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09:12, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Posted by The GMFor group 0
The Duke
player, 264 posts
Mad
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 07:16
  • msg #107

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The Duke looks around.

"Who told you? I am told there might be food by my friend Ajakstu."

With a thumb at the man in question. He flops down and checks the Onsu out seemingly ignoring the mist entity for now.

"How you leave the tribe? I was told you could not. The lady send you on a quest?"

He pokes the campfire looking for some edibles.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:16, Wed 18 Aug 2021.
The GM
GM, 405 posts
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 14:26
  • msg #108

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
In reply to The GM (msg # 103):

Interesting! So you can not only understand my thought-speech, but you're sentient and alive too despite being what appears to be mist. Alyn responded mentally.


Well I don't look like this all the time... the vaporous being thinks with a pouty tone.


Alyn Reed:
I was curious since you were hovering near the man who calls himself Onsu in a way that seemed to defy physics, but I wanted to be check if you were sentient. I'm Alyn, by the way. What is your name?


I'm Vult. Kalsk just said so. Weren't you listening?


The Duke:
The Duke looks around.

"Who told you?"


"Ah. Well. The answer to that question is a little unusual. In my travels, I've picked up a sort of parasite... I don't know how to get rid of it... but it's got special mental abilities, so it is somewhat useful now and then. It's what causes my spots and eyes to glow. Don't worry, it doesn't seem to be contagious... at least not as long as I'm alive and healthy enough for it..."

The Duke:
"I am told there might be food by my friend Ajakstu."


With a thumb at the man in question. He flops down and checks the Onsu out seemingly ignoring the mist entity for now.

"Ah. Vult doesn't eat the kind of food that you and I do, so I don't have a lot of food with me right now... Are you... very hungry? When was the last time you ate...?"


The Duke:
"How you leave the tribe? I was told you could not. The lady send you on a quest?"

He pokes the campfire looking for some edibles.


"I don't know 'the lady' you're speaking of, I don't think. I probably shouldn't have left my tribe, but I felt there must be more to the world than worshiping Onsu, and I set out on my own... Kind of wish I hadn't now... But... you've met other Onsu? That must have been... quite an experience..."
The Duke
player, 265 posts
Mad
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 16:46
  • msg #109

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The Duke pouts a little at the no food but doesn't seem to mind to much beyond that. Good thing he had the supplies with him in case of an emergency. He prods the fire some with a stick eying the Onsu and the fog.

"Ah yes it was great. All 3 tribes where fighting and i crushed em all and now they are one tribe and the Lady is teaching them just how lucky they are now. And we even had pancakes beyond the blue screen. All so the tribes stopped wasting water so the tree man could tell us about the cloister. But he knew little just that we had to go elsewhere. Waste of time really but at least the pancakes where good."
Kalsk
NPC, 0 posts
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 17:04
  • msg #110

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The Duke:
The Duke pouts a little at the no food but doesn't seem to mind to much beyond that. Good thing he had the supplies with him in case of an emergency. He prods the fire some with a stick eying the Onsu and the fog.

"Ah yes it was great. All 3 tribes where fighting and i crushed em all and now they are one tribe and the Lady is teaching them just how lucky they are now."


"Uh... 'crushed' them all...?"
This message was last updated by the player at 17:04, Wed 18 Aug 2021.
Ajakstu Gul
player, 97 posts
Sometimes-Lucky Rogue
XP: 0 || Health: full
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 17:57
  • msg #111

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

"Crushed them religiously, of course," Ajakstu interjected. "They have seen the way, and in some cases achieved a peaceful higher state."
Kalsk
NPC, 1 post
Wed 18 Aug 2021
at 18:51
  • msg #112

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Ajakstu Gul:
"Crushed them religiously, of course," Ajakstu interjected. "They have seen the way, and in some cases achieved a peaceful higher state."


"Ah," says Kalsk, slightly relieved. "Crushed their spirits. Yeah, I understand. I feel sorry for them, but maybe it was going to happen sooner or later. I left, myself, because I realized that what my people were worshiping wasn't really a god, nor divine. That became even more clear when I adventured around out here and came to understand a lot more about ancient technology and 'computers' and 'AI' and stuff. Well, I'm glad to hear that at least some of them are bouncing back from the experience..."
Ajakstu Gul
player, 98 posts
Sometimes-Lucky Rogue
XP: 0 || Health: full
Thu 19 Aug 2021
at 00:45
  • msg #113

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

"Indeed!" Ajakstu nods agreeably. "So other than your parasitic friend, what else have you seen around here? Any tales worthy of sharing with us?"
Alyn Reed
player, 93 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Thu 19 Aug 2021
at 05:10
  • msg #114

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn let the others talk to the Onsu Kalsk for now - they were doing as good job. He was focusing on the parasite mist thing.

Ah yes...my thoughts were distracted, so forgive me Vult. Are you really a parasite? I mean...why would mist need to attack itself to a host? and what other forms would you look like if you weren't mist? You look pretty misty to me is all I'm saying. he thought back, as he considered if he should use his powers to either try and destroy the mist and free the man, or do nothing and simply converse like he was now.

He decided to wait and see how things played out.
The Duke
player, 267 posts
Mad
Thu 19 Aug 2021
at 07:14
  • msg #115

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The Duke who was about to elaborate greatly on the battle of the tree tribes pouts a little when Ajakstu steals the discussion from him and the grand moment to elaborate into the gory details of the one sided slaughter and kicks some dirt into the campfire and then opens the cooler to take a snack from it.
Kalsk
NPC, 2 posts
Thu 19 Aug 2021
at 15:27
  • msg #116

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Ajakstu Gul:
"Indeed!" Ajakstu nods agreeably. "So other than your parasitic friend, what else have you seen around here? Any tales worthy of sharing with us?"


"Around here? Mm, the big thing here is that mountain over there. My parasite wants to go there, but... I get the feeling it'd be good for the parasite, not for me personally. So... I'm thinking it over, but I'm very wary. I might even be scared of it, but sometimes it's hard to tell where my instincts stop and the parasite's begin..."



Alyn Reed:
Alyn let the others talk to the Onsu Kalsk for now - they were doing as good job. He was focusing on the parasite mist thing.

Ah yes...my thoughts were distracted, so forgive me Vult. Are you really a parasite?


...Huh? Oh, you mean Kalsk's thing. No, that's in his body. Nothing to do with me. I'm just hanging around with Kalsk. He's cool.


Alyn Reed:
and what other forms would you look like if you weren't mist? You look pretty misty to me is all I'm saying.



Oh, well, my people are called Shifters. We cycle through all the states of matter every day. Well, the non-exotic ones. As you can see, I'm on vapor right now. Liquid's up next. Uh... I dunno if I should tell you this, but if you ever meet an adult Shifter, you'll wish you hadn't. They're real jerks. So, like... try to avoid that.

So, like... What're you guys? You seem to be like Kalsk-- Kinda liquid around solid bones. But like are you monkey-people or frog-people or what? I'm not really a species expert.

Alyn Reed
player, 95 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Fri 20 Aug 2021
at 04:20
  • msg #117

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

A chuckle rang through the mental connection.

We are humans. Well, I think they are human and I'm...mostly human. We don't normally communicate telepathically...that's mostly a me-thing. But yes, we have a solid skeleton surrounded by semi-solid organs and liquid blood. he thought back in response.

And thanks for the heads-up about adult shifters. Although you don't have to worry about me - they'll learn real quick that their shifting states can do little to save them from me if I get mad. However...I'll make sure to give them a warning first when they are getting out of hand. he added, with the mental equivalent of a momentary sinister smirk before one's face resumed a friendly smile once again. Just...in mental terms of course.

But with that said...what's with the parasite that's inside your friend Kalsk? Can you tell me anything about it? Do you guys want it killed, or is it like some sort of nice parasite or something?
Vult
NPC, 1 post
Fri 20 Aug 2021
at 14:50
  • msg #118

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
A chuckle rang through the mental connection.

We are humans.


Wait, what?! Really?! You guys? Even that big guy? Not the big guy, right?


It's clear to Alyn that Vult is very interested in humans (but can hardly believe he's found some real ones).


Alyn Reed:
Well, I think they are human and I'm...mostly human. We don't normally communicate telepathically...that's mostly a me-thing. But yes, we have a solid skeleton surrounded by semi-solid organs and liquid blood. he thought back in response.

And thanks for the heads-up about adult shifters. Although you don't have to worry about me - they'll learn real quick that their shifting states can do little to save them from me if I get mad. However...I'll make sure to give them a warning first when they are getting out of hand. he added, with the mental equivalent of a momentary sinister smirk before one's face resumed a friendly smile once again. Just...in mental terms of course.

But with that said...what's with the parasite that's inside your friend Kalsk? Can you tell me anything about it?



Uh, no, not really... I'm not even sure if it's totally or partly biological or just an energy thing.





Alyn Reed:
Do you guys want it killed, or is it like some sort of nice parasite or something?



Um, I wouldn't say that it's nice, although sometimes in keeping itself alive it helps keep Kalsk alive, so that's good... But I think it's bad for his health, really... But don't just mind-blast it to death, because what if that kills Kalsk, too-- or if it just kills Kalsk when it dies anyway?

I think Kalsk maybe needs a really good doctor. I was hoping there might be one in Gnost, but then Kalsk's parasite got interested in the half-mountain. I don't think Kalsk should go there, but it's hard to get him off his tail to keep moving past it. It's the parasite's fault. Stupid parasite. Maybe you guys can help him get out of sight of it...? Maybe that would help...?

Alyn Reed
player, 96 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Sun 22 Aug 2021
at 16:19
  • msg #119

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

In reply to Vult (msg # 118):

Hmmm...you'd think the Duke was something else, but he also registers as human under sensor readings. He's probably more human than me, but less human than the goofball with the hat. But yeah...the three of us are more or less human even if we're not normal humans. The cute monster silently following us is of course very much NOT human, but she's cool people. he thought in response. But maybe you guys can come to Gnost with us as we're going that way.

He turned to face the others.

"Well the mist is not the parasite. He's a shapeshifter and was who Kalsk was referring to as Vult. I don't believe either are ill-intentioned from the sound of it." Alyn said aloud suddenly to his allies.

"Although this parasite is another story." he said, looking at Kalsk.

"Do you want to get rid of the parasite, Kalsk? I can try to kill it for you but it may not be the safest thing while it's inside of you. Your friend suggested going to Gnost to find a surgeon to remove it. We're heading that way too, although there is a giant titan robot around here somewhere we're wanting to make a pit-stop at first." he continued.

"What can you tell us about your parasite situation?"
Kalsk
NPC, 3 posts
Wed 25 Aug 2021
at 15:06
  • msg #120

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
In reply to Vult (msg # 118):

Hmmm...you'd think the Duke was something else, but he also registers as human under sensor readings. He's probably more human than me, but less human than the goofball with the hat. But yeah...the three of us are more or less human even if we're not normal humans. The cute monster silently following us is of course very much NOT human, but she's cool people. he thought in response. But maybe you guys can come to Gnost with us as we're going that way.

He turned to face the others.

"Well the mist is not the parasite. He's a shapeshifter and was who Kalsk was referring to as Vult. I don't believe either are ill-intentioned from the sound of it." Alyn said aloud suddenly to his allies.

"Although this parasite is another story." he said, looking at Kalsk.

"Do you want to get rid of the parasite, Kalsk? I can try to kill it for you but it may not be the safest thing while it's inside of you. Your friend suggested going to Gnost to find a surgeon to remove it. We're heading that way too, although there is a giant titan robot around here somewhere we're wanting to make a pit-stop at first." he continued.

"What can you tell us about your parasite situation?"


"I... um... it's hard to tell you much about it," says Kalsk hesitantly. "...It doesn't want me to. It's scared of you now that it knows you're psychic, too. But it's kinda mad. It's like... I'm kind of a hostage. I think Gnost is a better idea. At least, I think that I think that. It knows to be scared of psychic stuff, but I don't think it's... sophisticated enough to be scared of doctors. Vult's hoping we can find someone with some good ancient medical tech..."
Alyn Reed
player, 98 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Thu 26 Aug 2021
at 14:42
  • msg #121

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

"Well it shouldn't be scared of me. Unless it should. If that makes sense. I'm here mostly to look pretty." Alyn replied with his generally friendly grin. "Basically...the key to dealing with me is to not give me a reason to stop being nice."

He then looked at the man intensely...

09:38, Today: Alyn Reed rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,4.  Charm.

He is trying to initiate psychic contact with Kalsk. If, on a Narrative level, Kalsk doesn't refuse then his roll is to try to initiate psychic contact with the parasite unless it also - narratively - doesn't resist. I am intending to initiate psychic contact with both the man and parasite though and then switch between them on a need-to basis going forward.

The GM
GM, 410 posts
Thu 26 Aug 2021
at 14:47
  • msg #122

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
"Well it shouldn't be scared of me. Unless it should. If that makes sense. I'm here mostly to look pretty." Alyn replied with his generally friendly grin. "Basically...the key to dealing with me is to not give me a reason to stop being nice."

He then looked at the man intensely...

09:38, Today: Alyn Reed rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,4.  Charm.

He is trying to initiate psychic contact with Kalsk. If, on a Narrative level, Kalsk doesn't refuse then his roll is to try to initiate psychic contact with the parasite unless it also - narratively - doesn't resist. I am intending to initiate psychic contact with both the man and parasite though and then switch between them on a need-to basis going forward.


Kalsk accepts the psychic contact.

The parasite definitely does not. The feeling Alyn gets is of walking straight into a stone wall. If his mind had a nose, Alyn'd be rubbing it right now. It'll be harder next time, too.
Ajakstu Gul
player, 100 posts
Sometimes-Lucky Rogue
XP: 0 || Health: full
Thu 26 Aug 2021
at 18:21
  • msg #123

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
"I'm here mostly to look pretty." Alyn replied with his generally friendly grin. </Coral>


Ajakstu rolled his eyes and glanced at The Duke.

"I must say that I prefer your means of getting to know people."
Alyn Reed
player, 101 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Sat 28 Aug 2021
at 19:22
  • msg #124

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn glanced at Ajakstu and grinned.

"You're just jealous because I'm prettier than you guys are. Unless its some sort of unrequited attraction in which case you can talk to me later." he said with a playful wink.

He turned back to Kalsk and got more serious again.

"Well the parasite definitely is on guard and I may try to force my way in again and may not...we'll see. For now, though, it's guarding its mind against me. If it drops its guard, though, I'm going to pounce on it and it knows this." he said with a knowing nod. He purposefully said that last part too, to keep it on guard as he could turn the things caution against it.

However, I was partially successful and managed to connect with you at least. So you should be able to tell me more about the parasite safely, since if it tries to listen in on your thoughts to me then it will have to subject itself to making mental contact with me as well. And it probably knows - correctly - that would be a stupid move as I'll totally capitalize on its moment of weakness and force contact with it and start mind probing it. He said to Kalsk in thought-speech.

Which means that right now, while it's guarding its mind from me, this is the very best opportunity for you to be able to get away with sharing things with me you normally couldn't, while its still too scared to consider mental contact with me. Let's use the thing's own caution of me against it! he followed up, complete with a mental smirk.

So what is this parasite? What do you know about it? And if there's anything you want to secretly tell the others let me know and I'll send them a separate telepathic message. Basically...this is your chance to open up since my mental presence here is checking the parasite's.
Kalsk
NPC, 4 posts
Sun 29 Aug 2021
at 14:36
  • msg #125

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
However, I was partially successful and managed to connect with you at least. So you should be able to tell me more about the parasite safely, since if it tries to listen in on your thoughts to me then it will have to subject itself to making mental contact with me as well. And it probably knows - correctly - that would be a stupid move as I'll totally capitalize on its moment of weakness and force contact with it and start mind probing it. He said to Kalsk in thought-speech.


Um, I'm not sure you're right about that. I think it can listen in just fine. What you suggest might be true if it tries to influence my thoughts, though, I think. Which I think it does sometimes.

Alyn Reed:
Which means that right now, while it's guarding its mind from me, this is the very best opportunity for you to be able to get away with sharing things with me you normally couldn't, while its still too scared to consider mental contact with me. Let's use the thing's own caution of me against it! he followed up, complete with a mental smirk.

So what is this parasite? What do you know about it? And if there's anything you want to secretly tell the others let me know and I'll send them a separate telepathic message. Basically...this is your chance to open up since my mental presence here is checking the parasite's.


I really don't know much about it at all. It was in some old caverns I was exploring. Then monsters came, and I escaped through a narrow tunnel... had to really squeeze through at one point, scraped my right side against rough rocks. I think that might be how it got in my bloodstream, and then in my head. Soon after that I became aware of it-- it would warn me of danger ahead and stuff. That turned into stronger psychic abilities in self-defense, later. But then it started influencing me, a little, too...

Alyn gets the feeling that Kalsk really is telling about all he knows, uncensored (so far)...
Ajakstu Gul
player, 101 posts
Sometimes-Lucky Rogue
XP: 0 || Health: full
Mon 30 Aug 2021
at 12:01
  • msg #126

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Ajakstu looks at The Duke and Sabi. "What do you think the parasite looks like? And how did it enter the furry scalawag? I am thinking a slug like being that slimed in through it's ear."
The Duke
player, 269 posts
Mad
Tue 31 Aug 2021
at 09:26
  • msg #127

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The duke looks up from ponddering if the piece of meat he put on the stick to roast was ready to be eaten yet as Ajakstu adresses him and then looks at the new wordy guy.

"That one wouldn't know pretty if it sat on his face. Look at your hat its so fancy."

When the focus goes to the parasite he opens and closes his weaponized hand that is made to tear down buildings.

"Shall we rip it out? Sure that works."
Alyn Reed
player, 102 posts
Psion
XP: 2 || Hp: 6/6 Str: 5/6
Wed 1 Sep 2021
at 06:02
  • msg #128

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn gave Kalsk a mental nod.

Interesting. It's like it's border-line symbiotic, but really its a parasite with enlightened self-interest it seems since it's trying to influence you and stuff. he thought in response.

At least even if its listening in on your thoughts, it won't risk trying to influence you while I'm around. But that still leaves thje question of WHY exactly it is so insistent on you going to the half-mountain place where as you'd much rather not? Do you know what it's goal is there? he asked.

Because it seems more and more like you coming with us to Gnost is what has to happen. And with me here, it probably won't risk acting rashly or trying to influence you since it knows I'll totally take advantage of it when it lets its guard down. Maybe someone in gnost knows more about what type of parasite it is and how to remove it.

He turned to Duke and Ajak and Sabi.

"He most likely got the parasite from when he scraped himself on some rocks in a narrow tunnel in a cavern system he was in. He's not sure what it lookjs like and it may be a little worm, or sluf, or other critter we don't know. But the parasite is locking its mind off from me to protect itself from me - wisely might I add - but in turn it can't influence Kalsk easily in exchange. I think we should take him with us to Gnost. Maybe he can help us get a ley of the land or learn more about what lies between here and what we seek." Alyn said aloud.

"Oh and Kalsk? We do want to go scavange er um...do a historical survey if you will of the ruins of a large titan robot that's supposed to be near ish here on the way to gnost so you'll need to accompany us on this excursion. If you happen to know what I'm talking about and can lead us there we'd greatly appreciate it."
Kalsk
NPC, 5 posts
Wed 1 Sep 2021
at 14:52
  • msg #129

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

Alyn Reed:
Alyn gave Kalsk a mental nod.

Interesting. It's like it's border-line symbiotic, but really its a parasite with enlightened self-interest it seems since it's trying to influence you and stuff. he thought in response.


Yeah, what you just said.

Alyn Reed:
At least even if its listening in on your thoughts, it won't risk trying to influence you while I'm around. But that still leaves thje question of WHY exactly it is so insistent on you going to the half-mountain place where as you'd much rather not? Do you know what it's goal is there? he asked.


Not... really. My first thought was, maybe more of its own kind live there? Somehow? Like it's lonely? But Vult had an idea that maybe something extra-yummy that mind-parasites like to eat might be found there, and that seems equally likely to me. But... Vult just... thinks... that... what's there would be good for the parasite, and not for me. And... I... think... I agree maybe.



Alyn Reed:
Because it seems more and more like you coming with us to Gnost is what has to happen. And with me here, it probably won't risk acting rashly or trying to influence you since it knows I'll totally take advantage of it when it lets its guard down. Maybe someone in gnost knows more about what type of parasite it is and how to remove it.

He turned to Duke and Ajak and Sabi.

"He most likely got the parasite from when he scraped himself on some rocks in a narrow tunnel in a cavern system he was in. He's not sure what it lookjs like and it may be a little worm, or sluf, or other critter we don't know. But the parasite is locking its mind off from me to protect itself from me - wisely might I add - but in turn it can't influence Kalsk easily in exchange. I think we should take him with us to Gnost. Maybe he can help us get a ley of the land or learn more about what lies between here and what we seek." Alyn said aloud.

"Oh and Kalsk? We do want to go scavange er um...do a historical survey if you will of the ruins of a large titan robot that's supposed to be near ish here on the way to gnost so you'll need to accompany us on this excursion. If you happen to know what I'm talking about and can lead us there we'd greatly appreciate it."


"Oh, sure, the giant robot, Vult and I know about that." Then Kalsk pauses, as if half-lost in thought.

But Vult chimes in: "Yeah, Kalsk and I can take you there. Right, Kalsk? We want to help these friendly humans, right?"

"...Y...yeah," says Kalsk.
Ajakstu Gul
player, 103 posts
Sometimes-Lucky Rogue
XP: 0 || Health: full
Mon 13 Sep 2021
at 00:19
  • msg #130

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

"Blah blah blah! The Duke and I tire of your discourse! Rake provides more insight! On the morrow we start for the crashed titan to loot the treasures that certainly remain. Craven hearts can stay here or go crying back to the Onsu."

Ajakstu waived his hand emphatically.

"Bah! Fortune favors the bold! And brevity is the soul of wit!"

With that he sits down and begins to fastidiously inspect his hat for dirt.
The Duke
player, 270 posts
Mad
Mon 13 Sep 2021
at 05:32
  • msg #131

Re: LEAVING THE THREE TRIBES...

The Duke nods in agreement with Ajakstu and okes the fire some more.

"Yeah scrap the titan so those mean robots get nothing and then go to the town."
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