May 9, 2024: The May '24 Report is up.
News: April 23, 2024: Dwarf Fortress 50.13 has been released.
News: February 4, 2021: Dwarf Fortress Talk #28 has been posted.
News: November 21, 2018: A new Threetoe story has been posted.
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Looks like Twilight Struggle joins the orphaned games pile. Its a digital version of a great 2-player board game that reenacts the Cold War between the USA and USSR, if that appeals to you.
"Why?"
"I must demand you hand it over!"
"I can't give you the Orb because we no longer possess it." Sister Dusk waved dismissively at the door behind the group. "Oh! It was stolen then?" "The vault was breached, and yes, several items have been stolen by a young heretic. May she suffer a slow and painful death. And she even used a writ of transportation to abscond after assaulting the few Silent Ones that tried to apprehend her." "Is... is the thief one of yours then?" "Not anymore." Aliberti pulled out the mirror and rubbed its surface. The bright light pointed to the left, the shine moderately strong. "What is this? What is that light??" "An item to help locate our missing jewels. What's in that direction?" Prince Aliberti pointed in the same direction the light was pointing too, and Sister Dusk gawked at the wall for a brief moment. "The Palatial District... the Common Grounds... then there's the city wall, and after that, ruins of the Old Norgala. Then the Spyhawk Forest... and the Joyful Waters." "Any idea where the thief might've gone to?" "We Sisters live and work and study at the Temple, so excepting few menial tasks and deliveries, we do not leave these walls. Can you find her?" "Not directly, no. But as long as she holds the orb, we might find her as well." Sister Dusk stared down at her desk, again, deep in thought.
-HATCAT-
"It is an important item for our country. One of twelve such items, in fact. They hold power that can help avert a disaster that could potentially destroy our country if nothing is done." "My brother is right! He has already obtained and brought back one of the orbs, and the 'Orb of Death' as we call it would be the second we've found so far. I will assume it is in the temple's possession, am I right? Please, let us have it. It is for the good of our people." Sister Dusk stared intensely as the magic powers of hers fluctuated and spread around the room. "And this is all truth?" "Truest of all truths!" The sorceress remained silent, and her magics continued on before suddenly dissipating. "You do speak the truth, huh... how strange." "Were... were you testing us?" "Some caution is always advisable, especially when it comes to foreigners and strangers." "Can we have the orb, then?" Sister Dusk thought for a long moment. "Sadly, no."
Hit: 120-20 = 100, autohit!
Crit roll: 13, no crit
Damage: 17-4 = 13dmg
"The most improbable of all timings..." Sister Dusk paused for a moment. "As for providing help, do not worry. The clerics of the city are more than competent, and there wasn't much damage dealt." "There was an incident of sorts, wasn't it? Did, did it involve the Orb??" The hooded woman looked at Aliberti, and then his companions, and then back at him. "Maybe. First however, I would ask you a question, if I may?" Sister Dusk placed her right hand on a large tome that was lying on her desk. "Sure?" "The jewel you call 'Orb of Death' is a powerful item that is capable of dealing gruesome deaths to those that oppose it, or the ones wielding its powers. Do tell me, what purpose your country might deliver from such a morbid item?" A spike of magic could be felt amongst those in Aliberti's group who practiced magic! Sister Dusk was gathering magical power, but why?
"Accident, then."
"Well-" "Mister Hanwas of Wanwala. I understand you're highly trustworthy client, but this is six time in this year you claim accidents. We warned you the last time. If you want new skeletons, you will pay for them." "Of course, of course, but-" "Full price." "..." Grumbling, the merchant bowed. "I-I will consider the offer, of course. May Mortis grant you a painless death, Sister Dusk." "Likewise." Sister Dusk replied as Hanwas, glaring at the group, moved past them and stormed out of the office. "Well..." An awkward moment of silence followed. "You have a business with me?" "Yes, in fact! As one of my... companions mentioned, we're here on a mission. A quest of sorts." "Oh?" "A mission of utmost importance for our... country." Prince Aliberti stepped forward. "I'm Prince Aliberti of the Empire of Zorestria, heir to the throne. This is my sister, Rosana, and these are our companions on this very important mission." "I'm Sister Dusk." Pause. "Of Norgala. So, is your mission to procure skeletons for your Empire's army? Talk with one of the previous monarchs who died suddenly and suspiciously? That seems to occur plenty often lately..." "No, no, nothing like this!" "We're looking for an artifact that has been... misplaced, for lack of better word. We've found out that it might be somewhere here." "How to describe it best, uh, it's, it's a very large gem." Sister Dusk began listening very attentively. "Round, orange like an amber, really big, and with-" "-three fiery imperfections in the heart of it?" Both siblings gasped in surprise. "Exactly!... What's the one with three red marks?" Aliberti was already 'on it', browsing the list he pulled from the depths of his armor. "That would be the Orb of Death..." "..." Sister Dusk cast down her gaze, as if in thinking.
"Definitely a crime of some sort occured. This-" "Sister Dusk of Norgala!" "Mister Hanwas. Why are you here again?" "My skeletons have been destroyed! I am without means to carry my trade!" He stepped aside and pointed his finger at Aliberti. "And this man and his people are to blame!" "Hey!" "You know very well it was an accident!" "Accident or not, have I not spoken the truth??" Hanwas asked, his tone of voice having changed into a louder, confident self. "What, silver? From the rocks, of course. Lead and silver are the two most common metals, after all." "Are we there yet??" Aliberti asked right after, just as Hanwas stopped. "Actually, yes." A group of young men flooded out of the nearby building. Hanwas directed them to the boxes and, without asking or bothering to ask, they seized all the crates from Aliberti and his group. "I trust Nanan Sinuk to handle the boxes while I have a business to attend to. Tell him I will be with him shortly." The fat kid bowed and left after his colleagues. "Does that mean we're going to the temple of, what was it, Mortis?" "Indeed! Follow me, it's just down the street." "I, err, well, I'm here to speak with... Sister Dusk... of Norgala." The guards considered his words, looked behind him to glance at Aliberti and others, and then stepped aside. "Hum hm..." "Knock again?" "Knock louder!" Hanwas shot the siblings a glare. Perhaps knocking again is considered impolite?...
"Ah! The Secondary Market! I love this place." "...Um, is that, is that raw meat?" "Huh? Oh. Never seen an Altar of Fenvang? The wild god of nature and beasts? Yeah, they're the only ones without a temple in Norgala, so they're conducting the sacrifices in the open." "Right." Aliberti blinked, perhaps deciding not to question anything in this world anymore. "The smithing guild I deliver items to isn't far from here." Princess Rosana pried her eyes from the vulgar display. "That's a plus..."
Up to 15HP healed
Hit: 107-15-26 = 66
Hit roll: 48, hit!
No crit roll
Damage: 15-1-11 = 3dmg
Jann counterattacks!
Hit: 95+15-20 = 90
Hit roll: 75, hit!
Crit roll: 90, no crit
Damage: 21+1-9 = 13dmg
Hit: 107+15-10-37 = 75
Hit roll: 68, hit!
No crit roll
Damage: 15+1-4 = 12dmg
Captain Astleich counters!
Hit: 115+10-15-20 = 90
Hit roll: 100, miss!
Captain Astleich counters again!
Hit: 115+10-15-20 = 90
Hit roll: 75, hit!
Crit roll: 57, no crit
Damage: 26-1-9 = 16dmg
Hit: 96+15-10-40 = 61
Hit roll: 23, hit!
No crit roll
Damage: 25+1-9 = 17dmg
Altha strikes back!
Hit: 120+1+10-15-16 = 100, autohit!
Crit roll: 30, no crit
Damage: 17-1-9 = 7dmg
Altha counters again!
Hit: 120+10-15-16 = 99
Hit roll: 12, hit!
Crit roll: 40, no crit
Damage: 17-1-9 = 7dmg
Hit: 107-10-37 = 60
Hit roll: 98, miss!
Hit: 115+10-15-20 = 90
Hit roll: 18, hit!
Crit roll: 53, no crit
Damage: 26-1-9 = 16dmg
"Well... the industries are pretty numerous, if weapons and armors is what you seek there. The temples of the other divines are also there, but of course Temple of Mortis is the biggest. And I'm sure you will be interested in the District of Delights, considering you're travelers. Plenty of inns, brothels, gambling halls and lounges to waste your time and money at." "There we go, just few more minutes on the road and we will be there."
"So, it will be farewell, we have-" "What? No, no, no! No farewells until you fetch my supplies to the market, and then I'm taking you to the Temple of Mortis to complain about loss of my skeletons! The sooner you admit your guilt, the better."
"But we already-" "Maybe the Sisters will take pity on my bad luck and give me a discount, too." "..."
