RP and Overworld Stuff

Irongutta continues his conversation with the Explorer while Piggo tentatively sniffs around the edges of the room.

"Oh, well gettin' on outta 'ere should be easy! Just go outta this room and up the hallway, then make a roight an' go up a buncha stairs to the church above. Should be plenty safe from there."

Irongutta scratched the back of his head. "I don't got no idea on where yer crew might've wound up, but if I knew yer name I'm sure my lot could help ya look."

He was also most curious about the machine he looted. He noticed that the Explorer had been examining the wreckage with great interest. "So, ya got any idea wot this thing may be? I've never seen a tank like it, both on this planet and off it! When I took wot scrap I could find from the thing, I got some silver parts the cultists down 'ere don't seem to be fans of."

As an aside, now that the Abandoned Armory immediately north of the room he's standing in is clear, he decides to start plundering what little may remain in the lockers there.

---

Battle: Scalefused Chamber

Irongutta starts by devouring a Sap Cake to prepare for his next action.

With rage now in his veins, Irongutta stomps around the storage units to I15, gaining a +30% damage Unstoppable Force. He then uses Overpowering Smash on the Scalewind, slamming the poor thing into the rack of weapon storage units behind it!

Piggo seems to wander in after Irongutta, spawning at C18! Since it's past round two now, all he does is trot over to E16.

<ROUND ONE-HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX>

Stats? Probably.

---

The GM grabs a post from last round. Oops. To be honest, there isn't really much to say, but sure. Ette nods towards the swordsman.

ETTE: (You're welcome!)
ETTE: (...Uh, what is a permanent solution, anyway?)
ETTE: (I'm guessing that it's not something I can do... but maybe I can?)
ETTE: (Tell me! Please!)

---

Echoss continues construction work. This involves the violent murder of a blossom, which is riddled with knives. Omo is also informed as to how her setup of Geo Panels should go- defensive panels outside.

OMORIKA: Understood.
OMORIKA: I'd like to ask that you mark where you wish for the tiles to go, by the way.
OMORIKA: It's far easier for me to confirm to whatever ideas you have in mind that way.

Just paint some tiles (preferably in a spreadsheet), and she'll get right to it! Echoss also continues with the trio, assuring them that if a gigantic Fell Beast comes around, he'll tell them.

CLAUSA: Oh, good.
CLAUSA: We might be able to get a buffer of a few seconds between us and death. Good.
WILLOW: Oh, I'm sure it wouldn't be that fast.
WILLOW: Besides, we could probably take it!
CLAUSA: Maybe.
CLAUSA: Taking down a gigantic Fell Beast and its brood is another question altogether, though!
WILLOW: ...Geez. No need to be so... doom-y.

Willow then quickly grabs Echoss's attention.

WILLOW: Oh, yeah.
WILLOW: The red glitch person told me that there's other people with these pumpkins or something.
WILLOW: Mind... getting me some candy from them?
WILLOW: He said we couldn't eat our candy, because its for the other people who are meant to swing on by.
WILLOW: ...Where are they, anyway? You're like, our first guest.
SALIX: I doubt many people would come to the Pass just for a few pieces of candy.
SALIX: Especially after what ocurred here.

...Somebody should really go and explore more pumpkins. It might be fun!

Also, elsewhere, a tree is planted using a Lumipod. Neat! Also x2, in the Everground, Pionobot loots a whole tree. Nice. This breaks apart into 12 Elden Everwood.

---

Mustache Girl reverse-nerdpoles down a floor. This consumes 10 Iron, which doesn't quite complete the chain. Still, the drop is small enough that she can just sorta do it. And so she does. Once down there, she heads over to the gigantic pile of fire-attuned crystal. It's... well, gigantic! Roughly eight feet tall, and topped with a Volcanic Regalia. However, the ground around the pile seems to indicate that the crystals are actually inside some sort of pit, which surely means that there's even more crystal than meets the eye!

---

Person™ goes to punch wood. They probably break their hands doing so, but gather 2 pieces of Bronzewood. Maybe using literally anything but your hands would yield more?

---

Auth chats with Chairians. First, with Taeda, he assures her that he could help fill in the gaps in her memory.

TAEDA: I appreciate it!
TAEDA: Um, so... I vaguely remember... lots of shouting.
TAEDA: Somebody was shouting at someone, and they were saying really, really crude, mean things!
TAEDA: I also remember like... grabbing a weapon from someone, and trying to shoot the Butterfly...
TAEDA: ...We were fighting the Butterfly, right?
TAEDA: I think we were!

...It seems more like she has one big hole in her memory, and not really gaps. Still, there's something, at least. Author also asks about if she feels any different after receiving the mutation.

TAEDA: ...I'm not sure.
TAEDA: I'm pretty exhausted, but that's probably because I was pushing myself earlier.
TAEDA: But otherwise... I think I'm alright!

TAEDA: ...Are you sick? If you are, I could try and help with that!
TAEDA: I've treated plenty of illnesses! It shouldn't be a problem!

Meanwhile at the House, Auth confirms his feelings for Nana, and reassures her that everything will be alright. Who cares if people are against an inter-species romance? Love is love, as Mindscape!Chloe might agree to. A gentle smile crosses Nana's face.

NANA: Y-Yeah! Who cares what anyone else thinks!
NANA: N-Nobody will get between us!
NANA: T-Thanks to you, I-I know that things w-will turn out just fine!
NANA: I-I love you, Author!

Auth then takes Nana's hand, as the apothecary wanted. The two of them hold each other tightly. Though Nana's fluster has hit an all-time new record, shattering her previous high score, she seems to be holding steadfast, not even trembling. Of course, soon enough, a blush overtakes her once again.

NANA: U-Um...
NANA: S-So... a-are we meant to bump faces n-now, or something?
NANA: I... a-asked Omo for a bit of help with human traditions, a-and she said some weird things that I don't understand...

It's probably a good thing she asked, and didn't just get straight to headbutting him, like how she thinks it works.

---

Maria continues to wander away. Mari follows after her, opting to grab her by the hand.

MARI: Hey.
MARI: You shouldn't be wandering off like that.
MARI: Unless you want to explore. That'd be neat.
MARI: I'll follow you if you're going on an adventure or something.

If Maria doesn't agree to the trip, odds are they'll just chill together in this dimly-lit basement, which is actually 100% the sort of lighting Mari likes. Ideally though, less light is better. She's secretly nocturnal.

---

Kalis joins the game! Welcome to the party! They end up appearing inside of the Clownverted Barracks, which is probably bad for their future health. But what better way is there to join an adventure than to just jump into it?

---

Irongutta instructs an Explorer on how to escape. He nods at the directions.

EXPLORER: ...
EXPLORER: ...
EXPLORER: Understood. Thank you for the directions.

They pull out a sheet of paper, and mark a few blocks onto it. It seems that he has a spreadsheet for a map. Irongutta then remarks about how he could help him find his crew.

EXPLORER: I don't believe my crew is anywhere out of the ordinary.
EXPLORER: They're at the Citadel. I was at the Citadel.
EXPLORER: I've simply misplaced myself, is all.
EXPLORER: And, if you've mentioned a church, I'm assuming that I've somehow arrived at Omnite.
EXPLORER: Correct?

The ork also asks the explorer what he thinks the tank is.

EXPLORER: Oh, the tank?
EXPLORER: I'm not certain, but I believe that it's an old artifact of the Rose Cult.
EXPLORER: If I had to guess, anyway.
EXPLORER: In various places, I've excavated bits and pieces of machinery that matches this vehicle, down to its architectural stylings.
EXPLORER: The etched flowers for instance, are a common trend I've seen among many ancient artifacts.
EXPLORER: Seeing this down here after finding all of those old relics?
EXPLORER: Perhaps the two are connected.

...With that out of the way, he also opts to plunder some lockers for loot. In the two lockers, he finds...

• x4 Rosewater
• x2 Mutagen Capsules
• Reaper's Hood (Hat)
• A Surprising Lack of Death

---

Leaf and Nia consider race prospects. The Nest is a bit too grim of a place to race in, so where to?

NIA: Um...
NIA: Uh, how about... that lake in the Endless Gardens?
NIA: No, there's soldiers around there...

NIA: How about the house? We could just go a few laps around it...
NIA: Oooor, we could race through the streets of the town near the house!
NIA: That might be exciting! They're abandoned, too!
NIA: Wanna try it?

Kokichi meanwhile, chats with a sentient piece of food. The quiche is confused. It ripples with color for a moment as it receives a name.

SHUQUICHI: okay
SHUQUICHI: my flavor is now shuquichi

SHUQUICHI: father
SHUQUICHI: why won't you eat me
SHUQUICHI: am i forever doomed to not fulfill my purpose in life

...Whilst talking to his quiche, he also continues his chat with R-8733. One, what's up with him, and two, what's this place, and also two, why are they down here?

R-8733: Oh, I'm not particularly rebelling against anything right now.
R-8733: Rather, I'm travelling with Master Irongutta and his group on a quest for explosive enlightenment.
R-8733: He blew up a mountain, and I was lucky enough to be accepted as his pupil.

R-8733: Also, this is a catacomb. I think.
R-8733: We're here because this catacomb is the Rose Cult's base, and I guess we're here to blow them up so they stop existing.
R-8733: That's actually what I did before joining master Irongutta, actually.
R-8733: Blowing things up so they stop existing.
R-8733: It's fun, but not as fun as setting up a crazy array of fireworks.

---

<BOOZY BARRACKS, ROUND THREE>
I can see this battle rapidly coming to a close. While the Absolvers have gotten good hits in, and the Exhibition has leveled up, I believe this is still going fairly well. Also, be sure to remind me to give Marron a Level 3 Trait after this. She's earned it!

<CLOWNVERTED BARRACKS, ROUND THREE>
You've nabbed the achievement! This should, in theory, leave you free to cause a Geo-based chain reaction, and maybe fry a few carnival fools. There's a nice way to destroy all Geo Panels on the map in two actions (and get a nice bonus for destroying every Geo during a single one of those actions), but you can probably figure that out.

<SCALEFUSED CHAMBER, ROUND THREE>
Magnolia's retreated! This should make things easier. Just wipe out the rest of the foes! I mean, I'm saying this like it's easy, when really, you're dealing with a lot of tough foes. Just do your best, I guess?

Summa spawns at O9, and runs over to L8, beating up the Jester3 with a few others

LEAF: Mm, that's a good point...

Leaf thinks to herself for a moment, unsure of exactly what landmark to race to.

LEAF: Anywhere you'd suggest?
LEAF: I would prefer somewhere around that area, since I'm not too familiar with other places, but I'm fine with anywhere you'd like~

Meanwhile, Kokichi blinks in stunned awe as his quiche child talks to him.

KOKICHI: You're... very sentient for a savory egg and cheese pie, aren't you?
KOKICHI: But you're cuter than most quiches I've met, nee-hee hee.

There's a brief moment of consideration from Kokichi, before a childish grin twists its way onto the boy's face.

KOKICHI: From here on, you shall be known as Shuquichi Eyehara. Even if you already have a name.
KOKICHI: But I'll refer to you as Eyehara for short. It's a cute name, huh~?

(Also, out of character, can I request he talk in #005a81 pls? It's a fun visual gag.)

KOKICHI: I won't eat you just yet though. You were kinda on a floor beneath a bench in the secret catacombs of a cult.
KOKICHI: But more importantly, we should do some father-son bonding! It'll be fun.

Kokichi is taking his role as a father figure very seriously. He then continues the conversation in the present. Time is weird.

KOKICHI: Arrate seven three three? What's that mean?
KOKICHI: Can I call you Arrate or something for short? Anyway.
KOKICHI: This is my son, Eyehara. I met him a few minutes ago.

The boy has a grin on his face, the same wry smile he usually does. Though this one has a hint of pride.

KOKICHI: Anyway, two questions.
KOKICHI: One, what's your deal? Besides rebelling and stuff, what's special about you?
KOKICHI: Two, what is this place?
KOKICHI: And two, part b, what are you guys doing down here?

Kokichi eagerly awaits a response.

The Clown Murderers
(I request Nana use Clone Strain on the Conscript)

Daskter moves to M7
gives the Conscript a Pep Talk
sends a decaying light upon the Discolossus and Jester by firing the light south wards.
then retreats to N6

Shocktroop moves to L7, threathens (Gigantic Presence) the wildcard.
uses its quick reflexes to take a couple of pot shots at the Discolossus with its pistol (Passive Turret Mounts)

Conscript moves to M6 and focus fires on the Discolossus.

Conscript2 spawns at L6, opens fire on the Discolossus then retreats to M5

Overworld:

Echoss nods and marks down tile placement.
Debuff Geo: increases taken damage of foes standing on the tile
Sniper Geo: Grants wallhack and +range (both upper and lower) to anyone standing on it.
Additionally his golems do more work on the house. (should we do a time skip on house building once enough of assorted materials have been grabbethed?)

Following the events of the big RP bit last round, Echoss approaches Omorika.
"Miss Omorika, I have... something I need to do. I will leave the golems and a few butterflies here, you can direct them as you need. If you need me myself, just say so to one of the butterflies and I will come as soon as I'm able."
He walks off, making his way to the currently most secluded portion of the house: the last basement room.


Echoss nods.
"Master Clausa is correct, taking on an entire pack just the three of you would not be wise. But if you have a heads up, that will give you enough time for those of our party to come to your aid."
Willow comments on lack of people.
"I will see about bringing you some from the others. Give me just a moment."

Elsewhere, near a thrashing gazyer, one of Echoss's golems sneaks the bowl of candy away with a makeshift hooked pole, and then makes off with it, leaving the gazyer stapled to the tree and untouched.

Echoss's hologram procures a few small pieces of candy taken from the gazyer bowl and hands them to Willow.


In the everground Pionobot just deposits his spoils in the bucket because I haven't figured out what to do with the fountain yet.


Battle:
Echoss expends his free consumables, tossing them to the following people:
Mana Vial: Nia
Chairian Brew: Bass
Chairian Brew: Venia

He promptly moves up to E16 and scans Sinner2, then retreats south a tile.

Bow Kid looks at the turntables. Then at the DJ. Then back at the turntables. Then back at the DJ. The DJ feels a looming sense of dread as the child grins their way.

Bow Kid slips to (C7) to avoid the cover. She expends some beats...
-ATTACK - +6 Buff Levels (+8 Total from last turn's STATUS beat)
-MOBILIZE - +4 Retreat (Overkill, but necessary)

She then snaps, casting Hidden Flow on Juggler 3's head. She then retreats to... (D9).

Oh god, now she's the DJ. She fingerguns out to the crowd. "Heeey~ DJ Dorothy in the house~"

Should she be permitted to, she proceeds to smash half of the records on the turntable. She whips out one of her own, and starts playing it... it changes the first two beats to STATUS beats!

(before you ask yes i ran it past ire)

---

MU looks at the massive pile of crystal. Surely, this can't be safe... and surely, it can't be just a normal pile; it's just too much crystal.

She decides to prod the crystal with a stick, getting out of the way should that agitate the stuff for some reason.

If it doesn't agitate, or after the agitation ends, she makes another chain out of iron, makes a loop, and tosses said loop around the Volcanic Regalia, aiming to pull it down from a safe distance. She does so, ready to get out of the way should her life be in danger from fire.

Auth listens quietly to Taeda's summary of what she remembers about the battle. It sounds right, Auth thinks, nodding quietly, about what Taeda remembers. Seems like she was zoned out while she was in the battle. Perhaps not in control of herself. There's a quick note-taking from Auth.

AUTH: Well, I can fill in some of that. My memory of that is that you were...
AUTH: As a result of your mutation. You had this... massive, overwhelming anger. Frankly, it was kind of scary. You dealt a finishing blow on the Butterfly, though.
AUTH: It explains why you don't remember much, at least. Blind rage.

Auth thinks to himself about Taeda's response and offer for help.

AUTH: I appreciate it. I'm glad you're alright, you deserve a rest. If you need a hand getting back to the house, let us know.
AUTH: As for me... sick might not be the word for it. Although I'm not sure what the right words are to describe it.
AUTH: Perhaps... the breaking of a dam? Although I don't know what... it could be, honestly. It feels like something's moved and there's now something... a lot of something. And I don't know what it is.
AUTH: Sorry if I'm being vague, I don't exactly know how to describe what it is I'm feeling.

Perhaps Taeda might have an idea, or suggestion, or something?

----

Auth nods, and chuckles to Nana's comments about how everything will turn out.

AUTH: Exactly right. What matters is us. Although I have an inkling that anyone who you actually care about will be supportive of us.
AUTH: Nobody will be between us, I can tell you that.
AUTH: All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. That was the promise.

Auth's obscure remark somehow sounds incredibly assuring regardless.

AUTH: Nana... I love you too.

Auth's stoicism cracks, ever so slightly, for Nana. He smiles, evidently quite happy, as the clear physical expression affection the pair of them have has a much greater impact, at least to Auth, than just saying the words. Nana's fumbling and fluster over the next lot of questions gets Auth to have a very slight chuckle.

AUTH: ...pfft. There's something funny about the summary of that. Allow me to correct the misunderstanding...
AUTH: Bump face? Omo probably means kiss... to humans, I would probably put it on about the same level as holding hands. A little lower than that, but... around the same.
AUTH: Hm... as for doing it... well...

Auth appears to be fumbling over his own words now. Stumbling repeatedly over trying to find a description... but eventually, he just sighs. Better idea...

AUTH: Ugh, I'm just going to keep stammering like an idiot trying to describe it. It would be easier if I just showed you how we do it.
AUTH: I-if you don't mind. I mean...

Auth, evidently, has the capacity for fluster too. Assuming that Nana gives the go-ahead... Auth takes a deep breath. Evidently nervous. Auth stares Nana in the eyes for a brief moment. Is he frozen in nerves or staring at her...? It's difficult to tell. He does, though, start to lean in closer to her... and then he nervously places his lips against hers. A kiss... nervous and unknowing - clear Auth only knows in concept and not in physical execution. And Auth, clearly, is scared of messing it up.

Auth is cold. Well, not that Nana would know, but his body is cold. Cold, compared to a normal human. Not, perhaps, inhumanly cold, but a normal person would be sick at that body temperature.

----

In Battle, Auth flies to L12, next to Nana. He smiles to her, reassuringly, before casting Curaga on I15, and then tossing an Apothecary's Remedy on the GeoBook. This should, ideally, cause everything to explode.

Being within range of that Discolossus is not ideal!

Brutishace moves to J11 and fires Twin Serpents at the Drop Dancer and second Juggler, targeting the Drop Dancer first of all and only targeting the second Juggler once it's down.

"Ow, jeez. Note to self: The boss is a melee enemy. Keep out of range. Also, cleric!"

Kalis glances hopefully towards Auth, then jumps as Nana darts them. They'd looked like they were with the players, but were they actually an enemy? Or had they mistaken Kalis for an enemy? Then they realize that they've been buffed, not damaged. Some kind of... Cleric in a ranger costume? Whatever, they'll take it.

Next order of business is to get away from the boss. They brace themselves for an opportunity attack as they step out of the Discolossus's Zone of Control, but none comes. In fact, closer inspection reveals that Zones of Control now run on an entirely different principle of directly inhibiting movement rather than simply allowing free attacks against moving enemies. Odd, that seems like an unusual gimmick for a dungeon to introduce. At least it means the Discolossus will have a tougher time following.

Speaking of which, now that you at least know how things stand tactically, you should probably get to work making use of your buffs. And wow, is that a lot of buffs.

-----

Kalis moves to N5, then unleashes an incredibly buffed Chaos Bolt on the Discolossus.

Nidra moves to H19 and casts Lyonne on the Corruption. She also Power Naps Nia.

Crya's Hailstorm moves over to G9.
Crya moves to I8 and shoots the Exhibition with her Basic Attack.
Ninja Nia moves to O11 and swaps with Crya.

Person™ has a galaxy brain moment and takes the GM's advice.They use the two pieces of Bronzewood they have to continue breaking down the door.
----
Lukas moves to H10, and brings down the Purge on the Exhibition! He retreats to I10.

D31 Roll
23 - They / Them

---

In some far-off corner of the house, Chara sulked, lying glumly against the wall.

"No I gorillaing didn't."

They sulked and brooded for hours to no end.They lamented and mourned, mourned the
"For fuck's sake, stop."

Ohoho, feeling a wee bit rebellious, are we? What shock- uncensored swears in a gentle game for children and teenagers! Ah, the good old traditional family values sure are rolling eternally from deep within their graves.

"Venia already broke the rule. If she can do it, I see no reason why I would be barred from it."

And so the child kept telling itself such excuses for its edgy behaviour. So it kept denying that anything could be their fault, and that it is always someone else who made the first move. So it kept
CEASE
AND
FUCKING
DESIST







"And for the love of fuck, at least use the proper colors and font to make yourself known."

My, my. How demanding you've become.
Fair enough.


So, who might I be, this fine mademoiselle who has graced the greedy public with her presence? Who might I be, the brilliant morningstar of Fiction and Nonfiction alike?

"An insufferable old lady, mayhaps?"

Fine I get the message I'll leave you alone
Merciful Augustus Aurora, today's youth truly has no respect for their superiors.



...



What's the point of this anymore?
What's the point of anything anymore?
Honestly. For how much longer must I tough through this torture?
If these are the people I'm stuck with, then that one third of the universe better be the most important one in existence, because I just might decide to spite all sides by ending it first.

At least there's still chocolate.

Just a little more. A week? Two? No matter. All shall be well. The moment will come. And when it does, he better keep his promise.

Was guwo ga endia yora omnis, grow en envied gyas
Knawa yora dest manaf.

Over by Ette, Calibri shrugs. In his free hand opposite the sides of the violent cracks, a tablet appears, with him quickly writing something down on it. Notes for later, shall we say.

"Haven't got that figured out yet, admittedly. I might have to ask the people on the other side of the mindscape radio about that..."

He suddenly stops moving. One can practically see him breathing, even though given his nature he's not meant to do that anyway. After a moment, he turns his attention to Ette, needing to gather his words...

"...Bit curious, all of a sudden. Now that I think about it, you're one of the people from the mindscape in the first place... Got anything relevant? Say, the usual treatments for if memories needed healing, or something? Just making sure."


Elsewhere, Verdana is at the top of a certain tower. He still needs a while. Eventually, though, he sighs, then stands up straight, looking still a bit unwell.

"...I'll be off. Need to vent somewhere else for a bit, then get around to fighting."

With that, he drops himself backwards out of the tower, sprouting large feathery wings mid-fall and rockets off to some further field. Once he's there, he checks to make sure there's nobody else in sight, then sighs to himself.

Verdana Vent: loading...




Battle action:

A significant time after his vent, Verdana has gotten to the battle of the Scalefused Chamber, once again looking quite ill. Instead of going pale, however, he seems to have turned darker and more monochrome...

"...Blegh..."

He moves to E15 and hurls a Cure over to Irongutta, if he's in range. If Irongutta is somehow not in range, the Cure instead goes to whoever has the lowest current HP and is in range.

Verdana's Chibi Nia greets the other chibis (and Nia and Venia proper) with some excited happy Chibi Nia noises, then waddles to E16 and fires at Smoulder1. The recoil knocks her down on her rear, and also down to E17, but she giggles and gets back up quickly enough.

Dialogue format dump zone

Battle: Scalefused Chamber

Irongutta holds his position and consumes his Icecream Necklace for some extra regen! The sweet flavors that are so alien to him are a bit intense at first.

Still empowered, Irongutta uses his weapon skill, SHOCKwave on Smouldering 2! Hopefully this should hit five enemies total.

To end his turn, Irongutta targets the Scalewind with his Turbo Magezappa Lens!

Piggo positions himself at E16 and guards!

Laranei decides to do some scanning while she ignores her own impending doom. Specifically, she scans the Fractal Garden she just annihilated.

==BATTLE==
Arthur casts Twin Seas on the Exhibition, using the fact that the Armistyx causes his spells to apply a status effect (Confused) to apply Blind3 and Ensnared3 to it using two Always Watching activations.

Pope Bill moves forward to J10 again, and launches his basic attack at the Exhibition. Once that's done, he retreats back to K10!

Wyvern downs an Eggnog carton, because he's in a festive mood. Also because Carry us to Eden hurt him a little bit. He evostrains, because why wouldn't he, before searching around for a new target; the big, meaty Exhibition and the chewy, little Absolver both seem like good meals. The shields bother him however. Wyvern calls across the room for Marron to pop all three of the Absolver's divine shields. Once she does so, he darts to F10 and cuddles his plushie, activating Draconic Investment before taking a big swipe at the Exhibition. He then turns and stares right into the soul of the Absolver. An unflinching, unbreaking death glare. He activates Riposte.