amemiya_v25 finally finishes catching up with the 24,000,000 missed ticks that resulted from her involvement in a roleplay dop. She also appears to have developed several personalities.

"Alright, who the gorilla did this."

1 skillpoint into SPC; 2 into MP

The die rolls splendidly across the table.

13 - She / Her.

A satisfying sum.

A bearable turn of fate.

Many possibilities.

Little time to choose.


MEANWHILE, E L S E W H E R E . . .

---

Mist trailed the floor, creeping across it like a worm, or a serpent.

The mischievous spirit sighed. Another update missed, another dop closer to when it all ends. This cannot stand. This will not stand.

Chara took one last look around her. The Cold Blue Ether was quite exactly what its name implied. It was cold. It was blue. And it was an endless expanse in some imagined sky. Aside from that, it was filled with near-barren floating islands, it had no visible light source, its melancholy atmosphere could very well lead to a death by despair, and it was the reason Mikeru was no longer allowed to create dimensions. Still, it was an excellent place to come and think, plan, contemplate and execute all sorts of other mental actions. And that's exactly what she did.

Chara took one last look around her, before shattering across the story, her Splinters immediately getting to their work.

---

The "child" continued her talk with Chloe at once.

CHARA: I can't stop the creepy. My base personality is frustratingly similar to Joseph's, and that cannot be tolerated.
CHARA: ...
She lets out a little chuckle.
CHARA: Just kidding, just kidding.
CHARA: I'll try to tone it down, but keep in mind that a regrettable portion of my alternate selves are two-dimensional murder children, in both senses of "two-dimensional."
CHARA: Drowning out their noise takes constant effort, so forgive me if I slip up every now and then.

CHARA: But really, though. A ridiculous number of beings across countless existences ignore laws of reality.
CHARA: And even if Chaos is something else entirely, and not just mere GM bias, these supposed "true immortals" too have something of a final end.
CHARA: You just have to drive them to a despair so consuming, they won't bother coming back to life.
CHARA: That, or set up an absolutely infallible spawnkilling mechanism to take care of it. Whichever your je ne sais quoi is.

Chara inserts another paragraph of narration, because that is apparently the sign of a good writer nowadays. Describing every minor movement that happens, every change of facial expression. A bit of character introspection, a sprinkle of vague "profound wisdom," serve with a pinot noir and a hefty side of bullshit.

CHARA: Why I want to kill Chaos? I actually don't, in a way.
CHARA: But to run a recap, let's just say that there exist two other "main" versions of me. "Main" meaning "most powerful" with hints of "most narratively relevant."

CHARA: One is as irrelevant as irrelevant goes, actually has a stable gender for one, and probably comes from some Subbsverse-esque Wikia roleplay. Most people refer to her as [ARCHIVIST]- since you can't read dialogue, that's in all caps and enclosed in square brackets- because calling her by her true name might release her from the magical book she is bound inside of.
CHARA: Also, I'm pretty sure her powers are just standard Gasterian nonexistence, and that William's owner concealed that behind nonsensical metababble because he wanted his choice fandom to look superior to others.

CHARA: The second is an Agent of the Conflict like myself, except by the oldcanon definition. What matters more is that it is a monster beyond monsters, that I hate being the same base character as it with every fiber of my being, and that Chaos idolises it.
CHARA: You know Hitler supporters? Did you come from an Earth where he was a thing? If you do and did, take that as a starting point, then replace him having lead to the death of several million Jews with it having directly taken the souls of more than a quintillion humans of all kinds.
CHARA: Seriously, it's like someone held down the number "9" on a keyboard and let go only when their finger started to hurt.

CHARA: Tl;dr Chaos is a nazi sympathizer and I'm gonna shank him for it.

---

Elsewhere...

Possibly at the same time(? Time still hasn't risen from its grave), Omo is approached by you-know-who.

CHARA: Greetings. I don't think you were there when I introduced myself, and it's better you weren't.
CHARA: I am Chara, newest addition to Operation Slap Bad God Butterfly. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lady Omorika.
CHARA: I hope you are alright with me asking some questions on the nature of your world. To break the ice, I shall go ahead and pose the most important, eye-catching one.
CHARA: Would it be possible for someone who is not a Chairian to use arbormancy?

She politely smiles, hoping for an answer that doesn't amount to "git gud."

---

Elsewhere...

Taeda is approached by another Splinter.

CHARA: Greetings, my name is Chara, my disappointment is immeasurable, my day is ruined, and in a minute or so, the absolute gremlin you may know as Kokichi Oma will come here to ask you how babies are made.
CHARA: Before this happens, I was hoping you could answer some of my questions. For starters, a probably even odder-sounding one: is the religion of Helix and Dome one of those which grant divine powers to their priests?

---

Elsewhere...

Nana is approached.

CHARA: Greetings howdy hey hi hello what up
CHARA: I just came to congratulate you on making history as the first Chairian to get in an interspecies relationship.
CHARA: I shall hold off all the vitriolic remarks about it swimming in my head because I mean it sincerely and hope you take it as such.
CHARA: So um.
CHARA: Yeah.
CHARA: A winner is you, and your "reward" is a date with the Eternal Edward Cullen. Enjoy it.

---

Elsewhere...

Bologna.
What, you expected others? Not yet. Too many conversational threads to keep up with.
Have some bologna.

Auth nods, at least, to Omo's first point. He remembers what Omo said about cores... they've had that discussion before, actually.

AUTH: I remember that much, haha. You've mentioned that to me. It's a bit like if a human's brain was everything instead of just the mind...
AUTH: Makes sense to me.

Auth tugs on his medic's cap. A little bit much of a target, all things considered, since it's a glowing blue chained hat... but oh well. Auth makes a very specific note of a low food requirement. Auth doesn't eat very much at all anyway, so that's okay for him.

AUTH: I'm actually quite curious about what traditional Chairian dishes are. You'll have to show me some time.
AUTH: Oh, Nana? Are you any good at cooking? Maybe we can make something together, then? Haha.
AUTH: I think it would turn out really well... even if it doesn't turn out that well.]

Auth grins to Nana, it sounds like something to try together and it'd be a lot of fun! As for the next point... Auth knocks on his skin. He blinks, and chuckles, slightly.

AUTH: It'd be a little bit of a surprise if this substance that looks, feels and reacts like bark wasn't bark, hah.
AUTH: I can see how fertiliser would help for self-care. It's not terribly gross, humans have some things that I consider more uncomfortable that are arguably helpful for self-care.
AUTH: As for fungus...? Don't go to the Uttershroom, avoid Blemmigans. Got it.

Auth chuckles, thinking about his own home... a giant mushroom and sapient mushrooms. Probably not good for a freshly minted Chairian, no. As for Nana's question, he shakes his head.

AUTH: Even if Chloe were a valid choice, it certainly wouldn't be the only way to do it.
AUTH: If my running theory is correct, blood would also suffice. Considering my heritage, it's arguably the best method.
AUTH: But yeah. Hm...

Auth listens to Omo explain that Arbomancy is innate to Chairians. He nods, agreeing with that, and then has a thought... perhaps he didn't word himself well.

AUTH: I think I might have phrased myself poorly...
AUTH: I'm not sure whether it's a question of awakening it or not. I can't say whether or not it is, of course, but...
AUTH: Could you teach me the most basic of the most basic of arbomancy? Like, you're teaching a child or the like to control the magic.
AUTH: Considering how I can work with ink... I think if I don't get some sort of training I might accidentally tear my arm off or something trying to cast the magic and overwhelming my body, right? That's my concern...

Auth thinks he's done a better job of it now.

----

In the Cellblock Omega battle, Auth spawns and Sprint-Flies to S12.

AUTH: Good afternoon. We're here to help all of you escape from here. Do not be afraid, you're going to be okay.

Auth carefully frees the Frost Robe first. Auth thinks it might be best for him to free them first, who can cast Support Spells so that might be a help.

Wyvern requested I post for him, so to summarize:
Wyvern goes to Marron to have his weapon and armor upgraded to T5 variants.
He also rearranges his KP some:
2 out of DEF
5 into SPC
+Growing Strength

He then joins the battle at L4, and once Echoss has zillycharmed him, sprints down to B13, evolve straining and downing a celefruit mix.

Irongutta gently picks up Piggo's remains with both hands. He has probably never held anything so tenderly in his entire life.

Sniffling grossly, he takes the lifeless pig and goes to find Auth. He couldn't think of anyone else at the moment.

Eventually, after a bit of navigating back through the projection box and then again through another, he found Auth (he thinks?), who was deep in conversation with Omo.

"Oi, Auth! Er, that's you, innit? Ya look, uh, tree-like."

Shaking his head, he focused on the task at hand.

"Oh, it's awful! Me poor Piggo got all chopped up by them cultists! Ya gotta do somethin' to bring 'im back."

In typical Ork fashion, it sounded more like a demand than a request. Still, he was distraught all the same.

---

Battle: Cellblock Omega

Irongutta puts one point into SKI and two points into HP before spawning in.

Then he spawns in at L4 and moves to L5. Irongutta casts Fury on himself, doing nothing else with his turn.

<ROUND ONE-HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR>

To begin, three new Codex Proelium entries have been released! Dare you take a look back to the past? "Dare?" Is it even really a dare? Whatever. Take a look, maybe?

Anyway, stats!

---

Echoss continues his usual work. First, he crafts some items! These have been covered in the above stats distribution block, however. He also gets his golems to plop a few windows into place within the house, expending 5 Glass Sheets. Then, down in the Everground, Pionobot shrouds himself in green, restoring (6) HP. This heal also happens to cover the damage he'd take from ascending. Nice!

---

Sophia asks Ette if she wants some cake. The answer is instantaneous.

ETTE: Ooh! Yeah!
ETTE: I'd love some!

Ette helps herself to a large slice of the Princess Special, which doesn't actually consume its durability. She polishes off the slice with ease. As the last bite enters her system, it seems she wants more.

ETTE: You know, I haven't really realized just how hungry I am until now...
ETTE: We need to have more sweets! All of the sweets!
ETTE: ...Or maybe something healthy, because I make sis eat healthy stuff for nutrition.
ETTE: Both! We gotta do both!

While Ette begins her quest for munchies, Mustache Girl decides to dig a little further down! She nearly falls into a gigantic pit that's present below her. Fortunately, her foresight to set up an iron chain saves her life. She's now dangling over an unforgiving pit. A fall from this height would certainly be lethal. So don't. It also feels as if the curse is heavier here. Trying to climb up might begin to get really bad.

---

Venia continues her daily dues. First, she continues with Nia, giving her girlfriend a warm hug. Nia responds by pulling her in, and giving her a gentle kiss upon the lips. As they lie there embracing, Venia suggests that maybe they could try fishing.

NIA: Fishing? Sure.
NIA: I've never been myself, but how hard can it possibly be?
NIA: You get a rod, you stick it in the water, you punk a fish into biting it, then you like, yank it out of the water, right?
NIA: Easy!

NIA: ...
NIA: I'm prepared to eat those words. I'm also prepared for you to catch our next course~

...Despite agreeing to go fishing, Nia seems to be content just hugging Venia for now. Going fishing may be a difficult task. While that's (not?) going on, Venia's Maid, accompanied by Mr. Krabs, take a moment to scan the eyeball on the wall. No readings are picked up- there's nothing there? Except, the eyeball is clearly visible on the wall. An attempt to poke it also yields nothing. They blink. The eye is gone. Was it ever even there?

Then, in the Everground, Venia's Maid restores her HP fully. She then goes to deal with the Observer! By doing nothing! The Observer retaliates by also doing nothing. It's like when you attack someone in Fire Emblem, but both of you miss. It's that sort of awkward situation. Am I interpreting this text wrong? Absolutely! But I've written this already, so oh well!

---

Daskter breaches into the next room! He enters a sterile testing environment divided up into three sections, with the dividers being large channels of liquids- one Thyme Matter, one sap. And in the back of the room, there lies a room partitioned off with a sturdy-looking glass. A creature unlike any other rests within a crystal-powered tube of sorts, keeping it in stasis

As he barges in, Daskter yeets a Cinderfruit towards the nearest target- a hapless Onlooker! As the fruit flies, it's promptly intercepted by what seems to be a nearly fully decayed Chairian. It's unclear as to whether they're undead or not, but their body frame is far more slender and emancipated than any other Chairian he's seen yet. Most of his body is visible, due to its only piece of attire being a deep black cloak. It seems to be armed with some sort of ancient weapon, perhaps hundreds of years old. It glows faintly with the same white light that many of the "Sanctified" items are blessed with.

...It seems that the Onlooker he almost yeeted was a scientist of sorts. They begin to fiddle with a console next to them. A few other Rose Cultists are present in the room, and they begin to panic.

SCIENTIST 1: T-They're here! And sooner than expected!
SCIENTIST 1: Oh, Ancient One! What do w-we do?
<0>: UNLEASH IT
<0>: IT WILL BE
<0>: A PERFECT TEST
SCIENTIST 1: B-But, sir!
SCIENTIST 1: We cannot risk the specimen! Not with so much on the line!
SCIENTIST 1: Without it, our leader will...

SCIENTIST: 1: ...No.
SCIENTIST 1: It is by far our most successful one yet. We should take it, and flee.
<0>: IT CANNOT BE SUSTAINED OUTSIDE OF THIS CHAMBER
<0>: UNLEASH IT
SCIENTIST 1: ...
SCIENTIST: Right away, sir.

He trips a lever. The crystal-fueled tube shuts off, and the creature begins to twitch. It seems to be more alien than anything recognizable- while its body is made of wood, it seems to be a floating mass with several drooping tentacles falling from it. The tentacles smash against the tube, cracking its glass open and sending a spray of it across the room. It then pulls itself out, pretending to "walk" with the tentacles.

A slurry of both Thyme Matter and sap begins to pour out of its sides. They form into arms, held together by psychokinetic links. The tentacled creature stands within the center of its chamber.

SCIENTIST 1: I can't believe it's remaining stable!
SCIENTIST 1: Thank <0> for the success of Experiment 69!
SCIENTIST 2: haha, nice
SCIENTIST 3: nice
SCIENTIST 4: niceeeee

SCIENTIST 1: ...Experiment 70.
SCIENTIST 1: This is Experiment 70 now.
SCIENTIST: Degenerates.

"Experiment 70" raises its arms, and the two channels of Thyme Matter and sap within the room begins to bubble. Limbs begin to form from it, reaching and prying against the sides. It'll only be a matter of time before something rises from it.

SCIENTIST 1: For the sake of our master, we cannot fail!
SCIENTIST 1: Live experiment... begin!





You are accosted by...

THE HYBRID
The Best of Both Worlds





...Oh boy.

---

Chara continues to talk with people. When was the last time they entered a battle? Who knows. Not that it really matters. Anyway, they continue their chat with Chloe. She notes that she'll try and tone down the creepy.

CHLOE: Thanks.
CHLOE: A-Anyway, as you were saying?

She then notes that the proper way to kill an immortal is to drive them to incredible despair. Chloe's stomach drops.

CHLOE: Y-You're... uh, not doing a very good job at suppressing the creepy.
CHLOE: That seems... incredibly cruel.
CHLOE: Are a-all children this cruel these days? I mean, there were some mean kids in my school, but...
CHLOE: Geez.

She then notes that she's an Agent of the Conflict. Chloe raises an eyebrow, and her voice gets ever shakier.

CHLOE: Y-You're a what!?
CHLOE: I'm... a bit rusty on my lore, but I know for a fact that being an "agent of the conflict" isn't good.
CHLOE: Like, at all.

CHLOE: U-Um...
CHLOE: S-So... is the Thymefield suppressing your power, or...?
CHLOE: I... I don't k-know what to say. Sorry.

At the same time but also maybe not, Omo is approached by Chara. She immediately drops a question about woodmancy- could non-Chairians learn it? She nods.

OMORIKA: Certainly.
OMORIKA: A few outsiders have learnt and mastered the art.
OMORIKA: The old Chairheir, for instance. He was an outsider.
OMORIKA: He descended from the Sleuth... who was totally incapable of making use of Woodmancy.

OMORIKA: Curiously enough, the art seems to evade the grasp of some people. I cannot fathom why.
OMORIKA: Perhaps it was a result of the Butterfly's corruption. Or perhaps, he was simply incapable of comprehending it.

Chara then begins an x2 CONVERSATION STARTER COMBO, She visits Taeda, and asks if Lord Helix and Lord Dome bestow blessings onto their followers.

TAEDA: Oh, hello!
TAEDA: Why yes! Lord Helix does grant us Devouts our power.
TAEDA: Part of our gift is his divine power, which we harness to heal others... and part of it is simple light magic.
TAEDA: The combination of both allows us to bring peace to those who are ailed by injury.
TAEDA: I believe that higher ranked priests and priestesses obtain a stronger blessing, and can therefore cast stronger magic!
TAEDA: I'm only a Devout at the moment, but... I'm learning!

TAEDA: As for Lord Dome, not many Chairians follow him...
TAEDA: I believe Lord Dome is more widely followed within Tabletopia.
TAEDA: Of course, as the Tabletopians aren't very magically gifted, very few of them are capable of manifesting his gift...
TAEDA: Not that anything Lord Dome would give would be much of a gift, anyway!

Chara's combo then increases to an x3 CONVERSATION STARTER COMBO as they go and chat with Nana. They congratulate Nana on her interspecies relationship. She immediately begins to fret and blush- did they already go public?

NANA: T-Thank you...?
NANA: I-I'm flattered, r-really... but who told you?
NANA: O-Or... i-is it that obvious?

The apothecary goes a flush green. This is not a color that is similar to the color of bologna. Mmm.

Spongy.

---

Auth continues to chat with Nana and Omo. He asks about traditional Chairian dishes, and that he might want to cook something with Nana sooner or later.

NANA: A-Ah, well...
NANA: I'm not a very g-good cook, sorry!
NANA: I could probably learn, t-though! I-I can brew potions, s-so it shouldn't be t-too big a jump, g-going from petals to pork.... or something like that!

NANA: M-Maybe we could try making pastries? T-They're pretty traditional!
NANA: They're these nice fluffy buns, and we fill them with a creamy sap filling...
NANA: M-Maybe you've found a few?
NANA: Ooh, roasted Yggcrawler is also incredible, but we don't have a chance to do that much.
NANA: I-It's quite the regal feast, r-really! Especially when you combine them with some G-Gaiaroot Potatoes...
NANA: A-Ah, we should have something like that for dinner today...

...Auth has inflicted (Daydreaming:Food, 3) onto Nana! As the apothecary daydreams, Auth notes that blood might be the way his transformations occur. Omo nods.

OMORIKA: Hm. Could we test that theory?
OMORIKA: I could say... ask Miss Elem-
NANA: N-Not her!
OMORIKA: Um, perhaps miss Needleworker for a drop of her blood.
OMORIKA: You might be able to change forms again then.
OMORIKA: Would you be interested in the test?

Auth also asks Omorika to teach him the basics of Arbomancy. She nods.

OMORIKA: Most certainly, sir Author.
OMORIKA: Although, I do not believe this is the best place to do so. We're pressed for time.
OMORIKA: Perhaps at a later date?
OMORIKA: For now, though... can you feel any sort of energy flowing through your arms?
OMORIKA: A light, tingling sensation that grows stronger near your hands, and grows weaker as it leaves them.
OMORIKA: Your sap carries magical energy within it, and your hands are the perfect conduits to make use of that power.
OMORIKA: Focus on that. See if you can isolate the sensation.
OMORIKA: Do that, and the teaching process shall go much more smoothly when we get around to it.

OMORIKA: ...I also doubt you would rip off your arm.
OMORIKA: Just saying.

Can he feel the sensation? Who knows. I can't write for Auth. He probably can, though.

---

<CELLBLOCK OMEGA, ROUND TWO>
Something is now watching over the pass. You can't quite tell what it is, but it's certainly gigantic! If the hallucinations notice you, things might get ugly, and fast! Try and avoid that. Otherwise, just be careful of the Old Guard- they can channel the power of Ordo, and then fire that at you in a very large (and very deadly) laser beam.

<HYBRIDIZATION LAB, ROUND ONE>
The Hybrid has awoken! It's not very deadly in direct combat, but the Failed Experiments behind it can (and will) instantly kill you if given the chance! Your best chance to take them out is to destroy the Support Units: destroy them all, and all the Failed Experiments will be slain! Just don't neglect the other Rose Cult units: they'll still beat you down if you ignore them! Especially that Old Guard. Spooky.

Kalis realizes that a lot of players have been rushing into the Omega Cellblock, and also that it's literally named the "Omega Cellblock" on the map, both of which are good indicators that this is no simple ax retrieval task and is in fact a major battle. They rush to join, investing 1 of their Skill Point in HP and the other in Skill as they do.

Kalis will spawn in at N5 and cast Deep Thinking in preparation to start blasting next turn.

Overworld actions:
When Marron bumps her head Echoss nods, suppressing a smile
"My lips are sealed."

In the everground, Pionobot goes left and mines through the wall to get at the rubies that were totally passed up before.

At the house, Echoss's golems begin work on the second floor frame and structure, this expends the big pile of wood instead of the regular building materials.

Echoss golems also take a break to go harvest the farm and replant as follows:
Fertilized: Eterna Flowers, Spiritblossoms, Tornadopetals, Lumipods
Normal: Cinderfruit, Silkweed, Manablooms x2, Lumipods


Omorika gets an upgrade to the Field Guide to Unconventional Mana Channeling called the Condensed Field Guide to Unconventional Mana Channeling. This costs: x1 Barrel of Unseasoned Hours, x1 Masterwork Spellbook, x1 Stardew Potion, x5 Crystal Pens, x3 Shimmering Clusters, x2 Fell Beast Hide, x1 Fell Beast Tail
This turns Caster's Theorem into a bonus action.
Flavor text might come later, might not.

Mari gets an upgrade to the Multipoint Witch called the Omnipoint Witch. This uses x1 Maccao Tailspike (Trinket), x10 Megabark, x10 Silverwood Logs, x2 shimmering clusters, x2 darkmatter clusters, x1 sapphire, and that Ether that Talist made a while back.
This is just a general stat booster.
Flavor text might come later. Hopefully.


Craft some NPC items maybe?
Omo, Mari, Chloe, Marron all need equip boosts.


Battle:
Echoss scoffs loudly at the Old Guard's comments.
"Inability to see the truth directly in front of your face aside, what do you hope to achieve with your words, you WRETCH?
We've wounded your 'god' once. We've chased it off like the coward it is twice.
And that's not even to speak of the pitiful squalor you're apparently calling 'salvation'.
Is this really salvation? Hiding beneath the earth, chaining and executing innocents while you twist and warp all the life and light out of them? Killing and mutilating each other in the name of some great cosmic pest in the hopes that it will have the 'grace' to mutilate you more?
That isn't salvation. And any 'god' who claims that it is has no real claim to the title."

Echoss, having had his say, casts shopping spree (4 dark El Ite knives) and walks through the wall to F8. He then shanks Chosen2 through the wall with one of the el-ite knives.

Niaaaaaa

Venia, busy being cuddled, continues to do that, but also drops a single rod onto the picnic blanket via some distortions, which appears to be of sufficiently high quality. Not wanting to let go of Nia, she opts to manipulate it through telekinesis. "Mph, we can cuddle and fish. Can't be that hard."

...

Five minutes later, Venia had successfully untangled and unhooked herself and Nia. "I tempted fate! I tempted fate and fate bit me in the butt! Fishing is not effortless and I shall never manipulate a fishing rod with telekinesis! We will never speak of this ever again!"

She says all this with an expression nearly ready to burst out laughing.

---

Mari(aaaaaaaaaaa)

Venia grins at the news, just about as big as Maria grins at the Berrybomb. "Excellent. Uh, I'll see to getting Echoss about the power stuff. As for computer stuff..."

Venia pauses, sighs, and casually introduces Mari to basically the entirety of the Electronics section of the inventory, and for good measure, some of the minerals as well. "Stay away from the Fluxcells, I don't want even remote chance of the Butterfly hijacking the thing again. Otherwise, this should be everything short of the power source. I'll see about that... That, uh, tiny nuclear reactor?" Venia says. "... Right. Time travel. Uh, I'll get right on it."

---

NPC services

Venia calmly requests personal upgrades for Marron's hat and Mari's armor, before heading to Chloe's collection service. "Echoss, Chloe. I'll need the materials for... Well, something that can generate enough energy to power a small city, more or less. I'm not sure what that'll take... Or, what constitutes a city around these times. Mari suggested a tiny Nuclear Reactor or something. Can you help?"

She waits patiently for an answer.

In case this service does not somehow constitute the entirety of Chloe's scavenging units, Venia requests she'd also like to see about creating some nice, decent weapon consumables at T5, because we can't get enough of those, as well as a few more Fluxblade Scrolls, because those were incredibly useful.

---

Everground

Through complicated machinations, a Maid appears in the Hybridization Lab right behind the glass! That said, its completely illegal for this to seriously matter in this battle. Another shimmering distortion appears within range 1 of her. Without further ado, this maid, equipped and statted out so as to be minmaxed in MHP and INT, casts Simulacrum upon a Failed Experiment. It spawns directly into the shimmering distortion, and appropriately vanishes. The maid then forcibly despawns like a mofo.

Back in the evergrond, Venia's maid creates another shimmering distortion, and out of this one clearly spawns a cannon meant to lauch humanoids (gold-plated, of course), this one clearly loaded with the Failed Exerpiment Simulacrum. It is at full power, being a Simulacrum, and its status as such also ensures its perfect loyalty-though, copying all aspects of it means it is also going to die at a truly absurd rate outside of the hyper-sterile Hybridization chamber, but oh well, she's not exactly keen to collect more. Without further ado, the maid lights the fuse and wheels it into the chamber. It falls down, directly into the Observer's path, and perfectly aligned to have the Failed Experiment Simulacrum fly right into the tunnel immediately adjacent.

SPLAT! The Failed Experiment Simulacrum flies into the tunnel. Seconds later, not easily killed even as it basically rapid-rots to death, the Simulacrum joyously embraces the Observer, absorbing it cleanly and leaving nothing behind. Seconds later, the Failed Experiment Simulacrum suffers a total organ failure, and dies horrifically, fading into nothingness.

As the game is forcibly patched to prevent even theoretical use of Failed Experiment Simulacrums, or anything of the sort, the Maid observes the room, attempting to gauge further safety.

---

Rosen Catacombs

Because we will never not stop from doing everything, the maid crew as lead by Mr. Krabs reaches the Abandoned Armory. Their mission is simple and swift-literally rip everything up from the premises and shove it into the inventory as fast as possible, and this is the start. Each maid grasps hold of an empty weapons locker (as well as the red stone), and without hesitation crams each and every last one into the inventory as rapidly as they can, before moving onto the storage containers, even the damaged ones, and immediately cramming them into the inventory as well. Mr. Krabs lends assistance with his BIG. MEATY. CLAWS.

---

Battle

"They don't stand a chance, and your aid will only make their defeat come swifter! We'll be happy to guide you out of here after this is all over for the record, its a bit of a complicated path though. Uh, while I'm at it, do you know anything about this place?"

All discussion over with, Venia... Uses Salvation to give the Scarlet two rounds, and probably push her way up in acting order.

"Now give these as much hell as you can!"

Venia scanpings the Scarred via Hat, applying Unify in this manner.

The Ghibli backs up a space to (V9) and then fires on the Scarred with their Basic attack, as boosted by Shoulder Angel and their ability to smack things in Range 1-2 for boosted damage.

The Scarlet should hopefully take the cue to doubleslash the Scarred, racking up major damage but probably not killing them.

Venia then pulls out a Fluxblade scroll, the last one in the inventory, and casts it on the Scarred, hopefully offing them for good.

A Chosen gets a faceful of petals as Lukas dissipates...

...in front of the Old Guard. A solid, thorny vine immediately pierces them right in the core. Lukas walks carefully around the fresh corpse, and eats a Blockmelon.

---

Okay, here's my action:
- Use Pink Like Petals
- Warp to N18
- Basic attack the Old Guard
- Eat a Blockmelon
- Retreat to N19

Crya moves to R4 and casts Ice Stalagmites on Chosen 3.
Chibi Nia moves to Q5.

A Lab Raid

Daskter spawns at L19
summons a Conscript K18

Settings:
Attack: Crushing
Weak: 20% Slashing

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Bhm...t#gid=656793332

The Chaos Awards 4: Thymecon Live, is open for voting! Thank you for your nominations! The time has now come to vote on the winners!

Vote Here: https://forms.gle/8ZSi5TJhVXwZAEuj8

Nidra puts a point in SKI and one in MP.

She joins the Lab battle at N18, Power Naps Daskter, moves to O15, uses the Sheep Counter on herself, and double taps the Old Guard with her basic attack.

Somewhere in the shadows of M19, a figure approaches, looking over the mangled figures of the Iti.

ANGEL: So this is what I’ve created, huh?
ANGEL: All this from a stale, 6-year old joke.
ANGEL: Ye goddesses, what was I thinking staying behind? It’s like some old saying… “If you want something done right, you need to do it yourself.”[/color=#3333CC]

They turn to the party, two blades in each hand (which you’re pretty sure have guns attached to them for some reason).

[color=#3333CC]ANGEL: Hello there, friends.
ANGEL: You probably don’t know me, but the important part to take away from this is;
ANGEL: I was responsible for this mess.
ANGEL: I was the one who created the entity that bore the Thyme, and all this trouble that’s come from it.
ANGEL: And I’m here to bury that part of my past.

Moving up to M16, they cast Bag of Tricks, aiming at the 2nd Scarred.

Nettle launches a free Forest Storm at Sinner2, then uses Rampant Growth on Sinner2, then Sinners 4 and 5, killing them all.

Then, for the rest of her action, she imbibes a Tornadopetal Remedy and moves to N13.
Now she does something dumb. I'm gonna assume cycled spells have their costs modified by Manafuelled.

(0 MP; free cast) Cherry Energy on Niessence 1: It gets Cherry Energy, Nettle gets Gaze of Madness.
(12 MP) Gaze of Madness on Niessence 2: Niessence 2 gets Gaze of Madness, Nettle gets Gaze of Madness.
(12 MP) Gaze of Madness on Niessence 1: Niessence 1 gets Gaze of Madness, Nettle gets Gaze of Roses.
(12 MP) Gaze of Roses on Magnolia: Magnolia gets Gaze of Roses, Nettle gets Liberation Soul.
(21 MP) Weapon skill to cast Twin Seas [(16-16)x2 Water after Manafuelled and INT scaling] on Magnolia and Niessence 1: Niessence 1 gets Twin Seas, Nettle gets Gaze of Madness.
(12 MP) Gaze of Madness on Magnolia: Magnolia gets Gaze of Madness, Nettle gets Liberation Soul.

And finally, Nettle seems satisfied with her knowledge consumption.

~~

Toast, meanwhile, finally reacts to the existence of Ette's new body.

"Ette! You look so great! How does it feel? Is it different? Ooo! Can I hug you? Will that hurt...?"

She seems very excited.

First things first...

Skillpoint assignments. +2 Calibri STR, +2 Verdana SPC


Not battle: The House

With Ette now sorted and sent off to do things, Verdana is not quite sure what to do.

"Hmm."

He decides to spend his time with investigating potential actions. Mostly centered around upgrading stuff. And given Couchtron is the nearest thing to him, owing to him sitting on said couch, Verdana's mostly considering upgrades for that... though first he'd need to make sure nobody else is using materials that he might want. Or, maybe, he could do something with his staff...

Maybe some inspiration will strike soon.


Battle: Hybridization Lab

Calibri spawns in at M18, moves up to M15, and takes a look at the gathered enemies. He eyes the Old Guard, then the Hybrid in the back.

"...Huh. Looking at you two, I'm not entirely sure which one disgusts me more."

He cracks a faint grin, activating Roris Marini, then Slashy Plush, then using a Ration. Despite his obvious disgust at how plain awful the ration taste, he manages to keep it from impacting the moment too much, striking a sword-crossed-over-chest pose and glaring right at the Old Guard.

"Bring it."

Dialogue format dump zone

Dorothy will:
-Move to (F13)
-Fire the Elemental Blaster at the door
-Mirror Image on (G12)

Kalis will discover they are out of range of pretty much everything and lament not moving closer to the action last turn. Then they move to (L9) (or the nearest square in row 9 to Chloe if L9 ends up occupied), where they will cast First Aid on Chloe. (Loaded Spellbook buffs that, it's currently listed as "N/A" but I cast Deep Thinking last turn.)

Auth smiles. Just listening to Nana talk and think about it... Auth seems to think it's a good idea too, as he quietly draws out a pen and a small blue notebook, writing swiftly into it.

AUTH: Well, I'm sure you'll be a natural when you get some practice. Cooking is just one of those things nobody is good at without any sort of learning.
AUTH: I find that potion-craft like what you're used to lends itself to having an easier time cooking. With a little confidence, of course. There's no way you can be the worst chef around here.

Auth appears to be writing down all of the ideas Nana is giving him, since he's planning to cook dinner tonight that'll be helpful to see... in the meantime, Auth turns to Omo.

AUTH: About that... I'm half-human myself. I don't think that I'd need to consume human blood to get that transformation active... I suppose it can't hurt to try though.

Auth's curiosity is getting to him. Auth looks back to Nana, and asks... hesitantly...

AUTH: Um, Nana. If you don't mind me asking... why are you so opposed to Chloe? I'm not upset or anything about it, I'm just curious.

Auth turns back to Omo and nods. Here isn't the best place? Fair enough, Auth understands that.

AUTH: Sure, that's close enough. Later on sounds fair enough...
AUTH: As for that... I...

Auth points his arms out, away from Omo, and takes a deep breath... his eyes are closed, and he's focusing.

AUTH: I can feel it. It's increasing, though. And there's another energy in my chest that seems to be building up as well.
AUTH: The tingling, yeah... all around my hands! I can feel it.

Auth seems not to be used to this sort of magical sensation, and does his best to focus and isolate that sensation in his hands. Just like Omo suggested, to make that learning easier later on. Auth can feel the flow of energy in his hands... Auth thinks he starts to understand why hands are so important now.

AUTH: Maybe not, hah. I'm of course going to the extreme but unreliable power could do that to you, y'know?
AUTH: I'm not being entirely serious with that, although I've seen some pretty nasty magical incidents in my time.

Auth sighs. Seems like some real messy stuff in his case.

----

Auth seems a little surprsied as Irongutta comes over. The Ork noticed immediately that Auth is now looking "tree-like". Auth turns around to see the distressed Ork.

AUTH: Ah, yes. I discovered that I have the ability to shapeshift, and so you may be able to see how I became like this. What's up?

Auth listens to Gutta explain how Piggo got "cut up" by the Cultists, and his request for help. He nods.

AUTH: Alright. I can't make any promises about how effective I might be at this point, but I'll do my best to try and fix the situation. I'll see if I can bring him back.

After that, he turns to Omo.

AUTH: Sorry, I'll be back shortly. I'm gonna see what I can do for Piggo, shouldn't be too long.

----

Auth, in the Cell, nods to the Frost Robe.

AUTH: Much appreciated. Hold on a second, I have to let this one out too...

Auth unties the Rebel Rifler's bonds, and hands them a gun.

AUTH: All good? Time to get out of here, I think.

Auth's hand crackles with energy momentarily, before he casts Curaga on S15, obliterating the Smouldering in the way.