+1 STR.

Remiel grabs the barely-surviving Siren and throws it into the empty containment cell just as Relinquish Will wears off.

Remiel: Congratulations! By foolishly attempting to control one such as I, you have proven yourself quite useful, and earned a reward.
Remiel: That reward is me reconsidering cutting you down where you stand.
Remiel: Instead, I think I'll just keep your Music Box. Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to draw a few silencing runes nearby, either.

They then turn to the scientist locked in the containment cell and "Cypress".

Remiel: Might I make a proposition? Your studies of the Iti would doubtlessly be improved with live specimens. The Iti are indeed difficult to capture alive, especially during a crisis like this, but the powers I command make it quite possible.
Remiel: In return, all I ask is to share in the fruits of your labs' research. Discovering weaknesses will surely help us to clear out the Iti threat. And if you happen to create a few armaments?
Remiel: No better place to test them than the battlefield.

Irongutta was quick to spot the unattended explosive left in the testing chamber. He could barely resist nabbing it, but decided that lugging it around was a bad idea without some further investigation. He knew just the explosives enthusiast for the job.

He approached their docked Airship, where Mari and R-8 were both working on repairs. Irongutta folded his arms as he watched Mari's drones buzz around, spraying the cracks and breaches of the airship with goop."Oi there, Mari. Could I grab R-8 from ya fer a minute? Found somethin' I want him to look at wivv me."

Later returning to the testing chamber with R-8 in tow, Irongutta showed him the explosive. "Whaddya make of this? I ain't too keen to go pokin' around in an explosive that I didn't make roight now, but I'm sure we can find a better use fer it!"

Irongutta also puts a point into HP.

<ROUND 246>



...That was the easiest allocation of stats ever.

Also, since we're here:

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: Super Energy Apocalypse
This unlocks the Spark of Creation hat!

---

The Reflector speedrun loots the Live Specimen Testing Chamber. 14 Gaiameld Ingots obtained from the Hoverseat, 8 Structured Matter obtained from the beakers, and Prototype: Fell Star obtained! This weapon seems complete enough, but really lacks a sort of flair to it. It does have a built-in AI core, though: perhaps the weapon could grow?

Anyway, with all of that looted, the Reflector then assumes the appearance of Spark, approaching the cell that a Chairian researcher is in. They ask him to describe recent events as they use Hannah's keycard to release the lock on his cell. As they talk, the scientist steps out. They sound... suspiciously similar to a certain AI in another universe.

SCIENTIST: Ah, hello Cypress!
SCIENTIST: While I am unsure as to why you are here, I am incredibly grateful!
SCIENTIST: I'm also unsure of why you're teaming up with the Spherebreakers, but... I'm sure you have your reasons.

SCIENTIST: As for what's happened here... well, we had an accident regarding those Iti known as the Migi.
SCIENTIST: They managed to slip into the containment cells through the ventilation, and they enraged our Fell Beast specimens!
SCIENTIST: This prompted a full on raid from the Iti! I was only able to survive by locking myself in this cell, and blocking off the ventilation shaft!
SCIENTIST: Hopefully somebody quarantined this section before the Migi were able to spread.
SCIENTIST: Can you please confirm that, Cypress sir?

...Is that the information the Reflector wanted? Who knows. Perhaps he'll need to prod a bit further.

---

Hannah immediately attempts to rob the Sky Labs. She's nearly instantly caught by Cypress, who responds to her attempts with little more than a glare. The dude must have hella points in Perception or something.

CYPRESS: Cease thievery.
CYPRESS: Exhibit: our property. Do not take.

...Bleh. Well, there goes that plan. Elsewhere, Hannah asks Nia for an upgraded version of the Origin String Relic. She nods, taking 80 Credits and throwing an Origin Cobweb at her.

NIA: Boom! Product attack!~
NIA: It's like an Origin String, but more!
NIA: Enjoy! :niawink:

...Anyway, back in the Sky Labs, Hannah decides to throw a pebble in an attempt to draw the attention of the Chairians. It clinks and clunks down the hallway. The Devout's eyes follow the pebble as it flies.

DEVOUT: The pebble is likely a distraction.
DEVOUT: Whoever threw it is trying to divert our attention, and get us to move in a specific pattern.
DEVOUT: Therefore, I can conclude that our culprit is trying to retreat in the opposite direction of the pebble.

The rifleman shrugs, and moves down closer towards the Bay Door. The Devout follows, not seeing Hannah as she passes by. This has gotten just a bit more inconvenient. Though, it seems that the guard has walked to right below where the Bay Doors are. Perhaps she has a chance to make a play? Meanwhile, at Recollection Lake, Boshi decides to tug the sunken ship to shallower waters. It makes awful screeching noises as it grinds up against the bottom of the lake, but he's able to successfully ferry the boat to shallower waters.

Finally, at the Chapel, Adria decides to make a rather strong padlock for the church doors: a bar of Durasteel, an Electromagnetic Cluster, and a Seer Crystal are used to make the lock, and a sheet of Plasteel and a Gaia Crystal are used in the construction of a key. Adria installs the lock on the door, getting her payment in terms of a high five from Chloe.

CHLOE: Hey, great job with the lock!
CHLOE: Maybe I'd say it's too good a job- but nothing wrong with that!
CHLOE: This place should be totally secure now!

CHLOE: ...So, uh.
CHLOE: Now what? The place seems pretty secure already.
TAEDA: Perhaps we've earned ourselves a break? I'm sure Helix is pleased with our deeds.
CHLOE: Sounds good to me!

Chloe sets herself down on one of the pews, leaning heavily into one of its corners. Physical labor's always on the exhausting side, isn't it? Perhaps Adria's earned a rest, too.

---

Asha pops out of a vent and chats with Marron. Is everything alright? Marron panics a bit as Asha's head pops out from the darkness of the ventilation, but once her eyes meet with hers, she's able to calm down quickly.

MARRON: O-Oh! Toaster! Everything's fine, r-really!
MARRON: I-I was going to follow you into the v-vents, but...

She looks deep into the depths of the ventilation. To the seamstress, it seems to be infinitely long.

MARRON: I-I don't know!
MARRON: T-They're just... s-scary!
MARRON: W-Why are they scary? I-It doesn't make sense!
MARRON: I-It's dark, c-cramped, a-and smelly! W-Why is that s-suddenly so bad t-to me!?

...Is that a question that Asha can even answer? And could Asha help Marron find a way around to join her, or perhaps help her through the vents somehow? Who knows?

---

Pionobot accepts Cypress into the team! Cypress nods his head.

CYPRESS: Thank you. Optimal outcome.
CYPRESS: We shall succeed.
CHI: Thank you for having us.
CHI: We'll do our best to support you.

Cypress and Chi have joined the party!

In order to help, Cypress sets up his own "shop" of sorts in the NPC Assignments tab! Chi also tosses a dose of Research Nanomachines into the inventory. Hopefully this'll get the alliance off to a fruitful start?

---

Venia happily accepts Cypress into the team. She also goes on a tangent about how she considered recruiting a Rebel Zabuton member. Chi's the slightest bit uncomfortable.

CHI: Y-You'd really recruit a member of the Z-Zabuton?
CHI: T-They're a-all... criminals. What they've done is treason towards the Highchair.
CHI: So much so, that if Chairheir Spark found o-out who they w-were... he'd burn them to ash on the spot.
CYPRESS: Orders from Spark. Not hyperbole. Incinerate the leaders.
CYPRESS: Incendiary weaponry: authorized. Regrettable orders. Fire: overly lethal.

Venia then informs Chi that Hersilia's been poisoned. She nods, and begins to follow Venia to her new patient. On the way, Venia asks Chi if she's familiar with a certain sociopathic weapon named Yew. She freezes in her step for a few seconds, eventually shaking her head from side to side violently, waking herself up.

CHI: I-I've heard of her, y-yes.
CHI: Supposedly, it was used in the early days of the Rebellion.
CHI: Her toxins were k-known to not only cause debilitating damage to one's systems, b-but to actually corrode and dissolve the body.

CHI: I... w-was personally asked to develop a cure for her poison.
CHI: T-The process w-was... not pretty. I-I saw many people die before I-I could save them...
CHI: Thankfully, I've perfected the process.
CHI: I should be able to save Hersilia, no problem.
CHI: But... please don't talk about her with me, a-alright? She's a... s-sensitive subject, to say the least.

When she eventually reaches Hersilia, she's quick to get to work. She sets out a sleeping bag, coerces Hersilia inside of it, swiftly prepares her a warm cup of tea, and then mixes a medical mixture into the tea.

CHI: Drink the full cup. It should purge the poisons from your system.
CHI: As a note, you may experience burping or hiccups for the next hour or so, as well as potentially strengthened body odor.
HERSILIA: Of course.
HERSILIA: Thank you, miss Chi. You're a lifesaver.
CHI: You're welcome. Be sure to get plenty of rest, alright?
CHI: Time is the best healer, at least when she's equipped with the proper tools.

Hersilia cuddles up in her sleeping bag.

CHI: Ah, miss Praefortis. Mind taking Hersilia somewhere dry, and away from the elements?
CHI: A warm, secure environment would be the best for her.

Venia then brings up that she has a cure for Acacia's burns, and how she has reason to go and visit her. Chi shakes her head.

CHI: Even if you were in possession of such a cure, I would strongly advise against visiting her.
CHI: She will attack you. You've apparently "ruined her life", though I doubt that.
CHI: I believe Acacia had known little in the way of defeat before you all showed up.
CHI: If you do insist on visiting, bring some sort of protection. It'd be for the best.

Elsewhere, Venia grabs Nidra within Yew's Mindscape, and attempts to break into a locker!



Elsewhere, Venia asks Gibbet why he attacked each target as he did, offering the birb a Mighty Banana as a reward for a job well done. They communicate with Venia through telepathy as they peck their way through the delicious flesh of the banana.

GIBBET: (necks small, necks weak)
GIBBET: (necks make funny noises)
GIBBET: (no have neck, because neck is weak)

Gibbet does not, in fact, have a neck. It then turns towards the block with a chunk of banana still in its mouth.

GIBBET: (other thing no neck)
GIBBET: (what do?)

While Gibbet ponders this mystery of the block, Maria suggests to Marron that they make Ette a super pretty, sparkly, fluffy scarf! Marron's eyes light up.

MARRON: Yeah! Let's do that!
MARRON: Scarves are cool! Everyone who's cool wears a scarf!

MARRON: I bet she'd like a pink scarf, with lots and lots of sparkles.
MARRON: Although, I bet she'd also like it if the scarf was striped with red bands as well, and had a cute "centerpiece" of sorts.
MARRON: And we'll make it extra fuzzy.
MARRON: ...Hey, want to help me make it?

Maria could learn a life skill! Or she could just help douse the thing in glitter. Maybe Marron is going to learn the meaning of "regret" really soon. Who knows?

---

After a quick stat shuffle, Woodthorne tends to unfinished business. And by "tends", we really do mean "tends": he finds the injured spider in the Western Watchtower, and patches them up. The Woodwisp helps too, splashing some restorative pollen upon the spider's face. The spider is soon nursed to health. It's quick to scamper up to Woodthorne's leg, gently rubbing up against it.

The Woodwisp that's been following Woodthorne around decides to sit upon the spider's head. It's both smug and snug, perched upon what must be a colossal beast to the tiny fairy.

---

Auth brings up the concept of umbrellas to Nana. She tilts her head to the side.

NANA: Huh? We have umbrellas here, you know.
NANA: I think Cypress has also developed a militarized umbrella, if any of the military gossip is correct...
NANA: I-It's weird how e-everything's being made into a weapon n-nowadays...

NANA: Have you seen that old staff that was made by Cypress? I-It looks like an icy treat...
NANA: I believe he tried to have t-them commissioned as standard e-equipment, but then t-the bunker they were being stored at was raided...

Anyway, Auth decides to tend to the matter at hand- the Grey Iti. He explains to Lutea that it probably won't try and kill her. She nods, but stays a fair distance away anyway. Approaching unarmed, he shows the Iti the Grey Card. The Bouquet floats towards the card, and pokes it. They're whisked away into the inventory! Grey Bouquet obtained! With the beast gone, Lutea and Nana are free to sigh with relief.

LUTEA: A-Amazing! I'm not sure what you did, but it certainly was effective!
LUTEA: Thank you for your help, sir Author!
NANA: Y-Yeah! Thank you!

Auth then asks about how Lutea and Beluta are doing. The latter of the two remains silent, giving Auth a simple thumbs up. Lutea meanwhile, produces a potion from her pocket, and hands it to Auth. The bottle is specially designed to fit in the hand, and is roughly the size of a grenade. Rosesplash Remedy obtained!

LUTEA: A-Ah, I was wondering if you could test this for me?
LUTEA: W-Whatever you do though, don't drink it! It'll probably k-kill you.
LUTEA: T-Throw it at an Iti, o-or something! It killed a Seeker, s-so it'll probably work on something bigger!

Word, does this potion smell bad. Drinking it would probably give him at least three different cancers, or something. Anyway, at a different point in space, Auth decides to tend to Chi's injuries. He's swift and efficient, and in no time at all, Chi is nursed back to health.

CHI: Hm? Thank you.
CHI: I'm not very versed in the realm of magic, so a quick magical treatment is always appreciated.
CHI: I wonder how a magical treatment holds up to traditional medical practices? I've always sort of wondered.

---

Remiel cages a Siren. The Siren violently bashes against the glass in an attempt to break free, but all of its attempts are generally unfruitful. Pays to be a melee mob, right? It sighs, sitting down against the glass. Sad Siren is sad. Also very angry.

Elsewhere, Remiel floats over to the now-freed scientist. He makes a proposition: why not share the fruits of the lab's research with them? He nods.

SCIENTIST: Ah, hello stranger!
SCIENTIST: I would greatly appreciate the chance to examine a live specimen!
SCIENTIST: And, as for what we've researched... here's some schematics!

He hands Remiel a sheet of lab notes. It seems that their studies on Fell Beasts have born some new kinds of fruit! Research obtained for Fell Creation, a Summoning upgrade! How handy.

---

Irongutta borrows R-8733, dragging him into the test chamber. The two of them then examine a bomb that's been placed on the table. He picks it up, in what can only be described as a blatant disregard for safety. Then again, he's wearing gloves and a bomb suit, so... what could possibly go wrong?

R-8733: Yep. This is a bomb!
R-8733: And not just any bomb, but a fire-based breaching explosive!
R-8733: The fire isn't for burning people on the other side, though: it's for damaging wooden structures!
R-8733: Normally, when breaching into a wooden building, the walls could be morphed back into place once destroyed!
R-8733: These sorts of bombs completely shut down that tactic by searing the wood!
R-8733: It's all very ethical, and incredibly pretty as well!
R-8733: I say we take it.

Boop. R-8733 pockets the bomb. Wood Breaching Bomb obtained!

---

With the alliance formally created, Cypress decides to give the team some pointers. He grabs a member of the team (specifically, Chloe), and directs them a short distance to the west of the Eastern Hub. Chloe takes a look around, seeing a gift shop and a cable car. Cypress then points to the cable car.

CYPRESS: Glyph: this way. Central labs.
CYPRESS: Central: few Iti. Almost safe. Almost.
CYPRESS: Save southern wing. Obtain glyph. Should do both. Order: unimportant.
CHLOE: So... this cable car will take us to the Glyph?
CYPRESS: Indeed.
CYPRESS: Obtain glyph first? Consider it payment.
CHLOE: I suppose we could do that. But, I think you should talk with the others.
CHLOE: I'm not the boss here, y'know.
CYPRESS: Query: really? Was mistaken. Seemed important. "Main character" aura.
CHLOE: I-I... don't know what that means.

CHLOE: Oh, I've been wondering! Why do you talk that way, if you don't mind me asking?
CYPRESS: Processing query...
CYPRESS: Simple: fire damage. Sustained: End War.
CYPRESS: Unable to speak. Must use machine.
CYPRESS: Words available: three. Lucky: getting three. Likely result: zero.
CYPRESS: Would attempt repairs. Repairs: incredibly difficult.
CYPRESS: Speaking too many ca-

Cypress's voice cuts out suddenly and violently.

CHLOE: O-Oh...
CHLOE: I-I had no idea it was like that! S-Sorry if that's a sore subject, o-or something...
CYPRESS: Problems: none. Ask away.
CYPRESS: Besides. Three words: enough.
CYPRESS: Why use many? Just use few. Gets point across. Simple and elegant.
CHLOE: Huh. Alright.
CHLOE: Thanks for the explanation, sir Cypress!

Chloe seems fairly ready to go and ride the cable car. Shall you? As Cypress said, the order really doesn't matter. Or does it? Anyway, the update is now complete! Go and explore the halls. Blow up some barriers. Ride cable cars. The choice is up to you!

+2 to HP (1 KP spent)
----
Bauhaus wipes the sweat off his forehead. "Good work, everyone." He goes to the Gravcore cage. "This looks really cool." He takes the Boots of Gravity Manipulation with the power of his 20 SKI. He is interrupted and scared off by Venia. Like Mario from Super Mario 64 jumping from lava, he jolts forward into the north exit of the Eastern Hub.

Eastern + Western Hub

"Thank you, seriously," Venia says to Chi, walking back to the Hub. "And warnings noted."

When she re-enters the Hub, she immediately catches Bauhaus trying to rob the Boots. "Oh come on! Least you could do is ask!" She shouts, most likely ruining his attempt instantly.

She turns to Cypress, looking just a bit bashful. "Apologies, but, uh, could we have those boots? Uh-not gonna lie we basically get on by, by re-purposing literally everything we find that isn't owned or nailed down. Ah, that's, that's basically why we even bothered with Yew to, to begin with when we found her, aside from her being, uh, sapient... But, that's an aside."

Venia takes a breath. "Now then, I guess we ought to get this out of the way-we're happy to help clean out the lab and all, but I'd like a, uh, a sitrep on what's actually going on in better detail, like, so we can plan for the forces we have to fight, for once," Venia says. "All we know is that, uh, that we have some interest in talking down the outsider that's causing trouble for you in the northern half, or at least talking to him-that's not much trouble, right? They're not quite with us, but they're related..."

---

After all sitrep has been delivered, she notices the new bomb they just got and the obvious Acacia-made wall, and sighs. "...Thought she was taking it well with her talk about technological adaption to her weapon... Ah well. Hey, uh... Hey, can you step aside? Sometimes we need a gentle touch, and this isn't one of them," she says, holding up the bomb to Alatus.

As she sets it up (possibly with R-8733's assistance), Venia talks a bit. "OK, so... She's not going to be happy no matter what we do, unless we do something to snap herself out of her emotions-and I don't think she's going to be receptive to deference, regrettably," She says. "I have no clue if this will work, so... So excuse me, I'm going to be upside-down while we blow this up."

Indeed, Venia goes upside-down, and gets a pair of sunglasses, standing on her head with her hands on the floor. Then she removes her hands and does an armfold instead, somehow not losing balance, probably with some trick or such. The explosion will probably do enough of a signal.

---

Gibbet

"You attack necks because they're weak. You don't have a neck, though-other things might not have necks either. Or, just very, very resistant necks. There may also be times when breaking necks would be... Less than ideal. Times when restraint is necessary. That was the point of the block-to make you think about how to approach a target where the obvious option isn't viable. You couldn't do very much to it, but you did something that affected it-you pushed it away. You may be capable of more if you put your mind to it. What you do is make a ring of force that closes in, but you can use it to crush or push. Have you considered what happens when you make a ring of force that pushes out? Or making different shapes of force?"

"If you're curious about anything I can always set up something to test a theory or two. And if not-well, I won't judge, you're a good little birdy."

---

Yewscape

Venia grasps the mindscape-altering tool. Fingers grasped around the knife-like apparatus, she already feels it-the costume around her, the set of memories, the identity of Adrea (as Yew knew it), more like a mask or a costume she wears than being her. An unsettling feeling for many reasons.

Then the gas starts pouring in. She allows "her assistant" to grab the gun and its ammunition for now, as she backs away from the airborn acids to the opposite corner of the room. She gestures to "her assistant" and then to the wall north to the bedrooms-woodmancy it out of the way to make an escape route. The door was too close to the gas-much too risky to book it through there.

As "he" presumably does what Venia says, Venia takes a look through the cabinets (she doesn't think it'd be an instantaneous process) for anything else of use, informative or otherwise, before bailing through the newfound hole in the wall.

---

Mariaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Maria has to remind herself a little that this is for Ette and not for her as Marron describes it to her, but then the offer to help her make it comes up. "Ohmygosh, yes yes yes! Please! I wanna help, I wanna help!"

---

Other

Venia recommends Cypress the Electrospike Mohawk. "Ripped these off of Electrophorus when we blew him apart, and then when we managed to destroy one of the Phosphites... This probably isn't your aesthetic, but it'll help discharge electricity safely, and I think it complements your abilities nicely and covers your weaknesses well... Yeah, I wasn't exaggerating about re-purposing everything we find."

Pope Bill sets the PK Shardstorm's Physical resistance to Slashing and also sets the Sinful Visage's weakness to Slashing. Next, he puts a skillpoint into MP.

VolatileLily0058 joined dungeon instance game.dungeons.id_NaN.name#NaN
VolatileLily0058: hello?

A young anime-looking girl with glasses and long red hair, wearing some generic RPG fantasy armor, spawns in somewhere in the Skylabs. She looks around.

VolatileLily0058: oops wrong dungeon
VolatileLily0058 game.text.dungeons.leave_failed
VolatileLily0058: ?
VolatileLily0058: oh no

She looks around again.

VolatileLily0058: hello?

VolatileLily0058: must be a bugged instance
VolatileLily0058: better tell the devs!

VolatileLily0058: /report
Not a valid command: /report (error NaN: game.command.error.id_NaN)
VolatileLily0058: ?????

VolatileLily0058: ah
VolatileLily0058: oh god whats going on
VolatileLily0058: im just an npc mob player please help
VolatileLily0058: ...?

It seems she's stuck here. Well, she figures if she's stuck here, she may as well stay around and see what this place has to offer...

Character sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YjT...t#gid=485315086

= Responding to DarkSide =
Someone small bumps into Lily's leg. It's not exactly a feeling she finds familiar, given that every object in her homeworld has equal or larger hitbox height compared to her. She looks down, and waves at the small mustached figure.

VolatileLily0058: well... uh
VolatileLily0058: my name is lily, if you couldnt tell from the tooltip xP

VolatileLily0058: i normally wouldnt tell you this but since this _is_ a bugged instance...
VolatileLily0058: im an npc "mob" player. basically the devs needed non-player-controlled player characters for an event
VolatileLily0058: though the only way you'd be able to tell is i never go offline
VolatileLily0058: i... also have another role but thats mainly for server upkeep etc

Lily pauses, freezing in place for a moment.

/friend: Not a valid userid: NaN
VolatileLily0058: i cant seem to send you a friend request. huh.
VolatileLily0058: you also dont seem to have a userid
VolatileLily0058: do you happen to know anything about this instance?

= Responding to DarkSide - Part 2 =

VolatileLily0058: oh?
VolatileLily0058: you dont seem to have an entityid either... so that means somethings really wrong here...

VolatileLily0058: but... uh. okay. well ill try to not get myself killed, i guess
VolatileLily0058: i mean, this _is_ a bugged instance after all, i dont know what happens if you die in one
VolatileLily0058: though... i might want to stick with someone for now so i dont run into any overpowered encounters or anything
VolatileLily0058: hmm do you have any equipment i can use? i think this quest has separate inventory enabled

Alright, first off: NPCs and Research!
Research:
Research nanomachines are used on Ohmnic Jukebox
The now-free NPC research slots are used on Saltling Wiki and Fell Creation.
With the samples, the following are purchased:
Amber's Addition, x3 Crystal Energizer, Blessed Waters

NPC upgrades:
Arbitrary Arbiter is purchased, because we're over cap.
Additionally, Aspect of Heart and Aspect of Blades are both purchased for Chi.

NPC Assignments:
Cypress is requested to do the Elemental Sniper upgrade
Sleuth is asked to scan a Chairian Standardbearer


Next up, skill point allocation: Pionobot takes 1 KP out of MHP, and puts both skillpoints into DEF.


Not!Echoss appears suddenly in the Everground because he's got nothing better to do, and saunters over to the Cavern of AAAAAAAA, then walks his way up to the ceiling. Using his powers of MEME CHARACTER he nonchalantly walks across the ceiling of the room, then over to the wall just above the face. He pulls out a pickaxe, lays it on its head against the wall, spits on his hands, rubs them together, grabs the handle, and then swings back for a great overhead whack.
Of course, because that whole "spit on your hands" thing has never made any sense, the pickaxe flies out of his hand, spinning across the room until it begins to curve in midair, coming back around like a boomering until it smashes point-first into one of the entrophies in the rock face's eyes.


Pionobot, satisfied with the new allies and the deal to help clean out the Skylabs, swaps to VACUUM-SCYTHE mode and zshwoops up all the thyme matter sitting in the fountain, then heads North from the Eastern Hub, to do some more 'splorin'

Destiny takes a Soul Key. She inspects it for a second before holding it up, stabbing herself, and turning the lock. An aura surrounds her as her hair glows silver and her eyes glow green before Destiny returns to normal.
Ah, power returns to me once more.

Destiny upgrades her trait to Tier 3.


----------

Crya walks over to Taeda and sits down, observing her healing. She decides to ask a question.
I've always been somewhat curious as to the religious situation here on Sussui. I've had basic information on the existence of the god Helix but I heard there was some other kind of religion and I don't know much about Helix themselves. As a priest, you should know your god pretty well. What are they like, and what have they given unto your people?

Skylabs - Hannah

Hoo boy, a lot of stuff. I'll segment this for easier reading.

Space is meaningless and time is in shambles

Hannah politely requests another upgrade of the Origin Cobweb from Nia. "I've seen you do... interesting stuff with your upgrades... more of that please!"
(Let's be honest, Range Up is gonna be *extremely* tricky for me to work with properly)

Drone Hangar

...This isn't going as planned. Which means she'll need to be fast if she wants to escape unscathed and unseen.

In a flash, she jumps out of her hiding spot while simultaneously yeeting a Lumipod at the Rifleman's face to stun/startle him, and Phase Shifting with the Devout. She then books it at max speed up the ladder, out of the hangar, and back to safety.

Outside

Hannah escapes from the Drone Hangar. Sensing this, the Mirror Image tending to Nidra, Venia, and Yew poofs out of existence as the real deal comes in to check on things. Maybe she asks how things are going, if the other two aren't too focused on their task, mildly worried that it was taking so long...

East + West Hub

"...Mph, fine..."

...She looks up at the shoes again and wonders... "...Maybe if we aren't able to take these, we could replicate them somehow... I found a load of that Gravcore stuff in the mines, and somethin' like this could come in handy down there..."

She also couldn't help but overhear Venia and Chi talking. She slips over to a nearby wall to listen in, and... it set some alarm bells off in her head. Don't trust her. She's definitely hiding something, including stuff about her relationship with a certain bow.

...A while later, she sees Venia about to break into a wooden barrier to reach a certain Acacia. She heard about what Acacia was capable of, and wanted none of it. She silently gives Venia a deadpan, judgemental look as she turns and walks off, muttering, "(...And I thought I was the reckless one...)". She looks back, seemingly doubting her desire to just walk away...

...She inevitably bumps into something. That something was Lily's leg, because she's pretty small. It wasn't a very forceful hit all things considered, but it could be felt fairly easily. Hannah takes a step back to look up at what she just ran into. Someone who wasn't there a few seconds prior. She decides to lower her hood at the sight of a new face, revealing her long, gold hair and golden eyes. And a mustache, for some reason. Top 10 things science still can't answer. She speaks up if Lily didn't notice her right away. "Hey. Haven't seen you around before. Who're you?"

...In the meantime, she sends a Mirror Image to explore further east.

Lily, pt. 2

Hannah seems confused as Lily starts speaking in lingo she doesn't understand. "Uh... 'tooltip'? 'Instance'? 'Userid'? Er, I dunno what those are. All sounds sorta 'video-gamey' though."
"Aaaanyway, I'm Hannah. Nice to meet you."

The small child seems to be wearing a black dress with glowing green lines coming from the bottom of it, along with baubles tied to her locks that swirl with a sickly green and purple. She looks Lily up and down, sizing her up. Given that she's very used to people being larger than her around here, she's not all too surprised. "I mean, you did just pop in a few seconds ago. You're probably still pretty confused."

"Right now we're exploring the Skylabs above a planet known as Sussui. Looking for a 'glyph' of sorts so that we can crack into what's pretty much a massive, universe-destroying wooden bomb called the Sphere and defuse it from the inside before it goes off in about... two days, not counting what's left of today."

"I guess if you want to know more, or just... I guess hear someone ramble about it for a solid minute and a half or longer, there's people around that know a lot more than me about what's going on. But those are the basics."

She takes a look around. "Just uh, be careful? You might find yourself a lot weaker than usual, and there's pretty strong monsters running or flying around the place. Giant flying eel in particular, stupid thing got away right as we were about to kill it..." ...Yeah, she seemed salty about that still.

Lily, pt. 3

Hannah, still having no idea what Lily's on about, nods and accepts her request to see some of their inventory. She takes one good look at Lily's equipment, and dives into the ol' inventory to find something worthwhile she could use. Well, a few things, which include her character sheet's gear. In the meantime she gives a few reassurances. "Well, from what I've seen happen, we usually just kinda reform at the house, pretty much fine... aside from maybe some death-related trauma that might occur from those who haven't died several hundreds of times already. It doesn't happen very often, since we've got medics and healers that are really quite good at their jobs. And loads of healing items. And the fact that if someone or something so much as looks at one of us funny the entire squad appears to rip the threat to bits in seconds."

"...Well maybe not that visceral or exaggerated, except for the actual monsters. Against Chairians most of us like to keep them alive, since they don't really have the same luxury of 'respawning' - as a lot of people call it - as us."

"...So yeah, if you were to run into something, probably like 8 people, give or take, will show up to help. Don't ask how this all works, I have no clue myself."

Eventually Hannah pulled out a number of things for Lily to choose from. "Here's a few things ya may find nice to use. Help yourself, we've got tons of these from random looting."

"It's... not the most coherent of inventories as far as this stuff goes, and some of the stuff makes you look kinda dorky... but then again some people get away with wearing their normal outfits over it so I dunno... but dang it if it ain't effective stuff."

"...Actually, if you can so easily access inventories right away... you might be able to figure out how to access ours easily too, y'know? Or maybe that'll just automatically happen. Beats having to ask every time, either way."

---

Recollection Lake - Boshi

Having successfully pulled the boat into shallow water, Boshi parks his boat at the island and goes for a dive down under. He roots around the pirate ship for anything that looks like treasure. If it turns out to be too heavy to carry up, he chains up the treasure, resurfaces, and pulls it up out of the water to loot.

---

Chapel - Adria

Adria nods, seeing a job well done and about to go back to looking through the chapel's stuff... but then she remembered. "...Um, weren't we supposed to be making bedding for some sort of... flower? A 'Godblossom', whatever sort of flower that is?"

...She instinctively rubs her back. The work must have taken a toll on her muscles. "...B-but maybe that can wait until later. A break sounds nice."

She sits back on the nearby pew, and picks up the hymnbook again. She seems... a little more than interested in the hymnbooks in particular.

ZONE 5

"Cypress" nods to confirm Dr. C(hair)oomer's account.

"CYPRESS": Infestation: dealt with.
"CYPRESS": Three hostiles remain. All heavily injured. Air barrier: effective.

He waves to the Spherebreakers and gestures at the remaining Iti.

"CYPRESS": Commence mopping up.

Meanwhile, the Reflector decides to start exploring some other areas. Those other areas being west of the Western Hub. For completion's sake.

Nettle eventually relents to her own curiousity, taking the portal up to The Skylabs. She immediately feels regret in doing so, as she feels a relative absence of manipulable wood for her to use, given her condition. She ends up sitting at the entrance near the trees, which give her some comfort.

Yewscape

Nidra grabs the gun and crystals, then woodmancies a doorway in the north wall. She waits for Venia to search the cabinets, then follows her back into the bedroom.

Brutishace finally takes the initiative to upgrade his Tier 4 equipment! But first, he bids Mentha farewell before he moves onwards to craft.

It's time that the Kage Bracer got an upgrade. Firstly, Brutishace unequips it, figuring out its intricacies and patterns. He melts down three Electrum Ingots to reforge the Kage Bracer in the new material. Brutishace takes one of the Bastion Thymeports from the inventory and does his best to integrate it into the bracer- trying to compensate the best he can for the differences between the metal and the organics. Then, he takes five units of Fluxblood and dips the Bracer in it until it gets absorbed, allowing the reforged bracer to cackle with power. Finally, Brutishace takes three of the Coilgun Parts and hooks them up to try making a projectile-shooting mechanism, before taking two of the Thyme Missiles and affixing them to the new bracer, ensuring that they're not detonated- an explosion at this stage of the crafting would be detrimental. And with those additions, the new bracer is complete! Its new design is a deep purple, with two small "horns" on it.

Brutishace has crafted the Haunter Bracer! He equips it enthusiastically.

(T5 Trinket) Haunter Bracer
If you actually talk to people, maybe it'll evolve into a Gengar Bracer.
(+4 MMP)
(+1 INT)
(Specter Conductor II)
Dark (30%)
Light (10%)
Ice (-20%)
Electric (-10%)
Specter Conductor II: Your damaging spells may spawn one Specter Mine in tiles targeted by the spell.
As a Bonus Action on a round where you didn't create the mine, you may detonate the mine and deal (11-12) Dark Damage to all targets within Range 1 of it. Apply Healblock to one damaged foe for two rounds.

Materials Used:
Electrum Ingots x3
Kage Bracer x1
Bastion Thymeport x1
Fluxblood x5
Coilgun Parts x3
Thyme Missile x2

Perhaps it's time for the Unnerving Skull to receive an upgrade as well- I'm sure this would appease whatever spirit lay within further. Firstly, Brutishace takes three Ember Cores and places them around the crown of the skull, forming a triangle with the crystals. Second, Brutishace takes two units of Widow's Venom- careful not to get any on himself, and douses the skull in it, ensuring that the skull absorbs the venomous liquid into itself. Brutishace uses magic to accomplish this, adding the life-ending energy to that already possessed by the Unnerving Skull. Brutishace empties five cans of Thermal Gel and slathers the skull in the stuff, ensuring that the skull absorbs the combustion resistance of the liquid and using the same magic methods he used on the Widow's Venom. He weaves three units of Pearlsilk around the skull, the magically conductive properties of the skull adding to the power contained within. For the final step, two Cyan Diamonds are inserted into the skull's temples. The skull's eye sockets light up with power- two orbs emerge, and unsettlingly enough, begin to wander around in their sockets. That's definitely not a good sign- mostly for Brutishace's enemies!

Brutishace has crafted the Distressing Skull! He equips it cautiously.

(T5 Trinket) Distressing Skull
This thing now definitely has a not-too-kind mind of its own.
(+2 INT)
(+2 MP Regen)
(Sinster Sight II)
(Uncanny Valley)
Fire (20%)
Ice (10%)
Light (-10%)
Sinister Sight II: Drain Life and Vitality Leech have Armorpierce1 and deal 10% more damage.
Drain Life also restores 10% more HP, and Vitality Leech has one more point of healing.
Hitting two or more foes with Drain Life applies Mending3 for two turns to one friendly within the spell's healing radius. +1 Mending intensity for every foe hit after the second.
Uncanny Valley: Once per battle, you may cast a spell that deals Dark Damage with Manafuelled5. This may be done again upon successful meditation, or if you're hit with a Light attack.

Materials Used:
Ember Core x3
Widow's Venom x2
Unnerving Skull x1
Thermal Gel x5
Puresilk x3
Cyan Diamond x2

If these need tweaking, just let me know!

(OOC: I've had a lot going on irl with college starting up, so I don't think I'll have the time to do much this round.)

After the spider is nursed back to full health, Woodthorne decides to scan the Woodwisp.

Woodwisp (Mid-laugh): HEY! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!!!
Woodthorne: Don't worry, it's not going to harm you. Just good to know about your potential friends, that's all.
Woodthorne: Oh, speaking of which, what's your name?

Remiel studies the sand display.

Remiel: Is this a platform manipulating mundane sand, or is the sand itself the shaper?
Remiel: Either way, this technology could have some interesting applications.

They then help the rest of the party explore east and west of the hub.

oh right.
-2 res +3 int

Auth laughs, slighty.

AUTH: Ah, oops. Sorry, I wasn't sure. You did ask what we did in the rain...

Auth sighs at the idea of a militarised umbrella.

AUTH: I don't know how effective that might be. If you made it out of metal, maybe it would be a portable shield, maybe? I have seen weaponized umbrellas on the small scale, but poison isn't something the military could apply large-scale.
AUTH: It's concerning, the weaponization, yeah.

Auth looks aside as Nana mentions the staff that looks like a popsicle.

AUTH: Somehow, always the exact flavour you hate? I can tell you where they went...
AUTH: Er, we took them. At some point. No, I know which point, it was like the first thing we did when we got here.

---

Back to Lutea...

Auth nods at the thanks from Nana and Lutea for taking care of the Iti.

AUTH: Of course. You're welcome. Truth be told, I'm not entirely sure how it works yet either. But hey, if it works and it seems safe, I don't think it's too much of a worry yet.

Auth accepts the Remedy... "remedy" from Lutea.

AUTH: Sure thing. I'll try it on something later, thanks.
AUTH: Oh, that's right, here...

On behalf of both himself and Nana, Auth hands Lutea a Bouquet Dimension.

AUTH: We thought you might like this.
AUTH: Hey, listen. Don't tell anyone, but... I'm not sure if we'll have much left after we've used it, and I'm not going to tell you what it is, because I want the next thing to be a surprise...
AUTH: But we might have something very interesting for you in the near future. But in the meantime, any resource requests for stuff to work with?

Auth smiles. What he has in mind should be awfully impressive.

---

With Chi, Auth nods.

AUTH: I think more regular medical techniques are less prone to failure. They're more... you can see all the tools you have to hand, and I think you have better control. But Magic is probably more effective in actually treating things.
AUTH: I don't think comparing them against each other is the right perspective, you know? I think it would be better if they were used to... complement each other. Rather than use one or the other, I think the most effective result might be drawn from a combination of both.

Auth considers that for a moment.

AUTH: But given that you're up here, I'd think you'd considered that perspective? So maybe I'm too idealistic.

<ROUND 247>

---

Bauhaus goes exploring! He jumps forward directly into the northern part of the Eastern Hub. Falling flat on his face as he enters, he soon discovers that this is apparently the Medical Wing. While he'd go and explore what's presumably the Medical Testing Chamber, it seems that the doors to it are locked. Still, there's a few other things of interest around here, so take a look?

Also, he +1's his MHP. The only appropriate thing to level in a medical wing.

---

Venia does a variety of things. First, she asks Cypress if she could have access to the gravity boots. He sighs, in a mechanical fashion.

CYPRESS: ...Fine.
CYPRESS: Will allow access. Boots: easily stolen. Can't stop Spherebreakers. Stolen: back turned.
CYPRESS: Just take now.

Cypress, through his... "magical hacking skills", hacks the entirely mechanical lock that holds the containment chamber for the boots closed. Or maybe Venia just lockpicks it with her thieving skills. Nonetheless, Gravity Altering Boots obtained!

CYPRESS: Boots: special. Clings to Gravcore. Useful: inner labs.
CYPRESS: Also modifies gravity. Apparently "very fun". Can confirm. Science: fun.

Venia then asks Cypress what's going on in the labs, preferably with better detail. Cypress interfaces with a console on his arm. A hologram manifests from it, showing a wireframe of the Southern Bay. Cypress points at the Eastern Hub, then a few noted locations.

CYPRESS: Eastern Hub. Current location. Connected: three wings.
CYPRESS: North: medical wing. Unimportant. No investigation required. Was there earlier.
CYPRESS: East: multiple rooms. Storage. Break room. Test chamber. Notable Iti presence. Priority target.
CYPRESS: South: receptionist Mentha. Aspiration: become researcher. Has passion. However, very lazy. Unsure if suitable.

He then points to the Western Hub.

CYPRESS: Western Hub. To the... west. Also three wings.
CYPRESS: North: Weapons Testing. Occupied by Acacia. Please stay clear.
CYPRESS: West: multiple rooms. Washrooms. Electrical. Test chamber. Light Chairian presence. Should be fine. Troops from Spark. I am here. Therefore, no hostilities.
CYPRESS: South: live testing. Humane, despite sounding. Do not access. Iti infestation.

CYPRESS: Information: sufficient?

.Elsewhere, Venia chats with Alatus. Wall. Needs to go. Step aside. Seeing that he probably can't really resist due to all of you being armed, he nods.

ALATUS: Oh, for the love of Helix. It's you guys again.
ALATUS: I see you're here to attack my dear lady once again! By all means, go ahead!
ALATUS: While I am her manservant, I am in no mood to be cut down by you brutes.

ALATUS: Why, you all being here is a sign of the impending end.
ALATUS: The Sky Labs, breached by not one, but two invading forces? UNTHINKABLE.
ALATUS: I say that, but it's really quite thinkable now...
ALATUS: When the Iti end up destroying the Sky Labs because you lot have torn through everything, I'll have the last laugh!
ALATUS: And also die.
ALATUS: WHICH IS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US.
ALATUS: THANKS, YOU GUYS.

With a huff, he moves a few meters to the right, and plops himself down on a large piece of rubble. As for setting up the bomb, it's surprisingly easy. Apply to wall. Set timer. Detonate! Fwoosh! An explosive pulse rips into the wall behind the bomb, the shaped explosion also sending a large degree of fire-elemental crystals behind it. These crystals ignite the already-blasted wood, searing it violently and making it impossible for the walls to be regenerated.

Your reward for defeating the barrier is... another barrier!

ALATUS: OH, LOOK! ANOTHER BARRIER!
ALATUS: IMAGINE THAT!

ALATUS: ...I have heard that there are a few more bombs scattered about the place, though.
ALATUS: Who the hell just leaves bombs sitting around in a laboratory, though?
ALATUS: Maybe we were screwed even before the Iti came, if that's our level of health and safety.
ALATUS: Safety inspection: LEFT A BOMB ON THE BREAK ROOM TABLE, YOU ABSOLUTE MORONS.
ALATUS: THIS COMPANY, ALONG WITH YOUR SANDWICHES, ARE SCREWED.

Elsewhere, Venia continues to teach Gibbet things. What'll Gibbet do if the target doesn't have a neck to crush? Or what if they don't want to crush a neck, because that probably kills someone? Why not try different shapes of force? Gibbet tilts their head, before flying up above the still-fallen block. Their feathers glimmer and ruffle, and the bird performs a vertical loop!

As they reach the crest of their loop, a blade of force manifests above the wooden block! As Gibbet begins to dive once again, the blade falls downward. There's a devastating crack as the blade of force forces its way through the wooden block, decapitating it. (Except it doesn't have a head, but shhhh.)

GIBBET: (big cutty!)
GIBBET: (shaped like cutting, does cutting!)
GIBBET: (big cutty big good?)

...Big Cutty learned? That's also probably a bit too lethal for Venia's tastes, but it seems to have some pretty raw stopping power. Also elsewhere, at the Sky Labs, Maria accepts Marron's request for "help"! The seamstress nods, a light smile hanging on her lips.

MARRON: Great!
MARRON: Anyway, we should probably do this somewhere less...

Marron sees Electrophorus fly overhead. It doesn't seem to be interested in attacking them at the moment, though.

MARRON: ...somewhere l-less windy!
MARRON: Should we head inside the labs? Or do you wanna go back home to do it?
MARRON: Either way, I'm fine.

Next, Cypress equips the Electrospike Mohawk, which is noted to be "radical". Finally, Venia then continues her work within Yew's Mindscape!

---

Pope rotates a few resistances! I mean, I don't think I needed to link this, but whatever. Anyway, some resistances are rotated, and he +1's his MP, taking it to a clean 50. How satisfying!

---

VolatileLily joins the game! Welcome back to the wonderful(?) world of Thymium! Anyway, as VolatileLily accidentally warps into the world, she stands idle, asking for help. She gets... something. Another distinctly anime-esque girl approaches her.

MARI: gorilla did you just say a "slash command" out loud
MARI: ...are you okay? You having some weird case of identity crisis?
MARI: I know what an "NPC mob player" is, but... well, I don't think I need to explain how this is reality, and not some sort of video / forum game.
MARI: ...I mean, it is... but shhhh.

Mari smirks towards the girl, and mutters something just loudly enough for Lily to hear.

MARI: /spawn escape_pod_chair 1 @AiHayasakaIsBestGirl

Mari produces the Escape Pod Chair from the inventory, and sets it down on the ground. She takes a seat as she waits for Lily to say something, legs crossed in a ladylike fashion.

---

Piono authorizes some research work! The Research Nanomachines are used to grab the Ohmnic Jukebox, while Omo and Mari begin researching the Saltling Wiki and the Fell Creation. He then throws around 290 samples to purchase Amber's Addition, three Crystal Energizers, and a vial of Blessed Waters!

From the various shops, the Arbitrary Arbiter and two Aspects are purchased! The aspects are gifted to Chi, who levels up! Cypress is then commissioned to get to work on the Elemental Sniper, while the Sleuth is paid 50 Credits to go and find a Standardbearer.

>Codex Updated!

Pionobot then +2's his DEF, and -1's his MHP. He then also spends some time cleaning up the Sky Labs, using a Vacuum-powered Armistyx to "zshwoop" up a few gallons of Thyme Matter. 50 Thyme Matter blobs obtained! Finally, down in the Everground, Not!Echoss casually walks across the ceiling, and casts BOOMERANG BLADE PICKAXE on the stone face, the pickaxe slamming into the face's eye! The gem cracks, and the face begins to scream ever louder. It also takes (20-5) damage! Tears begin to stream out of the eyes of the face... or as most people would know it, lava. Bully.

stop it don't bulli

---

Destiny levels up her trait with a Soul Key! While she jams a key into her ear / eye / chest / something, Crya decides to visit Taeda, asking the priestess what Lord Helix is like. She ponders this for a moment.

TAEDA: Lord Helix is... an interesting god.
TAEDA: Their behavior as a god is highly erratic. One might call them a god of disorder or chaos, but through what some might call "anarchy" comes his swift progress.
TAEDA: He does however, give us many blessings. From the power us Devouts have, to the creatures of the land... we believe that Helix is responsible for it.

TAEDA: It is said that Lord Helix created Mollusks in his own image. They're a fairly sacred creature to us in the Church of Helix, even if they can be a pest at times.
TAEDA: ...I want a pet Mollusk. Just like what Bass has.

---

Hannah does a variety of things. First, she asks Nia for another upgrade to the Origin Cobweb, paying her 100 Credits. She shrugs, pulls out a piece of rotten meat, a bone, and a bit of gunpowder, and crudely stuffs them into the Origin Cobweb.

NIA: Done!~
NIA: Isn't it amazing? I'd like to think of myself as an artist!

Origin Amalgam obtained! This is... uh.... something. Elsewhere in the timeline, Hannah makes her escape from the Drone Hangar! She decides to bust out forcibly, lobbing a Lumipod at the Rifleman's face! This dazes them! As the Devout immediately heals up the lightly injured Rifleman, Hannah Phase Shifts with the devout, swapping places! With these distractions in place, Hannah hecks upwards out of the the Drone Hangar, successfully fleeing the complex!

Meanwhile, down at Recollection Lake, Boshi decides to do some scuba diving, except without a scuba. He dives deep into the water, swimming around in the pirate ship. One short pirate-ship themed level later, and Boshi emerges with a small haul! From a treasure chest, he finds 500 Credits, 2 Thunderous Regalia, 20 Electrum Ingots, a literally infinite amount of Gold Ingots (okay), and a sicknasty Captain's Hat! Except there's already an item called the "Captain's Hat", so that's not of value. Oh, he also found a priceless relic known as the Ghost Ship's Anchor, but that's not nearly as cool as the hat. It's a trinket though, so maybe it'll be of use?

Finally, down in the Chapel, Adria notes that the team was supposed to be making a planter or something. Chloe waves her hand dismissively.

CHLOE: I mean... a planter is just a box full of dirt, right?
CHLOE: It can't be that hard to make.
TAEDA: It shouldn't be that hard, yeah!
TAEDA: Although... you're right, Adria. A break does seem good.
CHLOE: Yeah! I'm down for that.

Chloe and Taeda join Adria on the church pew. While Chloe gets some shuteye in the corner of the pew, Taeda leans over Adria's shoulder, looking over the hymns in the book.

TAEDA: Y'know, I know a lot of these hymns by heart!
TAEDA: We sung songs from books like these oh-so often in the Church of Helix.
TAEDA: I could try singing them to you, b-but I'm not a very good singer...

Taeda blushes a gentle green. Somehow, Chloe has doubts about this fact.

---

The Reflector confirms to the Scientist that quarantine was successful. I mean, of course it was- quarantine has been scientifically proven to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus by as much as-

SCIENTIST: Ah, excellent!
SCIENTIST: I always knew your Air Barrier system would come in handy one day!
SCIENTIST: Cypress, could you please guide me out of this location? I'm thirsty.

Meanwhile, the Reflector decides to explore to the West of the Western Hub. West west. Very fun. What's less fun (or more fun?) is the presence of a Rebel incursion, who descended into the area via a hole in the ceiling. This might get the slightest bit messy. I hope you hav e a plan. Or just some people to CHARGE FORWARD with you into combat.

---

Nettle sits near some trees. This is nice.

---

Brutishace does some crafting! He slaps together 3 Electrum Ingots, a Bastion Thymeport, 5 (0) Fluxblood, 3 Coilgun Parts, 2 Thyme Missiles, and his Kage Bracer to create the Haunter Bracer! He then throws together 3 Ember Cores, 2 vials of Widow's Venom, 5 Thermal Gel, 3 Puresilk, 2 Cyan Diamonds, and his Unnerving Skull to create the Distressing Skull! Both of these are promptly equipped.

---

Woodthorne scans the Woodwisp. While one might think the Woodwisp is capable of talking, it really isn't- or at least, it's not capable of speaking his language. It makes a few high-pitched angry noises, before floating over to him and smacking him across the cheek. Which really doesn't hurt much, but still.

>Codex Updated!

Woodthorne then asks what the creature's name might be. While he can't understand her, it seems that she is more than capable of understanding him. She ponders how to communicate this for a moment, before flying over to a nearby tree, returning with a golden leaf. She points to the leaf, then to herself. Leaf. Self. Leaf. Self.

Or maybe he could give her a name? Would she appreciate that? Who knows.

---

Remiel ponders the sand display. How does it work? Scooping a bit of sand from the display, he finds that it's just perfectly ordinary sand. There is a light coming from beneath the sand, though. Perhaps that's the source of the trickery on display here?

With that on his mind, he decides to head to the west of the Eastern Hub. Naming the hubs like this totally wasn't a mistake. Anyway, it looks like this Hallway is in a fairly bad state. An airship has crashed through the ceiling, acting as a blockade that divides the two halves of the hall. Fortunately, it looks like you can take a detour through the Storage room there.

---

Generic pokes his stats. boop

---

Auth and Nana talk weaponry! Auth remarks how a weaponized umbrella probably wouldn't be the most effective thing. Nana expands her arms out wide in an attempt to make a point.

NANA: I-I think it's more of like, a shield than a real weapon.
NANA: It's really big, and can be folded up f-for when you need to move around!

He also notes that the Spherebreakers took the experimental weaponry.

NANA: T-That was you guys?
NANA: I guess that makes sense...
NANA: I wonder if Cypress w-would appreciate feedback o-on how they were?

Then, at Lutea's place, both he and Nana gift Lutea a Bouquet Dimension! Lutea is enthralled by the majesty of infinite flowers, staring slack-jawed at it for a few moments. Eventually though, Nana gives Lutea a poke on the shoulder.

LUTEA: O-Oh, right!
LUTEA: Thank you so much for the gift!
LUTEA: I've never seen anything like it! Where'd you find it?
NANA: I-I... don't know.
NANA: Author, do you know where?

Auth then notes that he might have he might have something nice for her in the near future! As her eyes light up, Auth asks if she might have any resource requests.

LUTEA: I'm looking forward to it!
LUTEA: As for resources, um...
LUTEA: ...I-I'd like to experiment with a powerful, ice-attuned plant!
LUTEA:: More weaponized potions might be useful to you guys, s-so... could we do that?
LUTEA: O-Or maybe an electrically-attuned plant?
LUTEA: Anything works!

Well, he has his requests. Finally, with Chi, Auth talks about how magical and traditional medical techniques would be the best if used together. Chi nods.

CHI: I believe you'd be right!
CHI: Cypress believes in the harmonization of magic and technology.
CHI: While both alone are powerful in their own right, they are ultimately limited.
CHI: Together, even the most outlandish of problems can be solved.

CHI: At least, that's what those at the Sky Labs believe.
CHI: I personally haven't been here for too long, so I'm not actually all that accustomed to the culture.
CHI: Still, I believe that Cypress's ideals are fantastic.

She gently smiles towards him.

CHI: Once again, thank you for your assistance.
CHI: Is there anything else you'd like to discuss? I suppose it'd be nice to get to know my new allies.

---

Irongutta follows Piggo down into the Rosen Catacombs! After some moderately convoluted snaking about in the twisting tunnels, they find the battle-scarred Sapsqueal down in the depths. The two oink at one another. Far as Irongutta can tell, they're having a chat. As they talk, the battle-scarred Sapsqueal swings down violently at the floor panels with their tusks, cracking them. It then looks towards Piggo, giving them a gentle oink. Piggo nods, oinking back at them. Piggo then smashes the floor with their tusks, barely chipping them.

A few more oinks later, and Piggo is chasing around the other Sapsqueal, a determined look in his eyes. What's going on here, anyway?

---

With that, the update is complete! Two battles appear to be on the horizon, and there's still plenty of places to poke about and explore! Why not give things a look?

((For the above dop!))

After listening to R-8's explanation of the bomb intently, Irongutta seemed to be satisfied. "Sounds good to me! Bound to be somethin' up 'ere we can use this beauty on wivv all these Chairian forces about. Though, we might 'ave to go the other way since there's a barrier down the hall."

In the meantime, Irongutta had other business to quickly attend to. Pig business. Now that they're a bit more established in the Skylabs, he felt it was a bit safer for his beloved pet to wander around and get into trouble. However, when he arrived at the house via the ship's teleporter, Irongutta found that Piggo was already on his way out the door. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he had no choice but to follow Piggo.

Some time later, Irongutta had followed Piggo all the way to the Southern Chapel Hall of The Rosen Catacombs. "Strange zoggin' sapsqueal..." Irongutta muttered under his breath. Looking around, he soon realized why Piggo must've come here. He saw Piggo approaching another sapsqueal, one that looks far more battle-scarred than any he has seen during his short time on Sussui. All he could do is watch and see what would transpire between the two sapsqueals.