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Update 5: A Tale of Magics, Monarchs, and Motivations (Turn 27 - 38)
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Turn 27
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Ah, is it time to re-spin the tale of Goatmurdered again?
We shall pick up not long after we stopped last time.
While deciding what to do during the night, Idiot traded places with Pharnakes in order to help hunt some silk.
In the meantime, the two head crafters, Drakenel and Black Robe discussed new buildings. Through a vote held in ancient goonic tradition, a Totem was the next choice.
Though, it was worth mentioning there were a lot of growling stomachs in the crowd...
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Turn 28
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Ah, the Dziody, a festival celebrated since even before the darkness. The knowledge of this mythical city's whereabouts could prove useful for our people.
Though, much like the Herbalist, the elder's of Dziody seek proof if you desire their help- one must have the inner strength to overcome a curse, they can only grant you the means by which you must do it.
Though the meeting may have been brief, their knowledge perhaps rubbed off on everyone that night. Each person remarked in their thoughts becoming more clear, and as if they learned something.
Anonymous, thanks to this excursion learned much more about the art of gathering itself. Fat Samurai took time out to talk instead of train as she always had, and was the better for it.
Even Shei-kun, adamant defender of the expedition, discovered something new that night. For you see, her desire to protect was stronger than any other's, and the source of that was a Sixth Sense she didn't know she had.
Meanwhile, the arguments discussions back in town between young Drakenel and the Iron Chef, Witch of the Kitch, Black Robe remained a tie as they both honed their rhetoric.
Yet, they decided in the end they could not stay in place for too long. Shei-kun feared danger could arrive from any direction, and the crafters of the town needed more materials and knowledge than just spidersilk for the time being.
Pharnakes returned to her position on the team, trading back with Anonymous as result of this decision.
Upon leaving the town, the adventurers took care of those pesky snakes too. Their scales would make fine armor, and thus they opted to save them until designs for those had been drawn up.
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Turn 29
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#20
As darkness fell, more things crept out of the darkness to meet our brave adventurers.
: What a horrible night to have a curse...
: Oi? A curse? You done lost it on me, old man?
: Huh? It's just a saying-
: Hey, there's some humanoid stuck in that trap!
: They must be rescued!
Alas, for our adventurers, they couldn't stand up to every test Thea had to offer yet.
: 
*Pats Shei on back*
: One less life in Thea, I suppose...
A saddening thing, it was. Goblins may not be most sophisticated of creatures, but they are creatures of Horos. A life is a life, when there's so few left in the world.
Yet, there was no time for grief- the twisted vermin of the Darkness waits for no soul.
Reassuringly, they hadn't seemed to be too tough so far, and a the rat nest led them to some quilted cloth armor still in decent shape.
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Turn 30
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As the town's machinations continue, the adventurers continued their trek into the dark.
Another fallen traveler, another grave dug.
And with it, more twisted beings of the darkness come.
This time, a new threat, one from the old world's tales: the Striga. Bloodsucking creatures, they oft disguise themselves as a far more attractive being with their occult magics.
These Striga were blood-crazed from not feeding for too long- it makes them less clever, but no less dangerous.
Our adventurers' strength lies not in physical power, however, but in their teamwork and tactics. These creatures were no match for them and their spears.
Ah, and what treasure these fiends carried! Leather armor, another Dark Wood Thorn, even more wooden effigies to hone our instincts.
Better in our hands than theirs.
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Turn 31
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It was at the moment the final blow of that battle was delivered, it became an new day upon the calendar, and thus so happened Vodkahead's date of birth come to pass. He had easily proved himself no longer a child and thus worthy a title in Olde Goonic.
A rough looking man was he, though t'was to be expected of the cousin of Old Grey Guy. Little did some realize at the time, but Old Grey guy was but twenty-one, and Vodkahead nineteen.
Yet, most people don't realize that Pharnakes was likely over 40 years in age given her youthful looks. Her herbs contributed to that, yes, but 'twas possible she had a bit of Rusalka in her veins.
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Turn 32
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Where was I? Ah, yes, how Vodkahead proved his maturity and became a gatherer. He had been in watchtower when he spotted a small light, a torch in the distance- and saw it fall.
He ran to the location with swiftness abound and brought back as sight many had never expected to see:
An elf, creature of Veles and long assumed to have died with the Cosmic Tree.
She had fallen, and Vodkahead hauled her back to town. Life in Thea alone was difficult and it was apparent she had not fared well. She mumbled words that waxed philosophy, and the meanings of life.
: She's in a trance of some kind- that sallow face! She must be starving! Quickly!
: But...but what does one life matter? What is one life worth?!
: *Splashes water in face* This'll wake her up.
: ...!
: *Hands plate of food* A life? It's worth more than 10 pieces of meat, that's for sure.
And thus, The Great Evil King was saved from trolleys starvation. Once recovered, she explained her origins: she was once a druid, a high tier leader of an elven city, Silveroak. She was referred to as their monarch in some times, but it all vanished with the loss of the Cosmic Tree.
: ...I owe you my thanks. The tides of darkness sought to overcome me, and I fear I was about to lose. I see your names are of the Ancient Goonic tongue, how peculiar it is to think anyone would still speak it.
: It is our heritage, forgetting that would mean forgetting ourselves. The Tree may be gone, but we're not. We can't let ourselves fade away either.
: Wise words indeed, I shall stay with you people- that is, if you'll have me. I am no good at domestic pursuits though I still have a connection to the ancient ley lines. I believe that totem you're constructing is what brought me here- a new ley line connection.
: (...So the old magic still lives, indeed...) Regardless, we're willing to take you.
: Yeah, but what are we going to call ya?
: He's right, ain't none of us speak Elven.
: That is fine. My name in the Ancient Goonic tongue would be "The Great Evil King".
'Twas true Evil King possessed no skills for surviving in the wilds- there is little question as to why she was starving. Though, it is apparent she survived purely by merit of her combat abilities.
Elves are known for having an unnatural swiftness- the technique our people use with spears to cut off foes are derived from theirs. Thus, every attack an Elf makes counts as a piercing strike regardless if they use a spear or not.
After a brief discussion, it was decided she would join the expedition. She knew little of life at home, and her skills were far better suited to that of staving off the vicious pawns of the dark.
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Turn 33 - 34
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After that rather exciting turn of events, the expedition coincidentally made the decision to return home. The west held little materials worth caring about presently.
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Turn 35
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More creatures were hunted down, while the people of Goatmurdered became more experienced in their new world.
Hardiness and knowledge of the wilderness was the theme for the expedition that day.
While back at town, it was all about willpower. Black Robe, on the other hand, was making sure to hide her designs and theories- young Drakenel was a bit too smart for her own good, and the arrival of Evil King informed her that her theories could be more than just that...
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Turn 36- 38
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In the distance, Old Grey Guy managed to spot a building worth checking out. It was visible thanks only to the glint it's roof made at precisely this time of the day. Rather fortunate happenstance, actually.
During this time, the finishing touches on the Totem were made. Black Robe theories had come to bear fruit and the former druid, Evil King felt another ley line be fully formed in the world's ether. It was a weak, spindly line, but it was healthy compared to the rest that still existed.
With this, Black Robe could now make good use of her knowledge and train children to become what she had wanted- a true witch. No bloodline to a hag, Rusalka, or Striga was necessary anymore, just time.
New comrade in tow, the expedition set out towards the spot marked on Theodore's map. The Cosmic Tree was a mystery worth investigating, and by all means they were already headed that way in search of monsters and materials.
All the while, Drakenel wasn't blind to what Black Robe was doing. There was... merit, to the idea that the magic of the old world would bring prosperity back to their people, but it was rather wishful thinking.
No, Drakenel was no longer the young, sheepish girl she had been. After hearing the tales of the expedition and the dark look in Black Robe's eyes, she had grown willful and realistic. She knew the folk tales that had been passed down, and taming the magic of Thea was a task filled with uncertainties.
What they needed out there was armor, not some incorporeal power. By all means, it might do away with the Striga's illusions, it might collapse the undead, but there was nothing to protect the body.
The elf that had come- she had magic, sure, but it was her combat prowess that kept her alive. The people needed training, weapons, and armor if they ever expected to live. Not rituals of occult carvings and banishment chimes.
The only sure thing in these coming days is that they would be very interesting. For now, the storyteller's spinning wheel must stop- the present calls and we cannot spend every hour recanting our past, as entertaining as it might be.
Until next time, dear listeners.
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Things have changed for the folk of Goatmurdered, and though they follow Theodore's map for now, the future of the town remains uncertain.
What should our next research developments be?
We recently unlocked access to Shields, Medium Armor, and Heavy Armor, but some have expressed interest in new weapons, a Cabbage Patch, or even an Herbalist's hut. What of Monster Bone, or that Silver vein to the northeast?
There are 3 more children left and no particular request for classes, so...If a child does grow up, should they be:
A. A Warrior
B. A Gatherer
C. A Crafter
D. A Witch
E. If they have a special talent, then go with it
After following Theodore's map, where do we go? Do we:
1. Continue to follow any leads regarding the Cosmic Tree.
2. Explore due north of the town, the only direction we haven't gone in.
3. Head back to the east and see if there's more valuable things there.
4. Try the west again, and hope there's actually something valuable a bit further away.
Lastly, our expedition has been together for quite a while, and though it's still subject to change, I believe it has earned a name. What do we call our expedition team now?
It currently consists of 2 Warriors (Fat Samurai, Shei-Kun), 1 Ranger (Oggy), 2 Crafters (Rocket Baby, Samovar), and 1 Elf (Evil King).
Get to votin', fellow citizens. I'll leave this open for 2 days as I know not all of our readers are checking every day.
In the meantime, it's back to being an interplanetary diplomat for me.