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 Sampson Davis. Sampson [Dili] (00:00:42): I'm running my life by playing too much Hades. That's it. Daniel [GM] (00:00:46): Alex Finn. Alex [ChaCha] (00:00:47): Disclaimer: Alex is recording from a new setting. Please forgive any bumps, squeaks, screams, or otherworldly noises that you may hear. Daniel [GM] (00:00:55): Marietta Jones. Marietta [Atalia] (00:00:57): Maybe I'll figure out my microphone one day. Also, Sampson, would you please tell us about Hades at some point, maybe? Sampson [Dili] (00:01:06): Oh. Maybe. Okay. Yes. Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:08): Okay. Cool. Thanks. Daniel [GM] (00:01:10): And Stace Babcock. Stace [Nix] (00:01:11): Hades is a dating sim, right? Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:13): I hope so. Sampson [Dili] (00:01:14): But instead of dates you kill people. Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:22): Ooh. Alex [ChaCha] (00:01:23): I mean, that's not what you do for dates? Daniel [GM] (00:01:26): That isn't a usual date? Sampson [Dili] (00:01:27): I haven't been on many good dates. Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:30): Did any of you all play Mystic Messenger? No? No? Okay. Okay. Nevermind. Nevermind. You can just delete that part, Daniel. Stace [Nix] (00:01:39): Leave it in. Leave it in. Marietta [Atalia] (00:01:42): There's going to be one person that's going to tweet Explorers Wanted and be like, "I played it." Alex [ChaCha] (00:01:47): I prefer Dream Daddy. Daniel [GM] (00:01:48): Now I'm really curious. Okay. Let's see. Who remembers what happened last time? I am going to pick on Marietta. Marietta [Atalia] (00:02:01): What's really funny about this is that right before this I was like, "Oh, man. I didn't take notes last time." But then I remembered. So let me look at... Okay. So I think we ended before that with ChaCha finishing her adventure, in which she saw the person on the plate that looked like Nix's mom's nose person. Doing great. So that was interesting. Shoot. I don't know where we went after that though. I guess- Alex [ChaCha] (00:02:29): Then Dili went. Marietta [Atalia] (00:02:30): Oh, Momma Jerrun gave us the lowdown. That was last episode, right? Alex [ChaCha] (00:02:36): Yes. Marietta [Atalia] (00:02:36): Okay. Yeah. She told us about the door and how it was to be part of a smoother transition to the next world, and that there'd actually been 11 worlds. And oh, PS, this is super secret. We definitely can't tell anyone, even if we decide not to join. We have to take this to our graves, but we kind of already suspected. So felt good to have some things confirmed. Yeah. So the door ushers in the next age. We're just making sure that's opened at the right point or the next worlds, but things are questionable and there's bad guys. And then, she was like, "Hey, you want to join?" And we were like, "Hmm, I don't know." Marietta [Atalia] (00:03:16): And I was like, "Nix, you think we should join?" And Nix was like, "Hmm, I don't know. Do you think we should join, Atalia?" And I think we didn't know, so then we went to find... But Dili said yes, though. Dili was the first one to say yes. That was a huge character development. Think how far Dili has come, my dudes. Anyway, so Dili I think thought about it and then he decided that that's what he wanted to commit himself to. And I was like oh my gosh. And then Nix and Atalia just pussied out there [inaudible 00:03:45]. ChaCha obviously was the answer. We should go talk to ChaCha, obviously. So we went and found ChaCha, and good news, the important people weren't dead. Alex [ChaCha] (00:03:57): I was like don't say no one's dead. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:02): The important people didn't die. Loan shark guy was a little roughed up. And I can never remember the other dude's name. Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:09): We learned blue and shark guy's name. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:11): Yeah. Was it Damien or something? That feels wrong. Was it Donovan? Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:15): [crosstalk 00:04:15] Donovan. Now forever in my mind he's going to be Ray Donovan. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:19): Okay. So okay. That's the same. And then, shoot, where was I? Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:25): [Korva 00:04:25]. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:26): Oh, Korva. Yeah. I can never remember that guy's name either. So they're okay, which is good, but then we're just like shooting shit and low and behold Dili's BFF wonders in and we're like, "Oh, I guess we're dealing with this now." That's not happened? Sampson [Dili] (00:04:42): Nope. I am my own BFF. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:43): Wait. Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:45): He's his own grandpa. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:47): Okay. I guess just delete that part. Rewind. What happened? Stace [Nix] (00:04:51): No. You need to own your shame, Marietta. Marietta [Atalia] (00:04:53): No. What happened? Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:55): Own the shame. Sampson [Dili] (00:04:56): Don't be ashamed of your shame. Alex [ChaCha] (00:04:58): I think through a weird illusion we thought Dili's BFF showed up, and started strangling Donovan. But it's not actually happening, it's an illusion. Sampson [Dili] (00:05:12): Dili was possessed and started strangling him by himself. Daniel [GM] (00:05:15): Yeah. Dili actually threw the table out of the way, and lifted up loan shark guy by his neck. Alex [ChaCha] (00:05:20): Dili got strong. Daniel [GM] (00:05:20): And started chittering, and then said "Adilabrim." Marietta [Atalia] (00:05:26): Was I there? Daniel [GM] (00:05:27): Yes. Stace [Nix] (00:05:28): Well, I would say clearly not. Alex [ChaCha] (00:05:30): Physically you were there, mentally we cannot tell you. Marietta [Atalia] (00:05:33): I might have been asleep. Shit. Sampson [Dili] (00:05:34): The one thing I have a problem with is that I don't think Dili is lifting him by neck, because Dili's not that tall. Probably can't get him off the floor just physically. Marietta [Atalia] (00:05:42): Maybe you're standing on a bench stool. Daniel [GM] (00:05:45): Dili is. That's the part that doesn't make sense. Marietta [Atalia] (00:05:48): Maybe you're using the Numenera force. Alex [ChaCha] (00:05:51): Ooh. He's using the [Speswartz 00:05:54]. Marietta [Atalia] (00:05:55): What's your new nano skill? Because you're multi classing. Sampson [Dili] (00:05:59): That's just called being a Jack. But yeah. Daniel [GM] (00:06:05): Other things. So ChaCha did not stick around for Momma Jerrun's explanation. Marietta [Atalia] (00:06:11): Yeah, she did not. Daniel [GM] (00:06:13): So she doesn't know all those additional details, because she was worried about it being a potential conflict of interest. She told a story about Nix's not noticing the [Hurix 00:06:28] banging. And then you guys caught up with her and all of that fun stuff. Alex [ChaCha] (00:06:32): And you all are in disguise, FYIs. Daniel [GM] (00:06:35): Yes. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:35): Yes. Marietta [Atalia] (00:06:35): Okay. Sampson [Dili] (00:06:37): That's what Dili can do now. Daniel [GM] (00:06:38): Nix looks like steampunk Dracula nano, Dili looks like a mixture of [Acidra 00:06:44] of Aces. I can't remember what you said Atalia's disguise was. Marietta [Atalia] (00:06:47): I can't either. Stace [Nix] (00:06:50): It's just Atalia, with her hood up. Marietta [Atalia] (00:06:52): Probably. Probably. Probably. I'm just like- Daniel [GM] (00:06:59): Yeah. For once. Okay. So you guys are in the Queen's Spittoon. ChaCha, Atalia, Nix, you've just seen Dili, still with his illusion in place, step forward, throw the table out of the way, pick up the loan shark guy by the neck lift him in the air, make a bunch of chittering sounds, and then you hear something, a word you guys hadn't heard before, and that was Adilabrim. And that's where we pick up. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:23): So ChaCha's going to attack. Just swing. Daniel [GM] (00:07:32): Okay. So let's role initiative then. Stace [Nix] (00:07:34): Fuck yeah. Sampson [Dili] (00:07:36): Am I fighting? Marietta [Atalia] (00:07:37): Is this direction this is going? Daniel [GM] (00:07:39): Oh, you're rolling initiative, Sampson. Sampson [Dili] (00:07:41): Oh, boy. Stace [Nix] (00:07:41): Ooh, I got a 16. Marietta [Atalia] (00:07:43): Ooh, I got an 18. Alex [ChaCha] (00:07:45): Nat 20. Marietta [Atalia] (00:07:47): Okay. Fine. Sampson [Dili] (00:07:51): I got a six, so I guess I'll just pull out my new character real quick. Daniel [GM] (00:07:55): Dili got a rock. Okay. So yes, so ChaCha, what would you like to do? Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:03): I would like to mentally onslaught Dili. Daniel [GM] (00:08:05): Okay. So go ahead and make that roll. It's intellect, if you want to spend effort, otherwise it's a straight roll. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:12): This is a hard choice. Like I want to, but at the same time I don't want to kill Dili. Let's just roll it. It's fine. It's fine. It's fine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:08:24): Don't worry, Dili. It's fine. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:25): That was the floor. I'm actually using dice right now. It's magic. Fuck, that's a 20 Sampson [Dili] (00:08:34): Yeah. I mean, oh, no. Stace [Nix] (00:08:36): So Nix is going to take the attack. Daniel [GM] (00:08:37): Okay. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:38): Can you block a mental onslaught? Daniel [GM] (00:08:41): First we have to find out if Dili gets hit. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:44): Oh, right. Sorry. Excuse me. Daniel [GM] (00:08:46): So Dili, please roll intellect defense. Alex [ChaCha] (00:08:49): Get a 20. Sampson [Dili] (00:08:51): Six again. Daniel [GM] (00:08:52): Okay. So yeah. So he definitely gets hit. Nix, you could take the attack because the onslaught is visible. So you can- Alex [ChaCha] (00:09:00): No, I said mental. Daniel [GM] (00:09:01): It's still visible. Alex [ChaCha] (00:09:02): Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:09:03): Yeah. Nix takes the attack. Daniel [GM] (00:09:05): Okay, Nix. You'll take two damage. Alex [ChaCha] (00:09:07): Wait, if I get a 20, does that make it additional damage? Daniel [GM] (00:09:13): It does. Stace [Nix] (00:09:14): Six damage? Daniel [GM] (00:09:15): Six damage you are now. Alex [ChaCha] (00:09:17): I love you. This is the scenario you all have been training for, right? When ChaCha goes insane? Stace [Nix] (00:09:26): And that's actually Nix's action for the round. Daniel [GM] (00:09:28): Yeah, it is. So we skip over Nix's turn and... well, it isn't Nix's turn yet, but we go to Atalia's turn. Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:37): Sure. I don't really have any... I only have flash and onslaught, but I'm not really trying to attack Dili. Daniel [GM] (00:09:42): It doesn't have to be an attack. You can try to do something else to him. Marietta [Atalia] (00:09:46): Can I try to jump on him? Just jump on him. See if he'll let him go. No, like literally run and jump on him. I am trained in jumping. I'm going to run and jump on Dili and knock him over. Daniel [GM] (00:09:58): Ooh. Okay. Okay. Give me a roll plus three. Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:03): 19, legitimately. Sampson [Dili] (00:10:06): Jesus Christ, guys. Alex [ChaCha] (00:10:07): Are we just going to kill Sampson's character after he teared up so poetically? Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:11): I'm not trying to hurt him. I'm literally just trying to run and jump on him so he can not be holding loan shark guy. He's too busy being like- Daniel [GM] (00:10:20): Dili, please make a speed defense roll. Sampson [Dili] (00:10:22): Plus 19. Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:22): Well, if it's plus three, actually it would be 22. Stace [Nix] (00:10:28): Can't you choose to take a minor effect instead of damage? Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:31): Oh. Daniel [GM] (00:10:32): She could. It's 11 either way. Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:34): Yeah. I don't know. Daniel [GM] (00:10:36): Would you like the minor effect or the extra damage? Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:38): If the minor effect can be that he lets go from shark guy? Daniel [GM] (00:10:43): Yeah. Minor effect. He'd definitely lose his grip on loan shark guy where loan shark guy falls to the ground, choking, and his goons stand up. Marietta [Atalia] (00:10:51): Great. Also, I really want Atalia to be on top. Alex [ChaCha] (00:10:55): Kinky. Daniel [GM] (00:10:58): Okay. But his goons are also going to be coming at Dili. And so, the loan shark guy can't do anything but gasp for his turn. Then the goons are going to try to kick at Dili. Dili, please make two speed defense rolls if not. Alex [ChaCha] (00:11:21): Wouldn't he be hindered because he's held down? Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:25): Also, I'm on top of Dili I feel like. Sampson [Dili] (00:11:27): 18 on both. Daniel [GM] (00:11:28): Oh. Alex [ChaCha] (00:11:29): Nice. Daniel [GM] (00:11:30): Oh, wow. So it doesn't matter. So you dodge both kicks somehow. Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:34): Atalia gets kicked. Alex [ChaCha] (00:11:35): Also, why are we asking for him to get hindered? Are we trying to kill Dili? Marietta [Atalia] (00:11:42): No, I meant wouldn't their kicks be hindered because I'm on top of him as part of him. Daniel [GM] (00:11:48): No. Because it makes it easier to hit him if he can't move as much. But he manages to do it, anyway. Our Dili is scuttling. It is now Dili's turn. Dili, if you would like to try to get control of yourself, please make an intellect defense roll as well. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:06): Two rolls of nothing into that. [crosstalk 00:12:09]. Daniel [GM] (00:12:09): Brings it down to a six. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:11): Yeah. I like that. 13. Alex [ChaCha] (00:12:11): Yay. Daniel [GM] (00:12:15): Okay. Dili, you do get control of yourself. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:21): Wait, do I remember what happened or did I just like what? Daniel [GM] (00:12:23): Oh, you remember exactly what you did. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:25): Oh, shit. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:26): Are you done? Sampson [Dili] (00:12:26): Did I just... Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:29): Why'd you do that, Dili? Sampson [Dili] (00:12:34): That wasn't me. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:35): Dili, that was your dream. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:35): That wasn't me. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:36): I know. Can I scan him? Daniel [GM] (00:12:38): It's now ChaCha's turn. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:39): Oh, sorry. Sorry about that. Stace [Nix] (00:12:41): Settle down. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:42): I just want to scan him. Stace [Nix] (00:12:44): You'll get your chance to scan. Marietta [Atalia] (00:12:45): Okay. Alex [ChaCha] (00:12:48): So Dili has firmly stated that he is in control, yes? Daniel [GM] (00:12:54): He said it wasn't me. Sampson [Dili] (00:12:57): Is ChaCha near that, though? Daniel [GM] (00:12:58): Yeah, she is. Alex [ChaCha] (00:12:59): Okay. Good. Dili, next time you do that I will slit your throat, I don't care what Nix does. Sampson [Dili] (00:13:04): Okay. Alex [ChaCha] (00:13:05): And ChaCha ends her turn. Daniel [GM] (00:13:06): Okay. So it is now Atalia's turn. The goons still look like they're ready to kick some more, and loan shark guy is not looking excited either. So it's up to you, Atalia, whether you want to scan or do something else. Marietta [Atalia] (00:13:21): I'll just scan him and see if I can figure out what happened there. Alex [ChaCha] (00:13:26): Should anybody try and persuade loan shark dude's people to maybe not punt Dili in the head? Marietta [Atalia] (00:13:32): Oh, I don't know them. Yeah. Yeah. I've never talked to them. Stace [Nix] (00:13:36): It seems like ChaCha could've done that. Alex [ChaCha] (00:13:38): I mean, to ChaCha, he could use a couple kicks. Marietta [Atalia] (00:13:42): So I think I'm right next to him, because- Stace [Nix] (00:13:48): Next to him? I thought you were on top? Marietta [Atalia] (00:13:50): I'm on top of him and I'm going to scan him. I'll get off of him. But are you sure you're not going to try to kill him again, because those guys are definitely going to kill you if that's really what you're desiring in life. Sampson [Dili] (00:14:05): That wasn't me, so I don't know. That could just happen again. I mean, I don't know. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:08): You're right. You really seem like Dili to me right now. Sampson [Dili] (00:14:12): Hey, fellas. I didn't see you there. Daniel [GM] (00:14:17): So what are you doing, Atalia? Are you just saying that, or are you taking some sort of action? Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:21): I'm scanning him. I'm saying that while I'm scanning him. Daniel [GM] (00:14:24): Okay. So the smoke comes out of you, surrounds Dili, and the information that comes back is it's Dili. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:31): No indication of what happened? Okay. Daniel [GM] (00:14:35): Same as always before. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:38): I'm like, is it a Numenera thing? I don't know if how- Daniel [GM] (00:14:40): If you suspect it's a Numenera thing, you think probably if you scanned him before he regained control of himself, maybe he would have more insight. But he regained control of himself, so whatever you would be looking for is gone. Marietta [Atalia] (00:14:53): Okay. Yeah, Dili, I- Daniel [GM] (00:14:56): Except for that same strange connection, that same strange spooky action in the distance stuff. Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:03): Dili, that connection is still there with whatever it is. Maybe if it happens again, I'm hoping it does not, but if it does then I could see what it is. But you're you again. I don't know. Sampson [Dili] (00:15:18): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:19): He's not whatever did that, let me tell you guys. I don't mean to pick on loan shark guy, I'm sorry. Sampson [Dili] (00:15:26): No, that's fair. And Dili looks shaken, but can we leave? Can we get out like now? Marietta [Atalia] (00:15:32): Yeah. Can we leave? Daniel [GM] (00:15:34): So you are still in combat. So now we go to Nix. There is loan shark guy and his goons that are ready to act this round. Stace [Nix] (00:15:41): Yeah. So Nix will stand over Dili and Atalia, and I'll be like, "All right, guys. Hey, listen. I don't know what that was, but it's over now. Really sorry. We're just going to go." Daniel [GM] (00:15:53): Give me a 15 social roll, since you're at a hindrance because you literally attacked them. Stace [Nix] (00:15:59): Me? Daniel [GM] (00:16:01): But you're trained, so it's 12 now. Stace [Nix] (00:16:01): Specialized. Daniel [GM] (00:16:02): You're specialized. Holy shit. That's a nine. Okay. Stace [Nix] (00:16:07): I'll expend the intellect effort on this one. Really should maybe put points in that. Daniel [GM] (00:16:12): Yeah. That'd be a good idea. Stace [Nix] (00:16:14): That's a nine now, all right. Let's see what I get. 19. Daniel [GM] (00:16:16): Wow. Marietta [Atalia] (00:16:16): Nice. Daniel [GM] (00:16:16): What would you propose as a minor effect? Stace [Nix] (00:16:21): I would like ChaCha to take into consideration Nix's feelings about Dili's throat getting slit. Marietta [Atalia] (00:16:26): I wonder how Nix feels. I don't know. Truly hides her emotions. Stace [Nix] (00:16:36): No. Alex [ChaCha] (00:16:37): I mean, it's a valid request. Stace [Nix] (00:16:40): Yeah. But I don't really want to try to influence another character via minor effect, so I would like for us to be able to go directly to the door without any additional trouble. Daniel [GM] (00:16:50): Okay. So loan shark guy is rubbing his throat and he's like, "That was a little too familiar. Why don't you guys get going." Marietta [Atalia] (00:16:59): Wait, did this happen before? Daniel [GM] (00:17:01): Yeah. When he automaton came in and did the same thing to him. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:04): Like look at Dili. Daniel [GM] (00:17:07): Yeah. If you guys are trying to get to the door, you can get to the door no problem. I would say Nix, if you're heading towards the door, you do hear Donovan turn to his goons and say, "Did he say Adilabrim? Like on the wanted poster?" Sampson [Dili] (00:17:25): Fuck. Stace [Nix] (00:17:25): And just like, "And we're going. And we're walking." Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:29): I think ChaCha's going to stay behind and offer healing. Daniel [GM] (00:17:34): ChaCha's going to stay behind? Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:35): Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:36): ChaCha, we need to talk to you. Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:38): I mean, she just reunited with Donovan and all of her friends, and now he got strangled a second time. Marietta [Atalia] (00:17:46): ChaCha, are we not also your friends? Alex [ChaCha] (00:17:49): I'm behind the curtain, trying to get that favor for Dr. Oz from loan shark guy, and we can't just strangle him and expect it. Daniel [GM] (00:18:00): Loan shark guy says to you, "I'm fine ChaCha. I just need a minute." Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:05): Hey, loan shark guy. We're going to take care of that automaton, and we're going to take care of this issue, just so you know. We're very sorry for any inconvenience it caused you, and pain that you might have suffered. Daniel [GM] (00:18:20): Yeah. Just keep your friend away from me, okay? Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:24): Yeah. Yeah. We're actually going to leave. The two of us are just going to go outside. It's just a really nice night out, and we're going to take these drinks and go. Stace [Nix] (00:18:30): Atalia, go. Sampson [Dili] (00:18:34): From the door, Dili and Nix like, "Atalia, let's go." Marietta [Atalia] (00:18:37): We're going to fix it. Bye. Daniel [GM] (00:18:39): Dili, as you're walking out the door, there is a window to this place. For a moment you see your reflection in it, and then you think you see that automaton's face. And you hear a chittering sound in your ears. Nobody else hears this. But the chittering sound, you feel like you almost understand. And it says, "Welcome home, Adilabrim." Sampson [Dili] (00:19:05): Hearing that Dili whips his head around like someone was talking behind him. It might be a bad idea coming back to Charmonde. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:11): No, I don't think it is. I think we need to take care of this. Sampson [Dili] (00:19:15): We're taking care of it on its terms, that's the thing. Try drawing out of Charmonde or something. Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:19): Well, I think we should wait for ChaCha, and then we should go back to Momma Jerrun and be like, "Hey, Dili's joining you if you want him to join you. We need to deal with this fucking automaton, pro-tips or..." Also, is there anywhere close by we can set up and wait for him? Because I think he's going to want to come to you. Daniel [GM] (00:19:40): Are you telling Dili that? Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:42): Yeah. Yeah. I mean that connection exists there. Sampson [Dili] (00:19:46): I have nothing here. I have nothing. Do you have a base of operations? An abandoned handler safe house you know about? Marietta [Atalia] (00:19:56): Just my grandmother's house, that should still be unoccupied. Daniel [GM] (00:20:01): Yeah. Momma Jerrun did leave you guys to your own devices to find somewhere to stay for the night. Sampson [Dili] (00:20:05): Also just this quick thing, once we get a block or two away, Dili's going to change the disguise that's on, fixing Atalia and himself. Again, borrowing from memories of past patrons he had. Daniel [GM] (00:20:17): ChaCha, I think loan shark guy is very dude in the sense that he's just like, "Just let me be." Alex [ChaCha] (00:20:26): Let me be a bro and break something in peace. Sampson [Dili] (00:20:28): Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to go to the bathroom and punch a hole in the wall. Alex [ChaCha] (00:20:32): Let's go to start a fight for no reason, because that's what men do. Marietta [Atalia] (00:20:36): Super sexy. Women love that. They love it when men punch holes in the walls. They're like, "That guy just punched a hole in the wall. So sexy." Stace [Nix] (00:20:45): Yeah. It makes you feel really safe and protected. Alex [ChaCha] (00:20:48): It's what does it for me. Marietta [Atalia] (00:20:50): Asterisk: sarcasm. Stace [Nix] (00:20:55): Okay. So Nix is experiencing the strange fact that she has money. So she thinks that maybe we should go get a motel room. Alex [ChaCha] (00:21:06): Oh, yeah. I forgot we got money and I didn't write down how much. Stace [Nix] (00:21:09): Yeah. We got cash. Daniel [GM] (00:21:10): Yeah. You have a shit load of money. Sampson [Dili] (00:21:12): A motel? Stace [Nix] (00:21:14): A fuck ton. How much is a house, Daniel? Can we buy a house and furnish it? Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:18): Wait. How many shins did we get? Because I just- Daniel [GM] (00:21:23): Well, I mean, there's an escrow process to deal with, and things like that. Stace [Nix] (00:21:28): How do squatter's rights work in the ninth world, and Charmonde specifically? Daniel [GM] (00:21:32): Probably varies by city. I guess you would have to roll to see if you'd know how squatter's rights work? Stace [Nix] (00:21:37): Don't you think Nix would have an asset on that, considering her parents were city administrators? Daniel [GM] (00:21:41): Her parents might, but Nix would probably actually be at a detriment, because she lived a privileged childhood. Marietta [Atalia] (00:21:47): Oh, that's true. Stace [Nix] (00:21:49): Oh. All right, what is it, Daniel? What's the roll. Daniel [GM] (00:21:52): It would be a 12. Stace [Nix] (00:21:55): That's with the hindrance? Daniel [GM] (00:21:59): The disadvantage would be a 15. Stace [Nix] (00:22:02): Would recent events or rumors have a... Nix got a 16. Daniel [GM] (00:22:06): Nix, you know that there aren't any official squatter's rights. If you find an abandoned place, you could probably stay in it. You probably can't claim ownership, because technically the queen can claim ownership of any space within [Nareen 00:22:20] if she so desires. So you guys could try to find an abandoned place in Nareen, or there are numerous taverns in Charmonde. Stace [Nix] (00:22:30): A lot of transients by the docks, probably? Daniel [GM] (00:22:34): Probably, if you want a not as nice place. I mean, there's no inns in [Morta Anna 00:22:42], but you could go to other wards like down by the docks and find various taverns, things like that. Because Charmonde, while Charmonde is the capital city, it's not the trade city. But as the capital city, there's still a need to have lodging or travelers. Stace [Nix] (00:22:58): Yeah. So Nix will suggest that. Hey guys, we should go down by the docks and just get a couple rooms. Like what are these shins even for? Marietta [Atalia] (00:23:07): I think we're supposed to spend them and help the local economy. Stace [Nix] (00:23:10): Yeah. So let's do that. Marietta [Atalia] (00:23:11): Yeah. Let's do that, shop local. Let's find a little place that's over a shop. Yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:23:18): I'm not trying to go to a boutique motel, Atalia. Just some simple rooms is fine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:23:24): Well, then you find where we're staying at. Sampson [Dili] (00:23:31): I'd like to sleep in a real bed for once. Been a while. Marietta [Atalia] (00:23:31): I like beds. Do you like beds, or do you just like to sleep on the hard ground? Stace [Nix] (00:23:35): Atalia, remember I went to sleep so that if I died it would be in my bed. Marietta [Atalia] (00:23:39): Okay. That's cool. I like that. Daniel [GM] (00:23:45): If you guys head to the docks, the [Merdun's 00:23:48] Roost is the first tavern you find. It's okay. It's not particularly great, but it's okay. It's got some neat décor, like they really live up the... they got things that are if you explained to somebody via a game of telephone what a raven looks like, and what a merdun might look like, that's what they came up with. It's not exactly what it is, it's not really a humanoid raven or a crow, but it's kind of sloppy. But it's there, and you guys can get room and board for the night for six shins each. Stace [Nix] (00:24:30): Is it called the Merdun's Roost, but it's just bird themed? Daniel [GM] (00:24:34): Just bird themed. It was clearly this was somebody who just woke up one morning and was like, "This is my gimmick. This is my thing to make my tavern stick out." Marietta [Atalia] (00:24:47): I like birds. Stace [Nix] (00:24:48): Is that six shins each and that's a room each? Daniel [GM] (00:24:51): That's a room each. Sampson [Dili] (00:24:53): Hey, do you guys mind if we share a room? Stace [Nix] (00:24:55): Yeah. Six shins is pricey. I wouldn't mind sharing a room. Sampson [Dili] (00:24:59): Yes. The price, that's why I was thinking of. Absolutely. Yes. Stace [Nix] (00:25:02): All right. Yeah. I'll split a room with you, Dili. Daniel [GM] (00:25:03): Okay. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:03): Atalia, getting in on this? Marietta [Atalia] (00:25:03): Sure. Alex [ChaCha] (00:25:07): I think ChaCha's already booked her own room and looks at them like, "No." Sampson [Dili] (00:25:11): When did ChaCha get here? Holy shit. Daniel [GM] (00:25:14): ChaCha's got her own room. She's already up there. Marietta [Atalia] (00:25:16): This is when ChaCha splits from the party, guys. Been nice knowing you, ChaCha. Stace [Nix] (00:25:23): Have fun on your spinoff podcast, ChaCha. Alex [ChaCha] (00:25:26): ChaCha and friends. Stace [Nix] (00:25:27): ChaCha and friends, the audio drama. Alex [ChaCha] (00:25:30): ChaCha and friends, ChaCha and friends. Marietta [Atalia] (00:25:32): It's like a one-on-one with Daniel. Stace [Nix] (00:25:35): All right. So next spend, two shins. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:38): Two shins from Dili. Daniel [GM] (00:25:40): Two shins out of her? Stace [Nix] (00:25:41): 450. Daniel [GM] (00:25:43): 450. Alex [ChaCha] (00:25:44): Wait, why do I have 750? Daniel [GM] (00:25:47): Nix got an advance that she ended up giving to her parents. Alex [ChaCha] (00:25:50): Oh, okay. I got confused because I'm just like what did ChaCha do for an extra 300. Sampson [Dili] (00:25:56): Dili's got like 726. Stace [Nix] (00:25:58): Nix gave away literally everything she had to her dad, too. Alex [ChaCha] (00:26:03): But then he was arrested. Didn't we get paid from Momma Jerrun like just yesterday? Stace [Nix] (00:26:06): Yeah. That's why Nix has 450 shins. Alex [ChaCha] (00:26:08): Okay. Was that how much we got paid? Stace [Nix] (00:26:09): No. You should've got [crosstalk 00:26:11] 550. Daniel [GM] (00:26:11): Yep. So the rooms have two beds each. So if ChaCha wants, she can just push the two beds together and have one gigantic bed. Alex [ChaCha] (00:26:19): Oh, she does. She's just being all luxurious and pouty. Daniel [GM] (00:26:24): How are the rest of you splitting up the beds? Marietta [Atalia] (00:26:28): How many beds are there? Daniel [GM] (00:26:28): Two. Stace [Nix] (00:26:28): Are they "queen" beds? Marietta [Atalia] (00:26:31): Evens or odds. Alex [ChaCha] (00:26:32): Two twin beds. That's it, guys. Have fun. Stace [Nix] (00:26:34): Two full size. Daniel [GM] (00:26:36): Yeah. So Sampson, roll a die for me, tell me if you get even or odd. Sampson [Dili] (00:26:39): Odd. Daniel [GM] (00:26:40): Odd you get those two twin beds. Sampson [Dili] (00:26:42): That's fair. That's right. Marietta [Atalia] (00:26:47): And then, Jeskii is also in that room, man. Is there a pull out couch? Stace [Nix] (00:26:52): God, Atalia. You can have the bed. That's fine. Dili, I'm not going to ask you to sleep on the floor. I know you've had a rough time, so you just take the other bed. I'm going to sleep in front of the door. Marietta [Atalia] (00:27:03): We can sleep on the floor. Jeskii makes a great pillow. Sampson [Dili] (00:27:07): I'm going to take the bed. Marietta [Atalia] (00:27:08): Yeah. You should take the bed. But do you want to- Daniel [GM] (00:27:11): Dili, there is a bathroom here if you need to poop. Stace [Nix] (00:27:12): Dili, no. Daniel [GM] (00:27:12): I know it's been a while. Sampson [Dili] (00:27:18): Dili goes to the door and then turns to everyone. You guys want to go first? Because this will be the last time this is okay. Stace [Nix] (00:27:24): Yeah. I'm going to go first. Marietta [Atalia] (00:27:26): Okay. Well, while you're going then, Dili, what the fuck, man. That was- Sampson [Dili] (00:27:32): I don't know. It just happened. It just took me over. Marietta [Atalia] (00:27:38): I was really impressed to see you lift him off the ground. Sampson [Dili] (00:27:41): I was surprised. Marietta [Atalia] (00:27:43): Were you seeing it from above, or was it through your eyeballs? Sampson [Dili] (00:27:46): Hey, Dan. What did Dili experience when he got overridden? Daniel [GM] (00:27:51): It was like a dream where you could see everything that you were doing, you were completely aware of everything you were doing, but you had absolutely no facility to exert any control over it whatsoever. It was like you were trapped within your own mind. Alex [ChaCha] (00:28:06): The opposite of a lucid dream. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:08): I've been having some weird dreams lately, and this makes me feel really uncomfortable. Sampson [Dili] (00:28:12): I don't know how to explain it, Atalia. It's like you know when you zone out and things just happen without you noticing, and then you come back to it and you're just like holy shit, what time it is? Imagine that- Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:22): Be like wait, wasn't I a librarian, now I'm by my locker. Not locker, I don't know why I said locker. Stace [Nix] (00:28:29): Atalia didn't go to school, right? Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:31): No. She didn't. She wanted to, though. Sampson [Dili] (00:28:33): Handler school. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:34): She went to screw it school. Alex [ChaCha] (00:28:35): School of hard knocks. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:36): Yeah. Got those street smarts. Sampson [Dili] (00:28:39): Not just like zoning out, but being completely aware it's happening. Things just started happening. I had no control. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:47): So it was just like the dream? Sampson [Dili] (00:28:49): Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:50): Except it was your arm instead of the automaton's arm. Sampson [Dili] (00:28:53): Yeah. It was like the vision, but in reverse, but it was still the same. Marietta [Atalia] (00:28:56): Was it just the connection, or what did they do to you? Is there- Sampson [Dili] (00:29:00): They didn't do anything to me. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:01): As a nano, would I have any idea where to go to find out more about this connection or what's going on here? Because I feel at this point I know it's Numenera based, but I don't know. Daniel [GM] (00:29:12): Well, you could try to research at a library, or you could try to consult another possibly more knowledgeable nano. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:17): I don't know any other more knowledgeable nanos. Stace [Nix] (00:29:21): Nix yells from the bathroom. Dr. Oz. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:24): Dr. Oz does not count. Sampson [Dili] (00:29:27): Hey, Dan. Remind me how the spending XP to know a guy thing works. Because that's an option. Alex [ChaCha] (00:29:34): Ooh. Sampson [Dili] (00:29:37): Yeah, right? Daniel [GM] (00:29:37): Mm-hmm (affirmative). You could spend XP for a limited effect, and you could tell me somebody you know- Stace [Nix] (00:29:48): This is our first ever player intrusion. Sampson, you're changing the entire dynamic of the podcast. Sampson [Dili] (00:29:53): That's what I'm doing. Marietta [Atalia] (00:29:54): Thanks, Sampson. I would also spend an XP for that, though. Daniel [GM] (00:29:57): It's not just an XP. Stace [Nix] (00:29:57): I mean, didn't Dili go to university? There's probably a chance that he knows somebody. No, Dili didn't go? Dili's self-taught? Daniel [GM] (00:30:06): Yeah. Yeah. But he still needs to spend XP to get it. It wasn't already in his backstory. Stace [Nix] (00:30:14): Nix is the only one who went to school. Marietta [Atalia] (00:30:16): Man. Sampson [Dili] (00:30:17): Well, Dili was trained, but he didn't go to formal school. It was just a long apprenticeship, basically. Marietta [Atalia] (00:30:23): He got an associates, or what are they called? A journeyman? Stace [Nix] (00:30:28): Dili's part of the union, he's the local union steward? Alex [ChaCha] (00:30:31): Yes. Dili did the journeymanship. Daniel [GM] (00:30:34): So I would say depending on what you're asking for, Sampson. If you're looking for somebody who's got a limited benefit, it would be two XP. If you're looking for a long-term NPC contact of importance, it would be three XP. Sampson [Dili] (00:30:53): I guess Dili's going to bring it up to Atalia first. Give me a couple minutes and I might be able to think of a nano that probably came through the store. Because not just like a customer, but we had a few consultants come in whenever there was a piece that we weren't quite sure what to do, and we couldn't tinker with it because it might destroy half the planet. That sometimes happens. Marietta [Atalia] (00:31:20): Don't I know it now. Sampson [Dili] (00:31:22): I don't know anybody, personally, I don't think. What would you want to ask them? Marietta [Atalia] (00:31:28): Just don't know who to talk to about this, I guess. Where do we go for more information? I feel like I can't do quite a bit at this point, Dili, and I can't get anymore information about this unless we go find the automaton. Stace [Nix] (00:31:44): So is there any way Atalia could examine this more closely using her actual nano skills and inverses just scan? Marietta [Atalia] (00:31:54): Yeah. Like- Daniel [GM] (00:31:55): Well, Atalia, give me an understanding Numenera roll of 15. You're trained. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:02): Yes. Daniel [GM] (00:32:03): So that makes it a 12. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:05): I'm going to use my Numenera book, which I was reading recently. Daniel [GM] (00:32:12): Okay. So you'll do 30 minutes. That brings it down to a nine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:14): Okay. And then I will spend two levels of effort, actually. We're just going to- Daniel [GM] (00:32:20): That brings it down to a three. Marietta [Atalia] (00:32:21): That's a 15. Daniel [GM] (00:32:25): It is definitely connected to this connect with the automaton, and you feel like the automaton is deliberately exerting control through the connection. And you suspect that it may be able to do it again. But you're not exactly sure how the connection works for 100%, but what you do know is that this communication goes beyond just visions. There's actually the ability to control through it. However, I will say this, with such a strong connection, you suspect it goes two ways should somebody actually learn how to harness it. Sampson [Dili] (00:33:06): This automaton is going to be my Stand. Daniel [GM] (00:33:08): I couldn't hear you, Sampson. Sampson [Dili] (00:33:10): I was making a JoJo reference. It's fine. Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:12): Without consulting another nano, just reading this book and thinking about it, I don't see why that couldn't happen again. Maybe it can't be an always thing, but whatever it was coded to do, you could well be coded to do, too. But your connection's a two way street. I think some of the things you experience, it also experiences. So it'd be really interesting to see you try to reverse the tables there. Daniel [GM] (00:33:38): The other thing, Atalia, that's very clear to you, is that there is no way that this automaton does not know that Dili is back in Charmonde. Stace [Nix] (00:33:47): Come to us. Come to us. Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:49): So Dili, where do you want to meet up with your automaton friend? Sampson [Dili] (00:33:54): So if it's a two way street, then- Marietta [Atalia] (00:33:58): Do you want to go see Momma Jerrun again? We could just take a nap there. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Sampson [Dili] (00:34:02): I don't think she could help us, or I don't think she's willing to help us. She wants to help- Marietta [Atalia] (00:34:08): I think you just agreed to join her, though. Shouldn't she want to help you? Sampson [Dili] (00:34:13): I did, but it hasn't been initiated because that's tomorrow night. But this is what I'm thinking. Since this is a two way street, we can't lay a trap for it that I know about. So I guess you think I could just go for a walk around the city while you guys set up a thing somewhere, and then- Stace [Nix] (00:34:33): No- Sampson [Dili] (00:34:34): ... I walk to there? Stace [Nix] (00:34:35): Dili, it wants you. I think it'll come no matter what. Marietta [Atalia] (00:34:40): Phrasing. Stace [Nix] (00:34:42): I don't think you're going to have to do much/ Marietta [Atalia] (00:34:44): I think that we might want ChaCha with us if we're dealing with this automaton? Stace [Nix] (00:34:49): Oh, yeah. No, for sure we want ChaCha with us. ChaCha [crosstalk 00:34:52]- Marietta [Atalia] (00:34:52): I feel like if it already knows that Dili's here, then what's stopping it from just showing up random. Stace [Nix] (00:34:58): Yeah. Sampson [Dili] (00:34:59): Maybe I know some here, but not exactly where. And the possession, was it trying to find my exact location? So it knew I was at the Queen's Spittoon earlier, but right now it's just like all right, he's roughly here-ish. So there might be a nighttime encounter. That's a thing that just crossed my mind. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:20): I just think that it could be at any point at this point, at this time. Sampson [Dili] (00:35:25): Yeah. So should we go find an abandoned warehouse now-ish or something? Or what? Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:29): I think we need to get ChaCha back with us. Stace [Nix] (00:35:33): ChaCha's just in the next room, Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:33): What? Sampson [Dili] (00:35:37): ChaCha's never far behind. ChaCha's always with us. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:40): Isn't she still at the bar? I thought we left. Daniel [GM] (00:35:43): No, she got her own room before you guys did. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:45): Oh, right. Right. Right. Okay. I'm so sorry. Stace [Nix] (00:35:46): Are you all right, Atalia? Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:49): I've been running around a lot. In real life. Stace [Nix] (00:35:52): Yeah. Maybe you should just lay down. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:53): Asterisk. Yeah. Okay. I'm just going to lay here. Stace [Nix] (00:35:57): Yeah. Just take a nap. Marietta [Atalia] (00:35:58): Yeah. Thanks. Thanks, Nix. Come here, Jeskii. Daniel [GM] (00:36:01): Jeskii curls up next to you. Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:02): We're spooning. Stace [Nix] (00:36:03): I thought you guys slept next to each other on your backs? Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:06): We'll get there. Stace [Nix] (00:36:07): Okay. All right. Sorry. Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:08): We spoon until we fall asleep, and then we- Alex [ChaCha] (00:36:11): Manspread? Daniel [GM] (00:36:15): I'm assuming that even though she's smaller, I'm assuming because of the crystals on her back, that Jeskii is the big spoon. Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:20): Mm-hmm (affirmative). Amazing. I love this. I still want one of Jeskii's legs to be over like her arm would be. Daniel [GM] (00:36:35): Oh, for sure. For sure. Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:36): Okay. Great. Great. Great. Also, Jeskii snores, very softly. It's like white noise. Daniel [GM] (00:36:43): Yeah. [crosstalk 00:36:43]. Yeah. So you guys going to sleep? Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:46): Atalia is. Stace [Nix] (00:36:48): I like how Atalia was all like, "I'm not going to take a bed," and then she- Marietta [Atalia] (00:36:52): Nix was like, "Go to sleep." And Atalia was like, "Yeah. You're right. I should do that." Stace [Nix] (00:36:58): So Nix is asleep in front of the door, per usu. Daniel [GM] (00:37:01): Okay. How about you, Dili? Atalia's got the bed that's getting close to the wall. The other bed is the one that's closer to the windows. Sampson [Dili] (00:37:08): I think Dili is at least in the other bed, but having trouble actually going to sleep. And I really want to take a one in 10 hour rest, but- Daniel [GM] (00:37:18): Yeah. Dili, you'll have an uncomfortable night of sleep. ChaCha, the next morning comes. And you wake up comfortable in your two beds pressed next to each other. Alex [ChaCha] (00:37:31): In my super bed. Daniel [GM] (00:37:34): Yes. And it's clearly morning. You can hear the beginnings of activity downstairs, presumably the kitchen getting started because part of the room includes breakfast. So there are wonderful smells. Essentially they're breakfast meats from different types of animals that are sort of insectoid rodents, some kind of cross between those two. But it smells amazing, and as you open your eyes you see centipedes crawling around, those fleshy centipedes, crawling around the walls like no big deal. And for a moment, you think you see as you open your eyes one of those serpents with a stretched out face staring at you with black glittering teeth, and then as soon as it sees you open its eyes, it spooks and fades away. Alex [ChaCha] (00:38:34): I don't like waking up to dicks. They're the worst way to wake up in the morning. I think ChaCha's going to really plot down the stairs to get what she assumes is double breakfast, because she has two beds, so she gets two breakfasts. Daniel [GM] (00:38:51): That is exactly how it works. Marietta [Atalia] (00:38:53): Amazing. Alex [ChaCha] (00:38:54): So wait, the three of them have to share two breakfast? Daniel [GM] (00:38:58): Yeah. The rest can pay for an additional breakfast if they want. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:02): Yeah. I'll buy a third breakfast. They can have the room breakfast. Stace [Nix] (00:39:06): Nix also buys an extra breakfast so she can have two breakfasts. Daniel [GM] (00:39:12): So the rest of you wake up. It's been a rather uneventful night. And you guys can meet each other downstairs for breakfast, presumably, unless you're going to do something before then. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:24): Or Dili goes down. Dili's going to... That was fair. That was a bad sentence. Dili's going to try to consciously make a connection with the automaton when he wakes up. He just wakes up and he's like, "Thanks, Atalia. I'm going to try something real quick." Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:47): Yeah? What are you going to try? I'm not really awake yet. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:47): Nix, are you awake? Stace [Nix] (00:39:48): Nix is walking back in from her morning parkour run. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:51): Amazing. Of course. Sampson [Dili] (00:39:51): Excellent. Daniel [GM] (00:39:56): Jeskii with her. Marietta [Atalia] (00:39:57): Jeskii, weren't you just in my arms? Sampson [Dili] (00:40:03): That was the pillow. Daniel [GM] (00:40:05): Jeskii hops up into the bed and licks your face. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:08): Well, Nix seems awake. Nix, I'm going to try to make a connection, a conscious, deliberate connection with the automaton. So if I go berserk, please knock me out. Stace [Nix] (00:40:16): Oh, you got it, Dili. No problem. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:19): Great. Actually, Dili will take out his dart thrower and his two Cyphers and put them next to Atalia, and then go to the other bed. Be careful. And then, Dili is trying meditating to make a connection. Daniel [GM] (00:40:32): Okay. Please make a 12 intellect roll. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:36): Ah, it's still early, so I'm just going to put one level of effort into this. Two. Daniel [GM] (00:40:44): You cannot clear your head enough. Your thoughts keep intruding. Sampson [Dili] (00:40:48): I think Nix and Atalia probably see that with illusions just popping in various stuff. Cypher schematics, people they saw on the way here. Stace [Nix] (00:40:57): Dili, you have to clear your mind. Sampson [Dili] (00:41:00): I'm trying. Stace [Nix] (00:41:02): Just think about nothing, Dili. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:04): You know, Dili- Stace [Nix] (00:41:04): Atalia, shh. Go back to sleep. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:07): Okay. Sampson [Dili] (00:41:10): Maybe I'll do this after some coffee or something. I don't know. Worth a shot. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:13): Can't you focus on it? Think of it like a Cypher thing. Like you understand the Numenera within Cyphers. Think of you as though you're a Cypher connecting to that or something. Like Dili, this is a thing you can do. I think you seemed to accept it, and you're pushing it away again. I think we can deal with this. I think we're capable of this, I think you we're capable of making the automaton, what if you can control this connection maybe? Sampson [Dili] (00:41:37): I'm in two different things. Because when I was working on the automaton, I wasn't thinking about nothing. I was thinking about whatever that day's goals was or whatever. I'll try it after breakfast. Let's just eat first. I thought maybe if I was groggy I would- Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:50): Yeah. Do you like coffee? Are you a coffee guy? Sampson [Dili] (00:41:53): Yes, I'm a coffee guy. Marietta [Atalia] (00:41:56): Okay. Let's go get your cup of coffee. Sampson [Dili] (00:41:57): All right. Does coffee exist in this world? Daniel [GM] (00:41:58): Yes. It does, but it's actually squeezings from a particular animal. Alex [ChaCha] (00:42:06): It is the more advanced weasel poop coffee. Daniel [GM] (00:42:10): Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yeah. So you guys go downstairs. You see ChaCha's already down there with two breakfasts on the table in front of her, I assume eating like a forest child like before. Stace [Nix] (00:42:23): Nix will order steak and eggs, but she'll order it rare. Daniel [GM] (00:42:30): Yeah. And so the tavern keeper says, "Rare?" Stace [Nix] (00:42:33): Oh, yeah. Just raw even, whatever. Daniel [GM] (00:42:38): Really? That's not usually safe. Stace [Nix] (00:42:42): Oh. All right. Well, whatever makes it safe. Just that, that's fine. And then I'll just eat it. Yeah. Daniel [GM] (00:42:46): Okay. They bring you out essentially a skinned and gutted animal that's barely been warmed. Stace [Nix] (00:42:55): Perfect. Thank you. Daniel [GM] (00:42:59): And Nix, you feel a strong urge to just swallow it whole. Stace [Nix] (00:43:04): Okay. But she'll turn her back. She'll have some discretion. Daniel [GM] (00:43:10): Okay. Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:10): She'll put a little handkerchief or napkin over her head to hide her shame. Stace [Nix] (00:43:13): She just hunches over. Daniel [GM] (00:43:16): So it's like she ducks underneath her own version of a breastfeeding blanket or whatever, and then eats this thing whole. Yeah. Okay. You feel much better. It's delicious. Sampson [Dili] (00:43:29): Nix, I forgot to ask. How's your shit going? How's this whole this? Dili just gestures vaguely to- Marietta [Atalia] (00:43:36): Nix. Stace [Nix] (00:43:37): Yeah. So this shade of green is really starting to grown on me. I've always thought I was a purple-ish pink- Sampson [Dili] (00:43:44): [crosstalk 00:43:44] Literally? Stace [Nix] (00:43:44): Yeah. No. That was the joke, Dili. So I used to think I liked pink-ish purple hair, but green's pretty cool. Otherwise, fine. I don't have to cook my food anymore, it's really paying off in a lot of different ways. It's really an efficient way to live, Dili. You should consider it. Daniel [GM] (00:44:06): Dili, make a perception roll six. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:10): Seven. Daniel [GM] (00:44:11): You notice that some of Nix's hairs are moving. Only a couple of them. They're almost coiling in on themselves and stretching back out. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:20): Dili furrows his brows like are you doing that? Consciously? Willingly? Stace [Nix] (00:44:23): What, Dili? Breathing? Talking to you? What do you mean? Sampson [Dili] (00:44:26): Moving your hair. Stace [Nix] (00:44:28): Is Nix moving her hair? Daniel [GM] (00:44:38): You didn't notice it. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:38): Oh, are you seeing this? Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:38): I'm not seeing her hair move. Daniel [GM] (00:44:38): Atalia, it's a six to notice it. You are trained, so- Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:39): Natural 20. Daniel [GM] (00:44:39): What would you propose is a major effect? Marietta [Atalia] (00:44:44): I know everything about Nix. No. I don't. Sampson [Dili] (00:44:52): Maybe if you read the letters. Daniel [GM] (00:44:52): You notice them moving independently, almost as if they're individual limbs that have a mind of their own. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:02): Wow. Those are really [appendageous 00:45:04] now. That's impressive. Stace [Nix] (00:45:06): Thank you, Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:06): So it's not conscious? Can you raise some up if you think about it? Stace [Nix] (00:45:13): Oh, I am conscious. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:15): So you're consciously making them move like that is what you're telling me. Stace [Nix] (00:45:18): No, I am conscious right now, Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:22): Okay. So you're not thinking about moving them, though. They're just doing that on their own is what you're telling me? Stace [Nix] (00:45:27): What is doing what on its own, Atalia? Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:30): Your hair is like- Stace [Nix] (00:45:34): Okay. Sampson [Dili] (00:45:35): Dili recreates it with his illusion on his arm. Your hair's doing this. Daniel [GM] (00:45:39): Oh, yeah. Stace [Nix] (00:45:41): Nix only has like a month's worth of hair, right? Hmm. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:45): Is there a mirror in this room? Daniel [GM] (00:45:48): Not in the tavern, the eating place. Marietta [Atalia] (00:45:51): No. In our room upstairs, there's a mirror, probably. Daniel [GM] (00:45:58): Yeah. Yeah. But that's not where you're eating breakfast. Sampson [Dili] (00:46:00): Also that bathroom is probably hazard zone. Stace [Nix] (00:46:06): Nix will think of a mohawk, even though her hair's not long enough. A fauxhawk I suppose, because the sides aren't shaved. Daniel [GM] (00:46:14): Give me an intellect roll of nine. Stace [Nix] (00:46:17): Ooh, man. Got to get a D20 back out. 11. Daniel [GM] (00:46:21): Okay. So does of you know how to wiggle your ears? Stace [Nix] (00:46:26): Yeah. Daniel [GM] (00:46:27): And the process of figuring that out where you were mentally feeling for the muscles that you need to make it happen, it's like that. Nix is kind of thinking through, and then all of a sudden she just feels like she's got it, and the hair, even though it's not long enough, starts to tilt inward like it's trying to make a mohawk. Marietta [Atalia] (00:46:45): Oh, wow. Sampson [Dili] (00:46:46): Ooh. Dili claps. Marietta [Atalia] (00:46:48): That's impressive. That's definitely not a human thing. Sampson [Dili] (00:46:52): That's not even a snake thing. Marietta [Atalia] (00:46:53): That's just a cool thing. Sampson [Dili] (00:46:54): That's a Nix thing. Stace [Nix] (00:46:56): You guys are making me feel really good about myself you guys, thank you. Daniel [GM] (00:47:01): It's a Snix thing. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:02): Hey. Stace [Nix] (00:47:02): Snix. Marietta [Atalia] (00:47:02): Damn. Stace [Nix] (00:47:02): I am Snix. Daniel [GM] (00:47:08): And you guys talking to ChaCha, she's been eating. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:10): I go well, how about breakfast, huh? No, my breakfast. No. Alex [ChaCha] (00:47:18): I'm trying to come to terms with the fact I've made a promise that I have to kill the automaton. If the automaton is in Dili, then I have to kill Dili. Marietta [Atalia] (00:47:26): Well, I think if we just kill the automaton, that would be fine. We don't have to kill Dili. We just have to kill that end of it and then the connection is broken, right? Alex [ChaCha] (00:47:35): In theory, unless it then transfers into only Dili, and then it's two souls fighting for one. Marietta [Atalia] (00:47:40): So I think we need to deal with the automaton situation, or ChaCha might kill you, Dili. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:46): I thought ChaCha's been wanting to kill me for a while, so that hasn't really changed much. Daniel [GM] (00:47:50): To be fair, ChaCha was just threatening to take your hands earlier. Sampson [Dili] (00:47:53): Dili is still nonplussed like yeah. Alex [ChaCha] (00:47:56): This is eventuality I've been planning for. When ChaCha snaps and kills us all, it's fine. That's plan C. Sampson [Dili] (00:48:04): What are the first two plans? You make plans? Dili's like hold on. You plan stuff? Alex [ChaCha] (00:48:09): Yeah. Plan A, we figure out what's happening and we save the world. Plan B, fuck the world, we destroy it. Plan C, I kill Dili. Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:22): Can we just deal with the automaton? Sampson [Dili] (00:48:25): Very vague plans. Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:26): Yeah. I like that very concrete deal with the automaton plan. Daniel [GM] (00:48:30): One thing you guys should consider as well is if you have any ideas about how you're going to help Nix's family as well. Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:37): I have some money, but that's it. Stace [Nix] (00:48:38): Yeah. So Atalia, you know how Momma J said that she would definitely help me if I joined up? Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:52): Oh, do you want to try to just investigate it on our own? Stace [Nix] (00:48:53): No. Momma J said not to do that. Momma J's really smart. Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:57): So you want to just join her? Stace [Nix] (00:48:57): Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] (00:48:57): Okay. Sampson [Dili] (00:49:01): I thought Momma J was going to help you either way? Stace [Nix] (00:49:03): But she can super help me if I'm a guardian or whatever. Marietta [Atalia] (00:49:08): Yeah, ChaCha. I think you shouldn't talk to her. Alex [ChaCha] (00:49:11): It seems like a bad idea, because I am the neutral party in this confrontation. Stace [Nix] (00:49:17): Are you? Marietta [Atalia] (00:49:17): You don't want to be with us? Sampson [Dili] (00:49:17): What confrontation? Alex [ChaCha] (00:49:22): There is also a third-party in my head. It seems like a bad idea to give me more information when there is a third-party. Stace [Nix] (00:49:31): Yeah, ChaCha, you don't have to join. Daniel [GM] (00:49:32): I don't know what you're talking about says the voice in your head. I'm just here to experience your journeys. It's all fun. Alex [ChaCha] (00:49:44): That's what I'm worried about, that you are secretly part of a hive mind and are reporting back our actions. Daniel [GM] (00:49:53): I'd be more worried about your other friends that your friends can't see. Alex [ChaCha] (00:49:54): I mean, yeah. They are also probably reporting on our actions. So that seems like a bad idea to give me more information than is necessary. Sampson [Dili] (00:50:07): Dili whispers is this normal? Is this a normal thing? Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:08): Because people are always watching. Sampson [Dili] (00:50:10): Is this new? I can't tell. Daniel [GM] (00:50:12): Is ChaCha just saying her part out loud, or is she thinking it? Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:16): Yes. She is saying it out loud. Why would she not? Daniel [GM] (00:50:20): Okay. So this voice in your head says, well, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. I don't have a connection to anyone else. If you want, I could show you. Alex [ChaCha] (00:50:35): That would help, probably. Daniel [GM] (00:50:42): Okay. Well, here it goes. And ChaCha, you are suddenly falling into an ocean of light. And you come to a stop on a lit plane, and you see a figure there that seems to be made of flesh, except that it's geometric in shape, and it seems to comprise more angles than you can easily comprehend. And it says I'm just an individual, ChaCha. I'm just holding on to you to travel. There's nothing else here. It's just me, and you. Alex [ChaCha] (00:51:30): That's more reassuring than the other voices I hear. Daniel [GM] (00:51:34): Yes. I would imagine so. You should be careful with those other figures. I don't know exactly what your other friends are, but they have their own objective. At the very least, I don't have a personal opinion one way or another what you do, as long as you don't hurt me. Alex [ChaCha] (00:52:00): I feel like to hurt you would be to hurt myself and that seems like a bad idea. Daniel [GM] (00:52:05): That's probably true. And ChaCha, the next thing you know you are back at the table, although you are very hungry. From everybody else's perspective, ChaCha just zoned out for a bit. Alex [ChaCha] (00:52:17): ChaCha's going to start shoveling her face more. Sampson [Dili] (00:52:19): Right. So? Alex [ChaCha] (00:52:21): And probably talk with her mouth full like a gross child. So gross. [inaudible 00:52:30]. Sampson [Dili] (00:52:30): What? Marietta [Atalia] (00:52:32): What do we do about the automaton? Alex [ChaCha] (00:52:35): [inaudible 00:52:35]? Marietta [Atalia] (00:52:34): Yeah. Sampson [Dili] (00:52:34): That sounded like murder it. Is that what you said? Daniel [GM] (00:52:40): Man, it's almost like all your arcs are colliding at once. Alex [ChaCha] (00:52:41): What? Marietta [Atalia] (00:52:41): I feel like reading to figure out how to defeat the automaton thing. Stace [Nix] (00:52:50): Atalia, that's super easy. You just punch it until it falls apart. Marietta [Atalia] (00:52:54): Is that how it works, Dili? Do you think if Nix just punched it, it would fall apart? Sampson [Dili] (00:52:58): Eventually. Stace [Nix] (00:52:59): Eventually, Atalia. Sampson [Dili] (00:53:04): I don't know how long eventually is. Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:04): Okay. Well- Sampson [Dili] (00:53:05): What we could do is maybe pick up some weapons? Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:08): Yeah. Let's go shopping. I have some money. Stace [Nix] (00:53:10): Weapons? Sampson [Dili] (00:53:11): Cyphers or whatever. Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:13): Yeah. Not all of us punch like you, lady. Sampson [Dili] (00:53:15): What if we found you a pair of gloves that did additional damage? Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:19): Yeah. What if they also shocked people or something. Or throws them. What would be your extra damage thing? What is like- Sampson [Dili] (00:53:27): Like [Kreger's 00:53:29] Bumfights. Marietta [Atalia] (00:53:31): Yeah. Is there anywhere in town that I would know of that you could go shopping for Cyphers or anything, other than Dili's shop? Daniel [GM] (00:53:41): I mean, you, Dili, and Nix would all know that they're in the academic ward. There's definitely shops that have various Cyphers that you could buy. I mean, they're expensive, but you guys have a fair amount of shins right now. Presuming you guys want a disguise, you might be okay. Stace [Nix] (00:54:02): Nix is just sitting there looking at her fists like does Atalia think I don't do enough damage? Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:11): Aww. Alex [ChaCha] (00:54:11): No. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:11): Nix does so much damage. Stace [Nix] (00:54:11): Is seven not enough? Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:14): No. Seven's so much. But what if you could do like two more and they were like on fire? Wouldn't that be cool? Wouldn't you like that? Stace [Nix] (00:54:21): Kind of seems like cheating, Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:23): Okay. Well, I would maybe like something, because right now all I can do is blind everybody, and also accidentally hurt you guys, or just do a little bit of damage with my mind. It's not that fun. Stace [Nix] (00:54:35): Yeah. But you do it so well. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:38): I know you're sick of me just scanning all the time. I'd like to actually contribute in combat. Stace [Nix] (00:54:43): New plan. You also eat a snake, then you also have a bite attack. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:48): I don't want to be the same as you. I want to be my own person. I want to be cool in my own right. Stace [Nix] (00:54:53): All right. Fine, Atalia, we'll buy you some weapons. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:55): Let's go shopping. Stace [Nix] (00:54:56): I could teach you how to punch. Marietta [Atalia] (00:54:58): I would love to go on some parkour runs with you, but I'm never going to be able to punch like you. I just feel like punching should really be your thing. I should be like oh you can't punch me because I'm so fucking spooky. Sampson [Dili] (00:55:12): We'll get you something with spook damage. Daniel [GM] (00:55:14): So what are you guys going to do? Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:16): Shopping. Sorry. Daniel [GM] (00:55:17): Shopping up a storm after 36 episodes- Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:22): You guys ready for it? We're going to go shopping. Stace [Nix] (00:55:26): Wait, what's ChaCha doing though? Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:28): And that's when the automaton is going to find us. ChaCha, do you want to go shopping with us? Alex [ChaCha] (00:55:32): What do we need to go shopping for? Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:35): Well, they sell some Cyphers at these shops in the other district. Alex [ChaCha] (00:55:40): I still have my pack pack, and now I have this magic mushroom. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:45): Well, we just got a bunch of money, and I can carry one more Cypher. Also, what if they have cool armor or something? We just got all this money. You don't want to go shopping? Alex [ChaCha] (00:55:56): Fine. I will equip myself to kill people better. Marietta [Atalia] (00:55:59): That's what I was thinking. We might as well use what we have to kill better. Alex [ChaCha] (00:56:05): But you realize, the better we equip Dili, the more it can be turned against us, right? Marietta [Atalia] (00:56:10): That's why we're going to get better equipment to deal with the automaton, so we can save Dili. I don't know you're thinking about killing Dili and not about saving him. There's definitely a save Dili route, and I think you're just jumping to kill Dili. Sampson [Dili] (00:56:22): She already got that achievement. Daniel [GM] (00:56:23): Nix, I will offer you an XP. Stace [Nix] (00:56:25): Oh, yeah. I don't even know the context. Daniel [GM] (00:56:30): Who will you give the other XP to? Stace [Nix] (00:56:32): Atalia. Marietta [Atalia] (00:56:32): Aww. Daniel [GM] (00:56:34): Nix, you look across the bar room and you notice on the wall there are two wanted posters nailed there. One with an image of you listed as [Nac 00:56:48], and one for Chauncey, aka ChaCha, on the other side. Alex [ChaCha] (00:56:56): How accurate is the ChaCha one now? Daniel [GM] (00:56:59): Very accurate. Stace [Nix] (00:57:01): Behind the bar. Who else is behind the bar? Daniel [GM] (00:57:04): The bartender. Stace [Nix] (00:57:05): Is there any change, or is it still the 900 and whatever ChaCha's was, slightly less. Daniel [GM] (00:57:12): Yeah. It's still the same [crosstalk 00:57:14] amounts. Stace [Nix] (00:57:14): That's nice. Daniel [GM] (00:57:15): But notably, you got up in the morning and came down here, and Dili didn't cast disguise on his way down. Marietta [Atalia] (00:57:21): Mm-mm (negative). Alex [ChaCha] (00:57:25): But Nix has had a pink mohawk, if that helps. Stace [Nix] (00:57:30): It's a remarkable likeness. So Nix will stand off and be like, "All right. Let's go shopping. Let's go now, guys. Yeah. Let's go right now." Marietta [Atalia] (00:57:44): Yeah. Let's go shopping, guys. This'll be so much fun. Stace [Nix] (00:57:47): And we're leaving, Dili. Let's go. Daniel [GM] (00:57:50): Okay. So as you get up and leave, the bartender looks at the group of you wearily, and as you step out the door, you notice a troop of six guards heading towards the tavern. And when they see you guys exit, one of them bolts and says halt, by order of the queen. And that's where we'll end this episode. Marietta [Atalia] (00:58:16): Excellent. I love this. Alex [ChaCha] (00:58:18): Fair. Fair. Sampson [Dili] (00:58:19): Awkward. Marietta [Atalia] (00:58:19): My stuff is enabling, right? Daniel [GM] (00:58:21): Let's pick on Atalia, something from this episode. Marietta [Atalia] (00:58:25): Something from this episode. Oh, man. I feel like I was really tired so she was out of it. Yeah. I don't know. I think figuring out a little bit more about Dili, and also just being here to figure out that situation, also just excited to go shopping. We have so many shins. This is the most shins we maybe have ever had. I'm kind of excited. Daniel [GM] (00:58:47): It is true. And I cut us off where we were because I was like, "I need to think a moment before we actually go shopping." Marietta [Atalia] (00:58:52): [crosstalk 00:58:52] encounter there, so I can't quite go shopping yet. No. I think that's appropriate though, because we have a lot of loose ends to threads that are going to be addressed. Daniel [GM] (00:59:04): Mm-hmm (affirmative). So we have a segment that we do week-to-week called Player Intrusions. That's where we offer you, the listener, an XP to check out something that we think you would absolutely dig. This week it is Stace's turn. Stace, what would you offer our listeners an XP to check out? Stace [Nix] (00:59:17): I would offer our listeners to check out the book Daughter of the Sun, by Effie Calvin. It is a female/female romance novel. It is set in a fantasy universe, and it is a paladin or the sun god is one protagonist, and then the other is a chaos goddess. And I don't want to give too much away because it's a really good book, but it moves along. The world building is really pretty incredible, and in fact, this is a series. Stace [Nix] (00:59:48): It has four books, it might have five books. One of them is the same couple twice. And I never read the second book about a couple because I'm just not that interested after they fall in love, but this one was definitely the best one. But the other books in the series are very good as well, and it's a pretty cool fantasy universe, and I definitely recommend that you check it out. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:12): I will. Thanks. Daniel [GM] (01:00:16): Okay. Cool. If people wanted to reach out to us to tell us what they think about the show, or about Daughter of the Sun, how would they do that, Marietta? Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:24): They would wisely start out by going to our website, which is explorerswanted.fm where they would find links to all of our social medias, starting with Twitter, which we're @ExplorersWanted. We're also on Instagram at Explorers Wanted podcast, and we're on Facebook if you just search for Explorers Wanted, podcast will come up there, too. And then, we are extremely active on our Discord, which is the best place to go if you really want to interact with us, and hang out with us. We would love for you to come be a part of that community, and there are links to that on all of the social media and on our website. Marietta [Atalia] (01:00:56): If you're looking to support us in other ways, one of those ways can be through our Patreon, which we have some goals that we are trying to achieve there, so if you are able to financially support us and enjoy the content we provide you with, we would really appreciate that. There's a variety of tiers there, and we're Explorers Wanted on Patreon as well. Daniel [GM] (01:01:13): Awesome. And honestly, right now, the best thing that you could do for us if you enjoy the show is to tell a friend. And 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 a five star review on a podcast directory, specifically Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podchaser. It makes a huge difference for people checking out the show. And in fact, we have a new five star review. Stace, what's that? Stace [Nix] (01:01:41): Yeah. So on Podchaser, Andrea left us five stars and said, "For me, the biggest draw of Explorer's Wanted is how simple it is to feel connected to the cast and character. With some actual play podcast, it might take a handful of episodes to remember everyone's names, but here, everyone is so delightfully full of personality, that you could never mistake one for another. It has strong storytelling, humor, constantly evolving mysteries, intrigue among hidden factions, and an immersive interpretation of the Ninth World setting." Daniel [GM] (01:02:12): Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much for that review, Andrea. It makes a huge difference when people leave a review. If you didn't like the show, or if you just felt it was meh, well I'd like to remind you that it's important for your mental health to get plenty of exposure to sunlight. As we approach the solstice, the nights will bloat, growing fat with our weakened immune systems. You'll hear it's hunting song, howling as the cold wind batters your home, and its tongue of frost will lap slowly at your windows. Daniel [GM] (01:02:45): Its frozen claws will tear at your skin if you're foolish enough to be caught outside, and it will spit snow and ice to blind and confuse you. It's all around you, waiting for you to stumble, or grow distracted. Never doubt its hunger. If you want to reach out to us individually on social media, you can. You can find me on Twitter, @Andrlik, A-N-D-R-L-I-K. Stace [Nix] (01:03:07): You can find me on Twitter @StaceWindu, recently deemed possibly the best username on Twitter. Sampson [Dili] (01:03:14): You can take possession of my body @SlamPotato. Alex [ChaCha] (01:03:18): Tell Alex what the shadows whispered into your ear this night @realteaunicorn. Marietta [Atalia] (01:03:25): If some people want to actually Tweet my @imonahike, I might interact with Twitter more, maybe. There's a possibility. There's a decent percentage chance. I can't tell you the percentage, but it exists. Daniel [GM] (01:03:39): Okay. That's it for us. Hope you enjoyed the show. We'll be back next week as we will for every week in the foreseeable future. Have a good night, day, or afternoon, whenever you're listening to this, and [crosstalk 01:03:51] bye. Marietta [Atalia] (01:03:51): [crosstalk 01:03:51] Bye. Sampson [Dili] (01:03:51): [crosstalk 01:03:51] Bye. Stace [Nix] (01:03:51): [crosstalk 01:03:51] Bye. Alex [ChaCha] (01:03:51): [crosstalk 01:03:51] Bye.