Sorry, Your Time-Traveling Privileges Have Been Revoked
- Thread starter Chandagnac
- Start date
- Original
- Location
- Dethklok
Glitch is such a good snarker
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
And if Frida decides not to pursue any kind of romantic relationship with Evie, especially in light of what she's just been told, that would make a lot of sense. I'd be fine with that.
However, since the Chronarchs' sadistic game with Evie is such an important part of the plot, since Frida has been making eyes at Evie for such a long time, and since there's the possibility that Frida will "betray" Evie in the end, I felt like this was something which needed to be brought up and given serious discussion. And I still think that. It's important to the plot.
Because I thrive on suffering.
I'm sure that is what Frida intends (which is why I suggested Al-Khidr as someone who might be able to help you). However, I'm equally sure that she's feeling pretty worried about it right now, racking her brains for a clever plan and anxious that she might have to go through with it.
Uh, what do you mean "intentional"? At the time, I intended it as a Resident Evil reference. Frida's charming personality hadn't fully developed back then.
You know, I think both of them would be perfectly happy with a quick fling, no strings attached, with the understanding that they'll go their separate ways soon afterwards. I don't think it has to end horribly. (That was one of the points made in Evie's speech in the latest update: she knows she can't offer anything more than a brief holiday romance. It's Frida's choice whether to accept that or not.)
Hmm, I don't think I've ever described Frida's size, except for that one omake in which she makes a joke about having small breasts.She's a midget and you know it, Nevill.
And it's not like he's even present in this scene!
- Location
- St. Petersburg
I think me and Raiseth were talking about her character more so than her actual height.
But I always pictured her on a shorter side. Well, shorter compared to the rest of the team, which comprises of Garrar (a Conan expy, probably two meter tall or something), Al-Khidr (whom I picture as a wizard, and who fits the "tall and mysterious" archetype), and Evie... whose height, I now realize, was never given. But somehow I imagine her more like futuristic Tolkien's elves than D&D ones.
Edit:
Ah, yes, there it is. Evie is about half a head taller than us.
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177. Happy?
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Ah, okay. That makes sense.
*
Happy?
Happy?
Leaving Vault Three, you have in your possession a list of materials which Evie would find useful for her crafting. Setting off through the piles of wrecked machinery, you have a smile on your face and a jaunty song on your lips: "Well, I never kept a dollar past sunset. It always burned a hole in my pants. Never made a school mama happy. Never blew a second chance, oh no…"
Anyone looking at you would think that you were happy as a lark and without a care in the world. That's what you want them to think. You wave to the frontiersmen in their little fortified shelters as you pass them by. They can't see behind your cheerful mask; see how you really feel. As always, you'll hide your troubles and confusion from them. From everyone. If your feelings are unsettled, if you're stirred with wistful hope, you won't let them know. "Always took candy from strangers. Didn't wanna get me no trade. Never want to be like papa, working for the boss all night and day…"
You lean against a patch of rocky wall, taking a breather. 'She likes me. I should be happy,' you say, heaving a disconsolate sigh. 'No, it won't work out in the long run, but what does? That's life. Enjoy it while it lasts.'
Before you can bypass the layered defences surrounding Vault One, you have to use the intercom to ask one of the Rekindlers to open the gate. This time, Amalric Ironside is driving the jeep which comes to pick you up.
'Hi, preacher man,' you say cautiously. 'I didn't expect to see you on guard duty.'
'We're short-staffed,' he says, opening the door to let you get into the passenger seat. 'It's a difficult time, so I offered to help out any way I could.'
'Any particular reason?' you ask, sitting down.
In between turning the jeep around and starting to drive back to the Vault, he looks surprised at you. 'Didn't you know? We've had a lot of refugees coming this way over the past few days. They all say that Lothangrim the necromancer is sending an army of zombies to kill everyone. Hadn't you heard about that?'
'Oh yeah. I've dealt with that already.' You give a theatrical yawn.
'Have you really?' He frowns. 'That's impressive, if true.'
'Are you calling me a liar?'
'No. But you could be mistaken,' he says gently.
'Hmm. I want to talk to Sharra Steelhand,' you say, changing the subject. 'It's important.'
'If you say so.'
When the jeep pulls up outside Vault One, you get out and walk over to the entrance. But something makes you hesitate. You turn back, staring at Amalric. He's affiliated with the Rekindlers, but it doesn't seem like he's one of their core members. He's a friend of Garrar and some of the other time travellers: he joined them on their ill-fated expedition to Vault Seven. But you don't know very much about him other than that.
'First day I came here, I saw you preaching in the Dung Village market,' you say.
'Oh? Yes, I'm there most days.'
'What do you preach about?'
He answers your question with a question: 'Weren't you listening?'
'There's always a lot of hubbub in the market,' you say. 'I couldn't hear very well. You were saying something about a god, I think. Which god?'
'There is only one God,' he says with a soft smile. 'God the father. God the creator. God the source of all things.'
'So… you're a Christian, I guess?'
'Yes.'
'Hmm.' You think about the "false god" up in the Crown, above the clouds. His servants are the Seraphs, angel-winged robots. He twisted the bodies of those who rebelled against him into demonic shapes and then forced them to serve him as bar staff in a hellish-themed nightclub called "Pandemonium", helping to calm the local populace by plying them with drink and entertainment. Of course, he's not the Abrahamic God, not really, but he's tried very hard to steal His clothes. How does that affect people down here in the city? When Amalric prays, do his prayers go to God or to his impersonator? And if those prayers go to the false god, does that empower him somehow?
'Is that a problem?' asks Amalric.
'Oh, no. I was just wondering how that works, what with the apocalypse and everything,' you say. 'Did you get left behind by the Rapture or something?'
He winces as if your idle musing was painful for him to hear. 'All the world was destroyed apart from Terminus, so far as we know, but we believe that wasn't actually the apocalypse described in the book of Revelation. It was a manmade event, nothing to do with God. We believe the real apocalypse hasn't happened yet.'
'All right, sounds plausible,' you say with a nod. 'Are you going to let me in or not?'
'Of course,' he says, opening the door.
You head inside, looking for Sharra Steelhand. When you find her, she's the queen of a hive of activity.
'I've got some good news you'll want to hear,' you say, marching past a group of busy workers. 'Guess what.'
'I don't know,' she says distractedly, handing some paperwork to one of her subordinates. 'Can it wait?'
'Lothangrim has been defeated! The last of his undead minions are buried under the rubble of Vault Six!' you proclaim.
'Oh! Is that true? Well… that is good news,' says Sharra with a heavy sigh of relief. 'I'll need to verify it, of course.'
'Not only that, but I've managed to open the door to Vault Eight! It's full of seeds and living tissue samples and so on, all kinds of stuff which I'm sure you'll be interested in. What will you give me for it?'
The leader of the Rekindlers looks rather overwhelmed. 'Uh… what do you want?'
'Here,' you say, giving her Evie's list of raw materials she needs.
Sharra examines the list, raising an eyebrow at what she sees. 'Some of these items will be very expensive and difficult to get hold of.'
'But you can get hold of them, right? I mean, I'm offering you a whole Vault full of untouched treasures which would be impossible for you to get any other way. Isn't that worth some expense?'
'The labourer is worthy of his hire. Or her hire, in this case,' Amalric says helpfully. Before he spoke, you were unaware that he was standing behind you.
'All right,' says Sharra. 'If what you're offering is the real deal, we'll pay the price you've asked for. In instalments, if that's all right?'
'I suppose so,' you mutter. 'Hey, if there's anything in Vault Eight which you don't need, and you dismantle it, maybe you could send us the pieces? As part of the payment, I mean?'
'If they contain any of the things you've asked for, that might be a good idea. On the other hand, I doubt you've got much use for lumps of carbon or iron. Plenty of those lying around already.'
'You're probably right,' you admit.
'However, before I agree to this, I would like to examine the goods,' says Sharra. 'Is that acceptable?'
It doesn't seem like you have any other choice except to cancel the deal, so you acquiesce. It takes several hours before the Rekindlers are ready to set out on a journey to Vault Eight. At least they're kind enough to give you a lunch in the meantime.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, after lunch, you escort Sharra Steelhand and several of the other Rekindlers to Vault Eight. You show them how to unlock the door. Then, you open it and give them a tour of the library of genetic samples inside.
'This is all very well, but we can't use any of it right now,' says Sharra in a frustrated tone. 'We're going to need to keep most of this exactly where it is, perfectly preserved, and not tell anyone about it. Until we have some way of turning tissue samples into real, living plants and animals, that is.'
'You can still plant the seeds, though,' you say. 'Or can't you?'
'It depends. We might not have the right conditions to be able to grow them. We'll need to think very carefully before we do anything with them.'
'Huh. Y'know, Lothangrim had a cloning machine inside his hideout. He was using it to make undead monstrosities, but I bet you could use it for a better purpose.'
'Where is it now?'
'Uhh… buried under a pile of rubble?' you say, inflecting it like a question.
Sharra sighs. 'Thank you, Frida. That's very helpful.'
'You're welcome,' you say, tipping your hat to her.
You've secured a regular supply of raw materials which will help to speed up the rate at which Evie can craft her marvellous technological creations. I'm going to abstract it as much as possible, so I won't give you exact details, but you can be assured that this is happening.
What do you want to do with the rest of the afternoon?
[] Talk to Sharra Steelhand and the other Rekindlers some more.
-[] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
-[] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
-[] Say something else (write in).
[] Go to 'The Hole'.
-[] Investigate the recent murders.
[] Go to Dung Village.
-[] Visit the market and buy mechanical parts you might need to repair Glitch.
--[] Attempt to buy warm protective clothing.
[] Go to Rats' Alley.
-[] Visit the Doomsmen. Ask to speak with Nihil.
[] Go shopping in the Belly.
-[] Attempt to buy warm protective clothing.
[] Go to the Museum.
-[] Ask Nonette if you can borrow one of the exhibits.
[] Go back to the current headquarters of the Ticktockmen.
-[] Attempt to take control of them.
[] Visit the government building.
-[] Attempt to speak to a member of the Council. (Write in: who?)
[] Visit the Pandemonium Bar.
-[] Ask the demons for help.
--[] In particular, ask them for help in accessing Vault Nine.
[] Go to Vault Four.
-[] Attempt to gain entry to the Doomsmen's old hideout.
[] Go to Vault Five.
-[] See if there's anything left of the gang known as 'the Rooks'.
[] Attempt to gain entry to one of the unopened Vaults.
-[] Which one do you want to visit? Vault Seven or Nine? (Choose one)
[] Do something else. (Write in: what?)
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
That would be Vault One.
[x] Talk to Sharra Steelhand and the other Rekindlers some more.
-[x] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
--[x] What would they suggest? Maybe they have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold?
-[x] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
--[x] They will probably need to dig up the cloning machine eventually anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
If I remember right, the cloning chamber was closer to the exit...
If they can't offer direct help, I am taking ideas.
Please remind me why we would want that. Is there some plot thread I am forgetting?
[] Go to 'The Hole'.
-[] Investigate the recent murders.
... should we? I've long wanted to do this. It's a sidequest that is going to gnaw at me until I at least take a stab at solving it.
If not, I want to visit the Belly and talk to the demons there/buy clothes at the market.
Maybe talk with some of the Councillors who aren't in the Mayor's pocket.
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Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Have you heard about... empathy, Frida?
Or basic human decency?
Lol, glad to see that Frida takes the hits of fate in stride.
I think she stole the hat just for cases like this, before even realizing it's a time machine.
I mean, we do have to help Glitch, he's our
[X] Talk to Sharra Steelhand and the other Rekindlers some more.
-[X] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Yeah, it's pretty much a running joke by now.
I'm not saying that you should want to. Just that it's a possibility.
(You like puzzles, don't you? The puzzle lock on Vault Four is one I'm quite proud of. Although, there's no actual reward for solving it, so... whatever.)
Frida: (Affecting an expression of wide-eyed innocence) "I don't know. What are they? Could I sell them, maybe? For real money?"
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
The funny thing is that you probably can, what with the demons upstairs. But you'd need to be able to feel it first!
- Location
- Where Jokes Die
[X] Talk to Sharra Steelhand and the other Rekindlers some more.
-[X] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
--[X] What would they suggest? Maybe they have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold?
-[X] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
--[X] They will probably need to dig up the cloning machine eventually anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
An opportunity to save Glitch!? So soon, too! Wouldn't let this slip past for the world.
-[X] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
--[X] What would they suggest? Maybe they have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold?
-[X] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
--[X] They will probably need to dig up the cloning machine eventually anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
An opportunity to save Glitch!? So soon, too! Wouldn't let this slip past for the world.
Lealope
Not yet invincible
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Talk to Sharra Steelhand and the other Rekindlers some more.
-[X] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
--[X] What would they suggest? Maybe they have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold?
-[X] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
--[X] They will probably need to dig up the cloning machine eventually anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
-[X] Ask them for help getting through the Freezer.
--[X] What would they suggest? Maybe they have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold?
-[X] Ask them to help with digging up Glitch's body.
--[X] They will probably need to dig up the cloning machine eventually anyway. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.
178. Nah to the Ah to the No, No, No
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Nah to the Ah to the No, No, No
'Anyway, never mind that,' you say. 'I want to get to Vault Nine. Through the Freezer. Can you help me?''I suppose we could give you some warm clothing,' Sharra says dubiously.
'Uh, I was hoping that you might have a vehicle capable of moving through extreme cold. And that I could borrow it.'
'It never gets cold enough outside that we'd need something like that, so the only place where we'd ever be use it would be inside the Freezer. As we have no reason to go there, it wouldn't be cost-effective.'
'So, that's a no?'
'You bet your sweet ass it's a no,' Sharra says irritably. 'We don't need it; we haven't built it. Clear?'
At the mention of your "sweet ass", you feel a sudden upswelling of alarm. 'Are you flirting with me? Um, I have a girlfriend. Well… she's not really my girlfriend. I don't know…'
Sharra makes an incoherent noise of disgust, turning away from you.
'Wait!' you call after her. 'I need some help digging through the rubble of Vault Six. If your Rekindlers help me, you could get the cloning machine you want. How about it?'
'I don't know. It's getting late in the day. We'd need to go back to headquarters to gather tools, workers, and some guards just in case there are any more zombies around. Or those slaving assholes, the Black Rooks. Either way, we'll need to be defended. And then, after we've got everything we need, it'll take time to pick our way through the Bowels to get as far as Vault Six. It really would have helped if you'd told us about this earlier,' Sharra says severely. 'Maybe tomorrow.'
You consider what she just said, realising that even if the Rekindlers got their act together and agreed to assist you, it would take the rest of the afternoon for them to get as far as the Buried Village and make a start on the digging. And you're kind of in a hurry. 'All right, it was just on the off chance,' you say.
After that, while the Rekindlers continue to explore Vault Eight, you think about what to do next. You're tempted to go back to 'The Hole' and investigate the recent murders. You've always thought that you could be a great detective, given a chance. Also, Oswald Grey is dead, so the position is vacant. Yeah, you could fill that hole. You could be like Sherlock Holmes, only with a much more fashionable hat.
Maybe you should have invited Garrar on this excursion after all. He could be your bumbling sidekick, asking obvious questions and acting suitably impressed by your amazing deductions. Also, he'd be useful as backup. You're powerful, but not invincible. Someone striking from ambush could easily kill you. Even if it's not a vampire who's been preying on unwary travellers, even if it's just a regular serial killer, they probably won't like you investigating their illicit activities. They might plan to attack you while you're unaware of them. It would probably be a good idea to have someone to watch your back, just in case.
And what if it is a vampire who has been killing people? They might have supernatural powers which could overwhelm you. Who knows what kind of weird time-travelling creatures might be trapped here in Terminus? You should probably prepare for a difficult fight against a dangerous enemy.
Hmm. There are probably some garlic bulbs somewhere in Vault Eight's extensive library of genetic material. You've seen plenty of seeds stored there – bulbs are basically the same thing, right? Wooden stakes might be harder to come by: there are no trees anywhere near the city, and you've never heard of a vampire who was vulnerable to ersatz substitutes. Running water is a possibility, although down here in the Bowels it's likely that any flow of water will be somewhat tainted.
Thinking of other traditional vampire weaknesses, you glance at Amalric Ironside, who seems to be examining the main door's puzzle lock, trying to understand its workings in case the Rekindlers need to adjust or reprogram it. You wonder if he'll let you borrow his crucifix.
How do you want to go about this?
[] Walk to 'The Hole'.
-[] Ask the locals if they know anything about the murders.
-[] Ask the ticktockmen sentries if they know anything about the murders.
-[] Enter 'The Last Drop'. Ask the proprietor if he knows anything about the murders.
-[] Start digging through piles of rubbish and/or rubble, hoping to find a clue.
-[] Do something else (write in).
[] Go to the Dung Village market.
-[] Attempt to buy cold weather gear.
-[] Attempt to buy a crucifix.
-[] Attempt to buy other things. (Write in: what?)
[] Return to Vault Three.
-[] Ask Evie and Al-Khidr how they're getting on.
-[] Ask Garrar if he wants to come with you on a vampire hunt.
[] Search for garlic in Vault Eight.
[] Ask Amalric if you can borrow his crucifix.
-[] Ask Amalric if he'd be willing to back you up while you hunt for a murderer.
I foresee that Frida's conversation with Amalric will go something like this:
Frida: "Hey, Amalric, you're black, right?"
Amalric: (Sarcastically) "Am I? Good heavens, I never noticed! Well spotted!" (Puts on an expression of wide-eyed astonishment and examines the backs of his hands as though seeing them for the first time.)
Frida: "Have you ever wanted to cosplay as Blade, Vampire Hunter?"
Amalric: "No, I can't say that I ever have."
Frida: (Not really listening to him) "Well, this is your lucky day! I'm going vampire hunting! Do you want to come with?"
Amalric: "Well, I'm quite busy right now…"
Sharra: (Shouting from offscreen) "Just humour the crazy woman, Amalric!"
Frida: "Hey, Amalric, you're black, right?"
Amalric: (Sarcastically) "Am I? Good heavens, I never noticed! Well spotted!" (Puts on an expression of wide-eyed astonishment and examines the backs of his hands as though seeing them for the first time.)
Frida: "Have you ever wanted to cosplay as Blade, Vampire Hunter?"
Amalric: "No, I can't say that I ever have."
Frida: (Not really listening to him) "Well, this is your lucky day! I'm going vampire hunting! Do you want to come with?"
Amalric: "Well, I'm quite busy right now…"
Sharra: (Shouting from offscreen) "Just humour the crazy woman, Amalric!"
Raiseth
I Find Your Lack of Memes Disturbing
- Location
- Russia
Vanity much, Frida?
- Location
- Where Jokes Die
I choked a bit when Frida just straight up asked her if she was being flirted with. Why.
Also, greatly saddened by the fact that Glitch can't be saved right now. I wonder why they're so irritable?
Now, in regards to planning... Garrar might have experience with killing vampires. We could probably ask him for advice in that regard, though there's certainly no guarantee it's the same kind of vampire. Other than that, though, I've not the foggiest clue as to where we want to go from here.
Also, greatly saddened by the fact that Glitch can't be saved right now. I wonder why they're so irritable?
Now, in regards to planning... Garrar might have experience with killing vampires. We could probably ask him for advice in that regard, though there's certainly no guarantee it's the same kind of vampire. Other than that, though, I've not the foggiest clue as to where we want to go from here.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Finally, someone with the right attitude. I sense a kindred soul to a certain robot. Should we let her and Glitch meet, or is the world not ready yet?
[x] Walk to 'The Hole'.
-[x] Ask the ticktockmen sentries if they know anything about the murders.
-[x] Enter 'The Last Drop'. Ask the proprietor if he knows anything about the murders.
Any investigation in your run-of-the-mill detective story starts with poking one's nose in shady nightclubs and chatting up crooked cops. This is our best approximation of thereof.
Edit:
...
[x] Ask Amalric if you can borrow his crucifix.
-[x] Ask Amalric if he'd be willing to back you up while you hunt for a murderer.
Say, Amalric, how well-versed are you in movie tropes? Oh, you don't watch them? Sweet!
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- Location
- Dethklok
Maybe they've got an uneasy feeling, like the end is nigh and they don't know how it's going to happen and wonder how everything they've done is going to be reduced to dust/sub-atomic particles.
[x] Walk to 'The Hole'.
-[x] Ask the ticktockmen sentries if they know anything about the murders.
-[x] Enter 'The Last Drop'. Ask the proprietor if he knows anything about the murders.
[x] Ask Amalric if you can borrow his crucifix.
-[x] Ask Amalric if he'd be willing to back you up while you hunt for a murderer.
Onward for the buddy cop sequence!
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Sharra Steelhand has always had a hot temper. It's a character trait.
See here:
Also, Frida is kind of annoying. All things considered, I think the Rekindlers have been quite patient with her, despite having to put up with her nonsense.
See here, here and here:
So yeah...
I know, Frida is the protagonist of this quest and she's fairly sympathetic, but just try to imagine what some of the other characters must think of her.
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179. Does This Irritate You?
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
Does This Irritate You?
'Hey, Amalric!' you call out to him. 'Can I borrow your crucifix?'
Straightening up, he turns around, looking at you with some trepidation. 'What do you need it for?' he asks. 'It is… precious to me, so I'd rather not give it to you. Sorry.'
You grin cheekily. 'That doesn't seem very Christian of you.'
'Do you need money?' He sighs. 'I can give you some money, if that would help.'
'Nah, I've got plenty of money. Scrip, at least. I suppose it amounts to the same thing.' Putting that thought out of your mind, you explain, 'I need a crucifix because I'm going vampire hunting.'
'I've heard that Lothangrim might have created some vampiric monsters to serve him,' Amalric says contemplatively. 'What makes you think that they'll be vulnerable to crucifixes? Or to any other traditional vampiric weaknesses, for that matter?'
'Oh, I don't think this has anything to do with that old bag o' bones,' you say dismissively. 'I think this vampire is a time traveller from the distant past, trapped here along with everyone else and forced to slake his thirst by ambushing unwary travellers.'
'I suppose it's possible.'
You look Amalric up and down, but not in a "checking him out" sort of way. He's a tall, muscular black man dressed in dark clothes. It's a pity that he acts so mild and softly-spoken; if he had more of a bad attitude, he could easily fill the role of Blade, Vampire Hunter, in a hypothetical future movie sequel.
'Do you want to come with me?' you ask. 'You watch my back, I'll watch yours. Deal?'
'I'm rather busy at the moment,' he says, turning back to the keypad. 'As you can see, there's much work to be done here.'
'Oh, come on, preacher man! Come with me and let's go around righting wrongs and smiting evildoers! Yeah, get your crusade on!' Raising a fist in the air, you strike an inspirational pose. 'It doesn't get any more Christian than that!'
'I find that very offensive,' Amalric says stiffly.
From somewhere out of sight, you hear Sharra Steelhand's voice shouting, 'Just humour the crazy woman, Amalric!'
'Well, I find that very offensive,' you say, echoing what was just said to you. 'But if it gets me what I want, I don't mind. Does that make me crazy? Probably…'
Amalric sighs again. 'All right,' he mutters. 'Let me get a few things, then I'll come with you.'
Sometime later, you set off through the tunnels with your new sidekick in tow. Past the rusted remains of the disused railway, past the lift station, and past the entrance to the Maze, you head back to 'the Hole'.
'In all the detective stories I've read, the first thing to do is talk to some of the local crooked cops,' you say. 'That means the ticktockmen, in this case.'
'I wasn't aware that you were much of a reader,' says Amalric. 'Or that the ticktockmen could speak any language intelligible to humans.'
'Good point. That could be a problem.' You nod. 'Still, we may as well try it. Unless you've got any better ideas?'
He shakes his head. 'You're the expert. Apparently.'
'Pretty good snarking, by the way,' you congratulate him. 'You're no Glitch, but I'm pleased with your performance so far. Keep it up!'
'Um. Thanks, I guess.'
You approach the pair of ticktockmen guards you've seen patrolling this area. 'Excuse me, good sirs, I'm investigating the grisly murders which have been happening near here. Because I'm a private detective. Y'know, like Oswald Grey used to be. Can you tell me anything that might help me?'
They hiss, click, and rattle at you. Then, one of them raises a spindly metallic hand, beckoning for you to follow. It leads you to a patch of broken ground on the west side of 'the Hole', halfway between 'The Last Drop', and the lift station. It shows you where a pile of rubble has been pushed to one side, leaving behind a dark stain, an unpleasant stench, and a few fragments of decaying flesh.
'Is this where the bodies were found?' you ask.
The ticktockman nods its funny little ball-shaped head.
'That's helpful,' you say. 'All right, I don't need anything else. Thank you.'
Another nod, then the ticktockman goes back to making its rounds.
Looking around, you take in the surroundings. 'Almost equidistant between the pub, the lift station, the entrance to Dung Village in the south, and that back wall over there. It's as if someone was trying to put it square in the middle of all of them.'
'Perhaps that's a clue,' Amalric suggests. 'Someone must have put them there deliberately.'
'What, you think our murderer is an obsessive-compulsive tidier? Could be, I suppose,' you say, thinking back to some of the weirder vampire myths you've heard. 'One, two, three, ah ah ah!'
Amalric gives you a look of bafflement, but doesn't say anything.
'What, you've never seen Sesame Street?'
'I don't even know what that is.'
'You poor deprived child!' you exclaim dramatically. 'Never fear, mommy will take care of you!'
'Ugh… yeah, that's not creepy at all,' he mutters.
'I'm glad you agree. Now, let's go to the local tavern and talk to the bartender. I'm sure he'll have some rumours to share with us,' you say, leading him towards 'The Last Drop'.
He doesn't reply.
When you enter 'The Last Drop', you see Renwick standing behind the bar, wiping it with a filthy piece of cloth. He's not cleaning it so much as spreading the grime all over for a smooth, even effect.
'Hi, Renwick!' you trill. 'Do you know anything about the recent murders?'
'Oh, yes! They found a pile of bodies over that way,' he says, pointing in the direction you just came from. 'Dozens of them. Some of them were badly decomposed, but others were more recently dead. It looked like they'd been drained of blood! Some people have been saying it was a vampire that did it! Can you imagine that? A vampire!'
'Yeah, I already knew that,' you say. 'Can you tell me anything else?'
'Uhh…' He scratches the back of his pallid neck. 'Well, if you already knew that, why bother asking me? Trying to throw me for a loop, are you? Hmm. I'm not sure what else I can tell you. I've heard that old Ozzy Grey got some of the ticktockmen to collect the bodies and carry them to Dung Village. They've got them locked away in a makeshift morgue, somewhere over there.'
'Yes, I've seen it. Anything else?'
'Erm, I dunno. Ozzy Grey was blaming the evil necromancer of Vault Six, said he'd created some vampiric monsters and sent them out to drink the blood of innocents. He was ready to go to war over it! Good thing too, I reckon! It's about time someone dealt with Loth– Lothan– whatsisface, whatever his name is. Vengeance for the poor innocent people of the Buried Village, I say! Most of them were murdered, but did the authorities do anything about it until now? Hah!'
'Can you tell me anything I don't already know?' you ask impatiently.
'Look, I don't know what's in your head,' Renwick says, quite reasonably. 'I'm not psychic, ya know.'
What do you want to do now?
[] Ask Renwick some more questions. (Write in: what do you want to ask him?)
[] Examine the damp patch where the bodies were found. Search for more clues.
[] There are a lot of shifty characters around here. Talk to some of them.
[] Do something else. (Write in: what do you want to do?)
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- Location
- St. Petersburg
So Frida is the kind of actor people would pay money to send her away, huh? I suppose that, too, is a way to make a living. Why steal when you can legally rob people with their consent?
The best way to apprehend a "vampire" is to catch them in the act. I suppose we try to determine if there is a pattern to the killings.
And if there is, hmm, I wonder if we can set up bait. *eyes Amalric in a "not checking out" way*
Here is what we know:
We could ask Ratcliffe now that Mr. Grey is indisposed.
And here is what we found during our previous investigation.
All are healthy men and women, under forty. Several killed by knives. Some had old gun wounds. Buried in some place equidistant from nearby areas, and possibly drained of blood post-humously, probably in an attempt to confuse the investigation.
...a gang war? Is this what became of Rooks? We could probably ask about the latest victim, see if they were involved in anything.
My pick would be to ask about gangs operating in the area, and if any victims were in any way involved with them.
Shifty characters could probably be approached as well.
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- Location
- Where Jokes Die
Frida has become steadily more and more unstable, I feel! Fantastic. Not for everyone else, though.
I think it's safe to say that Renwick won't be able to tell us much.
With that said, proposed plan:
[X] There are a lot of shifty characters around here. Talk to some of them.
-[X] Get Amalric to talk to them for us.
—[X] "Can you ask them if they know anything about current gang activity? Rumors and such. Tell them I'm willing to pay! Ah, but we should probably only mention that if they're hesitant to give us information, first."
—[X] "Also, could you ask them if they know if any of the victims were related to the gangs? Or direct us to someone who does?"
We should probably do something nice for Amalric later... but that's for another update!
I think it's safe to say that Renwick won't be able to tell us much.
If we were to ask about the particulars of the deceased, I'd say asking the shifty definitely-not-going-to-stab-us people around would be better. We'll most likely have to part with some of our hard earned scrip, but it's been burning a hole in our pockets anyways, and more likely to give us useful information (admittedly at the cost of opening ourselves up to anyone who might be looking to pick off snoopers). If we do go for it, we...might be better off asking Amalric to social for us, all things considered.
With that said, proposed plan:
[X] There are a lot of shifty characters around here. Talk to some of them.
-[X] Get Amalric to talk to them for us.
—[X] "Can you ask them if they know anything about current gang activity? Rumors and such. Tell them I'm willing to pay! Ah, but we should probably only mention that if they're hesitant to give us information, first."
—[X] "Also, could you ask them if they know if any of the victims were related to the gangs? Or direct us to someone who does?"
We should probably do something nice for Amalric later... but that's for another update!
- Location
- St. Petersburg
Why, we can heroically save his life after we get him in trouble. No need to thank us, really. Anyone would have done that in our place.
[X] There are a lot of shifty characters around here. Talk to some of them.
-[X] Get Amalric to talk to them for us.
—[X] "Can you ask them if they know anything about current gang activity? Rumors and such. Tell them I'm willing to pay! Ah, but we should probably only mention that if they're hesitant to give us information, first."
—[X] "Also, could you ask them if they know if any of the victims were related to the gangs? Or direct us to someone who does?"
[X] There are a lot of shifty characters around here. Talk to some of them.
-[X] Get Amalric to talk to them for us.
—[X] "Can you ask them if they know anything about current gang activity? Rumors and such. Tell them I'm willing to pay! Ah, but we should probably only mention that if they're hesitant to give us information, first."
—[X] "Also, could you ask them if they know if any of the victims were related to the gangs? Or direct us to someone who does?"
Chandagnac
Broken Robot
- Location
- Nowhere
I like to think it's in-character, heh. I mean... early on in this quest, one of the first things she said to Oswald Grey was, "Are you some kind of repurposed sexbot?" Although she was correct about him being an android, that's a very strange thing to say to someone.
Dr. Acula: "I vant to suck your blood!"
Amalric: "Ehh, still not as weird as some of the things Frida has said to me. I'll take my chances."
EDIT: So... should I carry on?
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