You put the pendent around your neck, and checked your armors and weapons like a good little monk. Now it's time to go through the gate. You're sure the fall would kill you, if for some reason you missed a step and the gate somehow didn't take you in. But hey, you have your brand new bronze warrior staff, you'll be fine.
You dutifully posed for dramatic suspense, before leaping upwards.
Keeping your eyes open for any unexpected situation as you crossed through the twisting spirograph shape, you were briefly blinded by the green and black flash of space itself twisting around you.
Before you were spat right back out.
You looked around, and was both surprised and disappointed to see... well, basically the same thing you've been seeing this whole time.
==>Lars: Be stuck on your land still.
You are, indeed, actually still on your land. So much for the suspense.
You're actually already prepared. Though you're not exactly sure where the first portal will actually lead you, you're not expecting to return. You made sure all the graves were in good shape before you left, and took with you enough cooked food to last a while, even if the imps seem to drop these blue looking gels that seems to be edible and holds mysterious energizing properties.
==> Lars: Talk to Mumsprite.
That's a good idea. Maybe your sprite will have some pearls of wisdom to bestow upon you before you depart. She seems to be wanting a word as well.
MUMSPRITE: Hey kiddo so it seems like youre going through the first gate now and stuff good job climbing that wall you were like a spider monkey only way cuter because you have my genes after all
LARS: yes! would you happen to know anything about what's on the other side of the gate, mum?
MUMSPRITE: Sweetie no you cant ask questions like that man youre ruining the game this is a game remember you got to take every step along the way and enjoy it
LARS: well, i understand it would be unfair to try and cheat something as important as the game. but i mostly meant do you reckon i should wear a bit more armor before going through?
MUMSPRITE: Oh that ehehe yeah dont worry about it its not going to kill you right on the spot or anything just be careful where you land and watch your steps and all that jazz
LARS: right. alright then, i guess i'll just... jump. hm.
MUMSPRITE: Thats the spirit honey just go jump and get the thing and the thing being the metaphorical gate right now though youre not actually getting it of course
MUMSPRITE: But before you jump heres another thing
==>Lars: Accept the thing from Mumsprite.
Mumsprite hands you a pendent on a chain. Upon inspection, you noticed that it bears the same symbol as the gate you're about to breach. Actually, you recognized the same symbol from the machines deployed during the start of the game, as well as the loading screen itself. Maybe it's the symbol of the game.
Whatever it means, you're going to keep an eye out for it.
LARS: what is this necklace?
MUMSPRITE: Like because im not actually a thing im kind of a papery ghost thing i cant actually go through the portal like your potato im just going to chill inside of it like its a pokeball and you can call me out when you need me okay
MUMSPRITE: But not too often think of this as thinking the training wheels off but keeping it in the basket im your training wheels lars and thats totally symbolic of parenthood
MUMSPRITE: Which i guess i didnt get to do because i died and all
LARS: uh. right. so you'll be with me for real this time?
Now that you're sufficiently armed, and your mumsprite has approved of your wardrobe, you take to scaling the wall that Riziee has built for you for your First Gate. You don't understand why Seimos made such a fuss about his stairs, because climbing walls and poles are so much easier.
You are starting to realize that maybe making a glove that is combined with your laptop's spare mouse might not be the smartest thing ever, because your hand movements ended up causing unwanted clicks when all you're trying to do is to check on Seimos's game screen.
==> Lars: End up contacting occultPrisoner.
You ended up contacting the demon even though you were trying not to, as per your client's advice.
NL: oh!
NL: oh dear.
NL: this wasn't supposed to happen.
OP: ((★))WHO IS THIS DEAR?
OP: ((★))FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU CONTACT ME?
NL: goodness, hello demon sir.
NL: am i supposed to say hello to demons?
NL: am i going about this properly?
OP: ((★))DO YOU SAY HELLO TO MORTALS?
NL: well, yes.
OP: ((★))THEN YOU WILL ADDRESS ME SIMILARLY.
NL: fair enough, i suppose.
NL: hello demon, whose name i do not know.
OP: ((★))AS I HAVE STATED TO NUMEROUS OF YOUR COMRADES, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO PUT ON AIRS.
OP: ((★))HOWEVER, YOU MAY REFER TO THIS ONE AS SIMPLY DEMON.
OP: ((★))THAT WILL SUFFICE.
NL: i see.
OP: ((★))I WILL ASK AGAIN. FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU CONTACT ME, PINK MORTAL?
NL: oh, this is entirely an accident.
OP: ((★))AN ACCIDENT?
NL: i wasn't about actually contact you, i was just getting used to my new computing device.
OP: ((★))HOW INCOMPETENT.
OP: ((★))YOU SHOULD THINK TO KEEP CLICKABLE TEXT AWAY FROM YOUR APPENDAGES WHILE "TESTING".
NL: well, perhaps having the glove-mouse feature was poorly thought out considering how i need my hands to scale this wall.
OP: ((★))AH YES, YOU MORTALS AND YOUR SHORTAGE OF LIMBS.
NL: ...
OP: ((★))YOU REQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL SET.
NL: pardon?
OP: ((★))YOU POSESS TWO UPWARD APPENDAGES AND TWO MEAT WADS, CORRECT?
OP: ((★))AS OTHER MORTALS DO?
NL: yes, arms and legs.
NL: are you saying you have more than just those two?
OP: ((★))IN MY PROPER FORM, I POSESS SIX UPWARD APPENDAGES AND SIX OF WHAT YOU CALL "LEGS".
OP: ((★))YOUR FORM IS VERY LIMITING.
NL: oh my god.
OP: ((★))YOU MORTALS SHOULD SEE ABOUT FIXING THIS.
NL: well, i'm not sure about trolls but humans didn't really need more than four limbs throughout the course of evolution.
NL: perfectly opposable thumbs seemed to have sufficed.
OP: ((★))PERHAPS YOU MAY BELIEVE YOU DO NOT REQUIRE SUCH. BUT HOW DO YOU GAIN THE UPPER...HAND, SO TO SPEAK, OVER YOUR OPPONENTS?
OP: ((★))HOW DO YOU SCRATCH THE ITCHES YOU CANNOT REACH WITHOUT TWIGS?
NL: inventions.
NL: you invent weapons and tools with your hands, of course.
OP: ((★))I HAVE SEEN YOUR INVENTIONS. I HAVE OBSERVED YOUR SYSTEMS.
NL: you have?
OP: ((★))BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR IMPERFECT FORM WHEN YOU ARE LEFT WITHOUT?
OP: ((★))OF COURSE. I HAVE BEEN ALIVE FAR LONGER THAN THE SHORT LIFESPAN OF MY HOST.
NL: you improvise, and build what you can from your environment.
OP: ((★))I HAVE LIVED LONGER THAN YOUR RACE, EVEN.
NL: that's... alarming.
NL: i'm honestly not sure why you are actually here anymore.
OP: ((★))YOU MAY JOIN THE CLUB.
OP: ((★))I AM ALSO UNSURE.
NL: what club?
NL: there is a club in this game?
OP: ((★))THE CLUB IS THE METAPHORICAL ONE I INVENTED JUST NOW FOR THIS PURPOSE.
NL: ah, i see.
OP: ((★))THE "SENTIENT CREATURE THAT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND MY CONTINUED EXISTANCE" CLUB.
OP: ((★))SCTDNUMCE IS A FITTING ACRONYM, I WOULD THINK.
NL: to be honest, it's difficult to understand another species of which you have never encountered before.
NL: assuming you are, a specie.
OP: ((★))YOU DO NOT NEED TO 'COMPREHEND' MORTAL.
OP: ((★))IT IS NOT WITHIN THE REACHES OF YOUR MENTAL CAPACITY TO DO SO.
NL: that's both insulting and intriguing.
NL: i pride myself in learning as much as i can about earthly species.
OP: ((★))THAT IS HOW THE BISCUIT CRUMBLES.
NL: what?
OP: ((★))THAT IS HOW YOU SAY THE PHRASE, IS IT NOT?
NL: i have no clue what you are implying.
OP: ((★))IT MEANS "THAT IS HOW IT GOES", ACCORDING TO THE WORLD WIDE WEB.
OP: ((★))I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK MORE MORTAL SLANG INTO MY DIALECT.
OP: ((★))I AM TOLD MY PRESENT MEANS OF SPEAKING IS 'AGED'.
NL: i feel a little defeated knowing that a demon has learned more english slangs than i have managed in my years.
NL: i have no problems with your current speech pattern, to be honest.
NL: you're surprisingly coherent and comprehensible.
OP: ((★))THEN MY GOAL HAS BEEN ACHIEVED.
NL: your goal.
NL: what is your goal?
OP: ((★))IT IS ONE OF MANY.
NL: would you mind indulging my curiosity?
NL: what exactly are your... many goals?
OP: ((★))THIS ONE WOULD REMOVE ITSELF FROM THIS GAME BY MEANS OF VICTORY.
OP: ((★))IN THAT, COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL.
OP: ((★))SINCE I CAN TYPE IN TERMS MORTALS PRESENTLY COMPREHEND, I HAVE REACHED ONE OF MY GOALS.
NL: i see.
NL: so you sought for victory, no matter what?
OP: ((★))CORRECT.
OP: ((★))DO YOU NOT POSESS SIMILAR GOALS?
NL: ...
NL: yes.
NL: our goals are similar.
NL: demon.
OP: ((★))MORTAL.
NL: how far have you advanced, game-wise?
OP: ((★))PRESENTLY, I APPROACH THE FIRST OF THE GATES.
NL: same as i, then.
NL: you seem cooperative enough to do your part and try to prevent other players' deaths.
OP: ((★))CORRECT.
NL: i suppose that is good.
OP: ((★))MY HOST IS DEAD.
NL: yeah, so i hear.
NL: has anyone tried going to his dream moon tower yet?
OP: ((★))DREAM MOON TOWER?
OP: ((★))SPEAK SENSE, MORTAL.
NL: well, you might not know this because you are a demon.
NL: but when a player goes to sleep in this game, they wake up in their dream body on the moon.
NL: a second body, so to speak.
NL: i thought it would be significant, if a revival is to ever take place.
NL: i'm surprised no one has mentioned it to you yet.
OP: ((★))...
OP: ((★))EXCUSE ME MORTAL.
OP: ((★))IT IS VITAL THAT I INVESTGATE THIS.
-- occultPrisoner [OP] ceased pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 10:55 --
==>
You don't really know how to respond to this. You wanted to warn the demon of many things, but then you feel very conflicted because you were talking to a demon. You shouldn't need to help him, right?
But then again, it's for your co-players' sakes.
Discrimination might be kind of mean.
Oh, he's back.
-- occultPrisoner [OP] began pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 10:58 --
OP: ((★))MORTAL.
OP: ((★))HOW DOES ONE "SLEEP"?
NL: yes?
NL: um.
OP: ((★))THIS IS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE.
NL: that was what i was about to say before you bolted off, demon.
OP: ((★))MY HOST NEVER DID. I AM UNAWARE OF THE PROCEEDURE.
NL: i don't think you can.
OP: ((★))WHAT.
NL: you're a demon, and your host is, biologically deceased, right?
NL: dead people don't sleep.
OP: ((★))...
OP: ((★))THEN HOW WILL I SEEK MY HOST?
NL: you wish to go to the moon?
NL: well, first of, we don't know which moon he's on yet.
NL: there are two moons, it seems like six of us is on each of them.
OP: ((★))ON WHAT PLANE OF EXISTENCE CAN THIS BE FOUND?
NL: actually, i think it's not exactly in a 'dream realm'.
NL: i am almost entirely certain that our planets are existing in the same, instantaneously physical state of existence as the moons.
NL: it just seems that sleeping is the trigger to switch bodies.
NL: can you see the sky in your land?
OP: ((★))NOT WELL.
OP: ((★))THERE IS A DENSE COVERING OF BLACK HAZE.
OP: ((★))AND MANY CLOUDS.
NL: that's troublesome then.
NL: if you look directly above your home, beyond the gates, you should see a blue light in the distance.
NL: according to the dersites, the moon people of derse, it's called skaia.
NL: the old battlefield.
NL: prospit is a golden light that orbits around it, that's the second moon.
NL: honestly i don't know where derse is, it seems to be in the middle of nothing but darkenss as far as i can tell.
OP: ((★))THE ONLY THING I SEE ABOVE ME AT PRESENT IS THE GATE.
OP: ((★))ALL ELSE IS OBSCURED.
NL: only one gate?
NL: ((^ignore))
NL: there's supposed to be a blue light directly beyond that, much, much further in the distance.
NL: if only you can fly there.
NL: oh, i know.
NL: are you able to send me a picture of what your host looks like?
NL: i imagine you can just ask other players to go search for him.
NL: riziee saw my sleeping dream self in my tower before, i figure you can ask a prospit dreamer and a derser dreamer to do the same to search for your host.
NL: agriel, was it?
OP: ((★))PROSPIT? IS THAT WHERE THE AGRIEL IS?
NL: i don't know.
OP: ((★))BUT ER, I AM UNSURE.
NL: prospit or derse, really.
OP: ((★))ALLOW ME TO CHECK THE FILES.
NL: files?
OP: ((★))THAT IS WHERE YOU LOCATE "PICTURES", YES?
OP: ((★))I HAVE OBSERVED YOUR SPIRIT-FRAMING DEVICES.
OP: ((★))I AM UNSURE IF I POSESS MANY OF THE AGRIEL, HOWEVER.
OP: ((★))OR, IF HE DOES.
NL: does your computing device not possess a camera?
NL: i could just ask hank for one, i suppose.
OP: ((★))IT DOES, HOWEVER, MY HOST HAS BEEN CRUSHED BY A METEOR.
OP: ((★))I AM UNSURE IF DEPICTIONS WOULD BE ACCURATE.
NL: yes, that's what i've heard as well.
NL: well. i'll ask hank, then. just to be safe.
OP: ((★))I DOUBT THE HANK-HUMAN WOULD POSESS SUCH A THING.
NL: though i'm not sure if a current picture would be identifiable for a dream self.
NL: assuming the corpse is, ah, damaged.
OP: ((★))HEAVY BURNS ARE CONSIDERED DAMAGING, CORRECT?
NL: you have talked to seimos before, right?
NL: and yes, they are.
OP: ((★))THAT IS THE PURPLE MORTAL, YES?
OP: ((★))I HAVE SPOKEN WITH HIM.
NL: yes, he did mention you a few times.
NL: he's a prospit dreamer, as is hank.
NL: you should ask those two to check prospit.
NL: i suppose i can check derse, after i go through this gate.
OP: ((★))I SEE.
OP: ((★))YOU WOULD HAVE MY THANKS, THEN.
OP: ((★))I WILL INQURE OF THEM.
NL: i didn't know demons give thanks.
NL: interesting.
OP: ((★))DO NOT GET USED TO IT.
NL: i won't.
OP: ((★))GOOD.
NL: well, off you go.
NL: we both have gates to breach.
NL: and a dream body to search for, i suppose.
OP: ((★))DO NOT TELL ME WHAT TO DO, MORTAL.
OP: ((★))I WILL LEAVE WHEN I SEE FIT.
OP: ((★))HOWEVER, I HAVE THINGS THAT PRESENTLY OCCUPY ME.
OP: ((★))FAREWELL.
-- occultPrisoner [OP] ceased pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 11:20 --
You have survived the onslaught of the ogre team, but you cannot say the same about your weapon. If Mumsprite hadn't come in the last moment -and you're still confused about her choice of attack- to whack the last remaining ogre to it's defeat with the roll of paper, you are sure you wouldn't have gotten away with only minor injuries.
While you were taking care of your injuries, you noticed that Riziee is online. Finally! You were starting to be seriously worried that something had happened to your server. You haven't been making as muprogress in contacting the other members as you'd like, but at the least you would feel really bad if you had neglected your troll comrade.
NL: there you are!
NL: are you alright? i haven't been able to contact you for a while.
NL: i was worried something happened.
VD: [ o ] o-oh no i am sorry about that Lars i am alright i just ventured outside for the first time and got a little tired afterwords and then i finally went to sleep and saw the place you had told me about!
VD: [ o ] a-and i flew too! i-it was just as wonderful as you had said
NL: you went to derse?
NL: by gosh that's fantastic, how was it?
NL: did you meet any dersites?
VD: [ o ] o-oh it was very interesting! i-i didn't stay long though i kind of just checked on everyone else and went back to sleep i spent more time flying then i should have i'm sorry i didn't do anything truly productive
NL: there's nothing to be sorry about, considering how sleep isn't supposed to be productive in the first place.
NL: by 'checked on' everyone else you meant you went inside the towers, right?
NL: i hadn't dared to do more than peeking in.
VD: [ o ] y-yes that wasn't a bad thing to do was it?
NL: i doubt that it was.
VD: [ o ] w-well i only went inside one room really i think it might have been yours i'm sorry if that seems too odd
NL: that's alright?
NL: was my dream self asleep?
NL: i mean it makes sense if it would be considering i had to sleep to wake up here.
NL: but how strange would it be if both bodies are awake at the same time, right?
VD: [ o ] y-yes you were alseep there everyone else i saw was asleep as well perhaps if we all found a way to coordinate our sleeping we could take turns meeting each other though?
NL: that's an excellent idea! we should work that out.
NL: especially now that mumsprite is actually quite capable in battle, i might get a chance to rest my eyes.
NL: but that's not the urgent issue yet.
NL: apparently people have been deploying these 'punch designix' from the game item manus to their clients.
NL: it allows us to make new items, upgrads, so to speak.
NL: *upgrades
NL: i was hoping you could put that down if you see it on the menu.
VD: [ o ] o-oh yes i was told about those i was going to deploy yours but i figured i should wait and ask you where you would like it i didn't want to place it in a bad spot if that makes sense i'm sorry
VD: [ o ] i-i have it here but um where woud you like me to place it?
NL: right next to the alchemiter would be a choice location, if you think it fits.
NL: i have no idea how big it is, you see.
VD: [ o ] o-oh yes of course i will place it as close as i can just make sure you are clear of the area i would not want to accidentally injure you after all
NL: right away.
NL: i'm so glad you're awake now, though. i just broke my weapon on the ogres.
NL: luckily there is no shortage of supplies of poles here, but still.
NL: bamboo poles are awfully weak.
NL: i wonder, in game terms, would they be called starter weapons?
NL: ... i think i wasted too much time lurking in forums before.
VD: [ o ] p-perhaps they are though i think my weapon may be a um starter weapon as well possibly even more flimsy then bamboo
VD: [ o ] i-it is pretty tattered after only one fight sadly
NL: speaking of which, what are you going to do about that?
VD: [ o ] b-but um i deployed it for you i would not want you to be without a weapon for too long!
NL: no, no, i meant you.
NL: your punch designix.
NL: agriel needs to deply it for you, right?
VD: [ o ] w-well i managed to get the um demon to deploy it for me actually
NL: oh really?
NL: that's great!
VD: [ o ] h-he even made stairs sort of
NL: i was going to ask him to do that, but i figured i needed your consent first.
VD: [ o ] t-though i hate to say and please don't tell him they may be a bit impossible to climb
NL: uh-oh?
NL: are they too high?
VD: [ o ] w-well yes and they are not connected really they are just platforms that kind of get even more distanced apart the farther up they go
VD: [ o ] h-he said it was to conserve grist i think
NL: you can just hop across, right?
NL: or perhaps, bring planks with you and just put them down as you encounter gaps.
VD: [ o ] w-well i tried with the first and i almost made it but i didn't though he did catch me before i fell too far
NL: that's nice of him.
VD: [ o ] t-though he did ruin part of my hive in the process oh gods it will take forever to clean and reorganize my respiteblock
NL: i don't think that's the main issue at hand.
NL: we can fix our homes afterwards, i think.
NL: i think the priority is to venture the lands and the gates.
NL: maybe if you get more grist you can even upgrade your home.
NL: i'd be so glad to fix up the temple, if possible.
VD: [ o ] i-i suppose you're right about that but i don't know how well i'll be able to continue on if i know my room is unorganized like it is now i'll be worrying about it at the worst times
VD: [ o ] g-gods i'm so sorry
NL: why are you sorry?
NL: i sort of understand where you're coming from, i just can't think of an active solution to your problem.
VD: [ o ] i-i'm just a little bit of a neat freak is all i get a little anxious knowing something is out of place
NL: goodness, then this game must be really hard on you, with the imps messing up the place and all.
NL: good job keeping it together so far!
VD: [ o ] i-it's been a little tough but nothing has been too out of place i couldn't fix
VD: [ o ] a-aside from my wall anyways
VD: [ o ] i-it's really nothing to worry about though
NL: if you say so.
NL: just keep in mind of your priorities, i wouldn't want you to accidentally get hurt, now.
NL: speaking of which, would you happen to have superballs?
NL: do trolls have superballs?
NL: they are these extremely bouncy rubberballs.
NL: i was hoping someone would have them so i can merge them with shoes.
NL: imagine this: supershoes!
NL: or perhaps i'm getting too excited over this.
VD: [ o ] i-i wish i could help but i really don't have any toys or anything i am sorry supershoes sound like a wonderful idea though almost like flying but not quite or something like that
NL: it would be interesting to have shoes that could fly, too, i suppose. but that seems scary.
NL: i like to keep my feet planted to the ground where i can control them.
VD: [ o ] y-yes i agree being on the ground is much better then being in the air
VD: [ o ] i-i really hope we won't be required to fly too terribly much
VD: [ o ] u-unless we somehow managed to get wings wow that would be wonderful
NL: or unless that flying happens on derse.
NL: for some reason it was a lot more natural to fly on the moon than one would imagine.
NL: as expected, i can't seem to get a screen on the phonetops if it's just a computer and headphones.
NL: i would only be able to use pesterchum on this.
NL: i need something with a screen...
VD: [ o ] o-oh are you trying to make a portable husktop?
NL: indeed.
NL: it's more difficult than i thought.
NL: how am i supposed to hear the enemies approaching with these on?
VD: [ o ] t-that sounds like a good idea actually perhaps i will join you in trying to create something useful
NL: do let me know if you have good ideas. i keep hearing people try things with glasses and iphones but i have neither.
VD: [ o ] i-i don't have either of those things myself but if i find something that works i will let you know
NL: that would be great, then i'll talk to you later!
NL: i'm going up the first gate once i've got something useful.
VD: [ o ] g-good luck! i-i'll try heading through mine again soon perhaps we will get the chance to meet soon wherever these gates might take us
NL: gosh these phonetops are stupid.
-- nelumboLoom [NL] ceased pestering volatileDemeanor [VD] at 23:29 --
It was really unnerving to only hear the voices on pesterchum and nothing else. You're not even sure you can navigate around any other program if you can't see what you're doing.
An idea struck you, and you glanced at the various technologies you had dug out of the ruins, it was worth giving this a try, right?
==> Lars: Keep trying things out on the alchemiter.
You spend another few minutes digging your laptop out of your sylladex, trying to not let Mumsprite rush you too much. You can't wait for the said 'item merging' to happen. You're getting pretty tired of having to do this every time someone pesters you.
BB: Laaaaaars!!!
NL: hello there.
BB: How you doing badass monk bro!
NL: i am doing quite well, thank you for asking.
NL: may i ask you the same?
BB: Yeah! I'm wet as a motherfucker, but that's okay
BB: Hey question for you my brotha
BB: You like cookies?
NL: i've only had the sugar cookie ones my mother used to make.
NL: and asian pastries...
NL: but i do like sweets, so yes?
NL: is the question relevant somehow?
BB: Yes! I got something for you then ;D
NL: pardon?
NL: i am under the impression you're giving me cookies.
NL: are you giving me cookies?
BB: 984COK1
BB: This is the code for cookies 83
NL: oh goodness, that's very generous of you.
NL: i gratefully accept.
BB: Awesome!
BB: It's fresh baked
BB: Chocolate chip
BB: be careful though it may be hot
BB: If you had some milk it'll be even better!
NL: unfortunately i still don't have a punch designix deployed, but i shall get to alchemitizing them as soon as the machine is available.
NL: um, i am afraid i don't have fresh baked goods to return your favor.
NL: just an awful lot of stored rations.
NL: would you like some vegetables and grains?
NL: i was thinking of perhaps making some roasted potatoes while waiting for riziee to be available again.
NL: if you'd like those instead, or chestnuts, i can cook them now.
BB: Oh no it's fine! You don't have to
BB: I would like them
BB: but haha I'm nowehre near my house now!
NL: might as well, right? you may encounter another chance later.
NL: it's just letters and numbers now.
BB: Awwwwwww Lars!
BB: If you were here I would be hugging you right now
BB: Probably noogie too
BB: but hugging you down like the bro you are!
NL: i do not mind the hugs, what what is a noogie?
BB: A noogie is a bonding technique
BB: Where I put you in a headlock
BB: and rustle your hair
BB: A lot
BB: uvu get it nice and messy
BB: make you look like a badass!
NL: a headlock is a bonding technique?
NL: i suppose us monks did used to spar for bettering our bonds, but i had no idea the headlock was a specific technique.
NL: interesting.
NL: i will be certain to give you the swiftest and most effective headlocking if we do meet in the future.
BB: You think so? I think I got the best headlock since Hulk Hogan buddy
BB: >w> Think you can handle this ~
NL: i will do my best.
NL: though, since you said you are wet, does this mean you have ventured out into your land?
NL: because i am planning on crossing the first gate soon myself.
NL: after i get some better equipments, of course.
BB: Yeaaah I'm out an about trying to see if I could like find some more imps for grists!
BB: or maybe an apple
BB: I would kill an ogre for an apple
BB: but apparently I can't fight them anymore unu
NL: why not?
NL: and um, would you like the code for a barrel of apples?
NL: they were supposed to go into soup.
NL: so they're rather sour.
BB: Well kinda got punched off a cliff by one and everyone was just OH NO YOU CANT DO THAT ANYMORE
BB: I'm all like please
BB: I can fight four ogres at once but nooooo
BB: Anyways uvu apples would be divine!
BB: Heavenly!
NL: ogres are rather strong... but not that strong, right?
NL: or perhaps you had encountered a particularly powerful one.
BB: I guess, but you know more strengths in numbers right?
NL: i did notice that they change difficulty based on their color or prototyping.
NL: maybe your land simply has less enemies, but stronger?
NL: and for the sack of apples...
NL: give me a moment to extract them.
NL: 001dt100
BB: Meeeh that's too much work to think about I'll just kick all their asses regardless!
BB: And THANK YOU!
NL: you're welcome.
NL: and just be careful.
BB: I am careful!
NL: maybe it would be helpful to let you know that the ogres' weakpoints are mostly on their heads?
NL: they have very weak knees too, granted.
NL: i would suggest attacking from somewhere higher than them, but it might be difficult on your land with so much rain.
BB: I'll give it a shot!
NL: what is your strife specibus?
BB: I use guantlets O:
NL: hand to hand combat?
BB: Yeeeeeep
NL: that might not be the smartest against ogres.
BB: It works though uvu
NL: if you jump, yes.
NL: perhaps you need to alchemitzer some sort of strengthened boots.
NL: just so you won't pulverize the bones of your legs when you land.
NL: perhaps... what are those called...
NL: superballs?
NL: bouncy balls?
NL: the fun rubber toys that flies all over the room if you throw it?
BB: Bouncy balls! But Lars! I'll be fine!
NL: maybe you can merge that with shoes...
BB: I mean come on I'm Kamen Rider Miracle
NL: gosh, i wish i have a superball.
NL: and uh, miracle?
NL: miracles are either granted by divine power or they are simply acts of such extraordinary power the normal folks can't understand.
NL: miracles doesn't mean you should just close your eyes and hope for the best like a blind sheep to the slaughter house, hank.
NL: i wish you'd be more mindful about getting into danger.
BB: My eyes are wide open bro!
NL: you know what i mean.
BB: Relax and watch me make the impossible possible!
NL: i can't do that.
BB: I dooo, but what's the worse that could happen to me >w>
NL: will you be able to relax if i told you to relax while i jump off some horrible cliffside?
BB: Well why would you be jumping off a cliff?? O:
NL: why would YOU?
NL: the cliff is the metaphorical dangerous situations, by the way.
NL: i am not sure if i am paraphrasing this properly.
BB: Well
BB: For meeee
BB: I would jump off a cliff
BB: just to get to the other side most likely
NL: uh.
NL: jumping off a cliff gets you splattered to the ground.
NL: looking for a bridge, however, gets you to the other side.
NL: hank, imagine this:
NL: you are standing on top of a mountain, while i am standing on the side road at the side of the mountain.
NL: you can see further than i can, alright?
NL: and here i am, on the edge of a steep cliff, saying that i should jump down to get across.
NL: you tell me no, that there is a bridge ahead of me of an undetermined distance that would be safer.
NL: and likely not kill me.
NL: but since i can't see the bridge, nor do i know where it is, i tell you to relax and just watch.
NL: while i prepare to jump to what could be my end.
NL: how would you feel?
BB: I would tell you to hold off on it
BB: and let me go first
BB: to see if it's dangerous or not
BB: 83
NL: no, no. you can't move from your mountain top.
NL: be it because you are stuck, or because someone else depends on you there.
NL: you can't help me beyond verbal speeches.
NL: you would be helpless, and watch.
BB: Welll why can't I move? That be pretty silly if I was just standing there
BB: I can't let you have all the fun now can I
NL: well, i can't move to where you are right now, can i?
NL: do you see where i'm drawing the examples from?
NL: or are you fleeing from understanding?
BB: Uhmmmm
BB: Kinda?
NL: hank.
NL: i can't do much, and i realized that i can do very, very little since this game started.
NL: i can't help any of the players, and i can't even help riziee who seems to be alone and in a bit of predicament on her land.
NL: i can only try and make you understand why recklessness is a poor choice, a fool's route.
NL: sure, you may be invincible.
NL: you might be lucky.
NL: but there is no 100% in anything.
NL: if in that 0.00001% change out of a million that you died, what will happen to your co-players?
NL: how would this affect the game?
NL: we already lost someone, right? agriel?
NL: i just don't want something to happen to you, if you could have prevented it somehow.
NL: and telling me 'don't worry' with your kitten face doesn't change the fates.
NL: that's all.
NL: i hope i am not being harsh.
NL: i am just... a little terrified imagining what could happen by simple mistakes or lack of foresight.
BB: Nah it's cool, you're just worried and all. No harm done dude, speak your mind!
BB: Sounds scary don't it????
NL: i have spoken my mind.
NL: thank you for listening.
NL: but, um. how much of that are you processing?
BB: Alllll of it
BB: and I have to saaay
NL: no.
NL: you are not going to tell me 'it's going to be fine'.
NL: or 'don't worry'.
NL: alright?
NL: the world ended, and i have my mother's ghost as my guide.
NL: this is not a 'it's going to be ok' situation.
NL: this is mayhem.
NL: this is some horrible karmatic retribution of the universe and i-
NL: my mother just told me to stop being a dramatic teenager.
NL: was i being dramatic?
NL: i am sorry.
BB: I was going to say I don't see why can't do much?
BB: Like I get it
BB: it's hell on earth right now and everything
NL: aha, there isn't even an earth left...
BB: But we're still alive
BB: We can rebuild earth
NL: if we all stay alive.
NL: do you see where i am going?
NL: you need to stay alive, not by the power of miracle, but by your own carefulness and strength.
BB: My strength is the miracle silly!
BB: I can't just sit around and plan things out
NL: you are not a god yet, silly hank.
NL: you can't make miracles as you are.
BB: Pfft
BB: I don't need to be a god to make Miracles
BB: I'm more than a God!
NL: of course you do.
BB: I'm a Kamen Rider
NL: uh.
BB: You just need to have a bid more faith in your friends
BB: Just like how I got faith in you
NL: i trust you, hank.
NL: but it's not blind faith.
BB: If you trust me, then believe in me
BB: I won't die I made countless
BB: and I literally mean countless promises
BB: I can't break a promise it ain't manly
NL: ...
NL: my mother promised she wouldn't die before, you know.
BB: I don't want to hear that you can't do much anymore though
NL: i really can't do a lot, it's the truth.
NL: it doesn't mean i won't try to do as much as i can.
BB: That's what I wanted to hear now! There you go!
BB: When you try you won't believe the things that you can do
BB: And with a little more unf! You won't believe the things you'll accomplish!
NL: i get this odd feeling this is only the start of my many attempts to have you understand that i wasn't losing faith.
NL: see... i can say i am rather strong, and the reason i can say it was because of the years of training i have had as a child.
NL: i won't say -and can't say- that i'm strong simply because i believe.
BB: I'll do it for you uvuv
NL: i have no rights to say that, it would be insulting to someone that had put in a lot of effort in physical training.
NL: well.
NL: i suppose you'll understand eventually.
NL: just believing isn't always enough.
NL: you can't just believe and wish an apple tree would magically grow from your front doors, you have to go plant the seed yourself.
NL: whichever the case, have you tried alchemitizing weapons yet?
BB: Course I have
BB: how else would I have these badass gauntlets right here
BB: awe yisss
NL: do you have any advices?
BB: For?
NL: what kind of item combinations seem to work, for one.
BB: Well
NL: and for two, maybe ways to make a laptop 'more portable'?
NL: i can't imagine what to do, i don't wear glasses.
NL: and i don't like the idea of having a screen so close to my eyes while fighting.
NL: i wish i can have it on a monitor on my arm, or something.
BB: How about
BB: Like a wrist band or something
BB: you got one of those right?
BB: What if you combined the two
BB: and the computer works like a hologram
NL: a wrist band... like the ones tennis players wear?
NL: we don't have those.
NL: i can sew one, i suppose, but i don't have the time.
BB: No like a wrist gautnlet armor thing!
NL: there used to be old armors in the vault, but they didn't get transported over to the medium.
BB: Ouch
BB: Well
BB: Headband?
NL: i have those.
NL: do you think it'll work?
NL: it's not like i can read what's on my forehead, right?
NL: i should have prototyped a computer.
BB: Hmmmm
NL: what do you have for a computer?
NL: perhaps a phone?
BB: I got an iphone and I already fused my laptop
BB: with my shades
BB: talking to you hands free baby!
NL: oh, that's convenient.
NL: can you see ahead of you, though?
BB: Yeah the screen is transparent soooo
BB: 8D It makes things easy
NL: i wonder what happens if i merge it with my headphones?
NL: some sort of talking device, i suppose.
BB: You could try!
BB: Better than nothing ye?
NL: yeah.
NL: i hope it's not too grist-consuming.
NL: i've heard experimenting could be wasteful.
BB: yeee that's why I just did my computers and my shades
BB: and my gauntlets uvu
BB: Just to be on the safe side
NL: i will try with what i have, i suppose.
BB: Yeah!
BB: Let's do it! Well you do it!
BB: You can do it Kamen Rider New Meteor!
NL: is that my name?
NL: oh, is that a nickname?
BB: Yep!
BB: Your Kamen Rider title!
NL: what does that mean, though?
NL: meteors don't really have the best significance in our current situation, right?
BB: Because!
BB: There was a Kamen Rider like yourself
BB: that practiced in techniques at a dojo! Named Kamen Rider Meteor
BB: This means
BB: You are the new Meteor
NL: i didn't study at a dojo.
BB: Kamen Rider New Meteor
BB: shhhhh
BB: Shhh
BB: it's staying
BB: uvu
NL: alright, if you think it's suitable.
BB: It's super suitable~!
BB: Your special attack
BB: will be
BB: METEOR SHOWER EXTREME BLAST ATTACK
NL: that sounds very powerful.
NL: not quite sure it's physically possible, but the name is exciting.
BB: Do it! That's your new attack
NL: i'll try my best to live up to that extravagant title, then.
NL: oh another note, i best get going.
BB: You better!
NL: seems like i will have plenty of chances to try achieving that special attack now.
BB: Imps coming your way???
NL: ogres.
NL: i really, really hope my weapon holds out.
NL: until later.
BB: Kick their asses
-- nelumboLoom [NL] ceased pestering bombasticBrave [BB] at 00:23 --
You stop at the former meditation hall to rest. You have a good haul with you, lots of old weapons you have picked up from the now loosened grips of the martial arts statues broken and scattered around the temple ruins.
You used to take such good care of them, with your fellow monks, and now you can only shed a manly tear and accept what you can from them.
Name, you took some pretty badass bronze pole-arms with you.
You've always wanted to swing those things around.
==> Lars: Talk to your sprite already.
Right, right. You were getting right to that. You weren't just sitting around and wasting time imagining the weapons you can make with the bronze parts. You're totally focused as you should be.
Parchmentsprite is telling you to give it the second prototyping again, and this time, you're actually ready. You've been thinking about it since talking with some of the other players, and after seeing what you can do with Seimos's dead lusus, an idea has been forming.
No, no... it's childish and ridiculous... you're probably going to end up with a really useless sprite in the end. But it doesn't hurt to... try?
You really want to see mum again.
==> Lars: Second-prototype the urn of ashes.
This is so disrespectful of the dead if it doesn't work, and it's so unfair to your Master... but you are going to do it anyways.
You scattered your mother's ashes at the sprite.
The second prototyping was even more flashy than the first, and you are momentarily blinded by a bright, pale rosy light coming from the sprite. The distance sound of a familiar chuckle echoed around the remaining walls of the hall, and from the center of the brightness...
LARS: mum!
LARS: mum mum mum! is it really you!?
MUMSPRITE: Ehehe my my I dont remember you being quite so big before lars
LARS: oh good heavens! it worked! i saw seimos do it and i figured i should give you a try and by gods it worked!
MUMSPRITE: Ehehe settle down kiddo dont tear down the house yet
LARS: oh my godddd!
MUMSPRITE: Lars
MUMSPRITE: Lars focus come on sweetie get your head out of the windbag and focus on the game plan
LARS: your voice still sounds the same! and you look the same too! besides your weird apron thing- and you still have your glasses!
MUMSPRITE: LARS HONEY
LARS: sorry. i was carried away.
MUMSPRITE: Its alright tiny tot Just keep in mind what you were doing before this I was watching you scurry around and its honestly kind of stupid
MUMSPRITE: Why hasnt your server deployed your punch designix yet those broze stuff you were picking up wont do you much good for long
LARS: i was going to contact riziee soon, but i haven't been able to. i suppose she must be preoccupied by something.
MUMSPRITE: Well get her unpreoccupied angel youre going to need way better gears to get to where you need to go As much as i trust in you honey those pajamas robe things aint going to cut it
LARS: they're my monk uniform, mum.
MUMSPRITE: Whats that i hear? Oh thats right thats the sound of you not getting your chopping on
You spend a moment fixing up the rest of your minor battle injuries, and noticed that you are being pestered.
You wonder who that could be?
-- vehementPundit [VP] began pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 23:52 --
VP: ____[] WhaT The FUCK did you do To my baThTub.
VP: ____[] WhaTever.
VP: ____[] I'll jusT check iT laTer.
VP: ____[] Anyway I'm awake now STOP HITTING IMPS.
NL: i apologize, but your hive didn't have a lot of heavy objects i could use as a weapon.
VP: ____[] You used.
NL: also, i may have overestimated my multitasking abilities, so in a moment of panic i had pulled out your bathtub.
VP: ____[] My baThTub.
VP: ____[] Are you SHITTING ME.
NL: no, i left your toilet untouched.
VP: ____[] Okay I really can'T deal wiTh This now.
NL: i'm sorry.
VP: ____[] You could have jusT used one of The fucking corpses.
VP: ____[] There's probably one lying around The hive.
NL: i could never!
VP: ____[] They're DEAD who gives a SHIT.
NL: i do.
VP: ____[] Ugh.
VP: ____[] Fine.
NL: also, what if i accidentally flung it into your sprite?
VP: ____[] Oh.
NL: i don't think you want a victim as a sprite, it wouldn't be helpful.
VP: ____[] Okay you have a poinT There.
NL: see?
NL: respecting the dead is best.
VP: ____[] I would have To deal wiTh such a shiTTee spriTe for The resT of my life oh my god They would be so fucking annoying.
NL: my sprite is alright for now, it's just difficult to have to stop to read what it's writing on itself.
NL: or when it gets too excited and tries to wrap it's words around my eyes.
VP: ____[] Then puT someThing else inTo iT dumbass.
VP: ____[] IN ANY CASE.
VP: ____[] Now ThaT I'm awake.
NL: oh, yes.
NL: welcome back.
VP: ____[] Did you finish doing The server Thing.
NL: almost!
NL: but you're almost out of grists, i didn't want to use it all up.
NL: in case you need to upgrade your weapons.
VP: ____[] Jesus fucking chrisT how much grisT did you use.
NL: you needed rails.
VP: ____[] I needed rails.
NL: it would have been a lot cheaper if it's just regular stairs.
NL: all the way up.
VP: ____[] No I NEED a 'rail.
VP: ____[] ... Oh, waiT.
VP: ____[] Never mind.
NL: ahaha.
VP: ____[] ConTinue.
VP: ____[] Of course I need fucking rails do you wanT me To fall off and die.
NL: i don't.
NL: hence the rails.
NL: i even added those poles.
NL: see the poles?
VP: ____[] Poles.
NL: that way you can get down to the ground quickly.
VP: ____[] You added.
VP: ____[] Poles.
NL: without having to, say, jump down.
VP: ____[] DO YOU THINK I CAN SLIDE ALL THE WAY DOWN THAT THING.
NL: i can.
VP: ____[] IT's noT like you're ever going To use The fucking pole I am.
NL: well, no. i don't need stairs.
VP: ____[] Why The fuck can you slide down a pole anyway.
NL: i'm just going to scald the wall.
NL: and, uh.
NL: i think everyone can.
VP: ____[] Didn'T you live in a TEMPLE why would you have poles around.
NL: that's my weapon.
NL: balance was part of the training menu.
VP: ____[] Well noT when The pole is 5 TIMES THE LENGTH OF MY HOUSE?
VP: ____[] Okay maybe 5 is an exaggeraTion I don'T know.
NL: um, should i make it easier for you and change it into a ladder?
VP: ____[] No jusT leave iT you'll jusT wasTe more grisT.
NL: it's about 4.5 times the height of your highest floor right now.
NL: i just wasn't too sure about the idea of you being forced to jump down from all the way up there, without another way down.
NL: there are some flying monsters, you know.
VP: ____[] No dude buT seriously won'T you fucking burn your hands.
VP: ____[] I mean my hands will be fine They're meTal buT your hands.
NL: you mostly use your legs for sliding, really.
NL: just grip the pole with your thighs.
VP: ____[] ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
NL: i am not?
NL: it's quite simple.
NL: even the younger monks can do it.
VP: ____[] Dude your Torso will jusT fucking fly off if you slide all The way down wiTh jusT YOUR LEGS.
VP: ____[] Holy shiT whaT is wrong wiTh you.
NL: have you tried?
NL: it's honestly not that hard if you pace yourself.
NL: just a section at a time, take it all on.
NL: going down on it isn't the problem, it's getting back up.
NL: it's a lot of stairs to run.
VP: ____[] God you are one fucked up human.
VP: ____[] How old are you even.
VP: ____[] I said HOW OLD ARE YOU.
NL: um, i'm 14.
NL: but i don't see how i'm 'fucked up'?
VP: ____[] 14.
VP: ____[] 14 whaT.
NL: i'm just... trained.
NL: uh, years?
VP: ____[] Oh.
NL: the amount of time my planet takes to orbit around our galaxy's sun?
NL: does that clear it up?
VP: ____[] AlrighT I have no idea Then.
VP: ____[] WhaTever you're probably younger Than me.
NL: how about this, 18 years old is considered the average age for adulthood.
NL: and we cease being infants at the age of 3 to 6.
NL: teens start around the age of 11 to 12, depending on which scale you follow.
NL: what kind of counting system do trolls use for age?
VP: ____[] Yep I don'T undersTand your sysTem aT all.
VP: ____[] NoT going To boTher righT now.
VP: ____[] Sweeps.
NL: sweeps?
NL: uh, and how many sweeps is an adult troll?
VP: ____[] Depends.
VP: ____[] IT's hard To explain.
VP: ____[] You should geT one of The oThers To explain.
VP: ____[] NoT me.
VP: ____[] Can'T be boThered To.
NL: how many sweeps are you, then?
VP: ____[] AT leasT noT righT now.
VP: ____[] Seven.
NL: oh.
NL: you don't seem that much older than me, truthfully speaking.
VP: ____[] No I am older Than you.
NL: how do you know?
VP: ____[] I jusT know.
VP: ____[] Anyway.
VP: ____[] AbouT your god damn POLE Thing.
NL: yes, what about the poles?
NL: do trolls have something against poles?
VP: ____[] ThaT's noT someThing someone younger Than me should be doing for fuck's sake.
NL: i hope i haven't offended your sensibilities.
NL: ... doing what?
VP: ____[] No no no PLENTEE of Trolls are inTo iT.
VP: ____[] BuT a normal Troll like me isn'T.
VP: ____[] Like for The fucking panTheon please ew.
NL: i...
NL: i believe we might be talking about different things.
VP: ____[] WhaT kind of messed up Temple are you in.
NL: unless trolls think poles are 'ew'.
NL: nothing?
NL: poles are often used in agility and balance training.
NL: such as balancing on top of poles, sparring with staffs...
NL: we have a few training machines that involve having to dodge spikes and poles being shot out of traps, but nothing exaggerating.
VP: ____[] No no yeah I geT ThaT buT... why can you slide on a pole.
NL: we live on mountains.
NL: so we have to set up base camps along the ranges to collect firewood.
VP: ____[] Oh wow I acTually feel bad for you.
NL: it's safer to make the camps on top of trees to keep away from animals.
NL: so we have poles to slide or walk around on to get us places.
VP: ____[] Holy shiT I can'T believe They make you resorT To sTuff like THAT.
NL: i don't think it's a bad living condition.
VP: ____[] Oh.
VP: ____[] Oh okay.
NL: it's all for training.
VP: ____[] RighT.
VP: ____[] Okay.
NL: i'm still confused.
NL: do trolls frown upon temples?
NL: is that the problem?
VP: ____[] No no no iT's noThing.
NL: i'm sorry, i suppose.
NL: whatever it was i seem to have made you uncomfortable.
VP: ____[] Yeah leT's noT Talk abouT These long poles again okay.
NL: but you will use them eventually, trust me.
VP: ____[] I'll figure Them ouT
VP: ____[] Maybe.
NL: if you're fighting a winged ogre i best advise you to use them to get to ground level.
NL: you don't want the whole staircase to topple over with you on it.
NL: either way, i remembered what i was going to ask earlier.
NL: glacis explained the hemospectrum to me, and i googled 'fuchsia'.
NL: so does this mean you're rather high up in the blood colored scale?
NL: and is this why you called riziee a 'shitblood'?
NL: because if that was the reason then it's not very nice.
VP: ____[] WhaT?
VP: ____[] You wouldn'T undersTand The hemospecTrum.
NL: it's not nice to judge someone based on something they can't control!
NL: it's like, making fun of the poor, working class just because you were born rich.
VP: ____[] No iT isn'T.
NL: how is it not?
VP: ____[] Because we ARE acTually superior.
VP: ____[] NoT like iT maTTers now.
VP: ____[] EiTher way if she was a shiTblood or noT I would TreaT her The same.
VP: ____[] I'm TreaTing you all preTTee equally.
NL: my master always said, if it's not something you earned, then you do not have bragging rights to it.
VP: ____[] BuT This is someThing I earned.
VP: ____[] I didn'T work so hard for noThing.
NL: what were you working for?
VP: ____[] GeTTing here of course.
NL: you... can choose this option?
NL: i didn't know that was possible.
NL: i thought it's already pre-destined.
VP: ____[] PuTTing how I TreaTed Trolls back on AlTernia aside.
VP: ____[] I do acTually believe ThaT I worked really fucking hard and I don'T Think I should respecT people who aren'T puTTing ThaT efforT in.
VP: ____[] The shiTblood, huh?
VP: ____[] Umbrella Then.
VP: ____[] I Talked To her.
VP: ____[] All she does is flaTTer and flaTTer and iT's so fucking insincere I can'T handle iT.
NL: how adorable! you nicknamed her.
VP: ____[] Look if she doesn'T prove herself I'm noT going To TreaT her any beTTer.
NL: and hey, perhaps i can change your mind on that.
VP: ____[] No I did noT nickname her you fuckTard she uses an umbrella as her sTrife specibus or someThing.
NL: permit me to shed some light on the situation first.
NL: do you know her server?
VP: ____[] And I liTerally cannoT be fucked To remember her name righT now.
VP: ____[] No.
NL: it's agriel.
VP: ____[] Oh.
NL: her server has literally been of no help to her as of yet.
VP: ____[] So she hasn'T been doing anyThing.
NL: and believe it or not, she has been an excellent server to me!
VP: ____[] Wow.
NL: she has been protecting me when i was on derse, you know.
NL: which gave me the idea to do the same for you.
NL: and how was your nap, by the way?
VP: ____[] Don'T wanna Talk abouT iT righT now.
NL: and also, she basically build my whole wall already.
VP: ____[] Have To Think over a couple of Things.
NL: i can go to the first gate any moment now.
VP: ____[] Your whole wall.
NL: i just wanted to stay on the ground and stock up first.
NL: so basically, she's done a lot!
NL: and you ought to respect that.
VP: ____[] How do you climb a wall.
NL: i manage.
VP: ____[] WiTh a pole.
NL: well, partially.
VP: ____[] Wow ThaT sounds like a shiTTee server if you ask me.
NL: actually the wall she has been replicating has a ledge.
NL: i chose that wall, mind you.
NL: i can climb walls pretty easily as long as i have a bit of footing.
NL: and with some staffs helping along the way i can just climb my way up.
VP: ____[] IT's so much easier To climb sTairs jesus fuck.
NL: but stairs are expensive.
VP: ____[] Who cares you can geT The grisT back laTer.
NL: i wasn't sure if i could share my grists with her, seimos.
NL: like i said, agriel is unable to actually help her right now.
NL: so i want to do what i can.
NL: and if it meant sharing grists, i'll do what i must.
NL: but first i have to figure out how.
VP: ____[] So basically she's sTuck and can'T do anyThing.
NL: mhm.
NL: i think i need to have a talk with this demon.
VP: ____[] And she isn'T doing anyThing To figure ouT how To revive Agriel.
VP: ____[] Wow whaT a useless shiT.
NL: and what have you figured out so far, friend?
VP: ____[] None of your business.
VP: ____[] I need To Talk To The demon.
VP: ____[] FirsT.
NL: i believe it is my business!
NL: this agriel fellow is riziee's server, you know.
VP: ____[] No iT isn'T if I Tell you now iT may be incorrecT informaTion.
VP: ____[] Yeah and I'll Talk To ThaT girl if I have To.
NL: don't be rude. you're a great guy, i'm sure you can put aside your differences and work towards the common goal.
NL: which, in short term, is to get everyone through the first gate, i assume?
NL: or at least well-equipped.
VP: ____[] I will Tell you aT The appropriaTe Time.
VP: ____[] WHICH IS NOT NOW.
NL: gosh, was caps supposed to be yelling?
VP: ____[] Dunno.
NL: ahaha.
VP: ____[] Nope, iT's whispering.
NL: oh really now?
NL: you are a strange fellow, you know that?
NL: it's fun talking to you.
NL: plus, i am still waiting for that memo you promised.
NL: though i supposed it's still not the time yet.
VP: ____[] I did noT promise any memo.
VP: ____[] And The feelings are noT muTual.
NL: no, you clearly asked me to wait for your future memo.
NL: regarding the issue with agriel.
NL: a while ago, actually.
VP: ____[] Did I.
NL: perhaps you forgot, no worries. i'm always glad to remind you.
VP: ____[] VP: ____[] We'll seTTle iT in a memo soon enough.
VP: ____[] ThaT wasn'T a promise you dipshiT.
NL: oh, i suppose i had simply assumed you were a man of your words.
VP: ____[] Is ThaT an insulT.
NL: especially since you seem so intent on giving out correct information.
NL: no? it wasn't supposed to be.
VP: ____[] WhaTever.
NL: why would i insult you?
VP: ____[] Anyway iT wasn'T a promise buT iT's likely.
VP: ____[] AlrighT.
VP: ____[] So are we done here or do you have anyThing else To say To me.
NL: nothing too important. just do go kill some more monsters and be careful!
VP: ____[] RighT.
NL: and be nice to girls!
VP: ____[] Of course whaT else do you expecT me To fucking do.
VP: ____[] Why would I be nice To girls.
NL: because that's how gentlemen behave?
VP: ____[] Okay why girls in parTicularly seriously.
NL: and boys too, i suppose.
NL: be nice in general?
VP: ____[] I am noT a "genTleman."
NL: you are not?
VP: ____[] I'll TreaT everyone The same Thank you very fucking much.
VP: ____[] No I can'T boTher beaTing around The bush wiTh flaTTery and poliTe bullshiT.
VP: ____[] I'd very much prefer jusT geTTing sTraighT To The poinT.
NL: nothing's wrong with that.
NL: just, perhaps a little less insults.
VP: ____[] Ha.
NL: a emotionally stressed and wounded fellow player wouldn't do their best, you know.
VP: ____[] Don'T really care unless iT affecTs someThing.
NL: it would
VP: ____[] We already have one on our hands.
VP: ____[] Umbrella.
VP: ____[] Ha ha ha ha ha ha.
VP: ____[] Man.
NL: it would affect the whole gameplay, won't it?
VP: ____[] I guess.
NL: what if you made someone mad, and then a moment comes when your life is on their hands?
NL: that would be awful if they just decides to, 'fuck with you', so to say.
NL: am i using that correctly?
VP: ____[] Well noT really "fuck wiTh you" ThaT would imply ThaT I would keep living.
VP: ____[] Technically The righT phrase would be "fuck you over".
NL: well, it would still be horrible if you lost a leg or two in the mishap.
VP: ____[] Anyway yes I see your poinT.
NL: i am glad you see reasoning.
NL: see? you are already making progress.
VP: ____[] ShuT up.
VP: ____[] Wow you liTerally shuT up.
NL: oh, no. my apologies, i was talking to hank.
VP: ____[] Hank.
NL: bombasticbrave?
VP: ____[] One of The humans?
NL: yes, he is human.
VP: ____[] I see.
NL: agriel's server player, i believe.
VP: ____[] So he's The one who killed THE Agriel
VP: ____[] Hahahaha...
VP: ____[] AlrighT I'll make my move now.
NL: i thought it was a meteor?
NL: and yes, do make your move.
VP: ____[] He didn'T geT him inTo The game in Time, probably.
VP: ____[] His faulT.
VP: ____[] Okay.
VP: ____[] Bye.
-- nelumboLoom [NL] ceased pestering vehementPundit [VP] at 00:49 --
NL: gosh, one more thing.
NL: i'm going to work on my side now, so i won't be protecting you any longer.
VP: ____[] WhaT.
NL: but do pester me if you need me again.
VP: ____[] Yeah okay ThaT's fine.
NL: best of luck!
VP: ____[] Bye.
-- nelumboLoom [NL] ceased pestering vehementPundit [VP] at 00:49 --
You realize that there was going to be a lot more work than you had expected. Maybe you just weren't trained enough yet to be a good mediator. Maybe it was your inexperience with talking to non-monk people.
Maybe, you need to work harder.
Packing your laptop back into your sylladex, you seek to gather material around the temple ruins. Anything that can possibly be useful under the context of 'merging items', you're going to collect, given that it doesn't boggle down your sylladex too much.
On a side note, you wonder why is it that almost every time you and Hank tried to walk, something would happen. Your Pesterchum just doesn't seem to like having you two talk much in general. Maybe you needed to update the program or something.
Not that Glacis wasn't helpful or anything. Oh no, that troll gentleman was a fine specimen of 'helpful'. It's just, most of the time you still have trouble understanding English clearly, it would be helpful if you managed to ask someone for a... better phrased explanation. Preferably in steps.
You know just the brilliant young lady for the job!
What's with these monsters anyways? It's like they're endless! You heard from Hank that there aren't really any coming to him when you talked earlier, and you know for a fact that Andi's land is probably too hard for the imps to travel in. Geographical advantages could be both a pro and a con, you supposed, considering how quickly your grists are stacking up with these continuous attacks.
Perhaps, now that you have time, you should try and continue your slow quest of getting to know all the players. You only really know four players so far, that's not good enough! You can't let the excuse of being 'too busy fighting' get in the way of relationship progresses.
Who knows, it might save a life some day.
-- nelumboLoom [NL] began pestering dauntlessTracker [DT] at 15:02 --
[03:03] NL: oh, hello there.
[03:03] NL: i don't think we've talked.
[03:03] DT: --)- we haven'
[03:03] DT: --)- you must be one of the other humans
[03:03] DT: --)- are you 'elsu'
[03:04] NL: and i would assume you're a troll.
[03:04] NL: no, my name is lars.
[03:04] NL: pleasure to meet you.
[03:04] DT: --)- huh
[03:04] DT: --)- I haven' heard anything about you as far as I know
[03:04] DT: --)- what a surprise
[03:04] DT: --)- these people gossip more than a sewing circle
[03:05] NL: i'm not surprised. i am not exactly extraordinary or interesting compared to the other fellows in this game.
[03:05] NL: and to be honest i have been far too busy fighting to really 'gossip'.
[03:05] NL: the monsters on my land seem endless.
[03:05] NL: i hope my weapon holds out.
[03:05] DT: --)- same here
[03:05] DT: --)- what's your weapon
[03:05] NL: a bamboo staff.
[03:05] NL: nothing too impressive, but it had served the purpose of sparring back in the temple.
[03:06] DT: --)- you mean just a piece of wood basically
[03:06] NL: not so much on the hard skull helms of some of these things.
[03:06] NL: yes.
[03:06] DT: --)- better find something else before it breaks
[03:06] DT: --)- better yet, alchemize it with something
[03:06] NL: there aren't really anything on my land i can substitute, though.
[03:06] NL: i wish there is a way to obtain sturdy metal that isn't rusting, like the ones here.
[03:06] DT: --)- wait do you know about the alchemiter yet
[03:07] NL: the contraption that made our cruxite?
[03:07] NL: what of it?
[03:07] DT: --)- man your server and client really aren' giving any shits are they
[03:07] DT: --)- well
[03:07] DT: --)- you can use the alchemiter to duplicate items
[03:07] DT: --)- and combine two items together
[03:08] NL: first of, i would like to say that my server and client are great people and they have done a lot to help me.
[03:08] NL: i have simply been too boggled down with survival to really talk to them.
[03:08] NL: the fault is mine, not theirs.
[03:08] NL: secondly.
[03:08] NL: combine what, now?
[03:08] NL: pray tell, how would one go about working the machine if i were to try and combine some staffs together?
[03:10] DT: --)- great people huh
[03:10] NL: indeed!
[03:10] NL: surely you have talked with seimos and riziee?
[03:10] DT: --)- HA
[03:10] NL: hm?
[03:10] DT: --)- seimos
[03:10] DT: --)- great person
[03:10] DT: --)- yeah
[03:11] NL: isn't he?
[03:11] NL: granted, he is a bit rushed at times but i suppose that's reasonable for the current times.
[03:11] NL: he's always so informative.
[03:11] NL: and not at all shy to share his knowledge!
[03:11] NL: such a great guy.
[03:12] DT: --)- alright so you and andi are tied for 'most clueless about sarcasm'
[03:12] NL: you know, at first i was uncertain how to approach you trolls, but now i realize you are all great people and there wasn't anything to fear.
[03:12] NL: sarcasm.
[03:12] NL: that's the thing with irony, right?
[03:12] DT: --)- forget it
[03:12] NL: if you're sure.
[03:12] DT: --)- I literally don' have the energy right now
[03:12] DT: --)- let me ask you this
[03:12] NL: oh gosh, have i interrupted upon your rest?
[03:13] DT: --)- has your server put down the punch designix yet
[03:13] NL: oh, i saw that in the menu when i was talking with andi.
[03:13] NL: but no, i'm afraid i haven't been able to ask riziee about it yet.
[03:13] NL: is it related to the alchemiter?
[03:15] DT: --)- yeah it is
[03:15] DT: --)- without it you're stuck with your shitty wooden pole
[03:15] DT: --)- tough break
[03:16] NL: ooh, i need to talk with riziee, then.
[03:16] NL: thank you kindly for telling me this!
[03:16] NL: may i have your name?
[03:16] DT: --)- names right
[03:16] DT: --)- I'm glacis
[03:16] NL: thank you for your kindness, glacis.
[03:17] NL: would you please tell me how the new punching machine is supposed to work?
[03:17] NL: i have never really handled such complex machines until now.
[03:19] DT: --)- well
[03:19] DT: --)- you put captchalogue cards in it, and it punches holes in them
[03:19] DT: --)- then you feed them into the totem lathe like you did with your first punched card
[03:19] NL: like... the old style computers?
[03:19] DT: --)- and it makes a totem that you can put on the alchemiter
[03:19] DT: --)- and yeah, something like that
[03:20] NL: hmm... interesting.
[03:20] DT: --)- and then alchemiter can duplicate the items
[03:20] DT: --)- but if you overlap two punched cards
[03:20] DT: --)- it makes a unique totem
[03:20] DT: --)- that combines the properties of the items
[03:21] NL: how many holes can you punch in a card, though?
[03:21] NL: it seems like there would be a finite number of items possible.
[03:22] DT: --)- there probably is
[03:22] DT: --)- I don' know though, I've only done a few tests
[03:23] DT: --)- there's also some sort of system where you can combine items two different ways
[03:23] NL: that sounds like a possibly fun experiment to try already.
[03:23] DT: --)- if there was more time, maybe
[03:23] NL: so if we can duplicate items, what about trading?
[03:23] DT: --)- but this all depends on your server giving you the tools
[03:24] DT: --)- which sucks bulge
[03:24] NL: can we call someone where the card holes are punched?
[03:24] NL: and have them duplicate it on their end, perhaps?
[03:24] DT: --)- uh
[03:24] DT: --)- well the cards have codes right
[03:24] NL: they do?
[03:24] DT: --)- if you give the codes to another player
[03:24] DT: --)- they can make the items you have
[03:24] DT: --)- and yeah
[03:24] DT: --)- check the back
[03:24] NL: hum.
[03:24] NL: give me just a moment.
[03:25] NL: my sylladex is rather time consuming.
[03:25] NL: oh.
[03:25] NL: well, well!
[03:25] NL: i never really noticed that before.
[03:26] DT: --)- yeah I don' know
[03:26] DT: --)- I never really bothered checking
[03:27] DT: --)- but once you punch a card, you can' get the item back out
[03:27] DT: --)- just to clarify
[03:27] DT: --)- so only punch things that you're going to use in alchemy
[03:27] NL: so would 0061AD0z be a potato?
[03:27] DT: --)- no way to unpunch them after all
[03:27] DT: --)- uh
[03:27] DT: --)- what
[03:27] NL: i picked up my card with a potato stored inside.
[03:27] NL: that was the numbers and letters behind the image.
[03:28] DT: --)- then yeah I guess
[03:29] DT: --)- I'm not going to waste grist on that shit to test your code
[03:29] NL: aha!
[03:29] DT: --)- but if you read it correctly then sure
[03:29] NL: so that's what the grists are for.
[03:29] DT: --)- you mean you didn' know that either
[03:31] DT: --)- alright you're really behind
[03:32] DT: --)- but if your server isn' total ass you should at least be able to get the machines running next time you talk to her
[03:33] DT: --)- the grist is like money, you spend it on the objects and shit
[03:33] DT: --)- as far as I can tell the server's and client's grist is pooled
[03:35] NL: wait, if a server's and a client's grists are pooled, what about the client's client, and the server's server?
[03:35] NL: also, the only thing i knew about grists was that the build grist was used in building and modifying the client's environment.
[03:36] NL: hence i've been building a series of stairs from seimos's ground hivefloor up to his first gate.
[03:36] NL: as has riziee with my first gate.
[03:36] NL: well, she's been stacking walls because that's cheaper.
[03:36] NL: and i don't really need stairs.
[03:38] DT: --)- good for you
[03:38] DT: --)- but like I said
[03:38] DT: --)- not sure
[03:38] DT: --)- fuzzy on the details myself, it's not like there's a manual for this stuff
[03:39] NL: there's only the scripture, true.
[03:39] NL: and it's only vague at best.
[03:39] NL: but i thought the gates lead somewhere, considering the potato never returned.
[03:39] NL: i figured i should try going through it once i'm better supplied.
[03:40] DT: --)- did you put a potato through the portal
[03:41] NL: yes, it was light and easy to launch off.
[03:41] NL: also because i have a lot of potatoes here.
[03:41] NL: missing one or two wouldn't hurt.
[03:42] DT: --)- shouldn' throw away food like that, even if it's a disgusting tuberous thing like a potato
[03:44] NL: but what if i had thrown a rock and the gate connected to another player's gate overhead?
[03:44] NL: i wouldn't want to cause someone to die of a falling rock.
[03:45] DT: --)- why did you throw anything into it from below to begin with
[03:46] DT: --)- you could have just waited until you got closer and then dropped something else in
[03:46] DT: --)- like a leaf or a stick or something
[03:46] DT: --)- anyway last time I checked you could still brain someone with a potato
[03:47] NL: well, i had thrown the potato earlier when there wasn't any mentioning of what the circular things are yet.
[03:47] NL: then i realized they were portals.
[03:47] NL: the idea of having to build up didn't really occur to me until that point.
[03:48] NL: and another thought, the potato was very small. it was just a tiny white thing, it wouldn't hurt anyone.
[03:48] NL: i hoped.
[03:48] NL: in retrospect i suppose it was rather reckless of me to have gone on with that plan.
[03:48] DT: --)- well
[03:48] DT: --)- at least you had the presence of mind to check what would happen before throwing yourself in there
[03:48] NL: but anything lighter and i wouldn't have been able to hit hard enough to send flying from the ground.
[03:51] DT: --)- yeah, yeah
[03:52] DT: --)- like I said
[03:52] DT: --)- you at least seem to be able to make plans
[03:52] DT: --)- so kudos for not attempting to throw yourself out of windows and/or wasting time by doing other useless shit
[03:53] NL: you are too kind.
[03:53] NL: i'm sure no one would actually do that, right?
[03:53] NL: throwing themselves out windows, i mean.
[03:54] NL: though i suppose if we can combine items, can't we just make flying machines?
[03:54] NL: a uh, hoverboard or something.
[03:54] NL: or perhaps there is another reason the building should take place.
[03:54] NL: hm.
[03:55] NL: i suppose the answers would come out once the first gate has beem conquered.
[03:56] DT: --)- as for the first question
[03:56] DT: --)- yes, apparently
[03:56] DT: --)- someone has been told to jump out of a window, and he was actually considering it
[03:56] DT: --)- your 'elsu'
[03:56] NL: i have yet to talk with this individual, i'm afraid.
[03:56] DT: --)- I don' know if he went through with it but I seriously fucking doubt he's going to be much use for the rest of the game
[03:57] DT: --)- especially if he's dead
[03:57] DT: --)- so hopefully he didn' die
[03:57] NL: wasn't there another dead player?
[03:57] NL: pieces of conversation has led me into thinking that 'agriel' has died and is somehow demon possessed now?
[03:57] NL: i was told to steer clear from them, though.
[04:00] DT: --)- agriel is dead apparently, yeah
[04:00] DT: --)- there's a 'demon' or something controlling his body
[04:00] DT: --)- I don' really know if that's the right term but who even gives a fuck at this point
[04:00] DT: --)- long story short there might be a way to bring agriel back
[04:00] DT: --)- well
[04:01] DT: --)- some other agriel
[04:01] NL: how is his dream body?
[04:01] DT: --)- clonegriel
[04:01] DT: --)- his what
[04:01] NL: have you slept yet?
[04:01] DT: --)- oh
[04:01] DT: --)- are you talking about the purple city
[04:01] NL: oh, you're a derse dreamer as well?
[04:01] NL: yes, that is one of the moons.
[04:02] NL: ther other one is prospit, it orbits skaia, the blue star above our heads.
[04:02] NL: i don't know what agriel looks like so i wouldn't be able to see if he's on derse, though.
[04:02] DT: --)- derse
[04:03] NL: that's the purple one.
[04:03] NL: with the little black carapaces?
[04:03] NL: and the, uh, things... in the sky.
[04:03] NL: i couldn't see anything, but something was there.
[04:03] DT: --)- yeah
[04:04] DT: --)- you mean agriel is there too
[04:04] DT: --)- oh is that how we're supposed to get him back
[04:04] NL: no idea, i am clueless on this subject.
[04:05] NL: but that would make sense, right?
[04:05] NL: why else is there a second body to complicate things?
[04:05] DT: --)- dunno
[04:05] DT: --)- there were other towers on derse
[04:05] DT: --)- like the one I woke up in
[04:06] DT: --)- I'm guessing that might be where clonegriel is
[04:06] NL: one for each prince and princess, i believe.
[04:06] DT: --)- maybe next time I'll go slap him around
[04:06] NL: if you know what he looks like, i suppose?
[04:07] NL: though i'm not sure how well would a dead player respond to being slapped.
[04:07] NL: aha, perhaps you have to kiss the princess.
[04:07] DT: --)- well, he was the only greenblood we have
[04:07] NL: though that would be rather intrusive and rude.
[04:07] NL: greenblood.
[04:07] NL: see, seimos mentioned something about the hemospectrum as well.
[04:07] DT: --)- I'll just look at his shoes since we're color coded I guess
[04:07] NL: but he failed to explain it to be before his nap.
[04:08] NL: what exactly is it?
[04:08] NL: if you don't mind explaining?
[04:08] DT: --)- oh no don' make me do this shit now
[04:08] DT: --)- red at the bottom, fuschia at the top
[04:08] DT: --)- caste system
[04:08] DT: --)- that's all
[04:09] NL: fuschia...?
[04:10] DT: --)- yeah
[04:10] DT: --)- the heiress' blood color
[04:10] DT: --)- maybe you spoke with her, maybe not
[04:10] NL: i suppose not.
[04:10] DT: --)- she's 'royalty', although now she has only five fucking subjects
[04:10] NL: of the trolls, it has only been you, seimos, and riziee so far.
[04:10] NL: i really need to 'chat' more...
[04:11] DT: --)- as long as you do your job I think the chatting can wait
[04:11] NL: right, i'll keep the first gate as my priority, then.
[04:11] NL: also, do you think there is a way we can help riziee?
[04:11] NL: agriel was her server, apparently.
[04:12] NL: she has zero progress in building her home and making items as a result.
[04:13] DT: --)- oh
[04:13] DT: --)- fuck
[04:14] DT: --)- ah no wonder she has no grist at all
[04:14] NL: she has a little bit, from the monsters that attack her home.
[04:14] DT: --)- he can' even help her kill the imps
[04:14] NL: so she told me.
[04:14] NL: i'll gladly share my grists with her, if there is a way.
[04:14] NL: i have a nearly endless stream of those here, after all.
[04:15] DT: --)- there might be a way
[04:15] NL: can't even really get a toilet break without having to threaten the smaller ones at bay.
[04:15] DT: --)- I don' know for sure yet
[04:15] DT: --)- but for now, yeah
[04:15] DT: --)- I told her to hide from anything that she thinks is too much for her to handle
[04:16] DT: --)- but that can' keep going on forever
[04:16] DT: --)- hopefully if the gate goes to someone else's land, they can go save her ass
[04:17] NL: that would be good.
[04:17] NL: i have a feeling monsters will get stronger as we progress, like in real videogames.
[04:17] NL: and considering the strength of one ogre, i suppose we will need to team up with other players as more monsters show up.
[04:18] NL: even i, myself, am not certain i can survive if there are... say, three ogres.
[04:18] NL: i hope i didn't jinx anything.
[04:18] DT: --)- bang on some wood
[04:19] DT: --)- or your bamboo pole
[04:19] NL: ahaha, my staff.
[04:19] NL: how convenient.
[04:21] DT: --)- but yeah I don' know
[04:21] NL: about?
[04:21] DT: --)- maybe if she didn' put put a fucking umbrella in her strife deck she wouldn' be in so much trouble
[04:22] NL: what's wrong with umbrellas?
[04:23] DT: --)- as weapons
[04:23] DT: --)- everything, probably
[04:23] DT: --)- they'd break faster than your wooden pole to begin with
[04:23] NL: unless, she merged it with iron.
[04:23] NL: or heck, what if she merged it with a sword?
[04:27] NL: oh, speaking of iron.
[04:28] NL: would you happen to have sturdy, non-rusty metal at your disposal that i could perhaps have the code of?
[04:28] NL: for some reason metal rusts really easily on my land.
[04:28] NL: it's too humid.
[04:28] DT: --)- metal
[04:29] DT: --)- might have some scrap lying around
[04:29] DT: --)- give me a second
[04:29] DT: --)- as long as I'm already pulling all my shit out, why not
[04:29] DT: --)- it's just the one stop glacis shop over here
[04:31] NL: you are a very helpful fellow, aren't you?
[04:31] NL: it would appear many people already rely on you!
[04:31] NL: how admirable.
[04:31] NL: please don't hesitate if you need a code for anything i might have.
[04:32] DT: --)- if I'm 'helpful', it's only because I know that the people I'm giving these codes too won' waste them on fucking stupid shit
[04:33] NL: helpful as well as a good judge of character, you really do seem very dependable.
[04:33] NL: i already feel somewhat more encouraged knowing we have a capable chap like yourself with us.
[04:35] DT: --)- what are you, some kind of spin doctor
[04:35] DT: --)- well, whatever
[04:35] DT: --)- I have a few pieces of metal
[04:36] DT: --)- they're not very big and I have no fucking idea how much use they'll be without the punch designix
[04:36] DT: --)- but here
[04:36] NL: what is a spin doctor?
[04:36] DT: --)- re!Y0gHJ
[04:36] DT: --)- is the code
[04:36] NL: thank you!
[04:37] NL: i shall ask riziee to kindly deply the punch designix as soon as i can get a hold of her.
[04:37] NL: i hope she is faring well against her enemies.
[04:38] NL: i wonder if i can talk to 'agriel' and ask him to deply the machine for riziee as well.
[04:39] DT: --)- that might work
[04:39] DT: --)- but then again
[04:39] DT: --)- it might not
[04:40] DT: --)- I'm pretty sure he's got his own agenda as far as the gran scheme of thing goes, but for now at least he seems to want to stop people from dying
[04:40] DT: --)- so, you know
[04:40] DT: --)- helping the rustblood would be in his best interest
[04:40] NL: it would be worth a shot, i guess.
[04:41] NL: riziee seems too frightened of the demon to really talk to him about it, i think.
[04:41] NL: are trolls afraid of demons?
[04:41] NL: i never knew they were even an actual thing in other cultures.
[04:41] NL: after all, there was the saying that demons are brought upon us by the fear in our hearts.
[04:45] DT: --)- I don' believe in demons
[04:45] DT: --)- or didn'
[04:45] DT: --)- don'
[04:45] DT: --)- I don' really know
[04:45] DT: --)- at the very least I don' think he's any species I know of
[04:45] DT: --)- but I'm not frightened of him
[04:46] DT: --)- I'm cautious, but not frightened
[04:46] NL: i don't think i'm particularly afraid either, considering i can't see it?
[04:46] NL: it might be a different story once i can.
[04:46] NL: that's how demons work, right?
[04:50] DT: --)- are you kidding
[04:50] DT: --)- things that you can see are ten times better than things that you can'
[04:51] DT: --)- at least you can try to fight them
[04:51] NL: i suppose the imagination does do it's worst at times.
[04:51] NL: hmm, i think i'll go have a talk with riziee and the demon possessed agriel after this.
[04:52] NL: i spy more monsters coming closer.
[04:52] NL: i suppose i need to 'wallop' them now.
[04:52] DT: --)- wallop
[04:52] DT: --)- uh
[04:52] DT: --)- but anyway yeah
[04:52] DT: --)- you go do your thing kid
[04:53] DT: --)- get the punch designix working asap
[04:53] NL: i was under the impression that was the more interesting word for attacking them.
[04:53] NL: i really am not used to talking to so many people like this.
[04:53] NL: i apologize if i made you uncomfortable with my word choices.
[04:53] DT: --)- you and half of the other players
[04:53] NL: the grand design sure has a way to go about things.
[04:54] DT: --)- so don' sweat it
[04:54] DT: --)- and yeah
[04:54] NL: thank you for your metal code.
[04:54] NL: i'll end this conversation as such.
[04:54] DT: --)- later
[04:54] NL: until then.
-- dauntlessTracker [DT] ceased pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 16:54 --
Oh, those things are called ogres? Thanks, parchmentsprite, that was very useful information. You would be a lot more useful too if you'd just join the fight!
Not that it's absolutely necessary. You're not actually sure how much PAPER can hold itself in a strife, and you'd hate to lose your guide so early on.
For now, you will just make sure this huge ass thing doesn't destroy the wall-ladder your server is building for you.
Take that, you weird ass suit-wearing thing! Whatever you are!
You're not so tough when your skull helm is crushed now, is it?
You didn't actually yell any of those things out during strife, really. They were more or less there for dramatic narrative purposes. You fight in silence, swift as a typhoon and tranquil as a forest... or something along those lines. You think you heard that in a song somewhere before.
Hi guys! > u o So, with almost everyone within the medium and characters starting to explore what they have to work with, I figure now would be a good time to explain a few things regarding dreamers. You see, GC does Prospit and Derse a little differently… and it would be best if we’re all on the same page with that, right?
My, my. You're suddenly very in-demand all of a sudden. You're not sure what the occasion is, but if Andi's conversation was a good indicator, it seems like players are all entering the Medium safely. And it also seems that they want to make sure they are in capable hands.
==> Lars: Answer bombasticBrave
You start talking to 'Hank', but your message was interrupted by another short lag of your computer. It's an old thing, and it crashes occasionally. For just forum chats and youtube videos, it used to do the job quite well. But for bring toted around while fighting monsters and burying dead bodies, not so much.
By the time you restarted pesterchum, you had mysteriously lost the initial greeting with bombasticBrave, and also, someone else that's much more displeased seems to be pestering you.
Oh yes, he looks very angry indeed.
==> Lars: Answer vehementPundit.
You answer both pesters at the same time.
You are a great multitasker.
[10:26] VP: ____[] You.
[10:26] VP: ____[] Did you.
[10:26] VP: ____[] Meddle.
[10:26] VP: ____[] WiTh.
[10:26] VP: ____[] My.
[10:26] VP: ____[] Hive.
[10:26] NL: oh, i was about to contact you concerning that.
[10:26] NL: i was distracted, my apologies.
[10:27] NL: i trust you're well?
[10:27] NL: you look well.
[10:27] NL: if, very upset.
[10:27] VP: ____[] Yes I am WELL.
[10:27] NL: that's excellent!
[10:27] VP: ____[] BuT my HIVE ISN'T!
[10:27] NL: i was worried you had encountered trouble when i was passed out.
[10:27] NL: oh.
[10:27] NL: um, about that.
[10:27] NL: i was trying something out, a theory, you could say.
[10:27] VP: ____[] A Theory.
[10:27] NL: i seem to have discovered the next step.
[10:27] VP: ____[] A fucking Theory.
[10:27] NL: in the game, i mean.
[10:27] NL: using your house.
[10:28] VP: ____[] Hive.
[10:28] NL: it was awfully rude of me, my apologies.
[10:28] NL: hive?
[10:28] NL: you have hives?
[10:28] NL: are you alright?
[10:28] NL: do you need medicine?
[10:28] VP: ____[] I assume They're The same Thing as your god damn human "houses".
[10:28] VP: ____[] My home is my hive.
[10:28] VP: ____[] This place.
[10:28] VP: ____[] My hive.
[10:28] NL: ahh. understood.
[10:28] VP: ____[] Hive.
[10:28] NL: thank you for the clarification.
[10:29] NL: either way i best delete this wall first...
[10:29] NL: oh.
[10:29] NL: um.
[10:29] NL: that wasn't supposed to happen.
[10:29] NL: please wait.
[10:29] VP: ____[] Look.
[10:29] VP: ____[] JusT.
[10:29] VP: ____[] STOP FUCKING MEDDLING.
[10:29] VP: ____[] I'LL JUST DESTROY THIS MYSELF.
[10:29] VP: ____[] There..
[10:29] NL: oh.
[10:29] VP: ____[] ThaT HOLE will have To suffice for now.
[10:30] NL: you shouldn't have done that.
[10:30] VP: ____[] Before you fucking wreck my hive even more.
[10:30] NL: you wasted grists.
[10:30] VP: ____[] How did I wasTe grisTs.
[10:30] NL: if i had deleted properly it would have recollected the points, apparently.
[10:30] NL: but now it's just rubble.
[10:30] VP: ____[] WhaT The hell are grisTs anyway.
[10:30] VP: ____[] Can'T you sTill deleTe The remains.
[10:30] NL: the shiny gems monsters spill when they are defeated.
[10:30] NL: and um, no.
[10:30] VP: ____[] Come on I jusT made a hole.
[10:30] NL: i suppose the mouse doesn't recognize it as the same wall anymore.
[10:31] VP: ____[] Ugh.
[10:31] VP: ____[] BuT anyway.
[10:31] VP: ____[] So Those biTs are grisT huh.
[10:31] VP: ____[] I goT plenTee already so iT should be fine.
[10:31] NL: you have... a few thousand.
[10:31] NL: enough to build maybe three floors?
[10:31] VP: ____[] So you can basically exTend my hive.
[10:31] VP: ____[] InTeresTing.
[10:31] VP: ____[] Can you converT sTuff I already have inTo grisT?
[10:32] NL: anyways, point in case is that it appears we have to get everyone to built their client's homes up to the first cave.
[10:32] NL: and let's see.
[10:32] NL: i don't see the option.
[10:32] NL: but all these english words are confusing me.
[10:32] VP: ____[] Because if you can you can jusT Take Those corpses in The dungeon.
[10:32] VP: ____[] Aw.
[10:32] VP: ____[] Oh waiT I don'T have a dungeon anymore do I.
[10:32] NL: you do not.
[10:32] VP: ____[] Aww.
[10:33] NL: are you alright with stairs?
[10:33] VP: ____[] They're fine.
[10:33] NL: how good is your balance?
[10:33] NL: here.
[10:33] VP: ____[] I've done plenTee of Training so I'll be fine.
[10:33] NL: these narrow stairs, how confident are you to stay on them when you're all the way up in the air and towards the first portal above you.
[10:33] VP: ____[] ...
[10:33] VP: ____[] I'll figure ouT a way.
[10:34] NL: i should add some railings then.
[10:34] NL: it'll be more costly.
[10:34] NL: you better go fight more monsters.
[10:34] NL: i'll build this up for you, just as my server is doing for me.
[10:34] VP: ____[] Mhm yeah Thanks.
[10:34] VP: ____[] Don'T.
[10:34] VP: ____[] Wreck.
[10:34] VP: ____[] My.
[10:34] VP: ____[] Hive.
[10:34] VP: ____[] ANY MORE.
[10:34] VP: ____[] Oh by The way.
[10:35] VP: ____[] WhaT's your name and are you male or female.
[10:35] NL: my name is lars, and i am male.
[10:35] NL: and i can't help it, i needed to break the ceiling to extend upwards.
[10:36] NL: should i add poles so you can just slide down if needed?
[10:36] NL: it would be awful if you fell off.
[10:36] VP: ____[] Okay.
[10:36] VP: ____[] WhaTever you Think is besT.
[10:36] VP: ____[] I have To fucking TrusT you on This one.
[10:36] VP: ____[] I'm Seimos by The way.
[10:37] NL: pleasure to meet you, seimos.
[10:37] NL: i forgot to extend my thanks to you earlier.
[10:37] NL: it was thanks to your dutiful explanation that i was able to instruct my server into helping me into the medium.
[10:38] NL: you didn't miss a single step despite the panic and my incompetence, i'm grateful for that.
[10:39] VP: ____[] Hahaha.
[10:39] VP: ____[] You seem like a genuine guy.
[10:39] VP: ____[] You're welcome.
[10:39] NL: i do have an inquiry, i was hoping your bank of knowledge would be able to help.
[10:39] NL: as it seems like you know a lot about the game mechanics.
[10:39] VP: ____[] WhaT.
[10:39] NL: is there a way for us to send items to other players?
[10:40] NL: games usually have a trade option, correct?
[10:40] VP: ____[] Send iTems To oTher players.
[10:40] VP: ____[] I don'T acTually know.
[10:40] VP: ____[] I don'T know a loT abouT game mechanics To be honesT.
[10:40] VP: ____[] IT's mosTly inferred from scripTure.
[10:40] NL: oh, i as well!
[10:41] VP: ____[] Though I was discussing wiTh The greenblood.
[10:41] VP: ____[] Uh.
[10:41] VP: ____[] Agriel.
[10:41] VP: ____[] We Think There's a way... To Travel from planeT To planeT.
[10:41] VP: ____[] Seeing as we all are on separaTe planeTs.
[10:41] NL: yeah, that's what i'm doing right now.
[10:41] NL: getting you to the gate.
[10:41] VP: ____[] Which brings me where.
[10:41] NL: i have launched a potato at it earlier and it disappeared.
[10:41] VP: ____[] ...
[10:41] VP: ____[] A poTaTo.
[10:41] NL: there was an excess.
[10:42] NL: i wasn't going to launch a rock!
[10:42] VP: ____[] Where The fuck did you geT The poTaTo from.
[10:42] NL: the temple kitchen.
[10:42] NL: i was salvaging food from the monsters.
[10:42] VP: ____[] Oh.
[10:42] VP: ____[] You mean.
[10:42] NL: in case we'll need the rations i nthe future.
[10:42] VP: ____[] You Threw a poTaTo aT YOUR gaTe.
[10:42] NL: it seems like we'll be here for a while.
[10:42] VP: ____[] Oh, okay.
[10:42] NL: yes.
[10:42] NL: oh, was there a miscommunication?
[10:42] NL: my apologies.
[10:42] VP: ____[] I was wondering where The fuck I had a poTaTo in my hive.
[10:42] NL: so trolls have potatoes as well?
[10:42] NL: fascinating.
[10:42] VP: ____[] Yes.
[10:43] VP: ____[] Well.
[10:43] VP: ____[] SomeThing similar I Think?
[10:43] VP: ____[] In any case.
[10:43] VP: ____[] We've goT an issue... wiTh Agriel.
[10:43] VP: ____[] We'll seTTle iT in a memo soon enough.
[10:44] NL: wait, is that riziee's server player?
[10:44] VP: ____[] I Think so?
[10:44] VP: ____[] I don'T know.
[10:44] VP: ____[] Riziee's ThaT umbrella girl righT.
[10:44] NL: the one with the [ o ], i believe.
[10:44] NL: i'm not sure about an umbrella.
[10:45] VP: ____[] Yeah.
[10:45] VP: ____[] ThaT one.
[10:45] NL: i actually don't know why all trolls seem to start their sentences with something.
[10:45] VP: ____[] She uses a fucking umbrella To fighT.
[10:45] VP: ____[] Oh.
[10:45] NL: what is a _____[]?
[10:45] VP: ____[] IT's parT of our quirk.
[10:45] VP: ____[] A golf club.
[10:45] NL: quirk?
[10:45] NL: um, i'm afraid i'm not familiar with the word.
[10:45] VP: ____[] Yes.
[10:45] VP: ____[] Kind of like...
[10:46] VP: ____[] Teeping habiTs for you humans.
[10:46] VP: ____[] T yping.
[10:46] VP: ____[] Sorry.
[10:46] NL: i see. that's interesting.
[10:47] NL: is there a cultural reason for that?
[10:47] NL: perhaps to add personality to your texts?
[10:47] VP: ____[] Uh.
[10:48] NL: to be fair, it's quite charming to have a golf club in front of your texts.
[10:48] NL: it's almost as though you're putting your sentences out.
[10:48] NL: how endearing.
[10:48] VP: ____[] IT's kind of like...
[10:48] VP: ____[] ParT of your idenTiTee.
[10:48] VP: ____[] And Thank you.
[10:48] VP: ____[] I know The golf club's nice.
[10:49] NL: aha.
[10:49] VP: ____[] So yeah.
[10:49] VP: ____[] If you don'T have a quirk on AlTernia you're fucking weird.
[10:49] VP: ____[] Looks like you humans don'T have any Though.
[10:49] NL: there isn't a need to, we mostly use icons to identify ourselves on forums.
[10:50] NL: actually, to humans, most quirks are quite hard to read.
[10:50] NL: nothing that can't be adjusted to, of course.
[10:50] NL: just peculiar.
[10:50] VP: ____[] Ah.
[10:50] VP: ____[] Well To us...
[10:50] VP: ____[] Your TexT is a liTTle peculiar.
[10:50] VP: ____[] For example There's no such Thing as pink blood.
[10:50] NL: pink blood?
[10:51] VP: ____[] I heard all you humans have red blood Though?
[10:51] NL: yes, that is true.
[10:51] NL: my land is covered in blood, in fact.
[10:51] NL: it's really, really unnerving.
[10:51] VP: ____[] Red blood?
[10:51] NL: yes.
[10:52] NL: do trolls have red blood?
[10:52] NL: actually, does this mean your text color is also your blood color?
[10:53] VP: ____[] Yes.
[10:53] VP: ____[] We have someThing called The hemospecTrum.
[10:53] VP: ____[] Gods I can'T believe I have To explain This fucking AGAIN.
[10:53] VP: ____[] I jusT explained iT To anoTher human.
[10:54] NL: if it's too much trouble for you it's alright, i can ask another troll.
[10:54] NL: i imagine it must be tedious to have to repeat something over and over again.
[10:54] NL: kind of like what i did with the gate, i suppose.
[10:54] NL: and also derse, but i don't think i've mentioned that to you yet.
[10:54] VP: ____[] Derse.
[10:54] VP: ____[] WhaT's ThaT.
[10:55] VP: ____[] If you explain Derse To me I can explain The hemospecTrum To you.
[10:55] NL: that's a fair deal.
[10:55] NL: i suppose since i'm here now, you can go take a nap if you so desire.
[10:55] NL: apparently in this game, when you sleep, you wake up on a dream moon.
[10:55] VP: ____[] ... Hm.
[10:55] NL: according to the dersites i have conversed with, there is derse and prospit.
[10:56] NL: basically your bodies there... well.
[10:56] NL: i can only describe it as a sort of phsycial astral projection.
[10:56] NL: you can fly, an somewhat change your body with your mind.
[10:56] VP: ____[] InTeresTing.
[10:56] NL: i grew very strong arms there.
[10:56] VP: ____[] ... Grew very sTrong arms.
[10:56] NL: it was only temporary, however.
[10:56] NL: and i flew!
[10:56] VP: ____[] How do you.
[10:56] NL: that was quite an experience.
[10:56] VP: ____[] Grow arms.
[10:56] NL: i was pushing a heavy door, which turned out to be a fake door bolted to a wall.
[10:57] NL: but i was mostly concentrating on being stronger, i suppose.
[10:57] NL: and then suddenly, i had strong arms.
[10:57] VP: ____[] ThaT's...
[10:57] NL: and i sort of, maybe, pushed the wall in a little.
[10:57] VP: ____[] Well, whaT The fuck.
[10:57] VP: ____[] BuT okay.
[10:57] NL: though it appears that while i was unconscious, riziee was protecting me through her server window.
[10:58] VP: ____[] Oh so ThaT liTTle shiT acTually did someThing!
[10:58] VP: ____[] Hahaha!
[10:58] VP: ____[] Good for you.
[10:58] NL: 'little shit'?
[10:58] VP: ____[] She's a rusTblood.
[10:58] NL: so?
[10:58] VP: ____[] HemospecTrum.
[10:58] NL: i don't see how that would subject someone to such an insult.
[10:58] VP: ____[] Which I can explain now if you're done abouT Derse.
[10:59] NL: unless that's a troll compliment...
[10:59] VP: ____[] Oh yeah iT's a complimenT for sure.
[10:59] VP: ____[] For someone of her sTaTus
[10:59] VP: ____[] .
[10:59] NL: oh, not quite done yet, but i'm going to post my findings on a server after i dealt with the dead.
[10:59] NL: for now i'll just suggest you try to sleep and see which dream moon you end up on.
[10:59] NL: and perhaps learn some more from the citizens.
[10:59] NL: they were very informative.
[11:01] VP: ____[] AlrighT.
[11:01] VP: ____[] I'll sleep righT here.
[11:01] VP: ____[] My spriTe's around, righT.
[11:01] VP: ____[] AlbaspriTe.
[11:02] NL: that's... yeah.
[11:02] NL: i saw that.
[11:02] NL: on the moon there are spires.
[11:02] NL: it seems like whatever we prototyped ended up there, and changed the properties of the 'queen' and 'king' of the kingdoms.
[11:02] NL: you'll understand more when you're there.
[11:02] NL: if you're on derse do say hi to my sleeping body!
[11:02] NL: oh, wait, that sounded odd.
[11:03] VP: ____[] Will do.
[11:03] VP: ____[] Hahaha...
[11:03] VP: ____[] Don'T worry abouT iT. :-)
[11:03] NL: i'll just build this little rock shield around you now. it should survive you while i keep building up.
[11:03] VP: ____[] My spriTe should help anyway.
[11:04] VP: ____[] I'll be heading To sleep, so nighT nighT!
[11:04] VP: ____[] Don'T fuck up.
[11:04] VP: ____[] Oh righT.
[11:04] VP: ____[] The hemospecTrum.
[11:04] VP: ____[] Ah I'll jusT save ThaT for laTer.
[11:04] VP: ____[] BuT yeah The "liTTle shiT" Thing is a complimenT.
You don't have to be told to do that. You're already looking up and hooooooly fuck. That's a huge monster. That's got to be at least the size of a small hill. How the heck are you supposed to fight that? Wait--
Shit, the tower thing. The wall tower thing Riziee is building. You can't let that be destroyed.
==> Lars: Defeat the ogre.
Like hell you'll let that thing trample on the freshly made graves of your temple.
The first wave of enemy monsters have only just died down, and someone's already pestering you. My, you sure hope it's not an emergency.
Gathering your spoils quickly, you spend the next minute poking at your Ripple modus until it churned out your laptop.
You don't remember talking to this person before, but you guess there's no better time to start than now.
[03:53] -- incisiveMiscreant [IM] began pestering nelumboLoom [NL] at 15:53 --
[03:54] IM: I suppose now that I have been hooked into this, er, game, I should make an effort to contact my "teammates".
[03:54] IM: I have had poor luck thus far though, damnit.
[03:54] IM: Hello.
[03:55] NL: oh, hello there. it's good to hear you have made it safely.
[03:55] NL: it would appear that the chumhandles come online on the roll as the players arrive here.
[03:55] NL: 'here', as in the medium, i suppose.
[03:55] NL: my name is lars, may i have yours?
[03:56] IM: Oh, so this place is referred to as the medium?
[03:56] IM: And yes, my name is Andi.
[03:56] NL: apparently so. at least, that's what my sprite has told me thus far.
[03:56] NL: it hasn't been very helpful, and insisted that i proceed with a second-prototpying as soon as possible.
[03:56] NL: have you been experiencing similar issues?
[03:57] IM: I've only just entered, and my issues are more with the compromised sanity of another teammate who appears to be suffering from Dissociate Identity Disorder.
[03:58] IM: My sprite is, uh, kind of happy.
[03:58] NL: pardon?
[03:58] NL: who would that be, if you don't mind me asking?
[03:59] IM: Er, their handle was occultPrisoner.
[03:59] NL: i have yet to talk with them, unfortunately.
[03:59] NL: do they seem... dangerous?
[03:59] NL: not to ignore the topic concerning sprites, but it seemed far more troublesome if a fellow player has some sort of... sanity problems.
[04:01] IM: Not very. Apparently he will visit me in my dreams to kill me.
[04:01] NL: funny you spoke of dreams, have you tried sleeping yet?
[04:02] NL: it's mildly embarrassing to admit, but my... planet? my current location isn't very, suitable, for human comfort.
[04:02] NL: so i may have passed out earlier.
[04:02] NL: it appears that when players sleep, we would arrive to something called a moon.
[04:02] IM: I don't follow.
[04:02] NL: i was scouting around on derse, apparently my moon.
[04:03] NL: just try to sleep, you will wake up in either the 'city of darkness' or the 'city of light'.
[04:03] NL: it must be a game feature.
[04:03] NL: no rest for the damned, i believe that's the saying?
[04:04] IM: That does not seem possible, although since I am now sitting on my porch overlooking a land of snow and tall metal...uh, towers, the impossible I suppose is possible.
[04:04] NL: though i would suggest that you don't try sleeping until you're safe, or when you're sure your server is protecting you.
[04:04] IM: Safe from what?
[04:04] NL: the black things.
[04:04] NL: have you not seen any?
[04:05] NL: they are something like a game monster, i assumed.
[04:05] NL: apparently my server had protected me in my sleep, if the scatter of... bits of gems on the ground around me is of any indication.
[04:05] NL: i don't really know what they are, they just kind of disappear when i touch them.
[04:05] IM: I've seen this weird black slime, is that what you're talking about?
[04:05] NL: slime?
[04:06] NL: no, no, they are these filmsy little creatures in black.
[04:06] NL: perhaps you can see them on your client's window?
[04:06] NL: they were very keen on invading the temple.
[04:07] NL: there are bigger ones ahead of the mountains, but i deemed it unwise to rouse their aggression when i'm not quite prepared.
[04:08] IM: I see, I suppose that would be a logical choice. So how is the server supposed to protect the client?
[04:09] NL: i don't know, really. i wasn't awake to witness it.
[04:09] NL: but if these rubbles mean anything, i think my server must've been chucking rocks at the black things.
[04:09] IM: How very useful.
[04:10] NL: indeed, i owe her my life, possibly.
[04:10] NL: i must keep in mind to thank her later.
[04:10] IM: So then, do you know the next phase of this game?
[04:10] NL: yes, i believe so.
[04:11] NL: my sprite has been motioning towards the circular shape above the temple for some time now.
[04:12] NL: i have launched a potato at it earlier, it seems to be some sort of a hole.
[04:12] NL: a, uh. portal?
[04:12] NL: is that the right word?
[04:12] NL: i do not know where it went, however.
[04:12] IM: I assume so?
[04:12] IM: This sounds as if it will be irritatingly complicated.
[04:13] NL: i believe that's where the server-client relationship comes into play.
[04:13] NL: it seemed like a big part of the game, after all.
[04:13] IM: Oh, great...
[04:13] NL: there was an option to expand my player's home on the client window, perhaps i was to build, upwards.
[04:13] NL: what do you think?
[04:14] IM: Er, sounds probable.
[04:14] NL: though there is one thing i am rather confused about.
[04:15] NL: in a corner of the client window there is a sort of counter for 'grist'.
[04:15] NL: is that an english word?
[04:15] NL: or perhaps another language?
[04:16] IM: In English it is another, very uncommon, word for grain.
[04:16] NL: grain...
[04:16] IM: That does not seem to apply to this situation though.
[04:16] NL: that's true.
[04:16] IM: Do you speak a language other than English?
[04:16] NL: it appears to be more or less some sort of three-dimensional hexagonal shape instead.
[04:16] NL: and um, yes.
[04:16] NL: my native language is chinese.
[04:17] NL: i was simply taught english at the temple to keep up with the happenings of the world.
[04:17] IM: Oh, I see. I had thought, perhaps, you would be another troll.
[04:18] NL: ahaha, i am sorry to disappoint.
[04:18] NL: i am very much human.
[04:18] IM: I don't see why being human would be disappointing.
[04:18] IM: I'm human, too.
[04:18] NL: i can tell!
[04:19] NL: you do not type in a particularly strange fashion.
[04:19] NL: that seems to be a common cultural point for trolls.
[04:19] IM: Yes, they type strangely. It's very irritating.
[04:19] NL: then again, i've only spoken to two thus far.
[04:19] IM: Which have you spoken with?
[04:19] NL: vehementpundit and volatiledemeanor.
[04:19] NL: wonderful people, really.
[04:20] NL: i wouldn't have made it if not for their cooperation and instructions.
[04:20] IM: Oh, I haven't spoken with either of them yet.
[04:20] NL: perhaps soon, then. when you are free next.
[04:21] NL: and do pardon me, the next wave has just arrive, i must do battle.
So you did. Home sweet home, but not really. You still can't stand the overwhelmingly pungent scent of iron and blood on your 'land', if this is indeed your 'land' as per recorded in the scripture. You realized you should write it all down later, and you turn to your sprite wearily.
It's telling you that you're in the 'medium', and that you really need to give it a second prototype if you want it to be useful in battle.
Battle, what battle?
Your sprite motioned to the insane amount of tiny rubbles and shiny gems around you. You are bemused.
Maybe your server would know what happened.
==> Lars: Pester volatileDemeanor.
[09:09] -- nelumboLoom [NL] began pestering volatileDemeanor [VD] at 21:09 --
[09:09] NL: hello.
[09:09] NL: you have made it into the medium safely, i would assume?
[09:10] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes hello Lars! i-i was almost afraid you had been killed but i kept hope that you were just asleep and i'm glad you're alright
[09:11] NL: yes, i am quite alright.
[09:11] NL: thank you for your concern.
[09:11] NL: i must've blacked out a little.
[09:11] NL: i'm unsure you can smell it, but it seems like my 'land' is basically covered in blood?
[09:11] NL: it's actually, extremely unnerving.
[09:12] NL: i can't tell if it's the blood of my fellow brothers and monks or if it's just... the game messing with me again.
[09:12] NL: are you able to zoom out?
[09:12] VD: [ o ] n-no i can't smell it but that sounds really terrible i feel bad about complaining about where i ended up
[09:12] VD: [ o ] o-oh um yes let me try that one moment
[09:12] NL: where did you end up?
[09:13] NL: and why on earth are there rubbles everywhere... and these shiny things, what are they?
[09:13] NL: oh, it disappeared.
[09:13] NL: huh.
[09:13] NL: i guess i'll just keep touching them until they're all gone.
[09:15] VD: [ o ] o-oh it's not so bad i guess it's just dark and hard and a little uncomfortable but um the place you ended up looks a lot worse especially if it smells like blood i'm sorry
[09:16] VD: [ o ] t-though actually i'm not too sure about the shiny objects they just appeared after i slayed a few black creatures that were lurking near you while you slepd
[09:16] VD: [ o ] *slept i apologize
[09:17] NL: an uncomfortable land, huh? it would appear we have that much in common, at the least.
[09:17] NL: and what black creatures?
[09:17] NL: oh.
[09:17] NL: oh!
[09:17] NL: those?
[09:17] NL: oh dear, they hardly look friendly.
[09:20] VD: [ o ] y-yes, and it seems like they're everywhere i-i've seen a couple in my own hive too i don't know what they are but killing them makes those items appear
[09:21] NL: i supposed they would be the typical game monsters, then.
[09:21] NL: if this 'game' does follow the logic of games.
[09:21] NL: which it really seems to, by the way.
[09:21] NL: i supposed since you're been such a wonderful server and protecting me in my sleep, you never got a chance to rest and see for yourself.
[09:21] NL: but if you go to bed, you'll wake up on a dream moon.
[09:22] NL: i have gathered a bit of information there while i was safely asleep, much thanks to you, and i believe it would be wise if i wrote the information down somewhere.
[09:22] VD: [ o ] a-a dream moon? r-really? t-that sounds amazing! w-what was it like if you don't mind my asking?
[09:22] NL: it seems like our prototypings gave the 'queen' and 'king' of the dream moons powers.
[09:22] NL: i never saw them, though.
[09:23] NL: i was speaking to the dersites, the citizens of the 'city of darkness'.
[09:23] NL: quite friendly little folks.
[09:23] NL: oh, and you can fly in your dream, it seems.
[09:23] VD: [ o ] w-well at least that means there's something in this game that is friendly
[09:23] NL: actually, i was under the impression you can do anything you want in there.
[09:23] NL: i grew ridiculously muscular arms when i was trying to push a fake door open.
[09:24] NL: it was amazing!
[09:24] NL: hup, another one of those little black things.
[09:24] NL: they are rather weak.
[09:24] NL: fortunately, i suppose.
[09:24] VD: [ o ] o-oh wow flying? a-and muscles? w-wow, this place sounds so amazing!
[09:24] NL: it is!
[09:25] NL: you should contact your server and see if you can rest for a while.
[09:25] VD: [ o ] i-i would go to sleep but i don't know when it'd be safe for me to sleep exactly because um
[09:25] VD: [ o ] c-contacting my server is a problem i'm afraid
[09:25] NL: why is that?
[09:26] VD: [ o ] w-well according to his possessed corpse he died trying to enter the game and i know it's all my fault he's gone i took too long and it must have affected his countdown
[09:26] NL: his what?!
[09:27] NL: pardon me for saying this, but you're making it sound like...
[09:27] NL: is it a zombie?
[09:27] NL: a jiang zhi?
[09:27] VD: [ o ] u-um well he told me he had some kind of spectre in his body and i guess now that he's dead the creature is able to control him
[09:27] NL: that's.
[09:27] NL: well, i would doubt the legitimacy of the information but considering where we are...
[09:27] NL: oh dear, you must be terribly afraid then.
[09:27] VD: [ o ] i-it's very unnerving to speak to him
[09:28] NL: that's alright, perhaps there's a way we can meet?
[09:28] VD: [ o ] a-and i don't think this demon will watch my back while i sleep so i'll just have to power through as long as i can
[09:28] VD: [ o ] o-oh you think there's a way?
[09:28] NL: i was under the impression we are supposed to work together anyways.
[09:28] NL: also, those things up there.
[09:28] NL: those, circle things.
[09:28] NL: there are quite a lot of them, i counted thirteen.
[09:29] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes i saw those it's one of the few things lighting up this place so they are hard to miss
[09:29] VD: [ o ] w-what do you think they are for?
[09:29] NL: i'm going to launch this potato at it.
[09:29] NL: can you use your server mouse to throw the potato at me, and i'll hit it with my staff?
[09:29] NL: here.
[09:30] VD: [ o ] s-sure i'll try to aim it well enough
[09:30] NL: you'll do fine.
[09:30] NL: hup!
[09:30] NL: ...
[09:30] NL: well.
[09:30] NL: it sure isn't coming back.
[09:30] NL: where ever it went.
[09:31] NL: i don't think i can hit the second one. it's taking all my strength to get to the first.
[09:31] NL: do you think they might be portals?
[09:31] VD: [ o ] i-i wonder i suppose they certainly look like they could be
[09:31] NL: wasn't it in the old scriptures that dictated that the players of the game were to 'build' to the heart of the universe?
[09:31] NL: hmm.
[09:31] NL: let me check...
[09:32] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes now that you mention it i think it might have been
[09:32] NL: aha, yes. it does seem like we have a building option in our server menus.
[09:32] NL: i hope my client won't mind me trying something out...
[09:32] VD: [ o ] s-so you think building to these portals will help us reach the heart of the universe?
[09:33] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes, i see the building option! i-i wasn't sure if you'd like me building anything so i've left it alone for now
[09:33] NL: well, it'll help us get to the gate, won't it?
[09:34] NL: here, see this wall?
[09:35] VD: [ o ] i-it will and it looks like the things you've picked up will let me begin building so um where exactly should i start?
[09:35] NL: this wall with the stone ledge in the middle?
[09:35] NL: can you duplicate it on top of the wall?
[09:35] NL: like a two story wall?
[09:35] NL: the temple is basically ruined anyways.
[09:35] NL: i'm surprised the dormitory managed to stand... or my room managed to stand, anyways.
[09:36] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes, i see it! i-is that where i should start?
[09:37] NL: to be honest i only need one wall. something like a shrimp hair ladder will suffice.
[09:37] NL: i can just climb up.
[09:37] VD: [ o ] i-i
[09:37] NL: just stack the wall with the ledge on top of each other, if you'd please.
[09:37] NL: unless it won't work out?
[09:37] VD: [ o ] o-oops sorry about that i'll try to make one here for you let me know if it works though
[09:38] NL: understood.
[09:38] NL: let's try three for starters.
[09:38] NL: i just hope the wall won't collapse when it's too high.
[09:38] NL: that does seem to be a building flaw.
[09:38] NL: dang it, i'm not that good at this sort of things.
[09:38] NL: perhaps if i have a blueprint...
[09:39] VD: [ o ] i-i'm not very good at designing i'm afraid but um i'll try to give it a little support
[09:39] NL: thank you.
[09:39] NL: meanwhile i'll go beat up these troublesome creatures around the temple.
[09:39] NL: will you be alright on your own?
[09:40] VD: [ o ] o-oh yes i'll be fine i think don't worry about me if something goes wrong i will try to contact you
[09:40] NL: i never caught your name, i realized.
[09:40] NL: how horribly rude of me.
[09:41] VD: [ o ] o-oh no do not worry about it um my name is riziee though
[09:41] NL: it is a pleasure to work with you, riziee.
[09:41] NL: thank you for defending my person while i was on derse.
[09:41] NL: you have my utmost gratitude.
[09:41] VD: [ o ] o-oh it was no trouble really i'm just glad you were unharmed
You turn away from the wall being slowly stacked together in the side courtyard. The ledges are close together, and you are confident that you can scale it easily all the way up to the first portal-gate thing. Though where it would bring you, you have no idea.
For now, you have some black monster-critter butts to wallop.
Actually, you already did that. There really wasn't much there, minus the six towers that seems to house sleeping players. You figured these must be some sort of game bodies, considering how yours feel a little different from your normal one. Upon one account of trying to open a heavy door (only to later realize it was simply decorative, and what lies behind it was a mere wall), your arms changed into those worthy of the Hulk's.
You don't have to say how surprised you are.
==> Lars: Fondle the chain.
You are confused by the voiceless instruction, but are nevertheless overwhelmed with the urge to participate in scandalous activities with the same chain. It's thickness, it's texture, everything about it seemed so... alluring.
You resisted. Because that's stupid and you don't understand why you would want to touch the chain in the first place. What if you break it?
==> Lars: Follow the chain.
That, you can comply to.
You followed the long chain downwards, to the planet attached to the moon like thing your tower was on. There seemed to be creatures on this planet, and after a moment of wariness, you realized they are not hostile.
==> Lars: Converse with the Dersites.
You approached one of the little creatures and examined it. It appeared to be some sort of tiny man-like creature with smooth, shiny black shell for skin. It greeted you nervously, it's tiny feet pitter-pattering left and right as he addressed you as 'Prince of Derse'.
You asked him to elaborate, because you don't remember ever being crowned in any way.
Then, you realized what the term NPC might mean because there was no way what the little Dersites tell you next isn't scripted. At least, despite the rambling monologues, you still have a rather concrete idea about the relationship between Derse and Prospit. Though you're not really sure what to think about being on a different moon from the other six players, maybe that's irrelevant in the end? It didn't seem very irrelevant, as the Dersite also mentioned something about cross-void travel.
==> Lars: Continue asking more about the game.
You'll do that, seeing as you honestly have nothing else to do if you can't wake yourself up. Traveling along the city, you start to feel like you might seriously go color-blind if this keeps up. A man can only handle so much purple before his mind starts doing funny things. So you keep your eyes on the blue glimmer in the sky above you, Skaia, so you were told. That's where the old battlefield supposedly was, with the prophesying clouds and the 'Prospitians'.
One of the kindly -though still horribly timid- Dersites handed you their moon's tabloid.
You're... not sure what to think about the content.
You wonder if game 'NPCs' really have so much free time to write these kind of scandalous bullshit or if gaming has really advanced that much since the last time you played a Tales game on your fellow brother's gameboy.
You continued going further in the City of Darkness, trying to not feel so obligated to return the bows the passing Dersites are giving you. Maybe it's the sleeping clothes you're wearing, the- the moon pajamas seems to be the main thing that established you as a member of the royalty here, even if none of the carapaces have even seen your face before this point.
==> Lars: Graffiti around the city.
What? Why? Why on Earth would you do something so rude and disruptive? You have absolutely no interest of tarnishing the beautiful purple city that is Derse, much less any where else, for that matter.
Maybe you're just tired, that must be why you're having such silly thoughts in your head. You sure feel tired. If the game has a mechanism where you end up being awake on some other planet when you're 'asleep', then that would actually really suck. How are you supposed to rest your mind?
No rest for the damned, you supposed.
==> Lars: Check out the spires.
You already did that. In fact, the Dersites warned you against touching the spires. Apparently some sort of worshipped power is stored inside the orbs each time a prince or princess awakens, whatever that means. You have a fairly good idea, though, considering how you recognized the image of your client's 'lusus' thing briefly flickering in one of them, and your prototyped scroll in another.
According to the Dersites, the Queen and Kings will gain the power from the sacred spires. You have no idea what that meant, but apparently prototyping was kind of important.
==> Lars: Share your new found information with your new 'team'.
Good idea, voice. Finally something that sounded very productive and not at all strange. Sometimes you wonder if the voice is messing with you on purpose, or why there's even a voice in the first place. But you're also aware that there are walls you mustn't break.
So you carried on and hauled your flying dream self back to your tower.
==> Lars: Sleep.
That does seem to make sense. If you came to the moon when you're asleep, then surely sleeping here will bring you back?
You sat on your comfortable dream bed, and let your exhaustion take over.
