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Author Topic: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money  (Read 4854 times)

Nakéen

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #60 on: September 13, 2024, 11:09:57 pm »


TURN 1 - DOWNTIME - PART 2

(I ended up deciding to actually give NPCs last names)

Zereth's lodgings were a rather spartan ordeal - a place in which he could comfortably sleep, research and investigate. A workstation in one corner - the usual resting place of his PDA, his pistol and various tools - a wardrobe and shelves holding various baubles in the other, and a bed in another. A secure lockbox next to it held some items from 'home' - including a carefully folded banner with his House's heraldry. Sometimes, he considered hanging it on one of the walls, but he always shot the foolish idea down in the end.

Zereth heads to the Bay, planning to get up to date with the rumors amongst the mercs and perhaps starting to build a proper contact network.

(You forgot to add the -10 to my ZSO relations.)
Woops yes. Another accounting mistakes, thanks for pointing that out!

----------

Sovereign has acquired a map of [Mercurio Independent Complex]
An official map of the Mercurio Independent Complex.

You may now access the following locations:
- MIC Parts Market [Unavailable at the moment]
- MIC Medical Center
- Toad's Bay

----------

Sovereign decided to hit up the Bay and see if it really was worth all the praise that seemed to surround it. Looking at the map, it was in a convenient location for the pilots: practically right next to the complex of hangars where most of the mercenary MUs were stored. He took an automated shuttle to the place in question, and to call it a bar was vastly underselling it.

The Toad's Bay was an immense establishment with many levels which offered varied grades of accomodations. The main entrance led to one of the many open access areas filled with tables and counters and servants hired or automated to cater to the hustling and bustling customers. For those who sought a less rowdy setting, or more privacy, it was possible to rent private rooms or use the side lounges where patrons enjoyed their drinks and stories in silence or whispers.

Rumors:

Sovereign couldn't help but pick some rumors about the Zereon Star Order. Sightings of a cruiser by some mercenaries escorting traders, confirmed by another one who had his mission ruined by a House Knight. Fortunately their description didn't fit that of your house.

Sovereign also heard of a group of ZSO defectors who formed their own mercenary group under HUB. They went around by the name of "Roland's Bastards".

Interesting Individuals:

Sovereign couldn't help but notice one particularly out of place amidst the boasting and prideful pilots: a chubby man trembling like a lost child, who twisted and turned his long brown hair adding even more twists to their natural tangle. The ancient noble was about to lose interest when a particularly drunk man with more muscles than brains started picking on the man. What a surprise it was when the nervous mess of a pilot retaliated with a high pitched scream and executed a flawless close quarters move to slam a mountain of muscles twice heavier than him on the ground. All of that in a fraction of a second.



Spoiler: Quarters (click to show/hide)

Rename Longer Tommer to Long Tom please I realized my terrible mistake
Also hang out at Toad's Bay, and listen to any gossip concerning BIA and WMB.  Sting needs an ego booster!


Also Nakeen, shouldn't my skill modifiers be 1/4, 1/4, 1/4 considering my cpu is now balanced instead of specialized?
Another mistake of mine, this should be corrected now!

----------

Sting has acquired a map of [Mercurio Independent Complex]
An official map of the Mercurio Independent Complex.

You may now access the following locations:
- MIC Parts Market [Unavailable at the moment]
- MIC Medical Center
- Toad's Bay

----------

Whether it was a typographical error or some spur of the moment misguided inspiration, String greatly regretted the name he had chosen for his rebuilt MU. He hastily filled in a form to update his MU name, and personally scratched the embarassing parts. For today his MU would be boasting Longer Tommer on its hull, and hopefully no one would see that. To take his mind off that mistake, he decided to board an automated shuttle for the Toad's Bay.

The place in question was overwhelming for the cowardly String, and he was starting to reconsider his decision a bit. As soon as he had step foot inside the Bay, he had been thrust into a sea of laughs and shouts and insults that aggressively stabbed his ears. Nonetheless he managed to escape to a wing far from the main area, where he listened to the news in peace with glass in hand.

Rumors:

String saw on one of the screens some news about a protest against WMB, the very one whose protesters he helped defend. The officer who was working with him appeared on screen, but most of the information seemed heavily filtered. He at least learnt of his ally of a day, Tomaru Sazaki. Overall it seems all ended without any casualties, all thanks to him. The fact that WMB hired mercenaries couldn't be proved, but the BIA openly denounced the actions of the corporation which their representative naturally denied.

String heard a few more things. WMB seemed to be ramping up its MU production, and some speculated some big conflict was under way. As for the BIA, they were clearly being overwhelmed by all their issues: the corporations, the illegal operations of CORSAIR, and how it was also related to hostile fauna from the Hostile Ecosystem Area to move from their usual hunting grounds.

Encounter:

Right as he was about to leave, a drunk man with way with a musculature String didn't think possible stumbled up to him and started picking up on him for no other reason than his own drunken entertainment. Well maybe he actually felt bad for String and wanted to ask him if he needed something, but his brash behavior and huge hand overshadowing String's head caused him to go into survival mode. Screaming at the top of his lardy chest, he caught and deflected the hand, using the massive brick's weight to immobilize it on the ground. Completely dumbfounded and still drunk, the man still hadn't realized what had happened.

Interesting Individuals:

Although String hadn't noticed, a particular dark-haired man too cleanly dressed to be a rabble mercenary was looking with mild interest.



I go out and schmooze with HPH and OBS

Iron Wrath has acquired a map of [Mercurio Independent Complex]
An official map of the Mercurio Independent Complex.

You may now access the following locations:
- MIC Parts Market [Unavailable at the moment]
- MIC Medical Center
- Toad's Bay

----------

Iron Wrath decided that getting on the good graces of Hephaestus and Obsidian would be a good way to kickstart his mercenary career. He started heading for the Parts Market where he would be bound to find some HPH or OBS employees. But unluckily for him, the entire Part Market was closed for maintenance or something today, ruining his plan. Without so much as a contact or an acquaintance of an acquaintance that could help, he ended up going to the Toad's Bay where he might be able to find some pilots from Hephaestus or Obsidian.

Encounter:

After a bit of questioning around, Iron Wrath was pointed toward a group of men and women playing drinking games. They all had an armband with the Hephaestus logo, a stylized hammer encircled by a gear. A few of them noticed the attention given to them. A pilot got up from her seat and approached him while the others just ignored the thing whole.

[HPH] Hephaestus MU Pilot: "You've been staring for a while. Need something?"


Drifter greets the smile with a nod. The slight upturn of his lips the only faint indication of him feeling pleased about the only thing he can take pride in being noticed.
"I am Drifter, I've took apart and worked on MUs and Ships longer than I've piloted. A tour would be appreciated.

Drifter accepts the offer for a tour.

Stokur grabbed Drifter's hand vigorously into a handshake.
[SCR] Stokur Urost: "F'llow me, I will show ya'round."

They took a few shuttles through the industrial areas of Mercurio, discussing of Modular Unit maintenance on the way. From time to time Drifter checked on the map where they were, but even with map in hand he could have gotten lost. They were now in front of a factory of sort inside of which one could hear the lovely screams of metal being cut apart, and the melody of an industrial grade welding machines. The smell of burnt metal and oil was overpowering, but Stokur huffed with a smile.

[SCR] Stokur Urost: "Dat the smell of home. Welcome to da Scrapsters'! "SCRAP Salvage and Repurpose Centers" for da literate! 'ere we take apart da parts no one wants, and we give da babies a new life. We even take back used pieces at more than double da market rate!"

Drifter couldn't hide his shock when Stokur somehow pronounced "SCRAP Salvage and Repurpose Centers" flawlessly.

Afterward the SCRAP mechanical engineer showed the pilot around the place, and gave him a glimpse of some SCRAP exclusive parts. The durability was clearly lower than those of even WMB, but each part had been carefully fine-tuned to make them incredibly responsive. He even got to drive a test unit, and was surprised by how well it handled itself.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2024, 11:12:32 pm by Nakéen »
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Egan_BW

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #61 on: September 14, 2024, 01:10:38 am »

Wrecker's accommodations take the form of a sleek white lozenge shape bolted to the top of her prefab hangar. The portable home is airtight, made from extremely light materials, and even equipped with small RCS thrusters, making it an extremely expensive piece of hardware for something that's not a full blown spaceship or military hardware. It's the equivalent of a trailer home for the voidborne elite. The interior is luxurious and handsome in a sort of generic corporate way, soft and angular furniture slathered in brand names like a racecar. There's a hot tub and bar, neither of which see much actual use from the singular inhabitant.

Hmph. Proper destruction will call for having allies to eat up the enemy fire while I'm tearing apart the opposition. Head to the Bay for some networking. It'll be easier to not die if other mercenaries think I'm their friend.
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Nakéen

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #62 on: September 14, 2024, 02:30:15 am »

Wrecker's accommodations take the form of a sleek white lozenge shape bolted to the top of her prefab hangar. The portable home is airtight, made from extremely light materials, and even equipped with small RCS thrusters, making it an extremely expensive piece of hardware for something that's not a full blown spaceship or military hardware. It's the equivalent of a trailer home for the voidborne elite. The interior is luxurious and handsome in a sort of generic corporate way, soft and angular furniture slathered in brand names like a racecar. There's a hot tub and bar, neither of which see much actual use from the singular inhabitant.

Hmph. Proper destruction will call for having allies to eat up the enemy fire while I'm tearing apart the opposition. Head to the Bay for some networking. It'll be easier to not die if other mercenaries think I'm their friend.

Wrecker has acquired a map of [Mercurio Independent Complex]
An official map of the Mercurio Independent Complex.

You may now access the following locations:
- MIC Parts Market [Unavailable at the moment]
- MIC Medical Center
- Toad's Bay

----------

Thinking far ahead, Wrecker chose to go check the Bay to increase her odds of survival. She boarded the first shuttle that led to the ginormous Bay where mercenaries and even corporate pilots gathered.

Interesting Individuals:

A few individuals players catch Wrecker's eye.
- Well-dressed and with a calculating eye, a dark-haired man that she estimates to be in his twenties. Her gut feeling is telling her he might be linked to some Zereon stuff.
- Unimpressive and maybe pathetic even, the fatty man who just overpowered a mercenary twice his size and build.
- She also spotted at some point a scarred ex-military man who seemed to be seeking info about Hephaestus pilots and Obsidian scientists.
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Prophet

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #63 on: September 14, 2024, 03:27:27 am »

The durability was expected for recycled parts without exorbitant amounts of VC being fed into it, but Drifter found the responsiveness rather impressive workmanship, remembering how shoddy the repurposed near century old WMB machines that the reclamation station had them maintain were. He let them know his honest thoughts on their work, favoring heavier MUs gave him an appreciation for machines that could carry their weight well without sacrificing to much of their benefits.
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.... You've doomed us all. Granted. Everyone except for traps are executed. Random sci-fi nonsense is required to be taught in schools.
A cute intersex harem with everyone in love with the androgynous king and smart and useful enough into pushing the kingdom forward.

BlackPaladin99

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #64 on: September 14, 2024, 09:24:42 am »

“Just wondering where you guys got your parts.  I’ve seen mechs with parts that are covered in the same symbol as yours, and they performed pretty well.  But, missions aren’t really conducive to conversation, so I figured I’d come around here and ask.”
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Nakéen

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #65 on: September 14, 2024, 03:38:25 pm »

“Just wondering where you guys got your parts.  I’ve seen mechs with parts that are covered in the same symbol as yours, and they performed pretty well.  But, missions aren’t really conducive to conversation, so I figured I’d come around here and ask.”

The brash lady laughed in disbelief for a good 5 whole seconds, her gloved hand covering her face in an attempt to remove you from her field of vision as if you were the funniest thing she had seen today. This caught the attention of her friends and colleagues, who turned their gazes at the scene.

[HPH] Hephaestus MU Pilot #1:
"You kidding? Come on don't pull my leg, is there a MU pilot in the whole galaxy that hasn't heard of Hephaestus? Even rookies in training would know of it. Pft, this is too funny, my bad my bad."

One of her drinking pals shouted from across.
[HPH] Hephaestus MU Pilot #2: "Hey no bullying until we are done with our drinks! Don't want to get kicked out AGAIN!"
[HPH] Hephaestus MU Pilot #1: "AH shut up!"

This seemed to have cooled her down.
[HPH] Hephaestus MU Pilot #1: "Meh. To answer your question, just check the parts market when it opens, you will find some of HPH lower end products here."
« Last Edit: September 14, 2024, 03:43:38 pm by Nakéen »
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VermilionSkies

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #66 on: September 14, 2024, 04:23:50 pm »

[Oh, you're the best, Chun!]
Head on down to the Toad's Bay! I've heard that sleazing around there after missions is a time-honored pilot tradition.

Mercy Smith "Caliber" [Reach Heaven] - (VermilionSkies)

Balance: 500 VC
Current MU: Reach Heaven
Hangar #1: Reach Heaven
----------

Spoiler: Quarters (click to show/hide)

----------

Spoiler: Mercy Smith "Caliber" (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: MU: Reach Heaven (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Locations (click to show/hide)
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Nakéen

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #67 on: September 14, 2024, 04:36:45 pm »

[Oh, you're the best, Chun!]
Head on down to the Toad's Bay! I've heard that sleazing around there after missions is a time-honored pilot tradition.

Mercy Smith "Caliber" [Reach Heaven] - (VermilionSkies)

Balance: 500 VC
Current MU: Reach Heaven
Hangar #1: Reach Heaven
----------

Spoiler: Quarters (click to show/hide)

----------

Spoiler: Mercy Smith "Caliber" (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: MU: Reach Heaven (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Locations (click to show/hide)
(Your status is absolutely lovely)

----------

After thanking Chun for the interesting bits of information, Caliber headed for the Toad's Bay for some quality post-mission relaxing and networking. With map in hand -figuratively-, she boarded a shuttle and dropped by the famous den of MU Pilots who wanted to brag, share stories, or just have a drink in peace.

Interesting Individuals:

To copy-paste a bit, three individuals players catch Caliber's eye.
Quote
- Well-dressed and with a calculating eye, a dark-haired man that she estimates to be in his twenties. Her gut feeling is telling her he might be linked to some Zereon stuff.
- Unimpressive and maybe pathetic even, the fatty man who just overpowered a mercenary twice his size and build.
- She also spotted at some point a scarred ex-military man who seemed to be seeking info about Hephaestus pilots and Obsidian scientists.

She also notices a quite but not quite, and in fact incredibly gorgeous woman with unnaturally blood-red skin with what many would call a seductive luster. She is catching quite a few glances from other patrons, but no one has approached her yet. And for good reason, just like the other pilots in the room you can feel that this is a dangerous person, the kind that you could see laughing maniacally as she tore apart a MU with her own machine's bare hands.
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VermilionSkies

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #68 on: September 14, 2024, 04:54:46 pm »

I've got some VC left in my pockets. Have a sip of something light, and see if fancy girl wants to do anything interesting- or anyone else, for that matter.
"...she kinda looks like my mom. Awkward."

Mercy Smith "Caliber" [Reach Heaven] - (VermilionSkies)

Balance: 500 VC
Current MU: Reach Heaven
Hangar #1: Reach Heaven
----------

Spoiler: Quarters (click to show/hide)

----------

Spoiler: Mercy Smith "Caliber" (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: MU: Reach Heaven (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Locations (click to show/hide)

Thank you! Most of it's your work anyways, I just thought it was too good to waste.
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The Canadian kitten

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #69 on: September 14, 2024, 05:50:10 pm »

"Sorry, I just reacted. Not too hurt hopefully? I'll just move away..."
Check Big Merc Guy on any accidental injuries Sting gave him. Afterwards, move to MIC Medical Center. For further peace and quiet
« Last Edit: September 14, 2024, 06:12:16 pm by The Canadian kitten »
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Hawk132

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #70 on: September 14, 2024, 05:56:25 pm »

Though impressive, Zereth didn't approach the man. He seemed like a nervous wreck, and in truth, the noble feared he could end up flat on the ground like the drunk if he so much as walked up to him too assertively.

Besides, by the time he'd considered it, he'd left.

Shrugging, Zereth tried to find out more about these so-called 'Bastards.' He personally didn't consider himself a defector, not fully, at least - but he supposed it was all the same to the Star Order.
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Perplexicon: A New Arena - Abandoned, but feel free to give it a read.

Egan_BW

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #71 on: September 14, 2024, 07:39:33 pm »

A few individuals players catch Wrecker's eye.
- Well-dressed and with a calculating eye, a dark-haired man that she estimates to be in his twenties. Her gut feeling is telling her he might be linked to some Zereon stuff.

Well this at least is interesting. Another nobleborn in a place like this? It's worth investigation, though Wrecker would have to approach carefully, take an unassuming approach. So...

"Hey, you're handsome, can I buy you a drink?" Honestly Lu's brain is screaming for her to try some different approach, but she'd never really had the patience to learn subterfuge or subtlety.
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Nakéen

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #72 on: September 15, 2024, 06:06:39 am »

"Sorry, I just reacted. Not too hurt hopefully? I'll just move away..."
Check Big Merc Guy on any accidental injuries Sting gave him. Afterwards, move to MIC Medical Center. For further peace and quiet

Big Merc Guy had no scratch nor hurt, if only a bit of damaged pride after getting floored in front of everyone present to see. With Sting's help he got up a bit dazed still, and bowed apologetic, still tilting a bit from the temporary loss of balance.
[HUB] Big Merc Guy: "Wo- woah. Ah that was my bad. S-sorry if I startled you, you seemed lost. Personal space am I right?"

Sting still checked on him a bit still, just in case he would, who knows, sue the aggressor into bankruptcy. Now that was a real fear, Sting thought.
[HUB] Big Merc Guy: "All good, not a scratch see? No harm no fool."

Big Merc Guy seemed like a decent person at least.

----------

Whichever way went the rest of their exchange, Sting eventually left for the MIC Medical Center. It was a vital and bustling facility of the MIC where one could go for whatever medical emergency they had. He went to the reception desk for a bit of information, settling for one managed by a robotic clerk to avoid having to speak with someone.

> Welcome to the MIC Medical Center, where we offer the best AugmenTech Pharmaceuticals has to offer!
> Do you have a medical emergency? Or would you like to know more about the services we offer?
> Improve your quality of life with our augmentation surgeries, our top of the line cybernetic implants, and our latest genetic treatments!
>
> Augmentech Pharmaceuticals,
> Your health is our concern!


----------



Though impressive, Zereth didn't approach the man. He seemed like a nervous wreck, and in truth, the noble feared he could end up flat on the ground like the drunk if he so much as walked up to him too assertively.

Besides, by the time he'd considered it, he'd left.

Shrugging, Zereth tried to find out more about these so-called 'Bastards.' He personally didn't consider himself a defector, not fully, at least - but he supposed it was all the same to the Star Order.

Info Gathering:

Sovereign managed to learn a bit more about Roland's Bastards. It was created by Roland, an ex-knight of House Betelgeos who defected for unknown reasons. Betelgeos had placed a bounty on its name, and it would seem that so far none had managed to claim it. The group was currently composed of six MU pilots, all ex-ZSO pilots of ranks below knight save for their namesake leader. They operated here on Begreris, and could occasionally be sighted at the Bay. They never did mingle in the open areas, always booking a private room when they came as a group.

Encounter:

Also a gorgeous woman with unnaturally blood-red skin approached him with a killer pick-up line. Sovereign could feel that not only her looks could kill.
« Last Edit: September 15, 2024, 06:11:42 am by Nakéen »
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Hawk132

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #73 on: September 15, 2024, 08:09:38 am »

Well this at least is interesting. Another nobleborn in a place like this? It's worth investigation, though Wrecker would have to approach carefully, take an unassuming approach. So...

"Hey, you're handsome, can I buy you a drink?" Honestly Lu's brain is screaming for her to try some different approach, but she'd never really had the patience to learn subterfuge or subtlety.
Zereth was somewhat startled by the woman's approach, not expecting to be hit on. Unlikely, he concluded, his eyes narrowing slightly - she was a beauty, yes, but being in her presence made the noble feel as if he was in the presence of a predator. So, an assassin? No, his father wouldn't stoop that low, and if it wasn't his father's work, there'd be no reason to talk. Bounty hunter, then? Possible... but Begreris wasn't exactly in the ZSO's sphere of influence. Or perhaps she was simply another merc?

... Or was he actually getting hit on after all?

He sighed inwardly. He supposed he'd find out which option it was shortly.

"I wouldn't dare refuse," He replied, putting on a light smile.
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Perplexicon: A New Arena - Abandoned, but feel free to give it a read.

Prophet

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Re: Modular Units: a Mercenary tale of Mechs, Missions, and Money
« Reply #74 on: September 15, 2024, 01:35:00 pm »

Assuming there's nothing more to the tour, he swaps a few more ideas with SCRAP mechanics before he begins to route to the Toad's Bay. Overhearing loose lipped drunken pirates was a surprisingly insightful source of local information and he assumed mercenaries the same, so he would have to put up with be in the vicinity of a crowd.
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.... You've doomed us all. Granted. Everyone except for traps are executed. Random sci-fi nonsense is required to be taught in schools.
A cute intersex harem with everyone in love with the androgynous king and smart and useful enough into pushing the kingdom forward.
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