>>282406

"I heard that the big man's been interested in talkin' to you.
He's usually pretty flexible, so you could come back whenever and he'd still be the nicest son of a bitch you'll ever meet.
Just don't keep him waitin' too long."

>"Alright, thanks then. We'll be back later."

You wave to Gus as you leave his shop, with a feeling of motivation to get your outstanding business done.

"Where to first then? We haven't gotten a response about the astronomy job, and the play's not till late."

>"I think I'm gonna get my cape."

You walk to the tailor from the other day, and pick up your American flag cape.

"Wow."
>"It's amazing, I know."
"Yeah, that's one word," says Olivia, while smirking.
"Anyway, what now?"

It's currently ~12:30

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>282881
"How about we'll check out what Kazuma and the others are up to now while we wait for that reply on the astronomers job?"

>>282881
Go see what sorts of mage equipment we can afford now

>>283531
>>283597
There is a single staff left in Gus's shop that you can afford:

Bigglesworth - 50000 eris
-9 spell accuracy, +10% spell damage,

>>283864
Nope, not worth buying in my eyes. Let's save up a bit more

>>283864
You know what we should do? Some home made burgers to see if they're up to the locals' tastes.

>>283864
Look out to see if they sell special arrows anywhere around here.

>>283878
>>284018
>>284207
Looking about the district, and starting at Rangers and Rogues, you and Olivia look for specialized arrows.

They sell them, but the benefits they offer are lackluster versus the price, 700e per arrow on even the most basic of magically enhanced arrows.
Special pointed arrows for lodging or armor piercing which only gain benefits in specific conditions are 100e a pop.

You leave the shop, and go back to the Kazuma party home, to whip up some American burgers. When you arrive back, you find Kazuma, Aqua, and Darkness in the living area, playing a card game that looks familiar.

"Uno!" Yells Darkness, as she slams a blue 2 on the discard.

>"...Uno?"

The cards are more rustic, but they've got the same color scheme and everything!
>"How the fuck..."

You remind yourself to ask about it later, as right now you have some burgers to grill.

You whip a very thin and airy dough for the buns, making sure to add just the right amount of yeast, and end up using a cupcake pan to form pseudo-bun bread rolls. It's the best you could do. You also form some ground beef into patties using the leftover bun dough as a binder, and proceed to cook them to the most perfect medium rare on your cooling rack grill.

You slice up tomato and cheese, and grab a head of iceberg lettuce for toppings, but unfortunately there's no way of getting around the lack of yellow mustard.
The only thing they have is stone ground, and that aint American.

While grilling another batch of patties outside, you manage to actually attract a bit of attention from passersby, smelling a fresh new smell:
Freedom.

You have people offering to "pay you to try these so called 'burgers,' that you've made."
Since you're in the spirit of freedom, you offer a few sample burgers for free, before embracing sweet mother capitalism, and selling them for 150 eris each.

You end up having to head out and purchase more ground beef and flour, disappointing the newly sworn American citizens all around you, for all the attention your burgers have gotten.

Children, parents, elderly, business people, adventurers, you name it, they want your meat.
At the end of it all, you profit 30,000 eris, before the last man takes a perfection sandwich, and leaves you to discard your apron.

"God damn," says Olivia, who you see leaning by the open door to the party home. She's smiling.
>"Oh... Uh, hey. How long were you standing there?"
"Long enough."

>>284979
Capitalism in action, hun.
We could probably set this up as a stable form of income if it comes to that,. Does she agree?
Honestly, the MC strikes me as the kind of lad that would like to have his own restaurant.

Anyway, what time is it already?

>>285789
We are going to invent McDonalds

>>285863
Spreading the national religion, like a true american.

>>285789
>>285863
>>285882

"Well I suppose it could be.
Certainly a very different undertaking than what we do now. Less exciting."

It's currently ~3:45

>>286272
"How about we check out the advenurers guild for any interesting rumors?"

>>286290
She shrugs, and the both of you begin walking to the guild. At that moment, you feel a warmth from your guild card, and you see what it is.
"New Mail," it says

>"Oh, hey that might be the dude with the wacky name."

"For the astronomer job?"

>"Yeah."

You head to the guild hall and pick up the letter. It reads, "Meet at observatory --Not now, Very late, be awake!"

>>286450
Ok then, let's just grab a pint then hit thw streets heading for that play

>>286456
You both hang out at the party home for a few hours, then head out to the sunken amphitheater in the library courtyard, and apparently just sit down, no tickets needed.

It's significantly more crowded than it was earlier in the day, but not so that you can't find a place.

Spots of bare seating show across the theater, and the two of you find a spot in the center of one.

The show begins about ten minutes later, a magical veil of darkness rising and covering the open roof, while spotlights shine on the stage. The crowd quiets, as the sound of a low timpani crests over the audience.
The timpani fades away, and low strings enter in unison, playing a single thread of notes at a larghissimo in 3/4.
The strings hold a very low and ominous note, rising a half step a few seconds later and falling to a piano.
Back to mezzopiano, the strings dip one and a half steps, playing a four note sequence much quicker than prior, down one half, back up, up a minor third. They hold this note in slur with a whole step below it in diminuendo, then dip another half step rising to mezzopiano. Down another, back up, then up again, and up a minor third, setting a dissonant tone from the prior, and falling in slur to a whole step below, this time rising in dynamic.
The perturbing melody follows the previous pattern, lifting to another accidental, and falling down in two long half steps, then climbing a scale ladder to a new accidental, that fits within the boundaries of non-dissonance.

At this point, the strings split into long and drawn out chords, while the bassoons and oboes take the melody and split it along two harmonies floating on the waves of the string's sound, breaking at its peaks.

Three actors enter the stage, depictions of a royal family.

Turns out that the two in the fanciest dress are the king and queen, and their daughter Evangeline.
Evangeline doesn't speak, despite having the physical ability to, you learn, and so the court has become worried that no suitor will take her, or that she will accept no suitor.

In the first scene, Evangeline, who is now old enough to begin her lawful jurisdiction, picks a flower as her parents discuss her condition.
At the end, the parents walk off stage right, leaving Evangeline alone on stage.

She drops her blank expression, and stands, and begins a monologue, expressing her distaste with the monarchy.
She crushes the flower, drops its petals on the ground, and returns to her blank expression, walking to follow the King and Queen.

The second scene follows a naive and innocent adult prince, unawares of the evils perpetuated under his father, a lord.

In this kingdom, the children of the King and Queen marry the child of a lord and lady into the royal family, while the position of that lord is then elected by populus in that jurisdiction.

The prince is in a fencing lesson while discussing his potential of being selected by Evangeline as a suitor.
But, It's at this point that you start to tune out.
(1/2)

(2/2)
There's a scene about Evangeline choosing between the sons of the many different lords, who are gathered in the court, and Evangeline chooses the naive prince Graham.

There is a loud and beautiful wedding scene, where it seems as if all is well, and Evangeline silently smiles and nods when asked if she takes Graham.

The two begin to rule, and at first everything goes well. Graham sees good in everything and everyone, and Evangeline silently watches over the people.
However, tension soon builds. It becomes apparent to Graham that Evangeline is attempting to throw the kingdom into ruin. She declares war on the neighboring nations, while also neglecting the people of her own.
Graham sees this early and attempts to right as many wrongs as possible, and as such he becomes popular with the people
However, he fails due to his faith in Evangeline's good intentions and giving her many second chances, and eventually the people begin to dissent against both, calling Graham a fake populist, and Evangeline a usurper (despite her being in legal control of the monarchy)
Eventually, the invading forces break the defenses of the kingdom after a long and bloody war, and come to kill a great many of the civilians and lords in the kingdom, before coming for the royal family.
In a final scene, Graham holds Evangeline at the end of a sword in the very court where they were married, his innocence all but totally vanished, leaving a cynical and withered man behind.
In a final act of kindness he lets her go, and she almost does.

But, she turns around and charges Graham with a knife brandished.
He kills her before the knife is within a meter of his person, and her body falls to the floor.
He stands center stage over her corpse, sword held down at his side, as the forces of the two nations burst into the court from opposite sides.
The curtain lowers after a long pause of silence, and the crowd erupts into applause.

>>287434
Jesus fucking christ, this is both impressive and 'horrifying' in a way.
Ask what did Olivia think about it.

If there were any references I probably missed them since I'm not very familiar with western literature as a dirty foreigner, but anyway, I think I got the idea of the story.

>>287482
"I really liked it, but I've also got a bit of a tragedy boner, so I may be a bit biased."

>>287537
What's the time right now? If it's around midnight, then go to the observatory.

>>287545
~9:30

>>287537
Tragedies are interesting I suppose. Y'know what? >>>(You) should probably grab a book or two at the library about the literature and history of the realm, but leave that for later.

Remember to point out the flaw in Eva's plan is that she forgot to raise taxes, those are the best motivator for rebellion.

>>287537
Go see if you can meet and greet the actors

>>287580
>>287594
You notice that some of the actors are emerging from behind the stage, out of costume, greeting people who've stayed after the show, which is only about 10% of the audience.
You head down and meet the Evangeline's actress.
"Hi,"
she reaches out to shake your hand. You return it, and she shakes Olivia's hand.
"Very enjoyable show."
"Oh, thank you!"

>>287655
"Do you have plays here very often?Before yesterday I didn't even know about this nice place"

>>287799
"We're the highest budget group that performs here, and we do 2 shows a year. But, other production groups also use this theater."

>>287808
Fuck me

>>287808
We'll be sure to check out their next performance, it was pretty entertaining. I wonder how they're funded though.
Regardless of that, I think we should stop sperging and ask Olivia if she wants to hang around/out more or something.

>>287815
Oh bby. The times I QMd I'd do this all the time, it's no biggie here in /qst/ with the ids and all.

>>287824
You thank the actress and the rest of the crew for their performance, and begin walking out of the amphitheater.
>"So what now?"
"Well it's still not 'very late' in my eyes. Probably best to just go back to the party home for a bit.
Unless you just want to walk around and talk or something."

>>287901
"Sure, walk and talk seems fine."

Chat about her interest in tragedies, then maybe branch into what kinda other stuff does she likes?
Musical taste? Etc.

>>288150
Ask her what she thought about the greatest tragedy of all the holocaust lie being forced on people to destroy white nationalism and western society

>>288150
"Living in the dominion all your life where nothing bad ever happens gives you a fascination for the morbid. I'll be honest, my experience with stage plays is rather limited, and to comedy at that. Experiencing something created by humans in the dominion is quite rare. Most of our knowledge about human worlds is gathered from the occasional glance into a human world, which most of us, us being gods and goddesses, never really have the need or interest to do."

>"'Into a human world?' Are there more than these two?"

"Yeah. Five, each with their own histories and cultures."

>"Jesus... I don't know why, but that makes me feel uncomfortable."

She shrugs.
"I guess it's a lot to take in.
If it makes you feel better though, Earth was always my favorite."

You laugh a little.

"There are always constants, too. Musical instruments, swords and armor although styles vary, plays, Uno for some reason, chess, and the most recent to come about is the constant of mutually assured destruction. Only three have it to my knowledge so far, but if something happens in more than one, it's likely to be a constant in all.
Earth has the atom bomb, this world has the tier 7 and 8 explosions in the detonation series, Foegn has the collective unfortunant..."

You feel pretty uneasy at this point, so you take a seat to let the information set in.

>"Let's... talk about something else. Do you have... any particular taste in music?"

"Oh, I'm... I'm sorry about that," she sits down next to you, "I guess, well, that's just always been normal to me, I shouldn't've--"
>"No it's fine. I guess humans are always bound to try and kill each other, huh?"

There's a pause.
"...Maybe that's what the play was about, whether or not humans are subject to their nature."
You look up at her,
"Evangeline's monologue, she spoke about how a monarchy gave no power to its people, and she struggled to think of where the line would be drawn between free will and governance.
She was quietly contemplative, always begging the question to herself rather than unto others what free will even was, whether our choices are our own, and what right we have to make choices in a society. How far can individual freedoms be suppressed before an individual is no longer an individual?
In the end, she attempted to topple a regime, and give everyone their own free choice, but she found no words to express it.
The very people she was trying to give their freedom rejected it, because in her attempt, she had forced so many to be less free than before.
Graham then gave her the mercy of paying the consequences to someone who still loved her, despite what she had done, and she remained silent till she died, begging that same question of determinism through her last breath."
(1/2)

(2/2)
Another long pause gives way to a thought:
>"The soldiers,"

This time she looks at you.
>"In the final scene, the soldiers who burst into the court, on each side they carried the banner of the opposing nations. But, I just realized that interspersed among both armies were people who wore pauper's clothing, and soldiers who bore the colors of Evangeline's kingdom."
>"They had taken the free will that Evangeline had given them. In that way, she had been successful. But they took that free will, and used it to siege the castle with the opposing nations' armies, to try and kill her."
>"With her last gaze, she had finally gotten the answer to the question she had been silently asking her whole life. Those soldiers and paupers, who she had freed, had come bearing their newfound total freedom."
>"She saw that they were as free as possible, but yet still subject to the nature within all of us, the desire to kill, and to harm. She died, having freed the kingdom's people, maybe even thinking of them as children, knowing the truth that none have what we call free will."

This third pause is the longest yet.
Olivia rests her hand on yours as you both stare up at the dark sky. A few bright stars have come out, none of which you recognize.

>>288835
That was deep enough that /lit/ called and said quests are now allowed there.
Maybe the illusion of being free is enough? You can never know every single string (because we have to face that there are uncountable, not just the ones listed) that pulls at you, so you might as well just accept your limited perception and pretend that you're actually choosing. Would the character care that he is simply the collective of actions from multiple shitposters? Probably not, as he wouldn't perceive that.
Well make a "choice" and hold her hand, you homolord.

none of the archive links work
guess i won't get to read this

>>289175
Links won't automatically hyperlink unless you have the setting turned on in 4chan itself.
You can still highlight it and right click, and in most browsers you can follow the link from there.
I just used it, and went all the way back to Part I, so that's as far as I can help you.

>>289175
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=oh-no

As an addendum to Olivia-ish's post, you can use this to access all of them at once.

>>289102
You intertwine your fingers with hers, and you both sit there silently.
She begins leaning on you, and you rest your head atop hers.
The moment lasts for awhile before she breaks the embrace, and stands.
"We should probably head out to that observatory."

You stand and begin walking with her, checking your guild card for directions.

The marker is northeast of Esberg's Mansion, where you had previously uncovered an old locket to be a 'natural' mana source.

You hike your way up a hill, eventually surpassing the height of the city wall, where you find yourself eye to eye with the door to a domed observatory.

Entering, you find a small foyer, everything quite bland and uninteresting. A flat carpeted floor extends to a desk and to halls on either side of the entrance, along with a stairwell on the edge of the foyer. Soon, an older man with spectacles and poor fashion sense comes shuffling down the hall at a spritely pace.

"H-hello, are you the g-g-guild members?"
>"Yes."
"W-welcome, I'm Hewlitt Diosphetes. Please, c-come this way."
He begins leading you down the left hallway, and into a recreation room.
"C-can I get you some t-t-tea, or coffee?"
>"Please, coffee."
"I'd love some tea," says Olivia.
He goes off somewhere, and comes back with tea and coffee after about four minutes, most of which you spent thinking about the implications of the knowledge you received earlier.
"S-So, quick to b-business, how knowledgeable are you in astronomy?"

--
>>289175
Another thing, you can completely skip part IV if you're just in it for the story. Part IV was entirely boss fighting and puzzle solving, it was basically an image dump and it took over a week, yet there was practically nothing in terms of character development or meaningful dialogue.

>>289205
Oh that's cool, I'll put that in the next OP. Thanks.

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>289319
>how knowledgeable
EEEEH
We pick new things pretty quickly.

>>289374
"I see. W-well if I were to ask you the nature of the stars, what would be your response?"

>>289498
Either huge blobs of plasma, primarily composed of hydrogen.
OR maaaaagic.


>tfw I'm trying to make my algorithm work but I'm literally too dumb to, so I'll just give up and sleep
Kill me OP

>>289498
Ask Olivia inconspicuously if she knows if the different worlds actually differ in that regard.

>>289953
Good idea

>>289953
>>290096
"No I don't think so."

>>289687
"Well at the very least, you're m-more informed than most.

What we do here is research the sk-ky. Our telescope isn't incredibly powerful, but we m-mainly use it to catalog. It's rather boring labor, b-but I imagine guild members are quite b-busy during the day.

I can offer you some of our funds based on how much you catalog, two thousand per cell, each of which will take about an hour and a half with two people."

>>290509
Lets do it, for science

>>290509
>>290703
FOR SCIENCE!

>>290509
Okay, seems good, if Olivia is tired she can sleep though.

>>290703
"I'm fine with that. Who knows, we might learn something," says Olivia.

He takes you to the telescope and shows you how to operate it.
There's are two wheel cranks, one for horizontal and one for vertical. The both have insanely high gearing ratios, allowing you very precise control of the telescope.
It's also on a very low friction gimbal, so it matches the rotation of the planet mostly on its own, needing only minor correction occasionally.
He inserts a cloth covered frame into a slot along the length of the telescope, then once it's in place, he removes the cloth.

"T-this is a photosensitive cell. Make sure t-that the same area of the sky s-stays in frame in the exact same spot for ab-bout an hour. You w-won't have to do much, but it will drift very slightly over time. Just give the wheels a small turn once every ten minutes or s-so.
When about an hour has passed, you can take the cell out, and m-move it to the development room."

He goes on to tell you how to determine the next area to catalog, and also shows you what to do with the previous nights' photographs, using blank transparent cells to mark the location and designation of the stars sequentially, then he sets the two of you to it.

You find a rhythm, where you and Olivia work on marking copies of the photographs while occasionally making sure that the telescope doesn't drift.
While doing so, the two of you simply chat,

"So, in the mood of scientific discovery, there anything you want to know about," she waves her arms in large circles, "Y'know, everything?"
--
Also gimme that d100

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>290870
How does morality work when viewed by the gods? As in, do the gods give a shit about what people do, and have a consensus on what is cool or not?

Actually where do the gods and the world come from.

>>290901
"The only thing objectively used from a morality standpoint in judgement is the thing about how much time of life an individual's actions took from other conscious beings, and unconscious beings if it was done with intent. Then, an equivalent amount of time is taken from that individual, before they just come back and make the decision between reincarnation and heaven.
Most gods have their own personal opinions about things. I mean, we're individuals too. In fact, I don't think we're biologically much different from humans, it's just that any physical thing within the dominion isn't subject to entropy, or something like that.
I don't know, that whole thing's a bit screwy, something about the dominion having no physicality, but still interaction or something like that.
The real difference is how we're born, though. A god or goddess will come into being as humans gain a basic perception of a concept, and they'll grow as humans gain a collective understanding of it. That doesn't mean that the god will have the understanding of that concept

As for the Dominion and the worlds, I'm not myself all that well informed of how they came into being, but I think Earth's scientists pretty much have it down.
Actually, a really interesting tidbit, although not totally relevant, Earth has the most advanced scientific knowledge and understanding, but Foegn has the most application of advanced scientific theory.
Greater technology without an understanding of the science behind it I guess is a good way to put it."

>>290953
What about magic? Does the study of it count as a science.
What about the leveling system here, how did this come to be.

>>291020
"Yeah I think so, but I'm pretty sure it's a unique physical property of this world, or maybe the area around the world, or... Yeah.
As for the leveling and everything, I think it's more a system designed by the guild to make the study and application more accessible to the general public."

>>291056
That's interesting, it must be hard to sustain and manage though.
Do they have magical computers here?

>>291144
"You know that machine that they have you touch after every quest? I think that collects information for a huge database that's stored magically, and it can retrieve information too. So basically, yeah."

>>291152
It's almost strange to know things are so different yet so similar.

Switching subjects a bit, ask her if gods had politics or anything like that.

>>291165
"I suppose I could see the need for a governmental body if there were more gods than there were, but as it is, everything's sort of held together by a set of unwritten rules."

>>291283
Just group consensus or do some/does one take leading role/roles?

>>291315
"If any action needs to be taken, it's kind of group consensus, but it's hard to even think of an example of the kind of actions that may need group consensus to be taken."

>>291691
Does she think there might be anything outside of what we and they know?

>>292261
"I'm sure there is. Gods and goddesses aren't given knowledge, we're born, and we learn, although we are talented in our subject.
If there's anyone who has all the answers, it would be Ennen, the goddess of the sciences, but I've barely even spoken to her."

>>292377
What was her "subject" again? Or if >>>(you) would know that then I guess he'd ask to learn more about it/her.

Taking an interest in her more overtly.

>>292526
"Horticulture, the nurture of plants and forestry, especially trees. Kind of hard to put an exact name to all of that, maybe Goddess of Growth?
Nah that just sounds like a dick joke.

And... That is the last star in this image, which means we can take that," she motions to the frame in the telescope, "to the development room."

You take out the light sensitive frame, placing the cloth back over it as you do, and walk it into the darkroom. Olivia follows.

I need 2d100

Rolled 99, 93 = 192 (2d100)

>>292836

>>292861
Damn anon, those rolls.

>>292861
Well we can't get more careful than that

File: Spoiler Image (1.34 MB, 1038x1284)

1.34 MB PNG

>>292861 Pic related
>>292865
>>292876
It's quite dark in the darkroom, as you would expect, so you're careful when making your way to the basin with the development fluid.
However, Olivia trips (on what you can't tell), and you hear a clang. A second later, you're on the ground as well, as Olivia grabbed onto you to try and slow her fall. Luckily, you had already placed the sensitive frame down before your shared tumble.

When you can finally make sense of your surroundings a half moment later, you notice two things.
The first: Olivia is on top of you, slightly dazed.
The second: Your pants have slipped down your waist, and your underwear slipped on one side, partly revealing the interior of your upper thigh to the elements. Apparently that's where she'd grabbed when falling.

"Oh, s-shit I'm sorry! Did you drop anything?"

>"No, I'm fine, the cell's fine, I think we're fine."

You begin feeling around in the darkness for something to prop yourself up with.
Eventually, your hand comes into contact with something, but it's warm and soft, and there's a small protrusion beneath your palm. You also hear a gasp.
You realize quickly what it is that you're touching, and retract your hand quickly.
>"Uh," you struggle to find words.

"Fuck..."
Your eyes start to adjust, and you see a figure beside you. The figure begins scrambling, and you can hear rustling.
Your eyes adjust a little more, and you see Olivia with her top over her head, trying to pull it quickly down over her bare breasts.

>"Fuck!"
You say, as you pull a hand in front of your eyes, while simultaneously fumbling to pull up your pants with the other.

The both of you run out of the darkroom, both fully clothed again, and Olivia is sitting at the telescope, simply blushing, arms and legs folded tightly.

>"Shit I really didn't mean to--"
"Just shut up, it's fine!
Not your fault.
Just... Go back in there and finish preparing the photo.
I'll recollect."

Feeling wholly embarrassed about the whole thing, you return to the darkroom. You notice a tall metal coat rack (that's what it looks like anyway) on the ground. You guess she tripped on that, and it managed to grab under her shirt and pull it over her head.
Either way, you finish dipping the undeveloped cell in the fluid, and grab the next of last night's developed ones from the drying line.
(1/2)

>>292999
Just like my chinese cartoons, and amazing trips

File: Singled out star chart.png (5 KB, 600x600)

5 KB PNG

(2/2)
When you bring it back into the light, you see Olivia has mostly calmed down, and you set the developed photograph on the table, getting ready to copy it onto a blank cell. The photographs are captured in negative, making it very easy to make visible marks and to identify areas in the future.
While the two of you are working in awkward silence, one spot in particular catches your eye.
(Pic related is the spot, without the surrounding crap, in actual size against the photograph. I hope you have clean monitors!)

>>293023
Uuh I'm not sure, looks kinda like the crux constelation.
Show it to Olivia I guess?

>>293056
Probably not a constellation that we earthans know. If we're in a different universe, there's a practically 0% chance we'd ever see a constelation that earth sees.
Heck, even if we're in the same universe as Earth we wouldn't see the same constellations unless we were exactly the same distance, precisely colinear to it and the earth, which is incredibly unlikely.

>>293023
Just had a thought...we haven't used the box in a while...Lets use it after we get done with work, see what we get.

>>293056
You point it out to her, and she shrugs.
"Don't know. Just looks like a triangul to me. The fuzzy bits around the points kind of look like clouds. Why'd it catch your eye?"

>"Just looked familiar, I guess. Something about the way the group is arranged."
--
Gimme a d100 before I go on with mr. trips over here >>293555
Also, sorry about heading to bed so early last night.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>294129
Please be good.

>>293129
Sure but considering the amount of stars visible on this planet's sky and the pattern in question then the odds of a group of stars forming it is not low. As in, it doesn't need to be crux to look kinda like it, just like most constellations aren't what it says in their name they just kinda maybe possibly but not really look like it.

>>293555
Oh shit, I DID get trips,

>>294164
>"Triangle... way, clouds, group, jesus I'm getting deja vu."
You take a final sip of your bitter coffee, wishing that you had asked for milk--
>"Milky Way!"

"Huh?"

>"M-m-milky Way! The Magellanic clouds, Triangulum, Andromeda! That's the local group!"

"Doesn't seem all that local to me."

>"No, that's where--"

"Oh wait, the Milky Way, where Earth is. You sure that's it?"

>"Well, not really, but it looks damn close..."

You continue marking the copy, silently hoping that you found your home.

Eventually, you both get so tired that you end up working shifts, taking naps between. When it's time to take the undeveloped cell into the darkroom, you're careful not to wake Olivia. After you dip the cell into the fluid and hang it, you grab another of the developed ones and a blank one.
Before you insert the photosensitive cell, you take another look at the location in the telescope, trying to gain some new insight.
You can't see anything new, and it's too small to make out any detail on the galaxies, so you just align the telescope to the next region, and keep working.

>>294272
>>293555
You wake up at the table after the long night of working. You see Olivia asleep on the other end.
You had anticipated that you might fall asleep, so you didn't put another photosensitive cell in the slot, to avoid overexposure.

You and Olivia had managed to complete 8 cells last night, but you remember you were going to try out the box.
1d100 for every time you use the box up to 5.

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>294293
Dice Gods - Hear my plea for loot and titties.

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>294293
>>294346
Anon please

>>294277
>Triangulum
>Andromeda
When you said triangle it seemed like it might be it, but I still couldn't see it in the image (it's low res here)

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>294365
>>294346
>>294293

>>294346
>>294365
>>294486
You receive two identical pens from the box, and a small metal ringlet.

>>294506
Probably shouldn't open it in an observatory with a bunch of delicate equipment.

You head out of the observation room, looking for the old man.
You find him in an office, hunched over a small stack of paper, with a pen in hand.

"Oh, h-hello."

>>294628
Tell him you finished your work.

>>294840
>"We uh, did 8 cells I think."

"Marvelous!
Although I must say, you didn't have to stay all night."

>"It's okay, we fell asleep."

"Fell asleep? You d-didn't leave a cell in the telescope did you?"

>"No, no, I didn't want any to get overexposed."

"Oh thank goodness."

It occurs to you that he might be able to tell you more about the area that looks like the local group.
>"Hey, can you take a look at something that we found last night?"

"Absolut-tely."
You go back into the observation room to the still sleeping Olivia, and take the cell from the filings to show him the small grouping of dark pinpoints on the cell.
He stares at them closely through his spectacles.
Eventually he whispers, "My, you have a keen eye. This to me looks like three galaxies on a collision course.
These two, they're both quite large spiral galaxies. I have no way to be sure how far apart they are, or even if they're remotely close, r-relatively speaking. But, I've been doing this a long time, and I've gotten a gut feeling for the astronomical. I'd say you have a recipe for one huge galaxy right there.
We'll definitely find a time to point our more precise spectrometer that way, get a redshift reading.

Thank you for all your help with this. This catalog is a huge project, so feel free to come back on future nights to continue working.
You can collect your dues at the guild hall."

You wake up Olivia, and say good by to Hewlitt, heading to the guild hall.
You collect the 14720, and split it halfway.

>What do you do?

>>295176
I think that was all we had on our plates currently yeah? Let's go check out the stuff at Gus's then o

>>295231
>"We can probably head out to Gus's now, no?"

"You can, but I need to go bathe.
Also my pants are a bit loose, they keep sagging on the right side, one of the rings that holds the belt tight has vanished. Gonna have to grab a new one."

>"Is this it?"
You pull out the ringlet that you got from the box earlier.

"Yeah, where was it?"

>"Pulled it from the box this morning, thought it was a part of the telescope."
She laughs, "Thanks. I'll catch up with you later, unless you're coming to take a bath too."

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>295316
Oh my! But what would the rest of the party think if we did so?

(I know the MC isn't a cheeky cunt, but could you resist? Hoping some anons come up with better banter, for mine is weak)

>>295585
Forgot pic

File: 200_s.gif (76 KB, 356x200)

76 KB GIF

>>295600
>>295585
...

>>295585
>>295600
>>295603
>"B-but that's too lewd!"

She punches your arm, and begins walking toward the party home.

>What do you do?

>>295996
Follow her I suppose, might as well be presentable for meeting the Big Boss.

>>296055
You trot along to try and catch up to Olivia.
The both of you reach the party home, and you let Olivia take the first bath.
While she's in there, you look around the home, and find Kazuma, Aqua, Darkness, and Megumin in the living area.
"Oh, hey, where were you two last night?" asks Kazuma.

>"Working a late night job. Oh, actually can you and Aqua meet me for a sec?"
You gesture with your head, and walk out into the hall.

>"So, I don't really know what purpose this information serves, but I think we're in the same universe as Earth."

"Why do you say that?"

>"Our job last night was at an observatory. We were cataloging stars, and we found something that looks pretty much exactly like the local group, Milky Way, the Magellanic clouds, Andromeda, Triangulum,"

"Shit no way,"

>"Yeah, and the expert even said that they look like they're on a collision course, just like ours."

"Dude that's awesome!"

>"Well I mean, it's not like we can every physically go there, that shit's like hubble deep field distances from us, but it's at least a nice thought, that we're actually, physically just some distance away."

"Even I didn't know that," says Aqua.
"You don't know a lot of things."
You expect Aqua to get a little saddened, but they both just laugh. Maybe they're a bit closer after the Temple of Mechis, who knows.

Olivia soon finishes her bath, and you enter after, cleaning up every nook and cranny in preparation for meeting the leader of the underground movement.

You come out a while later, and get dressed again. Olivia and the rest are in the living area playing Uno.

>Do you do anything or talk to anyone at the home before you and Olivia leave?

Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>296185
Join for a bit in playing. And chat a bit about the future.
I mean, we haven't interacted a lot with these guys, it'd be nice to see where everyone's standing and where they want to be, what they aspire to or whatever. Sorry I usually play uno with a psychologist so I start thinking about shit like that.

>>296249
Darkness deals you in.
Red skip, two green 7's, a green four, a green three, a green six, and a green +2 draw. You squeeze in, Olivia to your left, Aqua to hers, Kazuma to Aqua's, then Darkness, then Megumin.
On the top of the discard is a wild, which Darkness plays a red 9 on.
>"I hate to bring the mood down talking about existential crap, but what does everyone want from the future?"

Megumin contemplates the question, then places a red 3.
"I want to become a better caster. To experience the thrills of a tier six explosion..."

>What do you play while I figure out how the others would express their thoughts?

>>296854
Green three

>>296854
Green three

>>296898
>>296894
Green threemind

>>296894
>>296898
>>296904
You place down a green three.
Olivia follows suit with her own green three,
"I think...
I want the adventure to last."

Aqua, who is far in the lead with only four cards, places a green reverse.
"I think I'd like to stay as long as possible, too.
I know I'll have to go home someday, but I like it here."

Olivia plays a red reverse, then Aqua plays a blue reverse, then Olivia plays a blue reverse.
Aqua plays a blue two, "Uno."

Kazuma, up next, plays a blue nine.
"Just an hour ago, I'd have set that I wanted to settle down, but I think I want to find a way home.
At least that's how I feel right now."

Darkness plays a blue four.
"I myself have something to prove.
Whether it be to my parents, to me, to you all, to the world, I'm not sure, but It's why I train every morning."

Megumin draws, smiles, and contentedly doesn't play a card (evidently it's draw one pass rules)

"What about you?" asks Aqua.

You have a red skip, two green sevens, a green four, a green six, and a green +2 draw.

>You have to play the green four, but your answer to the question isn't so objective.

File: Spoiler Image (663 KB, 2560x1536)

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this is just silly

>>297028
I don't know really know, but I do like the whole adventuring gig, plus I could probably make a burger-selling business and get rich that way.

>>297091
You place down the green four, and Olivia follows with another blue four.
Aqua grimaces as she draws, and can't play.
"What about home?" Kazuma asks you.
He places a blue nine.

"You and Kazuma both say you are from far off lands, that I've never heard of.
I can only imagine the... lust you must feel to return." says Darkness.
She draws and passes.

"I can understand that feeling," says Megumin, as she draws and places a blue 1.

You draw and pass.
>So, what about home?

>>297153
You have a red skip, two green sevens, a green six, a green +2 draw, and a red four.

>>297041
Is op gril?

>>297162
No shut up loser

>>297162
Back at you

>>297174
Was meant for >>297166

Wait now I'm confused

>>297041
>>297162
>>297174
>>297185
>>297166
Samefag

>>297153
I already had my chance at home. I'm staying here

>>297361
Olivia plays a blue 2.
"That's fair."
Aqua sighs, draws, and passes.
Kazuma plays a blue 8.
"I don't even know if there's a way back, so I think it's smart to err on the side of caution."
Darkness draws and passes.
Megumin plays a red 8.
"There's always a way back. The question is if there's anything left for you there."

>Is there anything else you'd like to say, ask, or do? Also what do you play

>>297455
How was life back at their homes.
Also, red 4

>>297455
Eh we miss burgers and freedom, and guns.
But it's not worth it to be unhappy due to things outside our power, if we have to stay then that's that.

Also, OP has girly feet if that is OP.

>>297538
Olivia drops a red +2 draw on Aqua.
"Nothing ever changed," she says.
"That's definitely true," adds Aqua.
Kazuma draws and passes,
"I took things for granted."
Darkness plays a yellow +2 draw, and Megumin moans.
"As did I, that's why I've chosen to make my way as a defender."
"My life wasn't difficult, and I probably wouldn't be here if it weren't for the support I had."

>>297971
You grimace as you have to play the green +2 draw,
>"Sorry..."
>"I miss a lot of what I had, but it's not worth it to be unhappy about things outside our power. If we have to stay, and there's no going home, then that's that. Might as well try and be happy, y'know?"
You feel something gently touch against your left leg under the table. You realize it's Olivia, and gently push back, furthering the embrace.
Olivia draws 2, and Aqua plays a green 0.
Kazuma plays a green 9, Darkness draws and passes, then Megumin drops a draw four wild on your ass.

>Do you just take it, and draw, or do you risk calling her bluff?
>Also is there anything else you'd like to say, ask, or do?
--
Thanks anon

>>298041
Call her bluff

Ponder to Kazuma if there are many others that came before us, and what their fate was. It'd be weird if say, George Washington was reincarnated here.

>>298128
She smiles and shows you her hand.
Red reverse, red 5, red 2, blue 3.
You grunt as you draw six cards.
She calls the color for green, and play continues.
Olivia plays a green 1, Aqua plays a yellow 1, Kazuma plays a yellow 5, Darkness a yellow 3, and Megumin her blue 3.
"I've only met you and one other, but it's weird to think about. Are we technically astronauts, since... Local group?"

>"Oh, that's... I guess we are."

You have:
-Red Skip
-Green Skip
-Green 4
-Green 6
-Green 7 (x2)
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5
-Blue 5
-+4 Draw Wild

>What do you play, and is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>298232
Blue 5, maybe quote neil armstrong jokingly about the fact we're technically on alien soil.

>>298361
>"One small step for man,"
you say, as you lay down the blue 5.

Olivia plays a blue skip, and Aqua tilts her head back like a pez dispenser, releasing a groan of frustration.

Kazuma plays a blue 6, "One giant leap for mankind."

Darkness draws and passes.
"You and >>(you) both talk so fondly of your homes as if they were one and the same. You share proverbs, but Kazuma has said he comes from a place called Japan, and you have said you come from a place called America, and your accents are completely different."

Megumin draws and plays a blue 8.
"I've been wondering the same thing."

Kazuma looks at you expectantly.

You cringe as you place the +4 draw, giving Olivia a look that says "Fuck, I'm sorry."
She sighs heavily as she draws 4 cards.

>How do you answer Darkness and Megumin?

>>298481
>>298361
>And also what color do you declare

>>298481
Our nations have a long history together: We were friends, then we were enemies and blew each other for a while and, then we were close allies. Plus I guess it's just shared knowledge between nations ya know? Most others from where we come from know that kinda stuff since it was a significant occurence for everyone there, it's in all our history books I suppose.

Oh and the colour is
>Green

>>298481
Both our nations are part of the Jewish empire

>>298540
Darkness seems mostly satisfied with this answer, but Megumin continues to pry.
"So then what's an 'ast or not?'"

Olivia plays a green reverse, putting you on the spot again.

You have:
-Red Skip
-Green Skip
-Green 4
-Green 6
-Green 7 (x2)
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5

>>298596
Let's make it sound silly and appealing to her:

A guy who goes into a big metal contraption designed to throw them really really high, by the power of EXPLOSIONS. Then they basically take some notes and go back down.

>>298726
>"An astronaut is someone who goes above the sky."

"A...bove the sky?"

>"Well above it. They go inside huge metal machines called rockets. These rockets tower higher than any building in the city or the surrounding cities, and they use the power of explosions to push themselves outside of the bounds of the ground beneath us, higher than the highest any bird has ever flown, up where the air thins to nothing, a hundred times higher than the tallest mountains."

"Explosions can do that?" She begins bouncing excitedly.

>"Oh yes. When the astronaut reaches this place above the sky, called space, they can see the whole planet, continents no bigger than the size of Darkness's chest."

Megumin breaks her eye contact with you, and stares at Darkness's bust, "Wow!"

Darkness squeaks and covers herself (poorly), "It's t-too demeaning!"

>"Then, when it's time for the astronaut to come back, they fall through the sky, just as a falling star, engulfed in flames, protected only by thin metal strips that fall away as they get too hot. And finally, when they slow down enough, the flames die, and a parachute erupts from the small remaining portion of the huge rocket, allowing the capsule to float slowly down."

Megumin stares at the floor, twitching her hands beneath her, rambling something about the unstoppable power of explosions, impeded not even by the heavens, hers to wield, and she begins laughing maniacally.

>What do you play, and is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>298596
I say we tell them about earth, what can it hurt really? We have 3 other people here who can back up the story and we are among friends, plus then we can explain about everything better. (I just want to see Megamemes reaction to hearing how explosions as powerful as a level 6 or 7 spell (a bit more than a nuclear bomb) were used to propel several guys in a big metal tube thousands of miles away from the planet without using magic, like >>298726 said. That and It is every Americans patriotic duty to brag about our country and make everyone else jealous.)

>>299160
At some point we need to teach her about how non Magic explosions work, since she probably doesn't know more than the magical aspects. Then we can make modern explosives using what we remember from Chemistry class, and then make guns to recreate the American Trifecta in this world (we already have Burgers, and Freedom can be attained once we have Guns)

>>299192
>>299192
I think we should consult Kazuma, Aqua and Olivia before we say more really.

>>299220
Though it would be interesting to see the impact of guns in a world with magic, would it change much at all? Maybe considering how little it takes to arm an army with them over magic.

>>299192
>>299220
>>300014
Yo dawgs gimme somethin' here

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>300252
Greenskip. Wew

>>300265
You play the green skip, but Megumin is too lost in her own world to care.
Darkness plays a red skip, and Kazuma sighs.
Aqua plays a yellow skip, and Olivia just laughs.
While pondering your next move, you quietly ask her,
>"Hey, do you think it would be good to tell them? The truth? Also pass it down."
She looks a little uneasy about it in response to your question, and she passes it to Aqua and Kazuma.
Aqua shrugs, and Kazuma simply ponders it. It might be a difficult question for him to answer.

You have:
-Red Skip
-Green 4
-Green 6
-Green 7 (x2)
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5

>What do you play, and is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>300296
Red Skip, and say "Hey at least I don't waste any time shitposting anymore"

>>300664
"That's debatable," says Olivia, as you place down the Green Skip.

Megumin freezes her monologue,
"Huh?
Did I just get skipped again?"

"As I'm afraid did Kazuma," Says Darkness, as she plays a green skip.

He huffs.
Aqua draws and plays a wild, declaring the color as yellow.

Olivia follows with a yellow six.

"Feel free to not let Aqua play those two yellow cards she has, by the way," she says.

"W-what? How did you know!?"

"I didn't, but you just told me for sure."

Aqua lets out a disappointed "aw," and buries her face in her cards.
Kazuma pats her on the back.

You have:
-Green 4
-Green 6
-Green 7 (x2)
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5

>What do you play, and is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>300692
Green Six, I feel like we are forgetting something, what could it be?

>>300719
Megumin and Darkness both draw and pass, and Kazuma plays a green 8.
Aqua draws and passes, and Olivia plays a green five.

You have:
-Green 4
-Green 7 (x2)
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5

--
You're not forgetting anything. I'm just offering y'all the chance to say anything or take any actions.
There's nothing necessarily tying you down to this game of Uno, I guess I wasn't making it clear that "anything else you'd like to say/ask/do" was all inclusive.
Sorry.

>>300746
Green 7

>>300746
I was talking about forgetting something we had planned to do, sorry if my post wasn't clear. I meant asking them if we aren't forgetung anything. Pick card yellow five.

>>300746
Tbqh senpai I am in bed already so Ill call it a night, its a miracle I even saw this update

>>300786
>>300800
>>300802

You drop a sicknasty green 7.
>"I feel like we might be forgetting something."
The Kazuma party exchange glances, and shrug.
"Nah I don't think so," he says.
"You and I were gonna go meet boss man, but there's no real rush to do that," says Olivia.
Megumin draws and plays a draw 4 wild, declaring the color as blue.
Kazuma plays a blue 1, then both Aqua and Olivia draw and pass.
You're forced to draw and pass as well, drawing a red 7.
Megumin draws and plays a blue 3, Darkness plays a blue +2 draw, and Aqua plays a green +2 draw.

You Have:
-Green 4
-Green 7
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5
-Red 7

>What do you play, or is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>300813
Green 7 again

Ask olivia if she's aprehensive about meeting the boss guy, I mean they have been pretty invasive so far, and the whole mess back at the farm deal is still at the back of our head.
What kinda people are they anyway?

>>300828
The sicknastiness of your Uno plays doubles, and Megumin has to draw and pass yet again.

Darkness blushes and says "F-forgive me..." as she places down a yellow 7.

But, just when you thought Aqua was about to somehow beat five people with higher intelligence stats, Kazuma rolls his eyes and drops a yellow reverse.

Darkness plays a yellow 9, and Megumin a yellow 4.

>"So are you apprehensive at all about meeting this guy?"
"A little, I guess. It's always a risk I suppose when meeting the leader of an underground movement that you're going to find some crazy cult leader, but Gribb said," she puts on a falsetto deep voice, "I speak no ills of his character," she goes back to normal, "And Gus said that he's the nicest guy we'd ever meet. So regardless of how annoyed I am at how easy it apparently is to just find us and drop letters at our door, I've got my hopes set somewhat high.
As for the kind of people they are... Annie's the only one who gives me the creeps. Gribb's a little weird, but you can tell he's got a good heart, and Gus definitely gives off the honest vibe."

>"He also gives off a Jamaican vibe. Is that racist of me, if we're on a planet where Jamaica doesn't exist?"

She shrugs.
"I don't even know what Jamaica is."

You have:
-Green 4
-Yellow 2
-Yellow 5
-Red 7

>What do you play, or is there anything else you'd like to say/ask/do?

>>300864
Green 4

Fuck, sing Three Little Birds and blaze it. Well don't actually blaze it. Consider buying fantasy weed then laugh at the prospect.
Then go on with the game, I doubt we have much more to say now so just skip it up.

>>300884
You chuckle to yourself at the thought of buying whatever the fuck compares to cannabis here and toking it well the fuck up 'bruva.

You play the weed 4, Olivia plays a red 4, Aqua draws and plays a red 1, Kazuma plays a red 2, Darkness plays a red 3, Megumin plays a red reverse, Darkness draws and passes, Kazuma draws and plays a red 6, Aqua draws and passes, Olivia plays a red 9, you play the red 7, Megumin plays a red 5, Darkness draws and passes, Kazuma says "Uno," and plays a blue 5, Aqua draws and passes, Olivia plays a red 5, you say
>"Uno!"
and play a yellow 5, Megumin draws and plays a yellow 8, Darkness plays a yellow 4, Kazuma draws the final card and passes, Aqua plays a yellow skip, and you go out, placing your final yellow 2 onto the discard.

>"Booyah."

>>300898
"I lost... Impossible!" Shouts Megumin.
"Congratulations," says Darkness.
Olivia offers you a fist bump, Kazuma tips his nonexistent hat, and Aqua offers a bow, before bouncing off to the kitchen.

>What do you do/say/ask?

>>300903
God Bless America & Uno, take that bump and check the time because why not

>>300905
You accompany the bump with the sounds of American fireworks.

It's currently 11:16 am

>>300909
Well shit, get some lunch then go for that meeting.
No time for siesta!

>>300909
Ou OP, I'm gonna go tuck myself in, I just realize it's 6 am here so I need to be up in 3 hours. Xoxo luv.

>>300925
aight
I'll turn in as well.

>>300933
Hai

>>301448
Oh, good morning. You're just in time, I'm writing the next update right now.

File: Mysterious Figure.png (47 KB, 194x269)

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>>300916
You make everyone sandwiches, then head to Gus's.

"Good morning," he says, coming out in blacksmith's garb. "You two ready?"
You both nod, and he walks you into the side room-- the same room where you bought storm.

He takes you to a display stand with an innocuous wand, and rotates it first 45 degrees clockwise, a full turn counter-clockwise, then another 30 degrees clockwise.

Then he takes you into the back of the shop, a normal looking blacksmithing area, save for a shelf, which has slid, revealing a passageway.

He gestures for you to enter, and the two of you begin walking down it.

When you're a few meters in, the shelf slides back, covering the door, and you're immersed in darkness.

"This right here, creepy as fuck."
>"We just broke like all the rules of horror movies. We could only make this worse by trying to fuck in a cabin."
Olivia lets out a short push of air, like a halfhearted laugh.
You get a fireball going for a bit of light, and you can see the long and dark hallway.
After about 2 minutes of walking, you still haven't gotten anywhere.
"If this is more magical maze shit, I'm just walking away."
>"No, I don't think so. I haven't seen anything I recognize."
"Dark ass hallway walls look familiar to me."
>"No harm in walking a bit farther, right?"

The both of you walk for another couple minutes before you see the corridor turn right.
>"Hey! Something changed!"
"Thank all that is holy."
The corridor's next branch is much shorter, and ends in a door. You put out your fireball.
You open it, and find yourselves in a surprisingly nice little-- big area.
"Oh, man"

You stand in a large room, it looks like it could have been a church at some point, but there aren't any windows. There are a good number of tables around, with people around talking, drinking, playing games.
There are some playing music, and a few dancing around. There's a bar set up, and everyone just looks like they're having a good time.
One thing you notice about the people here, of which there are about 25, is that very few have weapons.
A few look like they could be adventurer's guild members, but considering the movement's purpose you don't find the lack of them surprising.
There is however only one person with any real armor.
A figure sits with legs crossed at the southernmost point of the room, in a couch, clad in what looks to be bronze or brass.
The body armor is rather unremarkable, although you take note of its craftsmanship, but the real knockout is the helmet and its faceplate.
The helmet is arched to a nearly spartan dome cap, with a flat forward plating, and the faceplate sits in front of it.
The faceplate mimics the tip of a fountain pen, and a thick bronze jawbone holds it to the helmet sides while also serving to appear like the ink reservoir.
The eyeholes are comprised of four mitered wavy symbols carved into the bronze, and they sit within a shallow bowl that intrudes from the surface of the faceplate.
(1/2)

(2/2)
At this point, someone notices you, and word begins spreading through the crowds, as the bellowing and singing falls beneath the music.
They watch you as you step into the area.
Olivia whispers to you, "You should say something, break the tension..."

>What do you do?

>>301614
Hi, we were invited to meet you guys and your boss. I'm >>>(You) and this is Olivia. Just wave and smile.

>>301634
The armored figure looks your way, stands, and begins walking your direction.
"You guild?" shouts one of the women at the bar.
A deep voice, shrouded by the reverberation of bronze emanates from the figure, "Be calm, Daya, these are friends!"
He sounds quite jubilant.
"Please, follow me."
He takes you back to the couch.
"Can I offer either of you a drink?"

>"Oh, no thank you."
"N-Not for me either."

"I sense some apprehension, and I understand it, but I assure you of your safety and of our kindness."
Olivia eases slightly, you can feel the muscles in her back and leg relax, as you're crammed closely on one side of the curved couch.
"You two have made quite the name for yourselves. You've set a new time record for reaching level 5 in the guild, and you led the clearing of an ancient temple.
Not to mention that you've already met and impressed my second hand. And of course, there's the matter of your cape."

>>302197
Ah yes the proud standard of freedom, justice and the american way
*Rockets blow off in the distance followed by a rifle salvo, while an eagle screeches ane the speech from Independence Day plays out*

>>302810
"Indeed. The national flag of America.
My understanding of your histories is very limited, as I can only learn from secondhand accounts of those whom I have met that may have knowledge of its existence. But, all who I have speak highly of it as a nation, which serves as a symbol for the very same goals and values we hope to accomplish here.
I ask you to join us. To have someone so familiar with the life of democracy would be invaluable.
We are a small society of free thinkers, but we have no means to fight for our views when it is all we can do to simply express them freely.
Were you, a group with such prevalence and popularity among young guild members to endorse our campaign, it would only be a matter of time before silencing us all would be impossible, and we could go public with marches and rallies.
I imagine you may have questions for me, and I encourage you to ask them. I will answer to the best of my ability."

>What do you ask?

>>303090
Well the first things would be proper understanding of what they are doing here.
What are their goals or aims? What do they plan on doing to reach it? What lead to this and most important of all, what is the current situation for them?
Basically, we need to situate ourselves to be of any use, and we're kind of a blind guy at a gunfight. And of course, mention interest in meeting others of our world, it'd be interesting.

>>303090
There are others from our world around?

>>303210
"We seek the ability to criticize our government without facing penalty.
We seek open discourse with no legal consequence, to allow people, even if most are happy the way they are now and with the state of affairs, to speak in whatever manner they please without facing reparation."

>"And how do you plan to do this?"

"Our early plans span the course of the next few months. Recruiting by word of mouth and reliable source, until we reach a significant milestone.
Then, we begin climbing the plateau of manual labor, establishing connections to all the major cities with tunnels and outposts, rather than a few friends who let us smuggle their goods. We build a web that maintains its strength even if some parts of it may break. At this point, we recruit more, through shadow activism. Posters, flyers, graffiti, sculptures, all placed in the dead of night."

"How many have you recruited?" Asks Olivia.

"Our current membership sits at approximately forty people in Axel. Some of them are forced to live here, under threat of the guild, but purchasing food and shelter for them all would lead the guild our direction. I have friends who offer some of their goods to us out of kindness, but actually getting them is quite risky. Our most advanced members handle the organizing and collection of smuggled goods."

>"So what would our responsibilities be?"

"To become an even larger public figure, and to push the boundaries of acceptable thought and opinion. So long as you don't directly criticize the guild or its methods, you won't be under any danger.
I understand that you live with the Kazuma party, who led the defense against the walking fortress. This would be quite a feat for a normal guild member, but it's come to my attention that you two, and he and Aqua, are in similar situations."

"What do you mean by that?"

"To put it frankly, you're not from around here, are you?"

>"I see. So, you're like us then. Well in that case I pose another question: have you ever considered using this to find others from our world? You speak like you've met many."

He bellows,
"Oh! Do you take me for an Earthling?
No, no. I was born on a different world, you're right, but not Earth.
I am of Foegn!
I am to my knowledge, the only Foegnean to have been brought here, but I have met several from Earth. Sadly, many of them have perished or gone missing since."

>What do you say/ask?

>>303626
Does he have a plan for the logistics of it all?
Does this world have any methods for fast transference of information? Just wondering because for a movement like that the more information can spread, and the faster it can spread then the stronger the movement will get.

Anyway, if Olivia is up for it we'd like to participate.

>>303661
"To answer your question, I'll pose my own:
Would you be surprised if I said we were twenty miles from Axel?"

>"Very... We only walked in that passage for a few minutes."

"Well, surprise surprise. That tunnel functions on a special kind of magic that few have studied. Under the canopy of magical indexes, there is a small section titled 'Curvature.' Within this very small portion of the magical spectrum lay a special little golden piece of a subsection called 'Real curvature.'
Using this type of magic, we can make the distance people have to travel significantly shorter.
The mana costs increase exponentially with the distance between the two points and the amount of matter making the trek, but a couple of experienced casters with some decent equipment can turn twenty miles into half a mile for a few people, for a few minutes at a time.
With this, it makes it simple and easy to send letters across long distances."

>What else do you ask?

>>303813
Do they have any resources (like books) were we can study that kind of stuff? As a sci-... scholar it's important to keep those knowledge juices flowing.

Also to make sure we can contribute in more than one way.

>>303813
Fuck I'm retarded.

>"Are you up for it?"

Olivia pauses to consider, and you can feel her muscles tightening again.
"I don't know. It's risky, dangerous even.
Fighting skeletons and giant ants is one thing, but even with two goddesses and two record-setting guild members we could barely defeat one boss. Could you imagine if we were targeted violently by an authoritarian state?
I... I guess I'm just thinking about death again. I'll leave the decision to you."

>>304003
>"Do you have any resources on this kind of magic?"

"Well, I can give you the title of the book I found it in, and I can have someone teach you the basics, but that's really not necessary. We have dedicated and talented gatekeepers already, such as Gus."

Olivia's muscles tense, but in a more deliberate manner.
"I have a question."

"Please, ask away."

"Which god or goddess sent you here?"

"Ennen.
She was fascinated with Foegn, and she took pity on me after my unfortunate assassination."

"Were you a political figure there as well?"

"Yes."

"...Aren't you afraid of it happening again?
Dying, I mean, in the same way, wouldn't you want to change what you were doing?"

He pauses, finding a good way to answer her.
"Such are the prices we pay for freedom."

>Is your answer still yes, and is there anything you'd like to ask the figure?

File: CZq7O2lWEAA1xEN.jpg (27 KB, 600x338)

27 KB JPG

>>304396
"If I pull off, will you die?"
Ok no but really:

"The fire rises, brother"
Fuck, not that either.

"Yes, I'll accept to participate"

>>304423
"Excellent!
I look forward to working with you. You should also receive a set of loose instructions, or perhaps they can be called suggestions, by courier tonight. If you ever have any questions, don't be afraid to ask me them directly. I'm here most of the time, and if I'm not, my second hand will be. In fact, feel free to come here any time, I guarantee you'll find interesting people.
Oh, and should you ever want to find me in dire situations, you can call me The Fountain. Someone can point you in the right direction."

You and Olivia stands, as does The Fountain, and he shakes hands with the both of you. You walk out into the center of the area, unsure of what to do next.

"Well, we've got the rest of the day off it looks like.
What do you want to do?"

>Well?

>>304649
>Fountain Head
Wait sec pup, interesting. Reassure Olivia that everything will be okay as long as we stick together, then check out the area to see if we spot any interesting fellas to chat with

HEY Op, is this archived? Because it's almost falling off the board

>>304755
It's not archived, but this board is slow enough that it'll last another 24 hours at least (plus I can do whatever I want when it's not getting bumped to the first page), so I'm just holding the update until we're ready to move on to the next in game day.

>"Hey... I know that you've been pretty... well you've been way more careful since that incident with Mechis. I just want you to know that everything's gonna be fine so long as we're together."
She lightly smiles and gently bumps into you, side to side as you're walking in the direction of the bar; some welcome contact, and a gesture that you return.

You take seats next to the woman who was giving you the stink eye earlier-- actually, still giving it to you now. You question if she ever stopped.
"You are guild?"

You both nod.

She makes a dry spitting gesture accompanied with a "Ptuh!"
"I say, fuck the guild.
But Fountain trust you, so I will tolerate. Do not mistake this for my own trust."
She stands up and walks over to a different table, glaring the whole way.

The bartender comes up to you,
"Hey, sorry about her. That's Daya. Without going into any personal details, she's been pretty mistreated by the guild before, so she doesn't trust many members."

>"Oh, I see. I understand, thanks."

"Anyway, can I get either of you anything?"

>"I'm alright."
"No, thank you."

Besides Daya, you don't spot anyone particularly of note.

>What do you do?

>>304832
Ask the bartender about everyone here.

>>305569
"Well, you met Daya and The Fountain, at that table over there playing Uno you've got Beulah, Eunice, Milo, Claud, and Virgil.
Playing the music is Kat, Gerelo, and Mis.
The people dancing to it are Jordan and Vihan, Ollen and Tilhu, and Atchen and Zara.
The two gatekeepers we have over here are Luteg and Furrena, and the guards by that door over there," he points to the northwest corner, "are Cale and Hequin.
This is my assistant, Lette," a girl on the opposite end of the bar waves at you, "And I, am Po."

>What do you do?

>>305733
Ask to buy some beer, and question if there are always this many people hanging out down here.

>>305763
"It's 350 for a bottle.
60 for shots if you interested in something a little stronger."
He brings up a glass bottle of Axel Brew, and pops the cork with bare hands.

"Today's a bit of a busy day, usually the number hovers around 15, dips to 4 or 5 in the graveyard hours."

>>305784
It seems like a nice place. Ask what motivated him to join? We haven't been around for long so we don't really know much about how things work in this world.

>>305801
"I wanted my daughter to grow up in a world where she can speak her mind."

>>305809
A pretty noble cause, does the Guild control what gets published or what not? No division of powers at all either it seems since they appear to be the only authority aside from nobles like Darkness.

>>305815
"They have say in the portrayal of the guild in media, but they haven't ever distorted actual information I don't think."

>>305823
In what other ways do they usually exert power?

>>305834
"Intimidation, scaring, and eventually rehabilitation.
Everyone who's ever come back from rehabilitation has said that it was a pleasant experience, almost like a holiday, and they've been trustworthy people. The guild doesn't treat the citizens poorly in any manner, and most people don't have complaints to begin with, but there's just something about it that seems wrong, you know?"

>>305849
Well yeah, even if they seem good now power without accountability isn't nice.
It can easily devolve into outright tyranny.

Drink our beer and ask Olivia if she's got any plans in mind.
Also ask about the goddess the Fountain mentioned before, we only met two so far, what is she about again?

>>305873
The beer is smooth and citrus-y with a hint of almond.
Nonetheless, you cough slightly.

>"So, you have any plans?"

"Nope, was kinda hoping you would have some ideas."

You shrug,
>"I'll think of something. Also, who was that goddess The Fountain mentioned?"
"Ennen? She's the goddess of science."

File: Spoiler Image (1.4 MB, 2592x1944)

1.4 MB JPG

>>305913
Ive only ever had a sip of beer when I was like 4, and like maybe half a glass of wine over my whole life

>>305913
Right right, makes sense she'd help him then.
I suppose we could hang around more, maybe ask the bartender if there's anyone we could talk to that would be open to chatting like he is
Also ask if they usually just don't recruit adventurers at all.

>>305934
I stopped drinking last year, don't miss it all to be honest.

>>305958
"Pretty much everyone around here's gonna act a little suspect of you, being guild and all."

>"Speaking of, do you guys just not recruit guild members?"

"Well, recruiting is more of a passive process. It happens when members tell family or friends that they trust about it, and they come and end up staying. It just so happens that members part of a group that is seeking to openly criticize the guild tend not to entirely trust members of the guild, so word doesn't spread easily into it.
Usually adventurers will accidentally find themselves caught up in something, and will find out about it that way."

>>306096
It makes sense. Well I guess we'll go for now. Ask Olivia if she wants to check around the shops to see if we can find any interesting books and stuff like that, maybe browse equipment.

>>306128
>"Alright, thanks then, Po."
"Thanks," says Olivia, as you hand over the 350.

>"I guess we can go windowshopping for equipment, books, stuff like that."

"I'm fine on equipment, but it might be cool to find a history book or something. We'd probably find that at the library though."

>What do you do?

>>306164
Sure, head to the library.

>>306173

The two of you head back out the way you came, through the long hallway that's apparently much longer than you think, and return to find yourselves in Gus's. He leads you back out into the shopping district, and you begin walking to the library.

Once you're there, you enter the actual library for your first time.

It's foyer is tall, domed ,and ornate, marble making up the primary material, and wooden accents highlighting edges throughout.

A man sits behind the counter, a chiseled jaw with stubble, and rimmed glasses, reading.
He looks up from his book,
"Hello, can I help you?"

>"Yeah, we're looking for history texts."

"West wing, you'll find an entire sub-building dedicated to historical documents."

>"Thank you.

"Please only use utility magic, and even then sparingly. And you, young lady, keep that bow un-drawn."
You both nod as you head deeper into the library.

The ceiling is very high above, and the shelves nearly touch it, all lined completely with tens of thousands of books.

Soon you come across a double door that leads you to a smaller area, labeled "History."
Olivia trots off, looking for something specific.

>What do you do?

>>306545
Seek a general history book to serve as a guide on the topics we can later branch on.

>>306564
You begin scanning the shelves, and your search brings you following Olivia's trail.
Interestingly enough, it appears that the two of you are the only other people in the library at the moment, or at the very least in this wing.
Your search ends before Olivia's, as you find a book titled "Abridged Histories."

You find a table, and open the book to its table of contents:
-Foreword and Thanks
-Early Agriculture, and the Schism of Peoples
-The Structure of Nations
-The Damiites, Birth of Integrated Society
-The Makir, Different Approaches
-Expansion and War
-Strong Empires
-Naval Action
-Empires Fall
-The Growth of Small Kingdoms
-War Theaters
-Exploration
-Further Expansion, Learning from the Past
-Great Conflict
-The Discovery of Magic, and the Magical Revolution
-A Time of Little War
-Technology and Magic, an Idea
-Magic in Industry
-Widespread Magical Knowledge
-Magic's Influence on Art and Culture
-The Study of Magic
-Deep Understanding
-Another Great Conflict
-Magic Versus the Unenlightened
-The Death of Secondary Empires, and Small Nations Presiding
-Trade of Magic
-Economic Wonder
-The Discovery of the Detonation Series
-Multi-Caster Magicks
-A Third Great Conflict
-The Race for Advanced Magical Technique
-The First Tier Six Detonation
-A Tier Seven Detonation
-The Era of Mutually Assured Destruction
-Prosperity Under the Adventurer's Guild
-The Emergence of Another Empire
-The Devil King
-Interior Conflict
-Modern Day Guild
-Index
-Glossary of Terms
-Credits

>>306564
[spoile]I think I'm autistic holy shit[/spoiler]

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>306763
-Foreword and Thanks
up until
-Expansion and War
I wanna know how different their earlier development was. No need to be in depth about early history I suppose, but it helps shape up what you see later on.

>>306777
This is positive autism, I like it. Have a roll.

>>306805
You open up to "Forword and Thanks," but it's just talking about how this is an entry level book not designed for coursework in academic institutions, and it lists a bunch of names of contributors and dedicatees.

"Early Agriculture and the Schism of Peoples

In the earliest of recorded human history, about seven thousand years ago, small groups of nomadic tribes would occasionally meet and exchange simple language and tales, people, food, animals, sex, etc. But, in those tales that were often exchanged and later written, one tribe discovered that by placing a seed in the dirt, a plant would later grow. In those tales, the one who discovered this was a young girl named Da Mi, or in the early iterations of the language which would later become ours, 'Misted Sunlight." The tale speaks that she was wandering the forest in search of dry sticks, when she came across a patch of melons. Interspersed throughout this patch were small stems with leaves at varying stages of growth, including some that began to bear fruit. Curious to the nature of the stems, she dug beneath the dirt, and found that the stem had sprouted from a melon seed.
Recognizing what it was, she brought the seed and a melon back with her, along with some firewood, and showed it to her parents.
She insisted that they stay where they were, as they could eat the melons that she had found, and make more by planting their seeds.

It is unlikely that this tale is totally accurate, but nevertheless, something had prompted the spread of this knowledge, as the nomadic tribes began to merge and settle in fertile lands.

However, as this information spread, something, which is speculated to be a feuding tribe who had at one point become angry at Da Mi's family, took this information, and brought other tribes together in a different settling.

This first distinction between groups was known as the Schism of Peoples, and formed the basis for what would in the future become two great empires.
(1/?)

(2/3)
The Structure of Nations

Generations passed as the settled tribes grew in numbers, and their crops yielded more every subsequent year as the people learned that they needed water and sunlight, and improved their methods. The story of Da Mi became common knowledge among the northern settlements, and eventually they started calling themselves Damiites. It became clear as the population of Damiites grew that a system was needed to punish those who wronged, and to prevent them from doing it again. This was the birth of government, as the descendents of Da Mi began placing loose rules on the people. These rules were all that were needed in the eyes of most, and served a single purpose:

Any who stole from another would work the worst jobs and eat less. The cleaning of animal waste, the hauling of bodies, the hardest physical labor, these were all performed by the thieves.

The Makir as they had come to be called (the origin of the name is unknown, but the most likely theory that it was the name of the family which gathered and settled the southern tribes), also began placing similar rules on their people, but thievery was not the punished crime. The punished crime was murder.

The Damiites, Birth of Integrated Society

As the number of Damiites grew, the efficiency with which the government could enforce the rules dropped, so in response it became commonplace to make larger structures which could house multiple families in closer proximity. This made proximity to human waste also much higher, and disease spiked. To combat the higher rates of disease, healers began to use plants to treat wounds, and places where food was cooked and prepared became more common. Disease fell for a while, but began to rise again, and people didn't know why. However, some healers began to speculate that human waste may bring disease, and suggested that holes should be dug, where waste would not be in such close area to people. Eventually, an effort was made to dig hundreds of holes which would collect waste. Disease yet again fell, but as the holes filled, more had to be dug. Eventually, one healer saw a river flowing and had an epiphany. He proposed that canals should be carved that could sweep waste away, and irrigation was born.

Some took the idea of irrigation and applied it to their crops, and suddenly the Damiites were producing more food than ever before, and the population exploded. Before long, the Damiites began to use their building techniques to make their irrigation more efficient, and the loose congregation of settled people began to tower higher and became a city.

(3/3)
The Makir, Different Approaches

To the south, the Makir were beginning to experience a drought, and their crops were failing. People were starving, and the only nearby source of water was a lake to the east. People began to question why the river that fed the lake didn't dry, and they discovered that ice and snow were simply frozen water. To combat the drought, they began digging tunnels from the lake to their settlements, and the crops returned, although still not as powerful as they once were. The Makir soon discovered that waste could be used to make healthier plants grow, and rather than create a sewer system, the Makir began using their waste to grow more crops. In a similar fashion to the Damiites, the Makir city began to grow.

>>307216
>human waste
>fucken night soil
Do you want parasites Makir? Because that is how you get parasites, jesus.

That aside, OP, this is great, I'm totally homo for you just for taking the time to write this up.

I guess we could jump a few chapters for now just for a better understanding of things, maybe catch up to them later at home some other time (if we can get to take the book out):
-The Discovery of Magic, and the Magical Revolution
-Magic Versus the Unenlightened
-Prosperity Under the Adventurer's Guild
-The Devil King
-Modern Day Guild

>>307266
The Discovery of Magic, and the Magical Revolution

Soon after the first great conflict, a lone group of Sidian knights was separated from the march home to their kingdom. They kept note of their exploits for survival, and in the ruins of an old city in the territory of the old empires, they discovered a large tree surrounded by pixies. Deep within the tree, which had a caged chamber in its trunk, they could see the tree was bearing a single seed. It is speculated that this seed may have been the first seed planted by Da Mi, but although this speculation remains unchallenged, it is not supported by any direct evidence.

The soldiers found their wounds were healing quicker in the presence of the tree, and the Pixies offered them food. As soldiers formed attachments to individual pixies, they found that a force was visibly flowing between them. The soldiers never escaped the woods, as the effects of the tree constantly changed the structure of the forest, but through unknown means, the soldiers had children, and the children found themselves able to use the force of the tree to very slightly push objects. Those children found themselves able to leave woods, and brought the knowledge of mana, which they had been taught by the pixies, back to Sidi.

The use of magic began to revolutionize society, as the sustenance of larger populations began to become possible, and city structures boomed. Sidi became a dominant force among the six major kingdoms.

Magic Versus the Unenlightened

With Sidi's armies armed with a powerful and dangerous understanding of Magic during the second Great Conflict, it began to expand its boundaries over the land of the other small kingdoms. Queen Uriel IV was relatively unimpeded in this hostile expansion, as the other small kingdoms having little to no magic couldn't fight against the armies.
In the wake of this expansion, the farthest east small kingdom, Aerionne, fled its people and royalty to the southeast accross the Etched Sea, where they maintained sovereignty.

(1/2)

(2/2)
Prosperity Under the Adventurer's Guild

Under the threat of the Union of Aerionne's own high-tier detonations, war between high power states became null. With this guarantee, the Adventurer's Guild rose as an economic force, giving all citizens of Sidi an accessible way to earn a living as servants of the private market employed under a bureaucracy. The Eris, became the dominant currency in the world market as global trade resumed post GCIII, and with its rise came the death of the economic reign of gold and silver.

The Devil King
The Devil King rose to power in the year 4,396 as a tyranical leader over the undead of the Risen Empire, and soon declared war on Sidi. Under treaty against the use of high-tier detonations in fighting them, the Adventurer's Guild soon became a powerful force against his armies, eventually leading to the rise of the Guild to a position of political leadership and government over Sidi.

Eventually, the Devil King implanted his forces inside the southern borders of Sidi, and has been attempting to establish military victory over the Adventurer's Guild.

Modern Day Guild
On November 27th, 4,402, The Devil King made significant advances, capturing the southern city of Ygnja. In response, a vote was held to give the Guild total authority over the military forces, the ability to call any guild member to action against the Devil King. However, it has not taken advantage of this power even once.
After the 4,412 Black Hood scandal, in which an undead member of the Devil King's army had infiltrated the Sidian Congregation, another vote was held to give the Guild complete presidings over the laws and their ratifications.
In 4,424, the Adventurer's Guild is all that remains of the old governmental structure of Sidi, simultaneously defending against the Devil King, and presiding over the still prosperous economy of the nation.

>>307913
Cool beans, I guess we'll see if we can check out with the book. But first, check on Olivia, see if her reading has been fruitful and maybe ask what she's been reading on.

>>307987
You close the history book, and scan around for Olivia.
You don't see her initially, so you start scanning around the aisles, and find her flipping angrily through the pages of a book.
You still haven't seen anyone else.

>"Hey, what's wrong?"

She clutches at the edges of the book, and turns a huge portion of the pages back, revealing a color illustration, and she holds it in front of you.

"Blue hair!"

You grab the book, and examine the illustration.
A woman with blue hair, with a white wrap around her chest and orange pants--

>"Holy shit"

You look at the subtext, "The Goddess Olivia as described in ancient texts."

"This world is the closest to getting the whole god thing right, but they fucked it!

Blue hair! God damnit!"

>What do you do?

>>308054
If it's any consolation she looks good with either hair colour.

>>308069
>"If it's any consolation, you loo--"
before you even notice what's happening, your speech is cut off by the press of her lips on yours, and the sound of the book hitting the ground.

Her arms have been thrown around your neck, and her body is pushing against you.

After a few seconds of silence, she breaks the kiss.
"You were about to say something... super fucking cheesy again, and I am too mad to put up with it."
She relieves you of her weight, and picks up the book to put it back on the shelf.

"Are you ready to go?"

You blink a few times to focus back on reality,
>"Y-yeah I think so,"

You jog forward to keep up with her brisk walk, and grab Abridged Histories.
You go up to the attendant and ask to check it out, and he asks for your guild card. You hand it to him, and he inserts it in a device, then hands it back.

"It's due back in a week."

You thank him, and you try to keep up with Olivia's power walk out of the library.
Once you exit, she turns to you,
"We're not gonna talk about that, ever, okay?"

>"O-Okay."

"Alright. Well then, now what?"

>What do you do?

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>308221
Home. We're heading home. Yep, home. Scheiße, you're too nervous to think aren't you lad? So yeah home, maybe make some tea for your nerves and contemplate, awkwardly attempt not to demonstrate your nervousness until you calm down.

I like to see the MC squirm

>>308248
>"I'm gonna go... back to the p-party home and relax."

"Yeah, I think I will too. Not really anything else to do today."

You walk back together in silence, and when you get to the home, you find it empty.

>"I'm gonna make some tea... You want any?"

"Sure, if you could just leave some out for me, I'm gonna go soak."

She walks off in the direction of the bathroom, and you set two cups to steep.

When yours is done, you take it into the living area, and calm your nerves.

>What do you do in the mean time?

>>308488
Maybe check out some more of the book, see the
-A Time of Little War
To try and get your mind outta it

>>308488
Oy OP, thread is falling off soon and I've got an appointment in 5 hours so I'm heading out, see you in the next one.

Alright, the archive's done, but I'm going to try something different.
I'm going to put these threads on a weekly schedule.
I feel like the quality's been falling off over the last few threads, and I've been putting this quest ahead of quite more things than I should.
If I do the threads at the end of the work week (I work part time tuesdays and thursdays), I can dedicate more time to them and make better content with more frequent updates in the actual threads, plus it works quite well with the 3-day bump limit.

Look out for the next thread on friday.