Daniel [GM] 0:31 Welcome to Explorers Wanted. We are a weekly Numenera actual play podcast. I’m you’re humble GM, Daniel Andrlik. With me today is Alex Finn. Alex [ChaCha] 0:40 Hi. Daniel [GM] 0:44 Marietta Jones. Marietta [Atalia] 0:44 Hi. Daniel [GM] 0:46 Stace Babcock. Stace [Nix] 0:48 Back and better than last time. Daniel [GM] 0:51 And Sampson Davis. Sampson [Dili] 0:54 Hi, I’ll be your humble Sampson this week. Daniel [GM] 0:58 Who remembers what happened last time? I think I am going to pick on Sampson. Sampson [Dili] 1:05 Me? Stace [Nix] 1:06 Haha. Sampson [Dili] 1:07 The last time we started with, Atalia had recently finished her meeting with the Handlers. That got a little tense, James is dead and now we have to deal with fuckin’, I’ve called her Throat-Cut in my notes but her names Tamara. Stace [Nix] 1:25 Yeah. Sampson [Dili] 1:26 Anyway, Pee-Pervert is now Atalia’s new handler. So while that was happening, Dili, Nix, and ChaCha were just hanging out on the roof. Atalia got out no problem so we went to Grandma’s house. Fuckin’ a lot of stuff happened. First thing, Grandma had a little anecdote about her and Nix’s mom talking about a symbol of the Traveler’s Youth Hostel. So that’s a thing. Marietta [Atalia] 1:58 TBS. Alex [ChaCha] 1:59 Yeah. TBS. Sampson [Dili] 2:03 I have BTS in my notes. Yeah TBS. Fuckin’ Nix outs Dili as being wanted, Nix. Stace [Nix] 2:12 Grandma had a right to know, you were in her house. Sampson [Dili] 2:14 Still. Dili tells G-ma about the Knyxos. Grandma has a little talk with Atalia alone. Grandma also seems to know a lot about the crime life in Charmonde. More talking happens. We go to sleep. Nix has a weird dream. And then I just write “Snake Campaign” in capital letters. The next morning things get a little spicy between Nix, Atalia, and G-ma. Atalia get admonished, just damn. Damn. After that ChaCha suddenly runs out of the house, talks with a phantom, comes back a little bummed out she didn’t get more. Then she, after looking at the encrypted book that we copied from the Ruins of Kamathan. She pulls out a line referring to the “Guardians of Night’s Hope” that is not encrypted, it’s just in a different language. We have that. After some discussion we go to the Queen’s Spittoon where Nix is going to talk to Karfa. Then we see that Nix’s bite marks from the snake brooch from her Session Zero have turned black. Daniel [GM] 3:33 Mhmm. Marietta [Atalia] 3:32 We are hashtag concerned. Daniel [GM] 3:36 Yep. Alex [ChaCha] 3:35 Mmhmm. Sampson [Dili] 3:35 Yes. Also ChaCha talks to the other guy. Stace [Nix] 3:39 Loan Shark Guy. Sampson [Dili] 3:41 Loan shark. Daniel [GM] 3:41 Mmhmm. That has just happened. ChaCha is busy trying to do a puppet show for the loan shark with the rotten scorps that she has on her person. Stace [Nix] 3:55 Ah, Loan Shark Guy. Please use his proper name. Daniel [GM] 4:00 It’s not his Christian name. Sampson [Dili] 4:05 Loan Shark Man. Stace [Nix] 4:11 Only his friends call him Guy. Alex [ChaCha] 4:16 I’m not your buddy, Guy. Daniel [GM] 4:20 Let’s start with Nix. You just told Karfa that you’ve gotten, you remind him that you got bit and then you show him your hand and you see that your wounds are not just swollen, they are actually black in the center. Stace [Nix] 4:35 Reminding him that I got bit preventing him from getting bit. It’s key. Because I’m about to try to persuade him to help me. She looks down, she sees that the puncture marks are black, and she goes, [As Nix] Aw, shit. What was that thing, dude? Is my arm gonna turn into a snake? Cuz I had this dream last night that it did. Daniel [GM] 4:57 [As Karfa] I would hope not. I mean, I don’t know. The item was rare and I’ve been studying it but I don’t think it was supposed to, like I said, I didn’t even know it was poisonous. Stace [Nix] 5:10 [As Nix] Oh, man. But you’re studying it? Daniel [GM] 5:14 [As Karfa] Yeah, I’m trying to figure out exactly what it does. Stace [Nix] 5:18 [As Nix] Okay, well, would appreciate if you would let me know if you figure it out. I’m a little worried my arm’s gonna turn into a snake. Daniel [GM] 5:27 [As Karfa] I would be too. Stranger things have happened in the Ninth World. Stace [Nix] 5:33 [As Nix] This is, yeah. This is my punchin’ arm, you know? And so is this one. Daniel [GM] 5:41 [As Karfa] Right, right, they’re both your punching…yes, yeah. Stace [Nix] 5:45 [As Nix] Yeah, yeah. Oh, but I actually came here about something else. Daniel [GM] 5:50 [As Karfa] Oh, okay. Stace [Nix] 5:52 [As Nix] Yeah, and you’re like, my acquaintance down here and I know you kind of have an ear to the ground and I know your involved with a lot of shit, so I thought I’d just try and ask you, because frankly I am stuck. Daniel [GM] 6:04 [As Karfa] Okay. Stace [Nix] 6:06 Nix still has the book, I assume? Has anyone attempted to reclaim it? Okay. So Nix takes out the copied book and says, [As Nix] I’m hunting down this object. We went out to the Ruins of Kamathin, just outside the city, I don’t know if you’re familiar. Daniel [GM] 6:23 [As Karfa] Oh, I’m very familiar. Never been, but I’m aware of the stories. Stace [Nix] 6:24 [As Nix] Yeah. Well, long story short, we got in there looking for this object and the person carrying it. We found the person dead. We found two people dead. And apparently a third person stole this object and brought it back Charmonde. And that’s where we lost the trail. Daniel [GM] 6:44 [As Karfa] Hmm. Stace [Nix] 6:44 [As Nix] Have you heard anything about this object or anything about like, the Guardians of Night’s Hope? Daniel [GM] 6:53 So, he’s looking over and he’s looking at the object. Give me an Insight roll of 9. Stace [Nix] 7:01 Okay, that’s…. And I’m trained in Social. Daniel [GM] 7:04 Mhmm. Stace [Nix] 7:04 I got a 14. Daniel [GM] 7:06 He definitely pauses when you say Guardians of Night’s Hope. Then he goes back to looking at the image, but he definitely had a moment of recognition of some sort. He looks at the object, he’s like, [As Karfa] Something like this, and I obviously don’t know what all these notes are, but, something like this is bigger than I would normally deal in. But if you want, I could try to make some inquiries and see if I can figure out if it’s being moved anywhere, if anyone’s talking about selling it or whatever. Stace [Nix] 7:39 [As Nix] Yeah, that would be amazing. That, and whatever you can tell me about Guardians of Night’s Hope which you clearly recognized, would be great. Daniel [GM] 7:51 Give me a Social roll of 6. Stace [Nix] 7:53 So, did you apply my…. Daniel [GM] 7:55 Not yet. Stace [Nix] 7:57 Okay, so three. 8. Daniel [GM] 7:59 Okay. He says, and kind of looks around, [As Karfa] I don’t know much about them. I’ve heard the name. I’ve heard they’re big, whatever they are. Not that you’d know it. I mean, I hear them mentioned off and on but they’re not public, they’re quiet. Now I don’t know how they do things, I mean, not many people do. I don’t know if they just use contractors or if they are that good at staying low to the ground. All I know is that supposedly they’re the biggest group that nobody’s heard of. Stace [Nix] 8:35 [As Nix] What’s they’re goal? Are they criminal, are they collectors? Like, what’s they’re deal? What’s Night’s Hope? Daniel [GM] 8:43 [As Karfa] I don’t know, honestly. The stories were always conflicting. Some people thought they might be a thieving group, but they don’t operate at a scale that would make that seem likely. It’s not unusual for them to be associated with items of Numenera. I gotta tell you, Nix, when I talk about these people and what I’m hearing, it’s few and far between. You know, collectors, brokers like myself? We hear the name occasionally. I never met somebody from there, at least not knowingly. But, you ask ten other people, most of them are just going to give you a blank look. Stace [Nix] 9:25 [As Nix] So where, and obviously I’ll keep you out of this, because you’ve been very helpful to me. But, where would I go, like, what’s your source of this stuff? Where could I go to find out more? Who might know more? Daniel [GM] 9:40 [As Karfa] Oh, man. I wish I had a single person I could point you to. I’ve heard rumors of them from people in passing. It’s not, I don’t know if I’ve, beyond what we’re talking about right now, I don’t know if I’ve ever had a conversation about them, honestly, with anybody that’s at least currently in the city that I’m aware of. Any of my contacts that mentioned stories about them, just they’ve already left. Some of this was years ago. Stace [Nix] 10:12 [As Nix] Have you ever heard anything about them interacting with like, the Handlers or the Knyxos? Daniel [GM] 10:21 He pauses and is like, [As Karfa] Be careful how loudly you say Knyxos. Stace [Nix] 10:27 [As Nix] Oh, yeah. I’m getting’ that impression. And I appreciate the heads up. Daniel [GM] 10:31 [As Karfa] Yeah. Handlers? I don’t know, maybe. Everybody uses the Handlers. When they need things done, you know, that’s the whole thing about the Handlers, right? They connect organizations that don’t have access to talent that they’ve found. That’s their whole deal. They handle problems. They have troubleshooters. Stace [Nix] 10:55 [As Nix] Oh, I get it. Daniel [GM] 11:01 Is that Nix or Stace? Stace [Nix] 11:01 Both? Daniel [GM] 11:08 [As Karfa] They might work with the Handlers, I don’t know. I’ll tell you, I’m sure the other ones do, too. On occasion. Whether or not the Handlers know who they’re working for. Stace [Nix] 11:23 [As Nix] Do the Handlers not know who they’re working for? Because, honestly, the Handlers are up to their ass in this object shit and they are not forthcoming. In fact they’re killing people to keep it quiet. Daniel [GM] 11:36 [As Karfa] A lot of times that’s what their contracts tell them to do. If they’ve got a contract that’s supposed to do something for this item, then they’re going to fulfill it, they’re going to kill anyone that gets in their way. That’s the whole things about the Handlers, they quote you a price up front that they’ll commit to, and they’ll solve the problem for that price. If they anticipate [Inaudible], yeah, they’re going to be vicious. Stace [Nix] 12:00 [As Nix] Man, I honestly cannot believe that an organization like that is allowed to function in Charmonde. Blows my mind. Daniel [GM] 12:10 [As Karfa] Well, from the way I hear it, and please, don’t pass this on. Some people down here are very patriotic, but [Inaudible] and I’m pretty sure that the Palace has used the Handlers for tasks, too. Stace [Nix] 12:26 [As Nix] No. Well. I mean, not that surprised, honestly. All right, well, I’m just trying to figure this shit out, so. Daniel [GM] 12:37 [As Karfa] Yeah, I’m sorry. Stace [Nix] 12:38 [As Nix] This is the job I picked up after I did that job for you and it has been insane. You seen that door in the alley, not that far from here, that says Explorers Wanted? Daniel [GM] 12:51 He thinks for a second and is like, [As Karfa] I feel like I must have, but I don’t remember. Stace [Nix] 12:58 [As Nix] You never heard of Momma Jerrun? Daniel [GM] 13:01 [As Karfa] Momma Jerrun. And he sits there and he things. Nix, roll a die for me and tell me whether you get even or odd. Stace [Nix] 13:07 Even. Daniel [GM] 13:10 Okay. So he sits there and is like, [As Karfa] Yeah, I have heard that name. I don’t know, I’m trying to remember the context that I heard it. Give me a moment. Let’s see. She was looking for workers. Somebody dropped off a message to somebody down here a few weeks ago. Oh, yeah, she had like the third arm. But, I don’t know a whole lot about her but I know that she apparently has work sometimes and she pays, but I don’t really know what she does. I’ve never seen her down here. Stace [Nix] 13:49 [As Nix] Yo, you’ve trusted me so I’m gonna trust you. She’s who I’m workin’ for. Trying to find this object for her. Daniel [GM] 13:58 [As Karfa] Well. Hold on. He reaches into his pocket and he pulls out a stack of notebooks. He goes back through and you can see that he’s carefully marked dates and ranges. As he flips through it you see they’re part ledger but they’re also part detailed notes that he’s keeping. It is some sort of shorthand. Some sort of code that he’s using to keep track of his records. He gets to an entry and he’s like, [As Karfa] I don’t know, there’s not a lot here about her. I know she, I mentioned a couple weeks ago, she hired somebody. Usually I don’t hear about it here. I don’t think she usually recruits down here. But, I remember, somebody, who was this guy…. Ah, he’s probably dead now anyway. He went and did something stupid. But he had done jobs for her before. And I remember him saying something while he was drinking about her being fair. For the most part. But he said that fair cuts both ways and she always remembers. Wish I had more. Stace [Nix] 15:14 [As Nix] It’s more than I had. And good to see ya. As always. Daniel [GM] 15:20 [As Karfa] Tell you what. I will make some inquiries about this item here, see what I can find out. I won’t ask the specific thing, I’m just going to try to figure out if something big is moving because something like this will make waves. I’ll get a message to you as soon as I can. Stace [Nix] 15:39 [As Nix] All right, you can, uh, you can get it to me at the Society. They’ll make sure it gets to me no matter where I am. Daniel [GM] 15:46 [As Karfa] I’ll do that. Stace [Nix] 15:49 [As Nix] Is there anything, you know, I travel quite a bit. Is there anything I can keep an eye for for you? Or do for you? Not asking for a job to get paid, I’m just saying, a friend helping a friend. Stace [Nix] 16:04 [As Karfa] No, I don’t think so right now. Although, actually, I could use a favor. A small one. Stace [Nix] 16:13 [As Nix] Mhmm. Daniel [GM] 16:16 [As Karfa] So, I said I was studying. Obviously it’s not me, I spend most of my time doing the business end of things. So I’ve had this Wright checking out this item for me. The one that bit you, unfortunately. Stace [Nix] 16:29 [As Nix] Mmhmm. Daniel [GM] 16:31 [As Karfa] He gave me some preliminary notes that he got from it, but it’s been three days now past when he was supposed to bring it back to me. I haven’t heard from him. I haven’t been able to reach him and I sent a cog courier and I didn’t get an answer back. If you wanted to check in on him and see what’s going on, why he’s avoiding responding to me, that’d be great. He’s got all the payment and he’s got more contracted once he’s finishes off his assessment. Stace [Nix] 17:04 [As Nix] Yeah, you got it. Just give me the address, I’ll check it out within the next 24 hours. Depending on where it is I might even have time today. Daniel [GM] 17:10 [As Karfa] Awesome. Awesome. Anything I can find out about this I’ll let you know. Stace [Nix] 17:16 [As Nix] Dope. Thanks, Karfa. Daniel [GM] 17:18 [As Karfa] You too. Have a good one. Stace [Nix] 17:20 [As Nix] Yeah, you too. Stay fly. Daniel [GM] 17:23 [As Karfa] Will do. So ChaCha, you’ve been putting on a puppet show for Mr. Loan Shark. Please give me a performance roll, your target is a 12. Alex [ChaCha] 17:32 19. Daniel [GM] 17:33 Okay. He’s actually pretty impressed with your puppet show. Alex [ChaCha] 17:38 He gets over the smell. Daniel [GM] 17:38 And he says, [As Loan Shark Guy] You know, I was originally going to tell you to leave because I only deal in money for things, but I love that show. Like when-. Guys. Guys. Guys. And he motions his goons. [As Loan Shark Guy] When she was doing Nix’s voice, didn’t she sound just like her? [As Goon] Yep, she did, Boss. Definitely sounded like her. [As Loan Shark Guy] Yeah, you got that down. I love that. What’s the one, the Dili guy. Why does that name sound familiar? Anyway, the Dili guy-. Marietta [Atalia] 18:14 To be clear, I did want to state that perhaps Dili and I would wait outside and I would instruct Dili in the art of not being seen. Sampson [Dili] 18:25 Dili definitely had his hood up and honestly I was thinking that we were at a table near the door, kind of between ChaCha and Nix. Marietta [Atalia] 18:33 Yeah, yeah. That sounds good. Daniel [GM] 18:35 He’s not seen Dili physically, he’s just noticing that the character’s name was Dili in the scorpion puppet show. Marietta [Atalia] 18:39 Ah. Okay, okay. Daniel [GM] 18:42 Because I’m assuming that ChaCha is doing the standby that worked so well here before. Alex [ChaCha] 18:45 Mhmm. Daniel [GM] 18:47 And he’s like, [As Loan Shark Guy] Okay, what are you lookin’ for, kiddo? Let me see if I can help you out. You made me smile. Tell you what, let’s keep it a little bit under control because I do have a business to run but, three questions. You ask ‘em, I answer ‘em. If I know. Alex [ChaCha] 19:03 She’s going to hold out her fingers and be like, [As ChaCha] One. If I wanted to sell a really valuable item where would I sell it? Daniel [GM] 19:14 [As Loan Shark Guy] Well, I don’t personally do fencing, it’s not my style. But that guy across the way, that yellow suit motherfucker there, he deals in that kind of shit. I’d be talking to one of those guys. If it’s something big, don’t get me wrong, he’s small fish in the grand scheme of things. Somebody like him if not him. Alex [ChaCha] 19:40 [As ChaCha] Two. Who’s Dili running from? Marietta [Atalia] 19:44 The Knyxos. Sampson [Dili] 19:45 The Knyxos. Daniel [GM] 19:47 Oh, I thought you were about to ask Loan Shark that and all hell was going to break loose. Alex [ChaCha] 19:53 She’s like, [As ChaCha] Cool, all right, the Knyxos. Daniel [GM] 19:57 He goes pale. And he’s like, [As Loan Shark Guy] Um, that’s Minos’ group. They’re bad. They’re bad. I mean don’t get me wrong, if you don’t pay me, I’ll break your legs but, these guys are-. Minos is a rough, rough character. You wouldn’t think he would be, he looks like a brute, but either he’s sharp or he’s got somebody working for him whose sharp because, let’s just say it’s not good business to try to go up against the Knyxos. Alex [ChaCha] 20:31 [As ChaCha] Three. Are we best friends now or do I punch you in the face? Sampson [Dili] 20:39 What? Daniel [GM] 20:40 Okay. Give me a social roll. Target is 12. I’m going to give you an asset because of the puppet show, you’ve kind of endeared yourself to him. Alex [ChaCha] 20:53 She’s remembering that Nix is not happy with this guy, but you know? Daniel [GM] 20:59 Mhmm. Alex [ChaCha] 21:02 Got a 15. Daniel [GM] 21:04 Okay. He says, [As Loan Shark Guy] Yeah, sure, we can be best friends. I mean, you may roll with Nix over there, she’s a pain in the ass, but I can tell from your art that you get it. Anyway, ChaCha, it was great to meet you but I got an appointment coming up in just a short bit here and I need to get ready. Alex [ChaCha] 21:31 [As ChaCha] I’ll leave these to you. She kind of pats the scorps in front of him and slides off the chair and walks over to Nix. Daniel [GM] 21:38 Mhmm. Okay. As you’re walking over there you see him look at one of his goons like, [As Loan Shark Guy] Go toss those. And actually, order a round for the table. I need some scorps. ChaCha’s coming back over to Nix. Nix, at this point, this is wrapping up at the same time you’re wrapping up with Karfa. Stace [Nix] 21:57 Oh yeah, so Nix just orders her scorps to go. Daniel [GM] 22:03 Okay. And where are you all going? Alex [ChaCha] 22:05 Nix’s house? Stace [Nix] 22:05 Um, so, Nix doesn’t want to convene inside. Marietta [Atalia] 22:09 So we should go for a stroll and converse perhaps. Daniel [GM] 22:13 Mhmm. Stace [Nix] 22:15 Yep. Daniel [GM] 22:16 You’re heading out there. Nix are you eating scorpions along the way? Stace [Nix] 22:20 Absolutely. Daniel [GM] 22:22 Okay. You notice at one point, as you’re eating it there’s some part of the scorpions that seems like – it doesn’t seem poisonous or anything like that, it’s not like anybody did anything to it. It’s this weird part of it that tastes kind of bitter and acidic from the back of your mouth. Stace [Nix] 22:39 [As Nix] Huh. Bummer. Wonder who the cook was today. Marietta [Atalia] 22:43 [As Atalia] Something wrong with the scorps? Stace [Nix] 22:46 [As Nix] Yeah, it’s weird. Kind of bitter and strange. Here, you try one, you tell me. Marietta [Atalia] 22:55 Atalia takes her life into her hands and tries one. Daniel [GM] 22:58 It tastes just as amazing as the first time. Marietta [Atalia] 23:02 [As Atalia] I mean, it tastes like deep-fried goodness to me. Are you okay? Stace [Nix] 23:05 [As Nix] Uh, I think I might be sick. Look at my hand. Marietta [Atalia] 23:10 [As Atalia] Holy shit! Sorry, what? Stace [Nix] 23:14 [As Nix] No, that’s the correct reaction. I had a dream last night my arm turned into a snake. Marietta [Atalia] 23:21 [As Atalia] My dude, this is not good. This is, like, I’m concerned about your hand. Stace [Nix] 23:26 [As Nix] Well, I got this item for Karfa, on a job just before this job, and it bit me. Marietta [Atalia] 23:33 [As Atalia] An item bit you? Stace [Nix] 23:35 [As Nix] With snakes. It bit me. Marietta [Atalia] 23:36 [As Atalia] It was an item that was a creature that bit you. Okay. Stace [Nix] 23:39 [As Nix] Yeah. I’m not really clear on the physics or biology. Marietta [Atalia] 23:46 [As Atalia] So it was like a cypher? Stace [Nix] 23:48 [As Nix] Probably. Sampson [Dili] 23:50 Dili perks up. [As Dili] I know those. That’s my whole gimmick. Or one of them. I have two. Marietta [Atalia] 23:56 [As Atalia] Look at what this item did to her hand, oh my gosh. Sampson [Dili] 24:00 [As Dili] Ah, ooh. Marietta [Atalia] 24:02 [As Atalia] Here, let’s get off the beaten path. We duck into a corner or behind a tree or something. I’m going to do Scan on Nix in a very stressed out way. Daniel [GM] 24:18 Okay. Sampson [Dili] 24:18 [As Dili] You’ve got a lot of tension in your shoulders. Daniel [GM] 24:24 Okay. You do your scan. There is definitely something wrong. There is something that appears to your mental sense of this, like a black fluid slowly working its way through Nix’s different energy signatures. It’s not like an actual fluid, it moves like a fluid but it’s more like an energy. If it was really something that was in her blood, it would have gone all through her body a ton of times by now. Marietta [Atalia] 24:55 Okay. Daniel [GM] 24:58 There’s something going on there. Go ahead and give me an Understanding Numenera roll based off of this. The target will be 12 to start. Marietta [Atalia] 25:07 Okay. 19. Daniel [GM] 25:10 Okay. This is what you know. It is clearly working on some sort of both nanites and cellular level to do some sort of change. It is doing so on a deep level and you realize that the wound on the hand is really a superficial symptom, it’s this weird inflammation that Nix’s body is having to this as if it’s localizing the problem even though the problem is global. Marietta [Atalia] 25:43 Okay. And I’ll say that out loud as I’m going over her. Daniel [GM] 25:53 How would you break it to Nix that there’s something changing her inside? Marietta [Atalia] 25:58 [As Atalia] It does seem to be like an energy thing. It seems to be all of you, actually? Maybe not just your hand, but it’s not like in your blood it’s an energy transformation thing is happening. That’s concerning. Have I garnered any information if it’s preventable or curable or, uh…? Daniel [GM] 26:23 Hmm. No, no, you’re not sure. If you knew more about whatever this was inside her, but you probably need to figure out more about where it came from to start with. Marietta [Atalia] 26:34 Yeah. Daniel [GM] 26:36 The thing you know is that sort of localized pain in the arm will fade as whatever transformation completes. Once again that transformation isn’t necessarily happening in the arm. Marietta [Atalia] 26:50 So it isn’t necessarily happening in the arm. Daniel [GM] 26:53 Correct. Because it’s actually all through her body. Marietta [Atalia] 26:56 Okay. [As Atalia] I know you’re visually seeing it in your arm, but I’m seeing this new energy, this transforming energy through all of you, so there is definitely something happening here. On an all of you scale. Stace [Nix] 27:09 [As Nix] Holy shit. Marietta [Atalia] 27:10 [As Atalia] Yeah, where the fuck did you get that item? Can I look at it? Stace [Nix] 27:14 [As Nix] Oh, yeah. Daniel [GM] 27:15 I’m sorry, with your scan, sorry to interrupt you guys but I have to put in this point because it will effect… The bad taste at the back of Nix’s throat, you think it’s because for some reason there’s actually part of her own saliva that, it’s ph balance is off. Stace [Nix] 27:32 I am become snek. Marietta [Atalia] 27:36 [As Atalia] Yeah, I think it’s the acidity of your saliva that’s making things taste weird. Stace [Nix] 27:40 [As Nix] Uh, I went to University, so I understand everything that you’re saying, but basically-. Sampson [Dili] 27:48 Insight check. Insight check on that. Daniel [GM] 27:49 Nix did go to University. Stace [Nix] 27:54 [As Nix] C’s get degrees baby. Marietta [Atalia] 27:56 [As Atalia] Whatever you interacted with is transforming you energy-wise. I don’t know if you’re going to look like a snake, but something’s going on here. Stace [Nix] 28:05 [As Nix] Yo, if I become a snake person, I don’t know if I’d be upset. I feel like I would be upset. I feel like that’s upsetting. Yeah, but, good news. The object is with this wright. I got his address from Karfa, or her address, it was not specific. Or their address. So, we can head on over there. Marietta [Atalia] 28:26 [As Atalia] We should do that right now. Let’s go. Immediately. We have nowhere else we need to be. Sampson [Dili] 28:31 [As Dili] What’s the address? Do I know this person? Stace [Nix] 28:32 [As Nix] It’s uh, 123 Pine Street. Daniel [GM] 28:38 [Inaudible] Yeah, whatever it is in Charmonde. You know the name of this person. So the name of this person here is Pollos Karath. Sampson [Dili] 28:48 Does that ring a bell? Daniel [GM] 28:50 And the address, Dili, is the address of your old shop. Sampson [Dili] 28:56 Oh ho. Okay. Marietta [Atalia] 28:59 That’s a face. Sampson [Dili] 29:01 [As Dili] So, um, as you know, uh, I had a little run in with the Knyxos a couple of weeks ago. My shop was detained, I guess is the word I could use? And that is where that my shop is at. Marietta [Atalia] 29:17 [As Atalia] That’s your shop’s address? Sampson [Dili] 29:19 [As Dili] Yes. So this Pollos Karath is…. Marietta [Atalia] 29:24 [As Atalia] Is a Knyxos? Sampson [Dili] 29:26 [As Dili] Squatting. Or Knyxos, yeah. That’s another word. Stace [Nix] 29:30 [As Nix] What an opportunity. We can get this snake thing figured out…. Well, so, the reason I’m being sent is that Karfa has not heard from this person for three days. Since he gave them the snake thing to check out. Marietta [Atalia] 29:45 [As Atalia] How long have you not been in your shop? Sampson [Dili] 29:48 [As Dili] Timeless loses all meaning when you’re living on your own on the streets. I think about two, three weeks? Marietta [Atalia] 29:56 [As Atalia] Okay. Daniel [GM] 29:57 Somewhere around there. Sampson [Dili] 29:57 [As Dili] Yeah. Stace [Nix] 29:58 [As Nix] So obviously you’re going to keep watch outside. Sampson [Dili] 30:03 [As Dili] I am not very perceptive. Daniel [GM] 30:06 But you are intelligent, so I will say this. You are also very aware of the fact that the Knyxos is going to expect you to come back to the shop at some point. Sampson [Dili] 30:15 [As Dili] Yeah. And obviously we don’t need to say it, but, they’re probably expecting me there so I probably shouldn’t be in and around the area unless we’re very well hidden. Or unless I’m very well hidden. Marietta [Atalia] 30:26 [As Atalia] Well, I mean, you don’t have to go in with us but tips and tricks about the shop might be nice. We should definitely go in and check it out. I mean we should, you should not. Sampson [Dili] 30:37 [As Dili] Yeah, yeah, obviously. Marietta [Atalia] 30:40 [As Atalia] It’s literally what I do for my job. Which apparently, they like me. She’ll toss her hair. Sampson [Dili] 30:48 [As Dili] No, it’s just that I never really thought to set traps in my shop so I didn’t. I don’t know if the Knyxos did anything. Marietta [Atalia] 30:57 [As Atalia] I just meant layout. I don’t know, is there anything you want us to look for? Aren’t you curious? Aren’t you worried about your shop? Sampson [Dili] 31:03 [As Dili] Of course I am, but to go and investigate would mean probably death for me. Marietta [Atalia] 31:09 [As Atalia] We’ll go investigate. Also, I know that you said that it probably wasn’t that essential right now but I’m starting to get a little curious about Momma Jerrun the more we don’t learn about her. Stace [Nix] 31:23 [As Nix] Oh yeah, Karfa heard of her. I guess she’s been giving jobs out for a while. And she’s fair. Sampson [Dili] 31:30 [As Dili] What does that mean? Stace [Nix] 31:32 [As Nix] She’s fair both ways, so don’t screw her over is my impression. Daniel [GM] 31:36 Certainly not if you’ve made a compact. Marietta [Atalia] 31:40 Hey, I’m trying to figure it out but I’m between a rock and a hard place and that was the second session Daniel. You knew what you were doing, don’t even try to blame me. Stace [Nix] 31:53 Well, you knew who you were dealing with, it was Daniel. Marietta [Atalia] 31:56 I should’ve known better. ‘Tis true. Sampson [Dili] 31:59 You know who you’re DM is. Daniel [GM] 31:59 Yeah. So what are you doing? Marietta [Atalia] 32:02 [As Atalia] We need to go check that out though, because this-. I gesture to all of Nix. [As Atalia] Is probably not okay. I mean, you’re great. Stace [Nix] 32:12 [As Nix] I second the motion. Alex [ChaCha] 32:13 [As ChaCha] Yeah. Sampson [Dili] 32:14 [As Dili] I third, but obviously I can’t go so I’ll just hang out a few blocks away? Marietta [Atalia] 32:21 [As Atalia] Want to hang out with my grandma? Alex [ChaCha] 32:22 I mean, we could split the party and have Dili go to the library. Stace [Nix] 32:27 [As Nix] Oh, that reminds me. This is what I was gonna say earlier. Well. Marietta [Atalia] 32:34 [As Atalia] What? Stace [Nix] 32:35 [As Nix] G-ma is a practical lady and she seemed kind of interested in the bounty. Sampson [Dili] 32:41 [As Dili] And what else about that? Marietta [Atalia] 32:45 [As Atalia] 500 shins is a lot of money. I don’t think she has any reason to turn him in right now, though. Stace [Nix] 32:50 [As Nix] Okay. If you’re sure. Marietta [Atalia] 32:52 [As Atalia] She was just offering me money today. Stace [Nix] 32:54 [As Nix] I just never blame someone for acting in their best interest. Well, actually I do sometimes, but, like, not in this case. Marietta [Atalia] 33:05 [As Atalia] That’s not in her best interest though, she would be interacting with them in general. She doesn’t want to draw attention to herself. Stace [Nix] 33:10 [As Nix] Aight. Marietta [Atalia] 33:12 [As Atalia] But if you feel uncomfortable with that, I understand. I just don’t know where else he could go. I guess he could go to your house, he could hang out in your basement again. Like old times. Sampson [Dili] 33:23 [As Dili] Old times of yesterday? Stace [Nix] 33:27 [As Nix] You’re the one that experiences time in ten minutes blocks, so. Sampson [Dili] 33:33 [As Dili] Yeah, yesterday was 400 blocks ago? I don’t think that math works out. Stace [Nix] 33:38 My gut says it doesn’t, but my brain doesn’t know. Alex [ChaCha] 33:44 Let’s see 24 times…24 hours in a day…so that would be…. 240? Stace [Nix] 33:54 There’s six blocks an hour. 6 x 24 is 145. Sampson [Dili] 34:04 But it’s 28-hour days in the Ninth World. And we’re-. Marietta [Atalia] 34:09 All right, I quit, moving on. Daniel [GM] 34:11 Okay. Marietta [Atalia] 34:11 Let’s find this dude. Sampson [Dili] 34:13 [As Dili] Fine, 200 blocks, whatever. Stace [Nix] 34:16 This has been math with…. Marietta [Atalia] 34:19 [As Atalia] Dili, is there anything you want us to grab from the shop if we see it? I am pretty good at, you know. Sampson [Dili] 34:23 [As Dili] I guess one, probably bring the snake brooch out if it’s still there. Two, if, okay, so, on the east wall, there’s something that looks like an oven. If you can move that to the side and check and see if there’s a safe underneath if it hasn’t been broken open or anything. Marietta [Atalia] 34:46 [As Atalia] Excuse me, you want me to inconspicuously move an oven and look for a safe? Sampson [Dili] 34:51 [As Dili] Yes, you asked, so, if you could, please, thank you. Marietta [Atalia] 34:54 [As Atalia] Okay, yeah, sure. Yeah, definitely, mhmm. Sampson [Dili] 34:57 [As Dili] There’s a safe that has a few personal items, valuable objects in there. If you could find those, if they are still there, I don’t know. Aces is an asshole. Anyway, if you could grab those, if they’re still there, that would be delightful. Marietta [Atalia] 35:13 [As Atalia] Is the safe, is it very secure? Sampson [Dili] 35:19 [As Dili] Ah, I hope so. But the combination is…. Marietta [Atalia] 35:24 [As Atalia] Six-nine-six-nine? Sampson [Dili] 35:26 [As Dili] Square, sixty-five, q. Marietta [Atalia] 35:26 [As Atalia] Square, sixty-five, q? Okay. Sampson [Dili] 35:30 [As Dili] Square, sixty-five, q. Stace [Nix] 35:32 Does ChaCha have any wigs and shit because she’s a performer? Daniel [GM] 35:36 Maybe. Does she? Stace [Nix] 35:39 Like wigs and makeup? Maybe Dili could be your clown. Sampson [Dili] 35:45 [As Dili] Okay, I don’t know much about disguises, but that seems like it wouldn’t work. Alex [ChaCha] 35:49 I think ChaCha, while she wouldn’t have wigs, she’ll have makeup. Marietta [Atalia] 35:54 [As Atalia] I just feel like he should definitely not come in with us. Stace [Nix] 35:59 [As Nix] Yo, Dili, I bet we could disguise you with ChaCha’s performance shit. Sampson [Dili] 36:04 [As Dili] Okay. I, sure. Marietta [Atalia] 36:06 Atalia’s just like, [As Atalia] This is a terrible idea. Daniel [GM] 36:10 Okay, so, Chacha, I’m going to assume that people are going to assist because you don’t want this to go badly? Stace [Nix] 36:17 I have green paint. Daniel [GM] 36:20 So there are, you’ll have two assets on this. And you’re trying to disguise Dili quite well. So it’s a 15 then two assets, that bring it down to a 9. Then I would say you could use performance or deception, anything along those if you have those. So a 9 is your target. Alex [ChaCha] 36:44 I got a 14. Daniel [GM] 36:46 Okay. Dili looks pretty well-disguised. He looks inherently ridiculous in this disguise, but he definitely doesn’t look like a casual observer would be able to figure out that’s Dili. Alex [ChaCha] 37:01 But he still looks delicious? Daniel [GM] 37:03 Mhmm. Marietta [Atalia] 37:04 I mean Dili is always delicious. Alex [ChaCha] 37:06 Mhmm. Daniel [GM] 37:08 Are you all going then? Now that Dili has got a cunning disguise? Alex [ChaCha] 37:13 Sure. ChaCha takes Dili’s hand and starts pulling him down the road in a random direction. Sampson [Dili] 37:19 [As Dili] Well, hold on, I-. Are you sure? I could just go hang out in the library for a few hours, that’s fine. Alex [ChaCha] 37:26 ChaCha looks at Nix, like, eh? Stace [Nix] 37:29 [As Nix] I know, dude, after we put all that effort in on his makeup he’s just gonna go to the library? Sampson [Dili] 37:34 [As Dili] Where I’ll be disguised, yes. And then I can look up whatever the Guardians of Night’s Hope is. No? Did you tell us about that? Alex [ChaCha] Yes. Stace [Nix] 37:47 Is the library on the way? Daniel [GM] 37:49 It depends which library you’re going for. If you’re looking for the University library, it’s relatively close to Dili’s neighborhood where his shop was. If you are looking for the actual City of Charmonde library, that is not close that is farther inward and upper scale even than where Dili’s area of town is. Stace [Nix] 38:12 [As Nix] Dili, I’m gonna be straight honest with you because I feel like you’ve earned that. Sampson [Dili] 38:18 [As Dili] Have you been lying to me? Stace [Nix] 38:20 [As Nix] No. Sampson [Dili] 38:21 [As Dili] Okay. Stace [Nix] 38:23 [As Nix] I’m real concerned, based on my observations of your abilities and street smarts, that you are just gonna get plucked wherever you go alone. Sampson [Dili] 38:33 [As Dili] I have been surviving on my own for a couple weeks now and I would greatly appreciate your help, so I will stick with you if that’s your best opinion. Thank you. Stace [Nix] 38:47 [As Nix] Dope. Daniel [GM] 38:50 Okay, so you guys go to the shop? Sampson [Dili] 38:53 Mhmm. Daniel [GM] 38:53 You get to the shop. As you come up, Dili, you notice that the exterior looks very familiar. There doesn’t seem to be any damage to the exterior. Although the sign above it says, “Pollos’ Custom Commissions.” Sampson [Dili] 39:06 [As Dili] Terrible sign. Absolutely terrible. Daniel [GM] 39:10 When you step inside, you notice that some of the commissions sitting up front, don’t get me wrong, they are Numenera, but they’re like flashy trash. It’s stuff, that yeah, a wright built it, yeah, it’s still like a Cypher or an oddity or something like that, but it’s just gaudy. There’s no art to it, it’s just trying to make something shiny that somebody will want to buy. Sampson [Dili] 39:37 Before we actually get into the building can Dili make a quick perception check or something about the, just, is there anybody watching, is there anybody-. Daniel [GM] 39:46 Sure, you can try that. 15. Sampson [Dili] 39:51 15. Dili will put a level of effort into that. So that should be 12. And Dili gets an 11. Marietta [Atalia] 39:57 Yay. Daniel [GM] 39:58 Yeah. Dili doesn’t see anything. Sampson [Dili] 40:02 [As Dili] It looks clear. Stace [Nix] 40:05 Nix is fairly suspicious. Nix doesn’t want Dili to come inside the shop. She didn’t think he was gonna try to come inside. Daniel [GM] 40:12 So it’ll be a 15 to start with. Stace [Nix] 40:15 [Inaudible] I got a 13. Daniel [GM] 40:19 Okay, yeah. You don’t see anything. Stace [Nix] 40:20 Nix holds open the door for Dili. Sampson [Dili] 40:24 [As Dili] Who put garbage on my counter? Stace [Nix] 40:27 [As Nix] Shh. Daniel [GM] 40:29 Out comes this older gentleman. You don’t recognize him, Dili, he’s not somebody that’s around this area, it’s not like he had a different shop or anything. He goes like, [As Pollos] Oh, welcome to Pollos’ Custom Commissions. You know, if there’s something that you’re specifically looking for let me know. I have some samples of my work out here from other clients that thankfully allowed me to duplicate some of the plans. But yes, I provide high-quality work in short turnaround times. Yes, yes ma’am? Alex [ChaCha] 41:05 Out of character. Did ChaCha hear Dili call that stuff garbage? Daniel [GM] 41:11 You tell me, Sampson. Did she? Sampson [Dili] 41:12 Like, obviously. Probably. Alex [ChaCha] 41:16 I think ChaCha’s just gonna like bat one of them off the counter and be like, [As ChaCha] This is garbage. Give me the real good stuff. She’s empowered. Marietta [Atalia] 41:25 Atalia’s just like, this is not how you infiltrate. Daniel [GM] 41:28 [As Pollos] Okay, okay. Yes, that was not necessarily my best work but, you know, my best work is usually saved for custom commissions. What are you looking for? Alex [ChaCha] 41:37 [As ChaCha] Snakes. Stace [Nix] 41:40 [As Nix] Yeah. I’m looking for a brooch made out of like, snakes. Daniel [GM] 41:44 [As Pollos] That’s an odd coincidence. I have something like that, but it belongs to another client. I can’t sell that to you. Stace [Nix] 41:51 [As Nix] Oh, yeah, I’m not lookin’ to necessarily buy it. I am here on behalf of your client because he has not heard from you for three days. Daniel [GM] 41:59 [As Pollos] Well, yes, I mean, that’s, it’s complicated. But, you know, I haven’t had a chance to send anything back because, quite frankly, I came across something new and I’m puzzled. Stace [Nix] 42:15 [As Nix] Actually, so, I don’t know if this interests you at all, but I got bit by that thing and it is affecting me, and that’s kind of like part of the reason I’m here, too. Daniel [GM] 42:23 [As Pollos] Oh. Oh god. Yeah, yes, well. And you said you’re from Karfa? Stace [Nix] 42:30 [As Nix] Yeah. Daniel [GM] 42:32 Give me a social roll, it’s not going to be hard. He’s not a jerk by any means. So give me like a six. Stace [Nix] 42:39 18. Daniel [GM] 42:41 Okay, yeah, so he’s like, [As Pollos] Come back, come back with me. You can bring your friends too, let’s see if we can figure it out. Stace [Nix] 42:47 [As Nix] Uh, I’d rather have some privacy. Daniel [GM] 42:51 [As Pollos] Okay, okay. Sure. He wanders back with you and he shows you like, [As Pollos] So the strangest thing happened. And he opens a door and you see there’s a glass box with the brooch inside, or what should be the brooch. It looks like one of the snakes ate all the others. Stace [Nix] 43:12 [As Nix] Oh, that is not what it looked like when I-. So, I procured this item for Karfa, or, that is not what it looked like when I first snagged it. Daniel [GM] 43:22 [As Pollo] It’s not what it looked like when he turned it in to me either. It was, they were all together, they were doing it, and then this one started becoming more green in color and then it started biting the others, and then they died and it ate them, and then it crawled up back around this piece of jewelry. It’s still there, I checked, it’s still breathing. But it seems to be resting while it digests right now. Marietta [Atalia] 43:54 [As Atalia] Yeah, and how long ago did that happen? Stace [Nix] 43:56 You’re not with me. Marietta [Atalia] 43:57 Oh, I thought I went in with you. Daniel [GM] 43:59 No, she’s in the back privately. Marietta [Atalia] 44:00 Okay, nevermind. Daniel [GM] 44:01 The rest of you are out in the shop. Marietta [Atalia] 44:03 Okay. Oh, oh! He’s not there? Alex [ChaCha] 44:07 Looking for the safe. Daniel [GM] 44:09 He’s not there. He’s back with Nix. That’s what Nix-. Marietta [Atalia] 44:12 Okay, well you know what I want to do then when you have a second. Daniel [GM] 44:17 [As Pollos] It’s the strangest thing. It’s been like this for a few days. I haven’t been able to figure out what’s going on. Honestly, I was nervous to respond to Karfa at first because I was worried that it had somehow, it was basically broken. But, and then I became convinced that if I had it a little longer I could figure out what was going on with it, but it’s very strange. Nix, you notice that the snake there kind of raises up and its tongue kind of darts out. It kind of opens its eyes and you feel like it’s looking at you before it blinks sleepily and puts its head back down. So, back in the rest of the shop. What is the trio doing? Marietta [Atalia] 44:59 Is there anyone else around looking at us right now? Daniel [GM] 45:03 Not right now. Marietta [Atalia] 45:05 I like, gesture to Dili and I’ll go over to where he said the oven or whatever was and see. Sampson [Dili] 45:15 Dili will point it out. Daniel [GM] 45:18 There’s definitely not the oven, but there is something else that is roughly equivalent size sitting there. Marietta [Atalia] 45:22 Okay. I will examine it and see if it is possible for me to move. Daniel [GM] 45:31 It does not appear to be bolted down or anything like that. It looks heavy, but it’s not bolted down. Marietta [Atalia] 45:34 I will try to move the object then. Daniel [GM] 45:39 Okay. Sampson [Dili] 45:39 Dili will help. Daniel [GM] 45:39 Okay. It’s going to be a six to move this. I presume you’re trying to life it up so you don’t make noise as you’re moving it? Marietta [Atalia] 45:46 Yeah. Just trying to, kind of like you lift the corner of a couch and rotate. Daniel [GM] 45:52 Yeah. Well, so, that’s the question. Are you lifting it all the way off the floor or are you sort of pushing it along the floor. Marietta [Atalia] 45:57 I’m lifting one side and trying to rotate the object like you would lift the couch and move it. Marietta [Atalia] 46:06 [As Dili] Hey ChaCha, do you have any songs you could hum a little bit or sing to give us some sound cover? Alex [ChaCha] 46:14 I think she gets on top of the counter and just starts performing a song. Sampson [Dili] 46:19 [As Dili] Okay. Marietta [Atalia] 46:20 [As Atalia] I mean, don’t draw attention, either, oh my gosh. Daniel [GM] 46:23 Nix you hear ChaCha singing out in the main area. Pollos looks up like, [As Pollos] Is one of them singing? Stace [Nix] 46:35 [As Nix] Yeah, you try travelin’ with performers, man, they’re always singin’. Oh my gosh, so, she, uh, she took my scorps…. You been to the Queen’s Spittoon? Daniel [GM] 46:47 [As Pollos] Oh, no, but I’m new to town but I’ve heard of that place. No, I’ve never been there. Stace [Nix] 46:52 [As Nix] All right, well, the scorps there are amazing. Oh, you want to try one? Daniel [GM] 46:58 [As Pollos] No, I’m fine. I just ate. Stace [Nix] 47:00 [As Nix] Okay. Well, they used to be amazing but I think that snake poisoned me. But that’s besides the point. She takes these and she turns them into these puppets. And she does these puppet shows, which honestly, I don’t understand. But other people seem to really enjoy. And she had done them at least, she has done three puppet shows with my scorps. People eat it up. And when you’re traveling with performers, you never know what’s gonna happen. Always performin’. So honestly, best to just let her, like, it’s not bad right? Like, it’s pretty good music. Daniel [GM] 47:39 Give me a 9 persuasion/social roll. Stace [Nix] 47:43 All right so it’ll be a 6. I got a 4. Daniel [GM] 47:46 He says, [As Pollos] I think I should go check on what’s going on out there. And he starts heading for the door. Stace [Nix] 47:53 [As Nix] Um, but I mean, have you even seen a bite like this before? Daniel [GM] 48:00 [As Pollos] Hold on, I’ll be right with you. I just need to check this. Both Dili and Atalia were trying to move this item? Marietta [Atalia] 48:07 Yeah. Sampson [Dili] 48:09 Yes. Daniel [GM] 48:09 And they were specifically picking up the corner and moving it along the floor? Marietta [Atalia] 48:13 Yes. Daniel [GM] 48:15 Okay so that’ll be easy. Can both of you give me a Might roll of 3? Marietta [Atalia] 48:21 14. Sampson [Dili] 48:24 12. Daniel [GM] 48:25 Okay. You successfully move it no problem. It does make the worst scraping sound along the floor. Marietta [Atalia] 48:33 No, we like picked up the edge, you know? Daniel [GM] 48:36 You sounded like you were picking it up and rotating it along the ground. Like you were tugging. Stace [Nix] 48:40 You definitely insisted that that was what you were doing. Marietta [Atalia] 48:44 No, you know, like-. Daniel [GM] 48:43 You know, I offered you a way out. Marietta [Atalia] 48:48 Okay, fine. Daniel [GM] 48:50 It does make a loud screeching noise. You guys can hear that ChaCha’s singing and you can see the door start to open from the back. Sampson [Dili] 49:03 Dili’s going to put up a minor illusion over Atalia and himself. Kind of a screen that looks like whatever the heavy installment in that wall should look like. Daniel [GM] 49:16 Okay. Let’s do this. Give me an intellect roll just so I can figure out how well you’ve disguised it. How perfectly have you got it. Give me a 9. Sampson [Dili] 49:30 I will put a level of Effort into that. Daniel [GM] 49:34 Okay. So 6. Sampson [Dili] 49:35 17. Daniel [GM] 49:38 You feel like you’ve got this perfectly set up. Pollo comes out and he looks up at ChaCha and is like, [As Pollo] Um, why are you on my counter? Alex [ChaCha] 49:49 [As ChaCha] It’s the best stage in this shitty store. Daniel [GM] 49:52 [As Pollo] Okay, well that’s just insulting. I’m sorry, ma’am, I’m going to ask you to leave. Alex [ChaCha] 49:59 [As ChaCha] Your prices are insulting. Daniel [GM] 50:01 [As Pollo] Okay. Well. Thank you. Please just be on your way. Stace [Nix] 50:05 [As Nix] Hey, ChaCha. Alex [ChaCha] 50:07 [As ChaCha] Yes? Stace [Nix] 50:07 [As Nix] ChaCha? I got these fresh scorps. You wanna give ‘em a spin outside? Alex [ChaCha] 50:14 [As ChaCha] You know he’s ripping everybody off, right? It’s garbage. Stace [Nix] 50:18 [As Nix] He’s just trying to make a living. And I gotta get this snake thing figured out. Alex [ChaCha] 50:27 ChaCha takes the bag and goes outside and starts performing a puppet show with as many characters as she can. Daniel [GM] 50:35 Okay, cool. Pollo looks back at you like, [As Pollo] Where are your other friends? Stace [Nix] 50:41 [As Nix] Man, the other one’s a performer to, and honestly, listen. They’re hard to wrangle. I’m surprised they even came with me this far. Daniel [GM] 50:51 [As Pollo] Let me see your bite marks again. And he starts doing that. What are you guys doing inside the illusion? Sampson [Dili] 50:56 He’s still in the same room? He is? With us? Daniel [GM] 50:57 Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] 50:59 I’m glaring daggers at Dili. Sampson [Dili] 51:03 Silently, he’s just like, “What? What do you want? What?” Daniel [GM] 51:07 What do you guys do? Marietta [Atalia] 51:09 Atalia’s like, [As Atalia] This is the last time I help you with anything. Daniel [GM] 51:13 So you moved the item over, you do see a safe there. Sampson [Dili] 51:20 Okay. Is Pollo facing the illusion? Or does he have his back to it? Daniel [GM] 51:26 He’s focused on, he doesn’t have his back to you, but right now he’s looking at Nix’s hand. Sampson [Dili] 51:31 Can Nix see the illusion? Marietta [Atalia] 51:35 Wait, he told me the combination, right? Daniel [GM] 51:40 He did. Marietta [Atalia] 51:40 Is the safe covered by the illusion? Daniel [GM] 51:43 Yep. Marietta [Atalia] 51:45 Okay, I’m going to go for it, then, and try to unlock it. Daniel [GM] 51:47 Okay. Marietta [Atalia] 51:46 Quietly, so quietly. Daniel [GM] 51:51 Okay, so give me a stealth roll of 9. Marietta [Atalia] 51:55 All right, and I’m specialized. Daniel [GM] 51:58 Right, so it’s a 3 for you. Marietta [Atalia] 51:59 6. Oh, wait, 9. 9. It was upside down. Daniel [GM] 52:03 Okay, so you get the safe unlocked. Marietta [Atalia] 52:06 I will quickly grab its contents, provided they’re not going to destroy me. Daniel [GM] 52:12 Mhmm. You open the safe and there is just an envelope inside. Marietta [Atalia] 52:18 I grab it regardless and shove it in my pocket. I’ll relock the safe to whatever it was on before. Daniel [GM] 52:29 Okay. Marietta [Atalia] 52:31 Then I’ll just, I’ll be like, [As Atalia] I guess we need to try to move it back. I don’t know, or do you just want to leave? Sampson [Dili] 52:39 Again, silently, he’s just like, “What? No! They’re right, they’re like 12 feet from us. We can’t do that.” Marietta [Atalia] 52:44 So I guess I’ll just stay quiet. Daniel [GM] 52:48 Pollo is looking at Nix’s wound and says, [As Pollo] That’s a little bit like what the snakes looked like when they got bit.” Stace [Nix] 52:57 [As Nix] So my Nano buddy says I am filling up with dark energy. Daniel [GM] 53:02 [As Pollo] I mean, that type is always really dramatic. It’s not dark energy, it’s just-. Stace [Nix] 53:08 [As Nix] They are dramatic. Oh my god. No one’s ever said it like that before, but you are right. Daniel [GM] 53:14 [As Pollo] Well, I am a wright. Sampson [Dili] 53:19 The smallest groan from the illusion. Daniel [GM] 53:25 He says, [As Pollo] I tell you what, I’m hesitant to move this. I think it might be dangerous to try to handle it. Why don’t you come here, I’ll give you the notes to take back to Karfa. I’m still working on this for him, but I’ll get you the information that I have so far from these notes. At least then he’s getting a report. Stace [Nix] 53:50 [As Nix] Yeah, that sounds fair. But also I’m kind of scared that I’m turning into a snake. Daniel [GM] 53:55 [As Pollo] Well, I don’t know how to check that? I, this is what I can do. I can try to take a biopsy and see if I can figure anything out from that, see if there’s any connection between that and what’s going on here with this item? Stace [Nix] 54:16 [As Nix] Oh, yeah, that sounds good. Daniel [GM] 54:16 [As Pollo] I’ll just need to cut a little around this particular bite mark. It’s probably gonna hurt. Stace [Nix] 54:26 [As Nix] Yeah. It’s okay. Daniel [GM] 54:29 [As Pollo] Okay. Nix you have been cut before in your journeys and things like that. This hurts more than it should. It’s like excruciating pain around this wound. He finished the biopsy and he bandages you up. You notice something like you got a drop of your blood that’s on the table. You swear you can see dark swirls in it before they fade away. Stace [Nix] 55:00 [As Nix] I’m turning into a fucking snake. Did you see that? Daniel [GM] 55:02 [As Pollo] What? No, I’m sorry, I was putting this back in the sample case. Stace [Nix] 55:07 [As Nix] Dark swirls in my blood. Then it disappeared. Daniel [GM] 55:12 [As Pollo] That’s odd. Yeah, that’s really odd. Well hopefully I’ll be able to find something else out. Honestly, I’m worried about your wellbeing. I’m not planning on charging you for any of this. Stace [Nix] 55:24 [As Nix] Oh. Thank you. Daniel [GM] 55:25 [As Pollo] I’m new to town, it’s a new business for me. I’m trying to do things to be part of the community, build up kind of a following. Stace [Nix] 55:37 [As Nix] Yeah, so how did you come across this prime location? Daniel [GM] 55:41 [As Pollo] You know, it’s the most bizarre thing. I was looking for somewhere as I was coming in. I used an agent and they found this place really quickly for me. The rent’s a little steep, but that’s to be expected here. Things have been, it is a great location. I’m not exactly sure what happened to the previous tenant, but apparently they just packed up and left. People said they were here one night and the next night their shop was empty. Stace [Nix] 56:16 [As Nix] Yeah, so, this agent sounds incredible, to have a line on a place like this? Daniel [GM] 56:21 [As Pollo] Yeah, I was shocked. Stace [Nix] 56:24 [As Nix] You got a card or anything for ‘em? Daniel [GM] 56:28 [As Pollo] Yeah, actually. Let me…. And he goes in the back and comes out and gives you a card that just says K.A.L. and an address in Ward Calla. Stace [Nix] 56:45 [As Nix] Sweet. You mind if I keep this? Daniel [GM] 56:47 [As Pollo] No, go right ahead. I obviously I have other paperwork with their name on it. It’s a nice card, but, those guys they live by their references, so he gave me several. Stace [Nix] 57:00 [As Nix] Perfect. Appreciate the help. Best of luck to you, like, honestly, location is not going to be a problem for you. Great place. And yeah, if I got anybody who needs a doohickey, I’ll send ‘em your way. Daniel [GM] 57:20 [As Pollo] Okay. Stace [Nix] 57:22 Nix offers a fist bump. Daniel [GM] 57:22 He takes the fist bump. He leads you out. When he went back to get the card, you guys would’ve had an opportunity to escape. Do you move the thing back, or do you just bolt? Sampson [Dili] 57:35 Oh, shit. Marietta [Atalia] 57:39 So he goes to the back room? Daniel [GM] 57:41 He goes to the back room to get the card for Nix. Sampson [Dili] 57:45 I can try something if we want to move it quietly and then try to escape after that. It’s not a guarantee but it’s something. Marietta [Atalia] 57:55 Can you keep your illusion up even if we run out the door? Sampson [Dili] 57:59 I can keep my illusion up. We won’t be able to run, probably. Stace [Nix] 58:02 You guys could just be back. You guys could just be in the shop. I just want to point that out. Sampson [Dili] 58:07 I’m thinking more like, if we can move it without making a sound, I’m fine with that. Daniel [GM] 58:14 So this is a little bit harder. It’ll be a 9 because it’s heavy. Marietta [Atalia] 58:17 I’m gonna use a level of Effort here. 10. Come on, Dili, come on. Sampson [Dili] 58:29 9. Daniel [GM] 58:32 You move it back into place without it making any more noise. Dili, you are free to drop your illusion if you want. Marietta [Atalia] 58:39 We’ll sort of stand by the door if we can move over there, like we just came back in. Daniel [GM] 58:46 I would say since you both passed you’re able to do that before he comes back. From his perspective it just looks like your at the door waiting for Nix. Sampson [Dili] 58:53 Conspicuously, casually leaning against the door. Marietta [Atalia] 58:59 Basically. Daniel [GM] 59:00 He hands Nix the card and wishes her good day, and hands her the notes to take to Karfa. Marietta [Atalia] 59:06 [As Atalia] Was he any help? Stace [Nix] 59:09 [As Nix] I mean, he took a biopsy. Nix is definitely leaving as she’s telling this. [As Nix] Took a biopsy, he’s gonna get-. Sampson [Dili] 59:16 Dili follows. Stace [Nix] 59:19 [As Nix] Back to me with the results. Pretty sure I’m turning into a snake, though. Marietta [Atalia] 59:23 [As Atalia] Excellent. Just what I didn’t want confirmed. Stace [Nix] 59:27 [As Nix] Oh, he didn’t say that. Marietta [Atalia] 59:29 [As Atalia] Okay. It’s fine. Everything’s fine. Stace [Nix] 59:32 [As Nix] Yeah. I guess I just gotta make my peace with it. Didn’t really-. Marietta [Atalia] 59:36 I mean there could be some benefits, right? I mean, snakes are pretty hardcore. Stace [Nix] 59:41 [As Nix] I don’t wanna be a snake person, but I guess if that’s my Journey. Marietta [Atalia] 59:46 I pat her on the shoulder. Stace [Nix] 59:49 [As Nix] Oh, but got the card of the agent that hooked him up with this space. Marietta [Atalia] 59:53 [As Atalia] Oh, that’s helpful. Stace [Nix] 59:55 [As Nix] Yep. Kal. In Ward Calla. Oh! Sampson [Dili] 59:59 Does that mean anything to Dili? K-A-L.? Daniel [GM] 60:03 No, it does not, but Ward Calla is where Marietta’s previous meeting was in. Marietta [Atalia] 60:08 Was it? Oh, okay. [As Atalia] Lovely. Sampson [Dili] 60:11 [As Dili] Yeah, I guess that’s, K-A-L is probably some front for the people that are interested in me. Just a guess, I have no idea, honestly. Stace [Nix] 60:23 [As Nix] Let me drop these notes off to Karfa first. Or, Dili, actually, you wanna look at these? Sampson [Dili] 60:28 [As Dili] Yes, please, give me. Marietta [Atalia] 60:31 [As Atalia] Also. And I’ll pull out of my pocket, once we’re away obviously. [As Atalia] This is yours. Sampson [Dili] 60:38 [As Dili] Is it? What is it? Marietta [Atalia] 60:39 [As Atalia] It’s the only thing that was in the safe. Sampson [Dili] 60:42 [As Dili] Oh. Wait. There wasn’t a vase? There wasn’t a thing of ashes? Marietta [Atalia] 60:47 [As Atalia] This is all that was there, I’m sorry, my dude. I tried. Sampson [Dili] 60:50 [As Dili] Ah. Those buttholes. Okay. If Atalia’s giving Dili the envelope he’s gonna read that one first. Daniel [GM] 60:59 Before we do that, I want to cut back. What is ChaCha’s puppet show this time? Alex [ChaCha] 61:05 Episode 2 of ChaCha and the Horror being best friend buddy cops. Daniel [GM] 61:12 Okay. Give me a Performance roll. Your target is going to be, because you have so many puppets to go with at once, it’s going to be a 15. Alex [ChaCha] 61:26 If I roll good does ChaCha make money? I got a 15. Daniel [GM] 61:34 Okay, cool. ChaCha, you do a performance. People like it. Even though you weren’t planning to panhandle. Not panhandle, that’s the wrong word. Busk. Even though you weren’t thinking of it as busking, people do give you some shins as they pass by. By the end of your show you’ve got 11 shins as the rest of the group was coming out up next to you. Sampson [Dili] 61:57 Nice. Daniel [GM] 61:59 Dili, you open up the envelope and you pull out, there’s a piece of paper inside. When you open the paper, there is a small poof of some sort of glittery dust that pops out at you. On the note, in handwriting that you clearly recognize is a note from Aces. It says, “See you soon, Dili.” And that’s where we’ll end the episode. Sampson [Dili] 62:32 Fucker. Got fucking glitterbombed by Aces. I hate this. Marietta [Atalia] 62:38 What is that, Dili? Daniel [GM] 62:40 Stace, is there anything from this episode that stuck out for your with Nix? Stace [Nix] 62:43 I think that it’s more of a general thing of Nix really flexing her social interactions throughout the episode. Also her existential crisis, reference become a snake. I think that the coolest thing Nix did was cover for her friends while they were robbing Dili’s old shop. Alex [ChaCha] 63:08 Unlike the other campaign. Sampson [Dili] 63:10 Repossessing. We were possessing. Alex [ChaCha] 63:12 Won’t let us rob anything in the other campaign. Stace [Nix] 63:15 You’re correct. Not one thing. Daniel [GM] 63:19 We have a segment we do each week called Player Intrusion. Where we tell you about something that you absolutely should check out. This week is Marietta’s turn. Marietta, what would you give our listeners an XP to check out? Marietta [Atalia] 63:32 I would tell you to check out Rat Queens. It’s a graphic novel series that you can find at your local comic book store. It’s really great. There’s four women who kick ass. There’s a fancy setting. They’re each very different, very strong female character which is wonderful, but there’s a lot of diversity. A lot of overcoming that. They just kick ass. I guess I haven’t read graphic novels in a long time and I was like, oh gosh, there’s a whole genre that’s just for me. If you want some ladies kicking ass, check out Rat Queens. The art is also really great. Tess Fowler, I think also was on it. Does work for it as well. Don’t quote me on that. I really enjoy it, though. There’s six volumes out and a whole ton of, well, six of the actual collected editions. There’s lots of volumes to read. And it’s a good story about friendship and overcoming. I would say it [Inaudible] in some ways. Daniel [GM] 64:46 Yeah. It does have a lot of drunken brawls and things like that. Marietta [Atalia] 64:52 There is a lot of drunken brawls. There’s a lot of different sides to women in these characters, too. I feel like you get the ugly sides, and the strong sides, and the pretty sides, and you get to see all that in the different situations. Including in drunken brawls. Daniel [GM] 65:08 Yeah. One of them is a wizard, one of them’s a thief, one of them’s a dwarven warrior. Marietta [Atalia] 65:17 One’s like a warlock or something. Daniel [GM] 65:19 Yeah. Sampson [Dili] 65:19 Yep. I think she’s a cleric. Marietta [Atalia] 65:20 Is she? Sampson [Dili] 65:21 Yeah. Marietta [Atalia] 65:21 Oh. Daniel [GM] 65:21 Yeah, former cultist, yeah. Sampson [Dili] 65:23 Yeah, she’s like a cleric in this fantasy setting I think, but it’s probably a warlock in other settings. Marietta [Atalia] 65:32 It’s really good though. You should check it out and let me know what you think. And if you have any other women kickass graphic novel recommendations you should let us know. Daniel [GM] 65:43 Absolutely. Absolutely. Marietta [Atalia] 65:46 Mostly me, because I want to read more. Daniel [GM] 65:49 And if they want to let us know about cool things like that, how could they reach out to us, Marietta? Marietta [Atalia] 65:55 Oh my gosh, we have so many different social medias they could reach out to us on. We have our own website, explorerswanted.fm, we’re on Instagram at explorerswantedpodcast. We’re on Twitter @ExplorersWanted. We’re on Facebook, Explorers Wanted Podcast. Check us out, interact with us, message us. Hang out with us on the internets. Stace [Nix] 66:19 Love us, please. Marietta [Atalia] 66:19 Affection, attention. Mostly attention. Really. Alex [ChaCha] 66:21 We need it. Marietta [Atalia] 66:23 Yeah. Desperate. Please. Alex [ChaCha] 66:29 Stace dying from lack of attention. Daniel [GM] 66:31 We are a brand new podcast as I’ve said before, several times. The most important thing for us to kind of be able to get going is to get an audience. If you like what you heard today, the best thing you could do for us is tell a friend and tell them why you enjoyed us and why they should listen to us. The second best thing you could do is leave us a 5-star rating and review on the podcast directory of your choice. Whether it’s Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, whatever. Wherever you can rate us, please do, those 5-star, particularly 5-star reviews, make a big difference in people picking up a podcast for the first time so they have an idea what the pitch is. Daniel [GM] 67:14 If you didn’t like what you heard, so this is normally where I tell you something awful to do instead of giving us a bad review somewhere. But I want to apologize. A few episodes ago I described a ritual for letting go of those feelings, putting them in a rock and burying them. My b, I did not read the fine print, so I’m hoping this is catching you before you actually try to do it. If not, I’m super, super sorry for the bleeding walls. If you want to reach out to us individually on social media you can. You can find me @andrlik, A-N-D-R-L-I-K. On Twitter. Stace [Nix] 67:55 You can find me poorly executing internet memes @StaceWindu on Twitter. Marietta [Atalia] 68:04 You can glitterbomb me @slampotato. Alex [ChaCha] 68:07 You can recommend your favorite horror video game to me @realteaunicorn on Twitter. Marietta [Atalia] 68:14 And you can like every single one of my pictures at imonahike on Instagram. Daniel [GM] 68:21 Okay. Thanks everyone for listening. Hope you had a good time. We will see you next week for more Ninth World weirdness. Have a good night and, Multiple Speakers 68:30 Bye!