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Editing note. It suddenly occurred to the Haruspex that the feeling of a terrible predestination and dread has always hung in the Town's air and the plague might, very well, be that, which it was always preparing for. This line is a little comma heavy and run-on. I think a better way would be: It suddenly occurred to the Haruspex that the feeling of terrible predestination and dread has always hung in the Town's air and the plague very well may be what it was preparing for. or It suddenly occurred to the Haruspex that the feeling of terrible predestination and dread has always hung in the Town's air and it all may have been in preparation for the plague.
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Oct 26, 2014 01:59
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Ok I've gotten lost. The Devotress is trying to save the town while the Impostress wants to destroy it?
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Oct 27, 2014 02:53
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Deadmeat5150 posted:Ok I've gotten lost. The Devotress is trying to save the town while the Impostress wants to destroy it? There are two Impostresses and each of them is doing their own thing for whatever it is that they want to accomplish.
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Oct 27, 2014 04:03
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Chapter Eight Part 3 Artemiy still had to share the Town's bloody secret with Aglaya. Perhaps, she will have any ideas on how to coax the blood from the Elder without going through excessive trials, although Artemiy didn't hold his breath in that regard.   Oyun was an exceedingly foolhardy fellow with a deep distrust and hostility towards Artemiy whatever strings the Inquisitor or anyone else, for that matter could pull wouldn't amount to much.    Leaving the station, Artemiy found yet another letter in his pocket. For some reason, this particular one felt heavier than any other of today's correspondence.  Georgiy's InvitationDear Master Burakh! Surely, you must already know that certain fatal changes have occurred in the family of Vladislav Olgimsky, who has been your protector and an esteemed friend of your late father. As a result of a cunning plot, the head of the Olgimsky family has agreed to submit himself to the mercy of an enraged mob of butchers that would, until recently, tremble at the mere mention of the name of Boos Vlad! I must emphatically ask that you set aside some time to visit the Horns. I possess information that can save the life of a man whose hospitality you could, until recently, always rely on. Georgiy Kain The letter reeked of false niceties and of an attempt to set yet another plot in motion, but if what Georgiy wrote was true, then Vlad Sr.'s life could very well be in danger and Artemiy would probably like to preserve the life of one of his biggest patrons in this wretched Town.    Georgiy's home was just across the street from the Cathedral, but Artemiy's business with Aglaya was a fair bit more pressing. Artemiy decided to settle the matter of the blood first.    Even though I'm glad that you're here, you shouldn't visit me too often. Don't worry. I've been to the Abattoir, though the knowledge that I've found in there is rather hard to accept, especially if one isn't prepared for it. I'd say that I'm prepared well enough. I'm well-versed in the mythology of your people. I know the ways of this land. Tell me what you've found out in the Abattoir. Tell me where the blood came from. I'll believe any fantastical news that you'll have for me especially if they fit my prior knowledge and estimations. The earth upon which this Town is built is riddled with tunnels. They go all the way up to river Gorhon. The blood from the Order's rituals has been emptied into those tunnels for many hundreds of years.The knowledge that shook Artemiy just an hour prior was accepted by Aglaya in a very brisk manner. You haven't surprised me. I've read about this while I was preparing for this trip. Moreover, I can tell you that there are similar cults that exist among other groups of people. All of them belong to various ethnic groups. There are even some northerners among them...Aglaya was talking about the world outside of Town the world that has been forgotten by Artemiy for the time being. This blood is warm. It is alive. This means that the Town is feeding it and, in the same way, it feeds the Town. This fact is entirely unexplainable, you know does it fit with your knowledge and estimation?Aglaya's interest was certainly piqued now! Oh my... I would say that it does fit my estimations... Come to think of it, it fits the knowledge I have, as well... So that is why they are loathe to dig any wells... That is why the rivers are so shallow and the water in Gorhon is so transparent... Indeed you've impressed me, but I'm not shocked. I was ready for something fantastical, even if I was expecting a... different outcome. What sort of outcome did you expect? Well, it's quite boring, actually. I thought that the Elder has a living aurox tucked away somewhere... They could've taken the blood from him... We could've made several thousand helpings of Panacea from him it would've been enough for those who are still alive. They are quite large, these auroxes almost akin to brontosaurs, or so I've heard... Brontosaurs? What are those?Aglaya chuckled at Artemiy's lack of worldliness, but the laugh was gentle. Hold on to that thought even if it could be interesting as a discussion of a natural phenomenon, it would mean something entirely different from you. We'll discuss it later. The important thing is that the blood is circulating within the Town and is feeding it. This means that the Town is alive. A living being. That is your Marked one. It fits, isn't it? The scope of it all seems to fit, at the very least. What does the word Udurg mean? The body that contains the world within itself.Artemiy had to admit that her notion was quite persuasive. I'm merely interpreting Isidore's words. I've got it written down right here he knew that the Marked One was in danger. He knew that only a miracle could save its life. He knew that we would need proverbial rivers of panacea to save it. Finally, he decided to challenge the Elder and assume his lawful position at the head of the Order, in order to get closer to the heart of the Udurg.Her words made a lot of sense, but they also revealed the fact that she was privy to various excerpts of the diary of Isidore that Artemiy has been receiving over the last couple of days. It's quite interesting that they've found their way into Aglaya's possession. Artemiy didn't think too much of it, though. Indeed your reasoning seems sound... Well, my point of view on this is entirely different. I'm guessing, though, that this was Isidore's reasoning. He marked that which has no name. It would be silly to include a superbeing into a list of one's patients. I imagine that even he couldn't make heads or tails of that particular fact. This does seem like my father's approach, yes. If we look at things from his point of view, then this conclusion seems rather probable... Whose blood is it?It seems that my search is over. Udurg, the body that contains the world within itself, a living being that my father has sworn to protect is the settlement that is nurtured by the Bull Projects. The Town. Well, isn't that an answer... One thing makes me doubtful, though... What sort of sacrifice needs to be carried out in order to be equal to the One-Sought-For? Once again, Aglaya has patiently led Artemiy to an answer, though it wasn't her own answer. What are her actual thoughts on the matter? She wouldn't answer she had other matters to attend to and seemed to be done with Artemiy for the day. The Haruspex had nothing to do but go on to meet Georgiy Kain.  Georgiy's house was left-most of the three-house compound of Kains. It did not look at all different from the other two houses.    The interior looked very much akin to the interior of the other Kain houses. A certain mixture of elegance and decadence.  Georgiy was patiently waiting for him, though there was a hint of giddiness to this old and respectable gentleman.    It's good that you've decided to visit me, esteemed master Burakh. I have a matter of utmost importance to discuss with you. It concerns the fate of a man who became your guardian when everyone turned away from you. It concerns Vlad Olgimsky.Master Burakh. The title made Artemiy's skin crawl. What happened to him? The merciless Aglaya Lilich, having opened up the Apiary that was previously sealed by Olgimsky, uncovered a number of curious facts that concerned this matter. Having questioned Vlad Sr., she extracted from him a full confession of his guilt... However... Hold on a second, Georgiy. Guilt? What is he guilty of? Well, he's - supposedly, if you'll allow me to get ahead of myself here guilty of issuing the order that was used as an excuse to blockade the Apiary, since he knew that the disease was already spreading among those of the Order. He put his hopes on the natural affinities and stamina of the Order and left them to fight the battle with the disease on their own...The result of this decision was visible to Artemiy the day before yesterday mass death, hunger and strife. The Order was looking for someone to blame, and rightly so. If Vlad Sr. was responsible, then he would surely feel their ire soon... Is that so? Well consider the unstable character of your people. Olgimsky family was ruled by a desire to save the Town from a panicked, raving mob of infected people... I'd say that it would be perfectly understandable if they revealed their decision, as well as the reason for it. Simon's death, however, ensured that doing so was impossible...Simon was the de-facto patriarch of the Town, and if Vlad Sr. would have his support, then the Order would be forced to accept his blockade without any dissent. Once Simon was dead, accepting the responsibility for the blockade would be tantamount to suicide and that was precisely what Vlad Sr. did today. Well this seems fair. Why am I here, exactly? The truth of it all lies in the fact that the catastrophic crime that led to the death of thousands of people was committed not out of well-minded calculation, but out of indecision. The presence of the disease in the Apiary was also being hidden for the longest time and it was, too, hidden out of indecision that is so typical of the... young people... Young people? What are you talking about?Here we go again with the grandiose speeches that only get to their point in the most roundabout and pompous ways... Exactly! It is Vlad Jr., not Vlad Sr., who is guilty of this crime! He gave the order at his own peril and he didn't inform his father right away. It was already too late when he did, but my honourable kinsman and rival took his son's sin upon himself. So he did what am I supposed to do about it? Inform the commandant about it or perhaps, his wife. You weren't quite friendly with Alexander, were you? If you don't, then I'm afraid that the Inquisitor will give the order to execute Vlad Sr. Why can't you do all that yourself, exactly? Why? Well, because the Kains are trusted even less than Burakhs in Saburovs' home especially now that Katherine has felt the... strong feelings that you evoke in the harsh Inquisitor... You have made an exceedingly strong impression on her yesterday, and Maria felt it... Huh, is that right?This was exceedingly creepy, of course. There was zero privacy in this Town Artemiy's every move was tracked and observed through a variety of means. Of course. So will you help your... patron? Or, should I say, your friend in need?Good now Georgiy was trying to guilt trip Artemiy as well. He will look into this, though not for Georgiy... Yes I'll try and take care of this... The Son is not responsible for the FatherThe real culprit in the great strife of the Order has been found. Georgiy is asking me to report about this misunderstanding to the Commandant. It's not particularly desirable to try and get into the Wolf's mouth, even if all the teeth are ripped out of it... I should first talk to the she-wolf... Artemiy, however, was very much interested in what Vlad Jr. had to say for himself. That and the fact that there was still the book from the tunnels to be returned meant that Artemiy headed straight towards Vlad Jr.'s hideout near the station.    It was obvious that Georgiy had some sort of angle in this whole affair, but what exactly was it? The death of the patriarch of an opposing family would benefit him greatly, so why exactly did he object to it? It wasn't the goodness of his heart, of course, so what was it?   Artemiy took a look at the building where Vlad Jr. was hiding out and the station towering above it. It was almost as if there were a visual metaphor here of some sort, though Artemiy couldn't quite put his finger on it... Truth be told, the Town was full of them somewhere, a designer was clearly having a field day with all sorts metaphors of various shapes and depth... Unfortunately for him, Artemiy was much more liable to punch the smarmy git in the stomach and wander off rather than try and discern all the vacuous meanings behind them.   There was a hint of impatience on Vlad Jr.'s face he was clearly expecting Artemiy to come back much sooner than he did. Still, better late than never.  That's quite an unpleasant story with the well, I must say...Artemiy would give Vlad the book first. Is this what you were looking for? Is that all that you found down there? Well, there were a bunch of scoundrels down there, as well. I've barely made it out... I've promised to reward you and I'm going to keep my word. Under the EarthEven Vlad jr. managed to make his way under the Earth. Is that supposed to be a sort of a parody of what I'm doing? He, too, found life down there within these capillaries lives some sort of a beast and, now, some foreign bodies took residence there. Unfortunately for them, the blood was flowing quite richly down there.... That was also where the ancient knowledge of the Order was buried until I dragged it out into the light. It all fits... Huh... Funny, that... Good thank you. Now, let's talk about the Apiary.Vlad Jr.'s expression immediately changed from gratefulness to a strange sort of teenage-like defiance. Oh, is that how it is? What did they tell you? Well, they told me that it's your fault. I have no right to speak of this. Leave it alone! It's our, familial, business! Well, it's quite likely that the worms, for whose deaths in the Apiary you are responsible, will be my family soon! What? What are you talking about? Are you going on about your... rites? Your father's legacy? Are you aiming for the Elder's spot? Burakhs are going to have their revenge, is that it? It's possible. Well, that is going to be when we talk. That is when the Olgimsky family whoever is going to be the patriarch at that point will explain themselves before you. Until then, the topic is closed. Well you won't be waiting for long, I can tell you that much.What an annoying, prideful little scamp. Here he is, his life potentially hanging in the balance and his father sacrificing himself for his sake and he decides that the best course of action is to be a snide rear end in a top hat. It isn't to be helped, sure, but it's rather annoying nonetheless. Artemiy went on to see Alexander Saburov's wife, Katherine, to try and decide what to do in this situation.   If there was a way to save Vlad Sr. without risking the Jr.'s life, then Artemiy would be likely to take it. However, the possibility of that seemed to be farther and farther. Vlad Sr.'s confession made things especially problematic, and the Order would surely demand the price to be paid in blood.   On the way to Saburovs' mansion, Artemiy passed by the Olgimsky's residence. The entrance to Vlad Sr.'s section was closed. Vlad Sr.'s voice in this matter would be valuable, but he wasn't there to provide it.   Artemiy did imagine, though, that Vlad Sr. would tell him to leave the matter alone. If there was anyone more prideful than Vlad Jr., it was Vlad Sr. If this was the course that he decided to take, then Artemiy wouldn't be able to dissuade him.    The house seemed normal and, judging by the fact that Alexander Saburov was still spoken of by Georgiy as being alive, the powders worked. Good. Artemiy proceeded to Katherine's section.   The woman looked as sickly and malevolent as she did a week ago.  I can feel this wet smell once again... The smell of blood...Here they go again with the Ripper nonsense Artemiy could do nothing but to roll his eyes... If he had a penny for every time someone accused him of being a murderer... That's not a good thing, come to think of it... Georgiy has asked to inform the commandant that Vlad Sr. is not guilty of any wrongdoing in the matter of the Apiary. It was his son's fault. My husband does not decide anything anymore... It is the Order's decision. If either of the Olgimsky will come there to receive judgment, then the Order will cast their judgment in full. Mother Superiour will say her... little... word and then, there will be no salvation from her. Either of the Olgimsky? What do you mean? Yes... they want a sacrifice... as an atonement. They don't care whether it's the father or the son... It's no difference to them... A family is a single body to them... Cut of a thief's left hand or the right it's all the same... To Georgiy, however, it is not all the same! You don't see his calculation it's all politics here... Politics? Where do the politics come in here? Unless... A man will come and go the family will remain. Who rules a family is of utmost importance... Georgiy is leaving and he's paving the way for his inheritors... Terrible Maria and Khan... He does not need a young, smart, energetic man at the head of the Olgimsky family... Do you mean to say that Vlad Sr. is much more agreeable? That doesn't seem to be true! He will die soon... Even if he doesn't, he is too compromised by this story... Oh, the calculation here is cunning indeed! A strike from multiple directions at once aimed at my husband, too... He did send you to my husband, too, didn't he? He'll lay the blame for it all on him, he surely will... Oh, Georgiy, Georgiy... No this is the sort of intrigue that is the domain of Simon!Katherine was implying something quite terrible here, but Artemiy wasn't in the position to recognize it and neither did he have the knowledge to do so. He did send me to you, you know. He didn't send me to Alexander. Oh, do be kind and leave us alone... I've guessed his plan immediately... Go to Mother Superiour, let the Order devour whomever it wishes... None of us have long to live... It's all over... It's up to everyone to decide how they'll die... Farewell, Katherine... The Son is not responsible for the FatherSo Vlad Olgimsky went to Tychik's daughter for judgment... It's clear that he isn't the one responsible, though... The only thing that is left is to decide whether to tell her the truth... What will be the ending of this little story?   Vlad Sr., however dour a man he was, has helped Artemiy immensely. Without him, Artemiy would be dead. Vlad Sr.'s patronage protected him until he was able to stand on his own two feet. The value of truth was very well-known to Artemiy, too...   On the other hand, Katherine's words could be true. Georgiy if that is Georgiy at all could very well be making a play, with Artemiy being a pawn in his hands. It wouldn't matter if Artemiy would stay true to himself, but Artemiy was getting rather sick of Kains trying to use him as a plaything in their bizarre intrigues.   Katherine was also right about one thing Vlad Jr. was central to the Olgimsky family's retaining of power. If Vlad Jr. were to die for this, sooner or later the family would fall. Young Kapella would be unable to fill the void, and the highly traditionalist people would not accept it. Saving Vlad Jr., however, would mean lying. Lying to the Order and, more importantly, lying to himself.   It's funny Vlad Jr. is also Dankovskiy's adherent, isn't he? These things have a funny way of turning out...   Hah... What? indeed... Have you summoned the one who locked you all up to answer for his crimes? ...I have! Aren't you the sly one! Mother what sort of punishment expects this man? A terrible sort of punishment... I'll give him over to the Worms and the Butchers. They'll take him to the room that I'm not allowed into... They'll decide who will be left with him in there... After they leave, he won't be there anymore, while those who were left in there with him will go to sleep for three days.Good. Yeah. Thanks... That sort of imagery is helpful when one tries to decide who gets to live and who gets to die... So what they're going to devour him, is that it? I'm telling you I'm not allowed in there! Do you know who this culprit really is? No... I don't know for sure, but I'm thinking that it's Vlad Sr.! Do you want to know for sure? Of course! I... It's...This was a major decision and, more importantly, this was the first real choice that Artemiy had. It was the first choice that carried actual consequences. It was a choice that Artemiy could not make alone. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 07:00 on Jun 6, 2015 |
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Oct 30, 2014 23:05
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The old man. It is a fathers duty to suffer for his son, just as it is a sons to suffer for his father. But on the whole, the old take precedence when it comes to that, having had more experience in the field.
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Oct 30, 2014 23:24
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Vlad Senior would want his son to survive. The greater kindness is lying. Unless we can claim that a Kain is responsible, of course...
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Oct 31, 2014 00:07
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Vlad Sr. It's what he wants and we can't have the Kains grub for even more power.
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Oct 31, 2014 00:18
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Vlad Sr.'s not an Adherent right? We were warned a while ago to take care of those. Also it's interesting how much more pleasant the Inquisitor is to Artemiy than Klara, based on the Impostress LP.
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Oct 31, 2014 00:34
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Well the Inquistor has a very good reason to be really guarded with Klara.
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Oct 31, 2014 01:40
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So you can either say Jr. or Sr.?
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Oct 31, 2014 01:55
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curiousCat posted:So you can either say Jr. or Sr.? RBA Starblade posted:Vlad Sr.'s not an Adherent right? We were warned a while ago to take care of those. Technically speaking, Vlad Sr. is an adherent, but he isn't attached to anybody, and isn't on anybody's list to protect, so to speak. He's rather unique in that regard. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 02:45 on Oct 31, 2014 |
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Oct 31, 2014 02:40
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I turned in Jr., myself, so I'm curious to see what happens when it's Vlad Sr., so long as it doesn't break the game.
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Oct 31, 2014 02:54
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Old Boot posted:I turned in Jr., myself, so I'm curious to see what happens when it's Vlad Sr., so long as it doesn't break the game. The only time you can have this quest break the game is on Dankovskiy's route - if you turn in Vlad Jr. there, your game is basically over and you can only get the worst ending ever since you've killed one of your own adherents.
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Oct 31, 2014 03:12
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Kill Vlad Jr. for being an rear end in a top hat, and also because the Bachelor turned rear end in a top hat.
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Oct 31, 2014 03:33
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I like that this is both a problem that responds to conventional medical treatment and an outgrowth of a city that circulates blood as a living thing. It's like, how do we really stop it here? Engage with the disease of the people or address the myth that's somehow causing this?
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Oct 31, 2014 04:27
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Added Georgiy Kain to the list of characters. Voting will wrap up on Tuesday and I'll wrap up the update by Thursday.
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Nov 4, 2014 01:57
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It's Vlad Sr. for dinner, folks. One of the cutscene videos was audio content-matched with something called "Halloween Sounds - Spooky Sounds for Halloween." I love it. EDIT: I'm a bad man, should be up by the end of weekend, apologies. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 00:14 on Nov 9, 2014 |
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Nov 4, 2014 22:59
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Take as long as you need, man. This is interesting and detailed enough to be worth the wait. Just don't burn out. 
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Nov 11, 2014 00:19
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Yeah no probs, we're in no hurry. The updates were scary fast in the beginning and I couldn't catch up for the longest time 
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Nov 12, 2014 20:22
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Chapter 9 Part One You were quite right it was the Big Vlad. The lie came to him effortlessly as if it were no big matter at all. It is easy to lie when one is convinced that he is doing the right thing, and, although it took quite some time to convince himself, Artemiy was, finally, a firm believer in this decision. 'Course it was! Whatever might have happened, he's still the head of the family! Dad was always responsible for me as well...The girl's last remark clearly dredged up sad memories in her and Artemiy left her be. The Son is not responsible for the FatherNo... I'll let Big Vlad die instead... I can inform Georgiy of my decision. It close to 11 PM at this point and Artemiy proceeded to visit Georgiy before going straight to the Theater for the nightly performance.   The Worms and the Butchers have been regarding Artemiy with a strange sort of withdrawn respect ever since Oyun has returned. They did not eye him suspiciously like they did in the early days, but neither did they regard him with respect that is to be afforded to a head of a menkhu family. It was clear that Oyun's fear of the Haruspex was being reflected in the people of the Order and their attitudes.   In the early days, Artemiy might have renounced any claims to power that he might have but that was not the case anymore especially now that Oyun was proving to be a petty nuisance.    Tonight, the Town seemed to be especially rambunctious in its nightly violence. Like a kid stealing the last cookie before the jar will be forever closed to him, the villains and thugs clearly felt the approach of the Army batallion that was promised by the Authorities. Quite strange that this sort was so well-informed, but then the news do spread awfully fast in the Town.    The wealthier part of the Town was a fair bit calmer, though. The Sand Fever ravaged the Horns rather thoroughly in the last couple of days, and the pickings were slim.    They weren't so in the Kain household, but then nobody would dare to try and steal from them. Even in these days, they were a sacred cow of the Town.  Georgiy regarded Artemiy with nothing but silence. News have clearly gotten here faster than Artemiy himself. Still, Georgiy did afford Artemiy a small bit of politeness, however reserved it was. You are very kind to visit me, master Burakh. I have condemned Big Vlad to face the judgment of the Order. Did I happen to hear that right, master Burakh?Georgiy's smile betrayed his knowledge of want transpired at the Apiary, so why the charade? Still, Artemiy played along. Judging by your expression, these are not the news you were expecting to hear. Indeed! I thought that you would be more reasonable. I've acted in accordance with my conscience. You are a smart man, Artemiy Burakh, but you are not a farsighted one, although who in our time can truly be farsighted? I don't doubt that you've acted in accordance with your conscience. That is something that is always worthy of sympathy and, perhaps, pity... Pity? Odd one would expect respect in this situation. In any case, your plans are known to me.Georgiy's fatherly chuckle that followed Artemiy's remark would have been downright endearing, but the current predicament only made it that much more insulting and punch-worthy. Are they, now? I'm afraid that that is something that will never happen. Not anymore. I confess that they aren't known even to me at this point. Do you wish to know a secret? I am not at all the one whom you deem me to be.Artemiy recalled Katherine's words about this whole affair... How she sensed Simon's hand in all of this... Was Georgiy (Simon?) confirming her words, or was he merely denying Artemiy's assertions about his true intentions in trying to reveal the truth about Vlad Jr. to the Order? Artemiy made no assertions, 'tis true, but it was rather clear what he was thinking... In any case, Artemiy would not get a straight answer from the coy old man whether he asked him to elaborate or not. I don't need your secrets. The Son is not responsible for the FatherIt is Vlad Sr.'s decision and he is much more farsighted than me. He isn't one to be sentimental, either. If he willingly condemned himself to death, then that was his plan... Although, could it be that he considers himself to be deserving of this punishment? Artemiy would glean no more here. The matter was done with. It was midnight. REEL 10: The Army's Arrival  Artemiy heard a rather strange noise outside a strange series of thuds very much akin to something wooden being placed on a smooth surface. The sound persisted for some time, but Artemiy did not check outside for a while, for he has received a letter. Letter from Aglaya Lilich. On beings of the higher Order.The Elder is saying that the Earth is feeding the blood. Could that be the Udurg that your Father spoke about? I believe that we are surrounded by a great number of miraculous beings some of them are so large than we are not entirely able to feel their presence. A man can only perceive that which he is prepared to perceive, after all. The Town is alive. It has a head, a heart, a maw and a multitude of capillaries. It has a memory. It breathes. It thinks. It is afraid. Perhaps, it can even love? I want to live in the world of Towns that are alive. I want to walk the Earth that roils underneath my feet. It was strange how much Artemiy shared Aglaya's wish. It was strange how much alike the two of them were. It was strange that Artemiy would find a soulmate in someone like Aglaya and that he would do so here, of all places. In this Town, it was not strange at all. It was time to head to the Theatre. Artemiy left the Kain residence and rather suddenly stumbled upon a new face. Many new faces, in fact.   The man was completely mute and only gazed sternly at his surroundings as if expecting danger to arrive from any direction. A rather strange uniform for a soldier to don certainly not something one would consider in tune with regulation but it seemed functional enough in the hot Steppe night.  This suit, on the other hand, will probably cause some chafing at some point for this poor fellow. He was about as talkative as his friend but he was also much more imposing what with the flamethrower and all.   Since the infection itself didn't travel through contact but rather popped up randomly all over the Town, these fellows wouldn't be able to do much beyond providing immediate containment. Quite a shame, for there were a lot of them and it would be nice if they could actually solve this problem.   Artemiy spotted a number of them on the way to the Theatre it seems that the Army flooded the Town in a matter of minutes. Very expedient indeed, if a bit strange. Not the strangest thing, of course, but still something to wonder about. More wonders awaited Artemiy in the Theatre.   Do you see now how many mysteries the Earth is hiding within itself? The more awful the mystery, the more awful are its roots and less is the number of the wells that can reach it!It was the same harsh-voiced fellow that was probably meant to represent Artemiy. Rather strangely, the fellow was just straight-up repeating himself at this point. That is the same line he gave to the Inquisitor yesterday word-for-word, too! New material is hard to come by, it seems.  The innards of the Abattoir have been opened! Inside there is naught but beasts!The shrill-voiced fellow who was an interpretation of the Bachelor was his stage partner.  Inside, there are only roots and filth! The door that leads underground opens itself frequently, but one can enter it only in one case when it is a grave... I trust that you understand what I'm hinting at, don't you? It does not matter there is nothing left to lose anyway! Tomorrow, the soldiers will arrive here. Let's risk it! The path is clear in all directions... Left, right up and, even a little bit down. You can see for yourself, if you want we run a fair game here... What does it matter if the outcome is the same? REEL 11: The Masks' Nightly Attractions - Night Eight Perhaps, it wasn't entirely useful to try and interpret these characters as representations of the relationship between the healers of the Town. It seemed that they were talking to someone else entirely, at this point. It was a new day and Artemiy was not particularly tired and so he took to the Town's streets to get the daily map from Notkin and to see how the presence of the Army would change the Town.   The trip to the station was rather uneventful aside from that one bandit fellow since the station was the main foothold of the Army at this point, not many would dare approach it with hostile intentions.    They were quite right to do so, for the big guns were finally here. If they wanted, they could level the entire Town and that could, very well, be exactly what they wanted to do.   The price today was upped by another 500 coins, but Artemiy did not complain.  Six districts were infected today as opposed to yesterday's five Sand Fever is continuing to grow exponentially. There wasn't much left to do until morning, so Artemiy took to his usual nightly activities.    As the night went on, more and more soldiers were appearing on the streets. Not the cheeriest looking fellows, they didn't take kindly to any sort of crazy shenanigans that have been dominating the Town's nights in the past week.   Some fellow decided that it is a good idea to chuck molotov cocktails at a big guy in a fireproof suit. Many people were driven to madness by the disease, but the military folk did not have much mercy for such unfortunates.   While the night was interesting, it certainly wasn't very fruitful. Soon enough, Artemiy found himself outside the Cathedral when the morning came and the clock tolled 7 A.M.   In a very timely manner, two letters found their way into Artemiy's pocket. Bachelor's Letter. On the Army and the InquisitionThe fate of the Town is now being decided. At the heart of it all is not just the fate of a small geographic location, but the fate of one of the last remnants of a civilization that is soon going to leave us forever. The heavy footfall of history is slowly but surely erasing the societies that, for ages, have been capable of directing the strength of thousands of people in order to create impossible things. The rulers of this Town have been deprived of the last vestiges of power that they might have had. Aglaya is in a stalemate. She will not let the General crush and burn anything, but, from now on, all her attention will be devoted to containing the destructive power of the Army. Thus, there are few people left who are actually capable of making decisions. This puts a heavy responsibility on both of us. I believe that, in the end granted that neither of them are going to be removed the confrontation of the Queens will end in a draw. This may give us a chance to directly influence the outcome of all this or it may just doom all of us. Be careful. No signature... Daniil must have been in a hurry though, not in too much of a hurry to write a rather large letter that is rounded off by a poor chess analogy. Artemiy opened the second letter. Summons from a temporary headquartersSurgeon Artemiy Burakh is hereby ordered to arrive to the general headquarters (Town Hall) for debriefing by the commanding officer of the special elements of the 4th Army of *****ia. Signed, Major General Alexander Blok Artemiy wondered just why was the full name of the country was redacted, but the stranger things have happened mantra allowed him to not dwell on it too much. He was rather interested in what General might want of him and what he might have to say for himself and the Authorities. His next destination was clear.   The Town Hall was squarely in the middle of an infested district, but the soldiers managed to make these places a bit more peaceful and easy to traverse.   The building was still rather imposing, but the people inside made it a bit more so.   Everyone stood at attention for Artemiy even the General himself.    Artemiy Burakh? Surgeon? I am a Haruspex. You were recommended to me as an exceptional doctor who, in addition to everything else, is rather well-versed in the local folklore. You were born here, right? I left this Town when I was sixteen years old. I've received an education and have managed to forget two thirds of what I knew about the local folklore.Artemiy was underselling himself a fair bit a rather smart choice, considering that he was before a man who probably regarded everyone around him as tools. I've been receiving reports about you. Is it true that you have manage to create a cure for this disease? I have.The General's voice has been booming before, but it became downright thundering at hearing these news. Good! This is very good! You are worthy of a commendation!It's natural to be glad at the news of a cure, but the General's joy seemed to stem from elsewhere. Why, exactly? Why? Because of this, the presence of the Inquisitor here has lost all meaning. She can finally return to the gallows after the short reprieve that she has been granted from them. She will stop being a nuisance to me and that will make my mission that much easier. Gallows? What gallows are you talking about? It seems that Victor Kain's guess about this task being a death sentence for the Inquisitor was turning out to be correct. She has been sentenced to death. Her being sent here is a bit of an exception. If she finds a solution and wins, then the sentence will be rescinded. If she doesn't, then the verdct will stay. She deserves that verdict completely and utterly you don't have to worry about that.This news was distressing to Artemiy. What did she do to deserve it? It's not important what we are here to talk about the cure. I did not intend it as a tool for someone's execution!Although Aglaya did tell him about this predicament, Artemiy did not expect it to be quite so literal. It's strange that Bachelor did not make note of this fact. He doesn't seem to have the fighting spirit that you do. Is there a way to make as much of this cure as possible? There is a chance, but it's a small one. Send soldiers into the Abattoir and demand that the Elder give them access to the ancient blood.It was becoming clear that the General did not hold the local ways in high regard in fact, just mentioning them irritated him rather greatly. What sort of hogwash are you talking about? I already know that this blood is supposedly alive, but why are you saying that the chance is small? I know these folk. They die easily and bear hardships easier still... They won't tell us their secrets... ...True enough. I've already sent my men into the Abattoir. I've lost two squads there already. We barely managed to get the professor, the Bachelor, out of there. We were pushed back. Of course you were...Listen I've heard that you yourself are one of the steppe folk. Could you get closer to the Elder and find a way to get us this devil's blood? If I will, then what are you going to do with it? I'm not going to do anything you will. Meanwhile, I will send a report to the Capital about a successful completion of this mission. This way, we'll evade all of the fox's intrigues and we may even trick her into thinking that we're doing her own work while doing so. Stop talking about Aglaya that way.The General still didn't seem to be interested in elaborating the reasons behind his burning hatred for Aglaya. I need the results all other considerations are secondary. Very well but leave Aglaya alone. Isn't the fact that a cure can be made enough? It's enough to kill the Inquisitor, sure, but it's not enough to save this settlement and to guarantee that the epidemic won't spread. Kill the Inquisitor? It's not poison, how are you planning to use it to kill her? I'm not going to kill anyone, of course! The mechanics are quite automated. If she returns to the Capital with the news that her mission has failed, she will be beheaded within the hour.This left Artemiy much less move for maneuver if he wanted to try and make sure that the Inquisitor stays alive. The creation of the panacea is not a failure, though! It's a success! It's not her success, though. She did not make the panacea, did she? Her mission, by the way, is to prevent the Town from being destroyed. If there is not enough panacea, though, then I will have no moral right to turn around the guns. Do you actually want to destroy the Town? No. I don't want to destroy the Town. But you want Aglaya to die, don't you? You want it enough that you will destroy the Town? My antipathies are nothing when compared to my duty. Yes I hate Aglaya. I can already tell that she will trick me and use my artillery to advance her own agenda. Whatever my course of action will be, she will still win in the end. I want her gone, but my desires are not a part of my considerations. You've put my mind at ease... for now...Artemiy was inclined to trust the General to not do anything excessive, but he was still quite the wild card in all of this.  The Abattoir was Artemiy's next destination and he headed there with a rather heavy heart.    The arrival of the Army could have been good news that put his mind at ease, but, instead, it only seemed to add a new layer of intrigue that he'll have to navigate through.    The conversation with Blok was rather unpleasant, but the conversation that was about to occur was probably going to be more unpleasant still, considering Oyun's past attitude.    Hmm... you weren't afraid to return here... What was I supposed to be afraid of? You are not brave. You are a fool. I can kill you with a breath, with a touch. I can turn you to ash with my eyes.Elder Oyun was getting downright hammy at this point it was rather odd to see him chew the scenery like that. That is your prerogative if you wish I have come to ask you questions. Ask me once, if you wish. I won't let you do it twice.The jerk continues to make things more complicated than they have to be. Is it true that everything around is the Udurg?... Good. You are becoming smarter, kinsman. That is a good question. That is the right question. Very well. I will give you the answer and maybe I will even reward you with a gulp of Boos Primigenius' blood. Endure my test and I will know that you are strong enough to endure my answer. Very well... The House of Boos Turokh has been defiled a bad omen in these unkind times. Last night, a stranger clad in snake skin snuck his way in here. No one but him could have carried the leather flasks with the live blood out of here. Find out where the blood is and I will give you the answer. Very well. DefilersI need to find the Bachelor and get from him the details of yesterday's incursion into the Abattoir.  Exiting the Abattoir, Artemiy felt very strange it is as if the entire weight of the last week suddenly descended upon him all at once. When the Elder spoke of a challenge, he was not kidding. During this quest, your fatigue meter will fill completely in about five real-time minutes and you will start taking continuous health damage while it's full. If you aren't prepared or spend too long completing this quest, it will easily kill you. Yikes.   Artemiy realized that something was a bit wrong he decided to not waste any time in finding Bachelor and hurried along.   The streets were unkind, but soldiers were working hard to quell any unrest and Artemiy had little trouble navigating them even if he was feeling increasingly unwell for some reason.   Finally nearing his goal, Artemiy hurried inside.   Unfortunately for Artemiy, it didn't seem that this was going to be as easy as he hoped for it to be. With the Bachelor nowhere to be found, Artemiy turned to Eva.    I hope that the soldiers won't break in here...Artemiy hasn't heard of any raping and pillaging by the soldiers yet, but that is something that might very well happen in the future. I need the Bachelor where is he? He went to the Polyhedron and he still hasn't come back! I'm worried! What are you afraid of? The soldiers... Do you know what they are up to? Nothing. Don't be afraid. They've set up checkpoints at all the bridges and that seems to be all. For now.Artemiy wasn't entirely truthful, but then he didn't have to be. If they were to start pillaging, there wasn't much anyone could do to stop them anyway, so it might as well come as a surprise if it were to happen. DefilersThe Bachelor has yet to return from the Polyhedron. It seems that the Tower of Mirrors is just as dangerous as the Tunnels of Suokh. Here I was,thinking that I'm the only one risking my life around here.... The Polyhedron was only a quick hop, skip and a jump from Eva's residence.    The greeting committee was already prepared for him, it seemed.  This was as close as Artemiy has gotten to the Polyhedron and the first thing Artemiy thought when he looked up was just how paper-like its architecture seemed to be down to the square lines that were very much akin to those on the pages of a squared notebook. It was rather fitting that it was occuppied by children for it looked as if it were a product of a child's imagination. As usual, there was no time to dawdle. Artemiy turned to the doghead who already was looking to be rather impatient with him.   Pinky-swear that you won't touch me! I know you you're a vicious fellow!Artemiy didn't really have time for children' games, what with his condition and all that. Where is Bachelor? Ha! Bachelor was taken to the First Circle. Then, they took him away from here too risky to keep him around. What if the Ash General decides to try and save him? First circle? What are you talking about? Well it's in here in the Polyhedron! We wanted to try and turn into a fortress... It's fragile, though glass, after all. We're afraid that it won't be able to take all the gunfire. The Kains are our last hope now... Oh well. Kains? Why do you think the Kains will help you? Help us? Kains are the only ones defending us! What do YOU need? Maybe you're a spy?! Knock it off I'm not a spy. I need to find Dankovskiy. No! He is in our custody! He gave Khan some blank ammunition after promising to give him live ammo and it's better not to lie to Khan he's got a short temper. Only out of respect did he let Bachelor live. Maybe he'll change his mind and give us what he promised. Where did you guys take him to? They took him to the factories and they put me here to say that he isn't here in case anyone is going to ask. That's all that's the truth.The kid clearly wasn't the brightest one. Still, Artemiy got what he wanted. If I get there and he isn't there, then you better watch out! DefilersKhan's dogheads sent the captured Bachelor into the abandoned barracks under the Factories.  With not much time to lose, Artemiy raced to the Factories.   The road was uneventful, but Artemiy felt himself becoming weaker and weaker. He had to finish this task and, maybe, this strange state of exhaustion would end.  It was in this state of hurry that Artemiy stumbled upon something unexpected.  It seems that the king of the Town's underworld, Griff, was in a bit of a pickle. Artemiy approached the Executor. Behind this door is a victim of your...Blah-blah blah yes yes, inattention. Artemiy did not have time for booming speeches he merely shoved a box of children' powder into the guy's hands and went on. He did turn around to check that the Executor actually went inside to administer the cure, though, and the hooded scoundrel did.   The place was a maze of industrial buildings with very little to distinguish them from one another.   It took some hunting, but Artemiy found the right building in the end. In fact, this was the very building where Artemiy was kept by Saburov's men. Funny, that.    There Bachelor was in the same cage where Artemiy was trapped previously. Artemiy tried to approach him, but the Dogheads looked a bit beligerent, though one of them less so. Artemiy approached him to try and get them to relent. How are you doing, chief? Can't complain. That's the bachelor Dankovskiy you got there, right? Indeed our prisoner. A trophy, if you will. He's living out his last minutes. That's a bit inconvenient for me... Do you remember me, chief? You think I'd recognize you with the mask on? You let me go a week ago on the day when the Old Man died.Old Man? Ah his Father. Yes Artemiy remembered now. Both the Dualsouls and the Bandits wanted him to kill this kid, but he refused. That seemed to be so, so long ago, yet here he was full of gratitude, or so Artemiy hoped. Ah... Hello there! How are you doing? They're treating you better here, I hope? Here and there it ain't too bad. Need any help? Would you mind freeing the Bachelor? Ah! Well... you know what a good turn deserves another. I'll go talk to my guys and he'll be free to go. Thank you.That was a bit easier than Artemiy was used to. He still was suspicious but it seemed like that was going to be the end of that.  The dogheads opened the door and left, It was really as simple as that.  I have to thank you. Without you, these cubs would rip my guts out or worse. I shouldn't have let myself be strung along by them. The children are arming themselves and there is no way to predict the fate of these weapons at this point. I'm afraid that this is a gun that will fire off at the most inopportune of moments. What were you looking for in that Tower, anyway? I have a number of reasons to believe that the Polyhedron plays a key role in the history of this settlement. To be precise, it has no relation to the Town. It is its own entity and the Town is its own entity. Despite this, the two of them are connected so completely and utterly that one cannot exist without the other.This was all nice and riveting, but Artemiy had a task to fulfill. Tell me did you go into the Abattoir?...I have. Why? Did you carry out that... blood out of there? You know what I'm talking about, don't you? I know, but I haven't. That's not why I went in there anyway. I wanted to get a sample of the soil and to talk to the Elder. He isn't a very talkative sort, though.... Did you carry anything at all out of there, then? I haven't. Although... You know, it was that little girlie the commandant's daughter that told me when the passage will be open. As far as I've been told, it was opened because someone carried a number of strange flasks out of there. Flasks? Do you know who it was? Butchers... and those weird things covered in animal skins. Odonkhe... Do you know where they went? I haven't noticed that little detail... It was rather dark and I ran inside soon after... Thank you, Oinon you've helped me a great deal.For all of the Bachelor's foolishness, here he was surprising Artemiy with his bravery yet again. Artemiy knew not to rely on the fellow anymore, but that doesn't mean that he couldn't afford him at least some measure of respect. You know, I will try and visit the Polyhedron one more time... I would imagine that you would be a bit cautious of its inhabitants at this point. You see, I have an interesting theory on that particular matter... It's odd that I didn't think of this before... What sort of theory? No... later... I'll tell you if I can confirm it. Very well. Take care and be careful. DefilersNow, the details of this Defilement are known to me. I can trust the Bachelor's word as well. It's time to tell this tale to the Elder Oyun. Artemiy knew that the Bachelor spoke the truth, for the second he heard about the butchers and their theft, he felt a great weight lift off of his shoulders. Whatever was the source of Artemiy's unnatural exhaustion was gone. Still, he was very tired and this place was a good shelter from the world outside, and so he took some time to recover. He did not notice the appearance of yet another sketch before him it did so very quietly, after all. He'll ponder its meaning when he'll wake up, but, yet again, it won't lead to any epiphanies. After all, the sketch wasn't really meant for him, now was it? 
HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 04:18 on Jun 13, 2015 |
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Dec 12, 2014 03:58
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Well, that was quite the hiatus, but I'm back and I'm going to put out a lot of updates in the next three weeks because after three weeks or so, I won't have any access to my PC for a looong time. It's a bit of a rush and I apologize for that in advance - I'll try to give some love to the side sections, but at this point, I have to finish the actual game itself.
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Dec 12, 2014 04:11
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HellishWhiskers posted:Well, that was quite the hiatus, but I'm back and I'm going to put out a lot of updates in the next three weeks because after three weeks or so, I won't have any access to my PC for a looong time. It's a bit of a rush and I apologize for that in advance - I'll try to give some love to the side sections, but at this point, I have to finish the actual game itself.  I'm just thrilled to see this back up and running. I'll be devouring the update once I get up from a much-needed nap.fake edit:
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Dec 12, 2014 04:19
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Wait, that quest can just kill you?
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Dec 12, 2014 05:44
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curiousCat posted:Wait, that quest can just kill you? If you try to do this quest while at low health and with no healing items, it will probably kill you in the process because when your Fatigue or Hunger fills up, you start taking health damage instead and this quest just straight up fills your Fatigue bar to represent Oyun's challenge, I guess? The game gives you no warning about this and there are also no autosaves, by the way.
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Dec 12, 2014 20:23
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Well, I'll be looking forward to your return. It's good to know that the people who the Haruspex helped aren't going to turn on him so easily.
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Dec 19, 2014 07:52
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Chapter 9 Part Two After a brief time-out, Artemiy moved on. The reprieve did not bring him much rest, and so he really wished to have this matter over and done with so that he could have a couple of hours of sleep.    Artemiy would be lying if he said that he felt displeased with the people of the Order for their supposed defilement of the ways of the Order, whatever it was. At the very least, their action was a symptom of Oyun's faltering rule and that is a sign that Artemiy welcomed.    It would also be a good idea to try and track them down the blood that they carried out of the Abattoir could be used for the production of more vaccines and those are always useful.    The Elder met Artemiy with a strange sort of flippant, impatient silence. Neither of them wanted to be in the presence of the other. Still, Artemiy wanted to ask Oyun some questions before fulfilling his mission. ... Who will be my Sacrifice, Elder? You'll find out in due time... After all, how else would you prove that you are worthy of your Father's legacy? I've already accepted my Father's inheritance, haven't I?Oyun chuckled in that very particular and very punchworthy manner. Have you, now? If you are satisfied with the mere breadcrumbs and leftovers from the feast of your bloodline, then you can consider yourself a true heir. Hmm... Well, no matter Oinon Dankovskiy did not steal your blood. I can vouch for him. He did, however, see two butchers and three odonkhe carry out a number of flasks out of the Abattoir. Hmm... It does sound like truth. Two children of Bodkho and three Worms have gone missing yesterday. You've completed your task. What do you wish to know? I want to know the truth. Very well. Ask. Here, in the Vein of Bodkho, no one will dare to tell you a lie. This is why the knowledge flows out of me in tiny droplets like blood out of an old wound. What is the creature that was named by my father? Who is the udurg that is marked by the tauro? These beings always exist around us. Udurg is a body that contains within itself an entire world.It may have not been a lie, but the explanation definitely seemed to be purposefully vague and borderline useless. Any body contains within itself a world, though, doesn't it? Does it? Mine does not. Yours doesn't, either. The world that exists within your head isn't a world it's rubbish.Well, that was certainly rude and uncalled for! Artemiy didn't want to dwell on it, though. What is the sacrifice that I am destined to make? You will find that out tomorrow when you complete my next task, Kinsman. Patience. I will come tomorrow, then. DefilersThe Elder needs time to consider the news that I brought him. It seems that he was shaken not by the theft of blood, but by the betrayal of his people. This tale will continue tomorrow.   Today's encounters with Oyun went well enough, all things considered. Of course, he couldn't keep himself from being a self-aggrandizing jerk, but that wasn't unexpected either. The tasks of the day seemed to be done, and Artemiy proceeded to his hideout for some well-deserved R&R.   The hideout was cozy and the infection never seemed to make its way in here for some reason a bit of protection that Artemiy very much welcomed as he went to sleep. He didn't sleep for too long, though, because someone unceremoniously thrust a letter into his hand when he was asleep. Artemiy did not recall who it was or how they got in the hideout and they were gone by the time Artemiy fully woke up. There wasn't much left to do but to read the letter. Kapella's letter.I have quite a guest here, and she asking for you! V.O. An oddly short and child-like letter from Victoria Artemiy was used to her being a bit more serious than the rest of his Adherents. Still if she wrote him a letter about this guest, then it must have been important. With a groan, Artemiy got up and headed out to the Olgimsky Residence.   On the way there, Artemiy wondered whether Kapella knew of her father's fate or if the rumours haven't reached her yet. Interestingly enough, Artemiy was reminded of his decision just before reaching Victoria and her guest.   This was quite odd Executors were usually posted by the doors of sick adherents. Vlad Sr. wasn't exactly sick, now was he? Artemiy approached the hooded fellow out of curiosity. There are none living here. This place belongs to the dead. Does it? Perhaps, not everything is lost just yet. Simon was considered dead, too.Wait a second... The notion that Simon was somehow alive and has usurped his brother Georgiy's personality was only vaguely hinted at by Katherine at best. Artemiy seemed to be taking those hints at face value rather uncharacteristic of him. The deceased one is not Simon, though, and you are no Kain. You don't know how to meld the spirit with the matter. Leave. The dead belong to the Earth. Carry on with your vigil, then.The Executor's response is... disconcerting. He seems to all but confirm that Katherine was right and that Simon has indeed risen from the dead, akin to some sort of a sorcerer. Not surprising, considering his bloodline and that he already possessed some superhuman qualities such as his longevity, but this was on a whole new level. Artemiy, meanwhile, went on to see Kapella and her guest.   Her guest was none other than Aglaya... Artemiy was very much interested in what she was doing here. Who were the ones who extinguished the fires? I can feel that there is a malevolent will that is driven by some purpose behind this act. Why did they do this? What's wrong? The signal fires were extinguished... At first, I thought that this was done in order to discredit me in the eyes of the Colonel. When they came, however, the fires were still burning... That means that there is some other reason behind this... Still the fact that it even occurred showcases my negligence, even if the effect isn't quite the same... It's just a bunch of bonfires, though, isn't it? Why do they matter?...Aglaya didn't answer Artemiy. Instead, she motioned Artemiy to Kapella in a rather dismissive fashion and exited the Olgimsky Residence. Quite strange, but she must have had a reason to do so. Artemiy turned to Kapella to try and get some explanations.  Well... That's quite the story with the signal fires! It's as if I've been cursed with some bad luck! Perhaps, this must have had to happen, though... Everyone who is a part of my plan is always in some sort of peril! This is a trial, and I have no one but you to turn to for help... Those who are a part of your plan? Are they my Adherents? Yes. I've told you before, haven't I? I've told your father before that, too... The exiled kids... Those, for whom there was no place in the Polyhedron or those who left it behind of their own will. Taya Tychik. Notkin. Matchstick. Mishka. Laska. There's still one boy left... but he's still further ahead. You aren't there yet. What is your plan, Kapella? What do you need these children for? Who do you think they will become in the future? Guess. I already know, though Mother whispered it in my ear. They have a great future ahead of them, these exiled children. If they become the rulers of this place in ten years... You won't recognize this Town! It will be the dawn of a new era!Artemiy had to admit that he would very much like for this Town to change drastically. The old ways are rotten and the Town was in a dire shape even before the plague. I see... What did you need me for, anyway? What sort of trouble are the kids in now? The fires were extinguished! They are of no use to me, these fires I'm actually glad that they were put out! I was very afraid of them for some reason... It made me feel as if the Town was truly doomed... Now, because of them, Matchstick is risking his life... Why are they needed, anyway?Ah... Matchstick, again... That little scamp was more intrepid than Notkin and twice as much trouble for Artemiy. It seems like Artemiy will have to bail him out yet again. What is Matchstick up to? I don't know for sure... I think that he and his comrade were using them to keep tabs on the ghostly albino. Now, they want to light them again and to catch those who put them out.Ghostly Albino? Great. Perfect. What is he doing that for, anyway? Matchstick is a brave one. He thinks that the Albino is somehow connected to the plague. He knows that the Albino follows the same path all the time and that Aglaya ordered to light the fires right along the Albino's trail. Of course, all this is yet another chance for Matchstick to prove his bravery.The kid was foolhardy, but, at his age, Artemiy would also be the first to dive into the pursuit of a strange, ghostly being, so Artemiy could sympathize. Well then where is he lighting those fires? I don't know! Maybe, he is still at home? Go and talk him out of it! The fires will be lit without him! I'll ask the Bachelor to make sure that it gets done! Very well I'll go and talk him out of it. Signal FiresKapella thinks that Matchstick is mixed up in a story with extinguished signal fires. She is sure that his life is in danger.    Artemiy wasn't exactly happy to be stuck as a strange sort of glorified babysitter, but this wasn't the first time that he did so in the past week. Besides, they were his Adherents and Father wanted to protect them, too. There wasn't much left to do, either, so Artemiy took it upon himself to save the kid once again.   The Town was quieting down with the Army clamping down hard on any sort of disorder, and so the road to Matchstick's house wasn't entirely too tumultuous. The front door was unlocked just like the last time and Artemiy stepped inside.  The interior was dark which was usual and Artemiy heard the voices of two kids. They sounded rather rough and irritated, but it's not like they were a danger to Artemiy. He proceeded further into the house.   Hey there! We weren't expecting you... I don't think we can take you on... You didn't happen to see Matchstick did ya, chief? I'm looking for him myself what do you punks need him for, anyway? He wants to ruin our plans! We put in a lot of work, and there he is trying to ruin it! Well, no matter there are reliable people waiting for him near the fires! They don't take kindly to Dualsouls. I should tell the rest to not hang out too much here, in the Earth district they should go across the river and wait there... They won't listen to us, though... Maybe you could tell them?The kids were clearly hostile to Matchstick, and Artemiy didn't want to anger them. He decided to play along. That Matchstick sure is a rascal... Is this an ambush for him? Well, duh? Maybe we should go check out the cemetery? He always hangs out there with a bunch of Dualsouls... I'm sure there's one of them out there somewhere... Or, should I wait here? They're liable to beat me up, you know... Stay here, brave one. I'll go and check it out I'll come back later to tell you how it went. Right on, pops. See ya later, then! Signal FiresSomewhere near the cemetery's fence, there is an old meeting place that is frequently used by Matchstick and his comrades... Maybe, there's someone there.   Artemiy wasn't happy to be stuck between Dualsouls and Dogheads, but it's not like it didn't happen before. Hopefully, just like before, Artemiy will be able to sort these matters out without any bloodshed.   God knows that this Town has seen quite enough of it and that it will see much more of it in the coming future.  Past the rock was the Graveyard. Artemiy was preparing to go into the gravekeeper's lodge when he bumped into an old friend.    Hey! Ripper! I'm Stump, remember me?Artemiy remembered the little punk... He helped Artemiy prevent Dualsouls from getting into a small-scale gang war with the bandits in the early days. He was one of Matchstick's comrades. You all look alike... Do you know where Matchstick is? Matchstick is bumming around somewhere... I think he went to scout things out... Or was it to light some fires in the Stone Yard? I'm not sure... Nothing will happen to him though...Still, if the bonfires are guarded, then Matchstick will eventually bump into the people guarding them and will probably get in trouble... Artemiy decided to try and prevent that from happening. Okay. Well do you have some matches? I'll try and help you. Really? That'd be quite welcome. I don't have any fuel, but I've got some flint and tinder! Let's go it's safer together. Maybe we'll find Matchstick, too. I'll go first and you'll follow. Who knows what we'll encounter. Signal FiresMatchstick's friend promised to light four bonfires here, in Earth. The ones in the Knots and Stone Yards will have to be taken care of by someone else. I think that the mysterious saboteurs left those bonfires alone at this point. It's very likely that we'll encounter them here.  The four bonfires were a fair distance away from the Town placed neatly along the fence that kept certain things away from the Town. It was going to get dark soon, so Artemiy decided to get on with the task.   Stump had a bit of trouble keeping up, but the two reached the first bonfire soon enough.   It was clearly guarded by a rather unlikely team two Worms and one Doghead. Artemiy tried to approach the trio to try and dissuade them from doing anything rash.  Unfortunately for him, they lunged at him all three clearly armed with murderous intentions. Artemiy had no recourse but to pull out a rifle he found on the corpse of an unlucky soldier a bit earlier and to start shooting.  The kid went down first...  ...And the worms soon followed. It didn't occur to Artemiy that he just casually became a child murderer. Such things weren't of a particular importance in the environment that is full of mass death, but one would think that crossing such a threshold would have an effect on a person. It did not. With the way clear, Artemiy motioned to Stump to light the first fire.   The kid was as good with the flint and tinder as he promised, and soon, this merry little kid-murdering band was on its way to the next bonfire.  This time, there were bandits thrown in the mix. It seems that Dogheads had quite an assortment of allies. Still, the group guarding the second bonfire went down as easily as the first one.   Artemiy and Stump were becoming a fire-forged team quite fast. Two down, two to go.  The way to the third bonfire took Artemiy past an old acquaintance of his a herb gatherer whom Artemiy helped in the early days.  It seemed so far away now, but this herb bride wouldn't be here were it not for Artemiy's intervention. Her father wanted to keep her for himself, but Artemiy refused to assist him. The two of them acknowledged Haruspex with gratitude and our merry little band left the due to their own devices.  A marauder, a Doghead and one of those wealthy young Utopians. The assortments were becoming more and more odd, though it didn't matter much to Artemiy.  They went down, all the same.  It has to be pointed out, of course, that the so-called saboteurs are the first to attack Artemiy, but one still has to be taken a bit aback by the callousness of it all.   The last bonfire was guarded by only two Dogheads. The first one lunged for Artemiy when he saw him.   He went down easily enough, but the second one seemed to try and run away.  Artemiy shot the kid in the back no need for the news of Artemiy's involvement in all of this to get back to the Polyhedron. The little gang of rascals could still be useful to him, and he didn't want this to come back to hurt the Bachelor due to their mutual associations. Hmm... Matchstick is nowhere to be seen. He probably lit those fires in the Stone Yard or the Knots and went back home if he didn't get taken out, of course. I wonder if he managed to find anything. Very well, then. I'll go and check out Matchstick's house. Take care, Stump, and farewell.With the guards disposed of, Artemiy left Stump to light the fourth bonfire on his own. Matchstick was nowhere to be seen and he still needed to find him. Signal FiresAll fires are lit. Whoever it is that is coming here from the Steppe, they'll see these fires from afar.   There were no good options but to try Matchstick's house once again.   Artemiy was concerned for the kid there was, after all, an ambush waiting for him at his house. Still, the two Dogheads there seemed like pushovers, so Artemiy wasn't losing too much sleep over it.    With the evening's arrival, there were less Army folk on the streets and more bandits. It didn't make the bandits' collective decision to bring a knife to a gunfight any better, though.   Well, this was new! The girl seemed to be on the lookout for someone. She gasped when she saw Artemiy he did look rather bandit-like, after all but calmed down after recognizing him.   Wait! Don't go in! It's an ambush! So, what are you the ambush, then? Nope. There's a bunch of Khan's Dogheads in there. Don't underestimate them because they're small they'll shoot you all the same! I see... Where's Matchstick? Matchstick must have found out about the ambush... I don't know where he is. He's probably hiding out somewhere. I wonder who would open their door for him? Everyone's too afraid nowadays... I see... I'll try and find him, then. Signal FiresMatchstick still isn't at his house. It seems that I will have to deliver the troublesome news to Kapella.   If Matchstick didn't get ambushed at his house, then he's probably alright. Still, Artemiy was quite worried. His worries, however, were interrupted by another letter. The Impostress' Choice.I know that they've told you that I am not holy. That I am a witch. They've probably told you that I am the Sand Fever given human form. They've told you that I save the ones who despair and kill the ones who are brave and that I break the daring ones, forcing them to accept the coming of the plague. Let me tell you those who are holy and work miracles are always marred with dirt and blood. Their actions can't be understood by the simple folk. They expect from us kindness instead of Good and politeness instead of Love. That is not who I am! That is not how I am! I know what will happen in three days. I will manage to avoid the contradictions that you and Bachelor are so thoroughly tangled in. Know that I will perform a miracle in the end. I will perform it with the help of those who are angry and desperate. Thief Griff, evil Oyun, cruel Alexander, deceived Katherine, vengeful Lara, heathen Ospina, oathbreaker Rubin. They will live in order to die and then they will die in order to attain life eternal. They are needed in order for miracle to happen. Remember that. Klara. Hmm... it seems that Klara has Adherents of her own. Artemiy has already been saving her Adherents, too, keeping Alexander and Griff out of Sand Fever's clutches. He could manage three more days of that it is, after all, interesting to see what sort of miracle Klara intends to perform.   Artemiy could also appreciate the fact that Klara's letter wasn't nearly as full of histrionics as yesterday's Bachelor's letter. Whatever she was up to, Artemiy felt that he could trust the Impostress to keep a level head and to try to not do too much harm.   All that aside, Artemiy was nearing the Olgimsky Residence. It was quite late, so, at this point, Matchstick was either safe or dead. Still, Artemiy liked his odds.  Artemiy knocked on Kapella's door and was let in. Matchstick was, of course, already waiting for him inside.   Ah! You're back! We were just talking about you! So, how'd it go? It was quite hot around those fires... Who were those guys that were trying to ambush me? Whom did you see, exactly? All sorts of various types... Wouldn't remember them all if I tried... So that's how it is! It must be Khan who was behind it all! He must be the one who wanted those fires extinguished! What did he want that for? Who knows! All of them are trying to play war or something... Maybe they want to attack the Army train? Khan must have lost his mind because of the Army's cannons. He must realize that they are a threat to the Polyhedron. He'd faster agree to get out of his own skin rather than lose the Polyhedron. Isn't he a bit too young for that? You know, attacking the Army and such... Kain? Come now... Kains aren't like the regular folk... Don't worry he isn't too young at all.More unpleasant implications or just a turn of phrase? I'm not too sure to say either way... I see. Take care of yourself, Matchstick.Artemiy turned to Kapella to let her know what happened this evening. Has Matchstick been here for long? I've been working hard for nothing, it seems... He only just arrived! No... it wasn't for nothing... If the people that were defeated by you were left to their own devices, they would have surely joined the ambush. Now... I think that the Dogheads will leave when they'll realize that no one will come. Will they, now? The soldiers are everywhere now. The Dogheads won't be brave enough to stay in the Town for long. They'll have to return to the Polyhedron soon. I'm so very thankful to you for helping Matchstick! Thank you, Servitor! You're welcome, Kapella. Signal FiresIn the end, who was the one who wanted to put out these signal fires? In order to answer this question properly, one needs to know who they were actually meant for. No one truly knows the nature of the things that watch us from the depths of this Steppe... Maybe, the true shabnak-adyr comes here every midnight, picks her houses, mars the windows in her diseased tar and goes back? Or are these just wives' tales? Whatever these tales are, dwelling on them too much won't help. In any case, Artemiy made some progress towards getting closer to the blood within the Abattoir and saved his Adherent along the way. In these days, it's about as much of a win-win situation as one could hope for. With the day's toils fully done, Artemiy headed home to his hideout. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 18:35 on Dec 19, 2014 |
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Dec 19, 2014 18:30
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So this whole Adherents thing is another sort of gang war? Polyhedron vs. non-Polyhedron? I wonder if Artemiy's boys are going to change the town... or if they're going to change the town BACK.
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Dec 20, 2014 06:48
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Glazius posted:So this whole Adherents thing is another sort of gang war? Polyhedron vs. non-Polyhedron? Well, the list of Adherents was given to Haruspex by Kapella on Day 1 - she didn't explain it back then and just said that it's important to keep them alive. You keep your own Adherents alive by completing each day's missions - simple stuff. Bachelor's and Klara's letters on Day 8 and Day 9 let you know that they have Adherents of their own and around the time you get their letters, their Adherents start to randomly get sick - only one Adherent per day, so far. What are the Adherents for? Now that is, very much, the right question that can't be properly answered yet. Hell, we still haven't even met the last of our Adherents. There are hints, though - Bachelor says that his Adherents will usher in a Utopia that would be doomed to failure anywhere else, while Klara says that her Adherents will pretty much die in order to fuel her own miracle, whatever it is. What exactly are their plans or what exactly is Kapella's plan? I'll be damned if I know. That being said, I don't think whatever Kapella is planning will simply turn back the clock for the Town - she seems to be very much displeased with the old order of things - "The Mistresses" and "The Three Families" weren't exactly to her liking, as she says at some point.
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Dec 20, 2014 10:55
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Chapter 10 Part One After a brief respite, Artemiy woke up in his hideout, ready for a new night. Before heading to Notkin for the daily map, Artemiy read the sole letter that he received during his rest. Letter from Aglaya Lilich. On your foreordained sacrifice.I know about this particular custom of an equivalent sacrifice. In order to preserve somewthing precious that is not meant to be preserved, one must sacrifice something of an equivalent value. What sacrifice are you fated to carry out? No one knows. However, you ought to be very careful. In these days, a great deal of people lust for widespread destruction. Many will try and set you on a false path and to crush and destroy things with your own two hands. A. To say that no one knows what Artemiy's sacrifice will be is probably not entirely true. Both Kapella and Oyun have hinted that they know more than they let on. Still, Artemiy won't be finding out anytime soon.   It seems that the soldiers set up more emplacements and checkpoints in the night. Hopefuly, it will make streets safer, although that might be hoping for a bit too much.  In any case, the Cannon continues to menace the Town any amount of checkpoints set up by Army will not quell the anxiety brought own by such an obvious existential threat to the Town.   Kids were as gloomy as ever, though it seemed that their numbers remained steady in the past few days. Between experience in dealing with the fever and fewer conflicts between the gangs, these kids' odds of survival seemed to be going up.  True enough, the price of the map wasn't raised tonight and, just like he usually did, Notkin promised that the payment will go towards keeping the scouts healthy and equipped. Artemiy paid the price and looked at the map.  Six districts were infected overnight just like yesterday. At least, the spread of the fever didn't grow. It was time to head to the Theatre, just as it always was. Thankfully, the routine won't last for much longer.   If one were to trust the letters and the words on the wind, the decision will be reached in three days' time. Artemiy, for one, was certainly glad for such a set deadline knowing that such things are out of your hands does have a way to bring calm to one's troubled soul.   Of course, all the talk about the end of this affair in three days could very well be hogwash fueled by superstitious folk. Artemiy couldn't do anything but to stay the course and keep on keeping on. Until there are questions to be answered, there wasn't much point in stopping, either way.   Some poor chaps weren't able to enjoy the show tonight. The corpses were looted clean, but they did leave Artemiy some things that he could use. Nothing goes to waste, of course.  I have received orders to destroy every building in the Town and to shoot anyone who survives the barrage.The boisterous Colonel was being rather... well, boisterous tonight.  The Army always appears when the situation becomes irreparable, but I am a person who defies tradition. I know that, throughout all this time, there were people in this Town who were capable of averting the catastrophe. We will only target things at the behest of a healer who will have the best evidence to support such a decision. Perhaps, it's best not to target anything at all?The voice was quiet and meek, but it was definitely Dankovskiy's voice. If we don't target anything, then the consequences will be most dire. You want freedom of choice? Then, choose! Either an artillery barrage or a single precise shot it's all the same to me. Whatever the decision will be, we will sort this bedlam out. REEL 12: The Masks' Nightly Attractions - Night Nine With the Theatre visit being done, Artemiy didn't have much to do except to bum around the Town until morning.   It did occur to him that Adherents started to get sick at a reliable rate of one a day, so he decided to check on the Town's greatest to see if anyone got sick in the night.  Sure enough, there was a casualty in the night. Surprisingly enough, it was Alexander yet again. The fellow had a penchant for being in mortal danger from the fever. Artemiy had powder boxes to spare and Klara asked him to try and preserve her adherents too the course of action was clear as Artemiy handed Executor the little box. As before, the fellow protested and, as before, Artemiy quickly shut him up and sent him on his way.   The rest of the night was uneventful, and Artemiy managed to catch a quick nap at Kains' estate in the early hours of the morning. When he came out, it was slightly after 7 A.M.  Coming out of Maria Kain's house, Artemiy noticed that he has a new letter in his pocket. Annoying jerks started simply stuffing it into his pockets instead of leaving them somewhere visible. With a groan, Artemiy opened the envelope. Bachelor uncovers the mystery of Udurg.I've made a fantastic discovery. I believe that I know now whom your Father had mind. Come, and I will tell you who your Udurg actually was. Quite a bold claim. Artemiy was quite curious to find out what young Oinon had to tell him.   Between the cheery statistics and the repeated claims of the forthcoming end, a bit of real progress would help put a mind at ease.   I've heard about the riddle you've been struggling with. So you believe that your Father bound you by an obligation to preserve a being of a higher order. An abhuman entity given a bodily form, yes? A bit too intellectual for my taste, Oinon. I can barely understand the words you're using. Come now don't mock me. If I were to compare that to your ancient philosophy... So how about it? You don't happen to believe that your Father meant something... very complicated instead of some Steppe dinosaur? A strange sort of happening that can only be marked by... Ugurd, was it? It was something like that... How do you know all this? I've spoken... with a Mistress. Which one? I don't believe there are any trustworthy ones in the Town. Not yet.Artemiy was more skeptical of Kapella than I thought him to be. Even Kapella?Even Bachelor was surprised, it seemed... What do you think you know about these matters, Oinon?! You can't possibly believe the same things that I do! That may be true, but you are underestimating me in vain. Much time has passed since I came here. I don't view the Order with the same skepticism I did in the past. I know that your chimeras are quite real. I simply happen to have my own point of view on them. It's a bit... simpler, one might say. I certainly hope that that point of view helps you sleep better at night. Your simplicity won't help me, that's for sure. My ideas can help set you on the right path, can they not? Or you aren't interested in my conclusions?So far, Artemiy didn't seem to be that interested in them, but he was going to hear them regardless. Very well. Speak. So... it seems that I have unwittingly found that which you have been looking for this entire time. I stand on the precipice of a great discovery... Well... why did you go quiet all of a sudden? Speak. And now, I'll play it a bit dirty. I believe that there is a very old... archaeological plate under this Town. A place where the ancient shepherds were carrying out their rites. Back, when the Abattoir was twice as tall as it is today.If the Abattoir went as deep as Oyun claimed, it would, indeed, have been much taller thousands of years ago. Well? So what? I want you to learn the precise location of this place from the Elder and to mark it on the map for me. It's not too much to ask, now is it? I only need him to tell me under which district it's located. Do that for me, and I will tell you my version. I believe that it answers a number of your questions....Why are you trying to impose conditions on this exchange? I would have done it solely for the sake of our friendship. You wound me, Oinon.Despite the widespread sarcastic use of the phrase, Dankovskiy did indeed wound Artemiy's sensibilities. You have to understand, Artemiy I'm in a desperate situation, too. I've tried every option I had before me. I have no other way to gain the information I need. You know, I could also tell you the information that you could use to neutralize the Colonel. Or, perhaps, you actually want the Town to be destroyed? No, but I don't imagine that you can help me in preventing that. You are mistaken. Blok trusts me, and not without a good reason. I, in turn, trust you not without a good reason, as well. You are the only person in this Town on whose honesty I can rely. What about the Elder's honesty? Little Victoria told me that he cannot lie. Just like herself and other... folk with a great deal of responsibility in this Town. Hm... It might be true. Help me, Artemiy, and I will help you. Get me this tiny morsel from the Elder. If he doesn't answer... then the Colonel will have no recourse but to turn everything into a smoldering ruin.He might not, of course if Artemiy is the Healer to whom the Colonel will listen, then Dankovskiy might very well become entirely irrelevant. Still, Artemiy would help. For multiple of reasons old times' sake being one of them. Fine. I will. UdurgBachelor believes that the Elder knows the key to the main riddle of my Father's legacy.   Of course, Artemiy was going to visit the Elder today, anyway.   The smarmy git promised Haruspex some answers in exchange for service, and Artemiy was not about to turn that opportunity down.   It didn't mean that Artemiy had to like Bachelor's duplicitous behavior, but it's not like it caused too much harm, aside from turning Haruspex into a more cynical man.   The Bachelor was correct, though, in wishing to dig deeper into the Abattoir. These halls were ancient and it's very likely that the road towards finally defeating the Fever lay in its depths. It's rather funny that the Bachelor believed that he was the first one to consider that possibility it's not as if Artemiy has been digging in that direction for the past three days or so.   The gloomy jerk has been definitely expecting Artemiy. In fact, he looked downright impatient!  The rumour has been confirmed. Last night, several of children of Bodkho have betrayed the Order. They stole the sacrificial blood from Suokh's flesh and fled, leaving behind the depths and hacking off a pound of Boos Turokh's flesh from themselves. You need to find them and you need to kill them. How did they betray the Order, exactly? What is the nature of their betrayal? Whomsoever carries such blood out of the womb of the House of Bodkho is ripping of bits of Mother Suokh's flesh! They have revealed their sharpened knives and cut themselves off from the meat of Boos Turokh! They are no longer a part of the Order! They are permitted to die. Why did they steal the blood? You ask too much, son of Burakh. I believe that you wanted to ask me a single question today, did you not? One that is worth a thousand others, no? Don't waste your tongue on useless words. How am I to find them? They left a foul trail behind themselves. You will hear it when the spirits will speak with you. Until you return the blood, you will hunger. Do not dare to swallow a single breadcrumb or it will all be for naught. Hunger? Why should I be starving, exactly? You will feel the smell of blood much better while starving. In hunger, you need to kill them. Hunger cleanses you. Food will taint you. One should not return the sacrificial blood with a full belly. If that were to happen, the blood will be tainted and won't bring us any good.More complications it's as if the Elder was trying to kill Artemiy. Funny, that. Where are they, then? I'll give you something to drink. You'll want to eat something right away. You will feel pain. Go to Rhaga's Mound and fall asleep there. Fight the hungry spasms of your stomach. Sleep until the Spirit shares with you the scent of their crime. That is when you will find them. Return to me after you killed them. What is it that you're giving me? This will cleanse your insides. In order to return the blood, you must be clean. Do not dare to eat anything. If you eat anything at all before returning, then you best not return at all! Give me the drink, then. I will be back soon. UdurgI ought to fall asleep on Rhaga's Mound in order to get information on the escapees from the dead spirits in my dreams.  Even Artemiy's journal note seemed to acknowledge the rather crazy and far-fetched nature of Artemiy's quest. Still, Artemiy accepted the drink and, just like the Elder said, he felt the hunger right away.   It was only five minutes, but the hunger pangs felt as if Artemiy was starving for days.   The mound, thankfully, was not too far away from the Abattoir itself and, soon, Artemiy was where he needed to be.   This seemed to be the place. Artemiy laid down on the cold stone and closed his eyes. Soon enough, he heard the whispers.       Whatever the Spirit said, it was between him and Artemiy. Nonetheless, three marks appeared on the map, as well as a note in the journal. UdurgSpirits of the dead appeared at Rhaga's mound. They whispered in the ears of the Dreamer the location of the worms that hid in the carcass of a dying Town.  The three marks appeared on the location of the Herb Gatherers' yurts temporary tents used by the Steppe folk. Artemiy visited some of them over the days these places would, indeed, be a good place to hide. The first tent was quite near the mound Artemiy hurried there.   Sure enough, there was a butcher at the yurt. Artemiy came up to the fellow to question him.  Be warmed by Suokh's warmth, Oinon... Show me what you've carried out of the Abattoir. What do you need it for? We carried it out for ourselves. I want to know where you took it from. If we tell you, will you leave us alone?This gave Artemiy pause, but only a small one. Yes. It's a deal. You won't get the blood for the Udurg from the Earth. If you cut the growth that has been burdening the Udurg for many years, then you'll get all the blood you need from the wound.What was the Butcher talking about? He obviously has something particular in mind, but he didn't seem to be willing to say more... It was time to perform the Elder's task. Good. Prepare to die.  The butcher didn't react very quick, but he did die quite quickly. The Worm and his Herb Bride didn't seem to be at all phased by what they witnessed. If an Oinon such as Artemiy killed the fellow, then they were sure that he deserved it. Soon, Artemiy was on his way to the next yurt.   This conveyor belt went all the way from the Abattoir to the Train station. The machinery would routinely break, but it still allowed the meat to be loaded onto the trains in a relatively quick fashion.   Of course, the assembly line has been standing still for the past week. Now, only this giant monstrosity thoroughly occupied the train station.   These chumps weren't the friendliest lot, and Artemiy was in quite a hurry since he was quite literally dying from hunger. He didn't tarry here for long.    The second butcher was warming himself near the fire. Artemiy didn't imagine that the Butcher would have anything to say that the first one didn't and opened fire. He, of course, imagined correctly.  The Herb-Gatherer was about as phased by this display of violence as the first one.   The Steppe Swamps are quite vast, but Artemiy was making good time on the account of his impending death.  This butcher felt quite at ease with Artemiy around a fact that allowed Artemiy to refrain from wasting precious bullets.   If the third Herb-Gather had something to say, he certainly didn't let it show. UdurgTo punish the defilers and apostates is a task worthy of a Servitor. Now, I can return to Elder Oyun and bring him the happy news. Artemiy certainly got into the business of killing these defilers in fact, he got a bit too much into it for my taste. In any case, the hunger seemed to have abated for now. Artemiy was so hungry that he decided to have a bite. The butchers didn't have the blood on them anyway, so there wasn't anything for Artemiy to defile with his filled belly.   It's funny that Artemiy noticed this before, but the marks on the diseased houses had a funny property to them. I mean, he obviously noticed the marks, but there was the fact that they always looked like giant claw marks on the walls of the buildings has been eluding him until now. It was a rather unsettling realization.   Amid these troubling notion, Artemiy received another letter. Kapella's Invitation.I need your help yet again. It is more of the same a friend is in peril. Meanwhile, I'm strictly forbidden from going outside! V.O. Great not a day goes by without Artemiy's Adherents getting mixed up in something dumb. It's just more busywork for Artemiy at this point.   Artemiy was still going to go to Oyun first to get this whole Hunger business fully finished.    Why do you vainly risk your life by standing before me, Kinsman? I have found and killed the Butchers. Not one of them has escaped? None. Tell me what you wanted to know. Ask me a single question. Choose wisely. What creature did my Father have in mind? Who is the Udurg that is marked by this Tauro? This being is everything you see around us. Earth and the Settlement that has been nurtured by it, from the Abattoir, the House of Boos Turokh and Bodkho's Vein, to the river Gorkhon. They are inseparable at this point. The Town will not survive without the Earth that feeds it and the Earth will not live without the parasite that feeds it. Now, you know.While useful, this was still rather vague. Could... could you be a bit clearer? The Town is dying, you fool. Your Father knew that the Town will be engulfed by a murrain. He wasn't thinking of the people, the tiny parasites on Boos Turokh's hide, but about the Udurg the one who is so great that the moon morphs its crescent to greet the brother who has spread his flesh across the Earth! What sacrifice will I carry out? You will find that out tomorrow if you complete the next test, Kinsman. Do not be in such a hurry. Very well I will come. UdurgI wonder what Bachelor has to say about all this...   While this wasn't exactly an answer to the Bachelor's question, this could allow Artemiy to coax the Bachelor's ideas on the matter of the Udurg out of him.   He will either confirm what the Elder said or offer a theory of his own. In any case, it is a win-win for Artemiy. It's not like he had the opportunity to ask the Elder the Bachelor's question or anything. When all he gets is one question, his own takes the priority.   At the end of the day, if Daniil was going to play dirty, then Artemiy wasn't going to shy away from doing so, either.   What do you have to say, Artemiy? The Elder told me about the Udurg. It is the Town itself. Is that precisely what he told you? Yes, I believe so. My version is entirely different from that. How so? I believe that the one marked by Isidore in his will is none other than Simon Kain. A friend of your Father's. A superhuman. The creator of this Town, the architect of habitable worlds. But that's absurd! An Udurg cannot be a human. It is a body that contains within itself an entire world. Every person is, in a manner speaking, an entire world. Moreover, Simon deserves, more than anyone else I know, to be referred to in such a manner. He was much more than a simple human. Besides, do you really think that we should be talking about him in past tense?Ah. There it is again, the Simon-is-not-actually-dead-somehow stuff. I don't know about this... I want to know what Olgimsky's daughter Kapella - thinks about my version. I also want to know what Katherine Saburov a person whom I entirely unable to visit thinks about it. Ask these women, Artemiy. They will answer you. And what, pray tell, should I ask them, exactly? Ask them if Simon can be an Udurg. Just a yes or no will suffice. They are... quite tricky. It feels like they know things about us... many turns ahead of the current play. This knowledge, however, lacks something... concrete. It lacks detail. They see far, but don't see much. They will, however, understand what I'm talking about. Very well, Oinon. It's not that hard to ask. UdurgWhom will the Mistresses little Kapella and dying Katherine - mark as Udurg?   Truth be told, Artemiy very much hoped that they would debunk Bachelor's theory. Him being right would only serve to sow doubt in Artemiy's mind and that is something that Artemiy could very much do without.   It's good that Daniil sent Artemiy to Kapella, though. He needed to visit her and Artemiy could tentatively trust her judgment. She wouldn't lie to him, either whatever she will say will be the truth of the matter.    You'll help me out once more, right? We have some bad news yet again, not that I'm surprised or anything. Everyone who must survive until the end is in danger one way or another... Who is it this time? This time, Klara visited Mishka and now Mishka wants to go outside! She came to her and did something foul. Now, Mishka worries and I can feel it. So... what happened, exactly? I don't know! Maybe, it's nothing... I know that Mishka is in a great deal of distress right now, and she isn't one to scare easily. In fact, she can scare anyone herself if she wants... What do you need her for, anyway? When Mishka grows up, she will replace Katherine. She knows how to listen to the Earth. She will make a good Earth Mistress with her, no Rat Prophet will get even close to tainting anything! Mishka is clean.So it seems that Rat Prophet had something to do with Katherine an interesting tidbit, though not relevant to the current happenings. Very well. I'll visit her at some point. Who will feed the doll?Mishka worries and is raring to go outside. What could it be that made her so worried? Obviously, Artemiy still had questions for Kapella. Kapella can an Elder lie? I... I don't know. I think that he can't. If he doesn't want to tell you the truth, he will simply avoid the question itself. Is he dangerous? Very! Just by talking to him, you're risking your life at every moment. I think that he's simply waiting for a good chance to finish you off. He isn't brave enough to do it on his own, though... He's waiting for permission... Good. I'll keep that in mind. Answer me this can it be said that Simon is an Udurg, a higher being? I wouldn't say that about him in particular. After all, he was born human, and Udurg and a Human are two different things. Now, if Simon were to undergo a second birth and his spirit would inhabit a new body a perfect, giant body that could contain within itself other people, then yes! Absolutely.So... that's a yes. Godammit. Is such a thing even possible? It's doubtful... But, theoretically? Yes it is. You are speaking of our myths and beliefs, aren't you? The entity that we call an Udurg right now is not the same that our Steppe ancestors had in mind. Now, when we speak of an Udurg, we speak of an idea. An idea? Well, a cult, for example. Or a large family. But all that is incorrect. An Udurg is, above all, a body or a torso. Understand? If Simon became a ship that people could ride into a better life and he would carry them there while being alive, then he would become an Udurg. But... there aren't any creatures like that and there never were... Even if there weren't any like that in the past, maybe they will appear in the future? Who knows... Everything is possible...Of course, the answers weren't at all satisfactory. In fact, they were entirely terrifying. Not only did they make the possibility that Bachelor was correct a reality, but they also cast doubt on everything that Artemiy worked so hard to uncover in the recent days. At the very least, it meant that Artemiy could no longer trust himself.   While in this turmoil, Artemiy received yet another letter. Letter from Tychik's Daughter.We still have not killed the prisoner because he swore that he had some terribly important news to relay to you. It's about the bull who showed up near the Bone Pillar. Written by the order, seal attached, Mother of the Bulls. There was a bit of serendipity in all of this after all, Taya was also a Mistress, in a sense. Artemiy could ask her what she thinks on the matter of Udurg.   First, of course, he'll have to visit the gloomy Saburov residence. Perhaps, the fact that Artemiy saved her husband's life not once but twice would make Katherine a bit cheerier?   Not a chance, of course. What do you want, Ripper? I want to know the identity of the Udurg that was under my Father's protection. Speak and be truthful! I can't tell it to you straight... What? Why? Because I cannot lie when it comes to the details... My lips cannot say a premeditated lie... Riddles and vagueness afford me a certain... freedom. Can you tell me something, at least? Only the general details of this fairy tale... The one, whose existence you are trying preserve and the sacrifice that you need to carry out in order to do so are mirrored. Find out the identity of the Sacrifice and you will know the marked one. Tell me of the Sacrifice. I know without a doubt that your Sacrifice is a woman. A beautiful woman. A woman who loves you... Is that enough for you?Who could it be? Ospina? She did confess her love for Artemiy some days ago, but that is probably not it... Is it Aglaya? It's probably Aglaya. Of course it's Aglaya. Of course it is. ... What does that have to do with it anyway? A Sacrifice must be equivalent... Does that mean that my Udurg is a human? There are people who are more than people... And now, leave me be. I'm afraid of your presence. You smell of blood. Fine. Farewell.It doesn't mean that she is right. Or truthful. She is quite batty, after all... And why would Artemiy be in a position where he'd have to sacrifice Aglaya? He doesn't love her, not really... Or is it not yet?    Artemiy should have just told the Bachelor to bugger off with his theories. All they've done so far is heap confusion on his poor, tired head.   There were sick people in need of help while everybody is waffling around in indecision it is a time for action, while all Artemiy is doing is saddling himself with more doubt. Not much to be done about it now, but it would have been good to not have ended up in such a position.   Curious the letter didn't lie. Vlad is still alive. Quite interesting, considering that an Executor posted by the door to Vlad's wing of the Olgimsky residence swore up and down that the place belonged to the dead. Maybe there is still time to save the poor sod?   Have you seen the bull yet? What bull? Ah...You see how the little people scamper around? Near the Bone Pillar, a dying Aurox has appeared... They say that the Elder killed the last one, don't they? That means... hah... that means that he didn't quite kill him, now did he? Or what is it, then? Could it be... something supernatural?Vlad's speech was strange and had a very... viscous quality to it. It seemed as if he was drugged it's possible that the Order made him drink copious amounts of Tvyrine before the execution. A sign of some sort, perhaps? I don't know, I don't know... Ask her, the little torturer... Just be careful! Could it be a trap? Elder Oyun, you know, is locked in a fight with you... He could plan all sorts of things... It could be an ambush... Thank you, Boos. Your advice was valuable. You know, I'm calm. I am glad that things turned out this way... Goodbye, Boos.Just as resigned as he was before, even after a day in captivity. Artemiy turned to Taya to find out more about this strange new arrival.  Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!Oh dear rather hyper today, isn't she? What bull is the prisoner talking about, Mother? A Higher one. You've heard about the Higher ones, right? A very important bull! He appeared quite suddenly! It's for you. Go and check it out. You need to figure out what to do with him yourself. Ha-ha! You shouldn't laugh about such matters... Where is he? An empty patch of land near the Bone Pillar a place where a very sharp bone sticks out of the ground. They say that it doesn't grow from within, that it's a broken piece. Suokh got her leg stuck in that place and it broke off when she tried to pull it out! That's why every Shabnak has little bones sticking out instead of feet! Do you have any advice to give about this? Nope, I won't give you any. The answer to the question that you want to ask me is Yes, of course!. By that, I mean Of course, he is needed. I mean, needed alive, but you don't have to get him off of it. Now, think. Quite the riddle you've got there...Enter Boos TurokhA miracle took place near the Bone Pillar, or so they say. A strange place for a miracle... They told me that it's a favorite execution spot, too... Shall I go and check it out? Not before asking Taya the important question, you won't! Do you know a particular word Udurg? Oh, I sure know that word. Can't speak for others, though! You shouldn't ask everyone you meet about it. They'll give you such advice... You'll never make heads or tails of it. How do you know whom I've been asking? The Land is full of rumours, Burakh! My sentries have been telling me all about it. Tell me can it be that Simon Kain is an Udurg instead of a man? Simon Kain? How can you say that he is human? He can be absolutely anything, really! Udurg or not Udurg I don't know. What I do know, however, is that he is the one who grew a tumor on the body of the Udurg. That's how my Dad said it, too - The Old Man grew a tumor on the body of the Udurg. So here. How did your Father know this? Dad? Oh, Dad knew everything! He even knew how to read and write. So, did Simon grow a tumor on his own body? I didn't say that! Dad didn't say that, either... What did he do, then? He, of course, didn't grow it on his own. He got help. Dark Nina, mainly... So, one Udurg is killing another one? It's very possible. Two heads on one neck will never be in agreement, or so Notkin likes to say. You speak in riddles, Mother. Perhaps, you could say it a bit clearer? If you want clearer, then I'll lie. You want me to lie?You know what? gently caress it. Fine lie! It's you! You're not funny, you know that?Artemiy really needed a break from all this annoying bullshit. It isn't going to be a long one there simply isn't any time left for that, but it will be one nonetheless. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 04:40 on Jun 13, 2015 |
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Dec 29, 2014 18:17
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It's you! I actually cracked a smile at that one, incredible in the dreariness of the game.
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Dec 29, 2014 23:08
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Haha, yea, I can imagine him briefly rubbing his butt, looking for a mark.
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Dec 30, 2014 09:52
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Chapter Ten Part 2 Taya didn't have anything more to say and Artemiy didn't feel like being lied to some more, even if the lies weren't lies but merely lame jokes a 4-year old finds funny. The Bone Pillar was quite close to the Apiary, so Artemiy headed there to check out this Aurox to try and figure out just where the hell it came from.   If nothing else, attending to this matter might distract poor Artemiy from all the doubt caused by the Mistresses and their vague phrases that are full of non-commitment. At the end of the day, the possibility of there being two Udurgs in play in this entire situation was becoming quite real and it increasingly looked like the Artemiy will eventually have to choose which one of the two is the one he is meant to protect.   The Bone Pillar wasn't very boney in fact, the rock itself wasn't particularly jagged or anything.  Upon further inspection, however, there was an actual bone present here and the bull was pierced by it at the neck level. It did, however, still breathe, albeit rather weakly. It was time to question the worms on just what in the world is the reason behind this strange scene.   You see? He is dying. Don't come near him... Don't touch him, either. Do not even try it won't work. How could you even touch him? You aren't an Elder or a Servitor, yet... Where did this thing come from? The last one was killed three days ago, wasn't it? You said it yourself... His blood seeped into the Earth, didn't it? It did, and so He grew. Ha-ha-ha! Laughing, are you? What is to be done with him? The children feel him. The little ones know what to do. Ask them. They will inherit the Earth. You have other Adherents besides this one here they are all tied together by the same thread. Ask your Adherents, ask the Children.Adherents? The Worm was rather well informed for a Worm... He might have let on a bit more than he may have wanted, though. Since when is this thing my Adherent? What... or... wait a second! What Tauro would you use to mark this beast?Tauro was, after all, primarily used by the Steppe folk to mark cattle. Ask my kinsmen. Each of them feels differently. Myself, I'll tell you that the Dualsouls have already came by. Their leader, the exile, the defender of beasts, weak and tiny offspring of Bodkho, surely has an opinion of his own. Notkin? I shall ask him, Odonkhe. Enter Boos TurokhThe coming of the bull is a mystery, and the Children know the answer to this mystery better than anyone else. Notkin had already gathered his own people to hold council. The Worms, meanwhile, are waiting for news from the other children. It seems that each and every one of the little orphans has their own part to play in all of this. Artemiy approached the first worm, the leftmost one.  You see? Ask the orphan, whose voice the Earth uses to speak to us, who can never lie, who loves to listen more than she loves to speak. Answer me, how would she decide the fate of this Higher One? Answer me, and I will give you a drop of His blood. Very well it is worth my time. Enter Boos TurokhThe coming of the bull is a mystery, and the Children know the answer. Mishka, the girl who listens to the Earth, must voice her opinion, although...  You see? Ask boy-scout, who examined the body of the Town, who knows where each house grows, who knows the hidden connections. Answer me, how would he decide the fate of this Higher One? Answer me and I will give you a drop of His blood. It is worth both my efforts and time. Enter Boos TurokhThe coming of the bull is a mystery, and the Children know the answer. The little scout Matchstick's opinion is important as well. He's much more important than his tiny stature would suggest...  You see? Ask the daughter of the graveyard keeper the one, with whose voice speak the ones who then grow through Bodkho's skin as grass. Answer me, how would she decide the fate of this Higher One? Answer me and I will give you a drop of His blood. That is worth my effort. Enter Boos TurokhThe coming of the bull is a mystery, and the Children know the answer. Sensitive Laska can guess the nature of matters perhaps better than anyone else. The Children will inherit the Earth. Oh dear that's a lot of people to visit. Artemiy was going to visit Mishka at the very least, but, at this rate, he'll be visiting all of his Adherents before the day is done. Matchstick's house is the closest to the Bone Pillar.   Artemiy didn't actually know if the blood of this bull would be good for the production of the Panacea, but if it were, then he absolutely had to try.  The house was quiet, but the kid was clearly at home.  Sigh... You know, I can't be going outside at all! I don't get it myself... It's all screwed up!This kid had a bit more influence on the Town than your average child, but, just like the rest of the Adherents, he was quite powerless. I saw a bull near the Bone Pillar. He is a Higher One. Wow... Why didn't I get to see him?! I've been staking out the Steppe at night so many times I wanted to see how the Odongs brought the Higher Ones out from the Steppe... Never got to see one... And there goes another one! drat! So, what is he very big? Well... yeah he's pretty big. You, on the other hand, ought to tell me what should be done with him! Heal him! You're a doctor, aren't you? Take the bull off of the spike! You know, I've been having a headache since this morning, too!Funnily enough, Artemiy didn't tell Matchstick about the bull's predicament, but the kid knew anyway. Hmm... is that so? I don't think I'm the only one, too! Aurox is a sacred animal! Whatever happens with him will spread to everything around it. Why else do you think an Elder would be ought to know his rites, after all? Your Father should have taught you better, Servitor! Shush, now! I know it without you...Enter Boos TurokhMatchstick asked me to preserve the bull. I can relay his words to the Odonkhe.   So... the Worms' words were true the kids felt the presence of this bull. It was strange, but not unexpected, of course.   Kapella told him recently that his Adherents are all tied together. That they are exiles from the Polyhedron all of them, except Khan. How would the bull play into all of this, then? Or is it a metaphor? Is the bull just like the picture that was put on top of his map by some trickster?   It was time to stop the gloomy thoughts and to ask Laska what she thinks about this whole affair. Probably nothing cheery, considering that she had a bit of a penchant for hallucinations.   Well? Is Laska at Kapella's yet? She left for Kapella's place? Such horrors have been happening around here... If I were her, I would go straight to Kapella's if I were to ever leave this cozy house... Where else is there to go, now? Only there. Very well, then... I'll check at Kapella's.Hmm... I should have known that this wouldn't be as smooth as simply going around and asking the children for their opinion...   What sort of business would chase Laska away from her precious graveyard, anyway? She would never willingly leave it behind. She's rather possessive of her congregation.   Truth be told, Laska was probably the creepiest Adherent Artemiy had.   The rest of the kids range from gloomy to pensive to crazy, but the obsessive,gravey bent Laska had to her is a bit on another level above the 4-year old with lame jokes and a power to execute anyone based on her whim.   Laska wasn't inside, of course.  You'll always help me, right? Of course. So... Laska isn't here, is she? Ah! So, it is Laska's turn now! She was captured by the soldiers! This is all that damned Klara's fault! I wish I could get my hands on her! Soldiers? What do they have to do with anything? A bunch of military doctors came to the graveyard with flamethrowers in tow. That was when they started bringing the dead from the Apiary there. She wouldn't allow them to burn the bodies. They got enraged and told her that because of the likes of her, people are dying. I see... So, where is the girl, then? Maybe, the General will order her released. Do you know where the military keeps its prisoners? Probably in the Town Hall, right where the General is. That's not very far I'll go there.   The Army has been taking a rather fast and loose approach to criminals these days. It could, very well, be too late for Laska. Artemiy, of course, hoped for the best.   The General keeps a strange company indeed! Interestingly enough, you can't talk to Klara here no dialogue initiates. It's like she's not there at all.  You have my utmost attention, surgeon. I'm looking for a girl. She's very young. Her name is Laska. So? She is the daughter of the late graveyard keeper. After his death, she's been taking care of the deceased. This is not an orphanage, healer! Or, do you think that all the lost orphans are ought to be looked for at the military headquarters? Why the hell are you bothering me with such questions?! She didn't allow the soldiers to enter the graveyard. It seems that they were going to burn bodies on your orders. Laska could have been hurt. Lately, a whole bunch of people have been coming to me with requests to burn one thing or another. That will not happen! Klara is a saint! She orders to not burn anything! It is foul. You've burned her sister during the first day, isn't that true?!Goddamn! Klara has certainly been busy... She practically has the Army in her pocket. This is disconcerting, indeed! Talk to the Bachelor about that, if you must. How can I find out what happened to Laska? ...Godammit! Burning a graveyard? I never gave such an order. This graveyard keeper prevented insubordination she is a good young woman. She has faithfully performed her duty. She acted decisively and wisely. Isn't that right, Klara? It's kind of her, right?Artemiy could obviously see Klara, but Blok did not seem to acknowledge the fact that she was in the room. Let's throw a curveball. Who are you talking to, General? What? Oh... Oh yes... What did you want to know?An interesting reaction, though it does not answer much. Where could they have taken her? The flamethrower squad is under Captain Longinus's command. You can find him near the Cannon. The Officers' wagon stands out. You'll find your graveyard keeper there tell him that I ordered her released due to lack of evidence against her. The password is 413th. Hurry.Captain Longinus? Really? Isn't that... a bit... heavy-handed? No? Okay, game. Okay. Very well. Artemiy's path was taking him to the train station quite convenient. He could visit Mishka after he frees Laska.    It would be a good idea to visit Notkin too. His warehouse was on the way and it would only be a slight detour to come see him and to put a check mark next to his name.    Notkin was a bit distracted, or so it seemed. I came to you about the bull. Well, of course! Of course you did! You already know what happened? We have to remove the spike! What are you so agitated for? The Sacred Bull has appeared near the Bone Pillar! Perhaps He is absolutely the last Aurox on our planet. You know what sort of animal He is? Smart! Terrible! Majestic! Like a dragon! Unicorn! Manticore! Shh... Pipe down, kid... What's wrong with you? My agitation is quite understandable! This is going to be our most precious, most godly animal! If he wave such a beast under our care, even that Khan won't dare to try and touch is! We will turn from a street gang into temple guard! You seem to be quite serious... So... how would you decide the bull's fate? He must live no matter the cost! No matter the cost! I don't care I'll be the first to lay down my life for Him! Make it so that the spike is pulled out of his head! Promise? That's quite the life you'd be laying down for it... Promise?! I promise, sheesh... Sit here. Don't you dare go outside!Enter Boos TurokhNotkin believes that the bull needs to be preserved, no matter the cost. I can relay his words to the Odonkhe.   Artemiy met a number of people who were in a rather... clouded state today.   Both Notkin and Matchstick seemed very agitated about this Bull. The General, on the other hand, seemed to be under the effect of some sort of charm. Perhaps, these things are of the same nature? Perhaps, they are different? It's... it's all quite bizarre, of course. In any case Artemiy was at his destination. It was time to fetch Laska from the hands of the Army.    I'm listening. I've come for the girl. You've been ordered to release her. On whose authority? General Blok's order. 413th. I'm ready to release her to you if you will vouch for her. Have her promise right here under the fear of arrest that she won't be interfering with my soldiers again. I will vouch for her. She'll confirm it right now.  You already know what happened... The Higher One has appeared at the Bone Pillar. Since I've been here, I didn't even get the chance to take a look at Him! What did they take you here for? I will not let them burn! They shouldn't even try! How can they burn that, which is ought to be laid down into the Earth? How could they live with themselves afterwards? How would they grow? How would they return to the sun? The body is sacred! To burn it is even worse than cutting it! You cannot burn the dead!Oh dear... This will be difficult. Listen. They will leave soon. You must give them your word that you will not interfere. Fine. Very well. I'll calm down if you will not let them burn the most important body. You know what I'm talking about, right? If you haven't seen the Higher One, yet, then go to the Bone Pillar. You will see a puzzle. It has been made for you. I already know about it. I wanted to hear what you had to say, that's all. Calm down the Dualsouls, too! They want to guard the beast, or so it seems... Sure... The Officer heard your words. You're free.Enter Boos TurokhLaska believes that the bull must live. I can relay her words to the Odonkhe.   Mishka's wagon was only a few steps away. Artemiy headed in.    It's you? But... but it hasn't returned yet... What? Who? The Doll... No... Not Klara. My Doll left to take a walk. Can you believe it? Probably to get some food. She didn't have anything to eat. It's my fault. What does it eat? It eats herbs that grow near the bull cairns. You know? The standing stones with bull heads. Hm... do the herbs grow there? I don't know for sure. But Worms walk there. Where there are Worms, there are herbs. Okay. Stay put. I'll bring you your doll. Who will feed the doll?The Doll feeds itself near the Bull Cairns. Father said that these standing stones have been here since time immemorial way before the herdsmen came here. Afterwards, they were re-purposed for ritual needs and now they can be easily discerned from the rest by the bull bones that litter the land around them. Of course, the Bull question remained. You know that there is a bull near the Bone Yard, right? I do. The Doll told me. He's in pain. He'll expire soon. Poor beastie. Is it an Aurox? He is not a real Higher One. The one who was killed four days ago was the last one.Interesting... Mishka was, according to the Worms, the wisest of the children. If she says that the Higher One isn't real, listening to her would probably be smart. Still... So... Is it a hallucination?What am I to do with him? He isn't real, but he is alive. You need to take him off of the bone. A sharp spike pierced his head, after all! You need to absolutely take him off of it. He hurts and we hurt too. I see...Enter Boos TurokhMishka doesn't want the bull to leave. I can relay her words to Odonkhe. The Bull matter was pretty much over with. The kids were unified in agreement, though they were not entirely in agreement about his nature. Still, if they agreed that he should live and the Worms said that he is tied to their fates, he should, indeed, be protected. Artemiy headed out into the Steppe to get Mishka's doll.    Here are the standing stones that Mishka mentioned. No sign of the Doll and Artemiy would be hard-pressed to find it in all this tall grass. Although...  This is Savyur a fairly rare herb. You don't usually find more than one in a large stretch of the Steppe. Here, there are two of them... Artemiy followed to fetch the second and, sure enough...  White Whip another rare specimen. It seems like there is a herb trail going further into the Steppe. Following it seems like a good idea.   All in all, the trail numbered about 20 bits of precious herbs. By the end of it, Artemiy was fairly well-stocked.  Ah. There it is.  Seems like an average doll to me... Although...  That fanny pack sure looks familiar... Whomever's idea of a joke this was, it wasn't particularly fun. Confusing, sure, but not funny. Artemiy took the doll and began making his way to its rightful owner.  Who will feed the doll?It seems that this ugly little thing is Mishka's precious doll. It looks quite sated. I can return now.    It's cold here... I need a stove. Is this your doll? Oh, you poor thing... You're tired, right? Did you eat? Well, go on take it. Here. This isn't a simple vial. There's blood here. You make medicine out of it. Make some for yourself. Don't worry, it's nobody's.Still warm... There's no doubt it's the same sort of blood that Artemiy got from the Elder. Holy poo poo. Where did you get this? What do you mean it's nobody's? I got it from a puddle under the Tower. When I was looking for the doll. There's probably a whole lake there now. The Earth gave it. I felt it. I thought that the Doll went there to drink some. That's quite the doll you've got. He's a good one. Kind. He doesn't do evil to anyone.Artemiy wasn't nearly as spotless, but one could hope and strive to be the best. So.. You got it near the Polyhedron? There's more there. Go and check. If it's true, then I'll be back to ask you some questions. Sit tight. Who will feed the doll?What? The blood appeared under the Kids' Tower? I wonder how it seeped there. Could the blood have been spilled from somewhere in the Tower? Who, then, are its inhabitants? Artemiy is probably jumping the gun here a bit. Mishka did say that she heard the Earth tell her to come and get it. It would make sense that it probably came from the Earth, too.   Artemiy took the back way through the Steppe to the Horns. It would be a good idea to visit the Bachelor on the way and tell him the news.   Coming back to Dankovsky's place of residence reminded Artemiy of the news he was bringing to Daniil and thoroughly soured his mood once more. All the annoying crap about the Udurgs came back to his mind right then and there.   So... What do you have to say, Artemiy? I've spoken with both Mistresses... Kapella is already a Mistress? Hm... Well, no matter. So what's the answer? Can Simon be an Udurg? Is there such a possibility? There is. That doesn't say much, though, now does it?Artemiy acknowledged the state of the game on the board, but he didn't have to be happy about it. Well, then... That means that it's all worth it. It will be risky, though, that much is true... I'll have to bet my reputation against that of the fearsome victor at the Battle of Shkery.I imagine that the Bachelor was talking about the General. I don't get it. The key to solving these contradictions is in the Tower that you call the Polyhedron. It's clear that it is not what it pretends to be to the outsiders. What does my Father's Udurg have to do with it? I still have to test this theory from the point of view of optics... I must be sure that these are not just simple folks' tales. I will study the Polyhedron from within, and you, exchange, will get me the evidence that the capillaries beneath the Earth have a certain shape that would... confirm my theories. Deal?From the point of view of optics? For shame, Daniil that's absolutely terrible! What? You need to find a way into the Abattoir again, or something? Don't forget that my task is to find the source of this disease. You are not allowed into the Tower, while I am not allowed into the Abattoir. Let us help each other. Tomorrow, I'll send you a letter. We'll come to an agreement. Well we'll see about that tomorrow. UdurgThe reality splits itself into two. Two contradicting truths are hiding behind this goddamned sign. The Spirit of Simon, caged in the mirror-encrusted body of the Tower or the Town that was fed by the Earth and sculpted in the image of Boos Turokh? These are the two Udurgs, and there none other than them.  Cute.   Artemiy still had the puddle of priceless blood to check out.  Is... is that it?  It wasn't much, but Artemiy scooped it up all the same. It was about enough for another vial. Good. It leaves questions, but it's good. Who will feed the doll?Yes. Mishka didn't lie. Quite curious. The blood doesn't look like it's that of a human... It doesn't look like the Tower was leaking, either... I should ask Mishka what else she knows about this...   I'm guessing that it started to dawn on Artemiy that the blood probably came from under the Tower and that Mishka would know a good deal about what happens under the Earth.   At least, Artemiy got more blood for Panacea the first portion since the 7th day. The Elder promised him some blood, but he never made good on that promise, the jerk.    I've gone to the Tower. There's blood there. You were right, but how am I to interpret this, exactly? You see? I told you, and you didn't believe me! Where did it come from? I don't know. It's not the first time. When we lived in the Tower, we thought that it was a bad sign. That was when we would start to play the game of Swamp or Blanket. So the folks in the Tower know about it? They probably know about it in the Abattoir. All blood comes from there. They even make sausage out of that blood. We are prohibited from even thinking about going in there. So there. All the answers must be there... Who will feed the doll?A number of conclusions can be drawn from this little episode... Something tells me, however, that I shouldn't be in too much of a hurry to do so... Let's just take note of the facts, like our good friend Bachelor tells us, and leave it at that.   There was one last trek left to be made tonight to go back to the Bull and deliver the kids' words to the worms.   They did promise Artemiy some of that bull's blood, too if Artemiy is lucky, he'll have five vials of precious blood before the days is over. An extraordinary haul, that.    Good. The worms were still there, and so was the bull.  Artemiy turned to the leftmost Worm once more.  Who knows how we are to live? It's a shame that you aren't yet the Elder, the Servitor. The little orphan said that the bull must live. She did say that he wasn't real, though... Check his blood if you want to know. Talk to the others around me. Talk to the Odonkhe. Farewell, Kinsman.Artemiy turned to the second Worm.  Who will breathe life into the dead Order? It's a shame that you aren't yet the Elder, the Servitor. The boy said that the bull must be removed from the spike. He values Him. It couldn't be any other way. Take his blood. Talk to the others around me. Talk to the Odonkhe. Farewell, Kinsman.Artemiy turned to the third Worm.  Who can be the one to lord over us? It is a shame that you aren't yet the Elder, the Servitor. The daughter of the graveyard keeper said that the bull must live, Kinsman. His body must be preserved and untouched. Take his blood. Talk to the others around me. Talk to the Odonkhe. Farewell, Kinsman.Artemiy turned to the Worm behind him, who was the Odonkhe, the leader.  Do you see? He is dying. What did the children, the heirs, the organs of the White Mistress say? I need to remove this carcass from the spike. I wish to do so. It is so. You have made a decision, Servitor. Come tomorrow. We will preserve life in him. Tomorrow at dawn, the helpers will come. They will help you remove him. How will you preserve the life in him? We gave you blood. Go and make some panacea out of it. Tomorrow, you will bring it here. It may be needed. As you say, Odonkhe.Enter Boos TurokhHe is quite heavy, this bull. We need to remove the sharp bone and to stop the blood loss. Odonkhe promises that some helpers will show up at the Bone Pillar tomorrow. They will help us take the bull off of the sharp edge... Perhaps, this is the one and only Udurg? Tomorrow, I'll have my answer.  A strange day, although Artemiy is likely set in terms of Panacea until the End. Still, yet more questions than there are answers. Business as usual, but one would think that the number of questions would diminish when the end is almost here. As it stands now, the end doesn't seem to be in sight at all... HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 01:32 on Dec 31, 2014 |
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Dec 30, 2014 18:11
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Well, poo poo. Things got rather mystic all of a sudden, and also weirdly straightforward.
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Dec 31, 2014 01:14
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Chapter Eleven It was a new day that, for once, promised a number of exciting events. The Elder's final trial, getting the bull off of spike hopefully, some things will be resolved and Artemiy will finally have answers to his questions.   That's a good thing, of course. Eleven days of same landscapes with not a whole lot of progress and a whole lot of death and misery would make anyone rather apathetic. Luckily, Artemiy was persistent and the end was, apparently, in sight. Hopefully, today will be the last day Artemiy will have to fetch the map from Notkin.   What the yesterday's Bull has actually been freed? Thank you! Where is he now? We want to bring him here!Uh-oh. I don't know. Did he disappear? I was thinking that that was your doing... Okay, sorry. I was counting on you, you know... What happened? My scouts have reported that the bull is not at the Bone Pillar anymore... I thought that somebody took him off of the spike... Is he alive? You really have nothing to do with it, don't you? I'm gonna go and check it out I was going to soon after seeing you... They are supposed to be waiting for me...Exeunt Boos TurokhWhat happened with the mysterious bull during the night? Perhaps, the scouts are mistaken? Artemiy, of course, also asked the boy for a map the price remained the same as before.  Seven districts today... The disease's coverage of the Town continues to expand. Practically all the residential districts of the Town are affected by the disease today one way or another.   As usual, Artemiy would take out a bit of time to visit the Theatre.   The matter of the bull seemed curious, but not exactly time-sensitive. It was still early morning and the Worms were expecting Artemiy at dawn anyway.    The laws of Earth's gravitational pull are fatally incompatible with the ability to preserve one's daydreams. One must know when to part ways with one's illusions. There is a tricky outcome which will allow us to save the Mirror Tower, but that will require sacrifices. What will you say? The Law demands silence besides, as if there's nothing to save but that ludicrous tower... There is another tricky outcome than allows us to save the Town. This will also require us to sacrifice something else... What will you say? The Law is impartial. Decide however you wish. Is there any outcome that disproves your unjust Law? Our lot is a quiet one... Why are you fussing? There is still time - live a little... REEL 13: The Masks' Nightly Attractions - Night Ten The rebellion isn't going very well for our little Dankovsky surrogate.   It was time to check out the Bull and what exactly happened to it.   Before having a couple of hours of sleep last night, Artemiy prepared five doses of Panacea from the blood he got yesterday.   Artemiy had all five vials with him with the hope that he could use them to try and get more of that bull's blood. A sound investment, though on his approach to the Bone Pillar, Artemiy began to surmise that things won't exactly pan out that way.   Well poo poo.  Three Odonkhe cooked well, courtesy of the flamethrower squad. No sight of the bull, though. Artemiy turned to the fellow who looked like he was in charge.   Jog on! Nothing to look at here! Everything has already happened. Hey, soldier! Block the streets! Tell Longinus that we need another squad here! Where's the bull? Burned.It was a rather large bull so it's not like there'd be no trace of it after they burned it. Something was off. I think you're lying. Where's the bull?! Get the hell out of here before I burn your rear end! Who ordered you to torch the bull? We have our own command. Captain Longinus. All questions should be directed to the Field HQ near the train station. My business is to burn infectious crap, not ask questions, and you fit the bill.Gosh, so hostile! Well, aren't you brave with that little flamethrower of yours? I bet your Longinus will be a bit more talkative... Exeunt Boos TurokhI can't believe him... The last bull of the tribe, the age of which is greater than that of the Town itself, has been burned alive by the rebellious soldiers. They say that they get their orders from a new commander, whom they call Captain Longinus. Seems that Artemiy finally caught onto the interesting name of the captain.   A person having the name of the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus in his side with a lance made me raise a brow during yesterday and, sure enough, here he is ordering the killing of the last Aurox. Oh, allusions!    There is a small chance that the bull is not actually dead, though. It's certainly gone but someone in the Town might know his location.   The problem, of course, lies in the fact that the people who were supposed to help the bull never got there to help with keeping the Bull alive. On the other hand, the Worms never really specified the identity or the nature of the helpers, so it's very possible that both the Worms and the Bull have voluntarily died for the Town's sins.    I'm listening. Were you the one who gave the order to burn the bull? ...So what? Do you even realize what sort of creature that was? I could have made at least a thousand doses of Panacea from it! The flamethrower squad burns everything that posits a threat in terms of helping spread the infection. The presence of the bull at the Bone Pillar went against all known sanitary measures. This entire Town is quite anomalous, truth be told... Who gave the order? The General? There is a fellow in the Town who advises us regarding the medical matters. Bachelor Dankovsky. He oversaw the process as the one responsible for the upkeep of sanitary measures in the Town. I'm going to pay him a visit. Sorry for getting a bit shouty back there...Exeunt Boos TurokhDoes this mean that the true inspirer of this crime is Bachelor Dankovsky? I'm curious to hear his explanation...   This wasn't the first time that Bachelor was a thorn in Artemiy's side, but this was, by far, the biggest screw-up of Daniil's.   Artemiy was quite mad, of course, and the Plague wasn't soothing him with its strategic placement of stationary disease clouds in tight passages.   Longinus's words also suggested that Bachelor oversaw the death of the bull he will be the person who can confirm the bull's ultimate fate.   I believe I've got it, Artemiy. I know now how to explain your riddle. Indeed there's a great deal of mysticism of the highest order mixed up in all of this. I'm listening. Your Udurg is Simon. To be precise, it's not entirely Simon. It is an edifice, an entire architectural complex that means, the town side of the meaning is preserved and quite present here. Now, imagine that this edifice, in a way, accepts Simon's soul in itself... and becomes alive.That's... quite unlike Daniil and his logical, scientific thinking. How? I don't understand. Well, the details here lie on the edge of understanding. This occurrence can be interpreted both in scientific and in mystical ways... I cannot explain it fully to you nor can I prove it, since the plans are already in Aglaya's hands. You have to believe me, though it's all true! Edifice-town takes into itself the spirit and comes alive! Takes into itself the spirit? What does that even mean? To be exact, that hasn't happened not yet. However, Kains swear up and down that they will make that happen. This matter is somewhere between optics and human psychology. Without a doubt, nothing like this has ever happened before. The soul is contained within it just like it is in a body? Exactly how it is in a body. Myself, I'm quite crushed... I could have never imagined that something like this is even possible... Chimera both in terms of live matter and dead. Without a doubt, this is your Udurg, Artemiy. You are aware, of course, that Simon was one of the last Adherents of Isidore's? I will think about all of this... Still if this is the case, then who is my sacrifice? I do not know. To be honest, I consider all that to be folk tales. Without a sacrifice, I will not get enough blood for the panacea. I will have to guess and I will have to guess correctly. Why don't you ask the Order directly? Let the Elder tell you what he wants of you. He expects me to guess correctly. Try and scare him a bit. I have not seen the Elder and I don't know what sort of person he is, but a sizable threat can spook anyone. How do you suppose I should do that? A Kain hinted today that your Elder is somehow connected to your Father's death. Big Vlad was also perfectly aware of that... Did he never tell you? That's news to me... I'll certainly ask him about that! I have one last question for you, though. Did you order the burning of the Bull, oinon? What bull? Think about it and think about it well, Burakh. There was no bull there.What in the world is he implying? A Higher One was laying near the Bone Pillar. The Bull was, indeed, not there. But shh! I suggest that you don't discuss that topic too vocally. I gave the soldiers the order so that they have a chance to express their... frustration. It's best that they burn on the outskirts than on the square before the Cathedral. You wanted to say on the square before the bridge to the Polyhedron, of course...Sacrificing what's valuable to Artemiy to preserve what is valuable to himself... Daniil was playing a scummy game. We understand each other, Burakh. I ordered him burned because he was an obstacle. His presence fueled the rioting. His giant body was filled with infectious spores. Finally, my conscience and duty ordered me to do so. Don't be bullheaded, Artemiy. I'm not obstructing your work do not obstruct mine.Not obstructing Artemiy's work? Is he kidding? Oh, let's wait and see about that...Exeunt Boos TurokhIt's... reasonable. If one is to think rationally, then everyone involved acted correctly. Bachelor followed his sense of duty. However, somehow, the finale of this story reeks of a terrible sort of callousness. No all of this must be a warning of some sort... I'm not entirely sure what Artemiy sees as reasonable here... It's rather strange... I, myself, would be quite pissed with the Bachelor certainly much more than Artemiy seemed to be, at the very least.  In the early hours of the morning before the daybreak, Artemiy set out to start his walk around the Town in search of sick Adherents. He started with the Kain residence...  ...and immediatelly got a hit.  For once, Artemiy handed the Executor a vial of Panacea. It seems that Georgiy will not be having his health wrecked by the children' powder.    Artemiy continued his trek throughout the Town he wouldn't encounter anymore sick Adherents that day.    He was not at all done with his trek when the clock tolled 7 A.M.   Just as it did, Artemiy received a letter. Klara's Invitation.Before going to Abattoir today, you must absolutely visit me. I will be at Laska's lodge. Today, someone will lie to you and will try to kill you. I will tell you how to stay alive and how to make your enemies end up in their own trap.   Artemiy, by chance of course, was quite near to the Graveyard at this point in his trek, so he put his trek on hold to try and sort this matter out.   Artemiy, of course, had a guess as to who exactly would try and kill him, but he was, quite obviously, still curious to hear the details.    Very well you came to me, orphan. If you wouldn't come, then you would be doomed to die. You would not have survived until evening. I will give you advice and will come to your help today. I will teach you how to stay alive! Well... talk, then. You're going to the Elder now, aren't you? Not entirely, but yes. Today, the Elder will give you your last task. He'll tell you that if you endure it, then he'll reveal everything. He'll name your sacrifice and the only thing you'll have to do is to perform it understand? That's when the Order will give you the blood. All that, however, will be a lie. How do you know? Elder will give you a task that will very likely kill you. He'll tell you to go down into the Bowels or to go through the Throat something like that. He'll tell you to go through and come back. You will inevitably die there is no return from there. I know how to trick him, though. How? Why do you want to help me? Because I help everyone. I return the dead to life. I came with this gift into this world and, throughout all these days, I've done nothing but return health and life to the people. I have nothing to gain from this. I've heard... different things about you. So... do you agree. Y... Ye... No! I don't want your help!See the game is a total dick. Everything will go the way Klara says it will, of course. If you try and undertake the trial without Klara's help, you'll just die. Over and over. You can only do it with her help you have to agree to it. If you do, you'll survive and you'll even end up in a cool-looking cavern and will be treated to cool shots like this...  ...and this...  ...but taking Klara up on her offer will inevitably and irrevocably cause one of her Adherents to die and there is no way around that. You will probably find out about it right after finding out that this locks you out of some of the juiciest bits of dialogue on Day Twelve and the only thing you can do is hope that you've got a save before this decision. Did I mention that the game is a dick yet?   Artemiy didn't quite know what caused his sudden revulsion with Klara. It was a very... innate feeling and he felt a strong urge to obey it. Something told him that this was the only correct way of proceeding.    Of course, Klara helped him a fair bit, just the same. He had suspicions, but now he was fully aware of Elder's duplicitous plan. He will be able to stop it without having to go along with it.   This was going to be the last conversation between Artemiy and Elder Oyun.  Why did you come, Kinsman? I came to endure your last trial and to find out who is the Sacrifice that the Order expects from me. I will send you to a place where the lines of Suokh converge. You will allow Her to swallow you. Find a way back and we will talk as equals. Why will you speak to me as an equal only after I go through the trial? Artemiy wanted to find out just how far the Elder is willing to push the lie. Everyone goes through it... Your Father did. This way, you'll see how far the Vein of Bodkho goes. You will walk its path and will learn how to connect Life and Death and how to tie the vein into a circle. When untied, it spills priceless blood into the void. When did he go through it? Later than he should have... You ask too many questions. Are you going or not? Where should I go? Leave this cave and turn right. There will be a pit. It is the Cavity of Her Primary Maw. You'll see a well a place, where for the Knowing ones, Her navel is torn apart. You will fall lower. You will put your body there and will end up near Suokh's navel. Go towards the convergence of Her lines. Return here. That is when we will talk.My... he actually talks as if he's been there... Is it really that simple?... You'll see. I sense trickery in your words... I have a question for you, Elder. Did you kill my Father?...Yes. Why? That decision was my own as was my action. Are you going to take revenge?Unfortunately, there is no peaceful way to wrangle power away from this liar's hands. I am. Right now.Track 16 Abattoir (Battle)    The helmet looks like it is extremely thick, but it is Oyun's weakest spot.   Oyun reaches you quite fast, but he is actually painfully slow in terms of trying to hit you.   He can endure a lot of hits and deal a lot of damage if he hits you, but a punch-step-back-punch combo is quite enough to put him down, really. After about twenty blows to the head, Oyun goes down once and for all.  The Last Trial of a Servitor...How do they summon the menkhu, those of the lineage of servants? By their hands they know them, the butchers. By their eyes they distinguish them, the surgeons. By their actions they judge them, the knowers of lines. A worthy servitor is greeted with silence by the Order that stews in burial pits, silent on the edge of death. It is a shame that you've come so late... Artemiy was, of course, the last Menkhu and Oyun's death meant that Artemiy was the de-facto Elder.   Even if he was the de-facto Elder, the Order will not give him the blood he needs. Not until he comes into his power by performing a Sacrifice a Sacrifice, the knowledge of the identity of which died with Oyun.   Artemiy could guess that it was Aglaya, but he didn't know for sure and there was no way to find out for sure now. With this doubt in his mind, Artemiy received a letter. Kapella's Invitation.A last request. A tragic one. I did not want to bother you, but this can ruin all our plans. Visit me if you have time. V.O. Artemiy was near Olgimsky's residence at the time of receiving the letter he was going to visit Bachelor to see if he has any more ideas, but he was perfectly willing to run this supposedly last errand.   Artemiy was, of course, hoping that it was a small errand Kapella had a habit of making everything sound dramatic. While it wasn't without cause, it still couldn't be used as a good way to gauge the importance of the task because of that.   I only have one last task to perform. It is the most sorrowful... but necessary. There is no escaping it... And happiness? Doesn't true happiness lie in self-sacrifice? You're scaring me, Kapella. Maria is coming into her power. The Polyhedron will stop being a children' republic. The toy will, finally, become that, for which it was always intended. Little Kaspar feels it. He's wavering. I want to stretch out a hand of peace to Khan. I need an intermediary. What for? Tell him that I am offering my friendship. When a decade passes and he knows that my Capella will rise in that time I will give him my hand. I will become his wife and we will end the eternal confrontation between our families. Oh... I see... You are on good terms with Bachelor, right? At least, he has been currying your favour quite a bit. He is on good terms with the Utopians. He knows the way inside. Are you sure about your intentions? Yes. Very well. I will perform your request.Will succumbs to Power.Bachelor knows how to get into that accursed Tower. He crawls into its deepest reaches... I don't need to go that deep, but I do need a way through the door.    For the first time in eleven days, Artemiy will be getting into the Polyhedron. The Bachelor will, of course, co-operate, it's not a problem.    It also meant that Artemiy will finally be meeting his last Adherent. Khan. The boy was the leader of Dogheads who have been a thorn in Artemiy's side for a while. It would be interesting to get his side of the story.   I hope that I've managed to convince you. I need to get into the Tower, Oinon. Tell me how to get in there. Ah! That means that you, too, have decided to put your life towards protecting this treasure. Indeed, it is a worthy cause. I'm glad that you see everything clearly!Somebody's jumping the gun a fair bit and Artemiy won't lie about it... You misunderstand. I'm entirely indifferent towards the Tower itself. If that is the case, then there is nothing I can do....won't lie about it unless pressed, that is! Very well. I will stand by your side. If that is the case, then tell the guards-Dogheads the password. It's Fortified. I found it out from Maria.Bachelor must be getting really desperate if that sort of flip-flopping is enough to get him to divulge precious information. Maria is quite insane. You won't get into trouble because you told me the password, will you? No. She sleeps a deep slumber and is gathering her might. She's preparing to become a Mistress. Her hour is nigh. And she is not insane. Khan will not listen to Maria. Indeed! It seems that, lately, Maria does not garner a lot of respect from her little brother. If, perchance, the password won't help you, then simply tell them that I swear to save the Polyhedron and your help in this matter is absolutely necessary. That way, they will certainly let you in. Very well.Will succumbs to Power.The Kains are up to something. The family is quite large, a lot of heads are mixed up in there and each of them wants to survive... It seems that both Bachelor and Kapella know what sort of intrigue is brewing there... A royal game is being played... and I, honestly, don't give a drat about it.   Too right, Artemiy caring about Kains' intrigues was the Bachelor's lot. Artemiy had the Town to save and to do that, he need to finally ascend the Mirror-Tower. Track 17 The Polyhedron    The Polyhedron. The root of all Artemiy's problems. The spike in the Bull's head.   Walking these steps, Artemiy felt amorphous. Weightless. It's strange, really, for Artemiy knew very well what sort of price the Town has been paying for this Tower, but it still had the power to take his breath and his spirit away. Even Artemiy had to recognize the fact that it was a true miracle. Unlike the Bachelor, however, Artemiy realized that the price paid for it was too high.  The guards were clearly surprised to see him. What do you want here, Burakh? Fortified. Very well. You may pass, but only to our commander. You will go no further! How do you manage to not fall from this height?The kids blindfolded Artemiy for good measure. When they removed the blindfold, he was in an entirely new chamber that didn't look like it would be properly contained in the Polyhedron itself.    The writing on the wall was not readable. It didn't look like it was gibberish, but it was clearly mirrored and Artemiy could not make anything out. It was curious, but he had a marriage to broker.    Who are you? My name is Artemiy Burakh. Why did you come? Did Sister send you? No. I come from Kapella. From the Olgimsky girl? Now that's very interesting. I had a feeling that she would try something. Our paths have had to cross before the end, after all... Well what does she want? She is offering you an alliance. A children's alliance is worth nothing. Will she be my wife in a couple of years? Will she submit to me?Oh dear, the kid was a complete rear end in a top hat. It was not Artemiy's place to interfere, but Kapella's solemnity made a great deal more sense now. Yes. In ten, to be precise. They say that they've found blood under the Polyhedron. My dogheads say that it's the blood of my enemies killed by our soldiers, but they lie. Tell me the truth. Are we really surrounded by soldiers? No. The blood came from the Earth. Right. I've been told that blood came out from under the stem in the past as if the Polyhedron was plugging a hole.Plugging a hole... Hmm... Unplugging the hole could be the solution, but how would one remove such a massive structure that defies the laws of physics? What should I tell Kapella? Tell the Olgimsky girl that I will come to her. It will be so. If proud Kapella decided to approach me herself, then I promise her my support. If she offers an alliance, we will accept it. I give my word. Can you explain what is happening, exactly? Kapella can explain it better. As for why I agreed? That is not for you to know. Our family has its own happenings and intrigues. It's not for Termites to know.Termites? Boy, this kid was getting better by the minute... Someone is ought to teach you some manners... I'd very much like to see you try. Don't worry it won't be now.Will succumbs to Power.Kaspar Kain doesn't seem like the most pleasant fellow to spend a life beside. I wonder how this little conqueror will turn out in ten years... Kapella's plans for his future seem to be quite correct such a hero is ought to be held on a tight leash. I can return to Kapella. A small problem, though the room was sealed shut. There was no exit in here at all. Artemiy confusedly looked towards the kids and they laughingly motioned to a strange drawing on the floor.  Artemiy stepped on it and the room was replaced by the top of the Polyhedron once more. Best not to question such things.   Descending the Polyhedron, Artemiy had a better view of the stem that Khan mentioned. It did indeed look like a spike that went into the Earth.   More importantly, the ground around it looked reddish. Festering. It was all quite troublesome. All the more reason to not protect this wretched monument to vanity.  Despite marveling at it, Artemiy had no love for the Polyhedron. If the Bachelor hoped that Artemiy's visit there would change his mind, he hoped in vain.    Unfortunately for Artemiy, the day was drawing to a close and he was not at all closer to solving his Father's riddle. Hell, he killed the only person who gave the impression that he knew the answer to it.    It's true that that person was a liar and not at all trustworthy, but that seemed to be the sole area of the expertise that Oyun held and it's probable that, had things gone differently, he would've divulged that information before trying to openly kill Artemiy. It was a lost opportunity, though something told Artemiy that it had to be the way that it happened and not in any other.   Kapella was quiet lost in thought, her decision clearly weighing heavily on her. The Town will change so much in ten years... Khan gave me his agreement. He agreed immediately. That means that tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, he'll come out of the Tower. His comrades will leave with him. You know how to make a lot of Panacea, don't you?Something told Artemiy that, regardless of his blunders, he'll know soon enough, so he decided to play it confidently. You can rely on me. Let me thank you. Soon, you will accept the rulership over the Order. If everything works out and I will accept the rulership over the Town, we will rule together, you and I. Treasure my gift. Let it revive your warm memories of me... of what little girl I may have once been.She gave Artemiy a bone necklace carved of the bones of great and mystical animals of the older days. Thank you. Tomorrow is the finale. A lot can change during the night. I feel almost nothing now... Are all my wards alive? Will the rebels kill the Inquisitor? If Aglaya Lilich falls even as a result of a plot the Town will not be saved. Do not worry about a thing.For the first time in a long while, Artemiy had a very strong feeling that, one way or another, everything will work out. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 12:29 on Jan 4, 2015 |
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Jan 3, 2015 19:49
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Glazius posted:Well, poo poo. Things got rather mystic all of a sudden, and also weirdly straightforward. Yeah, things are getting more blatant than even in the Devotress run. Though it's funny how in that LP the player interpreted Blok as having a crush on Klara, here he's seeming fanatical. Everyone's losing it too.
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Jan 3, 2015 20:40
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And suddenly things get less straightforward. Somehow, I think you'd be fighting Oyun, no matter if you survived coming out or not.
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Jan 4, 2015 11:41
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Glazius posted:And suddenly things get less straightforward. Funny thing is, Oyun is listed as Klara's Adherent, but he's such a jerk that not even the game cares about keeping him alive in order to get the expanded endings.
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Jan 4, 2015 12:12
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Chapter Twelve Part 1 Artemiy did wander the Town a bit after concluding his affairs, but he ended up lodging in the Olgimsky residence for the night. It was a little past midnight when he woke up. Although he had letters waiting for him, Kapella looked a bit... worried, so he spoke with her before checking the mail.  Were it not for you, I would not live to see this day. Now, if my plan comes to life, I will be able to revive this Town. I am grateful to you, Servitor. I will never forget this. What is your plan, though? The new Town will be created by the Children-Exiles, who left the Polyhedron behind. They will become the new Mistresses and Rulers. Out of them, a new triangle of Powers and Beginnings will be made, except, this time, it will stand at the foundation and not flutter in the wind at the top. What is this triangle that you're talking about? Earth birthed the Town, the Town birthed the Tower, the Tower birthed the plague and the Earth was cleansed. In order to conquer this void, it is not enough to kill death, like the Bachelor thinks. One also has to build on top of the emptiness it's the only way for the Town to defeat the Chaos. Hmm... why do you call the children exiles? Didn't they leave it behind voluntarily? It was not the cause, but the effect. They left the Polyhedron because they had a different fate. Prisoners of Dreams can only build they cannot rule. Besides in order to tear oneself out of their childhood, one needs decisiveness, maturity and independence. Only exceptional children are capable of showing such traits. I've heard that you're planning to start a new religion, too, aren't you? No. You simply haven't fully understood what Mistresses are yet. Children don't get it, either that is why they talk of religion. Can a human being even make up a religion? These aren't mere playthings we're talking about...Artemiy could get into an argument about this, but it's not like he had anything to prove and he wouldn't change Kapella's mind either. You're right they are not. Tell me will you stay with us? Will you rule the Order like your Father was supposed to?Even if the Town were to be rebuilt, something tells me that Artemiy wouldn't want to stay behind. It's not that too much happened here, but even having spent so much time here, it felt decisively alien to him. At the very least, I wouldn't want that for him, so it should be cause enough to decline. I doubt it. I wish to leave this place... You can leave with Aglaya, but who will you be in that case? A strange barbarian, a provincial fellow with no future, a deadbeat with a bloody past. Aglaya will turn away from you when the fleeting fascination disappears. You were brought together by the otherworldly nature of your predicaments. It's best that you stay with us. Rule the Order. Take care of your people. You know the lines.The nature of the Order was one of the ugliest parts of the Town that Artemiy saw. In fact, they were worthy of fear and loathing that the rest of the Town viewed them with. To rule over them... To be bound to them... It wasn't a particularly pretty future... You're right... I do know the lines, but... I don't know. Not yet.Kapella nodded and let Artemiy turn to his letters. There were three of them. Artemiy opened the first one. Bachelor. The proof of Aglaya Lilich's duplicity.Aglaya Lilich has tricked all of us. Both me and you have become pawns in her terrible combination. That is the truth. You can ask her yourself. Both me and Blok have pinned her against the wall. We twisted her arm and she confessed to everything. Her Sacrifice, my dear Burakh, is her! I imagine that cutting her throat isn't necessary. If the Town is destroyed, Aglaya Lilich's head will roll in the next 24 hours, at most. I found out that this mission serves as her shot at a a stay of execution. Her life would be saved only in a scenario where she finds a way to preserve the plague-ridden Town for the Authorities. It is an order that is impossible to execute at this point. The Plague infests the Town from within, down to its very roots. It's doubly vile that by lying to you, she not only preserved her own life, but she also worked towards her own goal the destruction of the precious Polyhedron. We can destroy the disease only with destroying the Town. That means that I am right or so everything you know would suggest, right? If you are planning on visiting the Cathedral, keep that in mind. Bachelor Dankovskiy Poor Daniil must have thought that he was blowing Haruspex's mind. The fact that Aglaya had ties to Kains and the fact that her life was tied to the Town's were two facts that were known to Artemiy. He also suspected, for a while, that they were the main driving force behind Aglaya's actions and words, but that was no longer the case. On how your precious Aglaya Lilich tricked you.Your sacrifice is Aglaya Lilich. I don't know how you are meant to kill her, but she was the one betrothed to you. I can tell you this as a true Mistress, as this is my first vision of the Truth. You know the price of such words. It is the Truth. Aglaya Lilich has been lying to you in order to preserve her own life. Do not interfere with the Town and you can consider the prophecy fulfilled. The Order will accept you. Ask her I doubt that she will be able to deny this truth. You know what? Screw the Order. Screw the Mistresses. Screw Klara. Screw Bachelor. And, above all, screw this Town. So, Aglaya wasn't telling the whole truth? Of course she wasn't. Nobody in this damned Town was, anyway, yet here are the Bachelor and the Impostress both descending on Artemiy and trying, with feigned outrage, to use this fact for their own gain. It's scummy and despicable and Artemiy wasn't one to be swayed by such reasoning. A letter from Aglaya Lilich. Tomorrow's council.The council is tomorrow. We've come to an agreement, General Blok and I. He will listen to arguments for preserving various fragments of the Town arguments backed by evidence. Thanks to you, we have such evidence, don't we? Afterwards, we will listen to the Mistresses. Kapella and Maria have been both invited to the council and, I imagine, Katherine will come too. I believe that you are on good terms with the Olgimsky girl, yes? She promised to support us. Is she healthy? Without a Mistress, we will not be able to come to a decision. She is our guarantee of the townspeople's obedience in the future. The Army will leave sooner or later, but they will still have to lead a life here. We cannot save the Town without a guarantee that the people living here will live their lives accordingly, as to not awaken the sleeping death once more. P.S. Blok does not know that we have been exchanging correspondence, nor does he know that we have been seeing each other. He doesn't know that you have befriended Kapella, either. That is important. My hopes rest on you! Yours, A. If only all letters that Artemiy received were as sane and even-handed as this one. Time for the last visit to the Theatre.   Hang on... Yesterday, this district was stricken by the disease... On the next day after that happens, a strange, orangy hue is supposed to descend... This is quite odd...    Not only is the plague completely gone, but the streets are pretty much empty. Except for that Executor fellow by Vlad Sr.'s door, everyone's gone... What's going on?    There's no mistaking it... The Army is gone, the ill and insane people are gone... It's all barren and rather creepy hopefully, the Theatre isn't as empty, though it will almost certainly be quite creepy.   However you slice, one must sacrifice something... Destruction is imminent... There will be no miracle... Whatever happens, a lot of will blood will be spilled. You see how they are reasoning, don't you? There's nothing to hope for... Each of them can only follow their fate now... Let's see which of one will manages to do so... Each of them wants to preserve their own... Maybe, they will manage to come to an understanding? Impossible. Not everyone will fit at the negotiation table especially once the General and the Inquisitor take their seats. One will decide and the rest will perish...REEL 14: The Masks' Nightly Attractions - Night Eleven  Oh dear... The Theatre has been used as a makeshift morgue in the past, but, now, all the corpses are gone as if they were chaff... At least Mark, the proprietor of the Theatre and an Adherent of Bachelor's is still around... This day is starting off on a decidedly strange note... Let's try and talk to him...  Without you, I wouldn't have a future. The cause that I serve would not exist without me. Thank you.Why is he thanking Artemiy? Bachelor was the one who kept him alive until now... Odd... What future lies before you, then? The Town will be rebuilt anew... We will transfer it over the river to the other shore. The Earth there is clean. Nothing will interfere with our cause there. Polyhedron will become the foundation of the new settlement in the same way the Abattoir was the foundation of this doomed Town. It will be a new era...The Bachelor's solution... It's a bit too late for that, unfortunately... I'm afraid that this will never happen... There aren't enough of us left. On my own I, of course, won't manage... Every person is precious. You don't know how many of us are left alive, do you? My work is not yet done. There will be enough.These are the lines that all of Bachelor's adherents will say to you on this day, without exception. Artemiy went outside and opened his map. It was time to look for infected Adherents.  A reminder of the truth. Our truth.   The search was a short one Lara Ravel, one of Klara's Adherents, is sick. Since in the past days, only one Adherent got sick per day, the same rule will probably hold today. It will.  The beaked fellow gave Artemiy the same canned speech and got a vial of panacea in return for it. Artemiy went on around the Town to look for curiosities in the Night.  Artemiy never been inside this house, though he passed it by many times. He had no reasons to, even if an Adherent lived there. Tonight, something drew him inside. For posterity and completion's sake.   An unusually intellectual dιcor, if you will.   Her name is Yulia Luricheva. She is one of Klara's Adherents and does not figure in Haruspex's story at all. She is here to be shown off, that is all.  I thank you... I only need to survive for a while longer. I have one last task to complete. Now, I will not die in vain. What is this task you're talking about? I will perform the greatest, most priceless deed of all self-sacrifice. I will do what Simon did from every particle of my being, life will be born. The cannon will not fire. Town will keep being built. A thread will stretch into the future from the dawn of time. Do you really believe that this is possible? There aren't enough of us left. However, if there's even half-a-dozen of us left, it will be enough for the Town to stretch higher and higher. At least for two hundred more years, there will be a place on this Earth where the daydreams become reality. How many of those like me are left alive? There will be more, soon.These are the lines that all of Klara's adherents will say to you on this day, without exception.   It seemed that all of Adherents had something to say to Artemiy tonight. It would be prudent to check on his own Adherents, at least for knowledge's sake.    What would we do if you wouldn't come to our help? So, that means that when we will grow up, you will be just like your Father? What are you going to do now? I will become the axis, around which the wheel will be spun. A future ruler, only with a new sign. I believe Kapella. A new sign? What do you mean? The triangle of Kain, Olgimsky and Saburov is no more. No more termites, utopians or the humbles. Only a memory is left of the three powers. New powers and new signs are needed. Old rulers are gone. Except for you. You will keep our Town safe until we grow up? What Truth will you be fighting for, then? I don't know yet... We didn't have enough time to talk about that yet. I will build and I will direct the fiery wroth of Khan and Notkin. All that was opened to Kapella. I wonder, which Mistress of the two will she set aside for me? Laska or Mishka? Hah... Both of them are rather ugly, but they're kind... Are you sure that they're alive? I'm sure. Why would you need to keep Khan and Notkin at bay? They, with me, will create the new triangle! Whether I want it or not, I'll have to be locked in an eternal tug of war with them... My heart tells me that either of them will grow up to be a great general-conqueror, like Blok or Shoin... I do, however, have some ideas on how to counter these two warriors. That's good...Kapella didn't lie about having great plans in store for these kids... Still what Matchstick described did not seem all that different from the old order of things.   The empty streets made for a much easier mode of transportation. No more worrying about bandits, marauders, Army or disease clouds. One could even get used to it, though it didn't feel like the disease was gone. It was merely brushed aside for a second. For a key moment.   You did it so that I'm alive. Thank you, thank you! So you will be helping me? Who told you that? Kapella said so. You will now be the Elder and the main person in the Order. Everyone will listen to you like they did to Dad. I, on my part, will always be nearby so that you will feel that everyone is with you and that the Order loves you. That is what she promised me.Suddenly this was too much... She couldn't have promised you something like that! So what? She said and you will probably agree because these are your lines and you are responsible for us all! It's almost the same, really. Me and you have to revive the Order. Without me, they will die. So does that mean that you will also become a Mistress? I will be a little bit off to the side. I will help you and will connect you with everyone. I won't bother the new Mistresses, even if I really want to... Kapella planned it that way on purpose, although I don't understand why yet. Is that what she told you? Yes. She also said that there won't be three knots, like before, but four. The fourth one will be me. Off to the side. That is, there were four before, too, but nobody saw it that way. It will probably be better than it was before....I hope so.I doubt it.   Something made Artemiy feel rebellious tonight. He, who knows that the lines guide everything, suddenly and inexplicably, felt the urge to do everything in his power to rebel.   Me and Kapella owe you so much. I'm only alive because of you, right? Tell me what does Kapella need you for? I will replace the second Mistress... That is, Kapella thinks that I will be able to. She said that I glow with a bright colour that is not thick, like hers, but is see-through and very pale. What will that be for? Each of us will pull in a different direction she will pull a little bit up, and I will pull a bit down. We will arrange the life together, even if we will be positioned against each other. Like Nina and Victoria before, but not really. I will also help her close the lines into a circle. That is how I understood her. I hope you'll manage...  Will she manage? Kapella seems to be full of plans, but even if Haruspex helps her, will all her plans come to fruition? The future is not that certain.  So... In a couple of years, we'll have to share power, right? I wonder how the two of us will manage... You will be old by that point, though... Ah so you're already making plans on how to overthrow me? You're a quick one... I'm kidding, sheesh. The one I'm making plans for is Khan, anyway. He's the one whom I'll have to fight. He'll be quite scary when he grows up. Did he really leave his family's traditions behind? Who would've thought that Nina's son would convert to another faith... Which one, actually? I don't know, myself. I don't know, either. Ask Kapella. Here's a question what Truth will you be fighting for? I don't know which one not yet. The battle plan is shifting. The Powers will be different now. It won't be like the fight between the termites and utopians of the past, though. Kapella has already planned it all. It's good that she has tamed Khan. We've had enough with utopias. We will build a new world better than the old one! I can see the seeds of rebellion in you already. You will be the new Utopian, Notkin.Cynical. A bit too cynical, really. One can harbor hope for the new way of things. It will cost much, and much has been sacrificed for it already can't one hope for a better tomorrow?    Will you stay with us?Ah. The right question. What for? A lot will change. By the way, I won't be living here anymore. I will have my own house, now. Which one? The Stem. I am fated to become the Mistress of the Earth. Katherine has failed, and I will not. Kapella says so. So, she didn't manage, but you suddenly will? Kapella knows. She sees what will happen. After ten years, I will become a thin, tall beauty. My skin will be white and my hair will be dark from head to toes. Even longer. I will speak with the Earth. Perhaps, it will even listen to me. I wish you well, Mishka. Take care of yourself.One may hope for a better tomorrow if it's different enough, and it doesn't seem to be, now does it? Or, are you going to count your sunken costs in order to make yourself feel better about this whole affair?   Enough of this nonsense. There's no reason to change anything, anyway. Stay the course and save what you can. This has been the plan all along, and there's no reason to deviate.   It is time to make one last choice. Two letters come at 7 A.M., on the dot. Bachelor's Invitation.I know the truth about your Udurg. About Simon, the last patient of your Father's. I am ready to explain the situation to Blok, but I haven't yet had the chance to do so due to the Army rebellion. The mechanics of this are clear. Destroy the Town and the Inquisitor is doomed. If the Inquisitor is doomed, then the Polyhedron will be saved. The entire being of this engraged woman is directed towards a single goal. She is prepared to die if she will be able to destroy this masterpiece before doing so. While she is alive, there is no way to make sure that it is safe. Let's save the Polyhedron and, thus, save the existence of Simon and create the superior being that your Father spoke of. You will fulfill his last will. The task will be complete, the contradiction will be solved. As you can see, the logic is sound, though I apologize for its rather frantic explanation. D.D. P.S. Please find an opportunity to see me if you are not convinced. Good, we were nearby anyway. Let's see the Bachelor and hear what he has to say for himself one last time. To be honest, I don't quite want to hear what he has to say. It will be Aglaya this, Inquisitor that, but let's do so. For posterity.    So? Have you decided? On what? It is time to choose. As for me, I'm packing my things and am planning on leaving the Town before the bombardment starts with those, whom I'll be able to pull out of the fire. I could have resolved the situation, but there is no time...The question was an empty one, but why not? How would you solve this conundrum? I would make it so that the Town with the Bull Projects would be destroyed. The Polyhedron will remain where it is. Blok has assured me that his aim would be true and so accurate that not even a slight breeze would reach the other end of the river Gorkhon. The River will swallow the plate, or so he said. Destroy the Town, and the people will die. Look around you. All people have died, already. The only ones left are us. Don't count the infected, they have less than a day left to live. I could help them... You could? In that case, I could come to the Council and offer the General the evidence to support my solution. The tainted Town will disappear from the face of the Earth. The Polyhedron will remain. It is sterile and, goddammit, it's worth saving! What do you need for that to happen? If my Adherents are alive, I will be with you at the Council. Are you sure that they are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council?The game's rules are the same for all the protagonists. Sure. Why not, indeed. Yes. Your Adherents are alive and well. I'm counting on you, oinon. The creators and the keepers of the crystal Tower, the fragile Polyhedron, the body that keeps our dying childhood warm, are alive. Bachelor will be present at the Cathedral for the last council. He will be able to try and defend his decision if I give him the right to decide.Oh, it's an option, sure. But is it a satisfactory one? To turn away from the enemy you know to help the enemy you don't is desperation. No... Better to refuse entirely, if that is the case... Still, why not allow the poor fellow feel important one last time? Klara's Invitation.Let me remind you about a couple of fact since you've been so curious, and all that. So, the first one: if what you Father meant when he wrote udurg is the Town, then your sacrifice is the Polyhedron. There are no other choices. They are alike. Crush the Polyhedron, and you will perform a sacrifice and will spill rivers of blood through the hollow stem, the Earth's blood will flow. The second one if your sacrifice is Aglaya, then your Udurg is Simon. That means that the Polyhedron must be absolutely preserved. I am in the Apiary's left wing. Come if you wish to talk. My plan is the only right one. Nothing shall die.    The girl's plan is certainly much more interesting... Whatever her sacrifice will be, it won't be important if we get to keep everything, now is it?     See how everything has turned out? Who could have imagined... Inevitably, either the Town or the Polyhedron must be sacrificed. One Queen absolutely wishes to destroy the miraculous Tower, while the other wishes to destroy as much as possible for his own peace of mind. That is how the world works, really. Do you have another exit? If my Adherents are alive, then I will be with you at the Council and there will be no Queen that I couldn't convince that my solution is the one most beneficial for everyone! Are you sure that they all are alive? Do you really want me to come to the Council? Yes. You Adherents are alive and well. Come to the Cathedral. I may give you the right to decide. The Adherents that are ready to give their lives over the course of many years, the miserables that are ready to launch the chain of self-sacrifice, are alive. Klara will come to the last Council. She will be able to defend her decision if I give her the power to decide.And why not? She wouldn't lie not about something like this, and her loss is our gain. Sure, everything will remain the same, but it's not like much would change. Kapella's New World Order isn't worth destroying the Polyhedron, and the Town will be saved, which ought to mean that Aglaya will live. Win-win, if there ever is one.   Time to go rest up before the Council... Everything seems to be over... except... huh. A letter from the Authorities.Ripper! We decided to write you because you entirely refuse to listen! For a while now, you've been doing whatever you want to. This cannot continue! You are ruining the game! If this letter reaches you, come to the Polyhedron. You will be let through. You will reach the bottom, close your eyes, and will say Three, four, five, and you will open your eyes. We wish to tell you something. Your Masters. Masters? HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 06:44 on Jun 6, 2015 |
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Jan 5, 2015 18:27
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Chapter Twelve part 2  Masters. Of course. Did you expect something different?    Perhaps, but nothing so blatant, surely... And in the Polyhedron, too? All sorts of crazy hogwash happens there... Still a chance to see Khan and hear what he has to say about Kapella's possible World.  Hmm... Nope... I'm guessing that we won't be seeing Khan, after all...   It's clear that neither the chamber Artemiy saw yesterday nor this one are the full extent of the Polyhedron. The staircases attest to that the pathways are multiple and they take the traveler wherever he wishes them to.   It's simply that Artemiy has no time for revelry. Besides none of this is for him, either.   After all, it was time for him to face yet another Truth.    Awfully familiar, that little sandbox, isn't it?  I'm sure that Artemiy has some questions...   Look, look! Haruspex has come to us! You're quite big! How did you find us? Wow... you look so alive... So angry, too!The situation was, of course, quite stressful for poor Artemiy. You little scamps! Tell me everything before I'll choke the living life out of you! Hold your horses, you... you... Toy! Look at you, all angry-like!Yep. That's the twist, ladies and gents. I'm... I'm a toy? Well yeah! You seem to have gotten a bit bigger, all of a sudden... What sort of devilish game are you playing at here?! Look! It's a magical sandbox! See how everything reflects in the mirror? Everything is real there! See? That's the Town that we've built from the sand. There is a terrible thing happening there... An epidemic! Everything is crawling with growths... Town is collapsing... But we sent heroes in there in order to fortify it... So... so what were you doing with the heroes? Do you see how everything is rotting away? Ewww... We were thinking that they would think of something. They could, at least, hide in the sand to save themselves... They are magical, too, you know? Look at you, at least look how everything turned out. You were a toy, but you came to life. Maybe the others will be like that, too? Did you know that your dolls were alive? Everything is alive here! It's this building, it brings all the games to life! We don't rip off anyone's legs or arms, after all... It does it on its own... We simply sculpted the Town and it became so miraculous on its own. We only shoved those dolls in there which we didn't care very much about... They were all broken and torn-up, anyway... Oh... Well, sorry... Don't you see, doll? It turned out so great! We've never managed to make a world like this before. It's magical. We planted it and this is what grew out of it. It's all rotting away now, though. Stop calling me a doll, whelp! Hey, stop shouting! Take it easy! Maybe I didn't make you, but I've had you since I was three years old! Ask anyone you're a doll! Your name is Haruspex. You are a Ripper. When we play with you, you're always on the side of the enemies. Your head isn't a head, but one big lump! You're right... My head hurts immensely, but the one who will have a lump on his head is you! Really? So, you're not a toy, then? Try and hit me, then! What? Can't? Come on, hit me! Don't be afraid!Artemiy tried with all his might, but, of course, he couldn't... ... What the hell am I to do now? Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, you ought to help us repair our little Town! Everything was going so well... There's only a little bit left and the game will be over. We should be heading home soon, anyway... I don't believe you! You're not real!It was hard to not feel sorry for Haruspex, so the little girl decided to chime in.  There-there. It's not so bad being a toy! But... but why were you playing this game? Why this game? We just came home from a funeral. From the graveyard, to be exact. So that's how it is... Who died? We won't tell you. Besides everything here might not be real. It's impossible for someone to die. There is no death. Understand?Nope. But... but why did you need toys for your game? Couldn't you have played without us? We needed to use you somehow! We never really loved you, much... You were always a scary doll and it wasn't very fun playing with you. So, you threw all those you didn't care about into the heat of it all, is that it? Only those who could help the matters! Not everyday a Smart Doctor comes into the Town! That's just how the game is being run. Will you help us heal the Town? I don't know... Maybe... Just don't touch it anymore! And stop shoving things into it! Yes, the disease took place in a sandbox. Either the kids decided to play this game after coming back from a funeral, or they simply felt their childhood dying...However it is, the hero... the hero has been cruelly tricked! It seems that all this time he thought himself to be a live human being saving other living people. This feeling, without a doubt, drove him and helped him reach the finale with a certain degree of triumph, one might add. For naught all of this is for naught. He is a puppet that is saving other stupid puppets in a made-up Town. It's strange that the all-powerful Authorities are still silent... They've probably gotten tired of it all or they were called in for supper. Aoi.   It was time for despair for Artemiy. Time to let it all go to consign it all to flames. To hell with the Town, with the Adherents, with Aglaya, with the Udurg to hell with it all. In this moment of emotional turmoil, yet another letter has arrived. A letter from the Creators.If you find time, come visit the Theater. There will be a not particularly important, but, nonetheless, serious conversation. We preemptively apologize for an uncomfortable and improper form that the conversation will take place in. Executors   Sure... Why not pile it on! What else awaits poor Artemiy in the Theater? A Shiba Inu in a control room?   I would abide by it, sure, but it all just seems rather needlessly cruel towards the poor collection of pixels that is Haruspex especially so because this is the reward for his damnedest efforts! But, whatever bring it on and let's get this stupidity over with...   Come on in. They are waiting for you.      Neat trick, switching places like that or is just nobody giving a drat about merging cutscenes and actual gameplay anymore? I certainly wouldn't! These children are as much toys as the main hero is. The real game is happening right now between You and Us.Even so, I cannot exit the Haruspex's body. You are limiting my abilities. Haruspex lost his fight for freedom from the moment he was born. What about you?Haruspex was my hand in all of this, that is all. I was curious would I make it or not? We were curious about that too! Would you make it, or not make what, though? Would it be at all possible that you wouldn't make it?Oh, I made it, alright. I have managed to defeat your poisonous evil that you've spread around your little world. Was the disease the real evil, though? The disease was merely a form that it took. It occupied the same sort of role for the Evil that the knife occupied for your Hero. The Disease will leave on its own, it will devour itself. Its place will be taken by war, and famine, and heresy. Do you think we made all of this for their sake? Look around you.So what? Was all of this for the sake of this feeble Town? No. This Town was built for You. Sorry if we didn't fulfill your expectations.Are you curious about what I'm going to do with it? For this, we'd like to make sure that You are the master of Your own fate. Are you sure that, during all this time, nobody has forethought Your decision?Not at all... Could it have been any other way? Absolutely! When every step of your way is foretold, then you still have a freedom to perform the foretold steps. However, when every step of your way is forethought and accounted for, you remain a puppet in the hands of the puppetmaster.You lot give yourself a lot of credit, deeming yourselves to be my puppetmasters, and all. It would be good if it were actually You. The only enemy, the only evil in this situation carries one name - Inevitability.Still... I have the last word. We could, of course, talk to the other fellow. Do you see how sorrowful our fate is? We had such hopes for you! We, the miserable actors, expected that you would be a director of a new pantomime the old one has grown so tiresome! Yet, here you are a puppet...Knock off the act! I'm not a puppet. Did... did I hear that right? Whom am I speaking to?It's me. The player. Or, to be the exact, the LPer. Oh dear! You must forgive me... You, of course, are not a puppet though, I doubt that this fact will help your hero in this case. He is humiliated, defeated and, above all, deprived of the last shred of power that everyone has counted on so much. Are you still willing to be responsible for him?Yes. I am responsible for him. I will be at his side until the end. His words will be my words. His actions will be my actions. Oh my... then I must ask you for forgiveness not once, but twice! Perhaps, not everything is lost quite yet! Let's wait until the end and see if the day will bring us any surprises still... We still have a chance to have a role in a drama with an unexpected plot.Good. Pay attention to me, then.    Fourth Wall is for chumps, anyway. Still, I'd have to say that it's all a bit much at this point, isn't it? A cool story ruined by excessive plot twists at the end, right? Well...   Let's take it to its conclusion until we cast our judgment... Whoops sorry a bit too early.  There... Pardon the meters in the upper right corner I've actually ran out of food at this point and the stores don't carry any more.  Come on in, Haruspex! Your decision is being awaited at the Council. Two Queens have paralyzed each other. The game may very well end in a tragic stalemate. You are a pawn that has, quite suddenly, became a Queen itself. Wrap it up it's endgame! Make way.     Everybody in any way important is here. Good. Time to talk to our friends one last time.   I see that you've been thoroughly bewitched by the Inquisitor. You shouldn't trust her. She will trick us all. And you. What did she ever do to you, Daniil? She lied to me. Fooled by her intrigue, during all these last days I have acted and even inspired others to act all in accordance with her plan. Discoveries that I have made have been reinterpreted and presented in such a manner that the Truth has become a Lie. They have mocked me.Ah, yes the hurt pride of an inanimate object with zero agency. So what? What, you think you're in a better position? She has a tactic for each and every one of us. For me, it was my hatred and rage. For you, it was your love and responsibility. I wonder what sort of key she has found for Klara if, of course, she even thought the Impostress worthy of her intrigue... If you are still fooled by her, then why do you speak with such self-assurance? What if this is still a part of her plan? I only discovered her tricks through a sheer miracle probably because I'm... well... you know... What? That you're smarter than me, is that it? Let's put it this way I'm more predisposed towards logical and critical thinking. Are you, now? Good for you. So what are you offering? I'm offering you to use the chance that she is giving you... Or to do the exact opposite of what she expects of you... Still... Maybe that's part of her plan... It's scary to think how far her plot can go... Oh, really? Maybe I'm inclined to demonize her, but I'm simply furious because of what happened to me...Although he, of course, won't tell us what exactly that was... So - now you want to save the Polyhedron just to spite her? Yes! Polyhedron and her are two self-contradictory things. If there is no her, then the Polyhedron will stay and vice versa. I recommend that you finish her off. This way, we'll preserve one of the most important monuments of Humanity for the history. It is the seed of our future. I see what you're driving at... but I'll still make the decisions on my own. Then... why the hell did you call me here? I'm giving you good advice... but you won't listen to me. You'll find out everything, don't you worry.Such an emotional fellow simply can't be trusted. It's funny that this is the end-point of the Scientist of the story a crazy-angry wreck of a man. Cheery, that. Time to speak to Klara her option seems to be the most agreeable one and we'll probably go with it.  So what? When will you decide? I would still like to know how exactly you are planning to preserve the Town... Burakh... Burakh? Come on, now. I've told you that that is my secret. I will only reveal it to the Queens. Don't be afraid. You know that the General will never compromise. If I can't convince Aglaya that my way will rid the world of the disease, then it won't work. Everything will happen the way it needs to be. You seem to have a great deal of influence on the General.Influence. Oh yeah. Even if I hypnotize him, he won't disobey his orders. Don't worry. I'll tell everything to the Queens. Each of them separately, of course. But not you, no. I don't want to reveal the mystery too early. But you aren't afraid to reveal it to the Queens, right? Well yeah! Because, in my path, they destroy each other! It's all forethought! Don't worry.Forethought... Is it now? My path has a lot of surprises, Burakh. Or did you actually think that we are doomed to this dilemma? Either one or the other? The way you talk... It's as if someone else is speaking for you... Perhaps, I'm not the one whom you knew before. There are several of us... Perhaps, even a great many. Face is the same, but who knows whose will stands behind it? That's quite enough... So what will happen to Aglaya? Aglaya will die. Can you make it so that she survives? No. I have no power over that. That is a very important part of my plan. Who else will die? Listen I've had enough of your curiosity. You will live, don't worry about that.Welp there goes that plan. Unfortunately for Klara, Aglaya's survival is non-negotiable. Well your loss. So the ones I've asked you about are alive? Yes. They are. Why did you say that my victory is impossible without them? You wanted to preserve the Town, yes? The Udurg, however, is a living being. A Body that contains within itself the World. Do you think that such a world could do anything if nobody in it does anything? Who would rule it? Who would paint it? I will entrust this responsibility to the children when they grow up. What colours would they use to paint it? New colours, Servitor. Triangle, on which the Town stood, is leaving. There will be no more scarlet of the Utopians, deep-blue of the Termites and gray-green of the Humbles. There will be Gold, Amber, Violet, Malachite-Black, Coal and Beige with a hint of dawn. Sounds pretty. The palate is richer than the three colours of the old. Yours will be coal. Don't despair there is beauty in it, too. Its role, however, is different. It, like my white, will be a necessary part of the combination of colours in order to achieve different shades. Who will receive each colour? Mother-Superior will control the Order. You won't be able to take care of them on your own, after all. You can only rule and control the knowledge. That will be the malachite-black power. I'm still not sure if I will be staying, but continue. Notkin will be entrusted with scouting and exploring the Steppe. He will also look after the warehouses and the railroad. We will have to maintain connection with the outside world, after all. His colour will be the pure gold. Who else? Mishka will take care of the streets. Everything in the Town must be pretty. Besides, she will also take care of the plumbing. And the sewers. She will be the Lilac Mistress. Very cute. Matchstick will watch after the trade. He will be taking care of the stores. He will make sure that we have everything we need. With time, he will take over the throne of one of the rulers... just like the two other boys whom you saved. His will be the colour of Amber. Correct. Laska will keep her job taking care of the dead. The dead have their own dukedom, after all they, too, need a caring hand. She will be the beige Mistress. The most valuable thing in that colour is the hint of dawn. A shade of pink and lemon colours... Finally, who will be the ruler of all of this? We will be betrothed to each other, Khan and I. This betrothal will establish peace between the two warring families and will put an end to our differences. We will restory the Harmony of the rule. I will be a mistress and will do what my Mother did for the Town before me. Khan, with his army of Dogheads, will rule the Town. I will make him White... just like me... So that is how the Town will look now...It is a pretty picture, but it's not a Town that he will see... Besides will the Town exist after midnight tonight? If the purpose was in the exercise, then all of this will be gone, won't it? Still...  You are the one making the decisions. I give my words to you. I close my lips behind a lock.A strange turn of phrase... but... it makes sense that she would suddenly try and make it seem like she wishes to affect us as little as possible. So, you were my Sacrifice after all. Yes. If you remove me from the board, then you will free the General. Pick the path offered by Kapella and I will live. Pick the path of either Klara of the Bachelor and you will send me to the noose and will perform your inevitable predestination.Though, it still strikes one as if she chooses the words very particularly, doesn't it? Why will that choice save? What is it in what Kapella's offering that will save your life? Speak to her, if you haven't yet. She is the only one who will help you keep the Town alive. That is what will save me. What is the price of this path? Come on, Artemiy. You know. The Polyhedron will be destroyed, for it is the reason behind the disease. That is General Blok's demand. He needs to spend the ammunition. For the appearance of propriety, of course. The Town will live... That is the price of my forgiveness. That is how you will perform your predestination. But... the sacrifice? By destroying the Polyhedron, you will perform an adequate sacrifice. Perhaps, the Butchers won't allow you near the blood, but you will be able to take it on your own... Still I cannot dare to advise you. My advice is dangerous. I'm still lost... I don't know what to do... I have no right to advise you. Each and every one of my words can be interpreted as action. I want you to be free. You are the only one here who is more powerful than me. What about the General? We are equals... Besides before him, I grow stronger, while before you, I grow weaker. Still... You've lied to me, haven't you? I didn't tell you the whole truth... Is that a lie?Ummm... Yeah! Yes... Yes! I hid from you the fact that I want to destroy the evil Tower. I was under no obligation to tell you that, though... You hid from me the fact that you are the sacrifice that the Order expects from me. You see? You found it all out on your own. Believe me if I wanted, you would have never found that out. You would have carried out a sacrifice and wouldn't have noticed that the butchers didn't accept it. You would notice later, but I'd have been far away by that point. I believe you, but still...So... the original path is the only way to save Aglaya from the wrath of the Authorities... But... Wait a second... The Authorities... The kids... So... are we all toys? Yes... Exactly so. Are you surprised?That's a rather... blasι way of talking about that. I thought I was a human. I didn't know at first, too. My only advantage was the fact that their mother took me with her in her bed when I was young. I know a lot of things that they don't. You are older than me? I didn't think about it. We don't have an age, after all. The new ones are better than the older ones, that much I know for sure. Lately, however, they took me to a tailor, made a new dress for me. Do you see how pretty it is? So, you are, probably, a bit older than me. Why do they treat us like this? They hate me... I loved them my entire life... when they were tiny, I dreamed that they would grow up and play with me... Instead, they immediately hated me. Perhaps, it is because their mother wanted them to love me? The disease, though is that their game, too? No. The Town is a toy, but the disease is real. Come out of the Cathedral, take a walk on its streets don't you see? Their fantasies have nothing to do with it. They are deathly afraid! They did return from a funeral today, after all... I don't even know who has died, yet. Perhaps, that is the reason behind all this? I... No... I can't... I refuse to believe this!For her dire and honestly heart-wrenching predicament, Aglaya was taking it all in strides. Artemiy, on the other hand, was taking all of this a bit too hard... It was time to pitch in. It turns out that you are a fantasy. You are a made-up, illusory creature. You don't exist. You have a fate, but you have no future. Who said that? I hear the voice... but I don't believe that the ones who said that is the one whom I love.It's me. The Player. Do you wish to talk to me? No. I don't. I want to stay with Burakh. You should leave.You loved him because he was free, yes? But that came from me. When I will leave, he will turn into the same sort of puppets that surround you. ...Yes? Truly?This is a bit too cruel... Even if it's towards an NPC in a video game, this is just too drat cruel. No... No. Don't worry. I'm merely tempting you. Get out! I won't be talking to you anymore! I want my Haruspex!Good. That isn't... natural. And it certainly makes me uncomfortable what is it with the games trying to make you feel guilty for your actions, anyway? At least this one didn't need to use white phosphorous to do so...  If there is one thing that I feel is worth saving in this Town, it's Aglaya. And we know the way towards her salvation. Manipulation or no, this is what this was about all along. Preservation. So, Healer Burakh, whose Father was the head of a local caste community your decision will not be affected by calculation, by personal gain or by other extenuating circumstances but solely by your conscience, yes? I have received the orders to destroy everything. However, if there is no need to do so, I am ready to believe you and to risk both my life and my honor. I am merciful. Where shall I direct the cannons? You only need to destroy the Polyhedron to halt the spread of the disease. There is no reason to destroy the entire Town. So, that means that, under the Town, there is an entire repository of the material that can be used to create enough Panacea for the whole Town? They say that that material is blood, yes? It is so. How will you prove that your solution is workable? Here is my evidence: Panacea, the presence of the underground blood and my rights as the Elder of the Order to this blood. They told me that the Order will not give you access to the blood until you kill the Inquisitor, right? Yes. How will you kill her? I will not. We will demolish the Tower. Blood will flow from the open wound. That will be enough. Correct. That is how it was told to me by Victoria Olgimsky, whom, despite her young age people named the White Mistress and who says that you are able to do this. Your decision is supported by the words of those whom you saved. In that case, you are free to act. The Cannons will fire ten minutes before the midnight. Lead the kids away from the Tower before 10 p.m. That will be taken care of. Aglaya will give the order. I've made my decision.It is done.  I won't ask you for anything... We will leave this accursed Town, you and I. Aglaya Lilich lives. Even the General cannot kill her the only ones who can do that are the all-powerful Authorities.  They will put her head on the guillotine if the Town is destroyed. While she is alive, the Order will not allow me near the blood under the Earth, for she is my sacrifice.  But I will get the blood another way. If the Polyhedron is destroyed, the blood will flow from the open wound. I can choose this sacrifice. The Will will make any choice the right one. That is so. REEL 15: The End  Did he manage it? It seems so...   It was a free choice! We admit the victory of the player!   Indeed! This does look like the wonderwork!   The exit is open. This was not supposed to happen! It must be a miracle...   So... was that all it was for? Freedom of choice? Exploration of agency in video games? Putting everyone in the game through a gigantic conga line of trauma?    Exploring the world of the game? Making the right choice? Unraveling the mysteries of the Town? The Polyhedron? Fighting against blatantly dickish game mechanics only to find out that the game not only hates the player, but also all of its characters?    If you know the answer, then do write me because I've played through this game about three times...    And I have woefully little idea as to what it all actually was about. HellishWhiskers fucked around with this message at 06:53 on Jun 6, 2015 |
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Jan 5, 2015 18:44
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Sorry for throwing out two last updates at once, but I'm about to leave for quite a while and I will only be back in about two months, maybe a bit more. If the thread won't drop into the archives by the time I get back (I'm not sure how much time it takes), I'll fix whatever I can, but this is the final form for now, warts and all. Thanks for reading through the mountain of cumbersome text and have a good one!
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Jan 5, 2015 18:49
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