Part 49: The Woodsy Tower

Update 043 – Woodsy Tower

Sorry about the image trimming in this update. I've been away for the past six weeks or so, and lost track of my process. At least I didn't lose anything this time! Everything should be back to normal next time.



“So, what's our current plan?”

“I'm thinking we go west, pick up any evidence that didn't get trampled over by the Giants and Troglos fighting, and circle our way back south, filling in our survey of the eastern side of the continent as we go.”

“You know what that means, right?”

“Please don't say it.”

“He's going to.”

“There's no stopping him.”

“ONWARD HORSIES!”

“Why?”



“Well, there is the roadway headed west-ish. And we did hug the mountains going south. I think we can get away with cutting across the forest.”




“I was honestly hoping it would go further than that.”



“Of course, we'll see what you have.”



Pass. Again.




“I don't suppose we could detour to visit the towns?”

“Nah. Wilderness exploration time!”



“This farmland has been badly destroyed.”

“Not badly enough.”



“Yeah, I think we can handle this now. Let's be sneaky!”

“You?”



“They saw us!”





Total stomp in my favor.



“Nothing here. Looks like this was just a farming outpost more than anything else.”

* * *

“Remind me why we're investigating swamps again?”




“That's why.”

“I don't think so. I mean, it's a reward for our complete investigation of everything, but it's not the goal.”



“And the swamps are inevitable given that we're on the lee-ward side of these mountains and hills, meaning rain collects here.”

“Wait. Leeward? You sure that's the right word?”

“If she's talking about the side of a geological feature that is facing away from the typical direction of wind, then yes, she is.”

“What are you all talking about?”

“Things that only make sense on the surface, it seems.”



“Regardless, it seems like we're around the mountain chain again. Time to go south.”

“Well, there is at least a town this way, the other end of that trading route. It would make a nice place to stop off while on the way back to collect the evidence we should have had the first time.”

“Bitch, bitch, moan, moan.”



“Now that we have the Orb, we can hop across this. Except we'll have to leave the horses behind.”

“Sorry, horsies.”



“Except there's nothing here. Well, I can think of worse uses for my precious.”

* * *


* * *


“I have to say, if it wasn't for the whole 'monsters everywhere', there would be plenty of room for Exile to expand without running into Empire troops.”

“Right up until their entire army hits us on what is effectively their home turf.”

“That would be a problem.”




“Oh, there is so much Joy to be had when ones enemies fight each other!”

* * *


“Oh, this isn't a good sign.”

“This Forest is Dark. And Shadowy. And the shadows are dark.”



“This isn't good.”

“No, it's not.”




“Especially since this place looks like it was meant to be approached from the North, not the south. We'll have to go around.”



“Let's try this again.”




“You're going to kill this guy, aren't you?”

“What if Chaldrath is female? Or something else?”

“I choose to use the gender non-specific masculine.”

“Oh, you're no fun.”

“And yes. I mean, this is obviously a trap. Might as well break it. It'll be a nice distraction!”

“YAY!”

“A distraction.”

“Given everything else, it qualifies.”



“Well, this is actually ... welcoming.”




“Not going to, thank you.”




“Hold on. Is this one of those idiots who thinks that by supplying resources to their intended victims that they are making things worse for them?”

“Maybe?”

“Only one way to check.”




“Guess not.”




“If we were wounded, this would be useful.”




“Nice water!”




“And our energy is restored with this pool!”




“BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“That's her 'supreme power' laugh or her 'you dun goofed' laugh?”

“A mix of both, I think?”



“Fungus aren't hard at all!”

“No, they're squishy!”




“Really? Expecting us to reach him only if we're worthy? Now I'm starting to get insulted.”



“Especially when it looks like he's trying to make this easy.”



“And what's with those little side rooms?”

“I saw them on the south side as well. We should check them out.”



“Lava just isn't the threat it used to be.”



“!!!”

“Great.”

“Killing!”



“Done!”

Note, Matthias just made level 30. Out of 50. And we're barely to the half-way point in the game.



“Huh.”



“I'll break one of those segments down.”



“Um... Hello?”

“ghaug...!”

Friendly mage here, but you can't talk to them.

“There's nothing we can do for him.”

“Now to do the west side.”



“Oh great.”

“Rakshasa? Here?!”





I hate these guys with a passion. And I don't have Demonslayer to deal real heavy damage to them. Taking these guys down is an exercise in patience.



“And controlling the access point, like good professionals.”



“What was that?”



“Anti-magic cloud.”

“...”

“Charge!”

“Charging!”



“Hah! I win!”



“Another Fungus.”



“Except ... friendly?”

“And time to go into the southern half of this tower.”



“I really wish we had Demonslayer at this point.”



“Don't worry, it's over already!”



Guardian is Webbed? Well, that will help me.



“Oh, remember when we were scared of these guys?”





“I don't.”




“Quickfire. How quaint.”

“WAIT! We forgot those out-buildings!”





“I wonder what's in them?”




“On it.”



“I'll hold this for now.”





“My turn to carry things.”



Quick recharge...



“Hold on, I have an idea.”

“What is it?”

“This.”




“This will prevent the Quickfire from escaping to the north.”

“Oh, that's hilarious!”

“What's funny?”

“All the effort to create and contain the quickfire, stopped by plugging up its dispenser like that.”

“... No, not funny.”




“Like that!”

“Well done!”



“This would be a lot more intense if this maze was being filled with Quickfire.”



“Why aren't you on fire?”





“Let's see what's here.”








“Well, that was a bust. And so is this wall.”



“There's the exit!”

“But barred.”



“Well, that's nice. We either get to flee in terror, spreading word about this horror.”

“Or we stab a fool in the face repeatedly.”

“Oooh! I know! I know!”

“Yes?”

“STABBING!”






So, here's the gimmick:


There are random, invisible walls. To get to him, you have to wander in a 'z' pattern across the room.



“I can keep this up all day!”



“I don't think you'll have to.”

And Art hits level 40. Out of 50.




“What does this sign say?”



“That would be more menacing if I didn't have to lean over top the sign to read it. We're already behind it!”




“Good haul. We'll have to get back to town to get most of this checked out though.”

That rock has to be magical. It weighs 45 stones!

“Time to leave then.”




“I hope the horsies are safe.”



And so ends another 'One attempt at this!' dungeon. At least they're completely optional.

“And now to get back to our job.”

* * *




“We could investigate this island, or head back west to collect the evidence we forgot.”

“You forgot.”

“We.”

“I remembered the last one!”

“And if he can remember, then you owe it to him to collect.”







“Ow. Right. Forgot.”

“Yes, a tedious trap thingy.”

“I'm totally going to use that in the next round of paperwork.”





“You know, I'm curious. Is that a trap for the unwary, or is there actually something back there?”

“Don't know. Don't care.”





“You know... we could check out the back entrances to the Giants and Troglodytes now.”



“You mean attack them from the direction they're expecting their mortal enemy to arrive from?”



“They'll never expect it!”

“Except we've seen everything to see with the Giants.”

“The Troglodytes, on the other hand...”




“Hey guys!”

I told you we'd be back!