Well, it's right here. Could just take a peek?
Sure, kick it in. Give the resulting tunnel a good visual inspection. Don't go out of sight of the entrance for the first peek.
[Tear Down This Wall: 4]
It takes a little bit to figure out how exactly you could kick in the wall of an alcove that barely fits you, but you manage to work out a convenient solution - you'll hold on to the edges, start kicking and not stop until the stone wall gives before the might of your foot. You give a kick! And then another one! And yet another one! In fact, you kind of need to keep kicking for a good long time before there is a sudden breakthrough!
That breakthrough is, of course, the realization that you might get more purchase out of this wall with your sword. You draw it quickly - one can't help being a little disappointed at being pointed at a mere wall, you understand, but one supposes that there should be a certain amount of give to a relationship as hopefully fruitful as yours.
The gray blade goes slightly into the wall with a bit of effort - you dare say your previous kicks appear to have solidly cracked it in places. You shove it in as deep as it will go, a few inches or so, and this is apparently enough as you hear a considerable crack and notice a slight outpouring of what seems to be explosively growing dental enamel, rooting itself into the stone and sending a crack spreading every which way.
Try now, one ventures to suggest. You do, and the wall suddenly gives underneath one last solid kick, bits of stone breaking off as the enamel framework beneath them suddenly breaks, opening what looks to be a very narrow little crevice in the stone, just about your size if you went into it sideways, spiraling upward and to the left as well as downward and to the right.
[Whistling In The Dark: 3]
As the dust and noise clears, you think you hear something very briefly. A shuffling, perhaps, or even a skittering. You're not quite sure if this is a good sign or a bad one.
"Eh, where I come form's nothing special - reality's much more stable there than it is here, so there's basically just ordinary physics-bound beings doing things there, no magic or odd beasts or whatever, and the only warped geometry is in funny styles of illustration. Maybe in the far future I'll want to visit again, see where exactly the well intrudes upon the place."
Jack muses for a bit.
"The substrate is ... it's an odd thing, to say the least, as you surmised. I've been told its fundamentally indestructible, and it's only this form that's vulnerable to harmful forces. I only look like this and interact with physics like I do because I make a better research probe that way, evidently. I'm not sure why I in particular was chosen, or any of the others really. We didn't seem to have anything in common, even the ones that died. Personalities were as different as you could get, there didn't seem to be any real gender bias, not that the well knows what that is... seems like it was random."
Daniels briefly produces the rats he's been carrying around before setting his hand down and forgetting about them again. "Those used to be part of another guy, never met him. And I know there was at least one more, some guy who fulfilled some astronomical prophecy early on. I dunno if he's dead now or not. But I'm guessing that the substrate is more of an ... aspect of reality, or configuration of spacetime that only the well can call into being, given how it can apparently be constructed out of rats. I know it has some odd effects on my subconscious mind too, I've taken some inward trips and it gets weird if you look too close. Probably something to do with how I knew the names of the others, and they mine. Like recognizes like, I assume."
Daniels briefly pauses speaking to slowly click his neck over to one side, then the other.
"Whatever my connection to the others is, I don't really think it has any bearing on much beyond letting me recognize them easier. Funny you should mention my purpose, Two Shores - I don't really think I have one. From all my conversations with the well, it really only seems to want data about what entities independent of it do to each other and themselves. Can't say why it does, but unless I'm completely off the mark that's it's only motivation. I'm not even really beholden to it from what I can tell, it just incentivizes 'collection' with cool gifts. So I'm free to do pretty much whatever I want, which begs the question: what do I wanna do? I'm not dependent on pretty much any biological need save maybe breathing, I haven't tested that yet, I have no ties in this world, I know pretty much nobody, and I have no obligations. It's funny, I was chasing this sort of freedom back home for a long time but now that I have it I'm not revelling in my freedom or whatever, just sorta drifting along. It's why Rainbow's attempt to get me to pull a coup on you guys didn't go anywhere. What need have I to care about politics? I'm effectively immortal if not killed and material rewards don't really make a difference to me. Hell, I have 14,033 gold coins on me right now, they don't hold a conversation."
He sighs slightly.
"To tell you the truth, I think I'm starting to understand the whole 'bored vampire' trope they had going on back in earth's media. I have the capacity to do pretty much anything I want, but no compelling reason to pursue any particular course. That's actually what I wanted to sign on for - I figure getting invested in some part of the world, getting to know people, actually socializing without engaging in mindless violence or having some ulterior motive, that sort of deal, it'd give me a bit of a purpose. You realize they're alright to have when you don't have one."
Ramble like only an emotionally detached being from beyond the fourth dimension can.
You do have a purpose, Shores moves to correct, as does everyone. You are simply not aware of it yet.
More specifically, Peaks grins, you were clearly created rather than born like any other unfortunate - this would imply that you have a function that you are intended to fulfill. Whether that's your ultimate purpose is of course an
entirely different matter. Gets a bit philosophical there, you see.
Many would sympathize with your aimlessness nevertheless, the first mate goes on. It is common in those who have not yet established their capabilities and potential, and it is for these that service is ultimately meant. To become a true master, service is first required.
They could pay you a lot like your good friend in the dark does, Peaks offers. Answers and favors. Slightly more generously than it would, she smiles, if perhaps not to a godlike standard of excellence. She could toy with your substrate if you like. It seems like an interesting substance indeed if even a complete numpty like the blacksmith can make it do strange things.
There is also much to learn about other matters, Shores hastens to say. Fighting, for instance, and how to apply your talents to it. You have a very adaptable array of weapons, good sir. It would be an honor to see that they are put to optimal use.
And if it's friends you want, you will no doubt find some - if not in the Vault, then surely on the way. El is maybe not all things to all people, but it is the closest thing in the world that can be said to fit the bill.
"I like the way you think," I say and flash a grin. I do feel like letting off some steam. Or smoke, whatever.
I look over at the doctor. "We're burning down the house."
I walk up the hill toward the house and begin preparing myself to invoke synthesis. I make sure I'm on a side of the house that's not near the alchemy lab. "Oggie, brace yourself for magic."
The doctor's eyes widen, then she looks at Oggie, who appears dreadfully enthusiastic as much as she is enthusiastically dreadful, rubbing her oversized hands together as her mouth hangs open, eyes almost on fire from sheer sense of agency alone. The doctor then looks at you. She'd say that this maybe isn't the best idea, but she supposes she did put you up to this. You're burning down the house then, she guesses.
The three of you walk up the hill, Oggie surging ahead and the doctor following a little meekly behind. You hang around the middle and begin to intone the Word, readying it to be deployed at a moment's notice.
[Fire In The Blood: 6]
Thoughts of matter shaking violently and tumbling back and forth storm through your mind as you focus on each syllable separately, the inside of your mind shaking as the potential barely allows itself to be contained as nuclei superimpose on each other and in a moment of cosmic incaution blend together, defective mass attaining the shape of energy, so much raw energy. You start to shiver as the Word's anticipation blazes in you, dearly wishing to be let loose on the fragile laws of existence.
[Lean Times In Anglefork Town: 4]
You bump into Oggie and nearly say it as you've come up to the side of the house from a relatively inconspicuous angle, the manor looking considerably worse for wear since last you saw it, mostly on account of a good chunk of its roof collapsing inward and the structure itself making its unsteadiness much more apparent than previously (though you admit this might just be your own experience within the house speaking).
Such a fine house, the doctor says. Would be a terrible shame to destroy it when there's so much stuff still in there. Oggie, meanwhile, seems to be loping around the nearby area and looking for ways to start a fire, sitting down for a moment to experiment with a dry stick and some random detritus.
As you try to retain your focus you also hear the alleged owners of the house - the beaten farmer and his guardswoman wife, and their collective children, still apparently camping a little ways from the front entrance. The wife appears to have come back with a bit of firewood to feed some sort of cooking fire.
You look at the house. You feel like something disastrous should happen to it, and soon. Your flesh and mind demand it, lest they burn as well.
"Heh, I can always aim to improve. Although given my nine seconds of foresight it will be a challenge, so I do need someone to assist me. And isn't that what partners do? As common marriage vows back in home state; "from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part". It's a life long project. Anyway, guess I have to keep eye out for anyone who likes challenges, because after I have that box buried I'm free of any obligations."
"Talking about boxes, shall we go and hunt it down?"
Now to think about, Lee didn't exactly elaborate why she was in that box I found her in first place. Perhaps her reluctance to talk about boxes is related. I feel like I shouldn't ask about details, but she might not appreciate it. I feel there may be some relation.
You can improve, this is true. But the task falls to you, not whoever decides to inflict you upon themselves. Trying to make people change is the surest path to misery. But enough of this, Lee says as she notices you looking thoughtfully at her. Breakfast is finished, she declares as she downs the last of her strange drink. It is time to hunt down your delivery.
[Caverns of the Great Moth: 3]
You clear out of the room in short order and begin your search. The first logical thing to do would be to retrace your steps, which Lee insists would lead you over to the great chamber where you were examined, which now looks a lot like the site of the first clash of an enormous battle, two score of the sorriest lightweights of the Moth Clan has laid out along the walkways and the seating areas. A few have managed to get as far as the exit, giving you and Lee embarrassed stares in between bouts of nausea as they stagger away. Lee gives them a practiced glare that makes them move that much faster.
A few more, naturally, are dislodged as Lee goes on to check if maybe the box fell down around here someplace. No such luck, obviously. There is a fellow on the ground a little more coherent than the rest, perhaps fifteen years old at most, smaller than you'd expect a boy his age to be, nursing a thin stubble in the hopes of one day obtaining a beard. He mostly appears to just be resting here, not quite up to going anywhere else in the state he's in.
He looks up at you as Lee starts to ask him increasingly pointed questions about what he's seen and if he knows where Lee put a box. Ah, he says as he fails to pay any mind or particularly respond to Lee. Big man in camp. He knows you, he nods after a second as Lee gives him a gaze both very familiar and almost murderous.
Yeah, he says and slowly sits up, very much sore from passing out on the stone floor, you tell his sister that he's not speaking to her.
He tries to get to his feet as Lee narrows her eyes, but slides back on the ground with a groan. Ugh. Could you maybe give him a hand as well? Can't drink like he used to. You know, back in the day.
"How vexing. Just like.... Sisyphus, I think he was called, and his boulder. A very old story where I come from. Have you tried anything to stop it? We could try tying it to a post, or I might be able to rig up some sort of handbrake system if you'd like."
Parallels to Greek mythology, that's a definite plus to the insanity theory.
Magic cart or no, this should be nothing a little ingenuity can't solve.
[Ingenuity of the Ancients: 6]
He wouldn't want to stop it entirely, mind you, rolling down inclines and smashing into places gives it about the closest thing to happiness it seems able to achieve.
Of course, the teamster pauses to think, you could tie it up somewhere for a while. Surely it couldn't expect a permanent monopoly on a man's attentions? He hasn't had a break in... well, quite a while. Time does rather fly when you're working hard, have you noticed?
If you do have an idea, do feel free to put it to use! A reprieve does sound very refreshing. But for now, he has to be off. Have a nice day!
And with that, the teamster runs along down the slope at a breakneck pace, sprinting easily out of view and into the depths of the side alleys.
Giving it some thought, I'm going to redo the way multiple Words deployed per turn work - now they'll work a lot like preparation, with each Word getting a roll and the highest of the lot being taken as the main roll. Assists in other actions will also work the same way. NPCs traveling with you will provide assists if an action falls under their particular specialty.
Leif Erikson, Miner and Lush
- Half-basket of apple-like mushrooms (hallucinogenic)
- Paper party crown (worn)
- Moth-robe (worn)
- Itchy Woolen Britches (worn)
- A Word: INEVITABLE
- A Word: APOCALYPSE
- A Word: DRINK
- Body Count: 228
- Mead of Poetry (4 shining revelations remaining)
- Enders' Friend: The Grave of Red Clouds Parting
- Inscribed Wooden Stylus
- Iron spear
- 1.03 gp
- The Box: ?
- Induced Lucidity: A Map of Things Real and Imagined
- Compatibility: Minding
- Tricks of the Mind: Perception, Memory
- Tricks of the Mind: Engagement, Negation, Abstraction, Prestige
- Tricks of the Mind: the Self, the Other
- Gods of the Underground: Did You Just What
- A Visit From The Stork: Is What You Yes
- The Voracious Dark: Two Deals Made
- The Voracious Dark: The Promised Sixth
- Moth's Flight: Honorary Clansman
- A Night That Burns Forever: Later Today
- The Miracle of Life: Wayward Rabbit
Eileen Minett, Vinyl Collector
- Distilled alcohol (in flask)
- Spirits of salt (in clay jar)
- Soaps of elk, bear, bat and snake
- 4 flasks of lamp oil
- Oil lamp (lit)
- Linen stoat shirt (worn)
- Stoat trousers (worn)
- Comfy slippers (worn)
- Never-made scimitar (blackened, slightly dull)
- Tooth-handled hunting knife
- Black leather boots
- An assemblage of amber and amethysts
- Silver thread-necklace
- Onyx spiral earrings
- 2 oaken rings
- Rusty, bloodstained knife
- A Word: HUNGER
- A Word: SYNTHESIS
- A Weapon: Explosive Cysts
- Grenade Jumping: A Solid Technique
- The Good Doctor: Secret Histories
- Sword of the Sand People: Cleaning Supplies
- Sword of the Sand People: The Services of a Minder
- Higher Tonight: There And Back Again
- The Old Mistress: Like A House On Fire
Jack Daniels, Karate Man
- Red and gold vest and breeches combo (worn)
- Leather boots (worn)
- Rubber mattress (filled with water)
- Rainbow's ghoulish head
- 14033 gp (in sack)
- Poor Unfortunate Soul: Forever Captive
- The Queen's Guard: Actual Asset
- Powers of the Beyond: Gardener of Thoughts
- Garden of Thoughts: the Stoat-Magistrate
- Dusty Wooden Speaking-Trumpet
- Crossbow Bolt (in throat)
- A Word: REND
- A Word: SILENCE
- A Word: EXECRABLE
- A Weapon: Murder-Thought
- Uncoupled: Strength
- Wooden Door
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: Run Like Hell
- Induced Lucidity: The Silent Garden
- Elongated Affairs: Enemy of the New State
- A Place In History: Vastly Unreliable
- 2 rats, crushed
- 1 rat, strangled
- 1 rat, live
- Travels In The Fourth Dimension: Sunday ± 2 Days
- Doomstones: So High Up But Such A Bitter View
- The Majordomo: A Great Divide Between Us Now
- The Voracious Dark: Decreasing Demand
- The Voracious Dark: More Specific Requests
- The Vault of Heavens: Special Treatment
- Body Count: 3
Thomas Minstep, Insurance Agent
- Wounds: 1
- A Word: ABSENCE
- A Word: GOODBYE
- A Word: WORM
- A Weapon: The Sword They Fear
- Insurance contracts, signed in triplicate: 13
- Gamble
- Nobody Cares
- Helen Clampitt
- Lily
- Undine and Prosper Eke
- Silver
- Tabernacle, treefisher scout
- Treefisher elder
- 4 treefishers
- Make A Man Out Of You: Battle-Tested
- The Grip of Tharn: Insurance Against The Storm
- Ranging fork
- 2 feet of sinew-thread
- Tooth-needle
- A Bowl, Black and Knobby
- Tight Leather Pants (worn)
- Incredibly Tight Blue Dress (worn, mutilated, mildly provocative)
- Travels In The Fourth Dimension: Sunday, July 25th, 409 S.D.
- The Queen's Guard: A Reward Well Earned
- The New Queen: Lasting Gratitude
- Lonely Roads: Walk Away
- The Box: Absolutely Delightful
- Body Count: 2
Oscar Wilde, Chemistry Teacher
- A Word: REVELATION
- The Wicked King's Missive On Economic Reform (in massive silver scroll case)
- Wounds: 1
- Traces of Mischief: Glowing Facial Rift
- The Serpent's Egg: Dissemination
- Body Count: 4
- Cornerstone Helm (worn, collecting light)
- Time-ender's measure (wrapped, processing? stopping?)
- 10 m of rope
- Half a candle
- 1 rat, skinless and smoked
- 6 gp
- Poor Misshapen Dice
- Lock of Hair (unidentified)
- Iron nail, unused
- An Inauspicious Key
- Burlap Foot Wrappings (worn)
- Burlap Hand Wrappings (worn)
- Moth-Eaten Hat (worn)
- Respectable Brown Skirt (worn)
- Old Brown Waistcoat (worn)
- Bright Yellow Tunic (worn)
- A Wealth of Burlap Ribbons
- The Winding Path of Inspiration: The Less Dangerous Friend
- The King's Court: The Greatest Gift of All
- The King's Court: The North Wind's Gift
- The King's Court: The East Wind's Gift
- The King's Court: The South Wind's Gift
- The King's Court: The West Wind's Gift
- The King's Court: A Gift For The Wicked King