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>>6370348
The hole trap looks too big for the students to jump over - but turns out the short dog-lady clears it easily, even though she's carrying Craig and a storage box.

"Gotta jump!"

That's all she said before she alights on the other side, apparently waiting for you. Your large goblin companion, to her credit, already assessed that the students won't be able to cross.

"Jump?! No time!!"

With astonishing haste, she picks up and sends all three Hexbourne students flying, placing them in a heap far from the hole. Just the two of you left, and the ball is almost upon you. Seems appropriate to ask.

"What about us?"

As soon as the words leave your mouth that the half-orc goblin sweeps you in her arms and leaps herself. The ball trap enters the hole trap... and gets stuck. As expected, your arrival was quite comfortable, on the account of her... padding.

"Uh... like this?"

Her solution you understand, but not why she is suddenly blushing.

"Ah, it works."

After an awkward moment in her arms, she lets you stand on the ground. Good, because it is time to check on Craig. Hmm. Seems fine, aside from the mana fatigue. Looks like this is a teaching moment. You lean towards him.

"So, what did you learn today?"

-----

You are Craig Snorlison, groggily sensing that you might be in trouble. How did Nemo get here?? You best choose your answer carefully...

> CHOOSE ONE
>□ "Abandoned towers don't have books"
>□ "I should've asked you instead of sneaking out"
>□ "Turns out mom was in Hexbourne"
>□ "The Dead Numbers used to lair here"
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6370351
>□ "Turns out mom was in Hexbourne"
You did learn that

>>6370353
+1
If we stop at Hexbourne on the way to the east anchor, we can totally score some old books of hers or maybe use her name and info to get new reading material from the faculty

>>6370351
>□ "Turns out mom was in Hexbourne"
We should also ask the students we saved to borrow a book so we have soemthing to read with Scholar.

Welcome back, QM!

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>>6370351
Try as you might, your dozey brain and the recent exceitement results in you not quite able to summari- oh wait!

"Um, I found out that my mom was in Hexbourne! Er, used to be a student there."

"Your mother?"

The way Nemo leaned forward, he seems interested.

"Yeah! Her name's Sanya Snorlison, and Gill here is her best friend!"

Nemo stood up straight, as if thinking.

"Is that why you snuck out of my supervision?"

Oof, straight to the point.

"Er... no, I was looking for a book - or something to read. Haven't found any, though."

As if on cue, one of the Hexbourne students, the goblin specifically, took out an item from his inventory.

"Oh! Then, wanna read my thesis on magical traps?"

"Really?!"

Another student, this time the human girl, hands you a recipe book instantly.

"No, no! That might be too hard for a kid to understand. Here, try 'Easy Magic Recipes' instead! It's quite beginner-friendly."

Then the last student, the Tmavy Les, also shows you a book she's clutching.

"Maybe you'd like this gothic novel instead, boy."

"Wha- that is definitely not kid friendly!"

"Says the bore with the cookbook..."

As they bicker among each other, you figured this might be your only chance to get reading material... that is, until you can get to Hexbourne. They probably has a magic tome library, right? Anyways, you gotta pick one to read.

> CHOOSE ONE

>□ Choose the thesis, you're interested in magic traps afterall
>□ Choose the cookbook, you're interested in the mixing of ingredients
>□ Choose the gothic novel, you're up for some advanced literature
>□ Choose none, you'll find a book by your own later

>>6372933
>>□ Choose the thesis, you're interested in magic traps afterall
Something hard and useful like this is perfect for our boy

>>6372933
>□ Choose the thesis, you're interested in magic traps afterall
Ideally we'd keep the other ones for tomorrow and the day after that, but I suppose that's too greedy.

>>6372966
isn't the deal like "one chapter per day"?
although getting all of the above will grant us some wiggle room, indeed

>>6372933
>□ Choose the thesis, you're interested in magic traps afterall
Craig's been feeling bad about not being useful on the team compared to everybody else, being a load to be carried instead of a competent ally that can help auntie Rosa and company. This book right here is just what he needs to start feeling better about himself in critical combat situations, like what could have happened up at the top of the abandoned tower just a bit ago. I would also have voted for the gothic novel otherwise. With the way that witch girl is blushing, I bet it's some serious early-mid 2000s fanfiction.net slop that is sure to mentally corrupt Craig just like we were...
Right? RIGHT?!

>>6372933
>□ Choose the thesis, you're interested in magic traps afterall
Very goblinish.

>>6372996
Boyfriend-material anon spotted?

>>6372996
It's ironic Craig feels less than useful because we lean on his powers all the time.

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>>6372933
Tentatively, you took the thesis in your hands - it is less than a book and more like a bundle of papers stuck together with thick office clips, scribbled all over. But something within your goblin psyche pulls you towards choosing it.

"Hmmm... traps, huh? Might be useful..."

The mage-goblin laughs fondly at your mumbling.

"Heh, you're a goblin kid after all! Lots of other goblins had such fixations when they were a kid themselves. Anyways, you can borrow it until you've read through it, I guess. If you like it, there's more papers and thesis in the Hexbourne archives!"

Nemo perks up at the mention of 'archives'.

"Does this archive you mentioned have the location of the Eastern reality anchor?"

Nemo asked the Tmavy Les girl, who is already putting her novel into her inventory.

"Eh, maybe? It's pretty big, it might just have that."

Nemo nods, then looks at you.

"Change of plans, Craig. We're off to Hexbourne."

Wait! So suddenly?

"But what about Rosa and Valencio?"

Nemo apparently already thought of that, as he shifted his attention to Liv.

"Miss bounty hunter, can you deliver a message for me? I can pay you."

-----

"...and that's why we need to head there, as soon as possible."

You are back as Rosa Montagni, who had just woken up from a hangover a while ago. This news is kinda hard to process, and the supposed urgency looms over you - this was three whole hours ago! Nevertheless, it is up to you to figure out your next step.

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ How are we gonna get to Hexbourne? And with whs
>□ Wait, is the bounty hunter messenger still here? Her description sound familiar.
>□ Hold up, what happened in the casino while I was drunk? Feels like a memory's surfacing...
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6374834
>□ How are we gonna get to Hexbourne? And with whs

>>6374834
>□ Wait, is the bounty hunter messenger still here? Her description sound familiar.
This Liv chick was one of our original party memebr options, right?

>□ Wait, is the bounty hunter messenger still here? Her description sound familiar.

>>6374834
Bleh, seems like I was half asleep, the first option is supposed to say '...and with what money?' since Nemo's away. Sorry for that.

>>6373133
Who, me? I seriously doubt that

>>6373139
That's just how being a kid is, I suppose. At least with this decision Craig has taken one step further towards power on his own

>>6374849
+1

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>>6374834
Concerned thoughts float around in your mind, such as 'how do we even get to Hexbourne' and 'how do we even pay for it, since Nemo's not here', but that description of the bounty hunter keep nudging your brain, like an itch. A short, stocky dog girl bounty hunter? Can it be?

"Hey, Valencio - did you get a good look at the messenger?"

He simply gestured to his side.

"Why, she's still here."

On cue, a diminutive yet energetic figure shot up from below your bed, almost catching you by surprise.

"Yo, Rosa!"

"Gongalla's pits, Liv! What are you doing over here?! I thought you usually hang around South??"

"Gongalla's pits back at you, Rosa! Look at you, hungover like a dog!"

Olivia 'Liv' Teegan's friendship with you went a long ways back, when you had a modest bounty on you and she managed to track you down to your hideout. Then her client tried to bump both of you off in order to annul the bounty, and you end up saving her ass in the process. This was some time ago, after Sierra... tried to scam the gods. You've been best buddies ever since.

"What happened? I thought you quit boozin' around for some time."

"Well..."

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ "It's for my current job, you see..."
>□ "Eh, it wasn't exactly a promise. Kinda like that time when..."
>□ "I got reminded of Sierra again..."
>□ Other (fill in)

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ Focus on finding a ride to Hexbourne first
>□ Focus on getting some money first
>□ Ask Liv about getting to Hexbourne
>□ Ask Liv if Craig is alright
>□ Ask Liv if Nemo is alright

>>6376212
>>□ "It's for my current job, you see..."
And
>□ Focus on finding a ride to Hexbourne first

>>6376212
>>□ "It's for my current job, you see..."
>□ Focus on finding a ride to Hexbourne first
>

>>6376214
+1

>>6376212
>□ "It's for my current job, you see..."
Denial ain't just a river on some unknown other plane of existence.
>□ Focus on getting some money first
The cops are gone, let's con.

Craig will be fine if he's with Nemo.and his spirit guides. Finding a ride is necessary, but we'll need to pay our way. It's cash, ass, or grass, and our grassy-green ass is too classy for that!

>>6376212
>□ "It's for my current job, you see..."

>□ Ask Liv if Craig is alright

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>>6376212
"It was for my current job, you see - I was trying to get some info from the casino..."

Technically true, but that doesn't stop Liv from putting on her skeptic face.

"Well, did you get - or even remember - said info?"

"Ehh... I'll remember them later. Anyways, on to more pressing matter - how did you get here?"

Hopefully Liv knows how to get to Hexbourne, preferably without needing any money at all. Or at least can be paid after we arrive there.

"By walking, of course! Keeps me fit!"

Of course... this is Liv, after all. She can be a bit oblivious in an annoying way. Good thing her cheeks are very pinchable.

"I was gonna ask if you know how to get to Hexbourne, you chubby fool."

"Oh yeeah, forgot that Freeport currently can't move at all... I know some guys, though."

Satisfied with her answer, you release her cheek as she continues listing off some names.

"There's Cap'n Waveheart, she used to be a pirate until I caught her. Heard she cleaned up her act once she's served her sentence, she's running a ferry operation that's based in the Viridian dock. She owes me a favor.

Then there's also Lugal-Lagash, a metal man who runs some kind of transport network in the East ceilings. Heard he takes payment in cash or info, also he's been helping out in the digsite. Maybe interested in those Archo- whatevers, that bone church splinter.

And last but not least, there's always Marthim. Demon guy, works as a Jabberwock Group rep. He also runs a teleportation service. Rumor has it he takes intangible payments if you don't have money.

These three are the most reliable ones I recall that's in Viridis, which one will you choose?"

Hmm, which one indeed. Then again, did you actually get any info from Don Bosco at the casino?

>CHOOSE ONE

>□ Pick Waveheart
>□ Pick Lugal-Lagash
>□ Pick Marthim

>ALSO CHOOSE ONE

>□ You got info about a cell of Singularity cultists in the East
>□ You got info about the approximate location of the Reality Anchor
>□ You got info about what Sierra might have meant by 'scamming the gods'
>□ Actually, the both of you were just commiserating and drowned yourselves in nostalgia
>□ Other (fill in)

>>6378332
>□ Pick Marthim
That one sounds like the most interesting
>□ You got info about what Sierra might have meant by 'scamming the gods'
Also wanna know what the hell this means

>>6378332
>□ Pick Lugal-Lagash
We have info he may want, and he may have info useful to us. Plus the ceiling is a cool setting element.

>□ You got info about what Sierra might have meant by 'scamming the gods'

>>6378390
+1
Perhaps with his interest in the dig site and the bone church, Valencio can win him over easily