Zaori - User contributions [en-gb]

User:Apheori/CV

2020-07-25T03:01:25Z

Gaurav: with with -> with

Predominantly a UX designer and MediaWiki developer. I have many [[User:Apheori/Projects|projects]]. Last updated 2020. __NOINDEX__

== Work experience ==

=== Wikimedia Foundation ===

; Project Grantee - [[mw:meta:Grants:Project/Timeless/Post-deployment support|Timeless/Post-deployment support]] (2018 - 2019) ([[mw:meta:Grants:Project/Timeless/Post-deployment support/Final|report]])
* Consolidation of bug reports and user feedback into actionable tasks
* Outreach to relevant stakeholders to prioritise development and better understand audience needs, including RfCs to determine paths forward
* Bugfixes and features development within Timeless, both to increase inter-compatibility with external components and improve the effectiveness of included components
* Development on and documentation of the underlying skinning system in MediaWiki core to better support needs of all skins
* Updates and compatibility fixes across myriad skins and extensions in order to improve compatibility and consistency across the overall MediaWiki frontend ecosystem

; Project Grantee - [[mw:meta:Grants:Project/WikiProject_X/CollaborationKit_MVP/|WikiProject X/CollaborationKit MVP]] (2018 - 2019) ([[mw:meta:Grants:Project/WikiProject_X/CollaborationKit_MVP/Final|report]])
* Extension review and task triage to ensure up-to-date status information
* Resolution of technical debt: style changes, deprecated functions, upstream and cross-compatibility with other extensions
* Determination and resolution of current deployment blockers, including setting expectations for the extension as well as upstream requirements
* Updates and maintenance for onwiki and community outreach channels, including general newsletters and direct liaising with relevant stakeholders

; IEG Grantee - Designer and Developer for [[mw:meta:Grants:IEG/WikiProject X/Renewal|WikiProject X Renewal]] (2016 - 2017) ([[mw:meta:Grants:IEG/WikiProject_X/Renewal/Final|report]])
* MediaWiki extension development, design, and review
* Collaboration with upstream teams to fix bugs and implement new features
* Creating and implementing skin-agnostic designs based on earlier prototypes
* Vetting potential new hires

; IEG Grantee - Designer for [[mw:meta:Grants:IEG/WikiProject X|WikiProject X]] (2015) ([[mw:meta:Grants:IEG/WikiProject_X/Final|report]])
* Collecting user stories, and comparing components across successful WikiProjects
* Creating design documents to track existing and potential user workflows
* Prototype layout design and development, testing, and iteration
* Presentations to various stakeholders at conferences

; Design intern - Flow (2013) ([[mw:User:Isarra/OPW report|report]])
* Testing for usability problems with the existing interface
* Component wireframes and high-fidelity interactive designs for initial testing
* Design changes to ease transitions between different interface styles

=== Freelance work ===

; Website development and graphic design (2011 - present)
* MediaWiki extension and skin development and design, with focus on those needing cohesion with other aspects of an organisation's site
* Art commissions and logo design, branding and visual identities
* Website building and updates for deployed platforms

=== Measured Progress ===

; Scoring Team Leader, Supervisor (2016 - 2020)
* Coordinating with other team leaders and supervisors
* Performing quality assurance to ensure consistency over time
* Managing team(s) of scorers
* Evaluating edge cases and translation issues and determining new rules consistent with existing standards

; Scorer (2014 - 2017)
* Consistent evaluation according to standardised rules
* Finding unestablished edge cases

=== Quest Product Development ===

; General assistant (2007 - 2009)
* Quality assurance testing, database sanitisation, clerical duties, and other tasks

== Volunteer work ==

=== Wikimedia ===

; MediaWiki developer (2011 - present)
* Skin development, maintenance, and design, especially for [[mw:category:Mobile skins|mobile]], providing distinct visual identities for MediaWiki sites
* Presentations on current work and training sessions walking people through the processes involved
* Extensions and better interfaces for remote authentication and database imports, screenplay formatting, others
* Liaising between volunteer and staff developers in bug reports and discussions
* Adding built-in support for new CSS specs while also supporting fallback options for older browsers
* Mentoring Google Summer of Code participants, as well as other new users
* Filing and following up on tasks for improved usability and accessibility of various interfaces, internal and external

; Content contributor and editor
* File uploads and editing, including watermark removal and adjustments for better digital viewing
* Editing Wikipedia and sister wikis
* Organising and facilitating meetups, editing events, and other outreach
* Administrating the mailing list for the Wikimedians in Colorado User Group

=== ShoutWiki ===

; Head of User Experience (2013 - present)
* General site branding
* Extension and tool design and review
* Skin and extension maintenance and upstream coordination with MediaWiki core projects

=== Uncyclopedia ===

; Director of Semi-visible Operations (Uncyclomedia) (2013 - present)
* MediaWiki extension and script development
* Interface and tool development in response to changing user needs and upstream changes
* Project management of system and server administration
* Prerelease testing and live deployments
* Community organisation and outreach

; [[uncyclopedia:user:lyrithya|Editor]] and administrator (2010 - 2015)
* Image manipulation, creation, and editing, as well as logo design
* Community management, cat herding, and countervandalism and antispam maintenance
* Article writing, editing, and review

== Skills and tools ==

; UX and Design Research
* Data collection: Surveys, interviews, community discussion, testing out and surveying existing content/processes
* Evaluation: Persona and heuristic evaluation, A/B testing, contrast checkers and colourblindness simulators
* Throwing random stuff at the wall and seeing what happens

; Software Development
* Languages: PHP, JavaScript, Python, SQL, HTML, XML, CSS, LESS, SASS, SVG
* Codebases: MediaWiki, WordPress
* Collaboration platforms: Phabricator, Bugzilla, Gerrit
* Version control: SVN, Git, IRC, email

; Graphics
* Raster editing: GIMP, Photoshop
* Vector editing: Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, Fontforge
* Other: Balsamiq Mockups, Firefox developers tools, pencil and paper

; General
* Grantmaking, documentation, reports
* Team leadership, project planning, inter-team collaboration
* Ubuntu and Arch Linux system administration, Nginx, Apache, mdadm

== Education ==

; CU Boulder - Bachelor of Science Computer Science (Human-Centered Computing track) - 2013
* Studies in algorithms, computer systems, software engineering
* Studies in psychology with an emphasis on neuroscience and human-computer interaction
* Studies in 2D, 3D, and user experience design
* Studies in startup and business management, basic marketing

Gallery/Phyloreferencing logos

2020-07-25T02:30:19Z

Gaurav: Added a link to the Phyloreferencing project

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Phyloreferencing logos}}
[[File:Phyloref wide.svg|center]]

----

{{center|Logos and swag for the [https://www.phyloref.org/ Phyloreferencing project].}}

----

<gallery widths=250px heights=250px mode=packed>
File:Phyloref sticker.svg|Sticker
</gallery>

<gallery widths=350px heights=350px mode=packed>
File:Owl shirt front.svg|T-shirt front
File:Owl shirt back.svg|T-shirt Back
</gallery>

== Full logo information and examples ==
[[File:The owling.svg|850px|center]]

File:Dummy colours.svg

2016-09-07T20:26:05Z

Gaurav: Gaurav uploaded a new version of File:Dummy colours.svg

=={{int:filedesc}}==
{{Information
|description={{en|1=BLARGH}}
|date=2016-07-23
|source={{own}}
|author=[[User:Apheori|Apheori]]
|permission=
|other versions=
}}

=={{int:license-header}}==
{{self|cc-by-sa-4.0}}

This/Survivors song

2016-05-30T20:42:33Z

Gaurav: Typos, formatting.

''The [[/heap]] contains the snippets. This is all draft.

== Part n + 1: Calculate ending ==

''The soft vibrating that you feel in your bones, it is nothing more than the humming air, handsaws twanging, cats purring too many to hear. Do you have a problem with silence?

''Notes:

# ''Coraline is a librarian.
# ''Notes may provide context, but not meaning.
# ''A 'universe' is an artificial construct.
# ''Coraline Henderson is dead.

=== Possibility .30 ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Midnight

The universe has been destroyed. Only nothing and approximately 3.8 billion sphinxes remain, forming a moon-sized wad around two survivors, BERTRAM and CORALINE, who are nestled in a small pocket in the middle of the lot.

The sphinxes are all purring very loudly, and occasionally rearranging themselves amidst horrible roiling.

One of them drops onto Coraline's head, making her look a bit like Batman.

BERTRAM
Good job.

Coraline glares at him from under the sphinx hat.

BERTRAM
Really, I'm impressed. I did not expect that when we destroyed the entire universe, this would happen.

</screenplay>

== Part 0: Present introductions ==

''In the year 2028, by the Cerrisian calendar, the crown of Soravia fell, sending the kingdom into chaos and turmoil. As years pass, the ruling Houses struggle for power and influence, making alliances and sending their armies to march and engage in terrible battles. The devastation only spreads, with no end in sight.

''But Soravia is large, and many areas remain almost unaffected.

''But Soravia is small, and there is no escape within its shores.

''Notes:

# ''The story is always told from perspective. Translations are built in, even gestures.
# ''This was all planned in retrospect.
# ''Relative positions are absolute in their primacy.
# ''Every word was chosen.
# ''{{idioma|Sisu.}}

=== Narrow Escape ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Country road; Soravian wilderness - afternoon

A small Finnish woman with light brown hair, CORALINE, is fleeing unseen hunters. She's in the autumn woods, leaves blowing down around her. There's a road, though she cannot quite seem to decide whether to avoid it or stick to it. Behind her, the sound of horses and dogs and shouting men gains imminence. Slung across her back is an ornate golden staff with a large, stylised phoenix built into its end, with wings outstretched.

There is another chatter of voices, too, somewhere else, getting louder, but these are unfocused, uninterested, all around.

Everything has failed her. She is desperate, and has little hope, but still she runs, finally making up her mind to stick to the road, sprinting down its dirt pack with everything she has left, breathing hard, in and out, in and out. Every stride jolts through her bones.

She can feel her strength failing, but she tells herself, at each of the road markers, get to the next, get to the next, get to the next.

She doesn't stop.

Even as she unwillingly slows, and the world darkens, she does not stop.

Even as the dogs make the road, even as the horses clatter into hearing, even as the shouts become clear, she does not stop.

EXT. Soravian town - evening

It is earlier, a few days, still autumn. The town is full of soldiers, hanging around the bars, loitering on the streets, tenting on the outskirts. It is not quite an occupation, but almost.

Coraline hurries through, avoiding them but not. She needs a place to stay, food to eat.

She heads into an inn.

INT. Some inn - evening

It's crowded inside, more so than out, and smokey, and noisy.

Coraline heads over to the bar and finds the INNKEEPER.

CORALINE
Hey.

INNKEEPER
Get you something?

CORALINE
Meal and some vodka for the road... and I don't suppose there's any chance of a place to stay?

The innkeeper looks at her, surprised.

INNKEEPER
We're booked, obviously, but... you're travelling alone?

CORALINE
Yeah...

INNKEEPER
Hold on.
(he yells over his shoulder, toward the kitchen)
Gemma!
(he heads back, continuing)
Gemma, got a question...

He shuffles into the back room, leaving Coraline at the bar.

Coraline looks around.

It's mostly soldiers in here, too. Their insignias are one of the noble houses. One of them squeezes past Coraline to talk to another guy at the bar, and she steps aside.

SOLDIER ANDRE
Hey, check this out.

Andre pulls out a small soulstone and sets it on the bar. It's perfectly black.

The other guy, ROB, reaches out to pick it up, but then recoils from the touch.

SOLDIER ROB
Agh, what is that?

SOLDIER ANDRE
Black soulstone. Was talking to the Deathdealer, and he gave it to me. You can use them to detect Carriers even before they turn...

Coraline is holding the soulstone in her hand, staring at it in utter fascination. The voices around her have risen to a roar in her head, drowning everything else out in black, even as the stone forms an impossible brightness in her mind. It's perfect. Safe. Necessary. Needed.

The voices rise to a scream.

The floor drops away beneath her, swirling in green.

A moment later, everything is normal again. Coraline is still holding the stone. The inn's loudness is nothing more than the chatter of dozens of men all crammed inside one common space. Rob and Andre are staring at her.

Coraline forces herself to drop the stone and flees in utter terror, pushing into the crowd, darting through the tables, out onto the open street. Nobody really tries to stop her, not really knowing what's going on.

The stone bounces off the floor, once, and then stops, sitting still on the ground, gleaming.

SOLDIER ROB
What, does that mean...

Andre leans down and picks up the soulstone.

SOLDIER ANDRE
She was a Carrier. The Death of Souls.

The two soldiers exchange glances and hurry out after her.

The innkeeper comes over a moment later.

INNKEEPER
Yeah, my wife thinks we can...
(he realises Coraline's not there anymore)
Where'd she go?

EXT. Soravian town - night

Coraline walks quickly, trying not to draw attention, but still hurrying as much as she can as she sqiggles down the cluttered streets, holding her staff low, looking around for anything to help, any way out.

She spots some horses, and manages to get over to them without anyone really noticing, and soon she's properly off, keeping the horse at a trot, whispering to it to be calm.

EXT. Clearing - morning

A few days have passed. Coraline is slowing now, letting the horse longer to rest, walking more along with it. She lets it graze now, as she lies down in the grass, staring up into the red-orange trees and bright blue sky above. There has been no sign of pursuit.

Clouds drift across the blue.

The wind shifts. The horse smells something, its nostrils twitching. Faint sounds drift in from the way they came. Clatter. Barking.

Dogs.

Coraline jumps up quickly, looses the horse, and mounts, hurrying it back into a trot.

She hurries now, pushing the horse harder than before, forcing herself to slow only from time to time, dismounting and walking quickly beside it. They pass through the woods covering good ground, vaguely downhill.

The horse slows further, tensing, no longer getting up to speed as the day goes on, and into the night, and morning.

The first time it trips, she heals it, placing a hand to the hurt leg and letting it mend, even as the voices rise around her.

The second time, she abandons it, continuing only on foot.

EXT. Country road - afternoon

Coraline is about to fall. She has been running too long. The rhythm in her stride is breaking down, her arms and legs no longer rising as they should. She is like the horse, but worse. She has less to trip over, though the road only barely stays beneath her feet as the trees around bounce crazily in her periphery.

The pursuers are all but drowned out by the voices.

It was a good go. A solid fight. She knows this. She accepts it.

She slows.

A young boy, NOLAN, (8) steps out into the road ahead. He takes Coraline's arm just as she is about to fall before him, and pulls her to a stop, before pushing her off down a side path.

Then he turns back toward the road, just as the pursuers round the bend, and steps toward them. They slow as they approach.

The dogs avoid Nolan entirely, shying away, stopping. They do not seem to like him at all.

The DEATHDEALER leading the group addresses Nolan.

DEATHDEALER
Hail. We seek a woman, a Carrier of the Death of Souls. Have you seen her?

NOLAN
No.

DEATHDEALER
Nobody has come this way?

NOLAN
You should have sheep. Show me to your sheep.

The Deathdealer reigns his horse away, looking down the road.

SOLDIER
What?

NOLAN
Those are sheep dogs.

SOLDIER
Dammit, kid, this is serious!

They hurry on around Nolan, continuing on.

As the clatter and barking dies down again, Nolan turns back down the path to the temple.

INT. Molstead temple - evening

Coraline opens the door slowly, peering inside, then stumbling in as the heavy door closes behind her.

The temple is still, lit dimly with late sunlight trickling in through some of the high windows, and candles at the shrines to the many gods around the walls. At the far end, facing the door and the other shrines, is a single large STATUE OF AZORRES, who looks nothing like Ganesha, looking down on the space.

Some offerings are laid out at its base.

CORALINE
(quietly)
Hello?

STATUE OF AZORRES
Welcome, wayfarer, to this house of the gods. You have need of sanctuary, I suspect.

CORALINE
Yes, gods... yes. Are you Ganesha?

STATUE OF AZORRES
You will be safe here. My priests will provide a place to rest.

CORALINE
But the soldiers... they won't give up. They know what I am.

STATUE OF AZORRES
They will not take you from this house.

Two priests, DAVIS and CORMITH, come over and help Coraline toward one of the back doors.

CORMITH
Here, come with us.

DAVIS
We'll keep you hidden until they leave. It'll be fine. I'm Davis, and this is Cormith.

CORALINE
Lyra. Lyra Zidane.

DAVIS
All right, Lyra. You're among friends now.

INT. Molstead temple - night

The main room is empty now, aside from Nolan, who is lingering by one of the shrines, looking strangely like it.

The Deathdealer and some of the soldiers enter the temple. They pass Nolan by, not even noticing him.

DEATHDEALER
(approaching the statue purposefully)
Where is she, statue?

STATUE OF AZORRES
Who, dear Deathdealer?

DEATHDEALER
You know exactly who I mean. We have covered the village. This is the only place she could be. Where is she hiding?

STATUE OF AZORRES
And what do you intend to do should you find her?

DEATHDEALER
You know that too.

STATUE OF AZORRES
And you should know that no aspect of Azorres would ever aid you toward that end.

DEATHDEALER
She is a Carrier of the Death of Souls! She may look like a person now, but she is cursed, and you know what will happen if she goes free and finishes her transformation. That woman will break down into a mindless monster, devouring and destroying all souls in her path, and the curse will only spread.
Surely you must see reason. She must be destroyed, now, before it is too late.

STATUE OF AZORRES
She is under my protection.

DEATHDEALER
(starting toward the back door)
I will find her. I will dismantle you piece by piece if I must.

The statue's voice changes, becoming larger, stranger.

STATUE OF AZORRES
(quietly)
You would threaten a god in his own temple?

NOLAN
I think you should leave now.

The Deathdealer turns to regard Nolan.

NOLAN
(stepping out of the shadows)
Unless you wish to lose both life and soul in one slow, agonising process.

DEATHDEALER
Really?

NOLAN
Do you intend to try me, little man?

The Deathdealer (who is decidedly not little) and soldiers stare at Nolan.

Nolan stares impassively back, not blinking.

DEATHDEALER
You will be witnessed.

NOLAN
Okay.

The Deathdealer nods at the soldiers and they all leave.

Nolan tilts his head slightly.

The Deathdealer draws his sword.

Nolan doesn't move.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Theramon sa Tgomi, stand down. If you will not listen to me, then listen to Kyrule, your own god, who has given me your name as proof. Stand down, and let this matter go. This Carrier you seek does not concern you.

The Deathdealer stops and relaxes, turning to regard the statue in surprise.

DEATHDEALER
I... understand. I will obey.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Tell your men she is dead, the matter handled before you even came. This is ''over''.

The Deathdealer bows shakily and then very hastily leaves.

After, Nolan strolls over to the statue looking almost curious.

NOLAN
Interesting.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Very.

</screenplay>

=== A day in the life ===

<screenplay>

INT. Molstead Inn - morning

Coraline Dreams.

: ''In the dream, you are running, fleeing. The sky hangs grey and low. The ground is dull and rocky, simply there. The wind is furtive and blustery, coming in wet bursts, whistling in the trees' leaves. It's going to rain.

: ''A noise trickles out of the wet, a hint of warmth drifting around you. Trolls. They are hunting you. They have always been hunting you, and you don't remember any point in which they haven't been hunting you, and now they are getting closer. Dull leaves shift underfoot, muffling you footfalls, but it doesn't matter.

: ''You trip. You fall. You are down, underground. A passage, a tall shaft above, open to the sky, shows little light from so far. The first raindrops fall wet and heavy, but only from time to time, only on one side, thrown by the wind above.

: ''Down here, though, the walls are already wet. Seeping moisture hints at life within the ground, of strangeness, of alien forces silently at work, always changing. You cannot linger. You have to run. So you do, and the walls run with you. You run, and the walls change, widening the corridor, opening out into a grand cavern. Further on, jagged rock gives way to strange formations, pillars and columns, almost too precise, but right here, in front of you, is a car, some ancient Soviet model, poking its hood from the wall. It grins at you, all bumper and headlights, and says, "Whaddya know about that?"

: ''"I'm sorry," you tell the car, "But I can't stop. I need to keep moving. The moment I stop, everything goes horribly wrong and the trolls find me, so I need to keep moving, okay?"

: ''"I won't ask him," the car replies, withdrawing back into the wall.

: ''That's good enough. But then you realise you're stopped.

: ''The dream falls away.

The inn is a rustic preindustrial affair, wood and stone, with reasonably straight edges. Coraline is sprawled on her bed in a back room. Her hair is a silvery white-blonde now, and considerably longer. A fluffy tortoiseshell cat is on her face.

A bell is mounted on the wall nearby, attached to a contrapture leading back into the main room. A bottle of brandy is on her bedside table. Her phoenix staff is leaning against the wall. Books are piled up on shelves.

The voices are a disorganised chatter, roaring in the background.

Coraline shoves the cat off her head and then sits up, eyeing the cat confusedly.

The cat slides onto another pillow. There are a lot of pillows.

CORALINE
Mwaaagh?

The cat purrs.

CORALINE
{{idioma|Perkele.}} You're not one of mine. Who the hells are you, cat, and what are you doing in my bed?

The cat doesn't respond.

Coraline gets up and grabs the brandy, drinking some straight out of the bottle, and the voices die down to a murmur. Then she pulls on some proper clothes and heads into the kitchen.

The kitchen is empty, the stove cold.

Coraline grabs a chunk of bread.

CORALINE
Jess? Hello? Anyone here?

Another cat, THIMBLE, is sprawled at the base of the step into the tavern proper looking very angry, and Coraline steps over him without even paying attention.

The tavern proper is completely empty, the floor swept, the tables stacked (aside from one missing a leg and nailed to the ceiling as a rather peculiar hazard). The shutters are open, sunlight streaming in.

Coraline hurries over and closes them, grumbling.

The tortoiseshell pads over and Coraline picks her up and stomps out.

EXT. Molstead - morning

It's a bright summer morning. The sky is mostly clear. Loud birds are everywhere, on the buildings, in the trees, being loud. Some townsfolk are out and about, doing townsfolk things.

Coraline holds up the cat like a sack of potatoes.

CORALINE
(to the cat)
Any of this yours? Hmm?

The cat hangs limply in her hands. This is decidedly un-catlike.

CORALINE
(irritably)
Alternately, do you see Jess anywhere? She should be here by now.

CAT
Who?

Coraline lowers the cat and eyes her suspiciously, but then decides not to press the matter.

EXT. Molstead market square - slightly later morning

The market is a messy combination of open square with stalls and buildings around with shops, with folks pitching and buying and just passing through in a horrible mish-mash. The folks are mostly human, but a few elves and stuff are mixed in.

Coraline is still holding the cat, and now has a small HAMSTERY GUY following her very, very closely repeatedly asking her what day it is. She attempts to ignore him.

HAMSTERY GUY
What day is it?

Coraline now attempts to refrain from punching him in the face with a cat.

The hamstery guy circles around to follow her from the other side, except now he's actually slightly in front of her.

HAMSTERY GUY
What day is it?

A blacksmith, BARNEY, spots Coraline from near the smithy and scoots over, holding a scabbarded sword, just as Coraline is about to shove the cat claws-first into the hamstery guy's face.

BARNEY
(hurrying over)
Lyra! I've got this sword. You know I've got this sword. It's got your name written all over it, and for the absolute steal of a price of five silver it's all yours, all yours!

He holds the sword up in her face.

CORALINE
(pushing the sword away with the cat)
Now, look, I really don't...

She's interrupted by the hamstery guy pushing Barney aside and getting in her face.

HAMSTERY GUY
What day is it?

CAT
(hissing)
The day you die.

The cat slides out of Coraline's hands and settles around her shoulders, instead.

Barney pulls the hamstery guy aside again in order to reclaim his rightful place in Coraline's face. The hamstery guy attempts to retaliate, and Barney elbows him in the throat.

Foiled, the hamstery guy sidles off to bother someone else.

BARNEY
Five silver. Once in a lifetime deal. Just five, and it's all yours!

Coraline glares at him with the full force of Finnish Death.

Barney smiles at her disarmingly.

CORALINE
If I wanted to buy a sword, I would have commissioned one and you know it.

Barney gives her his best crestfallen look. Coraline continues to glare at him.

The cat watches curiously from Coraline's shoulders.

BARNEY
(breaking into a wide smile)
Fine, take it as a gift, then. Made for you, perfectly balanced, utter steal!

Barney bustles around her and fastens the sword to her belt, then hops back and nods.

Coraline continues to glare at where he was for a moment, and then just looks confused.

CORALINE
What?

BARNEY
Aye, yes, that's the look. Utterly dashing, the lady wizard.

Before Coraline can respond, Barney backs away entirely with a weird swagger, not unlike that of a used car salesman, still nodding, and retreats back into a bunch of passersby.

CORALINE
What... just happened?

Her hand falls to the sword, which has somehow been added very neatly to the opposite side of her belt to her bag.

CAT
You got yourself a sword.

CORALINE
Thank you, Captain Obvious. You're real helpful, aren't you?

CAT
Meh.

Coraline heads over to some various folk to ask around about Jess, though nothing really comes of it. She buys some lunch while she's at it.

After, she heads off down the road.

EXT. Molstead road - late morning

CORALINE
All right, cat, what's your deal, anwyay?

CAT
Obviously I'm a cat.

CORALINE
One that speaks. And has a sense of sarcasm. Why show up out of the blue? You even planning to stick around? Or are you some kind of alien or something trying to suck out my brain juices?

CAT
I'm a witch's cat. I needed a witch, and you seemed witchy.

CORALINE
What, did something happen to your old witch?

The cat purrs.

CORALINE
You got a name, then?

The cat purrs some more.

CORALINE
Cat, I got five cats already and I call them all 'cat', so please, something a bit more specific would be nice.

The cat stretches out a leg and sticks a claw up Coraline's nose.

CAT
Maybe.

CORALINE
(removing the cat paw from her face)
Maybe?

CAT
I'm Agata.

CORALINE
Agata. Okay. Good. Do I look like a witch to you?

CAT
(purring)
They all think you're a wizard. It's the same thing, really.

CORALINE
(she sighs)
They also think I'm from Ord.

EXT. Eslinger farm - noonish

Coraline comes up the road to find one of Jess's sisters, TEMMIE, mending the fence. Temmie stops and waves upon seeing Coraline.

The voices are getting louder again now, but Coraline just ignores them.

The cat, AGATA, trots over and rubs against Temmie's legs.

TEMMIE
What brings you these ways?

CORALINE
Hey Temmie. Was Jess coming to work today?

TEMMIE
Oh, aye. She left same as usual, hours back. Why?
(confused)
Did she not... Lyra?

CORALINE
She was here and then she left?

TEMMIE
Er, yes.

CORALINE
Right. So clearly something happened between here and there and there and... I need a new brain.

Coraline turns and leaves without saying anything more, and Agata pounces after her.

TEMMIE
Hey, hey, wait!

INT. Molstead Temple - noonish

Coraline pulls the doors open rather forcefully, causing them to swing open to either side of her while she stands there dramatically.

Agata ambles inside and sits down in front of the main large statue of Azorres, peering up at it.

Coraline hops inside right as the doors are swinging closed again and nearly gets hit in the foot by one of them, and scoots up behind the cat.

Agata swishes her tail.

CORALINE
Hey statue.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Welcome back, wayfarer. How are you holding up?

CORALINE
Miserably. Like a miser. I'm miser-able.

STATUE OF AZORRES
It is a difficult burden you carry.

CORALINE
What else am I going to do with it, drop it?
I'm looking for Jess. She went missing somewhere between her parents' farm and actually showing up to work. Where would I be looking if I were looking where I ought to be looking?

STATUE OF AZORRES
You have your answer there. Follow the path between farm and town, and perhaps the clues will reveal themselves.

Coraline nods, but doesn't go.

Agata peers up at her curiously.

CORALINE
(quietly)
I'm getting weaker. It's slight, but I can feel myself slipping more and more. I thought if I didn't use magic, maybe I'd be okay. It'd stop. But it's winning. Slowly it's winning.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Four thousand years and there has been no cure to the Death of Souls. You know it will not simply go away.

CORALINE
But what can I do?

STATUE OF AZORRES
Find Jess. One problem at a time.

AGATA
You're oddly intelligent, for a statue.

STATUE OF AZORRES
I will take that as a compliment, little one.

CORALINE
Cat, after some of the people I've dealt with, I'd say it's oddly intelligent for anything, really.

AGATA
I thought you were going to quit calling me 'cat'.

CORALINE
Dammit cat, I call all my cats 'cat'.

Agata peers up at Coraline imperiously.

Coraline narrows her eyes.

CORALINE
Sassmaster.

Agata closes her eyes contentedly.

Coraline scoops up Agata.

CORALINE
And seriously, thanks, statue. You're a wonderful replacement for a working brain.

EXT. Molstead outskirts - noonish

Coraline strolls back down the road with all the care of an angry zamboni, swinging a bottle of vodka in her hand, Agata padding ahead, oppressive heat and sunlight bearing down on the both of them. Heat waves rise off the road. Bugs buzz in the trees.

Coraline is now quite drunk, and the voices practically silent, drowned out by the resulting fuzziness.

She stops at a bend and sights down a footpath heading into the trees through the bottle, using it like a telescope with the lid off, causing some vodka to splash on her face. She blinks, putting the bottle away.

CORALINE
Damn. Alcohol is lovely in this heat.

AGATA
Smooth.

CORALINE
(indicating the trail)
There's some ruins out this way. Maybe... I dunno.

AGATA
Do you have any leads at all?

CORALINE
None whatsoever.

AGATA
Do you have anywhere you need to be?

CORALINE
Nope.

AGATA
Well.

CORALINE
Right.

They head down the path.

EXT. Elven ruins - early afternoon

The ruins are a large quasi-clearing in the woods, the only remainder of an ancient elven city. Mostly the white stone blocks and columns lie scattered throughout the ferns and grass, trees growing through and over them, with only the odd wall or pillar rising against the green, clusters of buildings now almost totally reclaimed by the forest. Only one building stands out as intact - a solitary Edifice, still sealed after all these centuries, and nearly untouched by storm or moss.

Coraline comes out on the path, looks around, climbs onto a particularly large white block, and glares out over the ruins.

An alarming amount of spider webs glare back at her from some of the trees on the far end.

CORALINE
(squinting unhelpfully)
...gogs?

A beige and gloopy PORRIDGE gloops past Agata on the ground, and she hisses at it.

Coraline hops down and heads over into the webby trees.

INT. Gog tunnels - afternoon

It's webby, and a bit messy. There's no real path at first, but then one seems to grow almost organically out of bits of web.

As Coraline and Agata progress, the webs get thicker.

At one point she sees a gog hanging off a bunch of webbing on a tree. It looks a bit like a large dog-sized spider, and appears to be asleep.

At another, she passes a tree with a large circular hole cut exactingly through the trunk, except the hole is almost as big as the trunk is, and the top of the tree is held up almost entirely by webbing. Through the hole is shoved a door.

She continues on, and the webs thicken. The trees are swathed in webbing, until everything is covered.

Ahead, the webs converge entirely, leaving only a single round tunnel, maybe a metre in diameter. At its entrance are two more gogs, also asleep.

Agata hops up onto Coraline's shoulders.

Coraline walks up and pokes one of them.

The poked gog startles and legs at the other gog, which also startles and legs back. They prod at each other a bit with legs and then slow, and then stop. After a moment they collapse back onto each other, vibrating.

Coraline scoots past them carefully into the hole and walk-crawls very awkwardly through it.

AGATA
(next to Coraline's ear)
I hope you know what you're doing.

CORALINE
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, or what's going on. Gog aren't... this isn't what they do.

AGATA
Looks like they did.

CORALINE
Mostly they're just an annoyance. Steal some sheep. Web over a door. That sort of thing.

AGATA
Mostly.

The tunnel abruptly ends, and Coraline spills out into an oddly circular chamber, completely bound in spun white webbing. The ceiling glows with diffused light. A couple of other circular tunnels are scattered about the walls.

It is completely empty, aside from the centre. In the centre is a solitary wooden door, standing upright without a frame or even hinges. It is in perfect shape. It has a knob.

Coraline stares at it blankly for a moment.

CORALINE
I don't even want to know.

She scoots very carefully around the edge of the chamber, keeping her back to the wall, watching the door carefully until she gets to the next tunnel.

AGATA
And yet you're continuing.

Coraline gives the door one last worried look before scooting into the new tunnel and hurrying away.

EXT. Gog clearing - afternoon

This tunnel opens up into a clearing that is much less webbed over, with only odd swaths netting down from branches, and a decent carpet underfoot. Old trees tower overhead. Afternoon sun trickles down in motes of dust. It is surprisingly cool.

Coraline is sobering up a bit as they come out, but the voices are still quiet.

Gogs are all over, mostly in groups of 3-10. The nearest group are gathered around a bunch of doors, all fairly beaten up. One of the gogs pokes a door with a stick, then drops the stick and starts jumping on the door in aggravation. Another pulls a door upright and then, along with two others, headbutts it.

Coraline watches curiously for a moment.

CORALINE
You know you need hinges, right?

The gogs all freeze exactly where they are: the ones with the doors, quite a few others just hanging out in the clearing, a large group doing some sort of choreographed march around the perimeter, and also a smaller group holding up paper signs around a very confused looking JESS.

A few of the gogs in the paper signs group are also holding sticks. One appears to have been in the process of poking Jess with its stick, but is frozen mid-poke.

JESS
(also not moving)
Lyra?

Coraline threads her way through the groups of gogs, trying not to run into too many, but they don't respond even when she does.

CORALINE
You okay? Kind of need you at the inn.

JESS
Um... yeah, mostly, I guess?

Jess pushes aside the stick uncertainly, and then pushes through the sign-gogs. The signs say things like 'door problem' and 'what knob' and 'show force??', and they are all very consistently upside down. She hurries over to Coraline and collapses into the older woman's arms, sobbing.

CORALINE
(patting Jess awkwardly on the shoulder a couple of times)
There, uh, there?

Jess takes a few minutes to calm down, during which Coraline slowly pulls/nudges her toward the edge of the clearing. In the meantime, the gogs around appear to do absolutely nothing.

JESS
They kept poking me. They seemed to really want me to help them with their doors. Except they couldn't explain very well. They just have signs and broken doors everywhere, and then they ran out of paper, and I don't even know. Lyra, what is going on?

CORALINE
They wanted help with the doors, apparently.

Coraline looks around at the motionless gogs. There seem to be fewer now.

CORALINE
We should probably get out of here. If they let us.

JESS
What did you do?

CORALINE
Uh...

AGATA
She mentioned hinges.

A nearby gog collapses.

Jess jumps, and winds up behind Coraline, clinging to her shoulder.

Coraline turns around, pulling Jess with her.

All the gogs that had been behind them are gone.

JESS
What? They're... They're...

CORALINE
Meh.

Coraline marches off into the woods in what she hopes is the general direction of the ruins, or at least town, and Jess follows closely, not letting go of Coraline's sleeve.

EXT. Molstead woods - afternoon

Coraline and Jess get back out into the open woods without too much trouble, but an odd stillness follows them. A disquieting quiet.

Coraline grumbles irritably and draws her sword, and Agata climbs around onto the opposite shoulder for a better perch. The name 'Lyra Zidane' is written down the blade in flowing patterns, with engraved leaves dancing out around it. The whole design comes across in surprisingly good taste.

JESS
What is it?

CORALINE
I don't want to alarm you, but I think we're being followed.

A bush shudders nearby.

CORALINE
Definitely being followed.

JESS
Run?

CORALINE
We don't even know who it is. Maybe it's someone who could tell us which way to run.

JESS
What?

AGATA
She means to say we're lost.

CORALINE
I would never say that. But if I would, well, yeah. We're lost.
(loudly)
Hello we need directions can you help us?

The trees rustle overhead, and leaves drift down.

A scuttling skitters in the underbrush around, over the hillocks, behind the trees.

The first few gogs appear, running toward them, and then gogs are pouring in from every direction, over the ground, covering it. The trees shake, and more gogs come down those, from all sides, all around, converging on Coraline and Jess.

Jess clings to Coraline.

The nearest gog bites at Coraline, and she stabs at it with the sword.

The gog bites at the sword instead, to no effect.

Confused, the gog bites at it again, but this has no more effect than the first time.

The gog hops backwards several metres, and then all the other gogs start converging on it, streaming around the two women, grouping, building a heap, piling up, and up, and up, until they have all just sort of conglomerated into a big, quivering conglomerate.

A gog tumbles off the side and rolls away, only to scamper back to the pile and climb back on.

There is a very long, awkward pause as gog pile and humans face off. Coraline looks a bit creeped out. Jess just looks terrified, clinging to her.

Then Coraline lowers her sword very suddenly. Jess jumps.

CORALINE
Bloody arm was getting tired.
(to the gog pile)
Hi. Gogs. Or whatever you call yourselves. Can you tell us which way to town?

There is a shuddering in the pile, and then one of the gogs in front hops forward slightly and pulls a stack of paper out of somewhere unspeakable.

It makes and holds up a sign. It reads, 'door problem'.

CORALINE
Really? We hadn't noticed.

The gog drops the paper and scribbles on another one, 'cannot into'.

CORALINE
(shaking her head)
No, this is not polandball.

This goes on for a bit, but it eventually unfolds, amidst many drinks, that the door problem, specifically, is that the gogs cannot figure them out. As a result, the gogs have become obsessed with doors, stuck on how to get them open, how to get past them. So they kidnap humans, learn their language and how to write things down on paper to communicate, trying to get the humans to teach them how to door. But it doesn't work. The humans don't know what they mean, and then the gogs run out of paper. So then they need to break into humans' nests again, this time to get more paper. Except they can't, because doors are in the way, and they still can't get past them. They don't have the right appendages to use the knobs. They don't have the mass to just tear them off their hinges. Covering them with webbing does nothing. So they use other means. Throw Keith in through windows when they can. Tear the thatch off roofs and drop in when they can.

But inside are also doors.

CORALINE
So... door problem.

The gog holds up the 'door problem' sign in agreement. Or possibly a new 'door problem' sign. There are a whole lot of signs on the ground now.

The pile also quivers in agreement, or something.

CORALINE
Right. I'm really not sure how to help you with this.

The gog holds up a sign that says 'open door'.

Coraline sighs.

CORALINE
Which one of you is Keith?

A gog pries its way out of the pile and holds up a sign. The sign says only, 'Keith'.

CORALINE
Hi, Keith. What are you after when you get inside a... human nest?

Keith holds up a sign that says 'paper'.

CORALINE
Because you need paper for your signs. Of course you do. Look, we need to get back to town, but we'll send some, erm... specialists out here when we do, okay? They might be able to actually do something about your door problem. Or whatever it is your problem ''really'' is.

Coraline strafes around the pile to the side, and the entire pile rotates to face her. She backs away, and the pile stays put, watching with many, many eyes.

CORALINE
Great. Could you by any chance point us in the direction of town? Human nest nests?

A gog pries itself out of the pile and holds up a sign: 'show'.

Coraline gestures for it to lead the way, and they follow it back to the road, and then town.

EXT. Molstead Inn - evening

Coraline and Jess get back to the inn in the late evening, Coraline now carrying a snoring Agata under one arm. It's pleasantly cool, and several patrons are hanging around outside with mugs. They greet the women as they approach, but then go silent as they notice the gog.

CORALINE
It's a gog.

PATRON
Um.

The gog holds up a sign. It says, 'gog'.

CORALINE
See?

The inn's door is propped open, and Coraline tries to shoo the gog in, but then it just stops and pokes at the door. And then the door prop. And then the door some more.

CORALINE
(ushering Jess inside instead)
Yeah, let's just leave it at that.
(to the patrons)
Don't do anything stupid.

INT. Molstead Inn - evening

Inside is fairly busy. Folks are all about, filling the tables, standing around, drinking. DORS, the orcan bouncer, is tending bar. He waves at Coraline and Jess cheerfully as they come in, baring too many teeth.

Another cat, ARGUMENT OF HAGS, yowls from a shelf in welcome.

CORALINE
Right, I think we need food. And then we need to get you home. You good to work tomorrow?

Jess nods.

Coraline pushes a very drunk guy off a barstool and he wanders off, oblivious. Then she plonks Jess down on the stool in his place, and dumps Agata in her lap.

CORALINE
Stay.

Dors pours Jess a drink.

DORS
I expect you've had a day. How about some poses?

Coraline heads to the kitchen to get some food, and grabs her staff while she's at it.

When she gets back, plates in hand, phoenix staff slung over a shoulder, a small crowd has gathered around one of the tables.

Dors is striking ridiculous poses at Jess.

Coraline deposits the plates by Jess and goes to investigate the crowd.

The gog is on the table. Several guys are attempting to give it beer.

The gog holds up a sign that says 'inside'.

GUY
Yeah, put the beer inside. You ''drink'' it. You getting this?
(to the others)
Am I saying this right?

ANOTHER GUY
Sure, look, it seems to get it.

The gog drinks some beer.

Coraline backs away very quickly, grabs her plate, and leaves the inn entirely.

INT. Keller's place - evening

Coraline shows up to Keller's place, still shovelling food in her face, and pounds on the door.

A moment later, KIT, Keller's apprentice (he's about 12), answers the door, peering up at her curiously.

KIT
Need something?

CORALINE
Got a job, if you're interested.

KIT
Yeah?

KELLER, dressed in stereotypical wizard robes, swoops the door open entirely before Coraline can respond.

KELLER
Miss Zidane! So good to see you again. Do come in, come in!

He ushers Kit out of the way, and Coraline inside.

Having lost access to Kit, Coraline comes inside.

Inside is rather messy. There is a stuffed moose hanging from the ceiling. Scrolls and notes are scattered across every surface. An entire wall is covered by something that looks like an elaborate chemistry experiment. Stacks of books line the other walls.

Coraline eyes the books curiously.

KELLER
So what brings you out this way this fine day, hmm?

Coraline takes another bite of her food, still eyeing the books.

KELLER
Ah, yes, I suppose I have amassed quite the collection over the years, haven't I? If there's anything you'd like to borrow, I suppose I could part... for a small fee.

Coraline painfully drags herself away from the idea of books and gets back to what she actually came here for.

CORALINE
I actually...
(she notices the moose)
Is that a moose?

KIT
Wondered that myself. Not a sheep, though. Nolan checked.

KELLER
It certainly is.

CORALINE
Why?

Kit shrugs.

KELLER
Oh, you know. You need the right space.

CORALINE
Right. I actually need to borrow your apprentice.

KELLER
(disappointedly)
But I have so much to give!

CORALINE
Unless ''you'' want to investigate a bunch of possibly insane gogs?

Keller stares at her for a moment.

KELLER
I've got research. Very important research that I must attend to.

CORALINE
Of course. I wouldn't mean to ask you to do anything beneath your station.

Keller hastily flounces off into another room.

Kit raises an eyebrow.

KIT
Insane gogs?

CORALINE
Well, maybe. There's a bunch of them out past the ruins, at least. Maybe you lot can figure out what the hells their problem really is?
Overtly, they're having problems with doors. And paper. The thing I'm really not clear on is why. They're communicative, though. Sort of. They use a lot of paper signs.

KIT
Sounds like you want Nolan.

CORALINE
Hey, if Nolan can translate gog signs, great. But you'll still need to translate Nolan, and you'll probably want to bring a sword with you just to be safe...

KIT
And I'm sure we can find a use for overloud shrieking.

Coraline nods.

CORALINE
Also, out of curiosity, what would Keller be likely to charge for some of those books?

KIT
More than they're worth. They're just manuals, and half of them are completely wrong.

CORALINE
Damn.

Kit pulls one out of a pile and hands it to Coraline.

KIT
Here, this one's a good starting kit. Just take it. He won't even notice.

CORALINE
Er, thanks.

EXT. Molstead - evening

Coraline escorts Jess home later, dropping off her plate at the inn and decidedly not investigating the gog table.

Outside, the voices are almost completely drowned out by the clatter of insects. Almost.

Jess is much calmer now. She glances toward Coraline periodically as they go as though about to say something, but then doesn't.

Coraline either doesn't notice or doesn't care.

Finally they get out of the town proper and onto the environs road through the woods.

JESS
I wish I could be like you. Nothing ever stops you, does it?

Coraline gives Jess a confused look.

JESS
I just froze. I had no idea what to do, but then you showed up... thank you. Thank you.

Coraline nods.

CORALINE
You want to do something, you just do... something. It won't always help, you won't always know what it will do, but if you know that doing nothing won't get you out, then try something else and figure out what will.
I used to do that too. Freeze. Not know what to do, hope it would blow over and just fix itself. Especially with people. But you get practice. You learn. You realise everything follows the same patterns, you learn how to test it and continue from there.
(quietly)
I still sometimes have no idea, though, and I put it off, don't deal with it. It just gets worse in the meantime.

JESS
You talked to the gog.

CORALINE
I talk to a lot of things. But it's often not a bad place to start.

For some reason they continue past the turn off to the Eslinger farm.

JESS
I'd like to stop at the temple first.

CORALINE
Sure.

INT. Molstead Temple - late evening

Davis is lighting candles at the shrines as Jess and Coraline enter.

Jess goes to a few of the shrines and does shriney things.

Coraline wanders over to bother Davis, standing right behind him.

CORALINE
Bother.

DAVIS
Oh, hello.

Davis looks at Coraline expectantly.

CORALINE
...that was really all I had to say.

Davis gives her an amused look and moves onto the next shrine, and Coraline follows. This one is to Kyrule, the god of death. It features a thick stone disk, with a skull wearing an elaborate filigree mask carved in relief.

CORALINE
I do love that mask. If I didn't already have one, I would do ungodly things for that mask. Hells, I might anyway.

DAVIS
I'm... not sure I should be hearing this.

CORALINE
What? It's a great mask. Lovely pattern. Very geometric. And flowy.

DAVIS
The mask of the God of Death?

CORALINE
He's got great taste.

Davis gives her a worried look, so Coraline shuffles over to bother the statue, instead.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Was that really necessary?

CORALINE
Yes.
Here's a question for you. Would it be wrong to turn an entire civilisation of a sentient species of spiders into raging alcoholics?

STATUE OF AZORRES
Yes.

CORALINE
Oh.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Were you really considering this?

CORALINE
Not particularly, but if I don't do something soon I might not be able to stop it, either.

STATUE OF AZORRES
There is a distinction between causing something and failing to stop it.

CORALINE
There's also a distinction of I live here and have to deal with the consequences, whether it had anything to do with me or not.

Jess comes over to the statue as well, kneeling before it.

STATUE OF AZORRES
Rise, dear child. You will always find solace here.

JESS
Thank you, my Lord. Thank you for watching over me.
(she puts a cake with the other offerings)
You sent Lyra for me, didn't you?

STATUE OF AZORRES
I did.

CORALINE
Normally I'd argue, but... yeah.
(to the statue)
Why didn't you just tell me where she was?

STATUE OF AZORRES
I did not know. A god may see their faithful as existing within the world, and know them how they are, but this comes with no precise knowledge of location or status. I knew that she was alive and in need. I heard her prayers and sent you the only direction that made sense.

CORALINE
You see like soap bubbles, each one an image reflected in the colours. It doesn't narrow things down, but it will amaze. Fuzzy little world.

The voices whisper in the background.

</screenplay>

=== Gog handling ===

<screenplay>

INT. Molstead inn - morning

It is morning. The inn is empty, much like the previous morning. The spare gog has cocooned itself on the hazard table sticking out of the ceiling. An argument is happening outside the main door.

Coraline grumps into the tavern proper holding a bottle of whiskey, staff on her back, sword on her belt, looking like a very angry videogame character. Several cats watch her from the bar as she passes: Thimble and Argument of Hags, as well as TRESS, SCOFFLE, and ONPAHANVAANLAMPI. Thimble looks particularly angry today.

Coraline grumps over to the door and tries to open it.

Coraline tries to open the door again.

Behind her, the gog holds a sign off the hanging table. The sign says, 'rote system'.

JESS
(yelling from outside)
Lyra? You in there?

CORALINE
Yeah, what's wrong with the door?

Agata pads over and peers up at the gog.

AGATA
It's called a hangover.

KIT
(also yelling from outside)
Gogs webbed it over! Hold on, I'll get it off.

CORALINE
Kit? What... {{idioma|voi paska}}.

There's a FWOOMPH outside, and a moment later, JORA, the kids' elven sword-nanny, opens the door and peers inside, sword out.

Jora nods and sheaths the sword.

Nolan (now 11, though he's hardly grown in the meantime) and ERRY, Kit's little sister (8), are also there.

Jess heads inside and then stops, staring at the gog on the table.

CORALINE
Just... ignore it. I don't know.

The gog holds out a sign that says, 'hangover'. The sign is right-side-up for a change.

CORALINE
Get it some coffee maybe?

Jess gives Coraline a confused look.

Coraline shrugs blankly.

KIT
So. Gogs?

CORALINE
Gogs.

Coraline picks up Agata and hangs the cat around her neck like a very warm, stuffy, purring scarf.

EXT. Elven ruins - morning

Erry runs out into the ruins first and climbs up a particularly upright chunk of wall. Nolan climbs after her not long after.

Kit, Jora, and Coraline all walk in like normal people.

Coraline is no longer wearing Agata.

KIT
I think I see where the gogs are.

CORALINE
Yup.

INT. Gog tunnels - morning

The tunnels are empty. There is no sign of any gogs actually in the area.

Coraline and the kids come to the tree with the hole cut through the trunk, and the door shoved in it.

CORALINE
So they did that.

KIT
I don't get it. What possible purpose could that serve?

ERRY
They didn't get that something has to actually hold up the tree. Or maybe they did?

Coraline shrugs.

Jora stalks ahead, listening for something.

NOLAN
We're coming.

They continue on, into the tunnels themselves, and come to the circular chamber with the solitary wooden door enshrined in the centre.

There's a rustle in the other tunnels.

Nolan strides up to the door and peers up at it.

Jora draws her sword.

Coraline gets out her staff.

Nolan puts a hand on the doorknob.

A shiver whispers through the webbing around and overhead. The ceiling thrums.

Nolan turns the knob.

The walls tremble. Gogs poke out of the tunnel openings, peering in.

Nolan opens the door, swinging it open on missing hinges.

The vibrations in the webbing are almost constant, now, jarring, humming. Gogs climb over gogs, peering in, watching. A couple topple down into the room itself.

Behind the door is a space, empty, black, silent. Echoes drift outward, countering the hum around. Behind it is a rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.

Nolan closes the door.

Several more gogs tumble down to the floor.

NOLAN
I see.

The gogs all still around them. The vibrations cease. The humming quiets.

KIT
You do?

ERRY
In the darkness, silence waits. It's listening. It hears us, even now.

Agata pads around the door, peering at the back.

Nolan turns around slightly.

More gogs fall into the room, pushed out of the tunnels by gogs behind them.

Nolan holds up a sign. It says 'Door'.

Several dozen gogs all around them also hold up signs, which also say 'door'.

Nolan holds up another sign that says 'interminable darkness'.

A couple of gogs hold up signs saying 'talk' and 'signs' and 'alive'.

Nolan holds up a sign that says 'sheep'.

KIT
Well, that didn't last long.

There is a shuffling in the tunnels.

Some other gogs hold up signs saying 'open door' and 'darkness'.

AGATA
Oy, human. Open that door again.

Nolan holds up a sign that says 'a master'.

The gogs still and lower their signs.

Nolan turns and opens the door again.

The heartbeat reverberates against the dark. Echoes whisper.

Agata sniffs at the darkness, her ears back.

AGATA
Witch.
What do you see?

CORALINE
(coming a bit closer)
Darkness, and a door with no hinges or frame.

AGATA
Wizard, what about you?

KIT
(also coming over)
Concur with the witch?

AGATA
(shaking her head)
Close your eyes, both of you, and look properly.

CORALINE
Eh?

Regardless, they do.

At first nothing stands out, but then, without eyes, the doorway comes into focus. There is a frame, and beyond it, not darkness at all, but light. Humming. Pulsating.

The voices whisper strangely around, distorted. Something else lingers behind.

KIT
I see a frame.

CORALINE
It's bright. Alive. There's something... familiar...

Kit opens his eyes.

KIT
It hears us. Feels us.

Agata hisses.

ERRY
(shouting)
Close it, close it put it away get it away out out out of my head it's in my head it's... in...

Erry collapses behind them.

Jora hurries over to Erry.

Nolan shoves at the door, but it doesn't close.

Kit starts to walk toward it, but Coraline knocks him down and shoots at the door with her staff. The first blast disappears into the dark, so she shoots the frame, instead, narrowing the blasts, intensifying the heat, making them resonate with the same energies as the frame itself.

The frame begins to unravel, and she finishes it, slicing it to pieces with the bladed wings.

The brightness fades. The voices return to normal.

Coraline opens her eyes.

The open doorway is gone. The strange hum is gone. Only a burnt, bent, gashed door remains on the ground, torn off its imaginary hinges.

Hundreds of gogs stare silently.

Nolan holds up a sign that says 'irrelevant'.

NOLAN
You don't need to open doors. You need paper and a purpose. I will teach you.

Nolan walks over to a seemingly random gog tunnel and stares at the gogs occupying it.

One of them holds up a sign uncertainly: 'forward'.

Coraline glances over to Agata, who simply sits watching.

CORALINE
What was that?

AGATA
A teaching moment.

Kit gets up, looking confused.

KIT
What? Erry?

JORA
She's alive, but unconscious.

Nolan continues to stare at the gogs in the tunnel. Slowly the gogs in it shuffle about, and then start to get out of the way. The gogs in the other tunnels, too, begin to disperse, pouring out into the chamber and scuttling after Nolan.

Nolan heads into the cleared tunnel.

JORA
Get your sister back to town.

Jora hurries after Nolan.

KIT
I suppose we can just let him do his thing.

Kit peers after them longingly.

CORALINE
Oh, just go. See what happens. I'll take care of your sister.

Coraline kneels next to Erry and places a hand on her chest, using her healing senses to give the girl a proper go-over. Overall, she seems to be fine. There's a general sense of exhaustion and a bit of a darkness lingering in her mind, but no real sign of overt damage or anything particularly alien.

Kit runs off almost immediately.

AGATA
Well, he clearly cares.

CORALINE
He's what, twelve? What do you expect?
(she picks up Erry)
Ugh, she's heavy.

AGATA
Or perhaps you're just weak.

CORALINE
I'm definitely weak. But she's also heavy. These are not exclusive things.

Coraline tries again, this time hoisting Erry across her shoulders in a fireman's carry.

INT. Molstead temple - late morning

Coraline pries the temple door open with a mostly free hand and sidles in.

Davis and Cormith are in a corner talking to their intern, KILBETH.

CORALINE
Cormith! You're a real healer, right? Could you give me a hand with this girl?

CORMITH
(hurrying over)
What seems to be the matter?

Coraline passes Erry over to Cormith, and he takes the girl, holding her much more gently than Coraline had been.

CORALINE
Something up in her headbrains. I didn't want to try anything for fear of making it worse.

CORMITH
I... see. I'll see what I can do.

CORALINE
Great. In the meantime I think I'm going to get myself reacquainted with your floor.

Coraline lies down heavily on the floor, sprawling across the stone.

CORALINE
(mumbling)
Hello, floor. You're a nice floor.

Davis looms overhead.

DAVIS
Are, um, are you all right?

Coraline lethargically holds up a thumb, and then tries to actually put it up relative to the rest of her hand, though it only sort of works due to the angle.

Agata climbs onto Coraline's chest and sits down, a paw very firmly on Coraline's boob.

CORALINE
Agh, cat!

AGATA
She's fine.

CORALINE
Well, I ''was'', back when I could actually breathe!

Davis picks up Agata.

Coraline very hastily gets up and then nearly falls over again immediately after, grabbing Davis' arm to stabilise herself.

DAVIS
(concerned)
Are you sure you're all right?

CORALINE
I'm just tired. And blood pressure.
(she takes Agata off him)
I'm fine. Nothing to be worried about. You know the gogs in the woods had a door to horrible black nothing? Because the gogs in the woods had a door that opened up to horrible black nothing. Is that normal?

DAVIS
There are stories of Gateways opening to other realms. Often the entities beyond them are less than friendly.

CORALINE
Sure, except this was a door. Like that one.
(she indicates a completely ordinary door to a back room)
Wooden. With a knob. It had a heartbeat.
I kind of maybe slightly sort of destroyed it.

DAVIS
The heartbeat or the door?

CORALINE
The... door.

Davis nods slowly.

EXT. Granny Höhrmann's place - noonish

Granny Höhrmann's place is a cottage on the other end of town. It is suitably rustic. It has extensive flower gardens. It has grass and a small tree growing on the roof. A goat is tied to a log.

Coraline wanders over and knocks on the front door, Agata slung under an arm.

There's no response.

Coraline heads around back. Agata hangs limply.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN is sitting under a tree with a cat on her lap. They appear to be having a staring contest.

Coraline walks over and stares at both of them for a bit.

CORALINE
(finally)
What are you doing?

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Arguing with my cat.

AGATA
Are you winning?

Granny Höhrmann looks up in surprise at Agata and squints a bit.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Mad Anna's cat, isn't it?

AGATA
Not anymore.

CORALINE
So you know each other?

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Knew Mad Anna.

CORALINE
What about her cat?

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Might be it.

CORALINE
She says I'm a witch.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Might be.

There's a long silence as Granny Hörmann goes back to staring at her cat.

CORALINE
So... who's winning the argument?

Granny Höhrmann frowns.

AGATA
Apparently the cat.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
What do you think, Samaritan?

Granny Höhrmann's cat, SAMARITAN, turns to regard Coraline and Agata.

SAMARITAN
(yawning)
What is it, then? What are your knacks?

CORALINE
My what, now?

SAMARITAN
You're a witch, you got knacks. What are you good at?

Coraline glances at Agata.

AGATA
Drinking, mostly.

CORALINE
Hitting things with heavy objects.

AGATA
While drinking.

CORALINE
Yes.

AGATA
Possibly hitting things with objects drinking out of.

CORALINE
I do that sometimes too.

AGATA
I'm not surprised.

CORALINE
Still want me for a witch?

AGATA
Will you stop carrying me like a pile of logs?

CORALINE
Maybe. Depends on your answer.

Granny Höhrmann bursts out laughing.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Oh, you two are perfect for each other. And here me and Samaritan just argue all the time, but you... you'll spend a lifetime cracking each other up.

There's an awkward silence.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
What's the matter? Spit it out.

Coraline puts down Agata.

Samaritan jumps off Granny Höhrmann's lap and the two cats sniff at each other.

CORALINE
Let's pretend I have much of a lifetime left. Is this where my magic is from? Do cats just... normally show up? What exactly are witches?
(quietly)
Will this... help?

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Witches are. You're born to it, to your knacks. What you do with it is up to you, but it is yours.
As for whether it'll help you or not, I rather think that'll be up to you. Don't screw it up.

CORALINE
So it's a tool.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Exactly.

CORALINE
And I've got a cat who is also a tool.

AGATA
Appropriate, for you.

SAMARITAN
A cat and her witch, you're bound together. You'll share all your power and knowledge. You'll be allies whether you want to or not.

Samaritan stares at Agata.

AGATA
I chose her carefully.
Her knacks are... different. She can heal, and I bet we could kill. Anything.

Agata bares her teeth for a moment, and then it turns into a yawn. Samaritan yawns as well.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
(to Coraline)
And Anna was all about the fire, so you might find you've some skill with that, too, now.

CORALINE
And what about our snark? We get to share that, too?

Agata's voice resonates in Coraline's mind, like the constant voices around, but different.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Always.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''Agata? How... we just talk. And nobody else hears?

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Mostly.

Coraline stares at the cats.

CORALINE
{{idioma|Perkele}}. I get all the worst and best things in my life. Horrid luck. Great luck.
Ghaaah.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
(nodding)
Sounds like life, that.
Go on and learn.

Granny Hörmann waves dismissively.

INT. Molstead Inn - afternoon

It is later. The spare gog has wandered off. Coraline is doing inn-y things, setting up for the evening, coordinating with Jess. Tress rubs against her legs from time to time, almost tripping her occasionally. Agata watches from a shelf.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''Agata?

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Yes?

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''Are you okay with this? With me, what I am?

AGATA
(mind voice)
''I knew. Soon as I smelled you, I knew. You've got darkness in you, and secrets. But also {{idioma|sisu}}. What is {{idioma|sisu}}?

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''It means a lot of things. In this case, I guess it might mean survival.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Yes. Your courage, your grit. Determination and focus, even against impossible odds. The hallmarks of a good witch. {{idioma|Sisukas.}}

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''I'm going to die. I may kill a lot of others, and worse, in the process.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''And when that happens, I'll find another witch.

Coraline looks up from scooting out a table.

Agata peers down at her imperiously, purring, and closes her eyes.

</screenplay>

== Part 1: Initiate transitional period ==

''Everybody is running from something. They may not know it, and they may not fear it, but still they run. Some even run from running itself.

'' And yet the bullet you're running from is almost never the one that hits you.

''Notes:

# ''{{idioma|Not everything is translated from the original tongues.}}
# ''Everything is translated.
# ''Notes may provide meaning, but not context.
# ''Insert metaphor as indicated in the instructions.
# ''Small events gain traction. In time, they may demolish nations. Catch them as they start, and you may miss the true design.
# ''This is not a kids' story.

=== Bounty hunter ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Tree overlooking the Molstead market - morning

Autumn leaves linger on the trees, blow down the streets, into corners, curling up in little whirlwinds. The market is bustling with autumnal bustle, especially as people prepare for the upcoming Harvest Festival. A stall is occupied entirely by gogs.

It is very autumn now.

Overlooking it all, among others, is a tree. Nolan is in it, watching, unnoticed.

EXT. Molstead Market - morning

On the ground, a BOUNTY HUNTER stands in a corner, watching, waiting. Townsfolk whisper, greeting him, avoiding him.

The town hamstery guy spots him and scuttles over.

HAMSTERY GUY
What time is it?

BOUNTY HUNTER
Quarter to five, I s'pose?

HAMSTERY GUY
(more insistently)
What time is it?

The hunter doesn't respond, and heads over toward the gog stall.

The hamstery guy follows the hunter, staring at him suspiciously.

The hunter continues to ignore the hamstery guy.

The hamstery guy makes an angry noise almost, but not entirely, unlike something that would come out of a hamster, and then, finally, sidles off to pester someone else.

The gog stall is full of gogs. Gogs are piled up on the table. Gogs are behind the table. Gogs are hanging off the top. Over half of them appear to be asleep. Stacks and rolls of paper are shoved in between them, and piled underneath.

A couple of gogs hold up signs, upside-down, as passerby approach, and hold them up toward the hunter as well. They say 'paper' and 'sale' and 'give'.

The hunter stops in front of them.

The gog with the 'paper' sign holds it up at him.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Are you... selling paper?

The gog holds up a sign that says 'sell paper'.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Is that a yes?

Another gog holds up a sign that says 'paper'.

BOUNTY HUNTER
So if I want this paper...
(he taps a pile of paper)
What?

A gog holds up a sign that says 'give'.

BOUNTY HUNTER
You'll give me the paper?

RANDOM PASSERBY
(helpfully)
You give them something, and then they give you paper.

The gogs hold up several more signs, mostly repeats of what they were already holding up.

The bounty hunter places a coin next to them.

A gog slides the coin under another gog.

Another gog entirely passes him a small stack of papers.

INT. Molstead inn - afternoon

The inn is set up for the evening. Some patrons are there, doing inn patron things, drinking and socialising. The table hazard sticking out of the ceiling has three gogs on it today, one of them dangling a sign off that says 'eels'.

Coraline is at a table with a glass of cider and a sketchbook, drawing her cats: Tress loafing on the table in front of her, with Onpahanvaanlampi sitting on Tress. A book of magic and some other bits of paper are shoved off to the side.

The cook, MALLA, comes over.

MALLA
Lady Zidane, there's something dripping in one of the rooms upstairs. If you could take a look?

CORALINE
What?

MALLA
I don't know. I think it's in 2.

CORALINE
(getting up)
Alright, thanks.

INT. Molstead inn upstairs - afternoon

Coraline goes up to investigate, torch and staff weapon in hand, not really expecting to need either. Agata pads after her.

Something drips.

Coraline heads over to the indicated room and peers inside. It's a simple setup: bed, table, chair. On the floor next to the bed is a small puddle.

Another drop drips out of the ceiling and lands in the puddle with a small plop.

Coraline eyeballs the puddle, and then heads up to the attic.

INT. Molstead inn attic - afternoon

The attic is low and warm and full of things. There are a lot of boxes, and everything is covered in dust and bits of insulation. Some logs are shoved into a corner. A pile of shoes is piled up almost to the roof.

Coraline shines her torch about as they come up, hunching over to fit.

Agata trots ahead, poking about.

They head toward the general area over room 2.

Coraline checks behind boxes as they go. Shadows jump away from her torch. Wintersday decorations sparkle sharply. A broken rocking chair throws jagged shadows. Crystalised beads of pitch glitter on the rafters. A well looms up out of the gloom, a bucket on a rope spilled next to it in a large puddle.

Coraline scoots up to the well and stares at it blankly.

Agata hops up on the edge and peers inside, and Coraline half-sits and leans over and peers inside as well, shining down the narrow beam of the torch.

There is no sign of the bottom.

Agata and Coraline exchange looks.

CORALINE
It's a well.

AGATA
Apparently.

CORALINE
In the attic.

AGATA
Yes.

CORALINE
I'm not hallucinating?

Coraline looks down the well again, but it just looks like a well, so then she makes a magelight, forming the spell in her mind. When it twinkles into being in her hand, she leans over the lip of the well again and drops it in, watching as it drifts a few dozen metres, illuminating the bricked walls, before hitting water and disappearing silently.

CORALINE
Huh.

AGATA
What do you see?

CORALINE
A well. And I'm not just being snarky, either. There was no sign of this below, even though it clearly is going... below.

AGATA
There was water.

CORALINE
Well, yes, and a bucket.

Coraline rights the bucket, and then sticks the end of the staff in the puddle and flash evaporates most of it into steam.

When she looks up, she finds a large TENTACLE MONSTER staring her down from across the well. It looks like a collapsed pile of tentacles covered in eyes.

Coraline shines her torch back down at the well just to be sure that's the same as it was. It is.

Coraline shines her torch back on the tentacle monster on the other side, which is also still there.

The tentacle monster blinks a long row of eyes, in sequence.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''Agata, verify I'm not hallucinating.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''That's probably really there.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''Okay. Good. I guess.
(to the tentacle monster)
Hi. I don't suppose you speak whatever this is?

The tentacle monster blinks another long row of eyes, also in sequence.

CORALINE
I don't suppose you speak? {{idioma|Perkele.}}

TENTACLE MONSTER
(in a voice not quite there, but also all around)
''We speak.

CORALINE
(nodding)
Oh, good. I was worried we'd have to try signs.

TENTACLE MONSTER
(raising some tentacles)
''We are fluent in multiple sign forms if that is what you require.

AGATA
She meant literal signs that you hold up. We have gogs that use those. Why are we speaking deslau?

TENTACLE MONSTER
''It is the language.

AGATA
Maybe in Deslan. You're in Soravia, dumbarse. They speak Soravian here.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''You appear to understand, and reciprocate.

CORALINE
We're special. Is this your well? Were you trying for somewhere else, maybe?

TENTACLE MONSTER
''We were trying for sanctuary. Is this sanctuary?

CORALINE
Sure. I don't know.
Come on, then.

Coraline turns toward the door, hunching over again in order to avoid banging her head on the rafters, and gestures for the tentacle monster to follow.

INT. Molstead inn - late afternoon

The inn is getting a little busier now. Two kids, OLAF and EVERRUSCIAS, are playing swordfighting between the tables. Everruscias jumps on an unoccupied table, and slashes at Olaf.

Dors is watching from the bar, looking amused.

The gogs on the table hazard hold up signs saying 'hide force' and 'lower'.

Coraline comes down the stairs, followed by a cat and a now much more upright tentacle monster.

CORALINE
(yelling)
Oy! Get off the tables!

EVERRUSCIAS
(dodging a return attack)
But Dors said it was fine!

CORALINE
It is fine, right up until you break one! Then he breaks you.

Everruscias and Olaf look uncertainly at Dors.

Dors grins.

Everruscias hastily jumps off the table.

Coraline heads over to Dors, the tentacle monster still following. The kids stare at it in wonderment. Conversation amongst the patrons winds down as they stop and stare at it as well.

CORALINE
So this...
(she glances at the tentacle monster uncertainly)
Whatever this is wants sanctuary.

Dors rubs his chin ponderously.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''The Old Ones awaken. There is no escape in the held lands.

Everruscias comes over toward the tentacle monster.

The tentacle monster blinks a long series of eyes at her down what might be its back.

DORS
Interesting language. Not one I know.

CORALINE
It's deslau, apparently. Isn't that from the other side of the planet?

DORS
Not bad, if it at least got the planet right.

CORALINE
Yeah, no kidding. Except that doesn't really help us much, since why would anyone around these parts know deslau?

AGATA
You mean besides us?

CORALINE
Bah.
(to the tentacle monster, in deslau)
Okay, so who are you, what are you, what exactly constitutes 'sanctuary', and are these 'Old Ones' likely to pose us any threat here?

TENTACLE MONSTER
''We are lhjuathgn, all in one. Here there is escape, for these lands are not held.

CORALINE
So... that's a no?

TENTACLE MONSTER
''Your time spans are infinitesimal.

Malla pops out of the kitchen and then stares at the tentacle monster in utter horror.

MALLA
(sinking to her knees)
What... gods, what...

CORALINE
(indicating the tentacle monster)
Found the thing causing the drip. I think.

Everruscias reaches out to poke the tentacle monster, and it reaches out a tentacle toward her. Finger and tentacle meet in the middle.

EVERRUSCIAS
Eeeee.

DORS
An alien, probably from the outer planes. Not too unusual.

AGATA
Says an alien.

CORALINE
Pfft, we're all aliens.
(to the tentacle monster, in deslau)
Okay, so we can get you set up with a room, or stuff. Just... if you ever need to come up through a well again, please don't leave a puddle on the floor, okay? It's hard on the wood.

EVERRUSCIAS
Where did you learn to talk like that?

CORALINE
I'm a witch. It's a witch thing.

EVERRUSCIAS
No it isn't.

CORALINE
Are you a witch?

EVERRUSCIAS
...no.

CORALINE
Then how would you know it's not a witch thing?

TENTACLE MONSTER
''A room would be acceptable.

CORALINE
Great. Okay.

ERIK MAYER, a son of one of the town's larger families, pops in.

ERIK MAYER
Hey, Lyra. We need the council.

CORALINE
Eh? But I've got a tentacle monster!

Erik stares at the tentacle monster for a moment in confusion before recovering himself.

ERIK MAYER
It... it's important. There's been an incident.

CORALINE
Ghah, fine.
(to the tentacle monster, in deslau)
This guy will get you set up.
(to Dors)
Get the lhjuathughah... tentacle... thing a room. I don't think it poses any threat or anything, unless it wants to. But we can sort that out later. Figure out some way for it to pay, I don't even care what.
(she picks up Agata and shoves the cat at Dors)
Use this cat to translate.

Dors takes Agata and Agata stares at him.

DORS
Will you translate?

AGATA
If I must.

Coraline hurries out after Erik.

Dors holds Agata out toward the tentacle monster.

INT. Mayer house - evening

The town council gathers in the Mayer sitting room. EDINE MAYER is hosting; others present include EVERTON JAMES, DAVIS, NARAN, MOIRA, GWYNNE ENORI, MERLIJN, Granny Höhrmann, and Coraline, who shows up last and covered in bits of insulation and cat hair.

The coffee table is set up for tea, with tea, coffee, and a proliferation of cakes laid out. Some of the teacups are weirdly small. Several half-completed craft projects are stowed against the wall.

Davis is eating a cake.

Granny Höhrmann is sitting in a rocking chair in the corner with a cup of tea and Samaritan on her lap.

Coraline plonks down and starts mixing the Cerrisian equivalent of Irish coffee, pulling an entire bottle of whiskey out of her pocket.

MERLIJN
Okay, finally, we're all here, mostly.

EDINE MAYER
So what's the big emergency all of a sudden, and now of all times? Half the folks couldn't even make it what with the festival.
Why are we being all hush-hush?

CORALINE
It's not the tentacle monster, I can tell you that much.

EDINE MAYER
What tentacle monster?

CORALINE
The one that crawled up out of a well in the inn's attic.

GWYNNE ENORI
What?

MERLIJN
There's been a murder.

EDINE MAYER
Now? Who? Who would do that?

MERLIJN
Yink. The... guy who keeps following people around asking them what time it is. Feldman found him in his shed. Throat was slit, and this was... there.

Merlijn holds up a black soulstone.

Coraline stares at it.

So does most everyone else in the room.

MOIRA
What does it mean?

CORALINE
Yink wasn't a Carrier.

Some of the folks look confused. Davis and Granny Höhrmann look at Coraline possibly a bit too intently.

CORALINE
That's a black soul gem. You get that when you try to capture the soul of a Carrier of the Death of Souls so it doesn't spread. Except Yink wasn't a Carrier. Whatever happened to him, that was something else.

GWYNNE ENORI
Right, been like that for years, Yink has.

EVERTON JAMES
What, you're saying whoever did this just left that there?

CORALINE
I dunno... maybe? He might have wanted to cover his tracks, or make it out like Yink was a Carrier even though... he wasn't...
(she shrugs blankly, trying not to look too freaked out)
I know Deathdealers often use these to track down Carriers in the first place, so if it was some sort of hunter, that would at least explain why he had it.

MOIRA
And there is a hunter in town. Rough-looking sort. Was watching the market all morning.

EVERTON JAMES
So what, he messed up?

NARAN
Do we care?
What? Might as well put it out there. Yink was nuts. Useless. Couldn't even help himself. We don't even know if he's happier dead.

DAVIS
(quietly)
That isn't our decision.

GWYNNE ENORI
But we don't have any carriers, do we? Why is this guy here? What if he's right, even if not about Yink?

CORALINE
No, we'd know...

Except suddenly Coraline isn't so sure. Something feels off, the voices different. She shakes her head, trying to clear it.

MERLIJN
I find that unlikely.
(he sighs)
Not knowing the first thing about any of us, who do we expect this guy is gonna go after next?

GWYNNE ENORI
(horrified)
Oh gods! Nolan!

Gwynne runs out of the room.

EVERTON JAMES
So what, now he's gonna kill a kid? Where's the sense in that?

MERLIJN
What, you think it makes sense killing someone and leaving him in a guy's shed?

MOIRA
Wasn't Feldman's the one that got hit with that cow?

NARAN
Clearly it made sense to him.

EDINE MAYER
Of course it doesn't bloody make sense! What about the children? First Nolan, then who?

Coraline sighs and has at the the whiskey, and proceeds to pay no attention whatsoever to the ensuing yell-fest.

Half an hour later, it's still going on, though Merlijn at least has since gone off to go do something useful. Coraline is completely drunk, just sort of sitting in a fuzzy stupor.

Edine yells stuff.

Davis yells stuff.

Naran says something in a completely normal tone of voice which is quickly drowned out by Everton yelling stuff.

The voices are silent.

Moira looks irked.

Coraline pours her some whiskey.

A bit later, Moira looks a bit less irked.

At some point Samaritan winds up on Coraline's lap, and Coraline strokes the cat's fur.

Granny Höhrmann rocks idly, knitting.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
(quietly)
Idiots, all of you.

Edine yells some more.

Everton yells at her.

Davis and Edine yell right back.

CORALINE
(to Samaritan)
I should do something, shouldn't I?

Samaritan purrs.

There is more yelling.

Coraline sets the cat aside, gets up, sets her whiskey on fire, and drops it on the coffee table.

The yelling takes a moment to stop, during which the coffee table gets well and truly on fire.

CORALINE
Oops.

Granny Höhrmann stands walks over to the coffee table with the deadly certainty of an iceberg, and holds a hand over it.

The fire goes out.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
(glaring at the room)
There has been a murder. Doesn't matter who it was, doesn't matter now why. We assign a judiciary and we handle it.

Everyone just sort of stares at her. Some look decidedly embarassed.

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Lyra, will you be our judiciary?

CORALINE
Whuh?

GRANNY HÖHRMANN
Get to the bottom of this. You know more about these matters than anyone here, so make your assessment and decide for us all.
(glancing about the room)
Lest there be more. Lest he find his Carrier whether there is one or not.

Nobody argues.

CORALINE
Right, okay.
(indicating Granny Höhrmann)
But if I wind up feeding this guy to a tentacle monster, blame her. And someone tell Merlijn we'll need the militia... something.
I need to go sober up.

Coraline rubs her head as she leaves.

Naran leans back, chuckling to himself.

INT. Molstead inn - night

The place is busy, with quite a few folks in from out of town and the outlying farms. The gog hazard ceiling table has an entire pile of gogs on it, plus two sort of hanging off it. Coraline is tending bar. Dors is making rounds ensuring nobody gets too rowdy, and striking poses at some of the patrons.

Coraline passes off another set of drinks to one of the waitresses.

PATRON
Could we get a refill over here?

CORALINE
Coming, coming.

Coraline fills a pitcher and passes it over, and adds a tick to the sheet under the bar.

Another guy, THOMAS, is at the bar when she looks up.

THOMAS
Hey Captain.

CORALINE
Yeah? What... don't call me that.
What do you need?

THOMAS
You're a captain.
The Commander sent me. We got the guy.

CORALINE
Oh! And I'm mostly sober. What are the odds?
(she looks around at the rather busy inn)
I.. ghah.
(yelling)
Dors! Bar!

Coraline grabs Agata under an arm and shuffles out, grabbing her staff with her other hand.

Dors vaults over the bar to replace her, doing a flip, rather freaking out a patron underneath him.

INT. Militia house - night

The militia house is full of militia, who are all basically just random folks in bits of armour with swords and shovels and the odd bow and crossbow.

Merlijn greets Coraline as she and Thomas enter.

Thomas sort of salutes Merlijn.

THOMAS
Commander.

Merlijn nods at Thomas.

MERLIJN
(to Coraline)
He's in back. Davis says you're the judiciary?

CORALINE
Yeah, I don't know.

They head over toward the cells in the back. In one cell is a chair, and tied to it, the rather muscular, rough-looking bounty hunter. In the next cell is a small pile of weapons and armour.

Coraline gives him a dubious look.

CORALINE
I'm almost afraid to ask, but how, exactly, did you manage to capture this guy?

MERLIJN
Nolan dropped a rock on his head.

CORALINE
...of course he did.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Are you in charge?

CORALINE
Apparently. Who are you, why are you here, and why did you murder Yink von Jummerlund?

MILITIA GUY NORMAN
Er, Yink's name wasn't...

CORALINE
Shut up.

Coraline glares at the bounty hunter.

BOUNTY HUNTER
The name is Dalric. Dalic of Forst.

There's an empty pause while he looks at Coraline expectantly.

BOUNTY HUNTER
You might have heard of me.

CORALINE
Nope.

A few of the militia helpfully point out that they have.

BOUNTY HUNTER
I brought down the Tethremaine liche. I singlehandedly saved the Kingdom of Bourlenon. And now you're holding me here like some sort of petty criminal?

CORALINE
You murdered a guy. I think that means you are a petty criminal.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Hardly.

CORALINE
So you didn't murder the guy?

BOUNTY HUNTER
I am here for your protection! The threat he might have posed... you do not want to see that unleashed upon your village.

CORALINE
So... you did?

Coraline and the bounty hunter stare at each other for a bit.

Some of the militia shuffle about around them.

Agata belches, and Coraline drops the cat on the floor.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Do you really think you can hold me here?

CORALINE
Not really. But you're here now, surrounded by at least some sort-of-competent armed men, and you were brought down by an eleven-year-old with a rock, so for the moment, at least, could I ask you to please take this seriously?

Merlijn coughs.

Coraline sighs and leans on her staff.

CORALINE
Did you kill the annoying hamster man who follows people around asking them what time it is?

BOUNTY HUNTER
I did.

CORALINE
Why?

AGATA
Weren't ''you'' going to kill him at one point?

CORALINE
(rather unconvincingly)
No.

BOUNTY HUNTER
He was a Carrier of the Death of Souls.

CORALINE
No, he wasn't, and you know he wasn't.

BOUNTY HUNTER
The black soul was rather proof of that. Now if you'll please, I really should be going now.

The bounty hunter slips his bonds and starts to get up.

Coraline points her staff directly at him.

CORALINE
Sit down.

BOUNTY HUNTER
And what are you going to do with that?

CORALINE
I'll shoot you.

The bounty hunter gives her a curious look and sits back down.

CORALINE
Yink was not a Carrier. That gem did not come from him.
You really thought he was?

BOUNTY HUNTER
He showed all the signs. Voices, hunger, darkness. It was the early stages, but the transformation was imminent.

MERLIJN
Imminent? Yink's been like that for years.

MILITIA GUY DUSCHESK
After that thing up in the mountains. But he wouldn't talk about it. And then he wouldn't talk about anything.

MILITIA GUY GNARLY
Did we ever find out what happened? The witch... er, the other one looked into it, but...

CORALINE
(still looking at the bounty hunter)
Did you find a glowing soul gem in his things, by any chance?

MILITIA GUY GNARLY
In... oh, yeah, there were a whole bunch. I'll get it.

Gnarly scoots off toward the other cell.

Coraline watches the bounty hunter carefully while she waits, holding her staff steadily on him.

Agata washes her face with her paw.

BOUNTY HUNTER
You're the local witch?

CORALINE
One of them.
Merlijn, you did lock the cell, right?

MERLIJN
(looking a bit hurt)
Yes?

Merlijn checks the cell door regardless. It is indeed locked.

Gnarly comes back and holds out a small sack.

CORALINE
Open it.

Gnarly does so, and then dumps the contents on a nearby table. It's a pile of soulstones, several of which are glowing in prismatic pastel shades.

Coraline glances toward the table.

The bounty hunter jumps up.

Coraline shoots him, clipping one of the bars, hitting him in the leg.

The hunter falls over in front of the bars, suddenly at eye-level to Agata.

Agata doesn't move, peering at him curiously mid-paw-wipe.

MERLIJN
Lyra!

CORALINE
(to the bounty hunter)
How many people have you killed? How many times have you even been right?

BOUNTY HUNTER
(getting up)
Are you crazy, lady? What the fuck are you talking about?!

MERLIJN
Lyra, I really don't think you should be...

CORALINE
(going up to the bars, and setting the staff head against them)
Shut up. Those glowing soulgems, those are people killed, their souls trapped. Normal ones, not Carriers. In this world they would call that necromancy, and it is not used for anything good.

BOUNTY HUNTER
That's ridiculous! Those aren't... that's what soulstones are like!

AGATA
(mind voice)
''He's a surprisingly bad lier. I'm surprised. Are you surprised?

CORALINE
Do you take me for a fool? I will give you one last opportunity to explain yourself, and I suggest you stop trying to lie to me.

BOUNTY HUNTER
(pleadingly, to the rest of the militia)
Is this how you handle justice?

CORALINE
Leave them out of it. These men may be simple farmers and tradesmen, but they do what they can and fight to defend themselves, and are not your pawns to manipulate.
I am your judiciary. Answer my questions.

The militia remain silent. Some of the ones with crossbows raise them at the bounty hunter again.

BOUNTY HUNTER
And what guarantee of fairness am I supposed to get when one stupid bitch holds all the power?

AGATA
None whatsoever. Sucks, doesn't it?

CORALINE
Did you fill those soul gems?

There's a long pause.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Yes.

CORALINE
How?

BOUNTY HUNTER
Enchanted dagger. Stick them with it, it puts the spell on them for you.

CORALINE
Who were they?

BOUNTY HUNTER
Does it matter?

CORALINE
You tell me.

The bounty hunter doesn't respond.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''What do you think?

AGATA
(mind voice)
''He's dangerous. Dangerous to you, and to others. Protect yourself.

CORALINE
We have rather fuzzy rules on murder around here, seeing as it's not something that comes up very often, so you should know that right now, my decision is kind of teetering on one thing: how likely you are to do this again. And right now, I'm not liking your odds.

BOUNTY HUNTER
Then you should kill me now.

CORALINE
Oh?

BOUNTY HUNTER
I don't think you have it in you. All this talk, but you're not going to take a life, now are you? You have someone else actually do it, because...

CORALINE
No.

BOUNTY HUNTER
(he grins, shaking his head)
Because you're just like all these other simpletons, all high and mighty with your morals, but utterly weak. Exile me and be done with it.

CORALINE
You have killed our hamster man, and others too. You admit to it, and provide no defense for your actions.
As I am your judge in this life, Kyrule will be in the next. May he weigh your soul fairly in the eyes of all gods.

BOUNTY HUNTER
(dismissively)
Please.

Coraline shoots him, this time in the chest, and he falls backwards, banging his head on the chair, collapsing in a heap.

Some of the militia act a bit surprised.

AGATA
You shouldn't doubt a witch. They tend to take these things seriously.

MERLIJN
Damn. That's not how I would have handled it.

Coraline plonks the bottom of her staff down on the ground.

CORALINE
How would you have?

MERLIJN
I... I don't know. I wouldn't have just... but a lot of other soldiers I knew would have done the same. The things you see...

CORALINE
I've seen a lot of things.
Look, I need a drink. Anyone else wants one, first round's on the house.

The militia perk up at this.

MERLIJN
Listen up, men. First thing's first...

Coraline sidles out while he directs them to deal with the mess.

EXT. Tree overlooking Molstead - night

Nolan is up a different tree now. He watches as Coraline and her cat head back down the road, then looks down at an unexpected noise beneath the tree.

Jora is standing below, looking up at him.

JORA
Nolan.

Nolan stares at her.

JORA
Please come down. I know you have your reasons for being up there, but your parents are worried about you. Come down, eat dinner with them, sleep in your bed for a night, and come back in the morning.

Nolan considers this for a moment.

NOLAN
Okay.

Nolan drops out of the tree, landing right next to Jora, his nose about two inches away from her elbow.

Jora heads off and leads him back home.

</screenplay>

=== Study in Black ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Soravian foothills - afternoon

Days pass. In the woods, the prevailing colour is brown, with hints of fire. Long shadows dance through falling leaves. Bare twiggage crowns the sky. Brown grass rustles in the breeze.

A bear-moose nibbles on some twigs and grass, poking around, foraging. It's brown.

The bear-moose looks up at a noise, and gets an arrow through an eye.

The bear-moose stands there for a bit, and then falls over.

Several soldiers in dark armour run over to it and haul it off.

EXT. Temporary camp; Soravian foothills - afternoon

More soldiers are all about, waiting around, horses set to graze, equipment dropped to the ground. The bear-moose is stowed with the other supplies. The men speak in hushed voices; others stand silent.

Amidst this, two priests, DORANIS and EDRIC, are speaking in perfectly normal tones.

DORANIS
This is a bad idea. Have I mentioned this?

EDRIC
Yes. You've said.

DORANIS
Well, it's a bad idea.

Edric sighs.

DORANIS
I just want this to be absolutely clear that it's a bad idea for when it all kills us. Because it's probably going to kill us.

EDRIC
Have faith.

DORANIS
Oh, I do. I also think this is a terrible idea and we're going to die. That's all.

NURUNN, the Deathdealer leading the operation, comes up behind them.

NURUNN
Enough. You're helping nothing with this.

DORANIS
Okay. But if this kills us and we all wind up dead, don't say I didn't say so.

Nurunn gives Doranis a flat look.

Doranis raises an eyebrow.

There is a horn call in the distance.

NURUNN
(announcing to the camp at large)
We're up.

The soldiers around erupt into activity, picking up their gear, mounting their horses. A SCOUT rides in a bit later, heading straight to Nurunn and the two priests.

SCOUT
We've got the Carrier pinned, sir. Party standing by.

NURUNN
Good. Take us there.

The scout takes point as guide, leading the main group out, with Nurunn and the two priests right behind him.

EXT. Soravian foothills - afternoon

The CARRIER is a balding man with a scruffy beard and matted salt and pepper hair, pinned against the base of a tree behind him by a spiked net hooked into the wood. He struggles vaguely, but makes no particular moves to escape. He is filthy, and smells of filth. His eyes are pure black.

Several soldiers hold crossbows on him, and several others stand ready nearby. They part as Nurunn and the priests approach, the soldiers following dismounting behind them.

The horses shy away, fretting uneasily.

The Carrier hisses and strains against the netting.

EDRIC
Keepers help us.

DORANIS
Well, he's really far gone.

NURUNN
Hopefully not too far.

Doranis nods and casts a soulbinding on the Carrier, forming intricate weavings with his fingers to shape the spell.

Nurunn leans on the Carrier, pushing him back against the tree, an arm across the guy's dirty chest. His face is inches away from the Carrier's, and he studies it closely.

The Carrier doesn't seem to see him, and gibbers a bit.

NURUNN
Edric.

Edric passes Nurunn an amulet, which Nurunn presses to the Carrier's neck.

The Carrier stops struggling, falling back against the tree, and Nurunn fastens the amulet in place.

For a moment, the Carrier just sits there. His eyes clear slightly, bits of white showing around the edges.

Nurunn takes a step back.

DORANIS
That feels like ''something''. Is it working?

Nurunn taps the side of the Carrier's head.

NURUNN
Anyone in there?

CARRIER
(startling)
What? Where am I?

NURUNN
You're safe. Can you tell me your name?

CARRIER
Kessel. Kessel of Trom.
(he pushes a bit against the net)
Why am I... I'm so hungry.

NURUNN
(getting up)
It's progress.

Edric hurries over, notebook in hand.

Almost as one, the horses bolt, several of those still ridden throwing their riders.

Nurunn looks around.

The woods are silent. A soldier coughs, quietly.

CARRIER
(mumbling)
So hungry...

Something clinks and explodes out of the Carrier, black and shadowy, full of hunger and voices. Nurunn is sent flying, and bounces off a tree, collapsing in a heap. Doranis throws up a ward, which flickers but holds as the darkness subsides. Edric falls to his knees, clutching his head, as do several of the soldiers. Others just stand there, arms going limp at their sides, staring slack-jawed as their eyes change, darkening.

A moment later it's gone. So is the Carrier.

Nurunn gets up quickly, drawing his sword, taking quick stock of the situation, and cuts down the turned men, efficiently moving from each to each. He stops in front of Doranis and snaps his fingers in the priest's face.

Doranis turns to regard Nurunn, looking shocked.

DORANIS
You know, I... was joking. I was joking.

NURUNN
I'm sorry.

Nurunn goes to Edric and kills him with a quick thrust into the back.

NURUNN
(calling out)
Guardians, reassemble! Those of you who remain, your mission is now more important than ever. We must refind this Kessel of Trom, and quickly.
And should you find any of your companions turned, do what you must.

</screenplay>

=== Preparations unfounded ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Molstead market square - morning

People are setting up for the festival throughout the town and around, readying food, decorating, putting up stalls, and building up the foundation for an enormous bonfire in the centre of what would normally be the market square. Some gogs are getting in the way, holding signs. Children are running through it all, sometimes getting in the way, sometimes helping, sometimes tripping over gogs.

Coraline is seated on a stack of kegs, like an empress on her throne. It's even shaped a bit like a throne.

Agata is sitting on Coraline's lap.

Onpahanvaanlampi is sitting on Agata.

Coraline pets them both awkwardly, feeling oddly tense, not really paying attention to where one cat ends and the other begins.

Barney comes over and bows before Coraline and her keg throne.

BARNEY
My lady.

Coraline peers down at him imperiously, as do four cats.

Behind him, Keller strolls over toward the bonfire pile and throws a large fireball at it, setting it aflame.

KELLER
And there was fire!

People around stop what they're doing and applaud. Coraline gives it a couple of polite claps as well, then picks up the cats and jumps down off her keg throne.

BARNEY
Joining us now?

CORALINE
I think I'm gonna to head to bed, actually.

BARNEY
What? But it's not even noon.

CORALINE
Do you really think anyone's getting any sleep tonight?

BARNEY
Er, well, no.

CORALINE
Exactly. And I never actually went bed last night, so... yeah.

EXT. Elven ruins - afternoon

Kit, Jora, Erry, and Nolan march into the ruins, much like the previous time, but now with purpose, and geared up for an expedition. Kit has a whole bag of gear. Erry has a sack of food. Jora is heavily armed. Nolan is holding a stick, a thin branch whittled down to its core, straight and even.

Erry jumps up and climbs onto a rubble.

Kit ignores her, strolling on, taking the lead, and Erry runs after to catch up.

Nolan examines some stones as they pass, making sure they're not sheep.

They stop in front of the Edifice, tall and white and gleaming, carved and adorned with flowing motifs, though the basic architecture is fairly simple. It seems to sparkle in the shadows.

They look at it, look some more, look around, look at it some more, and then look at each other.

ERRY
Can you open it?

JORA
They say nobody's been able to open the Edifice since the Exodus.

KIT
We'll be the first. And we have it. A mystery to unlock the mystery within. It will all be mine.

NOLAN
We have a stick.
(he holds up the stick for emphasis)
It needs runes.

Nolan pokes the door with the stick.

Nothing happens.

KIT
(motioning for Nolan to hand over the stick)
Here.

Nolan passes him the stick.

Kit holds it aloft like a wand and points it about in various arcane-looking motions, generally directed at the door.

Nothing continues to happen.

Kit pokes the door with the stick.

Nothing continues to continue to happen.

Erry makes a face.

NOLAN
Runes.

KIT
On the stick?

NOLAN
Yes?

JORA
What did it say in the book?

KIT
Didn't. It's secrets. Things in books aren't secrets, or they wouldn't be secrets anymore.

NOLAN
Runes.

KIT
All right, all right, which ones?

NOLAN
(counting off on his fingers)
Fish. Tree. Hunger. Chaos. Hazard.

KIT
Seriously?

Nolan turns slightly and stares at Kit intently.

Kit quickly looks away and scribbles the runes down the length of the stick.

Kit then, hesitantly, tries poking the Edifice door again with the stick.

The magic sealing the entryway bursts into brilliant sparkles, which quickly fade. With a click, the door unlatches and opens slightly.

NOLAN
Boom.

Erry tip-toes forward and pulls the door open the rest of the way, revealing a dusty mass of darkness.

JORA
(grabbing Erry by the hood of her jacket)
Hold up. Let your brother put a light on you first.

Kit casts magelights on everyone, starting with Erry and Jora, at which point Jora lets go, Erry charges inside, and Jora draws her sword and marches in after.

Kit and Nolan exchange completely meaningless looks and head in as well.

INT. Edifice - afternoon

The entry chamber is grand but simple, with a high ceiling and dual staircases leading up to higher rooms. Doors lead to other rooms off to the sides. Elaborate light fixtures, emitting no light, hang from chains on the ceiling, aside from one smashed on the floor. An empty desk faces them. Dead plants and paintings line the walls, along with some disintegrating sofas and low tables. Stickers with ancient text and pictures are stuck to a few of them. A large pile of bones is heaped up against one of them, and dust coats every surface in little dunes, marred only by the girls' tracks.

Jora is standing at the base of the stairs, looking up, though she glances back as Kit and Nolan enter.

The door quietly booms shut behind them.

KIT
Erry?

Erry slides down a banister and lands in a dust-covered heap in from of him.

KIT
(disappointedly)
Oh.

JORA
Keep an eye on her. We don't know what we'll find, or if the place might try to fall down on us now that we're inside.

KIT
What'd you let her run in for?

NOLAN
Where are the sheep?

JORA
Why would there be sheep?

NOLAN
Kit said there might be sheep.

KIT
There might have been a lot of things. That was sort of the point.

Nolan frowns, looking about, and then fixates on the pile of bones.

NOLAN
(slowly)
Maybe... there are sheep in there.

EXT. Woods outside Molstead - darkness

Darkness. Everything is darkness. Shapes looming, careening, drifting in and about, but still, only darkness. The Carrier runs through it all, oblivious. It is only darkness, only everything, black and close, enveloping, consuming.

Sometimes there are lights, and the Carrier goes to them and puts them out, inviting them into the darkness, bringing them home.

Sometimes the shapes fade away. Movement stops, and he is alone, entirely alone in the quiet, the black, the whispers tickling the edges of the void. Then the shapes return, and the lights beckon, beckon, begging him onward.

Shapes.

Darkness.

Hunger.

Everything is hunger. The darkness is hunger, empty, necessary, comforting.

Something is out there now, and he fixates on it, feeling it calling to him with its silent delirious voice, so cold, so empty, so sweet and comforting, so hungry. It is so dark, so far, but so close, and his hunger pales in comparison. His darkness is too bright. He needs to find it, to join with it, before the darkness goes entirely...

White.

The Carrier runs on, onward through the woods, hungering, unseeing.

INT. Molstead Inn - evening

Coraline Dreams.

: ''It is cold. You aren't anywhere in particular, just snowy fields, rural, vague. The snow is trampled, frosted. The cat is seated by your boots, and you're not moving either, but you need to be somewhere. You need to run, but the train isn't coming, and the wind is bitter, and it's getting dark already. You need to be out of here. The trolls are coming.

: ''You spin around, but there is nothing there, only the wind, the voices whispering, drifting on the surface of the snow. It is cold, bitterly so, even trying to get in through your hat. You wrap your hood tighter around it.

: ''"Is this Finland?" the cat asks.

: ''"Huh?" you say.

: ''"Seems cold," the cat notes. "And dark."

: ''"I don't recall Captain Obvious being here," you say, peering around. What are you even doing here? You can't remember. The station is run-down, abandoned, the tracks covered in snow.

: ''"Troll," the cat says.

: ''It falls on you like a pile of bricks.

Coraline is lying in bed, covered in cats, staring at the ceiling, the voices rising around her. Outside is a general racket of music and singing, punctuated by cheering and explosions.

A horrible noise squelches through the walls. Coraline starts to react, accidentally jostles a cat, and decides to just lie there instead.

CORALINE
Nrrrgh, cats.

AGATA
Yes, hello.

The horrible noise squelches some more, getting louder, rattling the ceiling.

CORALINE
What the hell is that?

Agata rumbles.

Tress sticks up a paw.

Argument of Hags slides off the windowsill.

None of them answer the question.

CORALINE
You all are useless, you know.

Coraline tries to slide out from under the cats and falls out of bed.

AGATA
At least we're not drunk.

CORALINE
{{idioma|Perkele}}, cat, that was your fault.

Coraline gets up and finds herself face to eyeballs with a tentacle monster.

CORALINE
Hi. Did you know knocking is a thing? Also not coming in through walls?
That was you, right? There isn't something ''else'' in the walls. Right?

The tentacle monster blinks a long row of eyes at her in sequence.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''We wish to partake of the polluted essences of fruit and flesh.

CORALINE
What.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''There is an ongoing soiree.

Coraline gives the tentacle monster a blank look, and then starts pulling on some proper clothes right in front of it.

CORALINE
If you want to go to the festival, just... go? We've already got gogs, so I dunno how much weirder you could possibly be...
(she picks up a bottle of vodka and opens the door, indicating it with the vodka)
This is a door. In the future, please open it and go through it, as opposed to the wall. The gogs couldn't figure that out either, but it's really quite simple.
Ask Scoffle if you need help. Or any of the other cats.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''This follows.

Coraline heads out, and the tentacle monster follows scuttlingly.

EXT. Molstead - evening

It is very noisy. The festivities have clearly been going on for awhile already. There is rubbish scattered about, and people who look like rubbish. Many are already quite drunk. Many are singing, and waving torches and fireworks. Some do not take well to the tentacle monster, avoiding it, staring, something screaming in surprise and disgust. Others do not even seem to notice. One guy gives it a bottle of shalott and claps it on what would have been a shoulder, were it a humanoid.

Gogs run through with signs, some of them right-side-up. Kids run through as well, some also with signs, some following the gogs.

Coraline scoots over toward the slightly dismantled keg throne and starts contributing to the chaos.

The bonfire, for some reason, is bright green, shooting sparks up into the sky, where they swirl and die amidst the fireworks.

</screenplay>

=== Structure internals ===

<screenplay>

INT. Edifice - evening

Kit, Nolan, Erry, and Jora explore the building thoroughly over the course of the afternoon. Erry opens everything. Jora clears each room they come to. After finding the one sheep bone in the pile (a rib), Nolan joins in, opening a few doors, fiddling at their locks, for some reason set into the walls as opposed to the doors themselves.

Much of it is offices, filing rooms, closets. Lots of desks, lots of papers, and stranger consoles too. The chairs are all broken, and not like anything they've seen. Kit sits down on the floor with some of the filing, casting spells to translate the ancient Torini script, and after the first few papers crumble in his hands, spells to preserve the paper as well, and reads with fascination what turn out to be little more than requisitions and reports, but which unlike anything he's ever dealt with.

Dead potted plants are everywhere. Nonfunctional light fixtures protrude from walls and hang from ceilings.

Erry and Nolan are in the entry chamber, facing a pair of large doors behind the staircases up. Something that looks suspiciously like a warning sign is plastered to one of them.

Erry is eating some cheese and moose on bread.

Nolan frowns at the doors.

KIT
(coming over)
According to the forms, they were trying to evacuate through here. But I haven't seen any signs of how. You?

NOLAN
In the basement.

ERRY
It's locked.

Jora comes over as well.

Nolan sticks a long wire into a hole and pushes a button by the door, and it pops open.

Erry pulls the door the rest of the way open and leans inside, illuminating a wide set of stairs down.

KIT
Well?

ERRY
I see... stairs.

Kit pulls her back by the hood and starts down in front of her.

ERRY
Oy.

The others follow after, Jora taking the lead again, sword out.

INT. Edifice basement - evening

The basement is completely unlike the upstairs. It's one large room, sectioned off by a half-wall dividing it in two, a slit in the middle acting as a doorway to the other side. Several black screens are affixed to the half-wall, peering down on them like dead eyes. The floor and walls are bare stone, unadorned. Luggage and boxes and bags are heaped in piles, abandoned. Striped tape affixed to the floor partitions out boundaries and walkways.

There is a stale smell of not quite decomposition.

Their magelights cast jumping shadows between the piles. Kit and Jora just stop, staring.

Erry takes a few steps between the piles and pokes one uncertainly. It crumbles a bit, settling.

Nolan heads over to the slit.

Besides them, nothing moves.

JORA
In the Exodus, the elves left their homes too. Not all the cities had fair warning.

KIT
So they just left their stuff? For two thousand years? It was just... abandoned here?

JORA
A silent, sealed memorial.

Erry picks up a small stuffed moose and holds it uncertainly. Bits of fake fur fall off.

ERRY
This was someone's toy. Someone like me...?

She holds it up to eye level and stares at it.

Nolan stops in the doorway slit, and after a bit, the others pick their way over to him. Erry is still holding the moose.

The other side of the half-wall has more luggage, piled up and shoved out of the way into corners even more unceremoniously. Other bits, too, smaller bits, seem to have been simply dropped on the floor and trampled.

Rising up out of all of it is a Gateway, a huge ring set into a base in the floor, propped up with clamps and stilts. Cables stream out of it, connecting to stacks of crates nearby, and a large crystal on top of the crates is connected to it as well with more cables.

Nolan goes over to the crystal and taps it a couple of times. Nothing happens.

NOLAN
(to Kit)
Can you turn it on?

KIT
Er, I don't know. Maybe?

Kit goes to investigate.

Nolan nods and goes to stand in front of the Gateway, looking up at it blankly, turning the sheep rib over in his fingers.

Erry pokes about the luggage in a sort of fearful fascination, gathering up small things and secreting them away with her food.

Jora strolls about, checking for hazards. She glances toward the Gateway uncertainly from time to time as she does.

INT. Edifice basement - night

A couple of hours later, Kit gets the Gateway working, using the patterns built into it, redirecting the ancient flows so they resume. The magic is different now, not what it expects, but it's still magic, following similar rules. At last the crystal glows, and then the Gateway itself rumbles to life, components twisting against each other, other crystals in its frame lighting up. It settles into its new position, emitting a vague hum.

KIT
(stepping back)
Okay, I think that it's it.

Erry runs over, Jora following more sedately.

ERRY
Where'll it go?

NOLAN
We could travel to sheep.

JORA
It's late. We should be getting back.

KIT
No! We must go on!
(leaning over the crystal again)
It has to be able to connect to another Gate, but I'm seeing connections to several possibilities. Two of them even seem to be on Cerris, so...

NOLAN
Good. Do that.

JORA
Are you certain...?

NOLAN
Yes.

Nolan takes Jora's arm and steers her back toward the stairs.

As they leave, none of the doors present any difficulty whatsoever in opening, allowing them out without trouble.

Even the main door to the building simply opens at a touch.

NOLAN
For emergencies.

</screenplay>

== Part 2: Implement split ==

''It began with a promise. It began long before that. Each twist is prefaced by a choice. Each turn presents something new. You choose how to proceed, and sometimes you choose wrong. Sometimes the turn chooses for you. Sometimes the turn chooses wrong.

''On a scale of one to invade Russia in the winter, how bad is your idea?

''Notes:

# ''This is a children's story.
# ''Contradictions belie meaning.
# ''Some people will always need help. That does not mean they are not worth helping.
# ''The worlds are circular. You may repeat yourself.
# ''Things will become clearer as you go.

=== Aftermath ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Molstead Market square - night

At some point everything went wrong.

There is no more singing, no more celebration. People are fled or holed up in buildings, or in some cases, dead in the streets. Gogs are clinging to the undersides of eaves like odd little bumps. The bonfire is small, now, but now other things are on fire - stalls, piles of kegs, some buildings.

Coraline wakes up on the ground, a bit sooty, with a headache and drying blood in her hair. She sits up dizzily, touches her head, and frowns at the blood that winds up on her hand. The voices are all around, but distorted. Echoing.

Agata is sitting next to her.

A large group of townsfolk, as well as some soldiers in dark armour, are all standing around her, staring at her. Among them is also another man, far dirtier than the rest.

CORALINE
What... happened?

AGATA
I might worry about our audience first, if I were you.

CORALINE
(getting up)
What... they're...

AGATA
Carriers.

CORALINE
(worriedly)
All of them?

AGATA
I'd suggest you do something before someone sees, but it's a bit late for that.

CORALINE
But what... what are they doing? What are they waiting for?

The Carriers all just stare at Coraline, their eyes dark and hungry. She recognises quite a few of them.

AGATA
You, apparently.

Coraline approaches a nearer Carrier uncertainly. It's Jess, who falls to her knees before Coraline, looking up at her glassily.

Around, heads turn to follow, though the Carriers make no other moves.

JESS
(in a flat whisper)
The black... it burns...

CORALINE
(almost sobbing in confusion)
What...?

JESS
So bright...

Something is drawing Coraline to Jess. A hunger is burning insider her. She wants the girl, wants to join her, to take her, to devour...

Coraline grasps Jess's head in her hands, gently, welcomingly, firmly, not even sure what she's doing.

There is darkness, now. All around, amidst the voices, covering the world. Part of her wants this, needs it.

CORALINE
No... no!

Coraline can feel the pain in Jess, the loss, the fear, the hunger. What she cannot feel is Jess. She tries to push it all away, tries to find Jess amidst the black, the hunger, the voices clamouring louder and louder around her, but there's just nothing. It's like nothing, like pushing on solid nothing, except the nothing is pushing right back.

Coraline panics and twists it about, turning the darkness in on itself.

Jess collapses in front of her, dead.

The darkness subsides, and the voices quiet more or less back to normal.

The Carriers around Coraline start moving toward her all at once, some shuffling vaguely, others breaking into a run. One trips and falls on his face. A couple jump at her, grasping, pulling at her mind, and she knocks the first one aside, spinning away from another in armour.

The dirtiest Carrier reaches for her, wrapping her in his filthy embrace, and Coraline elbows him in the stomach. This has no useful effect whatsoever. Some dirt flakes off.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Do what you did before. Take his life and turn it out.

CORALINE
(mind voice)
''I don't even know how!

AGATA
(mind voice)
''There is life and there is death. They are the same things. Turn them in on themselves.

Something tears inside of Coraline. The voices shift, dulling, as the darkness rises once more, and she does it, she turns the life out, and the Carrier lets go, falling on top of her. And the others, too, are all on her, grasping, reaching, pulling, rending at her mind, at her...

A horrible noise squelches out of the ground, shaking some of the nearby buildings. It squelches further, and tentacles erupt from the ground, long and dark, ripping the Carriers away from Coraline.

The tentacle monster emerges a moment later amidst further squelching like a submarine out of an ice sheet. Dirt showers down around it. Some of the dirt falls right through it. Carriers are thrown aside. The tentacle monster grabs a couple with its tentacles and shoves them into its maw, eyes rippling out around it, devouring them whole.

Coraline scrambles away, grabbing Agata, and dodges another Carrier.

The tentacle monster grabs up a few more, devouring them as well, oozing along, low to the ground, tentacles reaching out far to grab others in the process, and trampling them as it goes. It makes a wide circle around Coraline, grabbing, devouring, smashing, leaving behind a trail of bodies and a bloody smear, until none are left standing.

It rises up like a monolith, drawing its tentacles back into itself, and moves toward Coraline.

Coraline stares at the tentacle monster uncertainly, holding Agata close.

Agata puts her ears back.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''Go. Your sanctuary is not here.

CORALINE
I... you... thank you.

TENTACLE MONSTER
''Go.

The tentacle monster reaches out with a tentacle and pushes Coraline away, surprisingly gently, turning her about.

Coraline runs for it.

EXT. Molstead inn - night

Coraline goes around back, trying to figure the best way in, Agata following at her heels. She starts dismantling one of the windows.

CORALINE
(quietly)
So they know. They know what I am?

AGATA
Not as such, but once things calm, word'll get around. You were out for awhile. People saw that crowd, knew ''something'' was the centre of it all. Some probably saw you walk out of it.
It's time you got on with it. Hiding, not working so well.

CORALINE
(removing the pane)
And what hit me?

AGATA
Probably someone aiming for something else.

Coraline sets the pane of glass down carefully, eyeing the cat.

AGATA
Probably.

CORALINE
{{idioma|Perkele.}}

Coraline tries to hoist herself up through the window, fails, tries again, and topples headfirst into the inn.

INT. Molstead inn - night

It is disturbingly quiet, and dark. A small trickle of light trickles back from the main room.

Coraline heads into the store room and packs up some supplies, a couple of kegs and the equivalent of a large liquor cabinet, and enough food and questionable potion bottles to crush a small child, stuffing it all into her really rather small pocket bag. Somehow it all fits, and the bag gets no bigger.

In the corner is a small shrine of pretty things. Keepsakes, memories, books, reminders of home, reminders of who Coraline is and how she had gotten here: an ornate filigree mask wired to a pair of sunglasses; a dried flower woven out of grass; a bright cuddly sea-anemone; a wooden statuette of Ganesh, and with it a smaller one of a wombat in a vest. Argument of Hags is perched nearby.

Coraline tucks the things into her bag, and grabs Argument of Hags. The cat doesn't exactly resist, but clings for dear life, digging in with claws.

CORALINE
(muttering)
I know, I know, you don't like being carried, but it's that or leave you here and you've grown on me entirely too much.

Dors enters, crossbow levelled in front of him, but he lowers it upon seeing Coraline.

DORS
You going?

CORALINE
Yeah.

DORS
You take care of yourself out there. This world, it'll eat you.

CORALINE
You too, man.

Dors grins at her and turns back toward the main room.

Coraline hurries over toward her bedroom, wads up her bedding and clothes and some other supplies, and feeds those into the bag as well. Then she gets out another bag that looks much the same size and fits that into the inside of the other bag, concealing the seemingly bottomless pit within.

Thimble is glaring down at her from a shelf.

CORALINE
(to Thimble)
I'm leaving. Come with me, you delightful meme.

Thimble continues to glare at her with his perpetually angry face.

Coraline gives him an irate look and reaches up and carries him off, and then heads back toward the window, which she proceeds to fall out of.

EXT. Molstead inn - night

Agata gives Coraline and the spare cat a long blank look, then turns away, padding off in a direction.

Coraline follows after.

EXT. Molstead - night

Nolan and Jora get back into town amidst alarming silence, and even more alarming noise. Isolated yells puncture it yellingly from time to time. Most of the noise is fire, and things on fire.

Dead people are in the streets, some townsfolk, some soldiers. Festival stuff is smashed and scattered about, along with random bits of clothing and other discarded items.

Through it all are a few folks still standing, wandering aimlessly. They are Carriers.

Jora holds her sword at the ready, giving them a wide berth.

Nolan walks up to a Carrier just sort of standing there and pushes him over.

The Carrier doesn't respond, lying where he fell.

JORA
Nolan?

Nolan hands Jora a dagger, which she tosses slightly and then stuffs in her belt.

NOLAN
Use that on them first, then kill them.
We should flee. It would be logical. Mathematical. But then we would not know what it was we fled.

JORA
Does it matter?

NOLAN
It may.

They continue on toward the centre of town.

A few of the Carriers start to follow Nolan and Jora as they pass.

EXT. Molstead market square - night

The market square is full of bodies. The bonfire is low. There is a suspicious hole in the ground, and an even more suspicious and splattery large wet streak across the ground through the middle of it all.

A small group of soldiers in dark armour are clustered about, watching the area, weapons at the ready. Nurunn and Doranis are among them, investigating.

Doranis is investigating by staring at the ground in confused horror.

Nurunn is squatting by the hole. He picks up some gloop out of it and frowns.

Nolan marches into the square and goes right to the soldiers. Jora follows slightly more cautiously, watching them carefully, but staying close to Nolan.

The soldiers point weapons at Nolan and Jora.

Nurunn gets up and comes over.

NOLAN
We were followed.

Several Carriers amble into the square after them.

A couple of other Carriers run into the square after them.

NURUNN
I see.

Jora sighs and turns around slightly, crouching down, and then jumps at the runners, slashing them with the dagger, and cutting them down with her sword, spinning around them. Several of the soldiers run in and assist.

When the last one falls, Jora turns toward the ambling Carriers.

One of the nearer ones, a WOMAN, stops uncertainly before her.

WOMAN
Please. Can you help us?

JORA
(holding out the dagger guardingly)
What are you? What happened here?

WOMAN
I don't know... please, help. It's so wrong, so wrong...

NURUNN
(striding over)
They are Carriers of the Death of Souls. There is no helping them.

Nurunn unceremoniously cuts the woman down, and moves on to the other amblers and rather efficiently does the same with them.

Jora lowers her weapons uncertainly.

Nolan wanders over toward another Carrier coming into the square from a different direction, stops in front of him, and does a little dance.

The Carrier stops and stares at Nolan confusedly.

Nolan does another little dance, this time centred on the other foot.

Nurunn throws a sword through the Carrier's face.

Nolan stops dancing, turns around, and nonchalantly walks back to Jora and Nurunn.

NOLAN
(to Nurunn)
Did you learn anything?

NURUNN
Yes.

Nolan stops and stares up at Nurunn expectantly.

NURUNN
(bemusedly)
Fragments of the Black seem to temporarily inhibit the symptoms of the Death of Souls through contact.

NOLAN
And then?

NURUNN
Then it exploded.

Nolan continues to stare at Nurunn expectantly.

Nurunn stares right back.

NOLAN
What is 'the Black'?

NURUNN
An ancient relic of unknown power, safely guarded.

NOLAN
Interesting.
We're done here.

Nolan turns and heads back the way they came.

Nurunn frowns after Nolan, but makes no attempts to stop him.

NURUNN
Is that normal?

JORA
He doesn't ''have'' a normal setting. If he did, we wouldn't even... ah, feck!
(she runs after Nolan to catch up)
Nolan! Is this what you wanted the Gateway for?

Nolan doesn't answer as they continue on out of town.

NOLAN
You're not going into shock.

JORA
(slowing)
What?

NOLAN
You already are in shock.

Jora stares at him incredulously, and then leaps aside to take out another couple of Carriers.

NOLAN
Theoretically yes. We'll see if the math holds.

</screenplay>

=== Exits ===

<screenplay>

EXT. Woods outside Molstead - early morning

Small groups of the soldiers in dark armour are in the woods, holding a perimeter of sorts, and hunting down escaping Carriers.

Coraline nearly runs into a pair of them while trying to find a better way to carry Thimble, stumbling out into their torchlight in surprise. Agata is on her head, and not entirely awake at this point.

Thimble murrs unhappily.

The soldiers point swords at her all very suddenly.

Coraline stops very suddenly, holding up a very angry-looking cat.

The soldiers stare at Coraline in surprise, then lower their weapons. A bit.

SOLDIER DUDLEY
Watch it.

SOLDIER ECHRLATL
You got all your cats, or are you gonna need to go back for another load?

CORALINE
Yes.

Echrlatl laughs.

Dudley gives Coraline a dubious look.

Coraline starts to sidle around them.

SOLDIER ECHRLATL
(grabbing Coraline's arm)
Wait.

Echrlatl pulls Coraline close, staring at her carefully, nearly squashing Thimble between them.

Agata falls off Coraline's head.

Thimble hisses.

CORALINE
(struggling, in particular to not squash Thimble)
Let go of me!

The voices rise to a roar around her, clamouring in her head, and she feels the brightness of the Death of Souls, its strange dark pull overwhelming her.

Coraline struggles even harder, trying to get away, even as she needs to get closer, needs to be the darkness...

Thimble lets out a low yowl.

Echrlatl abruptly lets go, and Coraline jumps away.

SOLDIER ECHRLATL
Sorry, miss. Had to be sure.

CORALINE
(backing away)
Sure of what?!

SOLDIER ECHRLATL
There's Carriers of the Death of Souls in the area. Had to be sure you weren't one of them.

Coraline stares at them, confused, and then just turns and runs, holding Thimble close. Agata runs after.

EXT. Edifice - early morning

Nolan tries the door, only to find it sealed as before.

Jora goes to give the immediate area a lookout while he figures it out.

Nolan grabs another, much less appropriate, stick off the ground and very unhappily scrapes the same shapes into it as Kit had done earlier. He pokes the door.

Nothing happens.

Nolan frowns at the stick, bugs his eyes out at the runes, and then adjusts one slightly. He pokes the door again.

This time the magic sealing the doorway bursts into oddly lighting-appropriate (or lack thereof) sparkles as the door unlatches.

NOLAN
Jora.

Jora appears as if out of nowhere, and they head back inside, door sealing again behind them.

INT. Edifice basement - early morning

The basement shows no sign of Kit or Erry when Nolan and Jora get back down. The Gateway is humming vaguely, its lights subdued.

JORA
If they went through, they could be anywhere.

NOLAN
Good.

Nolan goes to the control crystal, stares at it for a long moment, and then pokes it very deliberately.

The crystals in the Gateway light up, and the hum thrums. A rippling film appears across the opening, like the surface of a bubble.

JORA
If they didn't...

NOLAN
They did.

Nolan walks into the gateway and disappears as he crosses the threshold.

Jora eyes it uncertainly, and then ducks her head and follows.

</screenplay>

=== Blocky structure ===

<screenplay>

INT. Blocky structure - gateway floor

The entryway is a room of sorts, large, square, dark, and with no discernible doors, windows, or even light fixtures, nestled in a horrible pressing silence. The only features in it are another Gateway and a strange circle of glyphs on the floor. This Gateway is standing much more elegantly than the other, supporting itself, without cables, but has no control crystal.

A magelight is affixed to the ceiling.

Kit is sitting against a wall. Erry is asleep on his shoulder.

The Gateway flickers to life, and Nolan and Jora come through.

Kit jumps up, knocking Erry awake.

Erry sits up, rubbing her eyes.

Jora nods at Kit, looking relieved.

ERRY
Hi.

NOLAN
Dinner?

KIT
Oh, that's what we forgot. So silly of us, after having packed everything else for this little venture.
Look, I hate to be the one to say this, but I think we're trapped. Vitoi's end.

NOLAN
Really?

Erry offers Nolan a tin of cookies. Nolan takes it and starts eating them very methodically.

Kit gives Nolan an annoyed look, which slides right off like ducks.

JORA
Do we know where we are?

Kit shakes his head.

Erry looks at Nolan.

Nolan stares vaguely at a wall and pulls a leg of mutton out of his pocket. A small trickle of water is trickling down it.

Nolan pokes the wall.

Kit scuffs at the glyphs on the floor with his foot.

ERRY
Why are we here? Why aren't we home?

KIT
(glumly)
I wanted an adventure. I didn't think we'd... er...

NOLAN
Your home is gone. Your parents are dead. This is better.

KIT
Eh?

Erry stares at Nolan incredulously.

NOLAN
There was an outbreak of the Death of Souls. The Quints were killed on the spot. Mrs. Enori was turned as a Carrier and likely eaten.

There's a horrible awkward silence.

JORA
It's true. Molstead was a mess. It's good we weren't there when it happened.

KIT
You saw them?

NOLAN
No.

KIT
Then how can you possibly know...

NOLAN
Probability, previous trajectories, and sheep. Mr. Enori only survived because he would have wound up in the inn, escorting some of the small people. The less erratic ones.

Erry and Kit stare at him.

JORA
I'm so sorry.

Jora hugs Erry, and Erry just looks really, really confused.

Kit shakes his head, looking rather freaked out.

NOLAN
It doesn't matter.

KIT
(yelling in frustration)
Ghaaagh!
(taking a deep breath and continuing more normally)
We need to find a way out of here.

Nolan nods. Once.

JORA
We can't go back.

NOLAN
No.

JORA
So how do we continue?

Nolan goes and stands in the circle of glyphs.

Nothing happens.

Kit pushes him out and stands in the circle instead.

Nothing continues to happen.

Erry goes and stands in it with him.

All at once, the wall in front of them rumbles outward, swinging on a side, revealing a corridor of featureless darkness, as wide as the room they're in.

ERRY
(quietly)
You think it. You think 'open open open'. It opened.

JORA
Very good.

KIT
(peering out into the darkness)
I don't get it. This isn't Torini, but it's definitely elven...
The Soravian elves were all Torini. Even across the mainland it was mostly Torini.

Nolan marches off into the newly-discovered corridor. More circles of glyphs mark apparent doors on more expanses of wall.

KIT
Oy!

His voice echos strangely.

Kit runs after Nolan and applies a magelight to his head, and then more to everyone else's as well.

Nolan doesn't slow down, and just keeps right on going. The others follow after, passing by several circles of glyphs. The corridor turns, and Nolan simply turns with it, continuing.

ERRY
(whispering)
It's like it's dead. We're inside the body, but it's dead.

They turn another corner and hit a possibly dead end.

Nolan stops and stands in one of the circles of glyphs, and Kit runs into his shoulder.

A large wide door of wall swings open in front of them. The room revealed is full of blocks, and a particularly large block that might be a table. Nolan stares at it for a bit.

KIT
Whoever these people were, you think they liked blocks?

ERRY
(peering in as well)
No.

Kit gives her an irritated look, and goes and opens the door wall on the other side of the corridor. This room also contains blocks.

Kit steps back and the wall door closes.

They tiredly open a few more sections. Most reveal rooms with blocks, of varying sizes. One is empty. Another contains a construct of swirling shards of stone, which flies out and tries to smash Erry.

Erry shrieks at it, trying to look as scary as possible.

This has no effect.

Kit throws a fireball at it, destabilising it.

Jora smacks it with the flat of her blade, knocking some of the pieces apart. She smacks it again a few times, and it clatters to the ground in pieces.

KIT
(picking up one of the shards)
What is this?

NOLAN
Hostile.

KIT
You think?

Erry rubs her eyes.

Kit and Nolan open a few more. One of them is a small square room with a much larger than usual cicle of glyphs going around the entire room, or as much as a circle can inside a square.

They all pile in and start thinking random things.

ERRY
Sausage?

Kit closes his eyes and concentrates, thinking of what purposes such a room could serve, and such a place, and what would be needed. And what they need. They need a lot of things. He doesn't know what they need.

Silently the entire room begins to descend.

INT. Blocky structure - domicile floor

Several long seconds later, the room stops, and the wall door opens, revealing yet another blocky corridor.

Erry yawns hugely and opens the wall across from them. The room inside contains yet more blocks, dozens laid out evenly, but these are long and low, almost the size and shape of beds.

Erry trods over to one and collapses on it, sinking into it a little. This meets with her approval, so she snuggles into it a bit, pulls herself on entirely, and prompty falls asleep.

Jora and the others come in as well, looking about at the really quite featureless blocks.

Jora presses on one with her hand.

JORA
Soft. These are beds?

Nolan flops across one crosswise, his legs hanging off the side.

NOLAN
(with his face in the bed, a bit muffled)
Yes.

KIT
(with considerably satisfaction)
Yessssss.

</screenplay>

=== Crossroads ===

<screenplay>

EXT. River Lenn - day

It's a bright and sunny, if somewhat chilly, day. The river winds through the trees like an aimless jogger, low and muddy. A small boat floats with the current. Agata is perched on the bow, and Coraline is asleep in the bottom of the boat, Thimble hunched tensely beside her.

For a long bit, nothing really happens. The boat drifts downriver under the bright blue sky, under bare branches, under late autumn fire. Agata watches carefully, eyeing hazards, putting an ear back at the odd oddity. Thimble cries unhappily.

Coraline wakes up blearily and hugs him.

Thimble burrows into her coat.

CORALINE
I'm sorry, I didn't mean...

Coraline sits up a bit, rocking the boat entirely too much at first, and then tries again, keeping herself more balanced, wincing at her sore muscles. She drinks some whiskey and looks out over the water, and the sunlight bores into her brain like an augur, drilling out of the sky, bouncing off the river. Even the light rocks at the shore are almost blinding.

She covers her eyes and immediately feels 62% better.

CORALINE
Agata, did we... was there something...?

Coraline gestures vaguely.

AGATA
Everything is perfect. Utterly, absolutely, perfect.

CORALINE
Great.

Coraline slides back down into the bottom of the boat, curling around Thimble protectively, and Dreams.

: ''The snow is falling wetly around you, draping a soggy blanket across the landscape, drooping off of fencelines, hanging over edges of trees and roofs alike. The town looks deserted. The tracks are as snowy as anything.

: ''You wipe some snow off your head and it melts in trickles around your fingers, dripping down your neck and back, slipping beneath your coat.

: ''There are trolls around, but they will be dulled by the cold. They don't like the wet especially. Babies' eyes. Running late. You don't need to hurry. You can afford to stop.

: ''You can afford to stop.

: ''You step onto the station porch and peer about, noting the wetness, the leaves blown into the corners, wet and frozen. The ticketing machines are rusted with disuse. The door is shut, locked.

: ''You try it anyway. It opens with difficulty, hinges resisting, screaking, grating all the way until it sticks, and a cloud of stale air drifts out. It doesn't want to. It doesn't want you here.

: ''"Down here," Agata's voice says, inside, drifting out of corners. "You'll want to see this."

: ''The door is only partially open, only a little. You push through regardless, squeezing past handle and frame, into the darkness full of shapes: boxes stacked in the gloom, leering frames of cabinets, drawers hanging open, spiderwebs gaping, empty. You are neither spider nor fly. It is all already over.

: ''The darkness hangs like a sieve.

: ''"Down here," Agata repeats, driftingly, distant. You follow the voice, twisting through the maze, turning the corners between stacks, deeper and deeper. It is a labyrinth, silent as the grave, stuffy. The door stops you suddenly, looming up around a corner all at once, set into a wall, ordinary, plain. Standard industry handle. Standard frame painted the same as the walls. Walls, barren, unnotable. No windows. You touch it and the surface vibrates. The paint stirs, bubbles, shifts. It is rough, but not, trembling.

: ''The handle turns easily.

: ''Beyond is only darkness, deep, looming, empty. Voices in the shadows. Singing in the depths. Echoes. It goes on and on, but there is only nothing within its depths. It goes down, but the light stops at the threshold. Darkness, darkness, darkness.

: ''"You'll want to see this," Agata repeats, the same words, the same voice, suddenly loud, right in front of you, all around.

: ''The doorway, hanging open, beckons, inviting. The darkness beyond hints at shapes, ordered columns, singing against the black, and beyond it, more.

: ''You almost try to step forward, but then you can't. You can't move, instead finding yourself frozen in uncertainty and fear, paralysing, pulling you down as the dream dissolves around you, pulling, pulling, pulling, reaching, grasping.

Coraline is underwater. Something is holding her, pulling her down. Hands reach for her, grasping at her arms and legs. Undead faces leer, grinning at her out of the murk. They're not all there.

It's cold. It's suffocating. She's drowning, and yet she isn't struggling.

Milky eyes peer at her curiously out of a sagging, bloated head.

Coraline pulls away and breaks the surface, coughing. The air hits like ice. Bright sunlight streams down.

Decomposing hands pull her back down into coccooning silence.

AGATA
(mind voice)
''You could just let yourself die. It would be easier.

CORALINE
(mind voice; vaguely)
''I don't want to...

AGATA
(mind voice)
''Then fight!

Coraline twists away, thrashing at the hands, struggling back for the surface, for the bottom, anything. She steps on a head and it smashes like a melon. She grabs at some rocks and pulls her way up them, scrabbling for holds, scraping her fingers, and then she's on the surface again. She kicks at the dead people, but they hold on, so she kicks some more, knocking off fingers and limbs, and pulls herself out of the water, onto a rock, coughing and shivering.

Bloated faces and bare skulls stare up at her from out of the water.

The boat is sideways, caught on some rocks nearby, with Agata and Thimble on them. Agata is dry. Thimble isn't, and is quickly grooming himself to dry off.

Coraline finally manages to catch her breath and stares toward Agata uncertainly.

AGATA
Hello! Having fun?

CORALINE
Why are there dead people in the river?

AGATA
They're called drowners. They drown people. And then you get more drowners.

Coraline shivers violently, and bursts into flame. She flails a bit in a panic, almost falls back into the river, and then the flames go out all at once, leaving her mostly dry.

One of the drowners reaches a hand up out of the water toward her.

Coraline kicks it away.

...

</screenplay>

Holes/Session 54

2015-06-17T16:52:37Z

Gaurav: Added raw log with nav bars

{{holes nav
|top=true
|previous=Holes/Session 53
|next=Holes/Session 55
}}

<pre>
May 27, 2015 11:08AM
Apheori (GM): Food mornaing.

May 27, 2015 11:08AM
Frezak (GM): Phnragh!

May 27, 2015 11:09AM
Gaurav: Bless you.

May 27, 2015 11:09AM
Apheori (GM): I guess we have everyone we're going to get.
I have no idea what happened, who was present, or really much of anything.

May 27, 2015 11:11AM
Frezak (GM): There were shadows.

May 27, 2015 11:11AM
Apheori (GM): But, uh, apparently y'all killed some shadows, Amadi turned the remainders into rain, and... yes.
Anyone know what the porridge was up to?

May 27, 2015 11:12AM
Frezak (GM): GLooping?

May 27, 2015 11:12AM
Gaurav: Oh right. Rain and umbrellas.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Apheori (GM): How big was it?
You know what, it doesn't even matter.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Gaurav: Porridge didn't do anything. I asked if it had initiative and Frezak said it had the speed of oats.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Frezak (GM): Quantum!
I was probably right.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Apheori (GM): The porridge oozes over and covers Greibel.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Frezak (GM): it sounds right.

May 27, 2015 11:14AM
Gaurav: What kind of AC boost does being covered in sentient porridge give you?

May 27, 2015 11:16AM
Frezak (GM): The Armour of Oats.

May 27, 2015 11:17AM
Ganelon: Not enough to wash away the shame.

May 27, 2015 11:17AM
Gaurav: Hee.

May 27, 2015 11:19AM
Frezak (GM): The cleansing power of oats:

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Apheori (GM): So none of you do anything about it?

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Gaurav: About Greibel and his glooping porridge? Noooooo

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Ganelon: I have both doubts about my ability to do anything about it, and also the actual danger posed.

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Gaurav: Never get between a man and his porridge, my mum always taught me.

Rhu tries to hand the drugs Greibel handed him earlier back to him.

May 27, 2015 11:21AM
Apheori (GM): More and more porridge seems to be covering him.

May 27, 2015 11:21AM
Ganelon: Anyone got a hollow tube handy so he doesn't suffocate?
Also, another important point - does he even care this is happening?

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): Frezak suggests Radek's rifle.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: That's not hollow on both ends.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): He seems to be trying to walk.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: Also no.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Frezak (GM): IT COULD BE

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): But it's not working very well.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: No.

Rhu pokes at the porridge.

May 27, 2015 11:24AM
Ganelon: But really, unless you want me to set him on fire to try and bake the porridge, I haven't really got a way to stop a completely amorphous entity from covering someone.

May 27, 2015 11:25AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 Heal check on Greibel
(
7
)+15
= 22

May 27, 2015 11:25AM
Gaurav: Mostly, I want to check if the porridge is affecting Greibel's brain function in any way.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Apheori (GM): You ascertain that the porridge seems to be alive and growing.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Gaurav: ... growing?
Uh oh.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Apheori (GM): You recall Greibel was in there, but there isn't much sign of him anymore.
It's basically just a large, lumpy, vaguely conical lump.

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Frezak (GM): I POKE IT
With a stick

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Gaurav: It's too late. Greibel has been consigned to an oaty grave. We should bury him and move on.

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Frezak (GM): to see if there's a druid in there

May 27, 2015 11:28AM
Gaurav: I wonder what would happen if he were to transform into a swarm of bees right now.

May 27, 2015 11:28AM
Frezak (GM): They would be really upset bees?

May 27, 2015 11:29AM
Gaurav: I mean, would each bee be wrapped in a tiny bit of porridge, or would they all be stuck as a ball inside all of the porridge. What if a bee escapes? Stuff like that.

May 27, 2015 11:30AM
Ganelon: We've already pondered the question of how druid swarms even maintain a gestalt intelligence.
In short, it's weird and magic.
And I don't think they can separate from the same close area.

May 27, 2015 11:30AM
Apheori (GM): The stick goes in slightly and then gets stuck.

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Frezak (GM): I relinquish the stick.
Defeat!

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Gaurav: Ah, never mind then.

Rhu remembers that one of the shadows was consumed by an invisible thing beside Greibel, and he starts saying "Hello?" and waving his arms in the empty space.

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check
(
8
)+15
= 23

May 27, 2015 11:34AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You see porridge tracks.

May 27, 2015 11:34AM
Frezak (GM): More of a trail, really.
like an oaty slug

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Apheori (GM): Little porridges coming together into big porridge...

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Frezak (GM): A porridge singularity:
We're DOOOOMED

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Gaurav: We're heading towards a Hole. We're doomed anyway.

Rhu follows the trail.

May 27, 2015 11:36AM
Frezak (GM): Yeah, but we could do with LESS dooms.

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): ...any trail in particular?

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Gaurav: If we got a comically large magnifying glass as part of our Sarathi expedition supplies, Rhu will take it out and do his best Elmer Fudd impression.
Do the trails converge on a point? Is that point Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): The little ones all go off in random directions.
...yes.
And yes.

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Ellemerr (GM): Amadi hands the porridge a cup of hot chocolate.

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Gaurav: Any trails heading towards one of the walls, or do they go down the corridor?

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Frezak (GM): Can I x-ray the Porridge Form for a bong?

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Instead of accepting the hot chocolate, all the porridge collapses into the floor and disappears, leaving something of a horrible dark hole behind.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Frezak (GM): Because Greibel wouldn't be without it.
It's the soruce of his power.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: Ew.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Frezak (GM): GREAT
A HOLE
YAY

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Gaurav: All of the above.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: We should try offering more of our enemies hot chocolate.

Rhu follows the largest trail that leads towards the wall. He'll poke at the trails as he goes, looking for clues.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Ellemerr (GM): Um. Where's Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Gaurav: Towards a wall, I guess. The nearest wall.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Frezak (GM): I shine my Space Elf issue Flashlight down this new hole.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu spends the next hour following all the porridge trails up walls, down floor, etc etc. He finds they all just sort of randomly start out of nowhere and needs to give me a perception check.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check on random trails
(
10
)+15
= 25

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Gaurav: Up walls. Nice.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu notices the shadows at the edge of the light and doesn't walk into them and get devoured.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Frezak (GM): oats don't bow to gravity.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Gaurav: YAY!

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Apheori (GM): Unless he really wants to or something.

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Frezak (GM): Hug your doom!

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: No no. Undevoured is fine.

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Frezak (GM): Embrace it like a comfortable bear!

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: Rhu's doom is waiting for him at a dead end somewhere.
Anyway, brb. I'll be back in 10 mins.

May 27, 2015 11:44AM
Apheori (GM): Okay, so presumably that didn't actually go on for an hour.

May 27, 2015 11:44AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy shouts down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
The Gravedigger: GRAAAAAAAAVES

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Frezak (GM): Maaaaybe it's echolocation.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Apheori (GM): It completely fails to echo.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Ganelon: The real question is whether it's a hole or, you know, a Hole.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Frezak (GM): Maybe he's just shouting.
Damn you, echolocation!
You fail me in my most dire of hours!
10-foot poles!
Deploy a drone?
Probably safer than spelunking.

May 27, 2015 11:47AM
Ganelon: A fair point.

May 27, 2015 11:47AM
Frezak (GM): That said short of evil darkness, Gravy could probably just jump down most caves.

May 27, 2015 11:48AM
Ganelon: But I want to know what we're dealing with before I even toss junk in there.

May 27, 2015 11:48AM
Frezak (GM): No light, no echo....
Does it smell like a Hole?
A capitalised hole?

May 27, 2015 11:49AM
Midoriki Hano: It smells like a dead end.

May 27, 2015 11:49AM
Frezak (GM): ...
Gravy pushes hazz down the hole.
Roll to punt:
rolling 1D20+11
(
11
)+11
= 22
AC?
Reflex?

May 27, 2015 11:52AM
Apheori (GM): Something.
She's knocked flying into the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Frezak (GM): Against MYSTERY
Have at thee, mystery!

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Apheori (GM): Kyrule appears behind Gravy and giggles.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
The Gravedigger: Oh, hey.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Kyrule: Ahem. Yes.
Hello.

The Gravedigger shouts down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
The Gravedigger: OKAY IN THERE?

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Ganelon: I can't really disagree with this course of action.

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Kyrule: I'm sure he's fine.
She's.
Something?

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Radek: What about Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
The Gravedigger: Well, he's not here.

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Radek: Is he "fine"?

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
The Gravedigger: Difficult to say.
Since.
You know.
He's not here.

Amadi shrugs.

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
Amadi: Soft landing. Oaty.

Kyrule leans over and peers down into the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
Kyrule: I'm not sure there will be much of a... landing.

The Gravedigger 's eyes light up.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Jetpacks!

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Kyrule: You'll see him again.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Amadi: Well, a cushioned fall that... doesn't end.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Kyrule: You might even see both of them again.
Though I do hope not.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Hey!
I quite like Greibel!

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
(From Ellemerr (GM)): Where's my bong?

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Somehow!

May 27, 2015 11:57AM
(To Ellemerr): Your bong is just... gone. But also not. It's... right here, in fact?

May 27, 2015 11:57AM
Kyrule: I'm kidding. Mostly.

Radek grumbles.

Amadi leans over the hole, looking a tiny bit like she's about to just fall into it.

May 27, 2015 11:58AM
Amadi: He's... not terribly gone... somehow.

The Gravedigger throws drugs down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:58AM
The Gravedigger: In case he gets lonely.

May 27, 2015 11:59AM
Amadi: I wonder what'd happen if he used...

Amadi mumbles.

May 27, 2015 11:59AM
Frezak (GM): Perception to clarify the mumble!
rolling 1D20+14+10
(
1
)+14+10
= 25

May 27, 2015 12:00PM
Gaurav: Mumbling intensifies.

Kyrule points at Gaurav and laughs.

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Kyrule: Er, ooc.

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Apheori (GM): ...sorry. >.>

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Frezak (GM): Even the gods mock you!

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Gaurav: Yes. They do.

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
(From Amadi): "I wonder what'd happen if he used my/his mumble-bumble-thingy-whatsnot to blah blah blah..."

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): So your god just got shoved in a hole.

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
Gaurav: I'm just going to say that Rhu was peering intensely at a wall while his god was unceremoniously dumped into a torn piece of the fabric of the universe itself by his so-called friend.
^

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Frezak (GM): If pushed, Gravy will blame Amadi.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: It wasn't that kind of hole.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Apheori (GM): Gaarav: Perception.
Also literal hole in the floor.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check
(
3
)+15
= 18

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: Also the world is better off without.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Gaurav: I like Hazz'. But then I like Dave, so what do I know.
Sorry, Dawn.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy whistles.
Scuffs a foot in the dirt.
Hands behind his back.
hands that hold a giant sarcophagus lid and a shovel.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: Okay, fine, you missed the exact details, but you definitely heard something get hit with a shovel and saw Hazz anime boobchick fall into the floor hole.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Rhu: HEY!

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Apheori (GM): And now there's Gravy. Doing that.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Amadi: Hello!

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Gaurav: Hee, boobchick.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
The Gravedigger: Hey?

May 27, 2015 12:05PM
Apheori (GM): Oh, and Kyrule's back to normal.
Just grey and godly and masked and not an anime boobchick.
Also her hair is a bit crazy, and in a completely different style from before.
There seems to be a sausage embedded in it for some reason.

May 27, 2015 12:05PM
Rhu: (runs up to Hole, peers inside) HELLO? HELLO?
(to Gravy) Did you just shove my god in there?

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Not a rift hole, just a broken floor hole.
It looks dark and rocky and there is no echo when you shout down.

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: Oh, sorry. I misinterpreted what Hazz' said before his exit.

The Gravedigger looks at his shovel.

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
The Gravedigger: Um. No?
Maybe?

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
Rhu: Not cool, man, not cool.

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
The Gravedigger: Hey, he killed me.
Tit for... uh... tit.

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
Rhu: You know he's pissed off at me already, and I'm pretty sure we need all the godly intervention we can get for this stupid suicid-- wait, what?

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
The Gravedigger: Yeah.
Your god's a bit of a dick.

Kyrule tries to look innocent and inconspicuous behind Gravy.

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
Amadi: I tried to stop her. But I'm not Squirrel.

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
Gaurav: Which is totally doable, given Gravy's size.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): Also Kyrule is really big, so she's not actually managing to hide at all.
So you can totally see this.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Rhu: (looks from Gravy to Amadi and back again, then shouts down the hole) DID YOU KILL HIM?

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Gaurav: Psh, like Rhu would notice.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Frezak (GM): So tempted to punt Rhu in.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Gaurav: omg do it

Kyrule whispers behind Gravy, "You know you want to."

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Frezak (GM): The votes are in!
Gravy just whacks Rhu on the butt.

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Gaurav: That's one PC and one reasonably competent god against nil.
I got 17 reflex. What you got?

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Frezak (GM): Also the GM herself is egging me on.
rolling 1D20+11
(
20
)+11
= 31

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu topples into the hole.

Radek edges further away from the hole - and Gravy.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Ganelon: I'm not going to be next.
No way, man.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Gaurav: Gravy, solving this party's problems one character at a time.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Apheori (GM): Gravy, Amadi: You think you see a tentacle reachng up to meet him right as he disappears entirely into shadow.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Frezak (GM): MEET YOUR GOD

Amadi smacks Gravy over the back of the head. (She might have to climb onto him to do this.)

May 27, 2015 12:12PM
The Gravedigger: Okay, now we can get some work done!
That's.. uh... you, Radek.

May 27, 2015 12:12PM
Radek: ...Yes. Well.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Gaurav: Important question: did Amadi ever actually get off Rhu's shoulders? She was braiding his hair when the last encounter began.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Radek: ...Onwards, then.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Frezak (GM): HAHAHAHA

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Apheori (GM): O.o

Apheori (GM) falls over laughing.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Kyrule: Actually, maybe... you shouldn't have done that.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
The Gravedigger: Ooops.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
Kyrule: Maybe.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
Apheori (GM): Hmm.
Let's see...
rolling 1d3
(
2
)
= 2
Okay, Amadi was on him, but fell off when he got punted in.

May 27, 2015 12:15PM
Frezak (GM): Whew!

May 27, 2015 12:15PM
Apheori (GM): She was just by the edge of it.
And now she's on him punching Gravy.
Which I guess is why you both would have been able to see the tentacle, yeah.
Also we should... go buy food.
Because we're all horrible at planning.
So, uh.

May 27, 2015 12:18PM
Gaurav: BYE

May 27, 2015 12:20PM
Apheori (GM): Right, we'll be back in a bit, sorry about.

May 27, 2015 12:20PM
Gaurav: I'm in no rush. Take your time and have a nice dinner!

May 27, 2015 12:48PM
Apheori (GM): Okay, we got dinner for tomorrow and stuff.
And breakfast.
And lunch.
There was arguing.

May 27, 2015 12:49PM
Gaurav: Any porridge?

May 27, 2015 12:52PM
Apheori (GM): That was dinner.
So to recap, the current situation is...
Uh...

May 27, 2015 12:53PM
Ellemerr (GM): Dinner today.

May 27, 2015 12:53PM
Apheori (GM): Gravy pushed Hazz and Rhu into a hole in the ground.
Greibel is gone.
This leaves Gravy, Radek, Amadi, and Kyrule in the tunnel around a hole in the ground?
Is this the point where you head out onwards as Radek suggested, and stop for a relaxed lunch along the way?

May 27, 2015 12:55PM
Gaurav: I don't suppose Rhu is in a position to shout up out of the hole at everybody else?

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu is gone.
Goooone.

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Gaurav: Well then.

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): ...I should probably figure something out with that.

May 27, 2015 12:57PM
Gaurav: We can figure that out next week if necessary. I'm pretty excited, since this is a particularly messed up time in the Rhu-Hazz' relationship for them to be stuck together somewhere, which should be fun.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, care to have a nice chat with your god?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): They can play games!
Charades!

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Apheori (GM): One on one? All alone?
Weightless?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): WITH NO ESCAPE IN SIGHT?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Gaurav: You say that like Rhu doesn't do that every few weeks anyway.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): ...
That's a really good point.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Gaurav: Up to you. I'm happy to watch everybody else adventure for a while, too.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Have a chat.
I don't expect it will last long.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Rhu: ...so.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You are suspended in blackness.
As far as you can tell.
Also Hazz.
Though you can't actually see him/her.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Frezak (GM): Doesn't he have Hair-o-Vision?

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Apheori (GM): It may be in his bag.

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Gaurav: Yeah, I don't think I have it on. Do I have my bag with me?

Rhu attempts to move around in the empty blackness.

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Frezak (GM): I'm not aware that you were disequipped?

May 27, 2015 1:01PM
Gaurav: It might be a blackness of the mind and not the body, in which case I might not have access to my things.
I -> Rhu

May 27, 2015 1:01PM
Hazz'ridan: So.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Rhu: I don't suppose you did kill Gravy.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Hazz'ridan: I did.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Frezak (GM): As if Gravy would lie!

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Apheori (GM): Hazz isn't going to either.
Probably.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Gaurav: As if Gravy would shove party members into holes!

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Apheori (GM): Well.
Things happen.

Rhu sighs.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Frezak (GM): Frankly, blame Names on that one.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Rhu: This is a pretty crazy party.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Apheori (GM): You didn't HAVE to.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Frezak (GM): I did it because YOU TOLD ME TO PUSH YOUR CHARACTER DOWN THE HOLE
BLAME YOURSELF

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Rhu: Is there any way to get back to the others, or do we have to wait for Mrs. Teatime to come rescue us again?

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Frezak (GM): You are your own downfall.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Gaurav: I am Rhu's downfall.
Which is fair, really.

Hazz'ridan chucks Rhu back up out of the hole.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Gaurav: What.
Like undercooked meat.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Apheori (GM): So Rhu comes up with a tentacle, bounces off the ceiling, and lands in a heap next to Radek.
Comes up flung via tentacle, I mean.

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Rhu: Ow.

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
The Gravedigger: Hey!
Done with so soon?

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Apheori (GM): Is Gan still here
?

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Rhu: Hi. I think we're all even now.
Maybe.

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
Gaurav: Any tentacles still in the area?

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
Apheori (GM): A small chunk of porridge jiggles on Gravy's shoulder.
No tentacles, though.

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
The Gravedigger: Hokay!
Radek?

May 27, 2015 1:07PM
Rhu: rolling d20+10 religion check to thank Hazz' for his redemption/rescue
(
7
)+10
= 17

May 27, 2015 1:07PM
Apheori (GM): You don't need to roll for that. You thank your god. He's thanked. Yadda.

May 27, 2015 1:08PM
Gaurav: Shh. This is Rhu's first chat-with-god religion check in ages. Let him have his moment.

May 27, 2015 1:10PM
Ganelon: I'm back.

May 27, 2015 1:11PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu got flung back at you.
He landed next to you.
You were about to just head out anyway?

May 27, 2015 1:11PM
Ganelon: Yes.

May 27, 2015 1:12PM
Frezak (GM): Radek remains as STEEEEEL

Radek grumbles and shakes his head as he steps over (not on top of) Rhu.

May 27, 2015 1:12PM
Radek: It's a wonder anyone fears the unknown these days...

May 27, 2015 1:13PM
Ganelon: Damn youngsters don't even appreciate the unspeakable terrors they find themselves facing.

May 27, 2015 1:13PM
Kyrule: People don't know what unspeakable horrors lie beneath. Easy to only see what you see.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Radek: Hmph. Only because you've all gone soft. Back in my day, we were never this blind.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Ganelon: Damn gods keeping us mortals ignorant for our own well-being.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Amadi: I'm not actually blind, I'm just wearing shades in the middle of the night. It's a fashion statement.

Kyrule pulls the sausage out of her hair and mutters, "yeah, blind," and then starts munching on it.

May 27, 2015 1:16PM
Ganelon: He'll be heading down this tunnel, whether or not anyone actually cares to follow him.

The Gravedigger 's eyes widen.

May 27, 2015 1:16PM
The Gravedigger: Sausages!

Amadi draws out some sausages for Gravy.

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Ganelon: ...That sounds like an answer.

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Apheori (GM): Y'all head after Radek.

The Gravedigger produces his own sausages (ALL FOUR KINDS) and declares this to be The Time Of Lunching As Soon As We're Out Of This Cave

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Ganelon: Damn sausages, stealing my thugs' attention away from matters of great import!

Rhu cheers.

May 27, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr (GM): Answer to what?
Right then!
Tunneling!
Are there moles?

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, okay.
You head down the tunnel. Passage. Thing.
No moles.
Not even dead ones.
There are some... people.
They're all frozen in place.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Ganelon: Oh, that's remarkable.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): In the middle of actions.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Frezak (GM): BASILISKS?

May 27, 2015 1:23PM
Ganelon: What's keeping them frozen?

May 27, 2015 1:23PM
Apheori (GM): The first one you come to is running as if in utter terror.
Behind him are others, as though following, chasing or whatever.
Nothing apparent is keeping them frozen.

May 27, 2015 1:24PM
Frezak (GM): I poke one.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): Which one? The first one?

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Closest, yeah.
With a shovel.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): Kyrule stops you, or at least moves to stop the shovel with a hand on it. Like, you know. Gestury. Of stopping. Like someone... stopping...
...er.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Sure.

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Apheori (GM): The one in front is some sort of warrior-looking guy in leathers and stuff. He has swords, but they're not out. The chasers look like an odd mixture of soldiers, peasants, and aliens.
A few of them are glowing.

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Ganelon: Sounds like magic is afoot.
Shall I roll the thing?

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Frezak (GM): I halt my pokage?

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Ganelon: The understanding thing?

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Apheori (GM): Roll all the things.
Yes.

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Gaurav: Aliens?

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20+16 Thing
(
18
)+16
= 34

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Apheori (GM): Also it would help if I could remember if anyone ever mentioned this.
Gan: Looks like some sort of temporal distortion - they're not actually frozen. Probably.
Well, relative to you they totally are, but from the ambience you get the feeling that really you're just moving really really fast and they're normal.
Aliens as in... not elven or human, but I guess they're humanoid or something. Maybe.
I dunno.

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Gaurav: It's times like this that we need to ask ourselves the important question: what would Greibel do?

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Ganelon: "What drug would Greibel do in these trying times?"
"Oh, definitely PCP. No doubt."

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): Get high?

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Ellemerr (GM): I can produce drugs if you want them.

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): I'm... good, I think.
And with godly fortitude, probably pretty resistant to drugs.

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Gaurav: I... thought maybe throw porridge in their faces, but that works too I guess.

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Rhu: Can either of you gods unfreeze them somehow?

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Kyrule: We're currently kind of outside of time.
I wouldn't touch them.

May 27, 2015 1:34PM
Rhu: What happens if we touch them?

May 27, 2015 1:34PM
Amadi: Separate time-streams! Like two rivers running at different speed. Which can totally happen.

May 27, 2015 1:35PM
Radek: Consider this, Rhu.
An object moving at sufficient speed relative to its observer is effectively undetectable.
If we have even the slightest semblance of mass, contact with these people could potentially annihilate them.

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Kyrule: You can break the weak forces within atoms.
It's fun.

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Ganelon: Gods!
No sense of responsibility!

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20+4
(
17
)+4
= 21
Gravy trying to grasp science

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
Rhu: So it's something to do with the observer's relative. Hmm, interesting.

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
(To Frezak): (whispering) Also this is totally wod magic and I have no idea how well it even works according to the laws of physics or anything anyway.

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
The Gravedigger: It's fine, the differential in temporal rates is vast enough that the slipstream would only shear off a minor value of particles.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
(To Frezak): (whispering) So who even knows what could happen.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
The Gravedigger: Or so they say.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Rhu: I think Holy Kyrule is right, though. I think it will be fun.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Radek: ...Just leave them undisturbed.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Frezak (GM): FUN?!

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Kyrule: That was sarcasm.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Rhu: Oh.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Ganelon: How minor is Gravy talking here?

The Gravedigger runs around them in slow motion.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
The Gravedigger: Toooooo faaaaaasssssst fooooorrrrr yyyyooouuuu
Caaaaaant caaaaatchhhh meeeee
Iiiiiiiim theeeeee giiiiingerrrrbreaaaaad maaaaaan

Radek clears his throat. Loudly.

The Gravedigger stops immediately and salutes.

Kyrule goes up to the fleeing guy and almost - very nearly - touches him.

Kyrule just looks really, really sad for a moment and back away.

May 27, 2015 1:41PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20
(
6
)
= 6

Amadi tries to drop a sausage into their time-stream, right in front of a runner's face.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Gaurav: Amadi: YAY!

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Radek: Let us continue.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Gaurav: I know this might destroy the universe as we know it, but I approve strongly.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi tries this on one of the pursuers.
...it explodes.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
The Gravedigger: Noooooo!

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Apheori (GM): Both pursuer and sausage.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Amadi: ... Oooops?

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): ...and a bit of the floor underneath.
But in slow motion.

Radek facepalms.

Amadi whistles and skips after Radek.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
The Gravedigger: Maybe don't do that again?

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Amadi: Yes, let's go!

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): Just a weird expanding explosion.
Glowing.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Gaurav: Uh oh.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): Getting bigger really, really slowly.

Kyrule face-palms.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
The Gravedigger: Let's go.... a leetle faster?

Rhu nods at Gravy and is clearly ready to run for it.

May 27, 2015 1:44PM
Frezak (GM): Hustle!

Kyrule hangs back and puts out the explosion while y'all run away and then suddenly appears with you again a moment later.

May 27, 2015 1:46PM
Apheori (GM): Also Kyrule did something else with the fleeing guy but nobody cares. Ahem.

May 27, 2015 1:46PM
Gaurav: What?

May 27, 2015 1:47PM
Ganelon: It was probably someone important to her.

May 27, 2015 1:47PM
Frezak (GM): He is now wearing a fez

May 27, 2015 1:48PM
Apheori (GM): Yes.
That is now canon.

May 27, 2015 1:49PM
Frezak (GM): Sweet!

May 27, 2015 1:51PM
Apheori (GM): Now I need to look up what actually happens here. Uh.
Actually no, there was no visible change at all and she just grumbled a bit and left him there. Sorry.
No fez.
Also the guy looked utterly terrified, though I forget why I might have thought this was important.
Interesting.
Uh.

May 27, 2015 1:54PM
Apheori (GM): So y'all go on down the passage.
There's more folks, all frozen, but now they're more just milling around or clustered. There are a couple on the ceiling.
Roll sanity?

May 27, 2015 1:54PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20
(
11
)
= 11

May 27, 2015 1:55PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20
(
6
)
= 6

May 27, 2015 1:56PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20
(
5
)
= 5
Hoo hooooo

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Frezak (GM): ONe day we'll get snake eyes again.

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Apheori (GM): Okay. That's weird. There's weirdness. And stuff.
And light.
And distortion.
It's not night.
Yadda yadda.
We should go to bed.

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Apheori (GM): Goodbyw.
e

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Rhu: rolling d20
(
7
)
= 7

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Ellemerr (GM): Mhm! Sweet nightmares.

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Gaurav: Good night, all. Are we playing any more this week?

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Ellemerr (GM): Veeeeery doubtful.

May 27, 2015 2:02PM
Gaurav: Cool. See you all next time, then!

May 27, 2015 2:02PM
Ellemerr (GM): Have fun!

May 27, 2015 2:03PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: Schoolgirls.

May 27, 2015 2:04PM
Frezak (GM): Pervert!

May 27, 2015 2:04PM
Gaurav: Rhu is thinking only of his god.

May 27, 2015 2:16PM
Apheori (GM): His god is one. HEEE ISSSSS.
</pre>

{{holes nav
|top=true
|previous=Holes/Session 53
|next=Holes/Session 55
}}

Holes/Session 53

2015-06-17T16:51:07Z

Gaurav: Added raw log with nav bars

{{holes nav
|top=true
|previous=Holes/Session 52
|next=Holes/Session 54
}}

<pre>
May 20, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): Okay.
I just cleared the chat.

Apheori (GM) whistls.

May 20, 2015 11:38AM
Apheori (GM): And the Merr stepped out to get bread.
And I should plug this thing in.
BUT ANYWAY.

May 20, 2015 11:38AM
Ganelon: But anyway.

May 20, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Where even were we?

May 20, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: Rhu was making nice with his god. Yes, the large-breasted one.

May 20, 2015 11:40AM
Apheori (GM): Also bear in mind that I got like three hours of sleep last night, so this may not even be coherent.
It was a weird trip full of unexpected customs and stuff.
Okay, so Rhu and Hazz are all happy...

May 20, 2015 11:41AM
Frezak (GM): Rhu is always happy.
Nothing but nice things happen to him.

May 20, 2015 11:42AM
Apheori (GM): Oh, everyone was assaulting Gravy.
Apparently.

May 20, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: We were?

May 20, 2015 11:43AM
Apheori (GM): Well, Amadi and someone were. But he's fine.
It had moved onto Rhu now.
ASSAULTING RHU.
There are chocolate buttons right next to me. o_O

May 20, 2015 11:44AM
Gaurav: Oh right. Amadi was gazing into his eyes and discovered that Rhu was a walking dead end.
Rhu was standing frozen in place hoping she would try to lick his face or something.

May 20, 2015 11:45AM
Ganelon: ...Hoping?

May 20, 2015 11:46AM
Gaurav: wouldn't*
Err.

May 20, 2015 11:46AM
Apheori (GM): While this is going on, is anyone paying attention to Greibel?

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Ganelon: Radek is probably thanking his squid and hoping nobody else catches him doing it.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Gaurav: Hee.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Apheori (GM): Gravy notices.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy notices.
Gravy sees all.
HAH

May 20, 2015 11:48AM
Apheori (GM): Yes.

May 20, 2015 11:48AM
Ganelon: Well I haven't got a smokescreen to deploy or anything of the sort, unfortunately.

May 20, 2015 11:49AM
Apheori (GM): It's okay. Gravy probably understands anyway.
So is Gravy the only one paying attention to Greibel on account of his generally paying attention to everything?
I NEED TO KNOW.

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Gaurav: Will a passive perception of 25 do it?

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Apheori (GM): Sure, whatever.

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Gaurav: Probably with a penalty for having an Amadi poking at his eye.

May 20, 2015 11:51AM
Apheori (GM): Except you're getting godlinged.
So you can't easily do much about it.

May 20, 2015 11:51AM
Gaurav: Yup. Rhu will remain petrified in place &c.
What's Hazz' doing at this point? That's probably who Rhu will be watching apart from Amadi.

May 20, 2015 11:54AM
Amadi: Open your mouth and say "Aaaa."

May 20, 2015 11:55AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy stands beatifically in the middle of chaos.
He is a ROCK in this ocean of MADNESS
And not a rock smeared in sirens, mind you.

May 20, 2015 11:56AM
Ganelon: We could fix that.

May 20, 2015 11:57AM
Rhu: Aaaa ... look, can you get off my face?

Amadi peers into Rhu's ear.

May 20, 2015 11:58AM
Amadi: No. Keep saying "Aaaaa." Move on to B in a bit.

May 20, 2015 11:58AM
Apheori (GM): Gravy: You notice Greibel seems to be talking to someone. Except there's nobody there.

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
Rhu: Aaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbwwwwhaat you are doing?

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You probably notice a bit of this too.

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
(To Amadi): It's a Gravy-shaped porridge.

Amadi pokes Rhu in the nose.

May 20, 2015 12:01PM
Rhu: Huh. Look, I'm a qualified first aid person and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, so if you don't mind ...
rolling d20+3 athletics check to push Amadi off
(
13
)+3
= 16

May 20, 2015 12:01PM
Frezak (GM): I think Greibel talking to nothing we can see is pretty normal, though.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): Is Kyrule there?
I totally forgot.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Gaurav: I don't think she came back from Midnight with Amadi and Gravy.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Ellemerr: What's that against?

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): Frezak, Gan. Halp.

May 20, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: It's not a normal rules situation.
But I'd say fortitude.

May 20, 2015 12:03PM
Frezak (GM): I think Kyrule stayed back in Concept Land

May 20, 2015 12:04PM
Ellemerr: It hits fortitude.

Amadi falls over.

Rhu is surprised at his own strength.

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Rhu: Oh, oops, sorry ... here, let me help you up ...

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Ganelon: Remember that Amadi is light as a feather.

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Gaurav: Oh, right. I keep forgetting.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: Radek's an old man and he could probably juggle several copies of her.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: The canteen I'm in has inexplicably filled up with children and it's very weird.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Would you like several copies?

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: No.

Squirrel peers curiously over Radek's shoulder.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: One is quite enough trouble.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, too bad.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: btw, logs confirm that Kyrule didn't return. It's apparently why Hazz' is sticking around.

Amadi is helped up. She continues to crawl onto Rhu's shoulder, inspecting his hair.

Rhu gives up and lets Amadi do what she likes, batting at her when she starts fiddling with his face.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): Right.

Radek is holding his tablet. Complex diagrams fill the screen. He slowly turns his head in Squirrel's direction, narrowing his eyes menacingly.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): She just sat down for some reason.

Amadi starts braiding the hair.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): I wish I knew what was going through that lady's head.
She's a real finn sometimes.

May 20, 2015 12:10PM
Radek: ...Yes?

May 20, 2015 12:11PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy peers over Squirrel's should.
*shoulder
thing

May 20, 2015 12:12PM
Squirrel: You should tilt it.
rolling 1d20 + 10 arcana to make sense
(
4
)+10
= 14

May 20, 2015 12:12PM
Apheori (GM): It's nonsense.

May 20, 2015 12:13PM
Ganelon: Obviously, these diagrams plot the chemical balance of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in an attempt to understand its addictive effects upon children below the age of 13.
He's getting close to figuring it out.

May 20, 2015 12:14PM
Frezak (GM): Dammit, Radek.
I thought you were a scienceman

May 20, 2015 12:14PM
Ganelon: I'm joking, man, it's actually more Hole stuff.

May 20, 2015 12:15PM
Frezak (GM): JOKES?
I don't know you any more.

Radek swats at Squirrel with his free hand.

May 20, 2015 12:16PM
Radek: Begone. Your advice would be unnecessary even if it wasn't utter nonsense.

May 20, 2015 12:17PM
The Gravedigger: She could be saying something metaphorical that's actually very wise and smart, just beyond our natural scope of language.

The Gravedigger squints.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
The Gravedigger: Wait, no, that's the red one.
Forget it.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Squirrel: The squirrels live in the tree and only walk from place to place as needed. They fall out sometimes.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Radek: Mm.

Radek nods.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Ganelon: That was directed at Gravy.
Amadi and Dawn are occasionally insightful, it's true.

May 20, 2015 12:19PM
Radek: Are you well, Gravedigger? I understand that you died for a moment, there.

Radek keeps his attention on the tablet.

May 20, 2015 12:20PM
The Gravedigger: Transcending the bounds of mortality is a piddling feat when one has bisected reality itself.
Oooh, lunchtime.

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
Radek: You should try to avoid doing that. Leads to situations like this one.

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
The Gravedigger: Sandwich lady! Lunch!

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
Apheori (GM): Meanwhile Greibel seems to be getting into a relatively heated argument with the... whatever he's talking to.
It involves a sentence with more than one clause in it.
I mean, he uses one.

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Frezak (GM): What, he's discussing legal contracts?

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Apheori (GM): No, I mean he phrases a sentence different... nevermind.

Rhu will walk up to Greibel and listen in.

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Apheori (GM): HE ALMOST SOUNDS SERIOUS.
But only almost.
Or something.
Nevermind.
Greibel holds out a pile of drugs.

May 20, 2015 12:24PM
Gaurav: To Rhu? Or to the nothing he's talking to?

May 20, 2015 12:25PM
Ganelon: Either way you oughta be like "For MEEEEE?"

May 20, 2015 12:25PM
Apheori (GM): To the nothing.
It might be vaguely in your direction, though.

May 20, 2015 12:26PM
Rhu: Um, thanks?

Rhu pockets the drugs.

May 20, 2015 12:28PM
Rhu: (to Hazz/Midoriki) Should we keep going, then?

May 20, 2015 12:29PM
Apheori (GM): When you take the drugs, the shadows surrounding your bubble of leap out at you and attack.
Everyone do an intitiative. There's only going to be one round here; whatever you do will either count or not, or REALLY not, which could be hilarious.

Rhu quickly tries to hand the drugs back.

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Rhu: rolling d20+6 initiative
(
11
)+6
= 17

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 3
(
19
)+3
= 22

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 3 squirrel
(
7
)+3
= 10

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20+3
(
1
)+3
= 4
Wheeeee

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20+3
(
16
)+3
= 19

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Frezak (GM): I'm thinkin' about lunch, darnit.

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Apheori (GM): Lunch? O_o
You have all those sausages!

May 20, 2015 12:32PM
Frezak (GM): Dying makes for a fearsome hunger!

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Gaurav: How many shadows tried to jump us? Or is it just a large vague approaching mass of shadow?

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Apheori (GM): Do surprise rounds work the same way here as they do in pathfinder?

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Frezak (GM): It's one action.

May 20, 2015 12:34PM
Apheori (GM): Okay.
I totally just nearly zonked out.
rolling 1d20 + 9 vs rhu fort
(
6
)+9
= 15

May 20, 2015 12:37PM
Gaurav: My fort is 15, so that's a ... miss?

May 20, 2015 12:38PM
Frezak (GM): A tie hits.

May 20, 2015 12:38PM
Gaurav: ... hit.

May 20, 2015 12:39PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu got attacked by a shadow and his shadows fade.
This does some stuff and things.
I'm going to get some soup and rephrase that.

May 20, 2015 12:40PM
Gaurav: With everything that's happened to him, it's a wonder he has any shadows left.

May 20, 2015 12:42PM
Apheori (GM): What I should have said is there is a horrible tearing at his soul and Rhu is, uh, slowed or something. For a few rounds.

May 20, 2015 12:42PM
Gaurav: Any damage?

May 20, 2015 12:43PM
Apheori (GM): Oh, right. Attacks usually do damage.
Uh.
rolling 1d4 + 2
(
3
)+2
= 5
THERE.
DAMAGE.
That was pitiful.

May 20, 2015 12:44PM
Gaurav: Weak shadows.

May 20, 2015 12:45PM
Apheori (GM): ACTUAL ROUND BEGINS NOW.
Order: Amadi, Hazz, Radek, Shadows, Rhu, Squirrel, Gravy.
You are... surrounded by 8 shadows.

May 20, 2015 12:46PM
Gaurav: Yes, good, let the gods go first.

May 20, 2015 12:46PM
Apheori (GM): All coming in from the border of the light.
The nearest two are by Rhu/Greibel.
I'll, uh, put them on the map.

May 20, 2015 12:51PM
Gaurav: What is the porridge's initiative?

May 20, 2015 12:51PM
Apheori (GM): We don't know.

May 20, 2015 12:53PM
Frezak (GM): The speed of oats.

Amadi takes a bowl of soup out of her pocket and throws it at a random shadow.

May 20, 2015 12:53PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 6
(
6
)+6
= 12

Amadi misses wildly.

May 20, 2015 12:54PM
The Gravedigger: (In slowmo)
Mmmmyyyyy luuuuuunch

May 20, 2015 12:55PM
Gaurav: Ha!

May 20, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi
's soup hits Hazz in the bakc of the head.

Amadi snickers.

May 20, 2015 12:57PM
Apheori (GM): Hazz very deliberately reaches up and wipes the soup off
.
Then he grabs the shadow next to him nad hurls it at Amadi's face.
What happens next is, uh, entirely up to you.

Amadi attempts to catch and eat the shadow.

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 10
(
7
)+10
= 17

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi catches the shadow and winds up shredding it in an attempt to eat it.

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Ellemerr: Aaaw

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Radek: You're up.

May 20, 2015 1:00PM
Ganelon: One sec.
...Quite a lot of these things, huh?

May 20, 2015 1:08PM
Apheori (GM): They seem to be fairly weak.
OR something.
It's all relative.

May 20, 2015 1:09PM
Ganelon: I'll just do a regular rifle shot on... this'n.
(Rifle Weapon Attack 17)

May 20, 2015 1:09PM
Apheori (GM): Miiiisses.
Wait, no, that hits.
Sorry, I can't think.

May 20, 2015 1:10PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d10+7
(
5
)+7
= 12
And if it's still alive, next person to attack it gets a +2.
To hit.

May 20, 2015 1:11PM
Apheori (GM): It splits into two shadows.

May 20, 2015 1:11PM
Gaurav: Um.

May 20, 2015 1:12PM
Frezak (GM): Goody!

May 20, 2015 1:13PM
Apheori (GM): They're each like half size.
Anything else?

May 20, 2015 1:13PM
Ganelon: Nah.

May 20, 2015 1:14PM
Apheori (GM): Shadows, then.
The two split shadows try to recoalesce and explode with a loud pop.
Amadi starts fizzing.

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Gaurav: Eeks!

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Frezak (GM): SHE IS LEMONADE

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Apheori (GM): Shadows next to Rhu attack him.
1d20 + 10 vs ac
rolling 1d20 + 10 vs ac
(
9
)+10
= 19
rolling 1d20 + 10 vs ac
(
13
)+10
= 23

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: Please play quicker. I'm watching Athyria falling asleep on my couch and that doesn't seem good.
I mean, it's a nice couch an all. Sheep'd.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Apheori (GM): Guarav isn't responding, so Rhu gets knocked over and takes some damage.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: It's the right place to fall asleep.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Frezak (GM): IS SHE IN MY SPOT?

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Gaurav: Eeks sorry

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: But I'm not sure it's the right time.
Yes, Frezak, she kinda is.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Apheori (GM): Other shadow moves up to invisible person Greibel was talking to.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Frezak (GM): DAMN YOU NAAAAAMES

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Apheori (GM): Horrible noises ensue as the shadow is devoured.

Apheori (GM) collapses on Frezak.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Frezak (GM): ...
I hope that's not an actual thing you do.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): Two other shadows attack Radek and Squirrel.
It's all lungy and stuff.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Frezak (GM): You'll end up with perforations.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Gaurav: I gave Rhu -5 damage. Hope that's okay.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 9 vs Radek fort
(
8
)+9
= 17

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Ganelon: Hits.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): Radek is sickened or something.
Squirrel helpfully pukes on him.
The remaining shadow lunges for hazz and gets blasted.
Well, not blasted. Moth on a bugzapper.
You know.

May 20, 2015 1:21PM
Frezak (GM): 'Zot'

May 20, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu, turn. Go.

May 20, 2015 1:22PM
Gaurav: Move action: stand up.
Standard action: Sequestering strike against the shadow next to Greibel. It's a melee attack so no attack of opportunity.
rolling d20+10 vs AC
(
19
)+10
= 29

May 20, 2015 1:24PM
Apheori (GM): Totally.

May 20, 2015 1:24PM
Gaurav: rolling 4d6+5 damage
(
4
+
6
+
6
+
2
)+5
= 23
Hee.
Is it still alive?

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): It goes splat. Literally.
You're splattered with bits of shadow.
They feel like candy.

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Gaurav: Darnit. It has a nice teleport thing, but I don't suppose there's anything left to teleport.
It -> the attack
oh well

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Shadowguts.

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Gaurav: No, I attacked the other one. The one next to Greibel.
Minor: Oath of enmity against the shadow next to me
And done.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Apheori (GM): Squirrel turns into a gaint crabby thing and claws the one next to her to shreds, then turns around and pukes on Radek some more.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Gaurav: Poor Radek.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Frezak (GM): Could be worse.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Ganelon: Siiigh/

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Apheori (GM): Now he's got godling puke and demonic godling puke.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Frezak (GM): At least it's not singing puke.

May 20, 2015 1:29PM
Apheori (GM): The puke starts singing.

May 20, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): Yes!
Gravy harmonizes

May 20, 2015 1:30PM
Gaurav: Such wonderful music.

May 20, 2015 1:30PM
Ellemerr: Amadi joins in, doing the... I wish I knew English singing terms now. I don't think it's called the "other voice".
It's not the harmony, though; it's another track.

May 20, 2015 1:32PM
Frezak (GM): Barbershop... triad.

May 20, 2015 1:32PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, Gravy, do stuff.
More stuff.
Awesome stuff.
THE GRAVE GOD.

May 20, 2015 1:33PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy directs the singing into a blast of discord, and tries to scrub the shadowthing from this reality.
Via the application of a shovel.
rolling 1D20+11
(
18
)+11
= 29
AC
I'll assume that's a hit.
rolling 2D10+6
(
1
+
3
)+6
= 10

May 20, 2015 1:34PM
Frezak (GM): And the shadow has... -5 to melee attacks.

May 20, 2015 1:35PM
Apheori (GM): The shadow turns inside out and doesn't split or die.

May 20, 2015 1:36PM
Frezak (GM): Also it's marked.
And Gravy ends his turn.
Still humming a malevolent tune.

May 20, 2015 1:46PM
Apheori (GM): Ellemerr is your new dm.
Enjoy.

Apheori (GM) passes out.

Amadi leads the song into a violent climax, making the shadows shimmer and grow. And grow... and grow... Eventually, they become a sort of dark cloud hanging over everything. Then it starts raining.

Amadi pulls a large umbrella out of her pocket, opens it, and motions for everyone to gather 'round.

May 20, 2015 1:46PM
Gaurav: Good night, Apheori!

Rhu gathers around.

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy... sort of crouches to get under the 'brella.

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Gaurav: We could stick the umbrella on one of Gravy's horns

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Ellemerr: Wonderful. You have all done well. Keep standing under the umbrella.
We'll be back in a week.
Have fun.
Sweet nightmares y'all.

May 20, 2015 1:48PM
Gaurav: Sounds like a plan. Good night, Ellemerr!
</pre>

{{holes nav
|top=true
|previous=Holes/Session 52
|next=Holes/Session 54
}}

Holes/Session 54/raw

2015-06-17T16:48:42Z

Gaurav: Dump of log for session 54

<pre>
May 27, 2015 11:08AM
Apheori (GM): Food mornaing.

May 27, 2015 11:08AM
Frezak (GM): Phnragh!

May 27, 2015 11:09AM
Gaurav: Bless you.

May 27, 2015 11:09AM
Apheori (GM): I guess we have everyone we're going to get.
I have no idea what happened, who was present, or really much of anything.

May 27, 2015 11:11AM
Frezak (GM): There were shadows.

May 27, 2015 11:11AM
Apheori (GM): But, uh, apparently y'all killed some shadows, Amadi turned the remainders into rain, and... yes.
Anyone know what the porridge was up to?

May 27, 2015 11:12AM
Frezak (GM): GLooping?

May 27, 2015 11:12AM
Gaurav: Oh right. Rain and umbrellas.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Apheori (GM): How big was it?
You know what, it doesn't even matter.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Gaurav: Porridge didn't do anything. I asked if it had initiative and Frezak said it had the speed of oats.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Frezak (GM): Quantum!
I was probably right.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Apheori (GM): The porridge oozes over and covers Greibel.

May 27, 2015 11:13AM
Frezak (GM): it sounds right.

May 27, 2015 11:14AM
Gaurav: What kind of AC boost does being covered in sentient porridge give you?

May 27, 2015 11:16AM
Frezak (GM): The Armour of Oats.

May 27, 2015 11:17AM
Ganelon: Not enough to wash away the shame.

May 27, 2015 11:17AM
Gaurav: Hee.

May 27, 2015 11:19AM
Frezak (GM): The cleansing power of oats:

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Apheori (GM): So none of you do anything about it?

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Gaurav: About Greibel and his glooping porridge? Noooooo

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Ganelon: I have both doubts about my ability to do anything about it, and also the actual danger posed.

May 27, 2015 11:20AM
Gaurav: Never get between a man and his porridge, my mum always taught me.

Rhu tries to hand the drugs Greibel handed him earlier back to him.

May 27, 2015 11:21AM
Apheori (GM): More and more porridge seems to be covering him.

May 27, 2015 11:21AM
Ganelon: Anyone got a hollow tube handy so he doesn't suffocate?
Also, another important point - does he even care this is happening?

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): Frezak suggests Radek's rifle.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: That's not hollow on both ends.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): He seems to be trying to walk.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: Also no.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Frezak (GM): IT COULD BE

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Apheori (GM): But it's not working very well.

May 27, 2015 11:22AM
Ganelon: No.

Rhu pokes at the porridge.

May 27, 2015 11:24AM
Ganelon: But really, unless you want me to set him on fire to try and bake the porridge, I haven't really got a way to stop a completely amorphous entity from covering someone.

May 27, 2015 11:25AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 Heal check on Greibel
(
7
)+15
= 22

May 27, 2015 11:25AM
Gaurav: Mostly, I want to check if the porridge is affecting Greibel's brain function in any way.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Apheori (GM): You ascertain that the porridge seems to be alive and growing.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Gaurav: ... growing?
Uh oh.

May 27, 2015 11:26AM
Apheori (GM): You recall Greibel was in there, but there isn't much sign of him anymore.
It's basically just a large, lumpy, vaguely conical lump.

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Frezak (GM): I POKE IT
With a stick

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Gaurav: It's too late. Greibel has been consigned to an oaty grave. We should bury him and move on.

May 27, 2015 11:27AM
Frezak (GM): to see if there's a druid in there

May 27, 2015 11:28AM
Gaurav: I wonder what would happen if he were to transform into a swarm of bees right now.

May 27, 2015 11:28AM
Frezak (GM): They would be really upset bees?

May 27, 2015 11:29AM
Gaurav: I mean, would each bee be wrapped in a tiny bit of porridge, or would they all be stuck as a ball inside all of the porridge. What if a bee escapes? Stuff like that.

May 27, 2015 11:30AM
Ganelon: We've already pondered the question of how druid swarms even maintain a gestalt intelligence.
In short, it's weird and magic.
And I don't think they can separate from the same close area.

May 27, 2015 11:30AM
Apheori (GM): The stick goes in slightly and then gets stuck.

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Frezak (GM): I relinquish the stick.
Defeat!

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Gaurav: Ah, never mind then.

Rhu remembers that one of the shadows was consumed by an invisible thing beside Greibel, and he starts saying "Hello?" and waving his arms in the empty space.

May 27, 2015 11:31AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check
(
8
)+15
= 23

May 27, 2015 11:34AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You see porridge tracks.

May 27, 2015 11:34AM
Frezak (GM): More of a trail, really.
like an oaty slug

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Apheori (GM): Little porridges coming together into big porridge...

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Frezak (GM): A porridge singularity:
We're DOOOOMED

May 27, 2015 11:35AM
Gaurav: We're heading towards a Hole. We're doomed anyway.

Rhu follows the trail.

May 27, 2015 11:36AM
Frezak (GM): Yeah, but we could do with LESS dooms.

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): ...any trail in particular?

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Gaurav: If we got a comically large magnifying glass as part of our Sarathi expedition supplies, Rhu will take it out and do his best Elmer Fudd impression.
Do the trails converge on a point? Is that point Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): The little ones all go off in random directions.
...yes.
And yes.

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Ellemerr (GM): Amadi hands the porridge a cup of hot chocolate.

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Gaurav: Any trails heading towards one of the walls, or do they go down the corridor?

May 27, 2015 11:38AM
Frezak (GM): Can I x-ray the Porridge Form for a bong?

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Instead of accepting the hot chocolate, all the porridge collapses into the floor and disappears, leaving something of a horrible dark hole behind.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Frezak (GM): Because Greibel wouldn't be without it.
It's the soruce of his power.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: Ew.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Frezak (GM): GREAT
A HOLE
YAY

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Gaurav: All of the above.

May 27, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: We should try offering more of our enemies hot chocolate.

Rhu follows the largest trail that leads towards the wall. He'll poke at the trails as he goes, looking for clues.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Ellemerr (GM): Um. Where's Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Gaurav: Towards a wall, I guess. The nearest wall.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Frezak (GM): I shine my Space Elf issue Flashlight down this new hole.

May 27, 2015 11:40AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu spends the next hour following all the porridge trails up walls, down floor, etc etc. He finds they all just sort of randomly start out of nowhere and needs to give me a perception check.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check on random trails
(
10
)+15
= 25

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Gaurav: Up walls. Nice.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu notices the shadows at the edge of the light and doesn't walk into them and get devoured.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Frezak (GM): oats don't bow to gravity.

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Gaurav: YAY!

May 27, 2015 11:41AM
Apheori (GM): Unless he really wants to or something.

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Frezak (GM): Hug your doom!

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: No no. Undevoured is fine.

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Frezak (GM): Embrace it like a comfortable bear!

May 27, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: Rhu's doom is waiting for him at a dead end somewhere.
Anyway, brb. I'll be back in 10 mins.

May 27, 2015 11:44AM
Apheori (GM): Okay, so presumably that didn't actually go on for an hour.

May 27, 2015 11:44AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy shouts down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
The Gravedigger: GRAAAAAAAAVES

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Frezak (GM): Maaaaybe it's echolocation.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Apheori (GM): It completely fails to echo.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Ganelon: The real question is whether it's a hole or, you know, a Hole.

May 27, 2015 11:45AM
Frezak (GM): Maybe he's just shouting.
Damn you, echolocation!
You fail me in my most dire of hours!
10-foot poles!
Deploy a drone?
Probably safer than spelunking.

May 27, 2015 11:47AM
Ganelon: A fair point.

May 27, 2015 11:47AM
Frezak (GM): That said short of evil darkness, Gravy could probably just jump down most caves.

May 27, 2015 11:48AM
Ganelon: But I want to know what we're dealing with before I even toss junk in there.

May 27, 2015 11:48AM
Frezak (GM): No light, no echo....
Does it smell like a Hole?
A capitalised hole?

May 27, 2015 11:49AM
Midoriki Hano: It smells like a dead end.

May 27, 2015 11:49AM
Frezak (GM): ...
Gravy pushes hazz down the hole.
Roll to punt:
rolling 1D20+11
(
11
)+11
= 22
AC?
Reflex?

May 27, 2015 11:52AM
Apheori (GM): Something.
She's knocked flying into the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Frezak (GM): Against MYSTERY
Have at thee, mystery!

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Apheori (GM): Kyrule appears behind Gravy and giggles.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
The Gravedigger: Oh, hey.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Kyrule: Ahem. Yes.
Hello.

The Gravedigger shouts down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
The Gravedigger: OKAY IN THERE?

May 27, 2015 11:53AM
Ganelon: I can't really disagree with this course of action.

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Kyrule: I'm sure he's fine.
She's.
Something?

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Radek: What about Greibel?

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
The Gravedigger: Well, he's not here.

May 27, 2015 11:54AM
Radek: Is he "fine"?

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
The Gravedigger: Difficult to say.
Since.
You know.
He's not here.

Amadi shrugs.

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
Amadi: Soft landing. Oaty.

Kyrule leans over and peers down into the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:55AM
Kyrule: I'm not sure there will be much of a... landing.

The Gravedigger 's eyes light up.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Jetpacks!

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Kyrule: You'll see him again.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Amadi: Well, a cushioned fall that... doesn't end.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
Kyrule: You might even see both of them again.
Though I do hope not.

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Hey!
I quite like Greibel!

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
(From Ellemerr (GM)): Where's my bong?

May 27, 2015 11:56AM
The Gravedigger: Somehow!

May 27, 2015 11:57AM
(To Ellemerr): Your bong is just... gone. But also not. It's... right here, in fact?

May 27, 2015 11:57AM
Kyrule: I'm kidding. Mostly.

Radek grumbles.

Amadi leans over the hole, looking a tiny bit like she's about to just fall into it.

May 27, 2015 11:58AM
Amadi: He's... not terribly gone... somehow.

The Gravedigger throws drugs down the hole.

May 27, 2015 11:58AM
The Gravedigger: In case he gets lonely.

May 27, 2015 11:59AM
Amadi: I wonder what'd happen if he used...

Amadi mumbles.

May 27, 2015 11:59AM
Frezak (GM): Perception to clarify the mumble!
rolling 1D20+14+10
(
1
)+14+10
= 25

May 27, 2015 12:00PM
Gaurav: Mumbling intensifies.

Kyrule points at Gaurav and laughs.

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Kyrule: Er, ooc.

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Apheori (GM): ...sorry. >.>

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Frezak (GM): Even the gods mock you!

May 27, 2015 12:01PM
Gaurav: Yes. They do.

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
(From Amadi): "I wonder what'd happen if he used my/his mumble-bumble-thingy-whatsnot to blah blah blah..."

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): So your god just got shoved in a hole.

May 27, 2015 12:02PM
Gaurav: I'm just going to say that Rhu was peering intensely at a wall while his god was unceremoniously dumped into a torn piece of the fabric of the universe itself by his so-called friend.
^

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Frezak (GM): If pushed, Gravy will blame Amadi.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: It wasn't that kind of hole.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Apheori (GM): Gaarav: Perception.
Also literal hole in the floor.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Rhu: rolling d20+15 perception check
(
3
)+15
= 18

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: Also the world is better off without.

May 27, 2015 12:03PM
Gaurav: I like Hazz'. But then I like Dave, so what do I know.
Sorry, Dawn.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy whistles.
Scuffs a foot in the dirt.
Hands behind his back.
hands that hold a giant sarcophagus lid and a shovel.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: Okay, fine, you missed the exact details, but you definitely heard something get hit with a shovel and saw Hazz anime boobchick fall into the floor hole.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Rhu: HEY!

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Apheori (GM): And now there's Gravy. Doing that.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Amadi: Hello!

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
Gaurav: Hee, boobchick.

May 27, 2015 12:04PM
The Gravedigger: Hey?

May 27, 2015 12:05PM
Apheori (GM): Oh, and Kyrule's back to normal.
Just grey and godly and masked and not an anime boobchick.
Also her hair is a bit crazy, and in a completely different style from before.
There seems to be a sausage embedded in it for some reason.

May 27, 2015 12:05PM
Rhu: (runs up to Hole, peers inside) HELLO? HELLO?
(to Gravy) Did you just shove my god in there?

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Not a rift hole, just a broken floor hole.
It looks dark and rocky and there is no echo when you shout down.

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: Oh, sorry. I misinterpreted what Hazz' said before his exit.

The Gravedigger looks at his shovel.

May 27, 2015 12:06PM
The Gravedigger: Um. No?
Maybe?

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
Rhu: Not cool, man, not cool.

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
The Gravedigger: Hey, he killed me.
Tit for... uh... tit.

May 27, 2015 12:07PM
Rhu: You know he's pissed off at me already, and I'm pretty sure we need all the godly intervention we can get for this stupid suicid-- wait, what?

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
The Gravedigger: Yeah.
Your god's a bit of a dick.

Kyrule tries to look innocent and inconspicuous behind Gravy.

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
Amadi: I tried to stop her. But I'm not Squirrel.

May 27, 2015 12:08PM
Gaurav: Which is totally doable, given Gravy's size.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): Also Kyrule is really big, so she's not actually managing to hide at all.
So you can totally see this.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Rhu: (looks from Gravy to Amadi and back again, then shouts down the hole) DID YOU KILL HIM?

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Gaurav: Psh, like Rhu would notice.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Frezak (GM): So tempted to punt Rhu in.

May 27, 2015 12:09PM
Gaurav: omg do it

Kyrule whispers behind Gravy, "You know you want to."

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Frezak (GM): The votes are in!
Gravy just whacks Rhu on the butt.

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Gaurav: That's one PC and one reasonably competent god against nil.
I got 17 reflex. What you got?

May 27, 2015 12:10PM
Frezak (GM): Also the GM herself is egging me on.
rolling 1D20+11
(
20
)+11
= 31

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu topples into the hole.

Radek edges further away from the hole - and Gravy.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Ganelon: I'm not going to be next.
No way, man.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Gaurav: Gravy, solving this party's problems one character at a time.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Apheori (GM): Gravy, Amadi: You think you see a tentacle reachng up to meet him right as he disappears entirely into shadow.

May 27, 2015 12:11PM
Frezak (GM): MEET YOUR GOD

Amadi smacks Gravy over the back of the head. (She might have to climb onto him to do this.)

May 27, 2015 12:12PM
The Gravedigger: Okay, now we can get some work done!
That's.. uh... you, Radek.

May 27, 2015 12:12PM
Radek: ...Yes. Well.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Gaurav: Important question: did Amadi ever actually get off Rhu's shoulders? She was braiding his hair when the last encounter began.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Radek: ...Onwards, then.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Frezak (GM): HAHAHAHA

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Apheori (GM): O.o

Apheori (GM) falls over laughing.

May 27, 2015 12:13PM
Kyrule: Actually, maybe... you shouldn't have done that.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
The Gravedigger: Ooops.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
Kyrule: Maybe.

May 27, 2015 12:14PM
Apheori (GM): Hmm.
Let's see...
rolling 1d3
(
2
)
= 2
Okay, Amadi was on him, but fell off when he got punted in.

May 27, 2015 12:15PM
Frezak (GM): Whew!

May 27, 2015 12:15PM
Apheori (GM): She was just by the edge of it.
And now she's on him punching Gravy.
Which I guess is why you both would have been able to see the tentacle, yeah.
Also we should... go buy food.
Because we're all horrible at planning.
So, uh.

May 27, 2015 12:18PM
Gaurav: BYE

May 27, 2015 12:20PM
Apheori (GM): Right, we'll be back in a bit, sorry about.

May 27, 2015 12:20PM
Gaurav: I'm in no rush. Take your time and have a nice dinner!

May 27, 2015 12:48PM
Apheori (GM): Okay, we got dinner for tomorrow and stuff.
And breakfast.
And lunch.
There was arguing.

May 27, 2015 12:49PM
Gaurav: Any porridge?

May 27, 2015 12:52PM
Apheori (GM): That was dinner.
So to recap, the current situation is...
Uh...

May 27, 2015 12:53PM
Ellemerr (GM): Dinner today.

May 27, 2015 12:53PM
Apheori (GM): Gravy pushed Hazz and Rhu into a hole in the ground.
Greibel is gone.
This leaves Gravy, Radek, Amadi, and Kyrule in the tunnel around a hole in the ground?
Is this the point where you head out onwards as Radek suggested, and stop for a relaxed lunch along the way?

May 27, 2015 12:55PM
Gaurav: I don't suppose Rhu is in a position to shout up out of the hole at everybody else?

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu is gone.
Goooone.

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Gaurav: Well then.

May 27, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): ...I should probably figure something out with that.

May 27, 2015 12:57PM
Gaurav: We can figure that out next week if necessary. I'm pretty excited, since this is a particularly messed up time in the Rhu-Hazz' relationship for them to be stuck together somewhere, which should be fun.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, care to have a nice chat with your god?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): They can play games!
Charades!

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Apheori (GM): One on one? All alone?
Weightless?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): WITH NO ESCAPE IN SIGHT?

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Gaurav: You say that like Rhu doesn't do that every few weeks anyway.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Frezak (GM): ...
That's a really good point.

May 27, 2015 12:58PM
Gaurav: Up to you. I'm happy to watch everybody else adventure for a while, too.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Have a chat.
I don't expect it will last long.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Rhu: ...so.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You are suspended in blackness.
As far as you can tell.
Also Hazz.
Though you can't actually see him/her.

May 27, 2015 12:59PM
Frezak (GM): Doesn't he have Hair-o-Vision?

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Apheori (GM): It may be in his bag.

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Gaurav: Yeah, I don't think I have it on. Do I have my bag with me?

Rhu attempts to move around in the empty blackness.

May 27, 2015 1:00PM
Frezak (GM): I'm not aware that you were disequipped?

May 27, 2015 1:01PM
Gaurav: It might be a blackness of the mind and not the body, in which case I might not have access to my things.
I -> Rhu

May 27, 2015 1:01PM
Hazz'ridan: So.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Rhu: I don't suppose you did kill Gravy.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Hazz'ridan: I did.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Frezak (GM): As if Gravy would lie!

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Apheori (GM): Hazz isn't going to either.
Probably.

May 27, 2015 1:02PM
Gaurav: As if Gravy would shove party members into holes!

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Apheori (GM): Well.
Things happen.

Rhu sighs.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Frezak (GM): Frankly, blame Names on that one.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Rhu: This is a pretty crazy party.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Apheori (GM): You didn't HAVE to.

May 27, 2015 1:03PM
Frezak (GM): I did it because YOU TOLD ME TO PUSH YOUR CHARACTER DOWN THE HOLE
BLAME YOURSELF

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Rhu: Is there any way to get back to the others, or do we have to wait for Mrs. Teatime to come rescue us again?

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Frezak (GM): You are your own downfall.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Gaurav: I am Rhu's downfall.
Which is fair, really.

Hazz'ridan chucks Rhu back up out of the hole.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Gaurav: What.
Like undercooked meat.

May 27, 2015 1:04PM
Apheori (GM): So Rhu comes up with a tentacle, bounces off the ceiling, and lands in a heap next to Radek.
Comes up flung via tentacle, I mean.

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Rhu: Ow.

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
The Gravedigger: Hey!
Done with so soon?

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Apheori (GM): Is Gan still here
?

May 27, 2015 1:05PM
Rhu: Hi. I think we're all even now.
Maybe.

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
Gaurav: Any tentacles still in the area?

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
Apheori (GM): A small chunk of porridge jiggles on Gravy's shoulder.
No tentacles, though.

May 27, 2015 1:06PM
The Gravedigger: Hokay!
Radek?

May 27, 2015 1:07PM
Rhu: rolling d20+10 religion check to thank Hazz' for his redemption/rescue
(
7
)+10
= 17

May 27, 2015 1:07PM
Apheori (GM): You don't need to roll for that. You thank your god. He's thanked. Yadda.

May 27, 2015 1:08PM
Gaurav: Shh. This is Rhu's first chat-with-god religion check in ages. Let him have his moment.

May 27, 2015 1:10PM
Ganelon: I'm back.

May 27, 2015 1:11PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu got flung back at you.
He landed next to you.
You were about to just head out anyway?

May 27, 2015 1:11PM
Ganelon: Yes.

May 27, 2015 1:12PM
Frezak (GM): Radek remains as STEEEEEL

Radek grumbles and shakes his head as he steps over (not on top of) Rhu.

May 27, 2015 1:12PM
Radek: It's a wonder anyone fears the unknown these days...

May 27, 2015 1:13PM
Ganelon: Damn youngsters don't even appreciate the unspeakable terrors they find themselves facing.

May 27, 2015 1:13PM
Kyrule: People don't know what unspeakable horrors lie beneath. Easy to only see what you see.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Radek: Hmph. Only because you've all gone soft. Back in my day, we were never this blind.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Ganelon: Damn gods keeping us mortals ignorant for our own well-being.

May 27, 2015 1:15PM
Amadi: I'm not actually blind, I'm just wearing shades in the middle of the night. It's a fashion statement.

Kyrule pulls the sausage out of her hair and mutters, "yeah, blind," and then starts munching on it.

May 27, 2015 1:16PM
Ganelon: He'll be heading down this tunnel, whether or not anyone actually cares to follow him.

The Gravedigger 's eyes widen.

May 27, 2015 1:16PM
The Gravedigger: Sausages!

Amadi draws out some sausages for Gravy.

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Ganelon: ...That sounds like an answer.

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Apheori (GM): Y'all head after Radek.

The Gravedigger produces his own sausages (ALL FOUR KINDS) and declares this to be The Time Of Lunching As Soon As We're Out Of This Cave

May 27, 2015 1:17PM
Ganelon: Damn sausages, stealing my thugs' attention away from matters of great import!

Rhu cheers.

May 27, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr (GM): Answer to what?
Right then!
Tunneling!
Are there moles?

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, okay.
You head down the tunnel. Passage. Thing.
No moles.
Not even dead ones.
There are some... people.
They're all frozen in place.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Ganelon: Oh, that's remarkable.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): In the middle of actions.

May 27, 2015 1:22PM
Frezak (GM): BASILISKS?

May 27, 2015 1:23PM
Ganelon: What's keeping them frozen?

May 27, 2015 1:23PM
Apheori (GM): The first one you come to is running as if in utter terror.
Behind him are others, as though following, chasing or whatever.
Nothing apparent is keeping them frozen.

May 27, 2015 1:24PM
Frezak (GM): I poke one.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): Which one? The first one?

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Closest, yeah.
With a shovel.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): Kyrule stops you, or at least moves to stop the shovel with a hand on it. Like, you know. Gestury. Of stopping. Like someone... stopping...
...er.

May 27, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Sure.

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Apheori (GM): The one in front is some sort of warrior-looking guy in leathers and stuff. He has swords, but they're not out. The chasers look like an odd mixture of soldiers, peasants, and aliens.
A few of them are glowing.

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Ganelon: Sounds like magic is afoot.
Shall I roll the thing?

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Frezak (GM): I halt my pokage?

May 27, 2015 1:26PM
Ganelon: The understanding thing?

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Apheori (GM): Roll all the things.
Yes.

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Gaurav: Aliens?

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20+16 Thing
(
18
)+16
= 34

May 27, 2015 1:27PM
Apheori (GM): Also it would help if I could remember if anyone ever mentioned this.
Gan: Looks like some sort of temporal distortion - they're not actually frozen. Probably.
Well, relative to you they totally are, but from the ambience you get the feeling that really you're just moving really really fast and they're normal.
Aliens as in... not elven or human, but I guess they're humanoid or something. Maybe.
I dunno.

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Gaurav: It's times like this that we need to ask ourselves the important question: what would Greibel do?

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Ganelon: "What drug would Greibel do in these trying times?"
"Oh, definitely PCP. No doubt."

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): Get high?

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Ellemerr (GM): I can produce drugs if you want them.

May 27, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): I'm... good, I think.
And with godly fortitude, probably pretty resistant to drugs.

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Gaurav: I... thought maybe throw porridge in their faces, but that works too I guess.

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Rhu: Can either of you gods unfreeze them somehow?

May 27, 2015 1:33PM
Kyrule: We're currently kind of outside of time.
I wouldn't touch them.

May 27, 2015 1:34PM
Rhu: What happens if we touch them?

May 27, 2015 1:34PM
Amadi: Separate time-streams! Like two rivers running at different speed. Which can totally happen.

May 27, 2015 1:35PM
Radek: Consider this, Rhu.
An object moving at sufficient speed relative to its observer is effectively undetectable.
If we have even the slightest semblance of mass, contact with these people could potentially annihilate them.

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Kyrule: You can break the weak forces within atoms.
It's fun.

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Ganelon: Gods!
No sense of responsibility!

May 27, 2015 1:36PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20+4
(
17
)+4
= 21
Gravy trying to grasp science

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
Rhu: So it's something to do with the observer's relative. Hmm, interesting.

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
(To Frezak): (whispering) Also this is totally wod magic and I have no idea how well it even works according to the laws of physics or anything anyway.

May 27, 2015 1:37PM
The Gravedigger: It's fine, the differential in temporal rates is vast enough that the slipstream would only shear off a minor value of particles.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
(To Frezak): (whispering) So who even knows what could happen.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
The Gravedigger: Or so they say.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Rhu: I think Holy Kyrule is right, though. I think it will be fun.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Radek: ...Just leave them undisturbed.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Frezak (GM): FUN?!

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Kyrule: That was sarcasm.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Rhu: Oh.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
Ganelon: How minor is Gravy talking here?

The Gravedigger runs around them in slow motion.

May 27, 2015 1:38PM
The Gravedigger: Toooooo faaaaaasssssst fooooorrrrr yyyyooouuuu
Caaaaaant caaaaatchhhh meeeee
Iiiiiiiim theeeeee giiiiingerrrrbreaaaaad maaaaaan

Radek clears his throat. Loudly.

The Gravedigger stops immediately and salutes.

Kyrule goes up to the fleeing guy and almost - very nearly - touches him.

Kyrule just looks really, really sad for a moment and back away.

May 27, 2015 1:41PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20
(
6
)
= 6

Amadi tries to drop a sausage into their time-stream, right in front of a runner's face.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Gaurav: Amadi: YAY!

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Radek: Let us continue.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Gaurav: I know this might destroy the universe as we know it, but I approve strongly.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi tries this on one of the pursuers.
...it explodes.

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
The Gravedigger: Noooooo!

May 27, 2015 1:42PM
Apheori (GM): Both pursuer and sausage.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Amadi: ... Oooops?

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): ...and a bit of the floor underneath.
But in slow motion.

Radek facepalms.

Amadi whistles and skips after Radek.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
The Gravedigger: Maybe don't do that again?

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Amadi: Yes, let's go!

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): Just a weird expanding explosion.
Glowing.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Gaurav: Uh oh.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
Apheori (GM): Getting bigger really, really slowly.

Kyrule face-palms.

May 27, 2015 1:43PM
The Gravedigger: Let's go.... a leetle faster?

Rhu nods at Gravy and is clearly ready to run for it.

May 27, 2015 1:44PM
Frezak (GM): Hustle!

Kyrule hangs back and puts out the explosion while y'all run away and then suddenly appears with you again a moment later.

May 27, 2015 1:46PM
Apheori (GM): Also Kyrule did something else with the fleeing guy but nobody cares. Ahem.

May 27, 2015 1:46PM
Gaurav: What?

May 27, 2015 1:47PM
Ganelon: It was probably someone important to her.

May 27, 2015 1:47PM
Frezak (GM): He is now wearing a fez

May 27, 2015 1:48PM
Apheori (GM): Yes.
That is now canon.

May 27, 2015 1:49PM
Frezak (GM): Sweet!

May 27, 2015 1:51PM
Apheori (GM): Now I need to look up what actually happens here. Uh.
Actually no, there was no visible change at all and she just grumbled a bit and left him there. Sorry.
No fez.
Also the guy looked utterly terrified, though I forget why I might have thought this was important.
Interesting.
Uh.

May 27, 2015 1:54PM
Apheori (GM): So y'all go on down the passage.
There's more folks, all frozen, but now they're more just milling around or clustered. There are a couple on the ceiling.
Roll sanity?

May 27, 2015 1:54PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20
(
11
)
= 11

May 27, 2015 1:55PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20
(
6
)
= 6

May 27, 2015 1:56PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20
(
5
)
= 5
Hoo hooooo

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Frezak (GM): ONe day we'll get snake eyes again.

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Apheori (GM): Okay. That's weird. There's weirdness. And stuff.
And light.
And distortion.
It's not night.
Yadda yadda.
We should go to bed.

May 27, 2015 2:00PM
Apheori (GM): Goodbyw.
e

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Rhu: rolling d20
(
7
)
= 7

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Ellemerr (GM): Mhm! Sweet nightmares.

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Gaurav: Good night, all. Are we playing any more this week?

May 27, 2015 2:01PM
Ellemerr (GM): Veeeeery doubtful.

May 27, 2015 2:02PM
Gaurav: Cool. See you all next time, then!

May 27, 2015 2:02PM
Ellemerr (GM): Have fun!

May 27, 2015 2:03PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: Schoolgirls.

May 27, 2015 2:04PM
Frezak (GM): Pervert!

May 27, 2015 2:04PM
Gaurav: Rhu is thinking only of his god.

May 27, 2015 2:16PM
Apheori (GM): His god is one. HEEE ISSSSS.
</pre>

Holes/Session 53/raw

2015-06-17T16:48:17Z

Gaurav: Dump of log for session 53

<pre>
May 20, 2015 11:37AM
Apheori (GM): Okay.
I just cleared the chat.

Apheori (GM) whistls.

May 20, 2015 11:38AM
Apheori (GM): And the Merr stepped out to get bread.
And I should plug this thing in.
BUT ANYWAY.

May 20, 2015 11:38AM
Ganelon: But anyway.

May 20, 2015 11:39AM
Apheori (GM): Where even were we?

May 20, 2015 11:39AM
Gaurav: Rhu was making nice with his god. Yes, the large-breasted one.

May 20, 2015 11:40AM
Apheori (GM): Also bear in mind that I got like three hours of sleep last night, so this may not even be coherent.
It was a weird trip full of unexpected customs and stuff.
Okay, so Rhu and Hazz are all happy...

May 20, 2015 11:41AM
Frezak (GM): Rhu is always happy.
Nothing but nice things happen to him.

May 20, 2015 11:42AM
Apheori (GM): Oh, everyone was assaulting Gravy.
Apparently.

May 20, 2015 11:42AM
Gaurav: We were?

May 20, 2015 11:43AM
Apheori (GM): Well, Amadi and someone were. But he's fine.
It had moved onto Rhu now.
ASSAULTING RHU.
There are chocolate buttons right next to me. o_O

May 20, 2015 11:44AM
Gaurav: Oh right. Amadi was gazing into his eyes and discovered that Rhu was a walking dead end.
Rhu was standing frozen in place hoping she would try to lick his face or something.

May 20, 2015 11:45AM
Ganelon: ...Hoping?

May 20, 2015 11:46AM
Gaurav: wouldn't*
Err.

May 20, 2015 11:46AM
Apheori (GM): While this is going on, is anyone paying attention to Greibel?

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Ganelon: Radek is probably thanking his squid and hoping nobody else catches him doing it.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Gaurav: Hee.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Apheori (GM): Gravy notices.

May 20, 2015 11:47AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy notices.
Gravy sees all.
HAH

May 20, 2015 11:48AM
Apheori (GM): Yes.

May 20, 2015 11:48AM
Ganelon: Well I haven't got a smokescreen to deploy or anything of the sort, unfortunately.

May 20, 2015 11:49AM
Apheori (GM): It's okay. Gravy probably understands anyway.
So is Gravy the only one paying attention to Greibel on account of his generally paying attention to everything?
I NEED TO KNOW.

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Gaurav: Will a passive perception of 25 do it?

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Apheori (GM): Sure, whatever.

May 20, 2015 11:50AM
Gaurav: Probably with a penalty for having an Amadi poking at his eye.

May 20, 2015 11:51AM
Apheori (GM): Except you're getting godlinged.
So you can't easily do much about it.

May 20, 2015 11:51AM
Gaurav: Yup. Rhu will remain petrified in place &c.
What's Hazz' doing at this point? That's probably who Rhu will be watching apart from Amadi.

May 20, 2015 11:54AM
Amadi: Open your mouth and say "Aaaa."

May 20, 2015 11:55AM
Frezak (GM): Gravy stands beatifically in the middle of chaos.
He is a ROCK in this ocean of MADNESS
And not a rock smeared in sirens, mind you.

May 20, 2015 11:56AM
Ganelon: We could fix that.

May 20, 2015 11:57AM
Rhu: Aaaa ... look, can you get off my face?

Amadi peers into Rhu's ear.

May 20, 2015 11:58AM
Amadi: No. Keep saying "Aaaaa." Move on to B in a bit.

May 20, 2015 11:58AM
Apheori (GM): Gravy: You notice Greibel seems to be talking to someone. Except there's nobody there.

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
Rhu: Aaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbwwwwhaat you are doing?

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
Apheori (GM): Rhu: You probably notice a bit of this too.

May 20, 2015 11:59AM
(To Amadi): It's a Gravy-shaped porridge.

Amadi pokes Rhu in the nose.

May 20, 2015 12:01PM
Rhu: Huh. Look, I'm a qualified first aid person and I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself, so if you don't mind ...
rolling d20+3 athletics check to push Amadi off
(
13
)+3
= 16

May 20, 2015 12:01PM
Frezak (GM): I think Greibel talking to nothing we can see is pretty normal, though.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): Is Kyrule there?
I totally forgot.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Gaurav: I don't think she came back from Midnight with Amadi and Gravy.

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Ellemerr: What's that against?

May 20, 2015 12:02PM
Apheori (GM): Frezak, Gan. Halp.

May 20, 2015 12:03PM
Ganelon: It's not a normal rules situation.
But I'd say fortitude.

May 20, 2015 12:03PM
Frezak (GM): I think Kyrule stayed back in Concept Land

May 20, 2015 12:04PM
Ellemerr: It hits fortitude.

Amadi falls over.

Rhu is surprised at his own strength.

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Rhu: Oh, oops, sorry ... here, let me help you up ...

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Ganelon: Remember that Amadi is light as a feather.

May 20, 2015 12:05PM
Gaurav: Oh, right. I keep forgetting.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: Radek's an old man and he could probably juggle several copies of her.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: The canteen I'm in has inexplicably filled up with children and it's very weird.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Would you like several copies?

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: No.

Squirrel peers curiously over Radek's shoulder.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Ganelon: One is quite enough trouble.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, too bad.

May 20, 2015 12:06PM
Gaurav: btw, logs confirm that Kyrule didn't return. It's apparently why Hazz' is sticking around.

Amadi is helped up. She continues to crawl onto Rhu's shoulder, inspecting his hair.

Rhu gives up and lets Amadi do what she likes, batting at her when she starts fiddling with his face.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): Right.

Radek is holding his tablet. Complex diagrams fill the screen. He slowly turns his head in Squirrel's direction, narrowing his eyes menacingly.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): She just sat down for some reason.

Amadi starts braiding the hair.

May 20, 2015 12:09PM
Apheori (GM): I wish I knew what was going through that lady's head.
She's a real finn sometimes.

May 20, 2015 12:10PM
Radek: ...Yes?

May 20, 2015 12:11PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy peers over Squirrel's should.
*shoulder
thing

May 20, 2015 12:12PM
Squirrel: You should tilt it.
rolling 1d20 + 10 arcana to make sense
(
4
)+10
= 14

May 20, 2015 12:12PM
Apheori (GM): It's nonsense.

May 20, 2015 12:13PM
Ganelon: Obviously, these diagrams plot the chemical balance of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in an attempt to understand its addictive effects upon children below the age of 13.
He's getting close to figuring it out.

May 20, 2015 12:14PM
Frezak (GM): Dammit, Radek.
I thought you were a scienceman

May 20, 2015 12:14PM
Ganelon: I'm joking, man, it's actually more Hole stuff.

May 20, 2015 12:15PM
Frezak (GM): JOKES?
I don't know you any more.

Radek swats at Squirrel with his free hand.

May 20, 2015 12:16PM
Radek: Begone. Your advice would be unnecessary even if it wasn't utter nonsense.

May 20, 2015 12:17PM
The Gravedigger: She could be saying something metaphorical that's actually very wise and smart, just beyond our natural scope of language.

The Gravedigger squints.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
The Gravedigger: Wait, no, that's the red one.
Forget it.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Squirrel: The squirrels live in the tree and only walk from place to place as needed. They fall out sometimes.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Radek: Mm.

Radek nods.

May 20, 2015 12:18PM
Ganelon: That was directed at Gravy.
Amadi and Dawn are occasionally insightful, it's true.

May 20, 2015 12:19PM
Radek: Are you well, Gravedigger? I understand that you died for a moment, there.

Radek keeps his attention on the tablet.

May 20, 2015 12:20PM
The Gravedigger: Transcending the bounds of mortality is a piddling feat when one has bisected reality itself.
Oooh, lunchtime.

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
Radek: You should try to avoid doing that. Leads to situations like this one.

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
The Gravedigger: Sandwich lady! Lunch!

May 20, 2015 12:21PM
Apheori (GM): Meanwhile Greibel seems to be getting into a relatively heated argument with the... whatever he's talking to.
It involves a sentence with more than one clause in it.
I mean, he uses one.

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Frezak (GM): What, he's discussing legal contracts?

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Apheori (GM): No, I mean he phrases a sentence different... nevermind.

Rhu will walk up to Greibel and listen in.

May 20, 2015 12:22PM
Apheori (GM): HE ALMOST SOUNDS SERIOUS.
But only almost.
Or something.
Nevermind.
Greibel holds out a pile of drugs.

May 20, 2015 12:24PM
Gaurav: To Rhu? Or to the nothing he's talking to?

May 20, 2015 12:25PM
Ganelon: Either way you oughta be like "For MEEEEE?"

May 20, 2015 12:25PM
Apheori (GM): To the nothing.
It might be vaguely in your direction, though.

May 20, 2015 12:26PM
Rhu: Um, thanks?

Rhu pockets the drugs.

May 20, 2015 12:28PM
Rhu: (to Hazz/Midoriki) Should we keep going, then?

May 20, 2015 12:29PM
Apheori (GM): When you take the drugs, the shadows surrounding your bubble of leap out at you and attack.
Everyone do an intitiative. There's only going to be one round here; whatever you do will either count or not, or REALLY not, which could be hilarious.

Rhu quickly tries to hand the drugs back.

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Rhu: rolling d20+6 initiative
(
11
)+6
= 17

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 3
(
19
)+3
= 22

May 20, 2015 12:30PM
Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 3 squirrel
(
7
)+3
= 10

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Frezak (GM): rolling 1D20+3
(
1
)+3
= 4
Wheeeee

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d20+3
(
16
)+3
= 19

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Frezak (GM): I'm thinkin' about lunch, darnit.

May 20, 2015 12:31PM
Apheori (GM): Lunch? O_o
You have all those sausages!

May 20, 2015 12:32PM
Frezak (GM): Dying makes for a fearsome hunger!

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Gaurav: How many shadows tried to jump us? Or is it just a large vague approaching mass of shadow?

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Apheori (GM): Do surprise rounds work the same way here as they do in pathfinder?

May 20, 2015 12:33PM
Frezak (GM): It's one action.

May 20, 2015 12:34PM
Apheori (GM): Okay.
I totally just nearly zonked out.
rolling 1d20 + 9 vs rhu fort
(
6
)+9
= 15

May 20, 2015 12:37PM
Gaurav: My fort is 15, so that's a ... miss?

May 20, 2015 12:38PM
Frezak (GM): A tie hits.

May 20, 2015 12:38PM
Gaurav: ... hit.

May 20, 2015 12:39PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu got attacked by a shadow and his shadows fade.
This does some stuff and things.
I'm going to get some soup and rephrase that.

May 20, 2015 12:40PM
Gaurav: With everything that's happened to him, it's a wonder he has any shadows left.

May 20, 2015 12:42PM
Apheori (GM): What I should have said is there is a horrible tearing at his soul and Rhu is, uh, slowed or something. For a few rounds.

May 20, 2015 12:42PM
Gaurav: Any damage?

May 20, 2015 12:43PM
Apheori (GM): Oh, right. Attacks usually do damage.
Uh.
rolling 1d4 + 2
(
3
)+2
= 5
THERE.
DAMAGE.
That was pitiful.

May 20, 2015 12:44PM
Gaurav: Weak shadows.

May 20, 2015 12:45PM
Apheori (GM): ACTUAL ROUND BEGINS NOW.
Order: Amadi, Hazz, Radek, Shadows, Rhu, Squirrel, Gravy.
You are... surrounded by 8 shadows.

May 20, 2015 12:46PM
Gaurav: Yes, good, let the gods go first.

May 20, 2015 12:46PM
Apheori (GM): All coming in from the border of the light.
The nearest two are by Rhu/Greibel.
I'll, uh, put them on the map.

May 20, 2015 12:51PM
Gaurav: What is the porridge's initiative?

May 20, 2015 12:51PM
Apheori (GM): We don't know.

May 20, 2015 12:53PM
Frezak (GM): The speed of oats.

Amadi takes a bowl of soup out of her pocket and throws it at a random shadow.

May 20, 2015 12:53PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 6
(
6
)+6
= 12

Amadi misses wildly.

May 20, 2015 12:54PM
The Gravedigger: (In slowmo)
Mmmmyyyyy luuuuuunch

May 20, 2015 12:55PM
Gaurav: Ha!

May 20, 2015 12:56PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi
's soup hits Hazz in the bakc of the head.

Amadi snickers.

May 20, 2015 12:57PM
Apheori (GM): Hazz very deliberately reaches up and wipes the soup off
.
Then he grabs the shadow next to him nad hurls it at Amadi's face.
What happens next is, uh, entirely up to you.

Amadi attempts to catch and eat the shadow.

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Amadi: rolling 1d20 + 10
(
7
)+10
= 17

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Amadi catches the shadow and winds up shredding it in an attempt to eat it.

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Ellemerr: Aaaw

May 20, 2015 12:59PM
Apheori (GM): Radek: You're up.

May 20, 2015 1:00PM
Ganelon: One sec.
...Quite a lot of these things, huh?

May 20, 2015 1:08PM
Apheori (GM): They seem to be fairly weak.
OR something.
It's all relative.

May 20, 2015 1:09PM
Ganelon: I'll just do a regular rifle shot on... this'n.
(Rifle Weapon Attack 17)

May 20, 2015 1:09PM
Apheori (GM): Miiiisses.
Wait, no, that hits.
Sorry, I can't think.

May 20, 2015 1:10PM
Ganelon: rolling 1d10+7
(
5
)+7
= 12
And if it's still alive, next person to attack it gets a +2.
To hit.

May 20, 2015 1:11PM
Apheori (GM): It splits into two shadows.

May 20, 2015 1:11PM
Gaurav: Um.

May 20, 2015 1:12PM
Frezak (GM): Goody!

May 20, 2015 1:13PM
Apheori (GM): They're each like half size.
Anything else?

May 20, 2015 1:13PM
Ganelon: Nah.

May 20, 2015 1:14PM
Apheori (GM): Shadows, then.
The two split shadows try to recoalesce and explode with a loud pop.
Amadi starts fizzing.

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Gaurav: Eeks!

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Frezak (GM): SHE IS LEMONADE

May 20, 2015 1:15PM
Apheori (GM): Shadows next to Rhu attack him.
1d20 + 10 vs ac
rolling 1d20 + 10 vs ac
(
9
)+10
= 19
rolling 1d20 + 10 vs ac
(
13
)+10
= 23

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: Please play quicker. I'm watching Athyria falling asleep on my couch and that doesn't seem good.
I mean, it's a nice couch an all. Sheep'd.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Apheori (GM): Guarav isn't responding, so Rhu gets knocked over and takes some damage.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: It's the right place to fall asleep.

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Frezak (GM): IS SHE IN MY SPOT?

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Gaurav: Eeks sorry

May 20, 2015 1:18PM
Ellemerr: But I'm not sure it's the right time.
Yes, Frezak, she kinda is.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Apheori (GM): Other shadow moves up to invisible person Greibel was talking to.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Frezak (GM): DAMN YOU NAAAAAMES

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Apheori (GM): Horrible noises ensue as the shadow is devoured.

Apheori (GM) collapses on Frezak.

May 20, 2015 1:19PM
Frezak (GM): ...
I hope that's not an actual thing you do.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): Two other shadows attack Radek and Squirrel.
It's all lungy and stuff.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Frezak (GM): You'll end up with perforations.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Gaurav: I gave Rhu -5 damage. Hope that's okay.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): rolling 1d20 + 9 vs Radek fort
(
8
)+9
= 17

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Ganelon: Hits.

May 20, 2015 1:20PM
Apheori (GM): Radek is sickened or something.
Squirrel helpfully pukes on him.
The remaining shadow lunges for hazz and gets blasted.
Well, not blasted. Moth on a bugzapper.
You know.

May 20, 2015 1:21PM
Frezak (GM): 'Zot'

May 20, 2015 1:22PM
Apheori (GM): Rhu, turn. Go.

May 20, 2015 1:22PM
Gaurav: Move action: stand up.
Standard action: Sequestering strike against the shadow next to Greibel. It's a melee attack so no attack of opportunity.
rolling d20+10 vs AC
(
19
)+10
= 29

May 20, 2015 1:24PM
Apheori (GM): Totally.

May 20, 2015 1:24PM
Gaurav: rolling 4d6+5 damage
(
4
+
6
+
6
+
2
)+5
= 23
Hee.
Is it still alive?

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Apheori (GM): It goes splat. Literally.
You're splattered with bits of shadow.
They feel like candy.

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Gaurav: Darnit. It has a nice teleport thing, but I don't suppose there's anything left to teleport.
It -> the attack
oh well

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Frezak (GM): Shadowguts.

May 20, 2015 1:25PM
Gaurav: No, I attacked the other one. The one next to Greibel.
Minor: Oath of enmity against the shadow next to me
And done.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Apheori (GM): Squirrel turns into a gaint crabby thing and claws the one next to her to shreds, then turns around and pukes on Radek some more.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Gaurav: Poor Radek.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Frezak (GM): Could be worse.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Ganelon: Siiigh/

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Apheori (GM): Now he's got godling puke and demonic godling puke.

May 20, 2015 1:28PM
Frezak (GM): At least it's not singing puke.

May 20, 2015 1:29PM
Apheori (GM): The puke starts singing.

May 20, 2015 1:29PM
Frezak (GM): Yes!
Gravy harmonizes

May 20, 2015 1:30PM
Gaurav: Such wonderful music.

May 20, 2015 1:30PM
Ellemerr: Amadi joins in, doing the... I wish I knew English singing terms now. I don't think it's called the "other voice".
It's not the harmony, though; it's another track.

May 20, 2015 1:32PM
Frezak (GM): Barbershop... triad.

May 20, 2015 1:32PM
Apheori (GM): Uh, Gravy, do stuff.
More stuff.
Awesome stuff.
THE GRAVE GOD.

May 20, 2015 1:33PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy directs the singing into a blast of discord, and tries to scrub the shadowthing from this reality.
Via the application of a shovel.
rolling 1D20+11
(
18
)+11
= 29
AC
I'll assume that's a hit.
rolling 2D10+6
(
1
+
3
)+6
= 10

May 20, 2015 1:34PM
Frezak (GM): And the shadow has... -5 to melee attacks.

May 20, 2015 1:35PM
Apheori (GM): The shadow turns inside out and doesn't split or die.

May 20, 2015 1:36PM
Frezak (GM): Also it's marked.
And Gravy ends his turn.
Still humming a malevolent tune.

May 20, 2015 1:46PM
Apheori (GM): Ellemerr is your new dm.
Enjoy.

Apheori (GM) passes out.

Amadi leads the song into a violent climax, making the shadows shimmer and grow. And grow... and grow... Eventually, they become a sort of dark cloud hanging over everything. Then it starts raining.

Amadi pulls a large umbrella out of her pocket, opens it, and motions for everyone to gather 'round.

May 20, 2015 1:46PM
Gaurav: Good night, Apheori!

Rhu gathers around.

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Frezak (GM): Gravy... sort of crouches to get under the 'brella.

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Gaurav: We could stick the umbrella on one of Gravy's horns

May 20, 2015 1:47PM
Ellemerr: Wonderful. You have all done well. Keep standing under the umbrella.
We'll be back in a week.
Have fun.
Sweet nightmares y'all.

May 20, 2015 1:48PM
Gaurav: Sounds like a plan. Good night, Ellemerr!
</pre>

Holes/Session 32.5

2014-10-14T23:54:11Z

Gaurav: Added some details

Rhu puts on a mask and attempts to order a drink. He keeps accidentally walking through the bar until he rolls a natural one and falls through the floor instead. He falls into some sort of basement. The Basement of Reality.

There is:
* A hairy cat embryo
* Inside some hairy translucent liquid
* Inside a hairy glass jar

(The hairiness is caused by the mask he's wearing so he can see at all, though that might not be relevant)

He tries to climb up a chute, but a sinister (left-handed) voice scares him and he returns to the room and hides behind a desk with far too many eyes. He starts hearing other, less-sinister voices, and is reassured; after investigating the walls of this room, he realizes that he can tear open splits in the wall relatively easily. He finds a giant toad-like eyeball, peers into some sort of teeth-covered room, and then gently rubs the eyeball, which provokes a reaction. The reaction is a tube opening up while the whole room shakes. Rhu enters the tube inside a rounded crevice, an artery or lesion of sorts

He keeps going. It's getting smaller. It gives when he pushes against it.

<Roll perception: 5+14 = 19>
The walls are getting: smoother, muscular, and now they are throbbing (earlier, it seemed like they were moving subtly, but now they're definitely throbbing)

There aren't any eyeballs.

<Heal check: Natural 20> Clinically, you seem to be dead. You're not breathing, digesting, normal body function has stopped. It doesn't hurt. But you don't seem to be decomposing, or being digested by this . He still has scars from the sphinx. He's just not doing anything metabolically. At all.

<Roll 3> Your muscles continue to work. (Yay!)

"Where am I going?"

The voices all stop; it's all silent but thumping and liquid noises. Rhu has to push his way through like poop through the intestine. The further he goes, the harder it is to breather. Luckily, this doesn't matter, as he isn't actually breathing.

Now he's gasping, but shouting: "THIS ... TUNNEL ... HAD ... BETTER ... END ... SOO--"

Rhu uses his passive perception to notice the end of the tunnel. But there's no light. There's a space without any light in it.

It goes down around between 1-20 stories and slopes gently to level. There is an organ (globular and covered in closed eyeballs -- maybe?) suspended with tendons and weird tubes like inside-out tracheas. Everything is hairy, and covered in streaks of teeth.

Rhu sticks his head out through the hole, and a glob of viscous fluid falls on him. He pukes. Once he's done, he rolls down the slope. In response, the organ eyes start opening in the suspended organ above. Rhu shouts at it, but there's no response. He looks around for some way out, and sees several holes of different sides. One is Rhu-shaped. He picks that one.

He crawls as far as he can. Eventually, he can no longer crawl on all fours, but can stand and squish his way through as there is space for his head. He crawls, and crawls, and crawls, and eventually falls out into a void.

He tumbles out into a void. It's not dark, but bereft of surface, and therefore of hair.
He emerges from a giant blob with one arm hanging off of it and reaching out over head. No skin, but fingers like tentacles. Rhu prays to Hazz'. Hazz' makes him aware of how much time has passed. Thank you Hazz'.

The further he gets, the more massive the blob appears.
He tries vaguely to stabilize himself, but eventually he just lies there. As he gets further away, the hair becomes less well defined, which is weird and anti-physics. (He's seeing with hair)

He farts. It slows him down slightly.

Eventually he can no longer see the blob. He is now entirely alone. With his thoughts. He has reached a Dead End.