[A Doomed Pilgrim in the Sundered Lands] Help violently kill weirdspaceships!

weirdspaceships

The Sundered Lands nanogames are a suite of five games and two supplements you can buy from here, for five bucks: http://nightskygames.com/welcome/game/TheSunderedLand. They're made by Vincent Baker, the guy who did Dogs in the Vineyard and Apocalypse World, among others.

Anyway, this is one of them, meant to be played over a forum. The rules are simple, and you don't even need to commit or sign up! Just occasionally pop in the thread and respond. You'll see!

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I'm a warrior seeking peace and an end to bloodshed. I’m on pilgrimage to the Temple to No Gods in the distant City of Gulls. My pilgrimage has brought me to the Desert of Spires, inhabited by the singing hyenas of the wastes. My goal is to pass safely through and continue my pilgrimage.

You, my friends online, play the world. Your goal is to see me to my doom, instead of safely on my way. You're allowed only to directly answer my direct questions, though, so you might not be able to do it.

The rules:
1. Only answer my questions.

2. If you don't already know the answer, make something up.

3. Keep your answers short.

4. If your answer's disruptive, I'm allowed to delete it.

5. Otherwise, I have to go with the first answer somebody gives.

6. If you join in, or even if you want to subscribe, please post (only once is required): "no gods watch over you".

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I have a long knife hidden under my shirt, and vast and deadly patience.

I've been going through this place for four weeks now. I've just now left the last water-pit for at least a week. My canteens are full, but if we're being honest, I could use more food. I'm trying to make it to the top of a mighty dune to get my bearings. Hopefully no one lives out here. On top of the dune is a massive black obelisk, etched in runes.

But! Something warns me of approaching danger. What warns me? Anyone should answer.

Void Slayer

As you sit under cover looking for a path up the dune a small white insect flies by quickly overhead.

Auralynx

No gods watch over you.

Let's get this rolling, I guess, as I see you've started similar threads in the past and one made me laugh!

The obelisk itself warns you of approaching danger, because that thing is creepy and definitely not promoting peace. Nothing good happens around creepy black obelisks.

weirdspaceships

The insect flies by, clinging to the obelisk.

I approach.

I watch its wings flutter, until it crawls around to the far side of the obelisk on many legs. And my stomach drops.

Should I bother to cover my tracks, right now? Anyone should answer.

Cheeseliker

Nope. It's probably too late anyways.

weirdspaceships

I make my way to the far side of the obelisk, pressing my back to it. I peek around the corner and watch, waiting. Hiding.

After a few minutes, what do I see?

Void Slayer

The Minders track by smell, and the white Flitters are never that far away from the swarm. You should use your time more wisely.

no gods watch over you

weirdspaceships

Void Slayer wrote: »

The Minders track by smell, and the white Flitters are never that far away from the swarm. You should use your time more wisely.

Was that a reply for the "what do I see?" question, or the previous?

Void Slayer

previous, sorry

Too much info?

You see Markas on the other side of the obelisk, your grey haired traveling companion, sitting in a blue velvet chair, wearing an old fashion tuxedo and drinking a martini.

This would be out of place, even if you did not bury him a week ago.

weirdspaceships

Void Slayer wrote: »

previous, sorry

Too much info?

Oh, no, just it seemed like it was a response to the previous, but it was posted after the new question, so I just wanted to clarify.

weirdspaceships

Some form of sorcery, obviously. I know the obelisks are tricksters. I pull my knife free.

I want to attack this image. What should I be on the look out for?

Farangu

Markas was always suspicious of everyone and everything, and he had a silver tongue to match his grey hair. His power of persuasion was great, and if he's risen from the dead, he might try to use it on you.

Iron Weasel

No Gods Watch Over You.

weirdspaceships

I hold the knife up behind my back so Markas can't see. Hopefully. Who knows what the dead are capable of? Either way, I'm running songs to my head, something to distract myself so I don't listen to what he might say.

I move to where he can see me, breathing heavily, but I keep my gaze steady. I want to present myself, but not as a threat.

Is it possible to take him by surprise, somehow?

Farangu

Old Malkas did like to test his wits against people. When pondering an answer to a particularly devious riddle, his mind would wander from his surroundings, leaving him in a daze, one that you could exploit.

This presents you with the dual challenge of a. Crafting such a riddle/conundrum and b. Hoping that his current state of undeath/projection still abides by his old traits.

Farangu

Also No Gods watch over you.

weirdspaceships

Riddles. Crap, I don't know riddles. He always knew riddles, I never got them.

I take a stab at it, though. Not, like, with the knife. The knife, I still hold.

They call these times The End. After everything is over. I ask Markas, "What comes after The End?"

Does it stump him, or does he know? And how does he react?

ronrab

No gods watch over you, son.

The thing that might have been Markas once smiles a charming grin, full of perfect teeth. "Nothing comes after The End, of course. It continues, unceasing, never... ending, if you will. Death is the only way out. Why don't you kill yourself, and join me in a lovely drink?"

weirdspaceships

My eyes flutter, my hand shakes. My movements are not my own for a moment. But then I roar out, slapping myself. It's now or never.

I might be able to fight free from this. I stab Markas in the throat. Does he withdraw and let me escape?

Iron Weasel

Markas' words turn to gurgling and and he staggers back, blundering into the velvet chair. Distressingly, the wound seems only to have enraged him. Nevertheless, you have a fleeting opportunity to escape.

weirdspaceships

My eyes go wide. The work of strange things. I nearly drop my knife, but instead I just turn and run, run as fast as I can.

The dunes are all flat and open. Nowhere to hide! Is there any kind of hideout spot I may be missing that's within reach?

Auralynx

There's nowhere to hide, but Markas wasn't all that fast when he was alive, being an older gentleman and somewhat on the heavy side from all the drinking. If you can get yourself under control, you can stay ahead of him until a better option presents itself.

weirdspaceships

I stop just briefly to compose myself, just that inch to stay focused, and run.

We run for hours until I want to die. But past the dunes are the fractured cliffs and mountains, where the sand becomes dirt, yet the obelisks still tower in the background. Here, though, it's all black stone, same the obelisks are made from, and bright, glittering crystals.

I feel cocky now. I don't see him. But I know he's still prowling around. Every footstep crunches over the rocky ground. Can I move through this place without alerting Markas?

simonwolf

No gods watch over you.

The ground is like a natural nightingale floor, even the smallest step sends a noise out. Alerting Markas is inevitable, if you move.

weirdspaceships

Screw it, then. I can't stay still. He never sleeps, he'll just find me.

I break out into a run, not trying to evade him, but trying to stay on the go, waiting to see him. Waiting. I think this is getting close to done, for me. Now or never.

I want to ambush him and cut his legs. Maybe slow him down enough to just make the hard run. Is there a place up ahead I can wait to ambush him?

(Anyone can answer!)

Iron Weasel

A cluster of crystals catches your eye; the size of a pony, it's large enough for you to duck behind and wait for Markas to pass.

Of course, if he approaches from the wrong direction then rather than conceal you, the glowing crystals will illuminate you like a lighthouse.

weirdspaceships

Wonderful. I do it. Fifty fifty, why not? I crouch down, pull my knife out. This must work.

I wait.

I want to ambush Markas. Does he come the good way, and I jump out and slash him, or does he come the bad way, and catch me off guard?

The Ender

I want to ambush Markas. Does he come the good way, and I jump out and slash him, or does he come the bad way, and catch me off guard?

...Is this a question? No Gods watch over you, pilgrim.

Rounding the corner of the crystal hedge, you find yourself face to face with Markas. The dead walk by different rules, you know?

He offers you a goblet.

"Shall we toast?"

weirdspaceships

His voice makes my eyelids flutter. I know what will happen if I listen to him, or (god forbid), drink.

I run the song of static through my head, but my hand is already moving for the cup.

If I accept the toast, will I be forever doomed?

Farangu

That depends entirely on your definition of 'doomed'. It might not kill you, per se, but it stands a large chance of derailing you from your quest to the Temple to No Gods.

weirdspaceships

Let's see.

I grab the cup and drink it down. I really have no choice. What happens to me?

blahmcblah

The wine is delightful. Perhaps your undead former companion is still friendly... but then the world starts spinning and swirling around you and all turns to darkness. You awake to find yourself trapped, covered in sand. Buried alive. Is this Markas' grave? Hopefully you didn't bury him too deep...

Clearly, no gods watch over you.

weirdspaceships

I'm disoriented, I don't know what this is. I try to claw my way out. Can I do it, or am I stuck?

Farangu

The sand gives way to your frantic clawing efforts after a second or two.

weirdspaceships

Oh, good. I wrench myself free, spitting sand from my mouth and wiping it from my eyes.

I take a moment to get my bearings. Whereabouts in the desert did we bury Markas?

Farangu

He was buried in an oasis, not far from the western edge of the desert. You were rather fond of Markas, and wanted him to rest well. You estimate that this has set your journey back a few days.

weirdspaceships

An oasis! At last, some good news. Spoiling an oasis is punishable by death according to the gods.

I re-fill on supplies, and with excess water, bathe. Not in the oasis, but separate, near some rocks.

I live decadently in the shade for hours before coming to my senses. I hear something that stirs me to movement. What is it?

Void Slayer

A splashing sound reaches you from the oasis, as though someone is throwing large rocks into the water.

Lots of them.

weirdspaceships

Always something. I move behind a tree, what little cover it provides, and wipe my mouth on my sleeve.

Whatever it is, has it seen me yet?

Auralynx

No. You were quietly relaxing in a shady spot, so you are as yet unseen.

weirdspaceships

I brace just enough to peek around the tree. I need to know if I could ambush this thing, or if I should just run.

What do I see?