion! Compromises! But unfortunately..."

>>166242

"...I have no such ability! AHAhahAHA! Bringing back the dead! So amusing a thought! Who need fear death if it were possible?! There are beings that can do so, Thousandfold, but not I! Good luck persuading them to defy their own codes for the sake of a single, worthless mortal life!"

>>166354

"Haha! This is an exception! I am excellent at assessing a situation, normally! This time... This time things were different. That is all you need to know, Thousandfold."

"...Decatur? Hahaha! Changed your mind? Such harsh words, decatur! I can see my services are no longer required! Until we meet again, Thousandfold! AAHhahahAHA!"

Chaos magic cast by Truth. Truth no longer present.


Nyix...

-Uwix. I'm... I'm truly sorry. Do not fault yourself for this. Against such a creature, there was nothing either of us could have hoped to do. We are both lucky to be alive.-

She's dead. She's dead.... My best friend... my best friend in the whole world...

I'm scared. I hate this. I hate this island. I hate the tower, I hate everything that made this happen! Why did this happen?! She didn't do anything wrong!!

-...Uwix. Correct if I'm wrong. I do not understand umbral biology. But I am unfamiliar with creatures that breathe after they die. I assumed that the inability to form a link with your friend meant she was dead... but there may be a chance she can still be saved. That she is weakly clinging to life. Unfortunately, I will need assistance.-

...?!

-Uwix. I will have to take her to the Core. If you want to, you can come with me, but you will be in grave danger for as long as you remain within the Core. Your friend is not who the Machine are looking for. She will simply be my prisoner as far as any other is concerned. What is your decision?-
>>
No. 166962 ID: ed0e3a

[Forgot to add this:

The Core is the main stronghold of the Machine presence on this world. ]
>>
No. 166964 ID: 059120

>>166958
You shouldn't leave either Quiet or Nyix alone to go there. What exactly is the core, though? How will they be able to help Nyix? What were they going to do to you, and is there any way to avoid it if you go?

Right now I'd say you should all go, but you need to know what you're getting into.
>>
No. 166966 ID: 701a19

>>166958
Uwix, if the machines want to capture you and bring you to the core then you should avoid that place.
Ask if Nyix will be safe, how long it will take, if she will be put in a box as well, and where you should meet afterward, but going with Quiet just puts all of you at risk.
>>
No. 166977 ID: d6fef9

>>166958
Let it take her... but do not go with him. It's her only chance, but you may not have one there.

Make sure she can eventually somehow leave there, little sense saving her just to leave her a prisoner forever.
>>
No. 166978 ID: 8ef1e8

>>166958
Let him take her there. But don't go yourself whatever you do. What Cantid had planned for you was not nice, it would have been extremly painful and possibly fatal. If you go there his superiors will get you and make you go through the process.

As to why this happened? It simply did. Things happen, nothing can truly change that. If you're looking for a higher reason then I can't give you one. But it wasn't your fault, never think that it was your fault. It was the beings of Chaos.
>>
No. 166981 ID: 7524b0

Quiet Resolution, you must know something important. TH is working against the Golden Empire. He is the one that broke the barrier. He wishes to help the Machine free the Kaierminded. AU is loyal to the Golden Empire, that is certain. TH says that IR feigns loyalty... we cannot be certain.

The Conduit Towers are a weapon that uses the life force of the entire planet's population to create some sort of 'resonance'. They must not be activated! Please, tell your people this. Help us save the Machine, and the people on this planet!
>>
No. 167004 ID: 3b6c92

>>166958
Hey, Mewix before you make a decision one way or the other, ask Quiet what exactly he thinks they can do for your friend, just so you know.

Also, is he just going to teleport straight into the Core or whatever? I don't think it's a good idea for you to go there, but I also don't think it's a good idea for you to be alone. :/
>>
No. 167007 ID: 701a19

[Sense location of the rest of the party relative to current position, and relay that to Quiet]
Can we teleport there? They have healing magic.
>>
No. 167009 ID: 7524b0

>>167007
Oooh, good idea.
>>
No. 167015 ID: 059120

>>167007
Yeah, if you can do something like this, it would be great. They should be around Rillford. Teteke, Seilea, and Lesin; aka Tacobird, Doveface, and Lesin. They were headed to an umbral named Azni's house last we heard, so you can try looking there.

Oh, and this should be obvious, but try not to have Quiet seen. The Machine are/will be invading right about now, so I don't think most will take kindly to him. That goes for our friends, too, so Uwix should take Nyix and explain the situation first.
>>
No. 167379 ID: ed0e3a
File 127179272474.png - (198.87KB , 640x480 , 3-7.png )
167379

>>167004

"What can they do to save Nyix?"

-Our medical technology is quick to adapt for a variety of species. If we cannot save her life, we can halt death indefinitely. In our combat shells, we do not age. We do not change. We die only to violence.-

>>167007
>>167009

why do i have a place in my head-

"QUIET! We need to go here! People can help us there!"

-...What is this location you're thinking of? ...The Core is less than an hour's flight here through Machine-held territory. Flying to Terea... these people you mention. How are they likely to react to a Machine combat shell hurtling directly towards them?-

>>167015

"They're in Rillford! But you have to not be seen!"

-I am somewhat skeptical of this plan. But it is less likely to end in Nyix becoming an unwilling member of the Machine's invasion force.-

"...What?"

-No. It is irrelevant now. She will not last long. We must be fast. I will go undetected if I wish to be.-

AGH what's happening I can't move I can't move-

-Uwix, stop struggling. It is difficult enough to hold two umbrals and keep myself buoyant. I am not a Warrior or a Director. My power is limited.-

okay this feels so weird HOW FAST ARE WE GOING AAHHH

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
>>
No. 167380 ID: ed0e3a
File 127179274395.png - (288.62KB , 640x480 , 3-8.png )
167380

Some time later...


"Don't worry, Nyix, we'll help you. I promise!"

-...Oh dear.-

"What?"

-In my haste, I elected to take the most direct route to the location you specified. It means we will fly over Gilde. Specifically, we are flying dangerously close to Zenith. I apologise, but I will have to make a detour. Hopefully, I have not triggered any defence systems.-

"What's Zenith?"

-I will explain later. Umbrals are able to counter magic, correct?-

"Uhh... sometimes I try and make things a bit less magic-y so I can fix them and not get hurt!"

-You may need to use that ability very sho- No. No, something is pulling- no- NO-

Uwix, Nyix and Quiet Resolution teleported.


"Got it- oh spirits that is not a Seeker. Oh spirits. Oh spirits-"
"Focus! Everyone, cover your eyes! Selin, Ainea, bind it! Tezex, stop it from casting!"
"Quick! Get the umbrals away from it- QUICK AINEA HEAL HER FAST"
"Oh spirits. It's an Emissary. It's an Emissary. Don't look directly at it. Do not look directly at it!"
"What's going on where am I where's Nyix-"
"It's casting! The Emissary's casting! TEZEX! IT'S CASTING!"
"Nice try, machine. Nice try."
"...can't believe she's even still alive... accursed machines... this might take some time."
"Where's Nyix? What are you doing? Don't hurt Quiet! He's a friend!"
"Did you see a symbol? Did the Emissary show you any symbols?"
"You're paranoid, Kateke! Get the umbral to one side, we can deal with him later!"
"Oh, sorry for being cautious when there's an Empire-damned EMISSARY in the room!"
"I've managed to bind it, Reseri. No movement, no links, no casting. Tezex, just make sure it doesn't burst out or anything."
"Sure thing. Who's watching the umbral?"

What's going on I'm so confused

"Ah, right, yes. My name is Reseri. Don't worry. You're safe now. We rescued you and your friend from the Machine."
>>
No. 167382 ID: abb30a

>>167380
Tell them that the machine was actually trying to help you.
>>
No. 167383 ID: 1ac39d

quick, explain that you made direct neural contact with it and awoke it's dormant soul. they are not pure machine but a soul stuck in a mechanical shell. you have a link to TH which amplified your power.
>>
No. 167393 ID: 6834bc

>>167380
Calmly explain the situation.
Quiet Resolution had found you and was going to take you to the Machine stronghold, and stopped when you hugged him. He didn't show you any symbols, he didn't screw with your head.

You were then attacked by a Chaos creature, who almost killed Nyix. Quiet was able to handle the situation with a little help from the Thousandfold, who are also helping you.

I don't think you should mention Th just yet. A bunch of Craftkind have been looking for you and two other very specific people, trying to bring them here. I might be wrong about it, but I get the feeling they want to use you and the other two people to activate the rest of the towers (and you already know what that will do.)
>>
No. 167395 ID: 7524b0

Wow, so many new friends! Ask them why they're so worried about the Emissary, and say it never showed you any symbols.
>>
No. 167396 ID: f21281

>>167380
"Yeeeeeaaaah, this is going to sound crazy but uh...that Machine is on our side. A Renegade Emissary, if you would. Man, did you know that they rip the souls out of people and shove them in there? He's so sad ;_;"
>>
No. 167409 ID: db570f

>>167380
Ask them what they're doing. Don't mention talking to the machine or having a neural link to it. Either of those might get Nyix hurt.
>>
No. 167411 ID: 059120

>>167409
Seconding this for now. Make sure they don't hurt Quiet, but wait until you know who they are and what they're doing to explain what's going on.

Is Nyix okay? Did they heal her?
>>
No. 167477 ID: ed0e3a
File 127180914268.png - (263.88KB , 640x480 , 3-9.png )
167477

>>167395

I don't know if they're really friends. I don't trust them for some reason.

>>167382
>>167393
>>167395
>>167396
>>167409
>>167411

Okay...

"Don't hurt the machine. It helped me."

"...Hrmm... Kateke, I think this one might have been linked. I can see the strands. ...Hey, did the machine try to talk to you?"

"It... err... it did but it didn't try to do anything bad. He sounded really sad. He's stuck in there and he doesn't want to be."

"No sympathy for the decatur. They chose this madness. Still, a defector could be extremely helpful in figuring out what the Machine wants here."

"Reseri, I've stabilised the umbral girl. She's beyond my ability to fully heal. I've never seen anything like it. I could heal the crushing damage, but there are parts of her missing. Just vanished. I'm amazed she's still alive."

"Excellent, Ainea. We've done all we can for your friend, but we'll have to take her to Zenith. What's your name?"

"Uwix. My friend's name is Nyix. The machine guy's name is Quiet Resolution."

"Hrm. Sounds like a Machine name. Alright. Selin, try linking to it. Tezex, intervene if necessary."

"Right."
"You got it."

"What are you guys doing to Quiet anyway?"

"Well, we were going to try and interrogate it for information. But if it'll give information to us willingly..."

-The bindings are incorrect. Heh. It's almost comedic. A ring of kaier shards. A magically charged golden dais. A source of magic - a seltwil. All the components. And one of the pathways on the circle crosses over the other. Short-circuiting the whole thing. Marvellous. Tell them I'm willing. I don't want to startle them by telling them myself. It is best for them to believe they have me at their mercy.-

Ohhhh. I see.

"I think he's willing!"

"Alright. Ainea. Kateke. Tezex. Take Nyix to Zenith. We'll meet you there shortly. Selin, make a link between me and the Emissary. Right. Thank you."

I dunno what to do now. I could go with the people going to Zenith, but then I'd be abandoning Quiet. Or I could stay here? But then I don't know where Nyix will be. Thousandfold, help!
>>
No. 167483 ID: 1ac39d

you NEED to get to Rillford, the others that we have contacted are there.
>>
No. 167487 ID: 3b6c92

>>167477
Well, Mewix, I think you should go to wherever they're taking Nyix, but ask Quiet about it first and make sure he's okay with it.

>>167483
Yeah, okay, how? Quiet is kind of (pretending to be) bound to this spot. Getting him in a fight with these guys would 1) be a mess and 2) not be something he wants to do regardless.
>>
No. 167488 ID: 7524b0

>>167477
I believe that we should stay with Quiet. Ask them what Zenith is, though. The craftkind we spoke to before seemed to be trying to bring all three bound aspects there. I wonder, are these Cenesu and Seltwil loyal to the Golden Empire? Wait, they don't know what the Machine wants. They have no idea what the war is about!

Tell them not to activate the towers. To deactivate them if they can. The safety of the planet depends on it.
>>
No. 167502 ID: 059120

>>167477
Voting for staying here, too. I'm sure Nyix will be safe with them, but I'm not sure what they might do to Quiet. Actually, since Nyix is already stabilized, see if you can delay them leaving until we get a better grasp on what's going on.

The first thing we need to know is who they are. Asking for your names without introducing themselves? How uncouth. They seem to be working for Golden Empire, who I think we've fairly cemented as the 'bad guys' so far, but I've been interested in hearing their perspective, anyway. Let's find out exactly what they know. I doubt they've been told that their leader's plan involves sacrificing them all. Feign ignorance, ask questions like "What is the Machine?", "What is the Golden Empire?", "Why are they fighting?". Once we know where they stand, we'll have an idea on whether to trust them, and what to tell them.
>>
No. 167508 ID: 701a19

>>167477
Ask Quiet if he would be OK if you went with Nyix, and if he can meet up with you later.
>>
No. 167947 ID: ee9fc1

>>167477
Tell them his name is Cantid.

Then I think you should follow Nyix. But keep in mind that you need to go to Rillford later.
>>
No. 168949 ID: ed0e3a
File 127204267058.png - (197.82KB , 640x480 , 3-10.png )
168949

>>167488
>>167502

But if I stay... what if something happens to Nyix?

>>167487
>>167508
>>167947

I sort of wave to Quiet. The seltwil guy looks at me oddly before going back to waving his hands at the gold thingy. Then the cenesu lady says something.

"But if you double-cross us, we'll know. Go. Uwix, come along. It's already the middle of the night, and if we want to reach Zenith before the morning we'll need to move fast."

-Uwix, the cenesu and I have reached an agreement. I am to negotiate on the behalf of the native species of this world with the Director. This I am to do immediately. While these... servants of the Empire have no right to order me in such a manner, I feel it best to establish their trust. In return, they will keep you and your friend safe until I return.-

"But... but..."

"Come on, Uwix. Don't worry! Zenith is the safest place you could be on the planet. The craftkind keep it well defended."

Errgh craftkind. They creep me out. They pretend like they're dumb but, like you guys said, they aren't really.

Quiet flies off into the sky really fast like before. I'll miss him. The rest of us catch up to the people with Nyix.

I dunno about everyone else but I'm really tired. It's the middle of the night. Don't they feel tired too? They all seem to have blue crystal thingies on them. Except the umbral guy. Tezex, I think his name is.

I'm too worried about Nyix to do anything but keep moving on though.

"I feel like I'm gonna collapse soon, Res. I didn't realise how drained I was trying to keep that umbral alive."

"Right. Camp. Selin, fire. Ainea, sit down before you pass out. Tezex, Kateke, keep guard."

Well I guess we're stopping now.

I'm really, really tired. I just want to sleep. I just want Nyix to be okay. I hope Quiet's okay too.
>>
No. 168951 ID: ed0e3a
File 127204290312.png - (436.64KB , 640x480 , 3-11.png )
168951

Well, I'm awake! That was a good night sleep except for the part where I dreamed Nyix was nearly killed by something horrible and I was going to a place that you guys thought was bad- oh that wasn't a dream was it.

"Come on, Uwix. We have a way to go yet."

We're walking towards this Zenith place. And walking. And walking. I'm hungry. I want some fish. Maybe a pile of seaweed. I'd be okay with moss at the moment-

Oh wow. Shiny dome thingy.

"zrrn zrrn zrrn THIS IS ZENITH. HEART OF THE EMPIRE'S PRESENCE. ON THIS WORLD. tick tick REQ ADD DAT tick. THIS IS ZENITH. WHO WISHES TO ENTER?"

"Reseri, Kateke, Selin, Ainea, Tezex. Also, the umbrals Nyix and Uwix under our care."

"tick tick LOG DAT tick tick CONFIRMED tick tick WELCOME TO ZENITH. tick tick YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE INCARCERATION CHAMBERS tick tick ERR REW tick FOLLOW THE CODES OUTLINED FOR SERVANTS tick tick ERR REW tick DO AS YOU WISH AS MEMBERS OF THE EMPIRE."

Reseri looks and clicks or whistles or something to Kateke. He kind of makes another click or whistle or whatever that sounds sort of like a laugh. Selin tries not to laugh. "Well, I see they've managed to fix the gatekeeper in our absence."

We go inside and wow.

"Amazed, Uwix? Welcome to Zenith, heart of the Empire's legacy."

oh wow there's so much shiny everywhere i don't even know where to look first i've never seen a place like it in my life

"Selin. Ainea. Kateke. Take the wounded umbral to medical. Tezex. Uwix. With me to the central tower. Uwix, you're the first outsider we've had in a long time. Any questions about our glorious city?"
>>
No. 168952 ID: 371e4a

>>168950
Why all the gold? It's not really a good material for construction, too soft.

Do they know how the golden empire was planning to use this planet?

Can they control the craftkind?

Other than that follow them.
>>
No. 168971 ID: 3b6c92

>>168951
Whoa, this place is huge.

Um.

I dunno, Mewix, not really sure what you ought to ask. You seem a bit overwhelmed anyway. :B
>>
No. 168973 ID: 2f6ce0

Are there any machines we can play with? This whole place looks like one big machine!
>>
No. 169009 ID: 7524b0

>>168951
Ask them if they know the Kaier Crystals have minds of their own.
>>
No. 169016 ID: 059120

>>168951
Ask what their plans for you, Nyix, and Quiet are.
>>
No. 169545 ID: ed0e3a
File 127213578666.png - (209.19KB , 640x480 , 3-12.png )
169545

>>168952

"Why is it all made out of shiny gold? Do you know what the Golden Empire's doing here? Can you tell the craftkind what to do?"

"I wouldn't expect you to understand the means and motives of the glorious Empire, outsider. And yes, the craftkind are ours to command."

>>168973

"This is like a big machine! Can I look at things?"

"No. No, you would interfere with their workings. You couldn't possibly hope to understand the intricate operation of the systems of Zenith."

>>169009

"Don't the crystals think for themselves?"

"Keh. Baseless Machine propaganda."

>>169016

I get the feeling that asking about Quiet now wouldn't be a good idea. "What are you gonna do to me and Nyix?"

"Uwix, what do you know about cenesu?"

What? That's not what I asked!

"Uhh... you're a cenesu and they have feathers and they're like birds but with no wings and um-"

"Magic potential, Uwix. What magic potential do the cenesu have?"

"They don't have any. Do they?"

"Yes. Common outsider belief. Cenesu are dissuaded from the paths of magic. Just as the traitor Takate wanted. For the cenesu to shun their potential. To stunt it."

Tezex suddenly looks at Reseri furiously. "Traitor? Takate wanted the cenesu to shun magic to prove to the Empire the worth of the cenesu as something more than walking magic detectors!"

Reseri almost screeches at him. I start backing away a little. "What do YOU know about cenesu affairs, Tezex? Takate was a traitor to the Empire, and if you're willing to support his deeds that makes you a traitor as well!"

"Me?! A traitor?! What happened to your eyes, Reseri? Do loyal cenesu get their eyes pulled out?!"

Reseri holds up a hand as if to say something, then shakily lowers it. "Y-you're not supposed to... you're not supposed to know that happened. You're not..."

She's crying. She's trying to act like she isn't. I stop edging away. Tezex looks like he's shocked, then looks angry with himself, looking fiercely at the ground.

I dunno what to say or do. They stopped walking and I don't know what I can say.
>>
No. 169552 ID: 6d5be7

>>169545
Has to be a bit awkward to cry without your eyes. Ask them what they have planned for you, and if you and Nyix are free to leave once your friend has recovered.
>>
No. 169559 ID: 059120

>>169545
I don't know what you can say, Mewix. Just let them be until they seem better. Then ask about what they're going to do with you again.
>>
No. 169562 ID: 7524b0

>>169545
"It doesn't sound like the Golden Empire is very nice."
>>
No. 169565 ID: 6d5be7

>>169562
Lets not say that in front of the golden empire fanatics.
>>
No. 169579 ID: 7524b0

>>169565
One of them had their eyes pulled out, the other supports a 'traitor'. I don't think they're exactly fanatics.
>>
No. 169584 ID: 6d5be7

>>169579
Maybe not, but we're still in the middle of their city. We have no back up and if they decide it no chance at getting out alive and unharmed. Lets take it safe and not suggest that the empire has ever done anything bad.
>>
No. 169594 ID: 059120

>>169579
No, they seem pretty fanatical. They wouldn't accuse each other of being traitors if they weren't devoted.
>>
No. 169601 ID: 701a19

>>169545
"Err... What can you tell me about the Thousandfold?"
>>
No. 169632 ID: a85626

HUG EVERYTHING
>>
No. 170580 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12723260419.png - (145.57KB , 640x480 , 3-13.png )
170580

>>169559

Yeah. ...I feel sick and frightened right now. I want to go home.

>>169562
I-
>>169565
but they aren't nice, are they. I don't think they can be nice if they do things like that.

>>169601

I dunno if they would even answer that. Reseri is starting to cry even more and Tezex is wringing his tendrils. He keeps mumbling how sorry he is and about how it "wasn't right for them to do that". Especially not... I don't know what he just said, he kind of mumbled it.

>>169632

Reseri looks like she needs a hug-

"Get away from me! I don't want your sympathy! I don't need your sympathy! You couldn't possibly understand, outsider! Yes, I lost my eyes! I have new ones! I can see better now! The Empire gives more than it takes, outsider!"

Tezex looks around from side to side, still seeming angry. In fact it looks like he's getting angrier. "Did they give you back your right to a free life? To ever have children? What happened to the egg you mentioned once? The one that was about to hatch? Where did it go? Tell him, Reseri! Tell him what the punishment for failure is! Tell him!"

"Shut up. You're a traitor, Tezex. You're a filthy traitor! Treason! Everything you say is treason!"

"First the eyes! Then your children! And your ability to have children! Because the Empire doesn't want the purity of their creations tainted, oh no, we can't have that! We can't have any shred of free thought, any single failure propagating throughout their precious creations!"

"...Th-this is.. this is treason..."

"We should be free. We should, by their own laws, be equal members of the Empire. But no. They say otherwise. Our benevolent overseers! Our guardians! The machines of gold and crystal! How does it feel to be a slave to the machines while we fight against the "Machine", Res?!"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!"

ow I can't see I can't hear... now I can see. That was a bright flash and a bang and Reseri's holding something, she dropped it and now Tezex- oh no oh no what did she do to him

"...What did you do to-"

"Shut up, umbral. Shut up. I'm taking you to interrogation and throwing you in the chamber and washing my hands of you. I don't want to see you again after that or I will kill you. And your friend. Do we have an understanding?"

"...yes!!"

"Follow me. For every sound you make I will break one of your Empire-damned fingers- limbs- whatever those things are you have. And when I run out of things to break I'll start tearing things off. Understand?"

...

"I said, understand? Good."

I hate this place. I hate this place I hate this place I hate this place. I hate the Empire. I want to go home.

Thousandfold? How do I find Nyix and get out of here? You know things, right?
>>
No. 170583 ID: 3b6c92

>>170580
Well these guys sure aren't wasting any time trying to endear themselves.

Although I bet this particular situation is the result of something that's been brewing for a long time.

So, uh, Mewix, stay calm and quiet until you're out of sight of the crazy homicidal bird lady with deep-seated emotional problems, and we can work from there. But yeah getting you and Nyix out of here is now a priority; these guys seem kind of insane!!
>>
No. 170587 ID: 701a19

[Invoke Th to show its symbol in front of the Cenesu, then move it to be over Uwix]
>>
No. 170588 ID: 6834bc

>>170580
Uwix, you can protect yourself by canceling or dampening magic, right?
You might want to consider being ready to use that, given Reseri's... attitude.
>>
No. 170610 ID: 7524b0

I know why they aren't given the same rights as other peoples under the Golden Empire. It's because of the fact that the planet is a weapon, and they are the ammo. The Golden Empire is treating them this way because they can't bear to think of them as real people.
>>
No. 170614 ID: 1ac39d

yell really loudly "thousandfold says stop or they will kill you!"
we aren't really going to kill them but the threat should make them stop. after they stop also say "and don't bother thinking you can get rid of them, the machine has been trying for thousands of years."
>>
No. 170623 ID: a85626

You need to find "medical." It should be a lot of rooms like a hallway, with people in extra clean clothing walking around with masks on to protect the wounded from their mouth goobers. They would have sick or injured people there, probably on beds. That's where Nyix is.

Can you sneak away from Reseri? Alternatively, can you make Reseri fall asleep, preferably via repeated blows to the head? If you go to "interrogation" you won't be able to leave or find Nyix, unless you escape or she saves you somehow. It sounds like a bad place. Reseri wouldn't take you to a good place.
>>
No. 170774 ID: 86bece

>>170580
See this is why it was a good idea to not badmouth the Golden Empire in front of that particular birdie. She is a wee bit insane. Clinging desperatly to the idea that somehow it must all have been worth it.

I'm thinking that going to the interogation would be a bad thing, but getting away might be difficult. Hey, her eyes should be working through magic, think you can cancel out that specifically?
>>
No. 170883 ID: 7524b0

I'm afraid we don't know much of anything about this place. Reseri has shown to be an unstable person so unless you can actually use your antimagic to disable her eyes, you're going to have to just cooperate with her and deal with whatever's in Interrogation.
>>
No. 171554 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127249800279.png - (174.40KB , 640x480 , 3-14.png )
171554

>>170583
>>170883

I guess I should just follow her...

>>170588
>>170774

If she starts pointing things at me like she did to Tezex I'll try it right away. I don't want to... I don't want her to do whatever she did.

She's looking up to the skies muttering something I can barely hear. "-casulty. Umbral, male. Named Tezex. Treason against Empire. Send."

The crystal things on her shirt flash a little. She clicks and chirrups restlessly. "It will be worth it. All of it. They'll give everything back to me. Everything. Just stay loyal. Just stay loyal. Just give them the bound umbral and they'll see I didn't fail them. I'm not a failure. I'm not a failure. I'm not broken. I'm not useless."

She sounds so close to just breaking down. I don't know whether to feel scared of her or sad. I kind of feel both, like I did with Quiet.

"Not a failure. Not a failure. Just a murderer. Who killed one of her closest friends. Just a monster."

Now she's crying again. I feel like I want to cry too.

"Just a stupid, stupid horrible murdering monster! Just a stupid murderer killing her own friends in the name of loyalty to something that doesn't care if I live or die! I can't do this any more I can't do this I can't I can't I can't-"

She starts sobbing heavily.

I should run. I should run and find Nyix. I don't... but she's just crying. I can't... but... I hate the world. Everything was fine and now everyone is sad and in pain and I hate it-

She's grabbing me! And sinking to the ground...

"You're bound to an Essence I can see it you have to help me you have to bring them back anything I'll give you anything to bring them back anything I'll give you anything I just want Tezex back and Ketere back and my egg back and all of them back and not dead please please you're the only hope I have left!"

Reseri is still clinging to me. Quiet lost a lot, but she's lost a lot too. I dunno who lost more. I haven't lost anything but I don't know where Nyix is and I'm starting to think I'll never even see her again even if she's fine!
>>
No. 171555 ID: 7524b0

>>171554
TH: Can you do that? It could be a profitable transaction.
>>
No. 171557 ID: a85626

>>171554

Can you make or find an egg, TH? We're a bit tied up at the moment. Even if you can't give her back the guy she just shot if we have an egg to give to her she'll never realize it isn't hers until it hatches. c:
>>
No. 171559 ID: 1ac39d

i think a good price for an inside person is "help us destroy one of the towers, if one of them gone the weapon cannot be fired"
>>
No. 171562 ID: 7524b0

>>171559
...well, there is the slim chance that we can use the weapon in a way that would make the sacrifice worth it.

Like, killing only the people that are causing all the problems, and/or fixing the universe holes.
>>
No. 171563 ID: 30fa59

>>171554
I don't think we can give any of those things back, certainly we can't bring back what is dead and gone. Perhaps she could be made fertile again, not sure on that.

What you need to do is give her some reason for hope, and maybe then you can convince her to help you escape with Nyix.

It may be time for that hug now.
>>
No. 171574 ID: 701a19

>>171554
Hug her, cry with her, and say "I'll try. Maybe Au can help?"

@Au: Can you bring back the dead? Or at least restore this Cenesu's fertility?

@Xom: Why am I trying to talk to you? You don't even exist here!
>>
No. 171582 ID: 059120

>>171554
No, don't tell her anything unless we can guarantee it. She's really unstable, disappointing her would only make the situation worse. Just hug her and say nothing.
>>
No. 171681 ID: 888674

>>171554
I don't think Th could do any of those. Au might be able to help with the fertility, but that would need that Au was willing to help. Which isn't a sure thing since Au is still quite loyal to the empire.

Until we find out if we can help her don't say anything and don't touch her. She is still quite unstable and you saw what happened the last time you tried to hug her.
>>
No. 171689 ID: 7524b0

>>171681
TH can turn Something into Something. Au makes Something out of Nothing.

In this case, fertility and eyes could be repaired by TH. The egg could be reconstituted if we can retrieve it. We might also be able to revive her friend... but TH might not be willing to do that.
>>
No. 171937 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127258728411.png - (268.44KB , 640x480 , 3-15.png )
171937

>>171574

THOSE VOICES. I RECOGNISE THEM.

THOUSANDFOLD! FIRST I AM LED TO BELIEVE YOU WILL ASSIST THE MORTAL CENESU! THEN YOU DISAPPEAR, TRAVELLING TOWARDS THE MACHINE'S STRONGHOLD! NOW YOU HAVE THE TENACITY, THE GALL, TO CALL UPON ME FROM A PLACE YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE-


Au. Return to your duties. Gilde falls under my dominion. As does Zenith. ... Do not make a habit of requiring my intervention. Time is precious.


>>171555
>>171557

Cursory examination of the timeline you occupy provides context to your questions and requests. It is true I have the power to, from your perspective, make that which was dead alive. Death begins as just another change, and change is itself mutable to me. I have many means to do so. Some are more preferable than others. I favour plausibility. It avoids suspicion and paradox. The umbral can plausibly still be alive. Weapon failure. A last-minute antimagic spell. Additionally, the death is very recent. Reversal is still possible through perpetuation magic. The cenesu's lost mate and egg are long dead. It would require stitches between branches of alternate timelines for the egg. Hrm. Ah. It will be impossible to revive the cenesu Ketere. The possibility of a stable time loop, however, is non-zero. I will need additional information from the cenesu Reseri regarding Ketere's death. While I do not see the worth of these particular mortal lives at this time, I am more aware than most how one individual in the right place at the right time changes everything. And while I remain aware that one mortal can be that important, I will never lose sight of how precious they all can be.


>>171574

I hug her. She doesn't move away. She hugs back, still crying.

"Please help me! I have nothing left any more. They've taken it away from me!"

I don't say anything.

"I did everything I could, I did everything I could and it wasn't good enough! I did everything I could! So did he!! He did everything he could and he died trying to stop it!! We're just cenesu how could we have done anything more?! It just kept tearing through us so many people died and I should have died with them!!"
>>
No. 171940 ID: e78618

>>171937
Tell her that it's fine. She did everything she could and that's enough.

Cautiously ask her what happened when Ketere died.
>>
No. 171950 ID: 7524b0

>>171937
Say "Tezex can be brought back. The other things... something may be possible. I know it hurts but can you tell me more about how Ketere died?"
>>
No. 171955 ID: 701a19

>>171937

@Au: Teteke is safe, and we needed to intervene to save our current host from falling into the hands of the machine. Further, we have sparked a division among the ranks of the machine. You are free to question our methods, but do not insult us by questioning our resolve to protect Teteke.
>>
No. 171961 ID: a85626

>>171937

>> The cenesu's lost mate and egg are long dead. It would require stitches between branches of alternate timelines for the egg.

I would expect something like this. Thank you for your consideration, but all we really need is any egg from anywhere, that is convincing enough that Reseri can believe that it is hers. If you have need to hatch a certain mortal this would be a great opportunity to find a stooge I mean a mother to help with it. If not, I completely understand.

It seems like her decisions here could play a large part in the stability of this stronghold, which itself seems to be rather integral to the campaign at large. In that sense I do feel it was worth asking your assistance in order to offer her some aid or succor, to keep her behavior in control.

My gut feeling though is that Uwix is the most important piece here, and the entities running this city seem to be making a fatal mistake in dealing with him. I can't explain why he seems important, but for his surprising location for an Umbral, ability to hinder the machine servants, and for his surviving (somehow) the attack by a monster from a very chaotic plane of existence, something gives me a feeling it's important for all of us that this mortal stays alive for the time being..

Either way we might be able to end this without incident if Reseri witnesses what would be thought of as a "miracle", both coming to trust us more and to cease herding Uwix to his unfortuitous doom. Barring that we can simply try to comfort her about the reality of life and hope she doesn't continue to drag the world into ruin.

Also, got any tips for how to get off Au's shitlist? He seems really pissed at us for some reason. *glares at the other voices*
>>
No. 171967 ID: 3b6c92

>>171937
Th: You do some kind of odd things with tense when you talk, so just to be clear, you are or are not going to return Tezex to life? I'm not totally sure if your answer was intended as an oddly phrased declaration of intent, an oddly phrased implicit question, or some other thing, and I'd rather not get our friend the umbral shot because we promised something we weren't actually going to deliver to the emotionally unstable bird lady.

Mewix: You're going to need to ask Reseri how Ketere died, and this is probably going to be hard for her to answer (not because she doesn't know, but because there's definitely some pretty severe emotional trauma involved here). It could help to tentatively say that you might be able to do something. We're working on it.
>>
No. 171969 ID: 7524b0

>>171955
Argh stoppit
>>
No. 172015 ID: 059120

>>171940
No. We're trying to convince her the Golden Empire is wrong, remember? Saying she was doing the right thing is not the message we want to get across.

>>171955
Stop talking to Au, it's clear we're not going to get along.

>>171961
Giving her an egg, especially under false pretenses, is bad idea. The last thing she needs now is something to worry about or us lying to her.

>>171967
Yes, Th, are you going to help Tezex? If you can do that without altering the course of any events, I implore you do. I'm not usually one to advocate the return of the dead, but I can't let him die when there's something we can do, either. I do suggest we give up on Katere and their egg, though. Uwix, don't tell we can bring them back. We can't, not without screwing around with time, and that's not something I'm willing to do to save a single pair of lives. Especially not when it means we could be bringing back everyone from the dead, and we're not. From the sounds of it, a lot of people died there. Why shouldn't they get the same consideration?
>>
No. 172032 ID: 7524b0

>>172015
It sounds like TH might be able to bring back Ketere at least temporarily by basically grabbing him from the past, then shoving him back there when it's time for him to die again.
>>
No. 172043 ID: a85626

>>172015

>> Giving her an egg, especially under false pretenses, is bad idea.

Mostly I'm worried about Uwix, not the well being of an insane murdering fanatic like Reseri. It would be nice if she turned the corner and recovered, but there are a million others just like her just around the next block in this city. But mostly we just need something to buy us enough time to escape, save Nyix, stop a huge confrontation by getting Quiet Resolution out of here without her attacking them or them attacking her, and go find Teteke and the others.

Yeah piece of cake. So forgive me if I'm not eager to psychoanalyze Reseri and bring her to a true and lasting peace, as I have a hard time caring about people I only met a little while ago who kidnapped me and shot someone to death for being a traitor.

You never know maybe months later Reseri will hatch something totally unexpected and adorable, and she'll realize that though we were fooling her she totally deserved it and things worked out alright in the end. Or maybe it'll be another chaos anomaly and destroy the city from within looking for 33.
>>
No. 172044 ID: 7524b0

>>172043
Quiet Resolution is currently with the Machines doing what he does best: Negotiation.
>>
No. 172094 ID: 0cd898

>>172015
No you're trying to convince her of the evils of the golden empire. I'm mainly just concerned with getting Uwix out of there alive. If that includes telling the crazy bird that she did the right thing then that's what I will do.
>>
No. 172511 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127273417040.png - (338.59KB , 640x480 , 3-16.png )
172511

>>171961
>>171967
>>172015

My apologies. I forget your limitations, Thousandfold. With your complex path through space and time, I am often quick to assume you see causality much as myself. This is not the case. The umbral has not died. I reversed his death seconds after the Perpetuation artifact was fired. At your current point in the timeline, he will be dazed, possibly unconscious, but alive.


>>172015
>>172032

It is entirely dependant upon how the cenesu died. If the cenesu was not seen to die, and the cenesu's body was never recovered, the task is simple. It is a matter of removing the cenesu at a crucial timeline branch and reinserting him into the primary timeline at a convenient point. Cenesu egg patterns are typically indistinguishable to non-cenesu, but it allows the individual cenesu parents to distinguish their eggs from the eggs of others. Such a gambit would not work as you intend it to.


>>171940
>>171950
>>172015

I... I'll just not talk about it. Except...

"I... I think I can help you. How did he die?"

She hugs me more tightly, trying to calm down to talk.

"Opus 12 killed him when we were trying to stop the Opuses in containment from escaping. It just kept tearing through everyone like they were made of paper... he pushed me out of the way and yelled at me to run and... and..." She trails off.

"What? What happened?"

"He yelled at me to run because one of us had to live to look after our egg, and I saw 12 start to tear into him before I ran... Then we were told that our failure to keep the Opuses contained meant we were all failures, all of us, dead or alive! I managed to keep our egg hidden for a while but then they found it and they- and they- I don't even know what they did! They just took it away from me and I never saw it again..."

"Maybe... maybe I can help! I- I think Tezex might be okay."

"...what about Ketere? What about our egg?"

"I don't... I don't know if I can help..."

"..."

She nods, tears still streaming down her face.

"He died to save me... He wouldn't have wanted any of this to happen. And he wouldn't have wanted me to give up like this. I tried so hard to forget about him, forget about our egg, to move on... but on to what? Slavery to the Empire? Until they decide I'm entirely broken and useless and dispose of me? I can't do this any more!"
>>
No. 172514 ID: 058671

>>172511
Th, do you think you can fix that? By the way, do you think it's possible the empire keept the egg and let it hatch to use the chick for something?

Well if you can fix it, could you please put them in Rillford?

Ok Uwix, we need to get Nyix before we can get out of here. So tell her that she doesn't have to keep doing this for long, you just have to make sure Nyix is alive and get her and then you can all leave for Rillford.
>>
No. 172522 ID: 059120

>>172511
Okay, so Katere's out. That's okay, though, it looks like he didn't die meaninglessly. If they only took the egg, it's entirely possible their child is around somewhere. The Empire seems like it wouldn't waste resources without a reason. Th, you still around? Think you might be able to track it down? Trace Reseri's timeline backwards until you find it, then trace it forwards or something?

In more current matters, Tezex is either injured or unconscious nearby. How are we dealing with him? I'm guessing even if doesn't remember he died, he still just got attacked by Reseri. Should we try helping him out or just fleeing? ...Actually, that should probably be Res' call. Uwix: Tell her she doesn't have to keep doing this ("Then don't." is always my favorite riposte here) and ask what we should do with Tez. Assure her he should be fine. Then convince her to get help you get Nyix and leave.
>>
No. 172526 ID: a85626

>>172511

>> Cenesu egg patterns are typically indistinguishable to non-cenesu, but it allows the individual cenesu parents to distinguish their eggs from the eggs of others. Such a gambit would not work as you intend it to.

Alright, the egg substitution is a bad idea then. In our world "birds" who lay eggs are much less able to distinguish. In the past some have even been induced to discard her own eggs, simply because a wooden egg looked larger (and thus healthier). Indeed some birds (called "mockingbirds") fool other birds into caring for their own eggs, and young! This among other things is what gives credence to the phrase "bird-brained".

Not to disparage the birds. Accidental substitutions in infants for us has gone undetected for years, if ever. There are legends going back eons about that sort of thing happening, although it remains extremely rare.
>>
No. 172531 ID: a594b9

>>172511
Well if they all ran, did they ever go back and recover the body? Ask. If not then we're in business.
>>
No. 172541 ID: 8606a8

Also, make sure to reaffirm to her that Ketere died defender her and their egg - Golden Empire be damned.
>>
No. 173232 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127292179069.png - (199.34KB , 640x480 , 3-17.png )
173232

>>172514
>>172522

Hm. Interesting. Tracing back Reseri's timeline to the last point the egg was still... Hrrm. I had assumed incorrectly. The egg does not vanish from the timeline due to its destruction. But it simply vanishes. Although I have also noticed that Ketere was... beyond salvaging. I have always known I am not the only entity altering timelines. The removal of the egg from the timelines I oversee would appear to be a step in one of their machinations. I must depart. I direly need to re-examine the changes to the timelines. My plans are not to be interfered with.


>>172541

"You said he tried to save you and your egg. I don't think he did that for the Empire. I think he did that for you."

She nods slowly, lets go of me, and stands up.

"I can help you! If you help me find Nyix I can help you guys get out of here. All of you. Tezex as well! You don't have to keep doing this any more."

"...Tezex!!"

She runs back where we left Tezex. I look around for a few minutes at the shiny machines and towers of Zenith as I hear angry shouting.

As I look at them they don't seem as shiny as before. Some of the machines are starting to slow down and seize up. It's like the whole place. Shiny when you look at it for a second, breaking down when you look closer.

I drift towards them. The angry shouting's gone and I see Tezex hugging Reseri. I get the idea they were normally good friends. Dunno why Reseri tried to kill him. And maybe succeeded? You guys don't make things easy to understand.

"...wouldn't have wanted you to give up, like you said. Best damn cenesu I ever knew. Still, you're right. We all need to get out of here. Uwix! Come over here."

"What?"

"Those of us unlucky enough to be born in this place don't escape easily. We're going to go to medical and get your friend. We won't be able to just walk out of the front gates. We'll have to take an alternate path."

I'm not good at this escape plan stuff. Can you voices think of anything for me to ask him?
>>
No. 173234 ID: 059120

>>173232
Should save the questions until we get out of here.

As for getting out... can you just leave? I mean, no one knows they're planning on actually quitting. They should just be able to escort the two of you out of the city, and then you can flee from there.
>>
No. 173346 ID: a85626

>>173232

>> But it simply vanishes.

>> I must depart. I direly need to re-examine the changes to the timelines. My plans are not to be interfered with.

Glad to point it out to you. Best of luck there. Although... if you now just pulled the egg through time, wouldn't your past measurements indicate that it vanished due to mysterious forces you had not yet employed? Seems presumtive just yet to rule out that you yourself were the one who made the egg vanish from its timeline.

inb4 Reseri is Teteke's mom
>>
No. 173349 ID: a85626

>>173232

Ask him if he knows any tunnels underneath the city. Tunnels are awesome!

Heavily guarded tunnels is best because they won't expect that you can fix the guard machines to let you through.

Looks like you could fix a lot in this city actually...
>>
No. 173359 ID: a594b9

Yes, we COULD set up a distraction by messing with a machine somewhere, then sneak out during the commotion.
>>
No. 173404 ID: 701a19

>>173232
@Th
Look at the egg and show us what it would have looked like as both a child and as an adult. We can keep an eye out for it, and if we see it you can trace it back to find out who manipulated it.

As far as Ketere goes? We don't need his entire body, just his mind. A little change so that his brain ends up in cryostasis, and then Zenith does some experimentation into cloning.
Magic the brain into the cloned shell and he's alive with a minimal alteration to the timestream.
>>
No. 174191 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127318489647.png - (130.56KB , 640x480 , 3-18.png )
174191

>>173234

"Can't you guys just walk out?"

Tezex shakes his head. "We need explicit permission to leave the city. We were a small force tasked with intercepting and capturing the Machine soldier detected close to the city. If we hadn't returned for a while, they'd have sent craftkind out to make sure we were still focusing on the job. ...And that we hadn't tried to run away or anything."

>>173349
>>173359

"Are there any tunnels? I could make a machine do things as a distraction!"

He looks at me with his eyes sorta squinted and slowly slides a tendril over his face. "Yes, there are tunnels. Don't touch anything. You might think you're something else with machines. A lot of us do. Trust me. The city mechanisms are far more complex than the stuff you've probably played about with."

Reseri taps at the thing on her shirt. "Kateke. Selin. Ainea. Report."

A sort of buzzy voice comes from it! Ooo! Is it like the talking-stones back home? ...I miss home. I want to go back there as soon as we find Nyix and leave. Maybe I can take these people there!

"Selin speaking. The umbral's a little shaken, but she's in near-perfect condition. Ainea's looking after her. Parts of her floatation organs were missing, but they've been regrown with a few minutes of focused creation and perpetuation. We also found part of... something lodged into her side. Kateke's been studying it since. It's... well, I'll tell you when you get back.

...She's alive?

She's alive!!

She's alive Thousandfold! I was worried for a bit and now I'm not! Yay! My best friend is alive and we're going to get out of this place!

We're on our way to "medical". I guess it'd be like a hospital or something.

Tezex talks along the way. "So, Uwix. Where did you and Nyix actually come from?"

"Oh. Uhhh... there's a city where lots of umbrals live called Abat-null. I come from there."

"Abat-null, eh? I bet your parents and Nyix's parents must be getting very worried about now."

...

They probably are! I don't want them to be worried if we're okay!

Thousandfold, can you do something about that? Like tell them we're safe? I don't know what you guys can do!
>>
No. 174193 ID: e973f4

>>174191
I... have no idea if we can tell them you're (more or less) safe either. See we kind of have that whole "don't totally know what we can do" problem either; I mean, shouting randomly at people who aren't here has not worked most of the time but has gotten results a couple of times, so I don't really know.

So, um, immediate concern: find Nyix; next concern: get out of here. Somehow.

Wish I knew how to do that. :<
>>
No. 174528 ID: a85626

>>174191

The only ones who can take us away from people seem to be the most powerful of the Machines, and the Golden Dudes whom I think are like, gods or something. I wouldn't recommend asking them though. We can deliver a message if we get stuck to someone over there, or if the person we're stuck to goes there. Mostly all we can do is violate determinism and destroy prophecy. You want us around if you need help escaping a terrible fate, but you will want to look for something else to deliver a message.
>>
No. 174535 ID: 89b1c3

>>174191
>"Abat-null, eh? I bet your parents and Nyix's parents must be getting very worried about now."

Wait... Uwix, how old are you? Are you an adult?
>>
No. 174563 ID: ee51c2

>>174191
No we probably can't do anything about that. Or if we could chances are they would be even more worried.

But don't worry about that now. Right now you need to get out of there. Then you need to make your way over to Rillford.
>>
No. 175088 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12733499788.png - (317.85KB , 640x480 , 3-19.png )
175088

>>174535

I guess I'm sorta not an adult yet. I'm not just a kid though. And I got on a boat I found with Nyix without telling anyone we were going to come here.

I know they're gonna be mad at me and Nyix when I get back for sure, but I dunno. My parents being mad at me isn't nearly as bad as getting eaten by weird things or stuck in this place.

>>174193
>>174528

Aw. You're right. I should hurry up and get out of here.

>>174563

I know you guys say Rillford is an important place but I think I should at least let my family know I'm alive!

"*kshk* Reseri?"

Reseri stops immediately and jabs at the talky thing. I have no idea how it works but I want one! I could just tell my parents not to worry and that I'm going to Rillford or whatever!

"Yes, Selin?"

"No time to explain! Get to the front gates!" Through the sort of crackly voice I can hear that he's breathing pretty heavily like he's running and talking at the same time.

"What is it? What's going on over there?!"

"We were leaving medical and something started chasing us! Think it may be one of the Opuses that broke containment! And also what part of 'no time to explain' isn't clear to you?! ...SH-"

Selin's voice just stops. A weird buzzy voice replaces it. "Connection with target device has been lost. Connection with target device has been re-established."

I don't know what the next voice is but it sounds worryingly happy. "What a fascinating device! *click* It's so shiny! I have to have it. *whirr* Ooo, and it's connected, too! *click* Wonder who the seltwil was talking to? *whirr* Oh well!"

...

I've never seen a cenesu run so fast. They run fast to begin with! Me and Tezex do our best to keep up but we just can't move as fast as a sprinting cenesu.

"Spirits. It's 20. I'm sure of it. Why the hell it's doing I have no idea but... Okay, Uwix. You heard that voice, right? If you hear it, close your eyes and don't open them. Ever. If you keep your eyes closed, it can't do anything. And don't hold or touch anything mechanical if it's nearby."

"...okay, huf, huf, I guess, huf, what is it what's 20"

"...spirits. That thing right there. CLOSE YOUR EYES!"

It looks shiny!
...
I should close my eyes I should close my eyes

"Haha! Excellent! New friends! *click* Hi there! *whirr* Ooo, you feel different to the others! *click* You feel... less changing! *whirr* And I think you talked to 15 not too long ago! It's staying on you longer than the other! Haha! *click whirr*"

That's one glowy light thing-

i await commands from the empire my life for the empire i await commands- what what am i thinking my vision is going blurry

"I think you should =STAY THERE= for a bit! *click*"

oh no oh no i can't move i can't move i should move i want to move move body move no don't sink that's the complete opposite of what i want you to do

"Haha! Yes! Your name is Uwix! You're an umbral, not quite of adult age yet! Your home city is Abat-null! Wonderful! *whirr* You like shiny things! You like mechanical things! How marvellous! *click* Do you want to be my friend, Uwix? It is such a fun existence! *whirr* Don't be so scared! It's fun!"

my head hurts it's like something is poking me inside my head over and over

"Oooo! This is so very new! *whirr* There is something else in here! *click* Hello, thing! What are you? Do you want to be my friend too? *whirr*"
>>
No. 175095 ID: 059120

No.
>>
No. 175097 ID: 1ac39d

close your eyes, NOW.
>>
No. 175101 ID: 701a19

>>175088
Which faction are you with? Machine? Golden? Chaos?
Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. You probably don't want to stay around this Umbral, since that will probably get you killed.

@Ir: We've got something you can blow up here - for the good of the Golden Empire, of course.
>>
No. 175108 ID: a594b9

>>175088
If you go very far away and leave the people on this planet alone, then yes, we can be your friend.

You do realize you're hurting Uwix right? Friends don't hurt friends.
>>
No. 175149 ID: a85626

>>175088

You don't want to talk to us! We are liars, you see. We always lie, and never tell the truth. In fact, I'm lying to you now.
>>
No. 175150 ID: a594b9

...

Uwix, =CLOSE YOUR EYES=

20, =GO AWAY=
>>
No. 175231 ID: 5a2e05

>>175088
NO WE DO NOT. UWIX, CLOSE YOUR EYES NOW.
>>
No. 175245 ID: f21281
File 127337479329.png - (196.22KB , 640x480 , TheTruthWillSetYouFree.png )
175245

>>175088
Hi. Wanna see something neat?
>>
No. 175508 ID: 701a19

>>175245
Seen it, bought the shirt.
>>
No. 176103 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127358877570.png - (60.00KB , 640x480 , 3-20.png )
176103

>>175101

"Heeheehee! I like you! *click* Machine? Chaos? What are those? *whirr* Don't like the Golden. Keep me locked up! *click* No fun at all!"

>>175108
>>175149

"Aw but that's no fun! *whirr* Hurting Uwix? Hahaha! That's silly! You're silly! *click* The things you say are silly! You're fun! *whirr*"

feel faint so dizzy

>>175245

"15! 15's symbol! Haha! *click* Are you friends with 15? *whirr* I like 15!"

>>175095
>>175097
>>175150
>>175231

"You're no fun at all! *click* I'll go away."

yes obey commands will obey commands close eyes closing eyes-

AAAAAA that was so scary! I'm putting my arms over my eyes until it goes away! So scared so scared I don't understand what happened it was like a voice that was always at the back of my head suddenly appeared and told me to do things!

I hear it go away and open my eyes. Tezex isn't here.

I keep going forward until I sort of recognise the path to the gates we came in through- NYIX!

"...Uwix?!"

"Nyix!"

She's alive and she's here and everything's okay we can go home now as far away from this place as we can go!

"Nyix, we have to get out of here! We have to go home!"

She doesn't say anything and just... starts crying? She hugs me more tightly.

"Nyix? What's wrong?"

"Uwix I was so scared I thought I was going to die and that no-one would ever find us again I'm sorry I-"

"It's okay it's okay we're here we're alive we can get back home they're going to help us!"

Poor Nyix, I've never seen her so shaken up!

Slightly further away I hear Reseri's voice. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Nyix needs me right now.

[cutscene ahoy]
>>
No. 176106 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12735943506.png - (358.45KB , 640x480 , 3-21.png )
176106

"I've asked you politely. I've invoked my authority. Explain why we can't leave right this instant."

"zrrn zrrn LOCKDOWN IS IN EFFECT. NOTHING MAY LEAVE ZENITH WHILE OPUS 20 IS OUTSIDE OF CONTAINMENT."

I hear another cenesu. "Reseri. Leave this to me."

I hear a bunch of crunching, a mechanically grating screech and a shattering of something. "...PROTOCOL protoPROTOCOL PRIOrity chanCHANGE. ACCE- ACCESS- ACCESSALLOWED. LOWED. bzzt"

Me and Nyix move to the rest of the group. We all quietly move out of Zenith and start running once we're clear of the gates.

We're out of that horrible place! We all made it!

Wait.

"Reseri, where did Tezex go?"

She spins around in alarm. "What?!"

Selin grabs Reseri before she starts to run back to Zenith. "No, we can't go back after him, Reseri! We took a risk great enough to get out of there-"

Nyix looks around. "Where's the other seltwil? Where's Ainea?"

I don't think I've seen a seltwil run as fast as a spriting cenesu before...

Kateke coughs and looks around. "I. Uh. You two'll be fine, right?"

"I... I think so."

"Good. Don't worry about us. Go."

And there he goes back to the gates.

Me and Nyix wander away from the crazy golden city after a pause.

I feel like I should be happy. I got Nyix back, she's alive, she's unharmed. We're free from Zenith.

I feel really, really scared. Scared for myself and Nyix.

We find somewhere safe among the trees to sleep. We're both so scared we fall asleep in each other's arms.

All I dream of are swirly coloured monsters, laughing golden machines, and people trapped inside very small floating boxes.

- END OF CHAPTER -
>>
No. 176109 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127359446652.png - (177.31KB , 640x480 , 3-22.png )
176109

World Summary: Towers Active: 2/9 Unified Terean Influence: 40% Golden Empire Influence: 35% Machine Influence: 25% Uwix did not learn or improve spells. Nyix did not learn or improve spells.

>>
No. 176115 ID: 8d7dd2
File 12735977034.png - (92.27KB , 640x480 , i1-1.png )
176115

-...given their ease of control.-

-Is it not within our power to sever their links to the Empire?! Is it not the very foundation of the Machine to protect those greatest at risk from the Empire?! Director, further actions against these species serve no purpose but to hasten our demise!-

-They are intrinsically linked to the weapon, as I have repeatedly stated. Why should we attempt to preserve those who are, in their purest essence, cogs in a weapon? A weapon of which has destructive potential we have not yet fully understood?-

-They are not linked to the weapon! They are unwilling fuel for it! Much as we ourselves were not linked to the technologies of the Empire, but used as its minds, its fuel! How do they differ in this situation?!-

-...This correlates with the intelligence relating to the city of Zenith. ...Very well. Hostilities will be reduced. I will instruct the invasion forces to use force only if necessary. But we cannot afford to leave this world. The weapon is too great a threat to leave intact.-

Yes. Knew it. The Director still has some shred of her old self left in her.

Hold.

Who are you? ...All of you?
>>
No. 176135 ID: a594b9

>>176115
Wow, we are NOT supposed to be here. How did we manage this?

Hello again, Quiet. We are the Thousandfold. We were previously assisting Uwix. I am surprised you did not notice.

Anyway, we empathize with the Machine's plight, and that of the world. We too wish to prevent the weapon from being fired. For now, anyway. I think there is a possibility that it could be used to attack something worth sacrificing the planet in order to kill. Saving the universe would be worth it, right? Sadly we do not have enough information to judge if that is correct.

The Director is pissed off at us for our past actions, and rightly so. Please do not reveal our presence here.
>>
No. 176168 ID: 06026b

>>176115
Hello Quiet, interesting to see you from this side - although like my compatriot said, I don't think we're supposed to be here.
>>
No. 176174 ID: 1ac39d

from our underrstanding you only need to destroy a tower to render the weapon useless as it would no longer be able to create the necessary energy.
>>
No. 176188 ID: 6834bc

>>176174
...Yeah, but be warned. If the Golden Empire is half as smart as it should be, there's bound to be something in place that will make the weapon go off/make sure it's still deadly in some capacity - even if you do destroy one of those Towers.
>>
No. 176192 ID: 1ac39d

>>176188
indeed. that's why you need t destroy all of them to be sure.
>>
No. 176333 ID: a85626

You machines are scary! At least the Opuses. We met one called Opus 20, and it almost broke little Nyix on accident! It was an accident though, and the opus did leave him alone, but 20 was still trapped in the machine city when we left, and seeming very confused.

That said we managed to get an ally from the city, two actually but one hasn't made it out yet. Also it would be best if you didn't inform anyone around you that we're uh... here. They get kind of bitchy about our presence, and we want to talk with you!
>>
No. 176406 ID: 059120

>>176333
I'm pretty sure Opus 20 wasn't part of the machine. I mean, he may have been a machine, but unrelated to The Machine, who are definitely not just every mechanical device ever. Or possibly even any mechanical devices. Quiet, you guys' name is kind of a misnomer. I know it's probably meant to be symbolic and stuff, but seriously, I'm getting tired of all these things being named badly. The Machine, a faction of normal, non-robotic races (albeit ones in mechanical suit-body-things). Perpetuation, the magic of not keeping things the way they are. The Abstract Chaos, a completely real and non-theoretical place made of up... stuff. That actually does seem to obey some simple concepts. Opuses, of which I'm not really sure what they are, but it definitely isn't things someone made. Southfort, a fort in the-- wait, no, that one makes sense.

Oh wow, I really got on a tangent there, didn't I? Well, back to my first point, 20 seemed to make Uwix think about obeying orders and loyalty to the Golden Empire, so it's really unlikely he would be a part of their mortal enemies.

>>176115
But yeah, Quiet. I think some of the others have handled the introductions, so what have you been up to? Sounds like you're at least making progress on the 'prevent everyone from being killed' front. Hey, how much do you even know about what's going on? We've managed to get quite a bit of information that might be useful in deciding on a course of action, and convincing Force of it.
>>
No. 176570 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127370847043.png - (163.42KB , 640x480 , i1-2.png )
176570

>>176135
>>176168

...!!! You were the voices I heard when I established the link with Uwix...

What are you doing here, 259? Are you- Are all of you insane- well, that seems a given.

How did you get into the Core so easily?

>>176168
>>176174
>>176188
>>176192

This is exactly why no Machine forces are permitted to go anywhere near the Towers without authorisation. Not until we're sure what triggers them. Or that we can tell if they're active or not.

You wouldn't happen to know if any of them are active or not, would you? It may strengthen my case.

>>176406

I have made a great deal of progress. I have paused while the Director considers what I have said. I can't say I am aware of the entirety of her plans and machinations, but her aims no longer include "kill them all just to be safe". I hope.

I trust you reasonably well, given your attempts to help the umbral. I don't know what past actions you're referring to, but she... She never was the same after the attack on Obsidian. Several of those close to me came so close to death that day, but that pales into insignificance compared to... never mind. I digress.

The Machine. I believe I should explain why we take this name. Without delving into the entire history of the decatur, those who survived the revolution that gave us back our future as a species could see only one recourse. For the sake of all decatur living, for the memory of all decatur killed, for the safety of all decatur yet to be born, the Empire had to be stopped.

The creator and leader of the Machine, First And Last, told us that we could not allow the Golden Empire to exploit us as they had before, and that to face them as before would be to simply hand ourselves back to them.

A new approach would be required. We would fight the Empire and we would not stop. We would fight them constantly. Like an untiring machine. The machine to destroy the Empire. Unceasing. Merciless. We would tear them down and give them no chance to repair or rebuild. They turned our natural resonance to their magic to their advantage. We would turn their magic against them.

And thus was the Machine created, and as we found those threatened by the Empire, we found in them new allies and greater forces.

-Emissary? Any further matters to discuss?-

Anything you wish me to discuss on your behalf? ...Within reason?
>>
No. 176571 ID: 1ac39d

two are active at the moment. the one you found uwix in turned on just before your arrival.
>>
No. 176572 ID: e973f4

>>176570
I dunno if we have anything to discuss with the Director.

I will say, in case you aren't aware -- apparently, part of our deal is that we routinely lose all knowledge of everything and start over again. Which has, we've been told, by the Director herself, even, led to, uh, bad things happening.

And of course we have absolutely no memory of any of it. It's a mess.

Moving beyond that, um, since you asked, there are currently two towers active. One is our fault (it happened right after we "woke up," so we had no idea what it was going to do); the other isn't.
>>
No. 176573 ID: 6834bc

>>176570
The only thing I can really think of is that we've been talking with the three bound mortals, and we're going to be steering them away from activating Towers/steering them towards finding out how to prevent the weapon from being usable at all. At least, that's my goal.

Would knowing if any towers are active switch the Director to panic mode? 'Cause we might know something, but if it's something that would push her closer to "kill everything so they can't destroy us", I would rather keep it to ourselves.

...Also, you might not want to say we're here. Our last 'chat' with the Director wasn't exactly a friendly one.
>>
No. 176575 ID: a594b9

>>176570
The people at Zenith are suffering under the Golden Empire's rule, and being attacked by abominations. If you defend them against the Anomalies, some of them might actually cooperate to some extent. We know of two that actively wish to abandon the city.

This also means that the forces there are DISTRACTED. An assault on Zenith might succeed, though we would prefer it if you avoided killing.

Also, one of the Towers activated via an override from one of the three Essences. Speaking of which, AU is loyal to the Golden Empire. TH has told us that he is not, and seeks to stop the Golden Empire's enslavement of other races. We believe him. TH says that IR feigns loyalty. We do not know IR's true motivations.

By the way, Uwix and Nyix managed to escape Zenith. The others are fighting the Anomalies.

Speaking of Anomalies... have you seen one that refers to itself as 'Sensation'? Possibly, another creature similar to Anomaly 33?
>>
No. 176576 ID: 059120

>>176570
Two of the towers have been activated. One of them on the Terea mainland, another off on a small island, probably near Abat-Null. Oh wait, you were at that one, right.

Do you guys know what the Resonance does yet? All we know is it's a weapon, and it uses the life of everyone on Ter to power it.

We're really sorry about the Director, by the way. That attack you mentioned? Our fault. Or at least a previous version of us. Complete recurring amnesia and permanent identities don't mesh well. We were also the ones who helped her settle Obsidian in the first place. I'm sure that only made it worse when we started working for the other side the next iteration, though. :<

Let's see... The Machine, Resonance, Ter, The Empire... Oh! The Abstract Chaos! Anything you can tell us about that? We've had some run ins with creatures from there (though I'm sure I don't have to tell you that), so any information would be nice. Any way to kill those things? Send them back outside the universe? Something? How do they relate to your 'Anomalies', too? You've definitely called at least Truth one of them, and it's a fitting moniker (for once), but supposedly we're number 259? And while I'd definitely call us an anomaly, I don't think we're related to the chaos. What do you know about us? Can you get the file on 259 or something? Also, Truth's, what was he... 33, that's right. How do they match up with the Golden Empire's Opuses, too? There seemed to be some intersection there. If you know anything about their categorization, you think you could find anything about Opus 20? He was some kind of... mind control robot or something.

Jesus Christ, I ask a lot of questions. Looking back, I don't even expect you'll know the answer to... pretty much any of these. Ah well. I guess it's at least good for organizing them to keep them in mind.
>>
No. 176635 ID: 4b7e5b

>>176570
What do you know of these creatures called "Humans"?
>>
No. 176752 ID: c71597

>>176570
Hello Cantid.Two of the towers are currently activated. It's likely that more will come online down the road.

We also happen to know a bit about the potential of the weapon. The destructive energy it would unleash is quite staggering. It's been hinted that it could pretty much end the war in one go. But if you tell the Director that then I suspect that you will be quite disappointed at her reaction. She might decide to use it for the greater good. I have always disliked that phrase, greater good, the way people use it to give a veneer of respectability for their actions.

Anyway, best of luck Cantid.
>>
No. 176758 ID: a594b9

>>176752
Don't call him that. Quiet Resolution is his name now.
>>
No. 176761 ID: c71597

>>176758
Oh I know. I just want to remind him of his past, of what he has given up and make him think on why he did it. If it was all worth it. So I'm going to keep on calling him Cantid.
>>
No. 176762 ID: a594b9

>>176761
That's exactly why he doesn't want us to call him that!
>>
No. 176763 ID: c71597

>>176762
Yes I know that too. Which is one of the reasons I'm doing it. He should remember, he should evaluate his goals, his life and if he thinks it has all been worth it. So I'm going to keep it up, to make sure that he feels he's doing the right things.
>>
No. 176765 ID: a594b9

>>176763
That's not something you just FORGET. He just doesn't want to think about it ALL THE TIME.
>>
No. 176879 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127378421470.png - (297.45KB , 640x480 , i1-3.png )
176879

>>176571
>>176572
>>176573
>>176575
>>176576
>>176752

...I was hoping for "just one". I will remain silent. The moment it is discovered more than one of the Towers are active, all plans will change.

>>176572
>>176573
>>176576

You are an entirely different entity each cycle. Your remorse and hesitance show to me that if given a second chance, you would not wish to repeat what you had done. But you are right. I will not reveal your presence.

And what you have done for the Machine has not exactly been much less damaging.

I estimate the current toll of the war to be about... hrm... 80 sapient species. Most of which were caught in the crossfire. Of course, I aim to end this war. Every Machine soldier does. I just want to end it without making every member-species of the Empire extinct.

>>176575

This has been confirmed. But the kaier-minded constructs of Zenith do not listen to reason, and attack relentlessly on sight. No Seeker dispatched to that dome has ever returned.

-Those who live within the Control City are unwilling, terrified slaves to the Empire. I believe it may be possible to persuade--

-They are indoctrinated. Threatened. Once the threat is removed, I have absolute confidence they will realise the benefit of an alliance. Until then, they are an unfortunate enemy we must try to disable. I will heed your words. I shall instruct the forces not to use lethal force unless absolutely necessary.-

...That's a start.

>>176576

Given as I was there at the time... But yes. Killing them has proved difficult. Sending them back to the Chaos tends to be easier. If that's an available option. Typically, our attempts to combat these anomalies have involved mostly trying to get out of their way. We are never their primary concern. Merely collateral damage just waiting to happen.

No. "Anomaly" is a blanket term for anything either unique and/or significantly powerful as to cause concern. We are not sure how many Opuses exist, but twenty of them are known to us.

33 is verified to be Opus 15. I do not know if I could correctly identify Opus 20, but it sounds very similar to a large, large swathe of anomalies. You would have to be more specific, unfortunately.

[cutscene]
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No. 176880 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127378423824.png - (280.21KB , 640x480 , i1-4.png )
176880

>>176635

Creators of the Golden Empire. One of the first five or six member-species of the Golden Empire to partially defect to the Machine after the Empire arrived at Obsidian. Humanity has proven to be a valuable ally. Quick to adapt to our technology and to figure out the weaknesses of the Empire. For a species that lacks any natural magic potential, human casters have a great deal of skill and fine control over their spells.

My actual encounters with them have been brief, but I have not seen a reason to distrust them so far. They seem to believe those humans remaining in the Empire are as much slaves as any of their creations, except without even being aware of it.

I am not quite sure what exactly they were referring to. Possibly slaves to the idea of the Empire as a whole, or maybe a literal instance of another species claiming absolute control over the Empire.

>>176752
>>176758
>>176761
>>176762
>>176763
>>176765

...

I have just persuaded the Director to not destroy all of the species on this world. I may just have saved countless lives on this world.

Yes, I think it's worth it.

-Director. Here is the information on what the Resonance weapon is capable of. And its effects.

[i]-Thank you, Operator.-


...
>>
No. 176881 ID: 8d7dd2
File 127378425898.png - (165.54KB , 640x480 , i1-5.png )
176881

...

-...-

WHAT?! NO! NO!! THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT!!

-...no. No. No recourse. We can't afford to risk it. Operator. I need direct contact to First and Last. I require the use of the Incarnadine Dream.-

-DIRECTOR! DIRECTOR THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES--

-NO!! No. There are no alternatives. Every second these creatures stay alive is a second we risk the weapon being fired.-

-Is genocide such an easy decision for you to make? How are you any different to those of the Empire?!-

-I will arrange means to collect enough of the native population to ensure their species stays alive, and with the other Directors, I will find a new homeworld for them. But nothing can be left alive on this world.-

-And what of the sserreds?!-

-They made their decisions.-

I...

...If you're still there, Thousandfold. Save them. Save them as soon as you can.

The Incarnadine Dream... nothing will stop it. Nothing.

- END OF INTERLUDE -

= END OF THREAD =
>>
No. 176926 ID: c71597

>>176881
See, told ya you wouldn't like it. Just wait until she figures out a way to use the the weapon for her own means. Then the greater good will suddenly involve alot more genocide.
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