October Intro: Aftermath Mingle

[lifeaftr_mods]

Who: All!
What: Now that you've all committed monkey genocide, it's time to clean up and go home.
When: Evening of the intro log- and onwards!
Where: The Monkey Compound, Islets, etc.
Warnings: Mark as you go!


Congratulations on effectively reversing the tables, adventurers. As the hunted become the hunters, the remaining simians begin to retreat into the jungle, disappearing from sight as the drumming dies down, before extinguishing entirely.

It appears that you have won.

Now it's time to clean up.

Those still in the Monkey Compound may wish to begin scavenging what they can, from multiple coconut guns to rudimentary spears. There's a flock of Bludroc happy to be herded to a new home, several stashes of fresh fruit to be found... and a rather large iron pot, for the particularly bold.

Others may be more concerned with returning to the islets and securing the personal belongings that were left behind. There are new people to settle in, as well; and undoubtedly, a few injuries yet to be healed.

Reunite, rejoice, recover. And perhaps, should you see the Storyteller about- ask a few questions.

Comments

[story_teller]

The markings are particularly potent. [The dog's tail stops wagging, stilling for the first time since the conversation began.]

Wards, efficient in keeping creatures such as myself out.

[ohnehalfte]

[Now THAT'S interesting. It definitely makes the wards sound like something Newt's going to want to know] And why would they wanna do a thing like that? [there's a hint of amused sarcasm there, buuuuut yeah, it still is a serious question.]

[story_teller]

[The Storyteller does not sound annoyed; their tone is merely brusque and crisp.] If I knew the answer to that, they would have little reason to seal me out, now, would they?

[ohnehalfte]

Aha. [Newt sits back a bit] Did you guys have some beef at some point or something? Also, I wasn't aware that sealing you out was actually a thing that was possible.

[story_teller]

That, I cannot say. Who, I cannot say. Why, I cannot say.

[The How, though. The How is there, plain as day.]

But undoing those wards...that, I can say.

[ohnehalfte]

Cannot because you don't know, or because you don't want to? [arching an eyebrow] What about these wards makes them able to keep you out?

[story_teller]

Does it matter? You would not believe me, whichever answer I allowed.

[The dog stands, snuffing at the salt-clean air, sharp and littoral.]

The make of them is unique, much as the sigils I use for those requiring allowances are. It is not as simple as replicating their markings, or interpreting their meaning. [Because he need not have bothered with the leading questions; it was obvious as to why he inquired at all.]

In fact, I have reason to suspect it is not very simple at all. It takes great force to repel a being such as myself. Great work indeed.

[ohnehalfte]

Maybe not, but it'd be interesting to see which one you choose.

[anyway--Newt hums a bit, contemplating] The question is: where did they get the knowledge of how to make these sigils? And not just make them, but execute them.

[story_teller]

Again, quite an astute question. [Which makes his ratio of useful questions to abjectly unhelpful ones slightly more creditable than it was prior to now. Slightly.]

[Very slightly.]

A being of great power. Power enough to match myself, which is no mere feat.

[ohnehalfte]

[He has so many useful questions--maybe if the Storyteller didn't suck so much at giving answers, generally, he'd have even more. But that, however is a discussion for another time. They're actually being a bit more forthcoming, now, so Newt's willing to follow this thread for now.]

Okay. So the only one I know of so far, vaguely, is this water you desperately hate. Any others that you can think of?

[story_teller]

None that should be able to dwell here.

[The answer may not be as informative as Newt would like, but the Storyteller's tone...that, on the other hand, remains deeply troubled.]

[ohnehalfte]

Well that was....vague but obviously important. [arching an eyebrow again] Care to expand on that?

[story_teller]

This is my island. Opposing forces do not - should not - dwell here. [Around, certainly. They are, after all, surrounded by water. But within the chambers of the island itself?]

Set in place and maintained without my consent...why, anything could be down there. Anything could be in there.

Anything could be trying to get out.

[ohnehalfte]

Okay, well obviously it doesn’t matter if opposing forces should be here or not. From all appearances, they are here. So yeah, the fact of the matter is that we have no idea what it’s keeping in or out or hiding from you. The question is: what opposing forces had a beef with you before and why, and would any of them have interest in cashing in on that?

[story_teller]

Perhaps, like yourself, they simply elect to mistrust me purely on principle.

[ohnehalfte]

[the corner of Newt’s mouth quirks into a smirk, not at all put off by the descriptor of himself—if anything, he’s proud of it] Definitely a possibility, but also not an answer to my question. This might come as a surprise, but I was more looking for specifics.

[story_teller]

[Of course he is.]

You always do. Unfortunately, I doubt I can help you there. A creature as old as myself does not live for so very long without making enemies.

[ohnehalfte]

Okay, yeah, never heard that before. [cue eyeroll] Give me the top five, dude. Your most likely suspects.

[story_teller]

And you would expect explanations to accompany each one, would you? Or do you prefer simply having every conceptual underpinning dropped into your skull, divorced from context?

[ohnehalfte]

I mean, I'd prefer the former, but knowing you, I'm expecting the latter. [dryly]

[story_teller]

Discern what lingers behind it first.

[The dog's tail thumps decisively across the sand.]

Only then can I say.

[ohnehalfte]

[Newt's eyes narrow at that--it's about what he expected, but still...]

...is there any way to figure out what's inside without breaking the seal?

[story_teller]

Can any of you walk through solid stone?

[ohnehalfte]

[.....]

I mean...[Newt frowns, slightly, in thought]...maybe?

[Taako DID have magic missile. Maybe has some other Dungeons and Dragons spells? There were some that let people walk through stone, though Newt doesn't think that Taako is a druid, probably. But it's worth an ask.]

[story_teller]

Then I suppose that might suffice. I can promise nothing, however; it's possible the seal's energy expands beyond the door itself.

[Extremely probable, in fact, else they would have tunneled straight in.]

It is breakable, however. Very breakable. Even if it requires mortal work to make it so.