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Previously on 999 Quest:

You and your friends had been unfortunate enough to stray across an incredibly dangerous threat. After roaming the city somewhat with Blue, you had come across what looked like an abandoned building that seemed out of place even amongst the rest of the city. What started as you searching for your friends hunting the Grandmother quickly turned into a battle for survival as a mechanical atrocity- a Factory Foreman-, swiftly made itself known with its intent to kill you. And to make a bad situation even worse, you now have word from Purple that the rntire thing is just a part of a large scale network of Factory infrastructure breeding beneath the city.

"Blorble?" you gurgle as you settle in amongst the grass. It's soft and brushes against your flesh gently in the way that only grass can, the clearing you'd selected being far enough away from the influence of any hostile forces that you can rest easily for the most part. Purple for his part tries to look unperturbed, even as the rest of your friends shift uneasily behind him..

"We have reason to suspect the Factory is aligned with the Grandmother" he begins, managing to sound significantly less fearful than such a statement should normally entail. "As it currently stands we don't know where their exchanges are being held nor do we have any means of venturing into the city depths to try and scour out the Factory's tendrils."

What do you say to this?
>"What does this mean for...", ask about what it means for your deal with Linggan Zhao. Does this change anything of note?
>Do we know how deep the Factory's growth extends? Perhaps there's some way to cut it off.
>"You sound like you've already given up." Try and bolster morale a little. You aren't done yet, and you still have options.
>Ask if they've discovered anything new about the Grandmother at the very least.
>Other (write-in)

>>4651757
>>Do we know how deep the Factory's growth extends? Perhaps there's some way to cut it off.

>>4651757
>>Do we know how deep the Factory's growth extends? Perhaps there's some way to cut it off.

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>>4651998
>>4652122
>Do we know how deep the Factory's growth extends? Perhaps there's some way to cut it off.
"I'd tell you if I did, Orange." Purple sighs, the day's stress seeming to finally leak into his voice. "What we do know with any sureness is that the growth is deep-the Factory has its infrastructure buried so far down into the city that even rudimentary scans can't detect how far down it goes and the Grandmother's influence has caused that growth to increase exponentially. It could cut off at a point or..."

Or?

"Or it could run straight down into the centre of the multifaceted leyline network at the city's heart." he bluntly finishes.

Well?
>"How bad is that exactly?" Have him try to estimate what they might be dealing with here.
>"Does this have any connection with..." ask him what the Courts role is in this. Maybe they're aiding them somehow?
>Try to use your Feather of Hunger to get in contact with Notes. Maybe he can help you here.
>Quietly mull over Purple's words. Perhaps you're going about this the wrong way.
>Other (write-in)

>>4652236
>>"How bad is that exactly?" Have him try to estimate what they might be dealing with here.
>>"Does this have any connection with..." ask him what the Courts role is in this. Maybe they're aiding them somehow?

>>4652236
>>Quietly mull over Purple's words. Perhaps you're going about this the wrong way.

>>4652236
>Quietly mull over Purple's words. Perhaps you're going about this the wrong way.

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>>4652254
>>4652431
>>4652481
>Quietly mull over Purple's words. Perhaps you're going about this the wrong way.
You decide the best way to respond is to not respond at all. Instead, you draw yourself inward and begin to contemplate the words that Purple has brought up.

As it stands, you have no guarantee of getting a chance at finding the Grandmother as you have been, blindly searching around in the vague hopes at picking up a trail, let alone taking her out. And even if you did there's very little hope of a straight fight going in your favor, especially if she is being aided by the Factory in some capacity. Your chances lessen even more so when you consider the fact that the level of supernatural influence in the city is extremely high. High to a positively suspicious degree where there Almsot seems to be more supernatural events at play than average ones. You could easily be blindsided by some new unforseen threat you couldn't possibly have prepared for.

You focus. And as you do, something flows through your body. You've come to a decision.

>Introspective
>Introspective (F+)

What will you do?
>Evasion. Move the group further away from the Factory-infested location and points of general corruption. Try to search for new leads on threats, but don't go on an active hunt for them.
>Investigation. Have Purple look for the most likely area for a new manifestation of the Grandmother or related influences and stage a way of observing and investigating the site. Engage only if necessary.
>Reinforce yourselves. You need to have a stronger foundation before you can hope to oppose the forces threatening this city. A little training and searching around for help wouldn't hurt.
>Assault. You need to cut the threat off at the pass and the only way to do that is to go right for the throat. Spare it no mercy and cut it down.
>Other (write-in)

>>4652642
>>Assault. You need to cut the threat off at the pass and the only way to do that is to go right for the throat. Spare it no mercy and cut it down.

Voting will continue for another three hours or so.

>>4652848
Since nobody else posted, we'll run with this.

Roll me a 4d100. First three rolls need to be above 60, fourth is [redacted]

Rolled 7, 42, 64, 14 = 127 (4d100)

>>4654121

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>>4654150
R1: 7.

R2: 42.

R3: 64.

R4: 14.

Some poor rolls starting out this time around.

>>4652848
>>4654150
>7, 42, 64, 14
>Assault. You need to cut the threat off at the pass and the only way to do that is to go right for the throat. Spare it no mercy and cut it down.
You decide that the best course of action is a hard assault against the threat before anything else and you convey this to your friends.

"[No offense,]" Blue begins,expression flat. "[but thats the dumbest idea I've ever heard Orange.]"

"We concur." Purple nods alongside Blackwood. They explain that it's not something you're at all prepared for. A single Foreman was enough to hold you off, if not risk serious harm, and that was one of the lesser ones. No doubt the Factory has greater agents prepared should you try to intercept either it or the Grandmother.

The only ones in your camp at this time seem to be 2295 and (surprisingly) Red.

"[Orange is right. W-we can't just wait until they c-come to us or they're finished accomplishing t-their goals.]" he justifies, seeming determined. He's probably putting on a brave face but you smile at his support all the same.

It's only then that your Feather of Hunger begins to glow with a vibrant purple energy, pulsating and rippling.

What do you do?
>Check it out. Maybe it's Notes-of-Hunger trying to contact you?
>Hold off on it for now. You want to be further away from any Factory influences before you make contact with a friendly.
>Check if it reacts to your magic.
>Remove it and have Purple run an analysis on it.
>Other (write-in)

>>4655739
>>Remove it and have Purple run an analysis on it.

He's the magic expert.

I'll leave the vote open until I wake up, in case anyone else wants to cast their vote in.

>>4655787
Roll a 3d100. First two will need to be 40 or above, last one is a 50.

Rolled 55, 55, 31 = 141 (3d100)

>>4656727

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>>4656836
R1: 55

R2: 55

R3: 31

Flunked on the last one but the first two are better than the first few rolls. Writing when I'm less tired.

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>>4655787
>Remove it and have Purple run an analysis on it.
You pass off the Feather to Purple, wisely deciding that having your best magic user take a look at it is probably for the best.

>Removed Feather of Hunger

Purple looks it over a bit, rubbing along the length of it as the odd purple spark or two leaps from his body and runs across the fragment of raw spiritual energy, occasionally resonating with the strange vibrations emanation from within it. Then he stops, laying it to rest over the ground to which it simply hovers in place.

You're about to ask what he's doing, before the Feather of Hunger leaps into the air, hovering as its vibrant glow begins to increase. It quickly starts to spin in place as it rapidly grows brighter and brighter, before finally coming to a full stop-the tip of the Feather pointing off into the distance somewhere, past the trees and ferns.

Purple allows it to gently fall and rest in his palm for the moment, before turning to the direction the feather pointed in and stroking his chin.

"[Judging by what I felt when I interacted with it there, it seems to be drawing us to a location further out from our current position.]" he elaborates, staring down at the now-still feather. "[I'd like to investigate myself, but it's up to you Orange.]"

What shall you do?
>You will follow the direction provided by the Feather for now. Maybe it's supposed to be a hunt towards your next course of action.
>You won't follow it. It could be something hijacking your connection to Notes to lure you into a trap.
>Quietly ruminate on it for a little bit longer. You need more time to think...
>Other (write-in)

>>4659458
>>You will follow the direction provided by the Feather for now. Maybe it's supposed to be a hunt towards your next course of action.

>>4659697
Roll a 4d100. First three rolls need a 50 or higher, last is a 40.

Rolled 50, 81, 88, 40 = 259 (4d100)

>>4661219

Rolled 41, 98, 77, 56 = 272 (4d100)

>>4661219

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>>4661287
>>4661320
50, 98, 88, and 56. Nice. Writing in the morning.

>>4651674
I go to my local dispensary for a short time before I begin taking trips to the factory where get the 999 in bulk so I don't have to travel always ... #roadtrips

>>4659697
>You will follow the direction provided by the Feather for now. Maybe it's supposed to be a hunt towards your next course of action.
You decide that you'll follow the feather for now, reassuring Purple and the others that if it gets dangerous going out, you'll cut it off immediately and go continue your search elsewhere.

Purple seems conflicted and Blue looks like he's swallowed a lemon, but they relent after a few moment's.

>Leadership (F)

With that, you're off. The feather pulsates and hums as it guides you deeper into the woods and eventually pass them, the quiet hum of the forest accompanying your march through the woods as the hours of the day pass by.

Eventually, you come out the other end of the woods stepping out onto a stone road that trails off into the distance, several buildings, shops and street vendors lining it. The feather whirrs in your grip, before suddenly shooting off towards one of the buildings, causing you to flinch away in mild shock.

You're just about to follow it when you hear a coming over from the direction it flew in. You nod to the others and they quickly follow you as you make your way over to the sides of the building where a man stands being accosted by a group of five people. You lean in, hanging in the overarching shadows of the other buildings to the side as you all try to listen in.

The man stands rimrod stiff as the five, circle him. One in the lead, apparently the head of the group steps in as he brushes himself off and lightly glares at the other man.

"I can understand where you're coming from; I really do. But rejecting our oh-so generous help is unwise. We have something you want, and all we're asking is that you just help us out as a little added...'incentive' to ensure we're all in on the same page and keep trouble off our backs if you go blabbing about our operations. You get me?"

The man makes no move to indicate that he's heard the man whatsoever, standing stiff and stoney-faced. Something in the air feels metallic and cold, like something you've felt before. A coppery taste lingers on your tongue.

The other man sighs.

"Clearly you're not one for reasonable talk." the leader sighs, clicking his tongue and snapping his fingers. "Break his legs boys. Maybe he'll rethink his opinion if we give him some shattered bones and time to dwell on it."

The other four figures start to encroach, pulling out sickles, metal bats, chains and other general implements of torture. You feel the feather somewhere in the vicinity but it's not visible to you at this point. Did it vanish somewhere?

Either way, the man is clearly outnumbered and unnarmed. What will you do?

>Step In. Try to play the role of a mediator between the two opposing sides. Make love not war, guys!
>Step In. Get ready for a fight and pull out your own weapons. You get the feeling these guys aren't in the mood to have a friendly discussion.
>Observe the situation for now. Maybe the man has a plan?

>>4664562
>>Step In. Try to play the role of a mediator between the two opposing sides. Make love not war, guys!

>>4664891
Roll a 5d100. First three rolls are a 50, last three are both 60.

Rolled 78, 72, 83, 97, 21 = 351 (5d100)

>>4666913

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>>4667022
R1: 78

R2: 72

R3: 83

R4: 97

R5: 21

Well then, let's see how this goes.

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>>4664891
>Step In. Try to play the role of a mediator between the two opposing sides. Make love not war, guys!
To his credit, the man and his gang don't *immediately* start trying to attack you, instead turning to face you as you interpose yourself in the middle of their obviously heated standoff. You note Blue and Purple trying to motion you back, but when that expectedly fails, they quickly decide to follow instead. Red and Blackwood nod, and they come as well with Spanko and 2295 in tow.

You raise your hands and try to settle things off peacefully. Make love not war, guys! You're sure this is all just a big misunderstanding!

The gang head and his men all turn to you, and even the sharply-dressed man they were accosting earlier seems curious. See? Progress!

Something sharp seems to pass through the eyes of the man leading them though, something you catch. Not recognition, not truly. But more like...'awareness'.

"Well well, Langston." the head man chuckles. "Never expected you to have to stoop so low youd have to sellout and get help."

He punctuates the last word with a fingersnap, the other four figures moving on alongside him.

"Deal with them. Leave the oange one. Make an example out of the rest."

The four figures-who you can now see are all wearing ornate masks over their faces-start to move to circle around you, weapons drawn and muscles tensed. Guess negotiations have broken down. Again.

What now?
>Keep on guard. You have a bad feeling about this.
>Try to take them down as fast and painlessly as possible.
>Hit them with a spell (1d100)
>Other (write-in)

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>4669542
>>Hit them with a spell (1d100)

Use chains of harrow to bind them non-lethally. Then we can interrogate them.

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Rolled 77 (1d100)

>>4669821
8. This is going to hurt. Writing soon.

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>>4669821
>Hit them with a spell (1d100): 7 vs 77
>Use chains of harrow to bind them non-lethally. Then we can interrogate them.
You move to hit them with a spell, the Chains of Narrow unfolding behind you like cooling serpents as they strike out.

Two of the men are taken off guard and are entangled by the dense chains, which wrap and coil around them tightly. The leader and the other two manage to evade the attack just enough by leaping back at the last second and drifting off to the sides.

"So you got some spooks on your side, eh Langston?" the leader mocks, looking at you, but with his head shifted however slightly in the direction of the other man-Langston. There's no response.

"Ah well, it doesn't matter. Take them out." He snaps his fingers again, and the other two men move quickly. Their weapons whizzing by through the air and you roll away to avoid a ball-and-chain aimed right for your centre of mass. Blue to his credit idly bats the thing aside with his sword.

The leader seems like he's just about to make another retort when Langston ahoulder-checks him from off to the side, eliciting a THUMP as the other man tumbles to the ground. One of your opponents briefly glances in his direction.


>Aha! An opening!
>Raise your guard. Something doesn't feel right...
>Maybe try and talk things out? Two of their members are indisposed after all.
>Other (write-in)

>>4673595
>>Raise your guard. Something doesn't feel right...

>>4673595
>Raise your guard. Something doesn't feel right...

>>4673908
>>4675767
Roll a 4d100. 60 on the first roll, 20 on the second, and 56 and above for the last two.

Rolled 61, 30, 89, 94 = 274 (4d100)

>>4677319

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>>4677797
R1: 61

R2: 30

R3: 89

R4: 56

Excellent. Let's see how this goes down. Writing.

>>4673908
>>4675767
>Raise your guard. Something doesn't feel right.
You decide to raise your defenses. Something feels 'off' here and that disturbs you.

The lead man seems to almost smile at that, something dark going on behind his face. "Ah, so you *can* notice when you're in over your head kid." he says.

He raises a hand and snaps his fingers again. A white flash of light burns across your vision for a moment before receding, as the men shudder and twitch. Your chains SNAP as the other two free themselves, patterns of white energy running down their bodies and their demonic masks becoming more 'sharp'. Almost as though they're more than masks now.

"It's so hard to find good simulacrums nowadays. But I got these for dirt cheap. All it took was five souls and a limb or two."

The man waves towards you, and with a mechanical shriek the monsters charge, even as the lanky man they were once according continues to stand there, eyes assessing.

You feel REALLY glad that you put up your guard beforehand now.

>Cautiousness (F)

One of the monsters smashes itself into Blue's now-manifested gauntlets as he moves in to shield you, actually managing to push and strain against it. The other four move quickly and one of them swipes to cleave you apart with a hand covered in a sickly white glow.

How do you respond?
>Block the attacker, move to support Blue.
>Evade and counter. (x1d100)
>Charge and meet it head on!
>Other

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4680360
>>Evade and counter. (x1d100)

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>>4681261
52. Decent. Let's see how if it pays off.

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>>4681261
>Evade and counter.
You shift your body, moving out of the way just the arm comes within striking distance. Space is distorted in the path of the attack as the creature tries to shift to follow you.

Energy gathers in your body, crackling and rippling.

It stabs downward with a hand, which you catch with your own limb and twist, just hard enough to snap it out of the socket. Heaving it up and over your shoulder, you slam the figure down onto the ground with enough force to crack the pavement. The head of the gang and 'Langston' both eye you, one with mild bemusement and the other calculatingly.

It's unnerving to say the least.

The creature below you however is still struggling and pushing against your grip, which is more immediately concerning. What do you do?
>Kill it. It will reduce the number of combatants you're dealing with.
>Subdue it for now.
>Magic something up?

>>4685678
>>Kill it. It will reduce the number of combatants you're dealing with.

>>4685700
Roll a 3d100. First two are a 40, the last is a 20.

Rolled 32, 98, 22 = 152 (3d100)

>>4688809

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>>4689116
32, 98, 22 (152). Not bad, not bad. Writing when it's less late on my end.

>>4685700
>Kill it. It will reduce the number of combatants you're dealing with.
You decide not to spare it. It leads to far less problems having it dead than alive.

With a little less effort than you were expecting, you manage to twist and snap the thing's neck. It gives a gurgling groan but its body continues to move and jerk upwards. Not what you were expecting.

You stab it with your sword, impaling it as its body shudders and seizes up for the final time before finally burning to ash. Well, that's one down. Four more to go.

>Ruthlessness
>Ruthlessness (F+)

The ringleader whistles and 'Langston' side-eyes you. You only give a mild shrug before turning to the rest of the fight.

Blue punches clean through one with his gauntlets as the entropic effect courses through it remarkably quickly, and Red slams another one down into the ground with his warhammer. Leaving two for the rest of you to deal with.

One mindlessly charges ahead, only for Purple to strike it dead on with a purple-hued bolt of magic as it collapses to the ground in a heap. The last one, assessing its chances, circles a bit looking between you and its leader.

Well?
>Tell them that it's over. They should give in while they have the chance.
>An opening!
>Try to talk to this 'Langston' guy now that you have the chance.
>Other (write-in).

>>4692940
>>Tell them that it's over. They should give in while they have the chance.

>>4692955
Roll a 3d100.

Rolled 4, 18, 22 = 44 (3d100)

>>4695870

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>>4696298
44. Alright let's see. Writing.

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>>4692955
>Tell them that it's over. They should give in while they have the chance.
"Give up? Hah. That ain't happening kiddo." the lead man barks. "We're expecting a lot to remove Langston here from our employers and we ain't leaving till the job's done."

Who are these 'employers'?

"Can't say, never met 'em in person. I'll be sure to forward the question after you're dead though."

The man shrugs a little, before his body visibly flickers and he's moving towards you, hand outstretched as that same energy coating those creatures gathers at the tips of his fingers. It burns your flesh where it touches. Damn! He's too close, you can't dodge-!

It's then that both you and the gangleader note the missing stump of his arm that's been sawed completely clean off at the elbow, a few inches from your face.

Beside you, the man named Langston has moved to stand between him and you and side-eyes the now one-armed man.

"Langston you-!" Words fail the other man, as the last remaining creature steps alongside its boss, body rippling.

Langston turns away from the man still bleeding from his stump arm and eyes you up and down. The metallic scent from earlier only intensifies.

"I'm not sure who, or what you are, but you've offered aid where you did not have to," the imposing man actually speaks, the first words you've ever heard him say for this entire encounter, voice as gravel. "And for that, I will in turn offer aid."

"I have been 'Langston' for a while now, but I believe that for the duration of our continued work here..."

"...please call me Mr. Blades."

-999 Quest 23 End-

And with that, I'll call the Quest here for now. Shorter than I'd like but we'll pick up next Saturday assuming all goes well and hopefully things won't be so hectic as to necessitate cutting the thread short next time.