Daniel [GM] (00:00:30): Welcome to Explorers Wanted. We are a weekly Numenera actual play podcast. I will be your humble GM, Daniel Andrlik. With me today is Stace Babcock. Stace [Nix] (00:00:44): Hell yeah. I'm with you Daniel. Daniel [GM] (00:00:45): Alex Finn. Alex [ChaCha] (00:00:45): I don't know what's happening right now, but I'm just like whoa. Daniel [GM] (00:00:49): Sampson Davis. Sampson [Dili] (00:00:51): I really appreciate my roommate. I know I could do a lot worse. But when he says that he's going to go away for the weekend, I'm so happy. Apartment to myself. Daniel [GM] (00:01:01): And Marietta Jones. Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:03): I am also team Daniel. Daniel [GM] (00:01:11): Let's see who remembers what happened last time. I'm going to pick on Alex. Alex [ChaCha] (00:01:16): Okay. Let me put on my good old thinking cap and remember what's floating around in my noggin. What did we do 10 minutes ago? Oh, I know. So it was established that Dili was actually possessed by the automaton, and ChaCha was like, "You know what? Fuck you. Fuck you, Dili. We're fighting." And so she tried to kill Dili, and that was not the greatest plan, but apparently nobody was like, "Maybe we should stop ChaCha rather than Dili." So we all ganged up on Dili, but Nix was just like, "Don't kill Dili. I will take this attack." And that was cute. And so, after subduing Dili, and Dili coming back to his senses, ChaCha threatened to kill Dili. Alex [ChaCha] (00:02:07): And it was just like this is what's happening now and Donovan decided to be like, "Hey, you know what? That was very similar to how the automaton tried to strangle me as well." And didn't he say Adilabrim, which was also on the wanted poster? So we skedaddled from there. We decided we have money now, we don't have to just crash in people's basements. And we got an actual hotel room. ChaCha feel, and I don't know, I guess salty. I don't question what ChaCha does. ChaCha just does. Got her own room and had two twin beds to just lounge upon, while Dili, Nix, and Atalia were frugal, and got one room with two twin beds. Awkward. And then there was discussion on who gets to wreck that toilet first. Daniel [GM] (00:03:01): And Nix won. Alex [ChaCha] (00:03:02): Yeah. Nix got to wreck it first. And then- Marietta [Atalia] (00:03:06): Atalia doesn't poop. It's canon. Alex [ChaCha] (00:03:09): Atalia doesn't lower herself to those baser needs. ChaCha woke up, saw a snake person, and was just like, "God fucking damn it." Went to go get her double breakfast, because as we all know from staying in hotels, you get as many breakfasts as there are beds in your room. So ChaCha did her little I am forest child, let me fatten myself up before the next trek. And down comes Dili and Nix and Atalia. And we kind of came up with a plan about what are we going to do. And ChaCha said, "Well, I guess we murder Dili." And Atalia was like, "How about no? Maybe we kill the automaton instead of Dili." And then we found out ChaCha has three big plans, I guess. I don't know. I don't question these things. Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:02): And then Nix realized there were two posters for ChaCha and Nix up behind the bar, and nobody had disguises on, because we weren't thinking things through. Atalia was just like, "Let's go shopping. We have a lot of money. Let's go shopping, shopping, shopping." And begrudgingly everybody did it, but Nix's main concern was they know who we is, please get the fuck out. And as we were leaving the tavern, probably to never return unless we burn it down, several guards, about six I believe, we're coming around the corner and they were like, "Halt." And that's what I remember. Daniel [GM] (00:04:41): That's right. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:42): They said we were under arrest in the name of the queen. Stace [Nix] (00:04:45): I thought it was just half in the name of the queen. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:47): Oh, I thought we were under arrest. Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:48): Stop in the name of love, in the name of the queen. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:51): Stop- Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:52): [crosstalk 00:04:52] In the name of love. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:52): ... [crosstalk 00:04:52] in the name of love. Daniel [GM] (00:04:53): Yeah. They haven't gone as far as formal arrests yet. That was very good, Alex. I may end up using that audio as a guide for how to edit the last episode. So you guys have been stepping out of the tavern. You see these six guards and they call out, "Halt, in the name of the queen." Sampson [Dili] (00:05:13): How far away are they from us? Daniel [GM] (00:05:15): They are a short distance away. Alex [ChaCha] (00:05:17): ChaCha would like to shoot the leader in the kneecap with her pistol. Daniel [GM] (00:05:23): Well, at this point whatever you want to do, we're going to roll initiative. Stace [Nix] (00:05:28): Oh, are they attacking? Because we could comply. Daniel [GM] (00:05:31): Depends what you guys are going to do. Sampson [Dili] (00:05:33): How far away is short distance in feet? Is that like 20, 30 feet? Daniel [GM] (00:05:37): Doesn't matter. Mechanically it's- Alex [ChaCha] (00:05:39): Is it like social distancing distance? Daniel [GM] (00:05:43): It's farther than that. Because an immediate distance is, like in D&D terms, you know how you can move and take an action? Like it's 30 feet. That's what an immediate distance is. A short distance is anything that would take your entire turn to move. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:00): So they're far enough away that if Dili rolled well, he could probably cast disguise and then they get closer and be like, "Oh, sorry. You were similar to somebody." Because that's what I was thinking. Daniel [GM] (00:06:11): Maybe. But you suspect that they have probably been tipped off by the innkeeper that you are there. Alex [ChaCha] (00:06:19): Good luck. Daniel [GM] (00:06:20): It's not to say you couldn't do that, but you would probably be operating at a detriment. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:23): Yeah. Yeah. And I assume we're still going to be in initiative anyway. Daniel [GM] (00:06:27): It'll be initiative for sure. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:29): Dili has a 10. Stace [Nix] (00:06:30): 14. Alex [ChaCha] (00:06:32): So Dili's plan probably isn't happening, because I got a 19. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:36): God damn. Daniel [GM] (00:06:37): Marietta? Marietta [Atalia] (00:06:37): 16. Daniel [GM] (00:06:39): Okay. ChaCha goes first. Alex [ChaCha] (00:06:41): I'm going to shoot their leader in the knee. Daniel [GM] (00:06:43): Okay. So that functions as a light button, so please make a six. Alex [ChaCha] (00:06:53): 18. Daniel [GM] (00:06:54): Okay. So that is- Stace [Nix] (00:06:55): Does it have to be friendly for Nix to take the attack? Daniel [GM] (00:06:59): Ooh. Stace [Nix] (00:07:00): And Nix would do it by just stepping in front, she would not try to make it obvious. Just very casually. Daniel [GM] (00:07:07): Let's say you could do it anyway. You could definitely take the attack if you want. Stace [Nix] (00:07:12): All right. Because Nix wants attack. Daniel [GM] (00:07:15): You'll take four damage. Stace [Nix] (00:07:15): All right. Daniel [GM] (00:07:17): Minus your armor. Stace [Nix] (00:07:18): Oh, nice. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:19): This is a weird argument and I'm not about to argue with ChaCha bending bullets. Would it be more damage because it's point blank range? Daniel [GM] (00:07:30): Not in this case. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:34): Okay. Daniel [GM] (00:07:34): Oh, so wait, you got an 18 though. So it is six damage. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:36): Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:07:37): Noted. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:37): Sorry. Daniel [GM] (00:07:38): Okay. Next up is Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:07:41): What is happening? Oh, right. The guards. Have they come up to us yet? Daniel [GM] (00:07:45): Well, they're still a short distance away. ChaCha pulled out her weapon and tried to shoot one of them, and Nix stepped in the way and took the blast. Marietta [Atalia] (00:07:54): So we're trying not to attack them? Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:57): Nix is. Daniel [GM] (00:07:57): What would Atalia think? Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:00): Did Nix go ahead of us? Daniel [GM] (00:08:02): Nix took the attack, which means she gave up her turn this round to take the damage instead of the guard. Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:08): Nix, you don't want us to attack them? I don't understand. Daniel [GM] (00:08:12): You're not going to have time to talk about this. You have to decide what you're going to do. Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:15): What's the range on flash? Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:17): I think you could get them without getting us with flash. Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:21): That's what I mean, but also I'm like- Daniel [GM] (00:08:24): You could. It's an errant effect. They're all in immediate range of each other, and they're a short distance away. So you could absolutely do a flash that only affects them. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:33): Do it. Come to the dark side. Daniel [GM] (00:08:37): I mean, these are town guards. So Atalia I would suspect that you are probably conditioned not to just hang out. Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:45): Well, I'll use my flash esotery, and then I'll say something like, "Maybe we should just get out of here." Daniel [GM] (00:08:52): Okay. So flash does two damage. Are you spending any effort? It's a nine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:01): No. Daniel [GM] (00:09:02): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:02): I don't know how I feel about this attack anyway. Daniel [GM] (00:09:05): Okay. So I need you to make six rolls of nine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:10): Six rolls of nine. Okay. One, two, three, four, five. I'm just going to roll them all at once because I have the dice for it. Daniel [GM] (00:09:25): That's the dream Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:25): It's how you know you have enough dice. Okay. So we have a 10, and a four, and a 14, and an 11, and an 11, and a four. Daniel [GM] (00:09:32): Okay. So two misses and everything else is a hit. Okay. So all but two of them take two damage. And so next up would normally be Nix, but Nix already took the attack. So now it is Dili's turn. Sampson [Dili] (00:09:55): Under cover of the flash, if I can, Dili's going to cast disguise self and slightly alter everyone's faces so we look like generic brands of each other. You know in Spaceballs when they catch their stunt doubles? That's what I do. Daniel [GM] (00:10:12): Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's great. Okay. Awesome. A bunch of these guys took damage though, and it is now their turn. So they are going to advance. They're going to spend their turn going at that short distance so they are now in immediate distance. And now it goes back to ChaCha. The guards are now in immediate distance. A couple of them are hurt. And they're like, "Hold it right there." Alex [ChaCha] (00:10:38): I guess what ChaCha's going to do because Nix stepped in front of her last attack is ready her next attack to try and shoot a guard in the head should they decide to not accept Dili's disguises. Daniel [GM] (00:10:58): Okay. So you're just readying in action. You're not doing anything else. So next up it goes to Atalia. The guards are here. You see that your friends have been disguised. Presumably you've been disguised as well. Sampson [Dili] (00:11:12): Even Jeskii's been disguised. Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:16): I think I'm like, "Guys, can we just get out of here?" And I'll take a few steps back ready to run and get out of the situation. Daniel [GM] (00:11:21): Are you going to say that while the guards are in immediate range of you? Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:23): What? Daniel [GM] (00:11:25): The guards are in immediate range, so are you going to say, "Guys," and take a step, just get out of here while the guards are right there? Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:33): I mean, I guess so. I did just attack them. Are we trying to fight them right now or are we trying to leave? I don't know what's happening here. Or are we staying with them? Daniel [GM] (00:11:41): That's up to you. I'm just asking because you guys don't have a secret way of communicating, and the guards are right there. So if you're going to say to them, "Should we just run away," the guards are going to hear that. I'm just pointing that out. Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:55): I guess I think she would still say that. I don't know, I feel like she could still get out of there. Daniel [GM] (00:12:00): Okay. Okay. So are you going to take any action or are you just asking the question? Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:07): I guess I'll assault the one closest to me and start backing up further since my party members have been attacking, some of them anyway. Daniel [GM] (00:12:16): Okay. So mental or physical. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:16): I'll do a physical. Daniel [GM] (00:12:17): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:19): That was a 10. Daniel [GM] (00:12:22): Okay. One of the guards gets hit really hard, does not like that. Next up is Nix. Stace [Nix] (00:12:27): Nix is going to toss down her temporal mine and say, "Run," and start running. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:32): Great. Great. Thank you. Daniel [GM] (00:12:34): So where are you placing the mine? Stace [Nix] (00:12:38): I feel like Nix is probably the closest, because she stepped in front of ChaCha's shot, so it's between her and the guards. Daniel [GM] (00:12:46): Okay. So you do that, and you start running. Next up is Dili. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:53): Dili follows Nix, starts running. Daniel [GM] (00:12:55): Okay. So the guards take a step forward, and I'm going to say even though it doesn't make sense initiative order wise because I like this solution to the problem, the guards trigger the temporal mine, and all six of them seem to be trapped in some sort of stasis. And you guys are out of combat. I believe that stasis lasts for several hours. Stace [Nix] (00:13:20): A day, I think. I'm trying to look back and find it, but it's a really long time. Sampson [Dili] (00:13:26): Well, sucks for them. Alex [ChaCha] (00:13:27): Yeah. ChaCha's going to run after Nix. Daniel [GM] (00:13:30): Okay. You guys are out of combat. You're definitely getting away. It's number of hours equal to the cypher level. So whatever that level is, they're frozen and immune to damage. Stace [Nix] (00:13:40): Oh. So it's four hours. Daniel [GM] (00:13:43): Mm-hmm (affirmative). So they're trapped there and you guys run away successfully. Stace [Nix] (00:13:47): Yay. Daniel [GM] (00:13:48): Where are you guys going? Alex [ChaCha] (00:13:50): Shopping? Stace [Nix] (00:13:51): Yeah. Where? Sampson [Dili] (00:13:52): Once we've gotten a block or two away and have turned a corner, Dili's going to change the disguises to something farther from what we looked like. So changing the clothes and skin tone and all that. Daniel [GM] (00:14:03): Okay. And you're spending the intellect points in order to do that for everybody? Sampson [Dili] (00:14:07): Yes. Daniel [GM] (00:14:08): Okay. So you guys heading to the academic ward to go shopping? Are you going somewhere else? What are you doing? Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:20): I feel like there's so many different things we need to address right now. Sampson [Dili] (00:14:20): Can we just step over here to the side of the street real quick? Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:22): Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:14:23): I'd like to get a little farther away, Dili, before we stop and do anything if that's all right with you? Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:29): Can I try to find a sneaky route and lead us there? Daniel [GM] (00:14:33): Yeah. Give me a stealth role of one. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:38): It's a 14. Daniel [GM] (00:14:39): You easily can navigate the crew through some alleys like that that are hard to follow to get to a place where you guys can at least have a moment to chat. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:51): Yeah. No one comes back here. Sampson [Dili] (00:14:52): Why did you guys attack the guards? Stace [Nix] (00:14:54): yeah. Why did you attack the guards? Holy shit. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:57): I thought that's what we were supposed to do. Alex [ChaCha] (00:14:59): I mean, they're going to keep coming. They have your parents. Why would they treat us nicely if we surrendered or they caught us? Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:08): Yeah. I don't want to be in the queens fucking prison. Stace [Nix] (00:15:11): No. Neither do I, dude. Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:13): I was told that was not a thing we wanted. Stace [Nix] (00:15:16): We got a lot of options that aren't just killing six guards though. I already got 900 shins on my head. I'm not trying to have more shins added. I'm not trying to be wanted for murder, you guys. We could've lied. Dili could've cast illusion. We have a lot of options that's not killing six basically innocent guards. Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:35): Hey, I wasn't trying to kill them. I was just trying to get out of there. Stace [Nix] (00:15:38): They don't care about the difference, Atalia. Assault, attempted murder, it's all the same to them. They wouldn't distinguish. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if our bounties are bigger tomorrow than they were today. Sampson [Dili] (00:15:53): Hopefully I cast illusion in time before they got too close, but maybe. Daniel [GM] (00:15:57): Keep in mind that ChaCha's bounty is from the queen, Nix's bounty is probably from the [Nixos 00:16:03]. But the queen connects the two. Stace [Nix] (00:16:06): The queen cares enough to find Nix, right? Daniel [GM] (00:16:10): Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:16:10): Because she captured her parents. I guess that's where Nix [crosstalk 00:16:14] is going then. Yeah. And the queen has my parents. What do you guys think? Momma J said they're not in danger now, but what kind of danger do you think they might be in if I killed six guards. Marietta [Atalia] (00:16:25): Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't handle it right. But you have to understand what my occupation has been for a hot minute, getting taken by them is not an option. The queen is not known for her prison situation, and it seemed like either you stop them from getting us, or get taken. That's the only options I saw. Stace [Nix] (00:16:43): Yeah. No, no, no. Getting taken is totally not an option, Atalia. I'm not trying to get thrown in a dungeon either. But I'm just saying, there's murdering them, or attacking them, and there's getting away. Marietta [Atalia] (00:16:55): Yeah. Well, just tell me what you want me to do next time, I guess. I'm sorry. Sampson [Dili] (00:17:00): We don't always have time to talk. Stuff like that happens. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:03): That's the thing. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I just did what I would've done, I guess. Daniel [GM] (00:17:09): What would you guys like to do now? Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:10): Go shopping. Stace [Nix] (00:17:11): Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:12): That's not an appropriate way to handle it, maybe. I guess I don't know what to do. Stace [Nix] (00:17:17): Our first reflex doesn't have to be to kill everything, you guys. That's what I'm saying, dude. We don't have to murder. Always be murdering that doesn't have to be it. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:26): I wasn't trying to murder them, though. I was just trying to stop them from getting us. Stace [Nix] (00:17:29): Yeah, Atalia. I get that. I'm talking to ChaCha right now. Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:33): I mean, I'm not very interested in getting backed into a corner, especially while we have Dili not necessarily on our side. Sampson [Dili] (00:17:44): I'm on your side. I'm just not always me. Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:45): Exactly. If we can't count on Dili in a pinch, because you said the automaton was at Nix's house, so how do we know the automaton isn't working with the queen. And so, if the guards backed us into a corner, wouldn't take over Dili. Stace [Nix] (00:18:04): Still not sure what fighting with six guards would help with that situation, ChaCha. Alex [ChaCha] (00:18:09): Wound them and then they can't chase us as fast. Sampson [Dili] (00:18:14): Yeah. I just had an idea. Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:14): Yeah? Sampson [Dili] (00:18:14): What if we let the automaton into the queen's palace and have it wreak havoc, and then during that distraction we busted Nix's parents out. I don't know how we'd do that, but that'd be really fucking rad. Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:29): It would be really fucking rad. You have that connection with that automaton. I bet you could learn to control that connection and that could totally be a possibility. Sampson [Dili] (00:18:38): That's that I tried to do this morning, but it's new still. Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:41): Well, you've had your coffee now, and there should be a little panic, which is often very incentivizing. Are you incentivized to control the automaton so it doesn't kill everyone and control you Dili? Sampson [Dili] (00:18:52): What? Yeah. Alex [ChaCha] (00:18:54): I feel like that's anti what Nix wanted, though. Because the automaton would kill a lot more innocent people in the palace than us just killing six guards. Stace [Nix] (00:19:04): Yeah. So my ideal scenario guys, is that we get rid of the automaton. And then we like Momma J help with my parents, because she said they weren't in danger, but I guess who knows now, right? Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:16): Well, should we go back and talk to her, then? What's our step here? What's our next move? Sampson [Dili] (00:19:20): Shopping. Shopping. Stace [Nix] (00:19:21): Shopping, Atalia. We're going to go [crosstalk 00:19:24]. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:24): Okay. Let's go shopping. It sounds like an appropriate way to handle this situation, so let's go spend some money. Sounds great. Let's go shopping. Stace [Nix] (00:19:30): And we're going to talk to Momma J tonight, we're going to join the [Guardians of Night 00:19:33], except for ChaCha, probably, and then we'll go from there. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:39): Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:19:39): All right. Let's go buy you a stiletto or some shit. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:42): Ooh. Okay. That sounds cool. Sampson [Dili] (00:19:46): And I have the no paint, so we can paint it invisible and you can have an invisible knife for an encounter or two. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:52): I have some people I have to kill if you need. Don't tell Nix though. Sampson [Dili] (00:19:56): But she's right next to us. Stace [Nix] (00:19:59): Guys, killing people is fine. I have killed several people. It's just the innocent people where I have a problem. Alex [ChaCha] (00:20:08): I think ChaCha genuinely does think are guards really innocent? Because she's used to the podunk little towns where the guards are like, "Oh, yeah. Go ahead. Tie up this child and throw them in to the woods. That's fine." Marietta [Atalia] (00:20:19): Yeah. Let's go shopping as this blonde lady, I guess. Sampson [Dili] (00:20:24): I just made stuff up. I can change it. Stace [Nix] (00:20:27): Did you just describe yourself, Marietta? Sampson [Dili] (00:20:34): And I'm this tall skinny guy. Yes. Stace [Nix] (00:20:41): Nix does have short hair. God, I'm just playing myself. Alex [ChaCha] (00:20:45): This is like, I don't think ChaCha changes much if we're just playing our IRL people. Marietta [Atalia] (00:20:50): Yeah. Cannon Atalia is like auburn hair. It's not- Sampson [Dili] (00:20:55): This is the fun Easter egg in the movie where it's like, "Oh, yeah. For that five minute sequence, those were the original players. What?" Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:02): Yeah. It was a disguise disguise. Alex [ChaCha] (00:21:05): [crosstalk 00:21:05]. Stace [Nix] (00:21:05): [crosstalk 00:21:05] We're all each other. Nix looks like Alex, Atalia looks like Sampson. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:12): Yes. I love it. My dream. Stace [Nix] (00:21:15): ChaCha looks like Daniel. Shopping. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:19): Nix looks like me. Stace [Nix] (00:21:20): Guys, I don't even know where to buy weapons. I don't even know what you would use weapons for. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:24): We're going to this district. It's not weapons, it's cyphers. Not all the cyphers are weapons. You should know how Numanera works at least a little bit at this point. Stace [Nix] (00:21:33): Listen, Atalia. You don't buy cyphers, you find cyphers. Sampson [Dili] (00:21:37): That is factually incorrect. I mean, not entirely, but I literally had a whole business centered around buying cyphers. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:45): Okay. But after we deal with this imminent bullshit, can we eventually get a place for Dili to make some cyphers, because I feel like that's a thing he could do and wouldn't that be nice if we had a friend who made cyphers? Sampson [Dili] (00:21:55): I would love to have a friend who made cyphers. That'd be great. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:59): Right? Long-term goals. We need to make some long-term goals, because the imminent future is a little bit stressful currently. Sampson [Dili] (00:22:05): Yeah. We should look to the long-term first. Marietta [Atalia] (00:22:08): All right. Are we just shopping yet? Sampson [Dili] (00:22:10): I'm assuming we've been walking and talking this whole time. Daniel [GM] (00:22:12): Okay. So you guys get to the academic district, and Dili, you quickly direct the people to Carmen's Oddities and Antiquities. It's not the fanciest place. This guy tends to trade, and he's not a right, he's just a merchant, so he does buying and selling. Sampson [Dili] (00:22:34): This guy's stuff is usually pretty okay. Every now and then you get a student project coming through here, and it's like they mean well, but if you get one, I can probably take her with and fix it up so it's actually effective. But this will be fine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:22:47): Well, maybe I could just use the [IO 00:22:49] from it, or maybe it's a cute idea and you can make a function for them. Sampson [Dili] (00:22:54): Yeah. Maybe. What I'm saying is this guy's probably the best we can do on a moment's notice. Marietta [Atalia] (00:22:59): All right. Let's hope he's got some stock. Stace [Nix] (00:23:01): How does ChaCha feel about hurting Nix twice? Daniel [GM] (00:23:06): Oh, that's a good question, actually. Alex [ChaCha] (00:23:07): I've actually been debating it, and I think ChaCha, it's one of those weird things, ChaCha's mind trying to protect ChaCha from realizing she's hurt Nix, and ChaCha's just going, "Okay, so I have to either be sneakier about hurting other people, or get better about avoiding... faster than Nix." Stace [Nix] (00:23:29): Take the attack is just you take the attack, mechanically. Alex [ChaCha] (00:23:32): I know. But mentally I think ChaCha's trying to avoid acknowledging she hurt Nix, because she's trying to hurt other people. So she's just like, "So I just need to be sneakier about it, or faster than Nix. And then [crosstalk 00:23:48] it'll be fine." Nix is just showing how much stronger she is than I am, and so I just have to be faster. Daniel [GM] (00:23:52): Okay. So you guys come in, this building has tons of shelves that are covered with strange things. You'll see small, strange items. Things like there's a mirror that shows, really it functions like a mirror, but something's always missing depend on what's happening. It could be eyebrow, and eye, it could be some random object. You see a glass box that's holding a living, beating heart, that's wrapped in a mesh of wires. You see this one object that is a pulsing, fleshy growth, that seems to occasionally emit purple light. Daniel [GM] (00:24:47): And these shelves are full of these things that I would say all of you have enough experience to recognize as oddities. So it's just oddities on the shelves, but there is a locked glass case at the front where there is the shopkeeper. Although, it's not the owner of the shop that you usually think of, Dili. He's not here. Instead, it's a young woman. You would presume an apprentice. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:16): But no one I've ever met before. Daniel [GM] (00:25:18): Correct. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:20): Dili goes up to the desk and like, "Hello. We would like to buy your finest cyphers, thank you." Daniel [GM] (00:25:25): Our finest cyphers? Sampson [Dili] (00:25:29): Well, just whatever you got. Got a catalog? Do you have a catalog? Marietta [Atalia] (00:25:33): What do you have in stock? Daniel [GM] (00:25:35): Well, I mean, our finest cyphers we keep locked up in the vault, but I guess the question is what's your budget? Marietta [Atalia] (00:25:44): Why don't you just throw a couple things out there. Give us some options. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:48): What you got in the 500 shin range? Daniel [GM] (00:25:51): In the 500 shin range, I have this item here. This is actually about 300 shins. It basically turns the person into a statue for 28 hours, makes them immune to energy attacks, and gives them additional armor, mechanically four armor. They can't talk until it wears off. For 500 shins, I've got an intellect rejuvenation field. This thing creates a [nimus 00:26:24] of energy that everything within immediate range regains five intellect points. I've got for, this is a little more expensive than what you were saying, but for 1,000 shins, I've got two items that I think are pretty amazing, if you've got the shins for them. Sampson [Dili] (00:26:44): 1,000 each, or 1,000 for both? Daniel [GM] (00:26:47): Yes. 1,000 each. One utterly erases the last five minutes of time. Everything goes back the way it was, and no one except the user remembers what happened during the lost five minutes. And honestly, probably shouldn't even mention this, but because you're discerning consumers I have a timed explosive. You can set any time for it up to a year. And when it explodes, it does 20 points of damage to anything that's right by it. Daniel [GM] (00:27:21): And so, that is what the seller is saying. That is her understanding of what this device is. I would say ChaCha, actually honestly all of you because you're experienced in cyphers and whatnot, you're pretty sure that this is more than what she says it is. Upon looking at it, it comes clear to you that while she's probably right about the amount of damage it does, you think the blast radius when it goes off is closer to a mile- Sampson [Dili] (00:28:02): Holy shit. Daniel [GM] (00:28:02): ... in every direction around it. And honestly, Dili, from what you know of the kind of IO that must be powering something like that, you think that it would probably irradiate anything within that area. So this is quite a nasty device. You might even call it a doomsday device. In fact, Dili, I think you probably would have heard your master at some point talking about devices like these from ancient worlds that were used in great wars. But that's apparently what she has here. To be clear, she just thinks it's an expensive bomb. But you know it to be something much, much worse. Sampson [Dili] (00:28:49): That seems a little niche. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:54): So do you have anything stealth specific? Daniel [GM] (00:28:56): Hmm. Good question. Well, I do have something. This is about 200 shins. This will create a weird distortion field around you for one minute, and it'll make you appear far away to creatures that are farther away than immediate distance from you. So it makes it easier for you to dodge attacks and things like that at a distance. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:26): That sounds handy. How much room do we have for cyphers? Sampson [Dili] (00:29:31): I can carry one more, but I could also trade in one just because I'm probably not going to make use of no paint any time soon. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:40): Really? Sampson [Dili] (00:29:40): Unless you want it. But I- Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:42): No paint was cool. So I have [misanimator 00:29:45] and lie eater still. Stace [Nix] (00:29:47): Oh my god, Atalia. Just give me lie eater. I'll fucking use it. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:51): All right. Let me read no paint again. Sampson [Dili] (00:29:57): Basically you paint a small object. It's invisible for an hour. Marietta [Atalia] (00:30:02): That's cool. Okay. And did they list any damaged ones that were just [crosstalk 00:30:09]- Daniel [GM] (00:30:09): Oh, yeah. The one device that does 20 points of damage to everything in the one mile radius. Marietta [Atalia] (00:30:16): No. We're not getting that. No. I retract my question. Sampson [Dili] (00:30:20): If things get bad, we'll come back for it. Stace [Nix] (00:30:23): Nix doesn't want it, but Stace wants it real bad. Alex [ChaCha] (00:30:26): Daniel. Daniel. What kind of role would it be rob this place? Daniel [GM] (00:30:31): So first you would have to figure out where the cypher itself is. They said it's in a vault, that you'd have to get past this person, you have to find the vault, you have to find a way to get into the vault as well as anybody else if they have any other defenses, to get the item. Not saying you couldn't, I'm just saying it's not a singular role. Alex [ChaCha] (00:30:50): Heist 2.0. I'm just saying, sir. Stace [Nix] (00:30:55): Yeah. When was heist 1.0? Was that when- Alex [ChaCha] (00:30:58): When we tried to steal that object back, but it went wrong. And this one could go right. We have a good track record. Stace [Nix] (00:31:06): When I was real excited about a heist episode and then Atalia just did it. Alex [ChaCha] (00:31:11): See, we could do this one right. Marietta [Atalia] (00:31:13): Sorry. Alex [ChaCha] (00:31:14): And I'm pretty sure Cirque du Soleil applies somewhere in those roles. Stace [Nix] (00:31:19): No, I don't think you would talk Nix into robbing a shop. Alex [ChaCha] (00:31:22): Well, I mean, Atalia got to do her heist, what about ChaCha doing her own heist. Marietta [Atalia] (00:31:27): I'm not stopping you. Alex [ChaCha] (00:31:30): I think Atalia might help. Daniel [GM] (00:31:32): So does any of those strike your interest or? Sampson [Dili] (00:31:37): A few of them do. Do you have one that disables machines per chance? Daniel [GM] (00:31:43): Hmm. Let me think. I can't think of anything specifically for that, although I do have one cypher here that is an electrical detonation. You can throw it at something and four of electrical damage. That might hurt a machine, but I don't know. It depends on the machine. You know how wild world relics are. Sampson [Dili] (00:32:12): Indeed, indeed. Can Dili do a quick mental calculation like would that all be effective, or how effective would it be against the automaton that he is aware of in terms of its- Daniel [GM] (00:32:25): It would hurt it. It might summit for a round, but that's about it. Sampson [Dili] (00:32:31): Okay. How much is that one? Daniel [GM] (00:32:32): For that one, it'd be 350 shins. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:34): I wish I had more money. Daniel [GM] (00:32:37): What are you talking about? You've got- Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:38): I can't buy the 1,000 shin item though. Daniel [GM] (00:32:40): Oh, that's what you want. Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:43): Well, obviously. Daniel [GM] (00:32:44): Which one, the doomsday device, or the one that resets time. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:48): The one that resets time. Daniel [GM] (00:32:49): Ah, that one. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:50): That seems like a clutch deus ex machina when we need it. Stace [Nix] (00:32:54): You need some shins, Atalia? Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:56): No, it's silly. Stace [Nix] (00:32:57): How many shins you need, dude? Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:00): 200. Stace [Nix] (00:33:01): Yeah. I got that. You can have them. Fuck. I can't believe you're buying a cypher, that's ridiculous. But here you go. Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:08): Thank you. Stace [Nix] (00:33:09): Yeah. Whatever, dude. You gave me some cash, remember? Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:12): So I think she'll buy the 1,000 shin one that's not the doomsday. That's clutch. What if things go tits up, then we can just- Daniel [GM] (00:33:21): Yes. You're buying a reset cypher. Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:24): That's amazing. Daniel [GM] (00:33:25): That is a level 10 cypher, but erases the last five minutes. If you activate it, you'll be the only one who remembers what those last five minutes [crosstalk 00:33:33] were. Stace [Nix] (00:33:33): Ooh, does that mean that you're going to give me lie eater or? Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:37): I hand her lie eater. Here I'll copy it. Stace [Nix] (00:33:42): Thanks. Alex [ChaCha] (00:33:42): ChaCha's going to try and negotiate on the doomsday device. Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:48): No. Don't do it. Daniel [GM] (00:33:50): So this is a pretty valuable cypher. This person is an apprentice, so I think you're operating at a detriment, but they also are not the expert on this, so it'll be a 15. Alex [ChaCha] (00:34:04): I think Cirque du Soleil applies here? Daniel [GM] (00:34:07): No. It doesn't. Alex [ChaCha] (00:34:09): ChaCha is just so fantastical and amazing she inspires awe in the apprentice, giving her advantage. Daniel [GM] (00:34:16): How would she do that? Sampson [Dili] (00:34:18): She does contortion on the counter as she's talking [crosstalk 00:34:21] him down. Alex [ChaCha] (00:34:21): Yes. I think like Cirque du Soleil just gives her that creepy presence of I'm magical, I'm mystical, you want to make me happy. Stace [Nix] (00:34:32): Don't trust me with a doomsday device. Oh, sorry. Alex [ChaCha] (00:34:38): It's that stage presence. Daniel [GM] (00:34:41): If you're trying to impress her that way, I think there's going to need to be some sort of performance roll that I would give you a plus three on before doing a social roll. You should get an advantage. Alex [ChaCha] (00:34:52): Okay. Daniel [GM] (00:34:53): So give me a performance roll of 12. You'll be ease because you're Cirque du Soleil, so that makes it a nine. Alex [ChaCha] (00:35:05): I got a 17. Daniel [GM] (00:35:09): Okay. So you will have an asset on this negotiation. So now get a social roll of 12, so that makes it a nine. No, sorry, should be a 15, because of how big this is. So it's a 12. Alex [ChaCha] (00:35:22): Okay. Well, I got a (singing) 16. Daniel [GM] (00:35:31): Okay. I could probably do 800 shins. So that's about as much as I can discount it. Alex [ChaCha] (00:35:37): Nix, loan me 50 shins. Stace [Nix] (00:35:39): Nah. Alex [ChaCha] (00:35:40): What? Why no? Stace [Nix] (00:35:42): Nah, dude. Because, dude you just tried to kill the guards you tried to kill Dili, I don't really want you to have this, dude. Sampson [Dili] (00:35:52): Nix, inside voice. So inside voice. Stace [Nix] (00:35:55): I'm using my inside voice, Dili. Sampson [Dili] (00:35:57): Sorry. I couldn't tell. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:00): Dili, give me 50 shins. Sampson [Dili] (00:36:05): I don't think we need that. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:07): I think we're going to need it when we face the automaton. Sampson [Dili] (00:36:10): What are you talking about? Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:13): It's you or the automaton. Sampson [Dili] (00:36:15): It would be everybody. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:17): Not necessarily. Daniel [GM] (00:36:21): It does affect everybody in a mile range. Stace [Nix] (00:36:22): No, dude. Most people aren't that strong. It would kill almost everybody. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:27): You think we're going to use this in the city? Stace [Nix] (00:36:30): I don't think that anyone should have it. If we take it, ChaCha, I think we should destroy it. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:36): I'll leave it with Momma J if it makes you that nervous, but we need it. Stace [Nix] (00:36:40): I don't like anybody having it. Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:42): If it's here, everybody can get it. Sampson [Dili] (00:36:45): Question for Dan. Is there a regulation thing beyond black market stuff like if the city hears about certain dangerous cyphers, do they come in just like, "Hey. Hear you got this. We'll take that. Thank you, bye." Is that a thing? Daniel [GM] (00:37:00): They might if they hear about it. Sampson [Dili] (00:37:03): Okay, so- Daniel [GM] (00:37:04): The merchants as a rule don't report what they have to the crown. Specifically because the queen is paranoid. Sampson [Dili] (00:37:12): Got you. Okay. I'll mention that to ChaCha. Daniel [GM] (00:37:14): It might be different in other nations, but here in Charmonde, you don't report that shit to the palace unless you want to get swarmed. Alex [ChaCha] (00:37:24): Legit. Sampson [Dili] (00:37:25): Got you. I'll whisper that to ChaCha like, "They probably won't report it, but there's a chance that it could get reported if these guys pissed off some other merchants. So we already have a reason for them to find us, so don't give them another reason." Alex [ChaCha] (00:37:38): ChaCha's going to turn to the clerk and be like, "Let me have this for 770 and you'll be happy." Daniel [GM] (00:37:44): Give me a social roll, in this case it's going to be a 15. Alex [ChaCha] (00:37:46): 19. Daniel [GM] (00:37:52): Okay. She agrees to it and you pass over the shins and get the device. Alex [ChaCha] (00:38:00): Damn. Now I've got to figure out what to do with it. Sampson [Dili] (00:38:04): So after that, Dili pulls out his flesh eater. Can I trade this in for the electric detonation? This flesh eater does four damage, intermediate range. Daniel [GM] (00:38:15): So she takes a look at it, and she opens up a folder underneath. Sure. But it will cost you a shelving via 50 shins. Sampson [Dili] (00:38:31): Does that sound fair in Dili's experience? Daniel [GM] (00:38:33): It's a little odd. It's doable. You could negotiate it down you think. Sampson [Dili] (00:38:39): Dili I guess would roll his eyes a little bit and then like, "All right. 50 shins shelving fee." Hmm. And he'll hand over 50 shins. Daniel [GM] (00:38:48): Okay. I hand it to you. If you want a name for it you can just call it detonation electrical. Sampson [Dili] (00:38:53): Detonation and electrical. Pretty suss. Daniel [GM] (00:38:56): Level four. Okay. Does anybody else want to try to spend anything? You guys have just spent a shit load of shins. Some of you are back to the poor house, essentially. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:06): Oh. Yeah. Atalia has 12 shins now. Stace [Nix] (00:39:09): Nix is the rich one? Daniel [GM] (00:39:10): Mm-hmm (affirmative). Nix and Dili. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:14): Atalia's like, "I'll save this all if we need it." Sampson [Dili] (00:39:17): Dili's got 600 shins still. Stace [Nix] (00:39:19): Ooh, nice. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:20): Amazing. Daniel [GM] (00:39:20): Well, until Atalia light fingers your purse. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:26): No. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:26): My weight training. Don't do that. Daniel [GM] (00:39:28): Okay. What would you guys like to do now? Stace [Nix] (00:39:32): I'm hungry, you guys. What do you think about an early lunch? Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:36): Yeah. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:37): I'm into that. We should get new clothes, though because- Stace [Nix] (00:39:39): Oh, yeah. Clothes. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:41): Dili lifts up his arms and you just see the rags that he's been wearing for the past month-and-a-half. I need a tailor or a miracle worker, whichever comes first. Stace [Nix] (00:39:52): You don't have to buy clothes from a tailor, Dili. You can just buy clothes from the store. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:56): Owned by the tailor, because that's where the clothes come from. Do general stores exist in the Ninth World? Did Wal-Mart make it? Daniel [GM] (00:40:02): I don't think they've got mass production on that level. I think clothes are actually, it's not like you have to get it perfectly fitted. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:13): I could probably buy off the rack, but I'm just saying. Stace [Nix] (00:40:15): Are there thrift stores? Daniel [GM] (00:40:17): The challenge, Dili, is is that how are you going to get new clothes if you're wearing an illusion? Sampson [Dili] (00:40:22): I'll figure that out when I get there. Also I think I can just change my disguise so it's just my face. I'm going to look into that real quick. Daniel [GM] (00:40:33): Dili, you could be wearing anything and just be naked, just have your illusion all the time. Marietta [Atalia] (00:40:38): Amazing. Daniel [GM] (00:40:38): Just keep renewing it. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:38): Dili's not that weird. Stace [Nix] (00:40:39): Don't break your concentration. Marietta [Atalia] (00:40:43): Gets punched in the face once and suddenly what? Daniel [GM] (00:40:47): Yeah. But he's being arrested for public indecency as well as everything else. Stace [Nix] (00:40:52): Yeah. But is there a second hand shop that would have clothing, Daniel? Daniel [GM] (00:40:56): Sure. Stace [Nix] (00:40:56): All right. That's where Nix would go. Daniel [GM] (00:40:58): The college students need to buy stuff from somewhere. Dili could easily get some second hand clothes. They're not going to be fancy or anything like that, but you can easily get that for a few shins. Sampson [Dili] (00:41:11): Dili will. Yeah. I guess something more adventure-y, not just stuff he was wearing when he first went on the run, but sturdy clothes, basically, if I were to take Nix's advice on what to get. Especially in terms of shoes. Stace [Nix] (00:41:28): Yeah. Daniel [GM] (00:41:29): Okay. So it is now midday. Stace [Nix] (00:41:29): Nix got new clothes, too. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:31): Yeah. What are Nix's new clothes? Stace [Nix] (00:41:35): Just fucking trash. She got like a denim jacket, with a hole in the left elbow. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:42): Yes. Daniel [GM] (00:41:43): What is she going to do with her fancy traveling clothes? Stace [Nix] (00:41:45): She's going to ditch them, because... Well, she might keep them. Daniel [GM] (00:41:51): What about the pin? Stace [Nix] (00:41:52): She's going to keep her pin. She's not going to get rid of her pin. She's not going to wear it, though. With the connection being made between [Neh 00:42:00] and her mom and dad, she's going to get rid of the fancy clothes and put on I'd say a denim jacket, some random ass windbreaker pants, thinking a teal. Just a t-shirt or whatever. I mean, then I'd have to wear probably the same t-shirts, but just a normal shirt. Not collar. An a cloak, so she can pull up her hood, and a hat. Daniel [GM] (00:42:24): A cloak with a hood and a hat? Stace [Nix] (00:42:28): She's also going to wear a hat when her hood's not up. Yeah. She's going to get a fisherman's hat, or like a bucket hat. You know what I'm talking about? Daniel [GM] (00:42:36): No. Marietta [Atalia] (00:42:36): You're going to have to find some bucket hat pictures. Stace [Nix] (00:42:39): Sun hat. It's called a sun hat. It's a sun hat. Marietta [Atalia] (00:42:43): A sun hat. Daniel [GM] (00:42:43): Sun hat. Stace [Nix] (00:42:44): Yes. Marietta [Atalia] (00:42:45): Those are the worst. Stace [Nix] (00:42:47): Don't knock the sun hat. Sampson [Dili] (00:42:49): Is it possible to buy tools that give me an additional asset, like a nice set of tools, or two assets, rather than just one asset? Is that a thing? Daniel [GM] (00:42:58): No. Sampson [Dili] (00:42:58): Lame. All right. Daniel [GM] (00:43:00): Okay. Do you guys have anything else you are going to try to accomplish before the evening? Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:08): We just need to go back to Momma Jerrun's and make a plan at this point. Sampson [Dili] (00:43:11): Not until tonight. Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:11): We have to wait until tonight? Sampson [Dili] (00:43:11): That's what she said. Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:14): Oh. Oh. Right. Stace [Nix] (00:43:15): Were you going to buy weapons, Atalia? I felt like that was a thing. Sampson [Dili] (00:43:18): Weapons, yeah. Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:21): I have no money. I don't know if you know this, but I just spent all of my money. Stace [Nix] (00:43:25): Oh, I have money. Sampson [Dili] (00:43:26): I got some coin, too. Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:30): I just really wanted this in case. It seems helpful with our history. Stace [Nix] (00:43:32): So do you want an actual weapon or? Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:35): I don't know. I mean, I've got this forearm blade. Sampson [Dili] (00:43:38): You've had a forearm blade this entire time? Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:43): Yeah. I've used it like three times, man. Yeah. My esoteries do more damage. I don't really think I need to do a weapons, though. Just that there was a cool cypher. And I got a cool cypher, it just wasn't really a deus weapons damage cypher. Stace [Nix] (00:43:54): Oh, yeah. I don't really think you need weapons, either, Atalia. But you seemed really kind of stuck on that, so I just wanted to make sure you had a chance. Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:02): Well, I got a really cool other thing, so I don't feel so stuck on it anymore. I got this really cool cypher. Stace [Nix] (00:44:08): Yeah. But ChaCha got a cypher that can kill everyone within a mile. That's pretty bonkers, isn't it, ChaCha? Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:13): I don't want to kill anyone though. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:16): What if you kill somebody and then rewind it back and let them live, like a save state in Skyrim. Just go wild for five minutes. Daniel [GM] (00:44:22): Just for the giggles. Only you would remember you killed them. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:27): I just had a really dark thought. Out of character. You could kill ChaCha, see how the world ends, how the horrors go wild after that, and then be like all right, guys, I can't tell you how I know this, but don't do this. Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:39): Yeah. She was the secret the whole time. Stace [Nix] (00:44:41): You do have to live long enough to activate the cypher. Alex [ChaCha] (00:44:45): Yeah. I was just like you have to manage to actually kill ChaCha. Stace [Nix] (00:44:47): I mean, ChaCha's a nano, right? Just to be clear. Alex [ChaCha] (00:44:51): Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:44:52): Okay. What's your might pool? Just curious. No, I'm just kidding. Alex [ChaCha] (00:44:56): Let's see. Right now it is 11. Stace [Nix] (00:45:01): Double digits. That's nice. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:03): [crosstalk 00:45:03] nice. Sampson [Dili] (00:45:04): [crosstalk 00:45:04] That means it's also a weapon. Shit. Daniel [GM] (00:45:06): So what are you guys doing during the afternoon. Are you shopping? Are you just laying low? What are you doing? Stace [Nix] (00:45:11): Gosh. Daniel [GM] (00:45:11): You want to investigate something in the meantime? Stace [Nix] (00:45:13): [crosstalk 00:45:13] Yeah. Investigate. Daniel [GM] (00:45:17): It's up to you. Alex [ChaCha] (00:45:18): A murder. Stace [Nix] (00:45:19): Whose murder? Alex [ChaCha] (00:45:20): I don't know. Stace [Nix] (00:45:21): The person ChaCha just murdered? Sampson [Dili] (00:45:26): ChaCha why is there red on your hands? Stace [Nix] (00:45:29): If no one else has a suggestion, Nix would want to start researching the law. Daniel [GM] (00:45:38): The law? Alex [ChaCha] (00:45:38): What law? There is only the queen. Stace [Nix] (00:45:40): The law. Sampson [Dili] (00:45:41): The law. Stace [Nix] (00:45:42): Yeah. Like what the queen normally does with her prisoners. Nix is going to read a fucking book. Daniel [GM] (00:45:52): Okay. I don't think Nix needs to research this. So I think you know that the queen is a law unto her own right. So it's more a matter of what would be compelling to her. It's not like you're going to be able to mount a legal defense. You have to give the queen something that she wants instead, if you're looking to get your parents out. Or you have to get them out some other way. Stace [Nix] (00:46:14): Something that the queen wants instead. Nix grabs ChaCha. No. Alex [ChaCha] (00:46:20): I mean, I was going to say ChaCha. Stace [Nix] (00:46:22): We agreed. We agreed a dozen episodes ago, more than that? I don't know what episode we were on, that we would not turn each other in. Well, other than research I can't think of anything that Nix would want to do. Sampson [Dili] (00:46:35): This was true in the source book. I don't know if it's true in your world, Dan, but the queen has a contention, I guess, with the Order of Truth over Numenera and Numenera knowledge. Is that still in play here? Daniel [GM] (00:46:48): That tension exists, I think as probably with every ruler in the Order of Truth. The Order of Truth has a, probably from most ruler's standpoint, an unseemly sway due to the amount of Numenera knowledge they have, but the [Amber Papacy 00:47:05] that uses that to try to keep the steadfast nations from warring with each other. So as you can imagine, every nation probably doesn't like that the Order of Truth has that power. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:19): Are The Order of Truth and Amber Papacy the same organization or was I- Daniel [GM] (00:47:24): Practically they end up being. The Amber Papacy kind of directs The Order of Truth. It's not to say everybody in The Order of Truth has the same political motivations that the Amber Papacy sets down, but at least in our world, the Order of Truth, at least from a hierarchal standpoint answers to the Amber Pope. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:43): Okay. Then what about [Keys 00:47:45]? Or is that just the same tension, but not exactly animosity? Daniel [GM] (00:47:51): Key is a nation that at least in our version of that world, it's always on the edge of war. [Naverine 00:48:01] is probably their most notable enemy. There's no open war, but he is not to be trusted. Sampson [Dili] (00:48:08): Right. Daniel [GM] (00:48:08): In fact, that's one of the reasons why [Karfa 00:48:11] is looked upon so unhappily, because he wears yellow a lot, which is typically associated with the assassins of Key. Even though he is theoretically not one. Sampson [Dili] (00:48:24): So Nix, if you're trying to maybe do something with Key, that sounds treasonous now that I'm thinking about it, but would you start a rumor maybe that something about Key is happening, and then that'll distract the queen from your parents maybe? Stace [Nix] (00:48:39): Oh, yeah. Totally we could start a rumor. Sampson [Dili] (00:48:42): Remind me again what you were? What was Nix trying to do. Stace [Nix] (00:48:46): Some kind of research. Or I guess Dr. Oz is kind of a loose, excuse me Dr. Oz is kind of a loose end, but to get leverage on the queen? Yeah. Nix down. Nix is also trained in recent events and rumors, so Daniel, can Nix put her conspiracy theory hat on, and see if she's heard anything that she can twist and spread a rumor about? Daniel [GM] (00:49:07): Okay. It's a 12. You're trained, so it's a nine. Stace [Nix] (00:49:07): Intellect, I suppose. Spend effort. About to put an edge in intellect, I swear to god. Daniel [GM] (00:49:17): Six. Stace [Nix] (00:49:18): 18. Daniel [GM] (00:49:19): There are always rumors about assassins from Key. That is one of the biggest fears in the area there. There's no open war, but they are clearly enemies of Naverine. The most notable ones probably in the people of Naverine's mind, and the notion of some sort of assassination plot, if you can somehow draw a line to that and the palace attack, or possibly as some other form of danger is there. You know that there's somewhat of a risk that if you draw a line to the palace attack, they may assume that ChaCha is an assassin from Key, so there's some danger there. But if you could come up with something that is distracting enough that somebody thinks that that's just a minor issue, that might serve to distract the crown. Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:19): Someone just bought a doomsday device and is walking around town with it. Daniel [GM] (00:50:24): You guys were all disguised. Stace [Nix] (00:50:26): Yes. Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:28): And I mean, then it's not deception if you're telling the truth. Stace [Nix] (00:50:31): Does Nix know what a Key assassin looks like, or what the queen would think, what a person in Charmonde would think a Key assassin looks like? Daniel [GM] (00:50:40): There's not much known about the Key assassins. They are typically very stealthy, although their official colors tend to be yellow. Which is why people are distrustful of Kafra. Sampson [Dili] (00:50:50): That's how stealthy they are. They can wear yellow and still not be seen. It's a flex. Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:57): ChaCha rocking the red and being stealthy. Stace [Nix] (00:50:58): So somewhere semi private, Nix will huddle everyone together and be like, "All right, guys. This is the plan. We got to get the queen distracted and worried about something that's not me, and that's not ChaCha, and that's not my parents. So she's always freaking out about Key, and the assassins from there. You know, Atalia, the assassins, the ones that wear yellow. You wear all black, but they wear yellow. And- Marietta [Atalia] (00:51:26): That's weird. Stace [Nix] (00:51:28): It is kind of. Marietta [Atalia] (00:51:29): Have I heard of these other assassins before? Daniel [GM] (00:51:33): Everybody in Charmonde has heard of them. They're like the boogeymen from another nation. They wear yellow, because they're apparently so deadly they want people to see them coming. Stace [Nix] (00:51:44): Does Key have a symbol, like a flag or like a crest? Daniel [GM] (00:51:48): They do, but the assassins don't wear it. They just tend to wear bright yellow, because once again, they're so deadly they want people to see them coming. Stace [Nix] (00:52:00): Is there spray paint? Daniel [GM] (00:52:02): I mean, you could find paint. What are you thinking of? Stace [Nix] (00:52:04): Painting yellow Key crests in various places around the city. Sampson [Dili] (00:52:09): Like we keep placing them closer and closer to the palace. Daniel [GM] (00:52:12): You could do that. You would probably have to roll stealth to try to avoid getting caught. Stace [Nix] (00:52:16): Oh, yeah. Avoid getting caught. Daniel [GM] (00:52:18): Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:52:19): Well, Nix is proposing this idea. So I do want to give other people a chance for input. Sampson [Dili] (00:52:24): How do the citizens of [Tremond 00:52:25] get a sense of how... I can't think of the word. Does the queen have a short attention span in terms of what she's paranoid about? Is a week to week thing? Or is it a oh she's going to be stuck on this for the next half-year. Daniel [GM] (00:52:42): I don't know if the average citizens have enough exposure to what the queen's actual thinking is like. They wouldn't know because they don't see the queen very often. You can see the effects of policy, but that doesn't necessarily correspond to how she things as far as a realtime feed. And I would say just to clarify, the assassins from Key, I say they're the boogeyman. Think of it how the US in the Cold War saw Russia. Sampson [Dili] (00:53:13): Right. Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:53:15): Commies. Sweet. Alex [ChaCha] (00:53:18): So counter idea, or simultaneous idea, Nix. Why don't we get you dressed in yellow and you parkour, run around the town while we paint symbols? Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:32): I think she's still going to want Nix then. Alex [ChaCha] (00:53:34): No, no, no. Disguise her as yellow, with a face yellow. Stace [Nix] (00:53:41): Dili could cast an illusion instead away from us, instead of- Sampson [Dili] (00:53:46): I can't cast an illusion that far. I can only do an immediate range to maybe 20 feet at most. Stace [Nix] (00:53:56): Oh, yeah. And then, they just need a glimpse. People. We just scare people, Dili. Sampson [Dili] (00:54:01): Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:54:02): All right. And then, we also paint the symbols. But I don't want to attract any more attention to myself, ChaCha. I'm pretty fast, but I'm not- Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:12): We should probably go talk to Momma Jerrun before we execute any of these plans. Stace [Nix] (00:54:16): Yo, we got all afternoon, Atalia. That's going to be so long from now. Sampson [Dili] (00:54:21): Oh, you just want to do this now? Just- Stace [Nix] (00:54:24): Oh, yeah. Sampson [Dili] (00:54:24): Ah. Ah. I just got new clothes. I don't want to- Alex [ChaCha] (00:54:29): Was ChaCha there when Momma Jerrun told Nix to not do anything without her? Daniel [GM] (00:54:38): Yes. That was before you left Momma Jerrun's. Alex [ChaCha] (00:54:42): I think ChaCha's going to also make the ooh face. Stace [Nix] (00:54:45): Oh my god, you guys. Sampson [Dili] (00:54:47): That's ChaCha saying that. That's ChaCha. Alex [ChaCha] (00:54:50): Remember how Momma Jerrun almost killed Atalia? We should not have her almost kill you. Stace [Nix] (00:54:56): What do you guys want to do then? Take naps? What do you want to do? Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:59): I like naps. Alex [ChaCha] (00:55:01): I was going to see if Dili can change the attack radius on this doomsday device. Sampson [Dili] (00:55:07): From what to what? Alex [ChaCha] (00:55:09): Make it more concentrated, maybe not a mile. Daniel [GM] (00:55:13): Atalia, I would like to offer you an XP. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:17): Hell yeah. Daniel [GM] (00:55:17): Who will you give the other XP to. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:18): I think I'm going to give it to Nix. Daniel [GM] (00:55:20): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:22): Also, asterisk, forgot to say this in the beginning of the episode, I spent four of my XP, so I'm specialized in understanding Numenera now. Daniel [GM] (00:55:32): Ooh, nice. Atalia, you notice that there's something different on your person. There is something extra in your pocket. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:41): I'll pull it out. Daniel [GM] (00:55:43): It is a folded piece of paper. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:47): I will carefully unfold it. Daniel [GM] (00:55:49): The paper says, "Atalia, we need to talk." And then a heart, and then, "Mom." And it says, "Meet me at [Gma's 00:56:02] house, tonight." And that's where we'll end this episode. Sampson [Dili] (00:56:06): Oh, shit. Alex [ChaCha] (00:56:07): She wrote you a little love letter. It's so cute. Marietta [Atalia] (00:56:09): How did it get in my pocket? I'm supposed to be a good sneak. Apparently I'm not a good sneak. I should've taken a specialization in perception. Shit. Fuck. Daniel [GM] (00:56:25): Okay. Alex, something from this episode. Alex [ChaCha] (00:56:28): I enjoyed how we're being forced to think on our feet without being able to go, "Whoa. Whoa. Pause. Let's all talk out our decisions before we make them." And making us stick closer to what our characters would do, rather than being like, "Okay, what do you want my character to do." It's a, "No, this is what my character would do, you're going to have to deal with these consequences." I think it's fun. It's not ideal, and I think that's the point. Daniel [GM] (00:57:07): Yeah. It forces you guys to actually react to the... because you guys, as characters, you don't have time in the moment to think all these things through. And all four of your characters have very different perspectives on life. Alex [ChaCha] (00:57:18): Mm-hmm (affirmative). Marietta [Atalia] (00:57:20): Yeah. Our backstories, experiences, are a little different. Daniel [GM] (00:57:23): Okay. So we have a segment that we do each week called Player Intrusions. That's where we offer you, the listener, an XP to check out something that we think you would really dig. This week it is Sampson's turn. Sampson, what would you offer our listeners an XP to check out? Sampson [Dili] (00:57:38): All right. Daniel [GM] (00:57:39): I can't imagine what it would be. Sampson [Dili] (00:57:41): Yeah. Okay, sassy pants. Look, listeners. It's Hades. Time recording it's October, so Hades just came out, and I have been destroying my life slowly playing it. This comes out at about mid-December, I believe. So if you're thinking about a game to get yourself or a loved one, you love yourself, get it for yourself, if you're thinking about a game to get yourself for this holiday season, get Hades if you've been sitting on it. It is a hack and slash, isometric, roguelike. Sampson [Dili] (00:58:14): And what puts it above and beyond all these other roguelikes I play like Above Up, Spelunky, and Dead Cells, and The Swindle, if you've played that one, is that at no point in this roguelike loop is there a dull moment, is there a moment where you're just like ugh, maybe I'll just take a break. It's perfect. The combat and gameplay is fantastic, but then when you die, you come back to the starting area and there's all these other characters you can interact with, and talk with, and you give them stuff. And it's a super giant game. So the character writing is phenomenal. The music is amazing. It's one of the few games where I've had that oh just one more run syndrome, because there's no breaking point where you can pull yourself out. It's bad. But it's amazing. But it's bad for your health. But it's amazing. Alex [ChaCha] (00:59:06): See, I keep hearing about the thirst, it makes you thirsty? Sampson [Dili] (00:59:10): I get that not everyone is into the thirst, but yes, there is a hot goth step-mom if you're into that. There's a 1980s goth gogo dancer Fury who's amazing. Alex [ChaCha] (00:59:21): Listen, we are a thirst cast. Not a podcast. Stace [Nix] (00:59:24): We are? Marietta [Atalia] (00:59:24): We are thirst cast. Well, I don't know about you, but Alex and I are at least. Sampson [Dili] (00:59:32): I am, at moments. There's an adorable Medusa head who just wants to be helpful. Marietta [Atalia] (00:59:37): Aww. Stace [Nix] (00:59:37): Aww. Sampson [Dili] (00:59:39): Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:59:39): Soft spot for Medusa heads. Sampson [Dili] (00:59:43): I should say the plot is that you're the son of Hades who's just trying to get out of the underworld, but can't. And your dad is a complete asshole, but in the fun way. Kind of like wrestling heels where the assholes that you love to hate them, Hades is completely that. Whenever you die you walk by his desk. He's doing paperwork or whatever, and he's just like, "Oh, so you're back again." Stace [Nix] (01:00:06): Do you have to be a son of Hades? Sampson [Dili] (01:00:09): Yes. You are the son of Hades. Alex [ChaCha] (01:00:11): So it's like [Teskia 01:00:12]. Sampson [Dili] (01:00:12): Yes. Alex [ChaCha] (01:00:13): Except not turn based. Sampson [Dili] (01:00:15): [crosstalk 01:00:15] I haven't heard of that one. I've never heard that game, so yes. Alex [ChaCha] (01:00:17): For shame. It's got all the cute jiggly boobs. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:21): Hashtag, priorities. Daniel [GM] (01:00:26): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:27): Anyway. Sampson [Dili] (01:00:27): Yeah. This is a solid game. I sorry if you've heard a lot of it by now, listener, but it's worth the hype. Believe it. Daniel [GM] (01:00:37): Believe it. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:38): Believe the hype. Daniel [GM] (01:00:39): I have no idea when I'll have time to play it, but I did buy it just because of how much you've been talking [crosstalk 01:00:44]. Sampson [Dili] (01:00:44): Yes. Yes. It is available I think almost every major platform, Switch, PC, I assume PlayStation and X-Box. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:51): Ooh, a Switch one might be nice. Sampson [Dili] (01:00:53): That's the one I'm playing on. There's no performance issues at all. And it's phenomenal. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:57): Okay. Yeah. I actually really like playing the Switch, because then I can play it in bed as I'm falling asleep, and it's pretty chill. And it's just like, "Okay, I'm done. Goodnight." Sampson [Dili] (01:01:07): Broadly speaking, I like roguelikes for midday stuff, because it's like I'll do an hour before I am like ugh, work. And then I'll just do a run real quick, put it away, and go back to work. It's phenomenal. So yeah, Hades, on I assume every platform. You'll get an XP if you do it, if you don't, then- Alex [ChaCha] (01:01:23): No XP for you. No tier up. Sampson [Dili] (01:01:25): Yeah. I get an XP, actually. You have to give me an XP to deny this. Daniel [GM] (01:01:33): Yeah. There you go. Okay. Well, if people wanted to reach out to us to tell us what they think about the podcast or about Hades, how would they do that Marietta? Marietta [Atalia] (01:01:39): Well, they would open up their browser, and they would type in explorerswanted.fm. And our website would appear, which is very cool because we have a website, and there's links to everything on there. We're very active on social media. We are on Twitter @ExplorersWanted, we're on Instagram @ExplorersWantedPodcast, we're on Facebook, use the search Explorers Wanted Podcast, and then if you really want to come hang out with us, the best way to do that is getting on our Discord. We have lots of channels about animals, and plants, and video games, and table top RPGs, and Kickstarters, and we just want to talk to you about all of it, and about your pictures, too, of your pets specifically, just animal pictures. Daniel [GM] (01:02:18): That is very important, yes. Marietta [Atalia] (01:02:21): But there's a link to our Discord on our website. Again, that's explorerswanted.fm, and links to it on social medias as well. And then if you're looking for an additional way to support us, if you have the means you can financially support us through Patreon. And we have some goals that we are working towards on there, and I think we're about to reach our first one, so we're very excited. We'd love that. Yeah. And that is just Explorers Wanted Podcast on Patreon. Daniel [GM] (01:02:45): Just Explorers Wanted on it. Marietta [Atalia] (01:02:47): Just Explorers Wanted on it. Yeah. We don't need podcast for it. I mean, you know Explorers Wanted, right? Daniel [GM] (01:02:57): Yes. Yes. Cool. And honestly if you enjoyed the show, the best thing that you could do for us is to tell a friend. Tell them why you like the show and why they should listen to it. The second best thing you could do for us is to leave us a five star review on a podcast directory, specifically Apple Podcast, Podchaser, and Stitcher. Those places make a huge difference if we've got written reviews, specifically five star reviews telling people why they should listen. That makes a big difference for people checking out the show. And in fact, we have another five star review. Stace, what's that? Stace [Nix] (01:03:29): Yeah. So on Apple Podcast, [Gixer135 01:03:32] from the US of A said, "Love this show," and rated us five stars. "I love this podcast. It's well edited, and the audio is good. The cast is not overly silly like so many are. Great all around." Daniel [GM] (01:03:47): Thank you very much. If you didn't like the podcast, or if you thought it was meh, don't bother with the review. But listen, no one gets out alive, and thus all stories eventually end in tragedy. I mean, I could have a fatal aneurism while editing this audio and no one would ever hear it. Some idiot could run you over in a parking lot. I don't say this to scare you, but to remind you that despite our best intentions, none of us is guaranteed a chance to say goodbye. You likely won't get that closing monologue. Daniel [GM] (01:04:18): So tonight, take a moment and write what you think you would say if you got a chance for that final speech, and then go to bed. The next morning, read it again to yourself, and then decide how you plan to live up to it. If you want to reach out to us individually, you can do that on social media as well. You can find me on Twitter @Andrlik, A-N-D-R-L-I-K, Stace [Nix] (01:04:41): You can join me in my existential crisis @StaceWindu on Twitter. Sampson [Dili] (01:04:46): You can join me and talk about how much you want to punch Theseus in the face @SlamPotato. Marietta [Atalia] (01:04:50): I want to punch him. Alex [ChaCha] (01:04:52): You can tell me how you felt the ending of Deadly Premonition 2 was @realteaunicorn. Marietta [Atalia] (01:05:00): You can tell me how desperately you want a Fruits Basket season three, and continue to help me participate on Twitter @imonahike. Daniel [GM] (01:05:09): Okay. That's it for us. I hope you enjoyed the show. We will be back next week as we will for every week in the foreseeable future. Have a good night, day, or afternoon, or whenever you're listening to this, and [crosstalk 01:05:24] bye. Marietta [Atalia] (01:05:24): [crosstalk 01:05:24] Bye. Stace [Nix] (01:05:24): [crosstalk 01:05:24] Bye. Alex [ChaCha] (01:05:24): [crosstalk 01:05:24] Bye. Sampson [Dili] (01:05:24): [crosstalk 01:05:24] Bye.