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BackupDancer posted:
We appreciate you, Zeetha. Even if "sweaty glories" is an uncomfortable turn of phrase to contemplate. BackupDancer posted:A2's simulacrum is more like pokemon, where you need one spell to capture something's essence and another to release it into battle. I prefer that version because you can collect all the nastiest cave creatures. Make sure to get a lich. My playthrough has stalled for the moment (something shiny flashed nearby), but I've already been having fun with the collection spree. Time to make a chitrach someone else's problem for once! EDIT: Update just at the end of the previous page.
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Sep 20, 2023 22:34
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This is a wild idea, but hear me out. Given the things that happened to escape from the school, maybe the Empire was right to shut it down.
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Sep 21, 2023 03:06
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Even if that were true, they left a magical superfund site laying around leaking into the local environment.
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Sep 21, 2023 05:22
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Yeah. You shut this kind of facility down properly, and not just rush everyone out in a week's time.
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Sep 21, 2023 06:14
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This story is clearly based on decommissioning a nuclear power plant. Rushing it is more dangerous in the long run than doing it properly, even if it takes years - you don't just press the OFF button and walk away.
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Sep 21, 2023 08:59
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The Empire also took the opportunity to have their woman on the inside murder a bunch of the people who should have had some part in preventing and/or fixing this problem. And then hid all the records of what they'd done so that nobody knew there was a problem to fix. Neither the school nor the Empire look particularly good on this one.
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Sep 21, 2023 15:55
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All that's left to do now is push a button, surely nothing else could spring up after we do that right?
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Sep 24, 2023 15:14
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Chapter 27: The Fire and the Ashes  One last place to go.      We made it. We did. I was almost expecting something to try and stop us. Careful, chief. We aren’t done yet.  Everyone hold still, you know the drill. That’s our free cure for the day. Let’s be quick about this.  JV? If I have the instructions right, this is it. Says “safety off.” Meaning? Remember that quickfire? I hope you aren’t getting cold feet. My feet are snug in my boots! Mine too, Zeetha. Look, uh. I don’t know if I want to die to get this done. I see. Why not? If we either die as heroes, or leave in shame, let us die. That’s easy to say, Princess. It is easy to do, little mage. Everything is. When have we ever cared for safety? You are free to march back to Talrus. I will operate these controls as best I can. We shall die with warm feet! Well, shoot, guys. I’m staying, JV.  I am too. Here goes.     Oh no. Oh no. Run! We’re not gonna make it! AAIIEE!   Can you guys hear me? I can. How long are we gonna stay suspended in-   For a moment, we can see through walls. Holy cow. Holy cow. Breathe, little mage. Mayor Crouch, with all due respect, we removed the curse. Aren’t you at least a little happy about that? That’s depressing. Maybe so, Gwen. Thank you for your time, Mayor Crouch. We wish you the best of luck. Hoooly cow. I can’t believe we survived that. Me neither. And that the vahnatai rescued us. With teleportation magic! With no portal! How did they lock onto our signatures? How did they place us so precisely in Sweetgrove? I’m not even missing any fingers! I’m not even singed! It was so hot in there. I thought we were dead for sure. Do you think we could’ve- Little mage, breathe in. Now breathe out. I…thank you, Zeetha. But what a rush! Do you know what warriors do in a time like this? What’s that? We get roaring drunk. To the tavern! Oh, I had forgotten how bad it was. Why didn’t we start with our stash? You must start at the tavern. It is tradition. I’m not drinking any more of this slime. To “our” house! Now we can truly begin. Everybody, observe my technique! Ah, that is the stuff! I don’t think I can drink that much. Let us work together. Hooo boyy. I feel funny. You look funny! Ha ha! Princess, go and… why don’t you… oh man, why are my legs so wavy…? Hey, wonderboy. Eh? Watch this.  I’m drink! Uh, drunk! Gremlin drunk! You’re blue. No, I’m actually in good spirits! Your hands, hee hee. Your glowy cat hands, Gwen! Oh, I am blue. How about that. Aah, I haven’t been this deep in a good long while. Me neither! I’ve never been, uh. Not smashed. Like this. You silly *hic*, silly goose. Weren’t you in university? Hee hee, what did you do, read books all day? Cave university. I tried their beer, I tried their wine. A few times. It all tasted soo bad. Like mushrooms you could drink. Sad!Much revelry later…  …and I told him to shove his paperwork up his, *hic*, up his, his… ooh, ooh man. Have I ever… hee hee, have I told you about the salamander incident? …maybe…? What, was there a salamander? That’s what you’d assume, right? When in fact… I just do not feel my life will be complete before I do it, you understand? I do. I want you to… I want you to attain your dreams, Zeetha. I thought you were a pacifist. It’s so difficult. One the one hand, you know, life has value. But also, my friend… my good friend, the Princess Zeetha, really wants to slay a dragon. She really wants it. And I want her to be happy. You are a good friend too, Zeke. Stop, I’ll weep. Ha! Ha ha! I love being a hero! As do I! Everyone! Let us be heroes! Yay! What does that mean? Why are we… where are we? Any second now, we’ll find some bandits. Then we will be heroes. I think we killed them all… Gwen, I can see by the light of your… by your blue glow… do you feel okay? I’m, *hic*, I’m fine, wonderboy. Are you? No. I think I’m gonna throw up. Good man. Good… let it out. Somewhere I can’t see. Hmphggh. Oh no. Where are we? You… Princess, you led us here! Last night! Oh, my head… I cannot really remember. Did we find any bandits? I have no idea. Wake up… wake up the others, eh? Let’s get going. Much as I don’t want to. I would welcome death. We had our fun, now we have our business. Want another curing spell? I don’t see what another one will do. Then quit dragging your feet. We have some people to see. Hail, Broder. We found your scepter. That “someone else” is Pangle. You can also ask if the scepter has been useful:  Oh, and we wiped out a bunch of bandits. “On your own” my left- Gwen! Let’s go. At least that felt good to do. Let me see the wand? Eh. To the shrine! Peace is what we need, sister. Has the mayor shown you the scepter we brought? We also have the stone you wanted. In that case, here’s another. Best of luck figuring out what they do. You seemed unusually content to give those stones away. We got what we wanted from the school, and we’re leaving anyway. Not just yet… …do we have to go back in there? Humor me. As I suspected. The barrels are ash, but the waste remains. Not our problem anymore. So we walked all this way for nothing? Exercise is always good. You know, I’ve quite a bit more trim than when we started this. Thanks to constant walking back and forth, for what, almost a month now? That’s good, Zeke. The most dangerous place for fat… is around the waste! Eh? Why did you say it like that? Oh, never mind. Okay then. Let’s see if the vahnatai are still here.  Drat. I was hoping to speak with them. I guess they went home. They’re gone. You know what that means?  We get our pick of the loot. Why did they leave these behind? Who cares? I shall take good care of this blade. That’s probably the right attitude. Let’s go topside. Goodbye, school. So you don’t want to stay? Do some research? I do, of course. But I’ve been thinking. I bet this isn’t the only place where experimental magic is happening. And I need a change of scenery. Right there with you.    Commander. We found the source of the curse and cleansed it. The plague remains, but it will no longer get worse. And someday, it may end. I’m happy too. Everyone ready to leave? Yes. We have killed everything we legally can here. We should a-Vale ourselves of some vacation time.  I’m ready as I’ll ever be. Then let’s go. Here’s a shot of our party:  The ranks seem to be generated loosely based on your skillset and level. And the map: 
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Oct 6, 2023 23:38
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Tombot posted:All that's left to do now is push a button, surely nothing else could spring up after we do that right? Surely! idhrendur posted:This is a wild idea, but hear me out. Given the things that happened to escape from the school, maybe the Empire was right to shut it down. You're almost right, I think. The only problem the vale had with the closed school was the waste leaking underground. The goblins, chitrachs, platebugs, gremlins, dragon, altered beasts, etc. hadn't managed to escape in a hundred years even with three ways out. This implies that if the Empire had secretly murdered everyone, closed in a week, and just remembered to hit one extra button, the vale would have been fine. Black Robe posted:This story is clearly based on decommissioning a nuclear power plant. Rushing it is more dangerous in the long run than doing it properly, even if it takes years - you don't just press the OFF button and walk away. The grounding in reality makes VODT great, and it's not even my favorite of the bunch. With that, the first scenario is over! Took longer than I expected, but it turns out that documenting every detail of a game is hard. There are, of course, three more base scenarios. I have a lot of plans written out and I’d like to complete them. But for now, I need to get some life stuff sorted. This LP will be going on hiatus until I have the time and inclination to resume it properly. Thanks for reading, for real.
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Oct 6, 2023 23:48
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Hooray! Our four dorks survived! 
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Oct 6, 2023 23:50
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Victory! Now to find Zeetha a Dragon to kill.
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Oct 6, 2023 23:51
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And here ends my encyclopedic knowledge of the game (Which I have not really shared.) and of modding it extensively (Because I don't remember it too good.) to make funny things happen. Because the instructions to get the full version were mail in only and also i was like 11 when I got into it.
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Oct 7, 2023 00:00
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I didn't even realise that you were so close to the end of the scenario. I appreciate the harsh but realistic ending, though. I haven't played this one, but the original Exile quartet definitely had some... harrowing Quickfire escape sequences.
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Oct 7, 2023 01:50
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That was fun, I'm glad everyone survived and nobody turned evil. Now I can only wonder what other adventures could meet our heroes.
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Oct 7, 2023 03:09
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As far as I can tell, the ranks are indeed based on your level and then your highest couple skills. No idea how many variations there are, but when I played this with a few different parties, IIRC, I found at least 6 different "paths" with my various characters - pure fighter, pure archer, rogue, mage, priest, and mixed mage/priest. But I didn't really experiment with it and just built characters how I liked, so I'd expect there probably even a few more for stuff like fighter/mages or priest/mages or etc.BackupDancer posted:With that, the first scenario is over! Took longer than I expected, but it turns out that documenting every detail of a game is hard. There are, of course, three more base scenarios. I have a lot of plans written out and I’d like to complete them. But for now, I need to get some life stuff sorted. This LP will be going on hiatus until I have the time and inclination to resume it properly. Thanks for reading, for real.
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Oct 7, 2023 03:54
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Gwen getting drunkblessed on gremlin wine, oh my yes. Good to see you tidying up all the last little loose ends, even things I never thought of like going back into the waste disposal. Thanks for a great LP of the first scenario, and looking forward to seeing how the others look in this engine, whenever they may happen!
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Oct 9, 2023 06:45
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Congrats! It was fun! Have a good hiatus!
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Oct 11, 2023 08:12
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 Uuuhhhghgh… There you are! Look at this! Hi Zeetha...is that a…dead seagull? Yes! … … And why are you holding a dead seagull? It fought back. Respect. It bit me, and pierced the skin! They never do that! You fight a lot of seagulls? That is not important. So you attacked a seagull and it bit you. Why does this matter? They did not used to fight back. It is strange. Indeed, I tried to clear some rats out of the ballast yesterday and they had biceps. Rats and a seagull. I don’t see a connection. Something has changed, Jeffogel. Relax. I’m sure it’s nothing.
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Mar 10, 2024 03:00
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Ah, the self harm setting. Also, happy new year.
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Mar 10, 2024 03:09
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Oh gods, these poor bastards.
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Mar 10, 2024 03:44
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As someone who has tested Jeff's games on Normal and ...are you sure about this? 
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Mar 10, 2024 04:00
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Oh hell yeah. Let's get that
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Mar 10, 2024 06:08
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Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms in the region. Are you sure whatever you're doing is worth it?
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Mar 10, 2024 08:43
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habeasdorkus posted:Oh hell yeah. Let's get that disposablewords posted:Oh gods, these poor bastards. All of this. 
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Mar 10, 2024 10:00
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I'm here for this. I'm not sure what this is but I am fully on board.
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Mar 10, 2024 10:46
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Chapter 28: Enter Morrow’s Isle Welcome back.  Back again? Were you…waiting for me? I just enjoy watching the waves. I don’t have as many books as you. Come to think of it, that might be why- Step out of my way, please. Right.  … … I would go lighter on the chowder, friend. It doesn’t matter. Any amount at dinner and sometime later, here I am. Hey-ho! You are out to appreciate the ocean as well? JV was just throwing up. I may again, so watch it. You should take this opportunity to watch the waves then! After all, you are here. You may as well admire their tirelessness, their foam and force. Uh-huh. We having a party? JV was throwing up. And these two were throwing me a party. Then I’m fashionably late. The captain says we land tomorrow. Good. I am eager to destroy these brigands! Are they brigands? I thought they were deserters. I thought they were bandits. As of now, we have not been told exactly what they are. Either way, there will be glorious killing! I think I see the island ahead. Thank the…oh no… Gangway! I smell commerce!  These are very clean docks. Ho there, watchman! How are things? Carry on then. Paranoiac. Who’d attack an Imperial dockyard?  That would be our ride back. And leave before spilling blood? Never! Come on, let’s poke around.  What a seawall! You don’t see one of this make often. Are they doing enough business to justify this? Maybe they plan to. Aw, Gwen, they were expecting you. It’s nice to be thought of. Now just a quick jimmy, and- Hello, officer!  Hello officer! We were just doing a routine dockyard inspection under Imperial Clause 23-H-BVC. Is there a problem? I suppose not. What a lovely city. Quiiite a few guards on patrol.  Smells like sailors. We probably do too. Hail, barkeep! It’s great to be here. What can we get? The beer. My digestion has barely recovered! You didn’t have to drink it, wonderboy. No, I didn’t. We’re new to the Isle. Anything we should know? But of course we’ll read your books. Dangerous how? Hill Runners… Say, we’re looking for- -a place to sit. We’ll get out of your hair. What was that, Zeke? I just wanted to know where Vonnegut is. Let’s not give out our business so freely. This is a jumpy town. Hey, where’s Zeetha? Hail, sailor! With pleasure. I have been at sea myself. Do you enjoy this ale? Ha! I loved it. Tell me of your work. Spit on me again and I shall clean my blade in your upper intestine. So we understand each other. Again, tell me of your trade.    A coward’s way out. I am no longer interested in this conversation. Who was that guy? Weak. I think that’s Vonnegut over yonder. Rebellion? “Yonder”? Why is everyone here so nervous? Times of rebellion are frightening, but surely Selathni is safe.  We’ve been led on for far too long. Who are these “Hill Runners”? Sheesh. “Stalker?” I hardly know ‘er! HA! Settle down. Success? Fighting the Empire? Why not just send an army? And the people live in fear. Tell us of this…“Stalker.” Hee hee. Jaen? I hardly…hmm. And who is Jaen?  What is your warning? Understood.  So the people live in terror because the Hill Runners are using, well, terrorism. But the Empire isn’t just stomping them out? Why? I can understand. It is a timeless, universal proverb: Never use the entire military to kill someone when a princess is available. I’ve always said that. So our role is of infiltrators and, likely, assassins. And one misstep will have the Empire after us as well. Much to consider. Let’s do some reading! Those are big books. I will sit idly over here, and demand a summary afterwards. Fine.  It’s a rich island with a history of minor unrest. Now the rebels are organized, and they control the mountains to the northeast. And they’re violent. Indiscriminately. Don’t leave out that the workers here are serfs. Serfdom was abolished, but that is what the book says. And the island was originally settled by Nephilim. They’re long gone. Not anymore, Jeffogel. I just landed. Hey Klivans. Sounds like the Empire mismanaged the island. Gwen!  Gwen, you can’t just say things like that. Especially in this high-strung town. I’ll say whatever I please. It’s not just you in danger. This isn’t Skylark Vale. We can’t say anything that affiliates us with these rebels. So you will keep your opinions on the Empire’s justice to yourself, and all of us will be safe because of it. …fine.The other option:  I appreciate it, Gwen. I know it’s not easy. Now, let’s explore the rest of this place. Let’s start with that fop over there. You are gawking, boy! Have you never seen an adventurer? We do of course support the Empire.  What do you do here? Keep busy? It certainly is.  Jaen? And if you disagree with him…  Real charming guy. “When I was young and foolish.” What was he, eighteen? Not a day over twenty. It is possible he was once even younger than he is now. That can’t be right. How did he know that we’re here to fight the rebels? Forget that, how did he know about Jaen? I thought he was supposed to be super-secret. Five will get you ten that he has an important father.  At last, a place for the spirit! Clean in here.  Hmm. Dissatisfied? There is no divinity here. Yet kneeling did feel pleasant. A minor charm, maybe? I have found their donation box! How slimy. Not feeling generous? Let’s just leave.  This is more what I expected! Perhaps they will have a fine blade. That one smells like a smithy. Thank you, good man. What business do you do here?   I congratulate your success. Where did you learn your magic? It’s nice to know I have a fallback. Take care, smith. A trainer? I think you meant a “keeper of knowledge.” I certainly didn’t. Step up to my counter! Your what? Hail! So you’re a sage. Huh. That was an easy admission. Tyranny? Do you really help sea captains? This seems like a training room.  Oookay. And she’s wandering off. Counter? What counter? Best not to worry about it. Close that door!  Why did we just close this woman’s own door in her face? Look in this box. Golly. Still a-wandering. She seemed troubled. Why would she tell such an obvious lie? Ever been sleep-deprived? Being tired doesn’t make you a liar. Though it might make a liar sloppy.  Hail, weaponsmith! How is business?  We have heard a lot of these Hill Runners. What do you know about them? What happened? I’m so sorry. Let us see your stock. All these shops have gear that’s beneath us. I am unimpressed. We leave. That was brutal, Zee. We could’ve at least bought a dagger. I find pity colder than truth. Let’s do something nice for someone, at least. There. Now she won’t wander.  Missiles, eh? What kind? Can you tell us anything about the rebels here? Understandable. Be well, Blue. How can I get a nickname like that? I don’t know, Ashfur. Wait. Is that a- Traditional ancestral tribal Nephilim name. Foglio. Okay, okay. Is that guard following us? There he is again! Say the word, Zeke. I will dice him until he is ready to sprinkle over a salad. I think they’re just being cautious of new arrivals. Let’s avoid suspicious behavior and everything should be fine. Ooh, unattended homes! Gods below, Gwen. I played ball with you, let me have this. Or do you hate money? You wouldn’t hate money. I would never speak ill of money. Lead on.   Very chic. My eyes cry blood. Hey Gwen, want these lockpicks? I have plenty…besides, that means whoever lives here is a baby thief. We have to support them. Does that support extend to not pawning their dishes? Don’t talk crazy, Zeke. Uhm, hello. Need anything, officer?   Off he goes. I’m impressed that worked. How? Natural talent. And the presence of a six-foot-tall swordswoman. I too am natural!   Back for more?As you go through Selathni, a guard will walk up to you, walk away, and come back endlessly. We just let him leave before stealing anything.    And that’s all the houses. Cave-god, Gwen, but you’re efficient. Let’s explore the rest of this town. Maybe even in a legal way.  I do not trust this place. What is a “victual”? It’s like salmon, but with more gristle. I shall try it. Say, fellows, what are we talking about? Alright then. Hail, inkeep! Serve us your most gristly victuals! I am not seeing what I thought I would see. Me neither… This seems like a nice inn. You get a lot of captains? Wine? It’s made from grapes. Best not. We’ll celebrate when we’ve done something worth celebrating. You’re not the only innkeep in this town. Let’s go bother that drunk! Mind if we sit? How’s the wine? Did you say that we’re victims? Uh-huh. What do you do, Bearden?  You owned a mill? Serfs. We could probably get whatever you left. Where is this place? We buy the horses. Are we sure about that? I’ve never ridden one. I shall teach you. We buy the horses. Fine by me. Should save us some traveling. I’m sorry about your mill. Volpe invited you? Sad tale. Is it? Sounds like his mill was worked by serfs. I will be very interested to see how this “serfdom” works. To the horses!  What a smell. Okay, little mage. Here is how to ride your steed.Following an explanation, encouragement, and a boost…  I feel…powerful. It’s like being very tall. Very, very tall. Do you not love it? I see the appeal. Good! Now do not fall, and keep your posture so you will not chafe. Okay… We’ll make a cavalryman of you yet. Can we ride them through the inn? Is that considered rude? I’m sure Purdee wouldn’t mind. Best to dismount, I feel. There’s one more building I want to examine.  Sorry to interrupt, Captain. We’d like to speak with you.  Will they really try to recruit us?  Goodbye then. What a rude man. Why does everyone think we are in danger of joining the rebellion? Maybe they’ve converted adventurers before. Not likely. A small rebellion could hardly pay better than the empire, not to mention the risk. I tire of this politicking. Let us get a room and sleep.  Good morn-woah! Don’t trip over the equipment. Late on the warning, Ashfur. The early bird finds his footing. Okay, okay. Zeetha, where did all your skulls go? I left them in Sweetgrove. The pleasure was only in the act of collecting. It’s a nice welcome-home gift for whoever originally lived there. I will soon have more. Everyone, crowd around this map with me. We’re here, in Selathni. Big island. Those are the mountains in the northeast…that must be rebel territory. We can avoid it for now. And Jaen is waiting in Willow. We go west. That so? We have been here for one day and already the talking tires me. Something will live to the west, and we will kill it. Then I will be ready for more…skulking around. I like that idea. I haven’t set anything on fire in weeks. Alright then. Let’s saddle up. Goodbye, Selathni. Wow. Now that is good farmland. Let’s trample it!Next time: Ogriculture!
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Mar 11, 2024 02:10
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What do horses actually do in BoA, anyway?
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Mar 11, 2024 02:43
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Dang, it's like the guards here want to alienate people and criminalize even innocuous behavior just to give themselves an excuse to... brutalize... people... Hm. Yeah, I get the feeling that a place known as "the Empire" probably isn't in the right here.
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Mar 11, 2024 04:12
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Note that the Empire is directly responsible for throwing various prisoners and anyone who looks funny at the government into Avernum, a massive series of underground caverns under the surface world - thereby setting the stage for the events of the main Avernum series. So yeah.
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Mar 11, 2024 04:37
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I missed these knuckleheads.
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Mar 11, 2024 05:01
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mind you, the rebels massacring everyone down to children isn't good either. Hopefully after getting the lay of the land we'll find some more reasonable factions.
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Mar 11, 2024 06:06
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Poor JV doesn't know what he's getting into. Enjoy your first experience of horse riding, buddy. You'll be fine after the first week or so.
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Mar 11, 2024 11:17
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Quackles posted:What do horses actually do in BoA, anyway? It's fairly useful in Exile/Avernum 3 which has an enormous game world and a bunch of day-based timers. I suppose a timer-based scenario in Blades could also make use of it in the same way if you have horses available. Otherwise, the only game-play benefit is if you have a wandering monster that you're trying to avoid walking into (and getting into combat with), because your boosted overworld movement allows you to outrun them.
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Mar 11, 2024 19:51
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Black Robe posted:Poor JV doesn't know what he's getting into. Enjoy your first experience of horse riding, buddy. You'll be fine after the first week or so. His first experience of horse riding will be an adventure's worth of that. He's getting a full body cramp.
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Mar 11, 2024 21:49
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Quackles posted:Note that the Empire is directly responsible for throwing various prisoners and anyone who looks funny at the government into Avernum, a massive series of underground caverns under the surface world - thereby setting the stage for the events of the main Avernum series. How dare you judge them based purely on their actions! Black Robe posted:Poor JV doesn't know what he's getting into. Enjoy your first experience of horse riding, buddy. You'll be fine after the first week or so. No muscle cramp mechanic, I'm afraid. Quackles posted:What do horses actually do in BoA, anyway? In addition to what Magus said, they seem to reduce the chance of getting poisoned by swamp tiles. habeasdorkus posted:I missed these knuckleheads.
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Mar 17, 2024 23:56
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Chapter 29: Ogriculture Wow. Now that is good farmland. Let’s trample it! Uh, guys? The yield must be…hmm? Look at this. This is the recruitment we were warned of. Who gave you this? I have no idea. When we meet Jaen in Willow, we’ll tell him. Not a very secret mission, is it?  How does this farmland stack up, Zeke? It’s difficult to believe. If I had land like this… No wonder Selathni was so built-up. They’re anticipating more arrivals. Weird, I don’t see signs of settlement here... That’s because we’re wading into a swamp. Right. I knew that. Hmm…everything here is covered with a thin layer of smelly, viscous goo. Hooray! There she goes. We can’t just let her die. Follow that princess!   Agh! Killthemkillthemkillthem!Giant slugs are annoying. Close the distance on them fast so they stop spitting acid and start trying to melee you.  That was awful. My boots are dissolving. No point staying here. We only have a couple hours of light left. Glad we won’t be spending them in a swamp! No wonder this area isn’t settled. Topsoil must be an inch thick at best. Hey, who are those guys? Ogres! Yes! Ha ha, yes! Zeetha!Per the log, the ogre attacks have between a 5% and 19% chance of even hitting Zeetha, probably thanks to her points in Parry. That’s why she can fight seven at once. Bless me! Make me a goddess of death! Rare shot of Slow in action.     We’re killing machines! Yippee! Hmph. This machine needs a break. Tomorrow, we find their lair. First ogre to strike me earns a seat in Valhalla! Do fire lizards get to enter Valhalla? I shall make an exception for this one! Everywhere we go, we leave piles of corpses. This soil will be rich soon enough. You guys see that? Looks like a body. That’s a bad way to go. Easy enough to avoid. I think he got lost. That’s the first step – don’t get lost. Careful with that. If he died wielding it… Maybe it’s not such a great sword? Cursed.  I hear a commotion coming from that crevasse. Eh, it’s more of a crevice. I’ll put you in a- Quiet! Come on!  Good lord above! That’s a lot of ogres. Then we shall get a lot of exercise! JV! Help me heal! I’m busy wielding the power of the elements!   Dammit JV, we lost two of them! Eh, the Empire’s a big place. They’ll find more. Safe travels, boys! You are being callous. Look, would you rather I fry five ogres or heal one guy? We haven’t all limited ourselves to- Men! The four of us live. Be content. Of course. Right. They’re building into that mountain. Ogres aren’t much good at mining. I wonder… Let us pick another fight! Dog breath! Be strong!You know how this fight went.  Are they…farming? Zeetha, look ou- -oh, right. More! Bring me more! This is a…strange place.  Zeke, come look at this. Oh, I know of this plant. It’s used in sleeping potions. And the ogres are…farming it? Strange. Why? You cannot herd a plant. Or hunt it. She’s got you there. We’re getting to the bottom of this. Slithzerikai! My flesh! Every inch flayed, my bones open to the air like hatching chicks! Somebody please heal her. The pain is draft beneath my newborn wings! Please!One bloody battle later…  This is impressive architecture. For ogres. They’ve been distilling the herbs into this brew. For what purpose?  Secrets and lies, secrets and lies… Drat. I would’ve liked the recipe. Why? Thinking of knocking us out? I’m a simple collector. Though some peace and quiet would be nice… I’m not drinking any more of your cocoa, mister. Gwen trains up:  This will be handy. Oh, and check that wall. Just some scrolls.  To arms! Bless me! Yeah, yeah. That’s your theory? These ogres settled down, took up farming, and mass-produced a sleeping potion because- Because they just like it? Yeah. That’s bone-headed. I, too, have a head of bone. I’ve always liked that about you. It’s not so “bone-headed,” Ashfur. If you think about it, that’s what humans did with wheat. Wheat and sleeping potions are not the same thing. Maybe, maybe not. Ever had too much bread? You…ugh. Whatever. I’ll admit, I did not expect animal husbandry. Anyone for salad? I don’t need any more parasites. I hear many behind this door. That is all the blessings you have? Until I learn more. Which I will. Let us do this. Are we interrupting something? GRIND THEIR BONES FOR THE STEW, LADS! A worthy opponent! At last! The ogre summoned baby hydras. That purple is the capture mind effect. Ha ha! I’ve taken that child’s mind! How does that work, anyway? We smell like its mother now. Or it thinks we do. Out of my way! I want to cut your leader! Ah, you hate to see babies fight each other. You don’t mean that. No, I don’t. I am through! Prepare for your end, ogre!   My blood is pumping, my enemies are still. A good fight. That ogre seemed important. He had a name. How do you know that? It’s likely that all of them had names. …never mind. That ogre cannot have directed the digging out of this complex. No, this was the work of something smarter. Not the slithzerikai? They’re smart, but not at building. Veerrry nice. That’s going in the bag. That’s a lot of sliths! Agreed. Casters, bless me. We have names! Yes. … Just bless her. Chaaarge! Always start by casting Slow. I love killing and death! Fry them! All this violence…I can’t bear it!  Gah! Face me, mage!  This mage is a coward! Frankly, I’m aghast. Just shoot him. Now we are having real battles! I do not miss the goblins. Things have gotten tougher. We’re tougher too.   Hmm. What’s in there? What do you see? It is…chitinous? What. Is. Chitinous.  Oh, it is chitinous. WHAT IS?! Gods below. All hands on deck! My hands are on my sword! Great! Good! Keep them there! KYA!  Not fair! I was winning! Kill that mage, then we can discuss fairness. My fur…my beautiful fur… Bald is beautiful, Gwen. Let me grieve! Everyone feeling better? Physically, yes. This thing is evil.There’s a priest spell we don’t know yet that can purge evil from altars. We’ll be back. That demon must have treasure somewhere. We’ve found the bone pit. Good work, everyone. These skulls are satisfactory. I’m not done yet. Check that wall.   That’s a very nice ring. All yours. There’s a rear entrance to the farms with a single ogre and a door locked for 18. For some reason. At last, my map is complete! Then can we please go back to Selathni? And real beds?On the way there…  Who are they? Hail the camp! Uh… Yes, of course. We’ll go do that, right away. How long do we give them? Five minutes? How dumb do you think he is? Ten.After ten long minutes… Hail the camp, again! We did it!  Decent-ish. Eh, I’ll be able to do that soon enough. I feel ten feet tall on this thing! Then I must be twelve feet tall. Fine, rub it in. Real bed, real sleep, sweet dreams, here I come! Hang on. There is something I must do. Now it feels like home.Next time: Things get complicated!
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Mar 17, 2024 23:58
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Well we certainly got sidetracked this time, but at least it's good we dealt with those Ogres. I'm kinda curious as to what was going on there, maybe we'll see that demon again.
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Mar 18, 2024 16:55
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Chapter 30: Willow On the road again! Nice roads, these. Paved. Banked. Patrolled.  “Don’t be stupid?” Is that a standard warning? Unfortunately, yes. It is fine advice. Let’s take a right here. I want to talk to those farmers. Hail the farm! Say, how did you get these beets growing so- -oookay. This one, then. Why would it be any different? Hope springs eternal. Hail the farm! I don’t like the look of this. I do!  This was someone’s home. They might still be alive! To arms! How I have missed fighting bandits and rogues! KYA!  Get them, lads! For the Bandit Nation! Bandit Nation? We rise!  Ouch! NYA! What did Zeke ever do to you? I didn’t like his vibe! How dare you!  Some nation. I don’t know why so many bandits think they can build a country. How would you ever trust the tax collectors? I already don’t trust tax collectors. You’re assuming they need taxes. You’re right, they can just pave the roads with friendship. Thank you, thank you. All in a day’s work, ma’am.  This was worth our time. Yes! What a mess. Is there any untroubled farmland in the Empire? There is, but we won’t see it. They don’t need to hire adventurers. What a view! Glad I’m off that boat. Anyone for skipping stones? Eh, I can never get them into the water. Why would I skip a stone? I am thorough. That’s not - here, do as I do. That was unbelievable. I’ve never actually seen someone kill two birds with one stone. I am the master! Let’s try this farm. Third time’s the charm. Hail the farm! What news? Yes, the price of rutabegas is really getting out of hand. Let’s goooooooo Zeke! Fourth time then? You’re lucky I like you. Hail the farm! We come in peace! That’s horrible. And unsporting! No survivors? What about that guy we met in Selathni? It’s possible he didn’t live there, just owned a mill. Goodbye for now, Charmo, and stay safe. So this would be Willow. Somewhere in here is our meeting point with Jaen.  I see a lot of dirt. Hail, guard! Any heroism to tell of? That was not useful at all! A child! Good day! What are you up to, young man? Absolutely. Here. Zeetha, your sword is on fire! Children must learn the value of pain. Wait- See? All is well. I despair. What would you do with a real sword, Aboro? Oh? Oh. Who looks after you? Aboro, I’m so sorry.   Dark times. It’s good that we’re here. See that last line in the text box? This woman wants a chat. Hail, warrior! Tell us your tale.   That’s brutal. I’m sorry about your companions. We’re here for…similar reasons. Do you have any advice for us? Uh-huh. Thanks for the advice, Donnaud. Take care. She looks like she can fight. I’m surprised the rebels could take down her party like that. We will have to stay on our guard. She wanted to join us! Yep. We might even want her… And split the reward money? And split the incoming missiles.  I’m starting to understand the urgency. And the secrecy. When you have to build a whole separate graveyard… We must not end up here. These people were just peasants. Why would a rebellion kill peasants? Guardswoman! How goes your lookout? Rebel attacks are that common here?  That is…disquieting. They’re really raiding here? This far south? We’re traveling the breadth of the Isle. We might be able to deliver it. Our pleasure. What’s been happening around here lately? They’re angry? We’ve imposed enough. Stay safe, Madeleine.  Good. I have some questions for the mayor.  Yeah, I’m thinking we enter. Let us at least talk to the person in charge first. Hail, mayor! Administrator. I suppose so. How goes the…administration? We’ve heard of some problems. The Hill Runners?  The peasants? Who is Chelsea? But of course. Sorry, did you say “feudal state”?  Hmph.  How are the crops here? They look…bountiful. Lord Volpe? Forbes, the peasants here look hungry. Like really hungry. … Goodbye, Forbes.If you agree with him:  If you disagree:  If you ask about the Nephilim…  Seems unlikely that he would say this in front of Gwen. But he might if she wasn’t around.  Yuck. I’m searching his shelves.  Follow me, everyone. What a hairball he was. Secret passage is here. She’s efficient!  The blood is fresh! This seems unnecessary at best, foolish at worst. Won’t whipping people make them want to join the Hill Runners? I haven’t even been whipped and I’m liking them more and more. Oh my. Hello, there. Can we help you? Why are you locked in here? Never surrender! Wow. We met Forbes. He’s, well… So they’ve locked you up to keep you quiet. Who is this Master Brosterman? Your food is stolen?  There is enough here to feed the people and still make a tidy profit… Shows what they care for the people. Do you want help at all? We can bring food?  Not even a quick healing spell? She said no. Do you know anything about the Hill Runners? Okay. Stay strong, Chelsea. I want to roast Forbes over a low fire. He seems unsympathetic. He’s creating the conditions that are making everyone mad. If he just let them keep more food, they’d be happy and he’d still profit! More gold in locking up dissenters and cracking the whip. It’s the Empire way. It used to be. I’m concerned to see it happening here. What’s this building?  Cramped in here. Let’s leave them to their rest.  Hello! We are in your house! Greetings, fellow mage! What work do you do here?  Why, we’d love to learn some spells. I feel like a kid in a candy shop. In a way, you are. You are right. I have a child’s ability to wonder, to imagine, to see things as they might be rather than as they are. Are you from Morrow’s Isle? Where’d you train? And how are your people doing? Hmm. Any thoughts on the rebels? Rude, Gwen. Okay, okay, we’re going. Whoever lives here, they love reading. Or it’s part of their job. What is so great about reading? AGH! There, feeling better? I do not understand people who keep books in their home. Not all books explode, Princess. Yes. We have found some which summon demons.  This has to be the passage to Jaen. We’ve searched everywhere else.  Yuck, webs. Think there might be spiders around still? I wish for that.  No spiders. A shame. I suppose we sit in that throne? “Judged and commanded”? I don’t like that. It’s the job. So we’re taking the job? I think so. The Hill Runners seem dangerous. Not just for the Empire, but for the peasantry. I guess I’m feeling sympathetic to the people here. You saw the conditions they’re living in. Even Chelsea doesn’t want to work with the Hill Runners. I’m not sure they’re helping the peasants as much as just being indiscriminately violent. You’re not wrong. It just seems…complicated. And I don’t trust the Empire at all. If we do not like the work, we will stop doing it. I guess so. Everyone ready? Gwen? Go ahead.  This chair is comfortable!  Do we accept, team? I say so. Yes… Why not? We will help you.  And that is that. I shall miss this throne. I have never desired to sit before. People change. Can we do anything with that shade? Nope. Well, that was enlightening. To Liam? And to this Canizares person! Lead on.Next time: First contact with the rebellion!
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Apr 7, 2024 18:44
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Alternate title for this adventure: "Four
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Apr 7, 2024 20:44
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I'm certainly interested in learning more about these Hill Runners, they clearly have an agenda beyond what we know. Death cultists maybe?
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Apr 8, 2024 00:07
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