In the streets of Mothdale...
Hoping things won't go catastrophically wrong again, Sigmund tries to not move and relax a bit, failing badly at the latter.
~As I said, just dedicate special effort. I know that you already know all this, that's why I have been plainly talking to you and stating what I don't like, instead of just thinking about it, because that would be hypocritical and just useless, right? Anyway, I can wait, it's not like I will die of old age at some point.~
~we would not put such a silly death beyond your ilk!~
That's just uncalled for, really.
~As you are changing my body again, do you want me to leave this body in any particular place?~
~do not move, and all shall be well! or perhaps not! let's pull a little more strongly this time!~
[the gub's magic roll: 6+2]
And boy, do they make good on that - in fact, Sigmund can practically sense his slime body basically explode as his soul rockets out of it, landing in a nearby body oddly reminiscent of Kevin and Mark's bodies.
~a little too strong! but what can you do! go outside now! follow the trail of disgusting jellied viscera!~
Speaking of disgusting jellied viscera, Mark, Kevin and Art most definitely did not expect there to be so much of it flying at them suddenly!
[Mark's composure roll: 1]
Mark, by virtue of his 360 degree vision, sees the jelly guts coming quite well in advance! His reflexes kick in and he dives to the ground, feeling right clever and skillful up until the moment where his soul seems to come loose!
[Mark's will roll: 3]
He begins to twitch on the ground, missed by the disgusting jellied viscera similarly to Art, but very much unlike the most unfortunate Kevin, but nonetheless in great danger!
~oh, but you are so terribly fragile, aren't you? let's see if we can fix that! we are, as they say in your terrifyingly metaphorical language, on a roll!~
[the gub's magic roll: 5]
Mark feels unexpectedly glad at the gub's presence when his soul suddenly reaffixes itself to his body. With friends like these, how could he possibly ever feel like he is in true danger?
"So, where are we going?" Kevin, stoically bearing the fact he is covered in oddly steaming exploded cloud jelly. It kind of burns a little, he notices.
~you are questing outward! as per the artiste's direction, you will presumably find mages and bring them back here so that we may control their minds and enslave them in the service of the gub in order to use their power and to learn all their secrets! we are already dutifully copying erin's memories, but it would be wise to milk you awful people for all you are worth and possibly more!~
At the Red Tower of Power...
Niklas, falling back on his old tricks, decides to get down on his disemboweled stomach and flop about bloodily and noisily until somebody decides to either help him or put him out of his misery. And despite the fact that flopping around seems to be less effective than walking, which, unlike calling out, he can totally do, he does get somewhere! A hallway! Disappointingly, though he doesn't seem to be too good at eliciting the impulses of helpfulness from his fellow man and woman.
In fact, most of them seem to pay him no mind at all, while some others shake their heads and look fairly disappointed.
In the Temple of Automaton Worship...
Darren is as polite as he can be to the statue lady.
"Ah, yes, that sounds fascinating! Absolutely riveting! But, ah, would you mind me keeping one? I have a friend, huge fan of artifacts as well, and there's one that he's heard is in this area that he has had his eyes on for a while. Is there any way I could acquire one from you?"
"You surely can keep any you like, though I am not sure where you'd put them," the statue says, and Darren, along with his friend, who seems a little disappointed, get to searching. Darren's first impulse is to look inside the altar the automatons are worshiping, and surprise, there seems to be a frightening, glowing mask of some kind in there!
"Well, that sure didn't take long."
"I found one as well," Darren's friend says from not too far away.
"Ah. You certainly seem to be good at this looting business. So, you wanted to do something with artifacts?"
In Tailor Craig's improvised workshop...
Morton decides that he has remained silently resplendent for long enough, and speaks at last.
"No, I'm not quite what I would qualify as a 'third-chancer', thankfully, I must admit it doesn't quite roll off the tongue quite as nicely as 'second-chancer.' Good tailor Craig sent me through the portal once more, and most fabulous results have ensued, as you can see," he tells Scott, gesturing with two devilish arms, then turning to Tailor Craig.
"I've returned, good tailor Craig, and I must say it was quite the success. The Aspect of Appeal remembered me, and restored me to a more comfortable form after expressing what appeared to be intent on fixing my missing fabulousness. After the change was done, the Aspect charged me to impress others with my new appearance and sent me on my way."
Tailor Craig is a bit surprised at being addressed, but seems to take Morton's change rather well on the whole.
"Ah. So it tries to recreate the first transformation, then. Interesting. Seems to have variability, too."
"I thank you again for the trip through the portal, and I hope the information is most helpful to you, good tailor Craig. I don't wish to tarry any more on good group Gub's task however, it would be dreadfully unbecoming of me. We're to search for mages in the area from what I was told, and to bring them here. I'd appreciate assistance or perhaps advice for the task, good tailor Craig, you've been wonderful help already. My guess would've been to follow a road until I reach another town, and to explain the offer over some tea perhaps."
"That's certainly an interesting task. And this city is woefully lacking in interesting opportunities. And I find your method rather pleasant and workable. I know I certainly could not say no to a wonderful bit of tea. How about I follow along and help?" Tailor Craig asks.
~On that note, would you perhaps wish me to attempt to gather other such locals who may be helpful in the building of a town? Craftsmen, perhaps?~ Morton quickly asks the gub before answering.
~if it is possible, we would not be opposed to craftsmen arriving in town! but it is not a real necessity if you bring mages!~
Scott, meanwhile, has questions of his own to ask the gub.
~As you have grown in power, is it not more efficient to create artificial workforces, if not try 'transporting' workers from other lands? Heck, why not go legitimate and try to negotiate labor from heads of state as an equal power?~
~we do not need a workforce! magic is far more valuable! and we cannot reach very far beyond the city limits!~