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Update 8: Piecing Together the Past (Turn 64 - 73)
Ah, welcome back. It's been some time since the last set of tales, but but I assure you that they're not over yet.
At this point, we reach a rather vaguely detailed part of the story of Goatmurdered. Despite the important events that occurred in this part, very little was written down of it, and even less has survived the ages/
It's a shame, really, but I'll do my best to fill in the blanks with all the information we do know.
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Turn 64 - 68
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We return to the tale of Dance Macabre, awaiting the completion of the most recent crafts back in town. In order to save the town some bigos, Old Grey Guy took to gathering some mushrooms outside of town.
They were waiting for more jewelry, specifically. In a short time, the adventurers had discovered the
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Turn 69
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Supposedly, after some time, they returned to town and picked up their new equipment. Mostly, it was a collection of silver brooches- they had discovered that they would grant uncanny abilities of perception. Shei-kun as well obtained a necklace made from bloodstone, known to be good luck for medical work.
New powers in tow, we can only imagine they made use of them rather quickly.
This runestone was said to be found in a tower around that time, so our historians presume it happened during this time.
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Turn 70
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A few scraps of paper and some other objects would at least suggest they found more ruins to search.
Ever closer to the Cosmic Tree's ruins, their reports indicate more encounters.
One however, stood out enough to be retold a few times over.
: Knights? I mean we're supposedly acting in the Lord of the Night's name.
: Not "supposedly". We are.
: Yeah, uh, what she said. That make us knights?
: If this blade protects against the darkness, I'll gladly wield it for you.
: ...'s a good sword.
: Ah, okay.
: Hey, go back to the knight part. That sounds fancy, Oggy, do ya think we qualify?
: We'd only be knights if he makes us one. Say, why are you so suddenly interested in this?
: Hey, he's under a curse just like you were, right? (Besides, it sounds like it pays well.)
: Hold on, what was that last statement? About desperate times-
: Ah, never mind that, he is from the West after all. Buncha weird rules and stuff they got over there and whatnot, goin' by what Og said about the place.
: Hm. True.
: Handsome here just needs us to pull the sword out for him, right? Yeah, we can-
: RRRRAAAAAAAAGH!
*Dust and rock chunks fly everywhere.
: You talk too much. Here, take your funny sword.
: :hmmyes:
: :haibrow:
: Neat sword.
: So, it is not only Thea in danger then? Perhaps it was fortunate my curse kept me here, after all.
: Neat magic.
: Yeah, when can I do that?
: Maybe sometime, maybe never... I've never even seen that done before.
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Turn 71 - 73
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Interestingly enough, the bridge was supposedly located the marshes not far from home- we still have the map and can confirm that at least. A great many things would seem to have happened in that marsh.
It would have to wait a later date, given their pressing need to follow Horos's command. What we do know of their journey after that is pieced together from some other tales- we estimate they reached the goal given to them by daybreak.
Unfortunately, it would appear somebody else was already there. Goblins, creatures once under Horos's protection, had made a camp blocking the way to the large building Dance Macabre supposed was their goal.
Goblins could be very dangerous in true combat, but as speakers, they were easily intimidated.
With a bit of posturing and some forceful language, they easily stepped aside. It didn't matter they couldn't understand New Goonic, enough yelling in the right way conveyed the point no matter the language barrier.
It would seem, however, the goblins were afraid enough of the building's contents to go ahead and leave.
What did they find inside, you ask? Well, it wasn't something anyone expected, that's for sure.
: Well, ain't this a forebodin' sight.
: I repeat, "aint this a forebodin' sight."
: Please, it's just books. Knowledge won't kill you. Though I find it unusual there was a university of anything given the difficulty of making books. Even we relegated most of our information to word of mouth as result.
: Ay, listen, I'm more bothered by this joker in the hood, not the books.
: A "board meeting"? What, was this a carpentry school too, or something?
: Alright, yeah, he's done lost it.
: Well, Horos sent us here for a reason. Think we should go to this "board meeting"?
: I suppose so, but I'll go first. Could be dangerous- I don't have a good feeling about this.
: They don't look aggressive, at least.
: Are these some kind of crafters? It's rather odd clothing.
: No, this looks more academic in quality. They're researchers.
: Wait, yer tellin' me even Horos don't know what went wrong?
: Not precisely, I'd believe your god knows what happened- this is likely him sending us in search of a solution.
: You dimwits are claiming to have caused this whole damn mess? *Draws greatsword*
: Hold. I'm sure you can tell they're dead already, let's just hear what these fools have to say.
: Right, well, let's just ask 'em why they did it.
: Ugh... I've got the most massive headache all of the sudden. So pretentious...
Listen, I regularly come up with bad plans, but even I could've told you this was stupid beyond measure.
: ...This is ridiculous. This "Human Resources", who are they?
: 
: You're telling me you were tricked by Sawro-
: Hold it there, bud, I'm not superstitious, but even I know that's bad luck to say that name. Now we've got-
: I...I remain appalled.
: Likewise.
: Ah, I have a question. How did you trick Horos?
: I will slay your leech lord. Where is it?!
: We already guessed that would be the case.
: We did?
: ...Well, I did.
: Old man, where is this beast?
: Ah, of course, you'll use it as a bargaining chip. Fine, I'll bite: who did this?
: Really now? Yeah, that's it, I've bloody had it with these- *draws axe, but gets pulled back*
: I understand your anger, but we are a forgiving people. Old man or professor, whatever you are, just tell us the location and we'll help you.
: Wait, we are?!
: Why?!
: We have gotten this far being forgiving people, and besides, we can't presume to know what the gods would want here. It's the most neutral option.
We done here! Yes, yes!
: Piece of cake, really.
: Mhm, kinda simple if you ask me.
: I mean, that conversation went on forever so we had plenty of time. I got over my initial anger pretty quickly.
: ... What did you do exactly?
: Uh, something called..."yoga". Yeah, that.
: Seems like it worked pretty damn good.
: ...Right. Let's... let's just get out of here already.
And so it was, the adventurers had a new goal: the hunting of the Leech Lord. Information on the specifics is still a bit fuzzy, but we know for sure that's what happened next.
...Ah, the town? Right, we haven't talked about it at all today, really. It stayed more well documented.
While everyone was learning new skills in this strange world, some improving on strengths while others tried to fix weaknesses, one particular person you might remember had taken to teaching...
...But we'll have to save that for next time.
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Voting time again! As you can see, we just got another witch, so we're looking at 2 witches now. What should our children become from now on, provided they don't have a special talent? A warrior, a gatherer, another crafter, or another witch?
Also, we've got one research point I haven't spent. As usual, what do we research?
And lastly, we've got a few new locations on our map, so where do we go next?
1. Back home to gather valuable resources
2. To Arathor's bridge.
3. Test our might against the Leech Lord (might not be possible yet)
4. Go east in search of clues regarding the Cosmic Tree itself.
5. Explore the south while we're down here.